Upstairs with Erik

[balancingminds]

His room is unchanged, there's a fire, two comfortable chairs, a chess set, dark woods, a bottle of Scotch and the coziness that reminds Charles of New York.

Inside he steps in to lean against a back of a chair, he's always aware of the space between his body and Erik's and even though they have now been closer than before, he knows that it might not last.

He reaches up to adjust the cravat and looks over to Erik.

Comments

[markedformore]

Erik follows at a sedate pace. He's in no rush to get upstairs, though he doesn't wish to linger, either. He offers Charles a hint of a pleased smile as he wanders in, giving a brief nod of his head. "Yes, it does look vaguely familiar, here."

[balancingminds]

"I do like my comforts and I consider a warm room one of them."

[markedformore]

Erik peruses the perimetre as he lets his fingers lightly twitch in order to catch Charles' buttons once more, keeping him not close, but on a leash (so to speak). "What comforts would those be?"

[balancingminds]

Erik's holding his buttons this way is intriguing and Charles watches him as he gestures,

"A comfortable chair to read in, good books, a place where I can put the world away."

[markedformore]

"Of course, of course," Erik agrees as he paces the room with a comfortable stride, taking in the area around him. "Is the chair a preference, then? For comfortable things?"

[balancingminds]

"Yes, my favorite chair should now be in New York but this one here works well."

[markedformore]

Erik gets comfortable in the chair, sprawled so that one leg is dangling off the edge of it. He finally releases Charles' buttons to offer him the freedom of choosing what he'd like to do. "I do like it," he praises, running his hand up and down the arm.

[balancingminds]

He grins at how comfortable Erik has made himself and considers before shifting the other chair closer and then sitting so his legs reach out.

Sadly the costume makes it difficult to sprawl as much as Erik is, "I can tell."

[markedformore]

"Yes, but I do think perhaps something is missing," he admits, projecting a thought of Charles' hands on him in said chair being the most comforting thing of all. "Don't you agree?"

[balancingminds]

Charles stands up and then looks down to find the best way to sit then starts by kissing Erik as he arranges himself on top of Erik.

[markedformore]

Erik allows himself to smile for an echo of a moment before he closes his eyes and focuses on the warmth of Charles' body atop his, focusing on the perfection of how that kiss feels. He buries his fingers in Charles' hair, the other hand toying idly with the cravat.

[balancingminds]

Erik's pleasure and the kiss are wonderful and Charles sighs happily as he presses against him.

[markedformore]

It's not entirely what he'd expected, but it is what he wants. He eases back, half-dazed, staring at Charles. "What about your woman? What about her? I thought you weren't supposed to do this with me."

[balancingminds]

"She's not mine anymore. I told her I kissed you and she was done with me and I'd rather have you,"

Iris saw him in ways he hadn't expected and he misses her and he's sorry to have her hurt her, but Erik fits.

[markedformore]

Erik is both superior and surprised, elated and expectant. He's not entirely sure he deserves such resounding belief in him. "You'd rather have me, would you?" he asks quietly. "And what would you do with me, now that you have me."

[balancingminds]

"Yes, I would,"

He doesn't know how long he might have Erik for and doesn't wish to waste any time. So his answer is to slowly and carefully kiss him.

[markedformore]

Erik finds layers of protective casing faltering when Charles kisses him like that. He's erected those walls to protect himself, but now he feels like they're tumbling down too quickly for his liking. "Charles," he exhales, as if giving in to the feelings.

[balancingminds]

As Erik opens himself, Charles can feel it and takes a breath to keep his shields steady,

"Don't wish to overwhelm you."

[markedformore]

"I suspect we're long past that," he warns, giving Charles a look that implies he was overwhelmed a great time ago and it had nothing to do with their physical proximity and everything to do with meeting Charles.

[balancingminds]

"Oh, yes,"

He relaxes with a smile, Erik's still here and moves to loosen the cravat.

[markedformore]

Erik's smile is crooked and nothing like the smiles he gives when he's truly content. Still, it's pleased and having Charles so close is part and parcel of that. "I do love that cravat," he murmurs fondly.

[balancingminds]

"Then help me out of it,"

He prefers having his neck open when he can and he likes this new smile of Erik's.

[markedformore]

Erik's smile grows wider, that curiosity eager to unfurl and grow. His fingers are deft as he plays with the fabric of the cravat, enjoying the smooth feel and taking his time to truly undo Charles like a present. "No one will hear us?" he verifies.

[balancingminds]

"No, they won't. The walls are thick here,"

As Erik plays with his cravat, he stays still, curious to see what he'll do though he'll be glad to be rid of it.

[markedformore]

Erik slides his fingers through the fabric and unwinds it, prying it off with a sly smile on his face. Now that the thing is rid of Charles' neck, he takes the opportunity to lean in and press slow, heated kisses to Charles' skin, now revealed.