but that's how we like it, and that's all we want

[atthemercyof]

[ He wakes up, and he's not where he should be. Gone is Charles Xavier's bedroom, the warm press of a body beside him, and in it's place is - well, Erik thinks it's a library. He pushes himself up off the mattress on the floor, black wood shelves looming into view. He doesn't know what's happening, only that he feels a little outside it all. Nobody could have moved him in his sleep, and if they wanted to, they wouldn't leave him somewhere like this.

He turns around to glance at the room twice, moves a little closer to the shelves to draw his fingers across the spines, not plucking them free just yet. There's a sound, somewhere outside the room, and he abandons the examination in favour of opening the door, taking the hall at a quick, but not frantic pace. He's curious, which is bizzare in and of itself.

Though he doesn't look into any of the rooms he's passing, it does feel like there's life in here, wherever here is. He hears the noise again, traces it through. ]

Comments

[oldcardigans]

[ Fingertips twitching against Erik's waist, voice as soft as the whisper of fabric on skin. ] I was happy to.

[atthemercyof]

[ Another smile, and Erik is letting his attention slide along to the roof, dazzled by the glass and how warm he feels, safe in the knowledge that Charles keeps part of him safe. ]

[oldcardigans]

Go on, then. Explore if you want to. [ Shoving his stomach oh so lightly, a playful grin belying his affection. He does want to give Erik the option of looking around before they wake up properly. ]

[atthemercyof]

[ He does with a quiet laugh, moves away simply to touch the shelves once, feels the hum of metal underneath his fingertips, and whether or not he should be able to doesn't matter, because he likes it anyway. ]

[oldcardigans]

[ Happy just to watch him poke around in the world he built for Erik, Charles moves to fold himself into one of the fine leather armchairs, one knee crossed over the other. ]

[atthemercyof]

[ Stroking his fingers along the spine of a few of the books. He's not sure whether he should look in them, peeking into Charles' thoughts and feelings at a time would be a little like cheating. He's happy to bask in the room. ]

[oldcardigans]

Know which one that is? [ Picking an invisible piece of fluff off his slacks, the picture of casualness. ] The first night at the CIA facility. Remember your trip to the "gym"? You're a horrid liar, my friend.

[atthemercyof]

It isn't my fault you've always seen right through me. One is not used to a man who's two steps ahead always.

[oldcardigans]

You've found some ways around my meddling from time to time. And, really, trying to drown yourself called for my extra attention, no matter how much you complained about me rooting through your head.

[atthemercyof]

Were you always that impulsive? [ Grinning. ]

[oldcardigans]

[ Coughing quite suddenly. Not suspicious at all. ] Ah, I don't know what you're talking about.

[atthemercyof]

[ Laughing under his breath. ] Of course not, silly me.

[oldcardigans]

[ Covering his tracks. ] And I suppose you often put yourself in danger so charitable, yet handsome telepaths can pick up on you?

[atthemercyof]

Ja. [ Mischievously. ] I find danger attracts them.

[oldcardigans]

Ah yes, well a master of magnetism would know all about attraction, wouldn't he?

[atthemercyof]

It's something I'm well-versed in.

[ Another smile, another shift of his shoulders. ] I'll share the secrets one day.

[oldcardigans]

Please do. I thought you simply beckoned and all the nice boys and girls would flock to you, but from the sound of it, there's a subtle art.

[atthemercyof]

Well, I only ever wanted you, so I suppose I don't need the secret any longer.

[oldcardigans]

[ Charles looks at him curiously. ] Only me? You never..? [ He doesn't know how a man looking like that could possibly get through life without wanting a single person until well into his thirties. ]

[atthemercyof]

[ His eyes widen slightly, like he hadn't ever thought to voice it, because to him it had been obvious. Erik hadn't known what attraction had felt like until he'd met Charles. ] No.

[oldcardigans]

[ Oh. Oh. So it wasn't only a case of not being interested in relationships or using sex as a means to an end, Erik never - oh dear. How extraordinary a creature Erik is.

There's a touch more colour in Charles' face now. ] I'm - well, flattered, for one. And a bit sorry that I, too, had to wait so long to find someone so exceptional as yourself.

[atthemercyof]

[ Smiling again, ducking his head. ] Yes, well. It worked out in the end.

[oldcardigans]

In many ways. [ There are questions he'd like to ask about that, about what that was like, but Charles does have tact enough to refrain. And somehow, Erik's feelings haven't changed with Charles' paralysis, which is so out of the telepath's reach of what he understood about his friend that he can't help being eternally grateful.

Gaze raking across the room's ornate beauty once more and waiting for the tight happiness in his chest to dissipate until he can speak. ] Shall we be off, dear?

[atthemercyof]

Mm.

[ He's going to come back, explore at some later time when he can drag Charles' around. Until then, he's happy enough to smile, cross the room back to him. ]

[oldcardigans]

Next time we have a few hours to ourselves, I'll let you strong arm me into wherever you choose to embarrass me.

[Rising to his feet, Charles reaches for him as soon as he's near, taking both hands for no practical reason. Sighing, clearing his head, his eyes fall shut, pushing his power down the right pathways to safely bring them out. ] Wake up.