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]

[ There's that sensitivity again, his hand twitching and settling on Erik's knee. ] Mm, I'll be very cross, then, just for you. I might have to keep you in here to make sure the children are safe from it.

[atthemercyof]

[ Muffling his laughter against Charles' shoulder. ] How noble.

[oldcardigans]

Ah, I am the best of us all. [ Says the telepath in his most arrogant tone. ]

[atthemercyof]

[ Amused. ] I don't doubt that.

[oldcardigans]

[ Gently ruffling Erik's hair, teasing him fondly. ] Don't despair, dearest. I am not so lofty a man that I can't be brought down for a little roll in the sheets every now and again.

[atthemercyof]

Mm.

[ Another kiss, Erik warm and tickled, arms wrapped around him. ] Very good to know.

[oldcardigans]

[ Self satisfied. ] Isn't it?

[ Half leaning back against him. ] Am I allowed to apologise for something else?

[atthemercyof]

That depends on what you're apologising for, dear.

[oldcardigans]

Unintended cruelty. [ He catches Erik out of the corner of his eye. ] About last night. I sincerely hope that I didn't offend you with the projection I sent. Intent isn't magical, I know, but nonetheless, I don't think so little of you that I supposedly didn't want to be in the room. Quite the opposite, in fact.

[ Tracing the line of Erik's knee through the sheets, an altogether assured smile curling across his face. ] I know where you stand now, thank you.

[atthemercyof]

I never thought that, Charles.

[ He leans his cheek against his shoulder, a quiet hush working over him for a moment. ] I was just concerned. You have no reason for apology.

[oldcardigans]

[ Understanding settles in his heart, turning to brush his lips into Erik's mussed hair, breathing in his scent. ] I love you, Erik. You, you must know how I try to heal so this doesn't get in the way of us, don't you?

[atthemercyof]

You shouldn't have to, part of loving is that we should help each other, mm? [Holding on to him properly, voice warm. ] I love you, I will be here, and I promise to only rifle in your mind on occasion.

[oldcardigans]

[ His laugh is only a little strained, as if Erik could do any snooping without Charles' conscious or unconscious help. He'll just have to arrange the most blush-inducing items first to slow him down. ] It's all right - you help me more than anything else already, love.

[ It'll be harder when Erik is gone. Soon now, it'll be unavoidable for reasons beyond their control, but Charles will help Hank with Cerebro and search for Erik every day, keeping tabs on him. Charles sighs, running his fingers up and down Erik's strong arms contentedly. ] I'll tell Hank I'm going to be late.

[atthemercyof]

Good idea. [ Erik is content to simply touch. It's been far too long since they had this, and he enjoys touching him, a little possessiveness underneath how gentle he is with the sweep of his hand along a shoulder blade. ]

[oldcardigans]

[ Charles can work when Erik's away. This morning he'll indulge in much of the physicality he's been missing instead, inviting Erik with the slightest tip of his head, bearing pale skin and his small constellations of freckles. Alongside them are the unfamiliar parts, the new, lean muscle and a bullet wound stitched back together expertly, like marking the first entry in a storybook. ] You're a worthy delay, my friend.

[atthemercyof]

Is that so? [ Leaning in to kiss along his neck, amusement soaking through him, warm and happy. ] I like being worthy.

[oldcardigans]

[ He cracks a real smile at that. It's a bit of uncomfortable shadowplay that makes up a facet of their relationship, the "worthiness" debate. Erik isn't worthy of Charles because he's a monster, Charles isn't worthy of Erik because he's half a person - whether or not they're true, they're both capable of joking about it and leaving it at the wayside (after a fashion) so they can be together.

And letting Erik roam all over him is well and good, but Charles isn't going to go without touching much longer, shifting a little to brush along Erik's nape. ] How do you feel about welcome? Desired?

[atthemercyof]

[ With a shiver, a smile that's bright and amused. ] Mm, those are very good too.

[oldcardigans]

[ Laughing softly, Charles shifts aside to peel off part of the robe's open vee neck, pressing his lips to the warmed, downy soft skin beneath, murmuring against him. ] Distract me.

[atthemercyof]

[ His laughter rumbles up beneath him, sliding his fingers down the side of Charles' chest, light and happy. Pulling Charles into his arms to litter kisses along his throat, Erik knows that this is definitely something to keep. ]