Prompt: Could you pls write a fic about Charles spotting Erik secretly crying over something and going to comfort him? :D
Charles slapped Hank's shoulder, gasping for air. "That…was a…good one," he laughed, wiping sweat from his hairline. "Your sprinting has truly improved, Hank. Good work.
Hank, who wasn't even winded, smiled gratefully. "Only because of your training," he said modestly.
Charles chuckled, shaking his head. "It's all you, my friend. Why don't you take a few more miles before heading in? At least get yourself out of breath."
Hank nodded, vanishing with a gust of air as he took off. Charles grinned at where he used to be and sat on the ground in the gravel, stripping off his sweaty shirt and welcoming the breeze against his bare skin. He leaned back on his hands and closed his eyes, letting the sun shine through his eyelids. Gradually, he began to make out the sound of soft crying coming from a few yards away. He pushed himself to his feet, leaving his shirt in the gravel, and strode over to the source of the sound, behind some brush next to the school. Rounding a tall tree, he found Erik, who was sitting up against the brick wall of the school, his head in his hands. Charles stood watching him for a moment, his eyes narrowed. Erik didn't like others to know about his weaknesses, and Charles knew that. But he also knew that people need people. So he stepped into the shade with Erik, coughing to announce his presence.
Erik looked up at him from his arms, his eyes red and his cheeks flushed. "Charles," he said, startled. He opened his mouth to continue speaking, to shoo away his friend, but his breath caught in his throat, another sob ripping itself from his throat.
"Erik," Charles murmured. "Do you mind if I…" He gestured to the ground.
Erik looked away but nodded. Charles sat in the dirt next to Erik, reaching out and touching his elbow gently. He didn't ask if Erik was okay, because he knew he wasn't. He didn't tell him it was going to be okay, because he didn't know that. So he leaned in and said, "You can talk to me, if you want."
Erik wiped his eyes impatiently on the hem of his shirt, grinding his teeth anxiously and working his fingers into his hair in frustration. Charles grabbed his hand and pulled it away. "It's okay to feel, Erik. You know that, right?"
Erik tensed. "Why should it be okay to feel if it makes me feel like this?"
"Because that's what makes us human," Charles said firmly.
"We're not – "
"You know what I mean," he insisted.
Erik's hand relaxed in Charles'.
"Erik, you don't need to tell me what's wrong. You don't even need to tell me what you're feeling. And I won't look if you don't want me to. But I need you to know that you're allowed to talk, and you're allowed to feel."
"I've never been allowed to before," Erik mumbled.
Charles squeezed Erik's hand, his blue eyes glimmering with sincerity. "Well you are now. Here. With me. I promise."
Erik tightened his grip on Charles' hand and finally let out his sorrow and frustration, tears spilling down his cheeks, as he lowered his head onto Charles' shoulder.