Is it sad that the best part of Charles' life, nowadays, is playing chess with his archenemy?
Probably.
Erik can best him, and Charles can best him back. It's in complete silence, of course, and he can't read Erik's thoughts (which is a little distressing), so there's no communication. They'll play a couple of games, drink a couple of drinks, and then Erik will call on one of his teleporters to grab him. It'll end like this, every time.
Except today.
Today, Erik's eyes are a little red-rimmed, his stance a little more hunched, and he carries a bottle of vintage red wine, 1944. Charles can't help but raise an eyebrow.
'She's dead. Raven's dead,' No. No. The full impact of that statement hits him like a ton of bricks. He does not cry. He does not have the ability. He is drained.
'Drink, please,' he says, and Erik just uncorks it, and they sit in a tepid silence.
These games can never be easy again