Remember the chess scene? Yeah, you remember the chess scene.

Sadly, I don't own the X-Men universe. But DAMN THAT WOULD BE COOL ;A;

"Peace was never an option."

The last sentence hung in the air like smoke from a gun and Charles was momentarily at a loss for words. Either that or he thought words wouldn't ever be enough to face what Erik had just declared. A few tense seconds, occupied only by Erik staring directly into Charles's eyes in a way that would have unnerved him had he been anyone else, until Charles sat back in his armchair.

"If that is what you truly want," he said, each word tearing a piece from his soul, "then I won't stop you."

Erik didn't say thank you; he'd never been taught to do so, but his face softened in gratitude. Now the silence became more comfortable and the chess board lay forgotten on the table between them. Really, if Charles was ever told to choose between the life of Erik's torturer or Erik himself, he wouldn't need to think. Peace may not have been an option but Erik was, Erik always was.

A sudden thought seemed to strike Erik because he leaned a bit forward suddenly, mouth opening and closing again and looking at a spot on the carpet to the right of the table.

"When this is all finished," he said, making it sound more like a death sentence than an event, "you'll still be… at my side, will you?"

Charles breaks into a gentle smile, taking Erik's hand in both of his and running his fingers across the back.

"My friend, I would never dream of leaving it."