"Hi everyone! This is the very first Cherik fic that I wrote and I would like to share it with you. I apologize if my dialogue is a bit off. English is not really my native language and I don't think I sound 'proper' enough. This is my limitation but I do hope you enjoy the story for what it is, regardless if it is preposterous. It is for your reading pleasure and essentially for me...the smut XD"
With the ticking from the long case clock, a slight susurrus of writing can be heard, pen and paper meeting to form the cursive script of Charles Xavier's handwriting. He appears to be studiously bent over a necessary missive, perhaps something for the school he is currently invested upon or a pending correspondence from a lengthy list of scholarly acquaintances and sponsors he interacts with. A soft knock came upon the door, yet Charles continued to write.
"Come in,"
Although it is not evident in his actions, he held his breath for a moment as his butler entered the room. His face calm, his body language indicative of casualness.
"I've brought your tea, sir"
"Thank you! You may place it over here,"
He cleared some papers away from the right side of his large oak table, carefully laying the papers atop the current letter he was working on. He suddenly wondered how many times they have had this commencement each time Erik brings in his tea. A faint smile formed upon his lips. Erik never fails to serve tea with a flourish, there is always pastry or cake included, the sweetness or richness of each complimenting the tea and included on the tray, flowers or some other delicate accompaniment like fruit or jam. Although Erik had wanted to serve him something more substantial as traditional of afternoon tea, a sandwich or layers of crumpets, he declined it. Today Erik brought Earl Grey tea and a slice of cake. Charles inclined his head towards the tray.
"What type of pastry is this?"
"Strawberry Mille-feuille with two types of cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce atop glazed fresh strawberries,"
"It sounds wonderful, but looks like rather a challenge to feast upon"
Erik's brow furrowed, "How would it be a challenge?"
"It has layers of puff pastry and all this delicious cream. It is impossible to eat with any dignity because surely, this dainty slice will make its way around my face and hands, evoking a clownish countenance on my part. If not that, the rather untidy crumbling of the pastry as I labour to cut through it makes me seem uncouth."
Charles grinned, for Erik was at a loss for words. He continued.
"One would almost think you are deliberately serving me these collapsing enticements for the purpose of humiliating me for your pleasure,"
"It has never crossed my mind, Sir-"
"Ah, but you have served me countless such victuals and I am sure I have seen you covertly grin from the corner of my eye,"
Erik hesitated a moment then,
"I beg your pardon Sir, if you ever saw my discrete smile and had mistaken it to have any devious agenda behind it. It is merely an expression of my joy that you partake of the labour I had put forth in creating these 'enticements' as you so put it,"
He looked Charles directly in the eyes.
"And besides Sir, it appears my effort has borne fruit. You were woefully lean before I arrived here and if I may say so, you look hale and hearty now."
"Well I didn't have much time to eat-"
"Which is why I serve you these delicacies so that your appetite might be stimulated and to persuade you to eat at your leisure, "
Charles stared at Erik, whose gaze was somewhat steely, challenging.
"Chiding me again, are you?"
Charles smirked when Erik looked like he had been slapped. Erik recovered quickly and flashed an odd smile back at him. Sometimes that smile disturbs him, for there are far too many teeth showing; it somehow did not go well with his attractive countenance. It looked predatory, dangerous.
"I cannot help it, Sir. I am obliged to do so, especially as it will help improve the quality of one's gastronomic experience,"
He took the fork and knife from where they were nestled upon the snow-white napkins and he began to slice the cake for Charles.
"There is a trick to this, you see. I believe you to be a far more observant individual than I am, Sir. But I am not sure if you have watched how ladies in tea establishments eat a Mille-feuille!"
Charles watched, dumbfounded for the nonce, as Erik used the prongs of the fork to test the surface of the pastry, piercing it and then he brought the knife down hard where he had pierced the cake, not in a sawing manner and only upon the crust. He slowed down the movement as he sliced through to the cream, preventing it from squirting sideways, cutting a small piece of the cake neatly, with barely any crumbs from the flaky pastry crust.
"Sometimes, with fragile delicate things...you have to be more forceful at the beginning and then temper the harsh action with tenderness at the end to get the results you need,"The throaty cadence of his voice sent a thrill through his master.
Erik brought the fork up and held it out to him, cake and all. Charles's wide blue eyes were regarding him curiously, a faint blush staining his cheeks as he pressed his lips together, then an exasperated smile quirked at the corners of his generous red mouth. It was Charles's trademark diffident smile. Erik found it to be a very pleasant distraction to look at.
Charles took the fork from his hand instead, their fingers momentarily brushing, causing some electric stirring beneath his skin at the slight touch.
"I think I have just been told indirectly that I am a boor when it comes to my dining manners,"
Charles did not sound put out. It was amusing to him. He ate the cake, still smiling and followed suit on how his butler had cut the cake.
"Think of it as constructive criticism, Sir,"
Charles giggled at their banter. Cheeky Butler indeed!
Erik quietly stood back, his face set pleasantly and there was a triumphant gleam in his eyes as he waited for Charles to finish his cake. However, underneath their trivial exchange over the matter of Mille-feuille and how best to consume it, Erik has been having dark, unwholesome thoughts about his employer. He kept imagining that mouth kissing his own. It is the same for Charles, because he is actually aware that Erik was somehow attracted to him. He in turn, seduces the other in a discreet manner, yet he takes no action over his cognizance of this fact.
"Excellent cake as always, Erik! Again, I would have to praise you for this indulgence,"
"Thank you, Sir!"
Erik stood to the side of the chair; so that he has a view of Charles's profile, but Charles cannot see Erik except from a sideways glance, hence his comment earlier. Charles finished his meal and knowing that Erik was watching his every movement, he lifted the fork to his lips and proceeded to lick the prongs indecently, yet he kept his expression as innocent as possible. He threw a furtive glance towards Erik, who seemed to grapple with controlling his demeanour as he continued the act. Charles let his tongue flick up and down the prongs and then he would suck on it a bit, licking at his lips and repeating the movement, cleaning the fork of the bits of cream and pastry that clung to its surface.
"Have you any letters you wish for me to send forth, Sir?"
Erik said this hoarsely, a tactic to break the hypnotizing sight of Charles's licking. Charles noted this and was amused.
"Indeed I do,"
He bent and rummaged through his drawers and pulled out packets of sealed envelopes, handing them over to Erik. Erik still appeared struck, Charles found, to his quiet merriment. There was a slight tremble to his manservant's hands as he cleared the tea things away. Erik nodded from the doorway and left Charles to his own devices. Charles finally let out a charged breath, not knowing if the other was doing the same from the other side of the door. They have been doing this from day to day, making him wonder if one of them will act on impulse upon the actions of the other. And so it did...because without knocking upon the door, Erik came back into the room several moments later; he was holding one unsealed letter in his hand. Events then escalated from thereon.
Erik was about to say something, however, a peculiar look came into his eyes as he gazed at out at the window from across Charles, then back to his attractive master and without warning, as if propelled by urgency, he tackled Charles onto the carpet. Charles for some reason heard glass shatter from somewhere, but in his confusion, his focus fell upon his butler, now straddled atop him.
"Good God, Erik! Whatever for-!"He sputtered.
His chair toppled to the side, their bodies flung far from it, beneath the undamaged window close by the oak table. The window that shattered was the large one that served as the focal point of the room, facing Charles's desk directly. This window has a couch positioned before it, with a low table in front. Erik breathed harshly as he looked down at Charles. He held the back of Charles's head, the look of concern on the man's face adding more to his bewilderment. Erik lifted his other hand, touched a supine Charles upon his temples and his neck.
"Are you alright?" Erik finally managed to say, his voice raw. He was looking searchingly into Charles's eyes.
Charles had no time to think why the other had manhandled him or what the source of his apprehension could be. Impulse had overcome him. It was that look in Erik's eyes that did it.
Charles lifted his face to Erik's and kissed him gently on the lips. The contact of skin upon skin...of heat, was surprisingly pleasant given the circumstances. Erik was momentarily shocked, but he returned the gentle kiss Charles was giving him. More heat came seeping from between the clothes they wore; Charles could feel it, as if he was melting from the inside. Charles surged upwards, deepening the kiss, tentatively pushing his tongue between Erik's parted lips, realizing with delight that his mouth tasted of the last thing he ate; that Erik could taste the cake he had made for his master. Erik's kisses grew more urgent, as if he was trying to swallow Charles's tongue, opening his mouth wider for more. They lay there for some time, kissing and touching each other desperately and then Erik broke it. He was about to say something, an apology perhaps or some exclamation that would ruin the moment. Charles put his palm against Erik's lips. He could feel Erik's hot, laboured breathing against his skin.
"Don't say it, I am to blame," He whispered.
Erik nodded in understanding. He pulled away from Charles as if in a daze, and then he was looking at the broken window overhead. Charles was looking at it too.
"Hmmm, what?"
"I saw something coming towards the window, Sir. I was concerned that you might get hurt that is why-"
He left his sentence unfinished. They are gazing heatedly at each other, both their suppressed desires finally out in the open. Charles propped himself up on his forearms with Erik still kneeling between his legs. Both of their clothing disheveled, hair askew from hands that had roughly pushed and pulled, their faces flushed. It was deliciously indecent somehow. Erik helped him up, steering him away from the window, leading him towards the door.
"I think you should step out for a bit, Sir. Stay in the library while I clean the shattered glass away. I'll have Henry help me board up the window for the nonce, until I could secure a repairman to fix the window,"
Charles appreciated Erik's concern, but at the same time found it odd that someone would enter the Darkholme Estate, now known as the Xavier Mansion and dare to throw a rock at his window. He was too astounded to say anything and let himself be led away.
"Before I clear this wreck, Sir, I will also bring in the authorities to report this...vandalism," Erik assured him.
When Erik was sure that Charles was safe in the library, he returned into his master's study. He saw the bullet hole on the wall above Charles's wall, mere inches from where his head had been positioned earlier. Erik's jaw tightened. Charles, in his confusion did not notice it. He went back into his own office and found the implements he needed to cover the hole in the wall and righted the place as much as he could before Henry and the rest could see the room. Thankfully, everyone did not come rushing in when the commotion with the broken glass occurred. They are always in the kitchen, a favourite haunt of the staff when there are lull moments in their housework. Moira stood by the window and close to her stood Angel. Seated upon one of the kitchen chairs is Henry McCoy and leaning on the table is Alex. They turned their attention anxiously upon him.
"We heard a dreadful shatter come from Sir Charles's study, Mr Lehnsherr! What has happened? Moira began for the others.
"Someone threw a rock at one of the windows, I'm afraid,"
Indignant shocked murmuring from everyone in the room.
"What of Sir Charles?" Angel cried out
Erik lifted a hand.
"I understand everyone is alarmed, but let us all keep calm so that we may accomplish our duties. Sir Charles is quite alright and has retired into the Library,"
"How could someone have entered the grounds with Logan on the prowl?" Henry asked quietly, to no one in particular.
A snicker from Alex, "Perhaps he was the one that threw the rock into the study. He's capable of that!"
Moira threw them both a withering stare "Hush you two! Surely Logan would never think to damage the very property he has intended to care for,"
"I agree, it might have been some stranger-"Erik started to rummage the cabinets for a container to place the broken pieces of glass into.
"Henry, get a shovel from the garden shed and take a broom with you, but do not clean the damage just yet. We have to report this incident to the authorities first. Alex, come with me into my office, I will be writing a letter, and you will send it off to the police as soon as possible. Angel and Moira do check on Sir Charles, he is currently in the library. He may be feeling a bit faint, but I don't think there is a need to send for a doctor,"
Erik gave his orders and proceeded to his office with Alex in tow.
"Really though, where could Logan be when all of this happened?" Alex said from behind Erik.
"I intend to get his full account on this matter, as soon as you are off to deliver my letter,"
Alex looked at Erik in wonder, his composure given the current situation admirable.
"Sure thing Mr Lehnsherr!"
Erik did not turn to face him, nor did he answer. Alex was then reminded of what he thought of Erik; that he was the sort called a 'Cold fish', whose only sole purpose in life are duties and the obligations of being the head manservant, having the power to order people around and being a violent one at that. He remembered how Erik had thrashed him before. After Alex had departed, Erik strolled out into the garden and went to where the copses and trees are thickest.
"Logan,"He called out. "I know you are out there."
Rustling from the leaves from above one of the trees, a heavy creaking of wood and Logan jumped down to the ground, leaving a loud thud in its wake as his boots touched the grass and the soil.
"Did you see what has happened to Sir Charles's window just now?"
Logan walked circumvent to Erik, teeth bared in a feral smile.
"Not beating around the bush are ya?"
Erik lifted an eyebrow at that, his voice frosty, his smile equally so.
"I am not the one who dawdles about with the bushes all day long, do I? Now answer the question. Did you see anything at all?"
Logan took out one of his smelly cigarettes and casually lit it. He puffed smoke into Erik's face, but there was not a change in Erik's expression. Logan sneered, but finally answered him.
"I didn't see the window get broke. I was on the other side of the garden, choppin' wood. It was already smashed in when I arrived, but I did see a man hiding in one of the trees. He was too far-off for me to see clearly. He was wearing dark clothes and a flat cap that covered his face some. I tried to come after him, but like I said, I was too far-off and he saw me first."
Erik nodded. "I've called for the police. They may ask for your statement so you best come with me to the office and wait there until they arrive."
Erik turned his back on Logan, expecting him to follow.
"Did you see who did it, Bub?"
Erik frowned at him "What? Of course I didn't see who it was! I was only there by chance to see the rock coming towards the window in time to help Sir Charles out of harm's way,"
Logan snorted at that.
"Well you took an awful long time lying atop him before you called the others-"
Erik froze; did Logan see him and Charles kissing? He didn't think it was necessary to be concerned about that. He shrugged casually.
"Sir Charles was agitated; I was trying to calm him down,"
Logan gave him a knowing smile, but didn't say anything more other than,
"Right, Bub! Lead the way then,"
Erik bestowed upon him a lingering glare of displeasure and continued to walk ahead of him. He thought of Charles, of how he had wanted to apologize earlier, but the man didn't let him. There will be time enough to discuss things later. About that kiss-