Erik contemplated the chess pieces in front of him, his finger brushing lightly against his lip as he thought. He glanced up quickly eyeing Charles suspiciously. Charles had just moved his rook into a rather tempting position. The question now was whether or not to take the rook. He was sure Charles would not make such a beginner mistake so obviously the rook was a trap. On the other hand, Charles could have known Erik would see the trap and ignore the rook, which might actually further Charles agenda. Erik had always prided himself on being able to read his fellow man, however Charles had always confused him. His unending devotion to humanity, his ability to forgive. Erik quickly glanced up again, his heart fluttered as he took in Charles thoughtful expression. Charles... he murmured inside his head.

"Erik...?" Charles voice broke Erik's train of thought.

"Charles?" Erik replied, moving his knight to a more advantageous position than chancing the rook trap.

"How come you never re-married?" Charles questioned.

Erik's fingers stilled on top of his knight.

Erik contemplated his answer, "What makes you ask now, Charles? Hmm?"

"Something Logan said," Charles's answer was rather clipped causing Erik to glance up from his knight.

Letting go of his knight he shrugged settling back into his seat, "Let's just say the object of my affection would be... unreceptive. What about you old boy?"

"I gave up," Charles chuckled, "I wanted to focus on helping humanity. They all need so much help, I suppose there was never time."

"How noble of you," Erik commented folding his arms across his chest, "It is your move."

"Right," Charles smiled moving his rook to take out one of Erik's pawns.

Erik smirked and quickly scanned the board, if he played his moves right he could have checkmate in three.

"You said 'the object of your affections would be unreceptive'. You're currently in love...?" Charles tried to be calm but Erik could sense the awe hiding underneath his words.

Erik pressed his lips together and moved his bishop.

"Erik..." Charles reached across the board grasping Erik's hand.

Erik jumped as if he had been burned; he could feel his heart hammering in his chest. Charles's hand floated in the spot where he had clasped Erik's hand. Charles was never one to snoop within people's mind without permission but if others touched him, at times their thoughts would unconsciously drift into his. Sometimes if the other person's mood was heightened, they would project their thoughts into Charles's head, a sensation that was not always welcome. For a split second Charles felt something which was closely followed by the sound of Erik's heart hammering inside Charles head but then it was gone. Erik had practice in shutting down his thoughts, a requirement of being friends with Charles. Erik shakily pulled his hand back against his chest as he attempted to still his ragged breath. As soon as Charles had touched him, he knew that he had been projecting. Erik suddenly felt very small and uncertain. His helmet was missing, his gloves where missing, he had no protection.

Charles mind swam with an uncertain feeling and a beating heart. Drawing his hand back, he studied Erik. Whatever Charles had gotten a glimpse of; Erik was sure worried about Charles's reaction. What could Erik possibly have to worry about? He was already aware of Erik's wish to murder every human in cold blood and still he played chess with this man. What would scare Erik so much that he believed that Charles might not forgive him? What... Charles eyes widened in shock. 'The object of his affections would be unreceptive.' The object of his affections. It was Charles. Charles cursed himself silently, how had he never noticed.

Well if he had been honest with himself, he had a suspicion once, back when they attended college together. When they had fought on the same side, had built Cerebo together. He thought that maybe Erik had affection for him then but Erik's actions afterwards had made him think otherwise. Charles would be a fool if he didn't admit that back then he would have dated Erik in a heartbeat. Could he possibly love the man now? This man that so many saw as only a monster. Charles couldn't kid himself, he had always loved Erik, that's why he was so willing to continually forgive Erik. His Erik.

"Oh... Erik," Charles breathed.

Erik flinched, taking Charles breathy response as a sentiment of pity, "It means nothing."

Charles couldn't help but chuckle, the idea just seemed so ludicrous. Two old friends, in love with each other for 30 years and both were none the wiser and now the ball was in Charles court. He knew who Erik was, knew what Erik was, he knew Erik would never change. To enter into any type of relationship with him would mean certain unbearable heartache for both of them. It would be unwise to enter into any sort of relationship past their current state, but no one ever said that love was wise, no love was blind, and foolish.

Charles took in a shaky breath and wheeled his chair beside Erik. Erik glanced up, his face impassive; waiting for the response he knew was coming.

"Oh... Erik," Charles breathed again and grabbed Erik's face bringing it in for a passionate kiss.

After Erik's initial surprise he kissed back bringing his hands up to cover Charles's face. Breaking apart Erik took in a shuddered breath.

"This is a mistake..." Erik started before Charles cut him off.

"How can feelings we've had for thirty years, which have never changed, be wrong?" Charles questioned.

"I meant this is not the place," Erik whispered fiercely glancing towards the jail door where Scott stood before he looked back at Charles surprised, "Thirty years?"

Charles slowly withdrew his hands, a slight smile on his face, he was about to speak when he was interrupted by a soft rap on the plastic door and Scott motioning that they had to go.

"Perhaps this will be a discussion for another time," Charles quietly responded wheeling his chair over towards the door.

Erik watched dispassionately as Charles wheeled himself out of the cell and watched as the walkway receded after him. He brought his fingers up to brush his lips.

As Erik laid in his bed, he stared up at the ceiling with his hands clasped across his chest. Thinking back to the past and of his time with Charles, the good and the bad, although there had been more bad than good for a very long time. Thinking back on some of his actions towards Charles his heart broke.