Title:Till Human Voices Wake Us
Author:cathat77
Rating:PG-13
Word Count:417
Characters:Charles/Erik
Summary:Charles/Erik, they discuss their relationship after sex, purposefully open-ended
Warnings:nothing, mentioned sexual behavior
We have lingered in the chambers of the sea
By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown
Till human voices wake us, and we drown.
- T.S. Eliot
Disclaimer:In no way, shape, or form does X-Men First Class belong to this author. X-Men First Class is the property of Marvel, and this author is merely borrowing from the Marvel Universe.
Charles straddled Erik's lap, resting his palms on Erik's broad chest, running his fingers over the myriad of freckles present there. He ducked his head along Erik's jaw line, pressing kisses as he went proceeded upward.
He brought his hands to twist in Erik's hair, chest pressing against chest as Charles arched his back. Reeling from Erik's kiss, Charles rested his forehead on Erik's cheek, and Erik's warm breath ran over his face.
Erik pressed his nose into Charles's cheek, breathing in warmth and the lingering smell of sex. "I would never part with you. Charles, we are cut of the same cloth." He cupped Charles's face gently, pulling it up for another kiss, but Charles startled, pulled back away from him.
Charles looked away. "And that is why we can never…. Perhaps in that respect we are…too compatible." Tears welled up in Charles's eyes, and he angrily brushed them away. His lips screwed together in an attempt to suppress the sob rising within him. "Erik, you and I, we cannot be."
Erik tightened his hold on Charles's hips, not letting go despite Charles's emphatic whimpers. "What? I don't understand. Why are you doing this?" Charles closed his quivering eyelids, holding Erik even closer to him. His body trembled.
"Do you not think my pacifism and your militant aggression are incompatible? Do you not think your hatred overrules your love?" Erik let go of Charles's hips, watching as bruises rapidly formed there. He brushed a finger over Charles's swollen lips, pulling back at Charles's flinch.
"I will always vow to change for you, if I must, but my hatred of them is justified!" Erik whispered slowly, impressing the words onto Charles. He grabbed Charles's chin, and forcing eye contact, he could see Charles's fright.
"I fear, my love, that in this we will always part, and I fear, my love, that you will leave me behind in this endeavor." Charles's body was racked with sobs, and he wiped at his runny nose. "How can you live this way willingly?"
"I lead my life as I only know it. This way of life is maybe more…ingrained rather than willing, but I will not choose to live my life any other way." Erik's face remained stoic, betraying none of the turmoil he felt deep within him. He watched Charles's swollen face gape at him, clearly a lack of understanding he reasoned.
"No, Erik, no. I cannot let this continue." Erik watched Charles slowly raise his hand to his temple.
A/N: Bit depressed. I go to school on Tuesday, and classes officially start on the 30th. Plus, I've been sick, packing, and in some pain.