Erik didn't know what he'd expected. An epic confrontation? He wasn't sure. Swiftly and silently he opened the gates and walked up to the large mansion he'd once called home, cape flapping in the late night breeze, helmet glinting in the light of a nearby lamppost. He walked serenely through the halls and seamlessly navigated up the stairs to Charles's bedroom. He remembered the mansion as perfectly as if he hadn't been gone all those months. He'd have liked to believe that he hadn't.
As he approached the bedroom door, he swung it open with his mind in a feigned attempt at majesty. He peered inside, slightly perturbed. The bed was empty. Now confused and slightly worried, Erik turned around to ponder his awkward predicament.
It was in this silence that he had heard the noises. They were soft and indistinct, but Erik was able to trace them to the floor below. Cautiously, he descended the stairs and crept to the door where the sounds were the loudest. He opened the door, by hand this time, and slowly poked his head through, afraid of being seen by anyone who might be inside.
He did a quick sweep of the room with his eyes before stopping cold at Charles curled up sobbing on the floor between a wheelchair and his bed, his legs askew in an unnatural position. Erik immediately took his cape off and draped it on the nearest chair and knelt down by his paining friend.
Charles was clutching his head with both hands until his knuckles turned white and murmuring, "Stop it, stop them, someone please." His wild and pain-filled eyes turned on Erik and he whispered, "Erik, stop it. Stop all the voices. Please Erik." Erik's mind filled with guilt and regret as he gently lifted Charles up; one arm supporting his now lifeless legs, the other his shuddering torso.
He slowly used his mind to remove the helmet from his head, projecting his thoughts to Charles, lovecalmcarepeace, before placing the metal helmet snugly over his friend's head. Charles had obviously not slept in some time and fell into a deep and peaceful sleep after a wave of relieved gratitude washed over his face. Erik placed him carefully on the bed and covered him up, trying to position his head in the most comfortable way possible with a bulky metal helmet on his head.
As he backed away he felt a slight tug as the unconscious Charles's arm fell away from the sleeve Erik didn't realize he had been clutching so tightly. He suddenly knew he couldn't leave him now, not again. He closed the door, took off his armor, and slipped on the pair of sweatpants lying on the chair by the window.
Just as he was about finished he spotted something protruding from underneath a dusty pillow. He removed the pillow and picked up one of the old turtlenecks he had left which had been rudely crumpled up and stuffed under the pillow. He brought it to his face and breathed in. Memories flooded his mind and it smelled as if no time had passed at all. There was a new smell though. Salt, salty tears he realized.
He looked over at the figure sleeping peacefully on the bed and felt more guilt stricken than he had ever before in his life. He decided to put on the turtleneck as well and climbed carefully into the bed next to Charles so as not to waken him. He didn't know what would happen the next morning, but he did know that he had to stay with his friend, who by rights should never forgive him for what he'd done.