Erik listens patiently as Charles tells him everything. Then he pulls him into his arms, as though he knows that it's the only thing that will ease Charles' tension.
"It's alright," he murmurs as he lets Charles breathe into the shoulder of his suit, gently moving them over to the bedroom without letting go. "I'm in no danger. That man was merely a business acquaintance. I don't know what he got himself into, I knew he had money trouble, that's why he came to see me – but I had no idea something like this might happen."
"You're not in danger," Charles whispers, not sure if it comes out like self-reassurance or like a question.
"No, I'm not, I promise, Charles," Erik answers anyway.
He pulls Charles closer, onto his large frame and leans them back on the bed. Charles traces the hard muscles under Erik's shirt, developed from years of martial arts training, feels the sheer strength the man is emanating even at rest, and it makes him feel a little better.
Still...
He pushes himself up to look down at Erik's ever-calm expression.
"But what if someone..." he swallows down the word 'murdered', unwilling to say it in connection to his fiance, "...if you did business with him someone might come-"
Erik brings up a hand to cup his cheek, shushing him with a thumb on his lips. "Do you trust me, Charles?"
His eyes, liquid steel, tug at Charles heart. He sees so much in them, so much love sometimes, and yet, so often he feels like he sees nothing at all.
"Yes, of course," he shakes his head, "but, Erik-"
He's cut off when Erik, swift as a cat, flips him over, pushing him into the mattress. Charles never sees it coming, only has time to gasp and dig his fingers into Erik's sides reflexively, eyes wide for a second as he stares at Erik hovering over him, supporting himself on his elbows next to Charles' head, steady and sure like it's nothing. Not even his breathing's changed, Charles notes with amazement.
"Very impressive, overpowering a couch potato of a grade school teacher," he huffs, only half joking.
It is impressive, and he can imagine what Erik could do if he had to go up against someone bigger and stronger than Charles.
"I have no one to be afraid of," Erik says with a slight smirk, though the seriousness of earnest conviction never leaves his eyes, "And neither do you."
He runs the bridge of his nose along Charles' cheek before kissing his ear. "You never have to be afraid with me either. I need you to know that, Charles."
"I do," Charles nods, reaching up to run his fingers through Erik's hair, pulling him down for a kiss.
Their lips meet, softly at first, but quickly more and more passionate. Erik trails kisses down Charles' neck, lowering his body until there is no air between them. Charles tilts his head back, pulling at Erik's hair as pleasure runs through him.
"Mein Schatz, ich liebe dich...so sehr..." Erik's breath is hot in his ear, his body heavy on top of Charles'. It doesn't feel confining though; it feels safe. More, it lets excitement spark through his limbs.
"Love you more," he whispers and Erik bites his collarbone playfully.
"Let me prove you wrong."
He lifts himself off of Charles long enough to rid them of their clothing. Long, slightly calloused hands trace Charles' ribs, and Charles finds himself shivering, gasping as Erik's lips and teeth set out to rediscover every inch of his skin. He arches, keening, when Erik nibs a little harder at his hipbone.
"Erik-"
The businessman pulls himself up Charles' body again, aligning them and entwining their legs, creating the most delicious friction and grinning wolfishly at Charles expression.
"Tease," he whispers breathlessly and Erik's grin widens. He kisses Charles, hot, open-mouthed, still for a second, before abruptly pulling Charles legs up and around his waist.
"Never, love," he grins. And holds his promise.
Charles doesn't think of anything else that night. He lets himself be swept up, following Erik's movements like the tide follows the moon.
x
Du bist mein Mond, und ich bin deine Erde, (You are my moon and I am your earth)
Sie sagen, du veränderst dich. (They say you're changing/transforming)
Ich weiß es nicht, ich weiß nur, daß ich werde (I don't know about that; all I know is that)
In meinen Nächten hell durch dich. (In my nights I light up through you)
x
(Info: I changed the order of the lines in this poem. It's fitting in its entirety but for the sake of brevity this will do. Poem by Friedrich Rückert.)
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