Erik didn't last without texting Charles for long. In fact, as soon as he was home, he picked his phone.

[You]

Hey, handsome. Already miss you ;)

Then, he proceeded to do something he should have done before; research about lung cancer. He found the most common symptoms are coughing (including coughing up blood), weight loss, shortness of breath, and chest pains. He knew Charles already had the last two ones and the others scared him a lot.

The worst part, was when he read "Most cases are not curable". He felt himself get desperate once again, the thought of Charles not walking the earth was despairing.

Erik felt the tears stinging on his eyes, but it was still something that wasn't processing for him. It didn't make any sense that Charles would die and he believed with all his heart that Charles would be healed. His phone beeped and he immediately left the wikipedia tab.

[Charles X]

Me too! Can't wait for saturday :)

Saturday couldn't come soon enough and Erik dedicated the whole rest of his week to research about the disease and things they could and could not do.


When Saturday rolled around, Charles already felt more energetic than the whole week. He wanted to do things with Erik, cook or go out and drive on his motorcycle, but he also wanted to kiss Erik again.

He had been feeling quite okay these past weeks, save from the circus incident. Of course, he was used to the endless roller coaster ride, knowing that after an up curve, the inevitable down would come. But it wasn't there yet and it felt like Erik's presence had given him some kind of boost. He almost felt healthy, wanting to run around and scream as loud as he could. Still, he knew that both those actions would cause immense pain and therefore he didn't do it.

[Erik(The sexy waiter)]

I'm here. Can I come in? :)

Charles quickly jumped up from his bed and rushed towards the door, while texting his okay to Erik. His parents were long gone, so there was nothing to worry about.

He opened the door for Erik and beamed at him, the energy still not leaving his body like it usually did. "Hello!", he grinned and stepped closer.

"Hey Charles", Erik answered softly and they moved in for a short hug, before letting go as much as to press their lips together. Charles immediately shivered at the contact and smiled dreamily into the kiss.

"Come in", he said after they let go of each other and opened the door a bit wider for Erik. "What are we gonna do today?"


Erik had two options of what they could do. One, was going to the town's water tank where they could go up there and see the whole town. It was a nice place to be, private and fun. He had spray paint they could use to draw or write anything there and it wouldn't be suspicious since the whole thing was already covered in names anyway. There was two problems about that; one, it was kinda forbidden to go there and spray paint it and two, the climb up could be tiring for Charles.

The other option was a chill date on the movies with popcorn and peanut covered in chocolate. They could hold hands and make out in the dark. It was both amazing options he would love to make but he would give Charles the choice so he wouldn't assume the other man wouldn't handle the adventurous option.

"Well, I… Thought we could go to the town's water tank or to the movies. What would you rather do? Do you have any suggestions?", he asked following the other man inside the huge mansion and smiling when he saw Bertha standing there. He was holding two helmets, - he had ended up trading his dvd player for one helmet with his friend so Charles could always ride with him - but still managed to wave hello at her "Hey, Bertha! How are you doing?", he asked.

"I'm okay mister..?" - "You can call me Erik", he said and then turned at Charles, waiting for an answer.

"Let's go to my room, we can decide there", he said and Erik nodded. As soon as the door was closed and he had put the helmet down, he had an armful of Charles, their bodies pressed close as they hugged for longer than on the door.


It was the best feeling on earth to have Erik back in his arms. His smell started to become familiar, but Charles had always liked it anyways. It was a mix of cologne or deo, he couldn't tell, musk and the faint smell of oil or something like that.

When he pulled away after a while, he looked up at Erik and said "I'd love to try out the tank. It sounds fun."

Nodding, Erik lifted his hand and brushed a strand out of Charles' face behind his air. It flopped right back into place, because his hair wasn't long enough to be held by his ear. Charles smirked.

"Alright, but it's a lot of stairs. I'm just warning", Erik agreed and Charles shrugged. He had made it on top of a building, so he would master the tank as well. Just in case, he took his medication with him and some money.

"Oh! I forgot to tell you", Charles grinned and walked towards the TV in his room. He picked out the game and grinned as he held it towards Erik. "Guitar Hero!"

"No way! You bought it? I think I wanna stay here", Erik laughed and Charles fell right with him. "Well, we can stay for half an hour?".


Erik's eyes sparkled and he stepped closer to hold the game "Yeah, I think I wanna stay for half an hour", he answered while inspecting the cover. It looked a little more modern now, but somehow still the same and he was flooded with memories of a mini him singing in the living room as if he was on stage while his father played the guitar.

Charles grinned at him and went to turn on the console and put the game in it. The famous intro made Erik shiver and he was sure, he was looking like a child on christmas at the moment. They were sitting side by side on Charles' bed, cross legged and eyes glued on the television, but the other man put a hand on his thigh and squeezed it softly.

When Erik looked at him, Charles was beaming and he couldn't help but come closer and kiss his cheek, whispering "Thank you", afterwards and nuzzling the skin a little before pulling away.

They each had a control and Erik picked out 'welcome to the jungle' to start the game so they could both do it together.


They played for a little while, but half an hour wasn't enough for Charles to get the hang of it. He could play the piano, but playing those plastic instruments was definitely something different. Obviously, Erik won all the rounds, but that didn't matter, because Charles could see him all happy and young, almost carefree. Most of the time, Erik looked all grown up when he went from one job to another, but having him here, playing his favorite childhood game with him, it made Erik look like a child again.

"Okay, I give up for now! I'll train more for the next time", Charles promised with a chuckle, as he lost for the fifth time in a row. Erik laughed and agreed, before they both got up from the bed and put on their clothes again to go out.

"Have you ever been to the tank?", Erik asked as they made their way towards the motorcycle. Charles was already wearing the helmet and a leather jacket, in case they would fall.

"No, never. I don't … go out very often", he answered and Erik gave him an odd look, but nodded, not commenting on it. Good okay, Charles had confessed about his sickness, but Erik was right to believe, that wouldn't handicap him too much and he would still get to go outside more than once a month. But that conversation was one, they would have another time.

Erik mounted the bike and Charles did the same a bit more clumsily, but then he held onto Erik's waist once again, his groin perfectly fitted to Erik's ass. "Alright?", Erik yelled back.

"Let's ride!", Charles shouted and the motor roared.


It felt amazing to once again ride with Charles on the back. The way to the water tank was a long one but Erik didn't care when he had the other man holding tight to him like that.

When they finally arrived, he parked his bike a little far from it just so they wouldn't be too obvious if someone passed by the tank and waited for Charles to come down so he could do the same.

He framed Charles' face with his hands and they smiled at each other, Erik kissed the tip of the other man's nose and said "Ready?", to which he nodded. They held hands until they reached the stairs and then Erik looked up, biting his bottom lip.

He forgot how high the tank was and thought maybe he had made a huge mistake. He remembered how tired Charles had been to go up the roof and now that he had a reason for that he was still pushing for more. Fuck, this had been a bad idea.

"The view from up there must be breathtaking", Charles murmured looking up and Erik turned his gaze at him. "Was this a bad idea? I know you can do it if you want but I don't want it to seem you're being forced to or something", he said with a shrug.

"Don't be silly, Erik. I chose to come", he answered and went to the stairs, starting to climb it. "You're giving me the best view of your ass", Erik joked, even though it was true and followed the other man up.


The first half was okay to climb, but he started to feel tired rather quickly. His lungs burned and he felt some aching pain in them, but he tried to put on a good face for Erik. He didn't want Erik to worry about him, even if those stairs were higher than the rooftop.

"Charles? Are you alright?", he heard from behind him, as the rustling sound in his breath increased. He tasted copper in his mouth, but gritted his teeth and looked ahead of him. It wasn't long anymore, they couldn't go back down now! "Charles?", he heard Erik's worried tone again and felt a warm hand on his back.

"I'm fi-", he tried saying, but it ended up in coughing and automatically used his arm to cover his mouth. There was a second hand on his back now, but the stairs were too small for Erik to go ahead of him. When the coughing stopped, Charles pulled his arm away and saw blood on his sleeve. He felt dizzy all of the sudden and the pain threatened to overcome him, but there was also a will inside of him, that he continued climbing slowly.

When they made it upstairs, Charles broke down, not being able to conceal his exhaustion and pain anymore, even if he really didn't want Erik to worry. "Charles!", he heard Erik and then he was next to him, his hands on his upper arm and concern written all over his face.


Erik was fucking traumatized now. There was blood on his sleeve that Charles had coughed out and it scared the hell out of him. Fucking stupid idea! God, he was so freaking stupid, what was he thinking of?

"Oh God, what can I do? Shit, I'm so sorry Charles", he said running his palms up and down the other man's arms. Charles was gulping for breath and it looked painful, which made Erik's heart literally hurt.

"Shhh… I'm so sorry darling, I'm so sorry", he said desperately and hugged Charles to his chest, trying as best as he could to find out what to do, to soothe him. "Tell me what to do, I wanna help", he pushed out while the other one struggled.

It took a long time for Charles to calm down and Erik started kissing his whole face, cradling his head and apologising over and over again. He would never put Charles at risk like this again. Never.


Charles lifted his hand to move it gently through Erik's hair and smiled weakly at him. The pain was still there, but he could breathe again now. Erik kept apologising, but it wasn't even his fault! Charles had wanted this, he had seen how high the tank was and still wanted to climb it - if anybody's than it should be Charles' fault. But, truth was, he would do it all over again, after he managed to sit himself up and take in the view from above.

"Stop.. apolo-gising", he breathed and scooted closer to the edge of the tank to see downwards. Everyone on the street looked like those figures in miniature worlds, even the cars were so very small.

"Jesus, don't go too close to the edge", Erik said and pulled him back a little. Charles hadn't even been afraid of falling. You kind of lose your fear of death, if you have been living eighteen years with a guillotine above your head. "God, I'm never gonna do that again with you, I'm so sorry", Erik repeated behind him and Charles turned around.

"What? why?" - "Why? Because you nearly died, that's why!" Erik looked frightened to the core and only then Charles realised, how bad he must have looked like for Erik. He wasn't used to seeing him like that and even Charles' parents still paled at those attacks.

"Erik, no. This is wonderful. Up here, this is the best place I've ever been. I wanted to come and besides, I took medicine with me for that case", Charles argued and fished the medication out of the bag that Erik had been carrying. It would taste bitter, but he would trade that taste with the one of copper in his mouth any day.


Erik looked at the medicine with weary eyes, wishing he hadn't caused Charles to need it. "You say everywhere is the best place you've ever been", he commented, trying to distract himself from ruining their time out. "You take me to nice places", Charles shrugged before swallowing the pill.

Erik looked around them at the view and tried calming his racing heartbeat. It had been more than scary to see Charles like that and he knew, he had to get ready to see it happening again. "I mean it, Erik", the other man said softly and put a warm hand on the small of his back.

He nodded slowly and turned to smile gently at Charles. "Okay", Erik said, choosing to believe in him and not sulk for now, not wanting to make things bad. Erik took the moment to fish out of his backpack the spray paints he had brought; a blue and a green one. "Here, you get the blue", he said, associating the color to Charles' eyes.

"Erik, w-what?", he asked looking at it and Erik grinned like a shark "We're leaving our marks", he said and shook his one spray before pointing it at the tank. It was already painted everywhere so he just aimed over something that looked old and started making a drawing. Looking over his shoulder, his eyes glinting with challenge, he asked "You're not scared are you? You're not wasting the whole trip over here to just watch me?".


"Erik! That's illegal", Charles argued, still not sure of how to reacted to seeing Erik spray painting the tank. He had thought that they had come up here in order to take in the view and talk a little. But spray painting a construction of the commune?

"Well, do you think coming up here was any kind of legal?", Erik laughed and continued his drawing, but Charles saw him tensing up a little. He didn't want to ruin their day by not participating and well, the tank was already full of graffiti anyways. One more wouldn't make a difference.

"Okay", he said and grabbed the blue spray paint to leave his mark on the tank next to Erik's. He stared at the wall in front of him for a moment to think what he should write and then started to paint his initials. C.F.X.

Erik looked over and made a considering sound. "Hmmh, Charles Freaking-cute Xavier?"

"No", Charles laughed and said, "Francis. What is your- oh."

He had looked at Erik's painting and saw him writing C+E and drawing a heart around it. A deep blush showed on his cheeks and he looked at Erik who smiled with all his teeth.


Charles' blush was tantalizing and Erik couldn't resist dropping the spray paint with a loud clink and coming closer, their bodies getting flushed together. Even though he had approached too strongly, the kiss he pressed to those cherry lips was soft and tender.

Charles hummed gently before letting his free hand come up to tangle with Erik's short hair. They kissed just with their lips sliding against each other and pulling away for mere seconds before coming back together.

When they broke apart Erik had a dopey smile on his face that matched Charles'. "How come a future architect isn't against graffiti?", he asked cheekily and Erik laughed, recognising so easily one of the many reasons he had liked Charles so much from the start.

"Well.. What we did wasn't exactly graffiti… Besides, it's a rite of passage to spray paint the water tank, everyone has to do it at some point", he answered which made Charles chuckle "I see!", he said and then wrapped both arms around Erik's waist, pressing his cheek to Erik's chest and watching the whole town from up there.

"I brought cocoa", Erik said after a long moment and they pulled away. The space up there was small but Erik put a cloth on the floor with the thermo, - they would share the cap as a cup - on top of it and some snacks he had bought. It was enough space for them to sit, legs swinging from up there.


When they finished the last sip of the cocoa, it started to get a bit more windy up there and Charles shivered. Erik looked at him with a considerate look and Charles knew immediately what he was thinking.

"No, you don't need to give me your jacket", he protested early, but Erik was already stripping down and grinned. "Why not? I wanna do you some good." - "no, Erik." - "Why?" - "No.."

Erik put the jacket around him and the warmth coated his freezing body immediately. He smiled thankfully at Erik, even if he had protested only a few moments ago.

"I wish I could see the sunset from here", he murmured with a sigh, as he looked down the city again. Erik wasn't likely to get him up here again and his parents wouldn't allow it anyways. Still, it must have been a great view to catch.

"Do you have other wishes?", Erik asked and when Charles frowned at him he added, "well, you know, a bucket list."

Oh, things he wanted to do before he died. He had never thought about that, because he had never known how much of the world he was missing. But with Erik showing him only a little bit, he actually considered making one. Maybe Erik could help him fulfil it.

"No, I don't", he answered and when Erik went to say that he should make one, he said at the same time, "but I wanna make one."

"Yeah! You should", Erik smiled and Charles nodded, already thinking about some ideas. He would write all them down at home, though.

They decided to climb down again afterwards and when they were on the street, they walked towards Erik's bike with their hands clasped together tightly.

"Thank you for bringing me here, Erik. The view was phenomenal and so was the cocoa", Charles smiled and ran his hands over Erik's chest.


The feeling of Charles' hand on his chest was delicious and he smiled wildly at the other man. "I'm glad you liked it Charles. How about you plan our next date, huh? Decide something you'd like to do".

Charles beamed and said "Okay, I will let you know" - "Are you free tomorrow? We can hang on my apartment if you want and next weekend you plan", he said "I would love to! I can meet you there?" - "Great".

The ride back to the mansion was much the same and soon, they were standing in front of the doors, kissing slow and deep. Erik's hands caressed lightly the other man's back and their tongues were tangled sweetly.

"Hmm.. Don't wanna say goodbye", Erik murmured against soft lips, Charles' arms wrapped around his neck keeping their faces close. "We'll see each other tomorrow", he grinned but place another lingering peck to Erik's lips, also not wanting to let him go.

"Tomorrow then?" - "Tomorrow".


As soon as Charles stepped inside the house, he saw his mother rushing towards him, followed by his dad who looked not as worried as her, but still concerned. His heart dropped to the ground. What were they doing here so early? That wasn't supposed to happen!

"Charles! Oh honey, where have you been?! We've been worried sick!", Sharon exclaimed and hugged him tightly. Charles didn't know what to answer and felt dizzy all over again. Fuck.

"Bertha told us you went out, but I couldn't believe you just left! You never leave", his mother continued and Charles was lucky that Bertha hadn't said anything about Erik.

"Have you been out with that Erik boy?", Brian said no minute later and Charles' heart stopped altogether. Why would his father do this to him? Brian knew how overprotective Sharon was.

"Who is Erik?" - "No one." - "Charles!" - "Mum, please", he begged but only earned an angry stare from her. It was the wrong reaction apparently, because now she really got upset.

"Fine then, give me your phone. You're grounded for sneaking off without telling us." Charles stared at her with wide eyes. His parents had never grounded him before or taken away his stuff. But then again, he had always behaved those past years.

When he grabbed his phone from the pocket, he felt like throwing up. But then his mother saw his sleeve and her breath hitched. "Did you have an attack? Charles! Be honest, did Erik do that? Who is that man, I will find him and I will-"

"No! Mum stop! Erik is.. I really like him okay? And he likes me. I… don't blame him, mum. He makes me feel more alive than anything in those past years", he blurted out and both his parents went silent. Sharon blinked at him, his phone still in her hand.

"So you're boyfriends then? I will have to meet Erik", she said then, putting his phone in her pocket. Charles cringed at the prospect of his mother meeting Erik, but knew better than to object. He nodded firmly.

"I want to meet him tomorrow. At his apartment in the city." - "You're grounded, Charles!" - "But… do you really want me to spend the time I have left useless in my room? Please, Mum. Dad?"

He hated playing the cancer card, but he was desperate. Still, he hated himself for saying that, when he saw the hurt on his parents' faces. "Alright then. We'll come with you tomorrow to meet that boy. And your phone stays with me until then."

Charles nodded, being dismissed into his room afterwards. It sucked that there was no way of warning Erik about his parents - or rather his mum. He wondered if Brian would tell her, that he had already met Erik or not, but then again it wouldn't be wise not to, since Erik would clearly recognise him tomorrow.

He barely found sleep in that night and when his parents decided it was time to meet Erik after lunchtime, they all got ready. Charles had told them on their way, that Erik might not even be at home at that time, and he actually hoped his words were true. He had taken the console with him to have something to do at Erik's apartment, if his mum decided to approve of him.

They rang the doorbell to Erik's apartment half an hour later and Charles' heart beated rapidly when the buzzer let them in.