In the morning, it all felt like a dejavu for Charles, waking up next to Erik. He quickly remembered, though, that now he could kiss Erik whenever he wanted and vice versa. This was where it all had started, with their kiss in his bed.

The warm, fuzzy feeling in his stomach made him smile inevitably and he cuddled closer to Erik and started rubbing up and down his lifting and sinking torso. Erik was so very warm and soft, almost peaceful underneath his touch. Charles wondered how Erik could still be asleep like that, but he took what he got and continued his exploration.

His fingers carded through fabric and of his own shirt, but it felt so very different on Erik. With each stroke, he shifted the shirt and suddenly, he felt skin underneath his fingers at the very hem of the shirt. Erik was even warmer at the touch of skin to skin and Charles shivered, but didn't recoil his fingers. On the contrary, he started pushing forwards to feel more of the skin, when-

oh.

When the knuckles of his hands pushed against something hard, still surrounded by the fabric of Erik's boxers. He had never in his life felt the erection of another person, but it felt surprisingly good, at least through the pants. He wanted to push against it again and did so, but this time Erik stirred in his sleep and Charles snapped his hand back like he was burned, a blush already spreading on his cheeks.

Erik had an amazing dream of Charles touching him, exploring his chest all the way down to his cock and it had felt so real that for a moment there he even wondered if it hadn't actually happened.

But he knew it hadn't really, even if he had a full on morning erection when he woke up. He opened his eyes slowly to see Charles mere inches away from him, face flushed so red it almost made him believe that ok, perhaps he did but Erik couldn't just guess and be sure.

"Morning", he murmured with a hoarse voice, being mindful of his bad breath. Charles broke into a grin and answered him by cuddling closer and kissing his jaw "Did you sleep well?", his boyfriend asked and Erik had to shift a little uncomfortably because of his hard on.

"Of course… I like sleeping with you", he answered caressing the other man's broad back and then "Do you think your parents will let you sleepover at mine sometime? I know it's not the best and my bed isn't this big but I think you would like it", he said, thinking he had to slip away through the window soon, pretending he didn't sleep there.

Charles smiled at the thought of sleeping over at Erik's. He had already liked napping in the bed that smelled so intensely of his boyfriend, but thinking about sleeping with his boyfriend there made him happy.

Of course, there was the problem of Charles' parents and he was sure, at this point, they wouldn't let him sleep over at Erik's. But then again, he had never stood up against his parents in all his teenage life, so it was more than time for that.

"Well, I guess they can't tell me what to do anymore. Doesn't matter if they will allow it", he answered with a mischievous smile. Erik didn't look as happy about that, though. "I thought we might want to try and get along?"

"Well, we can try, but I am not sure they will allow it. Also, you don't have to be friends with my parents, actually, two years from now and you don't have to see them ever again. I would try harder if we, I don't know, tried to get married and spend the next 50 years with each other and my parents."

Charles' words broke Erik's heart into a million pieces and he couldn't help but the sudden change of his mood. Just the thought they wouldn't get to have that future with each other, that Charles wouldn't get to have that future at all was enough to bring him down to his place of deep sadness and desperation.

It must have been clear on his face because the small smile Charles wore immediately fell down and his eyes widened a little. He framed Erik's face and said "I didn't mean to make you sad" softly, voice barely above a whisper "It's just the truth, Erik".

"Doesn't mean I have to like it", he said getting annoyed by the way Charles took this so well. He sat up and put his arms around his knees, deeply hurt by all of this. Charles was eighteen for Christ's sake! He should be planning his future, should be thinking of college, a career, a family… God, this was all shades of wrong and Erik didn't even know where to begin.

Charles sat up to but didn't touch him again, maybe scared Erik would pull away once more "I know", he said "It's hard Erik, but I had my whole life to get used to this" - "You're damn right it's hard", Erik answered upset "It's not okay when you say something like that, Charles… you shouldn't have to and it's not alright. I'm just so… angry!".

"I know", Charles repeated in a whisper and now he did touch Erik, his hand being placed between his shoulder blades and moving softly. "How would you see our future?", Erik asked in a murmur, wanting to know if Charles would see them together at all if he wasn't going to die.

Charles' breath was stuck in his throat for a long moment. How was he supposed to answer that without sounding like the fool in love he was? As far as he was concerned, people just didn't talk about such deep, intimate topics as their future after - what? - three weeks of relationship.

"Um.. I … I don't know. We barely know each other, Erik", he said frankly. Charles didn't even know if Erik would ever want to marry, or if he planned on staying in New York. All he knew about Erik's future was, that Erik wanted to become an architect.

Apparently it was the wrong thing to say. He watched Erik's face fall into an unhappy one and then look away, saying "never mind."

"Erik, no. That's not.. I would want kids. I love kids. Back when I lived in the city my neighbours would let me watch their kids sometimes. It was always nice, watching them play", he rushed to say and caught Erik's attention again.

He smiled softly at Erik and then turned it into an even bigger grin. "I would want at least five! And I would totally greet you with great food every evening when you came home from work. I want to learn how to cook from you and then I will teach our children. Oh and we need to move to the city again, close to the record shop, because you like it. I want to read to our children and you should take them out to play soccer", he went on and didn't even realise how he changed from would to will in his sentence.

Erik would have been scared to hear those words from any other person after three weeks of relationship but Charles was… different. Maybe the fact they couldn't get any of that made the thought less scary and if they were actually planning it all, Erik would want to run or something but as it was, it only warmed his heart. He had been smitten with Charles ever since they met so it wasn't even surprising that he might have imagined something for a future as well.

"That sounds really nice", he smiled and then stretched his arm to hang it around Charles' shoulders, pressing a kiss to his temple afterwards. "How are we ever going to manage five kids, though? Can you imagine the hell they'll raise?" - "Oh well", Charles shrugged and then chuckled.

"I should get going", Erik sighed after a moment and Charles turned quickly to look at him "No, we haven't even had breakfast yet", he protested "You should have breakfast with your family, Schatz… I already put you in a bad position yesterday and if we have any hopes of you sleeping over, we need to get on their good side, ok?", he said, truly not wanting Charles to have a bad relationship with his parents because of him.

"Okay", his boyfriend nodded slowly. Erik got up then and started getting ready to leave. His clothes were folded on a pile and he dressed up quickly. "Next time I see you we'll check something off your list", he grinned and Charles giggled "Aren't you the best?".

"Oh! That reminds me", Charles sprung up from bed and went for his wallet, picking a silver credit card. "Here you go", he said and stretched his arm. Erik eyed it not wanting to take the plastic but Charles kept insisting and at the end, he shoved it on his pocket feeling a little ashamed he had to take the money.

"Text me", Charles murmured, coming closer and kissing Erik deeply, making the hairs on the back of his neck stand "I will", Erik smiled and then he was jumping out the window and leaving.

He went to eat breakfast with his parents then, even tried to put on a good mood. But it became clear rather quickly, that the bad behaviour from the day before was still wearing them off and so they barely talked.

Erik texted him a few hours later, telling him that he got home safe and that he missed him. It felt more and more antagonising and weird to not have Erik around him - like they were wasting the time they had been given. He wanted to see him again soon, wanted to do everything on his bucket list with him and then just… live.

Charles thought about the bucket list for the whole day, pondering on ways they could make everything come true. He wanted to invite Erik to go on holiday with him, leave the country, leave the states, just to kiss underneath the Eiffel tower.

[You]

Do you wanna go to Paris with me?

He sent that text out of an impulse at two o'clock in the morning, but he knew he meant it so very much. He wanted Erik to come along, even if they knew each other for such short time.

Erik was at the club when he received the text from his boyfriend. He stared at it for a moment until a customer waved him and he went towards the man. "What can I get you?", Erik asked with a friendly smile.

"A lap dance", the man smirked and Erik nodded dutifully. He wasn't supposed to disagree when someone requested it and now that Charles had revealed he wanted one from him, he would take every opportunity to train as much as he could.

Putting his tray down, Erik lifted one leg to be straddling the man's lap and started moving slowly but somehow still on rhythm of the song. He was wearing the tight underwear that was his uniform, body oiled up to increase the atmosphere of the club, making his body look like it was better than it really was while he danced and prayed he didn't look completely clumsily.

The other man immediately reached out to put a hand on the back of Erik's thigh and it was fine at first until he started rubbing it up and down "Sorry", Erik said, batting the hand away "you can't touch", shaking his head.

The man made an unapologetic face and as soon as Erik resumed his dancing, he stretched his hand up to touch his nipples, fingers immediately pinching it. Erik yelped and pushed the man away yelling "what the fuck?", which just proved to be a bad idea. From then on, the customer started kicking up a fuss, saying he would touch whenever he wanted to and Erik was just a whore who worked there to please men and he was secretly waiting for someone to love him and pay for his bills.

He handled it considerably well seeing that he didn't lose his job or break anyone's nose. His boss was on his side since it was against the rules to touch but sent him home two hours earlier because Erik was this close to losing it. It lost him two hours of really good tip and when he stepped out the club, the air sobering him up from the anger, he felt a weird urge to just cry… Were the things the man said real? They couldn't be… He had a boyfriend who he loved and seemed to like him very much, he was only working that job for college but he still felt… dirty.

His eyes were prickling with tears when he made the call, but Charles had only texted twenty minutes later so he had to be awake, right? Probably not since it took a while for him to answer and his voice was sleepy. "Did you mean it?", Erik asked knowing he sounded desperate and on the verge of tears. "Erik? What-", his boyfriend started but he cut him off not wanting to tell him what had happened or even talk about it "Did you meant about Paris? Because I would go… Anywhere with you to be honest".

In his sleepy state, it took him a moment to sort the question out that Erik was asking. He had just fallen asleep, thinking that Erik was probably not awake anymore, when his phone had woken him up again.

Charles frowned and relaxed his brows again, trying to adjust his eyes to the dark and break through the sleepiness of his mind. "Well of course I-" he yawned, "do. I wouldn't have ask otherwise."

Why did Erik sound so upset? Oh god, was he upset because of Charles' proposal? Shit. He was calling him to break up, because Charles was definitely developing feelings way too fast. First that weird future talk, when Erik decided to go quickly after, and now Erik decided to call him in the middle of the night to ask him if Charles had meant his offer. He was clearly moving too fast and Erik wanted to call him back.

Suddenly Charles was wide awake and he clenched his phone on his hand, waiting for some sort of reaction from Erik. But there was something off about his theory, he thought, when he heard Erik sniffling on the other end.

"Erik? Where are you? Is everything alright?", he asked, sitting up in bed. His heart was picking up its pace and worry started to spread in his whole body.

"I'm fine.. I just.. needed to hear that, you", Erik said on the other end of the line, but Charles couldn't believe him. Clearly, something had happened to upset Erik and Charles should be there for him now.

"I can come to you. I'll call a cab, alright? Should I pick you up somewhere or are you at home?", he asked and got up from his bed to put some clothes on, his mind already set on driving to Erik.

"No! No, really… Just stay home and sleep ok? I don't want you to get in trouble-" - "Erik where are you?", his boyfriend asked a little more sternly now "There's nothing you can say that will stop me from coming to meet you so you'd better just say it and save me from the trouble of looking all around town".

There was a rustling sound on the other side of the line and Erik knew Charles was already up. He bit his lip to stop his apology from coming out because he would only sound more whiny and then breathed out "I'm at the Royal Club but you can meet me at home? I could get there before you do" - "Are you sure?" - "Yeah", he answered knowing it was a short walk.

"Okay, I'll see you there in a few", Charles said before turning the call off and Erik sighed. It was indeed a short walk to his home but it was cold and dark. He didn't come on his bike to save some gas and hoped he wouldn't be bothered.

Of course that before he even made it to the next block, he encountered the dude from the club who had felt him up and tried to walk past him without being noticed, maybe he wouldn't be recognised when dressed but he had no such luck.

"Hey pre'y thing", the man slurred following him. Erik picked up his pace while the other one stumbled after him "how muc' for the nig't with ya?", he asked "I know you' cheap don' act coy". It was enough for Erik to let the anger take over him and turn around with a murderous glare. He wasn't at the club anymore, he didn't have to act a certain way and he fucking well wasn't going to take this.

"Changed you' mind hm?", the man smirked on the same way he had before the lap dance and as if instinct, Erik pulled his arm all the way back, hand closing on a fist before he swung it hard on the man's face. It made his knuckles hurt but it seemed to be enough to release all the anger he had been feeling towards that man and so much more lately.

He watched him fall to the ground and scream, hand coming up to cradle his bloody face. Since they weren't far from the club, there were people who saw it and came to the man's aid, leaving Erik free to lift up his hoodie and slip away. Some called out to him wanting him to stick around and face the cops but he wasn't stupid to do that and since no one followed him, he went home.

His hand was throbbing but he didn't regret this at all and didn't make a move to clean it up. His heart was still beating wildly on his chest and he started pacing on his living room, while waiting for Charles.

The drive was fast into the city at that point into the night. Charles had to order the cab to the parallel street close to the mansion, so that his parents wouldn't be alarmed by a car parking in their driveway.

Charles had never been out at that time of the day and it kind of scared him to be in a car with a complete stranger. But his mind was set on finding Erik and whenever he got scared, he recalled in his head how upset Erik had sounded.

When he finally got to the apartment, he was more than relieved to see lights through the window. It could only mean that Erik had made it home, right? So he wasn't in danger.

Charles quickly went to the door and texted Erik that he was there, not wanting to wake everyone by using the bell. A few moments later, the door was opened and Charles walked inside, his thoughts running wild about what could have happened.

"Hey", he said, as soon as he saw Erik and checked up on him, trying to spot any injuries. He was close to not noticing, but then his eyes fell on Erik's knuckles and he paled a little. "What did you do, Erik? Oh god, we should clean that up", he babbled and Erik pulled him inside, so they would have more privacy.

All the concern was back in Charles and he immediately pulled Erik closer to hug him tightly, rocking them both back and forth. "What happened? Talk to me", he tried again, knowing that he should actually care about the injury first.

Erik let himself be distracted by the comforting hug. Feeling his boyfriend close like that was the best thing and the only one he needed at the moment to ground him back from everything that happened that night. He had been so caught up on how happy Charles made him and the fact his boyfriend had cancer that he had completely forgotten his own problems. It was weird when they catched up to him.

He hugged Charles a little tighter before starting to speak. The other man had made all the way from Westchester because he heard how upset Erik was so this really was no time to hold information. Erik started babbling about it all, scared Charles would find him violent or even be disgusted by what happened.

"It's stupid… I shouldn't have been upset and disturb you in the middle of the night", he started and when Charles stirred to look up at him, he continued before being interrupted "I was working at the club and there was this customer.. He asked for a lap dance but he didn't just watch, he tried to… Touch me while I was doing it".

Charles took in a sharp breath and Erik went on "It was just… Unpleasant. Then he started saying some things and my boss told me to get home which was around the point I called you. But afterwards, I met the guy outside and he… He wanted to r-rent me. Asked how much I cost.. And I just lost it and punched him", he finished up.

Telling the story made him feel dirty again, a person asking him how much he costed took it's toll and he let go of Charles to assess his expression, know if he felt disgusted too, if he was scared of Erik being violent, anything.

Charles' expression was an honest disgusted one. He couldn't believe, that someone would do this to his Erik, would try to use him like that. His heart was clenching inside his chest just by thinking of it, by imagining himself into Erik's place. It was so easy to forget, that Erik was still a child himself, not even twenty one yet, but the way he usually acted made him look so mature. Right now, though, he looked like a lost child, confronted by the cruel outside world and in need for help.

"You had every right to punch him, Erik. I .. I can't believe he did this to you", Charles said, still speechless of how to help Erik at all. Charles didn't even know if he would have had the guts to punch that dude.

He decided to patch Erik's injuries while talking, since he knew now what they were and how to heal them. Slowly, he pushed Erik towards the couch and asked for the antiseptic, cotton balls and some ice. When he collected the things with Erik's instructions, Charles kneeled in front of Erik and gently took his hand in his own one, before cleaning it with an antiseptic cotton ball. There wasn't much blood on it and Charles was more than relieved to see, that more than half of it wasn't Erik's.

"I honestly think you shouldn't work there anymore, Erik. You're so young and you have a bright might, strong muscles. Other places would want you easily", Charles said and inspected the hand after cleaning it. It would have a large bruise all around the knuckles area, but Charles made Erik stretch and relax his fingers to check if anything was broken.

"Charles, I can't just quit there. Not until I have something new", Erik reasoned and Charles sighed, knowing full well that he wouldn't accept his credit card like that. He grabbed the ice pack and wrapped it around Erik's knuckles, before standing up and sitting down next to Erik, putting his hand on Erik's thigh. He was warm there and firm, but Charles didn't dwell on the feeling, since it wasn't the right time.

"You know I have the money. I .. I would honestly like to see you out of that club."

"No", Erik shook his head adamant about that. He wasn't taking Charles' money for himself with no good reason. "The job there pays well and nothing like this ever happened before, Charles…I can't just take your money like that and I won't. I'll find something else and then I'll quit", he said.

Charles' hand squeezed a little tighter and it reminded him of the man in the club, touching his thigh and looking at him hungrily like he wanted to fuck Erik all the ways until sunday. He held the hand inside of his own to avoid feeling it there for now and looked at Charles, begging for understanding. He didn't want to fight now.

"Erik, it wouldn't make a difference if you take it! And what happen-" - "Charles, please. I'm not taking it, ok? I need you to just… be here, not throw your money around", Erik cut him off, the talk about money making him even more upset.

"I'm here, Erik", Charles whispered, scooting closer and putting his chin on Erik's shoulder "What do you need?", he asked then and the answer was only one: he needed Charles to hold him but he had to ask one question first.

"Are you staying over?".

"Yes, of course. Anything", Charles was quick to say and nuzzled Erik's neck in a soothing motion. Erik let out a shaky breath and nodded, slightly cocking his head for Charles to have more space.

"Okay, then.. could you just.. hold me?", Erik requested and Charles nodded against his neck, giving the skin there a small kiss. He got up and stretched out his arm for Erik to pull him up from the couch. Erik took it and they both walked towards the bedroom.

"I don't even need clothes", Charles grinned in an attempt of a joke, while he pulled off his sweater and revealed the pajamas, he was still wearing underneath it. Erik chuckled and then stripped off his own clothes. It seemed like Erik was used to sleeping in his boxers, so Charles wouldn't be bothered by that.

They settled down on the bed, but something about the way they were tentatively touching each other, felt weird and different. Charles was so very careful with his touches, one hand on Erik's hips and the other underneath the pillow, where they were usually full on hugging each other in bed.

"Erik I.. I can't read you. Just tell me what you are comfortable with at the moment", he said carefully, his eyes darting between Erik's in the dark.

It felt somehow weird to be touched right now but he wasn't traumatized by that man or anything, he just… Wanted to be cared for. This was Charles, this was good.

He sighed to release his tension and breathed out "Just…", not being able to put anything into words at the moment. He moved closer and fit himself on Charles' arms, against his chest, head underneath his chin.

It was different from how they usually cuddled; Erik holding Charles, but when he felt his boyfriend's arms wrapping around him careful but sweet and warm, it didn't feel like the man at the club anymore and he let himself relax completely.

At some point, he wouldn't have this anymore. All would be lost and he would live under the shadows of these perfect memories of having met the perfect man. Erik doubted this was some silly teenager crush, he didn't have time for that on his life.

"What are you thinking of?", Charles murmured and Erik put a hand on his waist. "You… Us… This… It's nice. I don't feel dirty anymore", he whispered and his boyfriend's breath hitched.

"Erik why would ever feel that?", he asked squeezing him tighter and Erik looked up to that beautiful shade of blue "It doesn't matter right now… Can we just sleep?", he asked tiredly and after a moment, Charles nodded.

It took him a little longer to fall asleep, but he felt safe there and when sleep took over him it was deep and restful.

Charles was up for a little while longer, just holding Erik and and seeing him finally drifting into a peaceful sleep. He pondered for even longer what Erik had meant with feeling dirty, but couldn't see past the obvious. Of course, being touched by a stranger, constantly having other strangers asking him for lap dances or whatsoever, it was clear that this couldn't make Erik happy at all. He probably felt more like an object at work rather than a person and Charles was the one who needed to change that.

At some point he must have fallen asleep as well, because he woke up hours later, when the sun was already up. His phone was buzzing like crazy and he felt overheated from sharing a blanket with Erik. Moving as little as possible, while releasing a warm yawn, he bent over to grab his phone and accept the call, knowing already who it was.

"Charles? Thank god you're alive! Where are you?", his mother asked on the other end and Charles looked down to see if Erik would wake up while he spoke. But he remembered, that Erik could sleep through the third world war and wouldn't even notice anything, so he decided to go for it.

"I'm fine. I'm .. at Erik's. He needed me yesterday and-" - "Oh, he needed you? Wow, can't imagine what that must have been for", his mum answered dryly and Charles sighed. "Look, I'll be back soon, no worries", he said and before she could argue more, he just hung up and put his phone away.

Erik woke up to a delicious touch on the small of his back. It wasn't what woke him up but it felt nice to be the first thing he felt and he hummed trying to bury himself deeper on that warmth. It was too warm but he didn't care, he just wanted more and more of Charles.

His boyfriend smelled like himself and sweat which made Erik's morning arousal increase only to feel it and he started kissing Charles' chest over his shirt. "Hmm.. I see that someone's awake", Charles murmured.

"Morning", Erik said looking up at his boyfriend and smiled feeling a lot better. The problem from last night seemed like a distant nightmare and right now he felt good. "Thank you for staying, Charles… I feel better with you here", he said honestly and then moved up to kiss the other man's lips.

"How do you feel about cooking breakfast with me?", he asked after they pulled away, avoiding to let him feel his erection. "That sounds perfect", Charles smiled and they both got up. After their morning routine, they went to the kitchen to make french toasts.

"When do you have to go?", he asked wishing the answer was a good one.

"Hmmh, soon, I'm afraid", Charles answered with a sad face. He had hung up on his mother and had put his phone on silent, so he was ignoring all her other calls. Part of him was even afraid that she would show up on Erik's doorstep any second now.

Erik seemed unhappy about those news and didn't even try to hide it, making Charles sigh sadly as well. He didn't want to part from Erik again, especially not since Erik seemed so devastated last night.

He walked closer to Erik and hugged him from behind, placing a small kiss between his shoulder blades. "You could come with me?", he offered and let his hands wander briefly underneath the hem of Erik's shirt, exploring the warm and soft skin there.

These days he felt more and more like exploring Erik's body, finding those places that would make him shiver pleasantly and touching everything for the first time. He wanted to feel and touch other places too, but wondered if Erik would want that, since Charles had no clue of what the right pace was to move on in their relationship.

Charles' tentative fingertips on his stomach felt good and Erik shivered with the goosebumps that it sent all through his body. "I'd love to, but wouldn't your parents be mad when they see us? I don't wanna make it worse", he asked.

"I don't care", Charles answered and then kissed the back of Erik's neck, making him shiver even harder. "Okay", he nodded and let his hand wander down to cover Charles' and keep it right there for a moment.

When he lifted his hand and went back to work, Charles started pulling away "hey.. don't go", Erik smiled looking over his shoulder "I like having you pressed up against me" - "Yeah?", Charles chuckled "Uhum". It earned him another kiss and his boyfriend peeking over him to see the oven.

After breakfast, they got themselves ready to go and mounted Erik's bike. He knew he was going back to the club later, but tried not thinking of it too much only focusing on his boyfriend.

When they reached the mansion, Erik felt nervous about encountering the in-laws. "Do you think I should… Go in through the window?", he asked a little nervously. He knew he would be blamed for Charles running away in the middle of the night and it was the truth after all.

"Erik, you will have to face my parents again, one way or another. I mean, you can go through the window now, but that won't make things any better or worse", Charles said, giving Erik a fair choice.

He couldn't help but still feel a bit sad, when Erik chose the window, but he would never admit that. Charles, himself, went through the front door and it took his parents a minute to show up, both with worried and stern expressions on their faces.

"Charles, I know you don't like us much right now, but you gotta have to tell us when you go see your boyfriend. We were worried and you know why", his father started, trying hard not to attack him like Sharon would. And yet, Charles felt like they had been against his relationship from the very start and no matter how well he and Erik would act, they would always find a way to be mad at him.

"Oh well, sorry I couldn't do that in the middle of the night. Next time I'll make sure to wake you", he said dryly and that was enough for his mother to explode.

"This is not how you talk with us, young man! Did Erik teach you this?! That man is trouble; ever since you know him, you've been not yourself!"

Charles met her angry stare with the same anger. He couldn't understand why she always blamed Erik for everything! That was the last thing, Erik should hear right now. "All I am since Erik is feeling better! If it weren't for him, I could have died two years ago and it wouldn't have made a difference!", he yelled, making his lungs burn, but a satisfying feeling ran through his body.

His mother was about to open her mouth again, her whole body still on attack, but Charles cut her off beforehand. "Go ahead, ground me again. This will just lead to me sneaking away again! You cannot control me anymore! And if being with Erik costs me months of my life, then he is still giving me the best time I've ever had!"

With that, he turned around and walked to his room, feeling slightly dizzy at the lack of oxygen in his body. He still made it, though, and locked the door behind him, before opening the window and falling onto his bed.

"Could you.. give me that mask there?", he asked Erik, pointing at the small breathing mask that was connected to the oxygen generator.

Erik finished jumping inside the room and rushed towards the oxygen tank to get the mask. He stepped closer to the bed and sat on it, putting the mask over Charles' mouth and nose.

He had never seen him using it and it was a different experience he still enjoyed being part of. Erik carded his fingers through Charles' hair, massaging his scalp gently while his boyfriend breathed in and out steadily catching his breath.

"Okay?", Erik asked gently and Charles' eyes fluttered open before he nodded. They stayed there for a while and then his boyfriend lifted his hand to pull the mask away and said "I'm fine now", sitting up in bed and leaning against Erik when he sat back down.

Erik wrapped his arms around his boyfriend and kissed his temple "How did it go with your parents?", he asked even though Charles' reaction made it very obvious. "They're mad at me", he shrugged as if it was no big deal.

"I'm sorry", he said and started kissing Charles' face all the way from his hairline down to his chin "What can I do to distract you from that hm? What a movie? Play video games? Make out? I'm secretly hoping you'll choose the last option", he murmured in a low tone.

Charles blushed and looked at Erik, feeling somewhat like a naughty school boy, hiding from the teachers, when he said "kiss me then."

A large smile appeared on Erik's face and he leaned in, so that their noses bumped together and Charles' eyes fluttered shut automatically. But after a moment, Erik still wouldn't meet his lips and after another one, he opened his eyes again with a puzzled look on his face.

The wide smile was still on Erik's face, but it turned a little mischievous, like a spark in his eyes. "Nah, not like that", Erik simply said and then he grabbed Charles by his waist and pushed him up the bed.

Charles had barely time to react, before he landed with his head on his pillow and no second later, Erik appeared in top of him. The grin was still on Erik's face, but now Charles was smiling too and wrapped his arms around Erik's neck to pull him closer.

"Now that's better", Erik answered in the same low tone, before their lips met. Finally, Charles' eyes fell shut and he only felt Erik moving on top of him to find the perfect angle, their lips aligned perfectly, like they were glued together.

Charles only felt them both breathing and the wet kissing sounds, some faint rustling of sheets whenever they changed position. Heat was radiating from Erik, while his hand ran up and down Charles' side, trying to find the hem of his shirt to slip underneath it. Charles was simply lost in the kiss, opening his mouth willingly to let Erik lick his way inside it and then join Charles' tongue.

A moan escaped his lips then, making him flush a little, but he didn't break the kiss, only felt Erik kissing him more fiercely. Charles' own hands were now running over Erik's back, exploring every valley and everyone muscle that was shifting with Erik's movements. His heart was racing inside his chest, pounding against him and silently screaming all the feelings, he wasn't ready to admit yet.

The kiss was enough to leave Erik dizzy and it took him a lot of self restraint to pull away from it. A thin line of saliva connected their lips for a while and then Charles opened his eyes, pupils blown only leaving a little of the blue visible. It was a breathtaking view especially combined with the messy hair and swollen red mouth, one that Erik saved away for later references.

"This is what I call snogging", he said cheekily and kissed Charles again, but this time they were only several pecks before he sat himself up, his whole body feeling cold away from his boyfriend's. Charles remained on the same position, staring at the ceiling and breathing hard almost as he had been before using the mask. It was quite the alarming thought but he was glad to see Charles seemed fine.

"I have an idea", Erik smiled and then got up from the bed going towards the shelf Charles had in his room. The other man had explained once that his favorite books were kept there so he wouldn't have to go fetch them at the library so Erik picked one out of luck, not even reading the title.

When he came back to the bed, he commanded Charles to sit up so he could get himself comfortable against the headboard and open his legs and arms, inviting his boyfriend to rest between them. When Charles was settled with his back pressed to Erik's chest, he handed him the book and asked "Why don't you read it for me, hm?", and started caressing his boyfriend's hair.

Charles smiled and then opened the book up, starting to read. Erik kept half his attention on the book and half planning something for them. He was thinking maybe they could go out next saturday night, he would take a day off from the club or whatever work he had then and would take him out. The weather people had predicted next saturday around one am they would be able to see a meteor crossing the sky and maybe if Erik rented them a telescope and made a picnic on a open field, it was the perfect day for Charles to name a star and try to find it on the sky before seeing the meteor.

Charles finished chapter one before he closed the book again, his mouth dry from all the reading. Erik was still listening, but it seemed like he was deep in thought at the same time.

He put the book on the nightstand and shifted his weight, so he would lie more on one butt cheek to look up to Erik, one hand sprawled on Erik's firm chest. Grey eyes met his when they stared at each other and Charles smiled warmly. "Penny for your thoughts?"

"Hm, do you have plans next Saturday?", Erik asked back, which made Charles chuckle. As if he would have plans- oh.

Next saturday was the benefit dinner that his parents made him go to every year. Charles felt sad for saying that he indeed had plans, but then he realised that he could simply take Erik with him.

"Hm, unfortunately I do. There is a benefit dinner that my parents will want me to go, from six to nine or something. We usually don't stay long, because of my condition, but I have to be there."

Talking about his medication made him realise, that he had forgotten to take them today, due to spending the night at Erik. He quickly leaned towards the nightstand and grabbed the pills and the water bottle that was ready there. While prepared his medication, he asked what Erik had planned and felt him shrug.

"Nevermind then. I guess the benefit dinner is more important." - "You know it's not. Actually, I've been hoping you would accompany me? We could still do something before or after?"

Erik stiffened, a sign of being uncomfortable, so Charles sighed and swallowed the medicine before turning around and kneeling between Erik's legs. He framed his boyfriend's face, sharp edges of the jaw perfectly aligning with Charles' hands. "I'd love to have you there. And it's just three hours at max, probably less if I want to. Besides, you'd look amazing in a tux", he tried convincing Erik and pressed kisses all over his face.

Erik sighed and then murmured in a grumpy tone of voice "I don't own a tux". His boyfriend kept kissing his face but between the pecks he answered "I'll buy you one", which bothered Erik in some level but he knew he wouldn't say no to Charles at the end.

The idea of a benefit dinner with all the stuffy people who would be talking about their wealth and things they owned while throwing some money they would not even miss to a famous charity was enough to make him want to puke. He would probably be serving that people if he hadn't been invited and to be on the other side of it just sounded too weird, but Charles was asking him to come with, to make it more bearable for him and how could he say no?

The prospect of a date with him afterwards, seeing the comet and looking at the stars together was too inviting and he found himself breathing out "Okay, yes", while he tried not to think of how uncomfortable it would be. Charles' parents would probably disapprove terribly of his presence there.

"Really?", Charles beamed at him, his eyes practically glowing "That's amazing, Erik! I'm so happy you're coming with me… What did you plan for afterwards, hm? Tell me everything?", the good reaction made him see he had made the right choice and Erik didn't regret it for a second. At least not yet, he might change his mind on the actual dinner.

"I can't tell… But we'll cut something off of your list then", he answered with a huge smile before coming closer and being the one to kiss Charles' lips softly now.

It was two days later when they finally had a time booked with the tailor. Charles had wanted to take Erik to the same one he went to since he was little and he seemed quite excited about the whole thing so Erik tried to be on his best mood and tell himself he would enjoy being poked by needles and trying on different clothes at the same time, what he didn't realise it was that his boyfriend would sit there ogling at him and that he would have to fight off a boner on top of it all, caused by the hungry stares.

Charles was sitting on a chair and smiling happily at Erik who was standing in front of a mirror and staring into his own reflection. The woman who was measuring him, was fussing all over him, taking length and samples to adjust the tuxedo, Erik was wearing.

"You look amazing. I knew you'd kill that tux", Charles grinned, eyeing Erik. He had never felt so proud of his boyfriend and he just needed to go closer and smooth down the fabric on his chest.

Erik smiled unsure, so Charles just kissed him to reassure him that he meant what he said. It was just a small peck, because they weren't alone and it would be impolite. But they still smiled like fools after pulling away and Charles could have sworn to see Erik blushing a little.

When Charles sat back on the chair, started yawning a little, since his medication was starting to rub off on him again.

"Hey, don't fall asleep. Not yet, you can sleep when we're at home", Erik laughed and Charles forced his eyes open with a grin. When the woman was finally done, she told them that the tux would be ready in a week and they both thanked her.

They stepped closer to each other, when they were out of the door, and Erik tugged Charles' arm underneath his arm, making them walk close together. "Thank you, Erik.. for coming with me. I know this is not something for you, but I'm glad you're coming anyway."

"It's hard saying no to you when you have such pretty eyes", Erik grinned knowing he was being cheesy but it would make Charles smile anyway. One of the nice things about dating someone who never dated before is that he could use all that and his boyfriend would still be flustered; it was adorable.

Charles chuckled at it and looked up at Erik, his eyes round and innocent when he asked "Really?", but the evil glint there was enough to tell Erik he had just given away useful information. "Maybe", he said still playing the part, Charles looked too happy about it for him to deny now.

"That's good to know", he grinned even more before they reached the bike and mounted on it. When they got back to Westchester, Erik went in through the front door and was relieved to not see Charles' parents. He hadn't done anything to upset them lately but being cautious was never enough, right? Besides, he didn't know how they felt about him going to the dinner and wasn't eager to find out.

Charles was yawning more and more and pulled Erik towards the bed where they both fell tangled up together "Will you stay?", Charles asked but Erik shook his head "I can't, schatz… I need to run some errands for saturday", he answered and his boyfriend nodded understanding.

It was best if Erik wasn't there while Charles slept anyway, he always seemed to wake up a lot earlier when he was, and Erik wanted Charles to get his full rest.

"Sleep.. You can call me when you wake up, hm?", he said and kissed Charles' forehead, letting him snuggle even closer. He knew it would be hard to leave that embrace without waking Charles up later, but it was still worth it. He waited for his boyfriend's breath to even out and even a little longer after that, enjoying the feeling of being there.