Erik woke up for the next three mornings with Charles on his arms. It was the best thing in the world and he couldn't be happier. Waking up to see the other man next to him made him feel complete. Charles looked gorgeous in the mornings, his sleepy blue eyes looking at Erik like nothing else in the world mattered... His red lips teasing Erik with a lazy smile, making him want to just close the distance between them, to build another bridge, another connection.
But only four days had passed since the breakup and he wasn't sure how long was enough, so he waited. He didn't press and he didn't try to make anything happen. In fact, he avoided kisses on the cheek or the corner of the mouth as much as he could, not knowing if he could stop himself when they happened.
He woke up that morning a little earlier and smiled to himself, pleased with the life he had now. Charles was still asleep, but Erik woke him up with a caress on his hair and whispered "I'm going to make breakfast, sleep a little longer".
It was silly to wake Charles up just to tell him to sleep more, but he was scared if he got up without saying anything the other man would feel like he did ten years ago, so he was making an habit to let him know whenever he got up, that he wasn't leaving. And Charles seemed to appreciated that.
Erik got up making his way to the kitchen and started making scrambled eggs for them both and a cup of tea for each. When he was done he got another post-it he had prepared the night before and glued it to Charles' teacup. It was blue and it said 'I love your eyes'.
It was the second post-it he gave Charles and he was planning on making more of them, considering how well the other man had reacted to the first one.
He put the food and the cups on the table, Charles' one turned so he wouldn't see the paper until he sat down.
Erik settled himself knowing the other man would be down in an instant, not being able to stay in bed long after Erik had gotten up. He smiled to himself thinking of the days they were spending together; playing chess, watching movies, eating candies, changing lamps, doing laundry and sweeping the floor while Erik sang and Charles just smiled at him.
He remembered perfectly the other man telling him how he loved his German accent and sometimes Erik would exaggerate on it just to see Charles' cheeks turning pink.
"Hey" Charles said softly at the kitchen door getting him out of his daze and Erik smiled openly, showing all his teeth "Good morning, beautiful" he said with a warm voice, his heart getting twice as big inside his chest only upon seeing him "Come sit with me and have breakfast" he pointed to Charles' plate and mug and watched him carefully, wanting to see all the emotions on his face when he read the post-it.
Erik seemed completely changed to the man he was ten years ago. That man back then, he was cold and didn't appreciate Charles' presence as much as he did now. Charles liked the new Erik - no, he loved him. It was such a pleasure to wake up next to him every morning, doing the most domestic things with him, without being bored. This is what Charles had always wanted with Erik. He didn't want to wait anymore. Erik helped him through his breakup rather quickly. Of course, Charles still was sad about Moira, but he was more excited about his future days with Erik.
When he sat down and was about to grab his mug, he saw the post it and blushed furiously. His eyes met Erik's and he put as many loving feelings into the stare as he could.
"Let's go on a date", he then blurted out and bit his lip nervously, hoping Erik would agree to that.
Erik went full-on sharky smile when he heard what Charles had just said.
Was it possible that he was ready? Erik was prepared to wait for months if necessary, but if Charles wanted it now, he was not going to turn the opportunity down.
"Yes, absolutely" he answered in a heartbeat, already starting to feel nervous about the idea. He was obviously excited of course, but also nervous.
They both had never gone on a actual date together - hell, Erik had never gone on a date with anyone - their relationship being focused on basically fucking and drinking back then.
It was pretty much embarrassing that he had never gone on a date. But Erik never really had a relationship. He stayed with Charles for an year, no strings attached, and after that he just seeked for someone he could get his release from. He never slept with the same person twice and he certainly hadn't taken anyone out. Christ, he and Charles would definitely have that talk at some point wouldn't they?
What did people even talk about on a date? Charles would certainly realize Erik was completely inexperienced on that area.
"I need to warn you though, I might suck at it" he said feeling his cheeks a little warm.
Charles chuckled at that. "You can't suck at a date, Erik. I'm sure of that." Erik still looked unsure. "Believe me. You won't. Do you want to go out for dinner tonight?"
"Okay, sure." - "Perfect."
Charles haven't been on a date for a very long time. Moira's and his relationship developed differently than normal, so they haven't been on an official date. Before that, he had Erik and that it must have been about eleven years ago, since he was on his last date. He was nervous, but also excited to eat dinner with Erik and talk about their lives.
He drank a bit from his tea and smiled once again, remembering the post-it. Erik was good for him, he really was.
"I think I know a good place", Charles then said, putting the mug down. "I've been there with Raven once, it is really beautiful."
They ate their breakfast together, making their plans for dinner, both filled with excitement.
After, they went to Charles' office. The other man was busy with some school work and Erik laid lazily on his couch, reading a book.
It was a very comfortable setting and just the thought of always doing it with Charles was enough to put a big smile on his face, which the other man noticed "What?" he asked eying Erik "I'm just happy" he answered simply, and it must have been the right answer because he was rewarded with a loving smile in return.
After, Erik went downstairs to prepare lunch and brought it up on a tablet for Charles who said he didn't want to stop what he was doing otherwise he would just get lost when he came back to it. Erik placed the tablet with the sandwich on Charles' desk and kissed the top of his head.
"I'm going out for a bit, okay?" he asked and the other man looked up at him "Alright, thank you so much for the lunch" he said and Erik briefly caressed his cheek before leaving.
He used Charles' car but dismissed the driver, wanting to do it himself. He liked the feeling of driving, like he was free. Not as much as a motorcycle, but still.
He didn't tell Charles where he was going because it felt a little… stupid. But it was very necessary. He had to buy himself some clothes, it was long overdue. He loved wearing Charles' but the other man was obviously a lot smaller than he was and he wanted to have something proper to wear on their date.
He bought himself two jeans pants and a few turtlenecks. He also bought underwear because it was already embarrassing to have to borrow them every day and a leather jacket - which he thought it was rather… sexy.
Erik decided to buy the rest of clothes he would need to survive another day, maybe with Charles' help since he wasn't so fond of shopping and then went back home.
Once Erik got back home and Charles felt his presence, he stood up from the chair and went downstairs.
"Hey Lo- What did you do?" - "I went shopping", Erik confessed with a slight blush around his cheeks.
"What? Why?" - "I couldn't live on your clothes forever." - "Can you show me?" Charles was curious what Erik had bought, but when he wanted to peek inside the bags, Erik moved them away from him. "No. You'll see later."
Charles pouted but let go of the topic. "Okay then. Do you want to get ready for dinner now?", he smiled.
"Yes, I'll take a shower first." - "Me too." Charles was close to ask if he could join, but decided against it.
They went to get ready and the more time passed, the more nervous Charles got. He showered and shaved. Then he put on a blue sweater, that Erik always liked on him and gray suit pants. He put one a wristwatch and some cologne, before leaving his room and going downstairs to grab his wallet. He waited for Erik in the lobby, his heart hammering against his chest.
Erik took his shower with his heart on his throat. He was so freaking nervous about the date. He knew he and Charles were perfect for each other, and he had no doubt they would be together no matter what, but right now he just wanted it to go smoothly.
He shaved, brushed his teeth and tried to fix his hair the way he knew it looked good - Charles had already seen him with post-sex and post-sleep messy hair, but he wanted to impress him tonight.
Erik got dressed up with his new clothes - a dark jeans pant that clung to all the right places, a black turtleneck and his caramel leather jacket - and hoped it was good enough for the place they were going to.
He made his way downstairs putting his fully charged phone and his wallet on his pocket.
When he reached the lobby he stopped suddenly, and just looked at Charles with wide eyes. God, he was so fucking gorgeous, Erik couldn't even believe it most of the time.
"You look amazing" he whispered, already proud only to think he was the one who would go out with Charles. That everyone would look at him and envy him tonight, because he was accompanied by the most beautiful man he had ever laid eyes on.
Erik got closer and held Charles' hand "I… I have to use all my strength not to kiss you right now" he said honestly and smiled at the other man.
Charles blush at both, the compliment and the kissing part, smiling shyly. Erik looked handsome, just as he had looked all those years back then, when he had first seen him in that bar. Those clothes fit him perfectly - so much better than Charles' borrowed ones - and he noticed his neatly done hair.
"And you look breathtaking", he breathed, leaning into Erik's personal space. Charles was about to kiss Erik, but turned his head in the last moment to kiss his cheek.
"Are you ready?" - "Yes", Erik answered with a shaky voice and Charles squeezed his hand before they went out of the mansion.
They walked together, hand in hand down the street. It was getting dark and cold, but Charles felt the warmth spreading from Erik's body and cuddled against him.
They arrived at the restaurant, a rather small one, not fancy but not too casual either. Charles went to the waiter and told him his name, since he already made a reservation. The waiter guided them to their seats and Charles pulled out Erik's chair.
Erik's cheeks got considerably redder when Charles pulled out his chair and he felt taken care of - as he always did around the other man.
When Charles sat down in front of him, he smiled nervously and picked the menu to hide his face behind it and catch his breath.
He pulled it down almost instantly though, not being able to keep his eyes away from Charles much. Erik felt so awkward out of nowhere, which didn't even make sense, they had so much to talk about on their last days together, why was his heart beating so fast and his palms sweating?
The waiter came their way after a while and asked what they wanted to eat.
Erik wasn't so sure yet, the 'Salmon Fillet' seemed delicious… And maybe after they could share a piece of the 'Chocolate delight'... he was about to open his mouth, when Charles promptly said "Two salmon fillets and a chocolate delight for dessert, also, a bottle of your best red wine please".
The waiter wrote it down and Erik narrowed his eyes at Charles "Did you just read my mind?" he asked and the other man widened his eyes "Oh God, I'm so sorry, Erik, I didn't meant to, I was just nervous-" Erik cut him off before Charles kept on babbling forever.
"It's okay" he said reaching over the table and holding Charles' hand, his eyes softening "I don't mind, I want to share my thoughts with you. We can even talk inside our minds if you want."
It surprised him that he was fine with it. When he thought Charles had just read his mind he felt a little without privacy, but when he started talking his heart was filled with warmth and he realized he didn't care at all.
'We can?' - 'Yes' and just like that, Charles smiled again.
"Just… don't do it when we're fighting because that won't be fair." - "We're going to fight?" Charles asked sounding a little amused "Probably. But then when you make your angry face at me I'm pretty sure I'll melt down and apologize" Charles laughed and Erik did too. He wasn't feeling so nervous anymore.
They got their food rather quickly, since the restaurant wasn't that full and Charles watched Erik take a sip of the wine. "Is it good?", he asked and Erik nodded. "I am not an expert though", he laughed nervously, but Charles brushed it off.
"I'm sure it's fine", he answered and they started eating.
The conversation started naturally and without force. They spoke about old memories of them and then about Charles' school and about the future.
"You know, you should teach at my school", Charles suddenly said enthusiastically. He already imagined Erik in one of the classrooms and the student following his words and examples.
"Me? No, not a good idea." - "Why not? Your powers are extraordinary and you can control them so well!" Charles was all gone for his idea, smiling brightly.
"You do remember what I did, Charles. Don't you?" Erik didn't seem so convinced.
"And I already told you, that you are a good man, Erik. Tell you what, you promise me to think about it until school starts again. But really think about it!" Erik smiled at him bashfully but nodded.
"Thanks", Charles smiled and started digging into the chocolate dessert.
They shared the dessert with Charles fighting Erik's fork away from the last piece. He laughed when he won and Erik pointed out he could have just controlled Charles' fork if he wanted to. When they were done, Charles payed the bill and held Erik's hand as they got out of the restaurant.
They walked back to the mansion talking, with Charles tucked under Erik's arms, Erik's hand going up and down the other man's side, trying to put some heat back into it since it was a chilly night.
When they were in front of the mansion all the nervousness came back to Erik because he didn't know what to do at all. Should he kiss Charles? No, the other man had to take that step himself, Erik couldn't know if he wanted or was ready to.
He took a deep breath and even though he knew they were going in together, he still wanted to do it properly by saying goodbye at the door.
He stood in front of Charles and put both his hands on his shoulder, slowly brushing Charles' arms all the way down to hold his hands. He looked into his eyes and said "I had a lovely time, Charles. Thank you for the dinner, it's my treat next time".
"Thank you for agreeing to go out with me. I know this isn't really your thing." - "It is. I enjoyed it very much with you." Charles blushed a little and something warm, something exciting and overwhelming started bubbling up in his body.
Charles looked at Erik, into his indefinable blue eyes and he suddenly felt like he'd been thrown back into his fifteen year old self. He was nervous to kiss Erik now, but he wanted to do it.
He took a deep breath and tried to smile confidently, wrapping his arms around Erik's neck. Erik's hands immediately moved to his waist, warming Charles' body once more.
Charles leaned in and pressed his lips gently on Erik's, feeling the warmth running through his body. His heart was pounding against his chest and he could feel Erik's heart doing the same.
It was a rather short and closed mouthed kiss, neither of them wanting to take this further. They parted and Charles stared at Erik's lips, already wanting to kiss them again. God, he had missed this so much!
"I love you so much", he whispered against Erik's lips.
Erik let a small needy sound come out of his mouth - a sound he would deny ever making - and kissed the corner of Charles' mouth "I love you too, my dear".
Why was it again that he had left all those years ago? He couldn't imagine being apart from Charles again. Not after this, not after what they were sharing together.
"Can I kiss you again?" he asked, not being able to hold himself any longer. Charles nodded, his gaze never leaving Erik's lips and Erik closed the distance again.
It was the same chaste kiss. Just a peck on the lips, still too short but exactly what they needed. Erik breathed in during the kiss, his heart going crazy inside his chest and his mind completely shutting down from everything that wasn't Charles.
He broke the contact and looked at the other man lovingly "Let's go inside" he said and waited for Charles to unlock the door.
As soon as he was in, he felt how much warmer the air was inside the house and his body seemed to relax instantly, making him yawn. It wasn't so late yet, but he was barely recovered from his cough and sore throat, his body still tired. "Do you want to go to bed?" he asked Charles who nodded and put his arms around Erik's waist and they went upstairs together.
Charles wasn't so tired so he picked a book to read in bed while Erik changed into his new pajamas - he really liked sleeping naked but he wasn't going to do that with Charles in the same bed… yet - and then they both settled side by side.
Charles was sitting, his back leaned against the headboard and Erik was cuddled against his side, his head resting on top of Charles' thigh, feeling the other man's skilled fingers massaging his scalp and he fell asleep in a second.
The next morning, Charles woke up with a sore back, because he had fallen asleep in the same position as he was in yesterday. Erik was still sleeping on his thigh, drooling a bit on Charles' pants. He smiled at that picture, his aching back already forgotten.
One hand wandered up Erik's arm and settled in his hair and the other one pulled the blanket up higher Erik's body.
Erik seemed to notice it and moved in his sleep, but Charles immediately calmed him down again.
He thought about their kiss yesterday, smiling foolishly at the memory. Suddenly, Charles had this thought in his mind and it wouldn't go away.
He gently removed Erik from his legs, so that the other man was sleeping peacefully next to him. Then he crawled down, so he was at Erik's level and pressed his lips on Erik's once again. The kiss was full of morning breath and not really responsive from Erik's side but still perfect.
Charles continued giving Erik small little kisses on his face, until the other one seem to wake up a little bit. He then locked their lips again and pushed his tongue inside Erik's mouth.
"Hmmhmm" was all Erik could come up with at that moment. He had woken up to delightful kisses on his face, and then Charles was fully kissing him, his tongue going inside Erik's mouth and making him shiver.
He parted his lips to give the other man better access and threaded his fingers on his hair, kissing him back like their lives depended on it. Their tongues were curling around each other and exploring the feeling, trying to get to know one another once again.
Erik caressed Charles' hair and face, his hand wandering everywhere and brushing on the side of Charles' body until it reached his hips and Erik rested it there, squeezing it a little.
He moaned on the kiss, not because he was aroused but simply because it was heaven to taste Charles again, to feel his soft red lips against his.
Erik sucked on Charles' tongue and then let go of it, biting gently on his bottom lip before pulling away. "Not that I'm complaining-" he said with a sleepy raspy voice "But where did that come from?".
Charles chuckled lightly. "Good morning. And I don't know. I just liked kissing you yesterday, so I wanted to do it again." He kissed Erik's nose and smiled at him.
His hands found Erik's chest and caressed it softly, feeling his heartbeat and the warmth of his skin.
Charles then suddenly stopped and looked the other man in the eyes.
"I am feeling better now. We don't have to act like we don't know what to do around each other. I still know your body so well; every curve, every muscle, every spot that makes your skin shiver", he said in a lower voice, his hand brushing over Erik's hipbone where he knew, Erik's weak spot was hidden.
"And I know, you can read me too. Don't hold back anymore, just because you don't wanna do something wrong. Kiss me whenever you want, touch me where ever you want, tell me whatever you want. Okay?"
"Okay" Erik answered with a shaky breath. God, now he was aroused.
He was encouraged by what Charles had just said so he kissed him again, without asking for permission, without being scared of being too much.
He kissed him trying to put all his feelings into it, all the longing, all the want. He tried to show how much he had missed the other man, his tongue caressing his mouth from the inside out, licking his lips, biting on them and sucking.
Charles' response was more than positive, and soon Erik rolled them around, his knees digging on the mattress on each side of Charles' body, he put their chests together while he explored Charles' mouth, laying on top of him.
His hands wandered until he reached the hem of Charles' shirt and slipped them underneath it, feeling the warm skin on his fingers. Charles flat stomach was still smooth and delicious to touch, the hair path that lead from his bellybutton to his cock barely there, but Erik knew Charles too well to know it was there.
Only thinking of it made Erik's dick start to come alive and he pulled away, completely out of breath, to kiss Charles' jawline "I love you" he said against his skin, his voice hoarse, and then let his body fall to the side, resting next to his loved one.
He knew what Charles had just said about doing whatever he wanted, but if he did, they would end up both without being able to sit down only after their first date, their first kiss after so many years.
Charles breathed heavily, trying to bring it under control again. His lips felt bruised and little bit numb after what Erik just did to him and he had enjoyed every second. He rolled on his side and looked at Erik, who seemed to have his difficulties with catching his breath as well. There was a slight bulge in Erik's pants and Charles really wanted to brush his hands over it, but Erik must have stopped them for a reason. Maybe he wasn't ready yet.
"I love you too", Charles whispered and ran his hands over Erik shoulder instead of his lower body.
"What do you think about a good, long breakfast and then we finish up the house afterwards? School will start in three days again and I don't want my students to sleep in a room with a broken window", he then suggested.
"Yes, that sounds perfect" Erik said breathlessly.
Three days. Three whole days with Charles was all he had left before the other man had to start dealing with students and teaching classes. Would he even have time for Erik then? Of course. This was Charles.
They got up and went downstairs to have breakfast, Erik was rather quiet during the preparation of the food, thinking about being a teacher. He wasn't a nice person, he wasn't patient with kids - especially kids with powers who thought they could do anything.
But these were Charles' students, surely they were nicer than other normal teenagers, right?
"You're quiet" Charles pointed out after a few minutes and Erik looked at him, startled for being ripped out of his own thoughts.
"Sorry" he said "I'm just thinking about your offer last night, you know, about teaching" - "You are?" Charles asked with a smile on his face and Erik nodded.
The other man came behind him, his arms going around Erik's waist and his head resting between his shoulder blades. "Is it good thinking, or bad thinking?" - "A little bit of both" he said turning on the embrace, wrapping his arms around Charles' neck.
"I don't know if I could do it. But at the same time, it doesn't sound so bad" - "You just have to think a little more" Charles stated and Erik agreed. He smiled fondly at the other man and leaned closer giving him a kiss. Before they could deepen it though, he pulled away. Charles looked a little confused, obviously not wanting to stop the kissing and Erik chuckled.
"It seems like I'm a little too old for this but… Can I call you my boyfriend now?" he asked with a small smile.
Charles laughed a bit. "I'd feel honored to be called your boyfriend", he said truthfully.
Ever since he knew Erik, Charles wanted him to call Charles his boyfriend. In their time together, Charles had always said the word out loud when Erik wasn't around. This and 'I love you' were the two things Charles wanted to say to Erik forever.
"I love you so much, my boyfriend", he said, liking the feeling of those words on his tongue.
"I love you too", Erik whispered back and Charles felt his lips on his nose. He closes his eyes at the contact, wanting Erik's lips to meet his. But they didn't and he opened them again.
"You are such a tease", Charles chuckled and Erik grinned a full on sharky smile. "I know."
He rolled his eyes playfully and continued making scrambled eggs.
"Do you want pancakes?", he asked and felt Erik's hands on his waist. "I can make them if you want?"
Charles smiled and leaned into the touch. "Okay. I'll do something else then."
He left to stove to make room for Erik and settled with preparing a small fruit salad. Even though they went out for dinner last night, Charles was rather hungry today.
Half an hour later they were sitting on a full breakfasttable and smiled stupidly at each other.
"I hope you are as hungry as I am", Charles grinned and started eating his pancakes.
"I'm so full" Erik said after they finished eating and Charles laughed.
They were supposed to start their chores but they had eaten so much that they decided to lay down a little bit before doing anything else.
They laid together on the couch, Charles practically on top of Erik, their legs intertwined and his head resting on Erik's chest, while they watched cartoons - which Erik was also too old for, but he secretly adored watching Spongebob with Charles laughing at Patrick's stupidity.
Half an hour later though, Erik wasn't so amused anymore because he was painfully aware of every little part of Charles' body touching his. His hands were travelling up and down his boyfriend's spine, stopping on the line between neck and hair and then going down again, and he could feel Charles shivering on top of him.
Charles moved a little and it was a terrible idea because his hip brushed against Erik's cock and he held on a sharp breath, waiting for Charles to settle himself.
God, that was what real torture was. Erik wanted Charles so bad. But they had been together again for less than week, had gone on one date. He didn't want Charles to think he was all about the sex again. He wanted to show he could be about love and commitment too.
Not when Charles was wiggling on top of him though. Erik put his hand on Charles' ass to hold him still and kissed his cheek where he could reach from the position. He didn't move his hand away though, he couldn't make himself do that and soon he was squeezing it and Charles laughed - from the squeeze or the cartoon, Erik couldn't tell.
When Spongebob was over and the cartoon afterwards wasn't as funny anymore, Charles decided now was a good time to start working.
He leaned down to kiss Erik gently and chaste, but still lovingly. "Let's do some work, shall we?"
He got up and offered Erik his hand, which the other man took and Charles pulled him up.
They worked for two hours straight and took a quick break, eating the rest pancakes from this morning. Then they worked again, until it was getting late, but eventually they finished everything.
"Now we have three free days. We can do anything you want tomorrow", Charles said, leaning against the wall as Erik finished up the last shelf they had to fix.
"Anything?" Erik asked looking at Charles with a devilish grin. His boyfriend smiled and rolled his eyes.
Erik had just finished the shelf so he put down the hammer and walked until he stood in front of Charles "How about a date?" He asked softly "Will you go out with me?".
"Yes, of course" Charles breathed and kissed him on the lips.
"I'm going to take a shower now" Erik said, his entire body sweaty and tired, he felt like he could sleep for days.
He went to his room while Charles went down to the kitchen and picked up a pink post-it. He wanted a cherry red one but pink was the closest he got and he wrote 'I love your lips' in it, placing the paper on top of Charles' pillow.
He went inside the bathroom and undressed himself with the door open. It was too much to hope but he was starting to take showers with open doors, to show Charles he was always welcome to join.