December 20, 1963

Charles closed his study door, moving over to his desk before reaching out to contact Erik, Are you available?

Erik lifted his head slightly from the pillow on his office cot before letting it fall again. Yes.

I was hoping we could sort out a place to meet for Christmas Eve. Charles' mental voice was a bit sheepish, I didn't mean to wake you.

I wasn't sleeping that well anyway, he replied. Just dozing. A pause. Christmas eve? he asked, mental voice drowsy.

We'd talked about meeting up for Christmas, Charles reminded gently. He glanced at the clock, It's later than I realized. This can wait 'til tomorrow if you like.

No, now is fine. Any ideas?

There's a comfortable hotel I know that has an attached restaurant.

Erik hummed. A comfortable hotel?

Mhm. It's a nice place.

Are you paying? Erik asked, teasing.

He chuckled softly, I can if you like.

How romantic.

Charles mentally rolled his eyes, Erik... affectionate exasperation twined through the link.

Erik grinned at the ceiling. Yes, love?

You're incorrigible.

Always and forever. When would you like to meet? Besides Christmas of course.

Six? Seven perhaps?

Am I getting an address to this place then? Erik asked, voice sleepy but affectionate.

Hm? Oh, right... Charles located the address, sending it to Erik.

Erik smiled faintly at that, sending affection across the link.

The telepath smiled, returning the affection, I should let you get back to sleep.

If you like, Erik murmured, sending some mischief across the link.

Charles laughed quietly at that, mentally shaking his head, Sleep is in fact good for you, my friend.

I get plenty, he replied. I get less time with you.

Fair enough. He mentally smirked, giving the sensation of his fingers ghosting down Erik's side.

It doesn't take much convincing, does it? Erik laughed, a little breathless. Miss me much?

Very much. I've been dealing with students and teachers and logistics for far too long. I miss you, desperately the sensation traced its way over Erik's chest and around to his back, splitting off, one "hand" moving along his spine while the other moved down to his hip.

Erik laughed again. Poor Charles. He shifted, imagining his own hands in Charles' hair, stroking through said hair.

Charles closed his eyes, tilting his head into the imagined touch as he let his hand trail from Erik's hip to tangle in his hair, mentally leaning up to kiss him.

Erik huffed quietly. Charles, he sent back, running his hands down to the other's hips.

The telepath drew in a sharp breath at that, G-god, Erik.

You're so easy, Erik grinned, nuzzling against his neck.

Like y-you're any better. He turned his attention to Erik's throat, one hand moving to trace down the other's chest and abdomen.

The door to Erik's office opened and Raven froze, her brows rising sharply when she saw Erik on the cot instead of at his desk. The telepathic feedback she could sense from ages of feeling Charles' touch around her made her shake her head, "Really, Erik?"

He just about had a heart attack, rolling off the cot and landing hard on the floor. Looking up, his eyes narrowed at Raven. "Yes?"

Stepping in behind Raven, Azazel raised his brows. She just shook her head at their leader, "Seriously? I mean, really?"

"Really what?" he asked, picking himself up and brushing off his legs. "Did you two want something?"

"Apparently we can come back later. Did you consider locking the door?"

"I thought I had," he said, glaring.

Azazel looked between them. "Didn't we have business to discuss?"

"Well, you didn't," she replied. Mystique glanced at the teleporter, "It can wait." She turned on her heel to leave, "Oh, Erik? Try your room or locking the door next time."

"Yes, I will be very sure to do so," Erik muttered, glaring darkly.

Raven glanced at Azazel, "We have training we ought to be doing."

"We do? We do, but..." he started to protest and shrugged. "Yeah, let's."

She shot Erik another look before exiting, waiting for Azazel in the hall. Azazel looked their leader over, smirked and followed her. Muttering darkly to himself Erik got back onto the cot, laying on his side.

Everything alright over there? Charles had located the work he'd intended to do when he first entered the study and was settling down to deal with it, but he wanted to double check.

Just fell out of bed, he muttered darkly.

One eyebrow arched, Just?

Your sister walked in.

Oh. He blushed slightly, I see. I assume that went about as well as I'm imagining?

Apparently she knew what was going on.

She...Oh. Oh! Heavens.

Well, your sister just about walked in on us having sex only I had to deal with it.

Charles suppressed the amusement he felt at that statement and tone, It could have been worse.

Could have been worse? Erik huffed.

We could have both been present.

Next time, one of your students can walk in on this, alright?

Hank practically did last year, remember?

Well, next time it can actually happen this time.

Charles laughed, I'm hardly going to leave my door unlocked.

Erik rolled his eyes, rolling over on his back. Damnit, you're far too amused by this.

That earned another quiet laugh, Perhaps so.

Charles...

Hm?

You do bad things to me, Erik muttered.

Is that a bad thing? Came the calm response, a touch ghosting over Erik's skin again.

Erik shifted, making sure the lock was actually locked. He allowed himself to imagine a touch on Charles' hip. I miss being able to breeze in and ravage you before leaving the next morning.

Charles' breath hitched at that, You and me both, Erik. You and me both. He regained enough focus to return to his ministrations on the other's throat, his fingers tracing over Erik's skin.

We'll have Christmas.

Hardly even a week away.

I'm sure I'll be unable to think of anything else, Erik sent back, tracing hands along where he wished Charles' spine was.

That earned a soft gasp as Charles sent a pulse of pleasure and desire along with his next thought, I love you. His fingers continued their exploration, one hand trailing along Erik's shoulders while the other moved down to his hip again.

I know, Erik hummed, tilting his head and running his hands lower. I love you too.

Charles' breath hitched again, his mental touch stuttering slightly before growing more sure again and trailing a little below Erik's waist, G-god...

Erik just grinned at that, shifting again before making sure the lock really was in place. If Azazel attempted teleporting through the door he'd see the red mutant destroyed. Enjoying yourself, Charles?

E-Erik, you're being a tease. The young professor's eyes closed and he tilted his head back as he tried to locate enough focus that Erik wasn't just getting any mental feedback.

I'm the tease? Erik protested at that. Don't lose focus here.

Y-you're hardly helping me keep it. Charles muttered but he drew himself together, his hands tracing lower as he mentally leaned in to kiss Erik

Erik grinned, smiling at that. Was I supposed to help you keep it? he asked, innocent.

You are a pain, you know that?

I have had no idea my entire life.

Charles rolled his eyes, his hands moving lower again. Still grinning, Erik imagined nuzzling his nose against Charles' throat, humming.

December 24, 1963

Charles arrived at the hotel and the agreed upon room a good deal early. He looked around the place, it was nice and moderately expensive but tastefully so at the same time. Some part of him knew they were tempting fate with this being Christmas Eve. His presence would likely be missed at the mansion, but he couldn't bring himself to care. He settled on the small couch in the suite-like room to wait for Erik.

The German arrived early as well, but not nearly so much as Charles. His brows rose at the sight of the other man already there, but smiled. "Charles." It felt like it had been ages since he actually said that name out loud.

Charles' lips curled into a smile, "Good evening, Erik." He savored the actual sound of their voices. There was a different feel to the mental voice in comparison, there always was.

"I've missed you."

"And I you, so very much." He hesitated for a moment before reaching for the wooden cane that rested near the couch, using it to lever himself to his feet, his gaze still on Erik.

Erik had glanced at the cane in a little confusion, and blinked rapidly at Charles now.

The telepath offered him a faint smile, "I'm still not completely steady, but no chair and no braces. I need the support to walk, but I'm finally able to do so."

Erik couldn't even quite think of anything to say to that, any other way to react than moving across the space and gathering Charles up tight in his arms, though not picking him up at all, carefully leaving his feet on the ground.

Charles' arms moved to wrap around him as he rested his head against Erik's chest, listening to his heartbeat. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I wanted to actually show you."

The taller nodded, voice still gone for the moment. He kissed the top of Charles' head instead, stroking his back, though his hand stilled where he knew the bullet had entered Charles' spine.

The telepath's eyes closed at the touch, "Hank expects it will always be a little weak, but as long as I'm careful it should continue to heal, and as long as I keep that part of my spine guarded I should retain my ability to walk."

Erik just nodded again, nose still buried in Charles' hair. "I'm sure Hank knows what he's talking about," he finally managed.

"I told you I would walk again," the smaller man murmured.

"And you are," Erik said, stunned.

Charles nodded against the other's chest, not saying anything further on the subject.

Erik's mind was still reeling in shock, though really should not be that shocked. He'd seen the braces—had taken advantage of the braces—but to have Charles standing in front of him was something entirely different. "Is this my Christmas present?" he murmured, arms tightening.

Charles smiled faintly at that, "Part of it."

Erik chuckled, the feeling obvious from where their chests were still pressed together.

That garnered a quiet laugh, "I love you."

The words catching in his throat, Erik just leaned down, kissing Charles instead. Charles pressed up into the kiss, his free hand moving to tangle in Erik's hair. Grinning against the kiss, Erik gently pulled him just a little bit closer. Charles let the cane fall aside, his hand moving to trace down Erik's side.

Erik grinned into the kiss, tilting his head. "You know," he said, pulling back. "I think there might be a day when I see you and don't want to ravage you on sight."

Charles laughed, "I do hope that's a long ways off."

Erik laughed. "I brought a chess set," he murmured, kissing Charles again. "I doubt I have the concentration for that now."

That earned a grin and another kiss, "I think I'm alright with that distraction."

"Maybe later," Erik murmured, running his finger tips down Charles' side. "I've wanted to actually touch you too long."

Charles shuddered under his touch, arching at it, "G-god." His fingers ghosted over Erik's shoulders, drawing him closer down so he could kiss the other, pressing up into it.

Erik grinned, tilting his neck into the kiss. "Did you miss me too?" he asked before kissing Charles' jaw.

"Y-yes. I miss you so much."

Erik muttered something that was probably in German before kissing Charles again.

I can't translate that in this state, I h-hope you recall. He pressed up against the other, his fingers tracing down Erik's back.

Erik drew back to speak, feeling the vibrations from actually speaking the words and hearing them for the first time in too long, though his hands were already working at divesting Charles of his shirt. "It's nothing you haven't heard before," he replied. "Things like I miss you, and I love you, and I'm happy here."

Charles couldn't seem to stop smiling, his fingers tracing over the hem of Erik's shirt before shifting to pull it off, "I do like hearing them. I love you so very much."

Erik had to kiss him again for that. "I can't believe it most days," he breathed. "But you would have to to put up with me."

"There's no 'putting up with' here, Erik. Not in that direction."

Erik chuckled, and considered how best to get Charles from where he was toward the bed.

"I can walk. It just involves you actually releasing me enough for us to move," came the amused answer to the thoughts.

"I could carry you," Erik murmured into his ear. "I like doing it, but if you... would rather..."

"I never thought I'd say this, but I miss you carrying me," Charles' breath brushed against Erik's throat as he answered.

Laughing at that, Erik scooped him up, still careful as if he was going to break Charles' legs again.

Charles' arms wrapped around his neck, shaking his head, "I need to be careful, it doesn't mean I'm made of glass."

"You aren't supposed to pick up on all my stray thoughts," Erik muttered, a little darkly. "I just," he shook his head. Yes, guilt still twisted his stomach, his fault or not, though Charles had scolded him enough times for dwelling on it. So he didn't dwell, but he still thought, and his stomach still twisted.

Charles leaned in and kissed him again, "It's the link. I haven't had enough practice keeping our minds untangled when we're in this much contact since it's been in place."

Erik managed to laugh at that. "Alright. Read my thoughts then, you'll just hear how much I love you."

"Good." The professor leaned in for another kiss, his arms still wrapped around Erik's neck.

Erik finally got them to the bed, being distracted on the way by Charles in general, kissing him. Charles lay back, pulling Erik down with him. One of his hands moved to rest on the other's hip as the other hand went up to tangle in his hair again.

X-X-X

Erik stroked a hand across Charles' back in the early morning light. He'd awoken early, and was enjoying laying entangled.

Charles blinked himself awake, glancing up at the other man, but not moving more than that, "Good morning, Erik."

"Charles," he greeted, hands not stilling in their motions.

"Merry Christmas."

Erik kissed his temple. "Happy holidays," he murmured, perhaps on the side of snarking.

Charles rolled his eyes, "I love you."

"And I still love you this morning as well," Erik replied, happily. "When do you need to be back?"

"Honestly? I should have been back last night. I should leave around noon probably."

"That's rather far from now," Erik hummed.

"It is indeed." Charles tilted his head up enough to kiss Erik's jaw.

Erik huffed, still close to laughter. "Another chess game perhaps?"

"So soon after waking up?"

"Or we could do something else first," Erik murmured into his ear, mostly teasing.

Charles' lips curled upwards, "You're teasing again. Chess sounds like a good idea."

Erik ran his hand down Charles' side and up his back. "This soon after waking up?" he asked.

Charles arched at the touch, "You need to make up your mind, Erik." He chuckled, untangling enough to lean up and kiss Erik's temple.

"I have so many wonderful options before me," he chuckled. "It's hard to decide."

The telepath chuckled, sliding down a bit further, trailing kisses down Erik's jaw and throat, his hands running down the other's side, "Is it?"

"Well, you're making it a great deal easier at the moment," he admitted.

That got a grin as Charles continued his ministrations, "Good to hear."

Erik reached forward, tilting Charles' chin up to kiss him. Charles rested a hand against Erik's chest, the other bracing against the mattress as he leaned up, pressing into the kiss. Grinning into it, Erik shifted, pulling Charles closer to him lazily on the bed. Charles made a soft sound at that, deepening the kiss and sending his emotions coiling through the link.

Still grinning, Erik hummed into the kiss, the sheets still a little undone from the night before. Shifting himself to lay more on top of the other, Charles smirked slightly. Grinning, Erik ran his hands down Charles' spine again. Charles arched at that, moaning softly into the kiss. Still smirking, Erik continued his ministrations of Charles.


Hello, folks! Have a heaping dose of Charles and Erik for your current update. So, Charles is walking now. We're working off the idea that Comicverse!Charles regained the use of his legs a couple of times (admittedly through different means than we used) and that Hank and Charles have far more advanced tech and the like than most, if not all, medical facilities at the time. Meadowlark's headcanon says that the bullet didn't fully sever the spine either so there were some neural pathways still working, etc. Either way, we are asking you to suspend a good deal of disbelief for the sake fo trying to make the films fit their own continuity.

We wanted to thank all of you who have taken time to review, it really does help us get through long days at school and work to know that people are looking at our work and care enough to let us know what they think (one way or the other).