A/N: Warnings for Angsty!Erik, Cherik, and another short chapter. Sorry about that whole shortish chapter thing again... :P

Disclaimer: If I owned any of this stuff, the Avenger's movie would already be out on DVD for me to watch 24/7...All characters and what not belong to the proper people.

Erik leaned his elbow on the counter, held up his hand and gave it a wave. The bartender acknowledged him and brought him another of what he had been having all night – he didn't even remember what it was anymore. Erik knew last call was coming up. Any other night, had Charles been at the bar with him, the two would have easily 'persuaded' the 'tender to extend the time.

But Charles wasn't with him. In fact, Charles wouldn't ever be with him again, knowing his luck. Erik tilted his head, and the helmet on top of it jostled a bit.

He didn't like keeping Charles out of his head, but he knew that it was his only option. He wasn't weak. He was Erik Lehnsherr – Nazi Hunter. Erik knew that Charles would never make him come home, but Erik would like to know it was his decision to go back.

Then Erik remembered – it wasn't his choice to come home. He hadn't left at free-will; Charles insisted that he had to leave. He would never know when – if ever – Charles wanted him to return, and certainly not with his helmet off. I'm never going to see that place again.

Trying to forget his last thought, Erik decided it best to gulp down the last of his drink before he was told to leave. Then he headed out the bar's doors and down the road to the nearest motel.

By the time Erik was settled in the room, well over an hour had passed. That left him sitting on the creaky old bed, helmet firmly on his head, allowing himself to be consumed in his own thoughts. Erik wasn't one who normally liked admitting to feelings. He tried hard on a daily basis to hide any and every emotion from the people around him. He tried even harder to hide said emotions from himself.

And until recently, Erik had always been able to hide these things that cause him so much pain. He had everything under control until that night Charles had pulled him out of the water. Erik didn't understand what it was, but whenever Charles was around he was different. Something changed in him. It was if a tight knot in his chest was loosened whenever he was around the young telepath. He didn't feel like he had to watch out for potential killers lurking around the corner. He felt almost – however hard it was to admit it – normal.

The only other person who Erik had ever felt normal around was his own mother. Deep down he knew that that was because he loved his mother. Even deeper down he wondered if that's not why Charles made him feel that way. And if it is, its friendship love? Right? If not that, brother love? Yes. It has to be brotherly love.

Right?

xxxxx

It was 12:27 in the afternoon when Erik finally dragged his eyelids open. Erik never slept that late. No, Charles never let him sleep that late. It was always exactly 7:30 when Charles voice rang into his head saying, "Wake up." And Erik always had.

Now that Charles was gone, Erik wondered if he ever would get up on a regular schedule again. Before he had met Charles, he easily woke up each morning to seek his revenge on the people who destroyed his life. There it was again; how much easier his life with Charles had been.

I'll never be the same, will I?

Erik suddenly had a desire to communicate with Charles. He started by removing the helmet that had been on his head all night. Trying to remember what Charles had taught him, Erik started broadcasting his thoughts towards Charles. Before he could even think of something to say, he was interrupted.

Erik.

Charles?

O, Erik…I've been looking for you all night. Please come home?

I don't want to come back if you don't feel completely comfortable with me being there so…

No Erik. I want you here. I was tired and stressed last night. I didn't mean it. Please come home? Erik almost heard the tear roll down Charles's cheek.

I'm coming home.

xxxxx

Erik was relieved to see the front doors to the mansion. He didn't want to think that he had felt the same way less than 24 hours ago.

Charles?

I'm in the library Erik; you're welcome to join me.

Erik instinctively took the shortest route to the library. Without any hesitation, Erik opened the door and walked in. Charles was parked in his wheelchair next to the coffee table; a book in his hand. Charles gently closed the book and set it on the table in front of him.

"How nice it is to see you home again," Charles said, followed by a genuine smile.

Erik began to walk forward, "I'm so sorry Charles…"

"I know Erik."

Erik kneeled in front of Charles's wheelchair. "I didn't mean to…"

"No, I'm sorry. I sent you away."

"No Charles. It was only a matter of time before…"

"Erik, I…" but Charles didn't finish. He was cut off by shock before that happened. Erik had leaned forward and hugged Charles, however awkward the wheelchair made it.

"I love you Charles."

"I know Erik," Charles hugged Erik back and gave him a light tap on the back. I know.

Reviews are to me, like Adorable Lab Rats are to Handsome Sharks! :)