Charles kept moving until he reached his hotel room. He picked the card from inside his shorts and swiped it on the door, unlocking and pushing it open. He wheeled himself inside and just when the door was closed and he was safe, he let himself relax.
He breathed out, his entire body deflating and resting on the chair like he couldn't keep himself upright anymore, thoughts running wild inside his head. Erik could speak fucking english. He had understood everything Charles had said and yet he didn't tell him the truth! He made a fool out of Charles! No, Charles made a fool of himself for just assuming and never even asking if there was any language they could communicate in.
Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!
He was just making fun of the idiotic crippled who had a crush on him. And he was probably loving the attention but pitying Charles at the same time. He was probably amused that the handicap had wanted him but would never get anything out of it.
Charles didn't know how long he just sat there letting himself fall into that hole of sadness and self-pity but he was ripped out of it when the door opened and hit his chair because he had never wheeled himself away from it.
"Charles? What happened? One minute you were there with Erik and then suddenly you were gone and he looked like someone had kicked his puppy!", Raven exclaimed and patiently waited for him to get away from the door so she could open it properly and go inside.
Charles let out a breath and turned the chair around to face her. "He can speak english", he said ripping off the band-aid at once. She didn't seem surprised thought. Her "Oh", didn't sound like she had just gotten brand new information and Charles frowned at her.
"So you know", she commented looking around the room but at Charles, and his mouth fell open. What the fuck? "What the fuck?", he repeated out loud, feeling angry. "You knew? And you didn't tell me? You let that complete stranger make fun of me?", he yelled at her, placing all the anger towards Erik, the world, the accident, his useless legs, on top of her.
"Woah, calm down, Charles! It's not like that", Raven shook her head, her blonde curls bouncing around. "Then how is it, huh? I just made a complete fool of myself!" - "Why? Because you told him exactly how you felt about him without knowing he could understand you? Charles…", she sighed and came closer, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Look, big brother… Before the accident you'd have been all over him. You'd have flirted shamelessly, used your ridiculous pick up lines and you'd end up at his bed because you always get what you want. But now… Now you're scared and you're shy. It was a great thing that you thought he couldn't understand you. It was an exercise for you!", she exclaimed, but Charles was taking none of that.
"And how was he supposed to know that? He should have told me, Raven!", he countered and she nodded "He should. I'm not saying he's right here, I'm just saying… You're on a different continent, Charles. You'll never see him again in two days… why not enjoy it? He's clearly into you as well and that could do wonders! You could just.. learn yourself all over again with him and be ready for dating and pursuing someone you can keep for the rest of your life once we're back in new york. Just think about it", she smiled, but Charles just gaped at her.
"You want me to use him? And what do you mean he's into me?", he asked not knowing which one of those questions was more pressing right now. She sighed and looked him dead in the eyes. "I'm not telling you to use anyone. He would be getting you, wouldn't he? That's a win-win. And he does, you know. The day I found out he could speak english he asked me not to tell you because he wanted to do it himself and he said… he said he was flattered by the things you were telling him. I don't know. He doesn't strike me as a talker, maybe he wouldn't even say much if you knew he could speak english. And Charles, I saw you two by the pool today and he… He was holding your shins. You never let anyone apart from the doctors to touch your legs and your ex didn't even come close to them after the accident. Erik seems decent enough for me. He respects you and that's what matters to me. You shouldn't be mad at him. Or be. Make him apologise and then you see what's next".
Charles just looked at his sister, his eyes wide and mouth hanging up. She had a perfect point. Erik was the gorgeous stranger in another continent whom he would never see again in two days.
He was the first man who had truly looked at Charles since his accident and he didn't seem any bothered by it. That usual pity didn't cross his expression when they were together and it didn't seem like he was always thinking of what Charles couldn't do anymore.
He had accepted and respected Charles completely and according to Raven he was even interested, no matter his disability. Erik did lie, though. Or withheld information, whatever, but Charles had also made a fool of himself for not even asking once. All in all, it seemed like he could only win by letting this small thing go.
Of course there was still the fact he was embarrassed and rightfully mad, but it wasn't anything an apology and dinner couldn't fix.
"You're right", Charles said looking up at her and she grinned widely. "Of course I am! Now, let's go enjoy our last days of vacations, I don't want you sulking around"
They lingered in the pool after that, Raven swimming inside and drinking one of each option they were offering on the menu, while Charles tanned his torso, not being as red as he had been on the first days anymore. Sad thing was, Erik was long gone when they came back, no trace of his towel or belongings.
It was only on lunchtime that Charles spotted him again. He was sitting by himself hunched forward, a cross expression on his face. It was the same one he had been using on his first day and he didn't seem so relaxed right now.
"It really is a pity that he eats alone, isn't it?", Charles asked, biting on his bottom lip and wondering if his choice of letting this slip was the right one. He would never see Erik again so what the hell? "I'm going over there", he said and picked his plate, putting it on his lap.
"Want some help with that?", Raven asked and pointed with her chin, making Charles shake his head. "It's fine", he answered and prayed his food wouldn't spill on his white shorts while he wheeled himself closer to Erik's table. His sister gave him an encouraging nod and Charles started moving.
When he reached his destination, he stopped and put his plate on top of the wood surface, Erik looking at him with a surprised expression. Charles wished he was sitting across from the other man but there was a chair there and parking on the corridor, next to Erik was the best he could do.
Crossing his arms in front of his chest and narrowing his eyes, Charles said "You owe me an apology", falling into his old, confident self seeming like the easiest thing when he was close to this stranger.
Erik's face changed completely then, brightening up impossibly and breathtakingly, like he already considered himself forgiven. Which he was. But he shouldn't be so cocky and that annoyed Charles. "You know what? I guess not", he said, narrowing his eyes even further and making a move to grab his plate again.
Erik's hand quickly darted up, holding his wrist and then softly sliding up his palm and cradling his fingers like something precious. He looked up then, breath knocked out of his lungs by the tender touch and locked eyes with Erik. "I am truly sorry, Charles. It wasn't my intention to embarrass or make a fool out of you. I rather thought I'd make a fool of myself if I started talking to you", he said and the honesty was so striking that it made Charles shiver.
"H-how come?", he stuttered a little and the other man let go of his hand, making it feel cold. He got up and walked around Charles, removing that chair so he could park himself across from Erik like he had wanted in first place. He came back to his seat and waited for Charles to settle down before he spoke.
"You're beautiful and I tend to push people away for not being very… Nice", he said and even blushed when Charles was being the one complimented by one of the most gorgeous men he had ever seen.
"You're nice enough to me", Charles heard himself answer, cheeks flushing red and eyes looking away from Erik. He heard the man chuckling gently and then say on that low, seductive tone of his "I guess I'm different on vacations, then. Or it could be you", he flirted, making Charles' palms sweat.
Ok, he could do this. He wanted this. He would embarrass himself so much if this came to sex at some point and while he certainly hoped it would come to that, he was also scared of disappointing Erik. He looked up, meeting the green-grey-blue eyes and smiled cheekily "I bring out the best in people", he affirmed.
Erik's grin was sharky-like, all his teeth showing and skin wrinkling on the corner of his eyes. They went back to their lunches, talking idly about every subject Charles could think of now that the man was actually participating on the conversation and revealing he was well educated and polite. Charles wanted to make out with him on top of the buffet.
"Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?", Erik asked when they were done eating and Charles beamed at him "I would adore to, Erik", he answered charmingly and felt that delicious, nervous feeling settling on his stomach. He loved the anticipation.
The wait was painful for Charles, but the time soon came when Erik was knocking on his hotel room. Charles whimpered and Raven laughed at him, telling him to relax.
He had dressed up lightly since it was too hot for fancy, but his clothes were still good enough to impress and he had fixed his hair to perfection. Wheeling himself to the door, he took one last deep breath and pulled it open.
Erik was wearing shorts and a t-shirt as always, but had put on a white sneaker that made him look well dressed. He was so gorgeous that Charles would have thought himself lucky even if he could still walk. Maybe even more lucky since he would get the chance to climb that man and wrap legs around that narrow waist.
He smiled at Charles wholeheartedly, all teeth showing and skin wrinkling. "Good evening, Charles. You look… Breathtaking", Erik said, making his stomach flutter and his cheeks tint red. "You don't look bad yourself", he answered dreamily, looking up to meet eyes with the other man.
"Ready to go?", Erik asked, a little of nervousness resonating on his voice, matching Charles' sweating palms. "Yes", he answered and wheeled himself out of the room, yelling a goodbye to his sister.
There were many things Charles had considered when he thought of dating again. Sex would be hard. Kissing the person whenever he wanted would be hard. Chasing his loved one when they fought would be hard. But he hadn't considered he would want to hold the person's hand and wouldn't be able to because he needed both hands to wheel himself. It sucked and it frustrated him to no end that he just couldn't.
By the time they reached the restaurant he almost felt like crying and for the first time ever he wasn't babbling, which obviously worried his date.
"Is everything okay? Did I do something?", Erik asked frowning, after an awkward moment of silence sitting across from each other and Charles immediately felt bad. He couldn't let his problem get in the way of his date.
"No, no, you're perfect", Charles answered and smiled, trying to brighten up again. "Then what happened? Are you nervous? I am a little as well", he said nicely and God, where had that man hidden all his life?
"No.. I mean, yes. It's not that and you didn't do anything I just… Wanted to hold your hand in the way and couldn't", he said blushing a little and feeling embarrassed. To his surprise, Erik's face broke into a grin and he put his hand on top of the table, palm turned up.
"That is really.. Cute", he said and when Charles slipped his hand on Erik's the other man's fingers curled around his, warm and a little rough.
Charles' mood increased incredibly and he smiled through the whole night, the food delicious, - they tried feijão tropeiro - and company perfect. Their fingers were intertwined through it all even though it made it a little more difficult but they didn't care.
When they were finished eating, they shared dessert, Erik even feeding Charles once and getting his lips dirty with chocolate. The other man used the pad of his thumb to clean the corneR of Charles' mouth and then brought it to his own, sucking it clean. Charles was this close to declaring eternal love to the german stranger by the end of dinner.
Erik had made him try the typical brazilian food and he even found himself regretting the fact he had avoided it on the previous days. He liked how the other man was challenging him to try new things and hoped that didn't stop there.
They walked side by side towards Charles' room again, one of Erik's hand warmly on his shoulder and the other one shoved into his own pocket. It felt nice and comforting to have that large palm there, even though Charles couldn't hold it while they moved, they were still touching.
His stomach started twisting and turning as he wondered if they would kiss goodnight. He felt like a silly teenager but for fuck's sake he hadn't kissed anyone in an year.
That question was pulled out of his mind when Erik suddenly stopped, when they were walking on the edge of a pool, the dark blue water of it so inviting on the hot night, the salt from the sea mixing with their sweat and clinging to their skins.
"Why don't we take a swim?", Erik asked then, looking down at him, eyes glinting in the moonlight. Chales' first reaction was a huge 'no', because he wouldn't ruin their perfect date by having to use the ridiculous special chair and just stay there.
"I uh… Didn't bring my trunks and a towel", he said as an excuse that was quickly brushed off by Erik "Neither did I", he said stripping off of his shirt and exposing that torso Charles wanted to snuggled up against.
"C'mon. You can't come here and not swim not even once", the other man said and Charles realised he must have heard when Raven chastised him for not enjoying his vacations.
"I can", Charles pressed his lips into a thin line, refusing to embarrass himself. Then, Erik surprised him once again by going on his knees and putting himself on the same level as Charles, saving him from craning his neck as he looked up to the other man.
"Would you tell me why not? Give me one good reason and I'll forget about it", he said sounding so reasonable that Charles could only look from one eye to another, pondering his answer.
He finally looked away, blush spreading through his cheeks, down his neck and chest. "The chair is stupid. Everyone keeps looking at me like they expect me to use it and just sit there submersed on the water and not doing anything", he finally said, ashamed of himself for being so useless.
Erik nodded understanding, hands finding a grip on Charles' knees even though he couldn't feel it. He could see the large palms spread over it and it was thrilling. "I didn't plan on you using the chair and there's no one here to see", he finally said, making Charles frown.
"Then what did you plan?", he asked puzzled but Erik just grinned at him, turning around and offering his back. He wanted to give Charles a piggy ride? That sounded… Humiliating. If someone else offered that, he would throw a fit that would make the person apologise for a year!
But it wasn't anyone else. It was Erik. Beautiful stranger who didn't pity Charles, who was out on a date with him even if he was a useless crippled and was attracted to him even though Charles was confined to a chair forever. It didn't feel humiliating. It felt liberating that someone was offering him a way of enjoying himself and finally just swimming again.
He felt daring and adventurous, pulling his shirt off of his body and then leaning forward, wrapping his arms tightly around Erik's neck. The other man was smiling really widely when he looked over his shoulder and Charles was sure his grin was matching his.
Erik reached behind and grabbed Charles' legs, pulling them around his narrow waist and holding them there, probably with a very strong grip. "Ready?", he asked and Charles leaned his head against the other man's, whispering a nervous "Yes".
Erik got up then, wobbling a little on his feet and then proving how strong he was because he didn't drop Charles or his legs. He started walking towards the pool's stairs and Charles' grip started to get tighter and tighter the closer they got.
It was just like he imagined. Nothing. The water hit the tip of his toes as he watched it, but it was like he was still outside. And then it covered his shins, calves and thighs and Charles was so frustrated with himself almost falling into that pit of sadness and depression again.
That was until the water hit his hips and he hissed at the coldness on his so very warm skin. "You'll get used to it", Erik chuckled and kept going down the stairs until the water was all the way to Charles' chest and they were inside the pool.
It felt delicious. It was a lot like taking a bath but at the same time so very different. He heard himself laugh happily and saw Erik looking back over his shoulder once again, smiling at him.
"Hold my legs", Charles said as if it was necessary and started leaning backwards to float on the water. He couldn't go far though, knowing if he let go of his hold on Erik's body, he wouldn't come up again.
He pulled himself upright and asked Erik to let go. His legs gently fell from where they were being held and hung awkwardly there, while Charles used his arms to leverage himself and move until he was face to face with the other man.
It was incredible how quickly Erik catched up to his needs because then he picked Charles' legs again without him having to ask and Charles finally let go of his grip around Erik's neck, falling behind and floating on the pool.
His back hit the water and his hair turned wet when he laid there, arms outstretched as he just laughed delighted, looking up at the bright stars and huge, round moon. It was a gorgeous night.
Charles didn't know how long he stayed like that, feeling the cold water on the upper part of his body while Erik walked them around the pool and patiently waited, softly watching Charles move his arms, dip his hands underneath the surface and relish on the feeling. It was so close to freedom to him.
And it struck him. He was stuck there, on Erik's mercy. He couldn't move his legs and didn't know if he could keep himself above the surface if the other man let go but he still felt free.
He moved then, arms stretching towards Erik and silently asking for help. The other man let go of one of Charles' legs and held his hand, pulling him up towards his body. Charles was quick to wrap both arms around the elegant neck and he felt Erik's big hand brushing his hair back out of his forehead and then moving down, cradling his cheek.
It was all Charles could take before surging forward and pressing their lips together. Charles' was wet against Erik's and the other man let out a surprised but yet pleased sound when they collided together.
Erik must have dropped his other leg because soon his arms were wrapping around Charles' waist and holding him even closer The other man's tongue licked Charles' bottom lip, incredibly warm against the wet pool water and Charles moaned.
He knew a lot about kissing but this… This was electric. He opened up to Erik's tongue, ready and pliant under the man's caring touch, letting their tongues curl around each other, explore every corner of their mouths and make each other moan, drinking all sounds.
"God", Charles breathed in the small second they parted and changed angles, meeting up for another kiss that was slow, deep and slick. He let his hand wander towards Erik's short hair and grip tight to the soft locks while the other man's own hand drifted upwards and his nails dug pleasantly between Charles' shoulder blades, scratching him lightly.
If he had already wanted to declare love for Erik before, that had been nothing compared to this right now. Right now he wanted to marry that man he would never see again in two days time.
"Senhores?"¹, they heard and broke apart dazed, looking towards the sound with blown pupils and plush lips. "Nós estamos limpando a piscina agora, vocês não podem nadar a noite"², the man said, making them frown.
"What?" Erik asked puzzled and the man gladly spoke english. Sort of. "Hm.. No swim in the night. We clean the pool", he said and they both understood, Charles blushing for trespassing and Erik grinning shamelessly.
"Sorry, we were already leaving", he said and the man nodded, walking away but not too much, to make sure they were actually leaving.
They turned back to each other and Erik murmured "Let's go", brushing his nose against Charles' and then so easily bending lower and slipping one arm under both of Charles' knees, carrying him bridal style.
He started walking and came out of the pool, the wind making Charles shiver violently but just as soon forget it because Erik started placing warm kissed against his shoulder while he walked and it made Charles feel like he was turning to pudding.
Erik gently deposited him on his wheelchair and picked up Charles' shirt from the floor, handing it to him. "Thank you", Charles beamed at the other man, whose smile only widened and he cheekily asked "I take it you don't regret swimming then?", and Charles was happy Erik had already put his shirt back on because he grabbed it and tugged at it, strongly pulling the tall man down and towards him, kissing him breathless as an answer.
"You could say that", he whispered afterwards and got a kiss on the corner of his mouth.
They started moving towards Charles' room again but he started feeling more and more cold on those soaked shorts and now chair, his shirt doing nothing to dry or warm him up.
When they were finally there, Charles was shaking. "You okay?", Erik asked and he nodded. "Yeah, just a little cold", he shrugged "Nothing a warm shower won't fix".
"Alright, that's good. I'll see you tomorrow then?", the gorgeous man asked and Charles smiled, already excited. "Yes, definitely", he answered and reached to hold Erik's hand, pulling it towards him and kissing his knuckles.
The young man bent over and kissed his cheek, making a wet trail towards Charles' mouth but when he was just about to claim his prize, the door was pushed open and Raven cooed "Hello there, love birds".
Both of them turned to narrow their eyes at her but as soon as Raven saw Charles, she paled, face turning worried. " You went swimming?", she practically yelled, looking at Erik accusingly.
"You took him swimming? In the night with no towels? You fucking moron! Do you want my brother to freeze to death? How idiotic can you be? His spine injury makes him more susceptible to cold and the circulation on his legs could even stop! He could lose them you dumbass! Stay away from Charles!", she started screaming angrily at Erik who paled considerably.
Charles found himself helpless as Raven was already behind his chair, pushing him into the hotel room. "No, Erik!", he called out but then Raven shut the door on the other man's face rather loudly.
Charles was angry and embarrassed for being treated like a child and someone so helpless he couldn't fucking swim with his date but he would have to settle on complaining in the morning because right now his teeth were clattering against each other and he was shaking badly.
Erik had never felt like this before. He was frozen to the spot in front of Charles' and Raven' room, trying to process what had just happened, but his brain was failing him.
He had… endangered Charles? Erik could swear he was trying his best to be mindful of the other man's injuries and obstacles but truth be told, he didn't see many obstacles in Charles' way. He didn't see why he couldn't take the other man swimming in the night with nothing to keep him warm or such.
Now that he thought of it though, it sounded like common sense that Charles' circulation wouldn't be the same on his legs. The other man should probably drape a blanket over them when he was at home at wherever he lived at to get that british accent, but really, it wasn't something one would ever think of.
He finally moved then, his heart clenching painfully inside his chest and worry filling his body. Was Charles okay? He had been shivering so much, but Erik had thought it was just… normal. He had thought Charles probably was more of a cold person than warm! Erik himself was usually really warm and didn't feel as cold as the others.
Stepping closer to the hotel room's door, he knocked on it with his fists over and over again, calling for Raven and Charles, shouting apologies and saying he was worried, but he could hear the shower running and he knew he wasn't going to be heard, and if he were, he would be ignored because right now, keeping Charles warm was the most important thing.
He could help with that! He could give the man a bath, could cuddle him underneath the blankets and massage heat back into his body with his hands. But he wasn't welcome there right now, was he? Was Charles as mad at him as Raven? Probably. Erik had pushed him into swimming when the other man had clearly said no, and now there was the result. He had almost frozen Charles. Great. Way to ruin a date.
Erik truly just wanted to stay over and keep knocking until someone gave him news, but there was a man from the hotel staff walking towards him and he knew he was disturbing everyone in the corridor. Raising his hands in a placating manner, Erik turned around and went to his room on another block of the resort.
Sleep didn't claim him that night and he tossed and turned in bed, the sweat and salt clinging to his skin once again while he thought of Charles. The memories from their night made his stomach flutter and he relived their perfect kisses many times, before morning came and he lifted himself up, wrecked and tired.
1 - 'sirs?'
2 - 'We're cleaning the pool now, you can't swim in the night"