Anote: I just feel to write something more light hearted this weekend.

Chapter 12- Friends and or lovers part 1

'Charles, you can stop moving around in the dark,' Erik called out. 'I'm awake.'

He had been sound asleep but the noise of the younger man as he shuffled a pile of papers coupled with some inventive cursing had woken him up. There was a sharp click as the professor switched on a table lamp and Erik reflexively grinned at the sight before him.

For some reason, Charles was standing in Erik's makeshift recovery room, half dressed for work in only his shirt and his boxers with a contrite expression plastered on his face.

'I am SO sorry, Erik,' he apologized distractedly as he once again began searching in a stack of papers on the desk. 'You wouldn't believe what is going on at the university!'

What Erik couldn't believe was how pale Charles' legs were! They looked like two little, white matchsticks.

The professor really needed to get out in the sun a little more. A sudden image of the younger man sunbathing with only a small square of towel popped into his head. Erik rubbed his eyes with the heel of his hand, trying to squash the thought. He had certainly woken up in a horny, restless mood this morning!

As per usual, Erik had an acerbic remark balanced on the tip of his tongue but he refrained because all things considered the older man was heartily relieved that they had been able to pull back their friendship from the proverbial fire. At least now Charles could look at him full in the face as opposed to a week ago when he only pretended to read the latest journal of theoretical applied genetics while sitting at his bedside. Erik was also immensely happy although a bit surprised that Charles seemed to be in no hurry to continue the conversation about their relationship or lack there of. It's not that he wasn't attracted to the young man; quite the opposite in fact.

To put it simply, it was complicated.

'What happened?' he asked curiously, carefully pulling himself up to a sitting position. 'You sound upset.'

Triumphantly the Professor pulled a thick folder from the pile.

'Thank you God!' he muttered fervently.

'The Dean of Psychiatry emailed me to suddenly schedule a meeting for eight o'clock THIS morning that he has been postponing for months,' he exclaimed, walking forward to the bed, 'in the MIDDLE of my vacation, no less! I don't consider myself paranoid but I swear the man has some vendetta against me.'

Erik snagged the printed material and titled it towards the light. Genetic inheritance of mental disorders.

'You have enemies Xavier?' the older man teased him lightly. 'I am all astonishment.'

The professor irritably grabbed the material back.

'Oh shut the fuck up Lehnsherr. I am not in the mood for your version of humor at this god forsaken hour of the morning.'

Erik had resolved never to admit this, but he loved it when Charles cursed. It made him seem less fragile somehow, a quality that the older man found desirable in a companion as overly sensitive people tended to severely tax his nerves. He snatched the book back.

'You need breakfast,' the older man declared, observing the cantankerous, mulish expression on the man's face. 'I can tell.'

'I don't have time for breakfast!' the smaller man cried out in frustration.

Erik held the book out of reach as the man made another mad grab for it. 'Look at me Charles! You have the time. You need to calm down.'

The smaller man sat down heavily on edge of the bed as the older man had reached up to cradle the side of his neck to keep him still. 'You have all the time you need.'

Erik felt a chill settle over him as he suddenly realized that this was the closest they had been ever since Charles had gotten out of his bed days ago. As a result, he didn't dare breathe while in striking contrast the younger man closed his eyes to take in some deep, calming breaths.

'You have all the time you need,' he repeated again, gingerly stroking the back of the man's exposed neck wanting to calm him but not wanting him to get spooked and shy away from him again.

It took him completely off guard when the smaller man leaned forward to rest his forehead against his; raising a hand to mimic Erik's caress.

He left it the Englishman to break their physical contact when he was ready.

'That was lovely,' Charles admitted unsurely. 'But did I step over the line? I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable.'

The dim glow of the creeping dawn was just beginning to peep under the thick curtains. The reflected light made Charles' eyes sparkle as he waited for a response.

'You can never make me uncomfortable,' the other answered swiftly and firmly, 'Never. And while I have you here like this, I want you to know that…

Charles smiled encouragingly as he hesitated.

…I want you to know that I AM flattered that you like me so much. I should have told you before now. Sorry.'

That reply was too much for the professor's innate shy self confidence to handle so he looked away.

'Now while I LOVE seeing you in these boxer shorts…,' the older man began in a mock serious voice, 'I am giving you ten minutes to finish dressing and then come back here for some breakfast.'

'I have to re-read all this material Erik..!' the Englishman exclaimed anxiously as he jumped to his feet too preoccupied to be even concerned about his state of attire.

The older man extended his arm in a please-get-out-of-here gesture. 'The longer you argue with me….

And with that Charles dashed off to his room giving Erik a clear but unintentional view of how cute his behind was.