"Charles, are you using my perfume again?" Raven asked as Charles went by her while they are both preparing for school. Charles was a very fastidious and punctual student. He was already dressed and ready to go while Raven was still wearing a tank top and shorts, feeling sleepy and eating some fruit and some cereal for breakfast.

"Hmm? No, I ah...bought a bottle of my own. I really liked the smell-"

Raven noticed that Charles had been dressing up much nicer lately. He had bought himself a new set of cardigans and some new button down shirts and vests. He had asked their mother for some money so he can buy new things for himself when he told her it was time for him to get new clothes .He had never asked her before. He was usually forced to buy clothes for himself because he was ok with whatever was given to him or whatever he had at hand. And of all odd purchases he made when Raven snooped over his shopping bags from last week, she saw a dark blue silk robe that went very well with his eyes. He never cared to wear robes before when getting out of bed and she never saw him wear it in the morning. She actually wanted to ask him for that robe or even sneak in to steal it from his closet, but he had been locking his room up for some reason. And now the odd purchase of a perfume. A woman's perfume even.

"Charles you do realize that's for girls. You should be buying one made for men-"

Charles shrugged, not even trying to look her way as he started shoving books in his backpack. "I don't care. I like it-"

Raven smiled at her older brother as she watched him move about. He stood before a mirror that was on a wall in the kitchen; he was combing his hair and looking over himself critically. Then, he put his glasses on giving a small smile at his reflection and then he picked up his backpack and his coat. He must be seeing a girl that was all she could think of on why he had been so fussy with his looks of the late. He had been leaving secretly during some nights too. She had caught him once when she got home from a date and was eating a cup of yogurt in the kitchen. She had kept the lights off except for a small dim light and the light coming in from their kitchen window. She heard a noise, the sound of a door rubbing up against its frame. A faint rustle and she peeked over the side of the kitchen door. It was Charles. He had just come in late himself and was putting his coat back in the coat closet. His hair was a mess and he was not wearing his glasses. His face looked flushed and he had a smile plastered to his face, as if he was happy over something. Then, he took his shoes off and was quietly getting up the stairs. She wondered sometimes, why all this secrecy? She was somewhat happy that he was seeing someone because he wasn't acting like such a wall flower and a nerd. He was much more friendly at school and some girls at school were noticing how nice Charles looked and how he seemed to have this inner glow.

"Hey Charles, when will you introduce us to this girl you are seeing?" Raven asked offhandedly as she put aside her dishes after she rinsed them in the sink. Charles stopped in his tracks. He already slung his backpack to his shoulder. He was about to leave.

"What girl?" He asked, baffled.

"Charles, stop trying to deny it. Didn't you notice how you look like lately? You look like a guy seeing someone-"Raven said, sounding slightly exasperated.

Charles didn't say anything anymore. He gave her a small, secretive smile and was out of the door before she could continue asking.

"What's this about?" Erik asked tersely as he sat before Principal Summers again. He was so familiar with the principal calling him in that the secretary outside did not even look up when he entered.

Principal Summers was looking at Erik, keeping his face carefully blank.

"You know I have been monitoring your progress in the book club and outside the club, Mr Lehnsherr and it is somewhat pleasing to know that my decision to have Mr Xavier be your partner and help you out with your studies has borne fruit-"

"Yeah, well I gotta get out of your school one way or another-"Erik said insolently. Then, he saw Principal Summers frowning, his eyes narrowing at Erik.

"Do you have something you wish to tell me about Mr Xavier, Mr Lehnsherr?"

Erik returned the frown. "What about him? There's nothing to tell-"

"Mr Xavier has been very kind to help you with your academics, but I have heard very disturbing things about how you treat that poor boy-"

Erik, as usual sat rudely in his chair, slouched back with his legs sprawled out before him. "Like what?"

"Of late, the incident in the hallway where one of the maintenance staff saw you take an item from Mr Xavier and destroy it and as you recall, the incident in the cafeteria. I am only thankful that Mr Logan witnessed the entire incident and reported you here. Before that, he came to school with some injury. I have been conducting my own investigation on how that might have occurred and Mr Xavier, although he has been loath to admit you had any part in it, did report you on that window incident. I feel that it is related somehow-"

Erik crossed his arms in front of himself and was making a face."Fine. I only admit to the small pranks, but I never beat Xavier up!"

"The truth is yet to be revealed, Mr Lehnsherr-"Principal Summers leaned forward on his desk, his face relaxing. Erik just kept on sneering; his expression as always was deliberately impertinent.

"When I both saw you here after the window incident, I thought there might be something more to you, Mr Lehnsherr. You don't usually apologize for your actions, but when you apologized to Mr Xavier when you insulted him, I thought you would have formed some camaraderie while in the book club. True enough, you treat him well in the club, as reported to me by Ms Grey, but outside the club is another matter,"

The principal continued, sighing. "Maybe it would be in Mr Xavier's best interest if I pull you out of book club and keep you away from him, I should have done that after the cafeteria incident, but I wanted to give you a chance to work it out then. Would that resolve this ire you feel for him when he reported on your actions, the night you defaced school property?"

Erik's face fell, whatever arrogance he was trying to put forth had drained from him. He sat up straight and mumbled an answer.

"Don't do that. I need him...to help with my studies-"Erik was actually looking away, his face going pale and this made the principal raise an eyebrow.

"So, you do want to be a better student after all!"

Erik looked up, his expression changed again. He was furious now, his face darkening."That's my own decision! Don't think for a moment it had something to do with you! Xavier and I had an agreement! I had to keep up appearances in front of my friends and everyone else or they would think my ass was whupped if they knew I was in the book club!"

"Really? I find it hard to believe that Mr Xavier would agree to such a treatment. He's a bright young man-"

"Ask him then! He understands why I had to do that!"

"Because you have your reputation to uphold?"

"What the hell do you know? You don't know anything!" Erik's voice was rising as well as the anger he was feeling for the principal, who was looking on at his outburst, unperturbed.

"It's not a matter of what appearances you have to show others. I draw the line in this school, Mr Lehnsherr. If you do want to keep seeing Mr Xavier to help with your school work, then it would be best if you show him the same cordial treatment he has bestowed upon you-"

Erik made a desperate sound, a short intake of breath as he stared on balefully at Principal Summers. He hated the smug bastard more than ever, but deep inside, he was feeling something else. He felt relieved that the principal had brought this up and that he could finally stop hurting or humiliating Charles. He did his best to prevent this odd joy in his heart from showing in his face. He would have to think up some lie to tell his friends.

"Fine," Erik said through gritted teeth.

The principal smiled faintly."So that is it then? We have an agreement. If you renege on our agreement Mr Lehnsherr, you know what will happen next-"

"Yeah, whatever!" Erik stood up, not waiting to be dismissed. He was at the door, about to pull on the knob when principal Summers called out something else.

"I did tell you I am still investigating on how Mr Xavier got his injuries, Mr Lehnsherr. If what you say is true and you did not have anything to do with it...would you happen to have any idea who could have done such a violent act?"

Erik froze for a moment, then he turned to give the principal an impassive stare."No,"

"Very well. Carry on then-"The principal nodded his way and it was all Erik could do not to go back in there and punch that pathetic asshole out. If anyone ratted on Shaw that would really be bad. He had to talk to Charles and find out if his friends could be trusted.

He and Charles discovered a place where they could meet and be sure that no one would see them. It was the rooftop of the school theater. It opens up to a roof hatch door that makes a loud screeching noise when moved. If anyone tried to open it, Erik and Charles would know and they could find the time to hide if anyone came up. Erik had left a note at Charles's locker, urging him to meet up at once at their 'secret place'. Charles had come as soon as he could and found Erik pacing around restlessly, smoking and looking down at the school grounds. His gaze was upon the baseball field, where his friends were already practicing. Erik of course heard the noise of the door and looked over. Charles climbed up and went to Erik and saw how his face looked.

"What is it, Erik?" and then Erik told him everything the principal told him.

"Can we trust your friends to keep quiet, Charles?" Erik asked as he crushed the cigarette beneath his boot, smearing it into the cement.

"We already talked about it. I told them that was my business. But if you want, I can talk to them again-"Charles went to Erik and put his arm around his shoulder.

"The only reason I pretended to be after you is so that Shaw doesn't harm you. He's twice as bad than I could ever be, Charles. I don't want him to hurt you-"Erik reached up to hold on to Charles's arm, running his palm over Charles's pale skin. Then, he looked around at Charles, his gaze troubled.

"If word comes out that he was the one who had beaten you up and he gets into trouble for it, I don't know what to do then. Shaw's my friend but-"Erik could not hide the frustration he felt. Charles reached up to caress his cheek.

"I understand, Erik. Don't worry, we can still do something about it-"Charles said soothingly, hugging Erik close and pressing his face to Erik's chest. Erik sighed and hugged him back, they held each other quietly for some time and then Erik pulled back smiling at Charles.

"On the bright side since Summers gave his ultimatum that I am not to harm you, I don't need to do these stupid things that I do to pretend that I hate you. I can just tell my crew we have to lie low. Hell, I can tell them not to touch you since we are under the principal's sights!"

Erik looked so relieved and so happy that he did not have to keep on bullying Charles. He thought he could probably just throw some mean words here and there to keep showing everyone he still hated Charles, but nothing more physical. Charles found his happiness infectious and was smiling right back. Erik's expression softened, his eyes grew tender just seeing him smile and then he bent down and kissed Charles, who instantly closed his eyes and kissed Erik right back, even though he tasted of cigarettes. Erik's hand moved down to Charles's waist pulling him closer, pressing himself against the other, then he ran his hands over Charles's body, restless and aroused and wanting to take Charles there on the rooftop. He started to undo the buttons on Charles's shirt, but Charles pulled back giggling.

"Control yourself, Erik! We're at school!"

Erik pressed his lips to Charles's ear, kissing it." Just a quick one Charles, please-"

Charles pulled back even further, putting some distance between him and Erik. "God, are you always this horny?"

Erik leaned back on one of the unused equipment from the prop department, a stone pillar that was overturned, made with a tough type of cardboard that almost felt as if it was made of the real thing.

"Only for you, Charles-"

"Well what about those other girls you dated? I heard you dated Angel, my sister's friend in the cheer squad-"

"It was just a few times, nothing happened. Why Charles, are you jealous?" Erik asked in a teasing tone.

"No. But don't you think you are probably just confused about what you want? I mean, maybe you might miss seeing a woman at some point or you might miss having sex with one-"

"I used to be confused, that's true... But now, I know what I want and what I want is right before me-"

Charles blushed, his cheeks hectic and beautifully flushed again it made Erik smile. Charles awkwardly stepped back even further, running his palms at the sides of his pants.

"I think we had better go, we both need to prepare for Phys Ed or Mr Logan will be on your case again-"

"You know I'm coming over to your house later and I'm going to have to get back at you for leaving me hanging like this-"

Charles chuckled softly at that, giving Erik a naughty smile and he pulled the cover of the hatch door." I'm leaving first. I'll give you three minutes ok?" They never leave at the same time when they meet secretly, they would give each other three to five minutes to leave and then the other would go out some other way so they will not be seen together.

Erik just smiled right back."Ok,"

"That motherfucker said what?" Shaw cried out, his voice clotted over with rage when Erik gave Shaw and his friends a modified account of what their school's principal discussed with him. He had told them the part about the school reporting his bullying of Charles and that he was told to stop or he would be sent to reform school. He also told them about the beating of Charles Xavier a couple of months back being under investigation. Erik told them he would take care of it by speaking directly to Charles and his friends to keep them from talking. Erik made sure he gave emphasis to the words 'expulsion' and 'being carefully watched' when he told them again how grave the situation is now that they are being investigated.

"Fuck this shit! That Summers is gonna get it from me! I'll trash his car!" Shaw hissed. They are still on the baseball field, preparing for the upcoming ball game and practicing for hours on end so Erik won't be seeing much of his gang. He had given them the excuse that he acquired a job so he couldn't hang around to root for them. Erik put a hand to Shaw's arm.

"Man, don't do that. Its gonna make it worse. We gotta lie low. I'll speak with that homo Xavier and his other queer friends-"

"Yeah, Erik! You know how to talk 'em over-"Victor exclaimed. He was nervous that his name might also get dragged into this. If Charles had ratted on him and the rest, it would kill his parents if he got expelled from school.

"I'll make them a deal. We'll pretend we won't be harassing their asses no more and when the right time comes...I'll finally get Xavier-"Erik said in a low, malicious voice. Shaw still bristled over the fact that he had to kowtow to a bunch of nerds so that he wouldn't get expelled. He was glad that Erik would do all the talking since he was the smooth talker in the group.

"You think they'll agree to that, Erik? I don't know if those losers will hear you out after we've been trashing them around a lot-"Janos asked. Janos was usually quiet because he was always the gloomy one in the group and always thought of the downside of things, so they always tell him to just shut up.

"Don't worry. I'll make this work-"Erik said smoothly.

Charles and Erik formed a plan to meet up with Charles's friends in secret at Hank's house. No one would even think that Erik would go there. Charles fed them a line, by telling them that he invited a 'friend' over for an online game, but it was actually Erik he brought along when they met up at Hank's house. Hank nearly fainted when he saw Erik in his room. Erik was looking around curiously at the massive figure collections in the glass cabinets surrounding Hank's room. The walls were plastered over with Superhero posters and there was a large gaming console set up with three monitors, a gaming server and some intricate keypads with intertwined wires bunched up behind the tables. Hank grabbed Charles's arm and dragged him outside his room to speak with him privately, leaving Sean to stare up stupidly at Erik as they both stood in Hank's room.

"Charles! What the hell! Why is he here?"Hank said with wide, infuriated eyes.

"He said he wanted to talk in private. That it was important-"Charles said in a small voice as he looked down at his feet, unable to meet Hank's eyes.

"Oh, fuck Charles! You brought an enemy into my inner sanctum! How could you?"

Charles found it funny that Hank cusses a lot when agitated, when he had been claiming that he was above swearing. Hank was pacing around, giving Charles a deadly look. "That bastard! He was so damn mean to you and you dared to bring him here?" Hank hissed as he kept going back and forth nervously in a short circle.

"You know I can hear you-"Erik called out from behind the door. Hank froze and cussed some more under his breath. "Shit! Shit on this, Charles!"

Charles tried his best to calm Hank down."Listen, he came to me with no ill-will. He just wanted to talk. That's all-"

Hank kept on staring at Charles with wide eyes, royally pissed with him."Why the fuck does he need to talk to us too? What gives?"

Charles was starting to feel annoyed over the entire situation as well. "I don't know the exact details, ok? Let's just listen to what he has to say. The sooner we are done with this, the sooner he can leave-"

Hank finally relented and they went back into his room, only to find Sean and Erik already playing a game on Hank's gaming console. It was a role-play shoot-out game and Erik and Sean were on a team-up. They both actually seemed to be having fun.

"Grab that canister Erik! Its ammo! Quick! Quick! Yeah! Let's shoot them muthafuckas!" Sean howled. Erik was laughing as he let loose a barrage of gunfire on a bunch of enemy soldiers coming in from the left wing of the army base where the scene of the game took place. Sean's character threw grenades towards the ones coming from behind them. Hank and Charles looked at each other in wonder. It was some time before they finished and then Erik turned to face Hank.

"This is some wicked setup you have there, man. I'm hooked-"Erik said, still smiling.

Hank's jaw hung open stupidly as he stared at Erik for a moment. He still couldn't believe that one of their school's mean kids was in his room, playing on his gaming system, hanging out with his own friends. He gathered himself up and cleared his throat.

"Charles told us you wanted to talk about something. So talk," Hank said, trying to sound tougher because this was his house. Erik can't possibly beat him up in his own home. Erik's expression grew serious and then he sat up straight, pressing his palms together and rubbing them, as if he was thinking about how to proceed.

"Everyone in this room, I have picked on you from time to time, right? Especially you Charles. We all know I'm the bad guy, I make little kids cry and call out for their mommies, I call you colorful names and pull some pranks. I guess the point is, I'm on the principal's sights so I'm gonna call a truce-"

"What? What do you mean?" Hank asked. He stood before Erik, as the other sat in one of his gaming chairs while Sean and Charles sat on Hank's bed, listening.

"I will quit harassing you three if you promise not to talk to the principal about me or my crew. You all recall how Shaw had beaten up Charles two months back? The principal is still investigating it-"Erik thought that an honest approach might be best if he was to get them to cooperate.

"I also told my crew about you. No one will touch you in school. I promise. No more bullying-"

"It's so convenient for you to just come here and say that! What if we don't want to?" Hank challenged Erik. Erik shook his head sadly and stood up, he patted Hank's cheek, his tone deceptively regretful.

"If you don't do as I say, then you leave me no choice. I won't be able to stop Shaw if he puts Charles in the hospital, suffering from a coma and I am sure since you were witnesses to the beating Charles took, he will be coming for you guys as well. You three will be spending your graduation days in a wheelchair or a body cast, how's that?"

Silence from all three. Erik finally got their undivided attention. "Now, here's the deal. Summers will talk with you three. I think he has a pretty clear idea it was Shaw that did Charles in, but he has no proof yet. So, you will all tell them it was some Wyngarde bastard that did it. No names, no faces. Just make something up together, get your story straight-"

All three still remained silent, both Sean and Hank somehow afraid of the possibility that they are being suckered into this situation. They thought they had no chance whatsoever of coming out on top. Only Charles knew that Erik was really on their side; that he did not want to be a bully anymore and that he wanted no harm to come to Charles. It was all an act, whatever he was doing now.

"So, what's the answer?" Erik asked looking at all three of them.

Hank hesitated then he went over to Charles and Sean, discussing the situation over with them. Hank, being the one that represents the group stood up from his crouching position before them and he faced Erik.

"We want something else out of this deal before we agree to it-"

"What is it?"Erik smiled; he was going to get his way after all.

"We want protection on the outside too. Those Wyngarde boys we encountered are still probably on the prowl for us, we can't go back to our favorite diner because of them-"

Erik pretended to think it over. He actually wanted to watch out for Charles at all times to make sure no one harasses him outside their school. This was an additional opportunity to be with him.

"Alright, but only if all three of you are together. I can't promise to be around holding your ass up for you, twenty-four-seven-"

Hank finally managed to smile at this. "Ok then. We won't talk,"

There was the familiar soft knock at his window, but Charles didn't really need to get up. He had left the window open for Erik. He was lying in bed, waiting for him to come to him. Sometimes he would already be naked or sometimes he would be wearing that beautiful dark blue silk robe Erik had liked to see him in. Charles was lying on his side languidly, one leg was already exposed as the soft fabric parted to reveal his bare skin. Erik entered the window smiling at the sight of Charles almost naked and waiting for him, the other inviting him over with his bedroom eyes and lewd smile. Charles was running a hand slowly over the coverlet next to himself.

"That went well, didn't it?" Erik said as he shrugged off his jacket and placed it on a table nearby.

"Yes," Charles said in a throaty voice, biting his lower lip seductively while Erik watched.

He went towards the bed, pulling his shirt off of himself while Charles got up on his knees on the bed and shifted closer to Erik to help remove his pants. Charles was unbuckling his belt first, still giving Erik that sultry look as he undid the loop while Erik threw his shirt down to the floor, his chest slightly heaving as he watched Charles unzip his fly. He could already see that Charles was aroused; his sex was already bobbing up against the blue silk robe that covered him. Erik caressed Charles's cheek as he moved to push the pants down to Erik's mid thigh and Erik helped him further as he kicked off his own shoes and shuffled to remove his pants. Charles ran his hot palms over Erik's belly, going to that area below his navel and then he clutched hard at Erik's cock, causing Erik to make a short, breathy grunt as Charles gave him a hand job.

"How do you want it this time, Charles? Do you want it rough like last night?"Erik asked in that husky voice of his as he watched Charles's hand moving in slow strokes this time, caressing gently and cupping at his balls, causing some electric shock to race up his spine, making his cock throb angrily with each tug and tight clutching.

Charles kept on giving him that heated look, his lips already so deliciously red and inviting. God, he wanted to keep kissing those lips over and over. The sight of him wearing the robe gets Erik each time because it was so erotic when he touches Charles through that silk and he could feel the heat rising instantly from his skin, seeping through the fabric. Charles pulled Erik forward, holding both his hands and guiding the other onto his body. Charles was already making these small, breathless sounds of arousal as he pulled Erik closer to kiss him hungrily; he broke the kiss off and was biting seductively at Erik's earlobe, sending a thrill through him.

"Slow...and deep," Charles moaned into his ear. Erik pulled away from Charles's embrace to look down at him in admiration. He ran his hands slowly over Charles's body touching his nipples in slow circling movements and Erik could see his nipples rise up pertly against the fabric, just by being touched. Then, his hands explored down to Charles's belly, to his hip and then he touched Charles's sex slowly through the silk. Charles turned his head away, a soft gasp of pleasure escaping him and he bit down on his lower lip again as if he couldn't stand it. Erik started to undo the silk belt and parted the fabric, exposing that pale and rosy body, already feeling fevered beneath his exploring palms. Charles turned to look back at him with those darkening blue yes, sparkling tears were already spilling from them.

"Erik I want you in me-"Charles sobbed.

"Shh, Yes Charles. Yes. For you, only for you-"Erik whispered. Erik prepared Charles first, using some of that odd scented lubricant Charles bought and then he was sliding into that amazingly tight depth, feeling as if he was going to come sooner that he wanted to, but he controlled the muscles in his torso. Sighing, he relaxed for a moment, breathing raggedly over Charles's face. He felt Charles's legs tighten behind him, all sobs and moans as he held on to him and enjoyed that thrilling penetration. He turned away again, gasping lightly, a sheen of sweat misting his neck and forehead. Erik kissed his neck, licking at the sweat and then he lifted his mouth to cover Charles's own trembling mouth, drowning in all of Charles, his skin, his scent, his tight little hole that belonged only to him.

His hips began that slow and rhythmic grinding into Charles and Charles was already shuddering at the sensation, grinding up to meet him, his mouth slightly opened, moaning wantonly; eyes shut tight as he savored each thrust, each mind-shattering stroking at that sensitive gland in him. Erik gently nibbled at his lower lip as Charles restlessly held on to him, his head lolling about helplessly as Erik continued to take him.

Raven could not believe what she was hearing at first. Charles must have thought she left to go on one of her dates, but she actually stayed home this time because she didn't feel well. She thought she must be coming down with the flu or something. She was going downstairs to grab a glass of orange juice, passing by Charles's door quietly and then she heard it. Charles was...moaning and it sounded like he had someone in there with him. Raven's curiosity got the better of her. She tested the door to see if it would open, but it snagged with a slight click. It was locked. She pressed her ear to the door and her eyes widened when she heard Charles moan out in arousal.

"Yes, oh! yes, like that-"Charles moaned against Erik's neck as Erik went in faster, deeper. His hands were restlessly running up into Erik's hair, caressing the back of his neck and chest, his entire body heaving upwards to meet Erik's fuck into him. His toes were curling up with the intensity of his arousal as his thighs clasped around Erik's waist. Erik was trying to control his own moans as he let out quiet, short grunts, pounding faster and faster into Charles. He felt like he was going to go insane if he kept it dammed up any longer. He was ramming up and helplessly moaning himself as he was overtaken by this mad need to come into Charles when Charles suddenly shocked him with an odd exclamation. "I love you," Charles cried out. That stopped Erik's furious pounding. His already overheated eyes met Charles's own and he saw that Charles meant what he said too. Erik could see this overwhelming love in Charles's gaze as he gently caressed Erik's cheek. There was also a look of hopefulness in his eyes, hoping that Erik would say that he loved him back. Erik's heart was already thudding painfully in his chest as the blood rush possessed him, but he felt it slow down for a moment and then he tenderly kissed Charles's red mouth. He pulled back sighing and was returning the intense gaze Charles was giving him.

"I love you," Erik whispered hoarsely. There. He finally said it, what he had wanted to say to Charles each time they made love, but didn't have the guts to do so before. Charles was so brave to have said it first. Erik's hips began to move again, back to that deep and rhythmic thrusting that had Charles twisting wantonly upon the sheets, reaching for him with restless hands. His legs are loose at Erik's side earlier and now he lifted them up to wrap around Erik's behind to force him forward, licking and biting at his lips in the intensity of his arousal, his head turning from side to side.

Raven could not stand it anymore, she heard Charles say 'I love you' to someone and then she rushed back to her bedroom, found her nail file with the notch at the end and then she quietly made it back to Charles's door. Her curiosity was gnawing at her, driving her to do this awful act of intruding on Charles's privacy. She started to pick at the lock. She had done this before with their front door when she left her keys and she was pushing around and slightly shaking the metal bits inside and then she heard that familiar sound of a heavy snap. She had successfully unlocked the door and opened it slowly and quietly. What she saw made her regret she ever picked the lock to snoop into Charles's room.

Charles's eyes are closed because he was already in a state of climax, moaning loudly while a man (A MAN!) was moving on top of him. The man's face was turned to the side so she did not see his face yet. She only saw his muscular back and his arms as his hips thrusted into Charles and Charles was wearing that blue robe which was parted open and was falling off of his shoulders. His legs were wrapped around the man's waist, his feet covering the man's behind or somewhat covering it as they rocked against each other, just about finished with their fucking. Charles had his arms loose around the man's shoulders and then Charles, with lowered lashes, smiled up at the man, who finally turned his head a little that Raven had a good view of his profile. Raven's own heart was pounding inside her chest because she was strangely hypnotized by the need to see the man's face to confirm what she was seeing. She went into the room and softly closed the door behind her, she felt oddly drawn yet distanced from this strange, unbelievable sight before her. The lovers still did not notice her as they kissed and touched each other. Charles looked like he was so happy to be with...Erik?

Charles probably had best orgasm of his life at that moment because it had something to do with the fact that Erik had told him he loved him. He felt warm and happy and relieved that Erik loved him back. He kissed the side of Erik's face and then he lifted his head and saw something that made his jaw drop and his eyes widen so much he thought his eyes would pop out of his head.

"Jesus Christ! Raven, get out of here!" Charles cried out. It was fortunate that his parents were out for the night or they would have heard him screaming at Raven and they would have rushed into his room, ending up seeing him with Erik in this state.

Raven was looking extremely disgusted at the sight of them in bed."Ewww! Charles! Ewww!" She was awkwardly trying to open the door, but she failed to do so. While the two lovers scrambled to cover themselves up, she was still trying to undo the door. Charles pulled tightly at his robe to cover himself up while Erik slid to the side of the bed to put on his pants. Raven could not open the door because in her confusion, she kept pushing the lock down instead of up and it prevented her from opening it. Erik finally stomped over to her and undid the lock. His eyes looked her over furiously as she stood there, frozen.

"Can't even give your own brother his privacy, can you?" Erik scolded her. Raven was already crying as she stood at the door, trembling and still disgusted over what she had seen. She can't believe that her own brother and Erik are...together.

"It was you?" she gasped out as tears fell from her eyes. She mustered the strength to go back to Charles who sat on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands. He could not look at her or speak to her because of the sudden shame that had overcome him. Raven grabbed at Charles's shoulders forcing him to look at her.

"Charles! Charles look at me! How could you do this? He was your bully! He tormented you and now you are sleeping with him?"

Charles couldn't speak at first; he was too embarrassed to say anything."You don't know anything, Raven-"

"God I am so needing professional help right now! What I saw may have just about damaged me for life! Explain it to me then, how you ended up sleeping with a bastard like him-"Raven demanded.

Erik was still standing at the door, his fly barely buttoned up and looking on at this exchange quietly. Charles lifted his head to look over at Erik and then back to Raven. He was slowly getting over the humiliation he felt.

"I don't need to explain anything to you, Raven. But if you do want the details, I will tell you everything tomorrow, when we are all over the...the shock. All you have to know for now is I love Erik and I stand by my decision to be with him. If you can't accept him then that means you don't accept me as well-"

"Charles, that's not fair!" Raven cried out angrily.

Charles stood up and went over to Erik, holding his gaze intently."Nothing has changed between us even if this happened, Erik. You know that, don't you?" Charles was pleading with him with his eyes, hoping to be understood. Erik reached for the back of Charles's neck and kissed his cheek.

"No, nothing has changed, Charles-"

Charles did not turn to face Raven, his gaze was still on Erik, but he spoke to her." Go back to your room, Raven-"

"Charles?"

Charles finally turned to face her, giving her a tender and pained look."We'll talk tomorrow, I promise. I'm sorry you had to see what was happening between us, but this is between me and him,"

Raven nodded, finally chastised. She gave Erik a brief glare and then she left. Erik closed the door and locked it again, talking Charles in his arms.

"Are you ok, Charles?"

Charles sighed as he continued to hold on to Erik."I was embarrassed, of course. She's my little sister. It's not easy to have her see me like this, with another man-"

"It was her fault," Erik soothed him and kissed his cheek."Let's just get back in bed and make out ok? That might help soothe your nerves-"

Charles smiled at him playfully. He did not want that awful situation to ruin his and Erik's moment together, just when the other had confessed to him that he loved him back."Well I don't want my nerves to be soothed-"

Erik smiled back at him lewdly and then he led Charles to the bed and pushed him down, undoing his pants again.

"Alright, I'm going to hit all the right nerves that will get you riled up then!"

Charles started giggling and took Erik into his embrace, wrapping his legs around the other's waist once more.

Of all the places that Charles had wanted to have his heart-to-heart talk with Raven, it was a supermarket that he chose as the venue. It was a Saturday morning and there are barely any people about. Perhaps Charles chose this particular place because not only was it located on the outskirts of their town, no one from their school would be caught hanging out in here. Charles was pushing the cart along the brightly lit aisles of various canned goods and boxes, while Raven walked next to him. Erik was following them from behind, wearing tinted aviator glasses and coming over to the cart to throw some item in that he wanted. Erik said he would be paying for their purchases and he was the one that drove them over so Raven could not complain as to why he should be present while they had their talk.

"Charles...I'm not sure I will ever be comfortable that you two are together. Especially after I saw you-"Raven could not finish. She was the one blushing now. Charles shook his head weakly as he picked up a box of Grape-nuts, inspecting it. He did not look up as he answered her.

"It was your fault. You picked on the lock of my door. I didn't know you would be home. I didn't intend for you to see that-"

"B-but if I didn't do that I wouldn't have known about you two!"

"So that justifies your invasion of my privacy?" Charles said in a calm, chiding tone.

"You wouldn't tell us what you've been hiding and I got so curious!" Charles didn't answer her. He stopped the cart and tried to look at the various cans of spaghetti sauce, wondering if it would make a decent breakfast. He called out to Erik.

"What do you want for breakfast, Erik?"

"Eggs would be nice...and some bacon-"

Charles grabbed the cart handle and began to move towards the dairy section. "Eggs and Bacon it is. What about you, Raven?"

"I'll just have some fruit. Charles," Raven said absently."Look, I'm sorry I did that. Would you have told us the truth anyway, even if I hadn't seen it?"

"I would have told you...in time. This relationship between me and Erik, it's not easy to accept. I know that. I would like for a time to come when I wouldn't have to care what people would think about us being together and that people will accept us. Until that time comes, we have to keep this a secret-"

Erik came over and put a loaf of Wonder bread in the cart, stopping to casually kiss the side of Charles's head. Raven made a face.

"Ugh, PDA!" Raven muttered and Erik stopped to smile at her insolently."Like you don't do it too, with your dates and whoever you make out with outside your house in some boy's car-"

Raven's eyes widened. Erik must have seen her do this and she blushed again.

"What fruit do you want, Raven?" Charles asked when they passed by the fruit section.

"Just a grapefruit, Charles,"

Charles got three large ones and put them in the cart."Will you tell anyone what you saw, Raven? Will you tell mom and dad?" Charles looked up at her pointedly, waiting for her to answer.

Raven took her time answering as she continued to look at Charles."No. I guess...you have to tell them, right?" Then Raven realized how hard it would be for Charles to even tell their parents. They will never accept Erik and they would probably throw Charles out of their house. Raven suddenly understood that Charles had so many things going against him, just by being with Erik. They live in this part of the state where people frown upon such things and if any teacher at school found out that they are in a relationship, the two would be parted. Charles continued to hold her gaze and then while at the fruit section, Charles told her everything...how he and Erik ended up together.

"At first, I thought it was just about the sex. But of the last two months I've been with Erik, I have grown fond of him and now I guess, I'm in love with him. It's like I can't let a day pass by without a moment with Erik. I have to talk with him on the phone, just to hear his voice. I have to meet him in school or even in my room, just to be near him. I know it's sort of crazy because it was so sudden...but Erik is so passionate and loving towards me. He makes me feel wanted, special. Being with him makes me happy-"

"And I see that Charles," Raven said softly.

"I don't know how to tell mom or dad yet. I don't think I have the strength to do that...ever," Charles said tightly. He took his glasses off and wiped at them with a handkerchief. His face was so sad; it was all Raven could do not to reach out to hug him.

"You told me so yourself how uncomfortable you are with this. It's hard enough that Erik and I had to pretend to hate each other because of that incident with the window and the plants for everyone else to see. Its even harder each day that I want to be with him, to love him freely, and yet we have to keep this relationship a secret because it's just not right in the eyes of other people-"

"Charles, why him of all people. Why?"

"I guess...I guess it's because fate brought us together and only time will tell when fate will break us apart, when it wants to-"

Erik came over with two boxes of tea lifting them up for Charles. "Earl Grey or Black tea?"

Charles put his glasses back on and smiled at Erik."Earl Grey, Erik. How did you know I prefer tea?"

"I just do," Erik winked and walked off to look for other purchases.

They were at the counter and Erik was paying for everything else with a credit card when Raven turned to hug Charles and whisper in his ear. "I'll try my best to accept it Charles, for your sake because I love you. It's not just Erik that loves you, ok? And, maybe someday...mom and dad will understand it too-"

Charles nearly burst out crying at the counter, his face crumpled as he struggled to control his emotions so he shoved past Erik and ran out to the parking lot, crying out there by himself. He was still wracked with sobs when he felt Erik touching his shoulder and Raven was reaching for his hand. Charles turned to hug Raven back, still sobbing while Erik looked on in silence.

"Thank you, Raven. Thank you!"

When Charles had recovered, they brought their groceries to Erik's car and took it back to the Xavier residence. They all helped prepare their breakfast together in the kitchen and then Charles's mother came out of the bedroom, already dressed smartly. She was looking at Erik, pleasantly surprised.

"Oh, we have a guest? I didn't know you had someone over-"

She looked over at Raven first, her eyebrow quirking up, but Raven gestured to Charles, indicating Erik was Charles's guest.

Charles smiled at her and came over to kiss her cheek. "Morning, Mom! This is Erik, my friend from school. He came over to...study. How was the gala party you and dad attended last night?" Charles began brightly. Raven followed suit and kissed her cheek as well.

"Oh it was fun! We finished up so late-"She turned her eyes back to Erik again. He was a very handsome young man, but he looked like he would fit well with wearing a leather jacket and a bike. He looked like the rebellious type from her son's school. He had that arrogant aura about him. The image she had in mind shattered when Erik smiled at her and greeted her politely.

"Good Morning, Ma'am. I'm Erik Lehnsherr. Pleased to meet you-"He held his hand out and gave her hand a warm shake.

"If you don't mind my saying, Ma'am, you bear a striking resemblance to Charles, although I think you are the fair one-"

She laughed at that putting an arm around Charles who stood there quietly, suddenly blushing."My, your friend is quite the charmer, Charles-"

She left them to prepare their breakfast after she got some coffee that Raven had already prepared for her in the coffee pot. Erik nudged Charles and whispered into his ear. "But you are my fairest one, Charles. Don't you ever forget that,"He planted a kiss on Charles's cheek, surreptitiously looking about and making sure no one saw them. Charles smiled softly at that.

"Yeah, he's a charmer, Mom. He's charmed me so bad-"Charles whispered when Erik left to set the table with Raven.

Rev-05