Erik sat next to Charles at Charles's window sill, back at the Xavier Residence. They are both staring straight ahead, looking at nothing but a sea of roofs interspersed by trees and foliage. The night was balmy and so peaceful that Erik felt like he would doze off anytime soon. They were just hanging out and enjoying the day.

"I've been such a crybaby these past few days it makes me want to puke-" Erik said as he grinned to himself, somewhat embarrassed and then he gave Charles a sideways glance. Charles looked over at him too, smiling.

"Yeah, you're such a goddamned wuss-"

"Hey! You were supposed to say 'No you're not, Erik!' or 'Erik don't worry about it, it's just manly tears,'" Erik said in a mock falsetto and Charles reached out and swatted his shoulder, laughing.

"I do not talk like that, you...you fucking pussy!"

Erik's eyes widened in feigned shock, reaching for both of Charles's wrist and the other began to try and fight him off, still chuckling and letting out a small breathy laughter.

"Such language coming from the school genius! Tsk! How the quality of your intellectual level has fallen! I think you need to go into reform school rather than me-"

"Knock it off, Erik! No one is going to reform school!" Charles said and then Erik drew him close, hugging him and kissing his shoulder out in the open that Charles had to push him back and scold him for doing it. He didn't want anyone else to see. His face was set worriedly as he looked about.

"Erik, we have to be careful no one sees-"

"I don't care anymore, Charles. Let them see-" Erik was reaching for him again but Charles placed a palm against Erik's chest.

"Erik...you know how our town is about this kind of relationship. If anyone saw us, they might send you away because people will think you corrupted me or something-"

Charles continued." Not to mention your friends that are rabidly homophobic. I don't really consider us gay or anything but you know them more than I do. They will turn against you if they knew about you and me-"

Erik's good mood suddenly soured, his voice grew flat. "Well what are you suggesting then? That I keep on being your bully? That I keep on being mean towards you? I can't stand it anymore, Charles. It's killing me each time I have to pretend to hurt you physically or emotionally and make it look real for their eyes-"

Charles sighed and looked down at his hands that are now in his lap. "We have no choice for now. I think things will change someday but not right this moment. It's a good thing the principal told you off so you and your friends won't bully me anymore but you have to still keep pretending to hate me, that way your friends won't suspect anything-" He looked up at Erik, eyes narrowed.

"You know Sean will start asking me questions even if I asked him to keep it from Hank. He saw something strange about the two of us. We have to control this and prevent anyone else from finding out. I don't mind Raven knowing and I don't mind your mom knowing, because she's a really wonderful and understanding person but I don't want anyone else to know-"

Erik was not convinced. "Maybe you're just saying that because you're more concerned about keeping your damn scholarship, just so it would look good on paper-" Erik's voice dripped with bitterness.

Charles eyes widened at him as he felt a slow thud in his heart at Erik's words. He sounded bitter again and Charles could not understand why. His own expression softened, his eyes looked sad.

"Are we having our first argument as a couple, Erik?"

Erik was silent for a while, glaring at Charles. "Maybe-"

Charles stood up and went inside, leaving Erik at the Window sill, looking in on him. Charles looked regretful as he met Erik's eyes.

"You know it's not true that the scholarship is all I care about. I care about you. I care about how people see you because they won't accept us the way we are now-"

"Why do we have to care what other people think or what other people see about us? As long as we are happy that's all that matters-" Erik said stubbornly.

Charles ran a hand through his head. Erik was being such a blockhead at the moment, there was no use talking to him. He let out an exasperated sigh.

"Erik, I want you to leave. I don't want us to argue over this. Come back when you've finished with being a stubborn asshole!"

With that, Charles shut his own window down slowly so as not to hurt Erik who was still at the edge and then he locked the latch and turned away from Erik, leaving him out there staring open-mouthed after him. He remained there for a moment and then Erik made an exaggerated movement of pulling at his collar and he went down from the roof nimbly, he glared up at Charles's window, still angry at him and then he stomped off towards his car and drove off, occasionally pounding at the steering wheel in his frustration.

It was late at night when Erik came back to Charles's home, climbed up the tree to get to the edge of the roof and he saw that the lights were off from Charles's window. He touched the glass pane gently and then he noticed that the window was not locked. Erik pushed at the window and then he crept in silently. Charles was lying down on his belly, the left side of his face pressed to the pillow and Erik smiled when he saw Charles's other hand under his pillow, that little quirk that he found so cute. Charles was breathing evenly and quietly, his eyes shut tight. He really was asleep. Erik went over to the side of the bed, softly sitting down so as not to disturb the other yet. He turned on the lamplight at the bedside table.

"My beauty," Erik whispered, looking down at Charles, who was wearing nothing but that dark blue silk robe. Erik smiled to himself because Charles in his own way had forgiven him and had expected him to come back. He would not have left the window open or wore that robe if he didn't. Erik bent his head down slowly and kissed Charles's shoulder. The other slumbered on. Erik's smile widened and then he gently turned Charles around so he was now lying on his back. He was still out of it. Charles looked adorable even in his sleep, the way his red lips are closed yet slightly pouting out, his closed eyes gently moving behind his deep-set eyelids and that spray of light freckles above his nose, Erik wanted to kiss it over and over. His smile grew wicked as he slid his hand down Charles's smooth neck, going underneath the silk and touching the other's chest. Charles finally stirred and looked up at him.

"Erik-" Charles said in a low voice. Erik thought Charles would look happy but the other just stared at him with that sad and anxious look in his eyes.

"I'm sorry. Ok? You were right-" Erik smiled at him faintly, admitting defeat.

Charles sighed and reached for Erik's hand and he held it. "It's not about who is right or wrong. It's about what is safe-"

Erik smirked at that and then he lifted his head to look at Charles's door. Erik himself had installed the two padlocks that Charles had asked him to set up a week ago so that if anyone picked the lock outside, the door won't be opened unless someone crashes through it. Erik had laughed at it because he thought it was an overreaction on Charles's part. He leaned in close to Charles and kissed the side of his neck, making Charles laugh quietly. Then he pulled back and leered down at Charles's almost half naked body, the silk robe did little to cover the precious skin which already felt feverish under his palm.

Erik didn't need to tell Charles what he wanted to do. Erik's hand moved downwards, tugging at the silk sash and it revealed the prize beneath. Charles was already hard and his nipples were already taut, his skin slightly flushed, his heart beating a little too quickly that in the quiet of the room, Erik could actually hear it. He was still staring at Charles's hard-on for some time, it made Charles blush even deeply, he bit his lower lip and looked away, trying to close his legs together so that Erik wouldn't stare at him so. But Erik stopped his legs from closing as he reached up to hold Charles's knees apart. It turned him on when Charles still acted awkward or shy sometimes. Like when he tried to place Charles in an odd sexual position, or when he did something that was too depraved for the other to handle. Charles was still so embarrassed when Erik introduced him to 'rimming'. He couldn't look at Erik after and he led Erik to his bathroom immediately so that Erik would rinse his mouth. Perhaps one other endearing thing is when Erik stared at him with his deep and penetrating gaze, not saying anything and the other would suddenly blush and look away. Charles was just so easy to read...and so easy to please.

"Don't act coy, Charles. You invited this onto yourself; wearing that robe when you know I'm going to come up here and see you like this-"

"Well I'm embarrassed, ok? I'm not too confident about my body sometimes. I'm too skinny and too pale! And my...uh...my thing is just average, not like yours-"

Erik caressed his face, trying to soothe him. "Charles, I've told you many times already. You're beautiful! I love everything about you. I love you just as you are. And-" Erik leaned over Charles and planted a kiss on those sensuous red lips that are trembling beneath his own lips. He pulled back, grinning down at the other as he straddled him.

"-I want to fuck you so bad my balls are aching,"

Charles giggled nervously. "I thought you were going to say something romantic-"

"That was a romantic line. I made that up all by myself-" Erik said, his face dead-serious that it sent Charles cackling with glee, he covered his mouth to control the laughter that bubbled up his throat then he met Erik's eyes, removing the hand from his mouth, still looking amused and sniggering. Erik cut off his laughter when he started kissing Charles deeply, his kisses as always hungrily insistent.

Erik kissed him and touched him all over in such a way that it reduced him into a useless, puddle of lust as he lay back upon the pillows, moaning and trembling and wanting more. His chest was heaving, head thrown back, his hands grasping at the pillow beneath him, then he looked down at Erik who was working on his manhood, squeezing at him, knowing when to tighten and throttle his grip, it drove Charles insane with want. Erik had already removed the robe from Charles, who was all blushing skin and sweat and vulnerable to everything Erik wanted to do to him. Charles pushed his head back into the pillow again, the tears starting from his eyes. He couldn't stand it anymore. Erik watched as Charles's toes curled down into the sheets, eyes shut tight and biting down at his lips as he lifted his own hips up to meet Erik's indecent fingers. Charles was making these small breathy gasps again while Erik remained silent, watching him. Charles's nipples ached with an electric sensation, his hips automatically thrusting into Erik's palm. Charles let out one trembling cry when Erik tightened his grip even harder, it almost made Charles come, his mouth half open in surrender, his closed lids trembling, brow furrowed as he concentrated on his arousal. Erik had always liked to tease Charles, making him beg for it, making him go rabid with the insane need to fuck. Erik stopped his movements and watched the sweet ruin of the other. Charles opened his eyes quickly, still gasping.

"Erik, please-" Charles sobbed out, reaching for Erik's hand so that the other may continue the pleasuring. Erik drew away and sat back on his haunches, smiling playfully at him. Charles made some petulant sound, he sat up and was reaching for Erik's shoulders, kissing his lips sloppily, licking at the lower lip and biting at it.

"Erik, now! Please I need you!" Charles groaned against his ear, licking at it lewdly and trailing more sloppy kisses on Erik's cheek and his chin, his palms pressed up to the sides of Erik's neck. Erik pushed him back onto the pillows and he lifted one of Charles's leg, bringing it right up to his shoulder. Charles licked his lips in anticipation, his eyes already glazed over with his lust and he reached down to touch his own cock, tugging at it frantically. Erik grabbed for his hands, stopping him.

"Not yet," Erik said huskily and his smile widened even more when Charles's face crumpled up with his sexual frustration, the tears flowing down the sides of his eyes. With effort, he controlled himself and then Charles tried to lift his upper body up, his entire frame already trembling, he reached his table for the lubricant, pressing it against Erik's belly. He didn't say anything, but he put as much injured feeling into his eyes and his expression so Erik could see how much he wants to fuck and be released from this need to finish. Erik took the lubricant, slathered himself with it and, preliminaries aside, Erik guided his cock slowly to Charles's pink and trembling hole. He gently teased the head of his cock against Charles, who let out a quiet gasp, reaching up to place the back of his hand against his mouth to stop himself from crying out. He turned his head away, gasping, shutting his eyes tight again.

"Look at me! I want to see your face when you come-" Erik said in a throaty voice and then Charles turned to look back at him, his lower lip trembling, mouth half open, the sweat and tears mixing, making his face shine wetly. The deceptive tragedy of his expression, as if he were suffering some deep hurt, made Erik smile. He enjoyed looking at him like this. Slowly Erik entered him, staring intently at Charles's face. Charles grimaced and bit down on his lower lip, hard, holding his breath as if to brace himself for the penetration.

"Haahhh...Haahh..." Charles moaned out and then he made a hissing noise when Erik's cock got all the way into him. His entire body was heaving, trembling, the sweat pouring from him as he focused on that exquisite, skewering sensation. His eyes were shut tight again but then he opened them to look back at Erik's face. Erik looked like he was the one that was about to come, his mouth hung open and he was gasping harshly as he tried to control himself. That strangling sensation from Charles's hole took him right to the brink. His eyes were full of this delicious hurt as he struggled to restrain himself. Erik found his calm, his own trembling passing from him. He still had Charles's leg slung up on his shoulder. He gently held at the leg and then his hips began to buck up into Charles in earnest, the strokes slow and deep. There was that odd look of both bliss and hurt on Charles's face as Erik made love to him. He bit his lower lip again and he did not close his eyes this time. He looked up at Erik pounding into him, his eyes half-open, heavy with arousal.

The quickening motions from Erik caused Charles's body to be jounced deep into the sheets, desperately gasping and clinging at the pillows as if for dear life. He held Erik's darkly aroused gaze because the other had asked this of him. Oh, those honeyed hips, circling and ramming in deep, faster. Faster! Charles could not stand it anymore; he broke eye contact as his hips surged up to meet Erik's turgid sex, his body losing that rhythmic bucking with Erik. He turned his head to the side, mouth hanging loose and wetly pressing against one fisted hand as Erik continued to take him. He called Erik's name over and over under his trembling breath, nearly screaming it out and then he felt it…that earth-rending orgasm that drove all his senses to a blank whiteness. He stiffened, made one last senseless moan against his knuckles and then his shoulders relaxed back into bed, letting the tide of the climax roll inside of him. His come spilled onto his belly, smeared hotly against his skin as Erik moved over him. Erik, it seems, was still not in resolution himself. Erik licked at his own lips quickly, a guttural moan was issuing from his mouth as he shut his own eyes, his hips still pounding up frantically into Charles.

"O-Ohhhh God!" Charles cried out, his head rolling restlessly back because his body was still wracked with sensations that he was still trying to recover from. Erik kept on taking him. Erik had released his leg and it slid to the side of Erik's waist loosely. He now straddled him, arms out to Charles's sides; his sweat fell upon Charles in glistening drops as he was violently thrusting into the other. Both he and Charles are shuddering, either with the intensity of the act or the exhaustion brought forth by their sexual frenzy. Erik finally let out one breathless groan and he went still as his come flowed inside of Charles. He collapsed on top of him, kissing the side of his face, moving slowly as if drugged and then they just lay there, the room filling with the sounds of their panting and gasping. Erik could feel his heart still beating crazily in his chest and he could feel Charles's own heart beating against his own, the veins at his temples pounding in time to his heartbeat. They didn't move for a while. Erik slowly crawled backwards and pulled himself out of Charles. Charles's stomach shone with the wet sheen of his come and his sweat, Erik ran his palm over it, as if to rub it into the skin even more. Charles laughed weakly, got to a sitting position and reached for the back of Erik's neck, giving him another sloppy kiss, his tongue diving in first. Raven, thankfully was playing her music with just the right amount of loudness to keep them from being heard or perhaps to keep herself from hearing them.

Charles was rolling back to lie down on his side, still feeling sated over that delirious sex with Erik. It seems Erik had other plans. He was bent over the side of the bed, feeling for the silk robe that he threw down there when he undressed Charles and he found the silk sash that was used to tie the robe in place. He brought it up and was looking down at it, pulling at both ends to test and stretch it. Then he moved over to Charles, whose eyes were already closed and he pushed Charles to lie on his back.

"Erik?" Charles asked in a bleary voice. Just hearing him sound like that got Erik hard again.

Erik drew the silk sash straight out with both hands, a faint snapping sound came from it when he did that and grinning wickedly, he used it to tie a noose around the shaft of Charles's cock, right below the glans. Charles's eyes widened in surprise, he was coming around again, looking at Erik in confusion and then Erik pulled at the ends of the sash that are wrapped around his hands. He tugged both ends apart hard, making it so he was strangling Charles's cock. Charles made some sort of silent scream, eyes going wide; his mouth became unhinged as his legs kicked back at the sudden movement. He collapsed back onto the pillows, breathing harshly, his shoulders lifting up. He was still too sensitive.

"I'm not done with you yet!" Erik crooned as he pulled tighter.

"Ngghnnn!" Charles cried out incoherently. Erik tugged and pulled repeatedly at the sash, watching Charles twitching and writhing back on the bed, aroused once again. Charles was practically kicking at him for punishing his sex like this and then Charles's hard-on rose up angrily. His head was thrown back so far into the pillows that his Adam's apple bobbed up, the sweat trickling down from it. His head started to turn restlessly around, eyes shut tight, the blush high up on his cheeks again as his chest heaved with effort. Then Charles opened his eyes slowly, narrowed them down and looked at Erik darkly. He licked his red lips slowly and gave Erik a sultry smile. He was ready again. Erik couldn't stand looking at him like this anymore. He was going to come just watching the expression on Charles's face. He let out some growl from his throat and he turned Charles roughly around onto the bed, straddling him from behind this time. Charles held onto the pillow again, moaning, his grip tightened and he bit down on his lower lip, waiting for the inevitable. Erik slipped into him more easily this time and instantly found that right spot in him that drove him mad with intense pleasure. Those gasping moments came upon them both once more, Erik gripping hard at his waist and grinding up against him with those deliciously frantic hips. Charles had his hot face pressed to the pillow, sobbing, eyes shutting tight to savor each sensation and thrust.

"Hot, so hot!" Erik moaned at his shoulder, his hands coming up to caress Charles's chest and his nipples. Charles's own body was meeting Erik's thrusting, he had spread his legs apart to accommodate the other, and the expression on his face was one of blank lust as he let Erik take him again. Erik felt as if he was going to explode with all these sensations roiling up inside of him. Charles's depth was so tight and so hot he was losing all control. He lifted Charles's hips a bit and reached for his cock, caressing it as he rammed up into the other. Coming again, coming! Oh God! Charles thought wildly as he neared another body-ravaging climax. He wanted to scream out how good it was, wanted so badly to let the world know how much he loved Erik. All he could do for now was to tell the other how he felt, just the two of them quietly sharing their love and desire for each other.

"I love you, Erik!" Charles moaned softly, his voice was trembling because Erik still kept rocking up against him. Erik sighed at his shoulder and then he kissed Charles's skin gently as they went on with the act.

"Charles," Erik groaned against his burning skin, his voice full of feeling. He felt Charles arch up against him as the other finally orgasmed again, his body stuttering up and then he pressed his chest down onto the wet sheets, letting out a breathless moan of release, the white bliss come over him once more. Erik followed after, losing himself to his own desperate passion and then he lay on Charles's back as their stormy lust passed them, sweat and heat cooling from their bodies, the gasps coming to a slow trickle and the blood rush running within them silently, their heart's easing to a quiet beating as they relaxed.

They both took a quick shower and Charles changed the sheets, both of them climbing up the bed to rest. Erik lay on his back, naked while Charles wore his blue pajamas and lay on his side next to Erik, his head resting on the other's broad chest. Charles had pulled the blankets up to cover up the both of them as they snuggled close to each other. Charles sighed happily, his fingers softly playing at Erik's right nipple, making Erik reach for his fingers, laughing and stopping him from arousing him further.

"Charles, don't tempt me-" Erik warned, looking down at Charles affectionately. Charles giggled and looked up at him gently. Charles's face glowed with some inner light, his eyes translucent and full of his tender feelings for him. Erik touched his cheek, softly caressing. No one moved him in such a way as Charles does. The feeling in his heart so intense his chest seemed to ache with it.

"Can I tell you something, Erik?" Charles queried. His fingers are still in Erik's own warm fingers.

"Anything,"

"Well don't think I'm being foolish but I think you should talk with Alex Summers. Tell him he doesn't have to hate Principal Summers. You should apologize for leading him to mischief-"

Erik was silent for a moment, still stroking Charles's fingers.

"You think so?"

"Just so you can clear things up between them. It's the right thing to do-"

Erik nodded to himself. He did feel sorry for Alex and he did owe the principal for telling him the truth about his father and his mother. He hugged Charles to himself.

"Alright. I'll do it first thing tomorrow morning. But I want you to be there with me-"

Charles lifted his head up, looking unsure. "Erik-" he began, but Erik stopped him with a kiss on the lips. Erik pulled back and smiled at him languidly.

"You can just be close by, I don't have to introduce you two. I just need you there for moral support-"

Charles smiled back at him warmly. "Ok," Erik drew him closer again to embrace him.


Erik had left a change of clothes at Charles's house. It was almost as if they are living together. Charles lovingly held Erik's used clothes that he put aside in the hamper, the smell of Erik still on them. He did his own laundry so his mother did not see that he had washed a lot of blankets or that there are unfamiliar clothes along with his washing. Erik also left some of his books, his own things in Charles's room. It seems his room was full of all these memories and thoughts of Erik.

When he went to his own bathroom, he smiled wistfully at the sight of Erik's toothbrush that stood on a glass next to his own toothbrush; just these small things made Charles feel that fluttery feeling again.

Erik had put on a dark gray shirt that he had left there before, Charles had already washed it and it was clean. Erik was standing at his dresser, combing his hair and then he reached for his jacket and put it on. They are about to leave to meet up with Alex. Erik had texted him that he will come over.

"I'll wait for you in the car," Erik said quietly and then he was going out the window and was climbing down. Charles finished fixing himself up as well and went downstairs to go out the front door. Charles looked around furtively and climbed up into Erik's car and they drove off for the Summers's residence.

Alex was already waiting out for Erik at the back door. He walked over to Erik who stood there on the sidewalk and some distance away close to Erik's car, he noticed a fair-looking boy with pale skin and dark brown hair, wearing nerdy looking clothes and glasses. He looked like a goody two-shoes to Alex. It made him wonder if he was actually with Erik.

Alex lifted a hand and closed it over Erik's hand in a brotherly grip and then he released it. "Erik, what's up? Haven't seen you in a while-"

Erik ran a hand at the back of his head, smiling faintly and looking back at the boy at his car. "I've been...busy. Your big bro already left?"

"Yeah, he did. I heard his car leave our driveway-"

"Good, good. Listen Alex... I didn't mean to get you into trouble, actually I did but I didn't know it would be that bad-"

Alex slapped a hand over at Erik's shoulder, chuckling, his blue eyes twinkling in amusement. Erik had wondered why his blue eyes were so different from the way Charles's eyes looked. He thought it had something to do with the feeling in them, the expression and that was what made Charles's eyes stand out. It caused him to turn and look back at Charles once more. Charles stood back there with his hands in his pockets, smiling in encouragement.

"It's nothing. Hell, I enjoyed it anyway! Who's that boy back there? Do you know him?"

"He's...a good friend-"

"Well I haven't seen him with the rest before-"

"He's different from everyone else. You know how it goes; he won't meld with our type of crowd-"

"Why is he here with you then?" Alex asked, curious.

"I...he...we sort of bumped into each other before I came here and I took him with me-"

"Oh, ok. Didn't know you have a geek for a friend-" Erik looked up at his face and instead of seeing doubt or sarcasm, he saw admiration in Alex's eyes. Alex seemed to appreciate the fact that he was open to hang out with all types of people.

"Yeah, he's...something-" Erik said softly.

"Hey, we're not keeping him waiting, are we? You kept looking over at him like you wanna go over there or something-" Alex voiced out his observation. Erik blushed faintly at that.

"Er...well. He doesn't mind waiting. Really, he doesn't! Alex, I just wanted to tell you, whatever shit we did, I didn't want to get you into that. It's bad for you, man-"

Alex's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Alex, I meant to get you in trouble so I can get back at your brother. I'm sorry but I used you. I shouldn't have done that. I liked hanging with you, for real. You're cool-"

Alex frowned for a moment, staring hard at Erik. His fists were clenching and unclenching, as if he was about to get mad. Then his expression softened and he looked down.

"I guess it's what the others had planned too, right?"

"Yeah-" Erik said in a subdued voice, he couldn't look at Alex all of the sudden.

"I'm glad you came here to apologize then. It takes guts to do what you did-" Erik looked up and saw that Alex was once more smiling at him, hands in his back pockets, head tilted to the side. Erik smiled back at him.

"I'm also sorry you got into a fight with your brother because of me. He's always on everyone's case, just 'cause he's such a tightwad. But he cares-"

"Yeah, I know. We talked about it. Heh, he must always be on your case too, huh?"

Erik laughed, grinning hugely and nodding. They clapped each other's backs, sharing their amusement over it. Erik then parted ways with him and got into the car with the other boy, who looked pretty enough to be almost a girl. Erik was talking with that other boy animatedly as he drove off and Alex watched them go. Scott Summers suddenly opened the back door and called out to Alex.

"Alex? Who was that?"

Alex looked over his shoulder, startled. He thought Scott had already left. He ran a hand over his blond head and grinned.

"It was Erik. He came over to apologize to me and he had his friend with him-"

Scott smiled at the thought that Erik came over to speak to his brother and even apologized. Erik must really be turning over a new leaf after he had that talk with him at his office. "He had a friend?" He asked curiously.

"Yeah, but Erik didn't introduce us. He looked kinda nerdy. Pale kid with brown hair and glasses. Must be someone from your school-"

Scott's smile turned to a wondering frown. Could it be Charles Xavier?


Erik took Charles straight to school, where Erik parked his car in the back. They only had a few minutes to get to their first class. Before Charles got out of the passenger side door, Erik stopped him and held his hand, gently caressing it.

"Thanks, for being there-" Erik said softly, holding Charles's gaze to his. Charles suddenly blushed but he was smiling, Erik's hand enfolded in his own and then Erik bent close and kissed his lips. Charles wasn't able to tell him to stop or pull back because it was so sudden. He did not fight off Erik this time; he kissed Erik back gently, overcome with his feelings for the other. Charles had his eyes closed but then his eyes flew open when Erik pulled back quickly. Correction. Something pulled him back. A large man had flung open the door on Erik's side of the car and was hauling Erik out by his collar. Erik let out a surprised cry and then he was pushed down onto the pavement. He was looking up at the furious eyes of Mr Logan.

"You! What have you done to Charles?" Mr Logan cried out angrily. His eyes were wide and full of vehemence. His suspicions had been confirmed after he followed them and he saw the both of them driving back to the Lehnsherr Residence the night before. When they got out of the house Erik was kissing Charles at the doorway and then drove him back to the Xavier Residence. Later, while still in his car, he saw them together at Charles's house. Erik had climbed the roof to get to Charles's window and he pushed it open and entered. Charles came over to Erik, but they were gone from his line of sight as they moved away from the window. Erik had been there for hours and then he was going out the same way he came in and Charles was bare-chested when he came back into view. Mr Logan felt his stomach turn as he watched them kissing passionately at the window and then Erik was going back down the roof, Erik looked smugly happy as he got into his car and drove back home. He decided to confront the both of them at school and bided his time the moment they came into the school parking lot when Monday morning came around. Mr Logan pointed a finger in Charles's way, his eyes still on Erik, voice shaking with wrath.

"He's a good kid! I don't know what brainwashing you've done to him but I saw you two together and by God I, thought I've seen it all! You filthy scum! You disgust me!"

"Fucker! You don't know what's on between us!" Erik cried out thickly. He was looking up at Mr Logan arrogantly, his eyes challenging.

Charles hurriedly got out of the car and was looking at both Erik and Mr Logan nervously. Erik looked mad enough that he would probably even attack Mr Logan and Charles thought he had to stop this before it got worse. Erik would be sent off to reform school if he fought a teacher. Mr Logan was coming over at Erik, his fist up and ready to punch Erik out. Charles's heart was hammering frantically in his chest, afraid for Erik and then before Mr Logan can harm him, Charles threw his arms around Erik's neck, embracing him and stopping Mr Logan from going further. He looked up at Mr Logan, tears streaming down his pleading eyes.

"Please, Sir. Don't."

Erik was so shocked by what Charles had done. He thought Charles had always been so concerned about them being seen together because he did not want anything to happen to their reputation. He had always been the careful one so that nobody would see them together and now, here out in the open, Charles was... showing his affection for him. He was trying to protect him from Mr Logan. Mr Logan was too stunned to move, he blinked down at Charles who clung to Erik's neck, crying.

"Mr Logan. He didn't do anything to me that I didn't want. He and I...we're together and I love him. So please... please Sir, don't hurt him-" Charles sobbed and all Erik could do was sit there, feeling the tears tremble and well in his eyes because Charles would do this for him, risk to be seen by everybody else and risk everything... his very future by openly admitting their relationship.

"Charles-" Erik whispered against his hair, holding his back gently. "Charles...stop. Don't do this-"

Charles was sobbing uncontrollably, still holding him. Mr Logan let out a sigh, his anger draining from him. He brought his fist down and looked away from them.

"Charles, get off of him. You both better get to class. I will have to report this to Principal Summers. You both know we do not condone that type of behavior here-"

Charles slowly pulled away from Erik, his hands shaking, face flushed. He wiped at his eyes with his fists. Erik also began to stand up and both of them are looking at Mr Logan apprehensively. Their secret would finally be known by the principal, the one person they had wanted to keep in the dark. Charles knew that no amount of begging would make Mr Logan stop from reporting on them. He felt as if his heart had sunk down low to his stomach and he felt numb. Still, Charles wanted Mr Logan to know what he felt about him and Erik together.

"Mr Logan, what's so wrong about us being together? What is so wrong about this? I don't understand why we can't just be ourselves-" Charles grasped the situation quite well but what he could not accept or understand was why does conformity matter so much?

"First off Charles, he was a bully to you. He was mean. I don't know what crazy shit got into your head and you allowed yourself to be with scum like him! Second, our school does not support sexual deviance of any kind, including homosexuality-"

"It's not like that!" Charles's voice rose in frustration.

Mr Logan turned his blazing gaze over at Charles, he still looked angry but Charles met his stare. "Oh, really? What is it then? Please enlighten me-"

"I...I love him, but I don't think I'm gay. I'm a man like him-"

"Anyway you look at it Charles, a man seeing another man is a homosexual relationship-"

"I mean its not about what we are! Why can't we just love each other and be together?"

"Charles, you are both too young to be dabbling into that type of behavior. The principal has to know this and it is my duty make sure we go by the rules of this school. You both head to class now and we will continue this discussion later with the principal-"

Charles wanted to say more but Mr Logan turned away from the both of them. Erik was strangely quiet and calm throughout the entire conversation. Erik was looking at him gently.

"What happens now, Charles?" Erik asked softly as they stood side by side.

"I don't know, Erik-" Charles said, sounding lost and broken. Erik reached for his hand and he held on tightly.

Just when Principal Summers thought the day would turn out well, it was simply quashed out by these new turn of events that put him into the position he had been avoiding for these past few years. What was he to do with Erik Lehnsherr? Erik Lehnsherr was a familiar fixture in his office due to the number of delinquent actions on the other's part. He had been lenient for a reason but now this situation the young man had put himself in, it was beyond him. He thought at first it must be some kind of joke from Logan but seeing Erik and Charles sitting next to each other quietly before him, heads turned down in gloomy acceptance, finally confirmed the truth for him. Principal Summers stared at all of them silently, his eyes narrowed down. The first person he spoke to was Charles.

"Mr Xavier...why?" It was the first question that arose from him, his expression now turning into disbelief.

Charles kept his eyes down, biting gently at his lips and looking mortified to be sitting before the principal, to whom he had to explain himself. He murmured his response, his voice almost inaudible.

"Sir, please don't make me explain why I love Erik. I just do and it just happened-"

Erik quietly reached out and held Charles's hand automatically, as if it was the most natural thing in the world for them to do. Both the principal and Mr Logan looked at them in a state of mild shock. Mr Logan still can't get over this, over how two completely opposite people would become unnaturally attracted to one another.

Principal Summers closed his eyes for a moment, feeling a heavy weight down his midsection and making his shoulders slump. He put a hand to his face and sighed. The best student in his school ended up with one of the worst bullies ever to set foot in Grimalkin High. How was this possible? He steeled himself and gazed at the two boys hard.

"I have always tried to put a student's well-being before anything else and I have strived to help each and everyone who has come to my attention with academic, emotional or behavioral issues, but this is a serious situation that may affect the school itself and I cannot let this happen. You know very well the pillars of our current society are against unnatural behavior or sexual deviance, like Mr Logan has told you. Charles, it's not about what you feel for Mr Lehnsherr but it is matter of the school's reputation that is at stake. Should it come to a point that the school becomes sensationalized if word came out about your relationship...the school might end up being closed due to public backlash-"

Charles tightened his grip on Erik's hand, looking up at the principal with wide eyes. He felt his heart thudding painfully in his chest as he gaped on. He had known deep inside of himself that something like this might happen and when it did, he realized he still just wasn't prepared for it. He took his glasses off slowly and put them in his shirt pocket.

"W-we have kept it well for so long-" Charles amended, as if this will explain that they could hide their relationship well. The principal shook his head weakly.

"Charles, Mr Logan discovered you both. If not him...it would have been someone else, someone not at school and that would have made things more complicated-"

Erik finally found his voice and spoke up. "So are you saying we should just drop this and forget all about it?" He asked them angrily, his eyes demanding.

Principal Scott let out an exhausted breath. "No Mr Lehnsherr. I intend to part you from Mr Xavier by doing what I should have done years back. I am sending you to the Brotherhood Reform School-"

Charles stood up quickly, causing his chair to push back violently and he was weeping openly before them. "Please Principal Summers! Don't do that to Erik!"

"Charles!" Principal Summers looked at Charles in bafflement. Charles kept on crying before them, the tears streaming down his eyes. He pressed a hand to his chest.

"Send me instead! Erik... Erik's doing so well in school. Please give him a chance! I'm b-begging you!" Charles's breath was hitching from his crying. Erik looked pained, just watching Charles doing this for him. He didn't deserve this. It was too much. All of them are silent except for Charles, who kept on crying, sniffling and wiping at his face with his handkerchief. The principal stared at Charles gently. He was a good young man, brilliant and truly one of those kind-hearted souls of his generation. He hated to do what he was about to do but it was his responsibility to protect the school's name.

"Perhaps I was a bit too harsh but this is necessary, Charles. It would be in the best interest of Grimalkin High and for the both of you if we do this. You and Erik may just be confused about your sexuality. Separating you might make you think things through more clearly-

'What are you talking about? We both know ourselves! We don't need anyone deciding that for us!" Erik yelled out in a rage. Mr Logan almost stood up from his chair to restrain Erik if he got too violent but Charles put a calming hand to Erik's chest and they all sat back quietly.

"Mr Lehnsherr, hear me out for a moment. I have decided to send you to the school where my brother goes to, Excalibur High. It's a very good school. If Mr Xavier feels that your academics will fail should I send you to the Brotherhood School, this would suffice as an alternative solution for us all but you must promise never to see each other again-"

Erik sat back in the chair, the life seeming to have been drained from him. His face grew pale and then he looked over at Charles whose eyes were tearfully regarding him. Erik felt as if his heart had been ripped from his chest at the thought of being parted from Charles but they are both powerless to stop what has been decided. The Brotherhood Reform School was too far out of town. Excalibur High was at least within their town. Erik could still see Charles in secret if he wanted to but he would have to be careful no one sees them again. It still pained him that he would not see Charles more frequently than he would have wanted to, now that they are discovered.

"You know I can't promise that-" Erik said thinly, his eyes still on Charles alone. Charles himself looked as if he had been dealt a blow, his face still crumpled up with his crying. Erik wanted to reach out and hug Charles and tell him that it would be ok.

"Mr Lehnsherr, I am doing this for you both. You cannot be together, not when the people of this town will judge you. I will be honest with you, I totally accept the fact that you have feelings for Mr Xavier and I respect that. I have nothing against what sexual orientation you may have but as it stands...our town will drag you both to the ground if your relationship is exposed. I only care that you will both still remain as respected young citizens and not be tabloid fodder for the town gossips-"

Erik smashed his hand down on the armrest of his chair that it broke off but Principal Summers just stared silently at his outburst, seeming to ignore that Erik was violently reacting to his decision. Erik's face was set in an frustrated grimace. He almost wanted to burst into tears himself but he did not dare cry before these stupid adults who did not understand what he felt for Charles. What they were asking of him was impossible. He was so furious his throat felt like it closed up, making it difficult for him to vent out some more.

"W-will you tell our parents?" Charles suddenly asked in a small voice. Everything the principal said made sense but he was against it himself. The thought of not seeing Erik was just unbearable.

Principal Summers looked at him kindly. "Would you like me to?"

Charles shook his head minutely, feeling a raw hurt he could not express. He was still too shell-shocked by the fact that he could not see Erik again.

"Then this will remain between us all. However, we do need to discuss the matter with your mother, Mr Lehnsherr, since paperwork will require her to sign your transfer documents-"

Erik just nodded numbly, but deep inside he was simmering with so much rage and bad feelings that it showed in his eyes. He looked positively livid.

The principal nodded his head towards Mr Logan. "No need to file a report on this, Mr Logan. I would prefer no paper trail that would divulge any details of our discussion here-"

"Understood," Mr Logan grunted.

The principal finally dismissed both Charles and Erik to attend their next class. They were both crossing the school grounds to head for science class, skipping math already because they were at the principal's office when Charles suddenly stopped in his tracks. His heart seemed to have seized up at a thought that came to him. The other kids at their school would wonder why Erik would be sent off to Excalibur High; they would know about that and gossip about it. A plan formed in his mind. He had to make it so he and Erik looked like they had a fight. The other kids would not question the sudden move... there would be a reason behind it.

"Erik," Charles stopped walking.

"What is it, Charles?" Erik turned to look at him, a questioning look on his face.

"Hit me,"

Erik was nonplussed by the words that came from Charles's mouth. He stared at him, wide-eyed. "What?"

"Hit me now,"

"What the hell for?" Erik asked tersely, but a worried look crossed his face.

"We need a reason for your move to Excalibur-"

Erik looked at Charles incredulously, he sounded exasperated when he spoke next. "Charles, I don't even care about my reputation anymore! I don't need a reason for being sent off-"

Charles held his gaze and even smiled. "You do. Because there should be a reason why Principal Summers would send you off. I don't think the principal realized this but he called for us both after our first class, History with Mr Wagner. People will wonder why. Lately, your group has not harassed or bullied me because we had an agreement. There has to be a big enough reason for you being sent to Excalibur-"

Erik shook his head. "No! Charles listen to me, I don't care ok?"

"It would have been useless to be parted from you then. It would have been all for nothing because people will start to form their own ideas about us. Gossip will still run, questions will be asked. Even if you leave, you still have to show them that you hate me. So why not do this? Give them one final show...let them see that the bullying was the cause of your move to a different school-"

Erik's chest suddenly felt very tight again. He was looking at Charles with such pain in his eyes, to the point that a tear escaped him and flowed down one cheek. He dashed it off with one fist as he kept on glaring at the other.

"This is a stupid idea! I don't want to hurt you anymore!"

"Erik I'm not asking you to do this just for yourself! Do this for me as well-" Charles said quietly. Some students were already coming out of the classrooms to move to their next class, he saw them from the corner of his eye. Charles suddenly reached out and hit Erik's arm, hard, it made Erik move back in surprise.

"Come on, hit me!" Charles roared up at him, his face suddenly looking wrathful. Erik had never seen that expression on Charles's face before.

"Charles... I can't-" Erik said thickly, almost on the verge of tears.

"Do it! Do it, Damn you!" Charles's voice rose that some students turned to look over at them. Erik flung a desperate look their way, suddenly unsure of what to do. Charles had put him into a position he could not back away from. He was right. What reason do they have for being sent to the principal's office together this morning? It would look odd and once he was sent off, what would happen to Charles? Charles would have to face all of them and explain himself. If people found out about them being together, Charles would be bullied even more, or worse, some people from town might torment him. Both the principal and Mr Logan were not going to talk about this and that brought Erik a measure of comfort. Erik lifted a fist and punched Charles in the face, causing the other to let out a cry and crumple backwards. His glasses flew off down to the pavement and one lens broke off. Erik felt his heart hammering painfully beneath his ribs as he glared down at Charles, pretending to put as much hatred in his expression as he can.

Charles remained prone on the cement, looking up at him and nodding in understanding. His gaze was tender again and full of forgiveness. Erik almost wanted to cry looking at Charles like this. There was blood trickling from the side of his mouth and a bruise was forming where he had been punched. Sorry, I'm so sorry Charles. Erik kept repeating these words over and over in his head.

"Erik...go on-" Charles said softly and he could see Erik's eyes were shining with unshed tears, trying to control himself from showing any emotion other than anger and rage. Some kids were coming closer to see the one-sided fight that was breaking out between Erik and Charles. Erik kneeled over Charles, he lifted his fist again and punched Charles in the face once more and then he kept punching Charles's gut as he straddled the other, as if to prevent him from crawling off or escaping. Charles groaned and cried out, the tears falling from his own eyes at the pain. Erik went on beating him as the other students screamed encouragement; some of them were calling out for help from the teachers or from any adult close by.

"My man!" Erik heard Shaw's voice...he sounded far away and Erik felt as if he was not really there, that he was removed from this situation and it was not really happening. He felt as if his vision had clouded over, blurred, like he was underwater and everything seemed to be happening slowly. Then he felt rough hands grab at his shoulder and he was being pulled away from Charles. It was Mr Kurt Wagner and Ms Ororo Munroe. Erik felt the tears slide from his cheeks anyway; he was not able to control them anymore. The teachers were shouting words at him but he did not hear them. Charles was being assisted by Ms Jean Grey and Ms Emma Frost. Charles spat out blood and was coughing weakly, his eyes looked unfocused and his knees were trembling as the two teachers led him to the infirmary, he did not give Erik another look. Erik was roughly being pulled by Mr Wagner towards the principal's office.

"Mr Lehnsherr, you've gone too far-" Mr Wagner said, giving Erik a disappointed look and then he opened the door to the principal's office, nearly shoving Erik in.

Principal Summers was going over some paperwork and then he looked up, seeing Erik's sweaty brow and his bruised knuckles. His eyes widened. Mr Wagner explained what had happened. The principal sighed and pushed his papers away from himself over to one side of the desk.

"Mr Wagner, you may go. I would like to speak with Mr Erik Lehnsherr alone," Mr Wagner nodded and then he left.

"Did you miss my office so much that you had to go and do something as stupid as that, Mr Lehnsherr? Perhaps you really are better off going to reform school-"

Erik sat up straight. He felt no pain in his hands. They felt numb. The pain was mostly happening inside of his head and his heart, like he was being crushed by an invisible vise. Words could not express the pain he felt for hurting Charles the way he did.

"Charles asked me to do that," Erik said dully and then he explained Charles's reason and the principal was shaking his head, quietly disapproving.

"There was no need to do that. I would have thought of better reasons for calling you both in-"

Erik put his hand over his eyes, leaning forward on the chair." You don't know what its like for us out there. You don't know how cruel and mean all the other kids can be to Charles. They will gossip, they will talk. I'm saved from all of that because my skin is thicker. What about him? They would harass him if they knew. That's why we did this. I didn't want to hurt him the way I did and I'm sorry I ever bullied him in the first place...but what's done is done,"

The principal drew a silent intake of breath. Erik was right. They could not undo what had been done. Erik spoke softly.

"I owe you for what you did for us back then. For me and my mom. I guess you are just one of those good ones that really do care about bastards like me-"

"Erik-"

Erik looked up and his eyes looked hurt, silently imploring. "I have a favor to ask of you then, once I'm gone from school. You are parting me from the man I love; you might as well give me this much-"


The day passed like a blur for Charles and now he was back home, alone in his room. His mother and Raven saw what he looked like and his mother ended up screaming obscenities and wanting to know who did this to him and that she would speak to the principal about this but Charles gently told her off. When he had sufficiently calmed her, he went up to his room. He had left his lights off and was sitting on the floor at the foot of his bed, crying softly to himself. Slowly, he started to undress and then he took a warm shower. Looking at his face in the mirror after, he winced at what he saw. His left cheek was swollen, there was a cut on his lower lip and there was a small scratch on his chin. His stomach had large reddish patches, bruises caused by being punched there by Erik. He bit his lip at the thought that he will never see Erik again that he drew blood, splitting the healing scab upon his mouth. He cried quietly looking down at the bruises on his stomach again and when he looked up he was startled at what he saw reflected on the mirror; it was Erik, standing at the bathroom doorway, looking in at him. Erik slowly walked over to him. He did not say anything, there was only this indescribable sadness in his eyes and then he picked up the washcloth at Charles's sink and he began to wipe the blood away gently. The white cloth was stained red. Erik ran the cloth under some water from the faucet, putting it neatly away, then he started to wipe Charles's lip again with a tissue until the bleeding stopped. Erik opened Charles's near-empty medicine cabinet, found some salve for the cuts and bruises and he softly rubbed it to Charles's bruised cheek and his stomach. They did not say anything to each other. Charles looked on as Erik tended his wounds, his lower lip trembling. He could not stop crying. Fresh tears stung his eyes as he sniffled again.

"Shhh, its ok-" Erik whispered and finally embraced him and Charles held onto him tightly, as if he did not want to let go.

Then Erik bent his head down to kiss him gently so as not to hurt his injured lips but Charles was the one that deepened the kiss this time. He was pushing Erik back into his bedroom, his naked body still wet from the shower; his arms are around Erik's neck, hands restlessly running into Erik's hair. He tasted the blood from his split lip again but he just didn't care. He forced Erik to sit on his bed and then he didn't wait to remove Erik's shirt and jacket. He was unbuckling Erik's belt but he did not push Erik's pants down, he just took Erik's manhood out of his pants and underwear and Charles could see he was already hard. Charles sat on Erik's lap and pressed his own sex against Erik's own, feeling the heat of him through his clothes with his exploring hands. Erik groaned in pleasure at that deliciously electric touch of their sexes.

"Let me," Erik rasped out and was reaching for their lubricant so he could help Charles prepare for him. Charles kept on kissing his face and neck, caressing him through his clothes while Erik slathered the lube on his fingers and his own sex. Erik then pressed two of his fingers to Charles's backside and slowly slid them in.

Charles bit his lower lip in his lust, not caring for the wound. He leaned back, propping his hands on Erik's knees, he lifted his feet up and planted them onto the bed, his lower back was pressed upon Erik's long thighs, legs wide open to receive him. It was always back to the lust. Charles thought that he would go out of his mind if he did not get to fuck Erik. He moaned in pleasure as Erik worked to please him. He threw his head back when Erik quickened the movements of his fingers, touching that gland inside of him over and over. Erik bent down to lick at the line of his neck and his Adam's apple. Charles couldn't stand it anymore. He sat up straight, planting one foot down to the carpet and then gasping desperately, he was guiding Erik into himself and he was inching his own body down onto Erik's hardness. Charles had his face pressed up to Erik's neck; sobbing at how good it felt, this delicious hurt that he longed for each night that only Erik could give him. Charles's own hips were grinding frantically down to meet Erik's deep thrusting; his expression looked drugged, as if he was stoned with so much arousal. His mouth hung open and Erik gently kissed and licked at his lower lip. All the while, he was pounding up into the other and fucking him senseless.

Charles clung to Erik, eyes shutting tight as it drew on...deepened and lost all volition as they were now in a frenzy to reach that unendurable climax. Charles was gasping, feeling as if he was going to burn up or explode with all of these peaking sensations. Erik had reached down and was tugging at his cock and making him let out a strangled gasp. Charles had his hands restlessly moving to touch Erik and hold him close. Charles had pressed his face to Erik's shoulder and sounded as if he was humming a low moan of pleasure. Then he pulled back and their eyes met, it ignited that spark of passion and heat. He held Erik's gaze as the other continued to ram up into him and Charles reached up and touched his cheek, the intensity of their impending orgasm about to crash through him.

"Charles, are you ok? Do you need anything?"

It was Charles's mother. He almost didn't want to answer her. The door was double locked so she would not be able to force her way in. Erik stopped fucking him for a moment to kiss his neck and his shoulder. Kissing gently at the small wound at his chin. Charles turned his face towards the door, momentarily moving away from the blissful heat of Erik's desire for him, trying to control his breathing and his speech.

"I'm ok, Mom. Just let me rest-"

"Alright," she sounded unsure and then the muted sounds of her retreating footsteps reached Charles's ears as he strained to listen for it. Erik bucked his hips up hard again, making Charles cry out and he was looking at Erik seductively.

"You're so bad-" Charles said in a low voice, chuckling and then he was frantically kissing Erik back as they continued fucking.

Charles almost let out a wailing scream when he did orgasm with Erik at the same time, it was just so intense and so hot, Charles thought something deep inside of him was broken open and let out, something caged and primal and sexually depraved. Their bodies suddenly stuttered and then stopped all movement as the proof of their arousal spilled out from them. Erik smeared down the come on Charles's stomach, rubbing it into his pale skin. Erik lifted it to his nose to smell it and then he licked it off of his fingers. Charles was still in resolution, with heavy-lidded eyes he watched Erik do this and he did not think it was obscene at all. He could still feel the heat of Erik's own juices as it flowed inside of him.

Their fucking grew even more intense as the night drew on. Charles himself was the one that can't seem to get enough of Erik and was the one driving Erik to delve in for more. He nearly tore at Erik's clothes as they kept on having sex. He was reduced to a slavering, sexually starved beast, hell-bent on releasing the heat inside of himself. He cried out loudly several times, Erik had to silence him with his kisses. Charles didn't care for the pain he felt. He was desperate for Erik, frantic and crazed for him that Erik had to stop him.

"Charles, slow down! We have time-" Erik said softly against Charles's temple as he hugged him close. Erik had straddled Charles, his sex still inside of the other.

"Please, Erik! Please, I need you! I need you so bad it hurts-" Charles sobbed as he kissed and licked at Erik's neck. The heat just won't seem to die in him.

"I'm here, I won't leave you-" Erik said lovingly as he held Charles tight and Charles was crying against him, tears flowing from his eyes again, even though his eyes hurt from so much crying.

"I love you, Charles-" Erik whispered in his ear and just held him close until he calmed down.

Erik woke up and sensed that Charles wasn't next to him in bed. He slowly opened his eyes and in the dimness of the room, he saw Charles staring out the window, his back was to Erik. He was wearing his old striped blue pajamas. Erik sighed and then he stood up and walked naked over to Charles. Charles turned to look at him and gave him a sad smile.

"Its sort of sad. That we can't see a lot of stars in the city-" Charles said and then he turned away from Erik and was looking out the window again, watching the dark skies that are nearly devoid of any twinkling stars.

"It feels as if...the stars are hiding from us and denying us any chance to see the light-" Charles said wistfully and then he felt Erik hug him from behind, feeling that familiar warm press of Erik's body.

"No Charles. I don't think they are trying to hide from us. It's the city smog...it blocks their light from coming through. If we really want to see them, we have to try hard and find a high place to reach them-"

Charles let out a sigh, still looking sad. "I can't accept that this happened to us. If I had the chance to change things...I would-" Charles lifted his head and looked up hopefully at Erik, his blue eyes lighting up. "Run away with me, Erik! Let's just leave this all behind! We can both survive on our own! I have some money put away-"

Erik shook his head weakly. "No, Charles. I don't want you to ruin your life just because of me. You were supposed to go to a good university, right? You still need to stay here and finish what you have started. This is for your future-"

Charles's shoulders slumped and he looked away from Erik again. Erik reached out and lifted his chin. "Hey, stop being a wuss!" Erik joked but Charles still looked depressed and hurt. Erik let out a breath and held onto him again, nuzzling his face against Charles's head.

"Charles...I don't want you ever losing hope for the both of us. That's the only thing in this world that keeps me strong when I feel like giving up. So keep smiling for me, ok?" Charles wanted to cry again, pressing his face to Erik's chest. Erik ran his hand over Charles's back soothingly. "You always see the good in things, Charles. So don't ever lose that. One day...you and I...we will have a chance to be together-"

"Erik," Charles cried softly and just held him right back, his heart swelling, hurting with the depth of his emotions. Erik loved him enough to know that he should keep on going to school to get into a good college; he didn't want Charles to have a wasted life. He wanted Charles to have his goals and his dreams come true. He may be full of this reckless passion for Charles but this time he was the voice of reason for the both of them.

"One day-" Charles whispered.