It was never easy to pretend; never really easy to lie...and it was even harder to face everyone pretending that nothing is wrong, that Erik's leaving did not affect him in any way. Going to school everyday almost feels like a chore. He used to be excited to do his school work or go to book club but he felt like...he was just going through the motions. His heart and his mind was somewhere else. Everything just seems to remind him of Erik...even his very room had Erik all over it.

People were starting to notice how forlorn he looked, how devoid of life. Raven was the first to notice how quiet and withdrawn he had become... that he was just faking a smile sometimes and trying to act happy but deep inside, he wasn't. Raven could hear him crying sometimes, deep into the night when everything else was silent. It was really terrible to see him this way. Raven had tried to talk with him but he just kept telling her he will make it through this. That he will get over it himself. The last night that he was with Erik was the night they had sex after Erik had beat him up. While they were lying in bed together, Erik had apologized over and over for hurting him and he kept telling him that he was forgiven and that he asked for it anyway, even though he knew it was rather drastic for him to have Erik do that. It did get the correct response from people at school. All everyone talked about a week after that was how Erik had gone too far when he beat up Charles on school grounds, aside from the bullying...that it was a good enough reason to send him off to another school.

Later at the crack of dawn, Erik was going down the window again and promising to see Charles later but someone else was waiting down there for Erik. It was Mr Logan, and he did not look too happy with the fact that Erik was still at it just when he was told never to see Charles again. Charles saw them talking. He quickly but silently went down the stairs to go over to Erik and Mr Logan.

"I knew you were a hard-headed brat but I didn't know you would be this hard. You've been told, Lehnsherr and yet looky here, you're breaking your agreement with Summers the first chance you get-"

"I didn't promise anything," Erik said insolently under his breath, keeping his voice down.

Mr Logan suddenly grabbed at Erik's shoulder and gripped him hard."Listen, you little turd! I don't know why Summers even gives a shit, being so lenient with you! He's a goddamned softie and I can't do anything about that but that doesn't mean I'm soft. Summers and I visited your mother today and guess who's going to be your new roommate?"

Erik didn't ask who, he just glared right back at Mr Logan, waiting for him to say it.

Mr Logan pressed his thumb to his wide and muscular chest, smiling smugly down at Erik. Erik's face fell, his eyes going wide with his dismay.

"That's right. In order to keep you in check; I will be your mother's new tenant. I'll be paying rent and everything and that way, I will be able to watch over you-"

"No-" Erik said, his voice sounding hollow. Charles stood there quietly listening to the exchange, his own shoulders slumping in defeat. It seems there really was no chance for them to be together. Mr Logan held his hand out.

"Give me your phone, Erik. You won't be needing that-"

Erik did not make a move, he just gave Mr Logan a hard stare, his body slightly shaking, fighting to control his rage. Charles stepped closer to Erik and gently reached for his hand. He looked up at Erik, giving him a sad and tender smile. Looking at Charles's face like this broke Erik's heart.

"Give it to him, Erik-" Charles said softly.

Erik's face crumpled, looking as if he was about to cry but he struggled to compose himself and then he took his phone out and handed it to Mr Logan, who put the phone into his own pocket.

"Good. Now, you will cut off any communication between the both of you! That way, there will be no more means for you to continue with this ridiculous affection for each other! You will not try and contact each other online or send each other letters. Until you get it through your thick head Lehnsherr, I won't give you your phone back. You will be closely supervised at Excalibur. As for you Charles, I know you will do the right thing and you won't encourage Lehnsherr by entertaining his advances towards you. You're far too responsible for that-"

Erik kept on balefully looking at Mr Logan, wanting to punch him out badly but he couldn't. He understood it will just make things worse.

"Mr Logan, may I at least have a final word with Erik? I would like to give him a proper goodbye-" Charles asked solemnly. Mr Logan looked at Charles impassively but he grunted his assent and walked a few feet away from them, turning to look somewhere else.

Charles embraced Erik and looked up at him. His eyes were shimmering with unshed tears and looking puffy from all the crying he did but his eyes were still so beautiful to Erik nonetheless.

"I have some final requests from , Erik? I want you to continue what we started. I want you to keep reading your books and I want you to continue with keeping your grades up. We've had great progress recently and I don't want you to lag behind-"

Erik managed to smile at that, even through the bitterness and anger he was feeling over how unfair it was to separate him and Charles, Charles was still a nerd at heart. Erik simply nodded, looking mildly amused.

"And when you go to your new school, don't be a bully anymore. Be nice-"

Erik barked laughter at those words and looked down at Charles affectionately. "Alright, any other requests?" Erik asked playfully, a trace of sadness in his eyes.

Charles closed his eyes for a moment and when he opened them; his eyes were welling with tears. He was smiling at Erik and the other just stared at his face for the longest time, as if trying to remember all of Charles's particulars. Charles suddenly pouted, pretending to look annoyed.

"Just kiss me already!" Charles hissed.

Erik grabbed his chin and drew him close into that passionate and hungry kiss that he gave to no one else but Charles. He drew the other's waist forward and kept on kissing him so intensely that when he pulled back, he could see Charles trembling slightly and looking dazed when he opened his eyes, his red lips shining wetly as he licked his tongue slowly over them, savoring that one final kiss. Erik bent down and softly kissed his forehead. "Bye, Charles-"

"Goodbye," Charles said almost in a whisper, reaching up to touch his mouth. He didn't turn to look at Erik anymore as Mr Logan led Erik away, both of them off to drive back to the Lehnsherr residence in separate cars. Charles slowly went back into the house, lay back on his bed and drew the pillow Erik used close to his face so he could smell Erik's scent and feel the last traces of Erik's warmth. He was too tired to cry and this time it felt as if there were no more tears left.

Raven did not insult Charles by trying to coddle him in front of people. She quietly supported him and when it was just the two of them, she tried to get him to talk. She did not force him too much but he understood that she was just worried for his well-being.

"Charles, you know you can talk to me. You can tell me anything-" Raven gently told him. Raven had invited Charles into her room so they could have a quiet moment to talk over things but Charles just shook his head weakly and gave her that sad smile.

"I'll be fine. I just need time-"

"Are you sure?" Raven asked, looking worriedly over at him. Charles was lying on her bed, pretending to read a book he brought along but he really did not understand what he was reading.

"Yes, and thank you for the concern-"Charles reached for Raven's fingers and held them softly.


At school, even Sean seemed to have a good idea over what was going on between Erik and Charles. He was after all, privy to what happened when Erik was crying in the lavatories. Even though Sean acted like a fool sometimes and he had a perpetually dazed and drugged look on his face, he was not stupid. Charles did not patronize Sean because he understood Sean was smarter than how he acted or looked; perhaps he was even smarter than Hank, especially when it comes to people. He and Sean had a chance to be alone and talk together at school. They were both hanging out at the library while waiting for Hank to finish with some other duty he had to do at school.

"Are you ready to talk now?" Sean asked steadily as he stared at Charles, who was pretending to pore over a book but his mind was back to thoughts of Erik.

"Hmm?" Charles tried to feign concentration as he read on.

"About you and Erik-"

Charles looked up then and he saw how intently Sean was looking at him. Charles let out a sigh."What do you want to know, Sean?"

"You and him...are you...seeing each other?"

Charles held his gaze and he did not flinch away when he answered him. "We were seeing each other-" Charles finally admitted to him. He was watching for any change in Sean's reaction but the other just seemed to think something over deeply, brow furrowed.

"How did that happen? He was one of our bullies. Of us three, he treated you the worst-"

"A situation brought us together...and then the more I knew him, the deeper it became-"

Charles ran a hand through his head and narrowed his eyes at Sean."Ok, I guess whatever we are...it sort of disgusts you, right? I don't mind if you start hating me or refusing anything to do with me. I won't take it against you. I just hope you don't share this with anyone else-"

Sean suddenly looked exasperated."Charles, I don't drop you as a friend just 'cause you have some weird 'love thing' going with Erik. I'm still your friend-"

Charles seemed to brighten at that and he gave Swan a genuine smile. "Thank you,"

Sean tugged at the mass of curly hair on his head, a curious look still on his face."I don't get why Erik had to beat you up, though-"

"I told him to do that,"

"Why?" Sean said, looking baffled and then Charles told him about the true reason why Erik was sent to Excalibur High.

Sean shook his head slowly. "That just blows! It was so unfair of them to do that-"

Charles beamed at him, glad that Sean was sympathetic to his plight and still completely accepting him as a friend. Sean lifted his head up and placed his hands on the table, looking at Charles kindly. "You must miss him a lot then, that's why you were so sad these past few weeks-"

"I guess, I really can't hide it that well, huh?"

"Well I had the idea of what might be making you sad. Hank is completely in the dark over this although he's just as concerned about you as I am-"

"I don't think Hank would approve of me and Erik-" Charles said softly as he closed his book. It was futile to keep on even reading it.

"That's why I didn't tell him anything-"

They grinned at each other, both in agreement over what a stuck-up and self-righteous ass Hank can be sometimes. They heard someone sneeze in the passageway of the library and in came Hank, wiping his nose with the back of his hand.

"Hi guys! Sorry I kept you waiting-" Hank sat right next to Charles and drew out his handkerchief to wipe at his nose again.

"Someone must be thinking of me or I must be coming down with something-" Hank said in a muffled voice, making Sean and Charles look at each other and share furtive smiles.


With Erik gone, everyone had thought that the bullying on Charles would cease. Apparently, that was not the case. There were the occasional jibes and name calling from Shaw and his gang but they did not dare touch him, especially not on school grounds after what happened to Erik. There was also the fact that Mr Rasputin was watching out for Charles whenever he can and Charles himself made it so that he was out of their sight once he is outside of school so that they won't attempt to hurt him. Obviously, they are blaming him for Erik's removal from Grimalkin and being sent off to another school. He sometimes worried that they might catch him off guard and beat him up outside of school again. He realized that even back then, before he and Erik got together, it had been Erik that had kept his crew in check and prevented them from doing anything too rash. With Erik gone, who knows what Shaw could possibly do?

Shaw did catch up with him again outside of school, almost close to the parking lot at the back. Shaw and his friends grabbed Charles and dragged him out to a narrow alleyway to beat him up as much as they wanted and no one would be able to interfere. Charles was restrained by Victor and Janos, both of them holding his arms at his back. Shaw carefully removed Charles's glasses and put them down on one of the trashcans. Charles looked up around the circle of bullies, a feeling of cold dread settling over his stomach. He understood that no one will save him now. He cringed and waited for the punches.

"I'm not gonna hit your girly face, you fucking fag. I'm gonna punch and kick you in places where no one can see my work. I'll start by kicking your little prick, how's that?" Shaw said malevolently and he raised his foot, ready to inflict pain while Janos and Victor chortled. Charles braced himself for the hurt, trembling slightly, sweat already misting his forehead as he looked up at Shaw helplessly. He then closed his eyes, waiting for Shaw's foot to collide with his groin but he heard Shaw exclaim something instead.

"What the fuck?" Shaw said in a bewildered voice.

Charles opened his eyes and for a moment, he thought it was Erik that had come to save him but it was not Erik. It was the blond kid from Excalibur, Alex Summers. He was holding onto Shaw's ankle and he pushed Shaw away roughly, causing the other to topple and fall to the cement. Quick as a wink, Alex pulled Charles to himself, releasing him from the other two who were too startled to protest. Alex was regarding them all balefully as he shielded Charles by guiding the other to stand at his back.

"Alex?" Janos said, staring at the Alex incredulously."What's up, man? Why are you spoiling our fun?"

"You dare to ask me that? My brother told me all about you guys! You just used me to get back at him! If you think I'm one of you assholes, think again!"In truth, Scott could not confirm Shaw and his gang's involvement in trying to get Alex in trouble. It was Erik who had told him the truth and he was merely bluffing, using his brother's name.

Shaw quickly got up, letting out a cry of rage and he almost launched a fist at Alex but the other deftly caught his hand, holding it back, both their hands violently shaking as they struggled against each other. Alex was no pushover. He was built lean and strong and he had been in a lot of fights that it toughened him.

"Try and hit me, Shaw. I'm sure my brother would like to know who hit me and who tried to hit another student close to the school grounds-"

That stopped Shaw, he licked his lips nervously and looked up at Janos and Victor, who were already looking apprehensive and were backing away.

Shaw made a gesture to his friends and they started to stomp off away from Alex and Charles but Shaw flung a final look at Alex and sneered at him.

"You think you're all that? You'll get what's coming to you, Summers. One way or another you will,"

"Yeah, tell that to someone who actually gives a fuck, Shaw-"

Shaw made a grimace at that, spat onto the ground and stalked off angrily.

Charles looked up at Alex Summers gratefully, relieved that the other defended him from his bullies. At first he was speechless, unable to move or even say anything. Alex was giving him a lopsided smile and then he slapped Charles's back amiably.

"Whew! Glad I got here in time. Good thing I saw them dragging you off-"

Charles looked on at him shyly, tentatively smiling back."Thank you, I owe you for this-"

Alex lifted both palms up in denial and he was grinning."No, if you want to thank someone, I think it should be Erik. He knew they were going to go after you. He kinda asked me to look after you now that my brother had me moved to Grimalkin-"

"Erik?" Charles could not prevent the trembling in his voice, his eyes suddenly brimming with tears. He put a hand to his mouth and turned away from Alex, the scalding tears falling from his eyes as he sobbed quietly. Erik was still thinking about him, wanting to make sure he was ok.

"Hey? Are you ok? Did I say something wrong?"

Charles lifted a hand up and let out a shaky breath."No! I'm sorry. It's just that...I...I-"

Alex's face softened."You miss him too, huh?" Charles wiped at his tear-streaked face and was looking at Alex with his wide blue eyes, his expression curious.

Alex grinned at him. "I know everything, Charles. Erik told me...about you and him. Now, don't go worrying about what he said to me. I'm ok with it-"

"Oh it's not that, Alex. Can you tell me please...how is Erik? Is he doing well at school? Does he look ok?"

"Yeah, he misses you really bad. You were all he ever talked about. And he told me to tell you he is studying hard. Hell, he's doing even better than I ever did-" Alex chuckled.

Charles brightened at this and his smile became sweetly winsome. At the back of Alex's mind, he realized why Erik was so taken with him. Charles looked like a tender-hearted nerd, kind of effeminate and up close, Alex could see he was a pretty boy, not that he would go for that sort of thing but he did admire Charles's looks. Charles quietly picked up his glasses from the trashcan lid and put it on again after wiping it clean with his handkerchief and wiping the sweat from his own forehead.

"Can you tell me more, please? If it's ok with you, I can treat you to some coffee or something, for what you did for me. I'd like to know more about how Erik is doing-"

So they went to some local fast food chain and had some sodas and a slice of pizza each while they talked about Erik. Charles also clarified with Alex what he meant by his move to Grimalkin High.

"It was an agreement my brother had with Erik. He told my brother someone had to watch out for you and make sure you are going to be ok. He didn't want you to get bullied again. My brother had an idea he meant Shaw. So he asked that I be transferred to Grimalkin. My papers only pushed through today so you will probably see me in your class tomorrow-"

"Erik did that?" Charles asked softly, his smile turning wistful at the thought of Erik. He felt his heart skipping because Erik never stopped caring and worrying over him.

"Yeah, I'm flattered myself that Erik trusted me to do this for him and when my brother brought it up with me, he was sort of surprised I said yes-" Alex chuckled.

He could not hide the fact that he admired Erik himself. He still looked up to the other as a brother and as a friend.

Charles wanted to cry again but he controlled himself since they were in public but his eyes were misty with unshed tears. He wiped at them furtively and sniffled, smiling at Alex as the other recounted how gloomy Erik was at first at Excalibur and that his only friend was Alex. Erik had a reputation that preceded him and all the kids there knew he was vile but he surprised them all when he acted quiet and he was nice to everyone. He never said one mean word or did anything violent.

"Still, the kids at school are scared of him...even the gangs in there. They pretty much leave him alone-"

Alex chewed on his pizza and gave Charles a small smile after he swallowed it.

"Hey, He told me one more thing that I should tell you-"

"What is it?"

"He said he wants you to keep smiling for him, even when he is not around. Because he knew you were going to be moping and he wanted you to stop being a wuss-"

Charles smiled at that. That was exactly what Erik would say. He felt overcome with his emotions again. One day he and Erik would be together...perhaps they will be together once he is in college so he had to keep on doing what he had always done and finish much more sooner than his peers.

"Thanks Alex. I really needed to hear that-"

"Sure thing! Erik's a good friend, even though I only knew him a short time. He's way better than his crew here in Grimalkin and don't you worry. I'll watch out for you. They won't lay a finger on you anymore, not while I'm around-"

Charles was speechless once more. He couldn't thank Alex enough.


Alex now acted like Charles's own personal bodyguard, making sure at the same time that Shaw kept himself scarce. Grimalkin became a little bit quieter now that Erik was not there to stir things up and Shaw was still under the principal's radar. A month back, Principal Summers had spoken to Charles and his friends to find out who had injured him after the window incident and Charles and his friends had given the principal an outright lie. The matter was dropped but the principal was not a man so easy to deceive. He intended to call the hospitals in town and some clinics to find out if Charles was admitted anywhere. Someone out there might be able to shed some light into this situation. He thought Charles and his friends would not admit the truth out of fear or that they were threatened not to tell the truth. He had a strong feeling that it was Shaw.

Shaw can sense that the principal was onto him too, after Alex told him in the alley way that the principal knew of his involvement in trying to get Alex into trouble. That was why he and his friends tried to keep it low like what Erik had advised him to do before. He was relieved that Alex and Charles did not report the alley way incident to Principal Summers but at the same time, he was annoyed that Alex was using this as leverage to prevent him from doing what he wanted to do with Charles. He hated that four-eyed freak and wanted to bash his brains in for starting all this trouble. It all began with the window incident when Erik was caught and it seems it will always go back to that. Now Alex was joining in on the fun too. It made Shaw seethe with anger that people were getting one over him and he didn't like that. He'll get his revenge on them. He just needed to bide his time.

Where was Alex? Charles thought worriedly as he ran down the halls of Grimalkin. It was the day of the school activity fair and there aren't any students in any of the classrooms, nor are there any teachers because they are all out there on the grounds, enjoying the festivities. Shaw and his crew were after Charles and he was running as quick as he can to try and avoid them. Alex usually made sure he was safe but for some reason, Alex was nowhere to be found. Earlier, he was hanging out with some students at the arts and crafts stand, selling their artwork to some visitors and other students. They especially liked his different versions of starry sky paintings and he had sold several pieces. Hank was with him and they were enjoying the attention their stall was getting, they made a lot of money already. The fair had been set up to raise money for prom; a lot of students had set up the stalls and they had put up a mini stage where some students could perform and entertain guests. There were a lot of snack stands and activity stands where each club or group were either selling food or items related to their interests. Charles was handling two stalls with the other students, one would be the art stand and the other was the book club stand, where the club had made it so their stall was set up like a gaming show, it was getting quite a crowd too. Charles was having fun for once, not acting gloomy because Erik wanted him to be happy. He was smiling wistfully as he thought of Erik then he heard a camera click and he blinked in wonder. It was Mr Worthington; he took a picture of Charles while he was standing next to the art stand, lost in thoughts of Erik.

"I didn't need to tell you to smile, you were smiling already-" Mr Worthington said, grinning at him. Charles giggled and smoothed down his hair.

"Oh Sir, I wasn't prepared-"

"You looked great in your shot! I don't know what you were thinking about but it's good to see you smiling again. You have been looking kind of down before-"

Charles blushed and stared down at his feet."I guess I'm over it-"

Mr Worthington went over to Charles and lifted his chin, looking his face over critically. "You know Charles; you make a very interesting subject for a photo shoot. Your face...it's very intriguing. I'd like to take photos of you in black and white or perhaps a profile shot-"

Charles blushed even more and pulled away, smiling shyly. He pushed his glasses up his face."That's kind of you to say, Sir but I'm kind of camera shy. I'm afraid to have my picture taken-"

"Well, when you feel comfortable then. It's not a problem. I took several photos of Sean. He was a very good subject too. I'm not sure if he had shown you-"

"He did Sir. They were very good-"

Mr Worthington beamed down at him, his movie star looks drawing attention yet again from the girls within the vicinity and they were clamoring for his attention, finally allowing Charles to escape. He was going back to the book club stand but Hank stopped him. Hank looked very anxious and he sounded winded, as if he had been running.

"Charles!" Hank wheezed out.

"What is it?"

Hank put a hand around his shoulders and was leading him away."Hurry, you have to hide! I heard Shaw and his friends are looking for you and they are planning something nasty for you here in the fair-"

Charles didn't say anything more, he began to run and then he saw Shaw some distance away with his gang. No words needed to be said, it's as if they shared a mental conversation and it all comes down to Charles getting humiliated in front of people, if not beaten up. Shaw gave him an insolent glare, smiling snidely. Charles made a dash for it and hurried off towards the school itself, thinking he could find Mr Rasputin but he wasn't anywhere. He was hoping Alex would find him but Alex was still nowhere near as well. Heart pumping madly in his chest, Charles ran on. Shaw and his goons gave chase and they were pretty fast .Charles had a head start that it allowed him to keep some distance between them and himself. He wiped absently at the sweat on his brow and managed to give Shaw and his horrible crew the slip as he turned a corner to evade them. He quietly ran close to the gymnasium, intending to hide out in the equipment room.

"Charles! Come here!" It was Sean. He was standing at the door of the gymnasium gesturing for Charles to come to him.

Charles was panting, bent over and then he stood up straight and looked about him. "Shaw and his asshole friends are after me-" he said breathlessly, looking up at Sean in fear.

Sean was grabbing at his cardigan, startling him. "Give me your cardigan, quick!"

"What-"

"Just give it!" Sean helped him out of his blue cardigan and Sean wore it over his green t-shirt. Sean was pushing him into the equipment room.

"I'll pretend I'm you. I'll lead them off, ok?"

Charles wasn't able to protest further. Sean had run away from him. He made a small, frustrated sound. He didn't want Sean to get hurt too. He hurried into the equipment room and closed the door anyway because it was too late. He stood in the dimness of the room, his ear pressed to the door and he was gasping silently. He heard the noisy arrival of Shaw and his friends, stomping close to the gymnasium door; he was frozen in fear because he thought he had been seen.

"I see him! There he is!" Janos cried out and he heard them running off away from the vicinity of the gymnasium. Charles let out a sigh of relief. It seems the ruse worked but what about Sean? He had to contact someone to report this. Everyone was too busy earlier and there were no teachers close by when the chase happened. He didn't want to make a scene in front of the visitors so he ran. He was grabbing his cell phone from his pocket to try and contact Alex or perhaps the principal but in the dim illumination of the room, lit only by the dingy light falling through the overhead slit windows, someone grabbed his wrist, frightening him and making him cry out.

"Finally got you alone!" was angrily whispered in his ear and then he was turned around quickly so that he could face his captor.

"Erik?" Charles asked, his eyes wide and startled. In the dim room, he could somehow see a faint image of the face before him. He thought for a moment it was actually Shaw and that he was hiding in the equipment room waiting for Charles to fall into his trap. His eyes were growing more accustomed to the darkness and he could see Erik glaring down at him, looking mad for some reason. Charles gently pulled away from the grip and placed his hands on Erik's chest, his smile hesitant.

"What are you doing here? I thought-" Charles began in a quiet voice but Erik grabbed for the back of his neck and hugged him tightly.

"Why did you let him touch you? No one touches you! You belong only to me-" Erik said roughly as he kept on holding Charles.

"I don't...what-" Charles began, a questioning look on his face.

"That Worthington asshole was touching you!" Erik said tersely, his voice curdling with rage when he mentioned the man's name.

"Erik, don't be angry! He was only suggesting I make a good subject for one of his photography sessions-" So that was it. Erik was jealous of Mr Worthington.

"He didn't have to touch you!" Erik spat out, his voice still shaking.

Charles pulled away from him, narrowing his eyes at Erik. "Wait, you were at the fair? You were watching me?"

"From a distance. I escaped from Excalibur, they probably haven't figured out that I left-"

Charles found Erik's persistence incredulous. He escaped just so he could see Charles when he knew he would get in trouble for even going truant. Charles touched Erik's cheeks.

"You have to go back; I don't want you to get into trouble-"

"Fuck that! I can't stand it anymore, Charles! I had to see you again-" Erik was calming down, his voice going soft."Didn't you miss me at all?"

Charles could not even begin to tell Erik how many nights he had cried into his pillow, thinking of him...feeling a wretched hunger for him. He had wanted so badly to kiss his lips and to touch his body...to see his face looming over his own when they have sex. He missed Erik's heat and touch, missed his smile and even his tears when he was feeling sad or down. He missed talking and laughing and just being near him. He missed everything about Erik. He had to stop himself many times when he tried to send Erik emails or even attempt to call Erik's house. It would not be the same because they would just end up feeling frustrated that they couldn't see each other.

His voice came out sounding hoarse when he spoke next, his eyes brimming with tears."How can you ask me that? Of course I missed you! I missed you so much it hurts-"

Erik suddenly grabbed at his cheek and pulled him into a rough and frantic kiss, preventing the other from saying what he wanted to say, his other hand still at the back of Charles's neck and he was pressing up against Charles possessively. Charles felt the tears flow from his closed eyes as he let Erik kiss him passionately again. He felt everything else washing away from him and it was just him and Erik and this moment. Erik released him and he smiled down at him. Charles's eyes were closed and the glasses he wore had some condensation form on the lens. The kissing was that intense and that hot, it got Charles so feverish he had caused his own glasses to get steam droplets forming on its surface. Erik took Charles's glasses off and showed him what happened by bringing his glass up to the light, making Charles giggle then Erik put aside the glasses and he kissed Charles hungrily again. A loud noise from outside snapped him out of that moment. Charles pulled away from Erik and was going back to the door, worried over Sean. He was pulling out his cell phone again but Erik stopped him once more, making him look up at Erik anxiously.

"Sean's in trouble! Shaw was after me but he led them off-"

Erik smiled down at him seductively and licked Charles's lower lip causing him to blush and blink repeatedly, his red mouth parted open, seeming to beg for more kisses.

"Don't worry about him. He'll be ok-"

Erik was playfully holding onto his waist, herding Charles towards a nearby gymnastics box that was set up low for sitting. He turned Charles around and he was the one that sat on the box, guiding the other to sit on his lap, Charles's back pressed to his chest. Charles was struggling from his grip.

"Erik, not here-" Charles moaned. He knew he couldn't control himself if he let this go on. They wouldn't be able to stop. His body was already running hot with Erik's nearness, his heart clipping in his chest with a nervous, sexual excitement he could no longer fight off. Erik seemed to know exactly what Charles really wanted. He reached down and he caressed Charles's sex through his pants, making Charles jump up in shock on his lap. It made him even more aroused.

"You want this. You want me. I can feel it-" Erik whispered into his ear as he tightened his grip on Charles's manhood. Charles let out a breathy moan, turning his head to the side and biting at his lower lip at that delicious touch. Oh no, we shouldn't...not at school. People might see us or hear us-

Erik was unzipping his pants, his hand loose on top of Erik's hand as he let the other go on anyway, his eyes heavy-lidded with his own aching desire. Erik took out his sex and began to give him a slow hand job, his grip suddenly tightening over the shaft that it made Charles whimper breathlessly, his head turning from side to side, trying to deny how good it felt. He shut his eyes tight, gasping. Erik's other hand was moving over his belly, caressing his chest through his button-down shirt. He pressed his face to Charles's hair and he could smell the white musk scent he liked on Charles, that clean yet somehow sensual smell that reminded him of two things: Sex and Charles.

"Oh God, Erik!" Charles moaned as Erik went faster, gripping him tightly. His other hand was working through the buttons and deftly undoing them, exposing Charles's chest to his exploring fingers. Charles already felt so hot next to him, as if he had a fever. He saw Charles's pink nipples were already erect. He reached for one of them and rubbed it between his thumb and forefinger, making Charles let out a hitching gasp of surprise, his cheeks burning up like the rest of him. His mouth hung slightly open as he kept on making sounds of arousal at Erik's touching. Erik's fist was working up faster over Charles's cock and making the other squirm and moan helplessly against him. Charles came all of the sudden, it startled Erik. That was quicker than how they did it before. Charles was shuddering in pleasure against him, eyes shutting tight as he delved into the throes of it. Then he leaned to the side to look at Erik. He looked slightly ashamed, his cheeks still flushed beautifully.

"Sorry. I got so aroused I lost it. It's been a while and I couldn't stop myself anymore-" He said apologetically. He was trying to get to a comfortable position so he could kiss Erik but the other squeezed down on him again, throttled his sensitive cock that it made him jump violently on the other's lap. Erik restrained him to keep him from escaping.

"Nggnnnh, E-Erik-"Charles stuttered, eyes shutting tight. Erik went on touching him, making him aroused once more. Erik suddenly stopped and then he started to stand up, guiding Charles to stand up with him. Charles wobbled slightly, he still felt so weak, his knees trembling with effort. Erik started to undress him. He pushed Erik's hands away.

"Erik, we shouldn't do that here. I...I won't be able to control myself-" Charles admitted, looking away from Erik in embarrassment. Erik knew that Charles only allowed himself to let loose his own sexual frenzy when it was just the two of them in his bedroom or in Erik's house. They are at school and Charles never entertained Erik's entreaties for sex here. Erik was kissing the side of his head and he dove in for more frantic kisses on Charles's yielding luscious mouth.

He pulled back and spoke in a hoarse whisper against Charles's cheek, his breath so hot, it made the other tremble."I want you to lose control-"

Erik continued to undress him and then he began to undress himself, his eyes still on Charles. He decided to surrender himself to this moment. Erik was wearing an all black uniform, with a white collar; his usual wavy hair that fell on his forehead had been cut neatly and parted to the side. Excalibur's standard uniform really looked good on Erik; it turned Charles on just looking at him. His cock was still hard as he waited for Erik to finish undressing and then Erik was guiding him down to lie on his back on the gymnastics mat, reaching for his cock to keep on pleasuring it. Charles lay back in abandon, letting Erik go on. His nipples felt that familiar electric shock as Erik kept on throttling his sex. His body raced with heat and goose bumps, lost in his own desire. Using Charles's own juices, Erik parted his thighs and he started to enter Charles's backside with his fingers. Charles's back arched up; he pressed the side of his hand to his mouth to stop himself from crying out.

It always feels so good- Charles thought desperately as he let Erik continue with the pleasuring. The room was filling with Charles's moans and the rough-silky sound of skin on skin, along with that wet sound of Erik flogging Charles's sex.

"Ahhhh!" Charles moaned, shivering in giddy delight as another orgasm took control of his senses. He relaxed onto the mat, breathless.

"So soon?" Erik asked playfully, lifting one eyebrow and smiling down at him. Charles made a face, feeling mortified.

"I can't help it, ok?" Charles said indignantly. He had no more control over his body.

Erik bent down to give him a reassuring kiss and he smeared Charles's come down his belly, over that still sensitive cock and then his fingers travelled down back to Charles's hole, using Charles's come as his lubricant to ease his entry into the other. Erik pressed his cheek against Charles's own cheek, sighing.

"So wet...so hot-" Erik moaned against his skin, making Charles shiver. He kept on plowing Charles's backside with his fingers, smearing more come as he worked. Charles was so helplessly vulnerable, trembling and moaning while Erik kept on doing these indecent things to him. He missed it so badly, missed Erik so much that he thought his heart would just give up and stop beating. Tears fell down from his closed eyes, mouth trembling, forming incoherent words of lust. His body had craved for this; yearned for this. Erik was all heat and passion himself, unable to control himself any longer. He turned Charles around roughly. He positioned Charles so his chest was pressed into the mat, his behind thrusted up so far his stomach was arched down deep. He guided Charles's legs so they are parted wide, knees bent that the muscle in his legs rippled. He took one of Charles's arms, folded it over his back and pressed down on it as if restraining it and then he guided his cock into Charles's depth, sliding in deep. Charles let out short breathy cries as Erik slid into him. Erik then grabbed the back of his head, clutching possessively at his hair and he started to ram up into Charles hard.

"Ahhh! Ahhh! Ahhh!" Charles grunted out wantonly with each repeated hard thrust from Erik, his eyes going blank with lust, a look of urgent arousal on his expression. His mouth hung open, tongue darting out indecently.

Erik moaned and shivered as well looking down at Charles's back, watching his own cock as it drove in deep into Charles. When he first slid into him, he thought he was going to end up like Charles and orgasm before he had a chance to enjoy more of the sensations. It seems he had more self-control. Charles surrendered himself completely to the act, just letting the orgasms come, one after another, his sensitive and pulsing cock just dripping with come. He could barely even cry out his arousal. He made these short breathless moans after another climax but Erik was still pounding into him that while he was still lost in resolution, the thrusting caused his nerves to fire up again. It was like a sexual Armageddon inside of him, all these sensations fighting one over each.

"I-I'm...I'm coming-" Charles sobbed onto the mat and he did come again, his body juddering violently, his one arm that he used to prop himself up with was trembling. The sweat was slick and hot on his skin, basting it and making the hair over his forehead cling as well. He was reduced to breathless gasps as he closed his eyes. Erik himself followed him and let out one trembling moan, gasping over at Charles's back. He had come only once but he wanted to know how many times Charles came as the other lay there, almost half-unconscious, barely able to move. He pulled out of Charles and lay next to him. Just looking at Charles's face made him want to go another round but Charles must be even more exhausted than he was.

"Charles,"

Charles did not respond at first. Then he sighed and slowly opened his eyes, his lashes downcast, giving Erik a small smile."What?"

"How many times did you-"

"Four. Not counting the two times you made me come with just your hands-"

Erik was incredulous as he stared at Charles, his eyes going wide. "Six times?"

Charles's cheeks reddened again."I don't know what's wrong with me. I must have been craving for you so bad that just the slightest touching and just looking at your face makes me want to come-"

Erik estimated they were in the equipment room for a little under two hours. They still have a some more time to kiss and touch and then he had to go. Erik pulled Charles to himself and began to kiss and caress him. Charles went to him happily; he was just so relieved that he was able to be with Erik like this again. He had been aching so bad for the other and now that ache made them reckless, making them come together like this within school grounds. Erik hugged Charles to himself, almost not wanting to let him go. He suddenly looked perplexed as he felt Charles's cock stirring against his leg. He smiled to himself lewdly. You still want it-

Charles's skin was creeping over with heat, his face so hot as he had it pressed against Erik's chest. Without warning, he slid his tongue out of his mouth and licked at Erik's nipple, eliciting a gasp from Erik and then Charles started nibbling at the other nipple, making Erik's frame shake with desire. With his palm he could feel Erik's heart beating fast again. Erik drew his face close and was kissing him hungrily. Charles broke the kiss, going into a sitting position on Erik's lap and pulling the other close to wrap his arms around Erik's neck. Erik's come still trickled down his backside. Charles licked his lips seductively, giving Erik a small smile and he was guiding Erik back into himself as Erik looked on. Erik made a small grunting sound, biting down on his own lips as he slipped back into that moist tightness of Charles's hole. He felt so hot even down there.

"I thought you didn't want to keep doing it-" Erik teased as Charles rode his cock.

Charles was still blushing hotly. He didn't answer Erik immediately. He bent his head, pressing his face to Erik's shoulder. He was savoring that penetration, driving his own behind down so that he could feel Erik's length thrusting in deep into him. He was holding on to Erik's neck, so turned on and so lost in the lust he felt as if he was losing his mind. He lifted his head again and held Erik's own heated gaze.

"No, I want it! Don't stop...more! Yes more! Feels so good-" Charles crooned out wantonly as he clutched on at Erik's neck; the insane need to fuck Erik made him finally lose it. He was grinding up against Erik and giving him hungry, sloppy kisses. His blue eyes glassy and looking lost, his face still giving Erik that hungering, lusty expression.

Mine, Erik thought as he stared at Charles and held him possessively.

It was like an eruption, that next orgasm, like it tore something deep inside of him again. Charles screamed when he finally came, not caring if he was heard. He was trembling against Erik's body, legs tightening around Erik, arms holding on as if for dear life. Erik came along with him, letting out a groan of pleasure at Charles's shoulder then he bit Charles there. Charles enjoyed that bite because it added more to these sensations that was running through him. His eyes are closed as he smiled and licked at his red lips.

Both of them looked like they have been through some cataclysm. Still sweaty as they stepped out of the equipment room. Their clothes and their hair are in disarray, their expressions like those of people who had experienced shell-shock. Charles nearly fell down to his wobbling knees twice had Erik not caught him and helped him up. Charles was still trembling slightly, wincing as he moved about.

"We have to get to the top. It might help us spot Shaw and his friends-" Charles said as he tried to get himself together, remembering Sean and thinking they had already beaten the crap out of him. Charles felt like he was a terrible friend because he couldn't help it when it comes to Erik. Whenever Erik wanted to take him, he easily gave in. Erik had his arm around Charles, aiding the other because he was still weak from all that sex.

"He should be ok,"

"You sound so sure! Your friends are goddamned baseball players! They run fast! I think Sean might already be hurt-" Charles was a bit annoyed by Erik's smug cheeriness. Why does he look so assured that Sean was not hurt?

"Call him then-"

Charles gave him a meaningful look and he pulled up Sean's number and called him. Sean instantly replied.

"Charles! You ok, man? You met up with Erik, right?"

"How did you know?" Charles asked, looking up at Erik, baffled.

"I met with him earlier. He asked me to try and get you into the equipment room. It was kinda convenient Shaw led you to us before I could fetch you-"

Charles was silent for a moment then he pulled away from Erik and slapped his shoulder, grinning at the other.

"You really did plan to have sex with me back there!" Charles scolded him but he was still smiling. He covered the receiver so Sean wouldn't hear what he had said. Erik was still laughing as he held Charles. They had crossed the school, going to the back lot to get to the school theater. Luckily, no one was around. Everyone was still back at the fair. They were climbing the stairs to get to the top access to find Shaw.

"Sean where are you by the way?"

"Erik mentioned the rooftop of the theater to me earlier. In case I wasn't able to get you to Erik in the equipment room that was supposed to be plan B. I'm up at the rooftop right now. Shaw and his ugly cavalry don't even know about this place. It's awesome up here!"

Charles giggled at that. No wonder Erik was confident. He had immediately determined Sean would use the rooftop access to hide from Shaw and his goons. Charles hugged Erik and was still laughing.

"We'll be there in a few minutes, Sean and thank you!" Charles then ended the call, placing the phone back in his pocket and reaching for Erik's neck and kissing him again. They stopped at the stairway leading up to the rooftop to kiss each other softly. Erik had Charles sitting on his lap again as they kissed while Erik sat on one of the steps, holding Charles to himself. Erik suddenly reached for his covered up sex and squeezed at it playfully once more, making Charles giggle and try to pull back.

"You're so crazy, Erik-" Charles whispered into his ear, still hugging him affectionately.

They had a few minutes to talk as Erik told him what an awful tenant Mr Logan was because he was always nosing over what Erik was doing. He also ate like a pig but he made up for it by buying most of the groceries. He also seemed to have one eye open when he sleeps because Erik made several attempts to escape and Mr Logan always caught him.

"I can't have a moment alone to myself with that asshole always hanging over my shoulder. He sleeps in my room on a foldable bed, right next to the door and he must have some sort of sixth sense 'cause he seems to know when I plan on escaping-"

Charles chuckled at that but then his expression softened.

"How is your mom, Erik? I miss talking to her-"

"She's ok. I'm glad we cleared up whatever trouble we had before, it got us spending more time with each other-"

"I'm happy for you then," Charles reached for his hand, holding it. "What about your studies?"

"Hey, I told Alex to tell you I am studying. I'm doing my best-" Erik lifted one eyebrow, giving Charles a low laugh.

"He did tell me. If you are doing your best, that's good enough for me-"

Erik nodded at that, growing silent and then he turned to look at Charles, worry creasing his brow.

"The reason I came over...was not just because I missed you and wanted to make love to you, I...I wanted to know if I will still find you here. I had a bad dream that you left for college without letting me know and that I won't find you here again-"

"Erik, I'll wait for you, ok? Like what we talked about before on our date. I'll let you know which college I will be going to. We can meet up. I'll be free from this place and we can be more open about our relationship. Once I'm in college I'll be living by myself so we can have more freedom-"

Erik smiled gently and held his hand."Yeah, I'd like that. We'll finally be together-" He was leaning in close to kiss Charles again but there was a loud screeching noise at the rooftop door, interrupting their kiss, as metal ground against metal and Sean was peeking over the edge.

"Sorry to interrupt you guys but I really gotta pee like right now-"

Both Erik and Charles laughed off Sean's bad timing and they waited for him to get down.

"I wonder where Alex is. I've been trying to ring his phone but he's not picking up-"


They were heading back into the hallway where the lockers are, looking about and watching out for Shaw and his crew. Sean said he didn't see them again, even right up at the rooftop. They waited for him as he went into the boy's room to relieve himself and then they were going back out. Erik and Charles decided to leave school in Erik's car and Erik will drop Charles off at his home. They were going to the parking lot when they heard slamming noises in one of the cleaning closets close to the custodian's office. Erik opened the door and out came Alex. His head was covered over with a cloth, his hands tied behind him. They removed the cloth and saw who he was and that he was ok, he just had duct tape over his mouth. Charles removed the duct tape and restraints. Alex told them how he came to be in the closet.

"I used the washroom. I just got out and then a bag was thrown over my head and some assholes tied me up, don't know how many of them, I think four or five. They put duct tape over my mouth and shoved me in here. I couldn't get out. I had a strong feeling it was Shaw, even though I didn't see them. I was worried they might have hurt you or something-"

"Well as you can see, I am quite fine-" Charles said looking up at Erik and giving him a knowing look and the other was returning it, grinning broadly.

"Erik! You came to visit us!" Sean held out his hand and they bumped fists by way of greeting each other.

"I'm just glad they didn't hurt you, Alex-" Charles said, relieved. Sean clapped Alex's back, smiling up at him. Sean and Alex became close friends because of Charles. Charles had invited Alex over frequently to play online and pc games at Hank's house. Hank was still not sure he could accept Alex, knowing he was Erik's friend so he had kept his distance.

"Yeah, me too!" Sean piped in and they discussed what Erik and Charles were intending to do to keep Charles safe. Sean and Alex will meet up with Hank to inform him. Alex will act normal and not let on he was locked up earlier in a closet and watch out for Shaw. The plan was if they saw Shaw and his pals, Alex or Sean would text Charles of their whereabouts. So far, they never saw the goons and Charles got of the school safely and quietly.

Erik then drove Charles back to the Xavier Residence. He turned off the car and they sat in silence for some time. He had wanted to spend more time with Charles but they knew they had to part again. Charles finally turned to look over at him, smiling at him tenderly. Erik wanted to kiss his lips again, to hold him close. He was reaching out, ready to touch Charles's hair but he stopped himself.

"Charles, if I can find time to escape or even get past Mr Logan, I will meet up with you-"

"So I should always leave my window open, right?"

"Just in case-" Charles nodded at that.

"I've missed you so much, Erik. I know you shouldn't have skipped classes but I'm glad you did-" Charles was the one that reached out and gently caressed Erik's hair and then he gave him one soft kiss on the lips. He pulled back, sighing contentedly and then he smiled at Erik again.

"Come back to me, ok?" Charles whispered softly.

Erik wanted to cry because it felt as if he was torn inside, not being able to see Charles freely like he used to was more than he could bear. His heart was breaking at the thought of not seeing him again for some time. Erik nodded gruffly, unable to say anything more. His throat felt so tight and dry. Charles understood him, like no one else could that he did not wait for Erik to try and say anything. He didn't need to. Charles could clearly see the pain in his eyes; he could see how much the other loved him. He softly patted Erik's thigh and he slid out of the car and shut the passenger door behind him. He gave Erik one final tender gaze and he went into the side door and he was gone from Erik's sight.