Charles is wide awake at about 3:00 in the morning. He had a nightmare, which is unusual, practically unheard of. He's never had a nightmare when Erik is at the mansion. He usually feels more safe with the other man near. Erik is immediately at his side. "I'm all right. I just had a nightmare. Go back to bed."
"Having nightmares is not like you, Charles. The worst is over. Are you really sure you're okay?" Erik says gently. It's not unusual for him to feel as if Charles is protecting him. "You don't have to protect me anymore. You've done that for long enough. I'm all grown up and I can handle it now. I'm not delicate."
"Everything has changed so much and I'm not sure that my brain has caught up with the changes yet. It seems my mind still thinks we're still in danger and maybe we are and we just don't know. Everything is uncertain."
Erik shifts back to lean against the headboard. He puts his arms around Charles and pulls him against his chest. He feels Charles' hand on his chest. "Talk to me."
"Is it really all over, Erik? Are we really safe now? Is there ever true safety? Can mutants ever really be safe?"
"It will never truly be over, Charles, but we are much safer. Why do you ask?"
"I've been fighting for so long I can hardly believe I don't have to fight anymore. It seems surreal."
Erik starts to chuckle. "You never thought you'd be able to stop planning to save the world and now that you can you don't quite know what to do with yourself. It's not surprising, Charles. You need to learn to relax."
"Relaxing was never easy for me, Erik. I'll still run the school, but my days seem quite empty."
"Maybe you need some quiet and calm, Charles. You've been on the go for forty years. It's time for you to live for yourself for once."
"Stay with me." He needs Erik close to him right now. He hates feeling vulnerable and it's been an unusual feeling for him over the years.
"If that is what you want, Charles, of course I'll stay right here." Erik promises. He shifts down in the bed gently shifting Charles with him.
Charles puts his arm around Erik's waist once he gets comfortable. It feels so natural and right to have Erik's arms around him again. His breathing is even and calm and it calms Charles down immensely. He falls asleep with his head on Erik's chest. Erik notices how much smaller and less in control Charles looks when he is asleep. Erik chuckles when he hears Charles snore with his face against Erik's chest. He doesn't remember either of them snoring when they were young. Besides, Charles is far too cultured to snore. He knows he probably won't sleep much tonight laying next to hid old friend, but remarkably he doesn't mind. It's his turn to protect his friend, even if it is just from the nightmares that come calling. He knows the dark always made things much worse for him. The images always seemed to be worse in the dark.