Chapter Text
Charles was painting a mural over at the teacher's lounge. It was of a peaceful coral reef scene. Presently, he drew a variety of small fishes here and there, touching them up with a multitude of vibrant colors. However, the highlight of his masterpiece were the dolphins; blending in with the cool blue palette and the soft green hues of the artwork, the mural conveyed a feeling of serenity. Tomorrow, he'll be adding in the finishing touches to his gray-blue Cetaceans. For one thing, it was getting late. Charles knew he had to go. He put aside his art equipment in a squarish, black canvas bag that he used for his paints and brushes. Earlier, he had asked permission from the school custodian if he could work on his mural and he somehow forgot the time. He should have left an hour ago, but he felt so relaxed, working alone in a deserted school; the empty halls devoid of the clamor and rush of students made him feel at peace somehow.
At a young age, he displayed an exceptionally high mental aptitude, attaining the sole scholarship offered at Grimalkin High. Ever since then, the school gave him preferential treatment, allowing him to pursue his own interests and for this reason, he became one of the school's losers. He didn't mind the alienation because he had his own set of friends. He's also too focused on his personal goals to care about recognition from the other students or to even care about popularity. Then again, things could have been better at school if it weren't for the school bullies. Every morning, the bullies never missed a beat. They would taunt him and jibe him and execute every random act of cruelty they could think of. They didn't just single him out. They frequently harassed most of the students at school. Anyone on their radar of hatred gets bullied on. He was musing on this as he walked. He was almost near the gate of the school, wondering if he should look for Mr Rasputin first, but the custodian was probably doing his rounds and checking around the rooms. Charles didn't want to bother him so he decided to just leave by himself. A sudden, loud crash startled him and then something hard suddenly collided with him and he fell to the ground, a soft cry escaping his lips. The collision caused him to shut his eyes tight, his back smarting from the pain and when he looked up, a pair of angry eyes glowered down at him. Of all the people he had to run into, it had to be Erik Lehnsherr, one of his tormentors.
Before colliding into Charles, Erik was in the company of his gang, fresh off a prank they left for their school principal to find the next day. They were running down the dim corridor, gleeful over the act they had just perpetrated, their sibilant laughter echoing off the walls. Erik was running ahead of everyone when he ran smack into none other than Charles Xavier.
"Shit!" Erik cursed under his breath as he glared down at the other.
Xavier, one of the losers that they usually pick on. He was wearing one of his prissy white shirts and over it, a dark blue V-neck cardigan, his glasses hung askew over his face after getting knocked down by Erik. Charles had been carrying a square black bag and it got side-swiped into one of the side bushes. Erik always thought Xavier looked effeminate and rather too fair to be a boy. He found himself still looking at Charles again, taking in the sight of him.
"Erik, get the fuck up off that freak and let's go!" Sebastian Shaw hissed as he ran past them, not stopping for a moment, his own fear propelling him.
Victor Creed and Janos Quested were already scaling the stone wall that surrounded the school. Someone, a custodian perhaps was already heading towards them, the sight of a lit flashlight from a distance and the sound of jiggling keys announcing his arrival. Erik had to act quickly; he knew he wouldn't make it to the stone wall in time.
Sebastian was over the wall too, giving Erik one regretful look and then he left with the others. Erik could hear their retreating footfalls as they ran. He and his gang had entered the school that night with the intent of doing some mischief against their principal. They had poured chemicals stolen from the chemistry lab over the principal's precious bushes and plants that surrounded the area outside his office window. Unfortunately, it backfired on Erik because he got distracted. Erik grabbed at the collar of the boy lying prone beneath him and hauled him up.
"Listen, I want you to dummy up! Pretend we were just leaving school after doing some project or something-"Erik picked up the square bag and slammed it against Charles' chest, making him fumble for it.
"W-What?" Charles Xavier stammered as he looked up at Erik mistrustfully, pushing his glasses up his nose.
Erik shook him and slapped a hand at his cheek."Aren't you supposed to be the smart one? Dummy up! Got it?"
Then Erik released his collar and stood there, face nonchalant when the custodian found them and rushed over to them. Mr Peter Rasputin, a tall hulking man who looked tough enough to knock Erik's block if he wanted to, served as the school's custodian.
"You boys! What are you doing here so late at night? I heard something breaking-"
"I was doing the mural in the lounge area, Mr Rasputin. I asked permission from you, remember? Sorry I finished late-"Charles said in a quiet voice and then he gave Erik a quick look, pointing an accusing finger at him.
"I don't know what he was doing here though-"
Erik's face looked positively murderous. He flashed Charles his most lethal gaze and the other flinched from it. The custodian grabbed at Erik's shoulder, squeezing down hard.
"Son, what have you been up to?"
Erik's stony expression and silence meant he did something and he was not telling. Mr Rasputin tightened his grip on Erik's shoulder and then he asked Charles a question that made Erik stiffen in fear.
"Was he here with someone else, Charles?"
Charles looked over to the other boy, whose expression was already wrathful as he stared hard at Charles, giving him a warning look that Charles immediately understood. Erik did not want his friends to get into trouble since they were the top players in their school's baseball team. If Charles also told on them, he would surely get beaten up if they caught him, worse than what he had suffered from them before. Mr Rasputin wouldn't always be around to protect him. At one point, they will eventually get him, but perhaps his punishment would be less severe. Charles let out a trembling breath.
"No Mr Rasputin, he was alone. He bumped into me as I was leaving-"
Erik's glare softened. He gave Charles one imperceptible nod of gratefulness and then Mr Rasputin hauled Erik towards the direction he came from and sighed.
"You've been nothing but trouble ever since you arrived here, Mr Lehnsherr. You will never amount to anything at the rate you are going-"
Erik just sneered at him.
"Charles, I want you to follow us because I am going to file a report on this. I'm sure he did some damage here on the school grounds. I need you as a witness," Mr Rasputin said quietly.
"Alright, Mr Rasputin-"Charles said wanly, his shoulders sagging down.
He was afraid that this was going to happen. Once they are both outside of the school, Erik will beat him up. He stared at Erik's back, while Mr Rasputin dragged the other, forcing him to keep on walking. He was wearing the typical bad boy outfit: Ripped jeans, leather jacket and boots. He used to run track for school when he started out. He missed several competitions until eventually, he dropped out. Erik sensed Charles was looking at him so he snapped his head around, giving him a glare. Charles froze and turned his head away. He could not look directly into those angry eyes and not feel scared.
Mr Rasputin grimaced when he discovered Erik's handiwork, his nose wrinkling up in disgust. It was due to the acrid, chemical smell. Erik and his friends had taken turns and poured a toxic chemical on to the bushes and now the plants had shriveled up and died, blackened as if burned, with yellowish smoke still rising from the dead bushes. Not only that, they had destroyed the principal's window, the jagged pieces of glass forming an irregular circle because Erik had thrown the large bottle of sodium chloride right through it. Mr Rasputin's face hardened at the sight of this and then he grabbed at Erik's collar.
"You little punk! I should give you a beating for all the damage you had caused, but I will let the principal decide what to do with you! If you don't come to school tomorrow I will go to your house and drag you back here!"
Erik struggled against his grip, not saying anything, eyes narrowed into angry slits.
"Did you understand what I just said to you, Mr Lehnsherr?"
"Yeah, I heard!"
Erik broke from his grip and glared up at the older man, unafraid and defiant. It took every ounce of Mr Rasputin's self-control not to punch Erik's face in. He turned to look at Charles.
"Tomorrow, you will come by the principal's office too, Charles-"
"Mr Rasputin, I don't think its necessary-"
"It is! I need you to report this incident to the principal. This here is a crime! Defacing our school property should send this bad-ass out of our school!"
"Mr Rasputin I-"Charles began in an anxious voice.
"I've had my say Charles. You'll both meet up with the principal,"
Charles could not even turn to look at Erik; he wished a hole would suddenly pop up and swallow him. They went to the custodian's office afterwards and Mr Rasputin prodded the truth out of Erik to write on his report. Then, they were both allowed to leave after Mr Rasputin put away his report. It was just Erik and Charles alone now. Mr Rasputin knew Erik wouldn't beat up Charles, especially since they'll both meet the principal tomorrow. Otherwise, Mr Rasputin wouldn't have allowed them to leave together. Mr Rasputin liked Charles and considered him one of the good ones. Erik did not say anything to Charles when they stepped out of the gates of the school, but Charles noticed Erik was still walking close to him and he prepared himself for an attack. Erik suddenly did grab him and slammed him up against a wall.
"Piece of shit! You can't even do as you're told!"Erik spat into Charles' face.
"I'm sorry," Charles squeaked out. He cowered down when he thought Erik would strike him, but Erik didn't. He drew back and just stood there, looking down at the other.
"Why didn't you cover up for me?"Erik demanded.
"He saw the both of us already and...you did something bad at school. He was sure to know that you did it. I...I can't very well tell him I did it. I don't want to get a record. I'm on a scholarship here-"
Erik sneered down at him. "You had the balls to defy me because of your nerdy aspirations, eh?"
Charles hugged his black square bag to his chest and managed to stand up straight, looking away from Erik.
"It's all I have so that...so that I could get out of this place," Charles said softly.
Erik just continued to stare at him. He was different from the other bullies at school. He never randomly beat anyone up, but he did pull some pranks on the teachers and students alike. He seemed to hold most of his hatred for the principal.
"You want to run away too, Xavier?"
Charles nodded quietly. He didn't want to say anything more. He silently waited until Erik dismissed him. He trembled slightly, afraid that Erik would hurt him once he turned his back. Erik still looked angry. He started to move backwards, away from Charles. He turned around, but then he stopped and threw Charles a penetrating glance from over his shoulder.
"You just met with some bad luck, kid. I'm letting this slide, but I don't think Shaw would. Once he finds out you tattled on me, he will try to beat the shit out of you. I'm not going to say anything; he already did see you-"
"Oh God," Charles cried out, pressing a hand to his mouth. Shaw was the meanest bully in school, who only got away with things he had done because he was the school's ace baseball player and his friends covered up for him. Erik saw the realization coming upon Charles and nodded.
"You better avoid them then, as best as you can and watch your back. After school tomorrow, go out the side gate, not the back gate. They won't try to look for you there," Then Erik stalked off. He didn't wait to hear Charles' response.
Why is he suddenly nice to me? Charles thought as he stared after the other. Erik turned around the bend and was finally gone from Charles' line of sight. Erik had a bad reputation at school, he did throw some mean words at the other students from time to time and was sarcastic and actively insolent towards everyone, but Charles never saw this side of him. He should have beaten Charles to a pulp if he wanted to for telling on him, but he didn't. Erik even warned him to be careful. It's not like he was not mean to Charles before. He always had some snide comment about how 'gay' Charles was and he always picked on him. Charles didn't mull over that any further. He began to walk the opposite way to get back home.
Sure enough, Shaw eventually did catch up with him, just when he least expected it. He was off his guard that day. He just came out of the local diner with his friends, Sean Cassidy and Hank McCoy. They were laughing over something, having fun and then Charles felt something hit his face. It felt like a ton of bricks and then he fell to the pavement, squirming. Despite the pain, he reached up to touch his bruised cheek and then he looked up at Sebastian Shaw's hellacious face.
"Caught up with ya, motherfucker!"Shaw screamed at him and hailed more blows his way.
Sean and Hank tried to say something, attempting to stop Shaw, but Victor and Janos chased them off. Erik was impassively sitting on a busted fire hydrant nearby, smoking a cigarette. He was looking on at the beating, his face expressionless. Charles had grown used to getting beat up like this. Losers like him always take their lumps and then walk away, only after the catastrophe. Still, it hurt a lot. He gave Erik one glance, wondering if the other will do something this time, but Erik simply acted like an uncaring bystander, letting the beating go on.
"You got Erik in a jam, fuckface! You think you can just get away with that?"
Charles did not dare to make any retort. Hell, he could barely even speak. His mouth felt numb. He could taste the blood running down the back of his throat. Growing tired of punching him, Shaw resorted to kicking and stomping. Shaw had repeatedly kicked him in the stomach, making him grunt and moan at the pain of Shaw's assault. He kept his eyes narrowed as Shaw threw in more punches. Charles prayed that Shaw would tire out so that it would be over soon.
"Enough," Erik suddenly said, smoke billowing from his mouth and then he crushed the cigarette beneath his boot. Shaw flung a sour glance over at him, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Why?"
"'Cause if you keep beating him up and get him landed in a hospital, people will think I did it. You know what I mean, don't you, Shaw?" Erik said in that deep, throaty voice of his that sounded soothing for some reason. He walked over to where Shaw stood over at Charles and placed a hand on to his shoulder.
"You've got him for me. We are done here. Let's leave this piece of shit to pick his teeth up off the cement-"
Both Erik and Shaw equally shared a position as the leaders of their gang. With subtlety, Erik goaded Shaw into stopping and in the same way, he was drawing Shaw's attention away from Charles. Shaw relented and allowed Erik to lead him away. Charles blacked out for a while, but he kept his eyes closed even after he regained consciousness. He wondered if people saw what happened to him and if any police would show up. Probably not.
"I told you to watch your own back, didn't I?" Erik's voice. So, he returned.
Charles coughed weakly and wincing, he sat back up to stare at Erik, his left eye almost closed over and swollen. He was bleeding and bruised, sweat darkening his hair; his glasses were lying broken on the pavement next to him. Erik stood before him, calmly looking down; his face was devoid of any emotion. Charles managed to chuckle weakly, despite the horrendous pain he was feeling all over. His skull felt like it ballooned to twice the normal size, his blood still thudding between his ears.
"I get it. My fault. Just picking up my teeth now-"
Charles reached for his broken glasses instead. Thankfully, no broken teeth this time. He vaguely wondered if his glasses were still salvageable. This was probably the sixth or seventh pair the bullies had broken this year. He felt strangely relieved that Erik came back to check on him.
"Do you...need me to take you to a clinic? I have my car nearby-"
Charles found it odd that Erik was offering his assistance now; he narrowed his one good eye at Erik.
"Am I riding shotgun with you or am I going to sit in the back next to Shaw? 'Cause you know, riding next to the guy who has beaten the crap out of me wasn't on my to-do-list," Charles delivered this witticism first before he spat out some blood. He wiped at his mouth with the back of his arm. Moving around made him wince at the pain he felt.
Erik let out a huff of breath."Aren't you a riot? Trying to be funny-"He sounded amused.
"Yeah, I'm having a ball here-"Charles giggled weakly, lying back on the pavement, groaning. He still felt nauseated, the world seeming to spin.
"Suit yourself then," Erik said. He began to walk away.
He had assessed Charles' condition and determined the other would survive his wounds. Surely, the beating would still be evident, but Erik had a feeling Charles wouldn't rat on him. Not this time. As he walked away, Erik frowned to himself. Why was he suddenly getting concerned over Charles? It wasn't like him to behave like that. He left Shaw in Janos and Victor's hands, with the convenient excuse that he brought his car and parked it the other way. Even back then, after that incident at school that started this mess, he felt as if something stopped him from hitting Charles. Did this change in him happen after he and Charles collided and he was lying on top of the other? Was it because of the way Charles' blue eyes looked up at him at that moment, strangely tender and surprised? Consequently, Charles seemed to...fascinate him now. They've been going to school together for three years already and yet they are worlds apart. Charles belonged to the losers group while Erik belonged with the bullies. This was just too damn strange for him and now fate allowed their paths to cross once more.
Several weeks ago, both he and Charles went to the principal's office, this was the day after Erik and his gang destroyed the principal's windows and plants. Erik glowered at everything about him as he sat before their principal, Mr Scott Summers. Charles sat awkwardly on a chair next to him, wearing an out-of-fashion denim jacket over a dark purple cardigan vest and dark blue jeans; his longish, slightly curling hair falling over his forehead. He had just finished recounting the incident to Principal Summers. Erik threw a look his way, sneering at how nerdy he looked as always. Charles blinked at him and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, uncomfortable to be near him. The principal cleared his throat, making them turn to him in attention. At the back of his chair, the windows were now covered by Venetian blinds to hide the damage outside and beneath the blinds, the windows boarded over until repairs could commence.
"I have read the report from Mr Rasputin regarding last night's incident, with the recommendation that I expel you from school, Mr Lehnsherr-"
Erik's face remained blank as he looked straight at Principal Summers. The principal paused, attempting to gauge Erik's reaction and then he continued.
"Nevertheless, I have other plans for you. Since you seem to bear a deep grudge against our school's property, you will spend one hour for one month cleaning the classrooms and helping Mr Rasputin. Aside from that, you will be joining the book club to give you some form of diversion other than to waste your time plotting acts of maliciousness-"
Charles visibly withered. He belonged to the book club, which means he would be seeing more of Erik Lehnsherr. He turned to look at the other, whose expression was outright furious and defiant.
"What if I refuse?"Erik said in a tight, venomous voice.
Principal Summers raised an eyebrow his way and smiled faintly."Well, it is either that or I hand you over to the Brotherhood Reform School. Not a good place to be, so I heard. The extent of the trouble you have caused this school has been grave, Mr Lehnsherr. I cannot tell you how much I have remained lenient towards you-"
"So, I should be thankful for your leniency or I go to Juvie, right?" Eric said sarcastically.
"It is up to you, Mr Lehnsherr. What will it be?"
Erik lifted his chin and then crossed his arms at the back of his head, smiling insolently.
"I will miss all the fun if I leave so I might as well stay-"Erik said with a cruel smirk.
"Now, Mr Lehnsherr. I want no more trouble from you. Do you understand? My tolerance has its limits. As such, I have given you every means to change your ways and walk the straight path. You should follow Mr Xavier's exemplary behavior. He has a bright future ahead of him-"
"Yeah, like I need to walk around school with the word gay stamped across my forehead, why not?"
"Mr Lehnsherr!" Principal Summers said in a harsh, forbidding tone of voice.
Erik still kept on smiling wickedly. Charles remained quietly seated next to him, slightly blushing. He felt so embarrassed because Erik called him gay before their principal. Erik was looking over at him from the corner of his eye. Charles looked like he was about to cry. Erik sighed and brought his hands down from the back of his head. Surprisingly, he mumbled the words 'Sorry' to Charles. It made the other look up at him in amazement. Erik never apologized to anyone, ever. Even the principal appeared astonished. Charles might actually be starting to have a positive effect on Erik Lehnsherr. Erik crossed his arms before himself and made a face.
"Are we done here?"
"Yes, you may both go back to class,"Principal Summers said as he stared at them with an odd expression on his face. Both boys left the office and walked side by side. They belonged to the same junior class. However, Erik's friends were already seniors so they attended a different class.
"You...You apologized to me back there-"Charles whispered, following Erik and looking up at him in wonder. Erik gave him a sideways glance, but continued to walk ahead, shrugging nonchalantly. He didn't explain himself; besides that, he did not feel the need to do so. Charles wanted to ask why, but Erik did not look like he was in a conversational mood. Deep inside, Erik was mentally kicking himself for apologizing. It just came out of his mouth like he had no control over it. Why was he getting soft over this freak? He couldn't understand it. He ignored Charles all the way to their classroom. After classes, Erik met up with his friends. He explained what had happened, omitting the part that he will also be attending a book club after his classroom cleaning chores—obviously they will rag him to no end if they knew—and that Charles had been the one who reported on him, but Shaw immediately understood it was because of Charles' tattling that Erik got caught.
"We'll get him for ya, Erik!"Shaw promised, his voice seething with anger.
Erik shrugged."Better me than any of you guys. It would be a raw deal if you got caught; batting season's up. The team needs you. By the way, forget about that little homo. It wasn't his fault-"
"He ratted out on you, I'm sure of it!" Shaw cried out angrily.
Erik was going to say something else, but a hand fell on his shoulder. He looked around and saw that it was Mr Rasputin. He did not look too happy himself. He had probably received his orders from Principal Summers about Erik helping him clean the rooms. Erik sneered up at Mr Rasputin.
"Yeah, I'm going. Don't bother telling me what to do,"
Mr Rasputin just frowned at him, leading him towards one of the classrooms so that they could begin their work. Erik followed the custodian's orders and helped out because he and Principal Summers did have an agreement and he didn't want to go to that delinquent school. He knew he would have no more freedom once he gets sent to that place. Furthermore, he didn't want to part from his friends. It was a small price he had to pay. After cleaning half the classrooms with Mr Rasputin, Erik began to pick up his jacket and was about to leave, but Mr Rasputin handed him a piece of paper. Erik read the written instruction. Shit. He had to attend book club next as part of the agreement with that asshat of a principal.
Erik was to hand this paper over to Miss Jean Grey, the teacher who supervised the book club. He cursed some more under his breath. He went stalking over to the classroom where the club was holding its current activities. Oh, and look at this! Charles Xavier, the little homo faggot was in the same club. Ain't this quaint? Erik didn't want to get angry with him, yet he thought it was partly Charles' fault he got caught and now he was getting punished for it. He rarely took things quietly and it would have made him feel a lot better if he could beat that little freak up, but something was stopping him somehow. Charles did not seem too happy to see him either.
"Well hello, Mr Lehnsherr! It is good to see a new member in our club. Principal Summers told me about you,"Miss Grey greeted him warmly.
Erik rudely handed the paper over to her. He heavily sat on a nearby chair, sitting as far away as possible from Charles. Miss Grey did not seem offended by his silent impertinence. Erik's own expression had become stormy, his eyes darkly regarding everyone. Surrounded by nerds and freaks like this made Erik feel discomfited, like they might infect him with their freakishness. He was in a setup that was altogether alien to him. Ten nerd freaks were in the room with him, all in all. He did not even know the names of some of them. He huffed out a breath, letting the whole room know how bored he was already getting while Miss Grey discussed the new book she wanted the group to read. The book was about Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
"Is everything alright, Mr Lehnsherr?"Miss Grey asked. The roomful of freaks were now looking at him.
"Just peachy!"Erik muttered under his breath and looked away from her.
Miss Grey regarded him a moment more, and then she continued.
"Alright everyone, please huddle up with your partners to review Frankenstein. Like we have discussed before, you could get creative with your essays. You may include a prop, a video presentation...with attention to how you approach it. Mr Lehnsherr, since you are new and Charles' own partner left the club, you will be his new partner,"
"What!"Charles exclaimed, nearly falling off his seat.
Erik rolled his eyes over at Charles."Whatever,"He murmured and looked away from him again.
Charles sighed and got up from his seat, walking over to Miss Grey. She was his favorite teacher in the world and he wanted nothing more than to be just like her, teaching in school or perhaps a university, but what she said made him want to leave the club right then and there.
"Uh, Miss Grey. I don't think Erik likes me-"
Ms Grey smiled at him kindly."The principal specifically requested that you be his partner because it might help Mr Lehnsherr in his own academic pursuit, Charles. I'm sure you can turn him around and make him a better student,"
Charles visibly withered, but he had no choice. He went over to Erik, who already closed his eyes, pretending to doze off. Charles cleared his throat and the other opened his one eye to look over at him.
"Let's go,"Charles said in a small voice.
"Go? Go where?"Erik said, his eyes steely and his voice sounded menacing already, like he was about to snap out at Charles. He was still annoyed that Charles was the reason he got caught in the first place. He grew even more annoyed upon seeing Charles' face because he made excuses to himself not to get mad at Charles, without even understanding why. He should be blaming the other for his misfortune.
"Um, to discuss the book. I used to go to the library with my previous partner, but she moved to a different school-"
"Do I look like I care?"Erik said, smiling at him malignantly, daring him to say something more.
Charles looked over at Miss Grey, who watched their exchange from where she sat at her desk. She wanted to see how Charles would handle the situation. The other students were already privy to their exchange and they were looking over at Erik and Charles uncomfortably. Charles himself felt awkward in his attempts to talk to Erik. Erik was just too mercurial. One minute he was nice to him, the next he was his mean old self again.
"Please,"Charles said softly as he dared to meet Erik's eyes.
Again, Charles noticed that Erik was rather attractive. If he was not so antagonistic most of the time and harassing half the school with his sarcasm and his pranks, he would have been one of the school's heartthrobs. Erik's light brown hair fell over his wide forehead in a soft wave. He has a small round scar on his upper lip, yet it did not make him any less handsome. His eyes are deep and penetrating, looking bluish or green depending on how the light fell on his face and his eyelashes are long, thick and curly for a boy. His nose was straight and perfectly shaped, matching well with his square jaw and his thin lips. He was wearing his black leather jacket as always over a black shirt, along with his ripped jeans and boots. Erik was looking him over strangely, then he eyed Miss Grey. His attention shifted back to Charles' face. He couldn't get over how tender the other was looking at him, even though he knew Charles must hate him for his meanness.
"Fine,"Erik said under his breath and stood up too quickly, causing him to be in close quarters with Charles and almost colliding with him, making the other back away. Charles' expression looked uneasy. Erik went to the door and held his hands out in an impatient gesture.
"Well? Are we going or not?"Charles hurriedly gathered his belongings and gave Miss Grey a final nod and left with Erik.
They were in the library, sitting before one of the tables close by the window, staring awkwardly at each other. Charles did not even know how to discuss the book with Erik. Erik had his hand propped up on his chin, staring at Charles steadily. He did not look bored, but he was looking at Charles in a way which made the other uneasy.
"W-What is it?"Charles asked softly as Erik just sat there staring at him.
Erik smiled at him, a trifle too creepily because the smile was wide and rather full of teeth.
"I ain't doing this crap and you know it too, Charles. Since you're the one with the brains, you do this for us,"
Charles nodded stiffly."I know that. I don't mind doing it all. As long as no trouble starts between you and me,"
"Good! Then I'm leaving-"
"Wait! Miss Grey will look in on us! If you go-"
"This is bullshit!"Erik said loudly and sat back on the chair violently, making Charles jump in his own seat and look up at him quickly, his expression nervous.
"Shhh,"A hissed warning from the Librarian, sitting at the main desk close by.
"Erik, please. I don't want any trouble-"
Erik fumed quietly, still glaring at Charles. They were like that for a while and then Charles suddenly asked Erik the question he'd had wanted to ask him for some time now.
"Are you still mad at me? Over the window thing with the principal? I didn't mean to get you caught-"
The other sighed, making a face."What does it matter? Everything got shot to shit in the first place. I'm not angry at you. Well...maybe a little-"
Charles nodded."I'm really sorry,"
"Geez, drop that already! It's depressing the hell out of me, ok?"Erik suddenly cried out, eliciting another angry hiss from the librarian.
Charles looked over worriedly towards the librarian's desk then he unconsciously stood up, leaned over the table and placed a hand over Erik's lips to keep him quiet. Erik went still, surprised by the sudden touch from Charles. Charles' fingers were soft and warm against Erik's skin then the other pulled his hand away.
"Erik,"Charles warned in a soft voice.
Erik didn't know why, but his cheeks felt hotter than normal, just at that fleeting touch. He wondered if Charles could feel the heat rising from him. Charles did not seem to notice the effect he had caused in Erik. He only seemed worried about getting kicked out of the library since this was one of his favorite places in the school. Erik began to blink repeatedly, as if to clear his sight.
"Ok, let's pretend we are doing something, whatever!"Erik said gruffly, trying to sound disinterested.
Charles' expression softened and he smiled at Erik this time. He opened the book and took out his notepad to write down their ideas for the essay. Charles read some lines for Erik and the other commented on how depressing and sad the book was.
"Well, it's the basis of many great plots. Because of the trying circumstances in a character's life, a reader could draw their own ideation on it and learn from the character's situation. The sense of tragedy-"
Erik interrupted him."Like Othello? Fuck, that book was way too depressing and boring-"
"You've read Othello before?"Charles asked, finding Erik's book choices incredulous.
"Yeah, I guess-"Erik said, drawing doodles upon Charles' notepad.
Charles took his glasses off and stared at him, dumbfounded. So Erik does read books after all. He didn't seem like the type who cared. Mostly his gang had other students doing their homework for them forcibly. Erik suddenly looked up at Charles' face again and he couldn't help but admire the bright blue eyes that regarded him. Charles' well-formed eyebrows arched over his eyes expressively, lending his eyes a tender gaze or a come-hither look, without him realizing it. His nose was slightly hooked, with a spray of light freckles over the bridge of it and his lips; his lips were naturally red, as if he wore lipstick and it stood out even more against the paleness of his skin.
Erik blushed slightly at the thought he was suddenly having. Why was he admiring another boy? Maybe spending too much time with Charles was making him gay. He dated girls in and out of school and even slept with a few of them, but he was not as oddly drawn to each detail of those girls unlike what he was doing with Charles. It wasn't normal. He suddenly had this urge to leave Charles yet despite the conflict within him, he wanted to talk to Charles even more, to keep on looking at him.
"Wow, you can draw too!"Charles exclaimed as he pulled his notepad back to look at what Erik was doing. Erik drew an eye. Surprisingly, it seemed to look like Charles' eye. Erik drew the eye with such detail that Charles thought Erik could match his skill once given the proper training.
"Don't go and be all gay about it, Jesus,"Erik said roughly as he leaned back in his seat.
Chastened due to Erik's remarks over his enthusiasm, Charles put his glasses back on, speaking in a more subdued voice.
"Erik really, this is good. You should join the art class-"
"How can I make you understand, Charles? I don't go for that shit-"
Charles let out a sigh, but he still kept on smiling. He had a feeling that Erik was warming up to him. He looked relaxed even though he still spoke rudely and he was not glaring down at Charles anymore, which was nice.
"Ok, let's get back to Frankenstein's monster then, shall we?"Charles said brightly, causing Erik to chuckle in amusement.
"I don't get you Charles! Why are you defending that asshole? He's the reason you got beat up like this!"Hank cried out angrily after Charles shot down their offer to report this to the principal. Sean and Hank came back for Charles after Shaw had finished rearranging his face and they took him to a clinic to get treated for his bruises and his wounds. A nurse injected some pain reliever into a vein in his arm and he was blissfully numb for a few hours after.
"He stopped Shaw from beating me up worse-"Charles amended as the nurse continued to work on his bruises, dabbing an antiseptic on his broken skin. His left eye was already puffed up and closed off.
"How? If he really cared about your well-being he shouldn't have let this happen in the first place,"
"You should report this to the authorities, hon-"The nurse added in, agreeing with Charles' friends that whoever did this to Charles should get arrested.
Charles winced, not knowing how to explain the situation to them. Erik of course, belonged to the bullies group at school. If he acted out of character and showed his friends that he did not want to hurt Charles, that would draw some unwanted questions out of Erik and he might even get ousted from his group. Charles immediately understood this. He had this strange feeling that Erik wanted them to become friends. If not, why did he behave like everything was okay between them when it was just the two of them? He could not inform Hank or Sean about that. Ever since he and Erik became partners in the book club, Erik treated him fine, but when he is around his gang, he ignored Charles and did not let on that they were on friendly terms. It's as if Erik just wanted them to be...secret friends. It was a childish notion and it sounded so naive, but it was the only plausible explanation he could think of on why Erik was nice to him.
Hank and Sean took him back to his house and he was glad his mother was not around to see him beaten to a pulp. Unfortunately, Raven, his younger sister was there to see the sight of him. She's the opposite of Charles. She's a sophomore cheerleader and a popular beauty at school unlike her older, geeky brother and why wouldn't she be stunning? She was tall for her age, with long and flowing golden blond hair, dark blue almond-shaped eyes and a natural tan. Her beauty and her figure drew admirers to her in droves.
"Oh my God! Charles! What happened to you?"Raven cried out in horror when she saw him.
"Shaw happened to him,"Sean said tightly.
"We should report this to the principal-"Raven began, but Charles stopped her.
"No one is reporting anything. It's my own problem so you all butt out of it!"He managed to say and then he sat back, regarding everyone angrily with his one good eye. He sighed. He had a feeling Erik would not want him sharing information that they've become friends so he made up a reason that was more feasible.
"Look, they have it in for everyone anyway, Shaw and his merry crew. I'm their favorite punching bag for now. If I keep quiet, they will probably get tired of picking on me. Since I told on Erik about breaking the principal's windows and destroying the school plants, Erik is probably keeping them off my case so that he won't get into too much trouble."
Hank nodded at that. It made sense because it was the only possible explanation why Erik would send his friends off. However, he pointed something out to Charles.
"The people at school will still see you got roughed up-"
"No they won't. I'm not going to school for a while. I'll pretend I'm sick-"
"Charles, this just doesn't feel right-"Sean moaned.
"I know, but what can I do against them, right? If I try to fight I will just get beat up some more-"
Hank sighed in distaste. “It’s just so unfair."
"It's just the way things are. Every school has its share of bullies. People like us either get through it or we give up-"
Raven stood there listening to Charles' helpless words and feeling terrible she couldn't do anything for Charles. Charles gestured to her.
"Help me up to my room, Raven and guys, thanks for helping out-"Charles nodded to them gratefully and the Raven draped his arm around her shoulder and led him up the stairs. He was still feeling some pain upon his torso where he got kicked the most so he winced and hobbled upon the steps, eventually making it to his bedroom as Raven guided him.
Erik was glad that Charles was out of commission for a while. However, he suddenly began to miss Charles' familiar face. He missed their conversations in the library and he missed seeing those blue eyes looking at him tenderly. He wondered if Charles was feeling okay. He felt restless and frustrated with himself for feeling the way he did about Charles. Why should he be missing him, anyway? What was he to him? He was just some loser who happened to have found a tender spot in Erik. Erik loathed himself because of it. Why does that guy make him feel this way? He was at home, staring at his cell phone. He wondered if he should call or send Charles a message to determine if he was doing fine.
"Shit. Hell no!" Erik muttered as he flung his phone on to his pillow and sat back, gritting his teeth.
This was just too gay. He wanted it to stop before it got any worse. He decided that when Charles got back to school, he would treat him as he always did before, like the freak that he was and not care about Charles' feelings. He had to draw the line. Damn. Damn his eyes. Erik couldn't care less. He went to his computer and began playing an online game just to get these idiotic thoughts out of his head. His cell phone suddenly made a beeping noise. Someone sent him a message, probably one of his friends asking him to meet up for brewskies. When he picked up his phone and read the message on it, his expression soured. It was Charles.
[Thank you for what you did back there.]
"Christ!" Erik huffed out, nearly throwing his phone down, hard.
Charles was making him so mad and so frustrated. He didn't want to think about him and now the idiot was sending him messages. He deleted the message. He didn't bother to reply. Why the hell did he give Charles his cell phone number? He went back to his online game, tapping at the keys so violently that they almost popped out.
When Charles got back to school a week later, he still had some healing bruises. Principal Summers gave him one quick look and deduced what had happened, but he did not do anything. He was thinking Erik Lehnsherr had something to do with it. He waited until Charles decided to come forward to report it. Charles had a small bandage under one eye and a yellowing bruise that was healing upon his cheek. He and Erik passed by each other with barely a glance in between classes through the hallway and the locker area. Charles didn't mind. He wanted to talk to Erik after school, during their book club session. He bided his time.
He was in the cafeteria with Sean and Hank, carrying his food tray when the unexpected happened. He was passing by Erik and his crew's table when Erik put his foot out and deliberately tripped him, making him spill the contents of his tray on to the floor and messing up the front of his shirt. Charles stood there in shock, his face reddening with humiliation. He could feel the blood pounding at his temples. Loud, braying laughter from Erik's friends. Charles lifted his head slowly and met Erik's eyes. He could not understand the hatred and coldness emanating from the other.
"Go ahead, you homo. Go eat that shit off," Erik said sarcastically, smiling balefully at him.
More troll-like laughter from Erik's circle of merry assholes. Charles felt tears start from his eyes as he stood there, shaking. Why? Why did Erik do that? Erik never did that to him before. Erik mostly just said snide things, but nothing as bad as this. Charles had no control over the emotions that suddenly overtook him. He went over to Erik as he sat there smugly and slapped him in the face. Everyone in the cafeteria looked on in shocked silence; yet the one who was the most shocked was Erik. He sat there looking stunned, his mouth slightly open as he met those blue eyes that sparkled with tears. The pain in those eyes; Charles' expression looked angry and hurt, his chin trembling. Erik stood up quickly and grabbed Charles' collar roughly, gritting his teeth. He wanted Charles to stop looking at him that way; it seemed to tug at his heart for some reason.
"You are dead, Xavier!"Erik cried out angrily and almost launched his fist towards Charles' cheek, but a hand snapped up and gripped his wrist tightly. Erik looked up at the wrathful face of their Phys Ed teacher, Mr Logan.
"You lay a hand on that boy, Lehnsherr and you'll be picking your jaw off the floor,"
Erik violently freed his wrist from Mr Logan's clutches, smiling at him insolently.
"Since when do teachers get to hurt their students? Man, I could call in social services for abuse-"
Mr Logan looked unperturbed. He actually returned the same sarcastic smile Erik gave him.
"You go ahead, Lehnsherr. Try me. I'll have everyone here vouching you were bullying that boy and I only lifted my little ol' pinkie just to suppress you. You think you're so smart, let's see you smart off the principal's office and have a nice long detention for you, asshole!"
Mr Logan roughly grabbed at Erik's collar and hauled him off unceremoniously towards the principal's office. Sean and Hank went over to help Charles. Charles barely had any appetite to eat his lunch, morosely looking over at Erik's friends who gave him murderous looks. Things had definitely gotten worse. They would probably lie in wait for him after school. All day long in class, Erik kept giving him a deadly stare that would have melted metal. Erik was visibly seething after his humiliation in the cafeteria. Charles thought that Erik wouldn't show up for book club after he finished cleaning the rooms with Mr Rasputin.
He could never have been so wrong. Erik sat right next to him and gave him that frightening smile he reserved for people who crossed him. After Miss Grey briefed them on a new book she assigned for them to read, Charles stood up quietly, thinking not to ask Erik to join him in the library, but Erik actually followed him and they sat in their usual spot. Erik just glared at him. This was the old Erik, the bully who terrorized everyone else. Charles wondered if Erik will hurt him in the library. Charles did not bother to talk, he began to read the book assigned to them by himself. Erik suddenly slapped a hand noisily upon the table, making Charles jump in his seat. Erik gave him another of his cold, shark-like smiles.
"You fucking homo. I'm going to bash your brains in!"
Charles bit his lower lip and looked on at Erik worriedly.
"Why are you doing this? I thought we were friends-"
Erik snorted and nearly guffawed laughter at that."Being a funny man, aren't ya? Whoever gave you the idea that we are friends? I just played you and you fucking can't see it-"
Charles visibly trembled again, the anger rising within him. He was such a fool. He thought that he and Erik would eventually become friends. Of course Erik was just toying with him all along! He cursed himself for getting carried away. He was not going to sit back and take his lumps any longer.
"I'll tell the principal everything, Erik. I don't care what you do to me after. Maybe you can send us all a letter from reform school-"
Erik's face fell. He moved, quick as a snake and grabbed at Charles' throat, his face mere inches from Charles' own. Erik could smell Charles' breath, he smelled of peaches. Erik ignored the distraction and focused his wrath upon Charles.
"You are done for, Xavier! I'm coming to get you, just you wait!" Erik released him and stomped off, throwing one lethal stare in Charles' direction and then he was out of Charles' sight.
Erik had skipped detention by escaping out of the school grounds. He told his friends he won't be meeting them later because he was going to clobber a tattling little homo. Shaw and the rest offered to help, but Erik said he wanted to get the little piece of shit all by himself. He was glad he brought his car that day because he will be driving him a gay ass off to the bay and beat Charles senseless. That had been Erik's plan. He waited in his car, which he parked some distance away from school. Charles was sure to get out the back gate. Erik knew Charles was still finishing that prissy little mural at the teacher's lounge. There. Charles looked about furtively, watching out for any attack, but he didn't see Erik in his car. Charles was wearing this dark blue cardigan over a pale blue shirt; the small bandage gone from his face. He must have changed clothes from earlier because that wasn't what he was wearing when Erik spoke to him in the library.
Erik smiled to himself smugly. He made sure Charles was some distance away from him; he drove on the opposite side of the street slowly, keeping Charles in his line of sight. Then, he made his move.
Charles cried out when he heard a screech of wheels at his back. He thought he was going to get hit by a car. It was Erik. He quickly brought the car to a halt right next to the curb where Charles stood. Erik brought the side window down and glared up at Charles.
"Get in,"He barked out angrily.
Charles did not make a move to comply. He held Erik's gaze, his expression defiant.
"Why don't you just beat me up over here and get it over with?"He said dryly.
Erik drew close to the car door from across his seat and popped the door open.
"If you don't get in, I am going to parade you naked before the entire school tomorrow and I won't give a damn if they send me to juvie after. 'Cause I'd feel totally good that I got one over you,"Erik said ominously.
Charles cursed under his breath and finally relented. He knew Erik meant it, too. He got into the car and he had barely shut the door close when Erik immediately sped off again, making the wheels screech. Erik drove on quietly, not even looking over at Charles as the other sat there, awkwardly clutching his bag to his chest.
"Where are you taking me?" Charles asked, giving Erik a worried glance.
Erik remained silent. He gave Charles one menacing glare and drove on. It made Charles' heart drop down to his stomach and he swallowed dryly. They were on the main road for almost twenty minutes. Erik was driving them towards the direction of the bay. Charles was becoming frightened now. What was Erik going to do to him that it required him to drive Charles far away from the city proper? Erik took another turn, driving the car into the inland beach, where there won't be anymore people because of the high tide. Erik parked his car on the grassy lot and he opened the passenger side door on Charles' side, gesturing for him to get out.
Charles moved sluggishly, he felt trapped and frightened. He should have gone home early or had a teacher escort him. This would not have happened if he had his friends with him. He was thinking all these thoughts now, but it was too late. Earlier, he had been secure in the thought that Erik would not get him that day because he would be in detention and that Erik's friends would be waiting at the side gate this time. Erik quickly grabbed his arm and walked him over to the beach and then he pushed Charles away from himself. Waves were crashing in the distant body of water and the day seemed slightly overcast. Erik took off his jacket and flung it down on to the sand. He lifted both hands up in a come-at-me gesture.
"You like acting tough, right? I'm going to give you a chance to hit me, you piece of shit! It's just you and me now. Let's see how tough you really are-"
Charles did not make a move. He was looking at Erik in that odd, tender way again. Erik bristled at it. He hated that Charles was doing this to him. He wanted to wipe that look off Charles' face. He balled his fists up angrily.
"Come on, hit me! What are you waiting for?" Erik shouted at him, his face a mask of rage.
"No," Charles said quietly. He clutched his hands around his belly.
Owing to Charles' passive nature, Erik's actions made him feel sick to his stomach instead. He felt like vomiting. Erik unleashed an animal scream and rushed at him. Charles could not even cry out, his throat felt so tight. Erik flung him down into the sand and lifted his fist up, intending to land a punch upon his face, but Charles did not even make a move to block him off. He remained lying there on the sand, waiting for the inevitable. Since he had gotten used to getting frequently beat up, he didn't bother avoiding Erik. In a moment, the anger in Erik's face became replaced by a look of utter frustration. He grabbed hard at Charles' collar, shaking him.
"Fight me, you stupid queer! Fight me!"
Charles remained prone upon the sand, breathing harshly through his nose as he refused to comply to Erik's taunts. Despite his rage, Erik looked almost close to tears. Odd. He still had his clutches upon Charles' collar and then he finally broke down.
"Why are you doing this to me? What do you want from me?" Erik cried out in a half-sob.
Charles was looking up at him, baffled. What was happening here? He couldn't understand why Erik was behaving this way. He didn't know what he had done to Erik to make him act like this. He wanted nothing more but to be as far away as possible from Erik because he had come to hate him and now the guy was crying at his shoulder, in a state of agony. He still held Charles and drew him even closer.
"You want something from me, right? You want...you want-"Erik didn't get to finish what he was saying. He drew Charles' face close to his, kissing him deeply. Charles' eyes widened in shock. He kept on lying down upon the sand, frozen and too startled to move as Erik kissed him over and over, his tongue diving into Charles' open mouth. Erik was restlessly pressing into him, feeling every inch of his body. God, he can't believe this was really happening! Charles pulled away, breathless.
"Erik," Charles managed to gasp out, but Erik was upon him again, his kisses full of hungering passion, tasting of salty tears. Charles could feel the heat rising between them. He couldn't control his own hands as he slowly reached up and hugged Erik to himself, his hands running up into the other's hair. He had faintly recalled how he wanted to know what Erik's hair felt like and now he knew. Charles pulled back, panting rapidly. Erik rained kisses upon his face, licking at his lips and desperate to kiss him some more. Charles tried to push him away to get some air into his burning lungs, but Erik was relentless. He kissed Charles hungrily, as if he couldn't stand not to kiss him.
Their bodies rolled upon the sand as they kissed, pressing urgently against each other. Charles' glasses fell off at some point, he didn't know where. Next thing he knew, Erik began to pull his cardigan off him and was unbuttoning his shirt. Erik threw his own shirt off somewhere as they made out there in the sand. The gritty sand was getting into Charles' pants and his hair, but he just didn't care anymore. Erik's hands slid up to Charles' chest, feeling that hot skin beneath his palm making him even more aroused. He felt for Charles' nipples and then he began nibbling at his ears, his neck and shoulders, so that Charles would catch his breath. Erik moaned in pleasure as he looked on at how turned on Charles was getting. He surely wasn't faking that hard on. Erik was reaching for Charles' pants, wanting to undo them; the other pushed his hand away.
"No, not that-"Charles cried out, but despite his refusal, he reached for Erik's cheek and drew him into another frantic kiss.
Erik felt as if he was about to come in his pants. Charles just felt...so good. Those red lips hot against his, still tasting of peaches, the fevered bare skin limned against his own, seeming to melt against him.
"Charles,"Erik rasped out into Charles' ear.
He stopped for a while, gasping at the side of Charles' face to prevent himself from coming, lying on top of the other. As soon as he recovered, Erik drew Charles to himself and continued to kiss him, hungry for those lips to be against his own. They made out on the sand for a long time, until eventually, it grew dark. Charles softly begged for Erik to stop, telling him that they should go because it was getting late. Erik almost did not want to unglue himself from Charles. They put their clothes on and they got into Erik's car. They were both silent, not saying a word to each other. Erik was trying to focus on driving, but he just couldn't. The sight of Charles' tumbled over hair, his dreamy eyes still heavy with arousal; his ruined red lips drew Erik on.
He parked the car when they were halfway down the road and he cried out some senseless word. He pulled Charles to himself roughly, holding him in his arms and kissing him again. Erik just can't seem to get enough of him. Charles himself was too aroused to stop him. They kissed like they needed it like air. Erik was reaching for the zipper of Charles' pants again, but Charles prevented him from going any further.
"No,"Charles moaned."Stop it. I can't,"
Erik pulled back, gasping against Charles neck. He was so turned on, he almost wanted to grab Charles and rape him. He voiced out a frustrated cry and sat back in his seat. There's desperation in his eyes as he stared at Charles' face, but he got the ignition going and he drove on, more recklessly than before. He took Charles straight home. They both got out of the car and Erik was walking with Charles up the stone path at the back of the Xavier residence. Erik had never been here before; however, he knew where Charles lived when he used to ride in the school bus with him before he got his car. They still never said a single word to each other, but the weight of their desire spoke for them.
He wanted to keep on kissing Charles again and so he reached for him and pressed him up against the stone wall at the back of the house. Erik held both of Charles' cheeks and kissed him fervently, tongue and teeth at play over that luscious mouth. Charles' eyes were heavy with his own lust as he held on to Erik, kissing him back. Charles was the one pressing his hard on up against Erik, but he realized what he was suddenly doing and he pulled away, gasping.
"Erik, why are we doing this? This is just so wrong-"Charles began, but Erik covered his mouth with more kisses, then he pulled back, smiling at Charles languidly.
"Why? It feels so good, that's why! Don't I feel good to you, Charles?"
In response, Charles reached for the back of his neck, pulled him close and kissed him hungrily again, pressing against him. He now understood where the sudden anger from Erik was coming from. Erik himself was afraid of what he was feeling for Charles. Erik was the one who had been lusting after him; he just did not understand it at first. In truth, the attraction was mutual. Nevertheless, Charles knew they had no chance of getting into a serious relationship. No one at school would accept them. These thoughts cooled the fire within him, making him pull back again and pushing Erik away from himself.
"Erik, no. We have to stop. I mean it."
Erik was breathing raggedly as he stood before Charles, his forehead pressing close to Charles' temple.
"Why?"
"You and me, we just can't be together. What would your friends think of you if they saw you with me? They will turn against you and then we will just end up hating each other. I don't want that. Besides that, If any of our teachers finds out about us, they would probably send you away. Let's just stop now before it gets too deep-"
Erik stared at Charles, hard. Didn't he understand that they were already deep into this the moment they kissed? Erik did not voice out his thoughts out loud. He continued to listen to Charles.
"Let's pretend this never happened and just go on as usual, but...I'd like to make some requests, if I may. Whenever we are in the book club together, I'd like us to be more civilized if we can. Oh, and one more thing. Don't scare my friends too much and don't be rude to Miss Grey, I really like her-"
Erik looked Charles over indulgently."Alright. Any other requests?"He said in a sarcastic tone.
Charles smiled back at him, ignoring the sarcasm."One final request. If you ever had to beat me up, you know for appearances sake, don't beat me up too bad, ok?"
Charles was already acting like it's the end of things that it it made Erik feel sad. He was still holding Charles against the wall, his hands upon the other's waist, his body pressed up against him.
"If that's what you want. Can I make my own request?" Erik asked, smiling at Charles wickedly.
"What is it?"
He sidled up to Charles, nudging his face close to Charles' cheek."Let me kiss you and touch you, one final time-"
"Erik!"Charles pulled back, frowning at him."Didn't you hear what I just said? We should really stop this-"
Erik gently kissed the healing bruise upon his cheek that it made Charles shiver."Please, I promise this will be the last time," Erik whispered throatily upon his skin. Charles turned his face towards Erik and planted a soft kiss upon his lips. He began to kiss him back more urgently, parting his own mouth and letting Erik's tongue slide in. The kissing was getting intense and hot again, like on the beach. Erik pulled back to trace breathy kisses against his throat, licking at his skin.
"Oh, God!" Charles cried out when Erik felt him up through his clothes and tugged at one nipple. Charles' nipples felt like they were burning underneath his clothes, like some electric shock was going through him and they are pertly pushing against the fabric. Erik could see how aroused Charles was getting again. Charles had lifted one leg and had it hooked up against the back of Erik's thigh, grinding up against him restlessly. Erik grabbed at Charles' hard-on through his pants, pressing down roughly, eliciting a cry of lust from Charles, making him pull back quickly. Charles shut his eyes tight, trying to get himself under control before he lost it.
"Haah...Haah, Erik, you-"Charles gasped out.
Charles undid Erik's hold on him and was moving away from him, still breathless as he favored the other with a dark, lusty look.
"You had better go,"Charles said softly and then he ran off to the side of the house.
Erik couldn't go after him. Erik slapped his hand in frustration against the wall, shutting his eyes tight. He couldn't let it go just like that. He walked back to his car and got in, running his palms over his face, trying to cool off. His eyes fell to the black square bag Charles used for his art work. Erik smiled faintly. Maybe he could use this as an excuse to get to Charles. He took the bag and slung it over one shoulder and he walked around the perimeter of the house from the back, trying to find where Charles' window is. The window with no curtains was probably Charles' room.
The light suddenly went on in that room. Erik climbed up the tree closest to that window and began to inch his way on to Charles' roof and then he crawled over to the extended roof tiling beneath the window. It took him a while to get up the precarious ledge. He peeked over and he saw Charles had just taken a bath. So this was Charles' room after all. Charles had a towel wrapped around his waist and his skin was still shining wetly from the bath, his hair clinging to his skin. Charles combed his hair back before a mirror and then Erik saw him staring at his own reflection and blushing hotly. He was biting his lower lip and then brought the brush down hard on the table. Charles was muttering something, but Erik could not hear anything.
Erik knelt upon the roof, watching Charles, like the obsessed lover that he is. If Charles knew he was on the roof watching, the other might actually freak out. He still had his own uncomfortable erection to contend with. Then, his mouth hung open when Charles suddenly threw the towel wrapped around his waist to the floor and Erik had a full view of his bare body. Charles' skin was pale and rosy, his body well-toned, not too buff and somewhat skinny. He did have a nicely shaped backside and Erik saw Charles' erection throbbing upwards from beneath a mass of dark brown curls. Charles lied back on his bed and he began to touch himself down there, the expression on his face was one of uncontrollable arousal.
It turned Erik on so much to watch Charles masturbate that he joined the other by unzipping himself. He began to punish his own cock as he looked on. He pretended it was his hand working on Charles. Charles was going faster as he tugged and pulled at his own sex, squeezing down tight. Erik was looking at the other lying back in bed, restlessly turning his head from side to side, red mouth slightly parted and his pink tongue licking out seductively, eyes closed because he thoroughly enjoyed touching himself.
Erik could stand it anymore. Charles was working faster and faster with both hands upon his own cock and then he did come, Erik was panting up against the window, after he orgasmed first and then he saw Charles' come spill up to his belly. Charles remained lying in bed, gasping and unmoving, eyes closed and smiling faintly as he savored that climax. Then, he slowly got up and used the towel to wipe down on his come. Erik had also just recovered and made his way back the way he came, his limbs still trembling. He got into his car again and he still had Charles' bag in his hand. He smiled to himself. No, he did not want this to be over.
The next morning, Erik's friends were watching as Charles walked up the steps of the school. He did not look like Erik had beaten him up that bad and Shaw had asked Erik what happened. Erik was laughing out loud as he watched Charles go by awkwardly. Charles did not dare to look over at him.
"I left him, buck naked at the bay and I took his clothes and threw them into some trash. Seems he made it home somehow, the stupid homo faggot-"
Shaw snickered."So do you want us to lie in wait for him then? I thought you wanted to beat him up so badly yesterday-"
Erik kept right on smiling wickedly."Why let him suffer quickly when I can do it slowly?"Victor and Janos equally slapped at Erik's back appreciating the brilliance of Erik's plan.
"You want me to help you make that homo's life a living hell, Erik?" Victor asked.
Erik suddenly shot them all a reproachful look that it silenced everyone.
"Not one of you touches him. He's mine,"
"Ok, sure Erik! Geez!"Victor said nervously and backed off.
When Erik's gang began to head off to their own class, Erik made sure his crew saw him as he tried to block Charles from entering the room first.
"You trying to piss me off, Xavier? You're in my way!" Erik said loudly as he pushed at Charles' chest, causing him to topple backwards, but before he fell, Erik deftly grabbed at his collar and hauled him close. Charles looked up at Erik nervously, unsure of what he was up to. Erik drew him closer and whispered in his ear.
"I saw you playing with yourself,"Erik grinned down at him smugly and he watched as Charles' eyes widened in horror and then he blushed deeply, right to the roots of his hair.
Charles pulled away from him, clutching his bag to his chest and trembling. He stood there clumsily, unable to bring his gaze up to meet Erik's eyes. From the corner of his eye, Erik saw his friends snickering to themselves and then they entered their own classroom. Erik gave Charles one last lingering look and went into the room. Charles let out a breath and went in as well. He sat in his chair, still blushing and feeling ashamed of himself. Erik had invaded his privacy and had watched him masturbate. After that heated moment they shared, Erik was still toying with him. He suddenly felt the brush of a piece paper upon his elbow by another student in their class.
"From Erik,"The boy whispered and Charles took it. He opened the note, reading what Erik wrote to him.
'I liked what I saw, Charles. You don't have to be ashamed. I was going to bring your art supplies back to you. Didn't know you would be doing that.'
Charles let out a soft sigh and looked over at Erik, the other smiling at him darkly. Then, he quickly looked away. Erik made him feel so flustered for some reason. This isn't going to go as I planned it seems, Charles thought as he tried to focus his attention on their history teacher, Mr Kurt Wagner. Erik's presence was a constant distraction when they moved from one classroom to the next. The day drew on and then it was time for the book club. Erik did not show up in the classroom, surprising Charles by going straight to the library. Charles sat before Erik, unsure of how to approach him.
"Hi,"Erik began pleasantly, giving him a warm smile. He lifted Charles' bag up."I brought your bag. You left it in my car-"
"Oh, thank you-"Charles managed to wheeze out. His throat suddenly felt too tight. He sat back in his familiar chair and then Erik was looking at him expectantly.
"Well? Where's the new book on our suggested reading?"
"Erik...you saw me-"Charles began, but Erik cut him off.
"I'm sorry I did that to you, Charles. For our 'act' to appear genuine, I said those things to get the appropriate response from you. I told my friends I left you naked at the bay instead of beating you up. So, I sort of pretended to remind you-"
"Um, ok-"Charles said, looking away, biting down on his lower lip. So that was why Erik wanted him to look ashamed.
"I didn't mean to see you uh...at that moment. I guess I got you that aroused, didn't I?" Erik gave him a sly wink and was leering at him. Charles pressed his knees close together beneath the table, feeling the shame come right back to him. Erik saw his discomfort and tried to soothe him.
"I told you already, you don't have to feel ashamed. It was an accident. I was just bringing your bag back to you-"Erik said smoothly. In reality, he had meant to ravage Charles in his bedroom that night; it took all his superhuman self-control not to do anything too rash. It was because he wanted to get Charles comfortable with him first.
"Alright," Charles fidgeted.
Erik kept right on smiling at him."So, the book?"
Charles managed to return the smile because Erik was treating him better this time, like he promised. He did not cuss, he was not rude and he appeared interested in what they would be doing together.
"It's the Iliad,"
"I think I read that one before, too-"
"You must be an extensive reader. You should try the opposite and do intensive reading. That will widen your vocabulary to a certain level-"
"I want to do something else as intensive and as deep," Erik suddenly purred and Charles blushed again.
"Erik, concentrate, ok? We had an agreement-"
"Hmmm," Erik murmured as he gave Charles a dark, sultry stare. Charles sighed and placed a hand upon his eyes. Erik will not make this easy for him at all, not by a long shot.