Ah, my favorite pairing in the whole wide world: Charles/Erik. I love this pairing. Though this fic is short, if you want a longer fic, read "Before the Dawn", another Charles/Erik fic that's a hell of a lot longer than this one. Otherwise, enjoy!

DISCLAIMER:

Charles: YOU! *points at me*

Me: Me?

Charles: YES! *wheels over* I BLAME YOU FOR CHARLES LEAVING!

Me: But... I don't own anything!

Charles: What?

Me: Marvel does! *runs and hides*

The kiss was short, brief. Nothing to brag about. And then, there was patience. A patience that had lasted for eternity, and would most likely last a lot longer. The fingers that ran through hair, the eyes that flashes and watched with anticipation. He knew that something was wrong with his lover, and he was definitely going to figure out what it was.

'Erik?' Charles asked, running his hand along the nape of the older man's neck. 'Are you all right? We don't have to do this tonight, we can always-'

'No,' Erik demanded, pulling his lover back against the bed and kissing him softly. 'No, this is distracting me. I like it. If you stop, then I'm afraid that something will happen, and you certainly don't want that.'

Charles smiled. He loved it when Erik was playful about their relationship. He often worried that the older man was bothered by the fact that he was with another man. When he made light of it, the worry temporarily vanished, and Charles was able to breathe again. 'I know something's wrong,' the telepath pressed, resting his shoulder against Erik's. 'Don't make me read your mind to figure it out.'

'It's Shaw,' said Erik, confirming Charles' current worries. 'I have to take him out. I... I might kill him in doing so. All of the things he's done to me... I just can't see another way out...'

'As I said before,' Charles told him between kisses. 'Revenge will not bring you peace.'

'Peace was never an option.'

Charles sighed. He would never understand what went on in Erik's mind, no matter how much time he spent there. 'You've lost track of who you really are, Erik,' he replied quietly, leaning back for the moment. 'You're a kind and sweet person, inside. You don't have to kill anyone to stop the nightmares.' Erik tried to deny it, but Charles planced a finger firmly on his lips to stop him from interrupting. 'Don't try and deny it. I'm often awakened at night, feeling what you feel, seeing what you are seeing.'

Erik shook his head. 'Then I'm sorry, my love, for the trauma.'

'I only feel awful that it's you that has to endure it.'

Erik pulled Charles back to him, grabbing his neck and forcing him to meet his own lips, whether he wanted to or not. 'Mmm, please, you're stopping the conversation, Er-' was all he got out before Erik silenced him completely.

There had been doubt when Charles had first invited Erik to kiss him.

And then there was none.

PLEASE REVIEW. *is ready for flames*