Title: By My Side (5/5)

Pairing: Erik/Charles

Rating: PG13 – R

Category: Hurt/Comfort, Angst

Warnings: Some language, Injured Charles, Sexual tension (but not explicit).

Standard Disclaimer: I own nothing connected with X Men other than a deep affection for the movie and characters.

Thank you Snoopy and Lucas for story help!

Summary: Erik returns for Charles.

"I want you by my side." (Erik to Charles, on the beach)

Part Five

Charles shifted uneasily in his chair, grateful his hands were at least occupied with wheeling over to the dinning table and getting settled. Erik had collected him as usual, and the tension between them was palatable, although Charles could not sense any anger. Just knowledge that all their previous discussions would be nothing compared to what they would face that night.

Erik asked if he wanted his one allowed alcoholic drink with the meal or after, and Charles immediately voted for wine with the meal. He suspected Erik was just as happy to have something to do as the older man brought the wine to the table, and finally had to sit down himself. Charles summoned his nerve, trying to decide how best to begin. Surprisingly, it was Erik who spoke first.

"You are not a prisoner," Erik said, his voice quiet, his eyes not quite meeting Charles'. "I would never do that to you."

Charles bit back a comment on that, knowing Erik's opinion. In Erik's view, he was keeping Charles safe, and then end justified the means. They had danced around that topic politely and not so politely before. Ultimately, Charles knew that he had the ability to make Erik take him back at anytime, and Erik obviously knew that as well. If Charles truly wanted it, he could use his powers. A promise made when he was still recently injured and unsettled could not be held against him. Erik had never worn the helmet since he had taken Charles, leaving himself open, and trusting in a way that was ordinarily completely against his nature, and Charles respected that.

"I do not view myself as one," he murmured, and Erik nodded, a fraction of the tension perhaps easing in his body. "But what you said earlier…Erik, I don't understand what you want." He waved a hand. "Besides this Brotherhood you would form, and fighting the Humans, I mean."

Erik tilted his head slowly, regarding the other man. "You have been the one with the ideas."

Charles sighed. "My school. That is all I want, Erik. But you? You talk of wanting to rule the world. That is a very tall order for a several million mutants against billions of humans."

"I know that Utopias do not exist, Charles. And despite what you might think, I don't want to rule the world. I only want for us to be able to live without threats from the Humans. We have to protect ourselves."

"I know." Charles had reluctantly accepted that reality. "This is far from a perfect world, and it never will be perfect. But for most of Man's existence, he has shared the world with other species of hominids. Our cousins, the Neanderthals, lived beside Man for perhaps 100,000 years. It appears to be the natural order of the world that several species co-exist at the same time."

Erik raised an eyebrow. "Charles, your own thesis observed that it was also the pattern that each superior species exterminated the weaker ones."

"I was arrogant," Charles said quietly. "Written before I realized how things work in the real world, and not just in cold academia. And reality is that we cannot be like Shaw, and plot the end of an entire species. The world stood on the edge of disaster for everyone, Erik. If nuclear war had occurred, I do not think as many mutants would have survived as Shaw assumed. He never considered how to rebuild an entire planet."

"Reality…is difficult," Erik conceded. He leaned back in his chair, considering matters. "So you think we can co-exist with Humans now that they know we exist?"

"The number who know are small," Charles argued. "Anonymity is our greatest protection, and it is one they will also use. All the minds I could reach wanted us to simply go away, and hardly anyone meant that by killing us. They had no idea what we…what you….could do with the missiles, and it taught them a lesson. Your point was made, Erik. They fear us, but because of that, the ones who truly know about mutants will not attack us again. There is no need for fighting."

"There are always those who will want war, Charles."

The younger man frowned, his lips narrowing in defeat. "I know. But we can do this, I know we can. We can protect ourselves without a war."

"History would argue you are wrong."

"The point of history is learning from past mistakes. We are not doomed to repeat things our ancestors did, either 100,000 years ago or more recently." Charles took a deep breath. "You said in Cuba that we want the same things, and in my arrogance….and pride and pain…I said no. But I know now that perhaps I was wrong again."

Erik reached out, and touched his hand lightly, and Charles found himself starring at it. "You are seldom wrong, Charles." A smile touched his lips. "Arrogant, naïve, and misguided, but never stupid."

Charles snorted. "Very comforting," he said drily. He steadied himself to speak, putting his heart out. "I want us to open the school together, Erik," he said. "To work together. We cannot fight amongst ourselves for it will destroy us ultimately. We have different means, but the end is perhaps the same after all. Can we not try?"

Pale eyes regarded him, and then Erik smiled again. "I want that as well," he said softly.

Charles released the breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He smiled, and then looked at the table, where Erik's hand was still covering his. He glanced at Erik, his eyes puzzled.

"I want you to read my mind right now, Charles. To know what I want. And share what you want in turn." Erik's eyes were blazing into his. Charles almost had to turn away.

"Ah, regarding the school, yes? And our new truce?" Charles could barely get the words out of his throat.

"Regarding us," Erik purred.

Charles had to close his eyes for moment, unable to process that. "I…not now," he finally whispered, and he opened his eyes. "I'm afraid that now I must ask that we wait on a conversation, my friend."

Erik's thumb trailed over Charles's palm, barely caressing, and then squeezed his hand gently before releasing it and returning his hands to near his dinner plate. "The school, then," Erik agreed. "And things we must do to help mutants, and assure our protection from the Humans."

Charles made a soft sound of agreement, and hurriedly closed his eyes again, trying to concentrate. For the first time in weeks, he reached out, and found Erik's mind so close to his in every way. He entwined their thoughts carefully, opening only certain doors within. He saw what he wanted, and let Erik inside his mind, focusing firmly. There was the touch from Erik's mind, cool, so controlled and organized, and simply just so right. Erik politely withdrew after just a moment, and Charles quickly did the same. They had found their common ground, and were satisfied.

It was a start to some things. Other things were left untouched.

They made plans to leave in a few days. Messages were sent out. Erik saw Charles back to his room, and Nurse Troll tucked Charles into bed before leaving him in peace. But hours later, Charles was still wide-awake, starring out the windows at the ocean.

Without fully realizing it, he reached out.

Erik?

Charles? Are you alright? Erik's thoughts were calm and soothing.

Yes, I'm fine. I….I'm not trying to break the ground rules; I'm not influencing or reading. I just….

Shhhh; one moment.

The door to the bedroom opened and Erik entered, still dressed. He had obviously not found sleep either. Charles rolled over to face him, and Erik sat on the edge of the bed. Cautiously, he reached out and took Charles's hand again.

"A change in the ground rules," Erik said quietly. "I want you to read my mind again, Charles. We don't need to have that conversation now; it can wait. But look and see what I am thinking right now."

Charles didn't need to raise his hand to his temple; Erik was close enough so it was easy to find. Charles was grateful for the darkness of the room as he felt himself blush a little. He could not say it was unexpected anymore, but it was still so amazing to know.

"Erik…well, I…"

Erik held up a hand and smiled. "Just know," he said. "We have time for that talk later."

"Alright." Charles bit his lip, but also sent out a thought; not an influence or even really a suggestion, just a picture.

Even in the just the moonlight, he could see Erik's pale eyes light up.

The door closed at a flick of Erik's thought as he pulled off his shoes and carefully laid down on the bed, drawling Charles into his arms. Charles sighed, settling quickly. Erik didn't try to kiss him, just held him, and it was enough for them to simply be beside each other.

"This is also why I came back for you," Erik whispered. "And I won't leave your side again."

"I know." Charles smiled.

No matter what happened in the future, he knew that Erik would be by his side.

THE END

Author's Note: I originally thought this story would be a bit longer and more detailed, but this is where it has decided to stop with me, and I am content. I just wanted to offer a humble option on what could have happened after Cuba, and this way, Dear Reader, you can decide for yourself what would happen next.

THANK YOU FOR READING!