Charles didn't know much about being in love, or really even liking someone. He had dated in high school, girls and guys, but they hadn't ever been anything real. So when he found himself with thoughts dominated by Mystery Man – the one who had probably saved him from loads of heartache – he had no clue how to proceed. Charles found himself constantly looking at that table, but for the past week it had been anyone but Mystery Man. An elderly couple on Sunday, a lone straggler on Thursday. And the days in between that he worked, Charles kept his eyes firmly on the table, expecting the man to walk in at any moment and sweep him off his feet. Hank told him he should forget about it, and Charles always took Hank's advice because Hank usually knew best. But something about this man, and what he had done for him, made it hard to forget. And Charles was never one to give up, even when most said it was a lost cause.

So, he kept his hopes up, and his eyes trained on that table.

Charles wiped down the front counter forlornly, counting the seconds until he could get out of the diner. It wasn't packed, just few customers here and there, and the fact that Charles was forced to stay until the very end of his shift irritated the hell out of him. Hank walked past him, patting him on the shoulder in a comforting manner. Charles ignored it dutifully and he didn't miss Hank's slight chuckle. Charles could never be angry at Hank, and Hank knew as such. Charles was upset with himself for letting himself be hung up over a man who's name was even a mystery. The bell of the door jingled and Charles spared it a slight glance, purely out of habit. And when he saw none other than Mystery Man walk in with two single, white roses in hand, Charles froze. They locked eyes, and the man took a seat at the front counter, shooting him a soft smile. This was what he'd been waiting for. To see the man again, and discover those blue eyes again. But when faced with the actual moment he had yearned for days for, Charles found himself frozen, muscles going into a petrified state. It took about 30 seconds before his mind caught up with his body and Charles fled. He sprinted behind the counters, nearly knocking Hank over in the process and hid in the back room, closing the door, leaning against it and taking deep breaths. It wasn't until Hank came in, eyebrows raised in disbelief that Charles fully understood what he had done. He had just blown off the exact man he'd been waiting for. And now, he was probably under the impression Charles had no interest and whatever hope Charles had of knowing the man's name had been squashed. Like a bug. Dead.

"Oh God, oh god, I can't.." Charles ran a hand over his face in shock. "Did I really just do that?"

Hank grinned. "You most certainly did. And you didn't even hesitate! You just took off. In all the years I've known you, never have I seen you go that fast." Hank was teasing Charles, only adding to the other mans agitation.

"I can't face him after that..He'll think I'm a coward.." Hank squeezed his shoulder. "Is he still here?"

"Why don't you check?" Hank proceeded to begin washing dishes, whistling some type of merry tune. Charles took his advice and leaned out of the door an inch, only to have the man's eyes meet his and Charles withdraw his head quickly. Steam rose up from where Hank was spraying the dishes with scorching water, and Charles frowned through it.

"He's still there," Charles shifted his footing nervously. "Do you think I should go out there?"

"Of course. He still hasn't been served." Charles could see the mischievous grin even through the steam. Charles groaned and patted down his pockets, making sure he had his pad before bravely marching through the door. More customers had accumulated, and Charles determinedly took their orders first, giving them to the cook behind the window. Finally, when there were no more orders to take and everybody was happy with service, he walked to the man with a nervous stride.

"What can I get for you?" Charles attempted to be all business, but when blue eyes met his, his brain's functions were temporarily shut down.

"Just water." At this, Charles made to turn around and fill the simple order, but his next words stopped him cold. "And, your name."

Luckily, Charles' back was turned, so maybe the man didn't see the immediate grin that split his face. He turned back slowly, attempting to wipe the smile off his face. "Charles Xavier. And who do I owe the pleasure to?"

"Lensherr, Erik Lensherr." It was wonderful to finally have a name to the face in his head. "And Charles, this is for you."

Erik held out one white rose, tenderly, and Charles accepted it graciously, smiling the whole time. He sniffed it gently, the soft scent wafting up to his nose and nearly melting his heart.

"What is this for?" Charles continued to smile, examining Erik's face. The eyes were still amazingly blue, different from his own somehow. He took notice of the stylish leather jacket thrown over a turtleneck and the Bulova watch on his left wrist. Charles, coming from a wealth background himself, had never let money bias him on a man or woman, but the fact that Erik seemed to take care of himself – and did it well – gave Charles a nice feeling. It just added to Charles' quickly growing list of magnificent things about the man.

"Just as an apology. For the other day when I was in here, and I got rough with that awful man."

Charles beamed, only slightly put off by the memory. "No, I should thank you. You probably saved me from a lot of pain for when he fucked me and never called me back." His lips tilted up in a sweet smile, unconsciously luring Erik in. Charles curiously eyed the other rose, questioning it's existence. Was it for him also, or did he have to deliver it to another damsel in distress?He decided not to ask, and walked back to the kitchen to get the mans water, ignoring Hank's shouted questions as he carried out other orders. Charles delivered the water, promptly setting it next to the other white rose.

"Thank you. And this one is also for you." Erik handed Charles the rose with a playful smile.

Surprised and extremely pleased, Charles' eyebrows rose to his forehead. "What is this one for? Also an apology rose?"

"No, I figured this one could be used for a much more pleasing purpose." Erik continued to smile, and Charles was distracted by the whites of his teeth and the curve of his lips. Erik was gorgeous, and Charles wondered how old the man could be.

"This one, ...is to request a date with you." Erik inquired holding the rose out to Charles.

Naturally, Charles was a tease. "But, Mr. Lensherr, I hardly know you."

"That, is what a first date is for, Charles." Erik smirked, cocky.

Grinning, Charles nodded. "I'm free any weekend. I don't work then." Charles leaned on the counter, towards the man, eager.

"I'll be back for the details. Just knowing you'll go to dinner with me is enough for now."

Then he left, confusing Charles to no end. And even so, Charles had to smile, Mystery Man had come back. Erik had come back. Nothing and no one could wipe the stupid grin from his face.