Continuing on.

[helpmeguideit]

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"Breakfast would be nice," Charles said. He enjoyed those times when he woke up early and got to spend some time alone with Erik. They didn't have these moments very often. Not with his own habit of falling asleep in his office and waking up in the middle of the night. He would join Erik for sleep (most nights) well into the night sometimes.

"I was going to get someone to make us something, but it seems I can't get up early enough for that."

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[helpmeguideit]

Charles knew Erik couldn't return it in words, but he could tell. He could feel it from him. "I know," he said simply. Even without articulation, it was obvious to him. While he cherished his differences from others, this was one of those moments where he more than treasured it -- he was grateful for it. He knew Erik and had started to understand him -- and what being with him entailed.

"I truly do know." He had no expectations and only really wanted Erik there at his side.

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A grateful smile settled over his lips and Erik seemed to mentally sigh in relief. Articulating his feelings wasn't something he was good at and it wasn't something he put much effort into changing. Perhaps part of that stemmed from knowing that Charles could sense him. In the time since he'd come back to the mansion, Erik made it clear that he didn't mind Charles skimming his thoughts, so long as he wasn't terribly invasive.

He'd come to realise that Charles had some difficulty dealing with others when he didn't read them. He realised asking Charles to stay out of his head completely was like asking him to close his eyes and find his way through the expanse of the house without running into anything or stumbling. It cut off a vital sense, a sense that Erik was once wary of, but now embraced for the intimacy it allowed them to share.

And it was intimate to him. The direct manner in which he could communicate his ideas and feelings to Charles when he couldn't put them to words. The untainted experience of Charles' emotions if and when he chose to share them. It was a connection Erik wasn't sure he could do without any more. It was completely and utterly evolved and brought them closer in the purest of ways.

"Thank you," he murmured, intensely grateful for Charles' understanding.

[helpmeguideit]

Erik allowing Charles to be present in his mind helped Charles greatly. He could know Erik's feelings and make an attempt to understand them. It allowed the two of them to bond in so many different ways. Charles liked that he could bond without words. He could give Erik those pleasant thoughts and feelings.

He put down his coffee and moved near Erik, mostly so he didn't feel like he was sitting off to the side watching him, "You're welcome."

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After cleaning the egg from the floor, Erik washed and dried his hands, only to lay one on Charles' shoulder. He was always careful with those gestures, never being too familiar in front of others, especially the children. It wasn't out of shame or fear, nor did he think of it as hiding, merely a simply desire to remain private. So much of their relationship was in unspoken communication, it only served to make it all more poignant for Erik that it was only for them. Even these small affections weren't for the eyes of others, but only for theirs.

And this particular moment, well, it felt like a milestone to Erik. For two decades, he had no place that was his home, no shelter for the raging storm of his own pain and anger. Charles had given him that: a home, respite, peace, family, and now love. All things Erik never expected to have in his life. Though his determined and violent strength was unneeded now, Erik knew that he would, if the time ever came, fight to the last to protect everything Charles had built, had given him.

A playful grin settled over his lips and he turned back to the stove. "Are you going to just sit there or help me?"

[helpmeguideit]

Charles let his hand meet Erik's for a brief moment before withdrawing it from his. Those moments were so fast, so private, so theirs. No one had to see it, Charles knew that they had suspicions, if they didn't know. But it was the fact that it was all unspoken and thoughts kept it in a good place. "What would you like me to do?" he asked. It wasn't as though he couldn't cook, but he rarely was one who actively participated in helping Erik. He didn't want to get in his way, but it would be fun to be a part of breakfast.

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"Hold these," he uttered quickly, handing off the container of eggs to Charles. It freed up some space on the counter and Erik went about getting a dish in which to better the bread. He put a fry pan on the range and put some butter in to melt. before the took two eggs from the container he'd passed off to Charles.

[helpmeguideit]

Charles watched Erik, as he always did, as his way of learning how to do the things he did. It wasn't as though he needed to know how to make them, or didn't know how, but everyone did things a bit differently. Erik was no exception. "And?"

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"Don't drop them," he teased. "I can't be trusted not to." That said, he plucked one of the eggs from the container and cracked it open to begin battering the bread.