you took for granted all those times i never let you down.

[helpmeguideit]

[ continued from here ]

Charles simply shook his head as he looked towards Erik. "Soon there would be none that are truly hidden." Charles held onto the plate in his lap tightly. His knuckles were starting to turn white from his grip. He didn't want to - shouldn't want to - tell Erik that he was afraid of what would happen if he stayed there. He never quite understood his motivation for bringing him there.

"Erik."

Comments

[e4e5nf3nc6nc3nf6]

As promised, he waited outside, just in case Charles either needed him or wanted to chat. It didn't surprise him in the least that Charles said nothing throughout. Few words were ever exchanged between them and, to his great dismay, Erik saw the gap between them growing wider with the continued silence. when called, Erik returned to the bathroom. Normally, he'd keep his gaze fixed above Charles' head, but since he'd been left out all night, Erik swept his eyes quickly over the man to look for any injury. Surely Charles had checked as well, but it if anything happened, it would be on Erik's conscience.

Back to the routine. Erik reached in to unstopper the bath and let the water drain. next, he laid a large towel across the toilet seat and used another to wrap around Charles' upper body and hoist him out of the tub. Charles was then settled onto the toilet once more and, though he was likely capable of continuing on his own form there, Erik took the time to towel him dry, paying specific attention to his legs. They both knew he was really looking for nay bumps, bites, or bruises Charles' may have missed.

[helpmeguideit]

"I'm fine," Charles assured. Not that he could feel Erik's hands on his legs. He watched him carefully. Noting if he had spotted any bumps, bruises, or bite marks. He sighed deeply. "I checked already. There's nothing to feel guilty of." The least he could let Erik know is that he was fine. It didn't even bother him. Charles knew he should have expected it.

"And even if I had been hurt, it wouldn't be your fault." Erik was in no way responsible for the words that came out of Charles' mouth. He was not the one to blame when Charles decided it would be wise, for an unknown reason, to share his feelings with Erik.

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"I'm the one who left you out there," Erik mused, finally satisfied that there were know overlooked injuries. He handed Charles a robe as they hadn't brought in clean clothes and Erik wasn't about to carry Charles naked to his room. After a long moment, wherein Erik turned away, he finally asked, "How is your upper body strength? I'm considering some modifications to this bathroom so you could do everything you need to on your own."

[helpmeguideit]

Charles put the robe on when Erik turned away. He shifted a little bit where he sat and looked up towards him. The independence would be nice. Charles felt like it had been awhile since he even had independence. "I think I could do everything on my own..." he watched Erik carefully for a moment.

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The words brought a subtle, but pleased nod. "I'll look into it promptly," he stated. "It might take a bit of time to complete. Until then, you'll have time to prepare." Erik had been thorough even in his hasty preparations for the place. He'd bought weights for Charles to use as well as a host of other things the doctors and physical therapists had suggested to help with the man's transition.

[helpmeguideit]

Charles knew that he should have been working on his arms, and he had been more and more as time passed. At first, it was hard to convince himself to want to do it (or that he desperately needed to do it). He still frequently struggled, but now, knowing that he would be granted more freedoms motivated him. He almost hesitated to say this, but he decided that it might help ease some of the feelings in the air that he could feel, "Thank you."

[e4e5nf3nc6nc3nf6]

A ghost of a smile dared to touch his lips at those words. It was almost a relief to hear something rather then be met with the silence that was so often between them.

"I think we're done in here. I'll let you get dressed while I make something to eat. You must be hungry." As he spoke, Erik offered a hand he help pull Charles up. It didn't sit well with him just scooping the man up and carrying him about without some sign from Charles that he was ready to be moved back to his chair.

[helpmeguideit]

Charles took Erik's hand. He nodded to show that he understood. Those moments that Erik gave him to show his independence made a difference in Charles' time here. He took those time to think, listen for others, understand what was outside of here. He was getting better with his telepathy, and hoped at some point to reach the people in the nearby towns. "Food would be," he paused for a moment, "good."

[e4e5nf3nc6nc3nf6]

He leant in to let Charles get his free arm around his shoulders and then proceeded to lift him. Erik always carried him carefully, with an arm across his shoulders and one under his knees. It was only a few paces, but the confined space of the bathroom and then the door frame posed the most difficulty. Because Charles was unable to feel any bumps or bruises, Erik had to be cautious in moving him through the space. Despite plenty of practise, he always treated moving Charles as if it was his first time doing so.

Once He settled Charles in the chair, he stepped back and gave the man a nod. "Would you like to eat in your room? I can bring something up if you'd like to stay up here." It wasn't a command or a threat, but rather an invitation for Charles to choose. It wasn't something Erik often gave, though he was clearly feeling guilty for leaving Charles outside all night.

[helpmeguideit]

"I'll eat with you." It wasn't that he didn't appreciate the choice, but he just preferred the choice that would make things easier for him. There was still an overlying fear in him. Not only did he find that it was the proper choice to make, but it was quite quiet when he was on his own. Charles was accustomed to people, even if he wasn't interacting with them, but he had once promised Erik he would stay out of his mind and had kept it.