XMFC/Running partner

[diecastking]

Two weeks into term and the school has settled into its routine. Erik has planned his lessons a couple of weeks ahead of time and he's now free to pursue his usual exercise.

Thankfully, James also has an interest in running and Erik plans to go with him every day. His alarm goes off early and Erik hits it cheerfully, prising his sleeping lover from his chest.

"Mm...Charles? You'll have to move, liebe."

Comments

[diecastking]

Erik shakes his head.

"I already told you, Charles. James strained his muscle and I was looking at it for him."

Erik clenches his fist, before slowly uncurling it. "How could you think anything else?"

[guideshapelead]

Charles shrugs, bows his head.

"I remember when we used to run together."

[diecastking]

Erik sighs.

"Charles, we do everything together. This is one thing I'm doing with James. You're blowing it up out of proportion."

[guideshapelead]

"No, that's not - " Charles sighs, shaking his head.

"Never mind."

[diecastking]

Erik comes closer to Charles, reaching out a hand to his shoulder.

"I don't want to fight with you over this. But I don't want to give up something I love."

[guideshapelead]

"Can we... talk about this later?" Charles is hurting, hearing Erik talking about not wanting to give up the things he loves. There are so many things Charles has been forced to give up, and how can't Erik understand how much it hurts him to watch him carry on?

"I need some space."

[diecastking]

Erik frowns. He can't bear to fight with Charles, not after everything they've been through to reach this stage.

"Fine," he says, and leaves. If Charles wants space, then that is what he'll give him

He doesn't have classes that afternoon and he takes his motorbike out into the surrounding countryside. It is late evening before he returns.

[guideshapelead]

Charles has calmed considerably by the time Erik returns, mind open to his lover once more, even if his emotions are a little on the guarded side. He's come to the realisation that he's being ridiculous over the whole thing.

He just can't help the way he feels.

[diecastking]

On the way into the school, he's accosted by baby Scott. He picks up his little boy and ruffles his hair, carrying him towards the drawing room.

"Where did you go, Papa? You missed dinner!"

Some of the children watch him curiously as he walks by with Scott. "I had to go out, mausi. Nothing to worry about."

He carries him into the drawing room, unashamedly using him as a shield between him and Charles.

[guideshapelead]

Stretched out on the sofa, Charles manages to give Erik a smile, shuffling himself to give Erik some room to sit down if he wants to. He's not about to start a conversation in front of the little boy.

[diecastking]

Scott leaps from Erik to snuggle on his Daddy's chest, prattling on about his day and things he did. Erik sits on the edge of the sofa, listening as he rubs at the dirt on his helmet.

[guideshapelead]

Laughing, Charles holds Scott close and lets him prattle on, whilst slowing leaning closer against Erik. A silent apology is all he can give for now.

[diecastking]

"Papa, when can I go on the big boy's bike? Alex says you're going to take him but I wanna go! I asked first!"

Erik turns towards Scott and ruffles his boy's hair. He places his other hand gently at Charles' shoulder, drawing the three of them together.

"When you're older," he says, knowing Charles would rather he said not at all.

[guideshapelead]

"Much older," Charles adds with a frown.

"Alex is much older than you. And even he has to go with Papa."

[diecastking]

Scott sulks but Erik cuddles him closer. "Soon, we will take the training wheels off your bike, hmm?"

[guideshapelead]

"When you're ready," Charles is again quick to add, not liking the idea of Scott trying too much too soon and ending up in the ER.

[diecastking]

Erik shoots Charles a look.

"Papa will use his power to help you - at first," he adds, to appease Charles.

And finds himself smiling. This is his family. Everything seems right again.

[guideshapelead]

Pulling Scott back into his arms, Charles uses his own power to try and lull the boy into a nap. He wants to be able to talk to Erik, seriously, without having to think through his words to avoid upsetting their son.

[diecastking]

Erik is upset that Charles has taken Scott from him. He stands up and walks across the room.

"You didn't have to do that," he says. "He was happy with me."

[guideshapelead]

"He's my son too," Charles frowns, cradling the now sleeping boy close to him. He'd been ready to apologise, but Erik's words remind him of the same pain he'd felt earlier today.

"Or is fatherhood something else I'm no longer fit for?"

[diecastking]

Erik looks down at Scott, then shakes his head at Charles.

"I will not allow you to use our son as a weapon between us."

And he leaves.

[guideshapelead]

Feeling guilty almost immediately, Charles puts Scott down on the sofa to move himself into his chair. He'll put the boy to bed then go in search of Erik.

Though, once Scott is safely tucked up in bed, all the emotions of the day finally catch up on Charles. Before he knows it, he's sobbing into his hands at Scott's bedside.

[diecastking]

Erik's anger doesn't easily dissipate.

He spends hours stripping down his bike and cleaning all the parts. Then he goes to the pool and swims fifty lengths.

Finally, he finds his old room, dusty and bereft of any personal item, and collapses into bed.