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]

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.