Chapter 10
It had been three days since David’s birth, and everything was going surprisingly well. He hardly cried, though Erik suspected that had something to do with the fact that he was a telepath.
At the moment, Erik was in Charles’s study, sitting in an armchair with David cradled in his arms, a baby bottle held steadily in his hand as he fed him. The mansion was quieter than usual—today was test day, meaning Charles and Hank were out supervising the students. Charles had estimated it would take about three hours.
He hadn’t wanted to leave Erik or David alone, but Erik had assured him they would be fine. Of course, that didn’t stop Charles from keeping his mind gently wrapped around them, ever-present in the back of Erik’s thoughts.
Since the birth, Erik had been struggling with fatigue but today wasn’t as bad. He still felt worn down, but holding David like this, in the peaceful stillness of the study, made it all a little easier to bear.
Erik stared down at the baby in his arms, unable to stop the overwhelming surge of love and protectiveness that washed over him. David was so small, so fragile—and yet, already, Erik knew he would do anything to keep him safe.
He looked so much like Charles that it was almost uncanny. A little mini-Charles, from the soft curve of his nose to the gentle shape of his mouth.
Erik could only wonder what his personality would be like as he grew. Would he inherit Charles’s kindness, his unwavering optimism? Or would he take after Erik—stubborn, guarded, sharp-edged? Perhaps he would be a little of both.
Whatever the future held, one thing was certain: David was his. Theirs.
And Erik had never wanted to protect anything more in his life.
Erik set the baby bottle on the table and pulled David closer, holding him securely against his chest. A few quiet minutes passed, and soon, the baby was sound asleep.
Moving carefully, Erik stood from the chair and left the study, making his way toward Charles’s room.
After the birth, Charles had suggested keeping the crib in one of their rooms, so neither of them would have to cross the hall in the middle of the night. Erik had agreed that it made sense—and since Charles’s room was bigger, more spacious, the crib had been placed there.
That decision had naturally led to Erik sleeping in Charles’s bed again.
At first, it had felt strange—after so much time apart, after everything that had happened, lying beside Charles again was unfamiliar in a way Erik hadn’t expected. But it didn’t take long for that feeling to settle into something else. Something right.
He had missed this. The warmth, the quiet presence of Charles beside him.
Erik still wasn’t sure what their relationship would become, where they were headed—but for now, as long as he was here, with Charles, that was enough.
As he slowly made his way to the room, he felt a familiar voice brush against his mind.
“Erik, are you doing alright?”
Erik sighed, shifting David slightly in his arms as he responded through their link. “We’re fine. David’s asleep.”
There was a brief pause before Charles’s voice returned, laced with warmth. “That’s good. I didn’t want to intrude, but I could feel you moving.”
Erik huffed softly. “You’re always in my head, Charles. You are intruding.”
“Oh, but you let me.”
Erik rolled his eyes, but there was no real bite behind it. He reached Charles’s door, nudging it open carefully before stepping inside. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of a lamp casting warm shadows along the walls.
He made his way to the crib and, with slow, practiced movements, gently laid David down. The baby stirred slightly but remained asleep, his tiny chest rising and falling with steady breaths. Erik lingered for a moment, watching him, then exhaled quietly and turned toward the bed.
“How much longer will you be with the students?” he asked through their link as he sat down on the edge of the bed, rubbing a hand over his face.
“Not much longer, love. Another hour at most.”
Erik hesitated. The endearment had slipped so naturally from Charles’s thoughts, like it had always belonged there.
Like they had always belonged here, together.
He swallowed, lying back against the pillows. “Alright.”
Charles’s presence in his mind softened, something quiet and reassuring wrapping around Erik’s thoughts. “Try to get some rest. I’ll be up soon.”
Erik didn’t respond, but as he lay there, surrounded by the quiet of the room, with David sleeping peacefully nearby and Charles’s presence lingering in his mind, he realized something.
For the first time in forever, he felt at home.
It was a little after lunchtime when Charles finally finished his classes. He made his way to the elevator, exhaustion tugging at his limbs, but the moment the doors opened onto his floor, a quiet sense of anticipation settled over him.
When he entered his room, the sight that greeted him made his heart swell.
Sure enough, Erik and David were both sound asleep.
A soft smile graced Charles’s lips as he rolled over to the crib, his gaze settling on their tiny son. David’s features were delicate, his little chest rising and falling with each peaceful breath. He looked so much like himself—it was almost surreal.
Never, in a million years, had Charles imagined this would be his life. At one point, he had given up hope entirely, resigning himself to loneliness, to loss. But now, against all odds, he had this—them.
And he wouldn’t change a thing.
He heard rustling from the bed. With one last glance at David, Charles turned and wheeled himself over to Erik’s side.
Erik’s eyes fluttered open, still heavy with sleep, as he looked at Charles.
Charles smiled softly.
Erik let out a small yawn before murmuring, “You’re already back?”
“I am,” Charles confirmed. “How’d you sleep?”
Erik blinked slowly; his body still weighed down by exhaustion. “Good,” he said, voice barely above a whisper.
Charles studied him for a moment before saying, “You know, you always seem to sleep soundly whenever you’re here. You don’t have as many nightmares.”
Erik stilled, his expression thoughtful.
His mind drifted back to the first time he had ever stayed here—back when everything had felt easier, simpler. And Charles was right. He hadn’t had nightmares then.
It was strange. No matter where he went, the nightmares always followed, lurking in the shadows of his mind. But here, in this place, in Charles’s space, there had always been a quiet sense of peace.
And now, after everything, that hadn’t changed.
“I guess I feel… safe here.”
Charles’s gaze softened, love and warmth shining openly in his eyes. Erik swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry.
A faint blush dusted Charles’s cheeks as he whispered, “I know not everything is fully settled between us, but… I really want to kiss you right now.”
Erik stared at him; his eyes slightly wide. He couldn’t stop the heat that crept up his neck or the way his heart pounded wildly in his chest.
His voice was barely a breath when he finally spoke.
“Who’s stopping you?”
Charles smiled, his eyes shining with quiet affection. “Nobody,” he murmured.
He leaned in slowly, giving Erik the chance to pull away—but Erik didn’t. He stayed perfectly still, his breath caught in his throat as Charles closed the remaining space between them.
Their lips met in a soft, unhurried kiss. It was gentle, lingering, filled with something unspoken but undeniably there.
Erik sighed against Charles’s lips, his body relaxing as warmth spread through his chest. He hadn’t realized how much he missed this—not just the act itself, but the feeling behind it. The tenderness. The quiet reassurance.
Charles’s hand came up to cradle Erik’s jaw, his thumb brushing over his cheek with a softness that made Erik’s stomach flip. It was careful, reverent, like Charles was memorizing the feel of him all over again.
When they finally parted, Charles didn’t move far. He stayed close, his forehead resting lightly against Erik’s. His breath was warm, his voice even warmer when he whispered, “I’ve wanted to do that for a long time.”
Erik swallowed, his fingers curling slightly into the sheets.
“…Me too,” he admitted, so softly that it was almost lost between them.
Charles smiled, pressing a feather-light kiss to the corner of Erik’s mouth before pulling back just enough to meet his gaze. “Then let’s not waste any more time.”