pouring out my heart to a stranger
Erik washes up in the stream outside their little hideout, his thoughts stray to Charles, Charles who was grasping at the straws of death just a few feet behind him. If Erik doesn’t go for that feast, Charles would die, and it would be because of him, another person dead at his hands. Erik would be left here alone again, waiting for the careers to come. No. He wouldn’t let that happen, he needed to find a way to leave without alerting Charles in any way. He was so lost in his thoughts he almost didn’t notice the parachute. He springs for the contraption, ripping it apart and pulling out the small vile. Logan's done it! He’s gotten the medicine, god knows how -maybe he persuaded a gaggle of romantic fools- he doesn’t know, all that matters is he can save Charles. The vile was so minuscule, however, doubt started to claw at him. He uncorked it and took a sniff, his spirits immediately falling. Just to be sure, he puts a drop on his tongue and tastes it. He was right, it tasted as sickly sweet as it smelled. Sleep syrup. A common medicine in District 12, he’s taken it a couple of times after some fights, his mother always having one ready for him when she needs to stitch up his bad wounds. This much would probably be enough to knock someone out for a full day. He growls, gripping the tiny vial tightly, what use would this bring him? How would this save Charles? He almost flings the vile into the stream out of pure frustration when it hits him. A full day? That’s more than he needs.
He mashes up some berries with the syrup and heads back to their cave.
"Hey, I found some new berries. Thought I’d make something", he mutters to Charles, kneeling next to him. Charles smiles brightly, and Erik pushes down that feeling that can only be associated with Charles. Charles opens his mouth without hesitation, swallowing mouthfuls, he frowns, "They’re a bit sweet", Erik continues feeding him the mixture, "Yes, their sugar berries. Have you never had them?", Charles shakes his head and continues drinking, "Huh, it tastes a lot like syrup", Erik catches the exact moment realisation clicks in Charles’s head. Erik immediately slaps his hand over Charles’s mouth to prevent him from vomiting. Charles thrashes in Erik's firm hold, his body already starting to fall limp. Charles looks up at him, his crystal blue eyes stare up at him in absolute betrayal, he’s done something Charles will never forgive. But Erik doesn’t care, if it means Charles will live, he'd take Charles never forgiving him over a dead Charles any day. Finally, Charles’s eyes roll back as he falls completely still in Erik's hold. Erik gazes at the drugged Charles, leaning down to place a gentle kiss on his forehead. He arranged his knives and leaves the cave without a glance back.