Chapter 8
“Yeah, no kidding,” there was a pause, “After that, they took me back home and were stupid enough to leave me alone while they went and ran errands. Packed a duffle and high-tailed it to the nearest bus stop. Made it all the way to where you picked me up before I ran out of money.”
“Well, I’m glad you called. I’ve missed you.”
“Me too.”
They didn’t talk after that. Instead, the two brothers sat in silence. Knees touching, almost as if they were scared the other would disappear if they stopped. Hank watched all this from the cockpit, not saying a word.
The sun was just touching the horizon when they descended back into the basketball court. As the back of the plane lowered, Hank removed his headset and joined Alex in the back. Scott, who had just now fallen asleep, was still sitting in his chair.
“I can’t thank you enough for all your help, Hank.”
“It’s..it’s really no problem.”
“No, it means the world that you did this for us,” Alex said, lightly patting his shoulder. He leaned into it as if he wanted to do more. But he didn’t make a move.
“Again, no problem.”
“Yeah. Well, I’m going to go get this guy into bed and then go talk to the professor.”
“Umm…uh. Do you want me to come with you? You know, to talk to him. The professor,” Hank stumbled out.
“Yeah, um, actually, that would be great.”
Alex shut the door carefully, and it gently clicked into place. He turned towards Hank, tears prickling the edge of his eyes. They disappeared almost as soon appeared, a smile replacing them.
“I guess we should go talk to the professor.”
“Yeah, most likely.”
“Have I ever told you that you sound like you text with perfect punctuation?”
“I’m sorry I want my texts to make sense? I’m not going to have people try to decipher every text I send.”
“Of course you don’t,” Alex chuckled to himself.
Hank gave him a death stare.
“Ok, grouchy pants. Let’s go talk to the professor.”
“You can come on in boys. No need to stand outside,” the professor's voice echoed into the hallway.
“How’d you know we were there?” Alex questioned as he stuck his head into the office, Hank following after him.
“I have my ways.”
“Yeah, ok.”
“So, I heard you two went on a little adventure today.”
“Don’t blame him, professor. It was all me. I was the one who forced him to come.”
“Woah, hold on. No one is in trouble.”
“Oh. Ok. Well, Hank took me to Colorado to go pick up my brother. He’s bi which surprised me. But I would love for him to stay here. We’ve already been separated for so long.”
“Alex, of course, he can. That’s why we started this place. We would never turn anyone away.”
“Ok. Thanks. For everything, you’ve been doing. I like being able to do good like this.”
“You're welcome. But you are the ones I should be thanking. I could not do this without you.”
Alex smiled and nodded, before leaving out the door. Hank followed him closely and closed the door behind them both. Then, he turned to Alex before letting out a snuffled laugh. Together they shuffled away down a connecting hallway.
“Oh my gosh, did you see the marks?” Alex laughed.
“Yes, I’ve never seen someone who tried to cover up hickeys and do such a bad job at it.”
“For real, like I hate to break it to you, professor, but that sweater isn’t doing anything.”
“Who do you think he did it with? Surely it wasn’t anyone here?”
“I wouldn’t be entirely sure. But, there are whispers about him and Erik.”
“Wait, what! I thought they were like enemies.”
“They are, but before that, both he and Raven were super close.”
“Huh, interesting.”
BACK IN THE OFFICE
“Hey,” Charles spoke softly as Erik entered the office.
He stood in silence for several seconds, “Hey, about today…”
“Wait before you say anything. Don’t go apologizing. Everything we did today was of my own free will. You didn’t force my hand on anything.”
“Ok, yeah. I just wanted to make sure we were clear on that. Everything just moved so fast.”
“Yeah, I have to admit, I think we both missed each other more than we first thought.”
“Yes, I guess we did.”
“This does not mean all is forgiven.”
“I didn’t think it did. Today was only a start.”
SEVERAL HOURS EARLIER
The two sat in the very corner of the café. The fading blue booth contrasts the dark colors of their clothes. Silence had fallen over the two as soon as the hostess had left.
“So what do you recommend?” Erik asked, peering over his menu.
“Their croissants are to die for and their English tea is very authentic.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Silence fell back over the table. Moments later, a waiter dressed in black stood in front of them.
“What can I get you, gentlemen?”
“I’ll start off with a simple breakfast tea, two creams, please, and a buttered croissant,” Charles told him.
“I’ll have the same, I guess.”
“Wonderful. That will be out in a few moments.”
After the waiter left, the conversation got a lot easier. Both talked about what they had been up to since they had last parted ways. The new books they had been reading and new foods they’d tried. The topic of how Erik had left never dared touch either of their tongues. Everything was easy there. But, the longing for good times of before couldn’t be overshadowed by the elephant in the room.
“This is nice and all, Erik. But we can’t keep dodging the issue forever.”
“I know. I guess I just wanted to reminisce for a bit.”
“I understand, my friend. But we must talk about it.”
“I know that too. And I guess I want to start with sorry. I wanted so badly to be out in the streets fighting that I guess I forgot what really mattered. And the minute things started looking south, I got scared and bailed. And I took your sister with me. I haven't even managed to forgive myself for dragging her down with me.”
“And I know that. I know you wanted to help. But, at the time, it was just a lot. I also understand why you left. And Erik, you need to know I never held Raven leaving against you. She chose to make that decision. That’s not, and never was your fault. She was getting restless. If she didn’t leave with you, she would have left on her own. I’m at least happy she had someone with her when she did.
The conversation flowed to the newfound residents of the X-Mansion.
“No matter how much I loved the idea of bringing in your children, I was scared. I haven't lived with anyone since you and Raven took off. I got pretty used to being alone in that big ole’ mansion. But, I guess I didn’t realize how lonely it was until it was bustling with all this new energy.”
“Yeah, they sure are a handful.”
“Yes, I hope everything is going all right there. We put our trust in the older kids to take care of them, and I am scared we gave them more than we should have.”
“Oh, I’m sure they're fine. After all they’ve been through, they are hardly kids anymore. It’s a sad but honest truth.”
The conversation took more turns and twists as the two continued to fill each other in on the years of their lives they missed together. Eventually, the waitress brought them their food and drinks. A quieter peace fell over them as they snacked and talked for almost another hour. But it was getting late, so Charles paid and left a hefty tip before they headed back to the mansion. All seemed calm when they got back. Kids playing in the yard, watching tv in the lounge, and some were up in their bedrooms. Charles found Raven in the kitchen with a few of the older kids. She had to regretfully inform him that Hank and Alex had run off with his jet. But, for some reason, he was not scared or upset like he assumed he would be. Something about the way Raven told the story and a feeling in his gut told him it would be fine. So, he took it upon himself to invite Erik into his private study.
They started a game of chess, but it did not last long. The long years without each other touch left them both longing for more than conversation. Before either could even say check the board had been pushed to the side and Erik was on top of Charles. He bent his neck down and kissed Charles softly. The man then took this as an invitation, grabbing the other’s shirt and pulling him closer, deepening the kiss. Before long, they managed to fit themselves horizontally on the small loveseat. As soon as they were comfortable, Erik grabbed the hem of Charles’ shirt and yanked it off, depositing it on the floor. Then, slowly, he began trailing soft kisses down the younger man’s chest. Once he found his nipple he bit down hard, earning himself a moan from Charles.
“You like that, don’t you.”
“Yes,” he groaned back.
Erik continued the same pattern across the chest, then back towards his neck.
“Don’t leave too many the kids will see.”
“Oh, but then they will know you are all mine,” Erik whispered as he bit down on a soft spot of Charles's neck. A trick he learned years ago. On command, the man bucked his hips upward.
“You can always wear a turtle neck anyway. But I’ll still know.”
“Fine, just go back to doing that!”
Erik smiled against the skin and did as he was asked.