Their quiet moments together, strained but still connected are heavy with what's not being said but can't be ignored and when Charles initiates that frantic, final night together I just knew...that and Azazel's earlier expression aimed at Erik...I wondered if Kurt would unintentionally be the one to blow this open. Oh man, the way the confrontation plays out -- fantastic. I like how you kept it simple and quiet rather than over the top dramatic. I like that Emma and Azazel could be confused and frustrated, but in a way also understanding (Emma moreso given she can slip into Erik's mind and sees the fierceness of his feelings towards Charles). Though they ultimately keep his secret for the purposes of keeping what they've built from crumbling, on a personal level it does speak toward the familial, friendly bonds they've come to share.
My heart broke when Erik admits to Charles he was going to let him go and then Azazel takes him away. You wrote it so beautifully, so heartwrenchingly. Gorgeous.
And, of course, the epilogue. Totally the ending that rocks my world every which way to Sunday. It's the perfect call back to a dreamed of life Erik never thought they'd get to share -- him and Charles walking out in the open together, in a garden, surrounded by a brilliant explosion of colour, the two of them uncompromised (Erik still stoic and powerful but now more at ease in his position and in possession of a heart, something many thought he lacked as he put up a cold, unflinching front, and Charles, free, sharing his ideas with the world, allowed to be who he wants to be) and still utterly in love with each other.
And the extra bit of awesomeness -- them both putting their hearts on the line -- Charles refusing to go backwards, insisting on being true to himself and Erik loving that, feeling in control of his own desires, and want to court Charles. It's truly the beginning for them of something beautiful.
I could go on and on. There's so much to say about this story but I fear I've rambled on long enough. So let me say thank you -- Thank you for writing such a wonderful story. It's been an honour to have read it from the start.
Part 2 of Reply
My heart broke when Erik admits to Charles he was going to let him go and then Azazel takes him away. You wrote it so beautifully, so heartwrenchingly. Gorgeous.
And, of course, the epilogue. Totally the ending that rocks my world every which way to Sunday. It's the perfect call back to a dreamed of life Erik never thought they'd get to share -- him and Charles walking out in the open together, in a garden, surrounded by a brilliant explosion of colour, the two of them uncompromised (Erik still stoic and powerful but now more at ease in his position and in possession of a heart, something many thought he lacked as he put up a cold, unflinching front, and Charles, free, sharing his ideas with the world, allowed to be who he wants to be) and still utterly in love with each other.
And the extra bit of awesomeness -- them both putting their hearts on the line -- Charles refusing to go backwards, insisting on being true to himself and Erik loving that, feeling in control of his own desires, and want to court Charles. It's truly the beginning for them of something beautiful.
I could go on and on. There's so much to say about this story but I fear I've rambled on long enough. So let me say thank you -- Thank you for writing such a wonderful story. It's been an honour to have read it from the start.