Thank you very much! I'm really pleased you enjoyed it - the payoff of writing something is getting lovely feedback like this, so I appreciate it :)

I agree, it absolutely had to be taken away from Erik at the last moment, because it would be too easy for him just to change his mind again about letting Charles go and not really have the impetus to do anything about it. He needed the ultimate push. But it still had to be his choice, something he decided for himself, or else it would undermine all of his changes and choices up until that point, if he didn't make the decision for himself. It was a tough tight-rope to walk, so I'm really glad it worked for you!

I'm still a bit too close to it, really - I feel like a friend of mine died, I'm not quite sure what to do with myself without Erik in my head. But getting such a lovely comment helps soothe my aching soul :D