‘Charles,’ Erik let out a groan. ‘Charles – you have to go.’
Charles’s mouth tightened and he reached out and squeezed Erik’s hand.
‘I’m not leaving you,’ he said determinedly, causing Erik to groan again, this time out of despair for Charles’s stubbornness.
‘Charles -’ he winced with the effort it cost him to talk and so switched into speaking with his mind. Charles, you are useless here. Shaw has the helmet. There is nothing you can do. You need to leave.
Never, Charles said immediately, gripping Erik’s hand all the tighter. He gave him a faint smile. I am afraid that you are stuck with me till the bitter end, my friend.
Erik tried to glare at him but winced as the cut on his brow sent a throb of pain though him.
This is folly, Charles, he tried again. Save yourself. Get as far away from here as possible. Shaw knows about you now. He will come after you, I know it. And with his helmet you will be all but defenceless – I won’t be there to protect you.
I’m not completely helpless, you know, Charles said wryly, an undercurrent of fondness threading through his words. And you, my friend, are giving up far too easily for a man who spent his whole life waiting for this moment.
Erik let out a ghastly smile, his eyes slightly wild and his mouth stained with blood.
I don’t need to tell you that this encounter always went slightly differently whenever I imagined it, he laughed humourlessly. Besides, the only way to stop Shaw is by killing him. I thought you wouldn’t be too welcoming of that.
Charles hesitated.
I’m not, he said at last. He paused. But in the end, when it comes down to it, if I had to choose between the two of you … well. There is no contest, Erik.
Erik swallowed and felt something tug at his chest that had nothing to do with his pulverised ribs.
Right, he said weakly. With an effort, he pulled himself up, groaning as his entire body protested at the movement. So – now what?
Charles returned his gaze levelly.
Now, he said coolly. You get rid of Shaw’s helmet.
Erik blinked and he stared at Charles. Then, slowly, his mouth lifted up in a feral grin. Without a word, he nodded.
Heat - Part 34b
‘Charles,’ Erik let out a groan. ‘Charles – you have to go.’
Charles’s mouth tightened and he reached out and squeezed Erik’s hand.
‘I’m not leaving you,’ he said determinedly, causing Erik to groan again, this time out of despair for Charles’s stubbornness.
‘Charles -’ he winced with the effort it cost him to talk and so switched into speaking with his mind. Charles, you are useless here. Shaw has the helmet. There is nothing you can do. You need to leave.
Never, Charles said immediately, gripping Erik’s hand all the tighter. He gave him a faint smile. I am afraid that you are stuck with me till the bitter end, my friend.
Erik tried to glare at him but winced as the cut on his brow sent a throb of pain though him.
This is folly, Charles, he tried again. Save yourself. Get as far away from here as possible. Shaw knows about you now. He will come after you, I know it. And with his helmet you will be all but defenceless – I won’t be there to protect you.
I’m not completely helpless, you know, Charles said wryly, an undercurrent of fondness threading through his words. And you, my friend, are giving up far too easily for a man who spent his whole life waiting for this moment.
Erik let out a ghastly smile, his eyes slightly wild and his mouth stained with blood.
I don’t need to tell you that this encounter always went slightly differently whenever I imagined it, he laughed humourlessly. Besides, the only way to stop Shaw is by killing him. I thought you wouldn’t be too welcoming of that.
Charles hesitated.
I’m not, he said at last. He paused. But in the end, when it comes down to it, if I had to choose between the two of you … well. There is no contest, Erik.
Erik swallowed and felt something tug at his chest that had nothing to do with his pulverised ribs.
Right, he said weakly. With an effort, he pulled himself up, groaning as his entire body protested at the movement. So – now what?
Charles returned his gaze levelly.
Now, he said coolly. You get rid of Shaw’s helmet.
Erik blinked and he stared at Charles. Then, slowly, his mouth lifted up in a feral grin. Without a word, he nodded.