A Very Cherik Sleepover

When Charles is all you can think about

Charles didn't care about him... For Charles what they just did was just practice for the real thing. The real thing and Erik wasn't the real thing...

It shouldn't be breaking his heart but it nevertheless did. It did so repeatedly for that matter. He didn't expect heartbreak would actually hurt that much. He really felt his heart being ripped out of his chest and broken to smithereens.

Erik tried to hold his tears because he didn't want to add embarrassment and shame to his sorrow. He turned the other way, in the bed, facing the wall and pretended to sleep. Charles just left him there and went back up to the upper bunk bed. Erik felt cold and alone and lonely and just a moment ago he was happy as a bumblebee. A few quiet sobs that he did his best to suppress. A few flashbacks as to what happened and what he thought it meant... Erik could not sleep this night. Erik was emotionally exhausted and so hurt. Erik was broken.

~*~

The next morning Charles was in a great mood, he hummed as he was combing his hair with great care. He took pride in his hair and he wanted it to look amazing. Erik looked at that hair and sighed 'damn it, it was amazing!'. And so soft, Erik now knew that all too well. He knew exactly what Charles felt like and this was a painful pleasure for him.

"Well, come on, sleepyhead. You have to get ready, we'll be late for school." Charles smiled at him from the mirror.

Erik forced a smile and forced himself to get up from the bed despite the stinging in his eyes, tears begging to fall. His whole body was hoping that if he just cries and cries the sorrow and pain would go away. But Erik did not allow himself to cry. Erik had to be strong.

"Okay, I'm done." Charles said, taking one final look at the mirror. "I'll get down for breakfast. See you there. Don't take too long, you look good already." his friend winked and before Erik knew it, Charles leaned in towards Erik who was still sitting on his bed, and kissed him gently on the lips.

Erik closed his eyes involuntarily. Charles' lips on his lips. Such sweet pain!

Before he could say anything in return, Charles was out of the bedroom and Erik felt cold once again.

~*~

Pretending everything was like before was hard but Erik managed nevertheless and in a way he was proud of himself for not letting his mental break down take control over him. What was extremely surprising to Erik was how Charles had no difficulty whatsoever to keep going the same way as before -- he was cheerful and in excellent mood, smiling, blushing, tapping Erik's shoulder and making hilarious but embarrassing references about what they did last night.

"Erik?" Charles said after school "Can I sleep over tonight as well?"

Erik blinked a few times, taken by surprise.

"You know... sleep over... " the words were accompanied by a wink and a little chuckle.

Erik hated himself for what he was about to say.

"Sure." he nodded and forced a smile.

Why did he agree to this? Well, wouldn't you agree too if the love of your life wanted to be with you? Well, Erik isn't you so he said yes.

~*~

They ended up spending the evening in the living room and watching TV with Erik's mum. Charles loved Edie but right now he had more interesting ideas on his mind.

"I'm really tired..." he yawned "Should we go have an early night, Erik?"

Erik swallowed hard "You go, I want to see what happens next on the show..." he mumbled