The Importance of Being Honest

Charles was pacing nervously the living room, the exquisite carpet was soft under his feet but he payed little attention to that. His mind was preoccupied with something far more important, far more dangerous. He had this threat hanging above his head like a dark cloud in his life for a while now but it was a completely different matter when he involuntarily dragged Erik into this. The suspicions, the accusations, the rumours... they could lead to a thorough investigation and Charles knew well that if that happened, he'd be easily found guilty. No one cared that he and Erik never really... never even...

Charles ran his trembling fingers through his hair and let out a loud sigh.

It was calling hours and he knew his friend Erik would arrive soon. For some time now all other callers - the socialite that claimed to be Sir Charles Xavier's friends - were doing their best to avoid him. Charles knew why. He never dared ask because he dreaded hearing the words. He did not trust his reaction upon hearing the words out loud.

If it were only himself that he was endangering with his inclinations he would not be this worried. But he was dragging Erik down with him. And he could not have that! Erik was innocent, unlike Charles who was perverted in the eyes of society. Charles could not let himself be the reason of Erik's undoing. Therefore it was time for them to have a serious conversation. One that was likely to leave one of them heartbroken; but Charles never expected it to be easy.

He thought he caught a glimpse of Erik getting out of a hansom and approaching Charles' door so the young man quickly removed himself from the window and assumed his usual position in such situations. He willed his face to calm down - at least in appearance he had to look in control, relaxed. On the inside though... oh, on the inside...

Erik's firm steps and the door opening and then the moment they were alone...

"Sir Charles!" Erik greeted with mock formality as he nodded his head from the neck.

The edges of his lips twisted up in amusement and Charles could tell his friend was happy to see him. Charles could not return the little joke as he usually would and did which made Erik's face fall in confusion.

"Charles?" Erik asked, eyes fixed on his shorter friend with genuine concern. "Is something wrong?"

Charles had to be brave! He really wanted to savor this moment - the moment when Erik was still looking at him in this way that showed the warm affections of a friend. Charles dreaded what he might find in Erik's gaze after Erik finds out about-- things... He only knew that it would be too painful to see disgust in his friend's eyes. And yet, it was a price he was willing to pay if it meant saving Erik from ruin!

"Erik..." he spoke when he thought his voice was more steady. "I'm afraid we need to discuss something very important."

"Alright..." Erik said, brow furrowing as he sat down on his usual place on the sofa, listening carefully to what Charles had to tell him.

Charles suppressed his sigh and continued. "I... we have to terminate our friendship."

The words were blunt and painful to say. He could see Erik's hurt expression, his confusion, his sorrow. Losing a friend, especially a friend as close as they've become, was not an easy thing to do. It was a terrible loss and Charles understood that perfectly well.

"W-what." Erik finally uttered. "Why? What did I do wrong?"

Charles grimaced at the thought that Erik considered himself the reason for this.

"No. No, Erik, you didn't do anything wrong." he said. "If anyone's done anything wrong, it's me! It's all my fault and I am so sorry about this."

Erik was still looking at him utterly puzzled and lost. "Charles, I don't understand. What caused this? I will respect your wishes, naturally, but I believe I deserve a proper explanation. In the name of the friendship we once shared and you no longer desire, please, tell me what's going on."