A Morning Jog is Good for Your Health

A Lab Rat

"You sure you're okay today?" Erik asked during their usual morning run.

"Same as always." Charles replied a little reluctantly. He didn't want to lie to Erik but he couldn't fake joy either. He wasn't joyful. Not when his thoughts were with his research and what new surprises his boss might suddenly throw at him.

Erik stopped running, taking Charles' hand in his. "You know you can talk to me, right? Whatever it is that's bothering you, you can tell me."

Charles almost melted right there and then. Erik's voice was so comforting and his gaze so warm, it made Charles' heart flutter. He felt like the worst man alive because he wanted to share with Erik but he knew well that he shouldn't. It wasn't that he didn't trust Erik -- surprisingly, he trusted Erik more than he trusted anyone else, -- but he was afraid that telling him about the research might endanger Erik somehow. Charles wasn't sure if his stepfather or En Sabah Nur would go as far as harming people for knowing about a super-secret research but he didn't want to take a risk with Erik. Erik's well-being was a priority!

It was frustrating that his job once again prevented him from having a normal life. IT took from him this one simple activity of sharing workday stories with his boyfriend, complaining about his boss, whining about how stressed he was. He could not do any of these normal things. But that was his reality, and hopefully, after the research was over Charles would be able to quit and leave that part of his life behind him. Maybe then he could explain to Erik everything. If Erik was still with him by then, of course...

Erik cleared his throat and Charles realized he was still waiting for a reply. He was beginning to look concerned.

"You really seem troubled, Charles." Erik said.

"It's just work." Charles shrugged, still holding Erik's hands. The touch was too pleasant to let go.

"Is work troubling you? Too much stress?"

Charles nodded. "These days especially." he sighed.

"I'm here for you, Charles."

Charles smiled. "I know. And I know I can talk to you about anything. But it's just work related. It's--" he trailed off.

"I know how stuff at work can get." Erik rolled his eyes with a little smile of his own. "Things can get rough. We're put under a lot of pressure sometimes and it can be quite stressful. And you never talk about it with me so I assume--"

"There's not much to it to talk about." Charles said hurriedly. "You know?"

"I know. Okay. I just don't want you stressing out, that's all. Maybe we could go to my place and I could give you a relaxing massage. I'm really good with my hands."

Charles chuckled and gave him an affectionate smile. "You're so sweet to worry about me like that." he said, feeling all warm inside. "No one ever does that. Not since-- since a long time."

"You're not alone anymore, Charles. You have me by your side now." Erik said and when he leaned in to kiss him Charles could hardly remember what his research even was about.

~*~

"This is Armando Muñoz." Warren said, his face unreadable.

Charles frowned at the man, sitting on the metal table in the middle of the lab. He was wearing a hospital gown and looking straight ahead as if he did not see neither Charles, nor Warran.

"I don't understand." Charles said. "Why are you here exactly?"

The question was directed at Mr. Muñoz but the man hardly showed any signs of even hearing the words.