Someone had me live this way [Cherik]

6. A secret

Thursday was saved by a foray into the city of lights for the essential products. It's not that it was rare for him to buy something apart from whiskey and apples in grocery stores, not at all, it's just that he had completely forgotten in all the domestic inquiry that he actually does consume something else sometimes.

Friday was brightened up by a new issue of the scientific magazine he was getting by mail. Nothing of too much importance: a few obvious theories proven, some minor sociological discoveries made, a couple of names printed for the first time – always a good sight. Professor didn't quite remember what else he had been doing that day apart from examining the articles, but for once it was quiet and peaceful in his heart: the chores done, the Saturday... still ages away.

On the Saturday morning Charles agreed it was time to pull oneself together. He had indeed done so, but a few hours later, having slipped back into sleep – by sometime around noon he had woken up in cold sweat ("Oh no, did I sleep through it?") and jumped out of the bed. That's a promising start.

Still, the hasty preparations for the guests visit did serve as a great distraction from the creeping thoughts on all the unnecessary drama he was ready to start between himself and Raven. In the rest of the day Charles managed to get himself to look presentable, finished the remaining bits of cleaning and then made himself presentable just once again to be sure.

The fireplace was creaking softly with the oak logs (the night strangely cold for this time of the year). Charles was blowing the dust off of the chess set that's been successfully recovered only at the last moment, when he heard the knock on the door. Oh the clock above it, the hour hand had just passed eight hours.

– Coming, – he loudly announced, putting the set off onto the chess table in the center of the room.

Charles came up to the door and freezed for a couple of moments, picturing how behind the door someone patiently stood rocking from heel to toe, examining the stone pattern of the masonry. Xavier had also just remembered he didn't just invite someone over for tea and small talk, but for a discussion on sensitive personal matters and, in fact, to give answers, which the professor... didn't yet have.

Well, guess he will cross that bridge when he gets there. Cross it, tear it apart, break it to pieces, burn it the hell down or, maybe, leave it untouched and complete as it were – regardless, all of that only after he reaches it, not a second earlier. He's suddenly too drained to think even two lines ahead. He simply opened the door.

– Good evening, – Charles greeted his guest in a tone probably more welcoming than these walls had ever heard.

The wayward man was still wearing the mourning black among the absolutely everloving green summer – and though Charles had no complaints on how the turtleneck highlights one's figure, a thought that Erik might actually be mourning someone had crossed his mind. Now that would be the worst possible timing for a foolish professor to invite him to play games, wouldn't it?

– Come on in, – "be my guest", almost added professor, "make yourself at home", nearly blurted out Charles. Having stopped somewhere in between, Xavier had but a vague understanding on who he was supposed to be to this not yet familiar, but somehow... understandable person.

Erik followed, and, looking impressed only out of sheer politeness, it seemed like he didn't really know what it was that he was looking for in the professor's private property.
Xavier, the responsible host he was, decided to leave as little time as possible for the comprehension of the situation for both himself and his guest. He moved on to the living room, with a gesture inviting his guest to follow him.

Sometime later Charles' listing of the contents of his rich for all kinds of alcohol cellar was stopped by Erik somewhere after vermouth. While the host was organising the drinks (and, less successfully himself), his guest made himself comfortable in one of the chairs and began to put the pieces on the desk.