Wild (Cherik Book One)

My Darling

"Awake wide-eyes, yeah, I'm screaming at me

Trying to keep faith and picture his face 

Staring up at me.

Without losing a piece of me,

How do I get to Heaven?"

________CHARLIE__________

The remainder of the camping trip was wildly uneventful in comparison to that night. Everyone had returned some hours later to find Charlie and Erik fast asleep in each others arms; an old rerun of some forgotten show playing in the background. Everyone had quickly rushed to bed to avoid bothering them. It was only Raven who dared cover the duo in a large blanket from the wooden crate. A hopeful smile stretched on her lips as she wished them both a goodnight and took the warm hand of her own love before following her down the hall.

Some hours later, when the clock struck around two in the morning, Charlie awoke with a horrible crick in his neck. The angle in which he'd fallen asleep left little to no leeway for stretching. His body having contorted to fit on the small couch. A groan escaped his lips as he looked to the arm wrapped securely around his body. Charlie felt memories flood his brain and a small smile of disbelief covered his face.

"Erik...Erik please wake up," Charlie whispered as he moved his head slightly. Erik was much taller than him so the tangled web of limbs was harder to move from than normal.

"Hmm?" Erik hummed in confusion.

"Come on, this couch isn't much meant for anyone to sleep on." Charlie finally stood up and Erik opened his eyes. He creased his brow and looked at Charlie.

"Come on, my dear. Up we go," Charlie nodded and held his hand out. Erik took it drowsily before standing firmly on his feet. He squeezed Charlie's hand as if to check its existence was still present, Charlie couldn't help but to smile.

The duo shuffled down the hallway through the cutting luminescence of moonlight in the windows. It cast shadows on the parallel walls that Charlie found himself looking at. Erik was so much larger than him, but nothing about that was bad. Erik was tall and strong, supportive and kind. He used his strength to lift him up, and Charlie loved him for it.

Erik pushed open the bedroom door and shuffled over slowly before flopping in a childish manner onto the big comforter. Charlie chuckled into his hand for a moment before Erik began crawling up and snuggled under the blankets.

"Just going to stand there Xavier?" Erik's voice was raspy and low. It rumbled in his chest through a teasing manner as he supported his head with his hand. Charlie rolled his eyes and felt heat rise to his cheeks before running over and jumping onto the bed. Erik held up the blanket just enough to engulf him in it when he landed. They were facing one another, faces close enough to see features in the dark. Charlie could make out the cheekbones and jawline that cut through his face. His broken nose, the scars that lightened in the summer. His summer freckles, like lightly colored constellations splayed across his face. Those eyes, usually so heavy and concerned now completely soft. Like someone had smoothed out the edges. And the way he looked at him, it was as if Charlie hung the stars. They were silent for a while, heads on pillows and eyes locked lovingly on one another. There wasn't much to say, that's the way it always was for them.

"You're so beautiful," Erik whispered, his voice barely intelligible. He raised his hand and laid it gently on Charlie's cheek before leaning forward and kissing him on the forehead. It was warm and electric on Charlie's skin. It shocked him, the sudden burst of affection. He hadn't been used to it, not without strings attached. Charlie felt another smile of amazement cover his face. Here he was laying beside Erik. Erik who loved him who wanted to be with him. It was exciting in a way that was so shocking it hurt his chest. He wanted to give Erik the world if he so wished.