The Sweetest Thing

"It's your move, Charles"

The sudden sound of Erik's deep voice jarred the telepath from his reverie. Hurriedly, Charles snapped his attention to the chessboard and tried to make it seem like he hadn't been day-dreaming at all. The fact that Charles had had a little bit to drink didn't help his mind stay sharp as it happened to be that alcohol actually caused the younger man's mind to stray into all sorts of interesting thoughts--sometimes not just his own, either. The trip his mind had just recently wandered on involved the dashing man sitting across from him who was not nearly as affected by the numerous glasses of scotch as he himself was. Quietly and with some difficulty, Charles contemplated his next move and managed to move his queen across the board without knocking over any of the other pieces. It was Erik's move now and Charles propped his elbow up on his crossed knee so he could rest his chin in his hand as he watched Erik's concentrated face. His face wasn't flushed pink and rounded with gentle features like Charles' no, their looks were quite opposite in fact--Erik having a bold jawline and strong definite features that included linear, thin lips and a sharp, untrusting gaze. Many people were put off by what they considered standoffish looks, but Charles found them surprisingly attractive, even when he wasn't under the influence.

Charles observed unreserved as Erik's strong, flat hands moved over the board and gently moved the pieces, taking over Charles' bishop--the younger man didn't even seem to notice, and even if he did he didn't care because he was too transfixed by his friend's good looks. It seemed strange to Charles that Erik's hands appeared so large and powerful yet his movements with them were gentle and controlled.

Exquisite, Charles thought.

"What is?"

Erik inquired of his friend who didn't seem to know what he was referring to.

"I'm sorry? I'm afraid I don't know what y--"

"I heard you--thinking, loudly.' Exquisite' is what you projected and I wondered what you were describing."

Charles felt slightly embarrassed now, not intending to think so loudly. He silently cursed the alcohol and thought to cover up the mishap but as he opened his mouth to speak he recanted that thought and wondered if he just shouldn't tell Erik the truth. Feeling more confident than usual, probably with help from the numerous drinks, Charles mentally cued up a straightforward reply. He looked steadily into Erik's eyes as he awaited his response and Charles broke into a smile.

"Well?"

Erik impatiently wondered and after another moment of Charles gazing steadfast at Erik, he delivered the answer to his friend's question with a small laugh.

"You are."

Their eyes lost contact as Erik turned his head and scoffed skeptically at Charles' cheesiness--he tried to keep a straight face but his thin lips betrayed him as they formed a tiny, amused smile.

"Perhaps you've had too much to drink, Charles."

As much as Erik was trying to hide the fact that he was flattered, it wasn't proving very effective and Charles was encouraged to press on.

"I'm serious, Erik. I think you're quite lovely. Just--just everything about you is different than I've seen in anyone else and I can't help but to find it appealing."

Charles' loving blue eyes gazed admiringly at Erik and the older man couldn't help but feel a stir of something within himself--was it affection? Appreciation? Reciprocation of Charles' feelings? Amused, Erik leaned back in his chair and returned Charles' gaze with his own grey-green eyes.

"Charles, are you flirting with me?"

Erik sat relaxed in his chair, his legs crossed, one hand in his lap and the other gently running a finger along his jaw. One eyebrow was raised and a devilish grin crept across his linear face as Charles admired from his seat with a smile of his own.

"Do you not think it possible that I just wanted to compliment you?"

Both men knew that wasn't a serious possibility given Charles' inclination to being a flirt. Reaching into his pocket, Erik began to unwrap a bar of dark chocolate as he eyed Charles playfully.

"I hardly think that's a common motive for you to say such nice things--especially when you've been drinking."

For a second Charles thought he saw Erik wink at him as he slipped a piece of the chocolate into his mouth but that couldn't be--perhaps Erik was right about him having drank too much. Still, Charles couldn't help but stare over at Erik as he watched him work over the candy in his mouth as it melted slowly.

I wonder what it tastes like?

He'd done it again--he thought too loudly and ended up projecting his thoughts to the only other person in the room which happened to be Erik. His friend couldn't help but find this notion entertaining and with a small laugh he broke off a piece of the chocolate and held it out to Charles.

"Try a piece? It's my favorite. I only really like dark chocolate."

"Really? I've never had dark chocolate I'm afraid."

Erik's eyebrows raised in surprise.

"You must try it then. It's not very sweet though, at least not as much as other chocolates."

Charles accepted the chocolate and trying a small piece, he found he loved it--even more than regular chocolate.

"I know why you enjoy it so much... it tastes wonderful. Not very sweet like you said though."

Erik licked his lips and proposed an idea.

"If you come here I know a way we can make it sweeter."

Usually it was Charles making such suggestive comments and so he was shocked for a small moment at Erik's forwardness. Erik was 100% serious though, Charles found as he quickly scanned the surface of his friend's thoughts finding a swirl of emotions--desire, lust, amusement, excitement, kissmeiwantyoutokissmewanttofeelyou

Erik was now leaning subconsciously far over the table and now Charles did the same as he neared tantalizingly close to Erik's face.

"You know Erik, chocolate has been speculated as being a mild aphrodisiac."

Erik gave a low hum of interest as he stared at Charles' parted lips.

"Well, I suppose their speculations hold some truth."

Erik closed the distance between them and as their lips met perfectly, the older man hummed with contentment as he placed a hand on the side of Charles' face. The first careful kiss seemed to last a century but was eventually broken and immediately renewed as a slow, languid kiss--their lips moving slowly and gently over one another's, exploring happily. Erik delicately sucked and nibbled on Charles' lower lip and he gasped quietly at the sensation. Erik couldn't believe how soft Charles' lips were against his and proceeded to explore them with his tongue. Charles welcomed the action and the kiss deepened. Charles could taste the faint flavor of the chocolate they shared in Erik's mouth and the experience was incredibly erotic for him--he'd never kissed someone like this before whose lips tasted so flavorful… not even girls.

Charles' hands ran though Erik's hair now causing him to softly moan when suddenly the kiss broke off. They wanted more of each other, wanted to hold each other and feel that warmth between them but as it was there was a table in the way that prevented such closeness. Eager as they were to resume the kiss, both men stood up, leaving the chess game where it was, and their empty glasses on the floor. Erik unwrapped the rest of the chocolate and splitting it between them, he listened to what Charles was saying to him.

"Erik, it's not like me to admit things like this so soon but that was the best kiss I've ever had."

Tossing the wrapper to the chocolate bar on the chess table, Erik smiled at the compliment and pulled Charles close with an arm around his waist.

"Me too, now have some more chocolate and come to bed with me."

Charles kissed Erik quickly on the lips before exiting the library on their way up to Erik's room.

"I'd be pleased to."


Erik gave a quiet, contented laugh before he kissed Charles on his forehead as they stood outside Erik's bedroom door.