[ Ah, excellent, either himself or another telepath has taught Erik that little technique, then. Charles would have been happy to do so here, but not having to do so does save time.
The offered hand gives him pause, makes his heart skip the tiniest of beats, an uncertain gaze flicking up to Erik's face. He doesn't need physical contact. Erik knows that. Physical contact doesn't even make it easier. And yet, it's being offered. Tentatively, hopefully, he reaches out to grasp Erik's hand, fingers curling securely around his.
It's the work of a moment to dip into his mind. Some minds simply shine brighter to a telepath, and Erik's-- god, Erik is like a forest fire among candles. It's not just his power, though that immense magnetism is more powerful than most. It's how neatly they slot together. It's how precious this particular mind is to him. It's how much their chance meeting in that freezing ocean meant. It's how much it meant when Erik left him on that beach, or dropped a stadium on him, or tried to kill Raven. It's how much it meant when Erik let him in, halfway across the globe, sick with grief and En Sabah Nur's influence but still open to Charles' telepathic touch.
He takes them to a mental space he fondly dubs the lobby, a space in between memories. Charles' own landscape looks like a massive library, with books as his memories, some out in the open, some tucked away in darkness, some gathering dust. He will let Erik's own landscape fill out with his own unique signature.
As it builds around them, Charles says: ]
Thank you, my friend. I know this is not an easy ask.
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The offered hand gives him pause, makes his heart skip the tiniest of beats, an uncertain gaze flicking up to Erik's face. He doesn't need physical contact. Erik knows that. Physical contact doesn't even make it easier. And yet, it's being offered. Tentatively, hopefully, he reaches out to grasp Erik's hand, fingers curling securely around his.
It's the work of a moment to dip into his mind. Some minds simply shine brighter to a telepath, and Erik's-- god, Erik is like a forest fire among candles. It's not just his power, though that immense magnetism is more powerful than most. It's how neatly they slot together. It's how precious this particular mind is to him. It's how much their chance meeting in that freezing ocean meant. It's how much it meant when Erik left him on that beach, or dropped a stadium on him, or tried to kill Raven. It's how much it meant when Erik let him in, halfway across the globe, sick with grief and En Sabah Nur's influence but still open to Charles' telepathic touch.
He takes them to a mental space he fondly dubs the lobby, a space in between memories. Charles' own landscape looks like a massive library, with books as his memories, some out in the open, some tucked away in darkness, some gathering dust. He will let Erik's own landscape fill out with his own unique signature.
As it builds around them, Charles says: ]
Thank you, my friend. I know this is not an easy ask.