[ He laughs at the innocent and enthusiastic way Erik's mouth finds his cheek but the minute he speaks again he feels his breath catch and his chest constrict. He turns to his side to find his lover's mouth, kiss him in an unhurried but loving way. ]

I felt it the minute I felt you. You were like a flare inside of my mind. I don't think I had any choice but to love you. [ Fingers in his hair and his forehead pressing against Erik's. ] The world realigned. My whole axis changed. You know that, don't you? That no matter what happened between us, no matter who we were, or how angry we might have been, I was always turned towards you.

[ He lets his voice fall silent, instead choosing to run his hands along the shape of Erik's back, over the notches in his spine and the scars on his skin. It's almost innocent and reverent until his palms skate over the waistband of his trousers and squeeze his arse. Were they having a moment? Probably. But he has missed being able to do that. ]

Mm. I've missed you. [ Teasingly. ] You too, Erik.