"Yes, Charles, I've packed everything we'll need. Including band-aids," he says, pulling them out of the basket. He puts the condoms back too, because he'd packed plenty and because he thinks it's a little bit odd for them to show up to buy it as if they're a couple. They are, but he thinks it's a bit dangerous for them to do something so brazenly public.

He knows Charles could just erase this person's memories, but Erik is always hiding in the shadows, trying not to stand out until it's time to strike. He doesn't want to live this way, of course, but he's always felt like he's had to hide a part of who he is. His judaism, his mutantism, his sexuality.

In some ways, he feels like all the things he identifies with are still a trap. And he'd hate to have to ruin Oxford for Charles. "We'll pick up some groceries also," he says. "If the rain continues on like this. No biking into the city tomorrow."