Erik stares at Charles on his television, giving some limp speech about mutant-man togetherness that Erik has muted after the first few minutes of because he does not want his neighbors to think he's a senile old man; he's learned long ago not to attract attention from one's neighbors, and arguing with a television is the very definition of senile old man, which he is not.

He's still a beautiful man, Erik thinks, chopping vegetables as he watches the news on mute; time has preserved him well -- and knowing it's a bad idea, he turns the volume back on, just to hear the once-familiar timbre of his voice.

Thankfully none of the neighbors call as Erik chops with a heavier hand, bashing the carrots to bits as he fumes.