[What's right. That's such a - weird way of putting it. Not bad. Just weird. Charles and Erik have, in the time he's known them, been such believers in absolutes. For a long time, Alex was too. Now he believes, yes, in right and wrong, but in a gray space in the middle as well. Where things make sense or don't, depending on what light you shine on them.]

[Erik is leaving. Alex knows that. His voice is thick and feels speckled with joy and sorrow, grief and pride, an impossible mixture of emotion than he wouldn't have any idea how to express even if he wanted to.]

[Instead of trying, he clears his throat and says something else impossible.]

I wouldn't have gone with Charles if it wasn't for you. I wouldn't have - trusted, without both of you. So I accept your apology, I do, but I don't need it. I understand.

[Not Erik's actions; he might never understand those. But Erik, he understands, in the crisp and jarring way he understands his own reflection.]

[They are too similar.]