![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Uh-huh, that's exactly what I mean. You talk to yourself and pretend it's JARVIS.
You also always turn everything into a joke.
Do you really want me to keep going? I feel like this is annoying, me listing all these things about you.
You also always turn everything into a joke.
Do you really want me to keep going? I feel like this is annoying, me listing all these things about you.
"Good. I want you to feel safe." He's never going to let anyone hurt Erik again. What Shaw did to him is unforgivable. It's why Charles had kept up that psychic hold on the evil bastard despite knowing that Erik was going to kill him. It was justified, and since it was clearly Shaw or Erik, and who knows how many more who were going to end up dead that day, the choice had been an easy one to make, and it isn't one he's going to regret.
"Now let's play a game. And don't bother saying you'll go easy on me because you never do." Charles starts by moving one of his pawns, sort of carelessly, not giving it much thought, deciding to keep it simple at first. The challenging moves can come later when Erik least expects it.
A couple of games and a few more drinks later, and Charles is reading a book out loud while seated next to Erik. He's put a blanket over the man and pulled up the armrest so they can get comfortable next to each other. "You know, the point of me reading to you is so you'll get some sleep. It'll be hours before we land and we both know you didn't get much rest last night." Sean had accidentally broken his bedroom window, again, and he'd insisted that Erik fix it right away because he wasn't going to share a room with Alex. Charles had only found out about it in the morning when the boys had told him about it.
"Now let's play a game. And don't bother saying you'll go easy on me because you never do." Charles starts by moving one of his pawns, sort of carelessly, not giving it much thought, deciding to keep it simple at first. The challenging moves can come later when Erik least expects it.
A couple of games and a few more drinks later, and Charles is reading a book out loud while seated next to Erik. He's put a blanket over the man and pulled up the armrest so they can get comfortable next to each other. "You know, the point of me reading to you is so you'll get some sleep. It'll be hours before we land and we both know you didn't get much rest last night." Sean had accidentally broken his bedroom window, again, and he'd insisted that Erik fix it right away because he wasn't going to share a room with Alex. Charles had only found out about it in the morning when the boys had told him about it.
Well, that's a problem we shouldn't just avoid with humor, don't you think?
Erik usually doesn't go easy on Charles because he could easily have his mind read, and that generally keeps him from winning. But he tries his best, and he always comes up with lots of strategies on the fly, which he thinks helps to keep them both on their toes a little bit. That's just how they are with each other, and honestly, it's healthier than them fighting, at least.
A couple games later, Erik's got his head cradled against Charles' shoulder, and he isn't falling asleep, but he does want to continue listening to his voice.
"I know," he says, brushing off Charles' concern. "But it's not a problem. I've survived on less." He turns his face in towards Charles a little bit, and he doesn't want to say aloud that now that they're both awake, he doesn't want to miss a moment, even if that means losing out on a little sleep. It's a small price to pay.
A couple games later, Erik's got his head cradled against Charles' shoulder, and he isn't falling asleep, but he does want to continue listening to his voice.
"I know," he says, brushing off Charles' concern. "But it's not a problem. I've survived on less." He turns his face in towards Charles a little bit, and he doesn't want to say aloud that now that they're both awake, he doesn't want to miss a moment, even if that means losing out on a little sleep. It's a small price to pay.
Whatever spare time they have in the day or in the evenings are often spent playing chess together. Charles had tried to join Erik in the gym a few times, but he really isn't much for doing push-ups or sit-ups and whatever else Erik, Alex and Azazel seem to enjoy so much. The one time he'd tried to learn some basic boxing techniques, Charles had failed to dodge and Alex had punched him in the nose, and that was not great. Thankfully, there's Hank, and he's happy to stick to being able to do multiple laps around the mansion with him instead.
"It's a good thing we're just going to be spending time in my flat in Oxford. I suppose there'll be plenty of opportunities for you to catch up on some sleep then." He turns to the next page of the short novel and continues reading for a bit more before he puts the book down, deciding to focus his attention on Erik instead. If the man's not going to sleep, they might as well talk. But before that, he'll steal some quick kisses first. They're in their own private corner of the chartered plane, so this is perfectly fine.
"Do you know what Raven said when I told her about us? She said she suspected it for weeks because she smelled my shampoo on you. Of all things. I would've thought it would've been the fact we'd start a game of chess but never quite finish it..." He supposes no one pays attention to the chessboard in his study. Or that one time the books were in a haphazard pile on the floor right next to his desk.
"It's a good thing we're just going to be spending time in my flat in Oxford. I suppose there'll be plenty of opportunities for you to catch up on some sleep then." He turns to the next page of the short novel and continues reading for a bit more before he puts the book down, deciding to focus his attention on Erik instead. If the man's not going to sleep, they might as well talk. But before that, he'll steal some quick kisses first. They're in their own private corner of the chartered plane, so this is perfectly fine.
"Do you know what Raven said when I told her about us? She said she suspected it for weeks because she smelled my shampoo on you. Of all things. I would've thought it would've been the fact we'd start a game of chess but never quite finish it..." He supposes no one pays attention to the chessboard in his study. Or that one time the books were in a haphazard pile on the floor right next to his desk.
You think you'd make me cry?
Look, that's not the point.
You are pretty annoying, but that's okay, Tony, it's just part of who you are. And I like you this way.
Look, that's not the point.
You are pretty annoying, but that's okay, Tony, it's just part of who you are. And I like you this way.
"Charles, no one monitors our chess games," Erik responds, confirming that indeed, why would any of the kids care about that? Maybe they just thought they kept finishing and starting new ones, even. But he hadn't noticed that it was so stark of a difference to use Charles' shampoo instead of his own, and maybe to throw off the scent he should start buying Charles' shampoo instead.
"I'll sleep when you sleep," he resolves, leaning up from where he'd reclined on Charles' chest to kiss him gently. "You know, we should have a bike ride." Oxford's kind of a small town, so it won't be a long one, but he thinks it'll be nice for the two of them to ride around, maybe check out the clock tower.
He doesn't know what else they'll be doing there but research, and staying in so that they can have lots of private time in their well-sound-proofed living quarters. It doesn't sound like a bad shake, and in fact, sounds perfectly like a nice, relaxing vacation. He imagines Charles will get some work done, and maybe Erik will start some writings as well.
"I'll sleep when you sleep," he resolves, leaning up from where he'd reclined on Charles' chest to kiss him gently. "You know, we should have a bike ride." Oxford's kind of a small town, so it won't be a long one, but he thinks it'll be nice for the two of them to ride around, maybe check out the clock tower.
He doesn't know what else they'll be doing there but research, and staying in so that they can have lots of private time in their well-sound-proofed living quarters. It doesn't sound like a bad shake, and in fact, sounds perfectly like a nice, relaxing vacation. He imagines Charles will get some work done, and maybe Erik will start some writings as well.
Didn't you cry while watching Beauty and the Beast? Or was Clint telling lies?
I'm confused. I'm annoying, but you like me this way. Guess you're just too nice of a guy. I found Hammer annoying and I avoided him like the plague. Or at least, I tried to.
You gonna make it to this party anytime soon, Cap? Or are we blowing Rhodey's cake without you?
I'm confused. I'm annoying, but you like me this way. Guess you're just too nice of a guy. I found Hammer annoying and I avoided him like the plague. Or at least, I tried to.
You gonna make it to this party anytime soon, Cap? Or are we blowing Rhodey's cake without you?
No, and that story is old. The music was just okay.
I do like musicals, though.
Why are you even texting me at Rhodey's party? I'm on my way but I'm pretty far out still. I'll be there late. I'll get him a gift though.
I do like musicals, though.
Why are you even texting me at Rhodey's party? I'm on my way but I'm pretty far out still. I'll be there late. I'll get him a gift though.
He'd argue that Hank notices they play a little too much chess, but it doesn't matter anyway. The moment they get home they're letting everyone know they're together, and Erik will officially move into his suite, and that's that. No more hiding and sneaking around. The past couple of months have been great, absolutely fun, and thrilling even, but there have been too many mornings where he wishes he could just sleep in with Erik next to him instead of having to sneak out of each other's bedroom at the crack of dawn or in the middle of the night.
He runs his fingers through Erik's hair, enjoying the little kisses shared between them, and he smiles at the suggestion they go biking around town. Well, that's something he'd never done while he'd been at Oxford. Charles thinks he'd be more than happy to go for a bike ride with his... boyfriend, is it?
"That sounds like a fun idea. I should show you the sights and take you to my favourite pub of course." He really did love his time at Oxford, and if he hadn't met Moira, he probably wouldn't have chosen to return to New York. Instead, he likely would've found a teaching position in Oxford even. But things are even better now, and he's looking forward to a future with Erik and the rest of the mutants at the mansion.
"How about we turn this into a mini vacation for us? I'd love to spoil you." The main reason for returning to Oxford is to complete his research, tidy up the place, pack up his belongings and head home. But well, perhaps there's no need to rush all of that and they can stay on for a few extra days.
He runs his fingers through Erik's hair, enjoying the little kisses shared between them, and he smiles at the suggestion they go biking around town. Well, that's something he'd never done while he'd been at Oxford. Charles thinks he'd be more than happy to go for a bike ride with his... boyfriend, is it?
"That sounds like a fun idea. I should show you the sights and take you to my favourite pub of course." He really did love his time at Oxford, and if he hadn't met Moira, he probably wouldn't have chosen to return to New York. Instead, he likely would've found a teaching position in Oxford even. But things are even better now, and he's looking forward to a future with Erik and the rest of the mutants at the mansion.
"How about we turn this into a mini vacation for us? I'd love to spoil you." The main reason for returning to Oxford is to complete his research, tidy up the place, pack up his belongings and head home. But well, perhaps there's no need to rush all of that and they can stay on for a few extra days.
You're throwing him the party. That's the gift.
"Only if you want," he says, looking up at him and smiling softly. It's not like Erik to be so relaxed. Usually he's on-edge, cool, slightly aloof. But ever since they'd started this thing together, he'd become soft around the edges, affectionate, and oh-so-loving. In some ways, he's like a cat who's finally found an owner to love.
He offers Charles a little kiss before he settles back against his shoulder, half on his chest, soaking in all his touches and physical affectations.
"But I'd like to. Waking up next to you and not sneaking out, bringing you breakfast, watching you work. That sounds like a good time." He likes the thought of them doing something so mundane as just coexisting, because, honestly, Erik had never thought that he could have such a love. He'd not considered that he could have a normal, functional relationship.
It makes him reconsider possibilities, and think that maybe he could settle down, when they get home, that maybe it was always Charles that he was meant to do so with.
He offers Charles a little kiss before he settles back against his shoulder, half on his chest, soaking in all his touches and physical affectations.
"But I'd like to. Waking up next to you and not sneaking out, bringing you breakfast, watching you work. That sounds like a good time." He likes the thought of them doing something so mundane as just coexisting, because, honestly, Erik had never thought that he could have such a love. He'd not considered that he could have a normal, functional relationship.
It makes him reconsider possibilities, and think that maybe he could settle down, when they get home, that maybe it was always Charles that he was meant to do so with.
I think this is why Rhodey doesn't like your parties.
Wait, didn't you fight him at one of them?
You know what, I'm gonna buy him some alcohol.
Wait, didn't you fight him at one of them?
You know what, I'm gonna buy him some alcohol.
Of course spending time with Erik, and just Erik alone for once, is exactly what he wants. They haven't had much time to themselves at all, so this will be a nice change. There are a lot more of them living in the mansion now since he'd taken in Emma and the rest of her gang, and there's always something to deal with when it comes to the lot of them. When Erik shifts to rest against him again, this time, Charles wraps his arms around the man, hugging him close, and he presses a kiss to the top of his head.
"I'd like that very much. I suppose this is sort of like the calm before the storm, isn't it?" Once they're back at the mansion, they're both going to be busy with recruiting students into the school. Charles wants Erik to come along with him to meet with some of the parents of these young mutants he'd managed to locate via Cerebro. They're going to have to work together to convince both mom and dad that they ought to let their children join them at the school. It'll be an easy enough task for most, but for a few others, well, it could prove to be somewhat difficult, and there's a chance they might not be able to get them all.
"We really ought to take advantage of this time we have together then. Who knows when we'll have the opportunity to take another vacation..." It hadn't been easy to decide to leave Raven with the kids, but he's built enough trust with Emma to know that he isn't going to come home and find the mansion in complete disarray.
"Azazel offered to bring me to Oxford and back via his usual methods, but I'm glad I decided to charter us a plane instead. Did he tell you I lost my breakfast all over him when he decided it was a good idea to teleport me to my meeting last Friday?" Because he was late. Because Erik had sneaked into his bedroom the night before. Because they didn't get any sleep until it was half past six in the morning.
"I'd like that very much. I suppose this is sort of like the calm before the storm, isn't it?" Once they're back at the mansion, they're both going to be busy with recruiting students into the school. Charles wants Erik to come along with him to meet with some of the parents of these young mutants he'd managed to locate via Cerebro. They're going to have to work together to convince both mom and dad that they ought to let their children join them at the school. It'll be an easy enough task for most, but for a few others, well, it could prove to be somewhat difficult, and there's a chance they might not be able to get them all.
"We really ought to take advantage of this time we have together then. Who knows when we'll have the opportunity to take another vacation..." It hadn't been easy to decide to leave Raven with the kids, but he's built enough trust with Emma to know that he isn't going to come home and find the mansion in complete disarray.
"Azazel offered to bring me to Oxford and back via his usual methods, but I'm glad I decided to charter us a plane instead. Did he tell you I lost my breakfast all over him when he decided it was a good idea to teleport me to my meeting last Friday?" Because he was late. Because Erik had sneaked into his bedroom the night before. Because they didn't get any sleep until it was half past six in the morning.
Okay, think it'll still be going in an hour? I'm just checking out now.
A vacation sounds nice, and normal. Really, really normal. He doesn't know how to deal with normal sometimes, or slowing down, or just... any of those things that most people excel at. He's always on, always alert, always ready to turn on a dime.
But Charles is by his side, a calming presence, a balm. He could get used to this. He could relax, and just take a deep breath, and slough off this rough exterior that he's garnered for himself. The kids have helped too, but he owes most of this change to Charles. Charles, who guides everyone through things, who is always so very level.
Maybe it'll train Erik to integrate back into society, and not in the way he's in it, as an actor, always fitting into whatever role he's decided for himself in order to perform. It always feels like a performance. And finally, now, he's discussing vacations, and biking, and just being, just existing. Charles is getting to show him a world in which he can, after all.
"I knew I should've woken you up." He grins, a wry one, but his eyes are soft. He never smiles like this for anyone else. "I will, next time." He'll be glad if these are the only problems that they have: Charles waking up late, Azazel taking him via inconvenient means.
"And I promise, if you're so easily nauseated, we don't have to go on a boat." Because now he's thinking of all the other things they could be doing in Oxford: going to restaurants, maybe finding a bar, visiting some of Charles' old haunts. It'll be a grand time. He's actually kind of looking forward to it.
But Charles is by his side, a calming presence, a balm. He could get used to this. He could relax, and just take a deep breath, and slough off this rough exterior that he's garnered for himself. The kids have helped too, but he owes most of this change to Charles. Charles, who guides everyone through things, who is always so very level.
Maybe it'll train Erik to integrate back into society, and not in the way he's in it, as an actor, always fitting into whatever role he's decided for himself in order to perform. It always feels like a performance. And finally, now, he's discussing vacations, and biking, and just being, just existing. Charles is getting to show him a world in which he can, after all.
"I knew I should've woken you up." He grins, a wry one, but his eyes are soft. He never smiles like this for anyone else. "I will, next time." He'll be glad if these are the only problems that they have: Charles waking up late, Azazel taking him via inconvenient means.
"And I promise, if you're so easily nauseated, we don't have to go on a boat." Because now he's thinking of all the other things they could be doing in Oxford: going to restaurants, maybe finding a bar, visiting some of Charles' old haunts. It'll be a grand time. He's actually kind of looking forward to it.
Well, can I leave fashionably early? I don't wanna pick up after all of you when drunk.
Page 32 of 47