Prompt Post: ROUND TWO

[oakenshields13]

ROUND TWO IS CLOSED

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Rules post.

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ROUND TWO: Updates Post (WIPs only)

ROUND TWO: Fills Post (completed Fills only)

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Re: FILL: the fine print (3m/?)

[minarchy]

Raven's outline shifted, upset. "Charles," she said, again. "Please. You're not going to be any good for any of us if you don't get some sleep."

"I'm not going to be good for any of you unless I get this sorted, either," he replied. "And I think this is the slightly more pressing matter, don't you?"

He heard her pass someone on her way along the corridor, and Armando leant in through the doorway.

"Alright, boss?"

"Armando," he said, dropping the butt into the ashtray. "I know you said that you're happy to move back in here, but I'm not entirely sure you've thought this through."

Armando steps inside the room, manoevring stacks of books and papers with practised ease to seat himself opposite Charles. He always managed to project an air of confidence and ease that Charles appreciated, mostly because of the endlessly calming effect his presence had on any room. He folded his hands in front of him, interlacing his long fingers, and waited for Charles to continue.

"It's not that we don't all love having you," he began, "because we really do; you're great with the kids, and it's really good for the boys to have someone to look up too."

"Apart from you," Armando put in, and Charles smiled crookedly.

"I don't think that they're really going to follow in my footsteps," he said, "except for Hank; and he's already done the academia thing to death."

Armando just watched him, in his quiet way, until Charles had the feeling that he was being disagreed with. He sniffed, blinked, and continued.

"Yes, well. The thing is, Armando, we're not exactly swimming in space here. And I know we worked it out before - and Sean's offered to have you share with him, which was nice of him, if a little impractical -"

"Why?" Armando asked.

"Did he offer? Probably something to do with you being -"

"No," he corrected. "Why would it be impractical?"

"Because," Charles sighed, and leant forward on the desk, "Sean's bedroom is tiny. You'd be sleeping on bunkbeds. And, besides; Sean's quite a bit younger than you. Are you sure you wouldn't mind sharing with him."

Armando shrugged, one shouldered. "No, man; Sean's a good kid. I hear he's dry now, though," he glanced at Charles for confirmation, "so I guess I'd be missing out on his hilarious trips." He caught Charles' skeptical gaze, and shifted himself forwards a little. "Charles," he said, seriously, "I've been sleeping on the depot sofa and in the back of my cab for the past two months. I've slept in far worse places than that in my time. Trust me; your place? Like a dream compared to what a lot of us go through."

They shared a long look, and Charles huffed an assent through his nose.

"Only if you're sure," he said, rubbing his temple as he looked at Armando. "I don't want you putting yourself out just to keep the boys happy."

He grinned. "If I didn't know you better, I'd be offended at the fact that you keep saying it's just the kids that want me here. But I know it's because you're just too emotionally constipated to properly display your affection for me."

Charles laughed, properly laughed despite his headache and the fatigue dragging at his joints like fever-swelling, and scrubbed his hands over his face.

"That is definitely the problem," he agreed, still smiling. "My repressed upbringing has squashed all ability to show affection from my being; I'm so grateful that you're astute enough to notice, Armando. Pray, stay and teach me how to properly express myself."

"Well," Armando said, grinning and stretching his arms over his head, pulling his spine until it popped, "seeing as you asked so nicely."

"On occasion, I have been known to remember my manners."

Armando pushed himself upright using the arms of the chair. "I'd best be heading up," he said, heading over to the door. "Don't you stay up too long now, boss. Leave the budgeting until the morning, at least; and wait to talk to this Erik cat about the repairs before you give yourself a stress-related heart attack."

Charles saluted him with his pen, and said, "Armando?"

He stopped, one hand on the doorjamb as he leant back around it.

"It's good to have you back."

Armando smiled, and tapped the jamb as he left.