Prompt Post: ROUND FOUR

[oakenshields13]

ROUND FOUR IS CLOSED

<< ROUND THREE | ALL ROUNDS | ROUND FIVE >>

Rules post.

Posting Guidelines.

Flat view.

Updates Post (WIPs only)

Fills Post (completed Fills only)

damalur's firstclasskink on Delicious.
Volunteers always welcome.

There is a delay on comments appearing when there is a URL in the message body. This is due to an LJ anti-spam

Comments

Grounds for Marriage (3c/?)

[anonymous]

Dec. 3, 2010 (Evening)

"I take it Charles couldn't manage to get off work?" Edie said as she took in Erik's pathetic attempt at dinner.

"Yeah. He's the only male senior sponsor other than Levene and Levene had to drive out to Connecticut. I don't understand why they have to make sure they have at least one man on the sponsorship team at the dance but that's high school for you."

"Have you two made up after your little spat?"

Erik shifted uncomfortably. "Yes."

"Good. You know, God was smiling on you when he brought that boy into your life."

"I know." Erik didn't need his mother to remind him that Charles had been good for him. Charles may have needed Erik's cynicism and experience with the real world, but Erik had needed Charles's optimism and faith in humanity just as much. They were complementary.

"You really should marry him, Erik."

"Ma--"

"If you love him and you want to be with him forever, you should do something about it."

"Why is that my job? He could always ask me."

"He won't, though. He still looks at you like he's terrified you're going to run at the drop of a hat. Besides, you always make the first move when it comes to the big things."

She wasn't entirely wrong, of course. It had been Erik who asked Charles out on a date first, Erik who initiated the 'boyfriend' talk, Erik who suggested that they move in together not three months after their first kiss. But it had been Charles who said 'hello' first, Charles who asked for his number, and Charles who had unzipped Erik's jeans after their second date.

"I've told you before, Mom, we're happy as we are. And don't bring up last night. Everybody fights sometimes."

Edie seemed to consider her words for a moment before she settled on, "I'll never forget the day you introduced him to me. The look on your face when you saw him... I knew you were head over heels for the boy before you even opened your mouth to greet him."

Erik shrugged, "We'd had two hours twice a day for almost two weeks to get to know one another. It wasn't the love at first sight thing you want to make it."

"I was suspicious of him, you know," she went on as if Erik had never spoken. "A smart, good-looking boy with all that English charm... You've always deserved the best, but in my own experience men like Charles don't come around often. It took me a lot longer to warm up to him than you might think." She took one of Erik's hands in her own, "I know it's hard for you, boychick, but you've got to realize that not every relationship goes bad. Not everyone is like Sebastian."

Erik barely managed to stop himself from wrenching his hand away. "Mom, we're fine. We even did the ridiculously cutesy Christmas card picture with the dog in a santa hat, okay? You should get it in the mail soon."

"Well then I'm glad that the two of you are so happy."

The atmosphere stayed uncomfortable until Charles got home at nine. Charles breezed in the door with a smile on his face and pressed a kiss to Edie's cheek and then to Erik's lips.

"Hello, gorgeous, didn't save any dinner for me, did you?"

"In the oven," Erik replied automatically.

"Thanks, love." Charles disappeared briefly to get his dinner from the oven.

"Before you ask, I did walk Finnegan."

"Good." He turned to Edie, "How was your day, Ed?"

"I had a very nice day, dear. I was cleaning out my attic and found a few things that I want to show your sister when she gets home from school, wedding planning things, you know."

"Oh god," Charles groaned, "Wedding planning."

"Wedding planning is exciting, Charles," Edie chided.

"I'm sure it is if that sort of thing interests you," Charles shrugged. "I'm just not that into flowers and dresses."

Erik shot his mother a look of triumph. Hopefully that would keep her quiet for a few months.