[ Charles has leisurely been toying with the idea of turning Erik around since he felt his presence about halfway across the field, a burning frustration setting in his bones. Can he not get an afternoon to himself? The lake is supposed to be his little slice of quiet, to let his anger simmer and even out under the sun so something like the other day doesn't happen again, so Charles doesn't methodically comb through each and every one of his relationships and run them aground.
Regret stops him, though. Letting Erik approach, Charles leans against the wheel of his chair (hell of a time getting out of it and onto the ground), legs pale and exposed to the knee as they drift limply in the lake's shore. There's an odd note in his voice that sounds a little like resentment, but Charles bites down on it. ] Come to reel me back in?
No. [ He's not, sounds surprised even to himself. He stops about a foot away, hands folding in his pockets, looking at Charles. He wonders briefly how he managed to get on the ground like that, but if anything, he's particularly stubborn. Erik's mildly satisfied that hasn't changed. ] It was either I came to make sure you were all right, or you had a handful of panicked teenagers storm down here. I may not be preferable in most things, but I imagined this might be one of those rare occasions.
[ His throat aches slightly at the image, something boyish and broken about his friend, and Erik can't imagine what it would be like to be like this, to find it so hard to escape.
With a mild offer. ] I'll go back inside. I just wanted to be sure myself.
[ Groaning plaintively. The idea was that his absence would go unnoticed, sneaking out like a schoolchild and getting away from the cloying pressure of so many keeping track of him, but if he had to be discovered in the ensuing panic, better Erik than an avalanche of people.
Something guilty stops him from sending Erik away, though, thoughts moving like molasses. ] No, you can - here, I was simply afraid you'd coop me up into the house again. [ Glancing at Erik sidelong. ] You don't need to if you'd like to enjoy a bit of fresh air. You've been working hard.
You're allowed outside, Charles. You're allowed to be alone too, if that's what you want. But maybe next time you can tell me, I'll be able to thwart them from the offset then.
[ He inhales, draws the air into his lungs and holds it for a moment, the sudden phantom itch for wide open country in his lungs. He'd never been particularly fond of the house, but the land he still finds appealing. His words are still soft, still wavering along a line, because if Charles wants to be by himself there is nothing Erik will do to fight it. Perhaps he'll relocate closer to the window, but he understands some of what it's like to be prodded at and crowded. ] If you don't mind the company, I can be very quiet. You won't even know I'm here.
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Regret stops him, though. Letting Erik approach, Charles leans against the wheel of his chair (hell of a time getting out of it and onto the ground), legs pale and exposed to the knee as they drift limply in the lake's shore. There's an odd note in his voice that sounds a little like resentment, but Charles bites down on it. ] Come to reel me back in?
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[ His throat aches slightly at the image, something boyish and broken about his friend, and Erik can't imagine what it would be like to be like this, to find it so hard to escape.
With a mild offer. ] I'll go back inside. I just wanted to be sure myself.
Reply
Something guilty stops him from sending Erik away, though, thoughts moving like molasses. ] No, you can - here, I was simply afraid you'd coop me up into the house again. [ Glancing at Erik sidelong. ] You don't need to if you'd like to enjoy a bit of fresh air. You've been working hard.
Reply
[ He inhales, draws the air into his lungs and holds it for a moment, the sudden phantom itch for wide open country in his lungs. He'd never been particularly fond of the house, but the land he still finds appealing. His words are still soft, still wavering along a line, because if Charles wants to be by himself there is nothing Erik will do to fight it. Perhaps he'll relocate closer to the window, but he understands some of what it's like to be prodded at and crowded. ] If you don't mind the company, I can be very quiet. You won't even know I'm here.
Reply
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