Re: Charles Xavier | X-Men: First ClassdrlehnsherrJuly 19 2011, 13:57:42 UTC
I don't think there's much I need to tell you. We both know, and it goes without saying. [His head dips, and there's a twinge of a smile-- before he looks up again, levelly meeting the telepath's eyes.]
It's been there since the boat in Miami, and after that-- the day by the lake, we just-- [And Erik trails off, looking out the window to try and string his words together in a way that would keep them both neutral and expressive.]
[ Charles can't resist a whisper of a chuckle, watching Erik with nothing short of fondness. Leaning against his desk, legs crossed at the ankles and his palms cupping the edge he just shifted slightly. ] I've never known a man as brave as you to be so scared of some simple words.
[ Truth was, he knew the words were anything but simple. That what happened regularly between them was anything but simple. he undeniable connection just growing the more time they spent together. The words that Erik edged around were no easier for Charles himself; this was something entirely new for the both of them, but he was willing to learn. ]
[Erik's head dips, and that private smile takes over his face-- one entirely reserved for Charles, and rare in its own right. He runs a hand over his jaw for a moment, licking his bottom lip-- then looks up, eyebrows raised. There's a pause, while he considers the other man, seeming reflective, carefully considering his next move. The pause continues, and he shakes his head-- ] I've never been anything but honest with you, and you with me. I don't think the situation is as complex as we often believe it to be, it's-- in a way it's actually simple. We're not brothers, and we're not purely friends. It's never been platonic-- with the depth of all of this.
[He glances out the window, then back at Charles-- not so much working up the nerve, but searching for an eloquence that was entirely alluding him.] I do love you, Charles. [And it's spoken with Erik's usual gravity, while he shifts before recovering the casual tilt of his shoulders.]
[ The countenance that Erik takes on actually causes Charles to still for a moment. It wasn't often he could see the man like that, something far deeper, perhaps even more open, than the expressions he usually wore. He felt fortunate enough to see him smile, to hear him laugh, but that didn't mean he didn't crave more. He liked to think that on occasion he could cause those sorts of feelings in Erik as the man frequently did in him. ] Do you think so? [ He actually paused to give his words thought, was it that simple? It didn't feel nearly that simple to his heart-- but perhaps that was just him and his need to over complicate things at times. Regardless, he nods in agreement. Not brothers, more than friends, more than... something.
He watches Erik's gaze flit between himself and the window, his own visage surprisingly calm. The words, the ones always felt and never spoken, still cause his chest to tighten when he hears them. The smile that blooms may not have been large, but it was sweet and expressive of his own feelings. ] And I
( ... )
[It's an odd thing, to hear it repeated back at him-- so openly and so honestly. The fact that this is Charles seems to add a magnitude to the words, and this is important, a turning point for the pair of them. Despite his words, while loving the other man was simple, in a way, their situation was far from it. But they're stubborn, in all things and in this too. Erik walks closer, smile fading, and he kisses the telepath's forehead-- lingering for a time against his skin.] Well. That makes us even.
[Pulling back, he moves to lean against the desk beside the other man, shoulder to shoulder with him.]
Even? [ There's a hint of humor in his tone, trying to ignore the crawling tendrils hope for now. That isn't a tangent he thinks will bode well if past experiences are anything to go by. Still, he'll settle in a comfortable amount of that emotion under his amusement. Hope for something better, for the both of them, whatever that may be. ] If I was worried about us being even I'd have asked to stay at your flat for a week. [ If Erik had even had one, he mostly just wanted to tease him a bit. The words are still soft, still hued with that underlying affection. Ever so evident, at least in their private moment, that his heart truly is claimed. ]
Though admittedly, I feel better, I had wanted to say that for ages. [ He bumps his shoulder against Erik's. ]
[ Erik's smile is back on; cracked and sharp-- but always roguishly lopsided; but it's not sharp for longer than a second-- because he looks back to Charles, shaking his head slightly and moving closer, wrapping an arm around the telepath's back. He does scoff lightly when he hears the comment-- rolling his eyes. ] Flat? Really. I think I've had hotel rooms since I can remember. Of course, you'd be welcome there-- hypothetically speaking, of course. [ He hums a laugh softly, because at this point, Erik's entirely too wrapped up in the telepath to maintain any kind of teasing. ]
Good. I have too-- just, I think it took me a little longer to actually figure out how to word it. Turns out it was easier than I expected. [ He leans into the other's side, dropping a kiss to his shoulder. The physicality is always simpler when they're alone; but it's becoming natural-- something he's used to doing based on instinct. ]
Maybe for some sort of vacation. [ He raised his eyebrows in amusement, his shoulder bumping against Erik's own playfully. The small kiss to his shoulder followed by him leaning in when Erik leaned up, stealing a quick kiss on the lips. ] We're not good at labeling anything are we? [ His words are murmured to his mouth, followed by a light chuckle when he stands flat again. ]
I don't mind though, it's part of what makes us... us.
Vacation? [ He quips lightly, pulling away slowly from the other man's mouth-- his posture circling towards him in their characteristically private way of existing around each other. ] Hmm, now that you mention it-- Paris in the spring is quite a sight. Or a summer abroad in Florence and Rome.
[ There's the European in him, showing just a touch under the new-age immigrant; there's an air of optimism too-- because why not? What would prevent them from taking a few weeks to travel? It's a grounding thought, and he watches Charles then, cognizant of the tie they'd unconsciously crafted here for themselves. ] I'd say we're improving, actually. My past encounters haven't involved any sort of attachment.
Why not? [ He leans into him, not at all minding or perhaps not entirely aware of how close they had gotten in this amount of time. ] Another mutant gathering expedition, perhaps. [ A little wrinkle of his nose in amusement before he rests his head against Erik to listen, ] I don't think we could take an entire summer-- but two... three weeks, mayhaps? I'd love it.
[ Then there's something from Charles that sounds distinctly like a muffled giggle, but then it builds into a full on laugh. It takes him a moment to gather himself looking terribly guilty, ] Encounters, Erik. Really? [ A bubbly snort. ] And they say I'm clinical about things.
Hmm, yes [ Erik glances sideways at him, an arm snaking around his shoulders in a companionable gesture-- thumb tracing against the telepath's shoulder. It was a pleasant thought-- the idea of showing Charles around his favorite haunts in Paris and Italy-- it's decidedly idealistic; but with the time he's spent around the other man, it doesn't exactly surprise him. ] You would love it.
[ At the sudden spate of laughter from the telepath, Erik eyes him with a raised eyebrow, shaking his head with a bit of a roll of his eyes; watching Charles indulgently. ] I was never exactly focused on making any lasting connections-- people haven't ever been of much consequence, honestly. [ Until he'd met the telepath, of course. ]
[ He thinks about offering up the fact he'd love most anywhere they went together, before deciding that would probably overstep comfort-- and sounded terribly cheesy, even to him-- and decided to keep his yap shut on the subject.
He just keeps smiling, unfazed by the head-shake / eyeroll combo. Turning his body more toward Erik he slides his arms around his waist and presses close, almost sinking into him with a pleasured sigh. ] I'm glad you've changed your mind. [ There was something deeply comforting and warm in being so close to Erik; and for all he might tease he really did enjoy him. The little touches almost second nature to the point he hadn't even noticed they'd evolved into some sort of unit. Still, he wouldn't change it for anything. ]
[ A half-grin takes over the one side of Erik's mouth, and he circles both his arms around the telepath-- head dipping down to nudge against Charles', kissing just the side of his jaw before dropping to the juncture of his shoulder and neck; breath easing out of him in a leisurely huff. ]
Well-- [ He murmurs into Charles' skin and the edge of his shirt collar--] you proved quite the exception to the rule. [ A smile. ] And I'm glad it changed too. [ Charles had become central to his life-- and the new focus; finally no longer on the clawing need for revenge and murder had mellowed him for the moment. ]
[ He can nearly feel him smiling against his skin, that and the huffed breaths, get a little shiver and a mild chuckle. ] Good, because you're quite stuck with me now. [ He let out a long breath and just seemed get quiet-- and not the unpleasant sort; he was just... happy for the moment. Lacked things to say and felt silly babbling about nonsense. ]
It's been there since the boat in Miami, and after that-- the day by the lake, we just-- [And Erik trails off, looking out the window to try and string his words together in a way that would keep them both neutral and expressive.]
Reply
[ Truth was, he knew the words were anything but simple. That what happened regularly between them was anything but simple. he undeniable connection just growing the more time they spent together. The words that Erik edged around were no easier for Charles himself; this was something entirely new for the both of them, but he was willing to learn. ]
Reply
[He glances out the window, then back at Charles-- not so much working up the nerve, but searching for an eloquence that was entirely alluding him.] I do love you, Charles. [And it's spoken with Erik's usual gravity, while he shifts before recovering the casual tilt of his shoulders.]
Reply
He watches Erik's gaze flit between himself and the window, his own visage surprisingly calm. The words, the ones always felt and never spoken, still cause his chest to tighten when he hears them. The smile that blooms may not have been large, but it was sweet and expressive of his own feelings. ] And I ( ... )
Reply
[Pulling back, he moves to lean against the desk beside the other man, shoulder to shoulder with him.]
Reply
Though admittedly, I feel better, I had wanted to say that for ages. [ He bumps his shoulder against Erik's. ]
Reply
Good. I have too-- just, I think it took me a little longer to actually figure out how to word it. Turns out it was easier than I expected. [ He leans into the other's side, dropping a kiss to his shoulder. The physicality is always simpler when they're alone; but it's becoming natural-- something he's used to doing based on instinct. ]
Reply
I don't mind though, it's part of what makes us... us.
Reply
[ There's the European in him, showing just a touch under the new-age immigrant; there's an air of optimism too-- because why not? What would prevent them from taking a few weeks to travel? It's a grounding thought, and he watches Charles then, cognizant of the tie they'd unconsciously crafted here for themselves. ] I'd say we're improving, actually. My past encounters haven't involved any sort of attachment.
Reply
[ Then there's something from Charles that sounds distinctly like a muffled giggle, but then it builds into a full on laugh. It takes him a moment to gather himself looking terribly guilty, ] Encounters, Erik. Really? [ A bubbly snort. ] And they say I'm clinical about things.
Reply
[ At the sudden spate of laughter from the telepath, Erik eyes him with a raised eyebrow, shaking his head with a bit of a roll of his eyes; watching Charles indulgently. ] I was never exactly focused on making any lasting connections-- people haven't ever been of much consequence, honestly. [ Until he'd met the telepath, of course. ]
Reply
He just keeps smiling, unfazed by the head-shake / eyeroll combo. Turning his body more toward Erik he slides his arms around his waist and presses close, almost sinking into him with a pleasured sigh. ] I'm glad you've changed your mind. [ There was something deeply comforting and warm in being so close to Erik; and for all he might tease he really did enjoy him. The little touches almost second nature to the point he hadn't even noticed they'd evolved into some sort of unit. Still, he wouldn't change it for anything. ]
Reply
Well-- [ He murmurs into Charles' skin and the edge of his shirt collar--] you proved quite the exception to the rule. [ A smile. ] And I'm glad it changed too. [ Charles had become central to his life-- and the new focus; finally no longer on the clawing need for revenge and murder had mellowed him for the moment. ]
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment