driftfleet | (no subject)

Who: Charles Xavier and YOU
Broadcast: Video
Action: SS Heron
When: July 13th

[ Video ]

[ The video starts, shaky before it focuses on Charles. Well, Charles and the suddenly large box that drops in his path, effectively blocking him. For a minute, he glances around, surprised before he tentatively opens the box --

And the music starts, tinny and loud. He winces as he pulls out the swimming caps from the box. The note attached says, "Congratulations on getting closer to baldness!". Charles drops the caps back in the box. ]

Charming. I don't suppose anyone wants these? Free of charge

[ Action - locked to Erik, Raven, Hank and Moira ]

[ They had decided on the beach . . . though it seems that as though the plans were made ahead of time. Charles isn't bothered, more amused and touched by the amount of preparation and dedication that had gone into the event. He hadn't celebrated his birthday in years, years spent with Hank in an empty mansion, trying to down out each other's mutual sorrow.

Now . . . he's not sure how to feel about it, but the feeling of appreciation hasn't wavered yet. It's close to late evening and the sun is setting over the vast sea. ]

( Charles can be found on the Heron for most of the day, save for the evening )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ready as I'll ever be.

[ He takes her hand, kissing her palm lightly. He wasn't concerned with the presents but there was something . . . fantastical and unreal about all of them being together like this.

The last time, he had fractured ribs. So this was certainly an improvement. ]

Your excitement is overwhelming me.

[ She's teasing, though, and nudges Charles gently, letting her hand brush against his cheek with a carefulness she can't disguise. It still feels a little miraculous, being here with the lot of them, and she imagines that, maybe, Charles feels the same. Maybe the group of them being together is present enough for him.

Settling down in front of him, she grabs the bag that had been settled at her side and draws out a small box. She doesn't let him have a good look before she takes it out and picks up a chain, reaching out to snap it closed behind Charles' neck - then she does the same for herself and, oh, look, they're a matching pair.

It's almost as if she planned it.

Careful, Raven draws the two lockets together and watches with her eyes lifting to Charles as the two snap together, forming an awkward heart - but each locket has their initials on it; CFX, RD. ]

There's space for pictures inside - I couldn't do that here, obviously. But they go together, even though they're two different things.

[ There's symbolism there, but she doesn't really need to make that part more obvious. ]

I made them myself.

[ With a bit of help from the locals. ]

Oh.

[ It's a quiet, awed sound as he touches the locket around his neck. Vividly, Charles recalls Raven's picture on the nightstand, how he would look upon it when the serum was at its peak, stealing away the grief and pain locked in his heart. Charles wipes his eyes discreetly with his thumb and lets a quiet, touched smile emerge. ]

It's perfect. Thank you.

Of course.

[ Careful, she leans in and presses a kiss to his forehead, her arms looping around his neck for a moment before she settles back, one hand touching his cheek. She can't look away, not for a long time, and she breathes out for a moment before, carefully, she touches her forehead to his. ]

It doesn't make up for ten years of missed birthdays, but - it's a start, right?

There's nothing to make up for. I wasn't very good company then anyway.

[ He still hesitates when he touches her, but the gap in time gets smaller by each day and there's no longer a shadow of fear in his eyes. ]

Not the point, Charles.

[ Her hand cups his cheek, stroking there for a moment, before she softens. ]

I told Hank that I was going to come back for special occasions. I don't care where I am in the world, I'll always be home for your birthday.

[ He clasps her hand. ]

Or you could come home for yours, if you like.

I could do both.

[ Raven breathes out, forcing herself to look at him carefully. ]

I haven't had a birthday in years either. It's going to be strange.

It's strange now.

[ He still can't believe they all collaborated on this. ]

But all the more reason to make it normal.

A brand new kind of normal. Starting with you.

[ Her smile softens and she settles back on her knees, watching him. ]

This should be our new tradition - embarrassing you with parties on your birthday.

[ His face scrunches up, despite himself. For all the horrors and troubles he's suffered, Charles has never really learned to hide his feelings. ]

I think I'll pass on that tradition, thank you.

[ All she can do is laugh, shaking her head and kissing his cheek. ]

Okay, okay, only minor embarrassments, like breakfast in bed and letting you sleep in until four.

I suppose those traditions might be bearable.

You only suppose?

[ Grinning, she shakes her head, practically climbing onto his lap to give him a hug. ]

I'll make them bearable.