driftfleet | (no subject)

[it was normal, but it was also their normal, because she was standing there, as blue as ever, and here he was mostly hiding save for his feet at the moment. He doesn't mind her stepping into his space, not in the relative privacy of this little corner of the ship, and he can't help but lean just a bit closer.

He glances behind him up where he was hanging from and shrugs]

Not really? I haven't been at it that long, though. It'd probably start to bother me sooner or later. [maybe. He wasn't sure, considering how rarely he indulged in this little quirk]

[ There's a softness that appears in Raven whenever she's alone with Hank; it comes hand in hand with being comfortable around him, at peace at his side, the fact that she feels as though she can relax and not have to worry about anything. When there are other people watching her she still feels a little bit like she's on show, and there's not much she can do to fight the feeling.

At least she's getting better, and she tilts her head up to look at the hangings, frowning for a moment as she considers. ]

You should be careful. [ A pause, then she smiles. ] I still think it's amazing.

[he keeps half-expecting to feel whatever it is she is, but they're no longer on the hand-holding planet and it feels strange, that there's no feedback. He'd gotten so used to it that he came to expect it whenever they touched, and now . . .

He almost misses it. He misses most of it, honestly, except the accidental sharing parts. He was fine with those gone]

I'm always careful. [it probably wouldn't be a surprise that he made sure it was safe first, and that he wouldn't accidentally break something important to the ship. Her compliment makes him duck his head, though, even though he smiles a little, just a touch shy]

It's no—. . . thanks. [look at that, he's trying]

[ It's definitely strange, to get close to Hank again and not feel the prickling warmth of his emotions poking at her, or to think about how hers are being shared at the same time - it's odd, really, and while Raven doesn't exactly miss it she can admit that it wasn't all bad. It had been nice, to say things and touch Hank and know just how appreciated it was, to touch him and say things without actually needing words.

She wonders, absently, if that's how it is for Charles with his telepathy at times. If it made it easier for him or worse when it came to his relationship with Erik. If he'd let her try it with him if she asked. If she'd be okay with it now that she's accustomed to some kind of minor invasion.

Best not to think about it. ]

I know you are. I just thought I'd be a good girlfriend and remind you.

[ And he just says 'thanks' and Raven softens, leaning up to press a quick kiss against his mouth. ]

You're very welcome, Hank.

[that's the worst part - words are necessary again, when actions and empathy alone were more than enough to show her how he really feels. Not that they needed it; they both knew how the other felt, had managed to say it at least once now, so it wasn't as if it was a surprise. But it was still something . . . nice, to feel how someone really felt about you, raw and honest.

He quirks a little grin at what she says]

Yes ma'am. [he says, teasing clear in his voice] Are you sure you're doing it as my girlfriend, or as my first mate?

[trying comes with not ducking away again after she kisses him, and he somehow manages it]

It's - uh. It's good practice.

[ It's almost funny how they'd swung between the extremes - using their words and actually talking going to holding hands and sharing emotions and thoughts all the way back to having to talk again. Raven knows that, once upon a time, she'd never have been comfortable with the intimacy the planet had brought out in all of them, so she considers herself almost thankful that she was able to test herself by actually experiencing it.

Huffing a little laugh, she leans up, tugging him down for another kiss. ]

I don't think any old first mate gets this kind of treatment.

[ Even when he pulls away she chases after him, trying to keep her arms around his neck. ]

It reminds me of the day we met.

[the only reason he was comfortable with it at all was because of how close he was with Charles and his trust in his telepathy, and the little, past experience he had in another world. Honestly, even the touching hadn't bothered him as much when he'd managed to convince most to keep it to handshakes, and the rest of his stay there had been nothing but memorable. Even with their talk, which had gone surprisingly well.

He had to marvel that they managed a whole month without things going sideways.

He huffs as well, stepping just close enough that she doesn't have to reach as much] You don't know that. Maybe there's another ship where the captain and first mate are dating.

[he's easy enough to tug back, leaning down to kiss her forehead. He makes another noise, this one amused]

It is pretty similar.

[ It just shows that Raven has things she needs to work on - things that she couldn't admit until she had been to the planet, things she'd never have been comfortable with if she'd never been away from Charles as long as she's been. She'd been stifled and afraid in the mansion, but now she was stronger and she felt braver and better for it. It means she has something to work towards, and that's something she's going to have to bring up to her brother one day - that she thinks that, maybe, she should try.

Eventually. At some point. Maybe.

Wrapped up around Hank, she ignores all the things and thoughts in her mind, tucking her face against him anyway, her smile soft and fond before she laughs. ] They still wouldn't get the Raven Darkholme treatment.

[ And they're tangled up in each other all over again, as if they can't bear not to touch. ]

I remember when Charles came over and shook your hand and then both of you looked so panicked - I really did feel bad.

I would hope they don't get the Raven Darkholme treatment. [he tries to sound offended, but it's hard to do that when you're laughing, too] I might have questions if they were.

[it's so easy to get tangled up with her, like it's natural. And it feels that way, now - with this, this casual affection they share, it's easier every time, to touch, to hold, to kiss; it still makes him fluster at times, but he's so much better about it. It's comfortable, a big step from when they first reunited in the lab.

The memory she's talking about is fond and he can't help but laugh again, quieter]

I wasn't expecting him to out me. [he wasn't expecting to be involved more than just his tech, either. It had been such a life-changing day] My boss wasn't too happy with me after - for not telling him, I mean.

Edited 2016-08-06 20:17 (UTC)

Mm, no, this is just for you. [ Raven grins, even as Hank does his very best to attempt to be offended. All she can do is grin and kiss him again, tilting her body up and close against his, basking in it for a moment. Maybe there are other first mates and captains that are dating, but she's sure they wouldn't compare to her and Hank. They're too good a team, even if it might be a little bit of her own pride talking.

Moving back, she tugs him to one side, so they can relax together - and she tilts her head up to look at the roof where Hank was hanging, fighting her laugh. ]

He really did feel awful about it, you know. He honestly thought you were there because you were a mutant, not because you were a super genius mutant.

[ But, you know... That's how it always went with telepathy. ]

Did I ever tell you how the CIA found out about my mutation?

That's good. Otherwise, I might have to do something about it. [he thinks they make a good team too, and even if it's biased somewhat there's fact in there, too. The way they both think and fight, when it's necessary - it blends together in a way that works better than most. They might not see eye to eye on some things, but they're also the type to talk it out, rather than argue.

Another thing attributed to being apart for so long.

He hums in faint amusement and shakes his head, a bit wry] I thought I was going to introduce him to a few of my inventions and be done with it. I wasn't expecting to get involved past that. [and then, dryly] You do know my "genius" is connected to my mutation, right?

But - no, you didn't. How'd they find out?

Oh, really? [ Normally, Raven thinks she might not be able to handle the idea of someone fighting for her, or being at all possessive over her, but when it comes to Hank... He understands her, and he's letting her go, one day, when she needs to have her space. That's what makes her know that she's meant to be with him; she's with someone who understands her limits and accepts her for who she is, and she'd never imagined having that before.

They talk, they discuss, they bring things up, they kiss and they go to bed together without anger. It works.

Even when he speaks she shakes her head, waving a hand. ] You're still a genius, Hank. It doesn't matter how it happened, it's just how it is. You know Charles was absolutely delighted by all the things you had to offer - it was a little bit annoying, since I wanted you all to myself.

[ Shaking her head, Raven hums absently. ]

They refused to believe Charles was a telepath so I stood up and transformed into one of them.

Really. [it's a joke, of course, because he knows it'd never happen. He knows she loves him, and as much as they joke about it he's not worried about her finding someone else. They've managed to find their own little space here, just for them, and the routine they've created works for them. It all works, even when something threatens to break the routine.

He huffs a little noise, nose wrinkling] I'm just pointing it out. [he ducks his head a bit, looking off to the side] I still spent a lot of time with you, though.

[he stares at her for a moment before he bursts out laughing] My boss told me something had happened but he never told me what. You really did that?

That sounds exciting. [ It's all a bit of a tease and a game more than anything else and she and Hank both know it. She might fight for mutants and be violent when necessary, threatening to kill the people that have done so much harm (she still can't look at Tyrion, still doesn't dare seek him out to apologise for her rudeness) but she knows that she doesn't want to fight, not really. Just because she's prepared for it doesn't mean it's something she's actively searching for, no matter what.

Grinning, she nods her head, pleased. ] You spent time with me because you wanted to get groovy with my blood. At least at first, anyway. [ She kisses his cheek because she knows that he wanted to be around her for her, too, and it's when she leans back that she shrugs a shoulder absently. ]

Of course I did. They were going to kick us out and Charles really, really wanted to make it work, to figure out everything that was going on and to help Moira. It was the only thing I could think of to do.

Not really. [he's much the same; he doesn't want to fight and he never will, unless he has to. Unless something comes along to threaten what he cares about. And he's already admitted to her that he doesn't think hope is all it takes, anymore. How ready he is, though, is not something he wants to find out.

The noise he makes this time is a little incredulous, and edged with just a bit of flustering] I didn't - want to get groovy with anything, even if you had said no, I would've - still wanted to spend time with you. [he doesn't think he's ever even used the word "groovy" in his life until just now]

Geez . . . that would do it. [he'd only ever met a handful of the men in that room, but he can see why she would've had to prove it to them]

[ At least things are relatively peaceful here; Charles and Erik had been banged up, but it hadn't been entirely their fault. Raven knows that if something like that were to happen to her she definitely wouldn't take it half as well as her brother did, and it still prickles at her, leaving her a little bit frustrated. Even now he was too good, too unwilling to fight... But maybe he'd had enough of fighting too. He'd been in another world, and she knew about that place now.

Maybe he was as tired as she was.

Her focus returns to Hank and she grins, shaking her head even as she wraps her arms around him. ] I know that. I knew it the whole time, even if Erik seemed to want to make it his mission to mess with us. I wouldn't give just anyone my blood, Hank.

[ Shaking her head, she moves, resting against him with a small smile. ]

They were just stupid men anyway. They treated Moira like crap.

[it's a fond memory, at least, even though it lead to something far less pleasant down the road. He remembers how nervous he had been, asking this beautiful girl such an odd question, and being prepared to get shut down immediately. He had been so enchanted by her and her simple compliment, though, and how nice she had been to him, that it really was the only thing that made him go for it in the first place.

Even when he had regrets about what happened, that wasn't one of them. Even if Erik had ruined the moment]

Well that's - a good thing, I think. [he huffs a little] At least he doesn't try to mess with us now.

[he'd give Erik the same treatment he gives Charles - which is being mature and throwing things at him]

Mmm, I'm not surprised. I wasn't too fond of the ones I had the chance to meet.

[ Thinking about how far they'd come is odd and strange, seeing how they'd stumbled into this relationship. It's something miraculous, and not something she'd ever have thought possible for them before she'd woken up here on the fleet... But here they were. Here they are. It warms her, and it makes her feel so good to think they've found a place together, even in the middle of all of this.

She's glad that they'd changed and grown together. She's glad that they've found one another. There aren't really any other words for it. ]

If he did I'd make him get lost. He only did it because he thought it was funny. [ Psst. And he'd commented on her mutation, but that sort of confidence boost was a story of years before. She doesn't need Erik for that anymore. ] He's grown up too.

[ Shaking her head, she sighs. ]

It's a good thing Charles broke away from them. They wouldn't have done anything good with his mutation.

If he did it now, he forgets that I can turn around and do the same thing to him and Charles. [fight immaturity with immaturity, even if he'd be risking seeing things he didn't want to see. Things he's already seen, unfortunately.

He makes a wry noise] He's grown up, but he's just as bad as the rest of us.

[he had proof.

But the thought of remaining with the CIA and what would have happened is a somewhat sobering thought. After everything in Cuba he'd left and taken his plans and notes on Cerebro with him, more because it would benefit Charles more than the government. But after everything he'd learned happened over the years . . . he's more and more glad that they didn't stay]

No, they wouldn't have. [he finally says] I'm glad I left to stay with him instead.

... That's true. He wouldn't dare risk it when he knows we know where he lives. [ It's strange to think that she and Hank can tease Charles and Erik, but it comes hand in hand with the knowledge that her brother is happy... And isn't that enough? It doesn't matter who he's wish, and the fact that it's Erik doesn't really get to her anymore. She's just glad he's different from the man she'd seen in Paris and Washington.

They're all comfortable enough to act a little silly, and isn't that good too? ]

We all have our moments, don't we?

[ The idea of them all staying with the CIA... It seems impossible. It seems impossible to her that Erik would have ever gone back to work with them, and even Charles realised that it wasn't viable for their little mutant community, or for the school Charles wanted. It wouldn't work with the US Government breathing down their neck.

Breathing out, she turns her head and smiles softly. ]

I'm glad you stayed with him too.

[if they didn't act silly every now and then, he thinks, or without some sense of humor, the world would find a way to crush them. He'd learned that quickly enough in Kyriakos, and it had helped when his memories had really started coming back. When he remembered deaths and fights and instead of dwelling on it he cracked jokes with teenaged girls who wouldn't let him mope, even if he wanted to]

Some more than others. [and that's directed at himself; he's the worst offender and he knows it.

He meets her smile with one of his own, and he can't help but shrug. Charles had needed him, even if he had never said it, and Hank knew he had nowhere else to go. Home, maybe, but he hadn't been there in years] Mm, so am I.

[he'd never regretted staying, not even after the school had closed and they'd spent the rest of those years miserable]

[ Raven has lived long enough alone and sad that she thinks she craves happiness and the desire to cling to the good and avoid the horrors; she had been afraid for so long that she would never feel anything like this again, she had been so worried that all the good in her had been stripped away, and now... Now she has a little more relief. Now she feels a little more content, and it makes her happier, especially when she can spend her time with Hank. ]

That's what makes them great moments, though, isn't it? [ Not that Raven minds; she likes Hank having his moments. It makes him who he is.

She knows that Charles had needed Hank, and that Hank had stepped up and taken the place of all the people that Charles had lost - Alex, Sean, herself, Erik... He'd had so much pressure on his shoulders and somehow he'd survived. Raven wishes she'd been there, but at the same time she knows it would never have worked. It wasn't right for any of them.

Softening, she smiles, nudging their noses together and wrapping her arms around his neck. ]

You're wonderful.

[Hank had felt similar, at one point; if everything that had happened was enough to crush Charles' hope, to drive him to drink and abuse the serum and basically turn his own home into some glorified prison that they both locked themselves up in, then he certainly saw no point into hanging onto his own hopes. He still remembers telling Logan - "There's no professor here" - and the heavy significance of it. How it technically hadn't been a lie.

In their world, it had only been months ago. He wonders if Logan knew just how much he had accomplished in his short trip to the past]

More or less. [he grins a little at her. They all have their moments.

He leans down so she can hug him a little better, blinking widely at what she says. Another compliment, and she gives him so many that he has no idea what to do any of them. And he certainly doesn't know how to accept them gracefully, if at all.

So this time, he just makes a vague noise, so she knows he heard her, and kisses her briefly]

[ Raven is used to Hank now, how he accepts compliments, how he allows her things and lets her take from him, and sometimes she thinks she ought to feel bad about it - about how much she lays at his feet, giving him compliments and her heart and all her confidence even as he feels like he doesn't deserve it. Raven wants him to understand how much he does deserve it, how much he should be praised and celebrated for all that he's done and everything that he is... But it's hard to put into words.

All she wants is to love him. To support him. It's strange, to want it all over again, and she hesitates each time the words tumble from her lips. ]

More or less. [ Raven shakes her head, drawing him closer and squeezing her arms around him, hands stroking through his hair. When she leans back she shifts so she can press her forehead against his chin, closing her eyes and smiling. ]

I spoke to Charles about the photos.

[compliments are still so hard to accept, even with how much he's been working on. Raven gives him so much and he feels like what he gives her in return pales in comparison. The planet had helped, it spoke for him when he couldn't find the words, but they were no longer there. It was back to floundering for responses he weren't sure were the right ones, and compliments he couldn't make himself accept.

But he was working on it. He was trying.

He sighs quietly and tightens his arms around her, but the pang of guilt is there and gone when she speaks up again. He makes a curious noise]

Yeah? What did he say?