driftfleet | (no subject)

And I'm sure you take your duties very responsibly.

[ He reaches out to thread their fingers together. ] Do you have a moment> I need your help with something.

Like I have any duties.

[ Other than cuddling the captain at night, but there's neither here nor there. Instead, she moves back to give Charles space, nodding. ]

Sure. My room?

[ He wonders what captains and first mates really need to do on the Fleet. It's too disparate from the team system Erik and Charles were under. ]

Sounds good.

Alright, this way.

[ It's easy enough to lead Charles back to the room she shares with Hank - it's decorated with the photo frame he'd made for her, with the photos of them on the moon in two of the four slots, acorns hanging from the shelves and blankets of all kinds draped over the bed. When she's sat she looks over, watching curiously. ]

How can I help?

[ He admits easily. ] I'm not entirely sure.

Erik and a few of my friends - [ And he pauses, luxuriating over that word before moving on. ] - got me a new chair. Which floats and - Well. It is a feat of engineering.

I have a few ideas, gifts for the others. For Erik, I thought I'd make a ring.

Alright.

[ Raven softens when she looks at Charles and hears the simple thing he admits - his friends. You're my oldest friend - I'm your only friend. Once upon a time they had been everything to each other, and it hadn't been at all healthy. Now... Now Charles has more than her, and she's quietly glad even as she realises that she's not what she was to him all those years before.

Nodding her head, she crosses her legs under herself. ]

Do you need me to sit on him so we can get his ring size?

[ He smiles despite himself. ]

No. I doubt that's really necessary since he can change the size if he wants. It's more the, ah, mechanics of it. Erik has a history of metalworking. I don't. But I want to try making it.

Oh. That's cute.

[ Considering, she nods her head. ]

Well, we can do that, why not. Is there any metal he has that you'd want to use?

I'm hoping the next planet would offer some variety. I could ask Tempest or Hermione to help me smelt it.

But I could use your help trying to find some.

I met Tempest. She was... Interesting.

[ She has no idea who Hermione is, though, and there's no point asking - she'll probably find out eventually. ]

I know he kept some from the poison moon... I think we've got some things lying around in the lab, too. What sort of colour? Gold - bronze?

[ Dry. ] That sums her up quite well.

No, gold is too ostentatious. Bronze or something more silver would be nicer.

[ Raven hums, agreeing. ]

I can't see him wearing anything too flashy or dramatic. Something quiet, maybe, not noticeable - not because he's ashamed but because he wants it to be private.

[ Tilting her head, she considers. ]

I think bronze would be perfect.

[ He considers this before nodding. ]

I think so too.

Then we just need to find you some bronze, and a box to put it in. Not a ring box, otherwise he'll think you're proposing.

[ But Raven pauses, considering. Charles had come to her, asking for advice about Erik and a present for Erik and she just feels... Happy. It makes a change from the nagging irritation and upset she'd felt a handful of months before. ]

I doubt he'd ever think that.

[ It brings him back to reality. Charles knows that Erik wants a family. And while Charles and Raven are that, it's not nearly enough. ]

That's not the point. [ Even though it absolutely definitely is. Still, Raven leans forward, her smile soft and fond. ] It's sweet. I think he's going to love it.

. . . I think so too.

Aww. [ Leaning forward, she reaches up to cup his cheeks. ] I feel a swell of sisterly pride.

[ His lips curve, a little abashed. ]

I can manage gift-giving. For the most part.

I know, I remember.

[ Leaning forward, she kisses his head gently. ]

It's a wonderful idea. I'll check the lab to see if there's any bronze for you, okay?

[ His eyes flutter. ]

Thank you, Raven.

Any time.

[ Leaning back, though, she gives him a sly little grin. ]

And in return...

I suddenly felt a chill going down my spine.

It's nothing bad!

[ Honestly. ]

You just have to help me convince Erik to take a photo with us.

[ He blinks before nodding. ]

No promises, but I should be able to.