driftfleet | (no subject)

So you'll make it a rule, Professor?

[ She just shakes her head for a moment. ]

I know... They'll have seen Washington. They won't understand. Maybe that's what I'm worried about.

[ He shakes his head. ]

They have to make their own choices.

I'm not sure if I want them to think about Washington or not.

[ Shaking her head, she leans against him, smiling fondly. ]

At least you know the truth.

I don't think it can be helped. It was pivotal.

[ And that was why time boiled down to this one action - this one moment. ]

And they saw the truth.

[ Tilting her head, she raises an eyebrow. ]

I'm not exactly the hero they think I am.

No. But they saw something heroic.

[ She says the next part quietly. ]

You know you were the real hero, Charles.

[ He shakes his head. ]

No. All I did was admit the truth.

Which isn't exactly easy, you know.

[ He knows that. But Charles had help from himself - which seems a little self-serving. Even if the advice amounted to taking on other people's pain. ]

I wouldn't say it is - but I had a lot of help as well.

[ Raven leans up, kissing his cheek. ]

Either way. I just wish people knew you were there too.

It's probably for the best that they don't.

I suppose it would be a pain for the school, wouldn't it?

That, and I'm not interested in getting recognition. The less I'm known, the easier it'll be for me to set up the school.

That makes sense.

[ Raven thinks she doesn't want to be well known either, but she can hide - and hide, and hide. No one will find her unless she wants to be found. ]

[ There would have been a time where he would have liked it - maybe even appreciated it. Now, it mostly makes him feel awkward and clumsy, like a suit he never wears. He's not as bad as Erik, but Charles is not interested in claiming a heroic title or reputation. ]

The school comes first.

It has to. I know that.

[ Lifting her hand, she runs her hand through his hair gently, tilting herself up. ]

When I'm back... I'll help.

[ He clasps her hand. ] I'd like that. Very much.

[ It's hard, for a moment, to look down at their hands, but when she does she softens. ]

As long as you're in charge of the boring stuff. Right?

[ Technically he has Hank for that. ]

I believe that's a given.

Also it's not boring, Raven.

Not to you.

[ She is trying very, very hard to hide her smile, though. ]

You're finally growing into being an old fart.

Very amusing, Raven. I forgot to laugh.

You know I do it with love.

[ Leaning up, she kisses his cheek, holding him close. ]

I know you missed me teasing you.

[ Charles curls his arms around her loosely. ]

Deeply.

There you go.

[ She knows it's a little more than what they've said, a little more... Intense, and sad, and hurtful, but - she doesn't want to get dragged down into that again. She wants to keep her head up here, otherwise she'll lose herself completely. ]