driftfleet | (no subject)

[ He stares at her, uncomprehending. ]

You - what?

I'm saying you don't have to - to not be you with me. It's okay.

[ She doesn't know what she's asking, was the first thought in his mind. People always say that, at the start. That they're all right, that they're willing to try. But hearts are so . . . changeable.

And yet. They had made such big steps. His fear shouldn't stop him here. ]

No. I think . . . it's a good idea.

[ The thing is that Raven does know. She grew up with Charles, he used to touch her mind all the time, but then she'd grown up more and hated it. Living with Emma had soothed the angry burn of her fear, and the planet, sharing everything with Hank... It had helped. It's not perfect, and it's not going to completely change her mind overnight, but it's a start.

Besides, Charles was in her mind before and during Washington. Right now, she knew she could trust him again. ]

Only if you want to.

No.

[ His tone is sharp, though not directed at her. ]

It can't be - my decision alone. It has to be mutual. It has to be - It can't be on me.

I've already told you I want to.

[ Careful, she leans forward, watching him. ]

That's what I'm saying, Charles. I want to, but you don't have to. It's your decision too.

Then . . . we'll do it.

Okay.

[ She lets out a breath she didn't realise she was holding, trying to relax. ]

... I don't know how this works, really. It's been a while.

[ Charles waits, just in case she intends to take it back. Then, slowly, he lets his barriers slip.

There is no real way to how it works. ]

Oh!

[ The voice in her mind is familiar, of course it is, and Raven lifts her head to look at Charles before she relaxes. It's not like in Washington, she thinks, where he made himself appear properly - he probably did that so she didn't freak out - but it's familiar all the same. ]

... It just goes, doesn't it?

[ It's always been hard to explain, he admits, How the mind works can't fully be put into words. The scope of it is large. Like its own little universe. ]

[ Closing her eyes, Raven basks, for a moment, in how suddenly close to Charles she feels. All the things they've done to repair their relationship, all the things they did to get themselves back together, and this feels like the culmination of it. They're working hard, and it makes her feel warm all over. ]

Can I talk back to you in my head? I can only remember speaking aloud.

[ Of course, Charles replies. Your thoughts are still yours. But if you direct them at me, I can hear them. ]

[ Her thoughts are still hers - that is a little bit of a relief, even if she'd never admit it aloud. It's a great deal of trust, both ways, she thinks, and she shifts, focussing her attention on Charles.

Like this? ]

[ His affection beams back, like sunlight, precisely. ]

[ It's strange, to feel it, and Raven prickles - and it's just like holding hands with Hank, sharing the affection and love through touch and the connection. This is just like that, only with her mind instead of her fingertips.

It's... Intimate. Like I can feel anything you want to show me. ]

[ It's quiet on Charles' side before he responds.

It always is. Intimate. ]

[ Raven breathes out before she turns her head back to look at him properly.

I'm sorry it took so long. ]

[ Don't be is his automatic reply. There's little point in making people feel sorry about it. He has be the better man, he has to give options, he has to forgive and let go. There's no peace otherwise. ]