driftfleet | (no subject)

[ 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. ]

[ Raven shakes her head but, finally, she smiles. A fresh start, then. ]

[ For both of us. ]

[ Erik said his powers were limited while he was on the ships. How far can your telepathy go now? ]

[ A low hum of agreement filters through, yes it's limited to the ship I am on. ]

[ So I'll have to go back to texting, huh? ]

[ I'm afraid so. ]

[ I think I'll manage. See what she did there? She doesn't, at first, until she catches on the 'think' and bursts out laughing. ]

[ His laughter bubbles over. I'm sure you will. ]

[ Shaking her head, Raven leans over, cupping his cheeks again and letting her thumb brush over his skin.

Thank you for trusting me, Charles. ]

[ Charles shakes his head, his hair falling over his face.

I always trusted you. I have a hard time trusting myself. And trusting the world in turn. ]

[ And all she does is tilt his head up, so she can lean forward, leaving a kiss on his forehead, gentle and soft and loving.

I trust you. The world can come later, but for now - let's start with us. ]

[ Starting small when the world was so big . . . Charles leans into Raven's touch. ]

[ It's almost a little funny, and a little sad, because this used to be their world; just the two of them, together. So much has changed since than and, while it's hurt, Raven is glad. They've grown up, matured, and become the people she thinks they were meant to be. It's made it easier for her to come back to him.

We're together, Charles. Even in her mind she thinks it sounds soft, gentle, and there's warmth inside of her directed entirely at him; devotion and love even if there is still that prickle of fear and uncertainty. Together again. You came for me, and now I'm here for you. ]

[ I would always come for you.

Even though he's not sure if he's wanted or needed, Charles would still try. ]