driftfleet | though it hurts to breathe

Who: Raven, Hank, Charles and Erik
Broadcast: No
Action: On the Heron
When: Now onwards!

[ It had taken her a little while to calm down with Hank at her side, long enough that she's practically itching to make her way over to the Heron as soon as she can, device in her hand - the temptation to text ahead, to make sure they're really there, that they're okay, is almost a little too daunting and there's not much Raven can do other than force herself to stop. She's stronger than this, true, but coming out of the other side of something as horrendous as Apocalypse and standing tall, waking up on the Fleet, trying to figure out if she can handle it all again - it's too much.

The only thoughts in her mind are that she needs to find Charles, she needs to find Erik, and she needs to make sure they're alive, that they're safe, that they're here. This is going to be impossibly difficult for all four of them, Hank at her side, but they could work through it. They beat an all powerful mutant 'God', they came together as a family and they worked, hard, to make sure they all came out alive the other side.

What was the Fleet after all that?

It doesn't take her long to break away from Hank into a practical run as she reaches the Heron, a flash as she makes her way down the hall to find the other two mutants. Erik is important in her mind, of course, but her first instinct is to call out for Charles, standing outside the door and pressing her fingers against it, afraid for a moment that he won't answer, that he won't be there. The fear grips her, and her hands shake, but she does it anyway, knocking and calling for her brother.

After that, later... Well, she has to take time to calm down. Once she's sure Charles is safe, that Erik is safe, she can actually move to relax herself, the weight on her shoulders fading away. It takes time, but it happens, slowly... But she doesn't leave. She doesn't feel like she can leave either of them, and she wonders how they're going to handle that. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Raven, have you heard some of the things they listen to?

Charles, I've had to listen to German trance music. Nothing is as bad as that.

[ Eh. ]

I'll take your word for it.

It's hell, Charles, don't ever think about listening to it.

[ She's settled now, comfortable and back where she belongs in his arms, and it makes her smile. ]

Would you prefer they listen to Mozart?

Mozart is a classic.

[ But Charles has taught enough children to know a losing battle when he sees one. ]

But no, I prefer they enjoy what they can.

[ She snorts, shaking her head and turning to kiss his cheek. ]

Spoken like a proper professor.

Yes, well. I've had a couple of years to practice.

You're going to have to help me catch up, then.

Of course I'll help. But I believe you can do it quite well.

Charles... I don't want to alarm you, but I'm not actually a qualified teacher.

I doubt we'll find proper qualifications for someone to teach the X-Men.

You have the experience. That makes you qualified.

[ Funnily enough, that's what Erik said to her ten years ago. ]

I appreciate your faith in me.

It's well-founded.

Thank you.

[ Leaning up, she wraps herself around him, a scene that would probably make their students feel a touch awkward. ]

When we're done here I'll go get some clothes. Do you need anything while I'm out?

. . . No. Go ahead. I'll be here.

[ He still has to . . . finish his conversation with Erik. There were many loose ends. ]

I'm going to find us something with more sugar than we've ever had before.

[ Because that's how you fix the two of them hurting. ]

That might be tricky in the Fleet.

I'll figure something out, just you watch.

I suppose I must.

[ His tone is no less pleased, but it's fraying. He's looking a little tired around the edges and Charles rubs at his head. ]

[ Softening, Raven reaches up, knuckles brushing over his cheek before she nods her head. ]

Clothes and food. I'll bring some of my blankets from the Blameless, too. [ Then, quietly; ] Then we can sleep. How does that sound?

It sounds fine but are you sure it's all right? What about your ship?

If our ship can manage to survive with both Hank and I asleep for who knows how long then I'm sure it can survive us being here with you.

[ Charles nods. ]

As long as you're sure.

Charles.

[ She lifts both her hands, smoothing her palms down against his cheeks gently. ]

You come first. My family comes first.

[ He swallows quietly. Charles doesn't doubt it, but to confront so boldly reminded him of what happened and how he made it through with the help of his family. ]

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