driftfleet | [Closed]

Who: Erik, Charles and Raven
Broadcast: N/A
Action: a birthday on the Iskaulit
When: November 3rd

It was some time in the early morning, between fits of sleep, that Erik realised he was fifty-three. He had known it was coming for days, in the back of his mind, but it strikes him suddenly when he wakes from another unremembered dream and knows it must be nearly morning. The knowledge sinks into him like a stone, having broken the surface just as suddenly. It doesn't take long for the grief and loneliness to seize his heart again, always waiting for a moment to strike. He curls up under his blanket in the dark and wills himself to be silent, unseen.

His last birthday had been a happier affair. They were never grand or exuberant, but he didn't need or want them to be. Having a family to celebrate with was gift enough to Erik's mind. He vividly remembers the paper party hats Nina had made for the three of them to wear, the breakfast Magda had served up before he had to go to work. It was shocking to think he'd almost become used to it, after those initial few years where he hadn't been the most receptive to Magda's insistence that they do something. Even just a dinner.

Now he was to have his birthday in outer space, far from Earth and where his family lay beneath it. It was hardly worth acknowledging... just like all the years before they'd entered his life. His broken heart begs to differ, though, so he has to give it its due.

After a while, he wipes his face and gets up. Charles wants to spend time with him today, so he sets about having an early shower and shave (down to faint stubble, at the least). Another couple of hours listening to the terrible music the communicators have on offer, in the company of his fluff slug, was enough to settle his turbulent feelings into something manageable.

By the time Charles knocks on his door and they head to the Iskaulit, he's put himself back together.

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[There's a faint quirk of his lips, knowing full well what he's choosing not to say. He finds there is little point in explaining the rest of his emotions when he's certain Raven can guess well enough on her own.]

It must be a quiet day, then.

[ There's no point trying to make Erik talk about things when they both know what they're avoiding talking about; he's hurting, and she gets that. What she does instead is reach out, grabbing onto his hand with a nod. ]

Oh, that's what I do. When I get bored I decide to come and annoy you, right?

[The touch is a bit unexpected, so there's a pause before he wraps his fingers around hers.]

History would back me up on this.

It's not annoying you, it's spending time with you. It's your fault if you get annoyed.

[ But she's smiling, and she reaches into her bag with her free hand to pull out a square present. ]

Happy birthday, Erik.

[You'd think Raven had pulled out a live snake, for all that Erik is suddenly looking at the package like it's going to bite him. He'd only just gotten used to Charles's picnic efforts, and now this?]

What...

[ All she does is give him a look, rolling her eyes. It's just a framed photo of the four of them, a twin to the one that she had in her own frame back in her room with Hank. ]

It's your birthday. Birthdays mean gifts.

[He takes the present from her reluctantly, still wanting to protest getting any kind of gift. This was more than he deserved, any of it. Birthdays hadn't meant presents for half of his life; they had meant nothing but the ticking over of another year.

When he unwraps the paper and sees the photo, he can only stare at it, lost for words. A family portrait taken what seems like a lifetime ago. It doesn't so much tug at his heartstrings as strike at them, already bruised. He brushes a thumb along the frame, and doesn't dare look back up.]

[ She doesn't make a show of it; now isn't the time for that. The photo feels as though it's from a lifetime or two ago, but it's the best thing she could think to give him - a reminder of what he still has, despite how much he's faced and how much he's lost. Watching him stare... It makes her wonder if she's done the right thing, but she pushes through it as best she can.

Leaning up, she smiles, kissing his cheek and wrapping her arm around his. ]

Come on. Come and sit with me, Erik.

[He glances at her when she slips her arm through his, then looks away just as fast to scrubs his free hand across his eyes. He's not fooling anyone, he knows; it's more a matter of habit, from a long dislike of letting others see him unmanned, that spurs the act.

Photo frame in hand, he follows her gentle prompts and moves to sit down next to her. Erik takes a breath and looks back to Raven again, eyes less dangerously bright than before.]

Thank you.

[ It's easy to give him time, to let him have a few moments - she knows that he's aware that he's not hiding things well, but she's not going to push or prod. Right now Erik doesn't need that; he doesn't need someone shoving themselves into his emotions and making them even more messy. He just needs someone there, and she can do that; she's always been his right hand woman.

Now, she settles down and leans against him, closing her eyes. ]

I'd have baked you something but I think we both know that would have been a disaster.

[He takes a stabilising breath, placing the frame at his side for now. Raven's weight against his side is grounding, though not entirely comfortable.]

I'm not sure of that. Mostly because I've never seen you try.

[ It's not meant to be comfortable, not really; it's a reminder that she's there, and real, and not about to leave him. ]

It's a recipe for disaster, I promise. There's a reason why Charles never let me try.

[He huffs slightly.]

Charles doesn't exactly bake a lot either.

He does have an excuse. Oxford boy.

That's not a real excuse. He would have had to make his own food at times.

You'd think. [ Shaking her head, she just settles close to him, content to be an anchor even if he doesn't really want her. ] I don't know how we survived.

It takes more than poor cooking skills to end people like you.

You're right. We're quite hardy.

Mmm. [He falls quiet for a moment, surveying the spread Charles has provided. Besides the cake, he had brought drinks and snacks too. It would be an understatement to say Erik doesn't think he's worth this kind of effort, but he's not about to say so.]

Do you want some of this?

Not hungry?

[ But Raven doesn't push more than that, just reaches to let herself have a drink, still half-draped over Erik. ]

Thank you, Erik.

[He shakes his head; he shouldn't be thanked for this. None of the effort was his.]

I'll have some, it's just... meant for more than one person.

[ Raven just gives him a look before she smiles. ]

So. I have a question for you.

What is it?

[His tone is even, but given the occasion, he's wary of what the question might be.]

What do you want to do with me for the next few hours?

[An innocuous question, and yet... he lets out a huff, looking away to pull the cake tray closer.]

I don't know. [That's honest. He hadn't anticipated doing anything, with anyone.]

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