003; video

[beathach]

Who: Charles and Hank + You Losers
Broadcast: Video
Action: SS Blameless
When: Right Now

[two old nerds appear on screen, unboxing a large colouring create with "Congratulations On Your One Year Anniversary!" written on the side in big, bold letters. Inside appears to be plushies of DNA, antibodies, and other related paraphernalia.

Of course, while doing this they're sharing the popular "rumors" about them out loud, for their own amusement. Or bemusement, either or]

Let’s see . . . 'Aliens stole Charles' hair.' I can’t say that’s wrong.

In a manner of speaking, sure.

What else . . . 'Hank is a beast in bed'. Hank, you sly devil.

—No comment.

Hmm. 'Hank and Charles are the perfect couple'. I think our students got a hold of this one.

Huh. I just read one lamenting our divorce.

Hold on, what’s this?

[ Charles pulls out a business card ]

Well now . . . I guess I’ll be keeping this.

[Hank's response is to burst into laughter. What a helper]

Comments

[axiomed]

Flattery will get you everywhere, it seems.

[ But he pulls one out of the box and hands it to her. ]

[athru]

Nepotism helps too.

[ Leaning up, she kisses his cheek. ]

[axiomed]

Imagine that.

[ He brushes a strand of her hair back. ] So. What is it you wanted to show me?

[athru]

[ Softening a little, Raven leans forward and shows Charles her hand - where there's a brand new ring resting there. ]

This.

[axiomed]

[ Oh. His fingers brush against the metal as his gaze goes impossibly soft. ]

Oh, Raven. How lovely.

[athru]

They change with us.

[ To prove the point, Raven transforms her hand into someone else's - a man's, larger than her own - and the ring goes with it. ]

So we don't need to worry about breaking them.

[axiomed]

[ He smiles. ]

Beautiful and convenient. A rare kind of ring indeed. And suits you perfectly.

[athru]

It's quite nice, you're right.

[ Shifting, she settles back down against Charles, cuddling into his arm just because she can. ]

What have you been doing lately, then, other than giving out science toys?

[axiomed]

Not much, I'm afraid. I helped a little with the plague on the last planet.

[ He trails off a bit, looking askance before clearing his throat. ]

And I guess . . . Erik and I are together. Again.

[athru]

Of course you did. I didn't expect anything less.

[ Raven just raises an eyebrow before she smiles. ]

And are you happy?

[axiomed]

[ That was a harder question and one Charles knew was coming. He knew he was happy, or at least content. Being loved again was akin to a warm blanket draped around him and Charles is not so strong that he can't admit he wanted it. Missed it. But he also knows he has one foot out the door. Not Erik, not the Atroma, not even the fleeting promise would change that.

Erik wants to come home. He means it. Charles can feel every weight in the words. Nothing was given lightly. But Erik wears two rings on his fingers. Charles has none. ]

I don't know yet. I imagine I am, if I scrutinize it with intent. But for now, I'm just glad it exists.

[athru]

[ There's a moment where Raven doesn't do much more than watch Charles, wishing, awkwardly, for a brief moment, that she could see what he was thinking. She rubs her hand over his arm gently, wanting to be soothing as much as she is accepting, and her eyes tilt up to his face. ]

That's the first step, I think. Being glad. At least you're not miserable.

[axiomed]

Not being miserable is certainly a step up.

[ But he wants more. Whether that'll change or not is still up in the air. He runs his fingers over her knuckles with a faint smile. ]

I'm fine, darling.

[athru]

It's a good thing.

[ Frowning, Raven lets her eyes flick over his face for a moment before she leans in, kissing his cheek and wrapping an arm around his neck so she can tuck herself against him gently. ]

You'd talk to me if you weren't, right?

[axiomed]

I am talking.

[ But he lets his hands slip with a faint frown directed at himself, not Raven. ]

I just wonder if it's right. He did lose his family recently. Our history aside . . . it may not be the best thing for him.

[athru]

I think he's best equipped to decide what's right for himself, isn't he?

[ Raven shifts, frowning a little as she thinks. ]

If... If he was still hurting, and not ready, he'd say so. He wouldn't do that to either of you.

[axiomed]

You'd think so, but it's rare when he believes it for himself.

[ The self-assured man that Erik once was is no longer there. It doesn't mean he's gone, but Charles recognizes that it's no longer the same. Magneto is well and truly buried and on that count, Charles is more than pleased. But it feels like Erik himself is buried as well, slowly clawing his way out.

He winces. Not the best mental image and an unfair one. He dismisses it. ]

No, I don't think he would. I would just like a bit more certainty in my life.

[athru]

You know, that doesn't surprise me.

[ She thinks about Erik, standing above Apocalypse, desperately searching for something to cling to, the Erik she knew here, bolder and sadder and trying his best to scrape himself together... And it hurts. She's walking forward with her life, becoming a teacher, marrying Hank, having Charles...

She wants to give him that kind of certainty too; just as she does with Charles. She just doesn't know how. ]

Is there anything I can do?

[axiomed]

[ Charles smiles, drawing her hand and kissing the underside of her palm. ]

Keep an eye on him for me. I suspect there are things he avoids talking to me about.

[athru]

[ She lifts her hand, brushing her fingertips over his cheek gently. ]

I'll watch over you both. That's what family does.

[axiomed]

I expect nothing less.

[athru]

That means I'm going to have to visit you all the time.

[axiomed]

Yes.

[ A beat. ]

Though you should tell me more about what kind of wedding you want so I can get started.

[athru]

[ Her nose wrinkles and she makes a quiet noise of protest. ]

Ask Hank.

[axiomed]

[ Charles looks faintly exasperated. ]

Raven.