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

[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.

[athru]

What?

[ She shakes her head, frowning. ]

I don't know what I want. Maybe he'll have some idea.

[axiomed]

Have you two discussed it?

[ Because Charles is having the sneaking suspicion that Hank is in the same boat. ]

[athru]

[ She glances away. ]

He's been asleep.

[axiomed]

[ His expression softens in sympathy as he reaches out to squeeze her hand. ]

He's here now. And he's fine.

[athru]

I know. [ She purses her lips, squeezing his hand back. ] ... I have a ring bearer.

[axiomed]

[ His eyes light up. ]

Who?

[athru]

The kid, Takeshi.

[axiomed]

[ Ah. Charles smiles. ]

An excellent choice.

[athru]

He's... Sweet.

[ She loves him and would fight the world for him. ]

[axiomed]

He is very earnest.

[ Having seen most of Takeshi's past, it's no wonder he is that way. ]

[athru]

He was amazed at my mutation. And he's very fond of you.

[axiomed]

[ Charles smiles faintly. ]

He's like that with everyone.

[athru]

I think he has a particular fondness for you.

[axiomed]

I tried to help him when I got here, early on. I don't know how much good I did, but he seems to be doing well.

[ He wants to side-step this fondness though. Charles doesn't know what to make of it. He's not anyone's father figure. ]

[athru]

He seems happier than he was when I first met him, especially since he got his panda.