(no subject)

[balancingminds]

Somehow after the discussion with Erik, Charles managed to sleep though his dreams were complicated and vivid as he thought of Erik's touch.

He woke early and went to make himself a strong cup of coffee in the kitchen, his hair wet from the shower and his shirt not fully buttoned.

The past few days have been so full, he wonders what's to come next.

Comments

[markedformore]

Erik had seen one after Argentina, but then Charles had blasted his way into his life and he hasn't had time to think of the place again. "I'm not wearing a hat," he says, knowing it may be out of place, but it is the first thing that comes to mind. He feels silly for saying it, but there it is. "Usually, when I go there, I have a new hat, decent clothes."

[balancingminds]

Charles almost laughs into his tea before giving Erik a long look over,

"Then Milliways will have to be disappointed that you're in clothes you've worn before. You always look elegant so I wouldn't worry."

There's one last swallow in his tea and he gulps it down before looking around the kitchen, there aren't that many doors.

[markedformore]

"Elegant?" Erik echoes, following Charles perhaps an inch (or three) too closely as he awaits his direction, craning his head to one side as he regards him. Idly, he reaches out and finds that he must button up that perilous part of his clothing that has been taunting him. "Can't have them thinking you've been debauched, now can we?"

[balancingminds]

When Erik buttons his shirt, Charles smiles though its not quite as certain as he likes it be.

Erik's hand doesn't touch skin but it almost does and he closes his eyes to find a moment of balance. Then he tries to focus on the doors as he wouldn't mind what anyone thought about him and Erik,

"Yes, um elegant. It looks like our options are the main door and the pantry."

[markedformore]

"If the others find us standing in the pantry expecting a bar," Erik points out dryly, "I will put all the blame on you," he forewarns, exhaustion taking most of the bite out of his words as he gestures, a given offer for Charles to lead the way.

[balancingminds]

"Fair enough. Our stable door was in the linen closet of our flat, a pantry makes just as much sense,"

He rests his hand on the knob thinking of Sallie and the feel of Bar, a comforting presence in his mind before it opens to the bustle of Milliways.

[markedformore]

At first, Erik is taken aback by the sudden noise and assault of bodies. He takes in deep breaths, but it threatens to undo him, yet. He shoots Charles a look (desperate, tired) that wants to ask why he thought this a good idea.

[balancingminds]

Charles turns to take Erik's hand, projecting his own calm for Erik to rely on,

"Meet me on the stairs. I'll get us a room key."

[markedformore]

Deeper and deeper into the mouth of the whale, Erik finds himself venturing. He regards the bar warily, but does precisely as Charles says, making his way to the stairs, whereupon he stands as straight and tall as possible and waits, realising that he does not have a change of clothing.

[balancingminds]

At the counter, Charles has a brief discussion with Bar before getting a room key.

He can feel Erik's tension and presses the key into his hand, using the touch for reassurance, "Erik, stay with me."

[markedformore]

Erik comes back to attention when Charles says his name, shaking the notion that he ought to be working during his time here. It's been the habit, thus far, and he isn't sure whether he can shake it. "Well? Are you going to take me upstairs and ravish me with the confines of sleep, Charles?"

[balancingminds]

Charles shakes his head with a small laugh, Erik keeps surprising him,

"Yes, something like that. Shall we?"

[markedformore]

Erik gives a noncommittal hum as response, following after Charles as he tries to put everything together and understand precisely what is happening, though his tired mind is already running ahead of itself. "How much do they charge for the hour?" he asks.

[balancingminds]

"The hour? I've never asked when I've used rooms before. I think its more for the night," It's also something that he's never thought about and he opens the door to a warm room.

The walls are wood, there's a bookshelf taking over one section, a chess board with metal pieces of a small table, two comfortable chairs and a large bed.

"This should do."

[markedformore]

His instant desire for the bed overwhelms any appreciation for the room that he might have. He walks towards it, long strides taking him directly to it and he shoots Charles an apologetic look, but he truly is exhausted and if Milliways is truly time, stopped, then this is even more necessary. "Sing me to sleep, dear," he mumbles, exhaustedly, as he pulls off his shirt, leaving only the white beater-tank and a loosened set of trousers.

[balancingminds]

At the apologetic look, Charles smile, they came here so he can sleep.

Once Erik's settled on the bed, Charles comes over and sits down,

"I will, lay back, open your mind to me and try to clear it as well as you can. If anything feels wrong, tell me and I'll stop."

[markedformore]

Never one to happily follow instructions, Erik still does as he is told and lies back, shooting Charles a look that implies that there will always be something that feels wrong and he will truly lack the ability to change that. Still, he folds his hands over his chest and waits.

[balancingminds]

Charles returns Erik's look with a sigh before laying his hand on Erik's face and starting by projecting a sense of calm around them.

Then he closes his eyes and commands Erik to sleep, keeping the connection open so that he can keep watch on Erik's dreams.

[markedformore]

Erik finds that the command is difficult (nigh impossible) to resist and his troubles tumble away, leaving him instead to the great depths of waiting sleep and, as usual, the nightmares that come. First, they are typical. Shaw, Schmidt, the coin, his mother. But now, they mutate and there is someone else in the room at the other end of the gun.

There is Charles, threatened.

[balancingminds]

When the nightmare starts, Charles opens his eyes within Erik's mind to find a gun facing him.

There's tension around his eyes but his fear is hidden as he says, "No, not tonight."

Then the dream begins to shift, Erik will not have a nightmare tonight. Dreams are difficult to control but he can do it and Erik won't see how they worry him though he might sense his need for more focus.

[markedformore]

Erik blinks, finding that the camp is falling away as the dream continues. Slowly, slowly, he begins to find that there is not the panic and the dark hatred that typically surrounds him and he is not sure what to make of it. Wildly, he searches for Charles in this aimless dream, hoping to find him in something of this.

"Charles?" he calls out. "Where are you?"

[balancingminds]

They're in Erik's mind and Charles doesn't wish to impose too much so he reaches out his dream hand and mind,

"Wherever you wish us to be, Erik. Show me what safety looks like to you."

[markedformore]

Erik isn't sure where that is. He truly does not know what safety looks like to him and so the landscape before him remains gray and nebulous, without shape or definition, but with a great deal of shame on the heels of such an epiphany.

[balancingminds]

Charles' concern wraps around Erik in a fog that's almost a hug as the dream resolves into a park; a deep green lawn with trees in the background.

They're standing on the grass, but otherwise the space is empty. It's home for Charles, but he keeps his own associations quiet so its as neutral as possible.

[markedformore]

Erik looks around him, the vibrant nature of the grass almost offputting to him, and for a moment he does not know what to do. He stares at the grass, then he stares at Charles, at a lack of words as he looks at this man. "Are you sleeping, too? Or is this all work and no play?"