balancingminds | (no subject)

Charles' room reflects the home where he grew up in Westchester, dark woods and colors, a fireplace and a chess board surrounded by two comfortable chairs.

As they enter, he goes to pour a drink for himself and Jay before sitting down by the board, "Black or white?"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

runningred

“I can’t stay here, Charles. I would. Gladly. But... there are still things I need to do back home.” The monster who killed me is still alive and free. That can’t stand. B won’t avenge me. I have to do it myself.

{ooc: sorry!}

From:

balancingminds

"I wasn't suggesting that. I want you to find a way forward that's healthy for you,"

He doesn't want Jay to die in the cause of revenge.

From:

runningred

Jay's laugh is brittle and slightly pained. "Charles. I don't know what healthy is!"

From:

balancingminds

"You will, I promise,"

It won't be easy but he's not going to let Jay destroy himself.

From:

runningred

"How?" It comes out somewhere between disbelief and pleading.

From:

balancingminds

"We'll figure it out and its going to be what's healthy for you not for anyone else. That's the part that counts, doing best for you without wondering as much about other people."

From:

runningred

Jay leans against the wall near the fireplace, letting the warmth sink in. He feels like he's coming apart at the seams right now. He'd pull Charles into a hug, just for the warmth of touching someone right now if he wasn't so worried he'd end up kissing him.

From:

balancingminds

Charles stands up and leans against him, hugging him,

"You're not alone and you are someone worth healing. Trust me. I can see all of you."

From:

runningred

Jay clings to the hug, holding Charles tight against him for a very long moment. The contact helps. Quiet a bit. He really wants to kiss Charles, to lose himself in passion to escape his own thoughts but he won't, mustn't.

"I'm sorry." This isn't a side of him he likes anyone to see.

From:

balancingminds

"Don't be. Its okay to hurt, that's how you heal."

From:

runningred

He rests his head on Charles' shoulder, forcing himself to calm down. It takes a moment to force down the sense of panic and vulnerability. "Thank you. I'm not... I'm not very good at this sort of thing."

From:

balancingminds

Charles projects calmness as he moves his hand up and down Jay's arm and back,

"Shh, you're doing fine. I'm not judging you, Jay. I only wish to help."

From:

runningred

The touch soothes, both body and mind as he rests there, open to Charles body and mind. "Thanks." He pulls himself back a little, enjoying Charles' warmth.

He shakes his head. "Every time I think I'm getting my shit together..."

From:

balancingminds

"You've had a difficult life, but that's made you stronger. Everything won't happen in a moment, but change is possible. I trust in you, Jay."

From:

runningred

Jay nods and presses a very soft kiss to Charles cheek. "Yeah, I trust you too." I wish I could see what you see in me.

From:

balancingminds

I see someone who wants the world to be better.

He hugs Jay once more,

"This is a low moment, you'll rise above it."

From:

runningred

Simpler at least. Jay is a very physical individual and contact always helps. There's a reason he sleeps around so much. "I hope so."

From:

balancingminds

"I believe you will. Now come on and beat me at chess,"

He kisses Jay's hair and walks back to the board.

From:

runningred

Jay sighs softly and lets Charles go, even though he clearly doesn't want to. He wishes he didn't have to be he respects Charles and Erik's relationship too much.

"I very much doubt there's much chance of that. You're much better at this than I am." He takes his seat and polishes off his drink before trying to work out how not to make a fool of himself.

From:

balancingminds

The sigh isn't easy to hear but Erik's who he's with,

"Stop that, you're probably better than you think."

From:

runningred

Jay shrugs and tries for a more aggressive approach across the board. "Alfred use to say I played the way I fought - brashly."

From:

balancingminds

"Brash can work. I tend to be more cautious,"

The approach is interesting and Charles plays defensively for now.

From:

runningred

"I was never very good at cautious. I guess that's what gets me in trouble." He plays fast and loose, taking a few of Charles' pieces but leaving himself open to attack.