(no subject)

[balancingminds]

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?"

Comments

[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."

[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.

[balancingminds]

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

[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."

[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."

[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..."

[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."

[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.

[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."

[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."

[balancingminds]

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

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

[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.

[balancingminds]

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

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

[runningred]

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

[balancingminds]

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

The approach is interesting and Charles plays defensively for now.

[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.

[balancingminds]

He moves in on the attack and soon has Jay at mate,

"A bit of thought can be useful."

[runningred]

Jay hisses playfully and leans back, thinking for a moment to see any way out and failing badly. "Told you you'd kick my ass."

[balancingminds]

The hiss is a little unexpected but Charles laughs,

"Then we'll have another game and tell me how your bikes are going."

[runningred]

"Alright. You set up the board and I'll pour up some more drinks." He paces the floor a little, needing to move a bit. He's never been one for sitting still for long.

The drinks he brings back are more scotch than soda but that's him too. "What do you want to know?"

[balancingminds]

"Whatever you want to tell me. Who are you building them for? What do you enjoy most about the work? Thank you."

[runningred]

"I've got two commissions on the go - one for Gav and the other for Eric. Very different bikes with very different needs. It's been fun planning and modding them to suit."

"Other than that, I've got a hover-bike on the go for myself. Future tech. It's been fun learning." He plays more carefully this time.

[balancingminds]

"How different? What do they each need and want? Do you build the bikes as they ask or do you make some choices for yourself? After all not everyone knows what will actually work for them,"

Charles smiles and plays his normal game, curious to see Jay's choices.

[runningred]

"I build to the needs and limitations of the world they're from. Mostly I get an idea of what the person needs the bike for and that sets the perimeters for the type of frame and engine I start with."

"Gav's world is mostly underground, tunnels and tight spaces so the bike needs to be small and manoeuvrable, suitable for scarp corners and sudden stops. He doesn't need much in the way of speed but he needs to be able to repair and maintain it himself so simple engine design matters too. I found the sweetest little Honda frame to start with. It's light and easy to use."

"Eric wants speed and anonymity. Something he can ride when he doesn't want to be seen. Not dissimilar to what I use to ride as a sidekick. He has the reflexes to manage the fastest of race bikes so I started with a top of the line Ducati engine and then mod the frame to suit."

He clearly enjoys the challenge of designing just the right bike. He plays slower this time, less recklessly but no less aggressively.

[balancingminds]

"Fascinating, so the bikes are reflections of their capabilities and their worlds."