(no subject)

[balancingminds]

The compartment isn't as elegant as the ones in Europe but it will do and Charles has found them a comfortable one to get north.

There's space enough for them both to stretch out and since its not a heavy time, they have a measure of privacy, and the club car's not far away.

Comments

[markedformore]

Erik stays put, though not because Charles had suggested it and more because he doesn't feel inclined to slide off anywhere. "Do you require any help becoming presentable?" he asks, wry and pleasant at once.

[balancingminds]

"I will soon, the conductor will check tickets when we leave Philadelphia but that won't be for another twenty minutes,"

And he loves this easy intimacy, its restful and wonderful.

[markedformore]

Erik rests a little to the side, slanting to get comfortable against Charles' knee as he sprawls out on the ground, legs straight up and tucked under. "Couldn't you simply convince him that our tickets have been checked? I'd hate to be disturbed."

[balancingminds]

"Mm, probably could since there's a ticket on the outside of where we're going,"

He yawns, resting his hand in Erik's hair.

[markedformore]

Erik looks up, rather amused and disappointed at the same time with the way Charles is yawning. "Have I truly exhausted you, then?" he wonders, somewhat pleased with his prowess, though he's sure Charles can feel is swimming off him in waves.

[balancingminds]

"This isn't exhaustion, this is comfort,"

Its a different matter and he projects an image of himself as a cat curled up and purring.

[markedformore]

Erik wonders how he fits into that particular little place in his mind, but his laugh is lazy and warm, touching the sides of his lips with his thumb cautiously. "You know," he remarks, "I rather like you like this. Sprawled and content."

[balancingminds]

He mentally pans out to show Erik as an elegant dog who he's curled up against,

"I like being this way with you."

[markedformore]

"It's acceptable when there isn't work at hand," Erik concedes, because as soon as their journey is over, there's work to be done and he can hardly ignore that or his quest for Shaw.

[balancingminds]

"But its also good to have a balance between work and play,"

Too much focus on revenge won't end well but that's harder to persuade Erik of, but he can start by showing the power of not working all the time.

[markedformore]

Erik has never had much play in his life. Even now, he believes it to be a somewhat waste of time, though he's sure Charles is aware of that. "It's suitable to allow for some enjoyment," he says, given that his own opinion has hardly been hidden.

[balancingminds]

Charles sighs as he ruffles Erik's hair,

"Yes, it is and I'll show you that you can enjoy yourself and not lose ground on any of your ambitions."

[markedformore]

"Why? To learn how I can be like you? Finish a thesis and waste hours hitting on girls too drunk to know better?" is Erik's cutting reply, only staying in place because Charles' fingers in his hair is too lovely to leave.

[balancingminds]

His hand stills before he answers,

"Getting to know other people isn't wasting time."

[markedformore]

"It is if they aren't worthwhile in a cause," is Erik's opinion on the matter, given that his history of getting to know people has only led to heartbreak and pain. "Friends are worthwhile when you have a common goal."

[balancingminds]

Charles smooths his hair and himself before he answers, making his voice more neutral but as always his emotion slips through.

Loneliness is what propels him forward, that fear of no one understanding, "No, friends are worthwhile because they listen and say, oh yes, I understand."

[markedformore]

"No, those are insipid people who agree to everything," Erik snaps, easing back from the touch to his hair, arranging himself on the opposite bank of chairs. "I don't want people who understand. No one could."

[balancingminds]

"No, those are yes-men not friends. Friends will tell you when you're being stupid and be there even if they don't know everything, but they're there,"

He stands up, looking out the window, he knows how many people are lonely and it hurts.

[markedformore]

Erik still isn't convinced of this, but he supposes that Charles has something of a point. He inhales sharply and presses his lips together. "Then I suppose you will have to educate me on the finer points of friendship."

[balancingminds]

"I'll do my best to and there's Philadelphia,"

The train rocks and Charles plants himself to keep his balance, but slips a little.

[markedformore]

Erik reaches out absently to steady him, as though it's hardly more than a simple thought and he looks up to Charles, thinking perhaps he ought to learn a lot about friendship, if only to stop being so bad at it. "Have you ever met anyone as frustrating as me, I wonder," he remarks.

[balancingminds]

Its pleasant to be looked up to by Erik and Charles finds his feet with a smile,

"Raven, but in different ways, though the heart of it is the same problem. We don't see the world the same way."

[markedformore]

"No? Funny, she seems rather eager to mimic you," Erik says dismissively, given what he's seen of Raven. "She wants to shed her powers, to hide from the world."

[balancingminds]

"She pushes against me in many ways, she wants more than hiding. I want to give it to her," He isn't sure if he'll be able to and turns when the conductor knocks saying, "Tickets, please."

Charles walks over, making the interaction pass quickly before sagging onto the seat opposite Erik.

[markedformore]

"Then why do you let her hide?" Erik says, when the conductor has passed and Erik can no longer bite back the question. "She shouldn't have to, Charles."