(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 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."

[balancingminds]

"I know she shouldn't, she should be safe to be herself,"

He just has to figure out how to make the world allow her to.

[markedformore]

It's unexpected. He hadn't truly thought Charles would ever say that. "And why not let her? Why not coax society into accepting her?"

[balancingminds]

"Because its too dangerous at the moment but I think we can in time make it so that its not. She's my sister, I want her to be happy and safe just as I wish the same for you,"

Its why he works as he does, but he knows that it will be harder for people to accept Raven.

[markedformore]

"It's only dangerous if she doesn't fight," Erik spits out. "You want us to hide. I've been told that before, you know. Hiding in the shadows does nothing to the enemy. It only prolongs the inevitable."

[balancingminds]

"No, I don't. I want to change things to the point where we don't have to fight. Its just a different sort of fighting. Not everyone is the enemy,"

That's unfair and only leads to bloodshed and Charles sighs, he knows how much people hurt, mutants and humans.

[markedformore]

"And not everyone is your ally," Erik feels compelled to point out. "You had a lovely childhood, Charles. You're permitted to feel that way, but I hope you don't hold it against me when I say that you are wrong. They will hurt people. They will hurt us because they are frightened of change."