XMFC/Interview season

[guideshapelead]

Charles can barely keep still as he sits in the passenger seat of Erik's car, watching the world fly by outside. It's a long drive to Boston and the man they know lives there, a mutant not unlike the Professor himself. Telepathic, though not nearly as powerful, but also gifted with telekinetic skills. More importantly, he has a degree in Chemistry and currently works as a chemist. He's just what they need for their school staff.

"Do you think he'll want to join us?" He asks Erik, uncharacteristically nervous about the meeting. It's one thing, recruiting children - they're scared, most of the time, and are over the moon at the news that there are others of their kind. This man? He's grown up that way. He's too old, now, for the promise of something better to sweep him straight of his feet. There'll be resistance, Charles imagines, and he'd feel wrong forcing him in any way.

Comments

[guideshapelead]

"They're young, but they're good people," Charles nods. "But we've already taken up too much of your time. You should visit and see for yourself."

He doesn't want to be there, any more. He wants to take Erik by the hand and pull him away.

[diecastking]

Erik stands, holding out his hand. James shakes it warmly, with an infectious grin - it reminds him very much of Charles' smile.

"It was a pleasure to meet you," James says.

[guideshapelead]

Giving James the address of the mansion, Charles too shakes his hand before turning to leave. If he places the impression in the other man's mind that Erik is very much off-limits to him, then he's not going to mention it.

[diecastking]

Erik smiles at Charles as they go to the car.

"I think that went well," he said.

[guideshapelead]

"He likes you," Charles is straight to the point, the second they're out of earshot. He's still got Erik's mind blocked, as well as his own, so he's sure there's no mental eavesdropping going on either.

[diecastking]

Erik raises his eyebrow quizzically.

"We all seemed to get on well," he says cautiously, unsure where this is going.

[guideshapelead]

"He liked you, far more than he liked me," Charles frowns, taking himself to the passenger door of Erik's car.

"You didn't need to be telepathic to see that."

[diecastking]

Erik frowns.

"Charles, paranoia doesn't suit you. I'm the suspicious one, liebe."

[guideshapelead]

Shifting himself into the car seat, Charles waits for Erik to join him behind the wheel before he pulls away the mental walls around the both of them.

"I know flirting when I see it. I'm not as dumb as you think."

[diecastking]

Erik turns to face Charles, bewildered.

"Flirting? Charles, that's absurd."

[guideshapelead]

"You're an attractive man, why wouldn't he?" Charles shrugs.

"Just so long as he realises he's wasting his time."

[diecastking]

Erik doesn't put any stock in what Charles is saying, sure that James was just keen to impress.

But he holds his lover's hand as he starts the car. "Of course he is," he says.

[guideshapelead]

"If he comes, I'm not sure it'll be because of the school's ethos," Charles frowns, squeezing Erik's hand before pointedly placing it on the steering wheel. Maybe he will keep his eyes closed for the journey home.

[diecastking]

"You worry too much," Erik says, leaning forward to kiss him. "It will make you old before your time, liebe. Next you'll be bald."

[guideshapelead]

"That'll never happen," Charles scowls, fingers running through his hair to prove a point.

"I'd rather die." He can be over-dramatic when he wants to be.

[diecastking]

Erik rolls his eyes and ruffles Charles' hair, throwing the car into reverse.

"You'll live 'til you're a hundred, with great-grandchildren and your own university."

[guideshapelead]

"And a full head of hair," Charles adds. That's the most important factor of all.

[diecastking]

Erik does a speedy U-turn, turning on a hairpin, before roaring off into down the street.

"You'll always be beautiful."