( #002 ) FAKE MARRIED AU

[chatona]

the 'fake married' meme

be it for a job, in order to get your inheritance or to fool your nosy neighbours, you are pretending to be married. now the question is, do you want it to be real or can you hardly wait for it to be over?

Comments

[metalica]

[ Erik had been off in his own world; he always is when it comes to Charles dealing with the niceties of their travels. He walked in, stood to one side with a stoic, grouchy expression on his face and waited for Charles to sort out their rooms before they went out to scrounge something up to eat. It was as simple as that; there wasn't normally much thought to it and he was glad for it, considering how exhausting travel could be no matter how used to it he was.

He's jerked out of his thoughts when he hears the word husband and he looks down with wide eyes before he looks back at the woman behind the counter, the people around them, and then back down at Charles. He has to physically bite back his smile as he moves, reaching into the inside pocket of his leather jacket and pulling out his book, writing out numbers he's barely paying attention to before he reaches to grab Charles' bag.

If they were going to play a game he was going to play the part. ]

I'll take our bags upstairs, darling. [ This was almost fun. He was sure Charles was going to punish him for it later and he hums, heading down the hall. ] Get the key.

[cerebral]

[Charles' eyes narrow as he watches Erik retreat. But he takes the key and thanks the woman in cheery manner that somehow manages to convey she can also go directly to hell (do not pass go, do not collect $20) before following swiftly after.

The charade is continued as they wait for the elevator.] You know, you're enjoying this a little too much. [The petite brunette illusion gives him a withering look. Too right he's getting punished for it.] And for that I'm taking the first shower.

[The doors soon open with a 'ping' and Charles walks in first, briefly acknowledging the elevator operator with a smile, before silently taking his place. Unfortunately his expression makes him look like he's pouting more than anything.]

[metalica]

[ He would be a little more disgusted by the narrow-mindedness of the human race (if one must believe that mutation is natural it's hardly a leap to imagine that a base attraction to someone of the same sex as yourself must be as well, it's pure logic) if he wasn't so utterly entertained by Charles' attempts to get them upstairs faster. It would be charming if it were any other situation.

Still, he lifts a shoulder, his briefcase light in comparison to Charles' little suitcase. He had nothing to pack - Charles did, it was as simple as that. ] Someone ought to get a kick out of your embarrassment. [ And, really. He raises an eyebrow, looking down at the man with a raised eyebrow. Since when has he particularly cared who had the shower first or second? Especially since, usually, they had their own rooms. It'd be a rather endearing test of their ability to share, he supposes.

Leaning down, Erik pauses before he flicks his eyes to the operator and shifts to whisper to his partner instead. ] You're pouting.

[cerebral]

[There's a small, very Charles-like frown that crosses his feminine alter-ego's expression.] I'm not embarrassed by this. [This meaning his appearance to the rest of the world. He's confident in his ability to maintain the illusion, despite feeling irritable, and what no one knows won't hurt them.

The second Erik is done whispering, Charles turns his head. Their faces are in startlingly close proximity and it feels...intimate. It probably looks intimate to the outside world, too. To answer the accusation of pouting and mistaken emotional state - ] I'm annoyed.

[Annoyed that certain behaviours are excused if they look one way, while feeling uncertain of Erik's reaction, which in turn also manages to annoy him. And that was after the heat, and the drive, and the bad customer service.

Their floor dings. The elevator operator seems to be steadfastly ignoring what looks like a lover's tiff. Charles removes himself from Erik's personal space and walks past the door to find their door number.]

[metalica]

That isn't what I imagined you'd be embarrassed by, no. [ Erik had rather imagined that his friend might be more put out by the assertion of their relationship with one another, with why they would be entirely comfortable with one room together -- he knew he was pushing the limits of Charles' rather lovely amount of patience. He hesitates, unsure, before he simply allows himself to glance up at the operator.

Then, Charles has all his attention. ] I'm sure a semi-decent shower will wash that away, my friend. No need to be so petulant. [ When they reach their floor Erik is about to reach for Charles' arm - but his friend is out and walking down to their room before Erik can do anything and he simply sighs, shaking his head and getting their things, stepping out without a word to the human. Instead, he follows.

The door has just opened when he gets there and Erik steps through, shutting it behind them and moving to drop the suitcase on the bed before he goes and puts his own briefcase down to one side, unsure. When he approaches Charles it's with a careful air, reaching out to touch his shoulder. Erik has never been particularly adept at comfort and he doubts this time is going to be any better than any other attempts he has ever made in his lifetime. ]

They are idiots. They are uneducated and know very little of what the world outside their little town means, Charles. Did you expect them to think differently about us? [ He steps around so he can look at Charles properly, careful and unsure. ] You should shower. Relax.

[cerebral]

[Erik will pleasantly be proven wrong for once. Something in Charles sags at the touch on his shoulder, rather than prickle. The illusion had been left behind at the door and there was the bed he'd so desperately wanted to flop face first on.]

Mostly I expect them to shut up and take my money. [It's said half-jokingly and he only realises a second too late how much of an over-privileged prat that made him sound. It's not always something he's sensitive towards, but even that comment manages to ping his radar.] What I mean is, I know there's enough places in the world that don't care so long as they have an excuse to tell themselves and you give generously, although I can't say I've ever needed such services myself. And that's just - well, it's how it should be. Everybody should mind their own bloody business for a change and leave people in peace.

[His features unknot a little, in response to Erik's uncertainty. And then he puts on primness to further joke - ] Although I did look fetching. [He catches Erik's eyes, mouth quirking into a smile slightly, and hopes that this is okay now. It smooths into something more apologetic a second later as he breathes out a sigh.] I'm sorry.

[metalica]

[ His expression flickers, if barely, and he hesitates for a long moment before he shakes his head, lips curling a little. He cannot even find the depth of emotion to feel embittered at the wealth Charles has; it's funny, instead, where it could have been ridiculous and irritating, and the tension that weighted Erik's own shoulders sags ever so slightly.

For the first time in a very long time Erik wishes he was better at this, better than just standing with an awkward hand and ever more awkward words. ] You have lived in a far better place than most, Charles. Perhaps in England, in New York, they might shake their head and simply accept money as a price for added silence. Here? It is hardly so simple; they have religion under their belt and generations of judgement to guide their thoughts. We are forward thinkers because, to us, mutation far exceeds homosexuality in the idea of danger.

[ Once, a long time ago, when Erik had the weight of his people's religion on his shoulders, he would have thought much of the same. The knowledge of his own gift, however, and his own personal choice to turn from God has left him dismissing those things -- how can he dare suggest that two men or two women in love is unnatural when the humans regard him as simply that for breathing? It seems foolish, illogical. He shakes his head, lifting a hand to touch Charles' shoulder and squeeze there, gently. ] You did. Very fetching - the most beautiful wife.

[cerebral]

[Charles is about to sigh out I know because he does, but he can feel the edge of one of their conversations coming on. It's a welcome change to everything that happened from the lobby to a moment ago.] We might be forward thinkers. [As in, Erik and he.] Mutation might exceed homosexuality in terms of danger, but it's still dangerous. And what about mutants who are less accepting, even of other mutants. Some sixty years ago, it was considered a sign of degeneracy, a regressive trait when people were first coming to terms with evolution, and I think it's fair to say that many people still hold that opinion.

[He moves to sit on the edge of the bed and start undoing his shoes, glancing up at Erik every so often as he continues.] And therein lies the question - will homosexual mutants feel welcome among heterosexual mutants? Will there be enough opportunities to seek love, since we're an emerging population? Or will there be the need to choose between one and the other. Hypothetically, would someone be more intolerant towards them or react towards them irregardless? [Shoes unlaced and tucked beneath the bed. When he stands up, he looks thoughtful.]

I don't have the answers to any of these questions, but I think about them or questions like them often. [Mostly in relation to why he favours co-existence.] Are we only mutants? And if so, do we ignore the other parts of ourselves that belong to something else. Or - does it feel so heavy to already be one, the other is never or rarely explored.

[He'd fallen into talking aloud and at the last point he seems a touch more solemn. Still, there are showers to be taken. His luggage gets hefted up onto the bed as he begins to unpack a few things.]