( #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]

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.]