but that's how we like it, and that's all we want

[atthemercyof]

[ He wakes up, and he's not where he should be. Gone is Charles Xavier's bedroom, the warm press of a body beside him, and in it's place is - well, Erik thinks it's a library. He pushes himself up off the mattress on the floor, black wood shelves looming into view. He doesn't know what's happening, only that he feels a little outside it all. Nobody could have moved him in his sleep, and if they wanted to, they wouldn't leave him somewhere like this.

He turns around to glance at the room twice, moves a little closer to the shelves to draw his fingers across the spines, not plucking them free just yet. There's a sound, somewhere outside the room, and he abandons the examination in favour of opening the door, taking the hall at a quick, but not frantic pace. He's curious, which is bizzare in and of itself.

Though he doesn't look into any of the rooms he's passing, it does feel like there's life in here, wherever here is. He hears the noise again, traces it through. ]

Comments

I AM SO SORRY. :|

[atthemercyof]

[ Making a noise, something part laugh, part amazement. ] Oh, of course.

MY DARLING ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?

[oldcardigans]

[ A flash of teeth and Charles is leaving Erik to follow in his wake, but not before gently ribbing him. ] Three guesses as to what this room is?

YES, I'M SORRY, I wasn't very well last night and I pretty much disappeared off the face of the eart

[atthemercyof]

[ Trailing after, a smile working across his face. ] I wonder.

tis all fine, deary /snuggles

[oldcardigans]

Oh, it's not a game if you don't guess. [ But he takes mercy. ] Memories other than mine. I suppose I could have thrown them all out but... it seemed unsavory, somehow.

/clings to

[atthemercyof]

Something you've gathered? [ Tilting his head curiously, brow furrow working it's way over his face as he thinks. ]

[oldcardigans]

Information about anything and everything, others' memories, that sort of thing. [ He makes a vague gesture with his hand. ] The thoughts I'd pulled in from your memories used to be here, too, but once our relationship, err, elevated, I decided to move them to a safer place.

[atthemercyof]

You keep them? [ He sounds surprised, almost delighted. ] So what is in here?

[oldcardigans]

[ Humming in acknowledgment. ] Mainly, my education. Don't open one and think you'll suddenly be an expert in the genetic sequence, but there are memories here too. Unfortunately, nothing I can share with you, as I'm sure you'd never want me blabbing about your experiences to anyone, either.

[atthemercyof]

[ Quietly. ] No, of course not. Is there a reason for the sheer drop?

[oldcardigans]

Would you believe me if I said it's a trap? [ Laughing shortly. ] No, actually, it's purely aesthetic - to put all of this knowledge into one designated space, I'd unconsciously formed an appropriately massive venue to reflect that. Back when I started manually organizing and found this place already half made, I didn't have the heart to change it.

[atthemercyof]

It's impressive, you know. Everything is, the different rooms, the architecture. It's beautiful.

[oldcardigans]

[ Teasing. ] Are you about to tell me I have a beautiful mind, Erik?

[atthemercyof]

It's a possibility, stop me, quick.

[oldcardigans]

Mm, I'll spare you the embarrassment. [ Shrugging, his turns to Erik to pester him. ] I admit I had no purpose in showing you this room than to impress you. You are impressed, yes? Tell me I'm the most impressive person you've met.

[atthemercyof]

[ Snagging Charles around the waist to reel him in, smile a little bit wide, mischevious. His voice comes out deep, amused.] You are the most impressive person I've ever met. I am in awe.

[oldcardigans]

[ Dragged over, wearing a smile that reached his eyes, hands sliding to Erik's upper arms, all lightness and unresisting. ] Tsk, you have to mean it.

[atthemercyof]

[ Voice turning enthusiastic, arms still wrapped around him, fully content to play the game. ] You are splendid, amazing, astonishing, bewildering. You have the most fascinating and overwhelming mind I have ever known, and you take my breath away.

[oldcardigans]

[ It's downright creepy coming from Erik, completely over the top, but Charles' delighted amusement bubbles over instead. ] Ah, thank you, my friend! Being this interesting and maintaining this complete beauty of body and mind while making it look effortless is a tireless, thankless job normally, but your passion is unmatched. Well done, Erik.

[atthemercyof]

[ There is a rare lightness in this moment, and Erik shakes with laughter for a brief second, leaning against him only to press his forehead against Charles, smile wicked and shark wide. ] Any time.

oh find a room you two

[oldcardigans]

Your eagerness to appease my ego is heartwarming, truly. [ Cupping the curve of Erik's skull, his mood fizzles to something more honest, simply leaning into him and sharing the same air for long seconds, and every throb of his heart in this imaginary body of his sings with it, the moment to moment existence of being in love with Erik.

He sighs, but it's a unmistakably happy one. ] I do wonder what would happen if we stayed here for days. Longer, maybe.

they are being ridiculous

[atthemercyof]

Does time pass the same way in here as out?

[ Smiling though, his eyes going soft. ]

[oldcardigans]

Not quite the same between the two. And thank the stars, otherwise I'd have never gotten all this information in my head under control.

[ Nails gently scratching through his soft locks. ] I could show you so much if we had the time. It seems to be a persistent problem of ours, don't you think?

[atthemercyof]

Will I remember it all when I wake up again?

[oldcardigans]

[ Smiling gently. ] Of course.

sorry /o\ I was working on a long ass app.

[atthemercyof]

Then I can just come back again and you will be able to show me everything you want to.

[ Grinning lightly. ] So there's no need to worry about it, is there?