wedonot | FORTY FOUR ✖ VIDEO

[So, it's the year anniversary of Charles and Erik being on the Barge. Clearly, the best way to celebrate? Is to get completely wasted.

It's pretty apparent that this is an accidental post: Charles seems to have elbowed the communicator off the table by accident and for a moment, you're getting a good view of the ceiling of the pub and can hear Charles and Erik laughing somewhere close by, but off screen.]

No, no, I'm serious! It works, you have to trust me- [Charles keeps laughing as he leans down and scoops up the communicator, not noticing that it's been turned on and deposits it back on the counter, so now you can see both of them, even if it's still kind of a weird angle. They are both pretty clearly drunk and getting silly, although definitely Charles more so than Erik.] It's, you have to- No I'm serious, Erik, don't make that face at me, just listen-

[Erik is totally making a face and you need to deal with it, he is rolling his eyes and everything.] Come on, Charles, nothing you say will convince me that you have actually found genetics pick up lines useful.

[It's kind of hard to see from this angle, but Charles is making a face back, even though he looks like he's about five seconds away from cracking up, anyway.] Well, I was already in England, so you can't blame the accent.

No, I used to comment on their hair or their eyes or something and say it's a very groovy mutation, and explain that "mutant" is a compliment because mutation took us from single celled organisms to the dominant form of reproductive life on the planet. [He shrugs, still grinning sort of smugly and takes another drink.] Women like an academic.

[It's Erik's turn to laugh and be silly, shaking his head on the edge of the screen.] Emphasis on reproductive life, no doubt. And that works?

[Charles nods and puts his glass down, obviously trying not to grin.] Want to hear another one? I promise it's worked, you should use it sometime.

[Erik just gestures expansively: GO ON. Which is really just making Charles try to hold back laughter again, trying to hold himself together long enough to tell it and more or less half succeeding.]

If I were an enzyme, I'd be a DNA helicase. That way, I could unzip your genes.

[And there is a loud, LOUD groan, and Erik is waving the hand holding his beer about, half threatening to spill it all over, while Charles has completely lost composure and started laughing as Erik responds.] You're joking. You've used that? You must have been slapped at least once!

[Charles shrugs again, still basically giggling.] It gets a laugh if nothing else.

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[Well that's unexpected, and Erik kept walking for a step or two when Charles had stopped, which tangled things up until he backtracked. His eyes, hazy with drink and unexpected cheer, grow curious, brows pulling together. He opens his mouth to ask what's wrong when Charles starts talking, and he swallows whatever words he'd been about to stay, listening instead and sobering, just a little, as he absorbed it all.

Clapping his hand on Charles' shoulder, he laughed a little - not dismissively, not entirely, but in a way that said everything was all right, between them. As all right as they could be.]

I'm starting to think you're bent on making the Barge think we're romantically involved, [he said dryly, because it was easier. But it wasn't very fair, either, so he should Charles a little and started forward again, pulling his friend with him.] I don't think you'll have to, in any case.

God forbid, [Charles snorted, making a bit of a face.] That would make the "we're brothers" thing a bit strange, wouldn't it? Not to mention I tend to like my dates to be quite a bit more feminine than you are.

[And it almost seemed like he was going to leave it at that, go back to being cheerful, obnoxious and very drunk as they kept walking. But he wanted to explain, even if he'd promised he wasn't supposed to tell anyone, but really, anyone who told him not to say anything about something should know it would probably end up back with Erik eventually. There weren't exactly many boundaries in this relationship.]

Arthur's dead. Back home, I mean. For Merlin. You can't tell anyone.

And less likely to sprout a beard by morning, I imagine. [He scraped a hand over his jaw a little ruefully, already sporting a faint shadow. But when Charles didn't push on, he stayed where he was, frowning - and then frowning harder. He was drunk, but not so far gone that he couldn't pull himself into some semblance of sobriety. He never was.

Squeezing the bridge of his nose, eyes closed, Erik shook his head. His contact with Merlin and Arthur was minimal, but occasionally Charles spoke of them, and he listened; they were not his friends, but they were important to Charles, and he listened well. Arthur dying - King Arthur - was no small deal.]

What happened?

[Charles was pretty drunk, and he was starting to feel tired and like it was probably going to be in his best interest if he found his way over to a bed or a couch or something to collapse on for a couple hours, but he was still more or less coherent and standing up, so it could be worse.]

I didn't ask. I'm not sure if I want to know. [Because he was very certain it involved Morgana, and he wasn't overly interested in hearing about how far gone she'd become, by the time Merlin returned from.

He was quiet for a moment before making another face, more at his own expense this time.]

Sorry. I'm not usually so maudlin when I'm ridiculously drunk. This was fun, though. I'd say we should do it more often, but I'm fairly certain I'll change my mind tomorrow morning.

You will, [Erik groaned, rubbing a hand over his face again. He was going to regret it, too.]

If I sound [telepathically] like I in agony and desperately want to die, don't be alarmed. [He tugs at Charles again, moving down the hall toward their cabins.]

I won't even mock you for being particularly maudlin. Possibly because I anticipate the aforementioned agony. [What he really means, and can't quite say, is that he understands why Charles blurted it out; he isn't going anywhere. Quite literally.]

[Charles laughs and nods, stumbling along with Erik, arm tightening around his shoulders a little to help him keep his balance.]

Noted. Not that I'd probably be able to come to your rescue until I've gotten some coffee or something, anyway. [And even then, who knows. It had been a while since he'd gotten just this drunk, and he's expecting it to hit him like a freight train.

He doesn't bother saying it again, but does project some affection and appreciation towards Erik anyway, when he picks up on that understanding. The connection's fuzzy and gentle, because again, pretty drunk, but it's still something.]

Then I hope you keep some in your room. [He patted Charles' shoulder at that sensation, and found himself slipping back into comfortable smiles. He hadn't been properly drunk in a while, and now that things were fading from the serious, he was letting his grip on sobriety slip away so he could enjoy this before the impending doom of morning.] Find some water before you sleep. [Because he could see their rooms just ahead now.] It'll help.

[Charles scoffed, mock offended by the suggestion.]

Erik, I'll have you know I'm quite familiar with how to attempt warding off a hangover. I did have an awful lot of them when I wasn't neck deep in biology coursework. [Sometimes it's amazing to think he actually got his degree(s). B(]

Hah! [Erik laughed, and shook his head again, clapping Charles on the back.]

And how many degrees did you manage to acquire, again? [No seriously, how did he do it B(]

Three. Actual doctorates, too. [Guess who sounds incredibly pleased with himself?]

You're a smug bastard, did you know that? [And there, Charles, there is your door, and Erik is stopping so Charles can unlock it.]

[Aw crap, locks require dexterity which is slightly beyond him at this point. Valiant effort time, go. B(]

And yet you still choose to put up with me. [And hey look, the door is open. Be proud.]

[Pull it together Charles B(]

My mutation is tolerating you. [Well done, sir, Erik's helping him inside, but you're on your own where pjs are concerned bro B(]

I don't need your help with pajamas, I'm just going to bed like this. [And he maybe sounds a little petulant as he says it.

He finally lets go of Erik and more or less just collapses face first on the mattress and definitely does not look like he's in the mood to move again any time soon.] Sweaters are very comfortable, you know. Do you need any help getting next door?

[Not. That he's going to be that helpful necessarily but. He can rally for your sake. B(]

[Okay Erik is snickering, and wavering a little with Charles' weight gone, but he's largely steady on his feet.]

I'll be fine. [And he is not-quite-stumbling for the exit.] Good luck in the morning. We'll both need it. [Mistakes were definitely made. B(]

FORTY FOUR ✖ VIDEO

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