14. Jokes, Games, And Songs.
"So, there are three blondes on a walk. The first blonde spots some tracks on the path and stops and says, 'Look, some deer tracks!' The second blonde shakes her head and says, 'No, you're all wrong. Those are elk tracks; I know the difference.' But then the third blonde says, 'No, no, no! You're both wrong! Those are moose tracks. I know my moose, and these are definitely moose tracks.' And they debate and debate and debate, until finally, a train comes by and hits all three of them. What sort of tracks were they really?"
The room erupts in laughter and smiles, Charles and Erik being the two on-looking the scene with more or less amusement on their faces while the younger mutants are gathered in a circle, playing Clue. It was Sean's joke this time, and for the sake of the joke, Raven turns into her blonde, normal-human form and feigns getting hit by a train as Alex barrels into her side.
They collapse into their circle again and continue to play, game pieces moving across the board and guesses being called out, depending on the room the person is in ("I'm going to say… Miss Scarlet in the ballroom with the rope!").
Charles chuckles and shakes his head, turning back from their game as they settle down into playing again. He starts to continue reading his book, but falters after a sentence or two when he can't focus. He sets it aside and looks to Erik instead.
The other man is not as engrossed in his copy of today's paper as he seems, that much Charles can tell. With a brief touch to Erik's mind, he sees that Erik is worrying again.
Charles sighs. "Honestly, my friend, must you keep so much to yourself?"
"Are you reading my mind again, Charles?" Erik says casually, setting down the newspaper and glancing up, his hands folding and resting in his lap.
"Not quite, no. You're just always so quiet when you didn't used to be. In fact, you've been a bit odd since you came back here a few months ago. What's wrong?"
"Am I truly all right here, with all of you? I did so much wrong all in one day, and it's amazing any of you care comfortable with me." He pauses, hesitating. "Particularly you, Charles."
"Didn't I already say that I forgave you? Besides," he adds, "They love and care about you nearly as much as I do. And they respect you, Erik. If anything, I've been seeing them warm up to you again and come to accept the past as the past. You should learn to do the same; your past can't haunt you forever, although I don't expect you to simply forget about it."
"I'll try, but that's all that I can promise," Erik responds. He looks at Charles with something deeper in his gaze. "How have your migraines been? You've been showing up for dinner again."
Charles nods. "Ah, yes, I have." He smiles faintly. "They've been much better; thank you for asking. And it's been helping, too, when Raven comes into my room before bed and rubs most of them out, singing to me to clear my head."
"That's sweet of her. Very thoughtful," Erik remarks, and he sounds a tad jealous, and when Charles takes another quick peek, he sees it's because Erik wishes he could help Charles and comfort him in a similar way.
Charles nods slowly, "Yes, it is. But you know, you teaching a few classes for me here and there has done wonders, too," he says, trying to quell the metalbender's doubts in himself. He goes on airily, "Her vocal mimicking talents enable her to sing like anyone, did you know that? Sometimes I don't even need a record player to hear my favorite song, as long as she knows the words herself."
"Truly marvelous," Erik agrees, and they return to reading their respective pieces of writing in a matter of minutes.