Galadeidre: I'm glad you liked them as a couple, because it proves that this story and it's plots are actually believable. I didn't want to be churning out a load of trash that no one would agree to.
Racetrack's Goil: Even as I'm writing this I'm still deliberating over what he is going to say to her. Had ideas, then better ones came, and then I reverted to my old ideas! Don't worry, the best will come through. The shape-shifting is certainly going to come into play in a few chapters.
Maid of the Mer: Lol. Ok then. Muffin.
CalliopeMused: She's not being a complete bitch, but there is certainly something wrong about using his blindness for her such blatant advantage. And I don't mind your ranting. I love reading big healthy reviews!
Chapter 21The door to the common room was held open for Raven as Erik watched her sternly. Raven meekly glanced up at him before she slipped past the front of his torso and entered the common room. Erik followed in behind her, promptly closing the door with what felt like such a finalised click of the catch. Raven walked towards the centre of the room in slow steps, watching how the misty sunlight filtered in through the tall glass windows of the exquisite room. The sun gleamed from above slightly grey clouds, sparkling on the clean windows that were robed by long curtains of ruby velvet. The calm morning air was punctuated once more by Erik's opulent tones.
"What are you doing?"
Raven was still stood with her back to Erik, and so stiffly turned to face the man behind her, although purposely kept her head bowed so her eyes may stare down into the lush cream carpet below her white shoes. Her head was still hung like a bashful teenager who had just entered the house in the early hours of the morning. In response came nothing for a mere shrug of her shoulders and heaved and fell.
"Surely you understand how it feels to be used. He's off thinking of you very different to what you appear to be. Why on earth did you lie to him, Raven? He's blind.."
"I couldn't tell him the truth," mumbled Raven to the floor.
"Why not? Why didn't you let him judge you as you are."
Raven closed her eyes gently, feeling the burn of tears angrily prick at her lids. A few mocking laughs echoed around her head, "Because he's the only one who wouldn't judge me for what I am!" She said, voice rising a little, "He's the only one who doesn't think of me as some kind of freak! He sees me to be a human as he is, as mutant as he is." A slow tear escaped her eye as trickled slowly down the scales of her cheekbone.
Slowly, Raven felt the warm strong hands of Erik rest upon her shoulders, squeezing comfortingly there for a moment before one hand lifted forth to prise her bowed head upwards by her chin. Raven slowly let her head be guided to face up to his, her eyes lifting open. Her watery eyes watched Erik's with a wise solemnity beyond her years. Those two glimmering orbs of glowing yellow shone with the layers of tears, temporarily covered as she blinked and allowed more tears to be squeezed free. His hand felt warm and safe on her chin, "He's going to be able to see again soon," said Erik with a sombre tone.
"I know," breathed Raven with a weak motion of her head that counted as a weary nod.
"What are you going to do?" he persisted, "You've fed him these lies for a while Raven, do you think it is fair that one of the first things he sees is that his closest friend was nothing but a pretence? Deceit is a painful thing, Raven. I'd advise you tell him the truth as soon as possible."
"I can't!" cried Raven abruptly, angrily slapping his hand off her face as she stepped back from him. "You don't understand! Whichever way the truth comes about he's going to hate me for it, so why can't I have another month with him being happy with me first!"
"Another week," corrected Erik quietly.
Raven gave another sob at the new information, "A week!" she cried pitifully as her hands flew to her face.
"I leave the decision in your hands. We won't tell him for you. Just consider the consequences. Things take planning," his eyes glittered strangely as he watched her before looking across to the windows, "You need to be careful with what you say.. people can easily discover the truth."
Raven watched him curiously for a moment before his eyes moved back upon hers and she looked to the door behind him, "I know," she said softly, beginning to walk towards the door, "I know.."
"Hey! Raven!" came Scott's voice as he turned his head towards her. He was sat in the conservatory enjoying a peaceful time with Storm's collection of plants around him, which caused the glass addition to the mansion to be full of aromatic pleasures. He had heard Raven's footsteps go pass the corridor inside the mansion. Raven abruptly stopped as she was called, and she glanced over through the open space of the pulled back double doors and into where Scott was sitting.
"Hey.." she said quietly, turning and instead heading over to him.
Scott sat up in his armchair slowly, head turning as he heard her walk closer and seat herself on the large chair next to him with a creak of the leather upholstery, "What did Mr. Lensherr want?" he asked curiously.
"Just to talk about our next chess lesson," she said with a calm tone. There were those lies again. Endless lies.
"Oh," Scott looked a little relieved, although there was a tint of hesitation on his tone. "But you're alright? I mean.. after what happened earlier."
"I'm sorry about that.." said Raven softly, holding her forehead with a hand.
But Scott turned to face her slowly, sitting on the edge of his seat, "Don't be," came his quiet reply.
Raven slowly raised her head, her hand raking through her sleek scarlet hair, "Really?" she said quietly, watching the man opposite with keen eyes.
"Yeah," confirmed Scott in an almost whispered tone. His hand outstretched gently and collided with her knee, it moved a little before it found the hand on her lap and secured his grip around it. The notion said enough for Raven, who couldn't help but spread a genuine smile to this approval. However, she purposely made sure his fingers did not creep too far to her wrist, where the scales started, "I can't wait to be able to see you," he said quietly, bowing his head slightly as he smiled bashfully.
"Yeah.." said Raven quietly, eyes averting as she sighed to herself.
"There's a doctor arriving later this week. The Professor said that she would make sure that the material is safe for my skin. Apparently it can be quite strong if not diluted correctly." But Raven wasn't really listening, "The Professor knows her distantly through contacts. She's a mutant too."
Raven eventually looked at him again, giving a sad smile, "That's great," she murmured quietly, giving his hand a squeeze. But it was then that she decided to make the most of this week with ardour. Using his hand, she pulled him a little closer to her, and leant her own head that bit further to meet his awaiting lips with a gentle kiss.
Being blind made such actions unexpected, but the surprise was something that seemed to make such events worthwhile. So Scott pursued with the kiss, holding her close as they both sat on the edges of their seats, locked in a close clinch. Raven's earlier doubts about her lies vanished as she felt herself being held so gently in Scott's arms. She'd rather keep this for another week than lose it in an instant.
There was a hint to the arrival coming next. I'm sure you got it!