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[incogneto]

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❝Erik Lehnsherr can't come to the phone right now. Please leave your name, number, and a short message after the tone.❞

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[ceruleans]

[Jesus Christ, Erik.]

Jesus Christ, Erik.

[Mystique is on her phone, and she glances up sharply from her spot curled up on the blankets piled haphazardly on the couch when she hears him jostling at the window.]

[incogneto]

What, did you think I'd take the door?

[ceruleans]

I thought you'd at least knock.

[She sighs, pushing her hand through her hair and rising from her spot on the couch. It's -- mostly habit, getting up when guests come in.]

And I wasn't expecting you so -- fast.

[incogneto]

I didn't know how much time we had to talk.

[ceruleans]

We've got a while, Erik.

[She walks to where he's come in, trying to avoid pacing.]

Come on, sit down.

[She expects it's going to take a while, too.]

[incogneto]

You start talking first, then I'll sit.

[ceruleans]

[She'd bother with arguing, except arguing with Erik is pointless. Especially if their conversation is going to get anywhere.]

Fine.

We need to talk about what we both said the last time we were -- together.

[Ugh.]

And why you think, exactly, that I was settling when we were dating.

[incogneto]

Actually, I think I have a dentist appointment right now.

[ THIS IS PRECISELY WHY HE DOESN'T WANT TO SIT DOWN ]

[ceruleans]

Erik.

[Frustrated, she shifts forward to grasp his arm at his wrist. Not hard, nothing that would be anything cruel, just...]

Please.

[incogneto]

Should we really discuss this?

[ He looks frustrated, but surprisingly vulnerable, not hard like he usually is. ]

Ever?

[ceruleans]

Would you rather we just keep whispering hopelessly at each other for the rest of our time here?

[Because at this rate, that's how it's going to go.

She sighs, brings the hand on his wrist up to rest on his forearm instead, gentler.]

Just sit, okay?

[incogneto]

Fine.

[ He does so, but then immediately crosses his arms over his chest defensively. ]

[ceruleans]

[She rests one hand gently on his knee, hoping it will do -- something. Comfort him, maybe?]

You know things can't go back to the way they were, Erik.

[Even if nothing was different from then -- things hadn't been perfect, no matter what either of them tried to convince themselves.]

[incogneto]

I know that. Of course I know that, Raven.

[ceruleans]

But feelings aren't just -- going to go away.

[They both also know that.

She sighs, leaning her head back against the couch.]

Even if some things have changed.

[incogneto]

I know that.

[ And then, looking her in the eyes. ]

And you know that I still love you. I always will, Mystique.

[ceruleans]

[As much as she wants to, she doesn't look away.]

And I love you, Erik, which is why I don't -- know what to do.

[And also why she avoided contracting with him.]

[incogneto]

We'll figure it out, alright?

Just don't give up on me. Not yet.

[ceruleans]

[What she wants to tell him is that she doesn't feel like she was the one who'd given up in the first place.

That she doesn't think they'll figure it out.

What she says is,] Whether we figure it out or not -- you know I'm always there.

[She leans her cheek against his shoulder.

Even if it's at an arm's length, she'll be there. They're still on the same side.]

[incogneto]

[ He gives her an embrace, and kisses her temple, softly combing his hand through her hair. Even if she says these things so sweetly, he does feel a pull in his gut that tells him it's over. He's lost her. ]

I know.

[ceruleans]

[She's happy to settle in against him, to slide her arms around his waist.

She wants this to work, desperately so. It's just that she's starting to think happy endings are for other people.]

Will you stay for a while?

[incogneto]

As long as you'd like.

[ He'll make himself comfortable, and then hold her against him. ]

[ceruleans]

You should probably call your dentist.

[She's already shifting, though, to rest her head on his chest. One thing that won't change, at least, is how easily they fit together like this.]

[incogneto]

I'm my dentist.

[ No, of course not. They just fit like puzzle pieces. ]

[ceruleans]

I'm shocked. Really.

[She shakes her head, reaching a hand up to brush through his hair.]