( music streams out of the box, dainty and beautiful, the small bird circling around as it pretends to sing. she has spent a lot of time staring at this bird, hearing the music play, never quite tiring of it.
his hand land on her arm, and wanda looks up.
the words he offers her? it's enough to draw emotion out of her, blatant in her eyes, as tears form despite herself. it's her birthday, yes, but that's just a constant pain that she'll never be able to be rid of, now that her brother is forever gone from her life. the music box comes to a gentle stop, halfway through the song, and wanda's lips twist slightly as she tries to keep herself strong; her hands hold tightly onto the box.
there is so much she could say, but all that she could say comes out into a singular sentence that encapsulates the emotion that's rumbling inside her heart. )
...I'm alone again.
( though he had never met them, wanda had mentioned having roommates to erik. she's on her own now, so it means exactly what he would expect. )
[ It's understandable that this isn't a good day, for her. Erik wouldn't even try to make it happy, but he can at least offer a little comfort. She asked him here, today of all days, and he prefers thinking that that's because she chooses not to suffer through the date in silence, because she finds in him some sort of safety, a comfort of sorts, and he's glad to give her that in whatever way he can.
Some aches just can never be erased. And when you lose so much in your life, it's so easy to be terrified of losing what little else one might still have. He understands that, possibly better than most... better than anyone right now, when he can feel it so clearly. ]
Wanda. [ He doesn't take the box from her, but he cups her cheeks instead, thumbs brushing away the tears threatening to spill from her eyes. ] You're never alone, so long as I'm here. I promise you.
[ It doesn't erase the hurt of loss, though. He knows that. Charles still mourns Raven's disappearance after months. You just learn to live with that pain. ]
( the box is pushed toward her abdomen, gently closing the top and hiding the bird away, when erik cups her cheeks. the touch is warm, gentle, so caring. she allows herself to be selfish once more, upon hearing his words, and closes the distance so that she can rest her head against his shoulder. )
I know.
( that's her response to his promise, even if promises worry her, for they can so easily be broken not because of someone willingly doing so, but because the world around them would want it so. still, it means a lot to her that erik says what he does. that familial feeling remains, even now, and it's such a selfish thing from her part to want to continue being recipient to.
but — that much, she knows, she is allowed. )
It's a lot warmer already.
( she says as a way to lighten the mood: the warmth coming from him is one reason, yes, but also because the window has been, effectively, fixed. )
[ He can't make the definite promise that he will always be here. That would be both cruel and ignorant, when he knows how people can simply go from here, as quickly as they are brought in. He clings to the optimistic view that they go back to their own worlds, when in truth they have no way of knowing for sure— no other option is tolerable to him, when one of those people who've left was Raven herself. It is easier to digest when he thinks she's merely returned to their world.
No doubt that Wanda will prefer to believe that, too, for the sake of her friends. The pain of loss would be so much worse if they were to imagine scarier, more horrible scenarios.
His arms rest loosely around her, a hand moving in soothing circles on her back. Her remark draws a small hum from him, faintly amused. ]
Sadly I can't get you a heater. [ Probably considered a luxury item for most around here. ] My offer for you to move to the motel we're in still stands, for the record. If you ever feel too lonely.
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no subject
his hand land on her arm, and wanda looks up.
the words he offers her? it's enough to draw emotion out of her, blatant in her eyes, as tears form despite herself. it's her birthday, yes, but that's just a constant pain that she'll never be able to be rid of, now that her brother is forever gone from her life. the music box comes to a gentle stop, halfway through the song, and wanda's lips twist slightly as she tries to keep herself strong; her hands hold tightly onto the box.
there is so much she could say, but all that she could say comes out into a singular sentence that encapsulates the emotion that's rumbling inside her heart. )
...I'm alone again.
( though he had never met them, wanda had mentioned having roommates to erik. she's on her own now, so it means exactly what he would expect. )
I miss them.
no subject
Some aches just can never be erased. And when you lose so much in your life, it's so easy to be terrified of losing what little else one might still have. He understands that, possibly better than most... better than anyone right now, when he can feel it so clearly. ]
Wanda. [ He doesn't take the box from her, but he cups her cheeks instead, thumbs brushing away the tears threatening to spill from her eyes. ] You're never alone, so long as I'm here. I promise you.
[ It doesn't erase the hurt of loss, though. He knows that. Charles still mourns Raven's disappearance after months. You just learn to live with that pain. ]
I'm so sorry, sweetheart.
no subject
I know.
( that's her response to his promise, even if promises worry her, for they can so easily be broken not because of someone willingly doing so, but because the world around them would want it so. still, it means a lot to her that erik says what he does. that familial feeling remains, even now, and it's such a selfish thing from her part to want to continue being recipient to.
but — that much, she knows, she is allowed. )
It's a lot warmer already.
( she says as a way to lighten the mood: the warmth coming from him is one reason, yes, but also because the window has been, effectively, fixed. )
no subject
No doubt that Wanda will prefer to believe that, too, for the sake of her friends. The pain of loss would be so much worse if they were to imagine scarier, more horrible scenarios.
His arms rest loosely around her, a hand moving in soothing circles on her back. Her remark draws a small hum from him, faintly amused. ]
Sadly I can't get you a heater. [ Probably considered a luxury item for most around here. ] My offer for you to move to the motel we're in still stands, for the record. If you ever feel too lonely.