invisible string

would it be enough if i could never give you peace?

monday morning. the incomplete memories of saturday night still lingering on the back of erik's mind, the promise of a revelation yet to come. he dressed as he usually did, black turtleneck, motor jacket and jeans, and carried that same promise in his back pocket, secure and close to him, as the day in school passed by.

school didn't matter much to erik. he dreamed of a family, of living with his loved ones and caring for them as well. he never aimed to be the book-smart, he passed his classes but never did particularly well. he was good with woodwork and metalwork too, he liked to build things and sculpt, shape and construct with his own hands. charles was the opposite; he was the brain. charles thought, wrote and spoke with the wit of a thousand, and he always seemed to try to hide his awareness of the fact — failing miserably. the pair was deemed a bit unusual, causing even the many arguments they had to fall under the same discussion about their clashing minds.

and the arguments, oh the arguments. they were usually about the same things, social justice, self defense and the future. if you didn't know better, you'd think they were always competing, but that wasn't the case. they just couldn't get to meet in the middle. ironically, part of why they were friends were their mutual respect for not yielding down their ideologies, understanding other equally worthy, opposing views.

erik's mind wandered off on charles' faith in people, his never ending generosity and his undeniable charm. he was so different from erik. erik didn't believe so much in people, he didn't have as much as charles to give and he was too cold to be considered charming. he didn't quite understand why charles was friends with him really, but nevertheless he accepted it.

and as if on cue, a reassuring hand appeared on erik's shoulder at lunch.

"so, my friend, where do you want to go?"

"not hungry, really."

"perfect, me neither! let's go grab you a coffee, a cup of tea for me and we can play some chess, maybe."

"why so giddy?"

"you'll think it's stupid."

"i won't."

"it's moira." he smiled "i think i'll end up asking her to go to the formal with me."

erik's smile quivered "that's good." was the only thing he managed "that's good, charles."

"yeah!" charles punched erik's arm softly and whispered "your boy's getting some."

"please don't say that." he uttered.

"what? why?"

he turned to charles with a grin "it sounds ridiculous with the british accent."

"shut up!" and he laughed, one that came deep from his chest, erik could feel it in the air, the excitement "what i wanted to ask was, are you still going if i invite her?"

"charles, that's still a month away. let's grab that coffee you mentioned earlier, okay? i'll take the dark pieces."

"you're right, let's go. and yes, i always take the light pieces anyway."

the boys made a quick stop on the café near the school, it wasn't as much as cozy, it was really modern and people were always there to gossip secrets while eating overpriced dishes, so the students called the place the cia. charles ordered an americano for erik and an earl grey for himself, while erik couldn't keep his weight on his feet from excitement about the game.

when they were back in school, they snuck the drinks in the library to the one chess table in the corner, where it all felt familiar and serene.

"it's tradition." charles made the first move.

"what is?" erik carefully placed the pawn two houses up.

"disagreeing over a chess table." he moved "how long have we been doing this?"

"since i could play chess. your move."

"the one thing i could never teach you. your move."

"that's just because i'm better than you. move."

"not true, though, as much as i'd like to think i'm better..." he moved his knight "i think we're equally good at this. your move."

"we'll see about that. your move."

charles chuckled lightly "i know you're avoiding the formal subject. are you really not going if i take moira? your move."

"why would i go? your move." maybe there was a slightly noticeable possessiveness on his tone. he cursed himself for it, getting distracted, not even realizing what piece charles had moved.

"do you not like her? your move."

"it's not that i don't like her. your move."

"what is it then? your move."

"that was quick. did you even think about that move?"

"yes i did." he smiled "you didn't make yours, though. or answer my question."

"if you're going with someone, you won't need me there." erik's move menaced charles' queen.

"i always need you there, erik." charles' saved himself "your move."

"i'll think about it." erik moved his knight wisely "check mate."

"how... how did i..."

"you don't see the things that are right under your nose, charles." erik took his things but left his cup on the table. he didn't know what he meant about what he said, it just came out like a breath. he recomposed himself, although charles didn't seem to notice the difference "see you later."

"so i meet you at the cemetery gates?"

"sure." erik thought, trading off what would be a boring afternoon for a walk through the epitaphs with charles "at the cemetery gates, then."