[ IC ] Traumaprom

[thexfactor]

[ Looks like it's that time again ]

Comments

[thexfactor]

[ his words, except he doesn't say anything. He remembers quite clearly what happened last time ]

. . . Let's get this over with.

[grandstanding]

No.

[flat, short, and to the point.]

[thexfactor]

Erik?

[grandstanding]

[goes and kicks the wall.]

[thexfactor]

Erik, that's not going to work.

[grandstanding]

I'm aware of that, Charles.

[thexfactor]

Then don't bother.

[grandstanding]

I can react how I want.

[thexfactor]

. . . Erik.

[grandstanding]

[glares at the inkpot and the quill.]

[thexfactor]

No torture, no deals.

[grandstanding]

[he pinches the bridge of his nose.]

What 'deals'.

[thexfactor]

You know what I mean. We both did it last time . . . to varying effect.

[grandstanding]

You realise that's part of this process.

[thexfactor]

I know, I just -- We're so close. We're so close to being done, to leaving this behind. I can't -- I can't give anything up. Not you, not anything.

[grandstanding]

I don't want that either.

[he's tightly wound. why did it have to be this. of all the things to repeat, now...]

[thexfactor]

But where does it leave us?

[grandstanding]

[he crosses to Charles, bracing his hands on the armrests of his chair and leaning in close.]

I don't want to watch you die.

[thexfactor]

I know.

[grandstanding]

I would never agree to it.

[Knives was different. she was just a child. and that was months ago, when he disliked himself enough to offer himself up for torture.

now, the whole thing is just unfathomable.]

[thexfactor]

[ he buries his face in his hands]

I know! I know that!

[grandstanding]

[...

he reaches up and places his hands on top of Charles's, covering his ears.]

[thexfactor]

I can't do it, Erik. I can't watch people die while I sit idly by. I can't.

[grandstanding]

I know.

[thexfactor]

[ exhales, pushing it down ]