erik lehnsherr is a handsome shark (sharksmile) wrote in thedisplaced, @ 2018-09-24 06:48:00 |
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The talk with Lando had gone as well as Erik had expected, which was to say that the two men were on the same page when it came to the law and rules: be aware of them, bend and break them to your benefit. There was nothing definitiative on the books, but there was an understanding, so Erik knew that he wouldn’t be stuck at Sweetums for much longer. Just long enough to get this other part of his life started, so that there wouldn’t be an interruption of money while things were set up. He refused to let Nina go without anything so long as he could help it, so Sweetums would have to do for the moment. It was because of Nina he was coming by Rogue’s place that evening. This new arrangement where the girls spent their days together on the weekends, one day at Rogue’s place and one at Erik’s, had been a blessing in disguise. It allowed Erik some time with Anka Irene without feeling weirdly guilty about Rogue being around him and it allowed him time for himself, when he dropped Nina off for a few hours at Rogue’s, allowing him to plan and set up their future so long as they were stuck in this world. And hopefully, they would be stuck there for a very long time. He didn’t think he could handle losing Nina again. He had acquired a safe house a few cities over from Tumbleweed and was working on stocking it. The setup the Bureau was all fine and good, but if things went south, he wanted a place no one else knew about, nothing that connected them to Tumbleweed that they could go to. Rogue had her secondary plans, he had his. Hopefully they would never have to be used, but he had very little faith in humanity. Being a few cities away from Tumbleweed and a car accident clogging traffic on the way back, he miscalculated the time it would take for him to get back and was running late when he finally showed up to Rogue’s. Knocking on the door, he waited, calm and collected as always, even if he was late. It had become fairly obvious that Erik was going to be late once his usual time of picking Nina up had come and passed. While it had worried Rogue, there had been no beep from her tablet to alert his disappearance and Nina’s continued presence had also helped to cement the notion that he hadn’t been sent back home. That didn’t mean she hadn’t started to worry for what was going on. Not that she wanted to let that show to either of the girls. Most likely whatever reason for his continued absence was benign and if it wasn’t then they would manage to deal with that in another few hours. Keeping the girls occupied had seemed like a better thing to do and knowing he’d made it to the house had her thinking she’d made the right call. Hopefully there were no bruises or other signs of distress of any kind when he walked inside. Though it wouldn’t exactly be the first time she’d had to deal with such a thing. “The door’s open,” Rogue called out from inside the house as she spun the Twister board again. “Left foot red.” She was well aware that it was Erik who was at the door, having memorized his electromagnetic signature years ago. Not that anyone who didn’t have permission to come near the house would have been able to stumble upon it anyway because of the magical barriers that Rogue had gotten Albus and Eliot to put into place. And if by some odd chance someone managed to bypass those somehow, Ferris and Nanny were alert to take out any intruder before they reached the house. The girls and Rogue attempted to twist their bodies to fulfill the spinners request for their left foot on red, falling into a bundled heep as Anka Irene’s footing slipped and she crashed into both Rogue and Anka Irene. Giggles erupted between the girls and Rogue joined in, shaking her head at their continued record for not getting more than a few steps in before managing to collapse. Following the sound of the giggles and general ruckus of the girls and Rogue playing, Erik moved until he made his way into the living room. He paused at the entryway of the room, unexpected emotion hitting him at the sight of the domesticity that permeated the whole scene in front of him. It had been a very long time since he had seen such carefreeness, such happiness from Nina. As many misgivings he had initially about Rogue and Anka Irene, they were long in the past, especially since Nina looked so at home with them. Clearing his throat, he smiled and bent low to greet Nina who came barreling at him for a hug when she saw that he was there. Rapid fire Polish was exchanged between the two, before Nina let Erik go and started to jump and down as she told him more about her day. Gently, he redirected her conversation so that she could tell him more on their drive home, and had her go gather her things so that they could leave. With a quick wave at Rogue, she ran off to get her backpack and whatever else she was taking with her. Approaching Anka Irene and Rogue who were still on the Twister mat, he said, “Apologies for running late. I got caught up in something.” He crouched down to greet Anka Irene, smiling at her as she grabbed his hand and started baby babbling at him. Rogue pushed herself up off the mat and shrugged. Caught up in something. The urge to prod further at that nagged in the back of her head, but it wasn’t that strong and she found that she honestly didn’t care all that much about what it might have been. Erik was free to do what he wanted with his time and she had no say in it. Except… “Maybe a quick text next time if’n you’re runnin’ late again.” Because there had been some worry and it would have been nice to not need to do so. There was no heat to her voice though and she down at Anka Irene, watching the two of them interact. “We already ate dinner and there’s a plate of leftovers for you if’n you wanna take them back to eat at your place. The girls were insistent that we make one for you too.” The little traitors. “If it happens again, I will do that,” Erik said, agreeing easily enough. Curiously enough, it sounded like she might have been worried, but he put it off to worry for Nina’s rather than anything else. What else could it be? Nothing else would make any sort of sense. Looking up from where Anka Irene was detailing their day together in a story told through moving metal objects, he looked amused. “I appreciate the dinner. Will I be finding spit in it?” Rogue arched a brow at that, shaking her head at the ridiculousness of the notion. Okay, maybe she might have stooped that low a few months ago, before Nina had arrived, but back then his assholeish behavior would have deserved it. “I ain’t got no desire to be swappin’ saliva with ya, Erik, so no.” That really hadn’t come out how she had meant for it to. “You’ll find it’s spit free.” “And kosher.” She wasn’t sure if that even mattered to him any longer, but she had been keeping a kosher kitchen since she’d moved into the cabin, and while her Erik had disappeared it had only seemed right to keep up with those traditions. “And Nina can take along a plate of the brownies we made since I definitely ain’t wantin’ two of those hangin’ around in this house.” She called that part out loud enough for the other girl to hear her, smiling at the squeal of delight. It was amazing how much the two of had progressed into become somewhat decent toward one another. And it wasn’t entirely because of the girls, if Erik was feeling truthful about things. He knew that the other Erik, the one that she was married to, was a touchy subject for her, but sometimes for a few minutes, it was almost as if she could see him as his own person and not just the ghost of her husband. And that was nice. Hearing Nina celebrate the acquisition of brownies, he shook his head and shot Rogue a look. “You do this on purpose, don’t you?” He was clearly amused, but he still didn’t want to admit that. “I appreciate you keeping it kosher. It’s thoughtful, in a world where that isn’t so easy to do.” “I gotta have my fun somehow around here.” She dropped a kiss on top of Anka Irene’s head before scooping the baby up and depositing her in the play area. “And it ain’t too hard to do here since he built the kitchen to function that way.” Even if the topic of Erik’s past had always been a difficult one. “And Kitty was real good about helpin’ me figure out exactly how to go doin’ that.” When she wasn’t utilizing one of the Magneto’s roaming around her head memories anyway. Rogue nodded for him to follow her toward the kitchen now that the baby was occupied for the next few minutes. “The boathouse was originally for Scott and Jean after they got married if’n I remember correctly, so it probably ain’t as nicely set up as the one here for that.” Unless Charles had considered adjusting that. It was hard to know what that man would do or not do at times. She stared in the fridge for a moment, trying to figure out how exactly to say what she was going to next. Rogue wasn’t stupid. Erik being late like he had been probably meant something and her mind had come up with a dozen possible scenarios for what it might mean. And while it would be easy to just let it go and not say anything at all, she had never really been the one to take the easy route. “And let me know if’n ya need me to keep Nina longer if’n...whatever you’re doin’ requires you to stay out longer.” It had been awhile since Erik had spoken to Charles. The old man was busy and so was Erik, with his new endeavours and trying to maintain a stable family life with Nina and Anka Irene. Well, somewhat stable family life, anyway. Because Erik was Erik and it was hard to stay out of trouble, especially now that Magda wasn’t around to be his moral compass. A little surprised that she wasn’t being nosy about his business, he asked curiously, “You’re not curious about what kept me? No questions about whether I’m bringing a threat closer to your family or dabbling in something that you wouldn’t approve of?” She did, after all, have some versions of him in that head of hers, so it wasn’t like she didn’t have an idea that he was Up To Something. But to have her so easily not ask about it, that was strange. “Is me askin’ about it goin’ to stop ya from doin’ it? Nope. Are ya gonna be purposefully puttin’ Anka Irene in danger? Nope.” Rogue didn’t doubt for a moment that he might accidentally do so, but that could happen with anyone she knew, and while she would want to kick his ass if that did end up happening, she didn’t believe that he would purposefully cause her daughter any harm. And if it turned out that he did, well, then she’d just have to kill him. “I’m curious about what it is you’re doin’ but I ain’t gotta know and you got no clue what I would or wouldn’t approve of.” Not that she could say much one way or another. Not when she had a stockpile of various weapons on her island courtesy of Pyro and a few other not entirely kosher plans in various stages of completion. “Are ya wantin’ me to shake my head and be annoyed with ya? Cause, honey, I ain’t no moral compass.” Erik tilted his head, just slightly, as he took in Rogue. She continued to baffle him, with reactions he wouldn’t have placed on her originally. But it was becoming less surprising the more they talked and one day he was probably not going to be surprised by her actions or words anymore. It was a day fast approaching. “You are, though,” he said, pointing out what he thought was an obvious contradiction. “For your daughters, you are the best moral compass you can be.” It was obvious to anyone that spent any amount of time with Rogue, Anka Irene, and Hope, that the woman was doing her best to be a good example to her daughters. She might not necessarily always succeed with that, but she did always seem to try, from what Erik could see. “Mmmm.” Maybe she was but she was through being one for anyone but her girls. Becoming so for others just seemed to end in heartbreak for her and she was tired of it. Especially when at least two out of the three times had involved versions of the same man from different universes. “The point was if’n ya need me to watch Nina longer just let me know. And text if’n you’re runnin’ late and weren’t plannin’ on it so I got an idea of when you’ll be back to pick her up.” And not need to needlessly worry. Which was annoying in its own right and something she wished she could get her mind to cease doing. Nodding curtly, sensing that she was ready to let this point of conversation drop, he agreed. “I will send a message next time.” Taking the offered leftovers, he nodded at her. “Thank you for the food and for watching Nina.” Who chose precisely that moment to come running into the kitchen with her backup and one of her stuffed toys. She crashed into Erik’s side, hugging him around the waist. Jostled a little, he smiled down at her, a completely transformed man whenever he was around his daughter. “What do we say to Rogue?” “Thank you for having me over! I had a lot of fun,” Nina said, grin bright and words true. “Goodnight!” She waited just enough to be acknowledged by the woman, before taking off for Anka Irene to say their goodnights. Rogue shook her head as she watched Nina barrel out of the room. She’d though Anka Irene was a bundle of energy but sometimes the girl gave her daughter a run for her money. “I don’t mind. It’s good for both of them to spend the time they do together and gives me Sundays to get stuff done around here without Anka Irene followin’ me everywhere.” She glanced over at Erik again. It also allowed less contact with him which seemed to be a blessing and a nuisance rolled into one. But at least it hurt less than it had before when she’d brokered for the arrangement. “They do tend to keep each other busy when they’re together,” Erik agreed, knowing he was able to work on his own side projects at home when the girls were busy playing with each other. “Though that never stops them from insisting on pulling me into their games half of the time.” Erik was planning to take it to his grave that he’s played pretty princesses with the girls more than once. There had been makeup involved. Rogue’s lips twitched in amusement as she remembered the images that Anka Irene had projected after one of her visits. The beauty of her daughter not being entirely verbal yet meant telepathic communication was their go to and she got to see exactly what her daughter did. “Ya do make quite the pretty princess.” It would have taken entirely too much effort to try and keep a straight face so she didn’t bother. “She might not go doin’ it with you cause you ain’t a fan of telepaths, but my daughter is real good at projectin’ her day to me whenever I pick her up from somewhere.” Scowling, he headed for the door, knowing Nina would catch up when he called for her. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he insisted, refusing to let her have this. For perhaps the first time ever, he wasn’t glad that his daughter had so many abilities. Why did Anka Irene have to be so gifted? “Nina, Czas iść!” She laughed out loud at that, thoroughly amused by his annoyance until she suddenly felt a wave of confusion followed by sadness sweep through her. It was punctuated by the sound of Anka Irene starting to cry and Nina’s shout of confusion. Rogue pushed past him and headed toward the girls, scooping up her daughter as soon as she got to her. Anka Irene buried her face in Rogue’s shoulder, refusing to look at Erik. “I don’t know what happened,” Nina started, looking between the two adults and her baby sister. “It’s alright. Just one of them things that happens from time to time.” Telepathy wasn’t the easiest ability for a toddler to handle. Erik’s annoyance with Rogue finding out about his pretty princess time immediately left him, replaced by confusion and desire to harm whatever was making Anka Irene cry. “What’s wrong though? What happened to upset her?” He reached for her, but aborted the movement and pulled back when he saw that the little girl refused to look at him. “Did I do something?” He asked, concerned. Rogue wasn’t entirely sure what happened. She had seen her daughter like this before and knew it was an emotional response to something telepathic though. Considering her aversion to Erik it most likely had to do with him, but Rogue didn’t quite want to pry just yet. The baby would probably share it with her later anyway and they could discuss things as best she was able to with the little girl. “I ain’t all too sure, but usually when she gets like this its cause she felt somethin’ that she didn’t like feelin’ or didn’t like someone thinkin’.” She stroked her hand down the toddler’s back, working to soothe her. Just barely shielding his mind as best as he could, he cursed to himself. “I think I know what it was then. Can I try something?” He asked, looking to Rogue as he stepped a bit closer. He waited until she gave him a nod before he started to sing a song to her in Polish, a little nonsense song about a farmer and his farm animals and his wife and kids. It used to put Nina straight to sleep as a young girl and she clearly recognized the tune when Erik started to sing because she came over to hold his hand while he sang. At the end of it, he softly said, “I didn’t mean it, little one. I’m glad you’re as gifted as you are. I was just embarrassed that your mother saw me dressed up and painted for you girls. But I realize now that making my daughters happy? It’s not embarrassing. It’s being strong and the best that you can be.” There was no response from Anka Irene for a long moment, and Rogue nudged her telepathically, offering up some more reassurance as the baby looked at her before slowly turning her attention back toward Erik. Cautiously, she extended her hand toward him before sending a tiny pink telepathic butterfly to flutter by; a sign of acceptance of the apology. “And we’re gonna work on not readin’ everythin’ everyone is thinkin’, ain’t we?” Rogue murmured, giving Anka Irene a pointed look when she scrunched her nose at her, clearly not liking that idea. He took her little hand, closing his fist around it gently as he extended his other arm out so that she could come over to be carried by him, if she wanted. “You’ll see that half of the things in my mind are boring and should be ignored anyway.” Nina piped up then, adding, “Half of the things he says are boring too and should be ignored too!” That earned her a pointed look from Erik. She only smiled brightly at him. Rogue laughed at that, letting Anka Irene go into Erik’s arms willingly. “I reckon Nina’s onto somethin’ there.” She winked at the girl before turning her attention back to him. The love she saw there with the three of them warmed and hurt her heart with equal measure, but she shielded it, blocking her daughter from sensing any of her sadness. “But I’m pretty sure its time we said goodnight. Y’all’ll be seein’ one another in a few hours anyway and can continue on with your darin’ game of pretty, pretty princess.” “Your mother,” Erik said, turning the half hearted mock glare to Rogue, “Thinks she’s funny. I’m telling you now that she isn’t.” Pressing his forehead to hers, before kissing both sides of her face, “Goodnight, little one. I will see you again soon.” Reluctantly, because it was always hard to leave Anka Irene, he let her mother take her back. Nodding at Rogue, he said, “Thank you for having us. Goodnight, Rogue.” Offering his hand to Nina, they turned to leave, as Nina started chattering about their activities from the day. “Let’s get ya to bed,” Rogue murmured, turning away from the duo and heading toward Anka Irene’s room. It was always best when she didn’t watch the other two walk out the door, no real certainty that they would actually see them again the next day. The only sure thing was the little girl in her arms and that was more than enough. |