Chapter Text
Charles was sitting by the window looking terribly content with the world when Erik arrived at Graymalkin House that evening.
‘You look pleased with yourself,’ Erik observed as he shed his coat and took a seat by Charles’s perch. ‘Is there any particular reason for it, or is this just your usual, everyday sort of smugness?’
Charles turned his gaze away from the window and raised a haughty eyebrow at his companion. ‘I will not be taunted by you, Erik,’ he said, unable to keep the smile off his face. ‘Pray be as stern and disagreeable as you please, but you’ll get no rise out of me today.’
‘A particular reason, then,’ Erik murmured, tilting his head and studying Charles further. The alpha’s placid expression suddenly disappeared, replaced by a furrow in his forehead. ‘Charles,’ he said slowly, a frown beginning to form on his face. ‘Please tell me that your complacence has nothing to do with the fact that I saw poor Miss Darkholme being escorted home by Mr. Azazel as I drew near?’
Charles pursed his lips, torn between instinctual defensiveness and the desire to crow his triumph. ‘I’ll have you know that that is exactly what I am so pleased about,’ he said, tossing his head in a way he knew irritated Erik. ‘Mr. Azazel is a gentleman, an alpha, and a respected soldier with an income of a few hundred pounds. He will be a splendid match for dear Raven.’
‘Yes, he will,’ Erik agreed dryly. ‘But Miss Darkholme will not be a splendid match for him.’
Charles’s spine stiffened. ‘Why do you say so?’ he demanded, irked on behalf of his friend. ‘Is Raven not comely enough? Is she not accomplished? Why, her voice is sweeter than that of all of the omegas in ----shire, myself included, and she has far more spirit in her than the best of them. Mr. Azazel will be lucky to win her hand!’
‘I doubt he will feel the same way,’ Erik said grimly, shaking his head. His tone gentled as he saw Charles’s outraged expression. ‘You think as you do because you are fond of her, Charles, and because you are you and so you see the best in everyone. But tell me – who is Miss Darkholme? Who is her father?’
‘Why, a gentleman surely,’ Charles exclaimed. ‘Anyone can see it upon regarding her countenance and her manner.’
Erik shook his head again. ‘You are speaking from feeling, Charles,’ he said bluntly. ‘Not from fact. She has no parents, no connections, and few friends. She certainly has no fortune to speak of, and I am afraid that no amount of skill at the pianoforte or prettiness of face can overcome that, especially not for Mr. Azazel.’
‘You are mistaken,’ Charles said stiffly, ignoring the steady rise of heat in his cheeks. ‘You were not here this morning when we all lunched together. You did not see the way they conversed, nor how attentive Mr. Azazel was to Raven’s needs.’
‘Mr. Azazel was attentive solely because you were here,’ Erik said with feeling, his jaw clenched.
‘What do you mean by that?’ Charles said at once, his eyes narrowed.
Erik sighed and shook his head. ‘Nothing,’ he said, collecting himself once more. ‘I meant nothing by it, of course. I only mean to say, Charles – do not press this issue. If an understanding occurs between them, then let it be between them. Do not interfere there, my friend. An interference can only be harmful in such occasions.’
‘You forget, sir,’ Charles said, his cheeks burning. ‘That I am no novice at this endeavour – as my dear friend Moira can well attest.’
‘Miss MacTaggert’s case was entirely different,’ Erik said, shaking his head. ‘And an engagement between her and Dr. Banner was only a matter of time. Your interference there only hastened the inevitable.’
‘I will thank you not to call my endeavours “interference”,’ Charles said coldly.
‘I call them what they are,’ Erik said plainly. ‘And I do so only for your own good. You ought to stop while you are ahead, Charles. I fear that more interference - while undoubtedly made with the best of intentions - will only hurt those that you care for in the long run - and yourself besides.
‘You have a very low opinion of my judgement and my ability, it seems,’ Charles said bitterly. ‘No, do not fear,’ he said as Erik made to object. ‘You have made it very clear what you think of my efforts – and of me!’
Erik looked at him gravely. ‘Charles,’ he said quietly. ‘I should hope that I have always been clear about what I think of you.’
‘Oh, you have,’ Charles said sharply. When Erik turned away, however, his expression softened. ‘Come now,’ he said kindly, reaching out and patting Erik’s hand with sudden affection. ‘Let us not quarrel today. I am in no mood for it. Let us speak no more of this matter, and then we shall be friends again, the two of us.’
Erik reached out and briefly laid his hand over Charles’s. ‘I am always your friend, Charles,’ he said solemnly, meeting his eyes. He then calmly drew back and removed his hand.
Charles glanced down at the spot where Erik’s hand had brushed his, before looking up with a smile. ‘Come then,’ he said warmly, rising from his chair. ‘Let us withdraw to the chessboard. If you win, then I promise to cheerfully listen to you abusing my character for an entire hour without speaking a word of complaint.’
Erik’s smile was dry. ‘I doubt you will last even a fraction as long,’ he said wryly, rising to his feet. ‘But I accept nonetheless. Come then. Let us play.’
And the two of them withdrew to the study.