XMFC/Knight's Move

[diecastking]

When Erik first heard about the school camping trip, he felt this was an excellent way for them all to get some fresh air and a piece of the Great Outdoors.

Then Alex had pointed out that they couldn't use a compass around him. And Raven gestured at Charles' still-unwieldy chair. And Scott jumped off his Daddy's lap and declared he was definitely going to share a tent with his big brother.

It had all gone downhill from there.

Despite his misgivings, Erik had persuaded Charles that Alex, Raven and Sean could manage a couple of nights under canvas with the school children - and their son. Hank decided he was going to lock himself in the basement and perfect his latest Cerebro reworking.

And Charles and Erik had the weekend to themselves.

Comments

[guideshapelead]

With the mansion as good as empty - Charles knows Hank will not bother them - Charles has Erik all to himself. And, being the gentleman that he is, he suggests that they mark the occasion with a romantic dinner for two.

Well, the suggestion is meant to be romantic. Erik will have to be in charge of the cooking if he wants something remotely edible.

[diecastking]

Erik doesn't plan to waste his weekend cooking.

Instead, he liberates a loaf of bread, a block of cheese and a rich chocolate torte from the kitchen. He has a better plan for their evening.

[guideshapelead]

With Erik supposedly at work preparing for their romantic evening, Charles keeps out of his way for the afternoon, working in his study. He doesn't want to have his piles of paperwork looming over him later on.

He trusts that Erik will come and find him when he's ready.

[diecastking]

Erik spends his afternoon bending scrap metal to his whim, light and dark, perfect receptacles for his master plan.

And then he brings out the vodka.

With a smug smile, he sends his thoughts towards Charles. //Drawing Room. Now. Or there will be a forfeit//

[guideshapelead]

Confused, and more than a little curious, Charles pushes away his work and moves quickly for the drawing room.

//What sort of forfeit?// he grins, never one for patience.

[diecastking]

Erik fills the last glass: Black King.

//Shall we say...a pawn for every minute you're delayed//

[guideshapelead]

//A pawn? I see// Charles grins, even if nobody's there to see it.

//It's a game that you're after, then?//

[diecastking]

//You're in danger of being late...// Erik teases, taking his customary seat facing the door.

[guideshapelead]

Charles appears in the door a moment later, wheeling himself over to the other side of the board.

"Not late enough, I hope."

[diecastking]

Erik gestures at the table. The little metal shot glasses quiver, the queen spilling a drop of premium vodka over the side.

"Welcome to my game."

[guideshapelead]

"Oh... oh, I see," Charles laughs, Erik's plan immediately apparent to him.

"You mean to get me drunk, is that it Erik?"

[diecastking]

Erik raises an eyebrow, giving nothing away.

"I think that rather depends, don't you?"

[guideshapelead]

"You think me more innocent than I am, my friend," Charles laughs. He's no stranger to drinking games; he's been a university student.

"I know I cannot win with no pieces sacrificed."

[diecastking]

"Yet I hear you had a fearsome reputation for...yards of ale, was it?" Erik grins. Raven is great for stories about Charles. "So I'm sure a few shots of vodka won't make a dent..."

[guideshapelead]

Charles decides not to mention that he was far from sober after a couple of yards of ale. Erik can believe what he wants... he'll learn the truth soon enough, any way.

"We should play, then."

[diecastking]

"I would ask you for your colour, but we already know who has the white knight."

Erik's eyes sparkle with mischief. He is looking forward to this night.

[guideshapelead]

"After me, then?"

Charles gets himself comfortably positioned at one end of the chess table. He takes a moment to consider his first move, before lifting up one of the pawn glasses and moving it two spaces forward.

[diecastking]

Erik leans back in his chair, calm and collected, and doesn't break eye contact with Charles as he moves his own pawn with his power.

"How was your day, darling?"

[guideshapelead]

"I spent most of it working through Alex's reports," Charles answers, trying not to bristle at the casual use of Erik's powers. It's never struck him as fair, that his power is considered cheating whilst Erik gets away free.

"Waiting for my romantic dinner," he teases.

[diecastking]

Erik lifts up the china plate from where he had hidden it behind the sofa, loaded with bread and cheese.

"And you may have dessert when you strike first blood."

[guideshapelead]

"Dessert?" Charles' interest is piqued, and he makes his next move without much thought.

"What's dessert?"

[diecastking]

Erik grins - and takes Charles' first piece.

"Drink."

[guideshapelead]

Charles scowls, feeling hard done by for having the promise of dessert flaunted about out of his reach. He gives Erik a glare as he downs the first shot.

"Tease."

[diecastking]

Erik leans forward across the table, gaze intent - on Charles.

"It's only teasing if I fail to deliver," he murmurs.

[guideshapelead]

"That's a lie," Charles states as he waits for Erik to make his move.

"I can think of plenty of examples of teasing with a satisfactory outcome."