To love, and be loved in return .... (OTA, dual pup post)

[mutiegroovy]

Eventually, Charles knew he should go back to teaching his classes. He should be responsible, he knew. But in a way, he felt like he was just settling back in to the village, finding himself here, with Jack and his friends; Elle. He was liked here, loved. After being alone for so long (apologies, Hank), it took some getting used to. He sat in front

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[a_fixed_point]

Jack had seen Charles from afar and had been heading in his direction with a giant grin plastered on his face, but his stride was slowed when he noticed a figure sticking to the shadows in an alley out of the corner of his village.

Hmm...

He turned to look, "Hey, there." Jack called out, smile warm and friendly as he neared, "Everything going alright back there?"

[mutiegroovy]

Blinking out of his reverie, Charles looked up at him and felt himself smile, felt that warmth in his chest. "Fine," he said, leaning forward to push out the chair across from him. "Sit with me?"

[a_fixed_point]

Jack grinned, leaning over him to give him a kiss on the cheek before taking the offered chair, sitting down. He leaned forward to look at him. "So... penny for your thoughts? I'm not the mind-reader and I can't help but be curious."

[mutiegroovy]

"Be glad you can't read minds," Charles said with a soft laugh. It still made him tired, though he was getting stronger daily. "I'm probably thinking of things I shouldn't," he admitted. "Regrets. Losses."

[a_fixed_point]

He reached out to squeeze a shoulder, "I've had plenty of thoughts like that..." He had them all the time for choices he'd made in the past. There was no getting around it, "And everyone does. Which I suppose is the problem."

Charles could feel all of it.

[mutiegroovy]

Regret was everywhere; Charles nodded. "I cannot change it," he said. So, why was he dwelling on things such as that?

But what he didn't do ... it did indeed haunt him. He took Jack's hand and squeezed it. "Those who died ... I see their faces."

[a_fixed_point]

He nodded slowly, "And it will probably never go away. But... all you can do is try and be sure more don't join them."

What else could they do?

[mutiegroovy]

That was the question. They couldn't do anything. "And I'm here," he said. "I know we are supposed to be there - wherever there is - too, but it ... I feel guilt."

[a_fixed_point]

"I know." he nodded, looking down at the table. "I wish there was something I could do to make that better."

[mutiegroovy]

"I am sorry," Charles said. After all, it wasn't fair. "I ... it seems I'm still trying to find my feet." He winced. Metaphorically speaking.

[a_fixed_point]

"It's okay, Charles. I'm good at patient." he assured him, "Not like I'm getting any older. Not fast anyway. Take your time."

[mutiegroovy]

"I love you," answered Charles, Jack's hand sandwiched between his. "Will you spend the afternoon with me?"

[a_fixed_point]

"Love you too, babe." he smirked, leaning back into his chair. "And of course I will. I already planned to the moment I saw you over here, whether you wanted it or not."

[mutiegroovy]

Smiling, Charles nodded. "And what shall we do?"

[a_fixed_point]

Hmm... he thought about it. Jack smiled when an idea struck him.

"How would you feel about a boat ride?"

[mutiegroovy]

"A boat ride?" Charles chuckled a little bit in disbelief. "With or without this?" He tapped a hand on the arm of his chair.