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Morning. They've had so little time together to stumble through, well, whatever it is they are. They haven't even had that conversation, really, or a formal, proper date. The kids need them both too much, Moira's still teaching in the city and here, Charles is giving presentations everywhere. It's been nearly impossible to see one and other. But, on the occasional evening, Moira will come to his bedroom (or vice versa), and they generally end up collapsing into exhausted sleep together. But at least they are together.
Last night was one of those nights. Now Friday, Moira, at least, doesn't need to go into the city today. They still had classes on campus, though. With the first few rays of sun peeking through the curtains in Charles' bedroom, Moira shifts on the bed and tucks herself instinctively against him, away from the sun. No part of her wanted to get up this morning. "…mmm… make it go away…" She half sleep mutters into his collar bone.
*
"I am afraid," Charles says as he rolls over. "That is not one of my powers." A soft kiss upon her forehead and then he sits up, beginning to mentally go through the checklist for the day. Fridays are certainly less busy than other days, but there's still a fair amount to do between the school and his other obligations.
*
Fingertips stretch up, splaying themselves against his chest and gently trying to press him back down into the pillows. "No…five more minutes… it's barely dawn. Someone else is cooking." Moira mutters, still in that half drowsed state that, really, he's the only person in the world who gets to see. When she's languid and comfortable, not the know it all, put together academic and mansion mother that so many others have seen.
*
"I imagine the world can wait another five minutes." With a soft groan he leans back down upon the bed and his blue eyes stare up at the ceiling for a few moments. "What does your weekend have in store for you?"
*
While it might still be too dim in the room to properly see it, the smile on Moira's lips is momentarily triumphant as he agrees to stay five more minutes. She dares to lean up and actually press a long, warm good morning kiss to his lips before releasing enough she can settle against his chest once more. The soft edges of her hair brush his shoulder and throat, most of her just comfortably, easily fitting against him. "Mm… need to start putting together midterms for both the university and here… corraling kids, no doubt. The usual. Nothing… huge. Yours?"
*
Another exhale as Xavier allows himself to relax, even if his schedule would wish him to act otherwise. "A lecture on Friday night and the usual grading cycle and preparations on Saturday. This time of the year can be so tough."
*
Lazily, her fingertips stretch across his ribs, a thoughtful sound rumbling from her throat. "…we should… get dinner, or something. I know it's nearly impossible, and the kids will be talking about it for weeks. But… if we keep going at this rate, we're both going to go insane." Moira's words are more gentle breath with just a brush of sound from her instead of actual speech.
*
"Contrary to popular opinion, I am not overly worried about what the students may think. I am not sure it is that well hidden anyhow," Xavier says with a grin. As she runs her hand across him, his plays with the hair where it meets the forehead as his arm curls around her.
*
A throaty laugh escapes her lips, "No… no. It was Jean that rather… Pushed all of this. I'm certain most of them know by now. This is a tiny little rumor factory we've got going here." Moira teases him gently, but her smile can be felt against his collarbone, especially as he plays elegant fingertips through her hair. "…You still didn't answer my question about dinner, my dear."
*
"Oh, right," Xavier says with a chuckle. "I would be happy to get dinner with you. Should we stay around here or go out? Perhaps out to the country or, if you prefer, down in the city?"
*
"Mm… I need to both ask for and plan this date, Charles Xavier?" Moira teases him, picking her head up enough she can look down into his blue eyes even in the dim morning light. Her grin is still clear, drowsed features framed by her straight, dark hair…"What do you think I am, some modern femininist?"
*
"You have me in a box, here," Xavier says with a smile. "You know if I pick it will end up being dinner and wine at Harry's. For me there are so few places I tend to go." Staying close to the Mansion makes him feel as though he can protect students at a moments notice.
*
"I know, darling… and I know you… dislike going far. You are protective. Sometimes too protective for your own good." Though only sometimes. There is no doubt that such protections are something Moira completely admires in him. Her fingertips stretch up, resting over his heart as she remains propped up, looking down at him. "…They will need to learn to stand on their own sometime, you know? We can't keep them here forever. As tempting as it is…"
*
"You are correct, of course," Xavier responds. "Tell you what, I will peruse the yellow pages, as well of the minds of all the intelligensia, political elite, and celebrities of Manhattan island to find the perfect spot." Pause. "Or we shall end up at Harry's."
*
The last comment brings another, deeper laugh from her, smile still wide as ever. Moira just shakes her head, "…DOn't go snooping too hard. I wouldn't want you popping a vessel trying to find me a nice dinner spot." Moira winks and then leans over for another, quicker kiss. A good morning, we should get moving kiss. As little as she wants to get moving, she knows they should. She then sits up straight, giving a little sigh as she shifts her mostly useless leg and hip over, grabbing for the crutches always at her side. The stiffness is worst in the mornings, when she hasn't moved all night.
*
Xavier smiles, but as Moira gets up he is hit by another pang of jealousy. Was dinner more important than searching for a mutant healer to help with his love's leg? Was anything as important? Didn't he owe her more than that. He pulls himself up and reaches for his robe.
*
The utter silence of him behind her gets a look over her shoulder as she pulls on her own robe and then pushes herself up to her feet. "…What are you thinking? You've gone awfully quiet for us having the first relaxing morning we've managed in a month, Charles." She knows him. Now that all her memories are back and they steal *some* time with each other, she knows him almost as well as anyone around. She can read that change on his face, clear as daylight.
*
"I feel terrible guilty. It is nothing we have not gone over before and nothing I have not apologized for and will apologize for many more times. I wish I had done things very differently, Moira."
*
That makes her sigh deeply. Moira stares at him, gently limping over to the edge of the bed and settling back down. She then reaches her hands out for his, so she can take both his palms and tug him a bit closer. "…Yes, we have been over this… many times, dear. And for a man who can seen entire realities, hearts and minds, you should know mine — It is passed. I am *fine*. I am… *who I am* because of all of this. I would not change who I am as a person. Would you?"
*
"Perhaps not before," Xavier says as he shrugs into the robe and straightens the collar. "But as of today? Yes. Yes, I would. And I will continue to search for someone who can."
*
A slow breath escapes her lips and she tries to keep one of his hands, giving it a tighter squeeze. "Charles, it is… not so bad. It is simply a part of who I am now. We have dozens of children who have far worse weights on their shoulders. You don't need to carry another weight. You aren't Atlas, my dear. Please."
*
He doesn't believe her, but he nods nonetheless. "In any event, breakfast will be getting cold. I must say I am rather looking forward to getting a night with you by ourselves. It has been too long."
*
She tugs him down into one last kiss, gentle, lingering a touch longer, before Moira releases his fingertips and finishes tieing her robe around her waist. Then she's up and standing, working with the crutch as easily as breathing, especially now that she's gotten moving. "It has been… but yes. Breakfast first. We will both be miserable to be near if we don't eat something. And then maybe a shave. You're getting all *scruffy*, Mr. Xavier." She grins, stealing her fingertips up to brush at his jaw.
*
"We cannot have that." Charles pulls Moira in for one final kiss after she slides across his jaw. He holds her around the waist for just a second longer before he lets go.
*
"…mm… or… you know… cold breakfast isn't the worst thing." Moira whispers against his cheek, her smile momentarily wicked, brushing her lips against that scruff that she so rarely gets to see on his trimmed and proper self. He's tempting her now.
*
Xavier raises an eyebrow and looks over towards the wind-up alarm clock, spying the time. Usually he prides himself on being one of the better prepared teachers at the Institute and always finds a way to use his preparation time before class. Yet… "I think you may be correct," as he leads her back down from where they came.