Layers

LAYER ONE : THE OUTSIDE

- Name: Caleb Smith 

- Eye Color: Dark Brown

- Hair Style/Color: Brown and kempt 

- Height: 6’1”

- Clothing style: Professional, matching, classy

- Best physical feature: My smile?

Read More

Did he run away? It was positivly hard to think about, the possibility that he ran instead of confronting his troubles. Did he leave out of a sense of duty for his job, for his position? This question crossed his mind from time to time and everytime his mind was quick to tell him “Yes, yes you did” and he would move on with his work without a second thought but forever feeling this small piece of guilt rubbing away at his resolve. 

London was beautiful, his work was tedious but atleast it kept him busy, his living arangements were more than expected. All of this would have been more than enough to keep any man happy, yet at times, how was it that it could possibly make him feel much worse? Day after day the guilt seemed to just pile on. 

How could he leave so suddenly? Without any word? Without saying anything to his sister, his best friend, Tessa… Leave so suddenly after severing all ties. How selfish. At these times of thought he would roll back from his desk and bury his head in his hands and convinced himself that he had to go. It was for his job. It was for Warren. It was for Tessa. It was to make the lives of those he had depended on, better. He was the problem to them, he removed the problem—selflessly—and allowed them to move on with their lives and that was that. That’s the only answer he would ever allow himself to acknowledge. 

“Mr. Smith..” There was a light knock at his door and Caleb jolted his view from the palm of his hands towards the sound of his secretary’s voice. “There is a Miss. Moore here to see you. Something about lunch.” 

“Ah, yes. Tell her I’ll be right there.” He flashed the hardworking assistant his usual charming Caleb smile and looked towards his computer’s screen once more. 

Warren,

I hope everything is

Caleb grimaced. What would he even say? It was all broken now. Just as he had wanted, for the better, he reminded himself. He closed out the attempted e-mail and went to meet with his lunch date. 

▶ [F2F] Xavier/Caleb - The Choice Is Yours

The man sounded resolute, sure even. It was easy to see that this was more than just a way to grow on his own. It was a selfless act on his part that was truly his own decision. And that astounded Charles Xavier. But Mr. Smith still bore a haunted look about him. The Professor could only take a guess, and it was a good one, but the choice was up to Caleb—and the choice had been made. His hands separated as he sat back in his wheelchair. This was going to develop in interesting ways that Xavier himself could not fully predict. And Tessa probably knew nothing about what was currently transpiring (he also figured she would give them privacy given the current company). 

“I completely agree that you should learn to stand on your own, Mr. Smith. You are always helping others. While I know you care for yourself as well, you do not truly live for yourself. Perhaps it is about time you discovered somethings about yourself. This separation will allow you to do that. What I would recommend, however, is surrounding yourself with the people you truly feel comfortable with—even some new people with good energies. That is very important for an empath with such powerful abilities like yours.” He smiled kindly. “But, that is my mere suggestion for you, Mr. Smith. If you truly think this is for the best, I will do what you ask. This act shows you are a good friend, though. Do not worry about that.”

He looked at Caleb. “Just remember that your happiness counts too.” Xavier didn’t need to be a telepath to notice that about him. “Let me know when you are ready for me to begin. I must warn you now. There is a large chance that I will see whatever is connected to this severing. So I will need you to trust me.”

Caleb’s smile widened at each of the Professor’s suggestions and mild concerns. The man was definitely kind and that was something that Caleb admired. Of course, with his line of work, kindness and paitience was needed. “I appreciate your concern, Professor. I’m not sure how you read me so well. I guess I just wear my heart on my sleeve.” He laughed softly at his silly joke. 

“Thank you so much for doing this for me.” Caleb inched closer to the edge of his seat in anxious excitement. Of course he was nervous. He was just about to do something that would drastically change his life and the life of his friend but based on the conclusion he came to, it would be a change for the better. There is always going to be adversion to giving up an addiction cold turkey but once the person got into the swing of it, they always felt better—much better. This is what he was hoping for the both of them. ”Of course! How can I help others if I’m not happy myself? Hm?” 

“No secrets to hide on this end and I’m ready when you are.”