milliways_bar | (no subject)

Charlie puts aside the guitar, glad for the distraction, and holds out his arms for Megan. "Hey, Megs, want Uncle-Charlie hugs?"

Megan looks down at him, then nods a little sullenly, holding out her arms.

He takes Megan and kisses her hair, then says quietly to Liam, "What's wrong?"

Liam shrugs helplessly.

"She won't tell me. I'm not sure she knows - she's just been fussy all morning."

"Baby girl . . ." Charlie coos, rocking her. "Do you miss Mummy?"

Megan doesn't answer, face against Charlie's shoulder.

"Maybe a bad dream?" He strokes her hair, looking at Liam with worry. He lays the back of his hand on her forehead. "She doesn't feel feverish."

Liam steps closer and rubs the little girl's back, frowning.

"I don't know. Did you have a bad dream, Meggie?"

"Or maybe you just want to run around outside and the rain's making you restless?"

"Ahhh, that might be it. Hmm... what can we do about that..."

He glances out the window--it's very Scottish out there today. "Well . . . there's always home," he says softly and raises his eyebrows at Liam.

Liam looks back at him. He's reluctant to leave yet.

"Maybe."

"I promise I'm okay," Charlie says quietly. "Take care of her, Liam. I'm fine."

Liam wavers, but then... "But there's Chanterelle, too. If she's still fussy tomorrow, I'll take her home and come back."

"Liam, your daughter needs you to look after her today," Charlie says, still quietly. "I can look in on Chanterelle."

Liam looks at him for a long moment, then nods.

"Yeah, you're right, little brother. You want to go home, Meggie?"

She peers at him.

"It's okay, lovey," Charlie tells her, playing with her hair. "Daddy can bring you back when you feel better."

Megan looks back at him and nods.

He kisses her cheek and rubs her back, and looks at Liam again. "Want help packing?"

Liam nods slightly.

"Yeah."

Charlie stands, still holding Megan, and slings the guitar by its strap over his shoulder. "I'm not kicking you out, you know."

Liam nods again, and squeezes Charlie's shoulder.

"I know. I'll be back soon, with or without the munchkin."

"I know. I just worry sometimes about you neglecting your life for mine. You've got your family and your students. I swear I'm doing okay--I can manage a day or two without you." He smiles to take the sting out.

"It's okay, Charlie", Liam murmurs. "Time doesn't pass out there while I'm in here, and with the weird way time works between here and there... I almost always catch up on the time I've spent in here before I come back, even if it doesn't seem as long for you as it does for me."

"All right," Charlie says though he doesn't feel much more mollified.