(no subject)

[bloodyrockgod]

[oom: post some schmoop and post-babybassist analysis.]


Charlie comes downstairs, looking well pleased with the world.

He is not wearing a hat. Just so's we're clear.

Comments

[youalleverybody.livejournal.com]

And here's Liam, practically bowling his brother off his feet with a hug.

He's hugged him like this precisely three times now: this time, on his arrival in Milliways, and on Charlie's return post-Purgatory.

[bloodyrockgod]

"Hi." Big thumping manly hugs between these two. Really. "I'm sorry I made you worry."

[youalleverybody.livejournal.com]

Oh, absolutely.

"Don't you ever fucking scare me like that again."

[bloodyrockgod]

"I didn't mean to," Charlie begins.

[youalleverybody.livejournal.com]

Liam holds up a hand to stop him, not wanting to argue, not now, and just says, "I know."

[bloodyrockgod]

"And I'm okay now. I swear. I'm fine. Had a good night's sleep and everything."

[youalleverybody.livejournal.com]

Liam puts his hands on Charlie's shoulders and steps back, surveying his brother carefully. He's satisfied by what he sees.

"Good."

[bloodyrockgod]

"Do I pass inspection?" He smirks a little, though not unkindly. "I'm fine, Liam. I'm fine.

"We. Um. Do need to talk a bit. Sit with me?"

[youalleverybody.livejournal.com]

"'Course", Liam says, heading to a nearby table and tugging Charlie after him. He suspects he knows what they need to talk about.

[go-between.livejournal.com]

Richard walks up to him grinning, and he thumps Charlie on the back.

"All grown up again, I see."

[bloodyrockgod]

"As grown up as I get," Charlie says and hugs Richard. "Hi."

[go-between.livejournal.com]

"Hello, welcome back. You were a cute kid, mate."

[bloodyrockgod]

Charlie makes a face. "Sure. All pasty and spotty. I was adorable."

[go-between.livejournal.com]

"Utterly pinchable."

He smirks.

"Do you remember any of it?"

[bloodyrockgod]

"If you'd have pinched me then I would've crumpled into the floor and died," Charlie says honestly, then adds quietly, "I remember everything. Seeing Liam holding Seth and playing blackjack with Bartleby and how sad everyone was, and I couldn't understand why, quite."

[go-between.livejournal.com]

"I sort of got that impression. You seemed a bit new to the world."

He sits down.

"That must have been quite a trip for Bartleby. I know that Amadeo was upset when I was tiny."

[bloodyrockgod]

"And Bartleby had to deal with a bundle of hormones who didn't know who he was but knew he liked him." Charlie sighs. "He was incredibly patient, actually.

"I like that. New to the world. That's a good way to explain it--it took me a while to grow into my own skin, if that makes sense." He looks around the bar thoughtfully.

[badderthanyou]

Dawn's not wearing a hat either, but she's in the bar and sees the Charlie-person. She thinks he's kinda cute, so she smiles and waves.

"Hi."

[bloodyrockgod]

He waves back. "Hey. That looks like a tasty lunch."

[badderthanyou]

She shrugs. "Never hurt me before. Want some?" She holds up a fry.

[bloodyrockgod]

"Thanks." He takes it and munches. "I don't recall if we've met--I'm Charlie."

[badderthanyou]

"I don't think so." She holds out her right hand, which doesn't have fry-grease on it. "Nice to meet you Charlie, I'm Dawn."

[bloodyrockgod]

He shakes her hand. "Pleasure. Are you new or have I just not noticed you before?" He grins. He's got laugh lines around his eyes.

[badderthanyou]

"Probably the latter." She sighs. "No one notices me." And another shrug at what seems to be her lot in life.

[bloodyrockgod]

His mouth quirks a little and he says, "I'm sorry to hear that, luv," in a serious tone.