milliways_bar | (no subject)

"Not again."

The pain is worse and Nick's halfway across the bar. This might be a bad thing.

Nick smiles as he sees Van Helsing and walks over.

He really tries not to cower or seek out the nearest large object to hide under, but he really is in a great deal of pain.

More than before.

This cannot be a good thing.

He walks up, hand alighting on Van Helsing's shoulder.

"Van Helsing, what's wrong?"

He pulls away suddenly, eyes on his own hand as if thinking it might have burned the other man.

He can't even speak, but he seems to shy away in a way that says 'please, God, don't touch me' - as though it does burn.

Nick nods, answering an unasked question.

"I should leave, shouldn't I?"

He just breathes for a moment.

"Won't matter... stay... go... it'll won't get any better... argh..."

It's almost nearly unbearable now.

"Well, it got worse when I--you know, we had this discussion. I'm just going to go."

"Thought... th-th-thought you..."

He stands, knocking over the table and nearby chairs.

He takes a breath to speak again, but launches into a blood-curdling, deafening scream...

Charlie kisses the top of Nick's head. "Hey, Nicky. How're you doing?"

Nick smiles and kisses Charlie back on the cheek.

"Hello, Charlie. Got the suit pressed?"

"Pressed and cleaned, mate. I don't think you've ever told me what songs you want though--anything specific, or just general 'yay we're married' things?"

He laughs and shakes his head.

"Anything you think is fitting. I trust you."

"Brilliant." He claps Nick on the shoulder. "Don't be nervous, mate. I've been to tons of these now and everybody--nearly everybody--has made it through intact. And I'm sure the once was a freak accident."
Whyfor whitetext? Eeeee.
He means well. He really does.

Blink.

"Well, I should hope so."

Oh. Erm. Amnesia. Yes.
Is not aware of after-plot. Perhaps it is for the best.
"Well, either way. It's going to be a lovely wedding, yeah?"

He nods, smiling, and nods once again.

"I hope so. I've put so much into it. I want everything to be...perfect."

[ooc: the white text has plotty purposes. the after thing, feel free to ping me for details]

"I'm sure it will be." He beams at Nick. "Of course, everybody says it's not the wedding that's the important thing: it's the marriage. But I think the two are related somewhat."

[ooc: ahh . . . it all comes together now.]

He nods.

"I think that might be why I'm not so nervous. I just, I'm not worried about being married to Alex for so long as we both may live. I'm happy. Genuinely happy."

"You deserve it," Charlie says gently.

He smiles.

"I don't know about that, but I know Alex does."

"Well, happiness does tend to come in pairs," Charlie says, and manages not to sound bitter.

He puts a hand to Charlie's shoulder.

"I'm sure your double will come along."

Charlie shrugs. "We'll see." He hugs Nick tightly. "Anyway, 's about you and Alex and the good things to come, yeah?"

He nods.

"I'll drink to that."

Charlie starts reaching for Nick's glass to do just that, then grimaces and says, "You'll have to buy me a pint sometime."

He laughs and nods.

"Certainly. You can count on that."

"Excellent." He leans against the bar comfortably. "You sure there's nothing specific you want me to play? No 'your' song?"

He opens his mouth before closing it again as he realizes.

Then he whispers something to Charlie.

"That, if you could."

"I can do that."

He smiles and nods, grinning happily at the thought of Charlie playing that song at the wedding.

"Thank you. It is...it's our song if any song is."

"I will sing my heart out for you, Nicky."

He pulls Charlie over and kisses his cheek, happy and smiling.

"Thank you. You don't know how much I appreciate it."

"Aw shucks," Charlie jokes quietly and leans his head on Nick's shoulder a moment. "I'm just glad you're happy, finally. Been a rough year for you."

He nods, seemingly lost in thought.

"Life is rough. But at least we're here to live it."

"True enough." He runs a hand through Nick's hair, expression thoughtful, and then stands and kisses Nick's forehead. "All right, Nick my dear. I've got to watch the Seth-bug tonight and I'm sure you've got plenty to do yourself.

"Take care. Love you much." He kisses Nick again and heads for the door.

~~Random Connor post just for continuity; thread doesn't have to last long...~~

"Hey... Nick..." He sits nearby.

Nick sits.

"Hello."

"Been a while. How go the wedding plans?"

He shrugs.

"You get your invitation?"

He nods.

"I did. Had to swing back home to get my suit and everything."

You, though, don't seem quite as well as you're expecting everyone to believe.

He smiles.

"Well, I'll be glad to have you there. The end of an old life, the beginning of a new one. This one--this one with Alex."

"Indeed. Marriage can be a wonderful thing."

He might know, he's done it a couple of times.

He nods.

"I certainly know that. I almost can't wait."

"But, you will. Because it's what grooms do."

He twitches an eyebrow.

"Or are you the bride?" He grins. Maybe it's just the wedding thing that's making Nick seem 'weird'.

He shrugs.

"Alex has better legs for a dress."

Another grin.

"Does he get to wear white?"