milliways_bar | (no subject)

Charlie jumps on Liam. "Hi!"

Liam yelps, then hugs him back.

"Hey, little brother."

"Happy Christmas." He smacks a kiss on Liam's cheek and swoops Megan up into his arms. "Hello, princess--are you having a good Christmas?"

Megan nods earnestly and kisses him on the cheek.

"Yes."

"I'm glad. I am too."

He grins at Liam. "There's some stuff under the tree for you. For you both."

"Yeah? Guess we'll have to come back tomorrow, then", Liam says with a grin.

"Aw, man, having to come visit me twice in two days. Terrible."

"I know. Such hardship."

"So what plans have you got for the night? Angel's having a party and I'm sure there are others too . . ."

"Hadn't made any, really. Time's not passing out there, so... which one are you going to?"

"Angel's, at least. I haven't really thought about the others--I don't know the people throwing them very well."

"Not sure I've met Angel."

"He's a great bloke. Drummer. From New York, I believe."

"Oh, wait - I think I did meet him, once. Wears skirts?"

"Yup, that's him. Great bloke."

"Yeah, he was nice. Mind if we tag along?"

Megan looks up at them, smiling.

"I don't mind, of course, though I dunno how appropriate it'll be for the wee one."

"Hm, point. Maybe if we just stay for a bit, see how it goes."

Charlie nods. "Probably for the best. You know how parties get around here. Demonic marriages and all."

"...demonic marriages?"

No, he never heard about that.

"A demon named Crowley married a bunch of people at Bernard's bachelor party."

"...huh." Liam grins. "Have to keep an eye out, then. Steer clear of drunken demons."

"Exactly! Megan can't have a demonic marriage until she's at least thirty."

"If ever", Liam agrees, straight-faced.

"Would you like to be married by a demon, princess?" he asks Megan.

Megan gives this some thought, then shakes her head, face screwed up.

He laughs and kisses her temple. "You are a wise youngling, Meggie."

Megan beams and kisses his cheek again.

"So what did you ask for from Father Christmas?"

"A doll's house!"

"Oh, that'll be pretty! And were you a good girl?" He winks at her.

She nods earnestly.

"I always good."

"Of course you are."

"Mostly", Liam says with a grin.

"When she's not being a 'minyon,' yeah? I understand she and Sunny are like Frick and Frack when they're together."

Liam chuckles, ruefully. "Oh, yes. There was something about blackmailing a patron for chocolate?"

He eyes Megan, who just smiles.

"And what would two toddlers know about blackmail, I wonder?"

"You haven't been around toddlers enough, little brother. The only thing they don't know about emotional blackmail is what it's called."

"Oh, that kind of blackmail." He shakes his head at Megan. "Outgrow it, baby love."

"I think it just comes with being her age", Liam says with a quiet smile. "She will."

"I'm just thinking of her future," Charlie says with a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes.

"I haven't seen Claire since before my birthday."

It's not really a non sequitor.

Liam looks at him carefully.

"Has she not been here?"

"I don't know," Charlie says with a great deal of false cheer. "If she has been she certainly doesn't want to talk to me, yeah?

"Anyway. Probably for the best. Failed social experiment and all that.

"Hey. Darien told me you two met. What do you think?"

Ninja Charlie, master of the subtle subject change!

Liam lets him get away with it, for now.

"I like him. He's a good guy."

"Yeah. Very." He gets that look, the 'life is so perfect I can hardly believe it's mine' look.

Liam smiles to see it. It's been a long time since he has.