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[nostalgiabomb]

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[nostalgiabomb]

What?

[ He blinks, then the words sink in, then--

Peter grabs a nearby pillow and throws it at Charlie. ]

Shut up.

[animated]

[ The pillow comes to a sudden halt, suspended in the air about a foot away from hitting Charlie in the face.

He makes a little "tsk tsk" noise ] Now, now, Peter. It takes a lot of work to look this good. A pillow fight might mess up my hair.

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[ Ugh. Wizards. Can't even give Peter the satisfaction of a well-chucked pillow. ]

Don't make me go over there and noogie you, Maxwell.

[animated]

[ He laughs, letting the pillow drop into his hands so he can toss it aside somewhere. ]

You look good, by the way. Really good.

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[ Normally this is when Peter would play it off, say something like, "You're not too bad yourself."

Buuuut he already basically threw his cards on the table, so, ]

Why the fuck didn't you tell me you were hot as hell in a suit?

[animated]

It didn't really come up in casual conversation.

[ He wanders over, reaching up to adjust Peter's jacket a little ] You know what my favorite part about suits are?

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[ The look he gives Charlie is one part amused, one part curious. ] No, but I have a feeling you're about to tell me.

[animated]

Ties.

[ aaand that's when he grabs Peters tie and pulls him down for a kiss. ]

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[ -- Bro. Bro. You've gotta stop interrupting him with kisses all the time.

Because he was going to ask a thoughtful question about ties, like, what's even the point of them, really? And just as he started asking, there is suddenly Charlie in his face. So mostly it comes out as, "Wh-mmf."

Sigh. This is the life he leads.

Still, he looks pretty pleased whenever they separate. ]

-- You know, we could, like, skip the party.

[animated]

[ Really, Charlie just likes ties because they're a good way to overcome the height difference. ]

No way, Jose. You promised me a fancy party. We're going to a fancy party.

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[ Oh, the sigh Peter heaves. ]

There are other fancy parties in other parts of the galaxy.

[ Is he still holding the tie? Because if he is, then-- ]

-- Is this when I find out you're into collars and leashes, too?

[animated]

If you don't want to go, I'll go by myself, I'm sure someone will want to dance with me.

[ he is, and he gives it a little tug before letting go ] You're hilarious.

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[ He makes a face after that tug, then tucks his tie back into its proper place. ]

I'm just saying, we could skip the middle part and go straight to the fun part.

[animated]

Did you forget the part where if we don't go we don't get paid? Because I'd like you to explain to Gamora and the others why this job didn't get done.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ SIGHING. ]

Alright, alright. When'd you go all mercenary on me, Glinda?

[animated]

Hey, somebody has to keep you in line.

Anyway, shall we?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He makes an exaggerated roll of his eyes, then starts trudging toward the airlock, grumbling the whole way.

Charlie may hear snippets that sound similar to, "Stupid sexy Charlie" or "Fucking hot guys and their goddamn suits" or "My party would've been way better." ]

[animated]

[ He does, and "stupid sexy Charlie" kiiiind of cracks him up.

Their employer was generous enough to arrange a ride to the estate for them, so at least they could arrive in style. (Charlie had been a little bewildered when Peter approached him for the job. "Won't that draw attention if we're there together? Won't people talk?" before Peter reminded him that in this part of the galaxy it was not a big deal.

He'd gone quiet for quite a while after that.)

The trip to the estate is a fairly short one- honestly, it feels like half of it is spent on the driveway alone, once the car moves through a pair of ornate gates. The estate is a sprawling building of white stone and silver and bright lights, already full of people in fancy clothes milling about, as servants in simple white jackets carrying trays of who-knows-what dart around.

Charlie gives a low whistle as the car rolls up to the front of the building. ]

Nice digs.

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[ Peter steps out of the car, and at Charlie's whistle, he takes a quick glance around. ]

It's not terrible. Tasteful, at least.

[ His voice changes slightly, words clipped and enunciation just slightly more crisp. He even dials back that sort of cocksure attitude he typically has -- just enough to still be charming.

He takes Charlie's hand, twining their fingers together and flashing him a crooked sort of smile. ]

I can think of at least one thing that warrants more attention.

[animated]

[ Oh, he's never gotten to see Peter act before. It's kind of sexy.

And then Peter holds his hand, like it's the easiest thing in the world, and it's the sweetest fucking thing he's ever experienced. ]

Is it me? It's me, isn't it?

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[ He frowns, as if disapproving. ]

It was, until you asked.

[ He starts leading them into the party proper, then ducks down to speak in Charlie's ear, adopting his normal voice. ]

Don't eat anything from the blue trays, unless you wanna spend the rest of the night barfing. Toxic to Terrans.

[ -- aaand just for funsies, he presses a kiss to his neck. ]

[animated]

[ He gives a little nod, quirking a brow at the kiss. He's not so easily distracted, fortunately, but he makes a mental note to pay Peter back later. Maybe he'll show him some other ways in which ties can be used.

There's a man at the door who asks them for their names, and Charlie gives him the pseudonyms they've adopted for the evening. He checks the little datapad he has in his hands and allows them to pass.

Walking in is... oddly familiar. He's been to many an estate for many a party in his day, and it's surprisingly easy to step back into the mindset again. (Still, he takes care to follow Peter's lead when it comes to the food and drink being offered.) ]

Remember, you owe me a dance. Maybe several.

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Don't worry, Merlin. [ And he keeps his voice low so he doesn't have to put on the act. Still, he stands tall, shoulders back, with the sort of confidence that makes it seem like he owns the place. ]

I remember. But make sure you don't forget, we've got work to do.

[ Well, he says that, but when a servant walks past with a tray of some sort of orange liquid in delicate stemmed glasses, he grabs two glasses, holding one to Charlie. ]

Dude, you've gotta try this stuff. It kinda tastes like watermelon.

[animated]

I know, I know.

[ But he takes the offered glass, giving the contents a little sip. ] It tastes like drinking a Jolly Rancher.

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[ He takes a sip himself, humming thoughtfully. ] Huh. I guess it does? I mean, twenty-six years since I've had one, but I think you're right.

[ He leads them through the crowd of guests, one arm wrapped around Charlie's waist -- both to prevent them from being separated and because he goddamn can wanna fight about it. They skirt the area dedicated for dancing, and twice they're stopped to make small talk.

Both times Peter thinks their cover is surely blown -- the conversation would always start when the guest squinted at Peter, then asked, "Don't I know you from somewhere?" They'd claim they were from Xandar and would send Peter into a mild panic, though it would never be obvious from looking at him. (Charlie would notice, though, from the way his hand tenses at his hip.)

They manage to extricate themselves, though, and Peter's mildly surprised with Charlie handles himself. So much so that he leans in again, lips brushing against his ear. ]

Didn't know you could act, Gandalf.