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[nostalgiabomb]

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[nostalgiabomb]

Hoping it's just those folk. I mean, they kinda plastered our faces all over the fucking place on Xandar. Kinda had to happen.

[ He's quiet for a second as a couple passes them by. ]

Also, you're being seriously hot right now, and I just want to kindly request that you stop. It's distracting.

[animated]

What am I even doing? I'm just talking with the nice people.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Peter's answer is just a narrowing of his eyes, as if to say, You know what you did.

Still, this kind of seems more like Charlie's area of expertise than Peter's, so pulls them off to the side to get them a better view of the room. ]

So. If I had to dig up dirt on the host, who would I talk to?

[animated]

[ Charlie scans the crowd, taking another sip from his drink ]

You see that lady? Black dress, blonde hair? [ and indeed there is a woman in black, walking briskly through the crowd ] She's been running interference with upset guests, talking to the staff, that kind of thing. I'd bet she's his secretary or personal assistant or something of the sort.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He wants to say, You're sexy when you talk shop, but he holds off. For now, at least.

Peter watches as the woman stops a servant whose tray has run low on drinks, and with a deft, sharp movement, she gestures him toward the kitchen. She pauses at a couple who wave for her attention, and her smile is almost instantaneous, warm and inviting. He can't tell what conversation they're having, but based on the pleased smile of the couples, he can only assume it's going well. ]

Damn. She's good. Might be too loyal to her employer, though.

[animated]

You think? I haven't met a personal assistant yet who didn't hate her boss.

Watch her for a bit. See if you can catch her when she thinks no one is looking. She looks exhausted.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He nods a little -- Fair point -- and watches as the woman moves back through the crowd. ]

You sure you don't wanna do the honors?

[animated]

What, go talk to her? I don't mind. Are you gonna hang out here?

[nostalgiabomb]

Hey, I don't mind either way. Honestly, I was just gonna flirt her up.

[ He hasn't done it in a while. Hopefully he hasn't gotten rusty.

Ooor he could have words at the dude's who been making eyes at Charlie since they got their drinks while Charlie chats up the PA. He pointedly puts his hand on the small of Charlie's back. What up, bro. ]

Rock Paper Scissors?

[animated]

Nah, I'll go. It's fine.

Don't start any fights while I'm gone.

[ He gives Peter's arm a pat and wanders away, making his way towards the woman. That side of the room is a bit crowded, so it's not all that odd when he bumps into her- purely by accident, of course. He makes an apology, and she assures him that it's fine.

The conversation goes from there, and seems to go well. Charlie makes her laugh once or twice, and whatever story he's telling actually draws a few more listeners. Really, this is the most familiar thing he's encountered since he wound up on this side of the galaxy (aside from waking up next to Peter, which has become the most wonderful sort of familiar he can think of in recent memory). He's in his element here, and he knows how to work a crowd.

And when a few of the other guests disperse, he pulls the woman aside and asks her something in low tones. She nods, and motions for him to follow her. They disappear into the kitchens.

A short while later, Charlie reappears and relocates Peter. ]

So, business first, or pleasure?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ The moment Charlie leaves, Peter casually makes his way to the Certain Someone who's been eying his-- boyfriend? Something? Whatever?

At any rate, he strikes up low, quiet conversation, all pleasant smiles and nods, then makes casual mention of breaking fingers, then ribs, then spines, all while sipping delicately at his drink. He nods when the man looks pale enough and returns to his original stakeout point.

The crowd that Charlie gathers surprises Peter, to say the least, and he's a mix of impressed and-- wow, how many people is he going to have to threaten with physical violence? Dammit, Charwin, there are only so many hours in the day. Granted, there are a few women who seem more than interested in him, and he wonders if maybe-- threesome--?

No, okay, they're working. Maybe some other time.

When they leave into the kitchens, Peter starts feeling a little antsy, if only because he loses sight of him and who knows what the hell could happen in that time? But he's making his way back, and Peter flashes him a winning smile that only just covers his relief. ]

Pleasure, always.

[animated]

I was hoping you'd say that.

[ he flashes Peter a smile of his own, offering him a hand. ] May I have this dance?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He takes the offered hand, then gently lifts it so he can kiss Charlie's palm. ]

I was starting to wonder if we'd ever get around to it.

[animated]

[ Sometimes he forgets what a charming motherfucker Peter Quill can be, but there he goes, being charming. ]

You know how it is, work work work. I think we've earned a little bit of fun.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He starts leading them toward the dance floor, and it's not too unlike what one might see at a Terran party. Except, well, with a few more sets of eyes and arms and legs on a few of the dancers. ]

Seemed rather like you'd already started having fun without me, actually. I had almost thought you'd forgotten about me.

[animated]

Goodness. I hope I didn't make you jealous.

[nostalgiabomb]

Liar.

[ when they reach the dance floor, Peter wraps an arm around Charlie's waist, pulling him in close. ]

You seem the type who would enjoy seeing just that.

[animated]

I'd never do it on purpose, promise. I'm pretty content right where I am.

[ And right where he is happens to be dancing with Peter. It's probably the first time in... ever he's danced with someone he actually wanted to dance with. ]

[nostalgiabomb]

Flatterer.

[ also why is Charlie so short though, for real? For now, Peter contents himself with pressing a kiss to his forehead. ]

Do I get to hear your story? You drew quite a crowd. I imagine only half of them were there to admire your good looks.

[animated]

Oh, just a little tale about how my dad was particularly nasty to his assistant one day, so she put something even more nasty in his coffee. He was sick for a week.

[nostalgiabomb]

Couldn't have happened to more deserving man.

[animated]

I thought so.

The best part is I don't think he ever realized it was her.

[nostalgiabomb]

Wish I had been there to hear it. [ And here he ducks down a little, murmuring. ]

You know how your voice does such things to me.

[animated]

[ He quirks an eyebrow ] I did not know. Thanks for the tip.

[ There's a pause, and the expression on his face takes a definite turn for the wicked ] So does that mean I should wait until later to tell you how much I want to tear you out of that suit?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ when he's sure no one is looking, Peter wrinkles his nose. ]

If you'd let me have my way, we could've already been doing that.