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[nostalgiabomb]

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[ One more glance around, and he's pulling Charlie toward the hallway he pointed out earlier. The lights are dimmer here -- an unofficial signal to the guests that the area isn't meant to be explored -- which gives Peter the opportunity to push Charlie up against the wall unnoticed.

Aaaand he's totally making out with him. Well, at least he waited. ]

[animated]

[ Honestly, he's a little impressed that Peter made it this far, what with all his teasing. It's hard to remember they're here on business with the way Peter is kissing him, hard not to get lost in the heady sensation of pent-up desire as he bites at Peter's lower lip and tangles his fingers in his hair.

And it's really hard to notice when someone nearby clears their throat- so much so that they have to do it again, giving a warning "Gentleman."

It's the woman from before, the assistant. She moves in like she means to separate them, but once she gets close, she offers up a small device- Charlie likens it to a flash drive- discreetly between them. Her eyes say take it but her mouth goes, "I'm going to have to ask you to go back to the main hall. This area is off-limits to guests." ]

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[ It takes a whole lot of willpower for Peter to bite back his swear, because things were just starting to get good. As it is, he coughs a little awkwardly, smooths his hair back and his clothing down, and nods at the assistant.

Blink and miss it: as he reaches a hand out to direct Charlie away, he takes the device from her. By the time his hand rests on Charlie's back, he's already tucked the device safely away into his sleeve. ]

My apologies. We'll be on our way, ma'am.

[animated]

[ Charlie takes the time to compose himself- he knows Peter has the whole sleight of hand thing down to a science- because that got heated a lot faster than he thought it would.

He gives the woman what probably passes for a polite nod of compliance, but he really means it in thanks. She nods back, and makes her way back out the way she came.

Charlie slips his arm around Peter's waist. ]

Mm. I'm bored with this party.

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[ Peter only just avoids the urge to use the top of Charlie's head as an armrest.

Be proud of him.

As it is, he wraps his own arm around Charlie's shoulders, leaning in a little closer. ]

Does that mean we get to enjoy our own party, now?

[animated]

I might even be tempted to start the party in the car on the way back.

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[ He hums, smirking. ] Gonna go ahead and check off "Exhibitionist" on your list, then.

[animated]

I guess I'll give you that one.

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I'm learning so many fun things about you, lately. It's kind of awesome.

[animated]

I think you should really return he favor and tell me some things about you one day.

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What're you talking about? I'm an open book.

[ He's also a liar, and he offers Charlie a smirk. Once they're back in the party proper, Peter takes a quick look around, absorbs the details in a glance as they move.

The host of the party is interrupted mid-conversation by a small, prim younger man -- another assistant, if Peter had to make a guess. Men in suits -- sharp but plain (uniforms, maybe?) -- are scanning the crowd, eyes sharp when before they were only staring. A couple of those men are breaking off to enter the kitchens.

Peter ducks down, his expression unchanging, under the guise of intimate conversation. ]

Something's wrong. We've gotta leave now.

[animated]

[ He blinks a couple of times, startled before he remembers to school his expression into something neutral. ]

What is it?

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[ Peter's the picture of calm and pleasant. He nods to another guest as they pass by, still leading the two of them toward the exit. ]

Pretty sure your new girlfriend just got ratted out.

[animated]

Shit, really? [ are they going to leave her here? They just can't leave her here... fuck. ]

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[ Peter's plan is totally to leave her here, but that's because he's a selfish prick.

He turns to check on the guards, inclining his head a little to make it look as though he's greeting someone. Those that entered the kitchen have left and are walking toward the hallway Peter and Charlie just left. ]

Any chance someone might've overheard you in the kitchen?

[animated]

I don't know. I guess there's always a chance.

[ He chances a look at the hallway ] Think she made it out okay?

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[ He pauses, then pulls a face. ]

You-- you don't wanna check do you?

[animated]

I... yeah. Yeah I do.

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[ The exit is just right there, and they could totally just cheese it. Apparently they haven't been caught out just yet, and if they're quick about it, they won't be caught out at all.

Still, Peter hesitates.

Eventually he sighs -- loudly -- and gives Charlie a look that basically screams, Maxwell, you're so not cut out for this line of work. He starts hurrying back to the hallway. ]

You owe me for this, Glinda.

[animated]

Sorry. Bleeding heart and all.

[ just gonna follow along, then! ]

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[ He just gives another huff. ]

Any idea where her office is or anything?

[animated]

Not really, but she went back this way--

[ and it is at that point that from somewhere down the hall, there comes the distinctive sound of a woman screaming. The party goes still for a moment, the crowd quieting.

Charlie swears under his breath ]

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[ Peter freezes for a moment. ]

-- Well, shit.

[ Then starts running down the hall, trusting that Charlie will follow. ]

[animated]

[ He does follow, unable to stop thinking this is all my fault like some kind of horrible mantra. He really isn't cut out for this line of work- the whole Robin Hood shtick was fine, he could deal with that. Nameless thugs and Kree fanatics who would rather shoot first and ask questions later? Yeah, sure, let's take 'em out.

But innocent people? Shit, fuck, his conscience won't allow it.

So when he rounds the corner and finds one of the guards has the woman by the arms, keeping them pinned behind her back, while the other winds up to hit her again, Charlie does the first thing that comes to mind.

And that is fling out a quick spell that sends a decorative vase flying at the back of the guard's head. ]

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[ That guard stumbles before falling to a knee, leaving the woman and the guard restraining her to gape in surprise.

Then up strolls Peter, unbuttoning his coat. He taps the remaining guard on the shoulder, and when the guard turns, he elbows him in the nose, feels the sensitive cartilage crack under the blow. The guard releases the woman and clutches at his face, his howls muffled by his hands. Peter grabs a nearby statuette, hefts it to test its weight, and clubs the guard on the head with it, knocking the man unconscious.

The first guard is slowly regaining his bearings -- at least until Peter notices and drives a hard kick into the side of the head. He, too, falls silent. ]