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[nostalgiabomb]

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[animated]

[ Quiet and hesitant as it is, that "wait" may as well have been a physical force, because Charlie freezes. He doesn't make a move to turn around ]

So what do you want me to do, Peter?

[nostalgiabomb]

I don't fucking know, okay?

[ He's still quiet, but he's a weird mix of pissed and frustrated and nervous, because these are uncharted waters for him. He's getting used to the idea of relationships that don't have some sort of catch. Friendships that don't come with the caveat of "as soon as this is over, I'm killing you."

So to try to get used to some sort of romantic relationship, one that he expects to last beyond breakfast the next day? It's like taking a swan dive into a tiny pool from a million feet up. Because the expectation is to get it right the first time -- but the likelihood of crashing onto concrete is way higher. ]

I barely even know what the fuck I'm doing.

[animated]

[ There's another long pause on Charlie's end. ]

I'm being unfair, aren't I?

[nostalgiabomb]

No? Yeah?

[ he sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. ]

I dunno. Probably not? But it sure fucking feels like it, honestly.

[animated]

No, no I am. I shouldn't expect you to know how any of this works, and I'm sorry.

[nostalgiabomb]

I'm just shit at-- [ he gestures vaguely ] --all of this. It's okay to say so, man.

[animated]

You are shit at it. [ he gives a slight smirk ] But that doesn't mean I should blame you for it.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ that gets a quiet chuckle from him. ]

Salt on the wound, dude.

[ he's quiet for a second, then, ]

That's not what you really think, is it? That I let you stick around for a good lay?

[animated]

... Not at all.

It just... ah, tries my patience sometimes when you dodge my questions like that, like I have to go digging for validation. I should know better than to get annoyed like that.

[nostalgiabomb]

-- Sorry. [ How many apologies has that been in one sitting? Surely a record for one Peter Jason Quill. ] I know I'm not really-- I don't really do honesty. So I just--I sort of-- [ see? Even now he's floundering. ]

I don't mean to-- I dunno. Invalidate you? Or your feelings? [ He shrugs helplessly. ]

[animated]

[ He breathes out a little laugh, setting his things down again. ]

It's okay, really.

Baby steps. I just forget sometimes.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ he's more relieved than he'd ever admit that Charlie seems to be settling back in again, and some of the tension leaves him. ]

Just-- You seriously have to lead me by the hand through some of this shit. I don't know what I'm doing.

[animated]

[ He moves to sit back on the bed, reaching for Peter's hand ]

I'll do my best.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ There is hand-holding, which Peter is glad for, because for a second there, he honestly thought this whole thing had blown up in his face, and all because he'd made some stupid, stupid joke.

He lets out a breath slowly. ]

Jesus, you're scary when you're pissed.

[animated]

At you or just in general?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Flatly: ] Yeah.

[animated]

I'll make an effort not to get mad at you at least. Blue dudes in red coats, though? Totally fair game.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He huffs a humorless laugh at that, inclining his head a little. ]

Yeah. Fair enough, I guess.

[animated]

You want some ice for that?

[ he motions to the side of Peter's face ]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He touches his cheekbone experimentally and hisses. ]

Maybe. How bad's it lookin'?

[animated]

It's all sorts of interesting colors.

[nostalgiabomb]

That's good, right? I've gotta assume that's good. Always did want a colorful tattoo.

[animated]

It kinda looks like a grade-schooler spilled watercolors on your face. And I mean like the shitty classroom set of watercolors.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Thaaaat elicits a frown from him. ]

Oh. So a gross, muddy brown. That's disappointing.

[animated]

Don't feel too bad. There's some green and yellow in there too. A little purple.