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[nostalgiabomb]

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[animated]

Is that meant to dissuade me, or-?

[nostalgiabomb]

I mean-- sort of? Part explanation for-- all the shit I've done lately. And part warning, I guess? For anything I pull later.

[ He shrugs sort of helplessly. ]

I can't guarantee I'm-- not gonna flip out on you again.

[animated]

How about we take this one day at a time? Does that work for you?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He's quiet for a long moment (because some part of him still doesn't know what the fuck he's getting into, and he's scared.

He feels like he's lost control of some part of him, like some weird thing called destiny has taken the reins, and he sort of doesn't like that feeling. Like he doesn't have a choice in the matter.

But-- another part of him thinks, if he has to be with anyone? He's really fucking glad it's Charlie. He just wishes he would've been able to charm him on his own, without that weird, alien, biological intervention.)

but at length, he nods. ]

... Yeah. Think I can manage it.

[animated]

I can't ask for anything more.

[ He has no idea where this is going to take them, but if nothing else, he's glad for the chance to make this work.

But this point, they've been standing outside the door to Charlie's room for a while, considering how small the ship is. He gives Peter a smile and tugs him inside. ] Well, aside from that you get in here like five minutes ago.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He makes a show of sighing as he's pulled in. ]

Nag, nag, nag. Is this how it's gonna be?

[animated]

I don't know. We're taking this one day at a time, remember? We'll have to see if I feel like nagging you tomorrow.

[nostalgiabomb]

I'd really prefer it if you didn't, all I'm saying.

[animated]

[ He laughs a little, moving to sit on the edge of his bunk ]

Fine, fine. No more nagging.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He hesitates, but joins him there. ]

I, um. I really am sorry. About-- all this shit, lately. I freaked out.

[animated]

[ He's quiet a moment, reaching to cover Peter's hand with his own ]

It's understand, Peter. Really.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ It takes him a half-second before he closes his fingers around Charlie's. ]

Just wanted to get it out there. That I'm fully aware I'm the world's biggest dipshit.

[animated]

[ He laughs ] You said it, not me.

[ With his free hand, he reaches up, tracing his thumb along a scrape on Peter's cheek ] You sure you're okay?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Charlie probably means physically, but Peter misunderstands -- honestly, he's kind of weirded out and still a little freaked, and it's so, so strange how this feels so sudden and so right at the same time, and--

He licks his lips carefully. ]

No. Not-- not really sure at all.

[animated]

[ His brow furrows a moment, clearly confused, until it clicks what Peter means.

He gives Peter's hand a light squeeze. ]

So talk to me.

[nostalgiabomb]

I'm pretty sure I need, like, fifteen drinks before we get to the stage where I reach an emotional breakthrough.

And you remember how my last drink ended up.

[animated]

... Ah yeah. Sorry about that. I guess I kind of freaked out, too.

[nostalgiabomb]

You owe me twenty units, by the way.

[animated]

Twenty-- are you kidding me?

[nostalgiabomb]

Nope.

For the drink and the tip to the bartender for the trouble.

[animated]

[ he makes a face ]

Put it on my tab.

[nostalgiabomb]

You mean the tab we started the moment we let you join the crew?

The one payin' for your meals and incidentals and the bribes we'll be lookin' forward to to get you back home?

That tab?

[animated]

Yes.

That tab.

[nostalgiabomb]

Just wanted to make sure we had the same one in mind.

I think that total brings us up to-- [ He pauses, eyes wandering as he does the mental math. ]

-- a pretty big number. Lots of zeroes.

[animated]

[ He purses his lips. Considering... recent developments, he has mixed feelings on getting back to Earth, but he needs to do some serious thinking on that front, so he doesn't say anything. ]

I'll write you a check.