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[ He huffs out a quiet, disbelieving laugh, shrugging a shoulder. ]
You say that like I’d mind.
[ Which he wouldn’t, after all. Peter already claims the credit for asking her first, and he can boast that he was likely the first person she’s ever willingly said “yes” to. So he’s pretty much set, in his own eyes.
(He almost thinks, I could die happy, but he shies away from the thought like it burns.)
He lifts a hand to carefully prod at the lump on the back of his head – the pain has dulled down, at least. Something present but not distracting. ]
Maybe wait till I’m not liable to trip over myself just standing, though.
You say that like I’d mind.
[ Which he wouldn’t, after all. Peter already claims the credit for asking her first, and he can boast that he was likely the first person she’s ever willingly said “yes” to. So he’s pretty much set, in his own eyes.
(He almost thinks, I could die happy, but he shies away from the thought like it burns.)
He lifts a hand to carefully prod at the lump on the back of his head – the pain has dulled down, at least. Something present but not distracting. ]
Maybe wait till I’m not liable to trip over myself just standing, though.
[ His frown only deepens at that. In the early days he might have refused outright, would have needed convincing, but now, at least, he considers it. Almost two years without magic means he’s regained some bad habits, but at least now it translates to mild reluctance rather than absolute refusal.
It helps, too, that exhaustion is well and truly settling in, and part of him thinks that if they start moving, they won’t get very far.
Peter lets out a quiet breath, leaning back against the rough wall of the tree. ]
Not gonna put a drain on you, is it?
It helps, too, that exhaustion is well and truly settling in, and part of him thinks that if they start moving, they won’t get very far.
Peter lets out a quiet breath, leaning back against the rough wall of the tree. ]
Not gonna put a drain on you, is it?
[ He doesn’t realize that he’s holding his breath until Peter eases back against the wall of the log, and he lets it all out in a relieved sigh. (And honestly, he’s not sure what he was more worried about, Peter refusing the magic, or insisting on pushing himself.) ]
Casting the spells might drain me a bit, but after that I’ll be fine. We’ll be resting anyway.
Casting the spells might drain me a bit, but after that I’ll be fine. We’ll be resting anyway.
[ She gives a short hum, nodding. ]
That wouldn't be enjoyable for either of us.
[ But she can wait. She's in no immediate rush, not with the things she still feels like she has to parse through for herself, the unfamiliarity of emotion that she doesn't truly have a name for, the uncertainty in the wake of the party.
(The ferocious response that reared its head today during the fight.)
She watches him prod at himself, more considering than with blatant concern. ]
I should let you return to resting, since I disturbed you in the first place.
That wouldn't be enjoyable for either of us.
[ But she can wait. She's in no immediate rush, not with the things she still feels like she has to parse through for herself, the unfamiliarity of emotion that she doesn't truly have a name for, the uncertainty in the wake of the party.
(The ferocious response that reared its head today during the fight.)
She watches him prod at himself, more considering than with blatant concern. ]
I should let you return to resting, since I disturbed you in the first place.
... Alright.
[ A tad reluctantly, even as he forces himself to relax a little. ]
Just... be careful. Don’t push yourself too much. You’ve already done a lot today.
[ A tad reluctantly, even as he forces himself to relax a little. ]
Just... be careful. Don’t push yourself too much. You’ve already done a lot today.
I’m being careful, I promise.
[ He’s got power to spare, considering his magic never saw much use at the cabin. It kind of feels good to flex his magical muscles again, but he knows better than to overdo it. Laying the wards shouldn’t be too bad, and as long as they rest afterwards, he’ll be fine by morning.
But he still stalls for a moment, reluctant to leave Peter’s side or let go of his hand. Eventually he finds the motivation, brushing his thumb over Peter’s hand once more before pulling away. ]
I’ll be right back.
[ He’s got power to spare, considering his magic never saw much use at the cabin. It kind of feels good to flex his magical muscles again, but he knows better than to overdo it. Laying the wards shouldn’t be too bad, and as long as they rest afterwards, he’ll be fine by morning.
But he still stalls for a moment, reluctant to leave Peter’s side or let go of his hand. Eventually he finds the motivation, brushing his thumb over Peter’s hand once more before pulling away. ]
I’ll be right back.
[ he lets out a quiet snort of laughter. ]
And you say that like I mind your company.
[ Which he absolutely doesn’t; sure, close quarters means they might get on one another’s nerves sometimes, but that’s true of everyone. He tips his head back against the bulkhead, letting out a quiet breath. ]
But you’re probably right. Could probably do with a nap or something. [ he makes a vague gesture toward his head. ] At least if I pass out I won’t have to deal with the headache.
And you say that like I mind your company.
[ Which he absolutely doesn’t; sure, close quarters means they might get on one another’s nerves sometimes, but that’s true of everyone. He tips his head back against the bulkhead, letting out a quiet breath. ]
But you’re probably right. Could probably do with a nap or something. [ he makes a vague gesture toward his head. ] At least if I pass out I won’t have to deal with the headache.
[ He gives Charlie’s hand a quick squeeze before he pulls away entirely, and he tries to smother the almost familiar pang of loss that sounds low in his chest.
Just for a little while, he has to remind himself, and for a surreal second, he wants desperately to kick himself that he even needs the reminder. Stupid, he knows, to throw himself headlong into this partnership again; he needs to stay at least a little detached, just to stave off disappointment.
He forces himself to offer a small, wry smile. Lightly, ]
I’m not going anywhere.
[ Because now that he’s let himself get comfortable, now that he’s let himself acknowledge that he’s pretty spent, the idea of moving sounds like a pretty poor one. And because it bears repeating, ]
Be careful.
Just for a little while, he has to remind himself, and for a surreal second, he wants desperately to kick himself that he even needs the reminder. Stupid, he knows, to throw himself headlong into this partnership again; he needs to stay at least a little detached, just to stave off disappointment.
He forces himself to offer a small, wry smile. Lightly, ]
I’m not going anywhere.
[ Because now that he’s let himself get comfortable, now that he’s let himself acknowledge that he’s pretty spent, the idea of moving sounds like a pretty poor one. And because it bears repeating, ]
Be careful.
I will.
[ Though he says it with a slight roll of his eyes. It’s kind of cute how Peter’s being all protective, but Charlie’s not the one with the hole in his back.
He slips away, stepping outside of their little shelter. Laying wards is a complicated business, and it takes him nearly a full hour to get it set up to his liking, but anyone passing by should be inclined not to give the log so much as a second glance, and that should be more than enough in case Peter’s old team somehow picks up their trail.
It takes more out of him than he thought it would, though, and he’s looking a little weary by the time he finally trundles back into their hiding spot. ]
Sorry about that. Wards aren’t all that quick anyway, but I think I overestimated my own speed.
[ Though he says it with a slight roll of his eyes. It’s kind of cute how Peter’s being all protective, but Charlie’s not the one with the hole in his back.
He slips away, stepping outside of their little shelter. Laying wards is a complicated business, and it takes him nearly a full hour to get it set up to his liking, but anyone passing by should be inclined not to give the log so much as a second glance, and that should be more than enough in case Peter’s old team somehow picks up their trail.
It takes more out of him than he thought it would, though, and he’s looking a little weary by the time he finally trundles back into their hiding spot. ]
Sorry about that. Wards aren’t all that quick anyway, but I think I overestimated my own speed.
[ he snorts out a laugh. ]
Sure, sure. Just get me my apple slices and a juice box, read me a bedtime story, and we can call it a day.
[ But after a hesitant second, Peter eases himself down to lie on his bed, pinching the bridge of his nose. ]
Make sure none of those assholes set the ship on fire, please.
Sure, sure. Just get me my apple slices and a juice box, read me a bedtime story, and we can call it a day.
[ But after a hesitant second, Peter eases himself down to lie on his bed, pinching the bridge of his nose. ]
Make sure none of those assholes set the ship on fire, please.
[ Peter spends the next hour or so in something of a haze, exhausted but forcing himself to stay awake in case he needs to act. The poultice Charlie applied to his wound helps to keep the pain from reverberating up and down his side, and while it still aches, shifting around to wake himself up isn’t nearly as painful as it could be.
At the tail end of an hour, Peter frowns; if it weren’t for the whisper of movement and the crunch of Charlie’s boots in the dirt, he would start worrying in earnest. As it is, when Charlie finally reenters the hollow tree, Peter studies him with a surprising sort of sharpness, despite the bleariness of his eyes – which means he immediately notices how drained Charlie looks. Peter straightens, giving Charlie another once-over. ]
You alright?
[ Because no matter how often he saw Charlie use his magic in the six months they spent together, Peter never could quite shake the guilt from that first evening when he saw the aftermath of Charlie pushing himself to the very edge of his limits. ]
At the tail end of an hour, Peter frowns; if it weren’t for the whisper of movement and the crunch of Charlie’s boots in the dirt, he would start worrying in earnest. As it is, when Charlie finally reenters the hollow tree, Peter studies him with a surprising sort of sharpness, despite the bleariness of his eyes – which means he immediately notices how drained Charlie looks. Peter straightens, giving Charlie another once-over. ]
You alright?
[ Because no matter how often he saw Charlie use his magic in the six months they spent together, Peter never could quite shake the guilt from that first evening when he saw the aftermath of Charlie pushing himself to the very edge of his limits. ]
[ Gamora gives him a look at "apple slices and a juice box" because she did not a) have naptime as a child, and b) has no concept of these things. That was as good as gibberish.
(But she's used to Peter saying things like that.)
At least he's settling in, and so she gets to her feet, giving him back all the space on his bunk. ]
I will try to keep them in line.
[ No guarantees, of course.
She heads for the door, but she pauses to glance at him over her shoulder. ]
... Get some rest, Quill.
(But she's used to Peter saying things like that.)
At least he's settling in, and so she gets to her feet, giving him back all the space on his bunk. ]
I will try to keep them in line.
[ No guarantees, of course.
She heads for the door, but she pauses to glance at him over her shoulder. ]
... Get some rest, Quill.
[ That sudden, sharp concern startles him. There’s a lot of things he remembers about Peter, a lot of things he would think about as the months rolled past, but he somehow forgot about his penchant for worrying about him. Apparently, he never could shake that first meeting, when Charlie drained his reserves of magic dry and looked like he was an inch away from passing out.
The bewildered, owlish look on Charlie’s face smooths away into something softer, part amused, part fond, as he casts Peter a small smile. ]
I’m fine. Just a little tired, but it’s not too bad.
The bewildered, owlish look on Charlie’s face smooths away into something softer, part amused, part fond, as he casts Peter a small smile. ]
I’m fine. Just a little tired, but it’s not too bad.
[ That smile catches him off-guard, and Peter ducks his head, shifting a little under the guise of settling in. ]
Don’t push yourself. If you keel over, I’m just going to point and laugh.
Don’t push yourself. If you keel over, I’m just going to point and laugh.
I’m not going to keel over.
[ Lightly, unconcerned, as he steps into their hiding place. Instead of settling across from Peter like he had before, he opts to sit next to him, lightly pressing their shoulders together. ]
I’m not the one who took an arrow to the back, here. How’s your wound?
[ Lightly, unconcerned, as he steps into their hiding place. Instead of settling across from Peter like he had before, he opts to sit next to him, lightly pressing their shoulders together. ]
I’m not the one who took an arrow to the back, here. How’s your wound?
Tingly.
[ And he punctuates it by waggling his fingers, as if the gesture might help emphasize it. ]
A whole lot better than it would’ve been if I had to deal with it on my own, though.
[ He falls silent for a few seconds, head bowed. Then, he gives Charlie a tentative little nudge in the side with his elbow. ]
... Thank you. [ Quiet, uncertain. ] For... showing up. And for— [ another small gesture, this time toward the bandage swathing his middle. ] —this.
[ And he punctuates it by waggling his fingers, as if the gesture might help emphasize it. ]
A whole lot better than it would’ve been if I had to deal with it on my own, though.
[ He falls silent for a few seconds, head bowed. Then, he gives Charlie a tentative little nudge in the side with his elbow. ]
... Thank you. [ Quiet, uncertain. ] For... showing up. And for— [ another small gesture, this time toward the bandage swathing his middle. ] —this.
[ He nods a little, as if affirming that “tingly” is a good thing. It’s better than being in pain, that’s for sure. After that, he just sort of lets things fall quiet. He’s beat, and he imagines Peter is too. They both need some sleep and—
And the soft little nudge at his side draws his attention. He glances over. ]
You don’t have to thank me, Peter. I’d— I’d do anything… for you.
[ That last part comes out quietly, a little embarrassed. It’s a bit much, considering they’ve only just reunited, but it tumbles out all the same. ]
And the soft little nudge at his side draws his attention. He glances over. ]
You don’t have to thank me, Peter. I’d— I’d do anything… for you.
[ That last part comes out quietly, a little embarrassed. It’s a bit much, considering they’ve only just reunited, but it tumbles out all the same. ]
[ The weight of those words fall heavily on him, punching the air from his chest, and Peter falls silent again, licking his lips a little nervously.
At length, all he can manage is another, ]
... Thanks.
[ And his voice is small, though no less grateful. Peter’s just not entirely sure what to do with the significance of those words, with how strongly they resonate with something in him.
Another second of silence and Peter clears his throat softly, giving Charlie another gentle nudge. ]
Rest up. I can take first watch.
At length, all he can manage is another, ]
... Thanks.
[ And his voice is small, though no less grateful. Peter’s just not entirely sure what to do with the significance of those words, with how strongly they resonate with something in him.
Another second of silence and Peter clears his throat softly, giving Charlie another gentle nudge. ]
Rest up. I can take first watch.
[ Ah, that probably was too much, but for once it's something Charlie is willing to let slide. Maybe when their two weeks are up, he can bring it back up when he tells Peter he'd like to stick together. (Because for all that Peter thinks that they need to try this out, Charlie's already decided.)
He does nearly protest Peter taking the first watch, but he's been in here resting while Charlie can feel exhaustion seeping in after throwing around so much magic today. ]
... All right. Wake me if anything happens.
He does nearly protest Peter taking the first watch, but he's been in here resting while Charlie can feel exhaustion seeping in after throwing around so much magic today. ]
... All right. Wake me if anything happens.
(( continued from here! ))
[ Whenever Peter finds her, Mantis will be tucked away and curled up in a nook of a building's facade, just outside of the lodging she had ostensibly ended up in the night prior, with her knees drawn up and her head resting on them. And a sombrero on top of that head.
... It was a rough night.
She had only wanted to have fun. She had never purposefully gone out to have fun before. She took small pleasures in small things as they came by, as they presented themselves to her because she could never go out and find these things herself.
She'll have to try a different approach next time. ]
[ Whenever Peter finds her, Mantis will be tucked away and curled up in a nook of a building's facade, just outside of the lodging she had ostensibly ended up in the night prior, with her knees drawn up and her head resting on them. And a sombrero on top of that head.
... It was a rough night.
She had only wanted to have fun. She had never purposefully gone out to have fun before. She took small pleasures in small things as they came by, as they presented themselves to her because she could never go out and find these things herself.
She'll have to try a different approach next time. ]
[ It's not too hard, finding Mantis, using the picture as a guide. Peter's— pretty sure he remembers the spot, but every now and again, he stops at one of the less seedy-looking kiosks, turns his communicator toward them and asks, "Do you know this place?"
Sometimes, if the mood strikes, he also asks, "Have you seen an awkward kind of a girl in a weird hat?"
The last time he asks, the store clerk snorts and points wordlessly out of the storefront window. Sure enough, there sits a despondent Mantis, curled up and miserable-looking, and Peter breathes a sigh of relief and dashes out.
(He also ignores the clerk's shouted demand for compensation, or that Peter should at least buy something, you giant prick—)
He crosses the street – though first he has to warn off a kid trying to filch his wallet, giving him a pointed glare and waving him away. And, okay, Mantis is new to the whole drinking thing, and maybe Peter should go easy on her, but they're on Knowhere, which is kind of a shithole at the best of times. So when he finally stands in front of her, hands on his hips, the first thing out of his mouth is a sharp, angry, ]
What the hell were you thinking?
Sometimes, if the mood strikes, he also asks, "Have you seen an awkward kind of a girl in a weird hat?"
The last time he asks, the store clerk snorts and points wordlessly out of the storefront window. Sure enough, there sits a despondent Mantis, curled up and miserable-looking, and Peter breathes a sigh of relief and dashes out.
(He also ignores the clerk's shouted demand for compensation, or that Peter should at least buy something, you giant prick—)
He crosses the street – though first he has to warn off a kid trying to filch his wallet, giving him a pointed glare and waving him away. And, okay, Mantis is new to the whole drinking thing, and maybe Peter should go easy on her, but they're on Knowhere, which is kind of a shithole at the best of times. So when he finally stands in front of her, hands on his hips, the first thing out of his mouth is a sharp, angry, ]
What the hell were you thinking?
[ She doesn't need to touch him to know that he's angry. It's all in his voice and, as clueless as she is about-- almost everything, at most times, an angry tone is at least something she recognizes.
But-- somehow, hearing it from Peter and directed at her doesn't seem so scary or upsetting. Should she be upset about it? Because she's heard him sound this way at the others but even then she knows that he cares about them. It-- doesn't feel like the same kind of anger that she's known before. From Ego.
So she doesn't flinch at the way he raises his voice like she might have otherwise. Instead she looks up at him, having to angle her head back quite a bit to be able to see him past the rim of the sombrero, and she offers a quizzical look. ]
I-- don't know. You are angry with me. Is it because I tried to have fun?
But-- somehow, hearing it from Peter and directed at her doesn't seem so scary or upsetting. Should she be upset about it? Because she's heard him sound this way at the others but even then she knows that he cares about them. It-- doesn't feel like the same kind of anger that she's known before. From Ego.
So she doesn't flinch at the way he raises his voice like she might have otherwise. Instead she looks up at him, having to angle her head back quite a bit to be able to see him past the rim of the sombrero, and she offers a quizzical look. ]
I-- don't know. You are angry with me. Is it because I tried to have fun?
Yeah.
[ A beat, as he process that, then his face twists. ]
Wait, no. Yes to the angry. Not to the having—
[ Peter cuts himself off, and he lets out a frustrated noise, rubbing at his brow. ]
I'm mad, because you and Rocket just disappeared, man! We've been looking for you guys everywhere, and you weren't answering your comms. And Knowhere sucks, dude, we told you that.
Literally the first thing out of my mouth. We stepped off the ship and I said, "Mantis, Knowhere sucks. Stick close to us." Why didn't you listen?
[ A beat, as he process that, then his face twists. ]
Wait, no. Yes to the angry. Not to the having—
[ Peter cuts himself off, and he lets out a frustrated noise, rubbing at his brow. ]
I'm mad, because you and Rocket just disappeared, man! We've been looking for you guys everywhere, and you weren't answering your comms. And Knowhere sucks, dude, we told you that.
Literally the first thing out of my mouth. We stepped off the ship and I said, "Mantis, Knowhere sucks. Stick close to us." Why didn't you listen?
Edited 2017-05-06 04:30 (UTC)
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