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[ He falls quiet for a few moments, listening as well. He imagines that Peter’s old team probably ran themselves ragged for a while chasing nothing, but they probably realized by now that they’d been tricked somehow. Charlie vaguely wonders how many of them know about Peter’s Mark. Maybe they’d be inclined to blame that for the reason he apparently vanished into thin air.
Who knows? But he does hope he and Peter left too little to mark their passing to be followed out here for now. ]
I don’t know. I should have asked, but where even are we?
Who knows? But he does hope he and Peter left too little to mark their passing to be followed out here for now. ]
I don’t know. I should have asked, but where even are we?
Quaint little place called Milden. [ The corner of his mouth quirks up in a small smile. ] Farming community, mostly, pretty far from the trade roads. Barely worth being here, to tell you the truth. Pretty sure even the workhorses don’t wanna be here, but I was supposed to meet someone for a job.
[ And the amusement leaves him as he heaves out a breath. ]
Setup, obviously.
[ And the amusement leaves him as he heaves out a breath. ]
Setup, obviously.
[ Peter offers a humorless little smile in return, standing in place of a verbal agreement. ]
Should’ve seen this coming. [ Flatly, with an edge of irritation. ] Should’ve known those bastards were bound to catch up with me.
[ he brings up a hand to scrub at his face, but he frowns at the dried blood stuck to his skin and thinks better of it, letting his hand drop back to his lap. He tries to scrape it off with his nails ]
Can’t imagine this was the kinda day you had planned.
Should’ve seen this coming. [ Flatly, with an edge of irritation. ] Should’ve known those bastards were bound to catch up with me.
[ he brings up a hand to scrub at his face, but he frowns at the dried blood stuck to his skin and thinks better of it, letting his hand drop back to his lap. He tries to scrape it off with his nails ]
Can’t imagine this was the kinda day you had planned.
Hey.
[ Charlie heaves a sigh, plucking up the rag he’d used earlier as he hauls himself forward. He manages to find a clean edge of the cloth, and he takes Peter’s hand in his, running the cloth over the dried smears of blood. ]
I told you already, I didn’t have to answer that whistle. I’m here because I wanted to be, so stop trying to apologize.
[ Charlie heaves a sigh, plucking up the rag he’d used earlier as he hauls himself forward. He manages to find a clean edge of the cloth, and he takes Peter’s hand in his, running the cloth over the dried smears of blood. ]
I told you already, I didn’t have to answer that whistle. I’m here because I wanted to be, so stop trying to apologize.
[ He goes rigid as Charlie moves in close again, resisting for a brief second as Charlie takes hold of his hand. His mouth goes dry for a second as he studies Charlie, surprised, before he manages to school his expression back into something a little more neutral. His gaze drops to their hands again, watching as Charlie wipes away the almost brown splotches stuck to his palms. ]
Who’s apologizing?
[ Peter. Peter was apologizing. Again. Or was trying to, until Charlie interrupted him. He licks his lips, fidgeting a little without pulling his hand away. ]
So. [ A little awkwardly, but he needs the topic change before “sorry” slips from his lips again. ] Apothecary, huh?
Who’s apologizing?
[ Peter. Peter was apologizing. Again. Or was trying to, until Charlie interrupted him. He licks his lips, fidgeting a little without pulling his hand away. ]
So. [ A little awkwardly, but he needs the topic change before “sorry” slips from his lips again. ] Apothecary, huh?
Yeah.
[ Softly, as he keeps his eyes on their hands. He could point out that Peter was the one trying to apologize, but it’s clear this is an attempt at a subject change. ]
I kind of stumbled into it. I found this little village and the kids— they were all sick. I stuck around to help out and just sort of didn't leave.
[ Softly, as he keeps his eyes on their hands. He could point out that Peter was the one trying to apologize, but it’s clear this is an attempt at a subject change. ]
I kind of stumbled into it. I found this little village and the kids— they were all sick. I stuck around to help out and just sort of didn't leave.
Didn’t know you knew that kinda stuff.
[ More observation than anything. ]
Must be doin’ a good job of it, if you’ve been there all this time.
[ More observation than anything. ]
Must be doin’ a good job of it, if you’ve been there all this time.
I picked up a few things from my family's books. Enough to get by until I could get my hands on more books.
[ Satisfied that Peter's palm is clean, he moves on to the next one. ]
I'm still not as good as someone who's been doing it for years and years, but I haven't managed to kill anyone.
[ Satisfied that Peter's palm is clean, he moves on to the next one. ]
I'm still not as good as someone who's been doing it for years and years, but I haven't managed to kill anyone.
[ This time he doesn't resist when Charlie takes his other hand – he offers it freely, even, something odd fluttering in his stomach for it. ]
Most folks will take what they can get.
[ A pause, and with an almost awkward touch of sincerity, ]
Nice to hear you're doing something good.
Most folks will take what they can get.
[ A pause, and with an almost awkward touch of sincerity, ]
Nice to hear you're doing something good.
[ He scrubs at Peter's hand for a few moments, a quiet little smile curving his lips. ]
It was nice, yeah.
[ His gaze flicks up, and he catches Peter's gaze, and it really hits him just how close they are. How much he's missed Peter. How terrified he'd been of losing him, which ultimately spurred his decision to part ways in the first place.
A year and half might be a long time, but there wasn't a day that he didn't miss this, miss Peter. ]
... Lonely, though.
[ It comes out much quieter than he intends it to. ]
It was nice, yeah.
[ His gaze flicks up, and he catches Peter's gaze, and it really hits him just how close they are. How much he's missed Peter. How terrified he'd been of losing him, which ultimately spurred his decision to part ways in the first place.
A year and half might be a long time, but there wasn't a day that he didn't miss this, miss Peter. ]
... Lonely, though.
[ It comes out much quieter than he intends it to. ]
[ He licks his lips, almost frozen in place by the weight of Charlie's eyes on his – that shade of blue that had always struck him as uniquely Charlie. It's been over year, which is hardly any time, if he's honest, but more than enough to feel like ages.
And despite the hellish conditions of those six months together, staying one step ahead of the far-reaching hands of Charlie's family, Peter can comfortably say those six months were probably the most content he's ever been. ]
... I missed you.
[ The words tumble out before he can stop them. A combination of blood loss, exhaustion, and how terribly jarring it was to have his past catch up with him, tampering with his ability to keep his mouth shut. Or at least, that's the excuse he'll probably give later.
And the thought gains momentum, tumbling like an avalanche. ]
I never wanted you to go in the first place. I wanted to ask you to stay, you know? [ Only a little above a whisper, guilt in his voice like he's admitting to some all but forgotten crime. His gaze drops to their joined hands. ]
I thought— I thought we had a decent thing going. I wanted to see where it led us, but I just— didn't want to be another asshole who forced you into something you didn't want to do. So when you said— when you said you wanted to leave...
[ And he trails off lamely, shoulders hunching up a little. ]
And despite the hellish conditions of those six months together, staying one step ahead of the far-reaching hands of Charlie's family, Peter can comfortably say those six months were probably the most content he's ever been. ]
... I missed you.
[ The words tumble out before he can stop them. A combination of blood loss, exhaustion, and how terribly jarring it was to have his past catch up with him, tampering with his ability to keep his mouth shut. Or at least, that's the excuse he'll probably give later.
And the thought gains momentum, tumbling like an avalanche. ]
I never wanted you to go in the first place. I wanted to ask you to stay, you know? [ Only a little above a whisper, guilt in his voice like he's admitting to some all but forgotten crime. His gaze drops to their joined hands. ]
I thought— I thought we had a decent thing going. I wanted to see where it led us, but I just— didn't want to be another asshole who forced you into something you didn't want to do. So when you said— when you said you wanted to leave...
[ And he trails off lamely, shoulders hunching up a little. ]
[ Gamora looks in on him from the doorway, offering a small knock against the frame to get his attention. ]
Quill.
[ Of course, she also doesn't wait for permission before stepping into his room, instead holding up the painkillers and water. ]
You should take these.
Quill.
[ Of course, she also doesn't wait for permission before stepping into his room, instead holding up the painkillers and water. ]
You should take these.
[ Peter’s words hit him like a punch in the gut, the guilt in his tone causing the same to rise in the back of Charlie’s throat like bile, sour and sharp. He had convinced himself of a lot of things while they were apart, namely that it was better this way. It was better for Peter not to have to deal with the burden of keeping Charlie alive and safe.
In truth, Charlie had been scared. Scared of what something happening to Peter would do to him. He couldn’t bear that sorrow after Robert’s death, he couldn’t, and so he decided to run away once more.
His grip on Peter’s hand tightens. ]
Gods, Peter. I’m so sorry. I didn’t even know… I— I thought—
No, that’s a lie. I convinced myself that when you didn’t say anything that you wanted to end this. It made the decision hurt less. It made it easier to turn tail and run. I was being selfish and stupid, because I didn’t want to be responsible if something happened.
I’ve spent a lot of time trying to sort myself out, and I’m… okay, mostly. Getting there, anyway, but I do know that I never really wanted to leave you behind.
I’m sorry.
In truth, Charlie had been scared. Scared of what something happening to Peter would do to him. He couldn’t bear that sorrow after Robert’s death, he couldn’t, and so he decided to run away once more.
His grip on Peter’s hand tightens. ]
Gods, Peter. I’m so sorry. I didn’t even know… I— I thought—
No, that’s a lie. I convinced myself that when you didn’t say anything that you wanted to end this. It made the decision hurt less. It made it easier to turn tail and run. I was being selfish and stupid, because I didn’t want to be responsible if something happened.
I’ve spent a lot of time trying to sort myself out, and I’m… okay, mostly. Getting there, anyway, but I do know that I never really wanted to leave you behind.
I’m sorry.
[ He adjusts his hand, turning it palm down to wrap around Charlie's hand, easing his grip a little. ]
It's fine. Seriously. [ He tries for a small smile. ] We probably both needed some perspective on this, huh?
It's fine. Seriously. [ He tries for a small smile. ] We probably both needed some perspective on this, huh?
[ He makes a petulant sort of noise at the back of his throat, not moving from his position. He croaks out, ]
That means I need to sit up.
Pass.
That means I need to sit up.
Pass.
[ He huffs a small laugh, though there’s not much humor in it. ]
I guess so.
[ His eyes flick to their hands. For the second time in as many minutes, it strikes him just how close they are. Something in his chest flutters, steals his words for the space of a few breaths. After a moment’s hesitation, he drags his gaze back upward. ]
Peter— I owe you so much. I never— I don’t want to leave you again.
I guess so.
[ His eyes flick to their hands. For the second time in as many minutes, it strikes him just how close they are. Something in his chest flutters, steals his words for the space of a few breaths. After a moment’s hesitation, he drags his gaze back upward. ]
Peter— I owe you so much. I never— I don’t want to leave you again.
[ Gamora sighs, unimpressed but not surprised, and she steps up to the side of his bed to give him a nudge with her knee. ]
Just for a moment, and then you can go back to... [ she waves a vague hand at him with the water bottle. ] ... being horizontal.
[ And for good measure, he gets another little nudge to encourage him upright. ]
Just for a moment, and then you can go back to... [ she waves a vague hand at him with the water bottle. ] ... being horizontal.
[ And for good measure, he gets another little nudge to encourage him upright. ]
C'mon. Don't say that.
[ Even if something warm tightens around his lungs – some odd little feeling of hope he hasn't allowed himself to feel in a long time. ]
You're not gonna just ditch that little village of yours, right?
[ Even if something warm tightens around his lungs – some odd little feeling of hope he hasn't allowed himself to feel in a long time. ]
You're not gonna just ditch that little village of yours, right?
[ And once again, he makes no move to sit up, though he does part the fingers of the hand covering his eyes to flash her a dour glare. ]
Quit that.
[ The nudging. ]
Quit that.
[ The nudging. ]
[ Peter lets out a breath, grappling with that feeling of hope that tries to burst in his chest. ]
Why don't we just— we'll focus on getting you back there, alright? Then you can make your decisions.
Why don't we just— we'll focus on getting you back there, alright? Then you can make your decisions.
[ The bluntness of it startles him, rendering him briefly speechless. But he finds his voice, as he almost always does; it never tends to scatter too far away, even at the worst of times. ]
This is— me trying to be practical, because decisions made in the middle of nowhere while sitting in a giant log probably aren't the soundest.
This is— me trying to be practical, because decisions made in the middle of nowhere while sitting in a giant log probably aren't the soundest.
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