Charlie: *opens his eyes, and
instantly shuts them again, trying to shut out the light. Turns over and moans
softly, burying his face in the pillow*
Bill: *stirs in his sleep,
arms tightening automatically around Charlie*
Charlie: *realises that the arm around
his waist is Bill's, and turns around completely, resting his head on his
brother's chest, eyes still shut tightly*
Charlie: *exhales deeply, and opens
his eyes cautiously, finding Bill's face only inches away from his*
Charlie: *smiles automatically,
then swallows, his arms going around Bill's shoulders, pulling him close*
Bill: *drifts toward
consciousness, opening his eyes*
Bill: *smiles, murmuring in
a sleep-soaked voice* Morning, love.
Charlie: ... Morning... *voice
catches slightly, and he presses his eyes closed for a moment, a frown crossing
his face* Hmm. Yes. Morning, Bill. *smiles slightly*
Bill: How do you feel?
Charlie: I feel... *swallows, and
rests his head on Bill's shoulder* Bloody hell. I feel terrible. *screws his
eyes shut again*
Bill: *turns his head to
kiss him gently as he reaches blindly for the potion*
Bill: You'll feel better in
a minute.
Charlie: *groans* I doubt it.
Bill: *hands him the phial*
Here. Sit up, Char.
Charlie: *pushes himself up on the pillows,
wincing slightly as his bandages catch, and takes it from him*
Charlie: Thanks. *drinks, and makes
a face at the taste* Damn that's nasty.
Bill: *sits up beside him,
stroking his hair soothingly*
Bill: *kisses his cheek, taking
the empty phial back from him and tossing it onto the bedside table*
Charlie: *sighs, falling back down
onto the pillows*
Charlie: *looks sideways at Bill,
biting his lip as he remembers the night before*
Bill: *trails his hand
lightly down his arm*
Charlie: *quietly* I'm sorry I was
such a twat.
Bill: *slightly sad* It's
all right. But why didn't you tell me you were upset?
Charlie: It was... *shakes his
head* *finally sighs* I don't really want to talk about it. But I'm sorry I
wasn't happier for you. Ruined your big news.
Charlie: *with effort, smiles at
him* Hey. I really am sorry about it.
Bill: *shakes his head* It's
all right. I just... I don't want you to ever feel like you can't talk to me
about how you're feeling. Especially if I'm the one hurting you. I should've
done things differently. Sirius... he's the man I'm going to marry, Charlie.
And I know that that will change things between us. He told me that he doesn't
mind if you and I are ... together, like this, for now, but I know it hurts
him, Char.
Charlie: *nods slowly* Yes, I
imagine it does.
Bill: And I don't want to do
that. I don't want to hurt *anyone*, but someone is going to have to be in this
situation.
Charlie: *looks up at him, biting
his lip* You're a good person, Bill. And I know that you don't like seeing
people get hurt, if you can help it. But, this... *pauses* This is always going
to be... strange. With me, and Sirius.
Bill: *nods, sighing* I
know. I love you, Charlie. I love being with you, and holding you in my arms
and having you inside me. But I can't... we just can't. I always be pulled in
two different directions at the same time until I can't stand it anymore. I
wish you two could get along.
Charlie: *takes a deep breath* I
know, and I - *hesitates, reaching one hand up to brush the hair off Bill's
face*
Charlie: *quietly* I don't have to
be here.
Bill: *hand tightens on him
painfully* *a number of emotions cross his face, until he is able to calm down
a little* *voice is forced calm* You're just going to leave then? Run away,
because things are difficult? *bites his lip, looking away* I knew that this
might happen when I invited you to come here. Not that Siri would propose, but
that it might make things between me and him very complicated. But I asked you
anyway, because I love you, and I need you. And I want you here, in my life.
You left me once before, Charlie, please don't do it again.
Charlie: *sighs* Bill, I'm not running away. I'm not leaving you. I just... you're so happy, and I don't want things to get complicated. I don't want me doing something - anything - that will make this stop being what you want. I don't want to make a mistake, and I don't want to - *takes hold of Bill's hands, squeezing them tight* - make you unhappy. And if you need me here, then I'm HERE.
Bill: *eyes soften* That's
exactly what I need, Charlie. You, here. Siri is my mate, the one person who
loves me the way I need to be loved. But you're everything else to me - my
brother, my best friend, my confidante - and I will always, ALWAYS need you
here. All the years you were in Romania I missed you so much I couldn't
*breathe* sometimes. But now you're here, and I'm not letting you go. Not even
for my mate. Siri just can't take your place.
Charlie: *twines his fingers in
Bill's hair, tugging gently* *quietly* I've missed you, too. Did you know that?
At all? I - I know I haven't been around much, the last few years. But I'm here
now, and I'm going to be with you, as long as you need me.
Bill: Good.
Bill: Because there will
never be a time that I don't need you.
Bill: *strokes his arm*
Charlie: *leans forward to press
his lips against the side of Bill's face, drawing back quickly*
Bill: Mmmm. Shower with me?
Charlie: *pauses, then nods* That sounds good.