IC CONTACT | Mask or Menace

[animated]

"Hey, you've reached Charlie Maxwell. Leave me a message. Or just text me. I might get back to you faster that way."

Comments

[animated]

I came to see you. [ he hopes Peter won't just teleport away. He'd really rather actually have this conversation than avoid the man any longer. ] If you checked your text messages, you might know that.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He glances over at the comm device sitting on the counter next to his Walkman, almost guiltily; he keeps his gaze averted and pulls his hand through his hair. ]

Look, I-- [ His voice cracks, and he stops himself, swallows thickly. ] I'm sorry, okay? I don't-- I don't have anything else I can tell you.

[animated]

Peter... It's okay, really. That wasn't you.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Peter scoffs, pinching the bridge of his nose. ]

It was, though. I remember all of it. I was mad as fuck, and then I pulled a goddamn knife on you--

[ He breaks off again, making a frustrated noise. ]

Just-- I'm sorry. It's all I've got.

[animated]

I watched you, and you were just as confused as I was. The virus or whatever the hell was fucking with you.

Sorry is enough. I forgive you.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He looks up at last, surprised and disbelieving. ]

-- You really shouldn't. I mean, I-- I seriously wanted to kill you.

[animated]

[ he spreads his hands, eyebrows arching ]

Do you want to kill me now?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He almost looks offended. ]

No. Christ, of course not.

[animated]

I rest my case. You felt those things, but they were not your feelings.

I know it's probably a lot more muddled from your perspective, but for me, it's pretty cut and dry. If you really wanted me dead, you wouldn't have jumped off the bridge.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ For a moment or two, Peter just stares at Charlie, like the guy's grown a second head. ]

-- That's seriously it? You forgive me just like that? I tried to friggin' stab you, dude.

[animated]

Peter, I'm a wizard. I have to deal with demons and psychics and ghosts and all sorts of nasty shit. If I dropped my friends every time something that wasn't supposed to be in their heads got in there and messed with them, I'd be very lonely indeed.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ It takes a second, but Peter exhales a quiet laugh. ]

... Guess I know who I'm not gonna visit in their natural habitat.

[animated]

It's not all bad. Sometimes I actually have a day where I don't get interrupted with some kind of crazy supernatural occurrence that needs investigated or researched or whatever.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ The corner of his mouth twitches upward in a wry smile. ]

Oh, wow, a whole day? Don't let yourself get spoiled, there, Maxwell. You'll get lazy.

[animated]

[ He will admit, it's good to see Peter smile. Even if he's only sort of smiling. ]

I know, I know. Heaven forbid.

... So are we cool now?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Peter glances down at the counter again, hand going to the back of his neck. ]

I mean, that's mostly up to you, man, seein' as how you weren't the one who went all Norman Bates.

[animated]

[ He steps up to the counter and offers Peter a hand ]

We're cool.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ There's a bit of a hesitation on Peter's part before he takes Charlie's hand briefly before releasing it and nodding. ]

... Thanks. Not sure I deserve it, but-- thanks.

[animated]

Don't mention it.

Besides, without you, I'd have no one to make pop culture references with.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He actually laughs a little at that. ]

Pretty sure there's, like a world full of people you can pop culture at, bro.

[animated]

But you keep up so well.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He rolls his eyes. ]

Nice to know you're not after me just 'cause of my good looks, or whatever.

[animated]

Nah. Your good looks are just a bonus.

[nostalgiabomb]

Wow. Thanks. I'm pretty sure I've already told you I've got a personality, too.

[ For a second, he kind of-- looks at Charlie, frowning. Then, hesitantly, ]

-- You're-- okay, right? I know I got in a couple of good hits...

[animated]

Few bruises and a bloody nose, but I'm fine. I've had worse.