(Untitled)

[anotherlifebro]

[ OOM: Desmond tries to fight destiny, but that's always been a futile exercise. Spoilers for Lost S3 finale. ]The front door opens and a man falls through, backwards, hands flying out to catch himself. He does, but only on the floor; he hurts his hands and wrists considerably, winces, and sits there for a few seconds to recover

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[youalleverybody]

[[ooc: for great slowtime, in about half an hour]

He's got two people to find, though he may not know it. The man sitting with a baby on his knee, a little further down the bar, glances over and frowns.

"You all right, mate?"

[anotherlifebro]

"Aye," Desmond lies, returning the glance, because you never say no to that sort of question.

"Just been a bad day."

[youalleverybody]

"Looks like it", Liam says sympathetically. "Need a drink or something?"

The ring on his hand (not his wedding ring) may catch Desmond's attention. He's seen one like it before.

[anotherlifebro]

There's certainly something familiar about him -- but Desmond can't place it, isn't trying to.

He nods, though, then hesitates and says, "Coffee, brother. Better avoid anything stronger for now."

[youalleverybody]

"Coffee it is", Liam says easily. "Bar, you know how he takes it?"

[anotherlifebro]

She does, and Desmond turns to pick up the mug; he nods gratefully, but doesn't quite manage a smile.

"Thanks," he says, and sips tbe coffee slowly, appreciating the warmth. "--Desmond, by the way."

[youalleverybody]

"Liam", is the still-concerned answer, though it's only mild concern. One stranger to a wet and possibly distressed other. "You're welcome."

[anotherlifebro]

Desmond nods politely again and sips more coffee; his gaze drifts back to the door.

He has a sudden thought and looks back at Liam. "You wouldn't happen to know someone called Darien, would you?"

It's unlikely, given the number of people he knows pass through Milliways, but he's got to start somewhere.

[youalleverybody]

Liam blinks, and coincidence has been cancelled.

"Yeah, he's... my brother-in-law. Why?"

[anotherlifebro]

"Your--"

For the first time, Desmond's actually concentrating on Liam now (and that ring, it does seem awfully familiar). Darien is -- was -- Charlie's husband, he remembers that, but -- no.

"You're not related to Charlie Pace, are you?"

[youalleverybody]

"I don't know anything for certain. I just . . . old men have seen visions and young men have dreamed dreams, as the saying goes. Though Desmond's not really old . . . he's a bloke from the island. And he . . . he's seen me die a bunch of times in a lot of different ways, and he's always managed to save me. But someday he might not be there, yeah?

"So . . . I just want to be prepared."

"He's my brother", Liam said quietly. "And he talked to me, a few days ago. Desmond, you said?"

[anotherlifebro]

"Aye," Desmond says, and swallows. He's not sure how to do this. How do you?

"Your brother -- did he tell you about me? About what I saw?"

[youalleverybody]

"He did. He was trying to put a good face on it, but... it's happened. Hasn't it."

He's dead.

Liam's completely calm, at least for now. It helps that he's been half-expecting this for days.

[anotherlifebro]

Desmond doesn't look down, and he doesn't look away.

"Yes," he says quietly. "He switched off a machine that was blockin' communications from the island, maybe saved us all ... an' he drowned. I'm sorry," he adds, and bites down on the brother he almost included by reflex.

[youalleverybody]

Liam half-smiles, painfully.

"He wanted to die for a reason." Beat. "So you can all go home now?"

[anotherlifebro]

"Aye," Desmond says, trying to keep his tone optimistic.

(not penny's boat)

"We can communicate now with a satellite phone, and--" His expression lightens a little, genuinely. "--my girlfriend knows I'm alive. That the island exists. Charlie spoke to her."