(Untitled)

[bloody_rockgod]

[ooc: PreMilliways]

Charlie gets right to practising in a quiet corner once he's in the bar. He still looks tired. And possibly in need of a shave.

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[gil_whimple]

Gil smiles to see him and comes across with a tray, collecting empties again.

"Hey there, Charlie, you look sleepy," he says. "Has the baby been keeping you awake?"

[bloody_rockgod]

"Hey," he says warmly. "Welcome back. Was it a good trip?

"Seth's not so bad--he doesn't fuss much even when he does wake up. Just things on my mind.

"Can I--?" He indicates his empty tea cup.

[gil_whimple]

"Of course." Gil hurries to the kitchen and returns with a fresh tea tray. He pours Charlie more tea then sits down. "So - stuff on your mind. Music going well now?"

[bloody_rockgod]

"The music's going pretty good," Charlie says, amused that all he meant was could he put his cup in Gil's tray, but a fresh pot won't be refused by this son of England, oh, no. "Just worrying about Bartleby. You know. Wishing I knew what to do and what's happening to him.

"I'm quite sure everyone's tired of my whinging about it--and if they're not they soon will be," he adds gloomily.

[gil_whimple]

"Oh no - not at all," Gil says. "Of course you want to talk about him. I miss him and - well heck - he's just a friend. I can't begin to imagine how you must be worrying but he will come back Charlie. I really believe that!"

He smiled and touched Charlie's arm. "I'll cook you a special dinner when he does - your choice. What do you think you would both like?"

[bloody_rockgod]

He smiles in appreciation of the reassurance, and says, "Will you kick me if I say bacon?"

[gil_whimple]

Gil laughs. "Of course not. I'll cook you a whole gammon joint if you want one. You know - with the orange and honey crust and parsely sauce for the potatoes. Or it could be just nice crispy rashers done in the frying pan because," he says with a grin, "you can eat bacon sandwiches in bed."

[bloody_rockgod]

Charlie laughs. "That sounds delicious."

His face grows thoughtful and he sips his tea. "I will admit to having daydreams of what it'll be like when he gets back . . . I just don't want to get my hopes too high. The lot of you were so hurt and you were just there a few days. It's been over a month for him. I have no idea what will come back with Bartleby's face, you know what I mean?"

Yes, this is why he's not sleeping at night. Cheery, no?

[gil_whimple]

"Oh, yes," Gil looks thoughtful. "That's true but - but Bartleby's an angel. He's so much stronger than we are. And think about what's happened to the others. David had a horrible time when he got back but now - with Loki the God, he's happy. Lochiel was just plain damn scary for a while but has got a whole new style of magic and also is very happy. Liam was strong to start with and just seems stronger and happier every time I see him. I'm sure only good can come to Bartleby and you even if, at first, he will have to get over what happened to him. You might have to be a bit patient, that's all. And I know you can do that."

[bloody_rockgod]

He smiles at Gil again. "I'm trying," he says quietly.

[gil_whimple]

"You're doing brilliantly," Gil says. "You've been there for everyone who needed you. David and Liam and Claire and little Seth. And when Bartleby comes back you'll be there for him too."

[ooc: sorry, I've lost my notifications and LJ is playing up for me]

[bloody_rockgod]

"I hope so." He shakes his head. "It's just scary, what my imagination's been coming up with. Every time I think of something terrible and decide I can handle it, then I think of something worse."

[ooc: no problem, notifications have been wonky for me too]

[gil_whimple]

"Oh these creative types!!" Gil says. "Imaginations are what set people like you far above the rest of us. You can imagine and make wonderful music. I suppose that imagining the worst is the downside of that. Oh, Charlie, I wish I could do something or say something that would make it all better."

[bloody_rockgod]

"I guess it is about taking the bad with the good," Charlie says thoughtfully. "I even asked Aziraphael if he knew anybody in Purgatory--fell apart on him a bit, in fact. Poor bloke. Probably thinks I'm mental."

[gil_whimple]

"I think that if anyone would understand about love it would be Aziraphael," Gil said. "He wouldn't judge you like that, I'm sure. Not that I've ever spoken to him myself, of course."

[bloody_rockgod]

"People can be very kind even while thinking you're mental," Charlie says a bit more cheerfully. "The insane are supposed to be touched by God, after all."