(Untitled)

[headofaccounts]

The last time Pete Campbell was engaged, he hadn't had much of a hand in arranging the wedding that followed. As he stands in front of the bookshelf now, he can't say that he thinks it was much of a loss. He isn't complaining, not when there are still butterflies flitting around in his stomach, but the sheer volume of titles on the shelves (Wedding

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[little_moons]

Picking up a bridal magazine off the table beside him, where he's surrounded by similar books and planning guides, I look toward the bookcase, finding the shelves still lined with the same.

"Not real subtle, huh?" I say, sitting on the arm of his chair and flipping open the magazine to a spread on flower arrangements.

[headofaccounts]

For a single instant, Pete just looks confused, but as soon as he's recognized Neil (it's just the matter of a split second), he's grinning in a manner that can only really be described as sheepish.

"Not really," he agrees, closing the book he's currently going through.

"Although I don't think the bookshelf ever is."

[little_moons]

Sometimes, he's kind of adorable, in that giant toddler sort of way, which is pretty fuckin' hilarious, considering he's got like seven or so years on me. This is one of those times, and I choke out a laugh, the magazine hanging open and forgotten in my hands.

"You got somethin' you wanna tell me?" I say with a teasing grin.

[headofaccounts]

That prompts a laugh from Pete, who leans back in his chair, head cocking slightly to one side.

"Actually, there is something I wanted to ask you," he replies, letting the statement hang in the air for a single moment before continuing on. (There hadn't been any question in his head as to who he'd pick for the task. Asking now, despite the significance, just seemed natural.)

"I was wondering if you'd care to be my best man."

[sal_romano]

The bookshelf and Sal are already fast acquaintances. They might have had a bit of a rocky start - he's not sure what he was supposed to make of interior design books when one was, after all, on an island. The selection of antiques and pieces with personal meaning were somewhat limited, but the shelf itself seemed to want to be helpful. After he'd passed over all of those, he'd begun to find classics and philosophers tucked in where he happened to glance.

He's used to there being other occupants in the room, usually reading, so he's already tucked his copy of The Magnificent Ambersons back in between several other classic titles before the other occupant registers fully. He almost startles badly enough to drop the copy of Heart of Darkness his hand had settled on in brief amused irony

[headofaccounts]

Pete almost doesn't register that he's being spoken to, not unless all three words have left Sal's mouth. He doesn't look up immediately, instead offering up a slight laugh (the voice is familiar and for the moment he doesn't consider that significance) and the response of, "Hopefully. I'm engaged, anyway."

That said, he looks up, and within the next handful of beats, a myriad of expressions pass over his face. It's been two years since he arrived on the island, and since then he's seen absolutely no familiar faces, coming or going. When he sees Sal, the first look on his face is one of simple familiarity. He recognizes the other man. The next look is one of utter shock. He knows Sal, and not from the island. From home.

But that shock is soon replaced with a sort of happiness again, his grin spreading from ear to ear.

"Sal?" Books forgotten, Pete gets to his feet, incredulity clear in his voice. "Sal! My god, how long have you been here?"

[sal_romano]

The moment of hesitation gives Salvatore a chance to look a bit less stricken, which he’s not entirely sure is an appropriate reaction to meeting an old friend. There’s no question, when Pete looks up, that this could be a look-alike, or a close reflection, or however it was they explained those occurrences here