#-v:tbd-

The drink in his hand was quickly going forgotten. Then again it had just been something to have to do with his hands. A New Years' party wasn't out of his wheelhouse, but coming alone was a little different than his normal approach.

every part of him wanted to scream and yell that he knew that. not at her, but out to the world. that her ever-present smile and support was nothing short of a miracle in his life. it was unlike anything he thought he could find or deserved. it wasn't self-hatred, but not many could hope or expect a star in the palm of their hand. "i...i know," his breath heaved and he just tried to shake off the sudden explosions of emotions. it was always like this here. the neutral exterior would always melt at the sight of the gravestone. the even tone would always crack and break as charlie read the years on the slate of stone. "sorry to bring you out here to...to this, like this. let me just...-" there's another crack in his voice and tears were already falling.

"hold on- i have an idea," the two of them were sunbathing just after skating. it was time for a bit of a cool off in the grass. just so happened that they stopped just by a wildflower patch. so with emma next to him, a notion had struck. grabbing a nearby flower, he very gently touched it to her forehead. "tickle?"

"i thought it'd be fitting to get something to harken back to how we first started talking. more or less." plus she had mentioned wanting to start collecting records. so there's a small stack of records in his arms. ones he remembered her saying she enjoyed and a few of suggestion types thrown. then there's a refill of her day to day perfume, something easy and regular. finally a white denim jacket. blank. "like mine. you know, but in white. so you can decorate it too. i can show you how," he is handing her box after box and explaining as she discovers the gifts for her.

"if you're admitting it, then we're seriously in it for it. -go on then. hit me with it."

he ran a hand through dark, messy hair and loosened the black tie around a white collar. professional looking- just in case someone who wasn't on the up and up happened to spot him. beneath the suit were all sorts of accoutrement to help with whatever way this job went. and if the rumors were true, this was very likely to go south. "bloody- always so descriptive," charlie whispered to himself and stepped through the boundary of the door to the school and into the dark, no flashlight drawn. yet.

"tell you what- you tell me and i'll try and fix it. key word, try. it likes to stick up where it wants to," cue a hand through his messy dark hair and making it stand up more.

"is...is that my jacket?" a pause. a face of thought. "it looks good on you. go for it. but beware the gatekeepers asking you to name three songs for each band or some such crock."