InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "I want it to be you."

hopalongcharlie (hopalongcharlie) wrote in finnigans_rpg,
@ 2015-04-22 12:26:00

Entry tags:

character: charlie weasley, character: theodore nott, status: complete

RP: Legs out from under me
Who: Charlie and Theo
What: A small accident
Where: Monument Alley
When: Wednesday 22nd April
Rating: NSFW - Swearing

When Wednesday had dawned a bright day (not that Charlie had been awake to see dawn, but he had discovered it when he woke up) Charlie had decided that it was the day to once ore don his prosthetic in public. He'd worn it a little around the flat over the last couple of days and hadn't felt any discomfort beyond what was normal so it was about time. He'd have to owl Stacey later in the week to ask her when was best to get his photo taken for her book, but for now he'd decided on the long route to the club for his usual bookkeeping duties and had come via a walk down Diagon Alley. He was also planning to call into the bakery and ask if they could set aside a cake for him to share with his staff as a thank you for their extra hard work while he was back on crutches. He'd planned to wave at one of his brothers through the WWW window, maybe pop in and say hi if they weren't busy, but neither could be seen through the window as he passed.

He'd passed a few paused places but bought nothing which would account for the fact that as he turned the corner into Monument Alley he found himself off balance. It was probably just an effect of spending several long weeks on crutches and becoming used to the extra level of support again, but he didn't have time to realise that as he misplaced his prosthetic foot, at an angle one one of the cobbles, and he tried to right himself like the experienced Quidditch player he was. Sadly it was all for naught and with a loud "Shitfuck!" he headed sideways towards the pavement, arms windmilling for balance rather than to protect himself.

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nottfinished
2015-05-06 06:57 pm UTC (link)

Theo was ready to sidealong Charlie if the redhead wanted him to, but he knew what it was like to be vulnerable and unable to do anything about it so he was ready to wait and let Charlie make his own choice about that so that he'd at least have some measure of control; if Charlie wanted to Apparate alone then Theo wasn't going to humilate him by saying he couldn't, even if he was concerned about that spell and Charlie's bad leg.

He was all attention when Charlie spoke and he was nodding before the other had even finished his request, that thing inside him telling him he had to make it up to everyone else for the crimes his dad had committed, for the sin of bearing his father's surname. "No bother." he said easily and then Apparated away immediately with the cut-off scream that was the sound of his Apparition. He appeared next to the club doorway and waited for Charlie to appear, ready to steady him as soon as he did.

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hopalongcharlie
2015-05-06 09:26 pm UTC (link)

Charlie's eyes widened as Theodore apparated away. That was definitely one of the more unique apparition noises he'd heard. He shook his head to clear it and took a breath, making sure to concentrate to the left of the door rather than his usual spot. Securing himself on his good leg he shifted his weight through it, using his prosthetic to propel himself into the spin. It wasn't how he usually apparated these days, but usually his prosthetic was rather more secure than it felt right now.

He appeared moments later, leaving the customary pop-snap behind him, and putting rather more than the advisable amount of weight back into his prosthetic. Thankfully this time he'd been half prepared for it and just shifted his weight back to his other leg with only a slight wobble, appropriate arm flailing included.

He released a breath once stable and smiled at Theodore. "Thank you," he said

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nottfinished
2015-05-07 11:26 pm UTC (link)

Theo had the reflexes of a cat and the instincts of a keyed-up army vet and immediately reached to steady Charlie as soon as he appeared. He managed to make sure that Charlie was on firm footing and not about to fall without touching him too much at the same time and returned the smile he was given when Charlie was right again, giving him some space by stepping back a little. "Not a problem." he said in response, still ready to move if Charlie fell but trying to look like he wasn't. "The leg made it through okay?" he asked, unsure if Apparating with a misaligned prosthetic was as dodgy as it sounded. "Do you want me to get the door for you?" he cringed a little inside as that last one fell out of his mouth, still not meaning to baby Charlie but not wanting him to struggle needlessly either.

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hopalongcharlie
2015-05-08 01:24 pm UTC (link)

Charlie was pretty impressed with Theodore's relfexes, and thankful of the extra stabilisation, even if he could probably have managed without it this time around. The comment about his prosthetic made him blink a little and he shrugged carelessly. "Yeah, I think of it as a part of me, and even with it out of line it's still pretty well strapped on. I've not had any splinching since right near the start, and that was more me thinking of my leg still being there than an actual issue with the fake," he explained.

"Oh, Circe, no, don't," he said, his eyes wide as Theodore offered to get the door. "No, shit, not that I don't appreciate the offer, but my wards are pretty fucking vicious," he said. There were staff who knew how to take them down and put them up for open and close if necessary, but he did it himself the majority of the time and the sweet spot inside the barrier he normally apparated into was keyed only to him. The wards recognised the regular staff too but the magic was generally more accommodating of him.

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nottfinished
2015-05-09 09:13 pm UTC (link)

Theo tried to walk a line between his curiosity about moving around with a prosthetic and respecting Charlie's privacy, so while he soaked up the point of view Charlie was giving him he held himself back from asking anymore questions. He winced at the idea of being splinched though, not wishing that on anyone, epecially not someone already suffering from a missing limb. He lowered his hands which had been up and outspread, awaiting a fall, and started a little bit at the vehement protest Charlie made about his offer.

At first he thought that he'd offended Charlie by asking until the other man elaborated and Theo took a little step away from the door itself. "Oh, sorry." he apologised, partially just out of habit. "Do, do you still want some help, I could wait around?" he offered, unsure.

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hopalongcharlie
2015-05-09 11:22 pm UTC (link)

Charlie shook his head, waving off Theodore's apology. "No, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have snapped, but I really didn't want you to hurt yourself. Dragon-handlers, or former ones in my case, tend not to fuck around when trying to keep people out." Not that he'd actually done all of the warding himself, but he'd called in someone he knew from his previous life who was more specialised and they'd worked something out together that was applicable to a more people-centred environment, but still had the strength and flair of some of the wards he'd known in Romania.

He considered Theodore's offer for a moment, whilst wondering absently if he actually preferred Theo. Not that he was planning to ask, Theodore was how he'd introduced himself after all. "I...no I'm fine now, thank you. There's plenty of wall for me to stay by between the doors and big room, and I'll just summon a chair once I'm through," he said. He'd been tempted to suggest he came in, or maybe even ask him to wait and then buy him a cake in a few minutes when he headed back to the patisserie, but it all seemed like overkill. Although he did seem very concerned...but Charlie mentally shook his head and dismissed the thought. "I assure you, I'll be fine. The wonky leg thing is admittedly a bit fucked up, but I've had this sort of thing happen before." Not often, or recently, but enough, and there hadn't always been someone there to save him.

"Thank you though, very much. I really do appreciate it," he said holding out his hand again.

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nottfinished
2015-05-10 12:09 am UTC (link)

Theo was already protesting that Charlie hadn't snapped when he was derailed by the mention of dragon handlers. He liked animals and dragosn were no exception, his interest immediately piqued by Charlie's former occupation. He still wasn't going to go digging though, especially when Charlie must have other things on his mind. He waited anxiously until Charlie responded and felt strangely disappointed that it wasn't taken up. He still gave Charlie a relieved smile at the fact that he was okay and wasn't familiar enough with Charlie or bold enough as a rule to insist he come in to help.

"If you're sure..." he said, not so much doubtfully as still offering his help. He flinched almost - almost - imperceptibly when Charlie's hand came out, reaching to take it and shake it soon after. He felt weirdly at ease with Charlie, something vague that he hadn't felt since Ernie. "It wasn't a problem." he assured, a little shy and surprised at the gratitude. "I was happy to help. Maybe look into getting that leg charmed differently so that it doesn't happen again?" he suggested, tentatively as he wasn't sure it was his place. "I'm glad it wasn't worse."

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hopalongcharlie
2015-05-10 11:01 am UTC (link)

Charlie smiled, touched that this stranger would care enough to be insistent, but he was a stubborn bugger at times and insistent at his independence. "Yes, I'm sure," he said firmly, but without malice. "I'm a stubborn bugger," he added, slightly amused.

He nodded to the suggestion though. "I should get it checked, but I think it's a combo of a lack of recent practice and just a horrible angle when I fell," he said, stepping across to the door ready to disarm the wards, feeling them prickle across his skin as he stepped within his fold. "Me too," he agreed. "I'll not come around the corner like that again," he said, relaxed and poking fun at himself.

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nottfinished
2015-05-10 02:43 pm UTC (link)

Theo was reassured by that although he was a little alarmed by Charlie's last comment, unsure if he should say anything, too used to people putting on airs and inflating their ego around everyone else to know how to cope with a statement like that. He smiled a little awkwardly and hoped that was okay.

Theo watched Charlie step in towards the door, smart enough not to follow after what he'd been told. "Maybe something that would keep it steady even if you do take another walk over the cobbles?" he suggested mildly. "Then it won't matter how you come round corners."

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hopalongcharlie
2015-05-10 04:19 pm UTC (link)

Charlie struggled for a few seconds to think of a way to explain that there were just some things a prosthetic wouldn't quite do, but since he didn't quite understand it himself he came up blank. "I'll ask them," he said, not managing to sound hopeful. "But honestly I've been on crutches to stop it rubbing my new ink for a few weeks and the balance is different. I'll be used to it again in a few days," he said confidently. He pulled out his wand, flashing a quick half smile at Theodore before turning and beginning to silently dismantle the appropriate wards to allow him inside.

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