milliways_bar OOM: Vegas, baby.

[bloodyrockgod]

Las Vegas.

At certain times of day the Strip appears nearly deserted; at others, cars move a crawl and the sidewalks are packed with people looking for an endless variety of a good time.

It's never cold in Las Vegas--it's just varying degrees of hot. The grand hotels cast shadows and there are fountains up and down the Strip, though few are intended to cool off the tourists as much as amuse them. There are few places to just sit and watch the city go past: the intention is to bring you inside, to gamble and shop and take in a show or two.

It's a strange city, of long nights and slow days, and there's a nervy sort of energy brought by vast amounts of money changing hands, of celebrities getting away for a wild night, of lives changing with a roll of the dice.

It's a perfect city, though, for a pair of dreamers to celebrate each other. Whether they take the High Octane option of Charlie's plans or the Lazy Day option, it's good just to be here, together.

Comments

[qsilver-lab-rat.livejournal.com]

"Haven't been here for a while, Charl."

He looks out on the city before turning to the most important thing in it.

"Looks even better than the last time."

[bloodyrockgod]

"I did my Christmas shopping here with Jack," Charlie says, squeezing his hand. "He knows all the cool stores.

"Where do you want to go first?"

The whole of the Strip is below them, every towering hotel and cheesy wedding chapel.

[qsilver-lab-rat.livejournal.com]

He leans close to Charlie.

"Well, I was thinking of nibbling on your earlobes before..."

He grins, sly and happy and amused.

"I don't know. You have any plans?"

[bloodyrockgod]

Said ears turn a little pink.

"I have a few--they can be separate or combined or ignored entirely. We can go to a couple of casinos and gamble for a while, and maybe a bar or a dance club later, like at the Hard Rock. That's the high-energy one.

"Or, we can go to the water park and get sunburnt, have a nice supper at one of the big hotels and then see a show--I was thinking Zumanity.

"Or we can wander around like tourists and see what the city brings us."

[qsilver-lab-rat.livejournal.com]

He smiles at Charlie.

"Casino?"

He's bouncing.

[bloodyrockgod]

"That sounds like my answer." He beams and pulls Darien by both hands down the sidewalk. "Which one, is the other question. I like the Bellagio best but the MGM Grand is a lot of fun without being stuffy, and the Luxor has all the kitcshy Egyptian stuff going for it."

[qsilver-lab-rat.livejournal.com]

He looks to Charlie and nods to the strip.

"Where'd you book us, babe? Any place sounds good to me."

[bloodyrockgod]

"The Bellagio--with a view of the fountains."

[qsilver-lab-rat.livejournal.com]

He nods.

"Then let's do the Bellagio. The better to haul the money."

Beam.

[bloodyrockgod]

"Darien," Charlie says as they start walking up the Strip, "what exactly are you planning for the casino?"

[qsilver-lab-rat.livejournal.com]

Innocent puppy face.

"Just a little fun. Nothing, uh...we're going to get caught doing."

[bloodyrockgod]

Charlie gives him a sidelong look, then laughs and squeezes his hand. "Fine, fine . . . just don't make me wish we'd gone for the waterslide option."

[qsilver-lab-rat.livejournal.com]

The innocent puppy face isn't going away.

"I won't. Just, uh, don't be surprised if you get a lucky streak."

[bloodyrockgod]

More eyebrow. "I'll do my best."

The fountains were running in front of the hotel in perfect syncronicity to a tenor singing in Italian. There were crowds leaning against the marble railings between the fountains and the front entry to the Bellagio, and Charlie squeezed them through to watch the water for a few minutes and let the spray cool them.

[qsilver-lab-rat.livejournal.com]

He runs his nose against the line of Charlie's jaw near the ear and kisses just below.

"You're amazing."

[bloodyrockgod]

"I'm lucky," Charlie murmurs and looks up at him. "I've got you, and we've got this . . ." He has more to say, but can't for a moment.

He smiles and watches the water again.

[qsilver-lab-rat.livejournal.com]

A kiss.

And then he's looking straight at Charlie.

"Can we go make ridiculous amounts of money?"

[bloodyrockgod]

"Yes," Charlie says indulgently, and leads them across the front drive to the lobbey.

"Check in first or stick it to the man first?"

[qsilver-lab-rat.livejournal.com]

He seems to be alone. Is that an answer?"

[bloodyrockgod]

Charlie shakes his head a little and takes out some of the cash Jack loaned him, and heads for a roulette table.

At least he's not the worst-dressed person there, though the croupier gives him a skeptical look when he asks for hundred-dollar chips.

"Just playing the game," he murmurs, hoping Darien is nearby.

[qsilver-lab-rat.livejournal.com]

"Right here, baby. Can't go wrong."

[bloodyrockgod]

Charlie nods shortly as if thinking to himself, and places a few chips on 20. He bites his nails as the wheel spins.

[qsilver-lab-rat.livejournal.com]

The man at the wheel gives him an eyebrow before setting it to spin, watching as the ball skitters and spins. It looks as if it might end up in the 45...before popping over into the 20 slot as it stops.

[bloodyrockgod]

Charlie whoops and claps his hands, laughing, and then remembers where he is and puts on his most dignifed smile. "Excellent," he says, beaming. "Let it ride."

[qsilver-lab-rat.livejournal.com]

A few more spins and Charlie wins.

And wins.

And wins.

And there's a soft chuckle in Charlie's ear.