Chapter Text
Charlie opened the message from his realtor, his nerves tingling with anticipation.
“Congratulations! The seller has accepted your offer…”
“Oh my god!” He squealed. “I’m going to have my own little cottage!”
Next to him, Ada’s head popped up, irritated by the interruption. She glared at him from her nest of blankets.
“You’re gonna love it, I promise! You’ll even have your own little yard.”
Ada sighed and laid her chin back on her paws. Charlie scratched her ears, chuckling. She yawned and settled back in for a nap.
He still wasn’t sure how he’d arrived at this moment. Three months ago he would have never considered moving back to the little town in northern Washington where his family had relocated when he was 14. Port Townsend was beautiful, but it was so small. Sure, his family had been trying to get him to return for years, especially since he lost James. But he loved LA, loved the sunshine and the warmth. He also liked the independence he had here without his mom weighing in on every decision. However, his trip home also made him realize how lonely he felt.
He’d taken his annual trip home for Christmas, staying a few weeks split between his parent’s and his sister’s. He knew they’d pressure him like usual, but he never let it bother him. However, it felt different this time. He missed them so much, especially his sister, who had recently settled there. Earlier that year, she and Michael had bought a house. He never thought she’d actually do it, but with her putting down roots there, the draw home felt stronger.
On Christmas morning, Michael had given him a ridiculous tshirt that proclaimed in rainbow bright letters: “Guncle: Like an uncle only more fabulous.” Michael bounced with childlike glee as he watched Charlie unwrap it, while Tori looked on and rolled her eyes in fond amusement. When Tori confirmed that they were expecting a baby in the summer, he felt a shift inside him, a deep urge to be there for his sister, to be an uncle and actually be involved in this child’s life. Hell, he’d even wear the hideous shirt when he was with his nibling.
He was also surprised to find he actually missed Port Townsend itself. Sure, he sometimes missed the crisp fresh air, the smell of pine and evergreen after rain. The waterfront and the view of the Olympic Mountains and Mt Rainier on a clear day still took his breath away, but this time, it left an ache.
He found himself daydreaming about moving back, spending more time with his family. Honestly, the first time it happened, he thought he might be losing his mind. He’d called Elle to talk some sense into him, but instead, she’d told him she understood the feeling. She thought it might be a good move for him, which frankly stunned him.
Elle and Tao had moved back to Washington two years before, settling on Bainbridge Island, where she worked at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art as an Assistant Curator. Tao’s job as a film critic allowed him to work from anywhere, especially with Seattle so close by.
“You’d be so much closer!” Elle squeaked. “It’s barely an hour and a half. We could have weekend sleepovers!” Charlie had to admit, that sounded amazing.
On the last day of his visit, he’d driven past the old coffeeshop where he worked for his last two years of high school. He had such fond memories of the place. Sarah, his boss, had been the best. Kind and caring, she made her employees feel like part of a family. It didn’t hurt that her son, Nick, also worked there. He was the cutest boy Charlie had ever seen, but he was also kind like Sarah, and Charlie spent those two years half in love with him. He knew there was no point since Nick was a straight football jock, but he flirted with him nevertheless, and Nick played along, good-naturedly teasing back through his ever present blush.
Charlie didn’t know if Nick or Sarah still lived in town. He’d gone so far as to park downtown and walk in front of the cafe, but when he peeked through the window, he saw a man who looked suspiciously like a grown-up version of Nick. He was in conversation with a woman, his head tipped back with laughter. The man took his breath away with his tall, fit physique and close-cropped auburn beard over deliciously rosy cheeks. His shirt clung to his wide chest and strong arms. When the man noticed him, he paused mid-conversation, sucking in a breath, his honey brown eyes narrowed and focused on Charlie. Definitely Nick. Those eyes had lived in his dreams for years. Charlie panicked and walked away as quickly as he could, ducking into a store a few doors down, his heart pounding.
He’d returned to LA as planned, but he couldn’t stop thinking about home, and his future nibling, and how much he wanted to be in their life. He would have to start over there, but he’d have a family who loved him, and he could build a new future, even if it was different than what he’d originally planned. To be honest, his life now wasn’t exactly what he’d planned either, so the big change felt like less of a risk. And fuck him, he also couldn’t stop thinking about how good Nick looked. The man had really filled out.
He’d loved his husband, but things hadn’t turned out the way he’d dreamed. Even before he lost him, he had started to lose him. Still, one love was more than some people found in a lifetime. He didn’t fool himself into thinking it could happen again. But it didn’t stop him from dreaming about finding love–the kind of love where someone saw all of you completely and brought out the best version of yourself.
Next thing he knew, his mom and sister were helping him look for a little place of his own, taking tours and facetiming him so he could see places with them. Now, he was officially under contract for a little place of his own–which he’d nicknamed Spring Cottage the moment he saw it–and he had a move date on the calendar!
He returned his attention to the message on his screen, typing up a reply to his realtor.
“That’s amazing! Let me know the next steps. Thanks again.”
🍂
The drive had been long, and he’d broken it up over three days. Tori had offered to fly down and drive up with him, but he didn’t want to put that on her, not when she had so much else to do. Besides, he’d entertained himself alternating listening to his favorite albums and his favorite gay hockey series. On his last night in LA, he’d seen one of his favorite singers, Conan Gray, in concert, so he was back to being obsessed with his catalog of music.
When he finally arrived at Tori’s house, he stumbled out of the car, road weary and relieved to finally reach his destination. He was staying with her a couple weeks, camped out in the baby’s future nursery, until he closed on his home.
He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. The crisp fresh scent of sea air and greenery filled his lungs, familiar and comforting. Home.
When he opened his eyes, he was startled to find Tori there.
“Charles.”
“Jesus, Tori.” He laughed, clutching his chest. “How do you still do that?” He hugged her, feeling even more settled. He knew instinctively that he’d made the right choice. He was where he was meant to be now.
The next few days kept him busy as he half-settled into his temporary abode. He met with the realtor and the bank to get everything in order for closing. Then, following an introduction from Michael–who seemed to know everyone–he interviewed with the owner of a local bookshop, a sweet older lesbian woman who was looking for a manager to take over so she could enjoy partial retirement. They hit it off immediately, bonding over the large selection of queer literature she had curated. She offered him the job on the spot. Charlie couldn’t believe how everything was slotting into place.
However, Michael had conveniently forgotten to mention that the bookstore sat next door to his old coffeeshop. He’d been back home a week and kept himself busy enough to avoid thinking about the possibility that Nick might live here too. Mostly. If you didn’t count when he searched for him on social media. The pictures of Nick muddy on the field were well worth the snoop, but he didn’t post very often, and there were no clues as to his location.
As Charlie left the bookstore, he tried to calm his nerves, taking a few deep breaths. The cafe looked inviting, and he really did want a treat to celebrate his new job offer. He was just another customer. Anyway, just because he saw Nick there in December, it didn’t mean anything. He could’ve been visiting for the holiday too.
This was silly. It was just a coffeeshop. Charlie shook out his nerves. Pulling his shoulders back, he opened the door confidently. He walked up to the counter, glancing at the pastries behind the glass case. A moment later, a man stepped out from the kitchen in the back, wiping his hands on a towel. “Sorry about that…” He froze, his words trailing off.
Charlie looked up into the wide brown eyes that had haunted him for months. Nick cleared his throat and smiled. Charlie couldn’t tell if Nick remembered him.
“Hi.” Charlie smiled shyly.
“Hi!” Nick’s cheeks had turned a lovely shade of pink. “Uh, what can I get for you?”
“I don’t know if you remember me—”
Nick started chuckling. “Yeah. I remember you, Charlie.” He gave Charlie that lopsided grin that used to make him feel tingly all over. Correction. Still made him feel tingly, apparently.
“You do?”
“You’re kinda hard to forget.” Nick winked.
Charlie gripped the counter. My god, 18 year old Charlie would’ve died if Nick had winked at him.
Feeling flushed, Charlie peered down at the counter, pretending to examine the menu. As his eyes dragged back up Nick, he noticed the pin on his apron for the first time. The bisexual flag pin. Actually, his was a cute little bi-nosaur waving the flag. Oh. My. God. Was Nick bi? He shouldn’t make assumptions, maybe he was just an ally? But then again, if he was an ally, wouldn’t he use the standard LGBTQ flag?
“Charlie? You okay? You just spaced out.”
Charlie’s gaze snapped up to meet Nick’s warm honey brown eyes, which were watching him in amusement. Did he notice Charlie staring at the pin, while his brain short-circuited?
“You’re bi?” The words burst out before he could stop them. He gasped, slapping a hand over his mouth.
Nick looked both shocked and amused. He opened his mouth to speak, but Charlie interrupted.
“Oh god, I am so sorry. I don’t know why I said that. Don’t answer that. I shouldn’t have asked. I’m just going to order my cold brew now and leave you in peace.” He was spiraling.
Charlie stared at the counter, avoiding Nick’s eyes. He wanted to melt into the floor and disappear, so he was stunned when Nick placed his warm hand over his. Nick’s large fingers engulfed Charlie’s, making Charlie feel so small, and yet, he’d never felt a gentler touch.
“Charlie?” Nick squeezed Charlie’s hand lightly. “Hey, look at me.”
Charlie peeked up through his lashes to find Nick’s lopsided grin again.
“I don’t mind you asking. I’m wearing the pin after all.” Nick puffed out his chest proudly, Charlie assumed to highlight the pin, but that’s not what Charlie noticed most anymore. His gaze lingered on Nick’s prominent chest longer than was necessary before he looked up to meet Nick’s twinkling eyes. “And yeah, I’m bi.”
To his horror, Charlie giggled. He could only imagine what Nick must think of him. He’d never felt gay panic like this, at least, not since the night he’d first met Nick.
“Jesus Christ, 18 year old Charlie would have died if he’d known you were bi.” Charlie blurted out. His face flushed at the admission. Apparently, he had no filter today.
Nick chuckled. “Well, to be fair, you were 20 year old Nick’s bi awakening, so, same?” His eyes sparkled with mischief.
Charlie gawped at Nick, whose face broke out into a wide grin, his cheeks adorably pink, highlighting the freckles Charlie always loved. God, how he’d wanted to count those freckles. Catalog them and see how far they spread. He started to feel hot. Nope. No. This was not a good train of thought right now.
Nick cleared his throat. “This might sound weird, but were you here? In town, I mean…back in December? I swear I saw you…” The flush in his cheeks spread down his neck toward his collar.
Charlie’s eyes widened. Not only had Nick seen him that day, but he’d recognized him?
“Yeah.” He nodded. “I stayed with my parents and sister for a few weeks.”
“You didn’t…I mean, you should’ve come and said hi.” Nick reached up to rub his neck. He seemed nervous.
“Yeah, I should have. I really didn’t think you’d remember me.” He grinned, remembering the panic he’d felt when he’d seen Nick here.
“Charlie.” Nick rolled his eyes. “We worked together for two years, picked on each other constantly. How could I forget you?”
He shrugged. “I was the nerdy gay boy. You were the boss’s son and the star athlete at school.”
“You were always such a menace, teasing me relentlessly.” Nick smirked.
“Flirting,” Charlie said.
“What?”
“I flirted relentlessly.” He giggled at Nick’s flustered expression.
“See? Menace.” Nick shook his head, grinning. “Anyway, can I get you something? Were you just stopping by for coffee, or…?”
“I’d love a cold brew,” Charlie said. He glanced over at the display case. “And a couple of those macarons? I’m celebrating, and they’re my favorite! I’m surprised you carry them.”
“Oh, I make them myself.” Nick grinned, brushing this off.
Charlie’s mouth dropped in surprise. “You make them?” Could this man surprise him any further?
Nick nodded. “My grandmother taught me.” He cocked his head to the side, reminding Charlie of a puppy. “What are you celebrating?”
Charlie happily told him about his recent move, the new cottage, and the job he’d just secured next door.
“Trish hired you to be the manager?” Nick confirmed. “That’s amazing! We’ll be work neighbors!”
Charlie laughed. He had almost forgotten how much fun he had with Nick. His cheeks hurt from grinning so much. Nick set the small box of macarons and a fresh cold brew in front of him, but when Charlie pulled out his phone to pay, Nick shook his head.
“These are on me. Consider it a welcome gift.”
“Thanks, Nick.”
Nick studied Charlie for a moment. “Can I…uh, would you mind if I…hugged you?” His eyes dropped to Charlie’s mouth where they lingered for a moment, and then down to his hands on the counter, searching for something.
“Yeah,” Charlie said, his voice sounded rougher than expected.
Nick came around the counter and pulled Charlie into the best hug of his life. “Congratulations on everything,” Nick murmured in his ear, sending a shiver down his spine. Nick held him close and firm, but not too tight. He felt Nick hesitate, before pulling away.
“I better let you get back to…your people.”
Charlie smiled. “I’m staying with my sister, Tori, and her husband Michael.”
“No, uh, husband or partner?” Nick asked casually.
Interesting. Was he fishing to see if Charlie was single?
Charlie shook his head. “Nope. I moved up here alone.”
Nick tried to suppress the grin stretching across his face, but Charlie caught it.
“Since you just moved back, maybe I could introduce you to some friends?” Nick asked. “My best friends, Tara and Darcy, are hosting a party this weekend.” He looked at the counter, suddenly shy. “Would you, maybe, like to go with me?”
“Yeah,” Charlie said eagerly, feeling breathless. He wasn’t sure if it was a date, or just an invitation to meet people, but he could never say no to Nick Nelson. “I’d really like that.”
“Great!” Nick said, nodding his head. “Here, let me give you my number, so I can send you the information.”
After they exchanged numbers, Charlie grabbed his drink and cookies and reluctantly said goodbye.
“I’ll see you Friday!” Nick called after Charlie as he left the cafe. Charlie grinned and waved.
After he settled himself in his car to head back to Tori’s, he leaned back in his seat and squealed. His day had turned out unexpectedly amazing, and now he was looking forward to a maybe date with Nick Nelson. He had two days to plan the perfect outfit.