'Cause I'd Find You In Any World (Nick and Charlie - Alternate Universe)

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen.

Sebastian (Charlie's Dad):
Since I was driving through the town that Charlie and James were currently at, I decided I would pick them and Nick up and drive them home as oppose to them taking the train. I get to the parking lot around eight and figure I'd see them running inside around 8:25 because, well, James is always running late. I look up and see James arrive by himself. I open the car door and get out to wave him down but something catches my eye. I see Charlie and Nick walking over to James ... holding hands? I decided to wait and see what happens before calling them over. It looks like Nick is saying goodbye to them; I guess he's staying with a friend. Charlie and Nick just ... kissed? Is Charlie gay? How long has this been going on? I feel a knot in my stomach; not because of what I just witnessed but at the thought of my child hiding who he is. Is this out of fear? Is he worried people at school will treat him differently? That I would treat him differently? James clearly knows. Who else has he told? Before I let myself get consumed by my thoughts, I decide to wave them over now that Nick has left. I need to talk to my son. 

Charlie:
James and I start walking over to Dad's car and I feel like everything around me is moving in slow motion. I feel a lump in my throat; my whole world is falling apart right in front of me and there is nothing I can do to stop it. James puts his hand on my shoulder.

"It's going to be okay," he whispers.

I wish I believed him. We walk over to Dad and he stares at us.

"Did you guys have a good time?" He asks.

I quickly look at James before looking back at him. Did he not see us? There's no way he didn't see us.

"Um, yeah Dad. I had a really great time with Erin. She's amazing," James says.

Dad then looks at me.

"Did you have a nice time too? With Nick --"

I cut him off.

"And his friends, yeah. We went to the movies and grabbed dinner after."

There's a bit of silence before we all get into the car and start heading home. 

"Where's Mum?" James asks.
"She went out to dinner with Mia's parents since I had to work. She should be home in about an hour or so," Dad says as we get out of the car.

I have felt my heartbeat in my ears the whole way home. It feels like we were in the car for one minute but also for hours. What did I do? I knew I should have been more careful. We walk inside and I feel Dad's hand on my shoulder.

"Do you want to come with me out in the backyard?" He asks.

James freezes halfway up the stairs and turns around.

"I'm actually really tired," I say.
"Charlie, I really think we should talk."

James starts walking down the stairs towards us.

"James, I think I'd like to have this talk with your brother alone," he says.
"I hear you Dad, but with all due respect, I'd like to be there and unless Charlie tells me otherwise, that's how it has to be."

What would I ever do without James? 

"That's up to your brother then," Dad says as he looks at me.

As much as I trust my Dad not to utterly destroy me emotionally or mentally, I still think I need James there. I look at him and nod and James walks straight over to me. We all walk out onto the porch and sit down.

Sebastian:
I couldn't help but be extremely proud of the bond that Charlie and James have. James has never stood up to me; not that I think I've ever given him a reason to, in his entire life. However, it seemed like he didn't even have to think twice about it when it came to Charlie. We all sit down outside and there is a long silence that I know I have to break. But how? What do I say? I'm so afraid that I'll say the wrong thing.