One shots

Charlie: SA - Part 1

!TW - Blackmail!

Nick and I have been together for a long time now. He is my security and my peace. On bad days he still lets me be myself. He never judges me and is always there with understanding and patience. Nothing would be the same if Nick hadn't been in my life. It really feels like I have found my home.

But before Nick, there was another person. Ben and I met in school. We got together when we were young and inexperienced. But we built a nice and good relationship together, and I don't regret anything about that time. But after a while we both realized that we were better off as just friends and we ended the relationship. Even though we have moved on in different directions today, we are still in contact and have formed a nice friendship with each other. The feelings I once had for Ben are now completely over and buried, but the friendship we have built still means a lot to me.

On a Friday afternoon in November, I settle down on the sofa with a cup of tea in hand. Nick works late and won't be home for a few hours. My phone suddenly vibrates and the screen lights up with a message from Ben.

BEN: Hey Charlie, do you want to take a coffee tomorrow at the cafe shop around the corner?

Spontaneously, I feel a small surprise inside me. We haven't seen each other for months, and meeting him seems like a fun idea. Spending time with him is easy and pleasant, despite the history we have behind us.

ME: Hello! Absolutely, that sounds nice! What time?

He responds quickly thereafter, as if he has been desperately waiting for my response.

BEN: Maybe at 2 pm or something?

ME: It will be great!

As I put the phone back down and take a sip of my tea, I feel a little joy inside me. It's always nice to meet old friends again and talk about everything and nothing.

*

The next day, I put on a pair of jeans and a sweater that's warm yet is stylish – casual enough for a coffee but still enough to feel comfortable. Once down in the hall, I put on my winter jacket. Nick's red scarf hangs on the hook in front of me and I smile a little to myself. I take it off the hook and wrap it around my neck - even though the road to the cafe is not very long.

"I'm leaving now"

My voice echoes through the empty rooms of the house, but soon I hear the sound of Nick's quick steps coming towards the hall. He approaches me, with that caring look that makes me feel seen in a way I can't describe. He wraps his arms around me and holds me for a brief moment, and I breathe in his safe scent. Then he leans forward and places a soft kiss on my forehead.

"Have a good time, I will see you later"

He looks calmly and deeply into my eyes. It's as if he wants to give me an extra dose of security and love before I go. With a quick smile and a slight nod, I turn and open the front door to leave.

*

I open the door to the cafe and a soft creaking sound follows. The warmth from inside is a great contrast to the cold November weather outside. There is a smell of coffee, and the sound of low mixed voices is heard. I scan the room quickly and see Ben sitting in the corner to the right, at a round table. He looks up and meets my gaze and gives me a slight wave. I walk over to the table and sit on the chair opposite him. His smile is warm and his looks happy to see me. But even so, there's something in the air - something I can't quite put my finger on.

We start to talk, about everything and nothing. But suddenly Ben changes his tone, and the question he asks makes me freeze.

"So... are you happy with Nick?"

I blink rapidly, unable to answer the question directly. The question came so unexpectedly and I feel my heart start to beat a little harder. Why would he ask that? I gather myself and answer, still a bit taken by the question and why he cares about my and Nick's relationship.

"Um... yes? Why shouldn't I?"

Ben leans over the table, his friendly expression quickly disappearing. His face is now rigid, his eyes staring into mine.

"I mean, he seems very... boring."

The words hit me like an unexpected punch in the stomach. I bite my lip and try to stay calm, not let the anger take over. After a few breaths, I swallow and answer his question as normally as possible - despite his stiff face in front of me.

"Nick is fantastic and he makes me really happy."

My voice comes out in just a thin whisper. But I know what I'm saying is true - I love nick. Ben sits in front of me in silence for a moment and raises one eyebrow. A small mocking laugh leaves his mouth.

"Come on Charlie, don't you realize you're delusional? Nick is only a... phase."

I sit in silence, almost frozen in shock, and try to understand what is happening. It's as if the person in front of me is no longer the Ben I once knew, and suddenly it feels unbearable to sit still. My body reacts before I even have time to think, and I quickly get up from my chair, muttering that I need to go to the bathroom.

When I reach the toilet, I quickly open the door and step inside. I exhale, relieved to finally have some distance. But just as I'm about to close the door behind me, I feel someone pull the handle from the outside. It happens so suddenly that I don't even have time to react before the door is jerked open. I turn around, surprised by the situation. Ben stands there in the doorway, his face dark and intense. Without saying a word, he steps into the toilet, and his presence immediately fills the small room like a heavy, oppressive weight. He closes the door behind him and locks it with a quiet click - a sound that makes my whole body stiffen.

"I'm not done with you Charlie..."

His voice is low and his gaze is cold, cold in a way I've never seen before.