Fallen

32. Halloween pt. 2

Around 7pm, Nick and Charlie heard a knock on their front door. 

"I'll get it!" Charlie practically screamed, dashing to the door. He hadn't seen his friends in ages, so he was pretty damn happy when he saw the faces of Elle and Tao behind the door. 

"Hi!" Charlie greeted, throwing himself onto the pair. 

"Hi, Charlie." Elle chuckled, hugging him back. Elle still looked just like she did all those years ago, and Charlie was secretly thankful for this; it reminded him of when he was younger, when some things were simply just calmer. 

"Hello!" Tao said next, smiling brightly. Tao looked older, but in a good way; he had small hints of greying hair, though he covered it up with his beanie. Tao went up and gave Nick a tight and long hug; it was crazy to think Tao ever hated the man. 

"Please don't tell me you have a list of Halloween movies to watch and not watch." Nick chuckled, and Tao shoved him playfully. 

The next person to arrive was Imogen. Imogen looked really beautiful, like she always did. Charlie was starting to think girls just never aged. 

An hour later, the whole Paris squad was back together; Nick, Charlie, Tao, Elle, Tara, Darcy, Imogen, and Aled. It was perfect. 

"Exactly! She looks like Tara but has my personality!" Darcy exclaimed, responding to a question about her daughter. They had been talking about their children for twenty minutes now. Charlie loved his kids more than anything, but damn did he want to talk about something else. 

"Hey, Tao, do you wanna put on a movie?" Charlie whispered. 

"Yeah, of course. No complaining.." Tao added as he was handed the remote from Charlie. Nick groaned, smiling. It was definitely not his first choice, probably not even his tenth. 

"Yes, well, sorry, Nick. No Avengers for you.." Tao teased, moving over to cuddle up to Elle. All the couples were now snuggling next to each other, while Imogen and Aled just sat awkwardly. 

"You two could've brought your partners, you know.." Charlie smiled softly, holding Aled's hand, making him blush as he flicked the pink ends of his hair out of his face. 

"Yeah, but sometimes it's nice to just be with the Paris squad." Imogen smiled. 

"Yeah, well, I'll cuddle with you, Imogen." Nick teased, pulling away from Charlie to hug the girl. Charlie watched with glossy eyes. He had always been insecure of Imogen, though he knew it was stupid. He was insecure because Imogen and Nick had always been good friends, and Imogen used to have a crush on him. Yes, Imogen was lesbian, but Nick's a good looking guy; what if she really did, or still does have a crush on him? And now they were cuddling? What if Nick liked Imogen? Charlie was then snapped out of his thoughts when something, someone, in this case Aled, jumped on Charlie, making him topple onto the ground. 

"Hehe." Aled giggled as Charlie pushed his curls away from his eyes. Before Charlie fully recovered from the sudden weight, Aled screamed and clung to Charlie, messing up his hair more. 

"Stop ittt." Charlie whined, sitting up. 

"There was a jumpscare!" Aled defended, pointing to the TV. Charlie looked at his husband and Imogen, now giggling together. 

"Nick." Charlie muttered, pushing himself away from Aled. "Please come with me.." 

"Hmm? Okay." Nick said, immediately following his husband like the golden retriever he was. 

"Why aren't you cuddling me..?" Charlie asked sadly. 

"Wha- Oh! Just cause I didn't want Imogen to feel alone.." Nick answered innocently. "No. Charlie, before you even say anything..I do not fancy her! Please, please stop thinking like that! We've been married for years..I love you and only you."