In Charlotte's Eyes

Convinced

Parker had been on edge all day. Charlotte told him that she wanted to talk in person about his invitation. When he asked her if she had an answer, she said not yet. Scenarios played in his mind. His eyes were on the clock the whole shift. They agreed to meet at Aaron’s art bridge.

When he finally exited the building, it was raining still. It had been going on all day today. Still, he committed to the meeting, and drove to the location. Charlotte’s car was parked, confirming that the rain was not going to stop them. He stepped out of his car, resisting the persistent wind. To the underside of the bridge he trekked.

Charlotte was there, waiting for him. She had her arms folded, an impatient looking glare on her face. The wind ceased under the bridge. They made eye contact.

“Charlotte.” He smiled, though he felt a strong awkward tension in the air. “Merry Christmas.”

Her arms loosened and fell to her sides. “Hi, Parker.”

He stepped forwards, coming face to face with her. “Have you made up your mind yet?”

She looked up at him. “I have a question.” Her eyes slimmed just a bit. “What made you want me to live with you?”

He gazed her up and down. He noticed her skin was a bit darker, affected by the wet rain. “Well-.. Now that you've- y'know, gotten all your money and stuff back, I thought-” He stopped himself. This reasoning didn't make sense. “Like- you need to save money for your mold treatment. If you live with me, you can focus on saving so that you can pay it off.”

“I could do that with Audrey, too, though.”

“I know, but- I know you guys have still a bit of a.. like- awkward relationship? Like you've forgiven each other but you're also not completely comfortable with each other, you know?”

She supposed that was true enough. “Are you inviting me as a friend, or as a boyfriend?” His breath hitched. That question stunned him. A sound of uncertainty escaped him. “Be honest.” She calmly requested.

“Ah..” He took a step back, looking down. “..Both..?” His answer wasn't confident. “I-..” He was drawing a blank.

“In the nine months I was gone, did you never get over me?” She asked softly.

He thought he had. No—he had gotten over her. “I did.” He responded surely, with a hint of frustration. “I accepted you'd be gone forever. But I didn't forget what it felt like to be in love with you.” He tensed, closing his eyes. “Those feelings haven't left me.”

“Hm..” Charlotte looked down. The gusts of wind changed direction, briefly blowing the pair with a strong breeze before leaving again.

“You were lonely on that plain, weren't you?” He looked up with furrowed brows. “Did you never wish once that I was there? Did you ever miss my touch?”

She wished he was there many times. Even as she realized how much she didn't deserve it, she would imagine how it felt to be touched by him again.

“Cause-, Charlotte-!” His teeth clenched. His legs bent just a little. “You weren't just somebody I had sex with!” He looked into her conflicted eyes. “You were somebody I spent hours with, talking to, doing things with..! You were my best friend.” He closed his eyes and looked down. He knew Suzuki was her best friend, though. “I didn't forget how it felt to be with you, even if I came to terms with the fact you wouldn't come back.” He looked back up at her. “Did you?”

She looked down. “If anything, being alone made me realize how stupid I was not to commit to you before.”

“Then what are we doing?” His voice softened. “Why don't we just try for real this time?”

She looked into his eyes again. The wind blew against them. “Because it doesn't feel deserved.”

The wind picked up. A strong gust blew a flurry of raindrops onto the back of Charlotte’s ankles. Parker was scowling, though he wasn't in rage. His fists were tense. She waited for him to respond.

“...”

“...”

The wind changed direction, and it left them alone. “Does it matter?” He quietly asked. He took a step towards her, the movement almost robotic. “We both want each other. We both missed each other.” He kept walking up to her until he was a few inches away. “And you're going to let that hold you back?”

He towered over her. She returned his gaze, though she felt much weaker compared to him. His reasoning was sound. Her eyes glanced down. “All I've had this past year has been baggage. Baggage tying me down, telling me to make up for how terrible I've been to you.”

“Do you think I only remember the bad parts?” He slowly orbited her. “I remember you much better for all the good you've done for me.” He firmly grabbed her shoulder. “Your impact on my life was and still is a net positive. If it wasn't, why do you think I'd be wasting my time with you?” He slowly pushed on her.

For some reason, that question made her grunt, and her face scrunched. She gently stepped back with his force until her back was against the wall.

His voice softened. “Forget what you deserve. Focus on what you want.”

He began bending down, closing in on her face. Seeing this, Charlotte’s eyes widened. She pressed against his chest. “What are you doing?”

Parker’s own eyes widened, caught off guard. He was overstepping. He removed all of his force on her. “Do you not- want this?” His voice asked, aghast.

When he went limp, she grabbed his arms, holding him in place. “Tell me what you're doing.”

“Nn-” He growled. “Trying to show you what you really deserve.”

The wind flashed its might against them briefly. “Then do it.” She let go of his arms.

He immediately took that invitation. He hounded her lips like a hungry dog, pushing her against the wall. He had missed this feeling. His heart pounded heavily. Even though the air was cold, he was caught in the heat.

Charlotte closed her eyes and let him do as he pleased. He needed this—it was evident in the way he had been acting towards her recently.

He pressed against her with a bit more force, trying to drive his lips as far into hers as he could. He fumbled for one of her hands. When he got a hold of one, he intertwined their fingers, then pressed it against the wall. He removed his lips from her to take a deep breath. Charlotte made her breath hasty, knowing he'd crash back into her again immediately.

His other hand grappled her waist, rubbing the moist skin. Both of them started humming, approving the other of their actions. They started shifting away from the wall, but even so, Parker pushed against her, forcing her back. They nonverbally coordinated—Charlotte gradually lowering herself to the floor, and Parker holding her for support as she did so—so that Charlotte laid on her back.

The wind crashed against them again but neither of them flinched.

They passionately kissed for another ten seconds, before Parker finally removed himself. A string of slobber connected them for a brief moment, before it was broken up and taken away by the storm. They both breathed heavily, Parker letting go of Charlotte’s hand, his palms supporting him on either side of her head.

As their breathing slowed, and the heat died down, returning them to the cold reality, Parker asked: “..Does that convince you?”

“Yeah. I accept.”