Love Bites

Chapter 21 - What We Know

- Who on earth is that? - Steven moaned, sitting up on the sofa, - why always when...

- Shut up, - Duff advised. The door was locked, so he had to search for his keys. As always, he had no clue where they were.

When he finally opened the door, Charlie, who was standing in the doorway, has already got tired of waiting. However, her face brightened when she saw Duff.

- Hi there!

- Hello...

Charlie opened her arms to hug him, but Duff didn't get it straight away so they stood with a meter between them for a good moment. Duff was first to realize it was starting to get really awkward so he just stepped forwards and gave her a little kiss.

- Oh that's so hella cu-ute, - they heard Steven exclaim behind their backs. Charlie pulled away from Duff, and they both looked up embarrassedly. Steven was sitting on the sofa cross-legged and clapping his hands. - Could you please get married? Please, please! You look adorable together!

- Eh, thank you, - Charlie mumbled, her fingers toying with a lock of her hair, - also, hi.

- Shut up, Stevie...- Duff hissed. He was absolutely red-faced, the first time Charlie saw him like that. It just made her giggle.

- What's up? - Charlie asked cheerfully, taking a seat on the edge of the sofa. Her eyes wandered round the room. Of course, Steven didn't bother to clean up so the syringe, the spoon and the pack of needless were lying on the floor. Duff held his breath.

- Nothing, - Steven replied no less joyfully, - just hanging around...

- Ah, I see, - Charlie nodded, - got better? - she added sympathetically, looking at Steven. He answered with the widest of his smiles.

Duff breathed out. Was it...all? He has never seen anybody react so calmly when learning he was doping. Courtney left him the very day. Samantha threw a tantrum. Linda ended up running around, screaming worried if she got hepatitis C from him, even though he reassured her twice that he didn't have it, and breaking off their engagement. But whatever. He always preferred smack to girls. It wouldn't ever get up in the morning and announce it was leaving him because he was boring or because it found himself another one.

But Charlie wasn't like that. She just shrugged her shoulders and smiled, her nose wrinkling. She acted like catching her guy high as a kite was everyday business. And that was just another reason for him to love Charlie.

- Why are you staring at me like that? I got you're on junk. So what? Been there, done that.

- What? - both Steven's and Duff's jaws dropped.

- What you've just heard. I don't see that as something outstanding, why would I? It's LA, guys!

Charlie rolled her eyes, her hands crossed on her chest. She wasn't extremely surprised. Not when she's been in the city of angels for quite a long time, she got used to the fact almost every second person was either bisexual or a druggie, sometimes both at once. It wasn't something to make a noise about. At least he wasn't a maniac or a serial killer, that was something.

Steven excused himself to go out for a smoke. When he left, Duff sat down and drew her to himself. She was so petite that his chin was resting on her crown. He quickly kissed her hair and asked attentively:

- How are you, tiny?

Charlie made a hazy gesture. She wasn't sure how to feel. At one hand, she must admit she was pretty upset by the rejection. On the other hand, now it seemed like it didn't really matter to her. Her mind was almost blank. She felt giddy and funny. It was weird and exciting at the same time.

- I failed the interview, - she finally confessed after some time. - Like, seriously. They said I didn't suit. My works are childish rubbish. Something like that.

- Bullshit! - Duff blurted out, - you're an awesome artist, I swear!

Actually, he was lying a little here. Duff never saw any of Charlie's works. Her knew she painted though, and the very thought of anybody telling her she was crap enraged him.

- You've never seen my sketchbook, Duffy, - Charlie shook her head, - I am rubbish. I am hopeless. I should just go back and try to get into culinary college.

- Damn, don't you say so! You're great!

Somehow Duff's heart filled with enthusiasm. He felt so strong now next to Charlotte, and he was eager to show her she was good and needed and loved.

- Don't. You don't have to say so if you don't really mean it. I understand.

Charlie buried her face in his neck. She was weak. She didn't want to do anything anymore.

- Fuck, but I do! You shouldn't think you're crap, Charlie!

She sniffed. Duff couldn't tell if she was crying or not. He hugged her close to him.

- Come on, tiny...Everything's gonna be all right...I know that.

Charlie looked up. A strand of copper hair fell out from her ponytail and tickled her face. Duff gently tucked it behind her ear and kissed her forehead. Then he kissed her little nose, and freckled cheeks. and pale lips. His hand slipped under her shirt.

- Hey...wait...where's Steven? - Charlie muttered between the kisses. Duff closed her mouth with another one, his finger going through her dishevelled locks.

- Fuck him. Fuck everything. I want you.

__________________________

♪ Sonic Youth - What We Know

Also, this chapter's dedicated to my friend Patsy.