A Very Cherik Sleepover

When you're dating someone but not exactly

It was a miracle that Edie hadn't guessed what was going on between her son and his best friend and right under her nose. Or maybe she knew and decided to not interfere until Erik was ready to talk to her about it. Charles was kind of embarrassed by the possibility of Erik's mum knowing but he was also pretty aware that they weren't exactly that discrete about their... thing... or whatever it was.

Charles spent almost every moment with Erik - at school during the mornings, at his room during the afternoons and in his bed during the night. They were even more inseparable than before. Nevertheless Edie was always extremely nice to Charles. Erik was pretty asocial and withdrawn so Edie seemed pleased that her son finally had a friend to talk to instead of being by himself all the time. Charles was a good boy with good grades and thirst for knowledge that was a good influence on Erik, she probably thought. Charles sincerely hoped she didn't know that once they were done with school and in bed together, Charles was far from a good boy and Erik was farfrom being withdrawn.

There was a reason Charles didn't want people to notice the difference in his relationship with Erik - he wasn't quite sure what that relationship was. Someone else asking questions about it would only make it more complicated to explain and that might turn into a wake up call for Erik to call it off. And Charles enjoyed it far too much to end it.

It wasn't just the physical contact - although that had been amazing! It was something else too. Erik had started acting as if they're dating, being warmer to Charles, calling and texting Charles whenever they were apart, bringing Charles food, books, even little presents. It was endearing and Charles was only human. Having the boy he loved treat him like that was a dream come true and he would be an idiot not to enjoy it.

"Here's your food." Erik placed the platter in front of Charles "Extra fries, like you like it."

Charles smiled "You know how I like it." he bit his lip and Erik actually blushed as he sat down across Charles. They were at the same table but never seating side by side anymore. Just in case.

"Eat your food, Charles." Erik said in an attempt to keep things casual.

Charles chuckled amused as he grabbed a fried potato and placed it in his mouth.

"So you ready for the test?" Charles changed the topic although he already knew the answer. They were studying together after all.

"I think I am. Unless I get too distracted."

Now it was Charles' turn to blush. Surely Erik didn't mean to make Charles blush, or anything, but it was nice seeing Erik's eyes sparkling every time he looked at Charles. Although it was probably just Charles' imagination.

They were laughing and teasing one another in the cafeteria when suddenly Raven flopped down on the chair next to Erik.

"Hello, boys. How's life?" she asked, ignoring Charles and propping her elbow on Erik's shoulder with an unusual familiarity.

"We're fine, Raven. Life's fine. Why are you here?" Charles frowned

"Can't a sister come check upon her big brother?" she replied, still not looking at Charles. "Wow, Erik. Have you been working out?"

Charles stared with horror as his sister slid her hand on Erik's bicep, feeling it around with great interest. Charles paled.

"Umm, no, actually." Erik replied confused.

Poor guy didn't even understand what was happening here.

Raven was pretty much into Erik's personal space but Charles knew well that Erik would never snap at her because she was Charles' little sister. Naturally Erik would be as nice to her as he was capable of. So Charles made a few subtle attempt to tell her to leave but she didn't get a hint!

"You're not even working out and you're already so... firm..." she said, looking at him as if her eyes were embracing all of him.

It was embarrassing. Was she actually flirting with Erik!? That was wrong! That was so wrong! Erik wasn't hers! Erik belonged to Charles! Erik was... No, Charles had to remind himself, Erik didn't belong to Charles. Erik was a free guy and right now there was a gorgeous girl on his arm, hitting on him. Game over. Charles lost. And the stupidest part of it was that he lost something he never really had.

"Raven, we were trying to discuss school so..." Charles made one last effort

"School shmool!" she laughed carefree "You're such a nerd. But Erik isn't. So let him breathe, okay? Erik, there's a party Friday evening. Are you coming?"

No! No, no, no, no, no! No!

"Not really." Erik replied, trying to concentrate on his food

"Well, that'd be a tremendous loss!" she said "You should come with me."

Charles couldn't take this and snapped. "Raven, he doesn't want to go to the stupid party so leave him alone!"

"Don't be jealous, Charlie." she chuckled "I'm not stealing your best friend. I'm only trying to help him live a little. You're suffocating him with your dorky nerd stuff." she turned towards Erik again "Well, what do you say, Erik? Shall we have some fun Friday?"

Erik blinked a few times, glancing confused at Charles but Charles was too exhausted to say anything. Anyway, what could he have possibly said? No, don't go? Stay with me? Go with me? Erik didn't need Charles' permission. Erik wasn't Charles' boyfriend even if they acted like it some times. Charles had to remind himself that this was half-dating. Half because only Charles felt like it was dating.

Raven gave another stroke on Erik's bicep again, a gesture that made Charles feel physical pain.

"Okay, take your time to consider it and give me a call, alright?" she said and got up "I sure hope you say yes."

With that she left.

Erik leaned on the table, looking at Charles confused. "Why was she acting like that?"

"Seriously, Erik?" Charles couldn't hide his bad mood

But Erik's face remained just as clueless as before and Charles realized he'd have to explain things to Erik himself. He sighed.

"She was flirting with you." he said "I guess she's interested in you now. Girls tend to do that."

"Why me?"

Now Charles had to stare confused at Erik. "Why not you? I mean, look at you! You're... well, you're..." damn! Did he really have to say it? "You're handsome, Erik. Good-looking, hot if you will. Also interesting, funny, loyal, good friend, nice to be around... You're lots of people's type. And I guess my sister is no exception. She likes you."

"I'm sorry..." Erik mumbled, stirring his food with his fork absent-mindedly.

"Why are you apologizing?"

"Umm..." Erik trailed off

Charles felt his chest tighten.

"Erik, you can go with her if you want to. I mean, she's a pretty girl, it's natural that you like her. And she makes her own decisions. I'm not overprotective of her or anything." he rolled his eyes. "She does whatever she wants anyway."

"But I never wanted--"

"If it's because of what we do? Well..." he forced a laughter and managed to almost make it sound genuine and not bitter "We're just fooling around. Passing the time. Getting ready for the real thing, right?"

Erik was silent. The cafeteria was loud around them but Charles could not hear its noise.

"Right?" he repeated and Erik nodded.

"Right."

Charles sighed. Of course, they weren't serious. Erik was a sweetheart to even consider asking Charles' opinion on this first.

"So if you want to go, go. I'll just do something else this Friday night. It's fine."

Erik shook his head. "I don't really want to go, Charles. Don't make me."

His voice sounded strange... darker... almost pained. Before Charles could reply Erik was already walking away and all Charles could do was stare after him, unsure of what to make out of his friend's unusual behaviour.