The Other Side (A Sebastian Stan Fanfiction Story)

This Side - And Then There Was Him

A/N: So this is where they finally meet! I hope you like it!

***

"Those sound like some very happy people," Karen, Tom's personal assistant mused. The rest of the staff already retreated for the night, leaving Charlie and Karen to take care of the rest of whatever small clearing up was needed.

Charlie had just hung one of the last pots she dried and looked a little unsurely at the tall blonde beside her. "Really?" she asked. Ever since the appetizers had gone out, Charlie had been a nervous wreck which she tried to keep in check and even after some more encouraging words from Tom's mom before she left, her hands still shook every time after finishing plating. "I haven't done this for so long and I'm just..oh god."

Just then, Tom burst in the door, still bouncing like an Energizer bunny, his pearly whites gleaming in a smile that could rival the sun's rays.

"Oh, Karen, why are you still here? Shouldn't you be home with Craig and the kids?" Tom asked.

"It's fine," Karen waved a dismissive hand. "Besides, your brilliant, amazing cook here was a nervous wreck the entire time, looked like she needed someone to reassure her what a banging job she did."

Tom motioned to give her a kiss on the cheek and Charlie could tell that theirs was more than just an employer-employee relationship. In the short time she had seen them interact, they were like siblings, Karen obviously being the caring, sometimes stern big sister, while Tom was the little brother that needed to be put in line every once in a while. It was nice to see that level of trust. Trust that she thought she had with Jasper and Rachel that turned out to be betrayal and deceit.

She shook her head to rid of those memories, focusing instead on Tom who was now addressing her.

"They want to meet you, Charlie! You should've seen Chadwick going nuts over those chocolate bars, it was awesome, everything was bloody awesome to be honest with you. So, what do you say?"

"Um, Tom, I don't think I could go out looking like this..." Charlie looked down on her clothes, she was still wearing the waist apron smudged with chocolate and gravy and she was positive she smelled like mint and chocolate too.

Tom leaned in, causing Charlie to back away a little, a frown creasing her temples.

"You smell like chocolate, which is just fine and you look lovely! Come," Tom tugged her by the wrist and pulled her with him. Charlie attempted to wriggle out of his grasp and protest, but Tom was stronger than his thin, lean frame looked. Seriously, where does this kid get all his energy from? She thought. With one free hand, she tried fixing her hair as decently as she could and braced for impact.

After the initial shock of meeting the Robert Downey jr., Charlie slowly relaxed among the group of celebrities around the table. Chadwick and Chris Pratt kept them in stitches, as they seemed to be in a competition as to who could take out the most chocolate bars without getting caught.

"Okay, you two," Charlie looked their way. "I still have about one whole sheet pan of that in the fridge, I'll divvy them up for you to take home, sound good?"

Pratt blushed profusely at this, earning another round of laughter while Chadwick's face lit up like a kid who got his most awaited Christmas present.

"You have no shame, Boseman," Scarlett chuckled. "I hope your trainer murders you in the gym. Do you think you could spare a few for Rose?" She turned her attention back to Charlie.

"Uh, yeah sure," Charlie responded with a shy smile. She still couldn't believe a goddess like Scarlett Johansson was talking to her, she was even more beautiful in person with little to no make up at all.

"Where the hell did Capsicle and Chubby Dumpling go?" Robert asked. Chris Pratt was about to say something when the other Chris' voice made itself heard.

"Juuust coming back right now," Chris responded as he strolled back in, a slightly paler Sebastian on his heels. As soon as he was in sight, Charlie felt her throat dry as butterflies took off from her belly. "Sorry you guys," Chris said to the group, noticing the new face immediately as they returned. "You must be Charlie, I'm the better looking Chris, if it isn't that obvious. It's a pleasure to finally meet ya," he said as he went over to her, shook her hand and flashed her his best Captain America smile. Somewhere behind him, Chris Pratt snorted.

"Oh god, I--um, yeah, I am. Her. Charlie," Charlie stammered. "Nice to meet you, better looking Chris. Is that how you want me to call you?"

"Well, it is the god-honest truth," Chris replied, earning another good natured scoff from the other Chris. "Totally up to you." Everything she read about Chris Evans was true, apart from the anxiety issues, he was a total charmer.

"I uh, I'll think about that," Charlie smiled at him again. Chris smiled back at her and he suddenly slapped his forehead, as if he forgot something.

"Jesus, Sebastian, where are your manners? Come and say hello to the wonderful lady who fed us this evening!"

Charlie's nerves started getting to her again as Sebastian stepped closer and offered his hand. She held out hers and he enveloped it with his. Charlie felt something as soon as he squeezed her hand in his. She couldn't figure out what it was, but it sure did resonate all over her body.

"I'm Sebastian," he finally introduced himself, his voice lazily smooth. "The food was awesome."

"Thanks, I'm Charlie," Charlie responded, thankful her voice didn't fail her. "If someone told me two days ago I'd meet all of you today, I'd probably be in jail by now with a dented cast iron skillet in hand."

Sebastian laughed, that hearty, near breathless laugh that never failed to make Charlie's chest go a-flutter. Watching too many videos of him in YouTube, it was such a rush for her to see it up close--his pink lips curling up to his cheekbones, his nose scrunching adorably like a little kid and his eyes crinkling all around the edges; it was the perfect symmetry to such a simple facial expression, and yet Charlie always found it so beautiful to see.

"Um, Seb, you can let go of her hand now," Tom's voice interrupted Charlie's thoughts as she also realized Sebastian was indeed still holding her hand.

"Oh right," Sebastian immediately let go of her hand, leaving her somewhat disappointed. "I'm sorry."

Charlie shook her head and smiled at him. "Nah you're good," she murmured. "I thought my hand still had gravy on it that stuck to yours."

After a few more minutes, everyone had decided to call it a night and headed for their respective homes. Chris and Sebastian were the last ones to leave.

Charlie could only listen to the three men as she cleared out the remaining dessert plates and cups off the table. She stopped momentarily and let out a big whoosh of breath she didn't know she was holding, still trying to process what exactly happened just nearly a half hour ago.

"Oh my god," she said under her breath, finally collapsing in a chair and putting her hand over her mouth. She had finally met Sebastian and it couldn't have gone better than she ever dreamed of. She didn't make a fool of herself and if she wasn't imagining things, he held her hand longer than he should. The sensation of his hand enveloping hers was something she was sure she'd never forget for quite some time.