abyss ↣ joe sugg au

forty seven

[Trigger Warning: mentions of depression/suicide]

The flight was booked for the second of November, and the wedding was set to go ahead on the third day. This gave everyone two weeks to get ready, having numerous meetings as a group of eight and planning whatever was left to do. 

Charlotte went back to work at the Orange Lantern despite Bert's protests but Charlotte didn't mind, with her wage packets and money from the flat she was able to pay for things herself for once and it actually felt good. 

Charlotte had even met up with her Mum a few more times. They'd meet at The Doorstep and with every sip of their coffee's, a little more tension would disappear too. In fact, they were sat on the plush sofas at the back of the cafe now, Charlotte's folder spread over both their legs whilst she explained. 

Sally's eyes were wide as she traced over the photo's of the grand hotel and squealed in delight as Charlotte recited the itinerary. 

"You're going to have so much fun!" She covered her wide grin with her palm before continuing to profess her jealousy.

"I'm worried about Joe, though." Charlotte looked down at her clutched hands and sighed. It was something Joe had told Charlotte again and again that he was okay with, but she didn't believe him, not really.

When the group would get together, Joe would sit there in silence with his knee bouncing and lip ring between his teeth. Whenever Charlotte nudged his knee with her own, he'd just smile and shake his head in dismissal when she asked if he was okay. When she got home from work, at whatever hour that may be, he was curled up on the balcony with cigarette between his lips and he barely noticed when she sat down beside him. 

It's not like she hadn't tried to get him to talk, but he was just always the same. 

"I don't want to talk about it, not tonight." He'd say, just like on the bridge, and then he'd hold Charlotte so close in the silence and allow their thoughts to explode. 

"Charlotte," Her Mother's voice. "You trust him don't you?"

Charlotte nodded without hesitation, because that question was on the same lines of what's your name? how old are you? 

"Then you should trust that if he really didn't want to go, he'd tell you, yeah?" 

Charlotte knew she was right but it was that heavy feeling again, of being shut out. Charlotte was just about to explain as much to her Mum, when someone coughed into their fist. 

The pair looked up to see Joe stood there with one hand to his mouth and the other behind his back. There was a high blush on his cheeks which Charlotte presumed was from the mid-October cold. He was wearing black skinnies and a leather jacket with a fringe of messy waves across his forehead. 

"Hi." Charlotte breathed, snapping out of her daze when her Mum squeezed her lower arm. "What are you doing here?"

Joe shrugged, "Was just picking up some bits from over the road and thought I'd pop in."

Charlotte smiled warmly as her Mum moved onto the opposing chair so Joe could sit down. 

"Mum, this is Joe. Joe, this is my Mum." Charlotte introduced them both, ignoring the fact that they'd already informally met.

They just smiled politely at each other as Charlotte burrowed into Joe's side.

"What would you like to drink?" Sally asked, rising from her seat.

"Oh, don't worry I got this." Joe said a bit bashful, not expecting Charlotte's Mum to be so humble.

"No, No, I insist! This was my treat anyway." Sally offered a wink before Joe caved and gave her his order.

When she disappeared around the corner to the small bar area, Joe pressed a lingering kiss to Charlotte's cheek and mumbled a quick, "She seems nice."

Charlotte nodded, "I think she's just glad I'm happy."

A grin spread across Joe's lips and he tugged Charlotte closer, "You're happy?" He asked, like he didn't already know that he was the fucking sun. 

"The happiest." Charlotte couldn't help but peck his smile, in the silent hope that his rose petal lips would infect her with the same rosy glow.

"Ew that's yucky." Charlotte's Mum scrunched her nose as she sat back down with the tray of drinks.

Charlotte just scowls and buries back further in Joe's embrace. 

"Oi grumpy, you're going to have to pass me my coffee." Joe chuckled into Charlotte's ear and Sally laughed along with him and that was it. For the next two hours, the two of them were ganging up on Charlotte like they'd been a team in a past life.

"That's it. I'm going over the road whilst you two compare your favourite nail colours." Charlotte mocked, standing and stretching out after being sat for so long. 

"Take your boyfriend with you." Joe pouted as he grabbed on to Charlotte's wrist. 

"Don't touch me with your lilac painted nails." Charlotte forced a scowl. 

"How dare you!" Joe whipped his hand back and cradled it against his chest, "I've gone for natural today." He smiles smugly. 

"Oh shut it the pair of you." Sally laughed fondly, "Go do whatever you have to do, i'll wrap up here."

Joe popped a grin as he stood next to Charlotte and whacked a sloppy kiss on her cheek to cure her grumbles.

"Later Mum," Charlotte waved a hand, that was shortly copied by Joe. 

"Have fun in LA if I don't see you before," She smiled wide and waved them off.

"And Joe dear," She called, "I think red is more your colour." 

SHORT CHAPTER SORRY, PLEASE VOTE AND COMMENT BECAUSE IT'S NEARLY CHRISTMAS  XXXX