Chapter Text
“Raven, dear. Have you seen the beef stock?” Charles asks, looking through the cabinets. “I can’t seem to find it, but I'm sure I bought some just the other week.”
Raven walks into the kitchen, “I don’t think so, I haven’t touched it at least.” She walks over to the lower cabinet and looks in it. She checks the fridge after. “Oh, yes we do, but there is barely any left.”
He runs a hand through his hair and sighs, “Okay, will start chopping some veggies, I’ll run out quickly.”
“Sounds good, what drink do you want when you get back?” Raven asks, turning to the alcohol cabinet.
Charles is halfway up the stairs but yells down, “I’ll have a scotch tonight, thank you.” He keeps heading to his room, passing by Raven’s.
He and Raven moved in together quickly after their mother and stepfather died. They used their inheritance for a home and their schooling. Charles went to school to become a professor at Oxford. He is in his second year of teaching literature. He has light classes though, so it doesn’t take up all his time. Raven is in cosmetology school and will graduate in a year.
Charles rummages through his closet until he finds his sweater, and throws on a pair of loose, comfy jeans. He keeps his glasses on, not having the energy to put his contacts in. He slugs down the stairs and grabs his wallet and phone. “I’ll be back in a jiffy.” Raven waves in response then turns back to chopping the veggies.
He walks a few minutes down the street to their local market. His breath is visibly spilling out of his lips at the cold. He huddles in his sweater and walks into the store. He walks over to the soup aisle and looks around for the broth. He finally finds it but the lower shelves are out of stock. He huffs out a small, “gotta be fuckin kidding me.” Charles isn’t necessarily a short man, but he definitely isn’t tall. He gained a lot of his mothers genes of short and skinny, but he’s able to put on muscle when he tries. Now his simple walks and workouts keep him slim and fit enough.
He sighs and looks around to make sure the aisle is clear before reaching on his tiptoes and barely brushing the container. He runs a hand through his hair and moves to try one more time, as soon as he pushes up a hand lays on his shoulder, and he whips around. A tall man with short reddish brown hair, and sharp features is standing beside him.
He turns to see the man stretching over him and grabbing the broth. He opens his mouth to ask if he could possibly grab him one as well, but closes it when the man hands him the container and turns and walks away.
Charles flushes and looks to the strangers back. “Oh, um, thank you!” The man doesn’t turn or even really acknowledge him. James stands there for a second, trying to decide if that was sweet or weird. Or maybe both.
He walks to the line and checks out, the man is over checking out a few sections down. James walks out the line and is trying to pull on his sweater, to wrap it around tighter. He sees the stranger walking quickly to a car, he looks over and makes eye contact with him. Charles smiles and the man nods in acknowledgement.
Charles walks back home quickly, trying to get out of the cold. He walks back in the house, and Raven is still in the kitchen area, perched up on the counter. Hank must have shown up with his boyfriend while he was at the store. Raven hops down when he walks in the kitchen and hands him his drink.
“Thank you dear,” He says as he takes the glass from her, then he turns to Hank and Alex, “Hank, good to see you mate. And Alex,” He gives them both a quick hug, “So good to see you, it’s been a little bit. I’m glad you’re in town.”
Alex smiles and nods a little, “I’m glad to be here, we’re looking around at the area for something to do with work.”
“That’s so lovely, I’m gonna squeeze past you guys real quick if that’s alright. I’ll get dinner finished up quickly, raven was talking about going to a bar tonight. So we can eat and go if you want to.” He says as he shuffles over to the pans. “Oh, Raven, I had the strangest interaction earlier. You know how they like to put the beef stock on the top shelf?” She nods, “Well I was reaching for it and couldn’t, don’t laugh. Anyways some man came over and grabbed it for me and then didn’t really acknowledge me after.”
Raven snorts, “I don’t see how that is strange Charles.” She walks over with the chopped up veggies.
“No Raven, that wasn’t the strange part. The strange part was that the man was unfairly attractive.” All three laugh, Charles ducks his head and blushes -having forgotten they weren’t alone- but continues anyways. “I’m serious, if you had seen him you’d know what I mean. As I was leaving though I smiled at him and he slightly nodded his head back.”
Hank pipes up, “Oh my dear Charlie boy, he’s absolutely besotted with you.” Charles squints at him and can’t help but laugh.
“Bugger off. Or you're not eating. Alex can stay.” He says sternly but winks at Alex, and Hank throws his hands up in a surrendering gesture.
Charles finishes cooking the pie and lays it on the table. They sit around and eat, it’s very nice having everyone around the house. The group finishes eating and Raven and Hank head to her room to get ready. Charles stays back to clean up, Alex stays with him and helps.
“So, tell me about this mystery man.” Alex says as he rinses off a plate.
“Oh gosh, not you too.” He dramatically rolls his eyes then smiles at Alex. “He was nice to look at. Very tall, and rather filled out. Sharp features, and I’m pretty sure his eyes were green or gray. It was hard to tell due to how quickly he turned. I even said thank you, and he just kept walking.”
“Really? Sounds like one of my friends honestly, kind of antisocial. That’s hilarious, I think they would get along.” Alex leans against the counter while Charles dries the last plate. “Would you mind if I borrowed some clothes? I didn’t bring anything to wear at the bar.”
“Of course mate, as long as you help me pick something out. Unless I should go looking like a deranged librarian.” He smiles and leads the way to his room. Alex and Charles used to be friends before he and Hank got together. Charles was actually the one who introduced the two.
“I like the look, just maybe wear a sluttier sweater. Keep the jeans.” Alex said as he tugged on a plain black shirt and kept his jeans on. Charles’ wouldn’t fit. He moved through the closet and held up a lilac sweater that was slightly cropped, but loose. You’d only be able to tell it was cropped if he lifts his hand up.
“Alright, perfect and then glasses or no glasses. My eyes are kind of hurting but I can put contacts in if you think I should.” he moves to the bathroom mirror and Alex follows.
“Lose the glasses, and fluff your hair a little. You’ll look like a sexy librarian.” Charles laughs at the comment and runs a brush through his hair a few times. He turns back to Alex for his opinions. “Magnificent.” Let’s walk down and see if the other two are ready.
Raven and Hank are sitting at the counter, and turn when they hear the other two walk down. “Perfect, you guys look good.” Raven comments and then grabs her bag. “Ready to go?”
Raven is in a casual short dark blue dress and black heels. Her hair is down and she put on some blue eyeliner. Hank is in ripped jeans, a black tank top and a flannel. “Yes, let’s get going.” He holds out an arm for Raven and steps out the door. “You two look lovely as well.”
They walk down to the pub and are greeted by Logan at the bar. “Hey Logan, how’s your night going?” The gruff man huffs in response and looks up. His face falls into a smile when he sees the group.
“Oh, hi Charles. Raven, Hank, lovely to see you.” he turns to Alex and his eyes widen a little. He reaches a hand across the bar and pushes at Alex’s shoulder. “Alex, it’s good to see you man. It’s been a bit. How have you been doing?”
The conversation fades in the background as Charles takes in the bar around him. It’s pretty empty so far except for a guy in a white shirt and khakis sitting at the end. The man looks over and meets Charles’ eyes. No fucking way. He smiles at the man, who again nods in return and then turns back to the group. He starts to tell them about who it is when he shuts his mouth. The guy seemed secluded, and Charles doesn’t really want to bother him.
He leans across the bar to Logan, “Hey, you see the guy down there?” Logan nods, “Would you give him another one of his drinks and put it on my tab?”
“Sure man. You got your eye on him or something?” Logan asks with a laugh.
“Eh, something like that, he helped me out earlier. Thought I’d return the favor.” He smiles at Logan as he pours James a scotch and then moves to pour another drink, presumably for the mystery man.
“Sounds good to me. Let me know if you need anything else, yeah?” James nods and turns back to the group.
They sit around the bar for a while and move to the pool table. Hank and Charles against Raven and Alex. Charles looks over at the bar just as Logan is pointing at him while talking to the man. The man turns and looks at Charles. His face remains neutral but he raises the glass. He mouths a quick ‘thank you’ to Charles. He nods his head in response and turns back to the game.
After an hour of Charles stealing glances at the bar he sees the man has left. He frowns a little, he’d been hoping to catch him in a conversation or just a name.
The group wraps up their drinks, Charles pays the tab putting a hefty tip in for Logan who smiles at the kindness. As they’re walking out Charles sees a puff of smoke coming from the side of the building. The tall body of the man is leaned comfortably against the wall. He pauses for a second.
“You alright Charles?” Raven asks as she turns to him.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m good. You guys head in front of me, I had my eye on a guy tonight. I might try and catch him.” He smirks and winks at the group. Raven oohs at him and the two guys smile at him.
“Sounds good, just let us know if you won’t be coming home tonight. And remember you have a class tomorrow morning. So just be smart.” Raven says as she gives him a quick hug.
“Yes, yes. Thank you mom. I’ll be safe.” He laughs and gives Hank and Alex a quick hug as well. “I’ll see you guys later, yeah?” They all make a noise that resembles an agreement and turn to walk back to the house.