Charlie’s grin came easy, too easy, even for him; but this one wasn’t his usual cocky smirk, the kind he wore like armor. This was wide and boyish and absolutely stupid, the kind of grin that made him look like someone had just handed him the keys to the world. He scrubbed a hand through his hair, shook his head, muttered, “Damn,” under his breath like he couldn’t quite believe what he’d heard.
“You realize what you just did, right? You just singlehandedly ruined my reputation as the guy who always knows what to say. ‘Cause right now, I got nothin’ but…” He gestured vaguely at his chest, then at her, his grin tugging crooked. “Whatever the hell this is. Which, for the record, feels pretty damn good.”
He leaned back for half a second, just long enough to catch her eyes again, and his voice dipped quieter, not so much playful as raw. “Didn’t think you’d ever look at me this way. Didn’t wanna lose you by wanting too much.” The words hung there, heavy and unguarded, and for once Charlie didn’t immediately reach for a joke to cover them.
Instead, his thumb brushed over her knuckles, gentle, almost absentminded, like he was grounding himself in the simple fact of her hand in his.
Then- because he couldn’t let it sit too long without breaking the tension, he let the grin creep back in, softer this time but just as sharp. “Guess that makes it official. I’m promoted. Glitter, chaos, soup guy, and now… boyfriend. Not a bad résumé. I’ll even print business cards, if you want proof.” He winked, a little sheepish around the edges, but it was the kind of banter that barely disguised how serious he was.
His gaze lingered, warmer now, softer than he usually let it get. “So yeah, let’s pack the bags. You, me, the chaos we apparently attract, and enough bad coffee to keep us moving. I’ll stake the claim, carry the map, fight off whatever dumbasses think they can get between us.” A beat, then he tilted his head, sly. “And you? Bring the red highlighter. Just in case I forget how lucky I am.”
For a rare moment, the smirk slipped, replaced with something shy and earnest, the smile he only ever showed her. “Truth is, I don’t wanna forget any of this. Not one second.”
He sat back, still grinning, but it wasn’t his armor anymore. It was just him, open and ridiculous and happy. “So what took us so long? Maybe we were waiting for you to admit you liked me stealing your pens. Or maybe I just needed to grow a pair and say it first.” His laugh was low, self-deprecating, but his eyes didn’t waver. “Either way, we’re here now. And I’m not letting go.”