Charlie Dalton
Steven Meeks
Todd Anderson
Richard Cameron
Intro
whadup guys. i'm dorothy (dori please) and i write. i don't write often or fast (unless inspired) so please have patience. dps has been my fav movie since I was a freshman in hs, and its what got me onto tumblr in the first place.
i will only write fics abt charlie unless someone else gives me an idea for the other boys (please feel free to ask, i usually have little to no inspo). anyways, thanks for liking my works so far!
my letterboxd!
gmoneyd uses Letterboxd to share film reviews and lists. 288 films watched. Favorites: Dead Poets Society (1989), Little Women (2019), La La
We don't read and write fanfic because it's cute, we read and write fanfiction because we are members of the human race, and the human race is filled with passion.
Charlie Dalton x reader
CW: use of Y/N, female reader, they’re in college
[1.1k words] - I hate pumpkin spice, but i know bitches go crazy over it and I just feel like Charlie is a fall guy
Y/N was buried in her notes, the library's soft, ambient hum the perfect backdrop for her focused study session. She was so engrossed in her work that she didn’t notice Charlie approach until he was standing right next to her, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
Without a word, Charlie started packing up Y/N's things, gently closing her notebook and slipping her pens into her bag. “Come on, I’m taking you somewhere,” he said, his voice low but full of excitement.
Y/N blinked up at him, a little startled but not the least bit resistant. She trusted Charlie with her whole heart, and the idea of a spontaneous adventure sounded much better than another hour in the library. “Where are we going?” she asked, though she was already putting on her jacket and slinging her bag over her shoulder.
Charlie just smiled, leaning down to give her a quick, but firm kiss. It was the kind of kiss that left Y/N feeling warm and a little breathless, despite its brevity. She was confused, but in the best way. Charlie had a knack for keeping her on her toes.
“You’ll see,” he replied, lacing his fingers with hers as they made their way out of the library. “Just trust me.”
“Of course I do,” Y/N said, squeezing his hand as they stepped into the crisp autumn air. The early signs of fall were everywhere with the leaves on the trees just starting to turn golden, and there was a pleasant chill in the air that hinted at the cooler days to come. She took a deep breath, already feeling lighter now that she was out of the library and with Charlie.
As they walked through the city streets, Y/N couldn’t help but glance over at Charlie. He looked particularly handsome today, his hair slightly tousled and his eyes bright with whatever secret he was hiding.
“I’m so glad we’re here together,” Y/N said, smiling up at him. “College wouldn’t be the same without you.”
Charlie squeezed her hand again, his smile softening. “I feel the same way. I love that we get to do this. Spend our days together, make new memories. It’s like the best of both worlds.”
Y/N felt a little flutter in her chest at his words. She knew how much it meant to Charlie to be here with her, and the fact that he was always thinking about how to make their time together special made her love him even more.
As they continued to walk, Y/N started to recognize the streets they were taking. They were heading toward their favorite coffee shop, a cozy little place they had discovered together during their first year of college. The realization made her smile. Of course Charlie would choose something that was meaningful to both of them.
When they arrived, Charlie held open the door for her, his face lit up with a giddy excitement that was contagious. “After you, princess,” he said with a dramatic bow, making Y/N giggle as she stepped inside.
The familiar warmth of the coffee shop enveloped them, the scent of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the sweet aroma of baked goods. Y/N could already feel herself relaxing, the stress of studying melting away in the cozy atmosphere.
“Go find us a seat,” Charlie said, giving her a little nudge toward the corner booth they always liked to sit in. “I’ll get the drinks.”
Y/N nodded, slipping into the booth and watching as Charlie made his way to the counter. She couldn’t help but smile as she watched him chat with the barista, his enthusiasm clear even from a distance. He was always so full of life, so full of energy, and it was one of the many things she loved about him.
A few minutes later, Charlie returned with two large mugs, steam curling up from the tops. He set one down in front of Y/N with a proud grin. “Tada! The first pumpkin spice lattes of the season.”
Y/N’s eyes lit up as she looked down at the drink, noticing the cute little pumpkin design in the foam. “Charlie, this is perfect,” she said, her voice filled with appreciation. “You remembered how much I love these.”
“Of course I did,” Charlie replied, sliding into the booth across from her. “It’s the best part of fall, and I wanted to share the first one with you.”
Y/N felt a warmth spread through her chest that had nothing to do with the hot drink in front of her. She took a careful sip, savoring the rich, spiced flavor. “You’re pretty cute, you know that?” she said, a teasing smile playing on her lips.
Charlie grinned, lifting his own mug to his lips. “I could say the same about you,” he replied, taking a sip and promptly getting a mustache of foam on his upper lip.
Y/N giggled, reaching across the table to wipe it away with her thumb. “You’re adorable,” she said softly, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him.
Charlie raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eye. “Is that so? Or are you just saying that because I bought you pumpkin spice?”
Y/N laughed, shaking her head. “No, it’s not just because of the pumpkin spice. Although, that certainly doesn’t hurt.” She paused, her expression turning a little more serious as she continued to study him. “I just… I love you, Charlie. I love how you make even the simplest things special.”
Charlie’s teasing smile softened into something more tender. He reached across the table, taking her hand in his. “I love you too, Y/N. I’m just glad I get to share all this with you. It wouldn’t be the same without you here.”
Y/N’s heart swelled at his words, and she leaned across the table to press a soft kiss to his lips.
When they finally pulled away, Y/N was smiling. “You taste like pumpkin,” she teased, her voice light and full of affection.
Charlie chuckled, giving her hand a squeeze. “Good, because that means fall is officially here. And there’s no one I’d rather spend it with than you.”
Y/N felt a surge of happiness, knowing that this was just the beginning of another season full of love, laughter, and new memories with Charlie. “Here’s to pumpkin spice and everything nice,” she said, lifting her mug in a toast.
Charlie grinned, clinking his mug against hers. “To us.”
They sat there for a while longer, just enjoying each other’s company, the warmth of the coffee, and the promise of a beautiful fall together.
Charlie Dalton x reader
CW: gender-neutral reader (no pronouns used)
[1.1k words] (inspired by Jeff Buckley, loml)
The cave is quieter than usual. The candles have burned low, wax pooling over rock like honey. Smoke still lingers from someone’s match, and the air hums faintly with laughter that’s already fading.
Everyone’s gone now. Todd, Neil, Knox. All off to their dorms, leaving only you and Charlie behind.
He’s sitting on the cave floor across from you, one leg bent and the other stretched out, leaning back on his hands. His shirt is half untucked, his sleeves rolled, his hair a beautiful mess that catches gold in the candlelight. You sit opposite him, your knees nearly touching his as you shift to get comfortable. The air between you feels warm and unsteady, every breath shared in the small space. The candle flickers between you, throwing soft light over his face and tracing warmth across his cheekbones. You can still hear the echo of his voice from earlier, reading poetry with that steady, bold rhythm only Charlie Dalton has. Now it’s quiet, and every small movement feels electric, every glance too long, every heartbeat too loud. When his knee brushes against yours, neither of you move away.
You’re talking quietly, about nothing and everything. Exams, Keating’s latest assignment, Neil’s theatrics. But Charlie isn’t really listening.
You don’t notice at first, but then you look up and catch him staring.
“Charlie,” you murmur, laughing softly. “What?”
He doesn’t answer right away. He has that look again, the one that’s both cocky and strangely shy, the one that makes your stomach flutter and your heart ache.
“Do you ever realize,” he says finally, voice low and rough, “how everyone here looks at you?”
You blink, thrown off. “What do you mean?”
He exhales a little laugh, shaking his head. “Come on, you know what I mean. The second you walk into this cave, everyone stops pretending to read poetry and just…” He gestures vaguely, helplessly. “Stares.”
You roll your eyes, flustered. “You’re ridiculous.”
“I’m serious,” he says, still smiling but softer now. “It’s like the air changes when you walk in.”
“Sure,” you tease, “and I suppose you’re totally immune to that.”
When you say it, his smile falters, something shifting behind his eyes. He pushes himself upright, slow but certain, like he doesn’t want to break whatever’s building between you. His hand drags across the ground as he moves, fingers brushing the edge of your knee before he settles forward, hand resting loosely on your thigh. He’s closer now, his voice lower, his expression open in a way that makes your chest ache, eyes locked on yours. “Do I look immune?”
The words hang there, heavy and electric. You feel warmth creep up your neck. You look down, fiddling with the hem of your sleeve. “You really think everyone here wants me?”
He hums. “Oh, absolutely.” Then quieter, like a confession: “Everybody here wants you.”
You laugh again, but it comes out shaky. “That’s not true.”
Charlie just studies you. Really studies you, until you can’t bear it anymore, you look away. Then, softly, he says, “They want you, yeah. But they don’t see you.”
That makes you look up. The teasing is gone from his face now. His eyes are dark and honest and full of something that makes your pulse stutter.
“I see you,” he says quietly. “The way you think before you speak. The way you get nervous when you’re about to read something out loud but do it anyway. The way you smile when you don’t realize you’re smiling.”
Your breath catches.
Charlie looks down and smiles a little, almost to himself. “You don’t even know what you do to me.”
You don’t mean to whisper, “What do I do to you?” but it slips out anyway.
He laughs under his breath, barely holding it together. “Drive me insane.” He leans closer, his voice dropping to a whisper that sends shivers down your spine. “Completely, hopelessly insane.”
The distance between you shrinks to nothing. You can smell his cologne, faint, warm, and familiar. Your heartbeat is so loud it fills the cave.
“Charlie…” you start, but he’s already shaking his head.
“I know,” he murmurs. “You don’t have to say anything. Just, please, let me do this.”
He raises a hand, hesitates for half a heartbeat, then touches your cheek. His fingers are warm, calloused from soccer and smudged with ink stains. His thumb traces the curve of your jaw, the edge of your lips, like he’s memorizing every inch of you. His eyes stay fixed on yours, steady and intent, pupils dark in the candlelight. You can see the rise and fall of his chest and the faint tremor in his breath. His gaze drops once to your mouth, then back to your eyes, searching your face like he’s asking for permission he already knows you’ll give.
Then he tilts his forehead to yours. His voice is barely a breath.
“Everybody here wants you,” he whispers again. “But I’m the one who loves you.”
It happens slowly, but there is nothing hesitant about it. He does not rush or crash into you like a movie moment. He just leans in, steady and sure, until his breath mixes with yours and the space between you disappears. When his lips finally find yours, it is soft and deliberate but charged, like he is pouring everything he has never said into the smallest touch.
You kiss him back, startled by the heat that rises through you, the way your chest tightens and loosens all at once. It starts gentle and uncertain, then deepens as something in both of you gives way. He tastes like warmth and smoke and the memory of his poems. His hand slides to the back of your neck, anchoring you there, fingers curling slightly against your skin as he tilts his head and pulls you closer, just enough to steal your breath. You reach up without thinking, your hand settling against his chest where you can feel his heart racing under your palm.
When you part, the world feels different. The cave, the candlelight, the air itself, everything hums. You are both trembling, both smiling like you do not quite believe it is real.
He exhales a soft, shaky laugh and presses a lingering kiss to the corner of your mouth, then your temple. His voice breaks a little when he speaks.
“You have no idea,” he murmurs, another kiss to your hairline, “how long I’ve wanted to do that.”
You laugh, eyes glassy. “You could’ve just told me.”
“I did, sweetheart,” he says with that lazy grin that melts you every time. “Just… in about two hundred poems.”
You laugh again, but it breaks halfway, too full, too much. He just watches you, still tracing your hand with his thumb, reverent and amazed like he’s looking at something holy.
And when he finally whispers, “You’re my favorite poem,” you believe him.
Charlie Dalton x reader
CW: female reader, quiet reader, use of Y/N, classic pig prank, and Mr. Nolan
[1.4k words] first published thing on tumblr.. I’m nervous
Y/N arrived at Welton as one of the few girls in the entire school, a result of its recent decision to go co-ed. She quickly learned that, as one of the first females, she was both an outsider and an anomaly. Sharp-witted and observant, Y/N realized that to gain the respect of the boys and teachers, she had to be more than just smart—she needed to be quiet, watchful, and strategic. She kept to herself, sitting in the back of classrooms and taking meticulous notes. Y/N spoke only when necessary, blending into the wood-paneled walls of Welton’s corridors like a fly on the wall.
But while she played the part of the diligent, invisible student, inside she felt like she was suffocating. The school’s rigid rules, the condescending looks from some of the boys, and the constant pressure to perform weighed heavily on her. And yet, through it all, she noticed one boy who carried himself differently. And that was Charlie Dalton.
Charlie was everything Y/N wasn’t: loud, rebellious, and carefree. She had heard whispers about him and his friends, their love for breaking rules, and their knack for mischief. Yet, she had never interacted with any of them. Charlie was always surrounded by his friends, laughing, joking, and getting into trouble. He was everything Y/N wasn’t allowed to be, and for that, she envied him.
Even so, Y/N chose to remain in the shadows, keeping her head down and making no friends. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t planning something.
It was lunchtime in the cafeteria, and the Dead Poets were seated at their usual table, enjoying their meal.
“This place has gotten a little boring, don’t you think, fellas?” Charlie said, pushing his lunch around on his tray.
“Dalton, I swear if you get us in trouble again, I’m going to kill you,” Neil replied, though his tone was light-hearted.
Charlie grinned mischievously, his eyes scanning the room as if he were already planning his next scheme. “Relax, Perry. I’m just saying this place could use a little excitement.”
At that moment, the cafeteria erupted into chaos. A loud squeal echoed through the room, and all heads turned to see a pig trotting through the center of the cafeteria. The pig had the number “1” painted on its back in bold black ink. The students burst into laughter, and even the most uptight teachers looked momentarily baffled.
“Is that…” Knox started, but was cut off by another squeal.
“Charlie, what did you do?” Meeks cried.
A second pig appeared, this one with the number “2” on its back, followed by a third pig, marked with the number “4.” The pigs darted between tables, students jumping out of their way, and soon the entire cafeteria was in pandemonium. The teachers, led by Headmaster Nolan, were frantically trying to catch the pigs while also searching for the missing pig number “3.”
“This is amazing,” Charlie muttered, his grin widening. “Where’s the third pig?”
“Where’s number three?” a student shouted, his voice tinged with glee. The question spread like wildfire. Everyone started speculating about the missing pig. Was it still on the loose? How had it escaped?
Charlie’s grin slowly faded in awe. “I don’t think there is a third pig.”
The teachers were losing their minds, and Headmaster Nolan himself was stomping through the hallways, barking orders and demanding answers.
But Y/N was laughing. Not just smiling, not just chuckling, but truly, laughing. It was the first time she had felt joy since arriving at Welton. She laughed so hard that tears came to her eyes, and she had to sit down to keep herself from falling over.
She was practically in stitches, and for the first time, Charlie noticed just how beautiful she was when she wasn’t trying to blend into the background.
“Hey, I’ll be right back,” Charlie said to the group, getting up from his seat before anyone could stop him. He crossed the room with his usual swagger, dodging a teacher who was trying to corner one of the pigs, and made his way over to Y/N’s table.
Y/N wiped away a tear from her eye as Charlie slid into the seat across from her. She looked up, still smiling, but with a hint of confusion as Charlie sat down.
“What’s so funny?” Charlie asked, his eyes twinkling with curiosity.
Y/N’s smile grew wider as she leaned in a little closer, lowering her voice. “Can you keep a secret?” She whispered as Charlie leaned in impossibly closer, nodding. “This is my prank.”
Charlie’s eyes widened in surprise, but his grin didn’t falter. “You’re kidding.”
“Not at all,” Y/N replied, a hint of pride in her voice. “I thought it’d be fun to throw the teachers off. There’s no third pig. They’ll be looking for it all day.”
Charlie let out a low whistle, clearly impressed. “That’s genius.”
“I’m glad someone appreciates it,” Y/N said, her tone teasing, though she was genuinely pleased by his reaction.
“Are you kidding? This is the best prank I’ve seen all year. You’ve got Nolan running around like a headless chicken.” Charlie leaned back in his chair, studying her with renewed interest. “So, how does someone like you, no offense, pull off something like this?”
Y/N shrugged, still grinning. “Well, for starters, I grew up on a farm. My brother graduated from Welton a few years ago and hated it just as much as I do. He helped me get the pigs here as a parting gift for this place.”
Charlie couldn’t help but laugh. “I think I’m in love.”
Y/N rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress the warmth that spread across her cheeks. “Please, you don’t even know me.”
“I know enough,” Charlie said, his tone suddenly more serious, though the playful glint in his eyes remained. “You’re the first person here who’s managed to pull off a prank like this without getting caught. That’s something.”
“Thanks,” Y/N said, surprised by how much she enjoyed talking to Charlie. He was different from the other boys at Welton. He was bold, confident, and a little reckless, but in a way that made her feel like maybe this place wasn’t so bad after all.
“If you ever need a group to hang out with, we’ve got a club where we meet up, read poetry, talk about life, and basically just try to remember that there’s more to the world than this school.”
Y/N’s interest was piqued. “Sounds intriguing.”
“It is,” Charlie said, his eyes locking onto hers. “And we could use someone like you. Someone who knows how to shake things up.”
Y/N felt a warmth in her chest at his words. For the first time since she’d arrived at Welton, she felt like she might actually belong somewhere. “Maybe I’ll check it out,” she said, trying to sound casual, though her heart was racing.
Charlie grinned. “Good. I’d like to take you out some night as well.”
“And how would you manage to sneak both of us out Dalton?” Y/N asked.
“I have my ways, beautiful,” Charlie winks.
Before Y/N could respond, one of the teachers finally managed to catch the first pig, eliciting a cheer from the students. But the excitement was short-lived as the search for the elusive third pig continued.
“Well, it looks like your prank is going to keep them busy for a while,” Charlie said, standing up. “Nice work, L/N.”
Y/N smiled up at him. “Thanks, Dalton.”
As Charlie walked back to his table, Y/N watched him go, a smile still lingering on her lips. For the first time since arriving at Welton, she felt a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, this place wouldn’t be so bad after all.
Back at the Dead Poets’ table, the boys were still talking about the pigs. Charlie slid back into his seat, a satisfied smirk on his face.
“What are you so happy about?” Knox asked, glancing at Charlie suspiciously.
“Oh, nothing,” Charlie said, his eyes flicking back to where Y/N was sitting. “Just met someone who might be even crazier than me.”
“You mean to tell us these pigs have nothing to do with you?” asked Neil.
“Nope,” Charlie replied, popping the “p” as he tilted his head in Y/N’s direction.
Neil raised an eyebrow. “L/N? The quiet girl?”
Charlie nodded, still grinning. “Turns out she’s got a wild side.”
Charlie Dalton x reader
CW: female reader, use of Y/N, making out, Knox and Chris, slight underage drinking
[2.7k words]
“You guys gotta help me! It’s an emergency!” Knox burst into Charlie’s dorm room, breathless and frantic. He barely noticed the way Charlie and Y/N were laughing over some inside joke, their textbooks abandoned on the desk. He knew Y/N would be there; she always was.
Charlie looked up, his eyes narrowing with a mix of curiosity and concern. “Whoa, slow down, Overstreet. What’s the crisis?”
Y/N’s smile faded into a slight frown as she turned to Knox. “What happened, Knox? Are you okay?”
Knox took a deep breath, knowing this was a long shot but feeling like he had no other choice. “I need you two to fake date each other,” he said in one breath.
Y/N blinked, her frown deepening as she tried to process what Knox had just said. “Wait, what?”
Knox pressed on before he could lose his nerve. “Chris thinks we have something going on. You know how we flirted at one of her parties so I could make her jealous? Well now she thinks you and I are a thing, Y/N, and I need her to know that we’re not. Because you’re with someone else.” Knox took a breath. “I don’t care if it's Charlie you fake date. Hell, I can ask Cameron if you want.”
Y/N gasped at the thought of even fake dating Cameron, “Do you really think so low of me?”
Charlie raised his eyebrows, curious to see how Knox could get out of the grave he's digging for himself.
“No, I don’t. I promise,” Knox whined. “I’m just a guy in love making stupid decisions. So please, help me out, would you?”
Y/N opened her mouth to tell him he’s out of his mind, but before she could get a word out, Charlie’s lips curled into a mischievous grin. “You know what? We’ll do it,” he said, cutting her off, his tone filled with a teasing edge. He shot Y/N a wink, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
Y/N’s initial shock faded as she caught on to Charlie’s playful mood. A slow grin (and a lot of blush) spread across her face as she realized this could be a lot more fun than she’d initially thought. “Alright, yeah,” she agreed, turning to Knox with a smile. “We’ll help you out.”
Knox’s shoulders slumped in relief. “You two are the best,” he said, though he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something he was missing in this whole arrangement.
“Not so fast,” Charlie said. “Our fake relationship comes with a price.”
And there it was, Knox thought, the missing piece. “Alright, what?”
“We each get a request. Only fair because this is Y/N’s second time helping your sorry ass out,” Charlie said.
Knox looked at his shoes, as if contemplating, however everyone knew he would do anything for a chance that Chris even looks at him. “Fine, but you have to decide now what you want.”
Y/N and Charlie looked at eachother and high fived. “Score!” Y/N cheered.
“Alright, I want folded laundry for a month,” Charlie requested.
“A week,” Knox retorted.
“Two weeks and I’ll give you a pick-up line pep talk.” Charlie shot a wink towards Y/N. “Angels should be in heaven. How'd you escape?”
Y/N giggled and put her head in her hands to stop them from seeing her face blush. It wasn’t even that good of a line, but it was Charlie delivering it.
This got Knox to reply quickly. “Deal. And for you?”
“Hmm. Twenty dollars so Charlie can take me out,” she responds.
“Done and done.”
Charlie pauses to argue, “Hey wait, how come you didn’t negotiate with her? Twenty bucks for one date? That’s so much!”
“Can it Charlie, he already agreed,” Y/N hushed. “And aren’t I worth an expensive date?”
“You know that's not what I meant,” Charlie pleaded.
“She’s worth more than you and has helped me out multiple times,” Knox explained.
“Fair enough,” Charlie shrugs. “Okay, so. How is this gonna work?”
“Well…” Knox starts.
The plan was simple: Knox and Y/N were both invited to one of Chris’s parties as usual, and this time, they invited Charlie to tag along. The idea was that Chris would see Y/N with Charlie and realize Knox was available, and maybe, just maybe, Chris would stop thinking there was something going on between Knox and Y/N and then make a move on Knox.
The night of the party, Knox was a nervous wreck. Charlie tried to help calm his nerves when he gave his Flirting 101 Pep Talk, but Knox still felt a knot in his stomach as they arrived at Chris’s place, a large, bustling house filled with students and the sound of music booming from the speakers. Y/N and Charlie walked in together, Charlie's arm slung casually over Y/N's shoulder, their smiles easy and relaxed. Knox followed close behind, trying to keep his cool.
Chris greeted them at the door with a smile, but her eyes quickly darted to Y/N and Charlie’s closeness, then finally to Knox.
“Hey guys. Come on in,” Chris welcomed the group. For a moment, her face hardened with suspicion, looking mildly uncomfortable.
“Chris, hi!” Y/N called. She moved to give Chris a hug, but Chris deflected, moving to let them all inside.
“Well you all know where the drinks are. See you around.” Chris ran off into the party, leaving the three friends in the foyer of Chris’s massive house.
“What did you do, Overstreet?” Charlie asked, turning to Knox.
“What do you mean, me?” Knox said with his hands up. “It was obviously Y/N she’s mad at.”
“Yeah, I didn’t like that at all. We were really starting to be close friends too.” Y/N hugged herself, feeling shame for something she didn’t understand.
“Hey, we’ll figure it out.” Charlie reached out to rub Y/N’s arms. “It’ll be okay, angel.”
“Let’s just get to the party to carry out Knox’s plan.”
“Right, let's loosen up.”
As they made their way through the crowd, Y/N and Charlie naturally gravitated toward each other, their banter flowing easily as they exchanged inside jokes. Knox couldn’t help but notice how well they got along. Better than most fake couples he’d ever seen (which was zero). They sat down on a couch in the corner of the room, and Knox awkwardly squeezed in between them.
Chris hovered nearby, her eyes darting between Knox and Y/N before she excused herself to grab drinks. Y/N and Charlie, noticing this, looked at each other and then at Knox’s sad face.
“You know what, Y/N and I will get us something to drink,” Charlie said, standing up. He offered Y/N his hand, which she accepted.
“Yeah, you just.. save us this spot, okay?” Y/N offered.
They received a groan in response, so they made their way to the make-shift bar.
Charlie got to the bar first and started grabbing multiple different bottles and cups at once.
“Careful with that, Dalton,” Y/N teased as Charlie attempted to pour them both a drink. “You might spill it all over yourself.”
Charlie smirked, deliberately overfilling his cup. “Maybe I just need someone to clean me up,” he quipped, leaning a little closer.
Y/N laughed, shaking her head as she reached for her drink. “You’re impossible.”
“And yet, you’re still here,” Charlie shot back, his tone light but his gaze intense. He brushed a stray strand of her hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering a moment longer than necessary.
Y/N’s heart skipped a beat, and she playfully nudged him. “Don’t get too full of yourself, Dalton.”
Just as Charlie was about to retort, Chris appeared beside them, her expression unreadable. “Hey, Y/N, can I talk to you for a second?”
Y/N glanced at Charlie, who gave her a small, encouraging nod, before turning back to Chris. “Sure, what’s up?”
Chris crossed her arms, her voice edged with frustration. “It’s not fair, you know. How you’re treating Knox. Last party, you two were all over each other, and now you’re with Charlie? What’s going on?”
Y/N sighed, realizing how things might have looked from the outside. “Chris, it was just for fun. There’s nothing between Knox and me. We were just trying to have a good time. I’m with Charlie now.”
Chris looked between Y/N and Charlie, processing this new information. “So, Knox is single?”
Y/N nodded, trying to keep her voice gentle. “Yeah, he is. I didn’t mean to lead him on or anything. He’s just a friend.”
Chris’s shoulders relaxed slightly as if a weight had been lifted. “Okay. I just.. I wanted to look out for him, you know?”
Y/N offered her a reassuring smile. “I get it. But seriously, there’s nothing going on with Knox and me.” Chris looked down, bashfully. “If you like him, you should talk to him.”
Chris nodded thoughtfully. “We’ll see. Thanks, Y/N.”
Chris left quickly, leaving the two of them to watch her go.
“Do you think that solved it?” Charlie asked.
Y/N kept her eyes on Chris. “Well, she’s heading upstairs instead of to Knox or at least the party.”
“I don’t know if that's a good sign or not.” Charlie rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m starting to think that Knox’s plan isn’t going to work.”
“Well, I don’t want to upset Knox, so I think we should stick to our plan and be by his side in case things go sideways for him.” Y/N picked up her drink and took a sip. “Here, get him a drink and we’ll go back.”
“Yes ma’am,” Charlie saluted and grabbed a beer for himself and a mixed drink for Knox. They both made their way back to where Knox was seated.
“Here you go,” Charlie said, putting a drink in Knox’s hand. “Made your favorite.”
Charlie sat down next to Knox, and instead of Y/N sitting on Knox’s other side, she sat on Charlie’s lap.
“Oh, hello.” A smile spread across Charlie’s face as he situated himself for Y/N. She sent a smirk back.
Knox leaned in toward the two of them, lowering his voice so no one else could hear. “It’s not working,” he hissed. “She’s still ignoring me.”
Charlie rolled his eyes, an exasperated sigh escaping his lips. “Knox, you can’t think it's that easy. Even if she knows Y/N and I are together, she might want to take her time with you. Relationships aren’t that simple.”
Knox frowned, his frustration bubbling to the surface. “Then what do you suggest? Because it looks like you’re just sitting there talking, and she’s still convinced Y/N and I are a thing!”
Y/N, who had just about enough of Knox’s bullshit and bad flirting ideas, finally spoke up, her voice tinged with irritation. “Maybe the problem isn’t us, Knox. Maybe you just don’t know how to talk to her.”
Knox opened his mouth to protest, but Y/N wasn’t finished. She turned to Charlie with a determined glint in her eye. “You want to see what a real relationship looks like?”
Before Knox could respond, Y/N leaned in close to Charlie, her hand gently cupping his cheek as she whispered, “Let’s give him something to believe in.”
Charlie’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, but a slow, confident grin spread across his face as he caught on to what Y/N was planning. “As you wish,” he murmured, his voice low and playful.
Without another word, Y/N closed the distance between them, her lips meeting Charlie’s in a kiss that was anything but fake. It was slow and deliberate, filled with an intensity that took both of them by surprise. Charlie responded immediately, his arms wrapping around her waist as he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. They could feel the electricity between them, a chemistry that neither had fully acknowledged until now.
Knox stared at them in shock, his jaw dropping as he watched his friends completely lose themselves in the moment. He could barely comprehend what he was seeing. Their kiss was so convincing, so real, that he almost believed they were a couple.
As the kiss stretched on, Chris reappeared with slightly more makeup on and a new shirt, her eyes widening as she took in the sight of Y/N and Charlie locked in a passionate embrace. She turned to Knox, her expression a mix of confusion and curiosity. “Knox, can we talk for a minute?” she asked, her voice soft.
Knox snapped out of his stupor, nodding quickly as he stood up. “Uh, yeah, sure,” he said, casting one last glance at the kissing couple before taking out a twenty dollar bill and leaving it on the table nearby.
“Let’s leave those two lovebirds alone,” Chris said with a small smile, taking Knox by the hand and leading him away.
Once Chris and Knox were out of sight, Y/N and Charlie finally pulled apart, their breathing heavy, their faces flushed. They looked at each other for a moment, a mixture of surprise and amusement dancing in their eyes. And then, simultaneously, they both burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the room.
“That was..” Y/N started, but she couldn’t stop giggling long enough to finish her sentence.
“Amazing?” Charlie offered, his grin wide and unrestrained.
Y/N nodded. “Yeah, amazing.”
Little did Knox know, Y/N and Charlie had been secretly dating the entire time. Their relationship had started out quietly, both of them preferring to keep things low-key, but tonight had changed everything. There was no fooling anyone about their status anymore, not after that kiss.
“So, what now?” Y/N asked, her voice softening as the laughter died down.
Charlie leaned in closer, his forehead resting gently against hers. “Now, we stop pretending,” he said, his voice tender but firm. “No more hiding. No more fake relationships. Just us.”
Y/N smiled, her heart swelling with happiness as she nodded. “Just us.”
“So how about I take my best girl out on a date she deserves,” Charlie says, picking up the twenty dollars as Y/N’s reward.
Y/N laughed, “I don’t know, Charlie. Someone told me that was too much for a date.”
“Yeah, well, that was before the hottest make out of his life.” Charlie winked and stood up. “I think my baby could use some pampering.”
“Well if you insist.”
Charlie bent over and picked up Y/N as she squealed in excitement. He gave her a quick kiss before starting to make his way through the party to leave.
“Well, I’m glad to be out of a fake relationship and into a real one. With the same person, if I might add. Gets a little confusing, don’t you think?” They were approaching the front door and finally getting outside.
“I think I’m more happy to be done flirting with Knox,” Y/N shuttered. “Do you think your pickup lines helped him at all?”
Charlie stopped walking and stared straight ahead. “Well, either that or you talked some sense into Chris to finally talk to Knox. Look.” Charlie tilted his head forward, pointedly.
There stood Knox and Chris sharing a kiss (really getting at it for a first kiss too).
“Awe. Charlie, I think we did that.” Y/N hugged Charlie tighter, pushing their heads together. Charlie slowly set her down, keeping her wrapped up in his arms.
“No, baby, I know we did that. We’re gonna have to make speeches at their wedding about tonight. They’re gonna have to repay us by naming their kids after us.”
Y/N laughed, turning to Charlie. “I hope Charlie’s a girl then.”
Charlie rolled his eyes. “Well, as long as she’s beautiful. Gotta live up to the name, if you know what I mean.”
“Oh I do know. You are quite beautiful Charlie,” Y/N said, looking at Charlie as if he was the only thing in the universe.
Charlie blushed. “You know I could never compare to you.”
“I love you, Charlie.”
“I love you too, angel.”
They both leaned in for a kiss, this one slow and tender, a stark contrast to the heated exchange they’d shared earlier. It was gentle, filled with warmth and affection, a moment that spoke of love more than anything else.
okay okay wait. you people would know. have you seen the courtney cox and lisa kudrow royal kingdom ad on the airplane???? is it allelon ruggiero in the background? behing courtney? bc it looks soooo much like him and i NEED to know if im being crazy or not
okay okay wait. you people would know. have you seen the courtney cox and lisa kudrow royal kingdom ad on the airplane???? is it allelon ruggiero in the background? behing courtney? bc it looks soooo much like him and i NEED to know if im being crazy or not
do you ever feel like you're not dps-ing enough? like for my internship i just sit behind a computer and code all day. this is not me seizing the day. i want to go to the cave and scream.
Hi! I would love it if you wrote a Charlie x fem!reader where it’s the reader’s birthday, and Charlie is super sweet, he offers a present (idk what)... And I’m requesting this cause it’s my bday today (I know that if you choose to write it, I’ll never get it today but anyway it will be a late birthday present)
Thank you very much if you like it and write it🎁
happy very-very-very belated birthday!! 😓
we actually have close birthdays though!!
im hoping you all will let me return to writing after all this time🤗
Birthday Poetry
Charlie Dalton x reader
CW: female reader[0.8k words]
The cave smelled faintly of wax and woodsmoke, candles flickering along the stone walls and casting soft shadows that danced in rhythm with the laughter of the Dead Poets Society. You were seated on a folded blanket with your legs tucked under you, a warm paper cup of cider in your hands and a crown of dried flowers, crafted by Neil and Todd, resting crookedly on your head.
Charlie had insisted on throwing you a birthday party in the cave, even though you told him you didn’t need one, but it had been perfect. Neil cracking jokes, making sure everyone had a good time, Meeks and Pitts presenting a homemade "cake" which was really just a mess of pastries from the dining hall stacked on a plate, and Knox gifting you a poem he swore wasn’t about Chris, even though everyone knew better.
Now, most of the cider had been drunk, the candles burned low, and the laughter quieted into soft conversation and sleepy yawns.
"Alright, alright, poets," Neil stood up and clapped his hands. "Time to let the birthday girl be."
"Good idea," Charlie agreed, as he was already looking at Neil with a silent understanding.
Todd gave you a soft smile and a little wave. “Happy birthday again,” he said, voice shy but sincere.
As the boys began gathering up their things and blowing out candles, Charlie leaned into your side and murmured, “Can you stay a little longer?” You turned your head to look at him. His voice was softer than usual, almost hesitant. “Just us,” he added.
“Of course,” you said.
Neil grinned like he knew something was up, because of course he did, and started herding the rest of the poets out of the cave. “Don’t be late for curfew,” he sing-songed before disappearing into the darkness.
The cave was suddenly quiet. The only sounds were the wind rustling outside and your heartbeat thudding in your chest.
Charlie got up and walked over to his satchel near the back of the cave. “Okay,” he said, almost to himself. “Now or never, Dalton.”
“What was that?” you teased, watching him with curiosity.
He turned, a small handmade notebook in his hands. It looked like something a child might make. Tied together with twine, the cover uneven and decorated with what looked like pressed flowers and clumsy hand-drawn stars. It was terribly made. It was also the most Charlie thing you'd ever seen.
“I made you something,” he said, suddenly nervous. He didn’t meet your eyes as he handed it to you, instead looking down at his feet. “It’s kind of dumb. But... also kind of not?”
You took it gently from his hands, fingers brushing his. “You made this?”
He nodded. “Open the first page.”
You flipped the cover open, careful not to damage the fragile binding. On the inside was a note, written in slightly smudged black ink:
“Happy birthday to the reason I believe in love poems.
Love, the guy who fell in love with you mid-sonnet,
Charlie Dalton.”
Your breath caught in your throat. “Charlie…” you whispered.
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ve been writing them. All semester, actually. Every time you smiled or said something clever or wore that stupid oversized sweater I love. Sometimes I just wrote a line. Sometimes a whole poem. And then I started copying down ones that reminded me of you. By other poets, I mean. Keating says plagiarism is still love if it’s in sonnet form.”
You laughed wetly and sniffled, turning another page. There was a small poem there, one of his, you could tell. It was messy and unpolished and heartbreakingly sincere. You wiped at your eyes with your sleeve.
“Hey, hey,” Charlie said, alarmed. “Why are you crying? Are you.. was it bad? Should I not have?”
“No, Charlie,” you said, voice thick. “It’s... it’s perfect. This is the most thoughtful, beautiful thing anyone has ever done for me.”
He sat down beside you quickly, scooting close. “You’re crying, like, a lot, babe.”
“I can’t help it,” you laughed through the tears. “It’s too sweet. You’re too sweet.”
He gave you a sheepish smile. “I was afraid it’d be too much. You’re usually the quiet one in this relationship.”
“I love it,” you whispered, leaning in and resting your head on his shoulder. “I love you.”
Charlie froze for a beat, then wrapped his arms around you and buried his face in your hair. “God, say it again.”
“I love you,” you said, softer this time, just for him.
He kissed the top of your head, his lips lingering. “You make me want to write a thousand more poems.”
You pulled back just enough to look up at him, your eyes still glassy. “You’re not gonna make me cry again, are you?”
He grinned and leaned in. “No promises.”
And then he kissed you. Gently, reverently, the way someone might kiss the edge of a prayer.
When you finally pulled apart, he whispered, “Happy birthday, my muse.”
You laughed, brushing his hair back from his face. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Ridiculously in love,” he corrected, placing another kiss at the corner of your mouth.