Third day of @charpimweek! I originally was going to make a comic, but realised there was too much dialogue to realistically draw it.
So, enjoy my first charpim fic! Featuring two men arguing.
8th of October – "Something's gotta change, brother"
Words: 915
Genre: Slice of life, Hurt/comfort (ig?)
This fic also contains mentions of substance abuse and trauma, so tread with that in mind!
Another shift began a few minutes ago, and there was no calls yet, so everyone was just chilling.
Pim, at the table, read some gardening tutorial on his phone, Alan, wearing headphones, was on a stepladder, counting the supplies on the top shelves, and Glep was at his usual spot watching video reacts.
With a slight thump, the door opened, and Charlie treaded towards the table, mumbling to himself. His eyebags looked worse than usual, his tendrils limp and all crooked, like someone chewed on them.
— Oh, my head's gonna explode. Man, I hate this... — the yellow critter groaned, rubbing his temple.
— Charlie... How much did you drink yesterday? — Pim asked in concerned tone, eyeing his boydfriend.
— Huh? Like, two cans of beer.... maybe three when I was playing and stuff. — the taller one answered.
— Charlie.... — Pim frowned, a wrinkle forming between his eyebrows.
— What?! Can't a guy enjoy a cold one after a bad shift?!
— ...Charlie, you were already very drunk when our shift ended. Yes, I saw you sitting there with a glass of something strong, and....
He recalled it. While he was talking to a client and accompanying them on the party, Charlie just sat there, laughing, a thick glass of brownish beverage in his hand. Was it whisky? Scotch? Something else? That didn't matter, and it still made the smaller critter sigh in disappointment before focusing on the client again.
— Pim, wh.... Why are you chastising me? Why are you doing that shit now?
— ...Because it's kinda important to me, Charlie. Yesterday you were getting buzzed when I did all the work, and...
— I did help!
— You were...
— I did help, Pim!
Technically that was true, because some of the Charlie's buzzed ramblings accidentally were adressed to the right person, who, in the end, approached the client, making them finally smile.
— D-don't interrupt me... Charlie... you were drinking while on job. And I had to drive you home, while you tried to...The pink one fidgeted nervously, tapping fingers on the table and against each other.
Just why is that reaction? He didn't mean to upset his boyfriend, just give an advice, but now it seemed only getting worse.
— Pim, shut up, you're not helping the situation. And was it the first time I drank on a job? Was it?!
— No, it wasn't, but....
— Really?! Well, shut up then!
— Charlie, listen....
— Why should I?! When we hang out, it's always, like "Oh, Chawlie, can I have a smoke?" but when I drink, it's suddenly a problem, huh?
Tendrils raised on the back of Charlie's head, now resembled six tiny snakes ready to attack. His canary fur stood on end, and a little growl could be heard between the words he spit.
— Ch-charlie.... It's, like, different... — What difference does it make, then?
— Well, I only smoke when hanging at yours, so, like, once in two weeks? So, it's not to match with what you do. Plus.... He rubbed the back if his head, sighing and looking down.
—...Charlie, you can really be dangerous sometimes.
— Wh-what do you mean? — the snakes slightly trembled, going down a bit.
— You remember Mr Boss's wedding? When you, like, bought that knife, held me by the shoulders and started waving it at my face?
— Man, I... I didn't hold you! I don't remember holding you, I was just showing a cool trick, and...
— Well, you did. You know I don't like accusing you, but that's what happened.
— Huh?...
— Charlie, I even said I was scared. See? That's what I'm talking about!– Pim, but that was...– That's not the only time. Remember when we got abducted and those aliens said they can't get us back home? When you, like, picked a fight with them...– Pim! They were super assholes, and we were both shit-faced that one time! – No, see... See, it's not about that. It's that I tried to stop you because they had big claws, and you... you really punched me?...A large drop collected at the lower eyelid of Pim's smaller eye.
— Oh, man... I, like, didn't mean to.... And you could talk it out sooner, you know?
Charlie's fur laid down, his thick eyebrows folding into the same shape as Pim's.
— Charlie, I... I thought it wasn't a problem. I tried to convince myself, for weeks, but I couldn't. It's just that... When you're that intoxicated, I genuinely fear you. It's not your fault even, it's like... It's something deep inside me that I can't throw away. It's like a reflex.
— Pim...
— No, Charlie, I guess I didn't have to say it, you know...
— No, Pim, I'm sorry for that shit. Like, really. I think.... I think I finally need to get my life together, man.
— For me? — the smaller one's antenna lifted a bit, eyes shining with a small glint of hope.
— For us. – Charlie moved his chair closer, hugging Pim firmly, letting the tears stain his hoodie.
They sat like that in silence for a few minutes.
...Suddenly, the door opened again, letting a small draft into the breakroom.
— Hi boys, guess what an adventure do I have for you? — Mr Boss giggled, winking at his employees, — Oh boy... Did I miss something?
— Ah, it's nothing.... — Charlie mumbled, quickly letting go of Pim, who blushed profusely.
Allan looked on the new guest, putting off his headphones.
— Seems like Those two aRe aT iT a-gain wiTh the ga-eey shiT, huh? – he commented.
— Aww, just.... Shut up, man! — Charlie protested, blushing a shade of orange.