charlie x

You and Chris had begun to hang out more and more recently. Separate from group hangouts, and separate from Nick and Matt.

Before, you would usually hang out with at least one other person - but slowly, and gradually, you guys began to have one-on-ones instead.

It was a seamless transition. One that you two hardly even noticed until Matt mentioned it one day.

“What’s up with you and Chris?” he had asked.

You ignored his question but it echoed through your brain days and days after. What was up with you and Chris?

Now you were getting ready to go to dinner. With Chris.

He had called you half an hour before, stating that he was bringing you out for food. When you asked whether his brothers were coming, he almost seemed shocked.

“No. Why would I be bringing Nick and Matt? It’s just us.”

And he left it at that.

You put on a casual outfit, as you weren’t expecting it to be anything big. I mean, you guys were just two friends going out to eat - nothing major, right?

Yet even though you knew it wasn’t a date, you were growing increasingly nervous.

The two of you had never crossed the boundary between friends and dating - but the countless movie nights you had together at your house, your sleepovers, and walks around the neighborhood started to feel more and more couple-y as time went by.

You just put your finished touches to your outfit when you heard your front door unlock. Chris had been given a spare key to your house upon the millionth time that he stayed over. It was just easier that way since you two spent so much time together.

“I’m in here!” you shouted as you picked up your keys and bag.

Chris knocked on your door before entering, hands in his pockets as he waited for you.

You gave him a smile, admiring his outfit. He looked good, and as the thought crossed your head you were surprised. It’s not that you’ve never appreciated his looks before, but the butterflies you felt when he looked at you confused you.

‘Just friends,’ you thought to yourself for what felt like the hundredth time this month.

“Gimme a sec, I can’t find my wallet,” you muttered as you dug through your bag.

Chris raised an eyebrow at you, tilting his head.

“No need. I’m paying,” he said.

Your head shot up to look at him. Sure he had paid for you before, but never for dinner. Sometimes he let you pay when you insisted, and he never let down an offer if you urged to bring your money.

Taking your shocked silence as an answer, he walked up to you. Zipping your bag up and taking it in his hand, he grabbed your other hand and pulled you towards your front door.

“What’s this all about, anyway?” you asked, tying your shoelaces.

“I can’t take my friend out on a date?” he joked, but there was a hint of sincerity in his eyes.

You looked away, trying not to blush like an idiot.

He always found a way to mess with you, so you didn’t think much of his response.

Getting your car keys ready, you walked out of the house, Chris locking the door behind you. Looking up you could see the minivan parked outside. This was getting weird - Chris never drove you anywhere.

“What’s with the car?” you asked suspiciously.

Taking your keys from your hand and throwing it into your bag that he was still holding, he responded.

“What kind of date would I be if I made you drive.”

He said it as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Taking your hand again, he walked you to the car. This time, your heart fluttered. The hold on your hand was gentle - almost as if he was testing the waters.

A casual hand hold was new to you. Chris had only ever done it to drag you out of bed, or the house. Never just to walk together.

He opened the door for you, pulled out your chair at the diner, and as promised, paid for the bill. You were beyond bewildered. You now were questioning whether or not him calling this a date was a joke.

The drive home was silent, only the faint buzz of the radio could be heard in the background.

From the side of your eye, you could see Chris’ head turn towards you. You look to him and smile. He returned a bashful smile before focusing his attention back to the road.

Parking in your front yard, he walked to your side of the door to open it once more. He offered you his hand, helping you climb out of the car.

You needed to have a talk with him. Like - immediately.

Entering the house, you both took your shoes off, ready to end the night with a movie. It was like a ritual - you came home and got comfy on the couch to watch some silly thing that Chris had saved for you both on his Netflix account.

Before you let Chris walk deeper into your home, you grabbed his wrist, pulling him towards you.

“Hey,” you said, gaining his attention, “About today…”

“What about it?” his brows furrowed, wondering what you meant.

“I just- I wanna be on the same page.” you said nervously.

“About?”

“Us.”

You anticipated a response. Honestly you just wanted him to say something. Anything.

He took a cautious step towards you, looking you square in the eyes. He had this sudden air of confidence about him - like he was 100% sure of what he was about to say.

“It’s not like it was really our first date - it’s just the only one that we acknowledged was a date,” he said nonchalantly. Again, acting as if it was such a plain fact.

You agreed of course. There was no beating around the bush. You guys had been practically going on dates for weeks.

“I couldn’t tell if you were being serious.”

You felt slightly stupid and small. Insecure was the last thing you wanted to come across as, but you couldn’t help it.

“Of course I was - I am,” he said, taking your hands in his. “I thought we might as well go on a proper one, y’know?”

You smiled at him. He was such an idiot sometimes, but you loved it. If he had just told you beforehand you could’ve avoided all this confusion.

“And I’m serious about this. About you,” he said.

You knew Chris wasn’t good with commitment, so him being so open melted your heart.

“Okay. We can take it slow then,” you said.

“I think we’ve been taking it slow enough,” he laughed.

You laughed along with him. He was right. All the times you two tiptoed around the conversation of what you two really were. Ignoring his brother’s questions about your relationship. It was finally time to come to terms with what was happening between you.

“Well if you say so. I do think it’s customary for a man to kiss their date once they’re at the door,” you said.

With a smirk on his face, and a blush creeping up his neck, he leaned down to meet your lips.

He gently pushed you into the wall, pressing his bodyweight against you. The kiss started slow but quickly spiraled into a passionate, long-awaited release of emotions.

All the pent up tension from the past few weeks was exchanged into the kiss. The desperation evident in the way that his hands roamed across your frame, snaking around your back to arch you into him.

He let out a soft sigh, tilting his head to deepen the kiss.

His hair tickled your face, and as you pulled back you tucked it behind his ear.

You let out a breathy laugh, feeling relieved.

As you two stood there with Chris’ grip tight on your waist, and your hands wrapped around his neck, you struggled to catch your breath.

“So much for taking it slow,” he joked, nudging his nose with yours.

You rolled your eyes playfully. As if he wasn’t about to kiss you anyway. Watching as he leaned his head down, you heard his voice pierce through the silence.

“Let’s go watch that movie, hm?” he whispered against your ear.

He once again took your hand, interlocking your fingers and pulling you towards the living room.

The rest of the evening was spent snuggled together on the couch. Never in your wildest dreams did you expect this to come out of your one-on-one hangouts - but you were thrilled with the outcome.