The Trouble with Bread and Neighbors
Summary:
After accidentally offending his new neighbor by offering bread, Charlie was certain of two facts in his life. He, Charlie, had become a target. And neighbor Xavier might be the death of him.
A/N: Hello Love and Deepspace Friends!!! This is a little (Crack) fic for those of us who felt bad for Charlie getting Xavier's pouty wrath. Please enjoy!
Charlie had decided to move to Linkon City for the good of his business and for the good of his overall health. After years of âmessing upâ his life, he had finally saved enough to open his own bakery in town.
It was meant to be a fresh start.
His friends even encouraged the move, praising the area for its friendly citizens and for being well-protected by hunters.
Yet somehow, poor Charlie had blundered his chance for that experience on his first day.
To be fair, he didnât recall saying anything particularly insulting to the scarily tall white-haired hunter. Was offering free bread to neighbors crossing a line in Linkon? It was advertising.
And the hunter refused his own batch too!
Not to mention, the frosty rejection when Charlie invited MC to tour bakeries in the area.
From that moment forth, the memory of Xavierâs tone always sent chills down Charlieâs neck, his tacit threat veiled by a polite smile and courteous words. The baker contemplated making amends more than once--though he wasnât sure for what. Ultimately, he decided not to further entangle their complicated start.
That was until the fated day when his doorbell rangâŚ
With his apartment still half unpacked, Charlie hadnât received any visitors at home yet, and his packages were directed to the buildingâs mailroom. He knew it had to be a neighbor. The thought was enough to lift his spiritsâŚuntil he viewed the new company through the doorbell camera.
The familiar wide eyes of the hunter stared back at him through the screen. Unlike the last few encounters, there was no darkness swirling behind the ocean of blue. Instead, his eyes crinkled at the edges, following the upward curve of his lips. The expression appeared far too strained to indicate friendliness.
Still, Charlie didnât want to be a coward so he answered the door.
âCharlie, right?â Xavier asked when the baker said nothing.
He hadnât meant to gape, but even in a plain hoodie and jeans, the hunter couldnât hide his profession with his towering posture and ominous grin.
Iâm a dead manâŚ
âXavier,â Charlie managed to say after warding off the millions of scenarios his mind conjured of how he could perish by this manâs large hands. âH-how are you?â
âIâm well,â Xavier replied with an amiability that was foreign in their previous interactions. He shifted on his feet, his said large hands lifting up a small rectangular package wrapped in cloth. âI realized I hadnât given you a proper welcome--even after you gifted us that bread.â
Charlie didnât miss the biting emphasis on us. While MC had introduced herself as his colleague, he suspected they must've been somewhat of an item, even if they didnât explicitly say.
The hunter extended the bag. âI made some egg tarts today,â he said. âI thought to bring you some.â
Charlie glanced at the knapsack warily, though his hand reached out to take it before his hesitation could be misconstrued as rudeness.
âO-oh,â he stammered out. âThatâs very kind. Thank you!â
âItâs not the best,â Xavier added, shoving his hands into his pockets and having the audacity to appear timid. Had Charlie imagined the churlish remarks the other day? Or maybe heâd been having a bad week at the time?
âIâm sure theyâre delicious,â Charlie appeased. He jutted a thumb to the open door behind him. âDid you want to come in?â
Xavier shook his head and took a step back. âNo, itâs okay,â he said. âI was just trying to be more neighborly. Hope you enjoy the tarts.â
And with that, the man turned on his heel and retreated down the hallâto MCâs apartment no less. They could at least be subtleâŚ
Charlie returned to his own apartment, setting the tarts on the counter as he replayed the bewildering conversation in his mind. Shoving his suspicions aside, he unfolded the cloth and opened the small container.
It was an abomination to all baked goods.
There was far too much char on a crust that should have been golden. Not to mention, the shape of the tarts was oblong instead of circular with each one of varying size.
StillâŚIt was the thought that counted, right?
With that charitable idea, he procured one of the pastries and took a generous bite.
His tongue rejected it immediately. In panic, he spit the half-chewed piece into the trash, running to the sink to cleanse his mouth. The taste of burnt flour lingered on his tongue still, turning more acrid with every passing second.
He eyed the bitten tart with disgust. The bottom was most certainly black and inedible, a complete contrast to the golden-ish center. With a pause, he considered the custard middle that seemed decent, albeit amateur.
In the name of neighborliness, he risked his life again and swiped out a dollop of the center to taste. As expected, the custard wasnât greatâa little lumpyâbut it wasn't bad either. Besides, he hadnât eaten much today and didnât feel like cooking after a whole day of unpacking.
So, he gratefully feasted on Xavierâs peace offering, wondering if this would be a start to a new friendship.
-------------------
As it turned out, the peace offering was actually a murder attempt.
One that took effect in the middle of the night in the form of severe stomach pains and a mess coming from either end of Charlieâs person.
Food poisoning.
The hunter had tried to poison him.
Charlie shouldâve been less naive to accept the sudden gentle disposition presented to him. It was a Trojan Horse, designated to end him.
As he scraped himself off the bathroom floor after hours of dispelling his insides, he was certain of two facts.
He, Charlie, was a target. And neighbor Xavier might be the death of him.
Time only proved him right in this matter.
Later in the week, when Charlie had finally recovered enough strength to return to work, he nearly stumbled into Xavier asleep in the hallway, donning his hunter uniform and sword at his side.
Normal people didnât fall asleep fully clothed in the hallway. There was no smell of alcohol.
No, this was a camp-out.
Xavier was patiently waiting for the baker to emerge from his home so he could discreetly assassinate him.
Although the hunter did seem to have some scratches and bruises from what appeared to be a fight, Charlie knew they were probably fakeâto create a believable alibi.
He would allocate Charlieâs death as collateral damage from a Wanderer skirmish. No one would question it!
But the baker refused to be fooled. He avoided death that day by extending his sick time and shutting himself back into his apartment.
The next assassination attempt occurred weeks later and was less subtle. Xavier had appeared at Charlieâs doorstep again, this time with a package.
âThere must've been a mix-up in address,â the hunter explained, offering a sealed brown box that no doubt held a glitter bomb at best and noxious gas at worst. Besides, the smile on his lips was too friendly to be genuine.
Mix up? Impossible!
Charlie meticulously tracked all his orders, and no one sent surprise packagesâŚexcept maybe his mother. But it couldn't be that!
So, he thanked Xavier and promptly dumped the package into the trash by the door without reading the label. He was sure to maintain eye contact to assert his dominance.
Death wouldn't have him that day either.
The worst offense was on none other than his birthday. He wasnât sure how Xavier had discovered the date. Charlie had mentioned it to MC in passing, but surely the hunter would have given a respite on that special day in the name of humanity.
So he thought until he returned home from his birthday dinner and found a small pot on his doormat. Inside was a small plant with red tendrils spiking from its center.
A note peeked out from the side.
âHappy Birthday! I hope this year is as lovely as this Sundew Plant. It needs lots of sun, so place it on your balcony! ^^ - your neighbor Xavierâ
It was obviously a threat. After an extensive internet search, Charlie uncovered that the plant was carnivorous, luring its prey into its hold with its deceptively cute appearance before it sucked the life from the victim.
Deceptively cuteâŚJust like XavierâŚ
From that point on, Charlie avoided the hunter at all costs, determined not to soften at his friendly smiles and greetings.
Despite having to defend his own life within the apartment building, life outside of Xavierâs assassination attempts continued to flourish.
The bakery was doing exquisitely, and as the months passed, Charlie thought it might be best to extend the shopâs hours. But it would make the commute to and from work a nightmare.
So, with his new funds, he decided to rent a more spacious apartment closer to his business. He wasnât particularly attached to the small studio, and most of his friends lived further in town.
Once heâd chosen a place, he began packing immediately. He didnât see Xavier for quite a while either, making the transition even more peaceful.
The hunter only appeared again on moving day, and there were enough witnesses present that Charlie felt safe.
âYouâre moving?â the white-haired man questioned in awe as he watched the movers carry out a set of boxes.
âYup,â Charlie answered cheerily. Xavier was probably feeling defeated that his insidious plots never prevailed. In the end, the lowly baker won!
Xavier patted Charlie on the shoulder, his blue eyes locking onto his face. In a moment of weakness, that old fear crept down the latterâs spine, but he steeled himself.
âIâm happy for you,â Xavier said. His lips unfurled in a chilling smile. âThough Iâm sure weâll meet again.Good luck!â
Charlie gulped as the hunter returned to his own apartment, his pursed lips producing a haunting tune.
Was Xavier threatening to find him againâŚto continue this torment? Despite the niggling uneasiness, Charlie forced himself to cling to hope.
The hunter didnât know his new address, and he never had interest in his bread.
So maybe, if Charlie played his cards rightâŚheâd never have to look at those cold blue eyes again. Then heâd have his true new beginning.
-------------------
Fate wasnât so kind. Charlie did see those blue eyes again only weeks later, ever a harbinger of his near demise.
However, he learned that Xavierâs âattemptsâ at killing him weren't as terrifying as actually facing death itself. When Wanderers attacked his street on his way home from work, Charlie wouldâve welcomed the chilly stares and threats over the twisted monstrosities and flying debris.
It was the latter that nearly ended him, a chunk of cement hurtling through the contrastingly serene sky. Charlie had felt his feet turn to lead as the rock plummeted towards him. All he could manage was to shut his eyes and await the impact.
Only it never came. Instead a blinding light flashed above his head, and the baker wouldâve mistaken it for death itself had he not been tackled to the ground moments later.
Recovering quickly, he scrambled to his feet, ready to flee when a gloved hand caught his arm.
âItâs okay. The attack is over now,â came a familiar deep voice.
Slowly, Charlie faced his saviorâwho he had once believed to be his executioner.
âXavier?â he stammered out, not quite comprehending what just happened.
The hunter shifted his gaze away from the wreckage to the baker, a flicker of recognition softening his grim expression. âCharlie,â he said. âI didnât realize it was you.â
There it was. Despite being a knight of light seconds ago, it seemed his ex-neighborâs thirst for vengeance had returned. A deep frown marred the manâs features, confirming the long-held animosity.
But Charlie had enough of running.
âI get it,â he bit out, his experience both heightening his frustrations and emboldening him to spill them. âIf you knew it was me, youâd have let it hit me right?â
Xavierâs expression crinkled into confusion. âWhat? Why would I do that? You wouldâve died.â
âIsn't that your goal?â Charlie returned with a mirthless chuckle. âAll this timeâIâve dodged your attempts to end me. The poisoned tarts, the package, the threat in plant form! If that rock hit me, it wouldâve made your job a lot easier. You wouldn't even have gotten your hands dirty.â
The white-haired man gaped, as if he really didnât understand where this tirade originated. To be fair Charlie didnât either, but his emotions were high strung and he dreaded his newfound peace would be shattered after this reunion.
Instead, the hunter snickered. Laughed. It was brief, his humor dashed away upon seeing Charlieâs rage.
âI think thereâs been a misunderstanding,â Xavier hedged, his regal aura dwindling to shyness as he rubbed the back of his neck. âI know I seemed cold when we first metâŚand I was just trying to make amends for it. Iâm told I donât express my feelings very well. Guess I shouldâve just talked to you instead of the subtle gestures. Iâm sorryâI must've frightened you.â
Charlieâs world collapsed. He wasnât a target? Neighbor Xavier wasnât an assassin?
He wasnât sure if the hunter was lying or not, but he couldnât argue with the genuine remorse on the other manâs face.
Suddenly, the incidents he mistook as murder attempts seemed silly in hindsight. The custard did seem curdled, so he shouldnât have eaten it. Xavier was a hunter, so maybe he did pass out in the hallway from exhaustion. His mother had asked if heâd gotten her surprise package months agoâthe one he trashed. AndâŚthe Sundew plant was helpful in the end, eating any flies that drifted into the house.
âOhâŚâ Charlie said, a chuckle of his own edging up his throat. âI guess, I mightâve been a little dramatic. SorryâŚand I guess I should thank you for saving me.â
Xavierâs smile no longer felt frigid when he extended his hand, and Charlie wondered how he saw anything threatening behind it before.
âNo hard feelings?â he said.
Charlie clasped it firmly, a relieved grin unfolding across his lips. âNone.â
His eyes drifted to behind Xavier where a familiar girl in a burgundy and black hunter uniform was navigating over the debris. Her eyes met his and lit up as she rushed forward.
âCharlie!â she greeted, skidding to a stop next to her hunter colleague. âLong time no see! Xavier mentioned you moved, and I thought weâd chased you off.â
Despite some truth in that statement, Charlie shook his head. âNot at all,â he demurred. âI moved closer to the bakery, that's all. Itâs just down the block from here.â
MCâs countenance brightened. âSo you did open one!â she said. âXavier and I will make sure to visit soon. I still think about that bread you gave us, you know. Weâll be regulars, so be prepared!â
The praise went straight to the bakerâs head, elation swelling in his chest at her enthusiasm. But as the old saying went, pride came before the fall.
In his overflowing excitement, Charlie blurted, âPlease do! Itâll be nice to see your pretty face around again!â
Just like that, he felt it. The chill skittering down his neck, the dark shadow hanging over his headâŚ
He gulped as he dared glance over at the hunter. Those blue eyes, previously wide and contrite, turned narrow and hostile.
âFaces!â he corrected but he was sure that made it worse. âPretty faces!â
Shut up, CharlieâŚ
Even if Xavier had no intention of harming him at the old apartment, he certainly had that resolve now.
With an awkward titter, MC placed a hand on Xavierâs arm, and Charlie didnât miss how her fingers dug into his sleeve like a warning. âWell, we should make sure everything is clear after this attack. Be careful going home, Charlie!â
Her hand lifted in a friendly wave before she hurried back into the rubble. Meanwhile, Xavier lingered though his back was now turned towards him.
âLike she said,â the hunter muttered darkly. âBe careful, Charlie.â
Before the fear-stricken baker could reply, the man launched himself after MC with inhuman speed.
Charlie deflated as he turned on his heel to return home. It seemed his tendency for getting himself into trouble continued.
So after surviving multiple moves, a business opening, and now a Wanderer attack, he was now certain of two new facts.
He, Charlie, was an idiot. And, ex-neighbor Xavier might still be the death of him.
