"I love you" I said to the man who was standing in front of me. He wasn't looking at me, so I couldn't see his face. I did see his body tense up at my words though. It felt like we were standing there for hours before he turned to look at me. "Are you just … playing with me?" he asks. I scoff "You think I would say that if I didn't mean it?" "I don't know Casey, but all you have ever told me was that you hated me.
You know what those words have done to me?" I step closer to him "I'm sorry, Chuck, it was a defense" He flinches away "You can't just pop up into my room and tell me you love me. You can't take back everything you have done to me over the years." "I know… I know. I'll never give up trying to make you believe me though." "Casey…. you haven't done anything that would remotely make me believe you"
That hits me hard, but he isn't wrong. I nod in understanding before I leave. I wanted him and I was going to have to start showing him that I cared. I didn't know where to start, but I knew that Morgan had mentioned a movie they both wanted to see. It was about some computer zombie thing… it wasn't what I liked, but if it made him happy. At work the next day I left during lunch and bought the tickets to see the show.
I knew he wasn't a guy to be bought or bribed; I was hoping he would take as me paying attention. When I presented them to him at his nerd herder desk he smiled and took them. He was happy and Morgan was pumped. At the end of the day Chuck approached me and waved the tickets at me "Thank you Casey, I appreciate you doing this for me." I grunt at him, but was pleased that I had improved our relationship somewhat. I wanted to make him smile again, but the thing was I didn't know how.
I could buy more stuff, but that wasn't how I wanted to do this. That night we were called into a mission. After I talked to the general I went to retrieve Chuck. We reported in castle where Sarah was waiting for us. The general was explaining how it would be the usual cover Sarah would play the girlfriend and I was the bartender. I went to go pack guns and get ready when Sarah stopped me "Someday you will be the cover. It won't always be me." I knew she had known about my feelings for as long as I did.
It seemed she had a better understanding of my feelings though. I nod at her as a thank you before we leave. Maybe she could help me out some. After all they were pretty close. I approached her after the mission and she was completely on board with helping me. "You could cook for him. I know you are a great cook and well… Chuck loves food." I liked that idea. I would love to cook for him. The thought about him smiling again made me want to do it soon. Sarah continued to help me by telling me his favorite food; sizzling shrimp.
"Casey, Chuck is also a big romantic, so don't be afraid to be …. Mushy" Sarah says just as she is at my door. I nod even though we both knew I was about as romantic as a cheesy pickup line which when you think about it… isn't good. I had decided to surprise Chuck after he got off work. We usually ride home together, but I would have to get off early if I wanted to do this. I sigh, this better go well. He was about the only person worth all this trouble. The next day I found I couldn't keep still. I was anxious and… damnit Chuck. I hated that he had this effect on me.
2 or so hours before I get off I slip out unnoticed. I stop to buy flowers which I thought was a good idea at the time, but as I cooked it began to feel a little … suggestive? I decided to leave the flowers though, they were pretty after all. I got done cooking fairly fast all things considered. I nodded at the … date? I had set up and slipped back to work before the shift ended. I felt the nervousness begin to rise in my chest again as Chuck and I approached our homes.
I hadn't exactly asked him to eat with me, but I also knew he didn't eat anything until breakfast. As he got out I stopped him before he vanished inside his house. "Casey… it's been a long day…" He says. I'm sure he is about to launch into a whole speech about something, but I cut him off. "Will you come over to my place real quick?" He sighs and gives in rather easily. We take a few steps to my front door. Once inside I flip the lights on and watch his face. "Is that… sizzling shrimp?" He asks as the aroma hits his nose. I nod "I cooked."
Sorry for any spelling errors. If it bothers you let me know what it is and where and I will fix it when I can!
