Chapter Eight
The sun shone through the cream curtains the next morning, gently waking Charlie from his slumber. His face has heavily pressed into the duvet, creating small lines across his weary face. The walls of the room heavily contrasted Charlie's room. The unfamiliar room sported a cream, brown and white theme that reminded Charlie of the modern houses that Muggles typically live in. The familiar scent of Adam's cologne wafted towards him, coaxing him into remembering the happenings of last night.
He sprung into a sitting position. Devastated at what he had allowed to happen. Charlie noting that Adam was nowhere to be seen. He could hear the faint sound of a shower running in the distance.
What on earth have you done? He scolded himself. And with a man for fucks sake?
In an instant Charlie sprung from the bed hoping to redress and disappear from this situation. Never in his life had he felt more embarrassed, pained and confused. He found his boxers lying in the corner of the room. Remembering that the rest of his clothes had been destroyed, he crept into Adams walk in closet and stole a plain white t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans.
Wallet, wand, watch,? He checked for each possession before apparating to the boundaries of the burrow. But when he opened his eyes, he noticed that he hadn't moved. His feet stood firmly on the cream carpet, refusing to apparate from any point within the house.
Damn it, he must have protective spells preventing me. Charlie thought, horror rising in his chest at the thought of being trapped here with a man who… Never mind that. He scolded himself.
As if he'd known this would happen Adam entered his bedroom towelling his dripping hair.
"I'm sorry you can't apparate away Charles." His tone indicated to Charlie that he did indeed have protective wards, and they had alerted him to Charlie attempting to leave.
"Possibly you could stay for breakfast?" the question lingered in the air for a moment before Charlie slowly nodded his head. "It's okay, you're not trapped here. The floo network will allow you to leave."
Adam let the wet towel fall to the floor in a heap, motioning for Charlie to follow him to the kitchen down the hall.
Adam's apartment was small. Adam's room seemed to be the biggest part of the house. He had a large double bed, a dressing table, his own ensuite and a walk in robe. Just outside his door was another door to a young boy's room. Charlie assumed this was Xavier's room from when he was younger. Then there was the hallway. Charlie wandered slowly down the hall. Observing the many photographs that lined the walls. He could recognise Xavier in a few of the photos, although he looked much younger than he is now.
A few photos contained celebrations like the day Adam received his Healers certificate, the day that Xavier was born and a few other random family moments. One photo struck Charlie though. Her dark hair wafted around her face, flowing elegantly down beside her white strapless dress. She seemed to be mouthing a phrase of endearment at the photographer. Charlie guessed it was aimed at Adam.
"That's my Wife." Adam stated, scaring Charlie as he stood closely behind the man.
"What happened to her?" Charlie stated, somewhat terrified that the beautiful woman would return home to see her husband in the arms of a stranger. A male stranger. His heart began to pound in his chest as a panic attack arose.
"She's not with us anymore." Adam claimed, playing with his wedding band as he spoke. "Died when Xavier was still a baby." He left Charlie in the hall way, re-entering the living area and kitchen to continuing his cooking.
Charlie slowly followed Adam, sitting at the small rounded counter top. Watching the younger man chop, crack and mix ingredients into a large pan. After a moment he laid the omelettes onto two separate plates and poured himself a coffee. Indicating to Charlie that if he wanted one, he should pour one himself.
"I'm sorry." Charlie stated slowly.
"Don't be stupid, it wasn't your fault." Adam was quick to reply. A tone of anger lingering in his voice.
An awkward silence engulfed the two men. Sitting side by side, eating in silence. The only noise was the occasional clink of cutlery on the plates or the ceramic mugs being replaced on the marble counter top.
"I'm not gay," Adam stated plainly after a moment. Any sign of his previous anger or sadness had vanished.
"Neither am I." Charlie replied embarrassedly, his face turning a similar colour to his hair. "Neither am I." he repeated, hoping that repetition would make his words true.
"I'm sorry I started any of this." Adam pointed lazily between the two of them, "I really don't know what got into me. Really unprofessional. " he mumbled
Charlie hummed nervously in response. Slowly taking sips from his coffee. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt this nervous. Charlie thought about the last time he'd been anywhere near this nervous and could only think of his Dragons. The first day he had met his dragons he was a nervous wreck. Although, Charlie assumed that was because they had the ability to mutilate or kill him if they desired. Adam did not possess such power. Yet, Charlie still shook with nerves as he watched the other man mauver himself around the kitchen.
"I can't say that I hated it though." Charlie almost choked on his coffee at Adam's confession. "And I'm sure I'd do it again in a heartbeat. But. Let's not let this affect our work," Adam rose from his seat. Clearing the plates and cutlery from the table as he went an obvious blush rising to his neck and cheeks.
"I'll see you out." Adam smiled weakly.
Shortly after arriving home Charlie raced to the second story bathroom. He felt so unclean. He spend the entire shower scrubbing at each intricate part of his body. Each soap sudd seemed to make him feel worse, it reminded him of the actions of the night before. With each action he remembered how he'd felt, and the pleasure the man had been able to draw out of him. Charlie continued scrubbing until he realised he'd scrubbed himself raw and had opened a wound on his shoulder from the night before. Fresh tears sprung to his eyes. Never in his life had he felt so confused.
As he got dressed he was careful to choose soft materials that didn't irritate his blistered skin. A soft button down flannelette shirt and a pair of track pants seemed like the best option for today. Charlie decided that even in his distressed state he needed to talk to his brother. Bill had always acted as Charlie's go to man. Offering him words of advice, wisdom and even scolding him where need be, but Charlie had always spoken to Bill about anything and everything that crossed his mind.
After scribbling a quick note and sending his owl, Ace, to deliver a warning message to his brother. Charlie apparated to the little house by the sea.
As he arrived, Bill walked from the house sporting only a pair of track pants and a cup of steaming coffee. "So brother, what's got you all in a huff?" he smirked, handing a cup to Charlie.
"I've done something stupid." Charlie admitted bashfully, swallowing the whole mug full in one gulp, reaching out for a refill. To which Bill happily obliged.
"That bad?" Charlie nodded. "Who do I need to beat up?" He mocked, pretending to box the person who made his little brother so nervous.
"I fucked my temporary boss." Charlie spilled.
Bill laughed. "Yeah I could see that being a pro…. Your boss is a man!" sudden realisation washed over Bill, a serious scowl replaced his previous smirk. "And I always saw you as such a ladies man."
The surprise on his face was undeniable. He'd stopped in his tracks. Charlie now turning around to see his older brother's reply.
"Yeah. So did I." Charlie admitted weakly. "Well, dragons first then the ladies, but so did I."
"And you did this of your own free will?" Bill asked, heavily insinuating foul play.
"Yes." Charlie replied instantly. "It wasn't forced," he paused. "I can't even say I was drunk."
"Merlin. So um. Does this mean you're gay?" Bill questioned curiously, taking a sip from his scolding mug.
"No." Charlie huffed angrily. "I mean, no? I don't think so. What does that matter? I fucked up."
He stated hanging his head and frowning more than Bill was used to. Charlie had always come to Bill with his problems, but none seemed to weigh on Charlie as heavily as this did.
"You know it's not a bad thing to be gay? It's okay!" Bill said reassuringly. "I'd still love you the same, regardless." He smiled resting his hand on his brother's shoulder.
"Fuck off." Charlie shouted. "I don't need your love right now, I need to know what the fuck to do. This man could fire me." Charlie half yelled, his tears threatening to fall once again. What the hell is wrong with you? He scolded himself.
"I really doubt that." Bill smirked, releasing his grasp on his brother's shoulder. "If he enjoyed it as much as you did, I really doubt he'd do that. Have you owled him about it?"
Charlie shook his head, "No, I only got back this morning. I don't think I could face him on my only day off."
Bill punched his brother playfully. "You dog, you" he smiled playfully poking him a few times "out all night with a mysterious man."
Charlie didn't take his teasing overly well and gave him a deathly glare. One that he had perfected over the years of being an older brother.
"Alright, alright. Honestly" Bill started. "I'd just wait and see what he does about it. Just pretend it didn't happen for now. See what happens. There's no way he'll deal with it at work. Risking that kind of situation doesn't seem like a good idea."
Charlie nodded his understanding although, his anxiety didn't lessen. "Thanks." He stated emotionlessly, staring down at his worn shoes.
"No worries Brother," Bill stated guiding Charlie back into the house for a late lunch.
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