Work Text:
December 11th 2023
<~ Immy>
Good morning! Your fingers really rocked my world last night in the club. Can’t believe I pulled the hottest lesbian out there!
<me>
umm, sorry to tell you that, but I guess they gave you the wrong number. I definitely did nothing this exciting with my fingers last night
<~ Immy>
Haha, I would definitely say we did very exciting things!
<me>
have you seen the first part of my message?
you have the wrong number, I’m sorry
<~ Immy>
Stop joking, I really want to see you again, you’re the hottest woman I’ve ever been with
<me>
please, believe me, you HAVE the wrong number, I’m very male. and not into women at all
<~ Immy>
Wait, you serious?
<me>
yes, very. sorry
<~ Immy>
Umm.. so, you’re not Mila?
<me>
no. my name’s Charlie
<~ Immy>
Shit. Sorry. I hope you’re of legal age
<me>
haha no worries, I am
sorry for not being the one you thought I am. bye!
<~ Immy>
Wait, OMG, did you say you’re gay?
<me>
um, yeah
<~ Immy>
Single?
<me>
what? why?
<~ Immy>
Hang on
<~ Immy> added <~ Nick-el-oh!-BI-on>
<~ Immy>
Okay bye, you two men have fun!
<~ Immy> left the chat
<~ Nick-el-oh!-BI-on>
Um
What’s going on?
<me>
I… have no idea
<~ Nick-el-oh!-BI-on>
What do you want from me?
Oh. Sorry, that sounded rude.
I mean, why am I here?
<me>
still, no idea. the person who just left thought that I’m their hook-up from last night called Mila but I’m neither Mila nor female nor INTO females and I told them as much. then they asked me if I was really gay
then they added you
<~ Nick-el-oh!-BI-on>
Oh. Gonna kill Immy, brb.
I’m sorry you were dragged into this.
<me>
?
now I’m kinda intrigued, ngl
<~ Nick-el-oh!-BI-on>
Well.
Not sure how much I want to share tbh.
Let’s just say she calls me perpetually single. Thinks I need her help.
<me>
well, I have no idea who you are or how tolerant the people around you are, but I know it’s not always easy as a gay man
<~ Nick-el-oh!-BI-on>
Well, yeah. I’m bi, actually.
Doesn’t make it easier tho.
<me>
ah. now it makes sense
<~ Nick-el-oh!-BI-on>
?
What do you mean?
<me>
you call yourself "Nick-el-oh!-BI-on" on here
<~ Nick-el-oh!-BI-on>
I do what?
Oh.
Have to go and kill another friend of mine, brb.
<me>
you seem to have a questionable taste in friends…
<~ Nick>
Yeah. Love them dearly but, you know. Still want to murder them sometimes.
<me>
yeah, I know that sentiment well
<~ Nick>
You also have friends who want to set you up with everyone remotely single?
<me>
yeah, that. and another one always questions every crush I have
It’s an exhausting combination
<~ Nick>
I feel that.
So, I assume you’re single too?
Sorry, that’s intrusive, ignore it
<me>
no problem, it’s not like you could find out who I am because of that info
we still don’t know each other
well, I guess I know your name
If Nick’s anything to go by
<~ Nick>
Haha yes, it is.
I also know your name, tbh. Immy told me the moment she left this group-chat.
Well, at least she thinks that Charlie’s your name.
<me>
yeah, it is. kinda forgot I told her that
to answer your question and make it even: yes, I’m single
<Nick>
lovely to meet a fellow single man
don’t know why my friend thought it would help me though
I mean, for all I know you could be from far up north
<me>
so you’re not from far up north then, I guess
<Nick>
Oops. Well, no.
Seems like I’m bad at keeping personal information to myself
<me>
no worries, I’m no aspiring detective
still can’t go far with what I know about you, bisexual single Nick from not-far-up-north with dubious friends
<Nick>
True, gay single Charlie from maybe-far-up-north.
See, you’re better at this than me, you have one more maybe in it.
<me>
okay, I’ll make it even again. I’m also not from far-up-north
<Nick>
Thank you.
I appreciate it greatly.
<me>
dork
oh shit, sorry, that came out wrong
<Nick>
You have nothing to be sorry for!
It made me laugh out loud and I thank you for that.
<me>
okay
all good?
<Nick>
All good.
So, Charlie from not-far-up-north, what are your plans for today?
<me>
are you fishing for more information?
<Nick>
That obvious?
<me>
well, yeah 🤭
but, I don’t see a problem in sharing this with you
someone will come over to check out my spare room very soon
I need a new roommate as my friend's moving in with his girlfriend
<Nick>
No way!
I’m about to go to have a look at a flat, need to move out of my current one.
This is… a weird coincidence
<me>
yeah, totally
in fact, they should be here any minute now
talk to you later?
<Nick>
Yeah!
Gotta go now anyway, I’m standing in front of the door and just rang the bell.
<me>
haha, what are the chances, the doorbell at my flat just rang
Charlie reluctantly puts away his phone as he shuffles to the door, wanting to get this flat viewing over with as soon as possible so he can go back and talk to this intriguing stranger in his phone. He takes a deep breath to ready himself before he opens the door to welcome his potential roommate. His greeting catches in his throat as he’s met with warm amber eyes of the most handsome person he’s ever seen in his life.
The man blinks at Charlie through long lashes, a beautifully shy smile tugging on his lips.
“Hi,” the stranger says, sounding a tad breathless, “I’m Nick and I’m here to view the room?”
Charlie feels his eyes widen as his heart-rate picks up in slightly concerning speed.
No, that can’t be, can it?
“Nick?” Charlie hears himself ask, surprise evident in his voice.
He feels warmth bloom in his chest as the other man nods.
“Nick,” Charlie says again, “I’m Charlie.”