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“Daddy, you have to put on your cat ears!”
Charlie sighed and looked down to see two bright blue eyes staring back up at him. His seven-year-old son had black smeared all over his nose, cheeks, and forehead and he couldn’t help the exasperated chuckle that escaped his lips as he bent to be at his son’s level.
“Alex, have you already smudged the makeup that Auntie Elle lovingly and painstakingly applied to your nose and cheeks?” Alex was incapable of sitting still as most young boys were, and Charlie had to distract him with a book to keep him still while Elle did her magic. Now, Charlie mourned what was once an artfully applied cat nose and whiskers. It was nothing more than a streak all over the young boy’s face.
Alex grimaced. “I forgot it was there and I had an itch.”
Charlie shook his head and led his son out of the bathroom with a hand on his shoulder. It was getting late and his mum still wanted them over to her house for pictures and a “treat bag.” While Charlie was glad his mum had mellowed out over the years and finally made an effort to understand Charlie, she tended to spoil his son far too much. Charlie was not looking forward to the Tasmanian Devil his son would become after consuming far too many sweets. Which reminded him, he needed to find a new candy hiding place.
“Elle, we need a touch-up!” Charlie called when he entered the living room.
Elle was seated on the sofa, giggling softly at Tao as she lined his bottom lid with something. The couple were going to a Halloween party and had originally invited Charlie along but he couldn’t find a sitter in time. Besides, he was looking forward to spending more time with his son.
Elle looked up at the sight of Charlie and smiled. Then she glanced at her “nephew” and shook her head even though her lips were twitching with a contained laugh. “Oh, Alex,” she tutted. “Already? Was thinking we’d get at least thirty minutes out of your makeup.”
Charlie led his son over to the sofa and gave Elle his best pleading look. “Can you please fix it, Elle? We need to go soon and you know I’m rubbish at this sort of thing.”
Elle sighed exaggeratedly, like she was incredibly put upon, but she beamed at Alex to let him know she was just teasing. “I suppose so. But this is the last time, so do your best to keep it on, yeah?”
Alex nodded obediently and took Tao’s place when he stood up to make room.
“Quick shot for the road?” Tao asked, looking at Charlie.
Charlie bit his lip and weighed his options. He didn’t want to get intoxicated because he needed to make sure his son was safe and having fun while trick or treating. But one shot couldn’t hurt. “Okay,” he acquiesced. “But just one.”
“Don’t go too far!” Elle called after them. “It’s your turn next, Charlie!”
Charlie took the nearly full vodka bottle down from the highest shelf in his cabinet and grabbed three shot glasses. He poured the first two for himself and Tao, both of them cheersing as they swallowed it down. Charlie shuddered at the burning sensation in his throat as the liquid made its way down. He poured the third for Elle and carefully carried it over to her.
“Your turn,” Charlie said with a smirk.
Elle happily grabbed the glass and downed the contents before adding the finishing touches to Alex’s face. “There. Now if you touch it and get it all messy, your daddy is going to have to fix it and he really is rubbish at this sort of thing.”
Charlie rolled his eyes. “Wind it in, I’m sure I could touch it up in a pinch.” But he had to admit that when Alex turned to smile at him, Charlie was glad it was Elle who had fixed it. Alex’s face was no longer smeared with paint and kohl. The makeup almost looked like it had been there all along.
“You’re a lifesaver, Elle,” Charlie sighed in relief. He’d never hear the end of it from his mother if they went to her house like that.
"Happy to help. Now," she patted the couch, "your turn, have a seat."
Alex, getting the hint, leapt to his feet and Charlie gave him a pointed look. "Don't touch your face, sweetheart. Okay? Let's at least try to keep it on for an hour, alright?"
Alex nodded and Charlie smiled.
"Good boy. Why don't you go grab your book, you can even read to us while you wait for me."
Tao's smile fell and he looked at Charlie with a near horrified expression, opening his mouth to clearly protest but Charlie glared and Tao wisely pursed his lips.
Alex's eyes lit up. "Okay!" he squealed, sprinting from the room. Sometimes he reminded Charlie so much of Olly. They were matched in their exuberance at that age.
When Charlie turned back to his friends, Elle's eyes were glinting with mischief.
"What?"
"Shall I do a bit of smokey makeup for your costume?"
Charlie snorted. "I should think not."
Elle's face fell into a pout. "Aww, why not? You could say you were... on the prowl." She winked.
Charlie rolled his eyes so hard they ran the risk of falling right out of his skull. His friend always seemed to be trying to set him up with someone these days. "Hardly. I'm going with my son to collect candy, not some seedy club for a hook-up."
Elle shrugged. "Maybe you'll meet a cute, single dad while you're out tonight."
Charlie stifled a laugh. "I highly doubt it. Plus, I love Alex with my entire life but one kid is enough for me." There was never a day where he wasn’t exhausted by the end of it. He wouldn’t change that for the world, though.
"Fine," she sighed. "If you're going to be boring, can l at least give you a cat eye? It'll just be some eyeliner on your lid. Pretty please?"
So that was how Charlie ended up looking adorable and slightly sultry if you squinted. He doubted he'd meet anyone tonight. It wasn't even his goal to do so. But it couldn't hurt to look decent, right?
Nick could not get his six-year-old to quit bouncing. His Year had a Halloween party at school and the teachers fed the kids way too many sweets. Nick thought his son Theo was on a one-way train to a sugar crash or a tummy ache. Not only that, but he kept excitedly rambling on about some kid from his Year that Nick had never heard of before.
The last bounce almost gave Nick a bloody lip.
He was knelt on the ground adjusting his son's teddy bear ears when Theo–who was talking at the speed of too much sugar in his veins–rocked up onto his toes and collided with Nick's chin. He was quick to apologise, so Nick couldn't be too upset. Plus, he looked too stinking adorable. Sarah Nelson was going to lose her mind.
Nick himself was dressed as a golden retriever. It was Darcy's idea but Theo clung to it immediately, so Sarah eagerly made Nick’s costume along with Theo's. It was a fluffy costume, which would easily keep him warm but he decided to keep the rest of the look simple, forgoing the collar Darcy had purchased him (he really hoped it was meant as a gag gift).
Theo had also taken to calling Nick Daisy, after their very real golden retriever.
"Can't I be a Devin or something?” Nick had complained, already knowing the answer but still wanting to make a case for himself.
The answer was a resounding 'nope' by both Darcy and Theo. Apparently, Nick looked too much like Daisy in his costume to be called anything else. Menaces, both of them.
Nick stood and pulled his own hood up. He could feel the fabric ears against the side of his head through the fabric. "We ready to go to grandma's?"
Theo nodded eagerly and they were off.
She loved both their costumes, of course. Nick thought he even saw her get a bit misty-eyed when she greeted them at the door and took them in. She took no time at all to take far too many photos that Nick was sure would end up on Facebook by the end of the night.
David would have a field day teasing him.
Sadly, Henry was too afraid to approach Nick in his costume, thinking Nick was a much bigger dog (Nick nearly cried) but Daisy, also confused as to whether Nick was another dog that happened to smell familiar, was much more clingy than usual.
"We’ll be back for you in a few hours, honey,” he said, giving her lots of belly rubs. “I promise.”
Sarah had decided to stay in this year to give out candy, so Nick had asked her to watch Daisy while he took Theo out. She happily obliged.
After hugs and far too many Kit-Kats from his mother, Nick and Theo made their way to the neighbourhood they go to every year.
Nick barely helped Theo down from his booster seat before the young boy was running full-tilt down the sidewalk.
"Theo!" Nick called after him, swearing softly under his breath as he ran after his son, barely remembering to lock his car. It was a busy neighbourhood with lots of guardians and kids going door to door and Nick very much did not want to lose his primary school son in the crowd.
"Theo, hang on honey," he huffed, running after him. Other parents on the sidewalk parted like the sea as Nick came barreling through, murmuring apologies as he passed.
He could see Theo just up ahead but damn, that kid was fast even for a seasoned rugby player like Nick.
Finally, Theo skidded to a halt and Nick was able to catch up.
"Theo," he huffed, trying to catch his breath. He needed to hit the gym more. "You need to stay near me. There are too many strangers around. You cannot go running off like that," he chastised.
"But I saw my friend Alex!"
Ah, right. That was Theo's new friend. Nick knew very little about the kid other than knowing he was going trick-or-treating with his dad too. Nick remembered thinking how nice that was. More fathers needed to be involved in their kid's lives. Once upon a time, Nick wished the same of his own.
"You still can't run off, buddy. It’s too dangerous. I don't want to have to call this night short before you've even started."
A gentle clearing of a throat had Nick looking up. He swore his heart stopped when he made contact with the owner of the sound. A man in a cat costume stood directly in front of him. His face was skillfully decorated with whiskers and a cat nose. There was also an adorable pair of black ears on his gorgeous curls. Nick wondered what it would feel like to run his hand through those curls. Were they silky? They looked silky. He had the strong urge to find out, but was intensely aware of how creepy that would come across, so he refrained. Some winged eyeliner made the man’s deep blue eyes pop. He looked good.
Really good.
Beautiful.
Suddenly aware of his own, painfully average (sorry Sarah) costume, Nick’s face caught fire.
"I take it you’re Theo's father?" the man questioned and, god, his voice was just perfect. Nick had the urge to keep him talking all night just to record it in his mind so he could play it over and over whenever he wanted to.
Realizing he was staring, Nick blinked and cleared his throat. Real smooth, Nelson.
"Er, yes. Hi, I'm Nick. Nice to uh… meet you." He held out an awkward hand and prayed it wasn't too clammy.
The man giggled and Nick swore nothing would ever be sweeter than that sound. "Charlie. Hi." He grasped Nick's hand and shook it, the feeling of Charlie's skin being seared into his own.
"This is Alex," Charlie continued when Nick held on to his hand for far too long. Like Charlie's touch had burned him (which, in a way, Nick supposed it had), he pulled his hand back and willed his face to cool down. He could do with a strong breeze to help him out.
Alex was slightly shorter than Theo, who took after Nick in terms of height, but he had a bushel of light brown curls and big blue eyes. They weren't the same shade as Charlie's eyes, nor his gorgeous, dark curls, but the resemblance between them was striking. He was also dressed as a cat and Nick felt one corner of his mouth tick up into a smile.
"You both look adorable."
Charlie's olive complexion burst into a soft pink hue and he cast his eyes down toward the boys. Despite the angle of Charlie’s face, Nick could see the shy smile on his face and, fuck were those dimples? Nick was so screwed.
"Thank you," Charlie said softly. "You and Theo look so...cuddly."
A swarm of butterflies migrated from Nick's lower belly to the base of his throat and he feared they would all rush out if he opened his mouth.
Luckily, Charlie saved him from the potential embarrassment.
"Right boys, who's ready for some candy?"
Charlie was in trouble.
Big trouble.
Nick was attractive.
Very attractive.
At one point, Nick had pulled the hood of his costume off to mop at the back of his neck. "I run hot," he'd explained. Charlie so badly wanted to reply, "I run cold. Maybe we should cuddle sometime and balance each other out,” but he kept that thought firmly behind closed lips. His brain took a moment to reboot nevertheless. Nick had auburn hair, paint-splattered tawny freckles all over his face (Charlie wanted to know what else was covered in freckles), and brown eyes that Charlie just wanted to melt into. He felt if he stared into them long enough, he just might.
Throughout the night, Charlie learned that Nick was incredibly kind. He would pass out compliments for costumes to everyone they passed, lawn decorations, cars, you name it.
He didn't leave Charlie's side once. Charlie felt he could get very used to the feeling of having Nick close by and was already thinking of ways to make that wish a reality in the future.
He was also great with kids. He taught at a primary school and spoke so highly of his students. Theo clearly adored his father, and even Alex liked Nick almost immediately, which never usually happened with strangers.
Theo looked so much like Nick with his freckles and pale skin. His hair was more blond and his eyes were green but he definitely had some very strong features from his father and Charlie smiled at their bond. Nick told him Theo wanted to dress up as a teddy bear this year because sometimes Nick called him Teddy, and Charlie about melted where he stood.
At one point, Theo called Nick Daisy and with an adorably red face, Nick explained that they had a golden retriever named Daisy (and an endless supply of pictures of said dog, which he promptly showed to Charlie, who cooed and fawned over her). According to Nick, his friend and son coerced him into dressing in his "true dog form,” whatever that meant. "Thick as thieves those two. Always ganging up on me."
"Well, I can also sort of see some golden retriever in you," Charlie teased, pretending to look him over.
Nick spluttered while Charlie laughed. "Noo," Nick wailed, playfully groaning into his hands. "Not you too!"
"It's cute," Charlie assured.
Nick smiled. "My mum made our costumes. I'll tell her you said so."
Charlie wanted to explain he meant the man in the costume but instead, he said, "Mummy's boy, are you?"
"And proud of it," Nick said, sniffing haughtily before they both broke into laughter.
Charlie also learned that Nick was single. He didn’t get into why, but Charlie was too hung up on the “single dad” of it all to ask any questions. Perhaps Nick would tell him one day. Charlie made it very clear that he was also single. His ex was a twat and Charlie refused to bring down the mood of this wonderful night by telling his own sordid tale, so he didn’t. Not the right time.
It grew darker as the hours sped by. Charlie didn't want this night to end. He liked Nick. A lot. And, he didn't want to get his hopes up, but he thought there was a chance that Nick liked him back. It was clear their boys also really liked each other, giggling and zipping from house to house. Charlie could sense a strong friendship blossoming between them and he was so happy for his son.
Unfortunately, it was a school night and Charlie needed to get Alex home and in bed, which meant it was time to call it a night.
Both men gathered their young ones and reluctantly headed back to their cars.
“This was a lot of fun,” Nick said. “Boys, did you have fun?”
Both boys stopped their excited chattering to give Nick enthusiastic nods, their eyes bright with sugar. Charlie was hoping the candy coma would hit before they got home.
“It was,” Charlie agreed. Nick and Charlie had walked together all night, sometimes in a group of other guardians, sometimes with just their boys, chatting the entire night away. To Charlie, Nick felt like someone he had known his entire life, despite this being their first time meeting. But he still wanted to know more, wanted to see more of Nick.
Nick looked at him and gave him that adorable lop-sided smile that he’d been flashing Charlie’s way all night. Each time it felt like the breath had been knocked from his lungs. “So,” he said, bashfully. “I guess I’ll see you around?”
Charlie nodded and bit his lip. He really hadn’t intended to meet anyone tonight. It was meant to be a father-son bonding experience.
And yet…
“Maybe…” he trailed off, then started again. “Maybe we should exchange numbers? You know, in case the boys ever want to have play dates.”
Nick nodded eagerly, his eyes almost as bright as Theo’s (maybe even brighter, which Charlie found to be super endearing). “Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.”
Charlie felt himself beaming. “Okay!” He could not wait to tell Elle about tonight. She would definitely tell him “I told you so.” Tao would be a bit more wary but Charlie was already imagining a future with Nick in it where Tao happily accepted him into their fold.
He pulled his phone out and passed it to Nick. Nick reciprocated the action and both men input their numbers into the other’s contact.
“There,” Nick said, handing Charlie his phone back. “All done. It was really great to meet you, Charlie. We would love to have Alex over to the house soon for a play date. You as well, for uh, a drink or a meal or… something.”
“Likewise,” Charlie said with a blush on his cheeks. He’s not all that sure if it even went away at all this evening.
The men stood there for a while longer, just drinking each other in before Theo pulled at the leg of Nick’s costume.
“Daddy, I’m getting sleepy.”
Nick broke his intense eye contact with Charlie and looked down at his son. “You are? Let’s get you home, honey.” He looked back up at Charlie and smiled. “Have a nice night, Char. You as well Alex.”
“Bye, see you tomorrow, Theo!” Alex called with a wave.
Char.
Charlie smiled and watched the pair walk off before turning to his son and saying, “Alright mister, it’s time we got you home as well.”
That night, after Charlie had scrubbed the makeup from his face and got himself under the covers of his bed, he pulled out his phone to check his alarm (it hadn’t ever changed in the last two years it had been set, but sometimes his brain liked to convince him otherwise) and saw that he had a notification from one Nick Nelson.
[Nick Nelson] Hi!