Chapter Text
The ringing stops and the words start spewing out of Charles’s mouth.
“RAVEN. You know the hot German guy that keeps taking my parking space at the university? He did it /again/. And not only did he take my damn slot again, he had the audacity to smirk at me while I was in my car going to park at another slot. And on top of that, he called today to ask if I found a parking space during my break. Who does he think he is? I was hoping I would resolve this without causing trouble, but this is just driving me mad!” Charles finishes ranting and groans into the phone, sliding down his office chair in the university, eagerly waiting for Raven’s response.
“The hot German guy, eh?” Is all that comes through after a beat of silence. The muffled snickering that comes with it definitely does not belong to Raven.
Charles’s body stops. His heart stops. His soul stops. It’s him. THE PARKING SPACE THIEF. Oh no. Oh noooo. How could he have possibly called his number? He’s sure he dialed for Raven. He calls her every night. He doesn’t even call anyone else, so she’s always first on the list of calls made. Except the guy called him this morning. Charles physically smacks his forehead against the top of his mahogany table, rattling his lampshade, not believing he would make such a childish mistake. This elicits yet another round of giggles from the asshole on the other end of the line, louder than the last.
After the giggling calms down, the slight German accent comes over the line again. “Now, don’t hurt that pretty face of yours because of me. And as much as I like you calling me the ‘hot German guy’, my name is Erik. With a K. Please never spell my name with a C.” Erik ends with a humph, obviously having some grudge with the letter C. Charles’s face burns with embarrassment at the casual way the German man, named Erik, throws out compliments in a way which seems real close to flirting. And even worse, it’s working on him! Damn Erik and his exquisite, gorgeous face with features chiseled like a Greek god.
Charles shakes himself out of his childish fantasies and takes a deep breath. ‘This man will not get the better of me!’ he silently thought. He breathes out and replies, “My name is Charles, though I believe you knew that beforehand. Now that the formalities are dealt with, I must ask you this. Why must you park in the space reserved for my vehicle? There are free spaces much closer to the gate. I see no reason for your actions, and although it feels silly of me to be so serious about such a small concern, it has been relentlessly bothering me for the entirety of the week. So please Erik, explain yourself.” Charles really does feel idiotic after his speech, but hopes it’ll put an end to this problem that’s as ridiculous as he sounds. He plays with the pen on his table as he waits for an answer. All he gets though, is another torrent of laughter.
“I’m sorry dear Charles, but you really are funny. You see, I’ve been taking your space every day for the last week due to a wager I lost against my TA, Angel. If I were to lose, I was going to purposely annoy you by taking up your parking space. I had also, in my drunken stupor, added on that I would not stop until you have taken action against me. I didn’t think it would take the form of an accidental phone call involving the usage of the words ‘hot German guy’ but this will fulfill the requirements of me to stop. Also, I didn’t think you would be so set upon a little parking slot, but nevertheless this was an enjoyable interaction. So enjoyable, that I am inclined to ask you to have coffee with me some time. Soon preferably.” The last part of Erik’s words paints more red upon Charles’s cheeks.
Why must this man tempt him so?
Charles debates his reply, going back and forth between yes and no. On one hand, he already knows this Erik is dashingly handsome, tall, dreamy, and already winning him over with his silly antics. On the other, he’s been purposely agitating Charles all week all due to a bet he lost, and the words sorry haven’t even slipped through his beautiful lips. He should just say no to spite him. After all, Charles already knows this Erik is a complete piece of shit. The valedictorian of the ‘pieces of shit’ university. He’s gonna say no.
He says no.
“Although your offer is… tempting to say the least, I will have to kindly decline. I would though, like to have my parking space back, if that is already with you, Erik.” Erik’s name barely makes it past Charles’s teeth. He continues. “I might have said yes to your offer under different circumstances, but I am tired, with a lot of work to grade, and in no mood to further put up with you. Thank you for understanding.”
Charles is about to hang up and get on with his work, hopefully without Mr. Nice Ass in his parking space tomorrow, when Erik responds. “I see. I hope you understand that you won’t get your space back with a ‘no’ as the answer. Have a nice evening, Mr.Xavier.”
Before Charles can retort, the call has already be hung, and a furious Charles is the result. He can’t even fathom why Erik would blackmail him into a date, with a parking spot to top it off! What is he getting at? What does he want? What kind of monster is this Erik, using a parking spot against it’s own owner? Further irritated, Charles chucks his phone at the sofa in his office, the phone gently bouncing off it and onto the floor. He gets up to pick it off the floor, when it suddenly vibrates.
The screen reads:
“Please consider my offer, or else your space will be held captive. Best regards, Mr. Lehnsherr.”
What the fuck. Charles saves the number under ‘#1 ASSWIPE’.