Chapter 5
Charles was well on his way to being in love with Erik and it seemed that his neighbor felt the same way about him.
“I don’t want him to think I’m easy,” he fidgeted with his hair as he paced in his living room, waiting for Erik to arrive for their date.
“He won’t,” Raven said distractedly. Once again she was preparing for a date of her own. They had each other on speaker phone.
“How can you know that?”
“Because you’ve only been with Seb?” She said caustically.
“I’ve been with-”
“Who.” She asked flatly.
“I’ve been out!” he insisted firmly. And he had. He loved clubbing and dancing ‘til all hours, getting drunk with his friends, and the whole nine.
Of course with his schedule as a chef that was a hard lifestyle to pull off, and the fact that he’d been with an older man since college meant he hadn’t been available for hookups.
“You’re not easy, Charles. Try to relax and realize that as much as you like this guy, he likes you!”
He thought back to the way Erik had smiled at him over Nina’s head when she wanted to sit on Charles’ lap to watch his latest video.
He sighed at his own foolishness, “You’re right. I’m being ridiculous.”
“Of course I’m right,” she said smugly. “I can’t wait to meet the guy that finally got you over Seb. I told you a new crush would get him out of your system.”
“You were right,” he chuckled. “I finally stopped wondering where it went wrong; you know Erik looked so confused when I told him how long he and I were together.”
Raven muttered something he didn’t quite catch that probably didn’t bear repeating.
“Hey, did I tell you I saw Alex Tuesday?” he changed the subject before she could launch another anti Sebastian diatribe.
She squealed right in his ear, Charles flinched away with a grimace. He was beginning to doubt Nina would grow out of that habit.
“No, you didn’t! Tell me how he’s doing! Does he like working with Armando? I’ve heard he runs a tight kitchen.”
Charles smiled, “He’s doing great actually. He loves it there and only has praise for Armando.” In Charles’ opinion he also had quite a crush on Armando but he didn’t want to spill secret that weren’t his to tell. “He says Armando is ‘tough but fair’.”
“Sounds like a good situation for him. He’s got real talent; he just needs someone that can handle his temper.” Raven said knowingly.
“True fact. He's a real hothead, but he may have found his match. According to him they really click."
"That's great, I was sure he and Seb were going to come to blows a few times."
"Don't remind me," Charles grimaced at the memories of breaking up fights and arguments in the kitchen. He'd always been the level headed one. For some reason that reminded him of something he'd wanted to ask "Have you given any thought to restaurant week?”
Raven was bemused. “Of course. The bakery was featured in Foodie Magazine. We’ve had a huge rush on our macarons since the issue came out. Why do you ask?”
“I was wondering if you might want to do a pub crawl? See some of the guys in their element?”
Raven laughed, “Rub it in their faces that we’re off the grind and have time to socialize.”
Charles rolled his eyes, “If that’s how you want to see it.”
“I’d love too! Oh, I’ve got to go. I’m meeting Azazel in a few and I don’t want to be late.”
“Bye darling.”
“Bye!”
He glanced at the clock, that had killed most of his pacing time and he felt better about the evening ahead.
He took quick walk through of his spotless house, overwhelmingly aware that this was the first time Erik was setting foot inside. He wanted to make a good impression. They'd have their usual lovely breakfast together early that morning. He'd taken his waffle iron with him and shown Nina the ropes.
She loved it, arguably more than she'd loved flipping pancakes. He was just relieved to make it through the process without her falling over or getting burned. Erik had happily watched them and had even let Charles show him how to make his famous scrambled eggs.
It was a perfect morning that ended with Charles reading Nina few of the comments from the previous video that complimented her fine artwork. He skipped the parts asking if he had kids but he saw Erik reading them with a small quirk to his thin lips. So far so good.
He glanced at the time once more. They'd parted a few hours before and it was nearing the time Erik had said he'd be back. He hoped hw wouldn't look too eager by waiting by the door.
~~
Erik drove back home as quickly as possible, it had taken him far longer to escape his parents house than he’d scheduled for.
They were so happy to hear that he was dating again; Ruth had told them all about his mystery man. Or at least all she knew which was that he existed and Erik was dating him.
Apparently that was enough for his parents to pounce on. Erik would have shut it down immediately and with great prejudice if Nina hadn’t cottoned on to the fact that they were discussing her new favorite topic and begun rattling off praises of Charles.
“Oh my,” his mother said, eyes gleaming as Erik inched towards the door. “You say he’s coming to your recital?”
Erik swallowed thickly and looked at the time.
“Sit, Erik. Tell us about this boy,” his father said with wide eyed innocence. Erik wasn’t fooled; his parents were the biggest gossips on the block. He was sure Ruth was waiting in the wings to hear all the juicy details.
“Leave him be,” his mother said with a bright smile. “I’m sure Nina will tell us all about this young man.”
“I WILL!” she yelled proudly.
“Go have your fun,” his mother practically shoved him out the door before returning to pump Nina for information about Charles.
It couldn’t he helped, he was dangerously close to running late. He’d deal with his familial fall out later. He didn’t want Charles to think he’d stood him up.
~~
“Hi.”
“Hello,” Erik grinned, all his worries melting away at the sight of Charles standing in the doorway with a shy smile painted on his red lips. They were dressed similarly in jeans, though Erik had on a long sleeved, gray, sweater under his jacket and Charles was shivering in socks and a light green t-shirt that brought out his eyes.
“Please, come in.” he stepped aside and took Erik’s jacket, closing the door against the chill autumn air.
“Thank you.”
“How’s Nina?”
“Very excited about spending the night with my parents. They’re very interested in you, expect some new viewers,” he said with a smile, leaning in to take Charles’ hand and press a light kiss on his lips.
“I’m always glad to have new fans. I hope they try a few of my recipes.”
“I’m sure they will, my mother loves to cook and my father loves to bake.”
Charles gave him a quizzical look, “then what happened to you?”
“It just never interested me. I get too impatient and rush through the recipe,” he admitted shamelessly.
“Well, I hope I can keep your attention tonight,” he said softly.
“I’m sure that won’t be a problem. What are we having?” he didn’t mention the noticeable lack of cooking scents wafting through the house.
“You’re getting a live lesson on how to make a romantic dinner,” Charles said cheekily.
“Will there be a test at the end?”
“A taste test.”
“My favorite kind.” He said smoothly. “But before we start.” He cradled Charles’ hips between his palms and pulled him in for a deep kiss. Charles responded eagerly, wrapping his arms around the taller man and pressing him close.
They spent a long while necking in the hall like teenagers on their first night alone. When they finally broke apart, Charles licked his lips and gazed up at Erik through wide blown eyes.
Erik was hard pressed to remember that he was over for dinner, he pulled himself back from taking things further by reminding himself that he wanted a future with Charles and rushing the physical side of things would send the wrong message.
“Dinner?” he rasped, voice deep with desire.
Charles blinked up at him owlishly, mind slow to process his words, “Uh, yes. here.” He led the way to a large, well lit kitchen that Erik recognized from his weekly videos.
“We’re having salmon and steamed vegetables with ice cream for dessert,” he was able to focus better in his element. “Have a seat,” he pulled out a bar stool for Erik and tied on a deep blue apron with pockets.
“I’m not used to a live audience so you’ll have to bear with me,” he blushed.
“I’m sure you’ll do fine.”
“Thanks,” he smiled. “Let’s start the ice cream first since it needs to set in the freezer.”
https://www.tastemade.com/videos/honey-strawberry-ice-cream
https://www.tastemade.com/videos/salmon-in-a-parchment-bag
Erik no longer tried to hide the fact that he was enamored with his neighbor. Every move Charles made every adorable science joke and comment pulled Erik deeper in love. He poured so much passion into everything he did. Sometimes Erik felt like he could watch him for hours.
He was sure his feelings were written all over his face from the way Charles relaxed under his gaze. Erik soon had him calm and laughing his way through one of the most enjoyable dates either man could remember.
Erik’s heart raced as Charles explained that the secret ingredient to moist salmon was love, he wondered if the younger man was hinting at his feelings. He hoped so.
Charles began plating dinner and Erik was surprised to see how much time had passed since he’d arrived. He glanced at his phone to see a text from his mother.
~what a cutie! ;)~
Why was this his life? He chose to ignore his ridiculous family and focus on the man he hoped to add to it. He put his phone away and looked up to a smiling Charles placing a plate of perfectly cooked salmon and steamed vegetables in front of him.
“Bon Appetite.”
Erik did. It was, of course, fantastic. “This is wonderful, Charles. You’ve truly found your calling.” He praised quite honestly
He gave a pleased chuckle, “I certainly like to think so.”
They chatted softly, eating at a leisurely pace and catching up on the week.
They finished up and stacked their dishes in the sink, “Let’s leave them for later,” Charles suggested shyly. “The ice cream still needs a bit more time to chill.”
Erik knew an invitation when he heard one, “Shall we go to the living room?” he asked quietly.
“Sure, we’ll be more comfortable there,” Charles agreed with a light blush.
A few moments later found them cuddled on the couch, Charles wrapped tightly in Erik’s arms, kissing slow and deep. This time with no end in sight.
Erik gasped breathily as Charles skimmed his plump lips down the line of his jaw, “I didn’t come here to-I don’t want to rush this.”
Charles was thrilled to hear that, he certainly didn’t want to be a booty call for his handsome friend. “Neither do I, let’s just enjoy tonight. No pressure,” he agreed smoothly. He moved to straddle Erik and tilted his chin up for more kisses, sliding his hands over his broad shoulders to tease the short hairs growing at the nape of his neck.
Erik smiled into the kiss, letting his hands rest on Charles’ firm thighs as he ground their hips together. That was a plan he could get behind.