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English
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Lockerbirthday Bash!
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Published:
2025-06-17
Updated:
2025-06-19
Words:
1,200
Chapters:
12/100
Comments:
52
Kudos:
71
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Wrong Place, Right Time

Summary:

Nick and Charlie meet during mandatory community service and instantly hate one another.

Notes:

Happy birthday Lockerberry! I've taken inspiration from you, so please enjoy these 100 micro-chapters of Nick and Charlie, meet-cute, enemies-to-lovers silliness.

I've got a few chapters under my belt... but I apologise in advance for you inbox 🤣

Chapter 1: Nick

Chapter Text

“Nicholas Nelson? Here for…” The man at the desk narrows his eyes at his clipboard. “Common assault?”

Bit harsh, Nick thinks. David deserved it. Unfortunately, the off-duty policeman who happened to be nursing a pint at the end of the bar hadn’t agreed. 

So, despite the fact that Nick’s fist had collided with his brother’s face before the slur finished leaving his lips – his mouth still poised in the ‘O’ before his tongue formed the ‘T’ – Nick has no choice but to nod remorsefully and accept the offered name-tag.

Fat lot of good coming out has done him so far.

Chapter 2: Charlie

Chapter Text

“It’s only six weeks of community service.” Charlie tucks his phone in the crook of his neck and bends down to tie his shoelace. Down the phone line, Tori sighs impatiently.

“Six more weeks than that prick’s car deserved.”

Allegedly, Charlie thinks bitterly. He’s grateful, at least, that there’s a court order banning him from going near Ben: it makes it less likely the prick will turn up of his own accord on Charlie’s doorstep.

Charlie tugs his hood over his head and grabs one of the paper cups of coffee on offer.

“Seriously, Tori, I’ll keep my head down.”

 

Chapter 3: Mistaken Identity

Chapter Text

There’s a bench, just outside of the front entrance, and Nick takes his insipid coffee there for some fresh air. Any hopes of a bit of solitude are dashed fairly instantly when he sees that someone is already sitting there.

He’s young, and clearly down on his luck. There’s a paper pot held in his hand and his clothes look a little sore for wear. Nick fishes around in his pocket for some change and flicks a coin into the man’s pot.

It makes a sloshing sound against whatever liquid is in the bottom of the cup.

“What the fuck?”

Chapter 4: Glare

Chapter Text

Fucking idiot, Charlie thinks as he watches one of his fellow wrong'uns from across the room. They’ve all been gathered inside for some sort of introductory talk and the group’s resident genius has so far refused to make eye contact with anyone.

Charlie’s, honestly, a bit pissed at himself for thinking the guy was fit when he first wandered out of the building. That is, until he mistook Charlie for being homeless and ruined the decent coffee he bought on the way here. Now, he sips the bland freeze-dried stuff on offer and silently lists all the guy’s physical flaws.

Chapter 5: Pretty

Chapter Text

In the end, Charlie settles for only one: irritatingly crooked smile. He’d prefer a bigger list, but he’s got to work with what he’s been given.

Which is, annoyingly, an exceptionally pretty man. He has irritatingly broad shoulders, and infuriatingly adorable freckles. Add that to the aggravating way he seems to get on with everyone and Charlie is quickly running out of suitable synonyms. Fancying someone shouldn’t be this inconvenient. 

The other guy – Nick, according to his name-tag – glances over once or twice and quickly looks away. Two can play at that game, Charlie thinks, and turns his back completely.

Chapter 6: Community

Chapter Text

They’ve been given their instructions for the next six weeks: get this community centre up and running and ready for the council’s influx of old aged pensioners and youth groups. One of the more enthusiastic young council members apparently promised it approximately ten minutes before anyone realised the space was unusable.

There’s plenty to do, at least, and not a lot of time to do it. Should be no problem, all things considered, to be able to avoid the guy he pissed off within an hour of arriving, Nick thinks.

Shame, really, when he considers that he’s definitely Nick’s type.

Chapter 7: Blue

Chapter Text

“You—” Nick stammers, looking down at the blue splatter on his new Vans. “You did that on purpose!”

Charlie shrugs his shoulders nonchalantly, paintbrush cocked in hand. Nick watches as another thick, blue glob of paint drips down onto the floor.

“I’ve got no idea what you’re talking about,” Charlie says innocently, although Nick can see the evil glint in his eyes. “Besides, it’s not my fault you decided to wear brand new shoes to community service. You should dress like the rest of us.”

“Like I live on a park bench, you mean?” it’s a low blow, he’ll admit.

Chapter 8: Branded

Chapter Text

Fucking—

Ugh!

Charlie dunks the brush into the paint can and storms off towards the water dispenser in the corner. Thankfully, Nick doesn’t follow him.

Who does he think he is, anyway?

Some ponce in branded sports clothes. Who turns up to community service in branded clothes? Twats, clearly.

If he’s honest, Charlie’s most annoyed that Tori talked him out of being that ponce. Tomorrow, he’s wearing his favourite ripped skinny jeans. He’s only dishevelled because he promised Tori he’d keep a low profile.

Still, Charlie gives his armpit a sniff, just in case.

Best stock up on deodorant tomorrow.

Chapter 9: Number

Chapter Text

“Excuse me.” 

Nick looks down. A woman from the group – slight and smelling faintly of cigarettes – has sidled up to him. She has a look on her face that tells Nick she wants something.

“Yes?”

“Could you introduce me to your friend, please? I’ve seen the two of you chatting and I think he’s really fit.”

Nick’s brain feels like it’s gone offline.

“My… friend?”

She nods and, to Nick’s mounting horror, points directly at Charlie.

“Yeah, the one with the curls. I’d ask for his number but, y’know, it’s awkward considering where we are.”

Nick blinks at her blankly.

Chapter 10: Coffee

Chapter Text

“Here.”

When Charlie looks up, Nick is hovering over him. He’s holding out a paper coffee cup from the refreshment table. Charlie takes it gingerly.

“Er… I…” Nick scratches the back of his head awkwardly. “I’ve been sent over to ask for your number.”

Okay, yeah, Charlie has been here before. Guys who don’t want to admit that they like guys acting all coy. He rolls his eyes.

And then—

“That girl, over there.” Nick’s pointing to a nervous-looking woman by the entrance. “She thinks you're fit, or something.”

“I’m gay, okay,” Charlie snaps. To his delight, Nick goes red.

Chapter 11: Congratulations

Chapter Text

“Right, everyone!” The woman who’s loosely in charge claps her hands together. “We’ve had a great first day!”

Charlie looks around the room: one wall has been painted – badly – and there seems to somehow be more dust than when they started. Standards are low, it seems.

“We like to do something fun at the end of every day, just to keep spirits high! Today, we’re awarding Volunteer of the Day to the man whose smile has brightened all our days today!”

Oh, no.

“Nick! Come get your prize!”

Charlie glares as that prick stumbles over to receive his congratulatory chocolate.

Chapter 12: Name Tag

Chapter Text

“What the fuck is that on your name tag?”

Nick glances down at his own chest, as if the sticker he popped there earlier might have somehow morphed into something offensive.

No, still the same.

“It’s a… smiley face?” he says slowly. Charlie narrows his eyes suspiciously. It's first thing in the morning and the coffee is even worse than usual, so. Nick decides to get a jab in. “Have you never seen a smile before?”

The words land – morphing across Charlie’s face as he realises what Nick’s said – before he goes bright red.

“Oh, fuck off,” he mutters finally.