Chapter Text
Chapter 1 - the Announcement
Nick’s at his desk, an email came through about the team's reorg announcement. He’s scrolling through the new org chart when he spots Charlie Spring’s name alongside Tao Xu. His stomach knots.
Another welcome email came through from his boss, Kumar, welcoming the two new team members. He clicks the email shut without reading it. He'll do that later.
Great. Just great. Out of everyone they could’ve moved to our team, it had to be him.
Charlie Spring. The business analyst with the tattoos that peek out from his shirtsleeves, the silver glint of piercings catching office light, the one who laughs too loud in the break room and somehow manages to look effortlessly cool while everyone else is wilting under deadlines.
And now he’s supposed to work with him sitting in their team's island?
Nick tells himself it’s not hate. Except… it kind of feels like hate. Not because Charlie’s done anything to him — they’ve barely exchanged two words. It’s more that Charlie’s presence already makes Nick feel off-balance. Like the rules don’t apply to him.
Charlie shows up late with iced coffee and still gets smiles. He’s got friends in every department after a week, while Nick’s been grinding for years to build his reputation. He’s comfortable being loud, being different, being seen — everything Nick’s been trying not to be.
So yeah. Maybe Nick hates that the reorg needs to happen. Because Charlie’s the type who might notice the cracks Nick keeps hidden. The type who would make a joke at his expense without meaning to, and Nick would feel it more than he should. The type who reminds him — not of bullies, but of a freedom Nick isn’t sure he’s brave enough to want.
And it’s infuriating.
Because every time Charlie walks past with that messy hair and sly grin, Nick can already feel himself losing the upper hand. And they're not even assigned to work together. Yet.
Nick slams his laptop shut, jaw tight. He tells himself it’s fine. He doesn’t hate Charlie. He hates the way Charlie makes him feel like maybe he’s been playing the wrong role all along.
Let's hope they won't have to work on anything together at all. Ever.