Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The video opens with a shot of a familiar set. A red-brick fireplace is burning in the middle of the screen, and two large blue velvet armchairs sit at either side. The scene is empty for a moment before two men walk into frame and take their seats in front of the camera. The shorter of the two sits casually on the chair to the left, with his legs crossed and an expression on his face that already reads as exasperated. The other man sits to his right, a smirk on his face as he begins to speak.

“Welcome to Ghoul Boys, a series where we investigate the most haunted places we can gain access to in search of the answers to life’s biggest mystery; are ghosts real?”

Charlie shakes his head, opening his mouth to say something before being interrupted by Nick’s continued monologue.

“My best friend,” he points towards Charlie, “a skeptic. Myself, a believer.”

Charlie points towards Nick, mouthing the word “loser” towards the camera as he rolls his eyes dramatically.

“Today we are investigating the harrowing Arnold Mansion, said to be one of the most active haunted locations here in Kent.”

“Ah yes, so spooky. I’m so afraid, Nick, I think I might faint.”

Nick glares across the set at Charlie, but viewers can tell there isn’t any heat in the squinted stare.

“Spooky indeed.” He smirks. “Let’s get started.”

With an air of confidence, the boys continue to chat in preparation for their trip to the haunted mansion.

“What is there to expect this time? More creepy child ghosts? Maybe a scary man in a top hat?”

“No, thank God.” Nick mumbles, a shudder passing through his spine. “This house is infamous for a few different ghosts. First, there’s Jack Arnold, the old man that resides in the living room. When he was alive, he spent a lot of his time sitting in a rocking chair that rests in the corner of the room. He sat there so often, it was where he met his deathly demise at the hands of a crazed axe murderer. It’s believed that Jack is still attached to that chair and is able to move it, causing it to rock with no explanation. I’ve been told that no one is allowed to sit in that chair,” Nick takes a dramatic pause, “because everyone who has ever sat there has been cursed.” He grimaces, almost shaking in fear at the idea of coming face to face with the possibility.

“Oh, I’m going to sit in that chair.”

“Charlie-”

“What? What’s the worst that could happen?”

“I literally just told you! You will be cursed.”

“I will be cursed.” Charlie repeats in a mocking voice. “I’d like to see this man try to curse me. He wouldn’t dare.”

Nick sighs, closing his eyes for a moment in an attempt to calm himself. “Next is the ghost of Mary Arnold, Jack’s wife, who stays in the master bedroom upstairs. She was killed by the mysterious axe murderer while she was sleeping in her bed, not found until the next morning. It is said that she values formality and manners, and that those who dared be disrespectful towards her have faced dire consequences. Many investigators have reportedly been scratched in the room.”

The camera zooms in on Charlie’s face as he lowers his head and gives the camera a shit-eating grin. Nick looks over and sighs again, seemingly accepting the fact that Charlie is going to be a nuisance on this investigation.

“And lastly,” Nick takes a deep, steadying breath before looking directly into the camera, “there’s the ghost in the basement, a room commonly referred to as ‘The Hole.’”

“'The Hole?'” Charlie snorts. “Nick, if you wanted to visit the hole, all you had to do was ask.”

Nick’s face turns bright red, his eyes wide and voice squeaky as he continues reciting his script. "It's called 'The Hole' because there's no windows, just a small room with a decrepit staircase that leads down into the darkness."

"Sounds like a tight hole."

Nick coughs, choking on air for a few seconds. Once he can breathe again, he sits up, pointedly not looking at Charlie. “Experts believe this entity may be a demon, masquerading as a nicer spirit named Billy.”

“Experts?” Charlie giggles.

“Experts,” Nick nods, still refusing to meet Charlie’s eyes. “They say the demon makes contact by manifesting as an orb in video evidence - don’t roll your eyes Charlie! - and by disembodied touching.”

“Disembodied touching in the hole?” Charlie stares at Nick, mouth agape. “Kinky.”

“First, we will investigate the main floor of the house where Jack is said to reside. Then we will move upstairs to try and make contact with Mary. We will end this stage of our investigation by descending into the basement to visit the demon lurking in the shadows.” Nick’s hands begin to shake as he continues speaking. “We will finish our investigation by each entering the home alone, hoping to capture evidence in solo investigations.”

“My agenda includes,” Charlie holds up his right hand and begins counting on his fingers, “sitting in the grumpy man’s chair, disrespecting the lady upstairs, and asking for some disembodied touching in the basement.” He winks at the camera. “Sounds like we have a fun night in store.”

The video cuts to a nighttime scene, showing the boys standing in front of a large white Victorian style house with a wrap-around porch. It’s a beautiful two-story home, with large windows and fine details on the blue shutters and trim. The front door is complete with a large stained-glass window with a pattern of red roses.

“This house is gorgeous.” Charlie stares up at the house in awe.

“This house is terrifying.” Nick says, already looking ready to run in the other direction.

Charlie turns towards Nick ready to mock him when he pauses, jaw agape, a laugh threatening to bubble out of his mouth. “What the hell is that?”

“What?” Nick asks, turning his head towards Charlie but refusing to take his eyes off the house for even a second.

Charlie looks at someone behind the camera, his hands thrown up in a ‘what is wrong with him’ gesture. A soft laugh can be heard from the crew.

“The gun, Nick. What the hell else would I be talking about?”

“Oh,” Nick looks down and casually reaches to pull the bulky gun from the holster attached to his belt. He points it towards Charlie, who immediately puts his hands up.

“Don’t point that thing at me!”

“It’s a water gun Charlie, calm down.” Nick pulls the trigger and a stream of water soaks into Charlie’s shirt, right over his heart. “See?”

Charlie gasps. “What the hell was that for?”

“It’s full of holy water,” Nick says, like it’s a completely rational thing to do. “Now I know you’re not a demon. I’m shocked, really.”

“You shot me!” Charlie looks behind the camera again, hands still frozen in the air. “He shot me!”

Tao’s voice can be heard from behind the camera. “Can’t say I blame him.”

Chapter Text

“Let’s get this party started,” Charlie says as the boys approach the front door, flashlights at the ready. The door squeaks as it opens, and Nick flinches violently where he stands behind Charlie. “You’re already this jumpy?” Charlie laughs. “Tonight is going to be hell for you, huh?”

“Char, there is a literal demon here.” Nick's voice shakes as he speaks. “Please do not egg it on.”

“It’s like you’ve never met me.” Charlie scoffs. “Although if either of us is ‘egging it on,’ it’s you in that ugly beanie.”

“It is not ugly, Char,” Nick complains, whining in a manner that shows this is an argument they’ve had many times before. “It was a gift, and it’s very nice.”

“It was a joke gift from Tori, and I guarantee she did not expect you to actually wear it.” Charlie laughs. "It's neon orange, Nick."

“Well, I like it,” Nick says. “I think I look good in orange.”

“You look good in every color.” Charlie mumbles before he walks into the house with a flourish of his arms, acting as if he owns the place. “Hello, demons!”

“You’re not supposed to address them!” Nick squeaks, frantically trying to put a hand over Charlie’s mouth. "If you acknowledge the demon, it'll attach itself to you and follow you home. You don't want a demon in your house, do you?"

Charlie swats him away, glaring at him with nothing but pure affection. “Nick, we are ghost hunters. I’m just doing my job.”

They walk further into the house. It’s an old home, full of creaky floorboards and dust. A chill is in the air that causes Charlie to pull his jacket tighter around himself. There’s a moment where Nick reaches towards him, as if to place his hand on the small of Charlie’s back as he continues walking forward, but Nick pulls away at the last second.

“So, umm… We should start in the living room,” Nick says, nervously scratching the back of his neck. He leads the crew into a living room covered in dust and antique furniture. He waits until Tao gives him a thumbs up from behind the camera before starting his speech. “In case you forgot, this room is where-”

“Cursed chair!” Charlie yells as he launches himself into an old, dusty rocking chair sitting in the corner of the room. Dust flies up into the air as he lands, and he coughs dramatically, waving his arms around his head in an attempt to clear the air. “Curse me, chair! I dare you.”

“Char.”

“Are you worried, Nick? I’m probably cursed already. You’re going to have to take me out back and shoot me with your water gun again. Put me out of my misery.” Charlie hangs his head dramatically. “I’m going to miss you when the ghosts kill me.”

Nick rolls his eyes. “You’re definitely cursed," he smirks, "but it has nothing to do with that chair. I almost don’t want to tell you this, but you’re sitting on the wrong one.”

“What? Which one is it?”

“There is no universe in which I would ever give you that information.”

Isaac whispers from somewhere out of frame, “It’s the green one by the bookshelf.”

“Traitor!” Nick yells, pointing somewhere behind the camera as Charlie runs to the other side of the room, standing in front of the chair for a moment before slowly dropping onto the firm cushion.

“Well, this one is much less comfy,” Charlie complains, shoulders hunching and posture drooping.

"It's a cursed chair, what did you expect?" Nick shakes his head. “We should use the spirit box in here.” He reaches somewhere off camera.

The camera focuses on Charlie sitting in the cursed chair and zooms in on his face as he lifts his right hand and mimes shooting himself in the side of the head. He looks off camera, presumably towards Nick, and sighs.

“Do we have to use that thing? It’s so loud.”

“Yes,” Nick says as he walks back into frame, a small device in his hand. “It gets good evidence, of course we have to use it.”

Charlie looks directly into the camera, lifting his hands to make air quotes and mouthing the words ‘it gets good evidence.’ Someone snorts from behind the camera.

“See,” Charlie whines, “Tara hates it too.”

“I didn’t say anything,” someone says from behind the camera. At Nick’s glare, Tara continues, “I had to… cough. I wasn’t laughing, I was… I coughed.”

“Right.” Nick turns his glare towards Charlie, who holds his hands up. “We’re using the spirit box,” Nick says as he turns it on and places it on the coffee table in the center of the room. The sound of radio static fills the small space.

…skdfn…gjfkdln…don’t…

“See,” Charlie exclaims, “the ghosts hate it too.”

Nick ignores him as he sits on the floor in front of the device, stretching his legs out in front of him and leaning back on his hands.

…ngdjksd…riodsdf…

“If there’s anyone here with us right now,” Nick says, “try and speak to us through this device.”

…dgjnks…sdfhos…

“My name is Nick, and that's Charlie. If the old man is here, we’d love to talk to you. Try saying our names back to us.”

…sjkfns…nicsjf…

Nick’s head whips up, his eyes deadly serious. “Did that just say ‘Nick’?”

“Uh, no. I think it said Nicsjf.”

…sdfalskd…ghdkjs…to 92.9 “THE SCORE” where we talk all things sports with your-…

“Oh, my God,” Charlie gasps sarcastically, bringing his hands up to cover his face. He peeks at Nick through his fingers. “Is that the ghost trying to communicate with us?”

“Char, don’t be rude.”

“Ghost?” Charlie wails, looking around at all the empty corners of the dark room. “Is that you? Do you run a radio station out of this creepy abandoned home?”

…sdfnskl…

“Do you want to talk about sports?” Charlie gasps dramatically. “Do you want to talk about rugby?”

…roskndls…no…please…

“Oh, thank God.” Charlie sighs, dropping the act and slumping back into the haunted chair.

…sknadsdf…kill…

“What?” Nick yelps, his eyes as big as saucers. “Did it just say what I think it said?”

Charlie snorts from his spot on the chair, shifting every few seconds, trying to get comfortable. "Oh, no. What did you hear?"

“I think it said-” Nick starts, before getting interrupted by loud, heavy static.

…snakdnsnm…apple…tater…

Charlie giggles. “Ah, yes,” he says, “this is the kind of intelligent response I was waiting for.”

Nick shrugs. ”Maybe the ghost is hungry?”

...nkslndls…daddy…

Charlie bursts into laughter, falling out of the chair and onto the ground. "Oh, it sounds like the ghost is hungry, alright."

The camera points at Nick, showing the bright pink blush that covers his face and trails down his neck below the hem of his shirt. He opens his mouth as if to say something but thinks better of it and snaps it shut. He looks down at Charlie, then back at the spirit box. “Is this a spirit trying to communicate with us?" Nick hesitates, looking at the camera in fear before asking his next question. "Who is daddy?”

…sakfhdfk…you…

“Me?”

Charlie is howling on the floor, gasping for air. He looks up at Nick, trying desperately to catch his breath. “Wait, how do you know it’s talking about you? Ghost,” Charlie says, looking at the spirit box, “who are you calling daddy?”

“I don’t think it matters, Char.”

“Oh, it matters.” Charlie says in a mock-serious voice as he sits up, pointing at Nick. “We’re investigators, we have to find the answers." Charlie pokes Nick in the chest. "For science.”

“For science?”

“Who is it, ghost? I must know.”

…saldskj…cklsdfkl…

“Oh, now they’re acting all shy.” Charlie stands up, moving to sit back down on the haunted chair before Nick grabs him by the wrist, pulling him away.

…trejklsj…Nick…

Charlie freezes and stares at the spirit box, mouth agape. “Oh, well they certainly don’t know what they’re talking about.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Nick squeaks.

“Oh,” Charlie laughs, “you know exactly what I mean.” He winks at Nick.

The camera focuses on Nick’s face as it somehow gets even redder. He turns away, looking anywhere other than Charlie’s face as he reaches to turn off the spirit box.

”I think it’s time we move this investigation upstairs.” Charlie looks towards Nick, a smirk on his face. “If that’s okay with you… daddy?”

Nick almost drops the spirit box, catching it at the last second before it crashes to the ground. "That's-" Nick shakes his head. "Yeah. Let's go."

Chapter Text

Nick leads the team up the stairs and towards the first bedroom on the right. The camera is pointed at Charlie, following a few steps behind.

Charlie turns around and whispers conspiratorially to Tao behind the camera. “Do you think I’ll be able to lay on the bed in there, or will Nick yell at me?” He laughs. “I think-”

A scream causes the camera to whip towards Nick, who is leaning against to door frame clutching his chest and trying to catch his breath. His face is flushed when he turns towards the rest of the group.

“What happened?” Charlie asks, his eyes wide as he tries and fails to keep the amusement out of his voice.

“Nothing,” Nick says. "Tao, for no reason in particular, were you still recording when that happened?"

Charlie rushes ahead and peeks around the corner into the bedroom, brows furrowed. Suddenly, he snorts and looks back at Nick. “Let me guess. You saw the mannequin in the corner and thought it was a ghost.”

“Shut up,” Nick mumbles as he shuffles through the doorway. “Tara, do you have the thermal camera? I think we should use that and the REM pod in this room.”

“I call dibs on the thermal camera.” Charlie snatches it from Tara’s outstretched hand before Nick has a chance to argue, turning it on and pointing it around the room. “Looks pretty cold in here.” He turns slowly, keeping the camera at eye level until Nick comes into frame. “Wait- oh, my God. Nick, I see a hot spot.”

“What? Where?” Nick frantically turns around, bracing as if he’s about to come face to face with a monster. “Is it behind me?”

“Yeah, it looks really hot,” Charlie starts walking closer, reaching his hand out towards Nick. “I’m going to try and get closer, see if I can feel the heat.”

Nick watches with wide, fearful eyes as Charlie walks closer, not stopping until he’s directly in front of him. Charlie reaches his hand up and places it on Nick’s face. “Yup, definitely a hot spot. It’s practically burning, almost too hot for the camera.”

Nick swats his hand away, a blush covering his face as he turns away, nervously rubbing the back of his neck with his hand.

Charlie giggles, looking back at the thermal camera screen. "Oh, that's weird. It looks like your face got hotter. Are you sick or something?"

“Just-" Nick stutters. "Can you take your job seriously just once? We’re supposed to be professionals.”

Suddenly, Charlie gasps. “Did you hear that?” He lifts his hand up to his ear as if trying to listen to a faint sound nearby.

“Hear what?” Nick whispers, standing completely still, not even breathing.

“I think…” Charlie looks Nick in the eyes, “I think it’s my give-a-fucks. They’re on vacation.”

“Char-” Nick sighs, shoulders dropping from where they were tensed by his ears. “Will you stop quoting Sabrina Carpenter at me?”

“Nope,” Charlie says, exaggeratedly popping the ‘p’ sound. He takes a seat on the bed and watches Nick as he sets the REM pod on the ground, carefully placing it in the center of the room. It starts beeping once Nick turns it on, all the colors lighting up before he has a chance to move his hand away.

“You’re a ghost!” Charlie yells. “I knew it!”

“Oh, right." Charlie whispers to himself. "This is the ghost I’m supposed to disrespect.”

“No, Char-”

“Hello ghost,” Charlie says in a sing-song voice. “I’m going to lay down and put my shoes on the bed, you better stop me.”

“Char that’s so gross.”

“I’m going to get so comfy and put my dirty shoes on this nice, clean comforter. Hopefully a ghost doesn’t yell at me.”

“Is this just a ploy so you get to lay down and take a nap?”

“Nick, I am a professional ghost hunter. I would never.” Charlie sets the thermal camera down next to him on the bed. He sighs as he lays his head down on the pillow, lying on his back with his limbs spread out on top of the covers like a starfish. “It is quite comfy though.”

At this moment, the REM pod starts to light up, colorful lights and deafening beeps filling the room.

Nick gasps. “Charlie, stop it. You’re making her mad.”

“Oh, no,” Charlie whines, snuggling deeper onto the fluffy duvet, “I hope she doesn’t scratch me.” He yawns.

“Whoever is standing near the REM pod, if you want Charlie to wake up and do his job, step away from the device,” Nick says, laughing loudly when the beeping immediately stops. He shrugs his shoulders at Charlie when he sees his glare. “You heard them.”

“Ghost, if you think Nick is overreacting, make the REM pod light up again.” Nothing happens. Charlie sits up and swings his legs over the side of the bed, squinting his eyes in the direction of the REM pod. “Well, I see you’ve already chosen sides.”

Nick rolls his eyes. "Okay, if there's anyone here who would like to talk to us, step closer to the device on the ground." Nothing happens again. They continue to ask questions for a few minutes, getting no responses at all. "Char, I think your attitude made all the ghosts leave."

Suddenly, the REM pod light up, emitting a high pitched beeping sound.

"Wait," Nick starts, a smile creeping onto his face. He looks directly at the REM pod. "If you don't like Charlie, step away from the REM pod."

The room goes silent. Nick chuckles, looking up at Charlie where he's seated on the edge of the bed.

Charlie scoffs. "Well I don't like you either, ghost. And you know what, I don't like your attitude."

"I don't think that's helping, Char," Nick stage whispers.

Charlie flips him off as he continues arguing with the ghost he doesn't even believe in. "If anyone here has an attitude problem, it's you."

The REM pod lights up, aggressively beeping in response.

"Don't talk back to me."

The lights somehow get brighter, the sound coming from the device even louder.

"Wow," Charlie shakes his head, "that's real mature, ghost."

"Char-"

"No, Nick. Stay out of this. This isn't your fight." Charlie sits up straighter, leaning towards the REM pod. "If you have a problem with me, do something about it. I've heard you like to scratch people, why don't you scratch me if you hate me so much?"

"Charlie that's not funny." Nick has stopped laughing, his eyes now wide with fear, darting back and forth between Charlie and the REM pod.

"I'm not laughing." Charlie rolls up his shirt sleeve and holds his arm out. "Scratch me. You won't."

The REM pod suddenly goes quiet, leaving a stillness in the air.

"That's what I thought." Charlie sits back and crosses his arms with a huff.

The room stays completely silent.

"Did you-" Nick stares at Charlie, mouth agape. He's looking at Charlie with hearts in his eyes, like Charlie is a knight in shining armor that just slayed a dragon for him. "Did you just fight a ghost and win?"

"Nick close your mouth before you drool all over the carpet," Tara calls from behind the camera.

As they're getting ready to leave the room, Tao’s voice can be heard from behind the camera. “Nick, go stand next to that creepy doll. I need a thumbnail for the video.”

“Absolutely fucking not," Nick says as he runs from the room, Charlie giggling as he follows close behind.

Chapter Text

The boys slowly descend into the basement. The stairs groan ominously as the crew walks down.

“Nick, for the love of God, put the gun away.”

“It’s a precaution,” Nick insists, whispering so low the creaky stairs almost make his words indecipherable. “You’ll be thanking me soon, just you wait. When the demon tries to kill you, you’ll be glad i brought this.”

“Right,” Charlie huffs. “You're protecting me. That’s why you made me walk down the stairs first.”

“No comment.”

Once the whole crew is situated in the basement, it’s hard to ignore just how small the space is. The room is dark and humid, with no windows to allow any light to seep in. The only light source is a single light bulb hanging from the ceiling, the wire dangerously low and covered in dust.

“No wonder they call it the hole,” Charlie says. “It’s so dark and wet down here. Good thing I like holes.”

The camera zooms in on Nick’s face as he shoots an enormous side-eye in Charlie’s direction. He looks towards the camera, then back at Charlie, then shakes his head with a loud sigh.

A knock to their right suddenly has Nick jumping about two feet in the air, a small whimper leaving his mouth as he frantically shines his flashlight in every direction. “Did you hear that?”

“It was probably just an old house noise.” Charlie smirks. “Don’t be afraid of the hole, Nick. Try to enjoy your time in the hole.”

“I’m not-” Nick chooses not to continue that sentence, and instead reaches towards their equipment, busying himself for a length of time that is coincidentally the same amount of time it takes for his blush to fade. “We’re going to use the Maglite down here.”

“Oh yes,” Charlie teases, “we’ll get some very informed responses from this flashlight flicking on and off.”

Nick doesn’t acknowledge Charlie’s comment at all, much too focused on getting the Maglite to the right setting. Once he deems it ready, he sits on the floor directly in front of it. Nick looks up, patting the ground to his right where he left enough space for Charlie to sit next to him.

Charlie sighs but obliges, sitting on the dusty ground. “We should turn off all our other lights, that way when the Maglite turns on, we can see it better.”

Nick looks at him like he wants to protest, but he knows Charlie's right. With shaking hands, Nick turns off his light, looking towards the crew as they do the same. At once, the room is plunged into darkness.

The camera switches to filming in night vision, pointing directly at Nick’s terrified face, now covered in a green hue. Shielded by the darkness, Nick blindly reaches for Charlie's hand, interlacing their fingers. Judging by the look on Charlie's face, Nick is holding on tight, but Charlie doesn't pull away. Instead, he gives Nick's hand a gentle squeeze before moving their clasped hands into Nick's lap.

Nick takes a deep breath, and points at the Maglite with his free hand as he begins speaking. “If there’s anyone here with us, can you turn on that flashlight?”

As if on cue, the light flickers on, shining brightly. Charlie is staring down at their clasped hands, a small smile on his face. He lifts his head to look at Nick, who is currently staring at the Maglite with bright, fearful eyes. Charlie rubs the back of Nick's hand with his thumb.

“Are you the ghost responsible for the disembodied touching? If you are, can you turn the light back off,” Charlie asks, a smirk on his face. When the light begins to dim, he falls into a fit of giggles. “Oh, good, I was hoping to meet you.”

“Charlie, that’s not funny.” Nick whispers. “This might be a demon.”

“Oh, you’re right.” Charlie sits up straight, looking in the direction of the Maglite as he asks the next question. “Are you a demon? If the answer is yes, turn the flashlight back on.”

The light shines brighter than it did before. Nick leans further into Charlie's side, eyes darting frantically around the room.

“Do you want to kill us? If you do, can you turn the light off,” Charlie asks with a shit-eating grin on his face. Luckily for Nick, the light stays on. "Aww, that's so nice," Charlie says. "Look, Nick, he's not so bad. He likes us!"

As soon as the words leave Charlie’s mouth, the light turns off, plunging the room into complete darkness.

“See!” Charlie laughs.

The camera focuses on Nick's face. He looks in Charlie's direction, unable to see him in the dark, and opens his mouth to say something. He hesitates, lifting their clasped hands up towards his heart.

"Your heart is beating so fast," Charlie laughs. "You're really afraid of this thing, huh?"

"Yeah," Nick says, breathless. His eyes continue to search the darkness for Charlie's face, but it's too dark, he can't see. "Something like that."

Charlie's brows furrow. He huffs a small laugh and looks in the direction of the Maglite. "Demon, are you making Nick's heart beat so fast? That's very rude."

The light stays off.

"Oh, you're not?" Charlie asks. "Well, if you're not doing it, then who is?"

"Charlie-" Nick is interrupted by the Maglite shining brightly. As soon as the light turns on, Nick sees Charlie staring back at him, their faces inches apart. For a moment, Charlie's gaze drops down to Nick's lips.

The light turns back off.

The camera focuses on Nick and Charlie's faces, showing how they both look away at the same time, flustered. Charlie coughs, nervously glancing back towards Nick for a moment before saying, "Um... demon, are you excited for us to visit you during our solos? Are you going to give Nick a good time?"

Nick gapes at him. “Don’t ask it that!”

Charlie giggles, still a bit flustered. “You’re not scared of a little disembodied touching, are you?”

“I’m fine,” Nick squeaks. He coughs, lowering his voice before repeating, “I’m fine.”

“Sure, you are.”

The boys continue to ask questions, but soon they stop getting responses back. After a few minutes of no activity, Nick seems to relax. He smiles as he leans towards the Maglite and asks, “Do you like my hat?”

Charlie groans next to him, about to tease him when the light flickers on.

“See,” Nick says, a smug look on his face. “I told you it looked nice.”

“Nick, it’s neon orange. When we turn all the lights off, I can still see that damn hat. That’s how bright it is.” He scoffs. “You’re really going to trust a demon’s opinion rather than mine?”

The light turns off just as Nick starts to roll his eyes.

"Are we leaving now?" Charlie asks, fanning himself with his hand. "I'm sweating. This is a warm hole."

"Charlie."

"Don't get me wrong, I love this hole."

"Char."

"I think it's the best hole I've ever been in."

"..."

"I know you didn't want to come in the hole, Nick, but I'm glad you faced your fears."

"..."

"Are you disappointed you didn't get touched in the hole?"

Nick says nothing, just sighs and turns away to climb the stairs.

Charlie looks towards the camera and shrugs. "Guess he didn't like his visit to the hole."

Chapter Text

"Here are your tasks." Nick hands Charlie a folded up piece of paper. "Are you ready for this?" Nick looks entirely on edge, which is weird considering it isn't even his solo investigation yet. The entire crew is set up outside the house, shivering in the cold air, ready to send the boys inside one at a time.

Charlie snorts, pocketing the paper. "No, Nick," he teases. "I'm terrified. I'm quaking in my boots."

"Really?" Nick is genuinely asking, too afraid to hear the obvious sarcasm lining Charlie's voice. Charlie just looks at him, exasperated. "Oh," Nick says. "You're being a little shit."

Charlie smirks and makes finger guns at Nick's chest before spinning around to face the front door of the house. He walks up the stairs and onto the front porch.

"Oh," Nick yells after him. "That reminds me." He reaches towards the ground next to his chair, ruffling around in his duffel bag before he finds what he was looking for with a triumphant noise. "Do you want my gun? Just in case?"

Charlie just stares at Nick for a moment. Then, he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath in through his nose and out through his mouth in an effort not to laugh at Nick's ridiculousness before turning around and walking through the front door of the house.

The camera zooms in on Nick's face, showing his genuine worry. Tao snorts from behind the camera.

"Shut up," Nick mumbles.

Once sure that Charlie is out of earshot, Tara whispers from behind the camera. “Nick, what happened?”

“What do you mean?” Nick asks, trying and failing to act natural.

“In the basement,” Tara pushes. “You two were about to kiss!”

Nick sighs, his head in his hands. “I panicked! I know we’re ghost hunters and it’s literally our job, but honestly I really hoping the demon wouldn't make contact with us. But then it did and I was fully convinced that I was about to be killed by a demon and all I could think was ‘I have to tell him I’m in love with him before I die a horrible, gruesome death’ but then the light turned back on and I panicked.”

“Yeah, that sounds about right,” Tara laughs.

Charlie closes the door behind him, finally alone in the house. The windows are open, but it's almost midnight so it's dark in the house save for a few dull lamps shining in the living room.

"Finally. Silence." Charlie takes a moment to look around, pointing his handheld camera to his right and then his left. He takes a careful step farther into the entryway, turning his handheld camera around to film his face. "Hello, ghosts. It's me, ya boy. It's just you and me now, my friend is gone."

Charlie saunters his way into the living room, looking towards the demon chair with a mischievous look in his eyes. He walks across the room in the direction of the chair as he opens the paper with his tasks on it before stopping dead in his tracks.

"There's no way in hell I'm doing that." He sighs and begins to read the words aloud. "Apologize to the old man for sitting in his chair. Apologize? If he didn't want me to sit in his chair then he should've stopped me."

He looks over his shoulder, as if expecting to see a disappointed Nick standing behind him, before he sits in the large armchair once again. He clears his throat and begins his speech.

"Hello ghost. My friend wants me to apologize to you for sitting in this chair, but unfortunately I just cannot do that. I refuse to lie. I do not feel sorry for sitting in this chair. I do feel sorry for not getting forcibly removed from this chair by a scary old man ghost. I expected more from you." Charlie pauses, tilting his head to the side as he listens closely for any movement in the room. "You've let me down, ghost."

Charlie slaps both of his hands on his knees as he stands from the chair with a heavy sigh.

He walks up the stairs, keeping his eyes on the steps so as not to trip on his journey up. Once he passes through the doorway, Charlie giggles to himself. "Do you guys remember when Nick screamed like a little girl in this very spot?"

He continues giggling as he glances at the list of tasks again. Suddenly, he turns his handheld camera around so his face is in frame again, nose scrunched and eyes squinted in annoyance. "Go investigate upstairs. Use the spirit box. DO NOT PUT YOUR SHOES ON THE BED. How am I supposed to investigate in these conditions? I am a professional. I am trying to get a reaction from the ghost. I'm sorry I'm such a good ghost hunter." Charlie sighs. "Don't put your shoes on the bed," he mumbles under his breath, the sound barely picked up by the camera in his hand. He chooses to sit on the floor in the middle of the room, pulling the spirit box off of his belt with a roll of his eyes. "Of course he's making me use the spirit box, the fucker."

Charlie sets the camera on the edge of the bed, looking directly into the lens as he moves it around until he is centered in the frame.

"I apologize for the loud noise that is about to assault your eardrums. Ghosts, if you're in here, please kill me now so I never have to listen to it ever again." He braces himself as he turns the machine on, flinching as the noise booms in the small room. "Okay, ghost. If you're here, say hello."

...akflnsaknf...

Charlie tsks. "That was not a hello. You're going to have to do better than that."

...fgnsknj...bitch...

Charlie's jaw drops."What did you just call me?"

...ndkaonodks...you're dead...

"No, I'm not dead. You're dead."

...get off it...nksofnad...shut up...

"Why can't you just have a nice conversation with me?"

...never...klsdknfos...run...

"Okay." Charlie shakes his head. "I'm leaving now, but it's important that you know it's not because I'm scared of you."

...dsjfnsdlk...right...

"Are you sassing me right now?"

...do...something...

"What, you want me to do something about it?"

...smdnfsl... you won't...

Charlie takes a deep breath and massages at his temples. "You know what? You're right. It's too late for this, I'm tired." He reaches for the spirit box, ready to turn it off. "Any last words."

...lskdjfls...dick...

"Okay," Charlie scoffs turning off the spirit box with a flourish. He sighs dramatically. "Finally, silence again."

Charlie makes his way down into the basement, camera pointing at his feet as he steps onto the concrete ground. The space is cramped, but much less so when it's only one person occupying the space and not a full crew. Charlie spins in a circle as he points the camera in each corner of the dark space.

"Alright," he says as he looks at the tasks, "let's see how Nick ruins my fun this time. Sit in the dark in the basement for 30 seconds. Wait I actually like this one. I am absolutely not sitting on the nasty ground again though."

Charlie stands in the middle of the room, camera held in front of him to show his face. He winks at the camera before turning off his flashlight, bathing the room in complete darkness. After a few seconds, the camera shows his face in the green hue of night vision. Charlie closes his eyes and holds his arms out from his body.

"Demon, it is completely dark down here. This is the perfect opportunity for you to kill me."

Charlie stands in the darkness for a few more seconds before turning his flashlight back on. "I must say, I expected things to end this way. But before I leave, I have one request. My friend is going to come down here soon, and he is very afraid of you. He will probably have a gun, but don't be afraid, I'm almost positive he will be too scared to actually use it. Do me a favor and say hello to him for me." With that, Charlie retreats back up the stairs and out of the house.

"So?" Nick asks once he sees Charlie emerge from the home.

Charlie walks towards him silently, taking a loud breath when he reaches Nick's side. "I'm going to be so honest," Charlie shakes his head. "It's terrifying in there. I thought I was done for, the ghosts really did not hold back."

"Really?" Nick squeaks.

"No, I could've taken a nap in there if I wanted to."

"It's finally time," Charlie is practically vibrating with barely contained excitement, a dangerous glimmer in his eyes as he looks at Nick. He hands Nick a folded up piece of paper. "Here are your tasks. Good luck in there, don't get killed by demons."

"Ha. Ha." Nick is trying to be snarky, but the effect is dampened by the shaking of his voice. He puts the paper in his pocket and holds his hand out, looking at Charlie expectantly. "Where is it?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about Nicholas."

"Char." Nick huffs.

"Fine." Charlie reaches behind him to where he had hidden Nick's holy water gun in the waistband of his pants. He was clearly hoping Nick would forget it, planning to shoot him with it when he returned from his solo investigation.

Nick proudly takes the water gun from Charlie, squinting his eyes at him in mock anger before he begins the long walk up to the front door. The door squeaks as he pushes it open, and Nick hesitates for only a moment before he turns back towards where Charlie is standing. "Char," he says, waiting for Charlie to turn around before continuing. "In case I don't come back... I love you."

"I know," Charlie says in his best Han Solo impression.

"Ugh, nevermind." With those as his final words, Nick enters the building.

Nick enters the house with wide eyes, shoulders bunched up near his ears as the front door creaks shut. He visibly shivers as he takes a step into the entryway, barely breathing, face pale white with fear.

"I'm going to start my investigation in the living room," he says as he takes slow steps in the direction of the lamplight. He's clearly stalling, but right now Nick is too afraid to be embarrassed about it. He reaches into his pocket as he walks, pulling out the paper with the tasks written on it. He mumbles to himself as he reads the words on the page, "Use the maglite in the living room to talk to the ghosts or something. Sit in the chair- NO. Who the hell does he think he is?" Nick turns his camera around so he can look right into the lens. "Charlie, I swear to God, you're not funny."

Nick hesitantly looks over at the demon chair when he enters the living room, then back at the page. "Technically he didn't say which chair, so I'll sit in this one instead." He sits down in the arm chair on the other side of the room, walking like there's a live tiger with bared teeth in front of him. He sets the Maglite in front of him on the coffee table.

"Okay," Nick says as he stretches his neck from side to side in an attempt to dampen his growing nerves. "If there is anyone in this room with me, can you please turn that flashlight on?"

He sits for a moment in complete silence, staring fearfully at the flashlight on the table.

"Is the old man here?"

The light turns on.

"Oh," Nick gasps. "Uh, hello."

The light turns off.

"If you want to talk to me can you turn the light back on?"

The light flickers for a few seconds before shining bright.

"Okay," Nick is unmoving, staring at the bright light without so much as taking a breath. "Are you angry? If you are, turn off the light."

The light dims, slowly fading into darkness.

"Is it because of my friend? Are you angry because he sat in your chair?"

The light flashes brightly.

"I knew it." Nick sighs. "Did he apologize like I asked him to? If he apologized, turn off the light."

The light stays on, not dimming even slightly.

"Why am I not surprised?" Nick shakes his head, lifting his hand to rub at his temples. He sits up straight and reaches for the Maglite, turning it off. "I knew he wouldn't apologize."

He enters the bedroom, this time expecting to see the mannequin in the corner. It still spooks him though, a small whine escaping his mouth when he looks in it's direction. He reads the next task aloud. "Ask the ghost in the bedroom to kill you. Be polite about it. Say please. You've got to be fucking kidding me."

Nick looks around the room, pointing the camera towards each corner before turning it to focus on his face.

"Ghost, I'm about to say something to you, and I need you to know that I don't actually mean it. I am being forced to say it against my will. Please pay no mind to me." He takes a deep breath and tightly closes his eyes. "I am asking, please, that you kill me. I will not put up a fight, I have accepted my fate. I want you to kill me right here, right now. Please."

Nick opens one eye, peering out into the room. After a few seconds, he allows his shoulders to relax.

"Okay, I'm leaving now," he says as he rushes out of the room.

Descending the stairs into the basement, Nick can hear nothing but the loud creak of the steps. It's so loud that he doesn't notice the basement door close quietly behind him.

Once he reaches the bottom step, he looks at the tasks once more. "Use the spirit box in the basement. Tell the demon you want it to follow you home and spoon you while you fall asleep tonight. I'm not doing that. I will use the spirit box down here, but I'm not doing that." He looks directly into the camera. "I'm not doing that," he yells.

He turns the spirit box on, placing it gently on the ground as it crackles to life.

...sdkfnslnkfl...

"Hello? Is there anyone here?"

...rknlkfe...yes...

"Yes?" Nick's voice squeaks. "Who is here? Who am I talking to right now?"

...lskfls...divine...intervention...

"What does that mean? What is your name?"

...pskdfsk...locked...in...

"Locked in? What does that mean?" It's at this moment that Nick glances at the top of the stairs and notices that it looks suspiciously dark. "Wait," he takes a step closer. "The door?"

Nick runs up the stairs, taking them two at a time, and stumbles into the basement door with a thud. He shakes the handle with all his might, but the door doesn't budge.

...lskfdjls...stuck...

He turns around slowly and stares at the spirit box still lying on the ground at the bottom of the stairs.

...scream...

Nick's face drains of color. He turns back towards the door and begins banging his fists against the dark wood, hoping that someone can hear him from outside the house.

"He should be back by now, right?" Charlie looks towards the house. It's been almost a half hour since Nick disappeared inside. Maybe he should've been more worried, but Charlie just assumed Nick was having fun in there. He is a ghost hunter after all, Charlie figured that maybe he was talking to a ghost. "I'm going to have to go in after him, aren't I?"

"I mean we could just leave," Tao jokes.

"No," Charlie sighs, "I'll go get him. Wish me luck."

"Don't forget to take a camera with you."

Entering the house for the last time, Charlie looks around at his surroundings, hoping to find a clue as to where Nick could be. Luckily he doesn't have to look for long, because as soon as he leaves the entryway he can hear Nick's desperate cries.

"Nick," Charlie calls once he reaches the closed basement door, "what the hell are you doing?"

"Charlie?" The relief in Nick's voice is evident even through a solid wood door. Nick tries the handle again from the inside. "I can't get out. Open the door."

Faintly, in the distance, Charlie can hear the spirit box.

...dead...meat...sdlfjsl...

Nick yells. Charlie cackles.

"Nick, stop jiggling the handle for one second. Take a step back so I can open the door." Once the door handle stops moving, Charlie twists it with ease, pushing the door open slowly. He takes a few steps down into the basement and sees Nick shaking at the bottom of the steps.

"Thank you," Nick breathes as he throws himself into Charlie's arms. "You saved me."

Charlie winds his arms around Nick's shoulders and pats him on the back, trying to hold back his giggles. "I thought you had your gun to protect you?"

"Oh," Nick says, having forgotten about his gun. "Right."

Suddenly, the door latches closed, locking once again before the boys have a chance to make their escape.

“No!” Nick cries, running up the stairs and pushing against the door to no avail. “Shit. It locked again.”

...skdljfksl...listen...

"Charlie," Nick whispers, eyes wide. "I think the demon is going to kill us."

"I thought you had your gun? I thought you were going to protect me?"

"I think you should take it, I was never going to shoot it anyway." Nick hesitates. "Also I have no idea where I would aim it."

...talk...

Charlie snorts. He loos down at the spirit box where it sits on the ground in the middle of the room. "Talk about what?"

...you...know...

"What are we supposed to talk about?" Nick is frantically pacing around the room, hands nervously clutching at his hair.

"I don't know," Charlie says. "Did you piss off the demon somehow?"

Nick stops his pacing and looks at Charlie, pointing a finger at his chest. "If anyone pissed off the demon, it would be you and you know it."

Charlie pretends to act offended. "How dare you?" he asks, a smirk on his face.

...dear...God...

The spirit box almost sounds annoyed, voice dragging out the words like a child not getting what they want.

"What did it say?" Nick's voice squeaks in fear.

Charlie shrugs. "Maybe the demon doesn't like us after all."

...shut...up...

The spirit box definitely sounds annoyed now.

Charlie scoffs. "Well that's rude."

...faces...together...

"What?" Nick asks, looking at the spirit box. He turn his gaze towards Charlie. "What does that mean?"

Charlie's face is covered in a blush. "I don't-"

...kiss...

Charlie's face somehow gets redder. He looks down, trying avoid Nick's eyes.

"What did it say?" Nick's face is just as red, and for a moment his eyes drop down to Charlie's lips. "Did it-"

...do...it...already...

The spirit box sounds agitated again, as if it's annoyed at the boys for taking so long to follow it's request. Charlie watches as Nick looks at his lips again. "I mean," Charlie says, hesitant. "It asked nicely."

As soon as the words have left Charlie's mouth, Nick wastes no time walking towards him. He doesn't stop until he presses their lips together, refusing to miss his chance again. Charlie closes his eyes, sighing into the kiss as he leans his body against Nick. The kiss deepens, a small gasp leaving Nick's mouth as Charlie licks at his bottom lip.

...dksldkfjls...finally...

Charlie laughs as he pulls away. "Finally."

Nick blushes, moving to hide his face in Charlie's neck. He mumbles something.

"What was that?" Charlie asks, amusement in his voice.

"Tara has been trying to get me to do that all night." Nick shakes his head, laughing softly. "She's been giving me thumbs up's from behind the camera all night long."

"Yeah," Charlie giggles. "I noticed."

Nick groans in embarrassment. "I promise I'm really good at flirting when I'm not in fight or flight mode."

"Sure, Nick."

Nick pulls away and rolls his eyes, reaching up to flick Charlie on the forehead. “And now we’re stuck down here,” he says, looking back towards the locked basement door. He grimaces. “Probably for a while.”

"Oh, no," Charlie drawls, a big smile on his face. "Whatever will we do while we wait for everyone to come find us."

The matching grins on Nick and Charlie's faces show they know exactly what they'll do while they wait.