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Written for the Rubik's Cube Competition - CharlieGabrielle.

Written for the Fanfiction Marathon Competition - CharlieGabrielle.

Awkward

It hit him like a tonne of bricks. It wasn't something he'd ever expected, he'd resigned himself to living his life without a woman at his side, and he'd accepted it. For him, it just wasn't meant to be, and truly, he'd been okay with that. His dragons were his passion, his life, and for him, he'd thought that was it.

It wasn't even like it was the first time he'd seen her. Thinking back, he thought it probably wasn't all that surprising. She was a lot younger than him, and it would have been really uncomfortable if he'd noticed her back when he first met her, at his brothers wedding.

Still, now she was twenty one, and Charlie was sure he'd never seen a more beautiful woman in his entire life. Her hair, cut short in a pixie crop, while the same colour as her sisters, couldn't be more different.

She wore casual clothing, jeans, tracksuits, t shirts, and he appreciated her in those more than he ever had a woman in formal wear. She was so comfortable in her own skin, so down to earth with a quiet confidence in herself, that she looked all the more sexy for it.

And she liked him. Or at least, it seemed that way.

Lingering looks, light unnecessary touches. She'd find conversation with him even in a crowded room. Whenever they were together, she'd go out of her way to be beside him, regardless of whoever else was there.

When the summons came from his mother, his first instinct had been to sigh unhappily. Percy always had been a bloody overachiever, and now he was having a ball dedicated to him. Then he wondered if she had a date for it, and if not, would she go with him. Of course, there was only one way to find out.

The return letter was quicker than he'd expected, but he'd opened it almost before he'd untied it from the delivery owl. His insides turned jelly as he read her letter, her acceptance of his offer. He had a date. With her. And suddenly the jelly turned to stone and he felt sick. Why had she agreed. She was young, beautiful, smart and had he mentioned beautiful? She had everything going for her. Why would she agree to a date with him?

Chastising himself for acting like a teenage girl, he put the letter away and went about his day. If his mind was only half on the dragons he looked after, that was his business.

xxxx

Waiting for her to appear was nerve inducing. Of course, he couldn't show them, or Bill would have teased him for months about it, and they were sitting together waiting for the sisters they'd have on their arms. Bill had nothing to worry about of course, he was married to his date, and was secure in the knowledge that tonight would be a success regardless.

Fleur appeared first, and she looked her usual stunning self. As Bill gathered his wife in his arms, telling her how beautiful she looked, Charlie's eyes were being held by a lady infinitely more beautiful.

Gabrielle followed her sister's trail down the stairs, a dress of emerald silk clinging to her body. Her short hair was entwined with tiny diamonds that seemed to shine from a light that he couldn't see. When Bill reached out to close his mouth, Charlie realised he had yet to say anything, and he stepped forward nervously.

"You look incredible," he told her, and the smile she rewarded him with would be in his dreams forever he knew.

"You clean up alright, yourself," she replied, and he chuckled.

"May I?" he asked, offering his arm to her.

She took his arm happily and they followed Bill and Fleur from the house, walking slowly to the apparition point. When she pulled on his arm, he slowed, looking at her questioningly.

"So, I was thinking," she told him, looking up at him with a spark of mischief in her eyes. "First dates can be awkward, right?"

He nodded, narrowing his eyes slightly.

"And the awkwardness is because most of the time, people are waiting for the end."

"The kiss?" he asked, rubbing his hand against his trouser leg to get rid of the sweat.

"Right. So..."

Instead of finishing her sentence, she reached up to place her lips gently against his. His surprise lasted only a second before he was returning the kiss, a hand automatically raising to rest on her back.

Leaning away, she smiled at him. "Now there will be no awkwardness."

"Hmm," he replied, as they began walking towards Bill and Fleur once more. "I hope you don't mind if I repeat that at the end of the date though."

She chuckled. "I'll be disappointed if you don't."