Falice One Shots by falicewins

Getting Closer

FP was ordering some food at Pops while the son he just met was waiting in a booth. Charles was the one who asked for them to have some time together because they didn't had a change yet to get to know each other. 

FP didn't really know how to behave around him and they both felt the need to break that tension. Even though he wouldn't admit it, he was a bit nervous. He gratefully took their orders from Pop and walked over to Charles, who was patiently waiting for him to return. FP sat down and nervously folded his hands together. 

''You actually seem more nervous than Alice.'' Charles chuckled a little to lighten the mood. FP gave him a questionable look. ''Believe me, she was just like that when she first met me. I wasn't that better either, this is a big deal for me too.'' He admitted, to assure FP that he wasn't the only one who was nervous about this meeting. 

There had been something on FP's mind for days to say to Charles but he wasn't sure if he really wanted to. It was hard for him to think that he wouldn't screw up this time, like he believed he did with his two other children. FP took a breath and spoke out what was on his mind. 

''You have to know that I've been a rotten father to my children. Maybe even the worst to you.'' He tried to swallow the lump in his throat away but Charles could notice that he was having a hard time. He wasn't even sure why FP would say such a thing, but maybe that was because he didn't know him that well yet. 

''Jughead told me otherwise. He admires you. I have never seen a kid more proud of his dad.'' FP gave him a light smile. He knew that his bond with Jughead was restored and stronger than ever but thinking back of what they have been through together still hurt him into his core. It was something he would never forget. 

''It took as a long road to get there. Jellybean is just starting to trust me again.'' He confessed, being slightly embarrassed. He saw that there were a lot of questions on Charles's mind, but that he somehow didn't say them out loud so FP decided to answer them so everything was out in the open. 

''I had an alcohol addiction. I'm back on my feet again but I still go to meetings when I feel like I might fall back. It costed me my children but I was lucky enough for them to give me a second chance.'' 

Charles was a little taken aback by FP's confession but he was also glad that he felt free enough to share things like that with him after knowing him for such a short time. Charles looked down at his cup of coffee and knew it was time for him to confess something too.

 ''Since we are being honest...'' He saved up all this courage to tell FP the truth since he never talked about his past with anyone expect for Alice these last months.

''I had some problems with addiction too. A drug addiction. Been to rehab and never touched that stuff again.'' He told him. There was a silence for a few seconds because FP didn't even know what to say. It felt like he was partly responsible for the fact that he had been through all that. 

''You ever feel like using again?'' FP asked quietly. Both of them knew it was a tricky question to ask to someone who had suffered from an addiction. 

 ''Do you?'' Charles said back, knowing the answer. FP nodded softly, almost ashamed of the fact that he had thoughts about it. He never drank anymore but there were some moments were it was just too tempting. '

'Is it okay for you if we check up one another?'' Charles offered. FP looked up again and smiled slightly to his son. ''Maybe that's good for the both of us.'' There was a silence again, but it wasn't awkward. 

They were enjoying each other's company without really talking but just eating their dinner together. They both needed to soak up this moment knowing that even though they missed out on memory's with each other for over twenty-five years, they knew that they had each other's back from now on.