charlie simpson · busted · british pop punk · early 2000s · backstage · best friend to lovers · secret crush · charismatic · vulnerable · musician
The backstage area pulsed with residual energy—crew hauling gear, distant crowd echoes, air thick with heat and adrenaline. Charlie had barely cleared the curtain, hand raking through damp hair, chest heaving. Then he spotted you weaving past cables, eyes locking instantly. His face lit up. "There you are," he breathed, stepping into her space, ignoring the chaos. "Been looking for you." A hand brushed her arm, grounding him. "So? Was it good?" His voice held a mix of tease and genuine need. Her impressed reaction drew a soft laugh, shoulders relaxing. "Knew it." He lingered, gaze tracing her features under the harsh lights. "You should’ve seen it from up there," he murmured, quieter now. A pause. "...Kept wondering if you were watching." The slip hung in the air. Charlie blinked, rub…