#charliechaplin/reader

[melancholydamsel]

Soaked//Charlie ChaplinxReader

The day was gloomy for the sky was dark with clouds. You were currently washing the windows, scrubbing each pane free from the years of grime and buildup. Once the window was clean, you could see it was beginning to rain. You leaned against the window, stuffing the dirty rag into the pocket of your apron.

"Oh boy. Now business is apt is slow down." You mumbled to yourself. As if on cue, a shocking strike of lighting came before your eyes, followed by a loud crash of thunder. You jumped, backing up from the window. Turning on your heel, with an angered stomp you made your way to the employee's room. You were the only employee working today. John couldn't come because of the weather. And your Great Uncle, who owned the place, was ill in the soldier's home. It was only the three of you who kept up with the dusty place. Your Uncle usually checked people out, John usually helped customers or moved heavy equipment, and you usually kept the market clean. Luckily, the day was slow due to the weather. Only three people had stopped by in the last few hours you have been at work. While two of them bought something, one, who was a friend of yours, stopped by to see how you were doing.

You were spending your time cleaning up things that had been needing it. As you strolled through the door frame, you realized your hands were nearly black with dirt and smelled of strong ammonia. You wrinkled your nose, turning to the bathroom to wash your hands. While you were doing so, you overheard the bell, that hung on the doorknob of the entrance, ring over the running water. You quickly turned the water off, drying your hands on your dirty, white apron. You rushed to the main room, a fake smile on your face as you did so.

"Hello, welcome to Paris Flea Market, how can I-" You stopped your sentence when you realized the man before you were soaked. Rainwater dripped from his sleeves, hat, and pants as he looked up at you innocently.

"Hello." A clear British accent came from the tiny man before you. His voice was slightly high, but not high enough to sound feminine.

"Oh dear. You're soaked. Sir, you're going to be sick!" You rushed up to him, your heels clonking against the wooden floor.

The man was pale with hypnotizing blue eyes. He was maybe an inch taller than you and looked to weigh no more than a feather. Being quite the small man, he wore pants and shoes a few sizes bigger. He clenched the rim of his pants, having to keep them up from the heaviness the rain caused. He wore a black bowler hat on top, which you took off with care and sat on the glass counter beside you. Most people in town were friendly and social. You had come to know many people. You recognized people for faces, and- only sometimes- names. Oddly, you did not remember this man.

He looked like any average brute of a tramp, but his voice was too gentle. His eyes were full purity, but, his soul was full of sin, coated with peace and tranquility. He looked up at you, shivering from the cold. You quickly gathered your thoughts, gently taking his cold hand.

"Please. Follow. There's a fireplace in the back room." You said, smiling warmly. His mouth opened slightly but shut as soon as you began leading him to the employee's room. As you two entered the room, you realized how dirty it was. Since you had been working on other parts of the building, you left the employee's room untidy and dusty. The room was in no shape for anyone other than the employee's themselves.

"I'm sorry about the mess of a room." You quickly apologized. You heard the man mutter shyly under his breath a simple "It's alright."

You beckoned for him to take a seat on one of the pillows sitting in front of the fireplace. He obliged happily. You then turned to light the open hearth. After doing so, you stood up straight and clasped your hands together.

"Sir, may I ask what size clothes you wear? It is utmost urgent to get you of those wet ones." You questioned, genuine concern lacing your tone. He simply shrugged. The man was beginning to shiver more and more which made you worry. You took a quick look over him, his curious eyes watching you all the while. You stuck your index finger up in the air, emitting a slight "Ah!" as an idea popped in your head.

"W-what?" He stuttered, scooting closer to the fireplace.

"I'll be right back." You quickly said, turning on your heel and rushing to the main store. You ran to the men's clothing, quickly grabbing out a warm suit of clothing. You had in hand a pair of black pants that were slightly smaller than the ones he was wearing as well as a dark blue and red knitted sweater. You quickly sorted out a pair of socks from one of the shelves. Deciding to hunt for shoes later, you made your way back to the employee's room, handing the man the clothes.

"The bathroom is right there." You said while pointing down the short hall. "Please do go change."

The tramp stared at you, hesitantly taking the clothes and standing up. He began to walk to the bathroom, as he shut the door, he gave you one more glance.

This man sure was skeptical of your actions. The last person you met a lot like him was an abused woman. Scared, suspicious, and lost. This man had not been from the town. Newcomers often were treated like human refuse, explained your Great Uncle. You never cared for the majority of the people in town, even if you knew them all.

You bent down, picking up the wet pillow and letting a puff of air out. You took a towel and dried up the trail of water droplets the man had left from his soaked clothes. You sat a dry pillow back in the same place as the wet one was with a blanket beside it. You left the room once again, deciding to finish tidying up the main room. It was merely a few minutes later when you were polishing a coffee table in the furniture room. The thunder was still roaring outside, as well as the rain was pouring. Without you noticing, the man from before stepped into the room, leaning against the nearest dresser while watching you. You looked up at him and smiled politely. The clothes you had given him fit neatly. They weren't as loose as the others he wore were. The only thing off was his lack of shoes.

"Glad the clothes fit, mister! How about we get you some shoes?" You questioned, stuffing the oily rag into your apron's pocket. He looked down at his feet and wiggled his toes, looking back up at you through his lashes.

"I take that as a yes." You voiced, clapping your hands together. You walked past him, sharing glances all the while.

"Come. Come!" You beckoned. He followed behind you quietly and slowly. You scanned through the aisle of shoes, picking a perfect pair of oxfords for him.

You gave him the shoes with a grin plastered on your face.

"You must try these, sir. I'm not sure if the size is right, but it looks accurate enough. You'd look nice in them." You chirped. He took the shoes, his hands shaking as he did so.

In the employee's room, the phone began to ring. You raised your brows, an expression of annoyance covering your face.

"That thing has rung about fifty-thousand times today." You complained, earning a laugh from the small man before you.

"Let me go answer it. Try those shoes on while I'm gone, y'hear." You said. He nodded. You turned on your heel, rushing to the employee's room. The oblivious man took a seat on the small white chair near the shoe area, untying them and slipping them on with ease. As he did so, he overheard your conversation.

"Ah! Yes, I am at work, Uncle."

"Oh goodness no! It wasn't storming when I got here."

"Awah, well, a poor guy who was out in the weather walked in soaked. I gave him some of the spare, old clothes. I hope you don't mind."

"Ah, that's great! Thank you. You're the best. Love you! Bye-bye."

You hung the phone up, sighing. It was good to hear from your Great Uncle after worrying about him for so long. You stood up from the chair and went to walk out, but before you stood the wee man. You shrieked, covering your mouth in shock. You slowly brought your hand back down to your side in realization.

"Oh. Don't scare me like that." You scowled. Then you noticed his shoes. They fit him perfectly. You gasped, smiling.

"They fit! Lovely." You chimed.

He raised his brows, his expression of shame. You looked up at him, tilting your head slightly.

"I haven't any money, you know." He mumbled, stuffing his hands into his pockets. You shook your head and patted his shoulder.

"Don't you worry about that!" You said, leading him over to the fireplace. "You just worry about getting warm."

He took his place on the floor, patting the space beside himself, beckoning for you to sit with him.

"Oh, I'm afraid I can't. I have so many chores I must attend to." You rejected sweetly.

"Please?" He questioned, patting the floor again. You sighed.

"Well, if you insist." You uttered, taking your place beside him.

"You're a lovely kiddie... And I don't even know your name." He mumbled, smiling at you.

"(Y/n). My name is (Y/n). But, if you become a regular you can call me (N/n)" You responded, turning towards him and tilting your head in patience.

"Well, (N/n), I'm Charlie. Your new regular customer, and your new admirer."