Chapter Text
Nick and Charlie’s relationship unfolded like the first notes of a favorite song—tentative at first, but steadily growing into something harmonious and steady. Their days together were filled with quiet moments that spoke louder than words, and their nights were marked by a tenderness that lingered long after they parted. It wasn’t without its challenges—insecurities bubbled up like distant storms, doubts occasionally casting shadows—but they faced each uncertainty with an honesty that only strengthened their bond.
It was a Friday night, and Nick had spent the entire week planning a surprise dinner for Charlie. After everything Charlie had been through recently—his relapse, the fainting spell, and the slow, painstaking journey back to a healthier routine—Nick wanted to do something to make him smile. Cooking a meal seemed like the perfect way to show Charlie how much he cared, even if Nick wasn’t exactly a master chef.
But as Charlie walked into the kitchen, the scene that greeted him was anything but serene. Pots and pans were strewn haphazardly across the counters, a streak of sauce smeared the stovetop, and a faint smell of something burnt hung in the air. In the middle of it all stood Nick, an apron tied askew over his rugby hoodie, his expression a mix of frustration and defeat. A wooden spoon dangled limply from his hand, and he let out a long sigh as he stared at a pan of suspiciously overcooked chicken.
“Nick?” Charlie asked, his voice gentle as he stepped into the room. He tried—and failed—to suppress a smile. “What happened here?”
Nick turned to him, his shoulders slumping. “I just… I wanted to make you something nice,” he admitted, running a hand through his hair, leaving a streak of flour in its wake. “But I burned the sauce, the pasta’s all mushy, and this chicken—” he pointed at the pan helplessly, “—I don’t even think it’s edible. I’m useless at this.”
Charlie moved closer, his heart softening at the sight of Nick’s obvious effort. He placed a hand on Nick’s arm, his touch reassuring. “Nick, it’s okay.”
Nick shook his head, his jaw tightening. “I just wanted to do something for you, Charlie. After everything you’ve been through… I wanted to make tonight special. I wanted to show you that I’m here for you, that I can be the boyfriend you deserve.”
Charlie’s chest tightened at the vulnerability in Nick’s voice. He could see how much Nick cared, how deeply he wanted to help in any way he could. “Nick,” he said softly, his hand sliding down to take Nick’s, “you already are. You don’t have to prove anything to me. I love you because you’re you—not because of what you can or can’t do.”
Nick looked at him, his eyes searching Charlie’s face. “But I know how hard things have been for you. I see you trying so hard to get back on track, and I feel like I should be doing more.”
Charlie smiled faintly, squeezing Nick’s hand. “You are doing more. Every time you remind me to eat, every time you sit with me and just listen, every time you make me laugh when I feel like I can’t get through another day—you’re helping more than you know. I don’t need a fancy dinner to see that. You being here is enough.”
Nick’s shoulders relaxed, the tension easing from his frame. “Thanks, Charlie. I guess I just needed to hear that.”
Charlie leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Nick’s cheek. “Well, now you’ve heard it. And for the record, I think it’s really sweet that you went to all this trouble. Even if the kitchen looks like it’s been hit by a tornado.”
Nick laughed, the sound warm and unguarded. “Okay, fair. It’s a bit of a disaster.”
“A bit?” Charlie teased, his eyes twinkling.
They spent the next few minutes surveying the carnage, and when it became clear that nothing on the stove was salvageable, Nick reluctantly reached for his phone. “Takeaway?” he suggested sheepishly.
“Takeaway,” Charlie agreed, grinning. “But I’m choosing this time. You always pick the weird pizza toppings.”
“Pineapple is not weird,” Nick shot back, feigning indignation.
Charlie rolled his eyes but couldn’t stop smiling as they placed their order and settled onto the sofa to wait. Wrapped in a blanket together, with the comforting sounds of laughter and teasing filling the air, Charlie felt a warmth he hadn’t experienced in what felt like forever. The soft glow of the table lamp bathed the room in a golden light, and the steady hum of the heater in the background added to the coziness. It was simple, imperfect, and exactly what he needed. For the first time in weeks, the anxious knot in his chest loosened, replaced by the steady reassurance of Nick’s presence.
As they ate their pizza straight from the boxes, Nick stole glances at Charlie, who was animatedly recounting a story about Tao and Elle’s latest debate. His hands moved as he spoke, gesturing with chopsticks in one hand and a noodle dangling precariously from the other. Charlie’s laughter filled the room, bright and full, and Nick felt his chest ache in the best way. There was still a fragility about Charlie—a faint shadow in his eyes that told of struggles not entirely gone, and a hesitance in the way he moved, like he was still finding his footing. But there was also something else, a light that hadn’t been there for a while. It was subtle, like the first hint of sunlight after a storm, but it was there. And for Nick, that was enough.
They lingered long after the food was gone, the boxes stacked neatly on the coffee table. Charlie leaned into Nick’s side, the blanket pulled snugly around both of them. Nick rested his chin lightly on Charlie’s head, letting the moment stretch out in comfortable silence. He could feel the steady rise and fall of Charlie’s breathing, each breath a quiet reminder that they were here, together, moving forward at their own pace.
“Thanks for tonight,” Charlie murmured, his voice soft but sincere. “I didn’t realize how much I needed this.”
Nick pressed a kiss to the top of Charlie’s head. “Me too. I’m just glad we can have moments like this.”
Charlie tilted his head up to meet Nick’s gaze, his eyes warm despite the hint of vulnerability still lingering there. “Me too,” he echoed, a small smile playing on his lips.
One lazy Sunday afternoon, sunlight streamed through the half-drawn curtains, casting warm patterns on the living room walls. Charlie sat curled up on the sofa, a mug of tea cooling in his hands, his gaze fixed on the window. His thoughts, however, were miles away, swirling in a tangle of emotions he couldn’t quite untangle. He didn’t notice when Nick walked in from the kitchen, a bowl of popcorn in his hands, until Nick paused, catching the faraway look in Charlie’s eyes.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Nick asked, setting the popcorn on the coffee table before sitting down beside him.
Charlie blinked, startled out of his reverie. “Oh. Sorry, I was just… thinking.”
Nick gave him a playful nudge. “I figured. You’ve been staring at the same spot for like ten minutes. What’s going on in that head of yours?”
Charlie hesitated, his fingers tightening around the mug. “I… I’ve been thinking about us,” he admitted quietly. “About how I’m so lucky to have you, but I can’t help wondering if I deserve all of this. You. Everything.”
Nick frowned, his brows knitting together in concern. He shifted closer, his knees brushing Charlie’s. “Why would you think that? Of course, you deserve this, Charlie.”
Charlie set the mug down on the table, avoiding Nick’s gaze. “Because of everything I’ve been through,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “The way I’ve felt about myself for so long… it’s hard to believe I’m allowed to be this happy. There were so many days when I thought I’d never get here. And now that I’m here—with you—it just feels unreal, like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
Nick’s chest ached at the vulnerability in Charlie’s words. He reached out, his fingers brushing against Charlie’s cheek before cupping his face gently, forcing Charlie to look at him. “Listen to me,” Nick said, his voice firm but tender. “You deserve every bit of happiness, Charlie. Every smile, every laugh, every good thing that comes your way. You’ve been through so much, and you’ve fought so hard to be here. Don’t you dare think for one second that you don’t deserve this.”
Charlie’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and he swallowed hard, his lips trembling. “But sometimes it feels like I’m still broken,” he admitted. “Like no matter how much progress I make, I’ll always have these scars, these pieces of me that don’t fit.”
Nick’s thumb stroked Charlie’s cheek, his touch steady and reassuring. “We’re all a little broken,” he said softly. “But that doesn’t make you any less worthy of love, or happiness, or everything good in this world. And your scars—they don’t make you weak. They make you strong, Charlie. You’ve been through so much, and you’re still standing. That’s incredible.”
Tears spilled down Charlie’s cheeks, and he let out a shaky breath. “Thank you, Nick. That means everything to me.”
Nick leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to Charlie’s forehead. “I’m always going to remind you, as many times as it takes. You’re not alone in this, Charlie. We’re in this together.”
Charlie smiled through his tears, his hands coming up to grip Nick’s wrists, holding him in place as if anchoring himself to the words. “I don’t know what I’d do without you,” he said quietly.
“You’ll never have to find out,” Nick replied, pulling Charlie into his arms. Charlie rested his head against Nick’s shoulder, the steady rhythm of Nick’s heartbeat grounding him in the moment.
They sat there for a long time, the world outside fading into insignificance. Nick stood up briefly, grabbing the soft, oversized blanket draped over the back of the sofa. Without a word, he unfolded it and wrapped it snugly around Charlie, tucking the edges securely. Then, with a grin, he scooped Charlie up in his arms and pulled him into a tight hug, blanket and all and lay back on the sofa
Charlie let out a surprised laugh, his giggle muffled against Nick’s chest. “What are you doing?” he asked, his voice warm with amusement.
“Keeping you safe and cozy,” Nick replied, his arms tightening around Charlie as if to ward off the world. “I told you, I’ve got you, always.”
Charlie snuggled into the embrace, his laughter subsiding into a soft hum of contentment. “You’re ridiculous, you know that?”
“Yeah, but you love me anyway,” Nick teased, resting his chin lightly on Charlie’s head.
Charlie tilted his face up to meet Nick’s gaze, his eyes shining with a mixture of gratitude and affection. “I really do.”
Nick grinned, pressing a kiss to Charlie’s temple before holding him even closer. In that moment, surrounded by warmth and love, Charlie felt lighter than he had in months. Wrapped in the blanket of Nick’s arms, he let himself relax, giggling once more when Nick playfully tightened the cocoon around him. For the first time in a long time, the weight of his worries felt far away, replaced by the steady reassurance of the boy who loved him, just as he was.
Nick had been unusually quiet on their way back from the rugby match, his focus seemingly locked on the road ahead, though his furrowed brows and the rhythmic tapping of his fingers against his knee told a different story. Charlie sat beside him in the passenger seat, stealing glances at his boyfriend, sensing the weight of something left unsaid.
When they finally reached the flat, Nick unlocked the door and dropped his gym bag in the hallway with a heavy thud. He hesitated, standing in the middle of the living room, his hands on his hips. It was Charlie who broke the silence first, his voice soft but concerned.
“Nick, what’s wrong?”
Nick looked at him, his shoulders sagging under the question. “It’s… nothing,” he began, but Charlie’s raised eyebrow stopped him mid-sentence. Nick sighed deeply and dropped onto the sofa. “Alright, it’s not nothing. It’s rugby. I had a rough game today. Coach called me out in front of everyone for missing a few passes. Said I wasn’t focused.”
Charlie frowned and joined him on the sofa, sitting close enough that their knees touched. “It’s the first game I’ve been to in ages, and I thought you played great. But… is this still because of everything that happened with us? Because if it is, Nick, I don’t want you to feel like you have to choose.”
Nick shook his head immediately, reaching out to take Charlie’s hand. “It’s not about choosing, Charlie. I want to be with you, more than anything. And I love rugby. But while we weren’t really talking, I just… I don’t know, I lost my spark. My head wasn’t in it, and my performance tanked. Even now, with us back together, I feel like I haven’t found my rhythm again. It’s like… like I’m still trying to catch up with the team I let down.”
Charlie’s expression softened as he listened, his thumb tracing small circles over Nick’s hand. “You didn’t let anyone down, Nick. You were dealing with a lot—we were dealing with a lot. And it’s not like there’s a switch to make everything perfect overnight. You’ll get back into your groove. It just takes time.”
Nick exhaled sharply, his lips curving into a faint smile. “I know you’re right. It’s just frustrating, you know? I hate feeling like I’m not good enough. For the team. For you. For—”
“Nick,” Charlie interrupted, squeezing his hand tightly. “Stop that. You are more than good enough. You’re an incredible player, and you’ve always been an incredible boyfriend. You’re allowed to stumble sometimes. You don’t have to be perfect.”
Nick turned to him fully, his eyes searching Charlie’s face. “You really think I can get back to where I was?”
Charlie smiled, leaning his shoulder into Nick’s. “I don’t think you can—I know you can. And I’ll be here to help. I’ll come to every game, every practice, if it helps. Whatever you need.”
Nick relaxed under Charlie’s words, a warmth spreading in his chest. He pulled Charlie into a tight hug, burying his face in the crook of his neck. “You don’t know how much that means to me. Just having you there today… it reminded me of why I love playing. Why I love everything.”
Charlie chuckled softly, his fingers trailing lightly along Nick’s back. “Then we’ll make it a new tradition. Every time you play, I’ll be your number one fan in the stands.”
Nick pulled back slightly, just enough to look Charlie in the eyes, his own gaze filled with gratitude and love. “You’re already my number one, Charlie. Always have been.”
For the first time that evening, Nick’s smile reached his eyes, and Charlie felt his own heart lighten.
One evening, as the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, Nick called Charlie over to the sofa with a nervous smile. His hands were fidgeting with something behind his back, and his eyes had a mix of excitement and apprehension.
“This is for you,” Nick said softly, holding out a small, neatly folded envelope.
Charlie looked at it curiously, sensing something special was inside. “What’s this?” he asked, raising an eyebrow, his heart already picking up pace.
Nick hesitated for just a moment before nodding toward the envelope. “Just… something I wanted to give you.”
Charlie took it gently, feeling the weight of it in his hands. He ran his fingers over the smooth surface, and as he carefully opened it, he found a folded sheet of paper inside. The handwriting on it was clean and deliberate—Nick’s unmistakable script.
Charlie settled into the sofa, unfolding the letter and beginning to read. As his eyes moved over the words, he could feel the sincerity and depth of each sentence Nick had written. The letter was filled with affirmations, memories of their time together, and dreams for their future. It spoke of love, hope, and an unspoken promise that Nick would always be there for him.
“I wanted you to know how much you mean to me,” Charlie read aloud softly, his voice quiet but full of emotion. “In case I don’t say it enough, this is a reminder of my love. And whenever you feel the doubts creeping in, you can read it and know that I’m here, always.”
Charlie’s hands trembled slightly as he finished the letter. His heart felt full, overwhelmed by the raw honesty and tenderness in Nick’s words. He slowly looked up, his eyes glistening with unshed tears, unable to suppress the emotions that were flooding through him.
“Nick… this is… amazing,” Charlie whispered, his voice breaking slightly. He blinked away the tears that had formed, looking at Nick with a mixture of surprise and deep affection. “Thank you.”
Nick watched him intently, his own emotions reflected in the way he gazed at Charlie. “I meant every word,” Nick said, his voice steady and sincere. “You’re everything to me, Charlie. I just needed you to know that, especially when things get tough, and you start doubting yourself.”
Charlie could feel his chest tighten with emotion, and before he could say anything else, Nick leaned forward, closing the gap between them. He gently cupped Charlie’s face in his hands, his touch tender and warm.
“I love you,” Nick whispered softly, his eyes locking with Charlie’s.
Without another word, Nick closed the distance between them, his lips brushing against Charlie’s in a kiss that was slow, gentle, and full of meaning. It was a kiss that carried all the unspoken words and feelings that had built up over time—of love, hope, and the deep connection they shared. It was a kiss that reaffirmed everything they had gone through together, and everything they had yet to face.
Charlie melted into the kiss, his arms wrapping around Nick as he kissed him back, pouring all the gratitude and love he felt into the embrace. When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless, their foreheads resting together.
“I love you, too,” Charlie murmured, his voice filled with sincerity and warmth.
Nick smiled, a smile that reached his eyes and softened the tension that had been there only moments before. He kissed Charlie’s forehead gently and pulled him into a tight hug.
“Always,” Nick whispered, holding him close.
On a rainy afternoon, Charlie sat hunched over his desk, his eyes glued to his laptop as he typed furiously, the weight of coursework pressing down on him like an insurmountable mountain. The dull gray of the sky outside mirrored the exhaustion creeping up on him. His mind raced, constantly jumping from one assignment to the next, never quite able to focus for long enough to make real progress. He had been at this all day, and no matter how much he tried, he couldn’t seem to catch up.
A soft knock on the door frame pulled him from his thoughts, and he looked up to see Nick standing there, holding a steaming mug of tea and wearing a gentle, understanding smile.
“You’ve been at this all day,” Nick observed, stepping into the room. He placed the mug on the desk, his eyes soft but full of concern. “Take a break?”
Charlie shook his head, a small sigh escaping his lips. “I can’t. I’m so behind, and it feels like I’ll never catch up. I don’t even know where to start.”
Nick crouched down beside him, placing a hand gently on Charlie’s knee. “Hey, look at me.” He waited until Charlie met his eyes, then continued, his voice steady and reassuring. “You don’t have to do it all at once. We’ll tackle it together, one step at a time. You’ve got this, Charlie.”
Charlie’s shoulders relaxed, the weight of the world feeling just a little bit lighter under Nick’s calm gaze. He let out a breath, nodding slowly. “Thanks. I… I don’t know what I’d do without you. I’m so glad I have you.”
Nick smiled softly, his thumb brushing over the back of Charlie’s hand before he stood up, looking down at him with an idea forming in his mind. “Well, if we’re taking a break, how about this—how about a kiss?”
Charlie blinked in surprise, then smiled. “A kiss?”
Nick raised an eyebrow teasingly, leaning in just a little closer. “Yeah, a kiss. How can you say no to that?”
Charlie chuckled, shaking his head. “I suppose I can’t.”
Without another word, Nick leaned down, his lips brushing lightly against Charlie’s, as if testing the waters. The soft pressure of their kiss quickly deepened as Charlie melted into it, the world outside the window and the stresses of the day fading into the background.
Nick’s hand slid to the back of Charlie’s neck, pulling him closer as their kiss became more urgent, more desperate, as if they both needed this, needed each other, in that moment. Charlie’s hands found their way to Nick’s waist, fingers pressing gently into the fabric of Nick’s shirt as he tugged him closer, their bodies aligning as if they were meant to fit together this way.
Charlie’s heart raced, his mind finally quieting as all his worries slipped away. It was just Nick, and it was just them, in this perfect little bubble of affection and desire. Their kiss deepened even further, Nick’s lips moving against Charlie’s with a passion that was both familiar and new, a shared promise that everything would be okay, as long as they had each other.
When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless, their foreheads resting against one another’s as they shared a soft, contented laugh.
Charlie smiled, his eyes glinting with a mix of affection and amusement. “You’re right. That was a perfect break.”
Nick grinned, his hand still resting on Charlie’s neck. “We should do that more often. But now, I think we can tackle that coursework together. How about it?”
Charlie’s smile widened, and for the first time all day, he felt like everything would be okay. With Nick by his side, he could face anything.
“Yeah,” Charlie said, his voice light but full of affection. “Together.”
And with that, they turned back to the desk, but not before another lingering kiss, a promise of more moments like this to come.
Some days were simple, almost ordinary, but it was in those moments that their love truly bloomed. Nick would catch Charlie stealing glances over a book, his face soft with concentration, and feel a warmth spread through his chest that he couldn’t quite put into words. Charlie, in turn, found comfort in the quiet strength of Nick’s presence—the way he listened without judgment, how he always seemed to know when Charlie needed reassurance or just the solid weight of his hand in his own.
Their laughter became a soundtrack to the spaces they shared, spontaneous and unrestrained, filling the air with lightness. But there were also times when the world outside pressed in, bringing old fears to the surface. Charlie sometimes doubted his worthiness of the love Nick so freely gave, his mind clouded by echoes of past insecurities. And Nick, despite his confidence, grappled with the fear of saying or doing the wrong thing, of unintentionally hurting the person he cherished most.
Yet, instead of retreating into silence, they leaned into each other. When Charlie’s worries felt too heavy to bear alone, he found himself opening up to Nick in a way he never had with anyone else. And when Nick wrestled with his own uncertainties, he learned to trust Charlie with the pieces of himself he’d always kept guarded. Each conversation, each shared vulnerability, brought them closer, weaving a connection that felt unbreakable.
The rhythm of their relationship wasn’t perfect, but it was theirs—messy and beautiful, full of moments that felt like stolen treasures. Like the nights they spent tangled on the couch, the world fading away as they lost themselves in whispered confessions and soft laughter. Or the mornings when Nick would wake up first, watching the sunlight play across Charlie’s face, feeling a quiet awe at the fact that they were here, together.
Every small gesture spoke volumes: the way Charlie would brew Nick’s tea exactly how he liked it, or how Nick would absentmindedly trace patterns on Charlie’s arm while they watched a film. These tiny acts of love built a foundation that felt stronger with each passing day, grounding them even when the world seemed unsteady.
There were moments when the enormity of what they’d found in each other left them breathless. Nick would sometimes pause in the middle of a conversation, struck by how natural it felt to be with Charlie, as if they had always been meant to find their way here. And Charlie, in his quieter moments, would marvel at how Nick’s love had softened the jagged edges he’d once thought would never heal.
Their love wasn’t perfect—it was real. It lingered in the spaces between words, in the shared glances, in the way they chose each other every single day. And as the weeks stretched into months, they both knew they were building something extraordinary, something worth every moment of uncertainty and every risk they had taken to get here.