Heartstopper oneshots/ requests

The Changing Rooms

TW: self harm and eating disorder mention. Also, please let me know what you think - it would be good to hear from you! If you have any requests/ ideas for future entries, comment below - I'll try my best to do them :)))

"Right, we all know what we're doing?" Nick called out to everyone in the changing rooms. Everyone was raring to go for the final training session before the big game; everyone but Charlie and Nick knew that.

He could sense his reluctance to even go to the changing rooms and now he was being as quiet as ever as he changed.

When the rest of the boys cheered in response, Charlie continued to be silent. Nick glanced over to him and noticed something on his leg. Just as his boxers rose up as he bent his knee to get his shorts on. A long cut on his thigh.

Nick quickly looked away; he felt like he'd just seen something he really shouldn't have. But as they all strode onto the pitch and the match got underway, Nick couldn't help thinking about it. Charlie didn't know he'd noticed, should he say something or pretend he hadn't seen it. But then if he pretended he hadn't seen it and - if it was what he thought it was - and it got worse, he'd never forgive himself.

"Earth to Nick!" Harry was shouting and Nick realised he'd been staring into space with the ball in his hands. Almost the whole team was laughing at him; except Charlie, of course.

Without a word, Nick threw the ball back into the pitch and began to walk towards Charlie who was standing back from the crowd.

Before he got close enough to say anything, Charlie noticed Nick walking towards him, "Are you alright?"
Nick didn't respond, instead, he continued to walk to get close enough to talk quietly.

"Did you" He started, but then hesitated, "Have you been" He stopped again and Charlie couldn't help but laugh nervously at Nick's determination to say something but not knowing how to say it.
"Have I what?" He laughed again and Nick let out a frustrated sigh, not returning a smile
"Have you like, hurt yourself?"
Charlie laughed again, "What are you talking about?"
"I saw your leg-"
"NICK!" Screamed one of the team from the other end of the pitch
Nick sighed in frustration, but ran off to join the rest of the team anyway.

Charlie stayed frozen to the spot; had Nick really seen it? He began to pace in one straight line, playing back what Nick had said over and over again. I saw your leg. I saw your leg. I saw your leg. Charlie's heart raced and not because he was running.

"Charlie!" Nick called as the team began to make their way back to the changing rooms at the end of the match. But Charlie didn't look round, he sped up, almost running to the changing rooms and grabbing his bags. Not bothering to change back into his uniform.

He blended in with the incoming crowd as he pushed his way back out of the changing rooms and towards the front gates of the school.

"Charlie!' Nick called again, having caught him walking back out of the changing rooms, "Charlie wait! Please!"

"Sorry! I'm late for something. I- I need to go" Charlie called back, barely looking over his shoulder. His chest was tight now, like it was working overtime to bring in oxygen. It suddenly felt like all the air had gone and he was suffocating but he continued to walk. Not daring to look back or to slow down. He had to work this out, he had to think of an excuse for the cuts on his legs. Nick couldn't know the truth, he couldn't hurt him, he couldn't let him worry about him.

"Charlie!" Nick was running now and Charlie realised he was on the floor but he couldn't get up...

"Charlie! Charlie, please be okay. Please be okay, I'm sorry I shouldn't have said anything I was stupid. Charlie, please!"

Charlie's eyes fluttered open, he was in someone's arms and then he realised he was being cradled by a crying Nick.

"Charlie!" Nick exclaimed, pulling him into a hug, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to- here, have this" He was thrusting a KitKat in his face, "You need the sugar more than I do"

Charlie smiled weakly and took the KitKat begrudgingly, he didn't really want to eat but he had just fainted and it was probably because he hadn't eaten anything.

"God, I'm such an idiot" Charlie muttered under his breath, "Sorry, I-I'm fine. Honestly" He started sitting up but stayed on the ground.

They were on the patch of grass just before the school gates. There was no one else around; the school was closed after all and the rest of the rugby team had probably already gone home.

"No! Stop, sit. Please" Nick laughed a bit at Charlie's abruptness and Charlie relaxed at the reaction he wasn't used to getting.

Charlie was used to feeling like he was always the one in the wrong, the one getting in other people's way and not being good enough for people. Having Nick notice the signs on his skin that he felt like that was earth-shattering.

There was silence between them for a minute as Charlie slowly unwrapped the KitKat and took a tiny bite.

"Thank you" Nick watched admiringly as Charlie ate slowly and carefully, "I'm so proud of you"
Charlie didn't react because he didn't know how to. Had Nick noticed how hard it was for him to eat too?

There was a bit more silence before Nick spoke again. "I'm sorry for saying anything in the changing room. I said the wrong thing I just- I wanted to say something" Nick's eyes were sad and serious which just made Charlie feel worse.

"It's- It's okay" Charlie stammered, smiling weakly

"Are you okay?" Nick asked and then immediately screwed his eyes up in frustration at himself, "I mean, obviously you're not okay I just mean are you-"
Charlie cut him off with a small laugh, "You're very sweet"
Nick smiled pathetically, he didn't want Charlie feeling sorry for him
"It's okay- I'm okay" Charlie corrected, "Thank you for noticing"

The two sat for a second in silence, just smiling wearily at each other.

"If you ever" Nick said, then started more strongly this time, "If you ever think about doing that again, message me or- or call me and I'll- we'll talk okay?" He put his hand on Charlie's shoulder, "It'll take your mind off it"

Charlie really smiled now and couldn't help pulling Nick into a hug. The two stayed embracing each other for a second longer than two straight friends would, but Charlie didn't think about that right now. Someone had noticed and they cared.