Nick and Charlie stepped out into the cool night air after rehearsal.
Charlie jammed his hands in his pockets nervously, this had seemed like a good idea a few hours ago, but now that he was actually hanging out with Nick alone he felt incredibly awkward.
Luckily Nick seemed to be taking charge, steering Charlie down the street towards the night life.
He didn't say anything though, and the silence pounded in Charlie's ears. His mind raced searching for something, anything to say but came up blank.
He wondered if he should make some excuse and bail on this night, he did not see how this could end in any way other than making Nick never want to talk to him again.
He had nothing interesting to say anyway, why would Nick want to spend the night with someone like him? He was sure Nick had only asked him for drinks as some form of politeness, since he knew Charlie didn't have many friends.
Charlie was still thinking of an excuse to leave when suddenly they rounded the corner and came face to face with a long haired man on roller-skates holding a guitar.
"Brothers!" He exclaimed "for you I play the ballad of the moon spirit."
He twirled around on his skates, revealing that he was not in fact drunk as Charlie initially assumed him to be, and began violently strumming the guitar in a way that was reminiscent of the moon, but only if it were crashing into the earth. Charlie gaped at this magnificent creature of London night life as he dipped and swerved around them on his skates, finally finishing his apocalyptic moon ballad with a flourish, and disappearing down the street.
Nick and Charlie looked at each other and burst out laughing. Suddenly all the tension was gone.
"What on EARTH was that" Charlie exclaimed
"I swear I have been here loads of times and never seen him before!"
"It sounded like the moon was about to destroy something!"
Nick laughed harder "We should get him back and ask about his chord choices, they really conveyed disaster"
"WOW music snob!"
"Shut up!"
"I'm going to learn to skate like that"
"Oh my god please do"
Still laughing they reached a pub where Nick stopped "this is where I was thinking. Alright with you?"
"Sure." Charlie felt much more comfortable now, and suddenly was very excited to spend the whole night talking and laughing with Nick.
Even if it wasn't a date- why the hell would it be- Nick's laugh was infectious, and seeing his freckled face break into a smile gave Charlie butterflies. Being with Nick was worth suffering through a little crush.
The rest of the night was a blur of drinks, laughter, and music they had to shout over to hear each other. They talked about movies, and London, and swapped stories from music school.
Nick kept touching Charlie in a way that was very confusing and made his face burn. A hand on his arm, a finger toying with his curls, a squeeze of his hand, their feet touching under the table.
This straight boy was going to be the end of him.
~
Finally in the small hours of the morning they made their way home, both a little tipsy, their faces flushed with drink and laughter. Charlie suggested they walk all the way instead of hailing a cab, he didn't want the night to be over.
So they strolled in silence, but this time it was comfortable. Occasionally one of them would remark about the stars or the sound of the breeze or the lights of the city. All too soon they reached a tiny apartment building and Charlie found himself saying "well this is me"
He paused before going up and turned to face Nick "I had a great time, thanks for inviting me out"
Nick was very close to him, his brown eyes smoldering intensely, and for a panicked moment Charlie wondered if he was going to kiss him. But Nick just dropped his gaze and took a small step back. "Yeah of course, I had a great time too"
"Well"
"Well"
"Bye" Charlie could hardly tear himself away, Nick's gaze was back and it was intoxicating.
"Bye"
Charlie forced his feet to turn him around and opened the door. He turned back and gave a little wave, and then Nick was gone.
He leaned against the wall in the kitchen, his heart pounding. There had been definite electricity in those final moments, maybe...
He shook his head, he was tipsy, surely this would all make more sense in the morning.
~
Buzz buzz
Charlie groaned and squinted his eyes open. What time was it? His head ached a little.
He rolled over and saw that the buzzing was coming from his phone. He reached for it and saw a few messages from Nick on the screen.
Nick!
They must have exchanged numbers at some point last night, Charlie didn't quite remember. His memory was clouded with Nick's intense brown eyes and the feel of his hand squeezing Charlie's
Charlie rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and read the messages
Nick: Good morning sunshine!
Nick: I think I had one too many drinks last night I feel like shit today
Nick: like seriously my head is pounding and my throat hurts, if my voice is ruined it's all your fault
Charlie smiled and typed out a reply
Charlie: excuse me you were the one who ordered the last round, hardly my fault
A few seconds later his phone buzzed again
Nick: don't be mean, my throat really hurts :(
Charlie: that sounds like a you problem
Nick: I see how it is. A real friend would offer to bring me soup and lozenges
Charlie: oh we're friends now? I was just hanging out with you to see pictures of your dog
Nick: HEY
Charlie: though.... If I bring you soup I might get to meet her
Nick: 105 Wilton Road
Charlie: WOW
Charlie: ok fine but only for the dog
Nick: see you soon :) I like chicken noodle
Charlie stared at the ceiling. Had Nick seriously just invited him to hang out for the second time in 24 hours. He sat up and glanced at himself in the mirror. His hair was going to need some major work.
YOU ARE READING
You Are The Music In Me (Heartstopper AU)
FanficCharlie is not sure he'll ever fit in at his new orchestra gig, he hides behind his piano and doesn't speak much. Then one day baritone soloist Nick Nelson sweeps him off his feet and the two find themselves falling into a romance full of music, lau...
