Warm hands, warm hearts. A Heartstopper Cofeeshop AU.

Part 5: Hot Chocolate

Charlie

Im in a daze the rest of the evening. Maybe because I barely slept in between shifts, but probably because I put my hand on Nick Nelson's shoulder. His warm, defined shoulder. And he had smiled.

He hadn't pulled away.

Ever since leaving him on that bench I'd been replaying every word in my mind- how sweet his voice sounds, how awkward I was. How wide his eyes got when I'd startled him, how he'd shot up and whipped his head around to look at me and then... relaxed.

I wasn't quite sure what to make of it other than yes, Charlie, you are once again infatuated. But this time I'd really outdone myself, because Nick was just visiting. And when he left, which was probably soon, I'd still be here.

Hoping he'd walk through the door.

The night had been slow though, thankfully. A second catering order picked up, a few regulars coming in to wind down with tea or study at the corner tables. I'd been trying to distract myself with cleaning, organizing, anything I could do to busy my idle hands while I waited to close up.

I think I had to tell the group about this.

Not even necessarily because I wanted to, but because I felt like I was going to burst from it. All this strange anticipation. I mean Nick was practically a stranger, it's not normal for me to sweat at the thought of speaking to him. I sneak my phone out of my pocket to confess my sins and there's a text from Lorraine glowing on my screen.

"If there's no one there you can close up early!"

Relief washes over me and I look up, scan the room. There's one person left, nursing a hot chocolate with his back to me.

Well, that's disappointing.

I pull the mop out from the back room, set out the wet floor signs and start to scrub the floor, hoping he'll get the hint as I work my way closer to the table. I don't like to rush customers out, but tonight I'm desperate to be home, in my bed. To just shut my eyes and try not to think about what the hell is wrong with me.

He's seems to acknowledge me then, turning slightly and giving me a bit of a nod. I keep mopping and by the time I've circled the room, he's packed his things, placed his mug on the counter and called a "goodnight" on his way out.

Works every time.

I'm dumping the mop water out in the back sink when there it is- the door chime. Fuck. Why hadn't I locked it? I stifle a sigh, wipe my wet hands down on my already damp apron and take a breath before I go back out. Just one more customer.

"Hi, how can I-"  the back room door squeaks shut behind me and sways. Nick is standing at the counter, hands stuffed in the pockets of his jumper, reading the menu board. My heart hammers.

"Hello again." He speaks. I wipe my hands on my apron one more time.

"Did you forget something else?" I ask, and it's both a tease and an honest question. He pauses a moment, looks away from the menu board and at me instead. 

"I was hoping to see you again, actually."

What.