Heartstopper oneshots <3

7: Nellie

words: 951
tw: Nellie dies, I'm sorry

Nick felt his heart break when those six words came out of the vet's mouth.

"We have to put Nellie down."

Tears brimmed his eyes before loud sobs came out. His mom pulled him into a hug, letting him cry into her shoulder. Nick weakly wrapped his arms around his mom.

"We can't- she can't-," Nick sobbed.

"This is the best for her sweetheart, it would be selfish to keep her here," Mrs Nelson said softly. Nick nodded and pulled away from the hug. He was still crying.

"You're more than welcome to be in the room with me while it happens, but I'll give you a few minutes to say your goodbyes," the vet explained. Nick nodded before going back into the room. Nellie was laying almost lifeless on the table. She had been sick for almost a week, she wouldn't eat, drink, or even go on walks. Nick and his mom decided to bring her to the vet, but they didn't expect this outcome.

Nellie's tail wagged weakly when she saw Nick. Nick smiled sadly and crouched down in front of her.

"Hi Nellie," Nick said softly. He gently pet her behind the ears, her favourite spot. "You're such a good girl, I love you so much. I'll never forget you, okay? Just-," Nick's voice cracked as another tear slipped down his cheek. "Just promise me you'll enjoy your time up there. Play with the other puppies and eat lots of your favourite treats."

Nick felt a hand on his shoulder and looked back to see his mom with tears in her eyes. She just smiled sadly at him and nodded, letting him know it was time. Nick cried harder, making Nellie let out a confused whine. Nick softly chuckled through his tears and kissed Nellie's head. "I love you Nellie."

He stood up but kept his hand on Nellie's head, gently petting her to comfort her. The vet walked into the room with a needle.

"Are we ready?" She asked the group. Nick just nodded, not taking his eyes off of Nellie. The vet took the cap off of the needle and gently pinched the skin of Nellie's thigh, she then inserted the needle and injected the liquid into Nellie.

Nick watched as Nellie went stiff, her eyes drooped so they were almost closed, and her ears flopped onto her face. Nick leaned down and placed one last kiss on Nellie's head.

"I love you, you'll be okay," Nick whispered. He stood back up and looked over at his mom. She just smiled softly at him and rubbed his shoulder.

"Leave whenever you're ready, I'll be back to take care of Nellie," the vet explained before leaving the room. Nick pet Nellie's head one last time before leaving the room, too emotional to do much more. His mom followed him outside and to the car. Nick sat in the passenger seat with his head rested against the window. Mrs Nelson was in the driver seat about to pull out of the parking spot.

All of a sudden, Nick started sobbing again. Mrs Nelson frowned and pulled her son into a hug. Nick leaned against his mom and let her rub his back to comfort him.

When Nick was eventually calmed down, they pulled away from the hug and Mrs Nelson began driving home.

•••

When the pair arrived home, Nick left the car and walked into the house without a single word to his mom. When he entered the house he saw Charlie standing at the bottom of the stairs. Charlie softly smiled at him. Nick was so overwhelmed with emotions that he started crying again. Charlie opened his arms.

"Come here," Charlie whispered softly. Nick walked over to him and hugged him tightly, holding onto him as if when he let go the world would end. Charlie held his boy just as tight, he wanted to be there for him during this hard time. He made eye contact with Mrs Nelson, who mouthed "thank you" to him. Charlie just smiled and nodded in return. Charlie rocked Nick back and forth to try to calm him down.

Eventually Nick pulled away, but kept his arms around Charlie. Charlie smiled sadly and wiped away his tears. He gently caressed the side of Nick's face then kissed his cheek. "How are you feeling love?" Charlie asked softly.

"I-I miss her," Nick said, sniffling.

"I know," Charlie replied quietly. "Do you want to go upstairs?"

"Yeah." Charlie took Nick's hand into his then started walking up the stairs and to Nick's room. When they made it to his room Charlie laid down and motioned for Nick to lay on him. Nick laid down next to him and cuddled his head into Charlie's chest. Charlie ran one hand through Nick's hair and the other rubbed his back. Nick occasionally sniffled to hold back his tears.

"You know, we do have to thank Nellie for us being together," Charlie whispered.

"Why?" Nick questioned.

"Because if you never showed me photos of her, I would've never come over for the first time."

Nick smiled softly at the memory of them hanging out for the first time, Nellie played with them in the snow and made Nick throw snowballs for her, even though they would disappear when they hit the ground.

"Yeah, I guess we do have her to thank," Nick said softly. Charlie held Nick close and kissed the top of his head.

"I'm proud of you," Charlie whispered.

"Thank you."

"And I love you, so much."

"I love you too Char," Nick replied. He let out a soft sigh into Charlie's chest, and just then did he realize that everything would be okay.