Heartstopper oneshots <3

9: help me pt 2

words: 1958
requested in the comments of part 1

It's been a week since Charlie started staying at Nick's house. Surprisingly, his parents haven't even texted him. Charlie never told anyone where he was, so after a day he got a frantic call from Tori. Once he explained to her that he's okay, she promised not to tell their parents, and Tori never breaks promises.

As for Nick, he didn't know what to do. Charlie didn't seem much happier, even though he's away from his unsupportive parents. Nick has been doing everything he can for Charlie, he's been helping him with school work so he doesn't over stress himself, he's been making sure Charlie's okay each night before going to bed, but he didn't know why Charlie was still upset all of the time. Obviously he knew his sadness wouldn't go away immediately, but he didn't expect it to last this long.

When they got home from school that day, Charlie immediately went to Nick's room. Nick frowned and put away his and Charlie's backpacks. He then made up a small platter of cheese and crackers, that was Charlie's favourite snack. As he was making the platter his mom walked into the kitchen.

"Hi sweetheart, how was school?" Mrs Nelson asked.

"It was alright," Nick replied, smiling up at his mom.

"Is everything okay?"

Nick hesitated before answering. "Charlie still isn't doing okay, and I don't know how to help him."

"Nick, it's going to take a lot more than just a week to get better, and you're only 16 honey, we don't expect you to solve all of the world's problems," Mrs Nelson explained, placing her hand on Nick's shoulder. Nick just nodded with a sad smile.

"Okay, thanks mum."

"No problem, are you taking that to him?"

"Uh yeah, he went to my room immediately when we got home so I thought this might cheer him up."

"I know you can't solve all of his problems, but you're doing a great job." Mrs Nelson placed a kiss on Nick's forehead before going back to the living room.

Nick put away the cheese and cracker box before bringing the platter upstairs. As he entered his room he heard soft sniffles.

"Charlie?" Nick asked softly. He entered the room completely and saw Charlie wrapped in blankets. Nick frowned before closing the door behind him and walking over to Charlie. Nick placed the platter down on the bedside table then sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at Charlie. He gently moved some hair out of the younger's face and caressed his cheek. "Hi darling, how are you?" Nick asked softly.

Charlie started sobbing. Nick frowned before helping him sit up. He gently moved Charlie so he was straddling his lap. He hugged the boy as tight as he could and rocked back and forth. Charlie held a death grip on Nick's hoodie, he needed comfort and Nick was the only person who could give him that. "It's okay love, you're going to be okay," Nick whispered.

"I want my mom and dad," Charlie sobbed. Nick immediately realized why Charlie wasn't okay. No matter how toxic his parents were, they were still his parents, that would never change. Charlie was just feeling homesick.

"Oh baby," Nick said softly. "You're more than welcome to go home whenever you'd like, you're not stuck here. You know that, right? I would never keep you from your family, no matter what."

"I—I know," Charlie said, his voice unsteady. He pulled away from the hug and looked at Nick. Nick gently wiped his tears and placed a soft kiss on the tip of his nose. "And I know they're crappy and unsupportive, but I just hate that they haven't even checked on me. It makes me wonder if they care about me at all. I don't think anybody cares about me."