i like to think we would find each other in any universe

cinema (part one)

a little au songfic based on 'cinema' by harry styles because i am living for harry's house rn

and yes, the primary setting is going to be a cinema. because this girl is all about being literal and obvious.

also, nick and darcy are siblings in this, and darcy (like kizzy) is non-binary and goes by they/them.

TW: PAST SEXUAL ENCOUNTERS, PAST SA, GENERAL SEXUAL THEMES, CUSSING

*SPOILERS FOR 'SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME* (though if you haven't seen it by now, i really don't know what to tell you)

I DO NOT OWN HEARTSTOPPER OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS FROM THE SERIES OR NO WAY HOME OR MARVEL OR CINEMA BY HARRY STYLES (just in case anyone didn't know *she says, her voice laced with sarcasm*)

enjoy :)

-

you got, you got the cinema

the first thing charlie spring noticed when he arrived at the cinema was the group of guys by the front door. groups of people always made charlie nervous, but especially groups of guys. not only that, but cute guys. and, upon closer view, these cute guys just so happened to be a group of guys from charlie's university. the rugby guys, to be specific. the group wasn't large, only five or six of the guys from the team. but, of course, one of the guys just had to be the one and only rugby king, nick nelson. charlie nearly lost his balance walking up the steps to the ticket box when he saw nick. as he stumbled, he looked around to make sure no one saw him, his gaze shifting to the guys. luckily, no one seemed to notice his slip. when charlie got to the ticket box, he waved hello to the attendant, a bored looking teenager, and checked the films playing, even though he already knew what he was going to see.

"one for no way home, please." charlie said, pulling out his money to pay. if tao knew what charlie was about to watch, he would probably shit bricks. charlie could hear him now: 'why would you want to watch something so mainstream just like all of those basic straight guys out there when you could just come 'round mine and watch donnie darko again?' the teenage attendant nodded to charlie and pulled up the total on their computer, handing charlie the ticket and taking his payment. charlie thanked the teen and took his ticket, turning to go inside, when he collided with a firm roadblock. he nearly fell again, but steadied himself, apologizing over again to the person he ran into. when he looked up at the person, his body went tense. in front of charlie stood ben hope, someone charlie hadn't seen since his years at truham grammar school.

"hey, watch where you're-oh. it's just you." ben's voice was firm, a slight tone of disgust when realising it was charlie that he had bumped into. "i'd say sorry, but the one-on-one contact is probably something you crave, so i'll let you have this one." ben sneered at charlie, then moved to get around him. before turning to the ticket box, he spoke over his shoulder, not even looking charlie in the eye. "figures you'd be here alone. once a loser, always a loser." once ben started talking to the teenage attendant, charlie decided he was free to walk away, his head down. he felt tears stinging his eyes, that familiar ball in his throat threatening to turn into a sob. instead, he shook his head and went inside. it had been almost three years since charlie had been rid of ben hope and his taunting. his abuse. his lies.

you're so cute when you smile.

missed you this weekend.

i love kissing you.

ben had never really liked charlie. not when he was sitting next to him, hidden in the stacks of the library. not when he was kissing him all over his face in the privacy of the music block, just because he knew he could. not when he was pushing charlie up against a wall, hand down charlie's trousers, in charlie's pants, because he knew charlie would never say no, even when he wanted to. charlie had put up with ben hope and his bullshit for too long and he would be damned if he let the prick get to him now. he was doing so well in his recovery journey and no one, especially ben, was going to ruin that for him. not anymore.