Heartstopper oneshots/ requests

Charlie quits rugby P2

"Charlie, wait!" Nick calls out as soon as he's out of the door.

Charlie's only a few feet away and as he turns around, Nick suddenly wonders why he's called after him. What was he planning to say? Why did he care so much about Charlie not doing rugby anymore?

"You never told me" Is all Nick manages to say
Charlie immediately furrows his eyebrows, confused at the hurt in Nick's voice, "What?"

Charlie turns properly to face Nick now, wanting to hear what he's going to say.

"You never told me you wanted to quit" Nick explains, stepping closer to Charlie.

For some reason, being close to him makes Nick's heart race. It was odd feeling like this and he couldn't place it. What was this feeling?

Charlie shrugs in reply, "What does it matter?"
"I'm the captain, you could've asked me first!" Nick snaps back and immediately regrets it. That was definitely the wrong thing to say, why did he have to be so arrogant all the time.

Charlie's face drops and he turns to walk away.

"Charlie!" Nick reaches out and pulls at Charlie's shoulder, making him turn around again, "I'm sorry, that came out wrong - I didn't mean it like that, I just- I want you on the team" Nick changed tact and watched as Charlie's face changed again. The corner of his lips curled up very slightly to a small smile.

"Is it really you or are some of the lads saying stuff?" Nick asks gently, wanting to understand.
"No - well, I'm not exactly welcome, am I?"

Charlie says it so casually it upsets Nick. How can someone ever feel like they're not welcome somewhere? Charlie sees the sad look in Nick's eyes and says, "It's okay, it's just not for me - I only joined because you asked me to" Charlie says quickly, then slightly regrets it. He hates being so honest with people. It has only meant being hurt.

Nick's heart swells a little at Charlie's comment. Charlie did something for him. Even though he didn't like it, he did it for him.

"Charlie, I'm sorry if you felt you had to try out because I asked-" Nick hesitated, thinking over whether he should say this next bit, "I only asked you because I wanted to see you more"

Nick watched as Charlie went to say something, but decided against it.

"I'm sorry, it was stupid- I'm stupid" Nick corrected himself, "I better get to the changing rooms, the team should be here now"

Nick started to walk away, feeling embarrassed and stupid. Why did he say that? Why did he just make a fool out of himself? Why did he ruin everything?

"Nick!" Charlie called out after him, pulling at his shoulder to make him turn around, just as Nick had done to him moments before, "You're not stupid" He offered a half smile which Nick returned, "We'll still see each other every morning - I haven't taught you how to play the drums yet" Charlie added and Nick smiled.
"That's true" Nick laughed

Both of them knew that Charlie wouldn't actually teach Nick how to play the drums. It was more about the invitation to hang out more that made them both happy.

As Nick turned away to walk to the changing rooms, he couldn't help but smile. Why did hanging out with Charlie, or even the invitation of hanging out with him more, make him so happy?

I know it's a little short but omg their platonic interactions make me so happy. Nick was so naive in the beginning wasn't he 🥺