Hearstopper from the edit room floor

He had enjoyed ten years of being totally irresponsible

A/N I imagine this being a scene in one of those cheesy Christmas movies where the couple are separated but bought back together by the end of the movie some how and they realise everything that happened before was a huge mistake and they shouldn't have split xyz so on and so on :)

This was inspired by a prompt I found online 

PSA - I may well edit / change / make this longer as I really think its quite cute let me know what you think all ideas welcome x
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"Charlie?" Nick calls over the crowded dance floor of the club "Char Spring!" nick surprised himself at how easily the nickname still rolled off his tongue even now and even now he would notice that dark brown / black mop of hair anywhere even after all these years.

10 years ago Nick and Charlie had gone on a break when Nick had moved to university and things hadn't exactly gotten off to the best of starts they'd decided to take some time apart it had been ten years since then, sure they'd stayed friends had a few near misses and very personal close encounters in that decade but they'd never managed to strike that romantic spark again for one reason or another but they both knew they'd never officially broken up

The tall curly haired man whirled round Charlie smiling "Nick? Oh Hi!" he beams "Hi yourself!" Nick says grinning shaking his head in shock "since when did you work for waterfront?" Nick asked somewhat confused

Waterfront TV (fake company fake place) was a local television and radio station where Nick worked as a sports and entertainment reporter he'd bagged the job shortly after his university rugby career ended and he figured his sports and exercise degree and golden retriever energy would come in handy and he had fallen in love "Um I only started on Monday last week but Nancy Drew from publishing convinced me to come tonight anyway how are you? Which department are you working in" Charlie asks shouting over the music playing in the speakers but stepping closer Nick breathed as he felt the same old electricity he'd felt all those ten years ago their hands brushed slightly "umm sports and entertainment mostly and I'm a local news stand in ! Been here since the end of university" Nick shouts back "do you um want to go somewhere a bit quitter – loud in here isn't it?" he suggests Charlie smiles remembering something similar Nick had said to him when they'd first started dating Charlie shrugs "sure lead the way" Nick nods picking up two plastic cups and a plate of food and weaving the pair through the crowded staff Christmas party

"Its like you've been here before" Charlie says amazed Nick laughs at his friends shock "its a cheap club in the local area literally like fifteen minutes away from my flat its a good night out actually despite living in a town with a big uni culture" Nick admits holding the door open for Charlie "just through there and to the left and then we have arrived" Nick instructs happily Charlie is met with a room that's well lit has softer less intense speaking level music in it with some very comfortable sofa's a fake fish tank and some bubble tubes - Charlie is impressed "is this where you take all the boys your trying to impress" Charlie asks flopping down on one of the sofas Nick just laughs following him behind and also sitting down

Nick took a sip of his drink "so how have you been?" He asks Charlie scoffs running a hand through his hair "I have enjoyed ten years of being totally irresponsible" Charlie admits almost without thinking he a silence breaks over the room and Charlie looks up again his eyes widen at his slip up "shit - oh no I didn't mean anything like that I swear jeez me and my big mouth" Charlie says groaning Charlie grabs Nicks hand which takes them both by surprise but honestly neither is too tipsy (in love and on alcohol) to gave a damn "I meant, after I graduated I went travelling, I've not had a proper job in like ten years since graduation - I talk to guys but in all honesty.... I haven't been in a serious relationship since we... went on a break! Nick I have enjoyed being a teenager finally after all that happened just a teenager with a great job and I love it anyway enough about me ... what about you " Charlie admitted and asks unashamed and suddenly Nick felt lighter again Nick sighs "I was engaged at one point until like three months ago... we were pretty serious but we both wanted different things with life... I want children he wasn't ready for that step yet I am committed to my work he wanted to see the world and travel.. see where I am going with this?" Nick sighs taking another sip and a salty snack from the tray Charlie nods "I do I think we've all been there and I think you'll be a fabulous dad" he smiles sympathetically Charlie's heart warms at the thought of Nick in parenthood mode