A Heartstopper Fanfic

Chapter 35: Paper Ring

(Charlie's POV)

"Small and intimate sounds really nice," I say out of nowhere, providing Nick with zero context. Like always, at this hour during the night, we're sitting next to each other in bed, relaxing. He's scrolling through his Instagram feed as I surprise, surprise, read. I fold the corner of a page in the book, the one that I'm on, and then snap the book shut. "Yeah, I like that idea." It's too late before I realize that I'm voicing my inner monologue.

(Nick's POV)

Charlie turns to look at me, seemingly hoping that he didn't just embarrass himself. I awkwardly cough, "pardon love, but erm-what?" Somehow oblivious to how what he said sounded, Char blankly stares at me. Perhaps I'm just dirty-minded, but saying that 'small and intimate sounds really nice' isn't exactly a casual thought to voice out loud.

"A small and intimate wedding sounds really nice." He further affirms. Ah, he was talking about our wedding. Not- yeah. Clearly, he's sleep deprived, because he missed two words. My lips fold into a smile, "Are you reading or thinking about getting married to me?" I'm teasing him, of course. God, I love teasing him. In all fairness, he deserves it because he also loves to bully me. "You're correct Nicholas," he sets the book aside, on his nightstand, "I was in fact thinking about marrying you, and not truly reading." Charlie Spring can be so sickeningly cute.

I roll my eyes at his sappiness and then lean against him. "Alright, tell me all about this idea of yours."

"Okay, let me grab my phone," Char says as he gets up and off of the bed. The sheets briefly lifting let some cold air in, causing me to shiver. Once the blanket settles though, I stop acting like a penguin trying to keep any bit of bodily heat, desperate for Charlie to come back.

Once he returns my eyes widen at the sight of his notes app open. There are a lot of words on his screen. "I've been jotting down some ideas for quite some time now."

"Just 'some ideas', no biggie." I mockingly say, exaggerating his mannerisms. As he spoke he had funnily raised his eyebrows. He's excited, it's clear. "Kidding, you're cute. Anyways, please continue. I'm intrigued, Charles."

My fiancé pauses, squinting his eyes, deciding if he should sassily reply. "I was going to be mean, but I really want to talk about this, so I'm not."

(Charlie's POV)

Nick's freckles are oddly noticeable in this dark lighting. Thinking about it, the perfectly scattered specks on his face compliment his classic sideways, yet charming, 'Nicholas Nelson' grin.

Okay- is my obsession with his freckles the same as his obsession with my dimples? Probably.

First on the list is a note about how Lily could either be the ring bearer, or an honorary flower girl. Speaking of stuff to do with rings, is now a good time to mention that I had also planned on proposing to Nick, but he beat me to it? After some deep thought, I think, "why not? Full disclosure."

While he's distracted by discussing how cute Lily would look trotting down the aisle wearing a bandanna, I go into my drawer and pull out the ring. Well- it's not exactly a ring. "I was going to propose to you, but in a very non-traditional way." I suddenly blurt out. Nick instantly whips his head around at the sound of me going 'I was going to propose to you'. The 'ring' is a paper ring in a small leather box. Okay. I know, compared to the rock on my finger, this is super dumb. However, it's sentimental.

Nick snatches the box, opens it, then very carefully slides the paper ring onto his ring finger. Although it's just paper, he looks at it as if it's entirely made up of riches like beautiful diamonds and gold. "Okay, allow me to explain." I say, pleading with him. Of course he nods, "please do."

I clear my throat, ready to perform. If I'm going to explain then I'm going all out. This is how I redeem myself.

Nervously chuckling, I hesitate to begin. Though, I eventually do. "Kiss me once 'cause you know I had a long night!"

Nick quickly caught on and eagerly became my back up vocalist, "Oh!"

"Kiss me twice 'cause it's gonna be alright.
Three times 'cause I've waited my whole life!"

"One, two, one, two, three, four!" He's certainly acting like an energized puppy right now.

And now, the already obvious reveal as to my reasoning being the paper ring:

"I like shiny things, but I'd marry you with paper rings!" That's where I stop, but the song continues in my mind as Nick tickles me, screaming that I'm undeniably a hopeless romantic, but that he adores that I am.

"Uh huh, that's right!"

"Darling, you're the one I want, and I hate accidents except when we went from friends to this."

"Uh huh, that's right!"

"Darling, you're the one I want in paper rings, in picture frames, in dirty dreams."

"Oh, you're the one I want!"

No, I couldn't have just been a normal person and explained it, could I?

Author's note: I really hope that this wasn't cringy lmaoooo