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A toast!

They kiss for what feels like hours, until their lips are chapped and swollen and they feel like teenagers again, like they're back to the days of rolling around on Charlie's bedroom floor instead of doing homework.

It makes Charlie feel giddy and nostalgic in the best of ways, and he smiles against Nick's mouth as he thinks about the fact that this is their life now. He can wake up in Nick's bed and they can snog and fuck and be all over each other in the house because it's theirs.

This was the best introduction to Leeds he could have asked for, even though so far all he's seen is the four walls of Nick's bedroom. He can't wait for the rest of the year.

"Are you hungry?" Nick asks him after a bit, when the kissing has mostly slowed to gentle pecks and Charlie's starting to feel a bit clammy and gross. "We could have a shower and then order a Chinese."
"That sounds amazing." With one final lingering snog, Charlie pulls away with a groan and shuffles off the bed. "Off for my third shower of the day, thanks to my needy boyfriend."
"Your needy boyfriend is very grateful." Nick sidles over to him, pinching his hip as he bends down and pulls a spare towel out from one of his bottom drawers. "Let's shower together?"
"Wow, it's like you can't get enough of me or something."
"That or I'm hungry enough to cut down shower time so we can call that Chinese in sooner."

Charlie grins and waddles over to the shower, tentatively stepping inside and turning it on quickly, making as quick a job as he can of cleaning himself out before Nick joins him in the shower. They (mostly) (unsuccessfully) manage to keep their hands to themselves as they rinse off, but Nick has this thing for Charlie's curls where he can't resist washing them in every shower they share together, and Charlie is nothing but a weak man as strong, nimble fingers work into his scalp.

It's nearly dark outside by the time they make it downstairs, at which point it seems as if all of Nick's housemates are home. There's lots of hugs and excited greetings as everyone gives him a big hug hello, even if a couple of them can't look either him or Nick in the eye.

"What's going on?" Nick stage-whispers. "Did we do something?"
"You did each other. Loudly," Manrika tells them over a mouthful of peanuts. "We heard everything through the ceiling, babes. Sounded like the headboard might go through the wall at one point."

"Oh my god," Charlie says, covering his mouth with both hands. He's horrified. "I'm so sorry. "
Manrika bursts out laughing and reaches over to ruffle his hair. "I'm glad you had a good welcome to uni, my love."

"So this is what it's going to be like all year then?" Holly asks, wrinkling her nose. "Hearing you two shag through the ceiling seven days a week like a pair of insatiable rabbits?"
Nick presses a hand to his chest and squawks indignantly. "How dare you?" He tucks Charlie under his arm. "Don't listen to them, Char. They're just jealous."
"Correct." Holly sighs and flops down into a kitchen chair. "Urgh. Hi, Charlie, by the way. I've missed you."

"Sorry we were loud," Charlie says with a wave. "I've missed you too, Hol."
"All these guys like you more than me," Nick sniffs, then pretends to cry into Charlie's shoulder. "I'd be upset about it if I didn't think it was justified."
Charlie slaps him on the chest. "You're so dramatic. That's not true."
"It is true." Ben appears in the doorway and greets Charlie with a wink and a salute, then he heads over to the fridge and pulls out a bottle of wine. "Anyone want a glass?"
"Could I?" Charlie asks timidly. "It's my first night in Leeds and it feels, like, a bit remiss if I don't have a drink."

"Of course!" Ben grabs two glasses from one of the higher cupboards and uncaps the wine, then once he's poured both him and Charlie a glass, he puts his hand to his mouth and calls for the rest of the flat. "Hey, everyone come to the kitchen!" He turns to Nick. "You want a beer?"

Nick nods and Ben fetches him a can of Stella, much to everyone else's amusement, and pretty soon all of Nick's housemates are standing in the kitchen with drinks in their hands.
"A toast," Ben says, raising his glass high, "To Charlie Spring and his first night in Leeds. Long may he reign!"

Charlie can't remember the last time he felt this happy as he leans into Nick's space to accept the kiss he's offering him, and he raises his glass back.
"To not dying in freshers week!" he shouts, and everyone laughs.
"To Charlie Spring," Manrika repeats, mirth and excitement sparkling in her big brown eyes, and they all drink.