A Collection of Heartstopper Oneshots

Sleep Remedy - Rudan_8

Summary:

Nick has been put under a lot of stress and negativity for some bit of time, so he goes to Charlie for support.
Notes:

(See the end of the work for notes.)

Work Text:
Nick was tired. So, so tired. Rugby practice had taken any energy or physical strength he had and threw it out the window, and having to deal with David when he got home didn't help. On top of it all, he had mounds of homework that he needed to catch up on that he just didn't have the time for. Everything seemed to be going to shit all at once.

"Hello, Nicky! How was practice today?" His mother welcomed him with a warm smile once he stepped into the house, a cup of tea already brewing in Nick's designated cup.

"T'was fine, I guess." Nick shrugged quietly whilst flopping over on the couch.

"Oh, common Nick, it couldn't have been that bad," David's voice alone felt like a million pins piercing through his ears. "What, did Coach Singh make you do a proper work out this time instead of lettin' you sit around like a bunch of lazy girls?" He ruffled Nick's hair roughly, and laughed that disgusting laugh of his. Nick pulled away, he took his tea, and practically ran up to his room before his brother could continue with his tormenting. His mother tried calling up to him, but she knew it was too late.

He slammed his door behind him, wincing at the sudden loudness. Nick could faintly hear his mother and brother arguing from downstairs, which always happened after interactions like this.

"What's his problem?" David asked his mother, failing to hide the unnecessary anger from his voice, not like he was trying too.

"He's probably just had a bad day, David, now leave the boy alone." Nick's mother sounded tired and fed up with David constantly... well, being David.

"But that doesn't mean he gets to be a dick all the time!"

"Well, maybe if you didn't tease and bother him all the time, these things wouldn't happen!"

"He's the one that always makes it a big deal! I'm telling you mom, Charlie's made him into such a sensitive little bitch."

Nick couldn't keep eavesdropping after he heard that. It felt as though his brain had short-circuited from pure anger and hatred towards the word's he had just heard. He didn't notice how long his body was tensed up for, but it was long enough for him to start to struggle to breathe, for his legs to wobble underneath him and forcing Nick to slide against his door to the floor. Tears streamed down his face rapidly, attempting all the same to keep his sobs quiet so as to not concern his mom. He was shaking from head to toe now, his breathing becoming even more unsteady.

Nick wanted to scream at the top of his lungs. He wanted to punch something, someone even. He wanted to give up, right then and there. He was so close to doing so, until his phone vibrated in his pocket.

Nick was reluctant to look at it at first, thinking it might have been his mom asking to talk or his brother bullying him through texts, but as soon as he saw that name on his screen all his sorrows melted away in an instant.

Charlie.

"Hi <3" was all it said, but that's all Nick needed. Something as simple as a one-worded text from someone as special as Charlie was enough to turn any day around. With a newfound desire that was so instantaneous that it startled Nick a bit, and without even texting back, he quickly packed up an overnight bag and rushed downstairs towards the door.

"Nick? Where are you off to?" Sarah was obviously worried about Nick, especially now after seeing the tears that have settled on his face.

"Just heading to Charlie's? If that's ok?" Nick looked at his mom hopefully, then to David for a split second. He made sure that second was filled with pure hatred and disgust. Nick knew that he was leaving back for uni tomorrow, and he hoped that he left feeling guilty and ashamed of himself.