A Collection of Heartstopper Oneshots

Take Care Of Him For Me, Girl - GTHeart

Summary:

Charlie is leaving for inpatient. But before he goes, he has a job for Nellie.
Notes:

This is my first AO3 story. Be nice!
Work Text:
For a smart dog, there were some things Nellie didn't understand. Like the annoying sound whenever someone visits, or when not to follow her big brother out the door except when told to.

But today seemed to be a special day. Big Brother seemed especially upset today, and that all came to a head when he suddenly leapt up off their couch and ran out the door to meet him with a bone crushing hug.

Charlie.

Now, if there was something Nellie understood, it was how to comfort Big Brother. But she normally didn't have to, not when Charlie had him in a hug....was Big Brother sad about Charlie? What about Charlie was making him so sad like this? Nellie didn't like this, she didn't like this at all.

Nellie watched as something was said between her two favorite boys.

"Pfft, you're getting more emotional than me." Charlie whispered.

Big Brother shushed him from, what Nellie had heard him call it many other times, his recharging place. The place he felt safest, the spot between Charlie's shoulder and neck.

What felt weirdest to Nellie was Charlie's outfit. He had on the jumper Big Brother wore the first day she met Charlie. Man, that was the greatest day, the best day even. Charlie beat Nick at the weird colorful cart game, then they went outside to play in the snow.

From there, they made snow angels, had a snowball fight, and took so many pictures.

Nellie didn't understand. She knew Charlie would sometimes take Big Brother's clothes, mostly his hoodies and jumpers. But she would always see Charlie wear a smile in Big Brother's clothes. She once remembered Big Brother telling her Charlie liked the smell, his smell.

Nellie didn't like what she was seeing, not at all. She whimpered at the window from where she could see her boys, letting out a whine and yap.

Big Brother pulled from the embrace, looking back at her with the saddest chuckle. He still had Charlie in his arms. He turned back to Charlie, and looked like he was explaining something to him.

Charlie nodded. "Can I see her? I'd like to say goodbye to her." he asked. Nellie yapped again.

Please say yes. Please say yes.

Nick nodded and called her out. "Nellie!"

Nellie bounded off the couch and out the front door. She planted herself at Big Brother's feet, right in front of Charlie.

Charlie knelt down in front of her, giving her all of the kisses and pets she could've ever asked for. She rolled over as quickly as she had when he came over when her other Big Brother was home from school.

"You're so cute. Tickle, tickle, tickle." he cooed. She sat up after the final tickle, not wanting to delay her boy's leaving.

"She knows you have to go." Nick explained.

But go WHERE?

Charlie nodded and cupped her face. "Look, girl. I'm going to be gone for a little bit. Don't worry, I'm fine, just a little bit under the weather. But where I'm going, I'm gonna get better. I promise." he told her.

Get better? Ohhh, like a doctor? Okay, as long as he gets better and comes home.

Nellie buried herself into Charlie's armpit, almost her version of a hug. Charlie smiled and kissed her head.

"I need you to do something for me while I'm gone, girl. Can you do that?" he asked, softly. Nellie would do anything for Charlie, she'd protect him with her last breath.

Nellie barked affirmatively.

"I need you," he bit back a sob, "I need you to look after Nick for me, okay? He's not going to have me to hang out with, to snuggle when he's sad, to watch movies with...I need you to step up while I'm gone. Can you do that?" he asked, tearing up. Nellie barked again.

"Good girl." he said, kissing her again before wiping his face with his sleeve and standing back up to meet Big Brother's gaze and cup his face. "I love you." he said, before kissing him.

"I love you too. Text me when you get there." Big Brother said. Charlie nodded before getting in the back of his parents' yellow car. Nellie only met his parents once, and she only liked his sister, Tori. She protected Charlie, and Nellie liked that.

Suddenly, as the car pulled away, Big Brother ran out into the empty street and just kept waving. Nellie was sure she saw Charlie waving back.

And guess what? He did come home in early December.