Heartstopper oneshots/ requests

Nick goes to therapy P2

As promised! I wanted to say that I got the mouse and the house analogy from YOU by Caroline Kepnes - the book behind the YOU series on Netflix. I haven't watched it because I just couldn't get into it so I brought the first three books. Finally picked up the first one and omg its so so good!! Once I've read all the books (I think there's four) I'll give the show another go.. I find sometimes after I've read the story I enjoy the film/ tv show more.

Anyways, sorry enough rambling hahaha.. part two

It was next Saturday morning, Nick and Sarah were driving to Simon's clinic. It was a short drive, but Nick's leg wouldn't stop bouncing.

"You're doing the right thing you know" Sarah looked over at him, "Asking for help is a very brave thing to do"
Nick didn't say anything and continued to stare straight ahead.

"Have you told Charlie?"

That made him snap back into reality. Of course he hadn't told Charlie, not yet anyway.

"No - I want to though" He added quickly, "I just- I don't want him to worry, I might be okay after a few sessions. He doesn't have to know - does he?" He turned to his mum
"Well, it's completely up to you obviously, but I would say you should tell him. He would understand - he's such a lovely boy"
"Mum!" Nick laughed
"What? He is" She said smiling

They turned into the car park and Sarah rolled into a space in front of the building. It looked the same as it had when Nick came the first time. It was almost like nothing had changed.

Sarah took the keys out of the ignition, "Ready?"
"Yeah" Nick let out a breath he didn't know he was holding and opened the car door.

Stepping into the entrance was like stepping back in time, it almost felt like he hadn't left.

"I'll just be over here" Sarah said softly with a smile and disappeared from Nick's side to the waiting area.

Nick stepped forward towards the reception desk, he recognised the lady behind it immediately.

"Ah, Nick!" She said, her face lighting up, "Good to see you"
"Hi, Claire" He forced a tight smile
"Simon's just finishing up and he'll be right-" Claire hadn't even finished her sentence before being interrupted by Simon's office door opening.

"Nick!" Simon greeted him with the same enthusiasm, "Come through"

Nick headed towards his office, but not without looking back at his mum who gave him a smile and a small nod. This was the right thing to do. Even if it felt like he had taken a step backwards. Nick thought he was done with this place, done with therapy. Or maybe you never really are done with something like this, the mouse always comes out again.

"Take a seat" Simon told him, gesturing to the sofa in front of him. Simon's desk was on the right, in front of the big window. As it always had been.

Simon was a nice man, him and Nick had got on well. Maybe it was because he wasn't what you would expect therapists to be like. Simon was young, in his mid thirties and never wore a suit. Today, he was wearing black skinny jeans and a white t-shirt. His hair was combed back as it had always been and he had the same look of welcoming on his face.

A smile that never really seemed to fade. Nick suddenly found himself thinking about what Simon thought of him. Was he disappointed to see him back here?

"I'm glad you've taken the step to come and see me again" Simon smiled, moving his leather swivel chair to be in front of the desk, "That's a brave step you know"
"That's what mum said" Nick said, "I just feel like coming here is like going backwards"
"How do you mean?"
"Well I'm back here, I should be better. You made me better, but now it's like everything is back how it was"
"The mouse is back?" Simon raised his eyebrows, referring to his analogy he taught Nick when they first met
"Yeah, the mouse is back" Nick admitted
"What turned off the lights?"