Summary:
"Together. I like the sound of that."
Notes:
Last chapter alert! I also just rewatched s02e07 "Sorry", and it's so *chef's kiss*.
Anyway, enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter 3: Chapter Three
Charlie cools down by the next morning.
Mostly, he feels bad about how he treated Tori. Charlie also doesn't want to leave for Paris with any residual anger. He understands that she feels protective of him. She only knows a certain extent of the bullying, but he did tell her not that long ago about how sometimes he thinks that it would be easier if he did not exist. If his sister told him the same thing, Charlie knows that he couldn't just forget it or not worry about her.
He apologizes, and she accepts it. Tori isn't particularly loquacious under the cheeriest of circumstances, but Charlie knows what's in her heart. Now that the fog of anger has lifted, Charlie can recognize the remorse that she displayed last night.
Despite her best efforts to conceal any emotion.
Tori never meant to hurt Nick. Charlie does still need to speak with him before they leave for the Paris trip. It isn't a conversation they can avoid. Not when it affected Nick so deeply that it made him feel more strained at the GCSE bonfire.
"Hi," Nick greets him as he opens the door.
"Hi," Charlie replies. He knows that Nick's smile for him is genuine, but Charlie can see that the happiness doesn't quite meet Nick's eyes. "How are you feeling?"
"Physically better," Nick says. He steps aside and gestures for Charlie to enter the house. "Silly."
"Hey," Charlie says. The door closes behind him and he subtly crowds into Nick's space. "Don't say mean things about my boyfriend."
Nick's lip twitches.
"That's fair. From what I hear, you'd fight any prick to defend him."
Charlie feels his cheeks warm. He averts his eyes to the ground, but only for a brief moment. Nick's thumb presses against his chin and guides his gaze upward again.
Nick's lips slot against his before he can register what's happening. He responds immediately, though the kiss ends sooner than either of them would prefer.
"Let's go up to my room," Nick suggests, and Charlie nods.
The house is quiet, but they both know that David lurks around corners.
Gathering up his nerve, Charlie asks, "Did David do something?"
Nick tenses slightly, but he keeps his eyes focused ahead of them.
"What makes you think that?"
Charlie shrugs. He replies, "You look sad. I hate seeing you sad, and I know he's often a cause."
"I haven't seen him this morning," Nick says. "We last spoke before the bonfire party."
Nick doesn't elaborate further, but he doesn't need to for Charlie to know it wasn't a productive conversation between the brothers. Charlie's almost certain that, if anything, it contributed to a degree of the pressure that Nick placed on himself to tell his rugby mates about himself.
"Hi, Nellie," Charlie coos as he sits on the bed. Nellie barks and cuddles in his lap without any hesitation. "She likes me."
"She loves you," Nick corrects, with a fond expression. "All she does is growl at David. Not that it says much. You're a much better person than he'll ever be."
"I hope not," Charlie says. He looks carefully at Nick. "I hope things can improve for you two." Nick is silent, but he nods in acknowledgment. "Besides," Charlie continues. "It's your energy that she reacts to more than anything."
Thoughtfully, Nick says, "Is that so?"
"It is," Charlie confirms.
"Well, I stand by my belief that she has good taste."
Charlie bursts out laughing and presses a chaste kiss to his boyfriend's lips. The feeling of simply kissing Nick whenever the mood strikes him never grows old.
"Is everything okay with you?" Nick asks him after some time. "Not that I don't enjoy spending time with you always. I just know you mentioned having packing to do before the trip and that you were going to spend the day with Tori."
"Yeah. Well," Charlie says, whilst stroking Nellie's fur. "About that." Nick looks closer at him with furrowed brows. "Do you remember our conversation as I was leaving last night?"
Nick stares at the wall and tries to focus on any particular memory. His lips create a firm line.
"The last thing I remember is asking whether you really want to stay low-key in Paris," Nick says. He looks apologetic, but Charlie just shakes his head. "There was more?"
"You were really tired when I left before curfew," Charlie says. "And pouty." Nick groans and his cheeks turn pink. Charlie chuckles. "Before I could walk out the door, you said one thing."
Nick waits as Charlie twists a loose thread from the duvet between his fingers.
"What did I say, Charlie?" The younger boy can hear the apprehension in Nick's voice.
"You said, 'Tell Tori, I'm sorry.'"
There's nothing subtle about the way Nick tenses now.
"I shouldn't have said that," Nick says.
"That isn't all." Nick's worries at his lip. "When I asked why you'd need to apologize to her, you were almost already asleep but replied, 'Broke promise.'"
Nick closes his eyes as though he's praying for guidance. He runs a hand over his face. Charlie catches the hand with his own on its descent.
"Hey," Charlie says, trying to catch his eye. "What are you thinking?"
"That if I'm this embarrassing when I'm tired, I must be a nightmare when I'm drunk."
Charlie shakes his head.
"I want to know whenever something is bothering or hurting you. Even if it involves someone I care about. Especially then," Charlie emphasizes. "I know what Tori said to you in the tent last night. Am I right that it's what prompted our conversation about promises?"
"Charlie, I'm so sor —"
"Remember our rule about the 'S' word. You haven't done anything bad." Nick looks as though he wants to disagree with him, but he falls silent. "I meant when I said last night that you didn't promise anything. Not to me. Especially not to anyone else. I told Tori that she was bang out of order and that I can take care of myself."
"I don't want you and her to fight." Nick's eyes are glassy and it's said with a slight whimper.
Charlie gently strokes Nick's jaw with his index finger.
"Siblings fight. You know that," Charlie reminds him. "I know she wants to keep me safe, but I need to learn how to keep me safe. You are not my protector. Neither is she. It is too much to put on any one person or relationship."
"You're infuriatingly insightful, you know that?" Nick murmurs. "Well-adjusted, too."
"Thanks. It's part of my charm," Charlie quips.
"It is," Nick confirms. He nuzzles against Charlie's cheek. "I really did understand her concern. I was so panicked when I couldn't find you."
"I was worried, too," Charlie admits. "But we didn't actually lose each other, yeah? We got separated. We'll always find our way back together."
"Together," Nick repeats. "I like the sound of that."
Charlie giggles when Nick repeatedly kisses the corners of his smile.
"Me too."
Notes:
Kudos and comments are appreciated!
*Collective prayer circle for s4/s5 renewal*
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A Collection of Heartstopper Oneshots
FanfictionThese are NOT my oneshots!! The amazing authors on AO3 has written and created these wonderful little stories about one of my favorite fictional couples of all time. I wanted to share them with you all and spread the feelings inducing love that Nic...
