I Can Hear Your Strength (A Heartstopper FanFic -- BOOK 3)

4. Summer

Trattoria Ciao Belli was much livelier in the evening. As the sun set slowly over the marina, the happy chatter of a restaurant patio full of holidaymakers engulfed the Nelsons in a bubble of relaxed contentment.

Leo and Tillie giggled away, colouring in between bites of cheesy pasta. Charlie had managed an entire half of his pizza, his head upturned toward the light music playing from somewhere nearby. When dessert came, Nick only pretended to be annoyed when Charlie stole some of his cheesecake. He would have spoon-fed Charlie the entire slice if he'd wished.

At the opposite side of the table, David and Portia were entirely wrapped up amongst themselves, as they had been all day. Likewise, Sarah and Diane kept up their endless stream of chatter, appearing like best friends as well as sisters.

This left Nick and Charlie on the other end of the table with Richard and the twins.

"So," said Richard. "How are you both holding up?"

The words were casual but both Nick and Charlie knew what he was really asking. Charlie looked up from helping Leo with his ice cream spillage. "I'm good," he realised as he said it. "We're okay, aren't we?"

Truly, in that moment, Nick realised this was true for him, too. "Yeah," he said. "We're great, thanks."

Throughout the meal, despite the current, very excellent company, Nick had found himself daydreaming about the others going away so it could be just him and Charlie. If he focused directly on him, Nick could just about imagine they were alone.

"What is it?" Charlie scrubbed at his cheek. "Do I have something on my face?"

"No," said Nick. He lowered his voice. "Just wishing we were alone."

Charlie bit his lip. "Oh." He dropped his voice too. "I mean... we could be... if you wanted?"

Nick glanced around. He had a few bites of cheesecake left so he scooped one up and offered Charlie the other. Charlie ate it without question, laughing as Nick started to get up from his chair.

"Um," said Nick, clearing his throat. "Mum, could we... could Charlie and I go back to the villa? We're um... a bit tired."

The entire table of relatives turned to look at Nick.

David snorted. Richard smirked. Both Sarah and Diane smiled in amusement. Charlie could not contain his giggles.

"Of course you can, dears," said Sarah. "Just try to keep it down when we get back, okay? We'll need to put the twins to bed."

"Yep," said Nick. "Mmhm..."

Charlie hurriedly led the way through the maze of tables onto the path, Nick following close behind. He was still laughing when their hands joined and they strolled along the marina.

"Nick, oh my god, that was so obvious! Your whole family now thinks we're sneaking away to have sex."

"Oh, is that not what we're doing? I'm sorry, I've been misled..."

"No, no," said Charlie. "We can definitely do that. Yep."

Nick grinned, nudging Charlie's side. "Good."

They took their time walking back. The evening was warm and peaceful, the sunlight reflecting off the water, creating orange ripples against dark blue. If every night for the next two weeks was going to be like this, Charlie didn't think he'd ever want to go home. Not that Kent was even home any more. Not even England. Home was wherever Nick happened to be.

The villa was cool and quiet inside. They turned no lights on as they made their way to their bedroom.

Their bedroom. The idea was all tingly in Nick's brain. Especially as they fell into their shower and turned on their taps and moved together under their hot water. Well... it was sort of theirs for now.