A Collection of Heartstopper Oneshots

somewhere else, just like magic - thetomkatwholived P3

Summary:

Charlie laughed again, so delighted at how fun flirting could be. "Of course I want to come to yours tonight. What's on the menu?"

"My mother made sure to instil in me a perfect roast chicken recipe. Or, a very good one, at least. If that sounds good?" Charlie was unbelievably charmed by Nick's nervous hopefulness, how openly he expressed his want to be around Charlie while always bracing to be let down easy. But Charlie had no intention of letting him down, easy or not.

Or, Charlie finds himself healing more quickly and fully than he thought was possible.
Notes:

Penultimate chapter! This one felt like filler for a while, and I contemplated combining it with the last chapter but there's actually a lot of importance in showing the mundane developments.

Also, how we feeling after that Q&A, huh? Anyone else have to take some time during certain answers to compose themself?
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter 3

Nick was nervous during coffee the next morning. He was fidgety as they ordered and didn't even pretend to put up a fight when Charlie paid for both drinks; normally, he'd race to tap his card first. When they sat at their regular table, his face lit up, as if pretending he'd just had an idea.

"Oh, hey, you wanted to meet Daisy. What if you came over to mine for dinner tonight so you can meet her?" Nick's blush betrayed his attempt at nonchalance.

Charlie laughed into the rim of his mug. "If you want to invite me to dinner, you can just do that.

Nick sighed and lightly thudded his head on the table. "I was trying to be cool." It came out muffled.

"You're a dork."

"Charlie," Nick whined.

Charlie laughed again, so delighted at how fun flirting could be. "Of course I want to come to yours tonight. What's on the menu?"

"My mother made sure to instil in me a perfect roast chicken recipe. Or, a very good one, at least. If that sounds good?" Charlie was unbelievably charmed by Nick's nervous hopefulness, how openly he expressed his want to be around Charlie while always bracing to be let down easy. But Charlie had no intention of letting him down, easy or not.

"That sounds amazing."

Nick's smile could rival the sun, the brightness almost blinding. "Great. Come over whenever, but I was thinking we eat at six?"

Charlie sucked in his smile, trying to stay cool while internally freaking out. "Sounds good. Also, you need to go."

Nick looked at his watch (because of course he wore a dorky Iron Man wristwatch). "Shit, I'm gonna be late for dropoff." He quickly drained the rest of his mug and stood, rushing out towards the door but pausing to place an infinitesimal kiss on Charlie's cheek.

🍂

Charlie felt that kiss for the next hour. Isaac even called him out on it, laughing at him as he touched his cheek for the fifth time since he arrived at the shop.

"Maybe I should have you reshelve romance right now." Charlie huffed out a laugh as he continued organising the YA fantasy. "We do need to have a talk, though. If you can find a good stopping point."

The last time someone had started a conversation with Charlie in such a way, he had gotten fired. Was it possible to get fired from a job you didn't actually have?

Finding a good place to pause, Charlie walked over to Isaac, preparing himself for whatever disappointment was about to come. "What's up?"

"You've been helping me everyday for the last week and a half." And you're awful at it. Please never come back here again.