A Collection of Heartstopper Oneshots

Something New - CarleyT

Summary:

Charlie has finally gotten to a place where he's comfortable in his skin and confident with his body and has taken that final leap into the world of makeup. He's letting himself enjoy exploring with it after yearning to do so for so many years, with Elle's assistance, and he wants to bring Nick along on the journey, providing he's willing. What better of a time to do so than Pride?

—

Or, Charlie does Nick's makeup and they share sappy sentiments and tears with each other.
Notes:

HAPPY PRIDE 🏳️🌈❤️🧡💛💙💜🖤🩶🤎

I moved apartments, yay!! I am very much still in the process of unpacking but I wanted to have something to celebrate this beautiful month.

It's not beta'd though I tried my best to edit it on my phone (I have no wifi currently so I couldn't use my computer. Cue the sad trombone noise). Apologies for any mistakes I might have missed.

CW: a bit of internalized misogyny
(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Work Text:
"You should let me do your makeup for Pride."

Charlie is sitting on the couch next to his boyfriend of nine years as he flicks through his Pinterest page. He had been looking at different makeup styles when he stumbled across Pride themed looks and fell into a rabbit hole whereupon he saved a dozen or so different styles to a special board to show Elle at a later time.

London Pride was the following weekend and Charlie, who had just started his dalliance with all things makeup — thanks to Elle, who gave him the courage to try something he's been wanting to for ages — is bursting at the seams in anticipation. He has his entire outfit already picked out including the nail polish color he wants to go with and the necklace and rings to adorn himself with. His makeup is the only missing puzzle piece.

It was Elle who had taught him the beauty of application. She showed him that it was an art form and one that her delicate, talented hands were skilled at but she also helped him appreciate the form and taught him how to respect it. For weeks Elle and Charlie would sneak away during movie nights and Nick and Tao would find them half an hour later staring themselves down in the bathroom mirror, completely focused on their respective tasks as Elle gently coached Charlie along.

Charlie has been too nervous to put his newly acquired skills into practice in public — regardless of Nick's endless compliments — but Pride is the perfect opportunity to put himself out there. He's yearned to dress fully how he wants for so long and he's damn well going to now, come hell or high water.

Nick, who had been half watching something inane and half falling asleep jolts awake and glances at him with wild bewilderment. "Me?"

Charlie shrugs, curiosity prodding him at Nick's reaction. "Yeah, why not. Could be fun. Is that something you would want?" He asks, suddenly feeling nervous about Nick's response. After being together for nearly a decade, Charlie knows Nick would never hurt him intentionally and he also knows that Nick wholeheartedly accepts — even going so far as to encourage — Charlie's exploration of his physical appearance but that is only when it comes to himself. They've never discussed Nick doing anything of the sort. As far as Charlie is aware, Nick is comfortable in his appearance and has always been, regardless of the morons who believe looks define one's sexuality.

A faint blush works its way over the tips of Nick's ears and floods downward like watercolor paint trickling down a white canvas. "I- uh...uhm- I dunno," he stammers, eyes wide.

"We don't have to," Charlie rushes in. "Totally don't have to do anything you aren't comfortable with. Sorry, that was a stupid thing to say, just ignore me."