A Heartstopper Fanfic

Chapter 57: Tea

Author's note: It's now my mission to have Charlie have pierced ears in this book because DUH, of course he would 😌😂

TW: This chapter dives into Charlie's mental health, so his OCD and the return of his disordered eating/signs that it's getting bad.

Author's note #2: Since I'll be exploring Char's OCD, I'll try my very best to do lots of research. I'd hate to misrepresent OCD 🫶

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"Mmm, coconut and vanilla?" Charlie, who had been surfing through channels afforded to him by the hotel, twists his body to look behind him whilst simultaneously stretching. Nick, who's towering over his lover from behind the sofa, has a towel loosely wrapped around his waist, and damp hair sitting flatly on his head. He smirks, "Is that what it is?"

Leaning up to the underside of Nick's jawline, Charlie takes a whiff of the warm and delicious notes that are coating his partner's skin. A scent that Charlie greatly appreciates. "I believe so, yes."

Both parties know that this was an intentional move on Nick's part, but neither of them says a thing. They just silently acknowledge that fact, eying each other.

It's not too long after, that Charlie pats the spot beside him on the couch, peering at his fiancé with pleading eyes. "Come sit." Nick, not having to be told twice, obliges. He rounds the lovely leather couch, quick to plop beside Charlie and pull him in. Char cuddles up to Nicholas for a bit before lifting his head, extending out an arm to Nick's face. No longer dirt-ridden and grassy, it doesn't look as bad. Though, the cuts are still apparent. Even if they're small.

Like paper cuts, smaller abrasions sting the most.

Frowning, Charlie tentatively brushes his various fingers across Nick's sensitive skin, careful to not cause him further pain. Nick simply kisses Char's palm once it's close enough to his lips, his eyes darting from making eye contact with his fiancé's blue eyes and his fiancé's lips.

"Do you think that you'll bruise?" The curly one of the two abruptly asks, disrupting the quiet of the moment. Nick thinks for a bit, considering today's events. "Possibly a cheekbone of mine will, but we'll see." Proceeding his response, silence once again falls on the call, and Charlie's arm falls. His hand moves to grip his other arm. Perhaps an unconscious move like always.

"Hey." Their foreheads are now connected, Nick lifts Char's chin, "Bruises go away with time. Besides, my face will still be exquisite, even with a blotch of purple...if you really want to, you could make a bruise of your own on my neck."

Charlie, caught off guard by Nick's flirtations, giggles and then playfully swats at his fiancé's bicep. "That's true, even when you have Halloween makeup on you're incredibly sexy." He adjusts himself, looking at Nick sideways as he rests his head on the top of the couch. "Regardless of your good looks, I'd like to hold off on doing that for right now. If that's okay?"

If that's okay? Those three words nearly compel Nick to do a double take and check if he's suddenly swapped bodies with Ben Hope.

What a horrific moment that would be.

Hell, that's a thing of nightmares.

"Of course that's alright with me, baby. Anyways, I don't have the energy to do anything, especially that." Looking over at the charming kitchenette to the left of the lounge area, Nick's mind takes on a new course. "On second thought," Nick begins to lift himself up and off of the couch. An action that Charlie pouts at, but accepts. "I have the energy to cook. I'm feeling ravenous and am conveniently craving whatever the hell can be made from our leftover groceries."

Do you want anything, Char?