It's Always Been You

One

Preface
It has been five years since Nick and Charlie broke up. It was very hard for both of them but eventually they met other people and Nick is now engaged to Imogen.

"Are you ready babe?" Nick called to Imogen as he searched around the kitchen for his car keys.
"Yeah, coming!" She replied from the other room. Nick and Imogen were getting ready for a weekend getaway. They needed it, with their wedding soon approaching in only three weeks they had both been stressed.

Nick loaded the last of the suitcases into the car as Imogen made sure all the lights and electrical appliances were off. He shook his head affectionately at how much Imogen had packed just for the weekend.
"You know we're only going for two nights right?" He teased her as she walked over to him.
"Shush, you!" She laughed, pretending to be offended. She slid her hands around his waist and he gently brushed her hair out of her face.
"I love you." He said softly and planted a kiss on her lips.
"I love you too." She smiled.

After a four hour drive they reached their hotel in the countryside. It was perfect. The perfect place to relax and reset. They got out the car and Nick started to unload the bags.
"This is beautiful!" Imogen exclaimed excitedly. Nick smiled and they made their way to the front desk.

"Nick Nelson and Imogen Heaney." Nick told the lady on the front desk.
"Soon to be Imogen Nelson!" Imogen said grinning, holding up her hand to show off her engagement ring.
"Congratulations." The woman said smiling. She handed them their room keys and and they headed to their room.

"Nick?!" Nick spun around at the sound of a familiar voice calling his name.
"Ch-Charlie?!" He breathed in complete shock as he saw him stood behind him with a man Nick assumed to be his boyfriend. They both stood still, frozen in a bewildered silence. Nick's heart began to race and his palms began to sweat as he stared at the face he had once loved so deeply.

"Charlie! Hi!" Imogen said excitedly suddenly, breaking Nick out of his state of shock. She rushed over to him and pulled him in for a tight hug. "Oh my god! I haven't seen you for years!" She squealed. "How are you?"
"I'm erm, yeah I'm good." Charlie stumbled over his words as he glanced over at Nick. Suddenly his feet were carrying him to over towards Nick. His breathing laboured and his heart pounding in his chest as he approached him. The years had been very, very kind to Nick, he was even more gorgeous. More muscular and even had a little bit of stubble.
"Hi." Charlie breathed.
"Hi." Nick replied, breathlessly.

"Come on Nick, let's go to our room." Imogen said sensing the tension between them. Gently pulling his arm.
"Yeah... Sure." Nick said quietly, tearing his gaze away from Charlie.
"We'll catch up later, yeah?" Imogen said to Charlie as they walked away.
"Sure." Charlie replied.

They unpacked in silence. Nick couldn't stop thinking about Charlie. He looked older, but still so beautiful. When he saw him he had the overwhelming urge to scoop him up in his arms and apologise for everything. For breaking up, for distancing himself from him, for all the years spent apart. He loved Imogen but it was nothing like the all consuming love he had felt for Charlie. He felt a pang in his chest and a lump in his throat as tears began to form in his eyes.

"Nick... Are you okay?" Imogen asked quietly, walking over to him and looping her arms around his neck.
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine." He lied, forcing a smile. She looked at him as though she didn't believe him. "I promise, I'm fine. I'm just tired." He continued. Imogen sighs deeply and slides her hands down to Nick's chest, slowly rubbing his pecks.
"I can make you feel better..." She said seductively, leaning up and kissing him softly and slowly.

Charlie
Charlie
Charlie

Nick pulls away, gently removing her hands from his chest.
"I'm sorry babe, I'm just not in the mood." He said quietly. "We should go explore the hotel though." He started to walk towards the door before looking back at Imogen. She looks hurt. "Come on." He holds out his hand to her, she takes it and they leave the hotel room.

They walk around the quiant, intimate hotel in silence, Imogen occasionally squeezes Nick's hand as if asking for reassurance. He can sense she knows he's being off because of Charlie but he can't help it. Seeing Charlie again after all these years had brought it all back. The intense love he felt for him, the pain he felt when Charlie came to visit him at uni for the last time and told him he couldn't do this anymore. The months and months of shattering heartbreak as he tried to come to terms with the fact he had lost his soulmate. Imogen had been there for him through this agonising time. She had been his rock and over time feelings had grown.

Charlie and his boyfriend, Tom, had also decided to explore the hotel. He also couldn't get Nick out of his head. Breaking up with him was the hardest thing he had ever done. At the time he thought it was for the best but the time he began to regret his decision Nick had already distanced himself from him so he had forced himself to move on. Tom was lovely, kind, and he made Charlie laugh a lot. But he wasn't Nick.

"Hello again." Charlie heard Imogen's voice from behind him, her tone still friendly but somewhat less excited than earlier. Charlie span around. Nick stared at Charlie. Charlie stared at Nick. Both feeling the connection they had shared before. Both longing to hold each other again.
"We should all get dinner together." Nick said abruptly.
"Really?" Imogen asked, sounding unsure.
"Yeah, it'll be fun," Nick tried to keep his tone cheery and causal, "is that okay with you?" He asked Charlie, smiling.
"Yeah, sounds good." Charlie couldn't help but smile back at him.

The four of them stood in a slightly awkward silence for a few seconds before saying their goodbyes and making arrangements to meet in a few hours. Charlie hugged Imogen goodbye and then turned to Nick, he paused before quickly closing the distance between them and pulling him into a hug. He smelt the same. Felt the same, albeit a little more muscular.

Nick's heart was beating so fast he was sure Charlie would be able to feel it. He breathed in his familiar scent as he hugged him tightly. Oh god. He didn't want to let go but suddenly became very aware of Imogen's eyes burning into the back of him. He quickly pulled away from Charlie and cleared his throat.
"See you later, yeah?" His voice shook slightly.
"Yeah." Charlie's voice was breathy, wishing he could transport back and never break up with Nick.