A Collection of Heartstopper Oneshots

Love is the same in every language - charliesprung

Summary:

Learning a language is hard, especially when the language involves no speaking whatsoever.

Nick is a professional rugby player. During a post-match press conference, he meets a reporter who's struggling with their equipment. He instantly wants to know more about him, where he is met with a life changing challenge.
Notes:

I'm not meant to be posting this because this was supposed to be my entry for the 99 moments countdown, but I just needed to share this with the world :)

This is written in first person, which I know isn't everyone's cup of tea but I thought I would warn you before you get disappointed.

Thanks to this wonderful bunch (SplendidGenesis, thoughtthedormouse, CadburyOreo and Lockerberry for not only fixing this story but flailing along in the comments and making me post this early.

Go read their stuff after pleaseeeee!

I hope you enjoy!

A/N: I wanted to make Nick and Charlie actually speak without using 'nick signs' 'charlie signed back' because I think it would be a little repetitive and boring. So, anytime they communicate through BSL the conversation is written in italics. Nick's conversations will always be in bold italics and whoever he is speaking to in BSL will just be italic. :)
Work Text:
Saturday 13th January

The changing room is buzzing after our huge win against the Saracens. It's our first win against them in three seasons and we've just thrashed them 45-24 on their home soil. One of the boys has linked up their Spotify to the bluetooth speaker and the music is loud and booming. Christian is beside me, spinning his shirt above his head, jumping up and down in his rugby socks, singing very badly out of tune to a Becky Hill song that's playing. How he knows all the words, I'll never know.

We're up to fourth in the Premiership table, on joint points with the Leeds Badgers and only 4 points behind the Harlequins and the Sale Sharks. This is probably the best we've ranked in the history of the club, so it makes sense that everyone is celebrating as hard as they are. Me, however, I'm not much of a party animal. You'll find me at home, on the sofa with a cup of tea and reruns of The Great British Bake Off, thinking about how I could possibly make those amazing baked goods on my next day off.

Christian is now standing on the physio table in the middle of the room when Coach Friederson saunters in. "Nelson," he shouts, pointing at me and then behind him. "You're up. The press wants to talk to the man of the hour."

Of course, scoring a quarter of the team's points means I claim the title of 'Man of the Hour'. Never mind the fact this is a team sport and I wouldn't have converted half of the tries if it weren't for the boys.

I nod at him and dress into my travel gear as quickly as I can, spraying myself with my Sure deodorant that I have to wear because I'm sponsored by them. I forgo the extremely overpriced cologne that my dad bought me for my birthday because I don't need Frank from The Guardian calling me out again after the last time I wore it. The article the next day claimed I had my eyes set on someone in the press room, and I can honestly tell you, hand on my heart, there will never be anyone in that room that catches my eye.

I shove my dirty kit into the laundry bag by the door and then gather my things into my backpack before saying my goodbyes to the team and heading towards the press room. Doing press is a little intimidating and I'm definitely not cut out for it. They throw out the most random of questions sometimes and the ones that are rugby related are always the same three questions phrased differently. It becomes a little unbearable sometimes and Coach does his best to try and shake up who gives the interviews, today just seems to be my unlucky day.