It's Always Been You

Eleven

"Charlie!" Nick exclaimed when he saw him walking out of the interview room. He rushed over and hugged him tight. "How was it? Are you okay?"
"Yeah... I think it went okay."
"Come on, let's go home."

Charlie hung onto that last word. Home. Our home. Home with Nick.

Nick and Charlie were cuddled up on the sofa, they had been silent for a while. Charlie had decided not to mention the almost full blown panic attack, he didn't want to worry Nick.

Charlie's phone buzzed with a message notification.
"Tao asked if he and Elle can come over." He said, his tone suggested it was almost a question.
"Are you asking if that's okay?" Nick asked.
"Is it?"
"Charlie you know I'd never tell you what you can and can't do." Nick said softly.
"I know... But since you live here too now..."
"Char, you really don't have to ask my permission for your friends to come over. Please don't ever feel like you do." Nick affectionately rubbed his nose on Charlie's.

"We got you a present!" Elle chimed as Charlie opened the door to them. She held up two bottles of prosecco.
"What's that for?" Charlie asked.
"Nick said you were really worried about giving your statement." Elle said.
"Niiiick." Charlie whined playfully. Nick laughed as he took the bottles from Elle and took them into the kitchen.

"Erm, I should probably tell you..." Charlie started. Tao and Elle looked confused. "Nick's moved in..." He continued.
"Oh my god Charlie!" Elle squealed, hugging Charlie tightly.
"Didn't you crash his wedding literally two days ago?" Tao raised an eyebrow.
"Tao!" Elle scoulded. "It doesn't matter, Nick and Charlie are soulmates!" She emphasised the word soulmates. Tao laughed and rolled his eyes, also hugging Charlie.

The friends sat, laughing and chatting. They ordered pizza and drank the prosecco. Nick with his arm around Charlie, periodically kissing his face or his ear, becoming a lot more forward with his affections as the alcohol started to kick in. On one occasion he kissed Charlie's ear, his teeth slightly grazing his earlobe, an action that caused Charlie to splutter slightly on his drink making Nick smirk.

Nick's phone started to buzz as several message notifications came through one after another. He looked at his phone and snorted.
"What?" Charlie asked.
"It's Imogen." Nick laughed giving Charlie a knowing look. Charlie's eyes widened.
"Oh shit!"
"Let's just say, she's home." Nick said highly amused.
"What's going on?" Tao asked.
"Nothing." Nick and Charlie both said in unison and started laughing like naughty children.
"You have to tell us!" Elle whined.
"Let's just say..." Nick looked at Charlie and burst out laughing again. The two of them in fits of giggles, struggling to get their words out.

"We went back to get some clothes last night..." Nick said through his laughter, wiping tears from his eyes. "And we..." Charlie burst out laughing again, sending Nick into another fit of giggles.
"What did you do?!" Elle demanded. Tao looked at Charlie catching on, Charlie nodded.
"You didn't?!" Tao gasped.
"What?!" Elle asked.
"We did!" Nick said, gasping for breath.
"What did they..." Elle looked at Tao and he raised his eyebrows at her. "Nooooo!" She gasped, her hands flew to her mouth.
"That's so gross!" Tao shouted scrunching his nose. They all looked at each other and burst out laughing.

"Anyone want snacks?" Charlie asked, slurring his words slightly. They had made their way through both bottles and had now moved onto Charlie's spirit collection.
"Yes!" Nick, Tao and Elle shouted.

Charlie laughed and made his way to the kitchen, staggering slightly. Nick followed hot on his heels making no effort to be subtle.

Charlie walked into the kitchen and heard the door closed behind him, he turned to see Nick, standing there smirking.
"What are you doing?" Charlie whispered.
"I missed you..." Nick said quietly, closing the distance between them and stroking a finger along Charlie's jawline.
"I've been sat next to you all evening." Charlie laughed.
"Mmhmmm..." Nick murmured as he slid his finger down to the neckline of Charlie's t-shirt, pulling it back to reveal his collar bone. He looked at Charlie with a mixture of love and lust in his eyes and gently bit his lip. Charlie knew this look. Charlie craved this look.
"Nick..." He whispered.