nick and charlie: love is the strongest force

chapter thirty

Tw: Smut

A few days had passed since Nick's session with Geoff, and the atmosphere between Nick and Charlie had begun to return to something resembling normalcy. Nick had been feeling a bit better about himself, slowly rebuilding his confidence with Charlie’s unwavering support.

It was a Saturday morning, and the sun streamed through Nick’s bedroom window, casting a warm glow over the room. Nick stirred awake, feeling Charlie’s arm draped over him. He turned slightly, snuggling closer to Charlie, savoring the quiet moment. Charlie woke up moments later, smiling down at Nick.

"Morning," Charlie murmured, his voice thick with sleep.

"Morning," Nick replied, his own voice soft. He felt a familiar warmth spread through him, a sense of safety in Charlie’s presence.

They lay there for a while, just enjoying each other's company. The stillness was comforting, but there was also an undercurrent of anticipation. Nick had been thinking a lot about taking the next step in their relationship. The idea both excited and scared him.

Charlie seemed to sense Nick's thoughts. "What’s on your mind?" he asked gently.

Nick hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "I've been thinking about... us. About taking things further."

Charlie’s eyes softened with understanding. "Only if you’re ready, Nick. There’s no rush."

Nick nodded, grateful for Charlie’s patience. "I think I am. But I’m still scared. I want to be close to you, but it’s hard."

Charlie reached out, gently cupping Nick’s face. "We’ll go at your pace. If at any point you want to stop, we stop. No questions asked."

Nick felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Thanks, Charlie. I really appreciate it."

They spent the morning lounging around, watching TV and talking. The air between them was filled with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. By midday, they decided to head upstairs to Nick’s room, wanting some privacy.

Nick sat on the edge of his bed, and Charlie joined him, their hands naturally finding each other. Charlie leaned in, kissing Nick softly. The kiss was gentle, exploratory, filled with the promise of something more. As their kisses deepened, Charlie’s hands moved to the hem of Nick’s shirt, pausing to look at him for confirmation.

Nick nodded, his heart racing. Charlie carefully lifted Nick’s shirt over his head, discarding it to the side. He kissed Nick again, his hands roaming gently over Nick's bare skin, a touch that was both reassuring and intimate.

When Charlie’s hands moved to Nick’s waistband, Nick felt a spike of anxiety. He pushed it down, wanting to be close to Charlie, to feel that connection. He nodded again, more to himself than to Charlie.

Charlie undid Nick’s trousers, pulling them off slowly. But as Charlie’s hand brushed against his skin, Nick couldn’t stop the flash of panic. He flinched, and Charlie immediately pulled back.

"Nick," Charlie said softly, concern etched in his features. "Are you okay? We can stop."

Nick forced a smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. "I’m fine. Let’s keep going."

Charlie hesitated, clearly sensing Nick’s discomfort. He leaned in to kiss Nick’s forehead, then his lips, but Nick’s body remained tense.

"Nick," Charlie whispered, pulling back slightly. "I think we should stop. It’s okay. We don’t have to do this right now."

Nick felt a mix of relief and frustration. "I’m sorry, Charlie. I thought I could do it."

Charlie shook his head. "Don’t apologize. It's okay to take our time. I just want you to feel safe and comfortable."

Nick nodded, tears prickling at the corners of his eyes. "Thank you."

Charlie gathered Nick into his arms, holding him close. They lay down together, Charlie's arms wrapped protectively around Nick. "You’re so brave, Nick. And I’m so proud of you."

Nick let out a shaky breath, feeling the tension slowly melt away. "I love you, Charlie."

"I love you too, Nick," Charlie replied softly. "We’ll get through this together."

They lay there in silence, the room filled with a sense of peace. Nick knew there would be more challenges ahead, but with Charlie by his side, he felt a glimmer of hope. They would take things one step at a time, together.

---

A few days later, Nick found himself sitting across from Geoff once again. He had been seeing Geoff regularly, and while it was still hard to talk about everything, he was starting to see the benefits.

"So, how have you been, Nick?" Geoff asked, his tone gentle and encouraging.

Nick took a deep breath. "Better, I think. But something happened with Charlie, and it's been on my mind a lot."

Geoff nodded, leaning forward slightly. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Nick hesitated, then nodded. "We tried to... you know, take things to the next level. But I freaked out. I thought I was ready, but I wasn’t. And now I'm scared Charlie will think less of me because I’ve already lost my virginity to someone else."

Geoff listened intently, his expression thoughtful. "It’s completely normal to feel that way, Nick. What happened to you was traumatic, and it’s going to take time to heal. It’s important to communicate with Charlie about your feelings and boundaries."

Nick nodded. "Charlie’s been really understanding. He stopped when he noticed I was uncomfortable. But I still feel like I'm letting him down."

Geoff shook his head. "You’re not letting anyone down, Nick. Healing isn’t a linear process. It’s okay to take things slow and at your own pace. Have you talked to Charlie about your fears?"

Nick looked down. "Not really. I don’t want him to feel like he has to tiptoe around me."

"It’s important for both of you to communicate openly," Geoff advised. "Charlie cares about you and wants to support you. Sharing your feelings will help strengthen your relationship."

Nick took a deep breath, feeling a bit lighter. "I’ll try to talk to him about it."

Geoff smiled warmly. "Good. And remember, you’re doing great. It’s okay to take small steps and to feel unsure. You’re on the right path."

After the session, Nick walked out feeling more hopeful. He saw Charlie waiting for him in the lobby, a reassuring smile on his face. Charlie stood up as Nick approached.

"How did it go?" Charlie asked, his eyes filled with concern.

"It went well," Nick replied, giving Charlie a small smile. "Geoff helped me see things more clearly."

Charlie pulled Nick into a hug. "I’m proud of you, Nick. You’re doing amazing."

Nick hugged him back tightly. "Thanks, Charlie. I couldn’t do this without you."