nick and charlie: love is the strongest force

chapter thirty one

Tw: Anxiety

A few days later, Nick found himself feeling a little more optimistic. His sessions with Geoff had been helping, and the constant support from Charlie was a lifeline he desperately needed. Today was a Saturday, and they had planned to spend the day together, trying to relax and enjoy each other's company.

Nick woke up to the soft morning light filtering through his bedroom curtains. He turned over to see Charlie already awake, scrolling through his phone. Charlie looked up and smiled when he saw Nick stirring.

"Good morning," Charlie said softly, leaning over to give Nick a gentle kiss.

Nick smiled back, feeling a sense of warmth spread through him. "Morning. Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah, I did. How about you?"

Nick nodded. "Better than usual."

They lay in bed for a while, talking about nothing in particular, just enjoying each other's presence. Eventually, Charlie suggested they get up and make some breakfast. As they moved to the kitchen, Nick felt a small sense of normalcy returning to his life.

Over breakfast, they discussed their plans for the day. Charlie suggested a walk in the nearby park, which Nick agreed to. It sounded like a nice way to get out of the house and clear his mind.

After eating, they got dressed and headed out. The park was quiet and peaceful, with only a few people milling about. They walked along the winding paths, talking and laughing, feeling the weight of their troubles lift a little with each step.

As they reached a secluded bench near a small pond, they sat down to rest. Nick leaned against Charlie, feeling the tension in his body start to melt away.

"You know," Charlie began, "I’ve been thinking about how far you’ve come. I’m really proud of you, Nick. I know it hasn’t been easy."

Nick looked up at Charlie, a mix of emotions swirling in his eyes. "Thanks, Charlie. I couldn’t have done it without you. You’ve been my rock through all of this."

Charlie wrapped an arm around Nick’s shoulders, pulling him closer. "And I’ll always be here for you. No matter what."

They sat in silence for a few minutes, just taking in the peaceful surroundings. Nick felt a sense of contentment wash over him, something he hadn’t felt in a long time.

After their walk, they headed back to Nick’s house. As they entered his room, Nick felt a familiar wave of anxiety start to creep in. He sat down on the edge of his bed, trying to push the negative thoughts away.

Charlie noticed the change in Nick’s demeanour and sat down beside him. "Hey, what’s wrong?"

Nick hesitated, not sure if he should share what was on his mind. But he knew Charlie wouldn’t judge him, so he took a deep breath and began. "I’ve been feeling really worried about...us. I mean, about like sex and stuff again. I don’t want to let you down, Charlie."

Charlie’s expression softened, and he took Nick’s hand in his. "Nick, you’re not letting me down. We don’t have to rush anything. I want you to feel safe and comfortable. That’s what matters most."

Nick nodded, tears welling up in his eyes. "I jus... I  feel like I’m not good enough for you. Like you deserve someone who isn’t so messed up."

Charlie cupped Nick’s face in his hands, looking him straight in the eyes. "Nick, you are more than enough. You’re strong, and you’re healing. We’ll get through this together, okay? I love you, and nothing is going to change that."

Nick couldn’t hold back his tears anymore. He buried his face in Charlie’s shoulder, sobbing quietly. Charlie held him, whispering soothing words and rubbing his back.

After a while, Nick’s sobs subsided, and he pulled back, wiping his eyes. "Thanks, Charlie. I don’t know what I’d do without you."

Charlie smiled, giving Nick a gentle kiss. "You don’t have to know. Just remember, we’re in this together."

They spent the rest of the afternoon cuddling on the bed, watching movie,  and talking about theirfavouritee scenes. The comfort of being close to Charlie helped ease Nick’s anxiety, and for the first time in a while, he felt hopeful about the future.

As the evening fell, they ordered takeout and ate it while sitting on the floor, laughing and joking around. Nick felt a sense of normalcy that he had missed so much, and he realized just how important these moments were in his healing process.

By the time they were ready for bed, Nick felt more at ease. He knew the road ahead was still long and challenging, but with Charlie by his side, he felt stronger and more capable of facing it.

Lying in bed, Nick turned to Charlie and whispered, "I love you."

Charlie smiled, pulling Nick closer. "I love you too, Nick. Always."

They drifted off to sleep, their hearts full of love and hope for the future, ready to face whatever challenges came their way together.