nick and charlie: love is the strongest force

chapter thirty five

Charlie took a deep breath as he pushed open the door to Nick’s room. The quiet that greeted him was heavy, almost suffocating. Nick was sitting on the edge of his bed, his face hidden in his hands, his shoulders shaking slightly.

“Hey, Nick,” Charlie said softly, trying to keep his voice steady despite the tumultuous emotions churning inside him.

Nick looked up, his eyes red and swollen from crying. When he saw Charlie, his expression softened with relief and exhaustion. “Charlie… you came.”

Charlie crossed the room quickly, his heart aching at the sight of Nick’s distress. He sat down next to Nick on the bed and gently put his hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry I took so long. My mum—she didn’t understand. But I’m here now. I’m not going anywhere.”

Nick’s lower lip trembled as he glanced up at Charlie, his eyes filled with both hope and lingering pain. “I didn’t know if you’d make it. I was so scared…”

Charlie pulled Nick into a tight hug, his own eyes misting over with emotion. “I’m so sorry you had to feel that way. I should have been here sooner. It’s not right for you to go through this alone.”

Nick clung to Charlie, his body shaking with silent sobs. “I felt so alone, even with you not here. I just… I needed you.”

“I know,” Charlie whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m here now. I promise. We’ll get through this together.”

They sat there for a long while, holding each other in the quiet of Nick’s room. The earlier confrontation with his mum felt distant now, a painful memory overshadowed by the more immediate need to comfort Nick. Charlie ran his fingers soothingly through Nick’s hair, trying to offer some semblance of solace.

After a while, Nick pulled back slightly, his face still wet with tears. “I’m sorry for being so needy. I just… I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You don’t have to apologize,” Charlie said, wiping away a tear from Nick’s cheek. “It’s okay to need me. It’s okay to rely on me. That’s what I’m here for. To be your support.”

Nick managed a small, grateful smile. “Thank you. I know I’ve been pushing you away sometimes, and I feel terrible about it.”

“Hey,” Charlie said gently, “it’s all part of the process. We’re in this together. I’m not going anywhere. We’ll figure things out, one step at a time.”

Nick nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. “I just don’t want to be a burden. I know you’ve got your own things to deal with.”

Charlie shook his head. “You’re never a burden, Nick. We’re a team. Whatever happens, we handle it together.”

Charlie took a deep breath, knowing he needed to address something else. “Nick, I need to tell you about the argument I had with my mum. It was really intense, and I’m still shaken up. But I came here because I needed to be with you. You’re more important to me than anything.”

Nick looked at Charlie with concern. “Is everything okay with your mum?”

Charlie sighed, his expression pained. “Not really. She’s really upset with me for prioritizing you over my responsibilities at home. She thinks I’m neglecting my family. It’s been hard.”

“I’m sorry you had to go through that,” Nick said softly. “You didn’t deserve that kind of stress. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”

Charlie’s eyes softened with affection. “It’s nothing compared to what you’ve been through. We’re both dealing with a lot. But as long as we have each other, we can get through anything.”

The room was quiet again, but the atmosphere had shifted. The tension and worry from earlier were replaced by a deeper understanding and connection between them. They both knew that the road ahead would be challenging, but for now, they had each other.

Charlie leaned in and kissed Nick gently on the forehead. “Why don’t we try to relax for a bit? Maybe watch something or just talk. Whatever you need.”

Nick nodded, his gaze meeting Charlie’s with a mixture of relief and gratitude. “I’d like that.”

Charlie stood up and grabbed the remote from Nick’s bedside table, turning on the TV. He settled back down next to Nick, pulling him close. As they began to watch a movie, the warmth of Charlie’s presence was a soothing balm for Nick’s frayed nerves.

In the quiet comfort of the room, surrounded by the soft glow of the television, Nick felt a small sense of peace returning. The road to healing was still long and uncertain, but with Charlie by his side, he felt more hopeful about facing it. For now, the simple act of being together, of sharing this moment, was enough.