Nick and Charlie life after high school one shots

Summer days drifting away (but oh those summer nights ) part 4

After they left the bathroom, Charlie was feeling pretty weak, as he often did after he was sick. He protested when Nick offered to give him a piggyback ride, but with his head resting on Nick's shoulder, watching the world go by, he felt so unbelievably peaceful. Charlie whined in protest when he stopped by the entrance to the car park but slid down his back anyway. It took him a moment to steady himself, but soon enough, the world was right side up, and all he could see was Nick, looking down at him, pupils dilated.

"What do you want to do love?" he asked gently, brushing the hair out of Charlie's eyes. "No wrong answers." Charlie thought for a moment. He didn't want to ruin yet another day out, but he didn't particularly want to go back and see his friends, who were no doubt still bickering. What he really wanted to do was to lie down.

"Can we go back to your mums?" He asked, his voice smaller than a mouse.

"Of course baby," Nick said. He kissed his forehead and wrapped his arms around his husband.

"I'll meet you at the car okay?" Nick said when he let Charlie go. "I've gotta go get our stuff and you need to rest,"

"Nick, don't be silly, I can go over there and help I—"

"Charlie baby please," Nick cut him off. He took Charlie's face in his hands and placed a light kiss on his lips. "Go rest. Please." He pressed the keys into Charlie's hand.

"Fine," Charlie sighed.

"I'll just be a minute. Then we'll be on our way to Sarah's, yeah?" Nick let go of him and began to walk away.

"Am I going to have to..." Charlie trailed off, unable to finish his sentence. He didn't meet to. Nick knew what he meant. He turned back around and looked at the smaller boy.

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, go have a lie down in the AC and have some water. Please for my sake." Charlie nodded and began walking away. Nick watched him for a minute before turning around himself.

"Wait Nick," Charlie called. He ran back up to him and grabbed his husband's hand, turning him around. "It's not their fault." Nick closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He knew Charlie was right, but that didn't stop him from being furious at his friends.

"I know," Nick whispered. He kissed Charlie one more time and sent him away. "I'll see you in a minute."

Back on the sand, Nick had a hard time keeping his temper under control. If Elle and Tao hadn't spent the whole day fighting, shoving Charlie in the middle, or if Tara and Darcy could have just left all the wedding drama at home, Charlie's episode never would have happened. They would still be out on the beach, laughing and having a good time. Charlie's lunch would still be in his stomach and he wouldn't be worrying about the fact that he didn't tell his mum to put the sharps in the safe because he didn't think he would need to. He didn't care what Charlie said, it was all their fucking fault.

The flag was green again, but none of his friends had gone out to swim. It might have just been in his imagination, but Nick could have sworn a somber mood fell like a cloud over the group. Things had changed while they were in the bathroom anyway. Tara and Darcy, who had been handsier than him and Charlie all day were sitting on two separate beach towels, staring at the sand. Meanwhile, Tao and Elle were all cuddled up together, whispering. It's not fair, thought Nick, they can spend the day screaming at each other, but the moment Charlie blows up because of them, mind you,  they somehow get back together? Absolute bollucks

As Nick approached, they all looked up in anticipation. He ignored them as he shoved his and Charlie's shit back into their bags.

"Nick what's going on," Elle asked first, breaking the silence.