nick and charlie: love is the strongest force

chapter thirty nine

Tw: lime/lemon kinda

The sunlight poured through Nick's bedroom window, illuminating the space with a warm, golden glow. Nick stretched lazily beneath the covers, feeling unusually light and unburdened. It was one of those rare days where his mind felt clear, free from the usual anxiety and heaviness. He glanced over at Charlie, still sound asleep beside him, and a smile crept onto his face.

"Hey, sleepyhead," Nick whispered, nudging Charlie gently. "Wake up!"

Charlie stirred, blinking sleepily at Nick. A grin broke across his face as he registered Nick's cheerful expression. "Morning! What's got you all bright and happy?"

"I don't know," Nick replied, his smile widening. "I just feel... good today. Like, really good."

Charlie propped himself up on one elbow, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Good? Like, no anxiety or anything?"

"Exactly!" Nick said, feeling a rush of gratitude for how far he'd come. "It's just nice to feel normal for once."

"Let's make the most of it then!" Charlie beamed. "What do you want to do today?"

Nick thought for a moment, his heart racing with a mix of excitement and nervousness. "Maybe we could try some more stuff? You know, with our boundaries?"

"Yeah!" Charlie's enthusiasm was infectious. "We can definitely do that. Just remember, we take it slow."

"Right, slow," Nick repeated, feeling reassured. "So, what should we start with?"

"Let's talk about where we're comfortable with touch and what we want to explore," Charlie suggested, his tone gentle. "We can build on the hugs and kisses we already know we like."

"Okay," Nick agreed, feeling both excited and a little anxious. "That makes sense."

As they sat up in bed, Charlie intertwined his fingers with Nick's, a familiar warmth spreading through Nick at the contact. "If at any point you feel uncomfortable, just say the safe word, okay?"

"Banana," Nick replied, a small laugh escaping him. It felt good to say it out loud, like a weight lifted off his shoulders.

With their safe word established, they began to discuss their comfort levels more thoroughly. Charlie spoke first, sharing how much he enjoyed their intimate moments but also acknowledging the need for open communication. Nick nodded, feeling grateful for Charlie's understanding nature.

"I love when we hug and kiss," Charlie said, his voice soft. "It makes me feel connected to you. But I'd love to explore more if you're ready."

"I feel the same way," Nick replied, warmth flooding through him at Charlie's words. "I really want to, but I just want to make sure we're both okay with it."

Charlie smiled, his eyes sparkling. "Absolutely. Let's take our time and check in with each other after each step. We can try holding each other and see how it feels."

"Yeah, that sounds good," Nick said, his heart racing with anticipation.

As they settled into their comfortable rhythm, Charlie leaned in closer, wrapping his arms around Nick in a warm embrace. Nick melted into the touch, feeling secure and cherished. They lingered in the hug, relishing the closeness.

"See? Not so bad, right?" Charlie asked, pulling back to look into Nick's eyes.

Nick nodded, a shy smile on his face. "No, it's really nice."

Encouraged by their connection, Charlie tentatively brushed his fingers down Nick's arm, eliciting a soft sigh from him. "Is this okay?"

"Yeah, it feels nice," Nick replied, his voice barely above a whisper.