Evermore :||: Nick & Charlie

Chapter 30: I'll Be Cleaning Up Bottles with You on New Year's Day

Nick's POV
New Years

Over the last few days, I've been spending a lot of time with Charlie. I think we're just trying to make up for lost time, but I'm really not complaining. He's been getting slightly better at opening up since Christmas, but it's only been a few days, so I know it'll take more time.

I was invited to this New Year's party that a few guys from my year are throwing. I asked Charlie if he wanted to go, and to my surprise, he said yes. He hasn't really left the house except to go to mine or to therapy, so I'm really excited to just go to a party, let loose, and hang out with my boyfriend.

As I'm getting ready, I hear a knock on the front door. I adjust the collar of my shirt before going downstairs to answer the door. When I do, Charlie is standing there wearing a denim jacket. I hug him before he walks in.

"Sorry I'm early. I was just going a bit stir crazy." He admits.

"No, it's okay. I could make us some food if you wanted." He nods his head. Soon, we both head into the kitchen as I start making Charlie and me some food. As I'm cooking, Charlie sits down on the counter with a glass of water in his hand. "Feeling okay about all of this?" I ask him.

"I'm nervous, but excited. I can't wait to see everyone again." He takes a sip of his water. "Don't get me wrong, I've loved having time off school, but I didn't think being away for so long would make me miss it." I chuckle.

"School gives you something to do, I guess. That's at least how I see it." He laughs a little, but I can tell that something's on his mind. I turn the stove off and come over to him, standing in between his legs. My hands go right to his waist. "What's up?" I ask him. He runs his finger along the glass in his hands, not looking at me.

"I'm just a little worried people might ask questions about why I've been gone."

"Well, if they do, I'll just tell them to fuck off. It's no one's business."

"Thank you." He says softly, leaning in and resting his forehead on mine. I tilt my head up and kiss him, running my hands up and down his back, pulling him as close to me as I can without accidentally pulling him off the counter. He breaks away for a second to set his water down before instantly going back to kissing me. He tangles his hands through my hair, sending shivers up and down my whole body.

"Char..." He kisses me some more, but I pull away with a smile. "Our food's getting cold." I tell him.

"Fine. Just one more?" He asks.

"If you insist." I very slowly lean in, taking in every second before our lips touch. When they do, I never want this moment to end, but I know that it has to. He pulls apart first, breathing heavily. I smile at him, staying in this almost afterglow moment.

"I love you so much."

"I love you too." I kiss his forehead before backing away so he can get off the counter. As he does this, I grab two plates and hand one to Charlie. We get our food and sit down at the table. Meal times are always the hardest for Charlie. I let him take his time, never pressuring him to eat faster or more than he can handle. He knows better than anyone how much he can handle.

Around thirty minutes has passed and Charlie is on his last bite. He takes a deep breath in before lifting the fork to his mouth and taking the final bite. I've tried to get better at looking at him while he eats because I know that makes him uncomfortable, but I always watch him eat his last bite,  just so he knows how proud of him I am, even when some days he doesn't eat as much as he does on other days.

A little while later, Charlie and I are sitting on the couch just killing time before the party. The best way we've found to do that is by making out.

"We're gonna be late." Charlie says, pulling away.