Fallen

8. Eat

After dinner Charlie and Nick were cleaning up.

"Charlie.." Nick said.
"I don't want to be rude or anything but I need to just say it; you're not eating well again." Nick mumbled.

Charlie hesitated, but then nodded. He learned to trust Nick, to let go of some control.

"I know." Charlie said. "It's just hard, I've been stressed."

"With what, love?" Nick sighed, giving his husband a big squeeze.

"Daisy gone, Harper, Oscar has been so cold lately.. It's all falling apart." Charlie whispered.

"I know, I know it feels like that.. But that's the thing about life, yeah? It's not always sunshine and rainbows, sometimes life just sucks. But I need you to know that everything will be okay. I love you, Harper loves you, Ossy loves you.. Everyone loves you, and you love them." Nick said gently.

"I don't want to be as bad as I was when I was 15." Charlie sighed, hugging Nick.

"You're not, okay? You have just gotten better and better.. Maybe your eating isn't great right now, but it's not as bad as all those years ago. We can do meal plans again, or whatever will help." Nick suggested.

Charlie nodded.
"Yeah, whatever will help." He took a deep breath.

"Do you want any hot chocolate?" Nick asked as he put away some dishes.

"No thanks." Charlie said softly.

"That's okay." Nick said, he could tell Charlie really didn't want anything right now, so he didn't want to push him.

"You should try to eat something before bed, though." Nick said.

"I'll try." Charlie agreed.

"Good." Nick smiled. "Y'know, the other day Harper asked me what it was like.. To be bi. I told her the basics.. She said she wasn't sure what she was." Nick said.

"Hmm. Do you think she possibly fancies one of her friends?" Charlie asked.

"Dunno. I feel like it's someone new." Nick shrugged, turning towards Charlie.

"I want the drama." Charlie teased, giggling.

"Ahhh one day." Nick smiled, kissing Charlie, which quickly turned into a small make-out session.