Swipe Right to Love: Nick and Charlie Fanfic

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Nick

There was a shift in the atmosphere after we'd kissed. I now knew what it was like to hold and kiss him, and I craved more. I had to respect how he felt about us being physical, and he was right, it could have made things awkward between us. But it was a risk I was willing to take.

Over the next week, we somehow managed to carry on like it hadn't happened. We grew closer, and he quickly became one of my best friends, I was okay with that, I had to be.

I had just gotten home from my first client of the day, I could hear Charlie was in the shower, so I went into the living room to avoid seeing him in just a towel. A routine we had adopted, in order to eliminate temptation.

When he was dressed, he joined me in the living room. I could tell something was off, he sat next to me on the sofa and he seemed nervous. I wanted to have shower, but I also wanted to give him the opportunity to speak to me if needed to.

"So a guy I met asked me if wanna go over tomorrow evening." He said casually, but it felt like he was asking for my permission.

I was shocked, but I had no right to be. Charlie was single, he wasn't mine, he could do whatever he liked. That didn't mean I had to like it though, and I really didn't. I wanted him to be happy, so I had to pretend it didn't bother me, even though the thought of him being with another man stung.

"Oh, okay." I said, forcing my voice to sound normal.
"Do you mind?" He asked awkwardly.
"Of course not." I lied.
"Okay, it just felt weird not mentioning it." He giggled.
"Where did you meet him?"
"At uni, he seems nice. We've been texting a bit."
"Well, if he doesn't treat you right, he'll have me to answer to." I laughed.
"If he's a dick, I'll tell him I'll set my golden retriever on him." He teased.
"Golden retriever?" I chuckled.
"You're such a golden retriever babe." He giggled.

Charlie

[05/06/2026]

Elle: Hey! What's your new address? I have some art I wanna send you xx

Hey! How are you? It's basement flat, 16 Madeley Road, Ealing, London W5 2LD xx

Elle: Yeah I'm good 😊 Milan is amazing! How are you? Thank you, it's a surprise, and you're gonna love it! Xx

Good 😊 yep I'm all good, I got a distinction for my essay about queers in ancient Greece! And I can't wait, your art is always incredible xx

Elle: Well done! I miss you 😘 xx

I miss you too ❤️ xx

"You look happy." Nick chuckled, sitting next to me on the sofa.
"I was just talking to Elle, she wants to send me some art." I smiled.
"The friend who done that painting of you?"
"Yeah, she wanted to keep it, but I made her let me have it." I giggled.
"It's really special to you, isn't it?" He said softly.
"Yeah, it is." I said quietly.
"Sorry, I just saw the way you looked at it when you hung it up in your room." He said gently.
"She painted it when I was in an inpatient clinic for two months... Recovering from anorexia." I said slowly, looking to him for reassurance.
"That was a lovely thing for her to do." He said softly, holding eye contact with me.
"Sorry I didn't tell you before." I said quietly.
"Don't be sorry, you don't have to tell me everything about your past." He said gently.

My eyes automatically drifted to his lips.
"Stop that." He laughed.
"Fuck sake." I giggled, looking away.
"You just can't help yourself." He said cheekily.
"It's your fault for being so gorgeous and lovely." I teased.
"Ooh, what would Billy say if he heard you say that?" He teased back.
"Shut up." I giggled, playfully swatting his arm.