Swipe Right to Love: Nick and Charlie Fanfic

Fort

Charlie

When I woke up the next morning, Nick had already gone to the gym. I wondered if falling asleep cuddled up to him had been a dream, but my bed still smelled of him. I had never slept so peacefully, I wanted to share a bed with him every night, but that wasn't the nature of our relationship.

I felt overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions. I was happy things were finally progressing with Nick, but the uncertainty on how to proceed with our arrangement, caused me to feel anxious. I was relieved that I'd gotten out of my situation with Billy when I had, but the realisation of what I had allowed him to put me through, made me feel numb.

I didn't know how to process what I was feeling. The combination of my situation with Nick, and what had happened with Billy, it was all too much. I also had guilt that Nick had gotten caught in cross fire, I'd seen the pain in his eyes when I told him everything Billy had said and done to me.

I decided to just stay at home, I didn't have any important lectures that day and I called in sick to work. I couldn't face the real world, I couldn't face the reality of the past few days.

Nick

I had woken up with Charlie still cuddled up to me. I had considered just staying in bed with him, but it was already nearly eight o'clock and I wanted to get a gym session in before work.

I gently moved him off of me, he stirred a bit so I stroked my fingers through his hair until he was in a deep sleep again. I then collected my clothes, and quietly left his bedroom.

While getting dressed for the gym, the gravity of the situation hit me. Charlie had been emotionally abused, his self esteem was very low, and now we somehow how to navigate a friend's with benefits situation without either of us getting hurt.

Telling him I wanted more than that wasn't an option. I didn't want to overwhelm him, or cause him any stress. With this arrangement, we could have the intimacy we both wanted, without the pressure of trying to make a new relationship work while living together.

I also felt angry, I hated Billy for what he had put Charlie through. I'll never understand how someone could destroy another person like that, especially a person as amazing and sweet as Charlie. He deserved to be cherished, not torn down.

Charlie

When Nick got home at ten thirty, I was still in bed. He must have somehow known I was home, because my bedroom door slowly opened a few minutes later.

"You okay?" He asked softly, pushing my door open more when he saw I was awake.
"I don't know." I said quietly.
"Talk to me." He said gently, approaching my bed and sitting down.
"Everything that happened yesterday, and over the past few weeks... It's just a lot." I said defeatedly.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" He said softly.
"I don't know, I just need to try and process everything." I said quietly.
"Okay, I have two sessions this afternoon but apart from that I'll be here if you need me." He said, smiling softly.
"Thank you." I whispered.
"Have you eaten today?"
"No, not yet."
"Do you want me to make you something? I can bring you some tea and toast?"
"Yes please babe." I giggled affectionately.

He leant over and pressed a gentle kiss on my forehead.
"Sorry, was that too much?" He chuckled, sitting back up.
"No, I like how affectionate you are." I said softly.
"Good." He giggled bashfully.

Nick was the personification of a golden retriever, and the definition of a sweetheart. He was an angel in human form, and I felt blessed to have him in my life.

Nick

It hurt me to see Charlie so down, but at least he had seen what Billy was doing to him before it got worse. I had a quick shower, then made him some tea and toast. It didn't feel like I was doing enough, but the smile on his face when I walked back in the room told me otherwise.