Avengers academy

Learning to be there

Nick's POV

Nick had spent most of the past few days just being there, hovering in Charlie's orbit, trying to keep things casual. He didn't push, didn't ask too many questions. He just wanted Charlie to feel comfortable, to know he wasn't alone. They hadn't even discussed where they stood. He was just focused on being the friend Charlie needed right now.

One afternoon, they found themselves sitting in the campus library, a quiet spot they both liked. Charlie was flipping through a book he wasn't really reading, and Nick was pretending to look over his notes but mostly watching Charlie from the corner of his eye, waiting for a chance to say something.

Nick finally broke the silence, keeping his voice light. "Hey... remember when we used to come here after training and just nap in the back corner?"

Charlie smiled, a faint but genuine one. "Yeah, and you'd always steal my hoodie as a pillow."

Nick laughed. "Only because it was way softer than mine. And you didn't seem to mind."

Charlie shrugged, but his expression softened. "It's kind of nice... having you here."

Nick's heart skipped a beat. He didn't want to push too hard, but he had to know. "Charlie, I know I've said it a hundred times, but... I'm really here for you, whatever you need. You don't have to go through this alone."

Charlie's fingers fidgeted with the edge of the page. "I know. It's just... hard to remember that sometimes. I'm so used to handling things on my own, you know?"

Nick nodded, his voice gentle. "I get that. But I'm not going anywhere, even if it's just as your friend."

Charlie looked up, his expression filled with a mix of gratitude and hesitation. "It's not that I don't want you here. It's just... I don't want you to feel like you have to be here, like you're obligated."

Nick shook his head, leaning closer. "Charlie, I want to be here. I don't care if it's messy, or hard, or even if you don't know what you want right now. That's fine. I'm here because I want to be, not because I feel like I have to."

Charlie looked down, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly. "You're really stubborn, you know that?"

Nick grinned. "It's part of my charm."

Charlie chuckled, a soft sound that warmed Nick's heart. "Well, it's... nice. Knowing I don't have to pretend with you."

Nick's voice softened, his eyes fixed on Charlie's. "You never have to pretend with me. You don't have to be anything you're not."

Charlie hesitated, his fingers tracing the edge of his book. "I know. It's just... I'm still scared, Nick. I'm scared of letting you get too close, of... getting hurt again."

Nick's expression softened, and he reached out, gently placing his hand over Charlie's. "I know. And I don't expect you to just forget all of that overnight. But if you ever feel ready, if you ever want to try again... I'm here."

Charlie's gaze flickered to their hands, then back up to Nick's eyes. "It's just... complicated. I feel like I have so much to figure out, and I don't want to drag you through all of it."

Nick squeezed his hand, his voice unwavering. "Charlie, I'd rather be here with you, even if it's hard, than be anywhere else. I don't need you to have everything figured out. I just... want to be there while you do."

Charlie swallowed, his eyes bright with unshed tears. "Thank you. For not giving up on me."

Nick smiled, his heart pounding in his chest. "I couldn't even if I tried."

They sat there in comfortable silence for a moment, and then Charlie's voice broke the quiet.

"Nick?"

"Yeah?"

Charlie took a deep breath, his expression uncertain. "Can we... just keep things like this? For now?"

Nick nodded, his voice gentle. "Of course. Whatever you need, Charlie."

Charlie's shoulders seemed to relax, and he gave Nick a small, grateful smile. "Thank you."

They spent the rest of the afternoon in the library, talking about everything and nothing. It felt like a step forward, a tiny glimmer of hope, and for the first time in a long while, Nick felt like they might just be okay.