Heartstopper: Moments Between Us - A Fanfic Collection

Pert II: Moving In Together: A Love Story

 Chapter 1: The Question

It was a quiet night at Nick's flat. The room was softly lit, with a warm, golden glow coming from a lamp in the corner. A romantic comedy played in the background, its cheerful music blending into the cozy atmosphere. Nick and Charlie were cuddled up on the couch, a thick blanket covering their legs. Nick had his arm around Charlie, holding him close, while Charlie rested his head on Nick's shoulder. It was one of those nights that felt peaceful and perfect—no expectations, no rush, just the two of them.

Nick shifted slightly, his hand brushing against Charlie's as he tried to gather his thoughts. His fingers tingled at the contact, and he could feel the warmth of Charlie's skin, making him even more aware of what he was about to say. His heart was pounding, and even though they were relaxed, Nick felt nervous. He knew what he wanted to say, but finding the right words wasn't easy. He took a deep breath, his fingers tracing along Charlie's, and finally spoke.

"Charlie?" Nick's voice was quiet, almost drowned out by the laughter from the TV. Charlie lifted his head a bit, looking up at Nick, his eyes warm and curious.

"Yeah?" Charlie asked, a gentle smile on his face. Nick hesitated, his eyes meeting Charlie's before looking away. He felt nervous, unsure of how Charlie might react. But then he reminded himself who he was talking to. This was Charlie. The boy he loved more than anything.

Nick cleared his throat, his fingers fidgeting with Charlie's, which made Charlie glance at their hands. Charlie's smile softened, and Nick could see a hint of understanding in his eyes, as if he could sense Nick's nervousness. "I've been thinking about... the future," he started, his voice getting a bit stronger. "About us, and... what happens after university. I hate the idea of us being apart. It just—it doesn't feel right. I don't want us to be in different places if we don't have to be."

Charlie's eyes widened a bit, and he tilted his head, watching Nick closely. Nick could see a spark of hope in Charlie's eyes, and it gave him the courage to keep going.

"I was thinking... maybe we could move in together?" Nick finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. Charlie's eyes widened, and his expression softened as he waited, the warmth in his gaze giving Nick hope. He looked at Charlie, searching his face for a reaction, his heart pounding as he waited. It was scary to put it all out there, to be so vulnerable. What if Charlie thought it was too soon? What if he wasn't ready?

But the fear melted away when Charlie's smile grew. It was warm, comforting, and full of love. He reached up, placing a hand gently on Nick's cheek, his thumb brushing softly along Nick's skin. "Nick," he said, his voice filled with emotion, "of course I want that. I want to live with you."

Nick's eyes widened in surprise, relief washing over him. He felt a laugh bubble up, part disbelief, part joy. "Really?" he asked, his voice cracking a bit. Charlie nodded, his smile getting even wider.

"Really," Charlie said. He leaned forward, pressing a kiss to Nick's cheek, lingering for a moment before pulling back to look into Nick's eyes. "I love you, and I want to be with you. Moving in together... it just feels right."

Nick let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, a wide smile spreading across his face. He wrapped his arms tighter around Charlie, pulling him into a hug, and they both laughed, the sound echoing softly in the room. They were excited, and maybe a little scared—scared of the changes ahead, of sharing their space, of the unknown. But it was the kind of fear that came with stepping into something new and wonderful. But it was the kind of fear that came with taking a leap—a leap they both knew was worth it.

They stayed like that for a while, holding each other as the credits of the movie rolled on the TV. The night felt perfect, and Nick couldn't help but feel overwhelming happiness. This was it. This was the beginning of something new—something that would bring them even closer.