Work Text:
rays of sunlight beam through the clouds.
its finally summer after an unusually long winter and spring and the heat hit nick and charlie hard.
the sun feels like it’s burning their backs while sitting outside, nick can’t even practice rugby with the others because of the heat, he doesn’t know how they endure it.
charlie tends to check the weather forecast everyday even though it may be predictable and it said that the heat will die down by nighttime, so at least they won’t have to sleep in heat.
“jesus, it’s so hot.” nick pants, pressing his drink up to his forehead. droplets of sweat ease down his temple and his shirt sticks to his skin. obviously, like a normal person, charlie stares at nick in awe, wondering how someone can look so good while in the summer heat. “are you hot, charlie? you aren’t getting sunburnt, are you?”
charlie coughs and looks away from nicks ‘rugby arms’ after he asks the question. “yeah, it’s really hot.” charlie replies, fighting the urge to look back at nick, “i don’t really get sunburnt. i just tan.”
nick nods and instead of drinking his drink he lays it on his head as a plea for coolness.
the scorching hot sun hides, tucked away behind the clouds, but the heat sticks to every conceivable surface. maybe it’s just charlie, but the air feels sticky and humid, so much so that he wants to jump into the cold waters of the ocean but even that might not be cool enough.
maybe an ice bucket would be, though.
the sun gazes down unflinchingly at the pair, moisture clinging onto their (mainly nicks) shirt. the air was unbearable, unquenchable even.
the bell rings, as if it’s a miracle, signifying that it’s time to go back to class. a few people groan and a few people appear happy that they can return to the air conditioned classrooms.
nick and charlie say their final goodbyes with a small smooch and a hug and go their seperate ways to seperate classrooms, though, they have math together, so it’s not far off until they see eachother again.
as charlie walks to his english class, even the air inside of the hallways are hot. although air conditioning blasts in classrooms and in some places in the corridor the air doesn’t seem to go.
charlie sits down in his seat and quickly whips out his phone to text nick before the teacher arrives.
CHARLIE
miss you, it’s so hot… i’m melting D:
NICK🐶
i know, i miss you too ): can’t wait to see you in math ❤️
CHARLIE
no way
nicholas nelson? the nicholas nelson? excited for math? that’s a new sight
NICK🐶
if i get caught texting because you made me laugh i’m blaming you ❤️❤️
CHARLIE
ok i’ll stop 😔
excited to see you, i’ll talk to you later.
//
math comes ‘round quicker than charlie had anticipated but he doesn’t dare complain.
he quickly walks into the classroom and sits in his seat next to nick, a smile plastered on both their faces.
luckily for them, the teacher is a hardcore slacker, and doesn’t care about where everyone sits.
“hi,” charlie greets with a grin.
“hi,” nick replies back. his freckles dusted on his face appear more prominent in the rays of sun that beam through the classroom curtains. “i missed you.”
charlie lightly nudges nick and giggles. “i missed you too.”
the teacher arrives and takes the roll before specifying the task for todays lesson. nick has never been specially good at math, but the way he tries so hard in the class is admirable.
as the class progresses charlie finds himself continuously staring at nicks concentrated expression while figuring out the algebra sum. the room has gotten unexpectedly hotter, either it’s nick or the unbearable sunlight burning holes on charlie’s back.
nick can see in the corner of his eye that charlie is staring at him, but he decides to keep his lips sealed, attempting to keep a smirk from appearing on his lips.
he sits up and rubs the back of his hand on his forehead, rubbing the sweat off of him. “ugh,” nick groans, “is it hot in here or is it just me?” nick whispers to charlie. the whisper wasn’t all that quiet but quiet enough only for charlie to hear.
in the same whisper-like tone, charlie replies, “it’s you.”
quickly, charlie realises what he said and covers his mouth and gets back to his work.
“what?” nick smirks and suppresses a chuckle.
“what?” charlie repeats. he is not admitting he just said out loud that nick is unbearably hot.
“did you just call me hot?” nick leans closer onto charlie, charlies face slowly turning a reddish-pink because of the action and embarrassment.
“what? no, no i didnt.” charlie denies any claims and attempts to work, though it’s difficult due to nicks hot presence basically rubbing on charlies shoulder.
“mm, no, i think you did.” nick laughs, attention completely distracted from his actual work that he was so concentrated on seconds before. luckily, the teacher is too busy working to pay attention to their antics. “i do recall me saying ‘is it hot in here or is it just me?’ and you saying, quote, ‘it’s you.’, correct?”
charlie gulps in embarrassment and lightly whines. “okay, yes, i called you hot. am i wrong?”
nick smirks once again and leans back into his seat, out of charlies space, “i dont know, are you wrong?” charlie shoots nick a glare and nick can’t help but laugh.
“i’m not wrong, i know a hot guy when i see one. are you doubting me?” charlie pretends to be angry, but he isn’t, just incredibly embarrassed.
“no, no, i’m not doubting you. it’s okay,” nick reassures, “you’re allowed to call me hot, we’re in love.”