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It was Friday night, and Nick and Charlie were walking back to their apartment from the campus library. As they strolled the familiar path through the center of campus, Nick noted that the leaves had almost all turned yellow, admiring the contrast with the blue sky above. A gentle breeze sent a few of the leaves fluttering across the walkway in front of them, swirling up and then drifting gently back down.
Turning to his right, Nick met Charlie’s eyes and smiled softly, squeezing Charlie’s hand. It had been over a month since Charlie started at Leeds, and they had spent most of the summer together, but Nick still found himself thanking the universe they were done with long distance. While Nick was grateful for their frequent FaceTime dates during his first year at university, nothing compared to the feeling of Charlie’s fingers intertwined in his. The camera also failed to do justice to Charlie’s bright blue eyes, which were currently sparkling in the autumn afternoon sun as he held Nick’s gaze.
Nick felt a buzz in his pocket, and after a moment, he reluctantly broke eye contact with Charlie to retrieve his phone. After reading the message, Nick looked back at Charlie. “Are you up for a game night later? Darcy just texted me. Apparently, they’re inviting some people we met at the LGBT+ Soc bowling thing last week.”
“I think I need some alone time tonight. Long week, I don’t feel like being around people.” Charlie blinked his eyes slowly, shrugging his shoulders. “Is that ok with you?”
“Of course, love. I’ll let Darcy know.” After responding to their friend, Nick put his phone back in his pocket and wrapped his arm over Charlie’s shoulders, placing a soft kiss on Charlie’s temple.
They arrived home about ten minutes later, dropping their backpacks on the floor in the entryway. It was a small one-bedroom apartment, all they could afford right now, but they had done their best to make it cozy. Most of their decor was framed pictures of them and their friends, and they had a few pieces of thrifted furniture - a small kitchen table with two chairs, a coffee table, and a large bookcase. Charlie made a beeline for the bookcase, running his finger along the shelf, while Nick went into the kitchen and pulled out a glass from the cupboard.
“Do you want some water?” Nick called out over his shoulder.
“Yes, please!” Pulling out a second cup, Nick poured them each a full glass before returning to the sitting room. Charlie was now seated on the sofa, the one new piece of furniture and a gift from Nick’s mum, Sarah. When she overheard Nick and Charlie comparing options from Craigslist, Sarah insisted second-hand upholstery was a health hazard and immediately took them to the local furniture store. Charlie was curled up with a throw blanket over his lap as Nick handed one of the glasses to him.
“Thank you,” Charlie smiled widely and took a long sip before placing the glass on a coaster on the coffee table in front of him.
“What’s the book selection for tonight?”
“Brideshead Revisited. It’s been too long since I’ve read it.”
“Well, I’ll get out of your hair then.” Nick leaned down and gently placed his lips on Charlie’s, but as he pulled away, he felt Charlie’s hand on his forearm.
“Where are you going?” There was the smallest hint of a whine in Charlie’s tone.
“The bedroom?”
“You’re not going to stay out here?”
“You said you needed time alone, away from people.”
“You don’t count.”
Raising an eyebrow, Nick was trying to determine if he should be offended. “I don’t… count?”
“Ok, I hear how that sounded, but I swear that was supposed to be a compliment.” Sighing, Charlie patted the sofa and waited for Nick to sit down beside him. “I don’t really need alone time away from you.” Nick must have looked as confused as he felt because, after a few moments of silence, Charlie continued. “I get overwhelmed easily with other people, especially if I don’t know them well. It's like my brain is on high alert, hyper-aware of everything happening around me, but it’s also hard to focus at the same time? It’s hard to explain, but…” Charlie paused to run his fingers through Nick’s hair before dropping his hand onto Nick’s shoulder. “I don't know, it’s just different with you.
“Is there anyone else who you find it easier to relax around? Like your close friends?”
“Well, it is less draining to hang out with Elle, or Tori, even Tao - well, on a good day,” Charlie smirked, while Nick tried to hold back his chuckle. “But it’s still not the same.”
Tilting his head to the side, Nick considered Charlie's words. “Huh. So me not counting is… a good thing?”
Chuckling, Charlie cupped Nick’s face and pulled Nick in for a kiss. As he closed his eyes, Nick revelled in the feeling of Charlie's soft warm lips meeting his own. When they pulled apart, Charlie’s cheeks were slightly flushed, and he spoke softly, still holding Nick's face.
“Yes, you don’t count. But in a good way.”