Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Charlie Spring knows now that Nick Nelson gives the best hugs in the whole universe. But it had taken him until the fifth long one to understand why that was.

The first hug had been ten prolonged seconds of confusion yet it was still a favorite memory, locked in his heart for all time. The way they went from awkwardly saying goodbye in the foyer to suddenly hugging had been jarring. If he thinks back, he can still feel the way the other boy’s fingertips tightened and trembled in his shoulder blades. The light way the fronts of their bodies had touched. The warmth of Nick’s temple against his ear.

The second hug Nick had gifted him, in the bowling alley, was a lot like that first one yet totally different. More intense, both due to the fact that Nick was feeling so much that day and to the fact that they’d kissed by then. It was the same combination of tightness and tenderness. The same innocent skin heat. Charlie had melted into it as soon as he let himself admit it was happening.

The third, he’d really been surprised by the third. Outside the cinema, before that fateful night, he’d been regretting how they hadn’t really talked about boundaries yet, affection in public boundaries. Yet Nick just wrapped him up in those strong rugby arms without a care in the world and planted his face into Charlie’s shoulder again. Torso to torso, each seemed to take comfort in the other’s strength.

On the beach, the fourth hug was shorter yet full of meaning. It’s where he got the first inkling of what exactly Nick was doing when they hugged, what it did for the other boy. Later when they were lying on their towels and he was once again enfolded in a bubble of safety and affection, he wondered if this was a hug too. Or a cuddle maybe; he wasn’t sure of the difference. He just knew he needed it.

But the fifth hug, it cemented everything. He’s smiling now, sifting through memories of the hugs unaccompanied by kisses. The hugs that never lead anywhere else, hugs complete unto themselves as a love language.

The fifth hug had been Monday at school after Sports Day. The challenges - of wondering who knew, who didn’t, who cared, who didn’t - had worn them both out. At lunch time, Nick had claimed his hand and walked them both away from the picnic tables, once again not bothering about who saw.

Charlie noted who they passed in the corridor but Nick kept his head down and just beelined for the art room. As soon as the door closed behind them, Nick had turned and buried himself in the drummer’s arms.

They stood and swayed there a long time. The dark-haired boy’s brain buzzed. Nick started to hum quietly and it instantly soothed the sensations for Charlie, returning him to his body and this moment. He felt every centimetre where they were pressed together, a careful mix of pressure and distance. Just love, unexpressed yet in words.

And that’s when it hit him. Nick couldn’t find the words. Too many words. Charlie could relate.

When the words got to be too much, the rugby player used his muscles and tendons to speak. His every nerve yelling about how much he cared. Every cell vibrating with emotion. It was everything.

Here they were again, decades later, wrapped in each other again. Just comfort and feelings and love without words. Charlie felt his aching heart ease a little. This day, a long time coming, was easier because they faced it together.

The hospital lights droned, a sensory itch. Nick’s hand on the back of his head scratched it away, made it better. Made losing his dad a little more bearable. They stood and swayed there a long time as everyone around them went about their business.

And it was every bit of their steady love distilled into four arms and hands. Every time, new and precious. Every time, like a portable cuddle, mending and building and restoring. Charlie sighed and tightened his grip; Nick silently nodded and tightened his. We got us, always.

Chapter Text

Tara was nervous. She was standing by the wall at the dance, cup of squash in one hand but largely ignored. Her eyes were locked onto the knot of boys who had just entered, their shoulders back and their heads craning around. Mostly she worried they were looking for prey.

Then one at the back of the pack stepped to the side and waved them all over to the drinks table, distracting them from the hunt for girls to corner and boys to bully. His hair fell softly onto his forehead and Tara startled slightly, recognizing him from primary.

An hour later, she found herself laughing with him, around the corner in the hallway, about how urgently his mates had pushed them towards each other. She felt less shy watching his brown eyes squeeze closed as he held his stomach. Finally they calmed down and then nodded quietly before leaning in for a chaste press of lips.

Pulling back, his eyebrows asked a question and she answered with a shrug. His lips pulled to one side and his head wobbled a moment. Then he threw his arms wide and paused there, not even tilting back towards her, literally just waiting for her to accept or walk away.

So step into it, she did. Her hands slid around his waist on top of his blue button-down and his arms crossed, then sat on top of her shoulders. She turned her head and laid her ear against his collarbone, facing out. He was warm and smelled good, like clean laundry and Wrigleys gum.

She found herself relaxing against him, relaxing for the first time tonight. Her hands stilled and settled more firmly onto his back. He held himself carefully, not embracing her too tightly. He leaned his head slightly towards her, letting his cheek bounce softly off her hair.

They stood there several minutes and Tara wondered why the hug was so much better than the kiss. Her nerves were soothed, not jangled. Was it supposed to be like this? Was this romance? She took a deep breath and Nick’s hands unlocked and gently fell away.

She stepped back and their arms returned to their sides; she noticed his right hand drop to the hem of his top and play with it nervously. They smiled at each other; she felt safe and happy. That was a nice hug; Nick Nelson is a nice boy.

Chapter Text

“I used to cut myself sometimes. I don’t ever want to feel like that again.”

Charlie felt Nick’s right hand go around his waist and suddenly he was yanked in a circle onto Nick’s lap. They shared a glance, the brown eyes full of concern. Then they both bent their necks and tightened their arms around each other, torsos curving together into a soft ball.

Charlie’s not sure how long they stayed like that. His hands crossed just under Nick’s neck. Nick humming into his shoulder. Purring almost. No words for some timeless time.

Eventually Charlie stretched and pulled them both down face-to-face on the beanbag. Nick’s hand returned to his body, both of them needing constant contact.

“Do you still do that now?”

“N-No!! I mean- hardly ever.” Charlie was desperate to reassure the larger boy. Yet… could he? He still… struggled. “Sorry.”

“Hey, no apologising!” Nick’s face was open, loving. “C’mere.” Charlie’s knees sank to the floor and his head landed on Nick’s chest. Nick’s arms were around him again. A low murmur into his curls, “Can you promise to tell me if you ever feel that bad again?”

He stared into space, even though that space consisted of a couple of centimetres between him and Nick’s graphic t-shirt. He felt… perceived… in ways which were not entirely comfortable…

And yet… it was Nick. And the security of Nick’s affection, his consistent presence, his dependable dedication to Charlie’s well-being.

The chest under him was calm, steady. It was not the kind of strength most people associated with the rugby lad. Charlie felt himself sag into the hug.

“Yeah,” he breathed, “I promise.”

Chapter Text

After dinner, Elle felt like seeing more of the hotel and surrounding area. Noticing how grumpy Tao was, she didn’t want to ask him to join her. Her eyes fell on Nick as he watched Charlie agree to something with Aled; he seemed wistful.

She sidled up to him as the two other students walked off. “Ummm, hey.” He turned and smiled at her. “Would you be up for a little walk? I don’t want anyone worrying about me wandering off but it’d be nice to look around some before bedtime…” He nodded eagerly and they waved at Mr. Ajayi before setting off down a wide hallway.

Some time later, they settled onto a bench in a pocket park to enjoy the evening air. The neighborhood around the hotel was quiet at the moment and it suited Elle’s now-pensive mood. Nick had been a calm presence at her side while she spiraled about her unrequited crush, first inside her own head and then gradually out loud as they meandered.

Silently the large blonde now bumped her shoulder with his own. Elle wiped her face and smiled over at him. He leaned back and lifted his hands slightly, rotating them inwards as an invitation. She nodded and he widened them, wrapping the left one around her back and waiting for her to lean across and lay her head on his opposite shoulder.

Then his right hand came up and she felt his wide fingers curl gently around her left bicep. She stared down at his white hoodie as her head curved towards the shoulder she had tucked under his chin. Her arms had naturally folded up inside the circle of his arms and she finally let herself feel small and vulnerable.

She sobbed and he started to make hushed noises of reassurance. She’s not sure how long she cried but eventually she noticed something inside her releasing and it was a relief. Her breathing gradually returned to normal. She sniffed and rubbed one palm over her eyes.

The broad flat palm of Nick’s left hand was going up and down the top two thirds of her back. The arc of it was predictable and the repetition settled the rest of her nerves. Slowly she sat up straight, his hands falling to her forearms and her hands falling on his.

They looked into each other’s eyes like this, half-turned and half-trapped, for a few moments and it should have felt awkward but it wasn’t. His mouth was closed, a slight rise in one corner. His body was centered, grounding. She took in a deep breath and then turned away, disconnecting their arms, as she exhaled.

“All right then?” he murmured. She nodded and stretched her neck. After a beat, she glanced at him with a shy smile on her generous mouth.

“Sorry to be a bit dramatic,” she said with an eyeroll and a tiny head shake. Nick just smiled and dropped the near shoulder and rolled his head at her, a casual shrug to indicate it was not a big deal to him. She jutted her chin at him. “You’re a good friend.”

His grin extended up into his eyes and he offered her his hand. She took it and stood, ready to face whatever tomorrow might bring.

Chapter Text

Charlie returned from the loo, rubbing at the back of his head. “There, razor hidden, towel chucked in the hamper. Feeling better. Thank you, I guess,” he said with a smile that belied the sting of his words. Nick mirrored it, finished sweeping up the clippings next to their bed and walked off with the broom under one arm, dustpan in one hand and kitchen chair in the other.

When he got back to their bedroom, he had a mug of tea in each hand. He passed one to Charlie and got permission to take a picture. Settling into his side, he showed it to him and they agreed to post and caption it together to Nick’s socials.

Then Nick put his mobile down, picked up his own mug and curled around Charlie’s torso as best he could. Daisy got up from the foot of Charlie’s side and clambered over to Nick’s lap. So he took another sip and set his tea to one side in order to focus on petting her. Charlie cooed at them and took his own picture.

Nick got a quick glimpse before Charlie was posting it, barely a head nod between them. He grimaced fondly at the younger man who was giggling at his screen.

Finally Charlie also set aside his device and the two torsos curved together the way they always had. The blue eyes found the brown and the smiles were warm, affectionate.

One of Nick’s hands left Daisy’s fur to stroke at the shortened curls behind one ear. Charlie leaned into it and closed his eyes, sighing happily. “That was stressful but thank you for real, my love,” he murmured.

“You’re welcome. Come here,” Nick responded and opened his arms. Charlie huffed quietly as he scootched into place, one hand replacing Nick’s on the puppy and the other arm folding up in between their chests. His head landed on Nick’s collarbone and he turned his nose into the pink jumper, filling his head with that unmistakable scent of his beloved.

Nick’s arm that went around his back bent so the fingers could trail through the hair at the nape of Charlie’s neck and the other hand was pulling the orange-and-white-striped duvet up higher. Then it found its home on a wiry bicep and started rubbing there, tiny shifts up and down just inside the short blue sleeve of his t-shirt.

Nick also started oscillating his jaw against the top of Charlie’s head, ever so slightly. All three motions were distinct and yet it was the perfect dance of movement for Charlie’s mind. It comforted and soothed and soon he was drifting off, always safe in Nick’s embrace.

Chapter Text

It was Thursday and it was Nick’s turn to check on Darcy. He had a whole bag of homemade biscuits and Monster Munch in his arms as he waited outside the front door of her home. Waited for a lull in the angry shouting coming from the front room. He fixed his eyes on the shiny number seven attached to the stone wall holding the door and bit his bottom lip.

Finally he was able to knock and he did so firmly, loudly. A few moments later, a red-faced white man in a pale vest and stained joggers yanked open the door. Nick put on his best adult-pleasing smile.

“Good evening, Mr Olsson! May I see Darcy please? I know she’s sick but can I just drop off some snacks? I’ll be quick!” He got a slow blink and a quick jerk of the head in disinterested approval before he was slipping past him and headed down a hallway he’d only seen once before.

Darcy’s door was obvious, closed but covered in stickers. He knocked and cracked it open a few centimetres. “Darcy? It’s Nick and I have treats.” He heard a croak of consent so he swung the door the rest of the way and stepped inside.

She was flat on her bed, looking miserable, so he gingerly stepped in between objects on her floor enough to shut the door behind him. Then he navigated carefully to her side. “Hi! No, don’t talk. Yes, we have a schedule and today’s my day; Tara will come when she’s 100% better. I know Elle brought you tissues yesterday; do you need more soon?” She shrugged and he looked around, finding evidence she did.

“Right. So today I have your favorite food for when you feel up to it. And some biscuits me and my mum made. I’ll just set it all here,” he stacked some items on her desk to clear enough room, “out of the way. Okay. What else?”

She stared up at him, glassy-eyed and crusty-nosed. He frowned and thought about the last time he had a head cold. “Be right back!” He exited the room and found the loo; he helped himself to a ragged hand towel hanging on the windowsill and got it wet in warm water.

Returning to her side, he offered to clean her face and she closed her eyes; he took that as permission and gently moved her hair out of the way so he could wipe down from her forehead. He saw a ripple of contentment move along her body and he smiled to himself. Copying a Sarah Nelson trick was always a good idea.

As he started to step back, one pale hand flew up and grabbed his pinky. He turned and looked down; her smile was wan and her eyes were watery. Dropping the towel on a dresser knob, he sank down next to her and gathered her head onto one thigh.

He started stroking through her hair and humming something close to one of his nan’s old lullabies. With his other hand, he picked up a little brown bear with a white tummy and feet which had fallen off behind her pillow. He tucked that into the crook of her arm and was chuffed to hear her squeak softly as she tightened around it.

Downstairs the shouting resumed and Darcy’s body tensed back up. He dropped his free hand onto her shoulder and hummed louder. He stayed like that until her body relaxed again. Then he carefully shifted until her head rolled off his lap, maintaining the affectionate touch of both hands throughout the transfer.

She grumbled and settled; he kept humming, the original tune lost ages ago. He sat a while longer until he was sure she was asleep. Then he slunk out of her room and out of the Olsson flat. He was grateful Charlie had cooked up this plan; Darcy deserved all the love their friend group could show her.

Chapter Text

Charlie was paceing around their flat, nervously straightening up items which did not need tidying. Nick kept one brain cell focused on his movements while the rest of him kept marking student papers on their small dining room table.

Finally the slender frame paused and sagged against a kitchen counter; Charlie pulled out his mobile and toyed with it there for a few minutes before sighing and stepping away from it to plug in the kettle.

When he went to the cupboard, he pulled out two mugs with a glance over to Nick. The blonde nodded absently and turned to the next assignment. Several minutes later when Charlie delivered his tea, he put down his pen and looked up at his fiancé fondly. He raised his eyebrows meaningfully as he picked up the drink.

Charlie just nodded and leaned against his back. Nick took a sip and set it down again before pivoting and opening his arms. Charlie slid around to stand next to him and Nick gratefully pushed his face into Charlie’s stomach as their arms wound around each other.

He nuzzled there as Charlie’s hands settled onto his back and purred when the dark head dipped to kiss his hair. There were several long silent beats and then…

Charlie began to sway slightly just as Nick began to hum tunelessly and they both grinned and tightened their grip.

Nick could feel the tension sloughing off the body in his arms. He strengthened the sway with a tiny nudge. Charlie bent and gave his head another peck. He then stayed curled there, rocking Nick into his torso like they were about to be parted for six months.

Nick let his hands begin to drift up and down the narrow back. So he felt it when the spinal column started to straighten, bit by bit. He felt it as Charlie collected himself, pulling all his extraordinary courage and strength into his pelvis and shoulders.

The younger man was standing up tall now, only loosely connected to Nick’s body. He took in a deep steady breath, looked down and smiled into the loving brown eyes. Nick put all his compassion and optimism into his face, looking up calmly.

Charlie ruffled his hair, stepped back to pick up both his tea and his mobile and turned towards their bedroom. After Nick returned to his work, he heard his beloved’s voice drifting back from the hall. “Hi, mum. Yes, we can talk.”

Chapter Text

Nick heard the murmurs from the other room cease and he finished stirring his tea. Then he picked up both mugs and found his mother sitting on the couch staring at the black screen of her mobile.

As he handed her the pink cup, she blinked and looked up at him a little dazedly. He frowned and sat next to her, one arm settling along the ridge line of the sofa.

They sipped quietly together for a minute. She sighed. “Do you want to talk about it?” She sighed again and shook her head. Nick waited her out. Soon silent tears were running down her cheeks.

“Mum. You don’t have to tell me but I know you were talking to David and I can guess he was being a twat. Yes?” She frowned but her chin also dipped slightly.

Nick sighed and put down his now-empty mug next to her nearly-full one. “And I can guess you’re blaming yourself for the way he turned out. Which… stop it.” Two sets of watery brown eyes found each other. “He’s not here for the holidays because he’s like Papa, not because of anything you did or didn’t do, okay?” More tears flowed down her quivering cheeks.

He stretched out his arms. “Charlie and the kids will be back in a little while. Come on, get it out of your system.” A moment of quiet held its breath.

Then she flung herself into his chest, a sob ripping its way out of her guts. She curled there, hands covering her face. As she shook from holding it in, his hands landed, his arms gently squeezing. One set of fingers tangled themselves into the gray bob. The other was safe and still on her back. He crooned wordlessly and she gradually let herself wail and heave.

Nick closed his eyes and rubbed his beard into the top of her head as she eventually caught her breath. “My baby,” she whispered into the damp of his t-shirt. He nodded and dropped his hand from her head onto her far shoulder, increasing the pressure of the hug by a microscopic amount. She drew in more air, sounding like she had bubbles in her throat. She bent, her forehead rubbing back and forth across his collarbone. He tilted his head away to give her more space.

Then she was keening and bending into herself even tighter, her head now rocking side to side with urgency, with pain. Nick bit his lip and furrowed his brow and gave her time to truly grieve the long loss of closeness with her firstborn. He held himself lightly, a tender container for all the feelings.

As she subsided once more, he repositioned his arms to tuck her into place under his chin and he began to make those shushing noises which soothed and did not silence. She hiccuped and swallowed and stretched her ribs with her next inhale. Then she crumpled against him, nodding and humming to herself.

Finally she sat back up and wiped her face before blushing and looking up at him. He let his hands fall to her elbows and he wagged his chin at her as she started to apologize. She caught herself and nodded sadly. Then she took another deep breath, grabbed his cheeks and bent him down to plant a kiss on his forehead.

As she stood to find to the loo and tidy up, she smiled wryly at him. “Okay, time to be Granny again, dispenser of biscuits and snuggles.” She paused and briefly touched his furry jawline with the tips of two fingers. They nodded at each other. As she disappeared down the hall, Nick heard the front door open and the bright voices of his children. His face lit up and he rose to greet them.

Chapter Text

Charlie finished saying goodbye to his sister and checked on the kids playing in the sitting room with their new toys. The twins adored their aunt and her partner, who always gifted them science kits and interesting plushies. Max had all the magnets spread out on the floor and Gen was buried under a pile of soft “friends” with the latest, a black cat and a yellow dog, on top.

Smiling to himself, the curly-haired man turned towards the kitchen where he could hear water pouring into the sink. He found Nick back in his apron and elbows-deep in the washing up. He grabbed a tea towel and slotted into place, bumping hips with the taller man and transferring his smile up the family tree.

The two worked next to each other quietly and efficiently, occasionally pausing at the same time to interpret the noises coming from the next room. As Nick handed over the last fork to be dried or laid into the rack as Charlie saw fit, he drained the sink and turned to hang up his apron. When he heard Charlie sigh, his head whipped back in time to see his husband slump against the counter. He tilted his chin but Charlie just wrinkled his nose reassuringly.

Nick pursed his lips and stepped over to him in order to fold him up against his chest. Charlie’s fond eyeroll was swallowed by the broad shoulders and the smaller man quickly settled himself into position, tucking his curls under the bearded jaw. His hands crept down around Nick’s waist and soon they were gently rocking from side to side.

Charlie felt the warmth of his husband’s hands traveling smoothly over his back, the pressure just enough to soothe his tired body. He felt the rumble of Nick’s breathing, his heart. He closed his eyes and let the work stress he’d gotten fixated on just fade away. He felt his own pulse slow to match the larger man’s and he drifted there for a timeless time. He felt…

The violent collision of their daughter running into their legs and knocking their sway off its rhythm. Nick pulled back just enough to reach one hand down and wrap it around her shoulders, both of them looking down at her in surprise and affection. Just then, her brother came racing in and tumbled his way between them as well. Nick threw his head back and laughed as Charlie sorted out their limbs.

Soon the duo had been reshaped into a square, five year old feet perched on top of father feet. The swaying resumed and they all began to hum or sing the same family lullaby Granny Sarah had used when Papa Nick was small. Charlie thought about how many more times the kids would want to do this, how much longer he could stand to have their weight on him exactly like this.

There will be a last time he could lift them into his arms all by himself. There might be a last time they would tolerate holding hands in public. Suddenly he was blinking furiously, trying to get a grip on his preemptive nostalgia, and Nick was looking at him with a face full of concern again. He smiled ruefully up at him.

Then Nick’s hand landed on his cheek and his thumb carried away the moisture which had just spilled on one side. As the blonde man leaned forward to offer his lips as yet another form of comfort, the kids began protesting loudly and then Charlie was giggling through his unshed tears as they ran screaming from the room.

Chapter Text

Nick was standing alone by the basketball court wall for a few minutes while Charlie got their drinks refreshed; he’d made small talk with a few people he vaguely remembered from Truham back in the day and he was already slightly exhausted by this reunion. Then a tall blonde man with broad shoulders, a beer gut and a hint of a mullet entered by himself and they caught sight of each other right away.

Two delighted smiles, two sets of legs hoofing it towards the other, two sets of arms open wide.

“Get in here, mate,” Nick cheered as they got close and then they bounced off each other’s chests a bit before hands caught on and clamped them together from the belt up. He rested his chin on the shoulder in front of him and felt the patented bro-pat happening on his back. He kept grinning and just tightened his grip.

“It’s been too long,” Christian murmured and let his arms fully settle around his friend. Nick nodded silently and closed his eyes, thinking of everything that had happened since the last time they’d been in the same location.

“So good to see you,” he rumbled with a hitch in his voice and Christian just sighed and rested his chin on Nick’s shoulder. They mirrored each other like that for some timeless time, until Charlie walked up with a smile and two new drinks.

As Christian slipped from the hug, Nick swung around and kept one arm around his shoulders, squeezing them together still. “Hey, thanks, love; Christian, do you want my Stella? I can get another.”

His friend nodded; his husband handed it over and clinked glasses with him. Then Charlie made the small talk while Nick observed the blonde man’s face, seeing the weariness and affection there. He resolved, on the spot, to revive their connection a little more intentionally going forward and he stayed there in that sideways embrace late into the evening.

Chapter Text

Nick sat at the dining room table, head in his hands. His shoulders shook silently for several minutes. Sighing, he wiped his face and leaned back, dropping his wet hands to rub on his chinos.

Looking up at the ceiling, his eyes darted back and forth for several more minutes and his brows quirked and settled and bounced and rose as he worked his way back through the argument step by step. Then he looked around the room and pulled his lips to one side before nodding decisively and standing, a bit stiffly, and walking down the hall.

When he quietly pushed the door open, he found Charlie sitting on the edge of their bed. The blue eyes looked up, red-rimmed and watery and hopeful. Nick stepped into the room and they paused there a minute, both reading the emotional undercurrents.

Nick cleared his throat. “I told myself a story about what you meant and I reacted to that instead of asking. When you’re ready, I’d like to know what you meant please.”

Charlie glanced down and rubbed his feet together. “And my brain plotted a path of how to handle that and then said you were doing it wrong when you didn’t follow my path.” His lips wrinkled ruefully but he easily made eye contact again and they slowly nodded at each other. Charlie stood and they both stepped forward into a fierce embrace.

Nick buried his nose in the black and silver curls, breathing deep as his arms found their home around his love. Charlie’s cheek was on his chest and his hands were locked around his torso. All was right with the world again.

They closed their eyes and felt the tension fall away, safe in the shelter of their commitment to finding the words which mended hearts. The resulting swell inside his ribcage could not be measured and Nick practically vibrated as he felt anew his good fortune in this marriage.

“Lay down with me?” he murmured into the shell of Charlie’s ear; his husband nodded and pulled him to the bed behind him. They settled together, Nick on his back and Charlie rubbing up into his beard. This time, closing his eyes actually relaxed the large man down to his toes. Soon they napped there, together and content.

Chapter Text

After a quick breakfast of granola bars and coffee, Tao was grumpy. Because of course he was. Nick hid his smile and finished fastening his own cuff links before straightening to help the shorter man with his bowtie.

Tao batted his hands away with a scowl and attempted the knot again. Nick nodded and turned away to check his mobile.

“Charlie says they’re staying on time and Elle sends her love. Can’t wait to see you. Kiss kiss.”

Tao’s scowl deepened. Nick pulled in his lips and bent over to obscure the shaking of his shoulders. “STOP LAUGHING AT ME!” He turned back, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender as the younger man continued venting. “I don’t like you saying kiss kiss. That’s all! I am not nervous!”

Nick just nodded again and stood there scrunching his face until finally Tao gave up trying to pull the right shape out of the shiny red fabric and dropped his hands to his sides with a dramatic sigh. Nick hummed and stepped up to pull it off his neck and adjust the buttons at the back before deftly starting over and knotting it in place.

Tao looked up at him with an angry huff and twisted to check it in the mirror immediately. Mollified by its perfection, he sighed again and slumped in place. Nick rested one hand on Tao’s nearest bicep and squeezed gently.

“Want me to text Isaac? It’s not like he has much to prepare for; all of it is already written down for him. He’s good at reading; he’ll do his part just fine. So I’m sure he can join us if you want.”

Tao straightened and pushed into the pressure of Nick’s hand. He shook his head and they made eye contact in the reflection. A wry smile crossed first one face and then the other.

Suddenly the dark-haired man spun around and wrapped his arms around Nick’s torso, eyes tightly shut and face bending away. The blonde recovered from his surprise and instinctively shifted his knees to bring their heights closer together. Tao settled his forehead onto Nick’s shoulder with a tiny harrumph.

Rolling his eyes at the ceiling, Nick delicately crossed his arms onto the narrow back and let his hands fall into a soothing movement up and down. Slowly Tao relaxed into it but when Nick started to hum, he shivered slightly and so the large man stopped.

Right, he thought to himself. Sometimes we just need things to be a certain way. He focused on his breathing and let his feelings pour out through this rare and precious touch between the two of them.

The silence stretched another long beat before he realized he did have words after all, words that might serve to help now instead of tease later. “You know something,” he murmured. “Elle and me, we had a special moment, a good friend moment kinda like this… long ago.”

Tao raised his head and stepped back a bit. Nick let his forearms slide along black fabric until his hands were solidly gripping at the top of wiry arms. One elegant eyebrow was raised as Tao waited for the rest of the story.

Nick smiled. “Our first night in Paris, we went for a walk. She spent the whole time talking about you.” The dark eyes sparkled up at him as he continued. “We ended up in some park and her nerves got the best of her so she cried it out and I hugged her.” Nick’s face grew serious as he tried to bolster his buddy in word and deed, fingers kneading softly into the sleeves. “The very next day… you remember?”

Tao’s face was alight. “We went off alone to the Musée de Montmartre.” Nick stepped back and watched as the other man turned towards the door with a dreamy look in his eye. “And everything changed.”

“Come on then,” the younger man said with his hand now on the door knob. “I’m gonna go marry my best friend.”

Nick scoffed at him as he followed him out into the hall. “Ummm, Charlie’s my husband so, no, you’re not.” Tao turned his head just enough to stick his tongue out at him over his shoulder. Nick laughed and felt joy bubbling up inside as he thought about the day ahead, with all the people he would get to see and hug and love on. Everyone gathered to celebrate this pair, everyone gathered to reconnect with each other. Yeah, we got us, today and every day and always.