Work Text:
Nick had very mixed feelings about Halloween parties. He liked the creative decorations and enjoyed making and sharing cupcakes with fun frosting designs. He liked wearing a silly costume and seeing other people dressed up. He LOVED giving out candy to kids who came by trick or treating. He enjoyed the playful side of the holiday. But he didn’t enjoy the scary bits. Marshmallow ghost cupcake toppers were about as spooky as he preferred.
In previous years, when Nick had hung out with the rugby lads, he’d felt like he needed to appear tough and fearless or risk mockery. The rugby lads had liked watching horror movies together, and Nick had always played along, nervous to be called out and put on the spot, but he’d hated every minute of it.
Often, around Halloween, one of the boys would host a movie night with a horror classic and Nick would have to make excuses for why he was busy. He’d learned that lesson back in year 7, the last year he had attended one of those parties, after having nightmares for days afterwards.
This year, he was invited to a different Halloween party with a very different energy to it. Tao now included the whole of the Paris Squad in film nights, and he indicated he had a ‘thematically appropriate choice’ this time around. Nick was 99% certain that meant it was going to be horror.
He’d indicated his concern about the movie to Charlie, who assured him that he would be more than happy to provide ample cuddles and handholding to help him feel safe, but Nick still wasn’t sure.
The tone of Tao’s party was immediately more pleasant than any rugby lads’ gathering. Darcy had requested the group show up well before sunset so they could try a new tie-dye project she’d seen on TikTok. They chatted outside as they dip-dyed their items. The group laughed as Darcy created a relatively small mess as she chaotically mixed all the colors together, once everyone was done, and chased Tara with her hands covered in dye.
Tao’s mum had made her famous baozi and, after everyone had hung their items to dry and headed back inside, they dug in with gusto, polishing off an impressive number of the delectable buns.
Dinner had been delicious, but Nick’s stomach felt unsettled during post-dinner conversation and as it approached movie time. He lifted Charlie into his lap and wrapped him in his arms, needing the comforting weight and touch to help settle him.
When the gang relocated to the living room, Nick chose the chair closest to the door and once again grabbed Charlie and held him close.
“Hey, you okay?” Charlie asked quietly, twisting around on Nick’s lap to whisper in his ear.
Nick had to admit having Charlie here did help, but he was still getting anxious prickles anyway.
“I’m okay. Just nervous about the movie,” he replied.
“I’m here to keep you safe.” Charlie said with a smirk and planted a kiss on Nick’s cheek.
Nick couldn’t help but chuckle at Charlie’s flirting, and squeezed him in a hug of appreciation.
Tao had chosen Hereditary as the ‘thematically appropriate film’ and, almost immediately, Nick started to feel uncomfortable. He tried to focus on the comforting and familiar sensory experience of his boyfriend: his weight on his lap, his curls tickling Nick’s nose, his scent as Nick nuzzled into his soft sweater. And for a while that worked. Until it didn’t .
Between the scary music, the increasingly scary sound effects, and the shrieks from his friends, Nick was finding it increasingly unpleasant to be in front of the television.
He was used to trying to be stoic, so he stayed put, but he must have not been hiding his distress as well as he thought. Charlie turned around in his lap again and gave him a concerned look. In the dim light from the movie, their eyes met and Charlie’s expression shifted to one of understanding and resolve.
He slowly and quietly slipped off Nick’s lap, stood to face him, and extended his hand. Confused, but honestly relieved, Nick stood and took Charlie’s hand and was pulled into the kitchen.
Once in the kitchen, Charlie began, “Hey, the movie doesn’t really matter, Nick. We’re just here to have fun. You don’t look like you were having fun.”
Nick’s face crumbled in disappointment. “I’m so sorry, Char. I tried . I just really don’t like scary movies. I feel like it’s so stupid how much they affect me, like I know it’s just a movie, but…. it’s really embarrassing.”
Charlie reached out and took Nick’s face in both hands, drawing his head up so he could look him in the eye.
“Nick, it’s okay. Please don’t be embarrassed. Of course you don’t like scary movies. You’re too much of a tender hearted golden retriever for that. You like watching rom-coms or superhero movies. You want love and goodness to win! And I love that about you! You wouldn’t be Nick Nelson, my boyfriend, if you were any other way. I knew you didn’t like them, but I don’t think I understood that you don’t like them . You don’t need to pretend for me, I’d much rather be with you than watch some -don’t tell Tao I said this- stupid movie.”
Nick, with watery eyes, rested his forehead on Charlie’s and closed his eyes as a single tear rolled down his cheek. “Thanks, Char. You’re the best. For so long I felt like my sensitivity was something to be embarrassed by and hide, so you saying that really means a lot to me. Can we go somewhere and just sit and talk? And maybe I kiss you a couple… dozen times?”
Charlie looked at Nick with eyes full of mischief. He grabbed his hand and ran up the steps to Tao’s room, dragging Nick behind him. It was shaping up to be Nick’s favorite Halloween party, by far.