Work Text:
Local Professor Goes Viral
January 15, 2023
Local Professor Charlie Spring, age 34, found himself lecturing to a much larger audience this last week as one of his lectures caught that mysterious spark, resulting in over 800k views over the past month. Spring’s talk on student engagement in the classroom is just one of many in his series on curriculum enhancements to engage the modern student.
November, 2023
The first time Nick Nelson encountered Professor Spring was in a viral TikTok as he was searching for ways to improve his teaching style almost a year ago. To say that Nick was enthralled by his, uh, teaching style was an under-statement. Nick had been immediately struck by his take on curriculum navigation and learning scaffolding and quickly fell down a rabbit hole of intense research into all of Spring’s previously-posted videos and lecture excerpts. Which of course was completely professional. It had absolutely nothing to do with onyx curls falling lazily over a pair of sapphire eyes. Nope.
22:47, November 29 (GMT)
5 Missed Calls from Mum
22:47, November 29
7:56, December 1
8:39, December 1
12:05, December 1
17:32, December 1
18:14, December 1st (GMT)
Text, Mum
18:14, Mum: Nicky are you there?
18:14, Mum: I have been trying to call you since I got your voicemail.
18:24, December 1st (GMT)
[Voicenote], Mum
Oh Nicky! I’ll leave a message since I can’t seem to reach you. I am so sorry to hear about your breakup. I would love to see you over the holidays but when you said you were going to meet Beth’s family for Christmas, and David was traveling, I booked a holiday. I'll be back on the 27th. Let's have a late Christmas dinner then. Call me as soon as you’re free! I love you!
14:60, December 6th (GMT)
Charlie Spring’s cursor hovered over the purchase button for the airline tickets. He hadn't quite committed to the idea yet - but it had been two years since he had spent Christmas at his parents house. His plan was foolproof. He agreed to speak at a conference the week before Christmas in California. As long as he was in the area he would stay for a few weeks and enjoy the sights and the weather and skip the entire holiday fuss altogether. And yet for some unknown reason he found himself booking the last flight home before Christmas. An overnight flight that would land him in Heathrow the morning of Christmas Eve. It all depended on just how much of a glutton for punishment he was - how many snide remarks about his divorce he could stomach. He sighed, sure that he would regret this, and hit “buy”.
16:30, December 22 (PST)
Ending announcement to a large crowd of tired looking conference attendees
Thank you so much to everyone who attended our annual “Curriculum Studies: New Approaches to Learning” conference. I hope everyone had a wonderful time. Please return your name badges to the carton by the door so we can recycle them. Thank you to all of the attendees and our esteemed guests. We hope you have safe travels home and a wonderful holiday season!
20:30 December 23 (EST)
Exhausted. Tired. Completely spent. Nick tried to think back to the conference he had just attended. “Use interesting words to captivate your student’s attention.” So no, Nick Nelson wasn’t just exhausted. He was bone-weary. And fatigued . He grimaced as he sat on the grimy carpet outside an airport gate in New York City of all places, watching out the window as the snow fell down. Any other year the sight of snowflakes falling softly to the ground so near Christmas would have filled his heart with nostalgia, the fat layer of flakes wrapping the ground like a metaphorical hug for his soul.
But not this year. This year he was alone. Over the past few months his latest relationship had dissolved, leaving him predictably single once again. At this point it was a longstanding joke in his friend group - none of the men or women he dated stuck around for very long. If he believed in soulmates it would be simple enough to just write them off as not being the one, but at 35 he didn't really believe in soulmates anymore. The concept of soulmates, much like Santa and the Easter Bunny, was a mythical story told to young people to make them believe in love.
Nick enjoyed dating. Getting to know new people was fun. He never truthfully stayed single for long. But each ended relationship was like a mark on his heart, and he craved the stability and domesticity of something solid and long lasting. And the holidays only emphasized this point.
Which was how Nick Nelson, newly single and confronted with large spaces of holiday time emphasizing how empty his flat was, volunteered to work extra hours. When the opportunity came to attend a conference halfway across the world and learn from the greatest current minds in the curriculum field he jumped at the chance, despite it meaning working over his holidays. Why not spend a week in California, all expenses paid for by his school district?
The conference was good. International attendance, fascinating speakers, ok-ish food. Bad coffee, but hot water and a selection of tea, so he was satisfied. Being somewhere warm, with intellectual conversation, and meeting new people helped keep his mind off his empty flat, and his lack of impending Christmas plans. He could feel his anxiety building now though, as he waited for his final flight home. The idea of returning to a dark flat for Christmas broke his heart.
So no, the snow softly falling outside was not comforting this year.
21:00 December 23 (EST)
Channel 5 Breaking Weather Alert
Hundreds of flights across the US Northeast have been canceled as the city hunkers down for what could be a doozy of a storm. Over 500 flights have been canceled between the three major metro area airports, and hundreds more are delayed, just days before Christmas. The National Weather Service in New York warned those changing their travel plans to be aware of icy roadway conditions if they choose to drive. It looks like it's going to be a white Christmas after all!
21:15, December 23 (EST)
Charlie was pacing and trying hard not to spiral as his mind replayed his conversation. Yes he had been cutting it close, flying home so near Christmas, but his mum had acted like he controlled the weather and was intentionally going to miss their family gathering. Which… well, the thought had crossed his mind a few times if he was honest, but he hadn't planned the weather so he really couldn't be blamed.
He shoved his phone hard into his pocket and frustratedly looked around. The line at the airport gate was growing longer by the minute, and given the impending holiday he doubted that anything would be resolved any time soon. The waiting area was filled with harried looking parents with kids in tow, university students headed home for the holidays, and a general scattering of exhausted, stressed people. What he needed was some peace and quiet, and hopefully after a short delay to clear the runway they would be on their way.
Perhaps he could watch the snow fall for a bit. His eyes widened as he caught the eye of a man across the way. The man was a little worse for wear in his wrinkled clothing and scruffy beard, but it was absolutely the same man who he had noticed at the conference this week. Sparkling brown eyes and a loud warm laugh that he would hear from across the room occasionally.
21:30, December 23 (EST)
02:30, December 24 (GMT)
Group Text: Charlie, Tao, Elle, Isaac
21:30, Charlie: fuck! you guys won't believe what happened now…
21:30, Charlie: i’m stuck in NY - all flights are grounded
02:30, Tao: It's 2:30 in the morning. Is everything ok?
21:31, Charlie: shit. forgot about time zones for a minute. sorry 😬
21:31, Charlie: yeah - it seems like it's just going to be a long wait at the airport
21:32, Charlie: i was supposed to be on the flight overnight
21:32, Charlie: i texted Jane to let her know I couldn't make it and she immediately called [eyeroll]
02:33, Elle: Oh no sweetie! How’d she take it?
21:34, Charlie: besides the snide remarks and comments about how I was so much more reliable before I was divorced?
02:35, Elle: She is still bringing up he-who-must-not-be-named? It's been two years!
02:36, Tao: Need me to send a strongly worded DM?
21:36, Charlie: LOL, no
21:36, Charlie: the last thing I need is for her to have more ammunition
02:37, Isaac: Well, maybe you’ll meet the man of your dreams in NYC??
21:37, Charlie: funny you should mention that… the hottie from the conference is here.
02:37, Tao: Charlie.
02:37, Tao: No.
02:37, Tao: You are halfway around the world.
02:38, Isaac: [devil emoji] Do it. Go say hi.
21:38, Charlie: tell me again why everybody is awake?
21:38, Charlie: look how cute he is though
21:38, Charlie: [Sneaky picture of a rumpled (but very attractive) tired looking traveler leaning against a window with his eyes closed]
02:39, Elle: That man is straight.
02:39, Elle: Like, the straightest person I have ever seen.
02:40, Isaac: I want to believe in romance!
02:40, Isaac: Go say hi!
02:40, Isaac: [Do It GIF]
02:40, Isaac: At least you know you have something in common with him?
Charlie liked Isaac’s text
02:41, Tao: Charlie?
02:41, Tao: Charlie!
02:41, Tao: Hello?
21:45, December 23, (EST)
Sometime between the long flight from California to New York and the current stranded snow situation Nick's head had started throbbing. Whether a vestige of the ever increasing anxiety of the impending holidays, general stress due to his current situation, or just travel weariness, all he knew right now was he could hardly string two words together in his brain, much less express them verbally. Perhaps that could explain the complete dumbfounded panic and lack of words when he looked up to see a very familiar face smiling at him, loose black curls pulled away from his face with a thin headband. Nick found himself unable to move or respond as the one and only Professor Spring reached out his hand, and introduced himself. As though Nick didn't know who he was.
“Hi! My name is Charlie Spring - I think we just attended the same conference.”
Nick stood staring dumbly at Charlie's outstretched hand, not moving, before his brain finished rebooting. His mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air until finally he choked out a few words.
“Hi… I’m… uh, I mean you’re…er…”
Just then Nick's eyes snagged on a small rainbow pin on Professor Spring’s - Charlie's - lapel.
“Wait,” he blurted out. “You're gay?” Brain.exe officially offline.
22:06, December 23 (EST)
3:06, December 24 (GMT)
Rainbow Teacher Brigade Group Text (Nick, Darcy, Tara)
22:06, Nick: 5 alarm
22:06, Nick: bi panic incoming
22:06, Nick: HEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLP
03:07, Tara: Shouldn't you be somewhere over an ocean right now? It’s 3 am!
22:07, Nick: Shit. Time Zones.
03:08, Darcy: Time Zones are homophobic. What are we talking about?
22:08, Nick: My flight got delayed. I'm stuck at my layover in New York right now waiting to leave. 😭
22:08, Nick: Also, remember the professor with the video lectures? The really smart one?
03:09, Darcy: yeah. the ”smart” one. we remember. 🙄🤣
22:09, Nick: He's here at the airport with me. He came over to say hi.
03:10, Darcy: maybe he thinks you are also “smart”
03:10, Darcy: you should go exchange “teaching” tips in the airport
03:10, Darcy: [suggestive eyebrow gif]
22:11, Nick: …I panicked, he left, and now he thinks I'm a homophobic asshole.
03:11, Darcy: [facepalm]
03:11, Darcy: Wait - isn't New York the city of love?
03:11, Darcy: Go get your man!
03:11, Darcy: Run after him!
03:12, Tara: I think that's Paris Darcy. 🤣
03:12, Tara: Anyway - Nick, are you ok stuck there?
03:12, Tara: Nick?
03:13, Tara: hello?
03:13, Tara: Earth to Nick?
03:13, Darcy: now that we’re up, jonesy….
03:13, Darcy: [same suggestive eyebrow gif as before]
22:34, December 23 (EST)
When Charlie had decided to work up the nerve to talk to the fellow educator he hadn't realized his mood could get worse than it had started. He wasn't looking for true love or sparks of electricity - he honestly was just hoping for someone who was nice to him. Someone he could pass the time with, chatting about the conference, and commiserating about the snow storm.
The man had seemed startled when he first walked up, staring at him with a panicked look on his face, before his eyes had landed on the small pride pin Charlie wore. And then it all came out. What should have been a nice professional interaction turned into straight boy panic assuming he was being hit on. One point for Tao.
It figures. Well, he didn't make it through an all boys secondary school without learning how to get the fuck out of dodge when you aren't wanted. And to think that man was teaching impressionable kids, passing those attitudes on. Shame .
23:18, December 23 (EST)
Mobile Order
Starbucks
Grande tea, qty 2
23:36, December 23 (EST)
It took a bit of searching but Nick finally found the professor, tucked away in the corner of a nearby gate. He took a deep breath, psyching himself up, before walking up to the (adorable) man.
He stood about 5 feet away, not wanting to spook him. He knew how he came across earlier.
“Excuse me? Professor Spring?” The man looked up, eyes furrowing as he saw who was calling his name. “Yes?” came the biting response.
“I just… look. I wanted to apologize. Here - I got you some tea.” The professor took the cup as it was extended to him, although the scowl never left his face.
“I'm not… look I know how I sounded, but I want you to know I'm not homophobic. I'm … “
“What, an ally?” Professor Spring scoffed. “Well thank you for your service I guess.”
“No!” Nick said quickly, his brain still working to catch up with his mouth. “I'm not an ally.”
The professor just looked at him, one eyebrow raised in disbelief before his scowl deepend further. “Wait!” Nick cried desperately. “Wait! What I mean is, look…” Nick took a deep breath. “I'm just tired - exhausted - and I know who you are, and I was just surprised to see your pin because I didn't know, but I'm bi so I swear I'm not homophobic, and of course I know who you are because I've seen your videos, and I always thought you were cute but didn't know you were gay, and I'm tired and…” Nick's voice faded to silence as he allowed the words to tumble from his mouth unchecked.
Nick looked up from where he was standing, sheepishly staring at his feet, one hand rubbing the back of his neck. As he caught a glimpse of the professor’s - Charlie's - softening face, he felt the tenseness leave his shoulders.
“I'll just leave you to enjoy your tea in peace. I just wanted to apologize.” Nick turned to leave, freezing as he felt a soft touch on his arm.
“Wait. You can stay a bit. We can chat. It's not like either of us have anywhere to go.”
23:59, December 23 (EST)
Airport Terminal Building Management Program
Execute Energy saving lighting program
// Turn Lights to half brightness between 0:00 and 4:30 each day
0:01, December 24 (EST)
Charlie glanced up as every second overhead light clicked off, reducing the lighting to a soft glow rather than the glaring white light that had preceded it.
Despite their earlier miscommunications, Charlie found himself clicking immediately with this man, won over by his endearing grin combined with his sheepish, embarrassed apology. The tea didn't hurt either.
“So what are your plans for Christmas then?” he ventured. “Are you spending it with family or a partner?” Please don't be a partner. Please don't be a partner. Please don't be a partner.
Charlie couldn't help but notice the cloud that fell over this man's - Nick, he reminded himself - the cloud over Nick's face.
“That had been the plan, but we aren't together anymore.” Charlie looked on in concern as his chatting partner seemed to fold in on himself. “No. I actually was planning on ordering a big pizza, and watching Avengers and maybe wallowing a bit in my misery.” The large man suddenly seemed to realize how he sounded, glancing up at Charlie again. “I mean, I am going to my Mum's. Just not until the 27th. What about you?”
Right. Of course the question would be turned back on him. Don't you remember how conversation works?
“I was headed to my parents but after this delay I called my mum to let her know I'd be late and she said some things… Honestly, I don't want to go anymore. I would call off the trip but I'm already halfway there.” Charlie suddenly was racked with a yawn, unable to keep speaking. Looking over at the man sitting on the floor beside him he chuckled as he saw a twin yawn splay out over his freckled face.
“We should try and catch a bit of sleep before our flights,” he said, using his travel backpack as a makeshift pillow before closing his eyes and trying to drift off.
0:32, December 24 (EST)
Text Message, unknown number
0:32, Unknown Number: Charlie I miss you
0:32, Unknown Number: Look, I know I was a dick back then, but I was dealing with my own shit.
0:33, Unknown Number: Have you finished sulking yet?
0:33, Unknown Number: Fine. Ignore me. Happy Fucking Christmas then.
0:33, December 24 (EST)
Nick looked over as Charlie laid back, softly closing his eyes. I could get used to seeing him fall asleep beside me . He laughed softly, shaking his head at the audacity of the thought as the phone resting in the man's half closed hand sharply dinged four times in quick succession.
The man beside him groaned as he forced his eyes open. Fuck I could get used to hearing him make noises like that too , Nick thought to himself.
Nick noticed, however, that when Charlie glanced at his phone he seemed to wake completely, a scowl over his face, his breath quickening.
“Is everything ok?” he said, but his words seemed lost. It was as though Charlie couldn't even hear him. “Can you hear me? Is it ok if I touch you?” the man beside him dumbly nodded. “Charlie - breathe with me, ok? In and out. Follow my lead.”
Slowly Charlie seemed to take stock of his surroundings again before his eyes landed on Nick. “Fuck,” he whispered. “I'm sorry. Thanks. I'm sorry you had to see me like this.”
“Is everything ok?”
“Yeah… I think so,” Charlie replied, shakily. “I just… that was my ex husband. I don't know how he got this number. I … thanks for being there. Sorry.”
“You don't have anything to be sorry about.”
Charlie smiled at this, his face coloring a bit with an adorable blush. “Yes, well, I am sorry. It’s just been a long day.”
Nick watched as Charlie methodically deleted the message and blocked the number. “It was just unexpected.”
He laid back down as Nick watched in awe. Clearly this was a traumatic past relationship but he seemed so capable. So strong.
Nick lowered himself down, stretching himself out on the floor a respectful distance from the incredibly attractive man next to him, pulling on his hoodie strings to make a makeshift eye covering. Yes. He could use some sleep as well.
4:33, December 23 (EST)
The lights across the terminal increased to full brightness, and speakers crackled to life, spilling staticky holiday music into the airport terminal.
🎵🎶
I'll be home for Christmas
You can plan on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents by the tree
🎶🎵
One after the other the phones in pockets and bags and hands of all the waiting passengers began to buzz and beep, filling the cold waiting area with a cacophony of notification sounds.
4:36, December 24 (EST)
Flight 6269 from LaGuardia to Heathrow has been rescheduled. Departure is at 5:50am, EST. Gates open for boarding at 5:00am. Gates will close 20 minutes before departure.
4:40, December 24th (EST)
The combination of music and lights stirred Charlie awake. He couldn't believe he had actually fallen asleep. Slowly shifting and sitting up he felt a tug on his arm. Warmth filled him as he looked over to see Nick, sound asleep, curled up on his side, one arm outstretched and resting on Charlie's own. Charlie wanted to reach down and brush the amber fringe falling across his sleeping face. He wanted to map the freckles on his face with kisses. Waking up to this face was something he could get used to. Charlie shook his head at the crazy thought. He had only met this man 10 hours ago.
Charlie lightly shook Nick's shoulder until the larger man stirred.
“Nick,” Charlie whispered. “Nick, we have to get up now. The flights are rescheduled. We need to board soon.” Nick slowly stirred, rubbing his eyes.
5:10, December 24 (EST)
Now boarding for group A, flight 6269 to Heathrow.
5:10, December 24 (EST)
Nick was still a little groggy. And not exactly sure how the past few hours went from some of his worst to some of his best. He had woken up to his ideal man shaking him on the shoulder.
“Nick?” Charlie's voice broke through his introspection. “Nick? They’re calling my boarding group. I just wanted to say thanks for listening and helping me last night.”
Before Nick could respond he felt Charlie throw his arms around him.
“Thanks again,” Charlie whispered into his ear before softly grazing Nick's cheek with his lips. Nick stood, dumbfounded, watching the man of his dreams walk away, disappearing down the jetway. Nick never even got his phone number.
5:25, December 24 (EST)
Ticket Scan
Nicholas L. Nelson, Economy, Row 29 B
Flight 6269 rescheduled for 5:50 am departure
17:30 December 24 (GMT)
Charlie shifted uncomfortably in his seat. It turns out splurging on business class does nothing for internal discomfort . The sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach had grown exponentially over the past 6 hours. He had been so embarrassed after kissing Nick's cheek that he had feigned sleep as the parade of passengers had shuffled by, hoping to skip any awkward eye contact. Not your wisest move, Spring. What was he thinking? Kissing someone had just met?
Happy Fucking Christmas indeed. Of course, as soon as his brain recited those words he flashed back to the text from earlier. To think, he could be in California on a beach eating fish tacos for Christmas. And instead he was dodging texts from his ex and creating his own cringe situations with what should be professional colleagues.
fuck. fuck. fuck.
18:06 December 24th (GMT)
Once again we would like to thank you for flying with us. It is now a nice 5 degrees in London with a local time of 6:07. Thank you for your patience as we sorted out the weather delays, and we wish you the happiest of holidays.
18:53 December 24th (GMT)
Nick milled about in the small group of passengers as the baggage carousel sprung to life. Dozens of similar looking black suitcases tumbled end over end while half-awake travelers’ eyes scanned over them, searching for a unique identifier signifying that it was their black cloth zipper bag.
Nick's eyes skipped the bags entirely, however, as he scanned the waiting crowd. Maybe he could still find him. Still see him. 8 hours later and his cheek still felt the ghost impression of the kiss. He felt as though he was balancing on an edge, two options before him. Find him or don't. And the don’t part of that equation felt devastating.
One by one the bags dwindled and people left, off to their delayed happy holiday gatherings. Nick's shoulders fell. So this was it. He shouldered his pack and pulled his suitcase behind him, ready to face the empty flat he was dreading.
“Nick!” Nick whipped around, hearing his name echo down the baggage claim. He gasped - Charlie was running up to him, out of breath, trying to catch him.
“Nick! I'm so sorry about the kiss and everything. I didn't think properly about what I was doing. It was a stupid thing to do. I really liked talking with you and I wanted to say thank you for everything but I shouldn't have kissed you. I'm sorry!”
Nick could see the signs of Charlie's spiraling before his face, but in that moment he was too elated. His luggage clattered to the ground as he ran up, laughing, and swooped Charlie into his arms swinging him up in a crushing hug.
“You came back! I thought you were gone. I wanted to get your number but you disappeared. I was afraid I had imagined it all”
Nick pressed his forehead against Charlie’s. ”Don't ever apologize for kissing me ever again.” Nick pressed a kiss to Charlie's forehead. “There. Now we're even.”
That was the moment Nick first heard it – the giggle that he would forever equate with holiday bells.
“I know you said you didn't have plans. Would you maybe want to come by mine? We could eat some pizza and watch Avengers?”
Charlie giggled again. “If you ever meet my friend Tao, don't tell him I said this, but that actually sounds like a perfect way to spend Christmas.”
0:12 December 25 (GMT)
The end credits to Avengers roll on a large screen TV, facing a long abandoned couch.
8:53, December 25 (GMT)
Charlie stretched, taking a moment to register the added weight pressed along his side before smiling to himself, and leaning in closer, only to be rewarded with Nick pulling him in tighter. It should be alarming to wake up in a strange house and a strange bed, but he didn't feel alarmed at all. In fact, for the first time in a very long time, he finally felt like he was home.
Happy Fucking Christmas indeed.