Work Text:
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
The end of December had been Nick’s favourite time of the year for as long as he could remember.
He could spend whole days sitting by the window, watching the snow slowly falling from the sky and listening to Christmas songs. Festive lights, colourful decorations and hot chocolate - he loved it all.
1. Nick’s first Christmas with Nellie
Nick enjoyed spending time with his mum and watching all sorts of Christmas movies and cartoons. ‘The Snowman’ was his favourite, although he always cried at the end. But his mum cried too, and she always told him there was nothing wrong with that, so he believed her.
His older brother David wasn’t as enthusiastic about this time of year as the two of them, but Nick didn’t mind. He already had the feeling that David didn’t really like him. His constant mocking of everything Nick liked showed that David didn’t care about him very much.
Now that it was just the three of them, Nick and his mum decided to make some new Christmas traditions.
It was supposed to be the time of joy and happiness, and they both enjoyed each other's company buried under a blanket, wearing reindeer socks and eating cookies they baked together (with a lot of sprinkles, of course). He loved it. The whole house smelled like cinnamon and nutmeg.
His mum’s company was more than enough. He didn’t need anything else.
Or that’s what he thought.
*****
“Nicky! Come quickly!” Sarah called her son on Christmas Eve morning.
“What? Why?” Nick came from his room where he was singing along to ‘Jingle Bells’, one of his favourite Christmas songs.
“Look at this!” Sarah said with a smile as soon as she saw Nick coming down the stairs, pointing at the big, colourful box near the Christmas tree. “I think it’s for you.”
“For me?” Nick exclaimed excitedly, jumping and clapping his hands. “What is it? Can I open it?”
“Of course you can,” Sarah replied, no less excited, bouncing on her feet as she stood next him, eager to see his reaction.
“Oh mum!” Nick cried, opening the box. “A puppy? For us to keep?” Nick gasped in disbelief, pulling out a beautiful border collie puppy and hugging her gently. Tears quickly started streaming down his face.
“Yes, sweetheart!” Sarah said softly. “Oh baby, don’t cry!” she added lovingly when Nick started sobbing.
“She’s s-so cuuute!” Nick cried, hugging his new friend tighter.
“Woof!” the puppy barked.
“Oh, Nicky. Do you like her?” Sarah asked, but she already knew the answer from Nick’s bright, happy eyes.
“I love her! Thank you, mum!” Nick released the puppy for a second to give his mum an equally tight hug. “Can I name her?”
“Of course, Nicky! Do you have any ideas?” Sarah asked, scratching their new puppy behind her ears. “You need to think this through, it’s an important decision.”
“Can her name start with an ‘N’, too? That would be so cool!” Nick looked at his mum eagerly. “Like Nora! Or Nala.”
“Sure! But that’s a bit short… Maybe you could think of something a little bit longer?”
“Neila? Ooh, maybe Niagara? Or Nellie?”
“Woof!”
“Oh, I think she likes ‘Nellie’.” Sarah laughed.
“Woof woof!” their puppy barked again and started wagging her tail.
“Okay then! Hello Nellie Nelson!” he smiled. “I’m Nick.”
*****
They spent the whole day together, just the three of them. David didn’t show any interest in their new family member and he went to see his friends.
Nick didn’t care. Not anymore. He had a new friend now and tried to teach Nellie a few tricks while he took her on a nice, evening walk.
Nellie was the best companion Nick could have wished for. She ran with him and picked up the sticks he threw, every time. Nick didn’t think he could be any happier, but then it started snowing again and all the trees turned white. Nick loved it, it made everything look so pretty.
He spread his arms. “Look, Nellie, try this!” he tilted his head back and stuck out his tongue, trying to catch the snowflakes. But Nellie was busy digging a hole in the fresh snow.
It was magical.
When they returned home they were freezing and tired, but so happy and satisfied. That night, Nick fell asleep on the sofa next to their beautiful Christmas tree with Nellie curled by his side.
*****
He had his mum and a new, cute puppy friend. That was his best Christmas so far. He couldn’t wait for the next one.
2. Nick’s first real Christmas with Charlie
Charlie was simply amazing. Never in his 17 years of living had Nick met someone so smart, caring and supportive. Charlie was so cool and nerdy at the same time and Nick loved spending time with him doing nothing in particular.
His boyfriend wasn’t the biggest fan of Christmas, but he knew how much it meant to Nick so he tried very hard to enjoy it. Nick appreciated him and his efforts so much.
It was their first proper Christmas together as boyfriends. They’d spent the last one together as well, but it was right after Charlie got back from the hospital and it had all been a bit chaotic.
This year they wanted to make it super fluffy and special. The plan was simple: spend every possible second together, decorate the Christmas tree, listen to some cheesy Christmas songs (way too many times) and exchange gifts.
Nick was very excited to receive something from his boyfriend, but even more eager to give him something he spent so much time preparing.
*****
“So, are you ready to decorate this beauty?” Charlie asked, standing next to the Christmas tree and choosing a playlist on his phone.
“Yes! We can use these!” Nick said enthusiastically, opening the box with all kinds of red Christmas tree ornaments.
‘I don’t want a lot for Christmas, there is just one thing I need…’ the song started slowly.
“Char? Wait… I thought you hate this song,” Nick gasped, surprised.
“But you love it. And it’s perfect for decorating our Christmas tree, don’t you think?” he replied with a smile.
“It is,” Nick said, catching Charlie’s waist and pulling him closer. Charlie put his arms around Nick’s neck.
'I don't care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree…' Nick started to sign along.
“Thank you for coming and doing this with me,” he said after a few moments.
'I just want you for my own, more than you could even know…'
“You don’t need to thank me, silly. It’s important for me too,” Charlie whispered as they swayed together to the music.
'Make my wish come true, all I want for Christmas is you…' the song continued.
Nellie chased Henry from the hallway into the living room and interrupted their impromptu dance party. Henry tried to hide behind Nick’s legs and caused Nellie to almost knock them all over in excitement.
“Hey you two, stay there, please,” he said to the dogs, patting their heads and pointing to their bed next to the sofa. Nellie and Henry laid down after a moment and watched them lazily.
“Come on Char, let’s get started,” Nick said excitedly, giving Charlie a soft kiss as he picked up the first ornament.
Sarah watched them discreetly from the kitchen and teared up a little. She was so grateful that Nick finally had someone else he could share his joy with. She loved Charlie like her own son.
*****
“Can I go first?” Charlie asked, when they went to Nick’s room and sat on the bed to exchange their gifts.
“Sure you can,” Nick answered, reaching for the poorly wrapped present for Charlie and joining him on the bed.
“Okay. I hope you like it. I saw it and thought of you instantly,” Charlie said with a little blush. “Merry Christmas,” he said, giving Nick a small gift wrapped in blue paper and a yellow ribbon.
“Thank you, Char,” he smiled widely. “Oh, it’s so pretty, I don’t want to destroy it,” he moaned.
“You’re ridiculous,” Charlie started to laugh. “Just unwrap it!”
Nick did just that and a small box full of different shaped cookie cutters fell on his lap.
“Charlie! Thank you, I love it! I’ll use them tomorrow,” he said happily, kissing him on the mouth. “Wait… This one looks just like Nellie!” Nick noticed after a moment.
“Right?! I saw it too and I just couldn’t help myself,” Charlie said excitedly. “She always helps you in the kitchen, after all.”
“You mean more like she waits for some bits to drop on the floor,” Nick shook his head with a laugh.
“Yeah, that too. But I also thought I needed a cookie in the shape of my favourite Nelson, you know?” Charlie teased.
“Oi! Do you want your present or not?” Nick smacked Charlie gently on his arm and gave him his gift. “Merry Christmas, Char,” he whispered.
“Thank you,” Charlie said and tore up the paper without waiting another second. “Oh Nick! These are gorgeous!” he said, taking out a new set of drumsticks from the long, thin box.
“I also saw them and thought of you right away.” It was Nick’s turn to blush a little.
“Thank you, that’s really thoughtful.” Charlie kissed Nick and continued to admire his present. “Wait, something is written here…”
“Yeah, I did it myself,” Nick admitted shyly. “Do you like it?”
Charlie gently stroked a smiley face, a little ‘Hi’ and the date of their first kiss carved on the drumsticks.
He smiled so wide that both of his dimples appeared. “I love it.”
*****
There was no snow this time, but it was okay - it was perfect anyway. Nick had his mum, two dogs, and most of all, he had his amazing, gorgeous boyfriend.
Nothing could possibly beat that. That was his best Christmas ever.
3. Nick’s first Christmas with his found family
“For the love of god, please stop,” Tao groaned as he entered the Nelson family house.
“I’ll stop when you admit I’m right,” Nick said, stepping away to let his friend in.
“But you’re not,” Tao stated.
“Yes, I am!” Nick insisted. “It takes place during Christmas, the plot contains a Christmas miracle and there are lots of Christmas songs in it. Including ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘Let it Snow’! How could you argue with that?!”
“And your point is…?” Tao asked with irritation in his voice.
“My point is,” Nick said, trying to not roll his eyes again “because of all of that, ‘Die Hard’ is a Christmas movie!” he ended triumphantly.
“Are you still arguing about that?” Elle asked, standing next to her boyfriend. “Tao, please. We have this discussion every year.”
“Yeah, and I insi-” Tao started, but Elle interrupted him.
“Please take this to the kitchen or the ice cream will melt otherwise,” she said, giving him a big shopping bag.
“Of course, my love,” Tao said with a sweet smile. “‘Die Hard’, seriously… Next thing I know he’ll claim that ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ is a Christmas movie too…” he muttered as he made his way to the kitchen.
“Well, about that…” Nick started. “Never mind,” he said, seeing Tao’s expression. “I’m right, though,” he muttered when Tao disappeared from his view.
“Of course you are,” Elle said with a smile and gave Nick a high five before going after her boyfriend.
It was the first time since graduating from sixth form that they were all in Kent around Christmas and could spend some time together again. All of them had different commitments, but they managed to meet on one late December’s afternoon in Sarah’s house.
“Nicholas, I need your strong rugby arms or whatever,” Darcy said, entering the house and giving him 4 bottles of premade mulled wine.
“Darce, are you sure you want to be responsible for our drinks tonight?” Nick asked.
“Oh, I’m very sure! I even have my secret ingredient!” she said with a smirk.
“Which is…?” he asked hesitantly.
“Don’t ask,” Tara said, coming after her girlfriend. “You don’t want to know, believe me!”
Isaac just nodded, going in after them with a shopping bag in one hand and his current read in the other.
“Goodbye cruel world,” Charlie sighed dramatically, entering Sarah’s house as the last one. “We stood no chance with Darcy’s mysterious drinks,” he added, chuckling as he closed the front door.
Nick was slightly nervous - Darcy being in charge of drinks was never a good idea. But he couldn’t be happier either, seeing all his favourite people in one place, especially on Christmas. The house was full, loud and warm. Exactly as it should be.
*****
When their food and Darcy’s ‘special’, horribly sweet mulled wine was ready, they all settled in the living room next to the Christmas tree and started watching 'Home Alone'.
“Now watch and learn, Nelson. This is a proper Christmas movie: lots of snow, fairy lights, big family, John Williams’s music…” Tao said, pointing at the screen.
“Plus a cringe uncle, tarantula and some burglars,” Isaac murmured.
“Isaac!” he gasped. “‘Some’ burglars?! How dare you! It’s Joe freaking Pesci!”
Nick started to laugh and looked at Charlie, but his boyfriend was already half asleep, bundled up in the blanket and Nick’s arms, breathing calmly.
*****
After finishing the movie it started snowing again. Despite it being late Darcy convinced everyone to go outside - they dressed up warmly again and went to play in the snow.
Elle attacked Tao with perfectly formed snowballs and Nick picked Charlie up to hide behind the tree to snog for a while. Nellie and Henry saw the fuss and decided to join - Darcy and Tara started playing with them while Isaac made a few snow angels.
It was a perfect christmassy chaos.
*****
Nick not only had his mum and his boyfriend, but also something he always dreamed of: his found family, people who loved him and accepted him no matter what.
That had to be his best Christmas so far, for sure.
+1 Nick and Charlie’s first Christmas in their new home
“It’s gorgeous,” Charlie whispered, looking at their little Christmas tree in their new home, feeling Nick’s arms around his middle.
“It really is,” Nick said, looking at Charlie with hearts in his eyes.
“Really, Nick? After all this time?” Charlie teased.
“Always,” Nick said, pecking him on the cheek. “And before you said it: yes, I’m a sap. But I’m your sap.”
“True. And I love you, my sappy boyfriend,” Charlie said.
“I love you too. And hey, look! Where did that come from?” he asked, looking up.
“What?” Charlie said, surprised. He looked up as well. There was a small bit of mistletoe attached to their lamp with a red ribbon.
“Niiick…” Charlie moaned. “On a scale of one to cheese, you are cheese!”
“Tradition is tradition!” Nick said with a serious expression. “I don’t set the rules.”
“But you set the props,” Charlie pointed out, standing on his tiptoes and kissing Nick gently. “Not that I’m complaining.”
“Good,” Nick murmured happily, cupping his cheeks and kissing him again.
“I wonder how many of them are hidden around the house,” Charlie said with a smile, giving Nick one last, quick peck before going to the kitchen.
“Oh, you have no idea.” Nick said, pleased with himself.
*****
“It’s strange, isn’t it?” Charlie asked, taking the gingerbread out of the oven.
“What is?” Nick looked at him, surprised.
“Being here alone during Christmas, spending it just the two of us.”
“It’s fine, Char. More than fine! When I have you, I don’t need anyone else.”
“You’re sweet. But it’s okay, Nick, you can say it,” Charlie said with a knowing smile.
“Say what?” Nick really couldn’t tell what Charlie meant.
“That you miss your mum,” Charlie replied. “I get it, I miss her too,” he added and kissed Nick’s cheek.
“Ah, that. Yeah, of course I miss her. But it’s good that she’s spending Christmas at David’s this time. He made an effort for once.”
“So you aren’t fed up with me yet?” Charlie lifted his brow suggestively.
“No,” Nick said gently. “And I never will be.” He took one of Charlie's long curls and tucked it behind his ear.
He loved his boyfriend so much.
*****
Boyfriend. That word always sounded magical to Nick from the moment he met Charlie. But for the last couple of months he couldn’t stop thinking about how the word ‘fiancé’ would work for them even better.
It was the right time. He wanted to propose to Charlie, and what better time to do it than the first Christmas in their new home, just the two of them?
He spent way too much time on the internet looking for a perfect engagement ring, but he ended up buying a beautiful, simple one at a local jeweller in Kent.
That was the easy part - the hard part was to ask Charlie the question without bursting into tears within a second. And to hear 'yes', hopefully.
*****
“Tea’s ready. What do you want to watch?” Charlie asked, returning from the kitchen with two steaming mugs.
“Maybe ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’?” Nick asked. “It’s a classic."
“Sure, why not. I haven’t seen it in a while,” Charlie replied.
They cuddled up together on the sofa, in front of their laptop. They could see the snow starting to fall down outside the window.
Charlie sat first, getting comfy on their festive pillows and Nick settled his back on his boyfriend’s chest. Charlie curled one arm around his middle and started playing with Nick’s hair with the other, like he always did.
*****
Nick couldn’t focus on the movie and he couldn’t stop thinking about the small velvet box hidden in his bottom drawer.
Today was the day. Today he’d ask Charlie the question.
Not now, though. He couldn’t ask this on the sofa when they were both wearing their sweatpants, hoodies and Christmas socks. Could he? Nah, Charlie deserved something special.
“Well, that was great. I almost didn’t cry,” Charlie said right after the credits started to roll, getting up to collect their dishes.
Or maybe it didn’t have to be special at all, Nick thought. Maybe being in their new home, spending the holidays just the two of them for the first time - maybe that was special enough?
Nick didn’t need to make grand gestures every time, after all.
“C-Char..?” Nick asked with a trembling voice.
“Yeah?” Charlie replied, looking at Nick with nothing but love and trust in his eyes.
Nick took a deep breath and smiled.
“I wanted to ask you something.”
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
That was their best Christmas so far. Their first in London, their first in their new home, and their first as fiancés.
And it was just the beginning.