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Nick stood in front of the mirror, tugging at the hem of his T-shirt for what felt like the hundredth time. He glanced sideways at his reflection, trying to figure out if he looked “bisexual enough”, whatever the hell that meant. His mind buzzed with worries, each one more irrational than the last.
Now in his second year at university in Leeds, Nick had grown more comfortable with his bisexuality, a journey that had blossomed in the supportive embrace of two friends from halls the previous year. He often reflected on how lucky he was to have been placed in the same halls as Tara and Darcy, who had taken him under their wings the moment he confided in them. While his awakening had its roots back in sixth form, it had truly bloomed when they met. At school he'd started to question his feelings, but it wasn’t until he moved away to university that he felt free enough to think about exploring them and began to understand and accept them. As well as helping him navigate university life, Tara and Darcy had also introduced him to the LGBTQ+ community, becoming his closest friends and fiercest advocates. So it was an absolute no-brainer when they asked him if he wanted to share a house together in their second year.
But despite their unwavering support, he couldn't shake the nagging sense of feeling like a fraud. He had yet to even hold hands with a boy, let alone anything more intimate. Most people took one look at him and assumed he was straight, which only amplified his insecurities. The thought of walking in the Pride parade, surrounded by people who seemed so sure of their identities, so openly out and proud, filled him with anxiety. He knew rationally that he belonged, but part of him still worried that he didn't look the part, that his inexperience somehow invalidated his bisexuality. Lost in these thoughts, he almost didn't hear the knock on his door.
"Nick! Are you ready yet?" Darcy's voice called out. They’d been planning for Leeds Pride for weeks with Tara, their excitement palpable.
Nick took a deep breath and opened his bedroom door. Tara and Darcy stood there in the hallway, both decked out in vibrant outfits. Darcy wore a rainbow-striped pair of dungarees, tie dyed T-shirt and a camo bucket hat with "Love is Love" emblazoned across the front of it. Everything clashed hideously but, Darcy being Darcy, they totally pulled it off. Tara meanwhile had gone for a pair of orange shorts, pink T-shirt and a colourful flower crown, a lesbian pride flag wrapped around her shoulders.
"Hey," Nick said, his voice shaky.
Darcy took one look at him and frowned. "Hey, what's wrong?"
Nick shifted uncomfortably. "I just... I don't know if I look the part. Like, what if people think I don't belong?"
Tara stepped forward, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Nick, you belong. You don't have to look a certain way to qualify as being bisexual. You are who you are, and that's enough."
Darcy nodded vigorously. "Yeah! Pride is about celebrating who you are, not fitting into some stereotype. You should wear whatever makes you feel comfortable."
Nick sighed, looking down at his outfit again. Dark blue jeans, his faithful Vans, and a fitted white T-shirt. "I know, it's just... I don't want to feel out of place."
Tara squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. "Everyone feels a bit like that at their first Pride. It's normal to be nervous. But remember, we're all here to support each other."
Nick managed a small smile. "Thanks guys. I guess I'm just overthinking it."
“You, overthinking? Surely not, Nicholas!” Tara giggled.
Darcy grinned, a twinkle of excitement in their eyes. "Actually, we got you—." They reached into their bag and pulled out a small envelope. "We wanted to give you something to finish off your outfit, so you know how proud we are of you."
Nick opened the envelope and inside found a small bi-flag rainbow pin. The colours were vibrant, and it was simple yet powerful. He looked up at his two friends beaming at him widely and tears sprang to his eyes.
"Here," Darcy said, handing it to him and resting their hand on his chest. "Wear it with pride, yeah?"
Nick took the pin and fastened it to his T-shirt. Somehow, that small gesture made him feel a bit more confident and he found himself standing a little taller. He looked at his friends, feeling a rush of gratitude and appreciation. "Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me."
He knew he still had a lot to accept about himself and his identity, but with friends like Tara and Darcy by his side, he knew he'd be okay. He pulled them both into a big hug, squeezing them tightly. "I don't know what I'd do without you two."
Tara laughed softly, hugging him back. "We're always here for you Nick. You're part of our family. There’s no getting rid of us now!"
Nick grinned. “Okay, c’mon. If we don’t leave now we never will!”
///
As the three of them walked towards the gathering spot for the university's LGBTQ+ society in Millennium Square, the sounds of the city buzzed around them. Excited chatter of people preparing for the parade filled the air and a myriad of different rainbow flags fluttered in the breeze. They approached a large group of students holding banners and signs, the air thick with anticipation and pride.
"Remember," Darcy said, linking arms with him as they made their way over to the group. "We're in this together. Just be yourself, and have fun."
A tall, energetic person with bright multicoloured trousers, a cropped T-shirt, amazing makeup, and who appeared to be holding a large megaphone in one hand and a sign reminding someone to wear sunscreen in the other, stood at the centre, rallying everyone together. "Alright, people! Gather round!" they called out, their voice amplified over the excited murmurs. "I'm Pat, your organiser for today. We're going to be marching in pairs, so if you’re not already in one, go and make yourself a new friend and get ready to have an amazing time!"
Nick watched as people began pairing up, the atmosphere buzzing with camaraderie. Tara and Darcy exchanged a glance and then looked around, their eyes lighting up when they spotted someone in the crowd.
"Elle!" Tara called, waving excitedly.
A girl with long, dark hair turned and broke into a smile. She walked over, accompanied by two boys. "Tara! Darcy! I was hoping we’d run into you."
The group exchanged hugs, and Tara introduced Nick. "Nick, this is Elle and her boyfriend, Tao."
Nick smiled and shook their hands. "Nice to meet you both."
Elle beamed and gestured to the other boy in her group. "And this is our friend, Charlie."
Nick's eyes immediately landed on Charlie and for a moment, he felt his breath catch in his throat. He stood a bit behind Elle, his curly dark hair framing a face that seemed almost ethereal. His piercing blue eyes stood out strikingly, and Nick felt an unexpected surge of attraction. He'd never felt such an instant, intense connection to someone before.
"Hi," Nick said, hoping his voice didn't betray how shaky he felt. He extended a hand towards Charlie, who smiled warmly and shook it. The second their hands touched, Nick felt a jolt, like tiny sparks shooting up his arm. It was a strange, electrifying sensation, making his heart race and his mind spin. The simple handshake felt like a profound moment, making the world around them fade for a second.
"Hi," Charlie replied, pulling Nick out of his reverie.
“Hi,” Nick said again.
He mentally kicked himself for his less than stellar introduction, but Charlie just giggled, not seeming to care that Nick had repeated himself. "It’s really nice to meet you," he added, and then he smiled. It was possibly the most beautiful smile Nick had ever seen in his life. Since when did the sight of dimples make his stomach flip over?
Tara and Darcy, clearly completely oblivious to all the feelings and emotions currently cascading through Nick, continued chatting with Elle and Tao. "Do you guys want to march with us?" Darcy asked.
"Definitely," Elle said, glancing affectionately at Tao before taking his hand. That left Nick and Charlie awkwardly standing next to each other, both looking slightly uncertain.
Nick glanced at Charlie, who looked back with a tentative smile. "Would you like to pair up with me?" he asked, his voice gentle and a little hesitant.
Nick felt a rush of warmth at the invitation, his nerves momentarily forgotten. "Yeah, I'd… um. I’d really like that," he replied, his own smile matching Charlie's.
As the group began to fall into place, Pat continued to organise everyone, making sure the pairs were lined up and ready to go. Nick stood next to Charlie as the group began to move forward. The crowd's energy surged around them, the vibrant colours and sounds of the parade creating a euphoric atmosphere. Nick tried to focus on the excitement of the event, but he couldn't help getting distracted by Charlie.
Charlie caught Nick looking and gave him another warm smile. "First Pride?" he asked.
Nick nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Ha! Yeah, how did you guess? I'm pretty nervous, to be honest."
Charlie’s smile widened, his eyes full of understanding. "Don't worry. My first Pride was pretty overwhelming too, but it's an amazing experience. Just enjoy it."
Nick felt a wave of relief at Charlie's kind words. "Thanks, Charlie. I’ll try my best."
As they continued to march forward, the group settled into a comfortable rhythm. The cheers from the spectators, the music, and the sense of unity filled the air with a powerful energy. Nick felt his initial anxiety slowly start to melt away. He racked his brain for something to say to start a conversation with Charlie. "So… what are you studying?" he asked, genuinely curious.
"Oh, I'm reading English and Classics," Charlie replied with a smile. "I love literature and ancient history, so yeah,” he paused. “I’m not entirely sure what I’ll do with it when I finish, but hopefully maybe something in publishing."
Nick's eyes lit up. "That sounds amazing. You must be really smart. A proper little nerd!" He surprised himself with the hint of playfulness he heard in his voice.
Charlie chuckled softly, a warm blush spreading across his face at Nick's cheeky remark. "I think you’ll find that’s a proper little gay nerd actually,” he grinned. “But yeah, I'm definitely passionate about it. What about you, what are you studying?"
Nick felt his cheeks redden, caught off guard by Charlie’s somewhat flirty response. "Oh, I'm, um. I’m training to be a teacher,” he stammered. “I’ve always loved kids. I’ve got a bunch of younger cousins, and the thought of being able to help children like them learn about the world and about themselves and who they are, it just feels really important. And I think that, especially since I realised I was queer, the idea of being a safe space for any child who maybe feels like they’re different… I just think that would be really rewarding. I know I wish I’d had that when I was at school. Sorry, that was a lot of information you didn’t ask for,” he finished, as he awkwardly rubbed his hand across the back of his neck. “You’re just… you’re just really easy to talk to, Charlie.”
Charlie looked visibly emotional. “God, don’t apologise. That’s really beautiful, Nick. Any child would be lucky to have you as their teacher. I was lucky, I did have one like that. His name was Mr Ajayi and he was my art teacher. I can’t tell you the difference he made to my life.”
They continued to talk as they walked; Charlie telling Nick about his favourite teacher and the safe space he created for Charlie during his early secondary school years, and Nick confiding in him about how out of place he'd felt amongst his friendship group as he slowly began to question his sexuality. As they learnt more about each other, Nick was surprised how comfortable he felt talking to Charlie. There was something about him that made it so easy to open up and thinking about their little flirty moment left his skin tingling with goosebumps. The usual nerves and insecurities he felt when meeting someone new just seemed to fade away and instead were replaced with something new, something exciting.
“So, apart from attending Pride marches, what else do you like to do in your free time, Charlie... um, I’ve just realised I don’t even know your last name?”
Charlie laughed softly. “It’s Spring. Charlie Spring. And yours is…?”
“Nelson. Nick Nelson. Nice to meet you properly, Charlie Spring,” Nick grinned as he doffed an imaginary cap in Charlie’s direction.
Charlie giggled and gave a small bow in return. “Nice to meet you properly too, Nick Nelson.”
Nick felt even more of a warm glow at the connection building between them. “Alright then, Charlie Spring, tell me more about yourself.”
Charlie thought for a moment. “Well, I’ve played the drums since I was nine years old and recently joined a uni band. We’ve got our first gig next week.”
“You play the drums? Wow, that’s so cool!” Nick replied, looking somewhat awestruck.
Charlie shrugged modestly. “Oh, thanks. I’ve just always loved music and it’s a great way to express myself and blow off some steam. What about you? What do you do when you’re not studying to be a teacher?”
Nick smiled. “Well, talking of blowing off steam, I’m on the university rugby team which is really good for releasing negative emotions. It keeps me pretty busy, but I love it. The physical challenge, the team spirit… it’s a big part of my life.”
“Well, I’ve got to say you don’t strike me as a typical rugby lad.” Charlie smiled.
“I guess you don’t strike me as a typical gay nerd either,” Nick replied, his voice full of amusement.
Their playful banter softened into a bashful exchange as Nick met Charlie's gaze. A sheepish grin tugged at Charlie’s lips, mirrored by his own shy smile. Nick looked away fleetingly, the air between them filled with a loaded, almost expectant pause, as he found himself cocooned in a moment of introspection. Charlie saying he didn’t seem like a typical rugby lad had pulled at something deep in Nick’s chest; a cord he hadn’t known was wound tight until that moment, strained under the weight of other people’s idea of him. Because that’s all anyone saw him as. A stereotypical sporty jock. And yet somehow Charlie didn’t see that. Somehow it felt like Charlie saw him. Who he really was on the inside, and suddenly it was as if the cord was starting to loosen. Nick felt almost overwhelmed trying to process the unexpected feelings that were developing the more he got to know Charlie. After a beat, he cleared his throat softly, breaking the silence.
"Can I be honest with you about something?" he asked, glancing at Charlie.
"Of course," Charlie said, his expression open and reassuring.
Nick took a deep breath. "I feel like a bit of a fraud today. I know I don't present as queer, like when I meet anyone new they always assume I’m straight, and I worry that people will think I don't belong. I mean, I've never even held hands with a boy before, let alone anything more,” he admitted. “It makes me feel like I don't have the right to be here."
Charlie listened attentively. "Nick, you belong here just as much as anyone else. Being queer isn't about how you look, how you talk, how you dress or how much experience you have. It's about who you are and who you love. Everyone's journey is different, and that's okay."
Nick felt a wave of relief wash over him at Charlie's words. "Thanks Charlie. It means a lot to hear that."
Charlie smiled warmly. "It's true. And you're definitely not alone in feeling that way. I remember feeling so daunted at my first Pride too. Even though I was totally comfortable with my sexuality, it can still be really overwhelming. But the more you embrace who you are, the more comfortable you'll become. And trust me, no one is judging you based on your experience. Bisexuals are still bisexual regardless of the gender of who they date, or even if they don’t date anyone at all. Your sexuality is valid because it's your sexuality."
Nick smiled, feeling a newfound sense of confidence. "I know. I do know this, I guess it's just something I need to work on believing more."
Charlie gave him a reassuring look. "And you will. Just take it one step at a time. You've already taken a huge one today just by being here."
They carried on walking in companionable silence, the sounds of the parade and the cheers from the crowd surrounding them like a warm embrace. Nick glanced at Charlie, struck by how effortlessly he had shared his fears and vulnerabilities. There was something about Charlie's presence that made him feel safe, understood and accepted, and Nick found himself being increasingly drawn to Charlie's kindness and reassurance.
"So, I've been thinking about what you said earlier," Charlie said suddenly, breaking the comfortable quiet between them.
Nick turned to Charlie, his curiosity piqued. "Oh yeah, about what?"
Charlie smiled gently. "About you feeling like a fraud because you haven't had any experience with a guy before."
Nick's heart skipped a beat, surprised by Charlie's directness. He had shared his insecurities with Charlie, hoping for understanding, but now Charlie was addressing it in a way that made Nick's pulse quicken.
"Yeah, I... I do feel like that sometimes," Nick admitted, his voice softening.
“Well, how about we do something about that right now, here at Pride?" He paused, meeting Nick's eyes steadily. "Would you like to hold my hand?"
Nick felt a rush of emotions—surprise, excitement, and a hint of nervousness—but above all, a deep sense of gratitude towards Charlie for his kindness and empathy. Here was someone who not only listened to his worries but who wanted to help him feel included and accepted in a way that felt genuine and caring.
He smiled warmly at Charlie, his heart swelling with affection. "Yes please," he said softly.
As Charlie's hand extended towards him, Nick's heart raced with anticipation. His fingers trembled slightly as he reached out, meeting Charlie's hand halfway. The instant they touched, Nick felt another surge of electricity course through his entire body. It was as if a spark had ignited between them and made the energy in the air around them crackle.
Their fingers intertwined naturally, like they had been designed to fit together. Nick marvelled at the contrast: his own hands warm and slightly sweaty from nervous excitement, while Charlie's were cool and steady, grounding him in the moment. He began to rub his thumb across Nick's knuckles in a soothing motion, as if he had noticed the tremble of his hand. It was a sensation unlike any other he’d ever known, the feeling of Charlie's fingers laced with his own, and the light reassurance of each touch sent a wave of calm and comfort through him. It somehow felt both completely new and yet wholly familiar.
As they continued to walk along the bustling parade route, Nick and Charlie remained hand in hand as if they had done so a thousand times before. Nick felt a sense of joy and contentment as they walked together, their joined hands a quiet declaration of acceptance and friendship amidst the colourful celebration of Pride. They shared grins and sly glances at each other, neither one seeming inclined to let go. Their steps were in sync with one another, their pace matching the beat of the music and the cheers of the crowd. For Nick, holding Charlie's hand felt perfect, natural, and undeniably right.
The parade marched on, vibrant and loud, as a sea of rainbow flags and colourful floats moved slowly through the crowded streets. Despite the joyful chaos around them, Nick's attention kept drifting back to Charlie. He suddenly became aware that the hand he was holding was jiggling and Charlie was bouncing up on his toes, his neck craned, clearly trying to catch a glimpse of something.
"What’s got you so excited?" he asked with a curious smile.
"Oh, well, I just heard someone say that Henry Maddox is on one of the floats up ahead and he’s my favourite author. He wrote this amazing book called ‘Meditations on the Greek Complex’ and he’s, well… he’s kind of hot too.”
“Wow, you really are a gay nerd, aren’t you?” Nick laughed.
“I did tell you!” Charlie replied, still jumping around on his tiptoes to try to get a better view of the float ahead of them as they walked.
A moment of silence passed as Nick weighed up his options. He realised he had the opportunity to do something that could potentially make Charlie happy and, Nick’s feelings about Charlie having a bit of a crush on some random hot professor type aside, the idea of doing that made Nick feel good inside. Then again, they hardly knew each other. The last thing he wanted to do was make Charlie uncomfortable.
He thought about it some more before deciding it was worth the risk, so he took a deep breath to steady himself and turned to face Charlie. “Um, so if this isn’t a really weird thing to offer someone that you’ve only known for about an hour, would you like a piggyback? You know, so you can get a better view?”
Charlie looked momentarily taken aback. “Oh, er—”
“Oh god, sorry,” Nick stammered, “that’s probably a really weird thing to have—”
“No, no, it's not,” Charlie was quick to reassure him, squeezing his hand gently. “It’s not weird, honestly, I was just a bit surprised. Are you sure?”
“Well, yeah, I wouldn’t have suggested it if I didn’t—” Nick replied awkwardly, still feeling a bit embarrassed.
“Hey, it's okay. It was a good suggestion,” Charlie gave him a coy smile, his voice betraying just how much he was enjoying this, instilling Nick with a little bit more confidence.
“Yeah?” he replied hesitantly, a hint of hopeful optimism in his voice.
“Absolutely. So you reckon these strong rugby arms are up to the challenge then, do you?” Charlie grinned, as he playfully clutched Nick’s bicep.
Nick bit his lip as he looked at Charlie, his eyes wide. That was flirting, right? Like, proper flirting. Charlie was actually flirting with him. Holy shit! Whatever you do, Nick, do not reveal yourself to be the complete disaster that you are, incapable of stringing two words together in front of someone you find attractive.
“Um—”
Just the one word then. Brilliant.
Come on, Nelson, you can do this.
“Well, um… I’m happy to help get you up. No, I mean help you climb me like… no, I mean, help you… oh fuck, that came out all wrong.” Nick internally face palmed at the complete and utter train wreck of a sentence that had just left his mouth.
Thankfully Charlie just giggled, a beautiful blush sweeping across his cheeks. “That’s okay. I know what you meant. And in that case, how can I refuse a chance to handle the goods?!”
If Nick felt like his cheeks were on fire before, he reckoned they were doing a fairly good impression of a raging inferno by now. Charlie had still flirted with him despite the fact that he’d managed to make a total hash of trying to flirt back.
His mind was racing with nervous excitement but he knew he needed to get a grip and concentrate on the task in hand. Literally. So he steadfastly avoided Charlie’s gaze as he crouched down, mainly for fear of Charlie seeing the ridiculously dopey grin that was currently plastered across his face, as Charlie carefully climbed onto his back and wrapped his arms around Nick’s shoulders. Nick's hands cupped Charlie's thighs, supporting his weight effortlessly. As he stood up he felt Charlie settle comfortably, and the sensation of Charlie’s body pressed against his sent a shiver down his spine.
Charlie let out a small, excited laugh as he gained a much better view of the parade. “Wow, this is amazing!”
Nick smiled, his cheeks flushed. “Ha! I’m glad you like it up there.”
So worth it.
As they navigated through the crowd, Charlie shifted slightly to adjust his grip and his hands brushed against Nick’s chest; a light, absentminded touch that gave Nick goosebumps. Having Charlie so close, feeling the rise and fall of his breath, felt like the most natural thing in the world. Nick smiled as he marvelled at how right it felt to have Charlie wrapped around him. Everything else just seemed to fade away and all Nick could focus on was the boy clinging to his back, his presence overwhelming in the best way possible. Nick bit his lip again, trying to stay focused, but it was difficult with Charlie so close. He wondered if Charlie could feel it too.
“How’s the view from up there?” he asked, trying to keep his voice even despite the butterflies currently doing somersaults in his stomach.
“Perfect!” Charlie exclaimed, his voice filled with awe and excitement. “I can see him! Oh my god, he’s even cooler in person!”
Nick chuckled, even though a part of him felt a pang of… well, he wasn’t quite sure what it was a pang of if he was honest. More than anything, though, he was just happy to see Charlie so excited. He looked up and could see Charlie’s eyes sparkling with joy, his smile lighting up the entire parade. Knowing that he was the one making Charlie that happy, even in this small way, made Nick's heart feel full.
As they continued to move through the crowd, Nick tried to put his growing feelings for Charlie to one side and focus on what this moment meant for him. He had never held hands with a boy before today, but it all felt so right. It wasn’t just about Charlie, although he was a big part of it; it was about him, about Nick finally being true to himself. He realised that all that mattered was this moment, this feeling of being wholly and authentically himself. Nick could feel the tension melting away from his body, replaced by a profound sense of peace and happiness.
Was this what it felt like to truly be himself? To let go of the fear of not fitting in, the doubt of not being enough, and just letting himself be? With Charlie wrapped around him and the vibrant celebration of Pride carrying on all around them, he felt like he was finally living his truth out loud.
The realisation was both exhilarating and freeing. Nick's heart swelled with a mixture of joy and relief. This was who he wanted to be and it felt amazing. In fact, he was so caught up feeling so many different emotions all at once that it took him a moment to realise that Charlie was tapping him on the shoulder.
“Hey, sorry, what’s up? I was miles away,” he said as he turned his head to look up at Charlie.
“Your arms must be getting exhausted by now, you can put me down if you like,” Charlie replied.
Nick felt a pang of reluctance at the thought of letting Charlie go. The last thing he wanted was to lose the feeling of having Charlie so close to him. Having him wrapped around him, feeling his warmth and the gentle rise and fall of his chest against his back, had been incredible.
“Are you sure?” Nick asked, his voice tinged with a hint of hesitation.
Charlie nodded, still smiling. “Yeah, I think I’m good now, the floats have all moved on out of sight. Thanks, Nick.”
Taking a deep breath, Nick carefully crouched down and let Charlie slide off his back. The moment Charlie’s feet touched the ground, they both straightened up and, almost instinctively, reached for each other’s hand again. Their fingers intertwined as naturally as they had the first time. For a brief moment, Nick stared at their hands clasped together and felt a surge of happiness at their mutual need to reconnect again so quickly. It felt like a silent acknowledgment of the bond that was growing between them.
///
Later, as the Pride parade began to wind down, Nick felt a bittersweet ache in his chest. He didn't want this magical day to end. He couldn't ignore all the moments he and Charlie had had: the way they had both automatically taken hold of each other’s hands again after Nick had given Charlie the piggyback, the flirting and teasing they’d shared while they had been getting to know each other, the bashful smiles and stolen glances they'd exchanged. The air between them at times had been charged with a palpable tension, each look igniting a spark that only grew stronger as they walked together. Their chemistry was undeniable, a magnetic pull that drew them closer with every step, making Nick's heart race with a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. They had walked together through the lively streets sharing laughs, quiet moments of understanding, and the electric thrill of a newfound connection. Now, as they slowed their steps and the crowd around them began to disperse, Nick found himself clinging to Charlie's hand as if it were the only anchor keeping him grounded.
Charlie turned to him with a soft smile, his eyes reflecting the same reluctance to part ways. "I don't want this day to end," he admitted, squeezing Nick's hand gently.
Nick nodded in agreement, his heart pounding with a mixture of emotions. "Me neither," he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of longing.
Unable to tear his eyes away from Charlie's, Nick came to a realisation. It had been Charlie who had been the one to offer to hold his hand, the one who had teased and flirted first. If Nick wanted to do this, and he really wanted to do this, then he’d have to be the one to take that step. He could do it. Charlie had given him the confidence to do it. It was like he’d said earlier - just take one step at a time.
Nick took a deep breath. "Charlie," he began, his voice barely above a whisper, "there's something else I've been thinking about."
Charlie's brow furrowed slightly, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "What is it, Nick?"
Nick hesitated for a moment, gathering his courage. "I... I want to experience another first with you," he confessed, his freckled cheeks warming with a blush. "Can I... can I kiss you?"
Charlie's expression softened, his eyes widening slightly in surprise before a gentle smile spread across his face. "Nick Nelson," he murmured, his voice tender, "I thought you’d never ask."
With a mixture of nerves and excitement, Nick leaned in slowly, closing the gap between them. His heart was hammering in his chest, butterflies careening everywhere. Their breath mingled, anticipation and a shared sense of desire hanging between them like an unspoken promise. Not wanting to close his eyes until the final moment, he took in every inch of Charlie’s face, needing to memorise everything; his blue eyes, his dimples, his curls, his beautiful full lips. His hand gently brushed across Charlie’s cheek as he pulled him closer and their lips finally met in a soft, tender kiss—a kiss filled with wonder, with the warmth of acceptance, and the exhilaration of taking a leap into the unknown together.
As they kissed, Nick became aware of Tara and Darcy whooping and hollering in the background, their cheers and laughter only adding to the joy of the moment. The sound of their friends' exuberant support made Nick smile against Charlie's lips, a smile that Charlie mirrored as they continued to kiss.
Time seemed to stand still, the world around them fading into the background. It was a moment of pure, unbridled joy, a celebration of courage and authenticity. Kissing Charlie felt like the most natural thing in the world and Nick got completely lost in the feeling of his lips against Charlie’s. At that moment, everything fell into place. In an instant he knew, he just knew why he had never kissed a boy before. Because everything was leading to this. This moment. Charlie was meant to be the first boy he kissed, the only boy he ever kissed. It was destiny or fate, like the universe’s way of showing him that Charlie was his soulmate, the person he was always meant to find. Nick realised he should find that whole notion utterly ridiculous, but in fact he had never been more certain of anything in his life. Kissing Charlie felt like coming home.
When they paused to catch their breath, Nick wasn’t quite ready to pull away just yet, and found himself still smiling against Charlie’s lips, his heart overflowing with gratitude. For the day, for Charlie, and for the newfound sense of true acceptance that had blossomed inside him. This was who he was supposed to be: Nicholas Luke Nelson, out and proud of his bisexuality. Being surrounded by so much queer joy, love, and understanding had started to heal the part of him that made him doubt he belonged, the voice in his head that told him he didn't look queer enough, that he didn’t fit in. Because he knew now that he did.
He would remember this day forever, not just as the day he met Charlie, but as a turning point—the moment he discovered the courage to truly embrace his identity, leading him to find his person in the most unexpected place. Looking into Charlie’s eyes, he saw the same feelings of wonder, joy, and certainty reflected back at him. Charlie was looking at him with exactly the same mixture of emotions, as if he too knew that he had found exactly what he'd been searching for.
So as they stood there hand in hand, their foreheads resting gently against each other as they stared into one another’s eyes, Nick was sure of one thing: while this day might be coming to an end, for the rest of his life, this was just the beginning…
