Work Text:
Nick watched as Charlie walked into the music block.
He wouldn’t admit it, but while he and Charlie were changing after rugby, Nick got a peek of what was on Charlile’s phone. From just the glimpse he got, he could tell that Charlie was texting none other than Ben Hope.
Why was he talking to Ben?
In fact, Nick distinctly remembers Ben saying he didn’t know Charlie a few weeks ago when the younger said hi to him in the corridor. So why was Ben suddenly talking to Charlie?
Nick may not have known why Charlie was talking to Ben, or why he was making his way to the music block, but Nick sensed that the two were connected somehow.
Nick quickly decided to follow the head of curls, making sure to stay just a bit behind in case Charlie thought he was being stalked or something. Well. He kind of is…
For the past few weeks, some new feelings have risen in Nick, every time Charlie enters their form room, Nick’s intestines twist up, but, in a good way.
Nick opened the building door, sliding his way in as quiet as possible. Nick’s never been in the music block before, so he tried to stay as incognito as possible.
Almost immediately, Nick heard shushed whispers around the corner that he could identify as Charlie’s and Ben’s voices.
Nick focused in on the voices, trying to make out what the two were saying.
“I don’t want to meet up anymore,” Nick heard Charlie say.
They met up? Like hooked up? Regularly enough for Charlie to have to say that?
Nick was broken out of his thoughts at Ben’s voice, “Yeah, I don’t believe you.”
What??
Ben continued, “You’re clearly just scared of getting caught.”
Charlie was quick to reply, like he’s been asked this before, “Why would I be scared of getting caught?”
Why is Nick’s stomach twisting again?
“Everyone at school already knows I’m gay!” Charlie pointed out. Nick stepped closer, listening even more, “You’re the one who’s scared of getting caught.”
Nick smiled a little, proud of Charlie, even if he didn’t have the full context.
“You can’t even look at me when other people are around.”
Oh, so Ben ignored Charlie because he was ashamed?
“Not to mention the fact that you have a girlfriend,” Oh, that’s just sick. Ben was using Charlie… “Yeah, I’ve seen you with her at the school gate. Thanks for telling me. Oh, wait, you didn’t.”
Nick was now fuming with anger. Charlie could do better. Nick would treat him better than that.
Wait. What?
Ben spoke for the first time in minutes, “Don’t be angry at for not wanting to come out yet,” he spat.
“I’m not angry about that. If you’re figuring stuff out, fine, take your time. I would’ve been there for you.” Of course Charlie would have been, he’s an angel.
“Then why are you angry at me?”
“I’m angry because you never even slightly cared about my feelings. We only ever meet up when you want to, where you want to.” Charlie hesitated for half a moment. “When YOU feel like kissing a boy.”
Nick was beginning to sense growing anger in the room. He turned the corner to find Ben and Charlie face to face, both of them fuming.
“Well it’s not like anyone else is going to want to go out with you, is it?” Ben said.
Nick lost it. Ben was wrong. Nick wanted to go out with Charlie. And Charlie shouldn’t have to feel stuck with a bellend like Ben. Nick would treat Charlie better.
Nick couldn’t handle it anymore, he acted on impulse, pulling Charlie away by the collar of his shirt, before throwing his fist at Ben, his knuckles landing right at his nose, knocking Ben over.
The two must not have noticed Nick’s presence because they were both shocked, Ben hunched over, cradling his now bleeding nose, Charlie, standing behind Nick, his mouth agape.
Ben glanced up at Nick, giving him the evils.
Nick looked down on Ben, “well? Go on. Piss off.”
Ben quickly rushed out of the building, hiding evidence of his bloody nose.
After Nick ensured he left the block, Nick turned to Charlie, “are you okay?” He asked, immediately grabbing onto Charlie’s arms.
Charlie, still thouroughly shocked, “I, uh, yeah I’m okay.”
Nick, still not convinced, continued, “You don’t believe what he told you? Do you?”
“What?”
“Ben’s wrong. Other boys do want to… uh, go out with you.”
Charlie looked a bit confused.
“And how would you know that?” Charlie asked.
Nick didn’t know what to say. He knew he had an urge to give Charlie all the things Ben didn’t and more, but he wasn’t quite sure what that meant.
Nick barely knows Charlie past hanging out at rugby and during form, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to get to know him more.
“I think…” He hesitated, “I’m not sure what it means, but, I think I want to be the other boys who… want to like—“ Nick didn’t know how to say it.
Charlie’s eyes lit up after a moment, finally understanding what Nick was trying to say.
“I think I like you, Charlie.” Nick finally grathered up his courage.
Charlie didn’t say anything at first, ramping Nick’s nerves up, “I mean, uh, I don’t expect you to like me back, I just, I’ve been figuring things out, and Ben telling you that just clicked something in me—“
“Nick.” Charlie said, smile on his face, braking Nick out of his ramble, “I think I like you too.”
“Are you sure?” Nick asked, “I mean, I just punched your boyfriend.”
“No, he was never my boyfriend, he was just trying to use me. And, for the record, I think I like the fact you punched Ben. He deserved it.”
“Yeah, he really did,” Nick chuckled.
Charlie smiled up at Nick, “Thank you.”
“Don’t worry about it, Char,” Nick said, smiling down at Charlie.
Charlie grinned, “Char?”
“Oh, wow, that just kind of slipped out.”
“Say it again,” Charlie laughed, leaning in closer.
“No! Now I’m never calling you that again!” Nick playfully said, grabbing Charlie as he leaned in more.
Charlie slung his arms around Nick in return, pulling him into a hug, “Seriously though, thank you.”
Nick smile into Charlie’s shoulder, wrapping his arms around his waist, breathing in the smell.
Reluctantly, the two broke apart, still smiling like two kids. Charlie stuck out his hand, asking for Nick to hold it, to which he obliged. The two walked out the block hand in hand, making their way to the end of the sidewalk.
“I’m this way,” Charlie said, pointing behind him.
“Oh, yeah, I’m over there,” Nick replied, turning briefly in the opposite direction.
Charlie nodded, before he glanced every which way. He stepped up closer to Nick, grabbing his chin in his hands and giving him a peck on the cheek.
Nick, to say the least, wasn’t expecting the affection, but without a thought, surged back down to kiss Charlie for real, one hand on his cheek, and the other on his waist.
Charlie reciprocated, balancing up on his tip toes, and throwing his hands around Nick’s neck.
After a few seconds, they pulled back, regrettably needing oxygen.
“I’m sorry,” Nick spoke first, “I didn’t ask if that was okay.”
Charlie smiled, still in Nick embrace, “No saying sorry,” he said, before giving the blonde one last chaste kiss.
“I’ll see you tomorrow!” He waved, walking towards the bus stop.
Nick was still standing there for a moment, relishing in the feeling.
Eventually, Nick felt a chilly breeze that struck him out of his trance, and he started walking to his mum’s car.
It didn’t take long, he quickly got to the warm vehicle, stepping inside and buckling up.
“Hi Nicky!” Nick mum greeted shortly, bopping along to whatever song was playing.
Nick smiled at his mum before drowning out in the thought of Charlie.
Nick’s thoughts were, once again, interrupted my a bass drop at the start of the chorus of the song.
Don’t go wasting you emotion,
Lay all your love on me.
Don’t go sharing your devotion,
Lay all your love on me.
How ironic.