Chapter Text
Nick was lying in bed, sighing as he spent yet another night alone doom scrolling social media. He had been searching dating apps, and had discovered a new app called Heartstarter. The name had been enough to intrigue him. Despite dating apps being how everyone seemed to meet, he had never felt brave enough to try them. Everyone in his life had managed to meet their partners in the real world. He felt like such a loner. Nick knew it was silly to feel nervous about using a dating app. It was 2024 for gods sake. Literally everyone used them now. Other than fantasizing about the hot guy that ran by his house every other day on his evening jog, there had been no one that had peaked his interest for months. So as he lay in bed with his phone pointed at his face, he figured what the hell? He might as well give it a try.
As he read the specifics about Heartstarter, he had to admit it sounded different than the other apps he’d looked at, and considered. Instead of making your usual dating profile, where you plug in all your details, you made a video. It was like tiktok met tinder. It felt like less pressure, somehow. Nick had never felt like he could connect to people from a picture. Maybe this way, he could show more of who he really was.
He opened the app, and plugged in his basic information, like his name and age. Then the app directed him to a page where he could attach a video up to five minutes long. Nick stared at his phone, trying to decide if he really wanted to do this. After a moment of uncertainty he gave himself a little pep talk. “This doesn’t make you a loser, Nick. This might just connect you to someone great.” Nick shut his bedroom door, and made his bed. The last thing he wanted was for his place to look messy on camera. Then, he set up his camera carefully in portrait mode, and pressed record.
“Hi I’m Nick, I’m 23 years old. I don’t really know what to say here. I’m nervous. I’ve never done anything like this before.” Nick grimaced. No, no, no. He got up, and deleted the video.
“Hi, my name is Nicholas. I live with my mom right now because I’m trying to save money for my own place” Nick stopped again. He wasn’t going to start with telling people he still lived with mommy. He got up, and deleted the video.
“Hey. Hi. Hello. Um...” NO. You only need to say hi once you dumbass.
After 20 minutes of trying unsuccessfully to make a video, Nick was at the end of his rope. Maybe there was a reason he had never tried dating apps before? It was all so cringy and he felt like he was trying to sell himself. He ran his hand over his face.
Maybe I should just give up? I am such a hopeless mess! Nick thought to himself for a moment.
But, as he thought this, a vision of his runnerboy crush filled his head. He had no idea who the boy was, all Nick knew was that every time he got a glimpse of him, he got butterflies in his stomach.
“Do this for runnerboy” Nick said out loud to no one.
Nick took a deep breath, set up his phone again, and tried one last time.
“Hi. My name is Nick. I’m 23 years old. I have a degree in Education from Leeds university, and I’m a new year 5 teacher at Truham Grammar. I like Marvel movies, I like playing rugby, I have a close relationship with my mum, and I love dogs. I love all animals really. I am looking for a monogamous relationship, hopefully long term. Oh, and I’m bisexual.” Nick took a breath, “I’d really like to meet someone who’s nice, and kind, who I can have a laugh with, and likes spending time with me. Also, jump to the front of the line if you play the drums. Drummers are the hottest. I don’t make the rules.”
Nick felt himself getting flustered, and ended the video there before he could say anything else. “I don’t make the rules?” What were you thinking Nick? But he liked the rest of the video, and really didn’t want to remake yet another one. And, he figured it wasn’t a lie. He did find drummers especially attractive. So, before he could talk himself out of it, he posted it to the app.
“Do your app magic” Nick thought to himself, trying to deny the truth that he just wanted it to somehow connect him with runnerboy, whoever he was.
Later that day, he was pulling his car into his driveway after running an errand. He was parked with the car door open, lost in the Heartstarter app. So far he had gotten a few ‘likes’ on his video, but no one had sent him one back. He kind of loved that people had to make a response video in order to connect. It meant that the person really had to put thought and effort in if they wanted to match. It also significantly decreased the possibility of getting catfished, which was something Nick didn’t want to admit that he was nervous about. So far, he had gotten a few responses but none of them peaked his interest. Nick sighed, closing the app.
Out of the corner of his eye, from his peripheral vision, he saw a fluffy dog running straight towards him. No owner in sight. The dog charged right up to him, with a friendly wag of his tail, letting Nick know this wasn’t a dangerous dog.
“Why hello there. Who are you?” Nick said, giving the dog a good scratch. He carefully took a look at the dogs collar, noting the name Daisy on it.
“Hello there Daisy, where did you come from?” Nick had never had anything like this happen to him before. What did you do when a random dog came up to you with no owner in sight? Nick continued to pet Daisy, who had made herself at home with Nick.
Nick took another look at her collar. Under Daisy’s name, thankfully, he saw a phone number. Nick got his phone out again, and dialed the number into his phone. After three full rings, finally someone picked up.
“Hello?”
“Hi there”
“Can I help you?”
“Um, well I think I found your dog.”
“What do you mean you found my dog?”
What was going on? This guy didn’t know his own dog was missing? This was all getting a little weird.
“Yeah she just ran up to me, and this number was on her collar”
There was some shuffling, and Nick heard what sounded like a door closing before the man continued talking.
“Oh my God! She must have gotten out. I’m away for two weeks for work, and she’s been staying with my sister who doesn’t particularly like dogs.”
“Oh, I see”
Okay, he’s not a careless or abusive owner, he’s just away. Nick sighed in relief.
“Yeah, it’s actually not a great situation. She’s kinda the least dog friendly person.”
Nick didn’t know what came over him. There was something about Daisy looking up at him, mixed with the loneliness he’d been feeling lately, along with the fact that he was still coming around to the fact that he’d actually posted of Heartstarter, that had him saying “If you want, I’ll watch her until you come back”
There was a long silence on the phone. Nick realized how insane what he just offered was.
“I mean, I can also take Daisy back to your sisters, obviously. I just love dogs, and I’ve been really lonely and yeah” Tell the man your whole life story Nick, why don’t you?
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah, I really don’t mind. It might even be good for me.”
“And you don’t mind getting her food, and walking her?”
“Not at all”
There was a long silence on the phone, and Nick thought he’d scared the guy off, when he said, “Well, okay then. I’ll let my sister know. She’ll be elated.”
Nick was grinning ear to ear. He had not expected his day to go this way. Somehow he’d managed to get himself a dog to cuddle for two weeks. He couldn’t wait for it! Ever since his childhood pets had passed away, he hadn’t been able to commit to another pet. This would be a perfect little reprieve.
“I’m Nick by the way.”
“Hi Nick, I’m Charlie”
Charlie could not believe it. The one time he actually goes away, his dog gets out. He had gone into London for a work trip, and left his precious Daisy with his sister Tori, who only agreed to watch her after some serious begging. Never in a million years would he have expected his Velcro dog to run away from home. Thank goodness for this Nick guy. After he had offered to watch her until he came home, the two had talked logistics for a while, and Charlie could tell he was a good person. Nick had said there was no need to worry about paying him back for all the food, that getting a few weeks with Daisy was payment enough. Charlie knew he’d pay him back regardless. He couldn’t just let this stranger take in his dog without compensation. But Charlie also realized the fact that he felt okay about letting his baby stay with him meant that on some level he knew Nick was a safe, good guy. Also, Daisy wouldn’t just saddle up to anyone. When they had finally said their goodbyes, after saving each others contact info, Charlie had to admit he felt lighter than he had in weeks. He quickly texted his sister to let her know Daisy would stay elsewhere, to which he received a thumbs up emoji. That was about as much as he expected from her. Just as he was about to get back to work, a video text came through. It was from Nick.
That was fast, thought Charlie.
He pressed the play button, and watched. The camera was faced towards the floor; the video showed Daisy, who seemed as happy as could be.
“Hi Charlie, this is Nick again. Just want to assure you that Daisy is in good hands. Say hi Daisy”
Daisy ignored Nick, as she started to sniff around Nicks bedroom. Charlie had to admit, he hoped Nick would show his face to the camera so he could get a sense of what this guy housing his dog looked like. Alas, he did not seem to be turning around the camera to face him.
“Well, apparently she’s too busy to say hello” Nick said, with a laugh. “But she’s doing great. You have nothing to worry about!”
Charlie smiled as he watched. This Nick guy really seemed to be enjoying having Daisy around. Despite himself, he felt a zing rush through his veins. This guy was too good to be true.
“Well, that’s all for now.” With that the video ended. Charlie sent off a quick thank you text, and was about to put his phone away when he heard the tell-tale ding of his Heartstarter app, which he had been pressured by his friends to join weeks before. So far, he hadn’t seen any videos that interested him.
One little peek, Charlie thought to himself. What’s the harm in that? Opening the app, he was alerted that a new video had been posted to the app.
“Nick has posted a new video. Interested?” Charlie pulled his water bottle out of his bag to take a long overdue sip of water.
Charlie clicked on the video, as a very attractive man started to talk. Okay…who is this? Charlie thought to himself. He had only recently joined the app, after a hellish breakup with his ex boyfriend, who had been treating him like shit for longer than he should have allowed. He hadn’t felt much attraction to anyone he’d seen on the app so far but this guy was actually his type. Tall, broad, with a kind face and beautiful eyes.
“Hi. My name is Nick.” Charlie nearly choked on his water as he paused the video. This guys bedroom. It was the same bedroom that Daisy was currently making herself at home in. Taking a moment to compose himself, he started the video again, watching it through.
This guy, this dreamboat of a man, who took in his dog, and loved drummers, was on his dating app.