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Nick
One: Soft Lips
“Oh my God, Nick! I’m gonna need you to help me walk you up the stairs. There is no way in hell I can lift you!”
“Yeah,” Nick cleared his throat. “Yeah, I can do that, Char!” Nick saluted Charlie and leaned into the handrail leading up the stairs. Charlie giggled.
“You’re sure your mum is not home?” Charlie asked, cautiously looking around the staircase. The house did appear quiet, but they have been burned before thinking they had the house to themselves.
“Um, let me see. Mum? Mum, Charlie wants to know if you are home? If you are not home, please tell us now!” Nick yelled out.
“Oh, for God’s sake, Nick! Come on!” Charlie pulled Nick’s arm, and somehow they made it to his room. Nick collapsed face first on his bed. Charlie turned his head to the side, and then went to the bathroom to get a wet washcloth. He returned and wiped his boyfriend’s forehead and sat down. He shook his head and kissed Nick on his cheek.
“Hey,” Nick whispered.
“Yeah?”
“Hey!” Nick said a little louder.
“What? Do you really have something to say, or do you plan on yelling all night?”
“I thought you liked it when I yelled out!”
“Nicholas!”
“What? You- you don’t? Because I REALLY like it when you yell.”
“Mmmhmm.”
“My name.”
“What?”
Nick motioned for Charlie to move closer. “Closer. I need you to move closer to me.” Charlie moved closer. “My name,” Nick hiccupped. “I like it when you yell my name!”
“Oh, I know you do. What am I going to do with you?”
“God I love looking at you. I wish you could just see yourself. Right here. Right now. Go look in the mirror right now!”
“I’m not going to look at myself in the mirror, Nick. I’m quite aware of how I look, thanks.”
“I don’t think you do. You have this fucking amazing face. Your face. I love looking at your face!” Nick squeezed Charlie’s cheeks and kissed him square on the mouth. Charlie could still smell and taste the beer (or beers, more like it) Nick had consumed earlier at Sai’s birthday party.
“Okay, you. I’m going to make some tea.”
“Nooooo! Don’t go! I just wanna squeeze your cheeks and kiss your soft, soft lips. How is it they are so soft, Charlie? Huh? Tell me!”
“How about we make a deal, yeah?”
“What- kind- of- deal?”
“You let me make you some tea, and then I’ll tell you all about my soft lips. Think you can make it for a few minutes by yourself?”
“I guess,” Nick pouted. “I can’t wait for the room to stop spinning, so I can focus on your beautiful face, and those soft lips.”
Two: Seeing Double
“Charlie! Look Imogen! It’s my Charlie! I told you he’d be here!” A drunk Nick told Imogen as soon as he saw Charlie open the door. He lunged and planted a big fat kiss on Charlie’s lips.
“Yes, yes you certainly did. All the way here he did not stop talking about his Charlie,” Imogen laughed.
After Charlie found his footing and steadied himself he told Nick to go upstairs, and he would meet him there.
“Tell Imogen goodbye.”
“Yeah. Bye Imogen! Thank you for a most lovely evening!” Nick stumbled upstairs and Charlie heard the bathroom door close.
“I’m so sorry he got so sloshed, Imogen. I hope he wasn’t too hard to handle.”
“It’s okay. I really wasn’t paying attention to how much he was drinking, so it kind of was my fault, too. Although I should have known something was up because he literally dragged me onto the dance floor two times!” she laughed. “But seriously, Charlie. I just hate going to weddings by myself, especially at a family member’s wedding. I hate answering all those questions about who I’m dating, you know. That sort of thing. So, thank you for allowing him to be my plus one.”
“Anytime. You know we’d do anything for you. Did you have a good time at least?” Imogen nodded her head and blushed.
“I did. I may have a date with one of the bridesmaids! Anyway, I know you’re going to have your hands full, so I’ll leave you to it!”
“Text me when you get home.”
“I will. Goodnight, Charlie.”
Charlie took a deep breath and poured a glass of water to take up to his inebriated boyfriend. Nick was coming out of the bathroom and wiping his mouth when he saw Charlie making his way up the stairs.
“Here. Drink.” Charlie handed Nick the water, and they went into Charlie’s room. Nick drank the water and placed the empty glass on the nightstand and climbed into bed. He propped a pillow behind his neck and smiled.
“I’m seeing two of you right now.”
“Are you now? Close your eyes so you don’t get sick.” Nick did as he was told.
“I like seeing two of you, you know. Now I can give ALL my love to even more of you. Isn’t that wonderful?”
“It is wonderful. But I’m not sure that you would want more of me. I’m a lot to handle as one person.”
“Char. You could never, ever, ever be too much for me. Ever.”
“Ever?”
“Never, ever.”
“Good. Because I’m afraid you are stuck with me.”
“Mmm. I do like the sound of that. Char?”
“Yeah?"
“I’m really drunk.”
“Oh, I know. I know. I still love you, though.” Charlie leaned in for a kiss, and Nick enthusiastically reciprocated.
Three: Adorable
“Um, Nick does know that Grandma’s punch has alcohol in it, right?” Tori asked Charlie who was currently checking his appearance in the hall mirror.
“Yeah. I mean, I’m sure he does. Why do you ask?” Tori tried to hide her smile.
“I just watched him drink three cups, and he seems to be having a very animated conversation with Dad. And by the look on Mum’s face, she does not look impressed.”
“What?” Charlie walked a few steps towards the kitchen and then stopped short. “Oh, God.”
“Have fun, dear brother. If you need me I’ll be outside waiting for Michael.” Tori patted Charlie on his shoulder before she left him standing alone in the hallway.
As he approached Nick and his father, his mum shook her head and rolled her eyes. He smiled at his boyfriend, instantly recognizing Nick’s voice when he got excited. Charlie intervened just as Nick was helping himself to another cup of punch. He placed his hand on top of Nick’s.
“Yeah, yeah! I’ll have to bake you some cupcakes! It’s actually a specialty of mine- hey, Charlie! What’re doing? I was just getting some more punch!”
“I see that. How many is that, now?”
“What does it matter? It’s punch!” Julio patted Nick on the back and nodded to Charlie.
“We’ll talk later, okay Nick? I want to hear more about those cupcakes!”
“Yeah, of course!” Nick watched Julio join Jane and sighed. “I REALLY like your dad, Charlie. Like a lot. You are so very lucky to have him,” Nick said sadly. He again attempted to get more punch and Charlie intercepted it.
“Nick! I'm pretty sure you’ve had quite enough! Do you have any idea how much vodka is in this?”
“What? No, no. Why would your grandmother tell me to help myself and drink as much as I want to?”
“Because she has a very sick sense of humor, that’s why. How many have you had?”
“I honestly have no idea! It was sooo good!” Nick laughed and looked longingly at Charlie. Charlie grabbed his hand and led him away from the punch. Just as they stood at the bottom of the stairs, Nick wrapped his large arms around Charlie’s waist and lifted and swung Charlie around. “You are so adorable. Some days I just want to pick you up and never let you down. Except today. I need to let you down. I also probably should not have turned around so fast. The room is spinning.”
“You were the one spinning! Serves you right.”
“Char! Don’t be mean! Now give us a kiss! God, you are the most adorable thing ever!” Nick pulled Charlie close and peppered his cheek and neck with kisses, effectively causing Charlie to giggle. They both did not notice the front door open. Tori and Michael walked in.
“Nick! Stop! You’re tickling me!”
“Lovely. As if I did not think Nick could get even more disgusting expressing his love for you, apparently drunk Nick has to one up sober Nick.”
“Hi Charlie! Don’t let us stop you!” Michael said with a big smile. Charlie pulled away and pointed to the couch and Nick sat down.
“You don’t really think he is disgusting, do you?” Charlie whispered to Tori.
“Of course not. It just shows how much he really does love you that he cannot keep his hands off you, even when his faculties are quite obviously compromised.”
“I've seen him drunker than this before!”
“Charlie! Come sit with me! Let’s play Mario Kart! I bet I can finally beat you!”
“Oh, Nick. You silly, silly boy.”
“Oh, this I have to see! Come on, Michael.”
Four: Cute
“You know I l-love Charlie, too,” Tao slurred.
“Yeah- everybody loves my boy-boyfriend. I also love Elle, you know,” Nick countered.
“Yes, but I love her more.”
“Well I love Charlie more!”
Elle and Charlie stood outside Tao’s room trying to stop their laughter from alerting their drunk boyfriends.
“How long have they been doing this?” Charlie whispered, covering his mouth.
“I’m not sure. Twenty minutes, maybe? Apparently Tao made him and Nick some Lychee martinis. How many, I do not know. When I got here, they were competing over who loves who more. I think Nick may have won that one because Tao admitted he did not want to like him when you first met him, or something stupid like that.”
“Oh my God.”
“Yeah. They are now discussing how much they love you and me.”
“But I’ve known him longer, ergo I love him more!”
“But I’ve had sex with him! That by default means I love him more!”
“Oh. I guess that makes sense. So that means I love Elle more since I’ve had sex with her! Cheers!” Tao and Nick clinked glasses, and then it got quiet.
“Tao. These Lichkee martinis are so fucking good. You are a mad genius at martini-making.”
“I am quite good, aren’t I. Another?”
“Yes!”
“All right, we need to stop this right now!” Elle huffed. Nick and Tao both looked up when they saw Elle and Charlie walk in. Nick tried to stand but stumbled and fell onto Tao’s bed, spilling what was left of his martini.
“Elle! Charlie! Look Nick! It’s my girlfriend, Elle, and your boyfriend, Charlie! Aren't they the cutest, most cutest individuals you have ever seen?” Elle stood before Tao, arms crossed trying hard to hide the smirk on her face.
“They are. They really, really, really are. We are so fucking lucky, Tao. Hi, Charlie. You are so cute. A bit blurry, though,” Nick said, squinting his eyes. “But definitely always cute.”
“Thanks, babe. You’re pretty cute yourself. I think we may want to stop with the martini’s though.”
“But why?” Nick pouted. “Tao is like a, a mad genius with these Lickchee martinis!”
“Lye. Lychee martinis,” Tao corrected.
“Oops! Sorry!” Nick laughed. “So do you want one, Char? Huh?”
“No, thanks, though. Come on, Nick. Let’s go home.”
“Tao! Charlie and me are gonna go and have the sex I was telling you about!”
“Nick! Stop talking, for God’s sake!”
“Are you angry? You’re angry at me!”
“I’m not. Promise. Tell Elle and Tao goodnight, please.”
“Goodnight. Hey- are you gonna have the sex with Elle after we leave?”
“Maybe!” Tao grinned. Elle stood nearby, shaking her head.
“Come on, Char! We need to go!”
“Call me tomorrow. And thanks for getting him,” Elle said to Charlie.
“You do the same. We both may have a rough night ahead of us.”
“I’m afraid so.”
“You are so cute!” Nick told Charlie for about the fifth time before they made it out to the car.
“Yes, yes, Nick. And, thank you.”
Five: Don't Tell
Charlie was in a deep sleep when his phone woke him up. He squinted his eyes to try to focus when he saw his boyfriend's beautiful face fill the screen.
“Nick? What time is it?” Nick was in France attending the Rugby World Cup with Sai, Christian, and Otis. He knew Nick and the lads would be up late celebrating, so he was a little alarmed when he saw he was calling at that hour. “Nick? Hello? Is everything all right?”
“Yes, I'm here,” he whispered into his phone. “I have something to tell you. But it is a secret. And I have to tell you right now.”
Silence.
“Nick? What is it you have to tell me? Is everything alright? Talk to me, please.”
“I love Charlie Spring in a romantic way, not in a friend way,” Nick breathed heavily on the phone.
“I know that, Nick. I love you, too,” Charlie sighed.
“No! No, you don't understand! Like I love him so, so much. So much. And- and wanna hear something else? But you have to promise not to tell sober me I told you. Promise?”
“Nick, I love you, but it's three in the morning, and I'm tired. Can you maybe tell me this secret in the morning?”
“I'm gonna marry him some day!”
Charlie sat straight up in bed. “What did you say?”
“I'm gonna marry Charlie Spring in a, in a, you know! How when people marry the person they love in a romantic way. I'm gonna do that. With Charlie Spring. We are going to be husbands. Isn't that wonderful? He is so wonderful… he- you need to keep it a secret, okay? Promise me!”
“Oh, um, yeah. Yeah, I'll keep your secret, Nick. Promise.”
“Good. Thanks, Char. I'm really sleepy.”
“Then go to bed. We'll talk in the morning, okay?”
“Mmm. Okay. Bye.” Nick ended the call, and Charlie laid back down. He rolled over onto his side and breathed in the scent of his boyfriend on the jumper he was wearing.
He was going to marry Nick Nelson one day.
Charlie
+ One: Stupid Face
“All right, Charlie. I think we’ve had enough celebrating, don’t you think?” Nick, Charlie, Tao, Elle, and Isaac were at a party to celebrate the end of GCSEs. Charlie may have had a little too much to drink, which Tao found the need to document for further examination at a date to be determined.
“We can call it a cautionary tale of what not to do after GCSEs and show it to all the Year 10s!” Tao explained.
“No, Tao. We most certainly will NOT be doing that!” Nick warned.
“Fine. You really are no fun, Nick Nelson.” Charlie had not even noticed the camera Tao was carrying.
“Is there ever REALLY enough celebrating? Because I feel like we are just getting started!”
“In this case, yeah, I kind of do. Now, come on.”
“I mean, considering everything I’ve been through, a little celebration is warranted.”
“I never said it wasn’t warranted. And, yes, you do deserve it. I’m just afraid of what Tao might capture on his little video if you continue. Besides, if we leave now, maybe we can celebrate a little on our own? What do you say?” Nick hugged Charlie from behind and kissed his neck, causing Charlie to melt into Nick’s arms.
“Fine. You win. But I may need your strong Rugby arms to help guide me to the car.”
“Deal. Let’s go.”
“You know how much I love your arms…”
“Oh, I know.”
It was so quiet on their drive home, Nick was sure Charlie had fallen asleep. Suddenly Charlie straightened up in his seat as if he was startled by something.
“Nick?”
“Yeah?”
“I really like you.”
“I like you, too.”
“No, I mean like, like you.”
“I am aware,” Nick chuckled.
“I like everything about you, even your stupid face.”
“My stupid face? That’s rude.”
“No, no. I mean it’s so stupid handsome. It’s so… I like it so much. Can I touch it?” Charlie tried to move closer, but his seatbelt held him back.
“Charlie!” Nick laughed. “What’re you doing? Trying to get me to wreck?” Charlie slumped back into his seat and pouted.
“You didn’t answer me. Will you not let me touch your stupid, stupid, handsome face when we get home?” Nick smiled fondly at his boyfriend.
“I suppose. I’ll even let you do more than just touch it, if you want.”
“Oh, I do want. I most definitely do want.”