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Charlie: I'm here 💜
Nick smiled, flew out of bed and headed down the stairs, nearly tripping in the process. He and Charlie, busy for one reason or another, hadn't seen each other outside of school for the entire week and Nick was buzzing with excitement. Upon opening the door, Nick barely caught and returned Elle's wave through her car window as she drove off. His eyes landed on Charlie as his heart fluttered. He loved that he still got those butterflies at seeing Charlie's smile over a year since they began dating.
“Hello, you.”
“Hi,” Charlie smirked, his eyes taking in Nick appearance, notably landing on Nick's barely contained pecs. Nick might or might not have timed his shower and had slipped on his tightest sports vest in anticipation of Charlie's visit. No, ever-present gods who look down on humans and judge them, Nick was not embarrassed. He might be oblivious, but Charlie always made his appreciation for Nick's arms and chest very apparent.
“How were your plans with Elle? You said it was some kind of erm… salon day?” Nick took Charlie's jumper, hanging it on a hook near the front door without taking his eyes off Charlie, assessing his boyfriend for any difference. Charlie wore the same clothes he wore all the time and his curls were their usual wild selves. Upon seeing nothing, he felt a prickle of guilt over not noticing what was changed.
“Yeah. We each got manicures and Elle got a pedicure as well.” Charlie awkwardly giggled while heading up the stairs. “I didn't want anyone to touch my feet though. Would be too weird.”
“Yeah, I bet,” Nick chuckled. “I can't say a foot massage sounds too bad, though. Rugby really takes it out of you. Not that you would know. You abandoned me!”
Used to Nick's ribbing since he'd quit the team last term, Charlie smiled good-naturedly and shoved at Nick's shoulder. “I don't seem to recall you complaining about it when you came home to me on your bed–”
Nick snorted and covered Charlie's mouth with his own, resting his hand on those slender hips he loved so much. He pulled away with an exaggerated smack before tugging Charlie inside his bedroom. “Come on. I want to see your nails.”
Charlie held out his hand, fingers splayed to allow Nick a full view of his newly coloured nails. Nick, needing touch, held Charlie's hand gently. Charlie's nails were a glossy black with tiny flecks of blue spread throughout. “Is that glitter?”
“Sort of? I had the pricier option done, so they'll last longer. The artists use a UV light to set the finish of them. They're called… ombré, I think? The black is one colour and the glitter is just another colour layered over.” Charlie shrugged, but avoided Nick's gaze. “Do you like them? I know it's… different, but I like having them like this…”
“Yes! Yes, I like them! Charlie, you know I think anything looks good on you, but… yeah. They're pretty.” Nick admired how the glitter sparkled in the warm sun coming through his window. His thumb absent-mindedly ran along Charlie's knuckles as his mind was filled with a new curiosity. “How long will they last? They won't wash off by accident or anything? Do you have to be careful with them?”
Charlie smiled, giving Nick and odd look at the rapid fire questions. “They said a few weeks, longer if I'm really careful. No, the gel polish is pretty durable and won't wash off. Obviously, I can't put them into a chipper or anything, but they'll hold up to day to day use.”
Nick was quiet for a few moments, still processing how he felt about the nails. He liked how they looked. A lot. Before he realised, the thought of getting his own nails done had sprouted. Rugby would likely ruin them, but would Charlie like it if Nick got them done? A small part of Nick's mind heard a corrosive voice jeering at him, saying how gay the nails were. Too feminine. Girly. Gay. Sissy. You can't do your nails like that, Nick.
The flood of intense interest was foreign and confused Nick, making his thoughts swirl. Charlie, who must've read the conflict on Nick's face, remained silent, letting Nick's mind sort itself out on its own. He squeezed Nick's hand, letting him know he was here and willing to talk, if he needed.
Not too long later, Nick finally broke the silence. “D'you… think it would be… weird if I got my nails done as well? Would that be ok?”
“Of course it would be ok, Nick. It wouldn't be any weirder than me getting my nails done.” Charlie's face was kind and patient, only showing the vaguest hint of confusion. “I use the term weird losely and really only to emphasise how it's seen as something girls do. I mean… do you think it's weird that I got my nails done? It's alright if you don't like them.”
“No, no! I really do like them. I promise!” Nick pouted. He looked down at Charlie's nails again, gently prodding at the blue flakes. “It's just…I've never considered getting this done before. Never crossed my mind before I saw yours. I think… I'd want them done once; just to see what it's like. Know what I mean?”
Charlie reassured Nick, explaining how that had been Charlie's thought process when Elle asked him to come along. He held Nick's hand the entire time, squeezing to emphasise how Nick was valid and not at all alone in being curious.
Nick wasn't able to shake something off, however.
“You don't think it makes me less… manly? Attractive, I mean. I know you like how I usually am, and this would be different.” Nick worried at his bottom lip, catching it between his teeth, barely able to meet Charlie's gaze. Even as he said the words, he felt ridiculous. Too sensitive Stephane and David would say.
“First of all,” Charlie began, his face set in a determined, but kind, expression. “I need you to understand that my attraction to you doesn't hinge on whether or not you look like a ‘rugby lad.’ Now, I do think you're hot on the field, but if you decided to put on wigs and be called Sharon, I'd still think you were hot.”
Nick barked out a laugh, tugging Charlie into his chest for a hug. Leave it to Charlie to say just the right thing.
“Thank you for making me laugh. I promise I won't ask you to call me Sharon though.” Nick let the hug stretch on in a pleasant quiet before continuing. “I am offended though! I'd have a better name than ‘Sharon’.
“What's wrong with Sharon? She sounds lovely,” Charlie pouted.
“That's Harry's mum's name. Sharon Greene.”
Charlie cringed and shuddered theatrically. “Oh. Veto on Sharon, then. Will ‘Nick’ do?”
“I suppose I'll have to make do with it. It's quite different from my current name, you see.”
“Dork,” Charlie sassed.
“Nerd,” Nick quipped back.
“Getting back on track,” Charlie grabbed Nick's hand and turned it so Nick's nails were visible. “The other thing is…getting your nails done wouldn't be less manly anyway. I think you get to define what masculinity means for you and if you even want to use the term to begin with.
Lots of things make you manly in the way society usually perceives it,” Charlie continued. “I like that you're big and strong. I like that you're sporty. I'll never admit this ever again, but I do like when you get a little jealous.”
Knew it, Nick cheered mentally. He was going to rinse Charlie for that one later.
Charlie ignored the chuffed smirk that Nick was doing nothing to hide and pressed on. “But more importantly, I like that you're kind and patient, especially with kids. Olly loves you, maybe even more than he loves me. I like that you're clever and stick up for others. I like your… generosity, both in general and when we… erm, you know.”
Nick felt his face heat up and ducked into the spot between Charlie's neck and shoulder. He mumbled in embarrassment while using his weight to push Charlie down into the bed, clinging to him like a koala. “Alright, alright. I get it. I'm a very manly person and getting my nails done won't change that. And you'd find me attractive even in wigs and with painted nails. You never know, this might be a gateway to eyeliner and jewelry. You win.”
“It's not about winning, Nick. It's about making sure you understand that society has some bullshit standards.” Charlie kissed Nick's brow, carding his fingers through Nick's head soothingly. “Besides, I always win. And we can talk about the eyeliner and jewelry some more because I am now utterly intrigued.”
“Love you, Char,” Nick sighed, already feeling his body relaxing. “Thirty minute kip and then I'll express more of my generosity.”