Work Text:
Charlie: where are you?
Sent @ 5:12pm
Charlie: are you alright?
Sent @ 5:21pm
Charlie: Nick??
Sent @ 5:30pm
Charlie checks his phone, lying on the nightstand, for the 10th time in the past 20 minutes since his first text to Nick. But Nick hasn't responded. In fact, the messages have been left unread.
Charlie straightens his bow tie in the mirror above their dresser and fiddles with his hair. It's all he can do to keep his mind from racing. Nick knows that Charlie had planned for him to be home from work by 5 o'clock so that the two of them would have ample time to make it for their 6 o'clock dinner reservation. Charlie had booked it for them weeks ago at a little French restaurant, one that Charlie's colleague had been raving about.
Charlie lets out a slow breath, attempting to regulate his breathing. Their reservation time is quickly approaching and there's still no sign of Nick.
Charlie's phone buzzes and he leaps for it.
Elle: HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! Tao and I can't believe you and Nick have been married for an entire year! We love you both dearly and hope you're enjoying this special day! Sending lots of love xx
Received @ 5:34pm
Charlie smiles as he reads Elle's thoughtful message, but his mind quickly returns to the worrying thoughts of Nick's whereabouts.
Maybe he got caught up at work…
Maybe his phone died…
Charlie is certain that Nick wouldn't purposefully be late like this. Especially knowing how important tonight is.
Charlie pulls Nick's anniversary card out from his sock drawer where he was hiding it and slides it into the pocket of his suit jacket.
His phone begins ringing and he snatches it from the dresser, hit by a wave of relief when he sees "Husband <3" on the caller ID.
"Nick?"
"Char! I'm so, so sorry."
Nick's breathing is heavy on the other end of the line.
"Are you okay?" Charlie asks.
"I'm fine. I… I got stuck on the Tube for a while with no cell reception. It was at a complete standstill. There was nothing I could do. I just got off of it now. I was panicking the whole time, worrying about you. About what you were thinking. About how disappointed you must have been-"
"Nick."
"And probably still are…"
"Nick."
"I know you put a lot of thought into planning this. I hope you know how much this evening matters to me-"
"I know it matters to you. I want you to know that I'm not disappointed, I promise."
"You're not?"
"No. I thought something happened to you. I'm just relieved you're alright."
"Yeah, I'm alright. Can you meet me at the restaurant? We'll be even more late if I come home first."
Charlie looks down at his watch. It's 5:42pm.
He knows he won't make it for 6 o'clock. But he can try.
"Okay, I'll see you soon."
"Char?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
Charlie smiles, shaking his head. "I love you, too. Now promise me you won't get stuck anywhere else."
He can hear Nick chuckling softly through the phone as he slips on a pair of dress shoes and heads out the door.
***
When Charlie approaches the restaurant, he spots Nick outside, leaning against the brick wall with his laptop bag hanging from his shoulder. Arms crossed, he's nudging a pebble along the pavement with the tip of his shoe.
He looks up just as Charlie reaches him. When their eyes meet, Nick's shoulders sink.
"They said no."
"Who said no?"
"The restaurant host. I guess we missed our time slot."
Charlie glances down at his watch. It's 6:18pm. "Did you tell them what happened?"
"Tried to."
"Did you mention it's our anniversary?"
"Mhm."
"And there's nothing they can do?"
"Our table has already been given away to another couple." Nick lets out a shaky breath, running a hand down his face. "I ruined it for you, Charlie."
Charlie reaches for Nick's hand. "You didn't ruin anything. We missed a dinner reservation, that's all."
"But you were so excited for this restaurant."
"I know, but we can go some other time. What matters is that we're together. We can still enjoy our anniversary." The tension on Nick's face softens into a smile. "In fact, I saw this cute little pizzeria on the way here. Wanna try it?"
"Sure."
Nick pushes himself off the wall and they fall into each other's embrace.
"Happy anniversary, my love," Nick whispers into Charlie's curls.
Charlie closes his eyes, holding onto Nick a little tighter. "Happy anniversary." Charlie kisses Nick on the cheek.
They walk down the sidewalk, hand in hand, arms swinging between them.
"So, after a whole year, would you say married life is everything you'd hoped for?" Charlie asks.
Nick smiles and glances at Charlie. "No. It's even better."
"Nick." Charlie begins to chuckle. "Do you really mean that?"
"Charlie, I'm serious." Nick squeezes Charlie's hand. "I feel so lucky to have you as my husband. You're my favourite part of every day."
Charlie smiles, a warmth settling within him as they turn the corner and enter the pizzeria.
There are no tables or chairs to sit at, just a counter with a menu above. Clearly it's only a place to get takeaway or delivery.
Charlie notices Nick's brows crease.
"Don't worry," Charlie whispers to Nick. "We can eat in the park."
Nick nods as an employee emerges from the back, walking up to the till to take their order.
They order a medium pepperoni pizza and a side of cheesy garlic bread to share.
After a short wait, with their food in hand, Charlie leads them to a park a few blocks away.
"I wish I had a picnic blanket for us," Nick comments.
Charlie points across the park. "There's an empty picnic table over that way."
They settle at the table, beneath a large oak tree. The sun is beginning to set, casting a warm glow across the grass.
"I feel like I'm a bit overdressed for pizza in the park," Charlie says, glancing down at his suit and bow tie while opening up the pizza box.
"You look so good I don't think it matters." Nick grins as he takes a slice, giving Charlie a wink.
Charlie nudges Nick's calf with his own under the table.
"This pizza is really good," Nick says, covering his mouth as he chews.
Charlie takes a bite and hums in agreement.
"You know what?" Charlie says. "This is better than the escargot or whatever it is we'd be eating at that French place."
"Right? Who even likes escargot, anyway?"
"Not me."
"Me neither."
Their laughter echoes through the park.
Just then, a large raindrop lands on the tip of Charlie's nose. Looking up at the sky, he sees dark clouds rolling in.
"Seriously?" Charlie pouts.
Nick notices as well. "We're just not having much luck today, are we?" Nick begins gathering up the pizza box and bag of garlic bread sticks, preparing to find a place to take shelter.
Charlie reaches for his arm. "You know what, it's fine. Let's just stay here. In the rain."
"You sure?"
Charlie nods, standing and grabbing Nick's hand, pulling Nick up to join him.
They walk a short distance out into the field in the middle of the park. Hugging, they sway together, almost as if they're dancing with no music as the rain showers down on them. Their clothes are soaked. Charlie's curls become weighed down, losing their shape and cover his eyes. Nick pushes the strands aside and takes Charlie's face in his hands.
"Thank you," Nick says over the pattering of the rain. "For choosing me to spend your life with, Char."
Tears form in the corners of Charlie's eyes. Sometimes he still can't believe this is his life. He thinks back to that younger version of Charlie, sitting beside Nick Nelson in form for the first time. If only that version of Charlie could see them now.
Getting caught in the rain is not normally something Charlie particularly enjoys, but here in this moment, he doesn't mind one bit.
Not holding back for a moment longer, Charlie closes the gap that separates them, capturing Nick's lips in a kiss that conveys every thought and feeling he's unable to find the words for.
The two of them, still grasping onto each other, lean back, smiling at one another affectionately.
They make their way back to the picnic table as the rain slows down to a stop.
"Oh no," Charlie says, remembering the anniversary card he has in his pocket for Nick. He would be surprised if it wasn't soaked by now.
"What's wrong?" Nick asks. Charlie pulls out the envelope and hands it to Nick as they sit side by side on the picnic bench.
"I forgot this was in my pocket. I'm sorry that it's all wet now."
Nick leans in, planting a soft kiss on Charlie's cheek. "It's alright. Though my card for you is still at home, hiding in my sock drawer."
"It's okay. You can give it to me later tonight. We may need better hiding spots though because I had yours hiding in my sock drawer."
Nick chuckles as he pulls the card out of the envelope. Inside, the words are smudged from the rain but thankfully still legible.
Happy anniversary, babe! Thank you for an incredible first year of marriage. I love you with all of my being.
Nick, you have the purest heart of anyone I've ever known. The way you love the people in your life inspires me.
Even when things don't go according to plan, when life is unpredictable, as it usually is, I know I can count on our love to continue to grow stronger with each passing day. As long as we're together, that's all I need.
Love, your husband, Charlie
When Nick finishes reading the card, he looks up at Charlie, his eyes watering and a smile across his lips.
"You know," Charlie says. "When I wrote that a few days ago, I didn't realise how fitting it would be for this evening. Things certainly didn't go to plan, did they?"
"No, they didn't." Nick strokes his thumb across the back of Charlie's hand. "But that's okay. As long as we're together, right?"
Charlie nods, staring into Nick's eyes that now glow from the sun peeking out from the clouds. "That's all we need."