(Nick and Charlie's texts)

Char: Hey bubby

NN: What's up baby?

Char: When's your game?

NN: Starts at 5, I don't mean to be a dick but I wish you were here 🤦‍♂️🧡

Char: I know, I wish I could support you xx

NN: I'll smash it for you 👍 :(

Char: I know you will 🧡

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(The Squad)

Charlie: Guys

Elle: What's happening?

Tao: I don't even know, Aled managed to talk his way into getting a tour of the the entire math department.

Charlie: GUYS

Elle: WHAT!

Charlie: NICK'S ALL NERVOUS ABOUT HIS RUGBY MATCH AND I WANNA GO CUDDLE HIM

Tao: Wouldn't that somewhat ruin the whole 'suprise'...

Charlie: So???

Aled Last man standing: Do what you want I am living for this architecture rn.

Charlie: I guess I should wait :(

Tao: I wonder if Nick will do that dramatic storm off the pitch and run off with you thing again 🤔

Elle: I'm not laughing (😂😭😂😭😂😭)

Tao: He punched me! CHARLIE CHOSE VIOLENCE LET THE RECORD REFLECT.

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(Ben and Nick's texts)

Ben: Hey Nick

Nick: What's up Ben! :)

Ben: Are you looking forward to the match???

Nick: Yeah I think so, just first game nerves you know?

Ben: Of course, you shouldn't be nervous tho, you were after all the undisputed rugby KING 👑 😉

Nick: Yes yes, thank you Ben, right I g2g, see you later!

Ben: Later Nelson.

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(Nick's POV)

I was more nervous than I should have been, it was completely irrational, it was Charlie, I want him here, he was always the best cheerleader. I was never worried about getting hurt as I've played rugby, even when I entered the Sunday league as I did A-levels it wasn't a massive deal because Charlie insisted on going to the matches, if I got hurt then Charlie would be there and he'd fix it, simple. Okay it wouldn't be that simple but having him near me... It made me feel safe.

The second time me and Charlie kissed we were in his room, I was covered in water from running in the rain and.. I just fell into him, and he completely accepted me, I have never been more vulnerable in my entire life than I was in that moment, and Charlie showed me only compassion and empathy, I'm pretty sure that's when the decision to never leave him was made, not that I'd tell him that of course. But that experience I think has made me dependent on him being near me.

I'm sat on my bed when I get a knock at the door it's borderline banging which startles me somewhat, I'm not sure to expect but I open the door to find a crying Ben Hope on the other side, he walks into my room and wraps his arms around me "Oh, Ben, what's wrong?" He cries louder and louder "My- my- sister" he stumbles to say "Sister?" I repeat back to him, I didn't know Ben even had a sister, "She's 12 years old, my parents, they put her in a care home, she has special needs and they don't like to see her, I call every day but" and he cries even harder, and I think I can see where he's going with this "Oh Ben, they won't let you speak to her?" And he slightly nods his head crying has become whaling now and we sit on my bed, I bring him into a bigger hug knowing that he needs support now and that takes priority.

I'm not really sure how long we'd been there before I patted him on the back and said "Come on you let's get a pre match coffee, assuming you're still gonna cheer me on?" He wiped away some final tears, laughed and said "Yeah, let's head over then". This was all okay right? I mean sure Charlie wouldn't have loved to see me and Ben hugging emotional stuff out but it doesn't break any boundaries he wanted, so it's cool, right? I dunno, I can't help but think I'm walking on a tightrope, between Charlie and Ben? How the hell had that happened?

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(Charlie's POV)

Knowing I'm on the same campus as Nick and not running off to go and hide in his room together was a difficult endeavour, it was not being made easier by Aled asking questions such as "Did the structure experience damage during the dissolution of the monasteries?" And "What about the impact of the restoration period?" I can honestly say that Aled Last is an excellent and enigmatic man, but right now I wanted to launch him off the roof of this cathedral. I looked at Tao who looked back at me "What's a dissolution of the monasteries" he asked me, "How the bloody hell am I supposed to know" Aled looked at us and rolled his eyes in clear distain.

"Holy crap the match is gonna start soon we need to head over" I said looking at my watch, we all immediately headed for the door and we made our way to the rugby pitch.

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(Nick's POV)

I change into my gear and walk with the team down the tunnel towards the field, Ben's waiting at the entrance to the field with my coffee "You look like my assistant waiting there" I laugh taking the last sip. He pokes me in the chest "Oi, you look nervous, what's wrong?" I blush and scratch the back of my neck, "It's nothing I'm being silly" he looks at me sternly "No, you dealt with my shit, let me help you with yours" I frown "I let you cry ony shoulder I don't think that counts as 'help', but, me and Charlie had this silly ritual before my rugby games, we'd hold hands and give a quick kiss for good luck, it's so stupid but I just... I dunno" he smiled "Close your eyes" I frowned "I'll be fine" he looked at me with narrowed eyes "Nick for god's sake just close your damn eyes" I don't know why but I complied then a feeling of total dread hit me when I felt Ben take hold of my hands, I didn't even have time to react before he was kissing me "Ben no wh-" "What the FUCK" Charlie screamed with Tao and Aled looking a mixture of confused and angry either side of him.

10k views? Umm wow, I apologise that this story has gone from text-chain alone to a mixture of POV and text-chain. A messaging based story will only go so far. Thank you guys SO MUCH for your continued engagement, readership and voting I don't plan on stopping writing anytime soon. Stay healthy and happy - J :)