CW: Eating disorder and self harm content.

Elle and Tao's DMs

Tao: My love? What do you think...

Elle: Don't even, I'm literally so heartbroken with all this bullshit, I want to bang their heads together and just tell them to sort it but I think it's gone too far.

Tao: Really? You reckon this is it?

Elle: I think so, it'd take a force of nature to put Charlie's head back where it needs to be.

(Charlie's POV)

Nope, nope, hell to the noooooo Nick's coming here, I can't deal with this. "Charles why are you pacing?" Tori asked, I hadn't spoken to anyone since I'd returned and slammed my door behind me, I continued pacing for a few moments and she walked in, took hold of me and sat me on the bed "Nick" I said in answer to her question, clearly confused she returned "Oh god you're not missing him this much already?!" I looked at her, eyes filled with tears "We broke up" I say quietly, she doesn't immediately react, instead crossing her arms and asking "What aren't you telling me Charlie?" I sighed, realising I didn't have the energy to fight this any longer "I broke up with him, I saw him and someone else kiss and I freaked out and yeah. He said it wasn't his fault and the other guy told me that too" she took a while to consider that "So you broke up, that still doesn't explain why you're so nervous now?" She asked "Ah, well Nick didn't take kindly to being dumped by text so he's actually on his way to force me to do it face-to-face" at this point I expected Tori to be annoyed with Nick and offer moral support, I was wrong; instead Tori smiled and simply said "Good luck with that Charlie" and left my room.

I decide to text Tao, because apparently the torture of not knowing when Nick would arrive was too much.

Charles: Update

Tao: 15 minutes out from train station

I was wrong, knowing is much worse NRBEVEIZJDBWBWHWEFMGFN.

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(Nick's POV)

I'm not sure what to expect when I get there, when Charlie sent that message I just panicked, part of me thinks he was just freaking out, being irrational, I just want to go, wrap my arms around him and feel safe, Charlie is home, my home, Charlie is the point from which I measure every decision I make. Is how I feel enough to show him we shouldn't break up? "What do you think Tao?" I look at him questioningly, "I want absolutely nothing to do with this Nick, Charlie's my best friend I'm not meddling in your relationship, whatever happens is up to you two" I squint at him "That's oddly diplomatic of you" I say. "Yeah well this is serious and I want no part in you two breaking up" I sigh "Do you think that's really what he wants?" I ask, this time he sighs "No, but I think he's self-destructive enough to do it" I suddenly feel my stomach drop out, of course, Charlie's self-destructive side was in control, he was probably panicking waiting for me to arrive, doing this tonight was not a good idea.

NN: Charlie?

Char: yes?

NN: I think I'm going to head to mums when I get back it's a bit late to have this conversation, what do you think?

Char: do what you want

NN: okay

NN: Um Charlie?

Char: What

NN: I know you're being like that to push me away and you don't mean it, but I just wanted to say I love you ❤️

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(Charlie's POV)

I am OFFICIALLY the worst human being alive, I haven't eaten all day, and I've got one of dad's disposable razors in my hand "Don't do it" I say to myself repeatedly. Get a grip Charlie, what if Nick changes his mind? What if he doesn't want to talk to me anymore? What if he decides he's had enough? Oh no I'm spiralling my hands are shaking and I'm staring at the razor. "You know, a lot of people misunderstand suicide" I hear Tori say and I jump out of my skin, instinctively hiding the razor behind my back. But she doesn't move, the stoney face doesn't even shift, she's staring at something, a card of some sort, is that blood? "What is that?" I ask, she looks at me almost angry "You don't recognise it, let me read it for you 'Tori, I don't want you to be sad, or think there was anything you could have done, I'm just.. I don't think I was made for this world, everything I love I hurt, you, Nick, mum, dad and even Oliver, it's not fair anymore, it's not fair on you guys to burden you with my issues. I love you all so so much - Charlie' does that ring any bells?"

I'm stood in absolute horror, "You kept it?!" She tilts her head "Obviously..." I'm crying now, fantastic, I really needed these memories right now. She walked towards me and pulled my arms from my back, she took the razor, putting it on my bedside table, we then sat on my bed, "Think Charlie, who was sat there at the hospital waiting for you to wake up after your attempt? Who promised to always be there for you?" Tori was right, I knew she was right, I needed Nick, I took off my necklace and held it in my hand a moment, I smiled "Alright, I'll fix it" I said.

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(Nick's POV)

It was 2:40AM, I'd JUST got changed to go to sleep and I heard a faint knock at the door, I knew immediately who it was, only Charlie Spring would turn up to my house in the middle of the night and tap the damn door expecting a response, goddamn it he was going to get one too, how annoying.

I open the door and see Charlie walking down the path, he turns back "Oh" he says "Yep" I reply, I want nothing more than to run over to him, pick him up and simply refuse to let him go, but I think that would be too easy, he'd told me he didn't love me, he told me to fuck off, so as much as I just wanted the bullshit to be done I needed a bit of closure on that first.

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(Charlie's POV)

I had not anticipated actually getting an answer, that was a good sign right?  I hope so, he looked.. indifferent. I'd said stupid things but he'd done careless things, me and Nick don't really argue.. this is kinda the first time we'd both been in the wrong so we didn't know how to act. I'm a mess and by the look of it Nick's no happier, I walked towards him and leaned on the wall by his door "I didn't mean any of it" I say sheepishly, a small smile cracks his face "I know, but I don't understand how you could think I could want anyone but you? Charlie you're my soulmate, my forever, if you don't understand that, or you can't say the same then honestly I don't think I can carry on"

I step back, my words caught in my chest, I can't speak, I don't know what to say, I feel... Inadequate, like Nick's making a mistake and I should stop this while I can. I sigh "Nick I-" "Oh fuck it" then before I know it I'm back in Nick's arms, and everything is warm, and my anxiety falls away, all the doubts silenced, all the compulsions stopped and we're both crying, we spend the rest of our night just like we did in our first sleepover, cuddling, kissing and crying endlessly. Why? Because I'm hopelessly in love with Nick Nelson, and he's hopelessly in love with me, and the rest? Well, the rest is just for us.

The end.

A/N: Oh wow I really wasn't expecting for this to be the end, but here we are I guess. As I was writing the final paragraph it just felt as though it was time :) Nick and Charlie's University story will be continued in a new story which I'll be starting soon where Charlie has just finished A-level exams. I hope to see you there, if not then thank you all so much for your engagement and support. Stay happy and healthy - J