Chapter Text
They spent the next hours at the beach, properly laying down towels and getting in their swimming trunks, the sun high in the sky, them high on each other. They were playing in the water like kids, and in many ways they still felt like ones. Like they’d cheated and adulted for a moment, planning a grown-up thing, and reverted back to their younger selves. The beach always did that to them. When they’d had enough, they ran back to towels and laid back, letting the sun dry them. Nick couldn’t take his eyes off Charlie, basking in joy like he had rarely seen him. Charlie looked back, his smile getting wider if possible.
-If you like it then you should put a ring on it, Nick.
-You are so funny.
But he was laughing. Everything was so funny. It felt strange that they were allowed this much happiness.
-What are you thinking? Charlie asked.
-I can’t believe I get to marry you.
-Do you want to kiss? Would that help make it more real?
-Wow.
-It would be like pinching you, but I would never hurt my fiancé, you know.
-Wow. I can’t believe you want to take advantage of me like this.
-I plan to do much more, but in the privacy of our bedroom, thank you very much.
Nick’s eyes shone with lust (always one to a hundred in two seconds flat where Charlie was concerned). He reached out, a brief raising of his left arm, a wordless invitation. Charlie scooted over as gracefully as the sand and towels would allow and leaned into Nick’s chest. The fact that they could want to rip each other’s clothes off one second, and yearn for the quiet soothing comfort of a simple cuddle the next gave him whiplash sometimes. Was that what married life would be like?
-I remember the first time I held you like this.
-I remember too.
-I don’t think I had ever felt such peace.
Charlie squeezed his hand.
-Nick…?
-Hmm.
-I’m hungry.
Nick smiled. “Do you want to have a picnic here or maybe find some shade?”
-You made a picnic?
Charlie was always amazed at how Nick just not only got him, but made everything easier. He sat up and looked down at the soft brown eyes, the freckles. “Husband material, everyone.” Nick sat up too, laughing. “I am trying.”
“Please. You’ve been husband material since the very beginning, and we both know it.”
Charlie thought of the first time they came to the beach, Nick planning everything, down to the hidden towels in his backpack. He thought of sixteenth-year old Nick spending his weekends in his parents’ car driving hours to see him when he was recovering. He thought of Nick’s black eye after fighting Harry for (Charlie assumed) calling him a slur. And all of a sudden they weren’t joking anymore. Charlie needed to say it, he looked ahead at the sea and took Nick’s hand in his. “I don’t know what I have done to deserve you. I… I know I’m not the best at romantic gestures, but you know I love you to bits, don’t you?”
Nick nodded, his heart trying to beat his way out of his chest. “Char… this isn’t about deserving. I think it’s just… sheer luck, you know? We found each other, you and I. And once we did, I wasn’t going to let you go.”
Nick moved to encircle Charlie from behind, wrapping his arms around his middle and nuzzling his neck. Recharging, as he put it. Charlie let that truth wash over him like a weighted blanket. He knew this. Knew that Nick had been all in the minute Charlie had been brave enough to kiss him. More than that, he knew that it wasn’t out of a deep sense of loyalty that Nick couldn’t help that he had stayed with him through everything, or because they were best friends and Nick didn’t know any better. His brain hated him, though, and once the doubts receded, he was always left with the lingering guilt of constantly putting Nick in that position, of having to convince him of his devotion. He told him just that.
“That sounds like a paraphrased s-word, love.”
“I kinda want to say it.”
“I think you just like me professing my love to you. And just so we’re clear, I’ll happily oblige. Always.”
Charlie took a deep breath. “Now I’m hungry AND horny.”
“Keep it in your pants, Mr. Spring. It’s not sundown yet. I can’t believe you’d objectify your fiancé like that.”
“I vote for a picnic here, and then we got up to our room for a nap when the sun is the worst anyway.”
Nick went to retrieve the picnic bag in the car, thankfully parked in the shade, and he’d brought ice packs—perhaps he was husband material, he chuckled. They ate, still a bit dazed, chatting about how they would announce it to their loved ones. Charlie wanted the whole day to themselves, Nick wanted to Facetime his mom later. They decided they’d tell Charlie’s family in person the next day, and as for the Paris squad, they just decided on a quick message in the group chat. They took a picture of their joined hands, the ones wearing the rings, with the sea in the background. Charlie texted: “What does it mean what Hot Straight Guy asks you to marry him?” and then sent the pic.
They polished off their food as the first responses came through and laughed together.
Tao: Glad you finally built the nerve, Nicky.
Darcy: That’s what I’m talking about!!! Yay my gays!!
Tao: You’ve literally had that ring since February.
Elle: I am so happy for you.
Tara: Yayyyy! Wait, so I’ve won the bet then?
Isaac: We made that bet in 2023. I thought Nick would propose at his college graduation.
Tao: Be honest Charlie, you also bought a ring.
Tara: Nick I feel weird about the fact that I’ll forever be the only girl you ever kissed!!
Darcy: they’re not answering because they’re being gay rn.
Tao: Ew forever.
Elle: I’m with Tao and he’s just smiling fondly at his phone, fyi.
They chose not to answer, there would be time for that later. Charlie packed up the remains of their lunch while Nick rolled the towels. Charlie tugged on his hand.
“Come on then, let’s go be very gay with each other.”
It was three o-clock by the time they made it to their room. They hadn’t realized they’d stayed that long at the beach, not caring about the hours passing. Nick put their bags in the corner and opened it, rummaging for a change of clothes. Charlie was looking at the view of the beach. Nick nuzzled him, “I’m taking a shower, ok?” Nick figured Charlie probably needed the time to process everything on his own. He got like that sometimes, and this was a big moment. So he was surprised when he heard the glass door of the shower open and felt Charlie’s arms around him. Charlie twisted Nick around and got under the stream.
“Oi!! Was that a smooth rugby move to get the water?”
“Nick, if that was a rugby move, then rugby is very very gay.”
Nick chuckled and reached for the shampoo. It smelled different than the one Charlie used at home, and Nick didn’t like that. He liked Charlie to smell the way he always did. Like home. This was minty and lemony, nice but different. Charlie did the same to him, giving him a scalp massage, as Nick moaned. “I love your hair,” Charlie said. Nick blushed. “I love yours more.”
“I don’t think that’s possible. I used to have dreams about your hair.”
“Char, I literally had a bi panic when you showed up to my house for the very first time with shorter hair.”
“You never told me that!”
Nick went silent, still relishing the massage. “I just love your hair color, it’s the exact same shade as your eyes. And I love how it just moves around your head like that. And how you’re always pushing it backwards.” Nick kissed him, pushing him against the wall very softly, cradling his face. “You are so into me, Char,” he laughed, “It’s so hot.”
It was. They were both hard and aching.
“Should we dry off and go to the bed?” Charlie asked. Nick nodded, but didn’t stop kissing him, “You’re really going to be my husband,” he said, when he finally pulled back. His eyes were molten, the way they got when Charlie riled him up. “Yeah, and you’re going to be mine.” Charlie saw fire in Nick’s eyes, and a blush on his cheek, and Nick looked down, unable to hold his gaze.
“OH MY GOD NIIIIICK!” Nick said nothing, but reached out to grab Charlie’s hips.
“That’s what that was about?” Nick nodded bashfully, smiling a little. “Oh my god, sweetie, you’re not ashamed, are you?”
“I told you I felt like a possessive arse…”
“Nick that is so… wow. I’m going to need you to take me to bed now.”
Nick grabbed a towel and rubbed it all over Charlie, in a rush now. He dried himself even quicker, and then he carried Charlie and threw him on the bed. He caged Charlie in his arms and just looked at him.
“You have your heart eyes on,” Charlie said, softly.
“I can’t help it.” Charlie reached down to grab Nick, hard and ready.
“You want to make me yours?” he asked, the thought turning him on at least as much as it seemed to do Nick.
“Yeah.” It was like that first yes, the one Nick breathed in the hotel ballroom all those years ago. Shy but firm, eager and just for him, just for Charlie.
They were smiling as they kissed, heating up quickly. Nick felt some kind of way, and when he felt like that, there was only one thing he could do and ask for. He held on to Charlie even tighter and rolled them over so he was on his back. Charlie didn’t seem to care and kept kissing him, moving down his jaw.
“Char?”
“I know, baby.”
“You know what?”
“You need me inside you, don’t you?”
Nick had to kiss him. “See, this is why I have to marry you. I don’t even need to ask.” Charlie pulled back, needing to tangle his hand in Nick’s golden hair, to graze his chin. “Is that okay,” Nick asked?
“More than. I want to make you mine too. I need to.”
Later, when they were spent and dozing off in the bright afternoon light, Charlie asked: “So, do you think you’re mine now?” Nick looked up from his spot on Charlie’s chest, and snuggled back down. “I was always yours.”