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“Char, please hurry up!” Nick said impatiently, standing by the front door.
“Just a sec,” Charlie replied. “Oh my god, you’ve never looked so happy about going to the cinema and ice skating!” he laughed, joining his boyfriend in the hallway. Nick was literally bursting with excitement.
“I don’t want to be late,” he said, checking his watch for the hundredth time in the last couple of minutes.
“Sure, sure… Let’s go,” Charlie said, took the keys and closed the door.
Snowflakes were slowly falling from the sky - the city looked pretty and cosy.
“Oh Charlie, I can’t wait for our date!” Nick said enthusiastically, took Charlie's hand and started walking down the street. “The reviews are great!”
“And it has nothing to do with Paul Mescal playing one of the lead roles?” Charlie smirked, trying to keep up with Nick’s fast pace.
“You know how much I adore him!” Nick said. “His acting I mean…” he added after a second. Charlie was watching his flustered boyfriend and just smiled widely. He wanted to see ‘All of Us Strangers’ himself, too, but mostly for Andrew Scott. Also for his acting. Obviously.
“He’s such a talented actor, I love the way he shows his emotions without any words. He’s so expressive and natural at the same time an-“
“I see you’re quite fond of him,” Charlie interrupted Nick’s monologue. “And you’re so cool about it,” he giggled.
“Very cool! I’m cool as a cucumber,” Nick said with a serious expression.
Charlie snorted. “Baby, you have many wonderful traits, but being cool about something is not one of them.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Nick said, trying to keep a serious face. “I know how to be cool if I want to,”
“Oh reaaally?” Charlie teased and Nick could see a glint in his eyes. Oh no, he thought. He was in trouble.
Charlie stopped, narrowed his eyes and started talking in a deep, seductive voice. “As cool as you were last night?” He grabbed Nick’s jacket, pulled him closer and stroked his chin. “When you lifted me, pushed me against the wall and grabbed my-”
“Shh, Char!” Nick tried to quiet his boyfriend and looked around to check if anyone heard them, his face red and flustered.
“Yup! You’re right!” Charlie laughed and patted Nick’s chest, very proud of himself. “You’re totally cool, babe, just like I thought!” He kissed Nick on the cheek and started walking toward the cinema, leaving blushing Nick a few steps behind him.
“Hey!” Nick called, running the remaining distance and taking Charlie’s hand again.
“Okay, so… you might be right,” Nick said. He absolutely loved his beautiful, confident menace of a boyfriend.
“Yeah? So you’re admitting you can’t play cool?” Charlie smiled with obvious satisfaction.
“Yup,” Nick nodded. He knew he couldn’t fool anyone.
“And you’re the world’s biggest cinnamon bun ever?”
“What? Char, that’s ridiculous!” he laughed.
“Tell me I’m wrong, though,” Charlie replied, battling his eyelashes.
“Well…”
“Baby, you wear your heart on your sleeve.” Charlie said. “You’re the sweetest, sappiest person I’ve ever met. You’re a human personification of a cinnamon bun and I love that about you!”
“Maybe…” Nick looked a bit anxious all of the sudden. “But is it not… you know, too much? Sometimes?” he asked shyly, avoiding his boyfriend’s eyes.
“What do you mean?” Charlie asked, surprised.
“Like… I’m a big softie. I cry at rom coms, I can’t watch scary movies, I like baking. Baking, Charlie!” He shook his head. “I work with kids. I’m a mummy’s boy. And I love puppies.”
“You just listed all the things I love about you.”
“I’m serious, Char!” Nick cried.
“So am I!” Charlie insisted.
Nick just shrugged and Charlie’s heart broke a little. He won’t let Nick doubt how perfectly sweet and vulnerable he is. Never. Not on his watch.
He pulled Nick to the nearest slightly snow-covered bench and looked him in the eyes.
“I want you to listen to me carefully, love,” he said, taking Nick’s face in his hands. “You’re amazing. You’re loving, thoughtful and supportive. You care about every person you know - not only me or your mum or our friends… but about others, too. The kids you work with are the luckiest people on the planet, even if they don’t understand it yet.” Nick smiled after that, but Charlie was not done. “You have a big heart and you’re not afraid to show it. This is important, Nick. This is what makes you so special,” he stroked Nick’s rosy cheeks with his thumbs. “This is what I love about you,” he whispered.
“Oh wow.” Nick looked stunned. “You really love me, huh?” he smiled and Charlie could see little hearts in his eyes. He felt like he was falling in love with him all over again and he hoped it’ll never stop.
“Hmm…” Charlie put a finger on his chin and pretended to think hard about this. “Yes,” he said after a few seconds, with a sweet smile. “Quite a lot, actually,” he added and kissed his boyfriend. He could feel Nick’s muscles relax under his touch when he gently grazed his arms.
“You know,” Nick murmured. “It’s a pretty serious confession for a Sunday afternoon, Char,” he smirked.
“Well… What can I say?” Charlie said, his gaze flickered over Nick’s face. “I love my gorgeous, fit, wonderful boyfriend with all my heart and I want him to know that.” He said with all the love in his voice and kissed Nick softly.
“Look who can’t be chilled now,” Nick teased. “But I love you too,” he said, playing with one of Charlie’s curls. “I love your hair so much.” He pecked his lips. “I love your eyes. I love-“ Charlie stopped him with another kiss.
“I see what you’re doing. But come on, we’re going to be late!” he said and stood up. “Paul’s waiting!” He winked, took Nick’s hand and intertwined their fingers.
Nick just laughed. He was lucky. So, so lucky.
And he will never be cool about this.