Work Text:
~ 💛 ~
Charlie Spring hates his upstairs neighbour and, based on the way they stomp around their flat at ungodly hours, the feeling is mutual.
It’s not like he can realistically move elsewhere, but that doesn’t stop him from daydreaming about a world where he doesn’t have to deal with the selfish arsehole above him who seems to walk around in lead boots at 6 in the morning. His shifts at Workshop Coffee start at 8 am, resulting in him missing out on at least an hour of sleep every night. Alas, once his slumber is interrupted by Polyphemus (Charlie’s nickname for his annoying giant of a neighbour), it’s impossible for him to fall back asleep.
For some godforsaken reason, Polyphemus decided to wake up at bloody 4 o’clock this morning. This means Charlie is running on 3 hours of sleep, a double shot of espresso, and pure homosexual rage as he storms into work on this gloomy Monday morning. Thank the stars that his co-worker, Isaac, seems to notice his foul mood and actually puts his book down to do the bulk of the work. However, Isaac has informed Charlie that his favourite regular customer stopped by earlier than usual. This means Charlie has absolutely nothing to look forward to except clocking out. Aren’t Mondays just fantastic?
Once his shift is kind enough to finally end, he returns to his flat and does the only thing that can channel his anger: He drums. Hard.
~ 💙 ~
Nick Nelson hates his downstairs neighbour and, based on the way they always seem to make an unbelievable amount of noise whenever he needs to focus, the feeling is mutual.
That brings him to his current predicament. There is an absurd amount of banging and tapping coming from the room below while he attempts to mark papers. Nick would actually do something about it if the mere thought of confrontation didn’t make him want to eat his left shoe. Alas, he is a ginormous bisexual disaster with no motivation to make any effort to escape from the hell he is trapped in. So he shall suffer in silence while the selfish arsehole below him lives in ignorant bliss; completely unaware of how miserable they are making his life by simply existing.
When the annoying noises from downstairs don’t recede after fifteen minutes. Seriously, what are they even doing down there? Nick completely gives up, throwing his pen down with a groan. He’s way too distracted to keep marking and he has another early morning tomorrow. If Nick knew that being a primary school teacher would occasionally require him to wake up at 4 am multiple days in a row, he would’ve stuck with rugby. To make matters worse, he didn’t even get to see his favourite barista when he was ordering his coffee this morning. Aren’t Mondays just fantastic?
As if the universe is playing some cruel trick on him, the second he puts away his marking supplies, the sounds from his Annoying Neighbour Downstairs (AND for short) suddenly stop. Sigh .
~ 💛 ~
This week has been complete shit, but all of that becomes meaningless when Charlie catches a glimpse of that strawberry blonde fringe and lopsided smile he’s been missing so desperately. His favourite regular approaches the counter and causes Charlie’s tummy to erupt in butterflies. It’s been two days since they’ve seen one another and it might be Charlie’s imagination, but he swears those biceps look bigger somehow.
“Hi,” Charlie breathes.
“Hi,” Nick says, cocking his head to the side to observe the menu like a goddamn golden retriever. God, Charlie is so charmed by everything this man does. It’s kind of ridiculous.
“How are we doing today?” Charlie asks, loving the way that “we” falls off of his tongue. If only they were a we.
“Better now that I’m here.” Nick replies cheekily, meeting Charlie’s eyes for a moment before returning to survey his choices. “I’ve missed you.” He adds, far too casual given the way Charlie is currently melting from the heat of his blushing cheeks.
“I missed you too.” Charlie echoes softly, beaming from ear to ear. Nick gives him the brightest smile in return. God, he is so cute. Charlie is convinced that Nick is a perfect Prince Charming who can never do anything wrong. What a dream guy, that Nick. Charlie sighs, awoken from his fantasy by another customer lining up and tapping her foot impatiently. If only dreams came true.
“Do you know what you’re ordering today?”
“I’m trying my hardest, but nothing sounds good.”
“Can I recommend something?” Charlie suggests. Nick visibly blanches.
“Last time you gave me a recommendation, I had to spit out some dreadful bitter nightmare.”
“It was literally a regular cold brew.” Charlie deadpans, trying his hardest to keep from laughing. “Just because you teach children, doesn’t mean you have to have the palate of one.”
“Excuse you!” Nick scoffs, “There’s nothing wrong with a sweet tooth.”
Charlie just waves dismissively. “I know you better now. Plus, I think I have something you’ll really enjoy. Trust me?”
Nick bites his lip, thinking for a moment. Charlie has never wanted to be a bottom lip so bad.
“I trust you.” Nick says. Charlie grins and puts in the order, trying, and failing, to ignore the budding feelings in his chest. Charlie is definitely in danger.
~ 💙 ~
This week has been complete shit, but all of that becomes meaningless when Nick is able to banter with the barista he’s been missing so desperately. Every flirty word exchanged between them causes Nick’s tummy to erupt in butterflies. The two days without seeing Charlie have somehow caused his curls to get bouncier and those blue eyes to get impossibly more dazzling. Nick sighs wistfully and taps his fingers on the table in front of him, waiting patiently for his drink to be prepared.
“Order for Nick.” Says Charlie’s bright voice from behind the counter. Nick loves the way his name sounds as it tumbles out of those beautiful lips. He walks over to meet Charlie, taking a small to-go cup out of his hands and purposely letting their fingers brush. He’s rewarded by a light shade of pink dusting the top of Charlie’s deliciously high cheekbones. “I made a mocha for you, it’s got just the right amount of sweetness so it should satisfy those taste buds of yours.” Charlie adds, eyes twinkling with something mischievous. Nick decides to meet that mischief halfway and ramp up the flirting to 100%. After the week he’s had, he deserves it.
“You always know how to satisfy me.” Nick smirks, delighted when Charlie releases a startled sputter, seeming to choke on his own air. Nick suddenly gets a wonderful idea. He takes a long drag from the coffee cup, preparing himself to moan in delight when he tastes it, except now, to his horror, it’s his turn to choke. This mocha is fucking scalding ! Eyes watering from the agonising feeling of his tongue being burnt to a crisp, he can barely make out Charlie’s concerned expression.
“Nick! Are you okay?” Charlie asks, walking around the counter to begin patting his back, trying to stop the coughing. In an attempt to avoid spitting up like a literal baby, Nick is forced to swallow the burning hot liquid and feel it go all the way down his poor, poor throat. Well, this is the type of disaster he is going to feel for days. Ouch.
Once Nick recovers enough to begin speaking again, he is utterly mortified.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry. I can’t believe that just happened.” Nick groans. Charlie just lets out a relieved giggle.
“It’s really not a problem. I’m glad you’re okay. I do have to ask, though, was the coffee that bad?” Charlie teases. Despite himself, Nick laughs and shakes his head. He tentatively takes another sip, flinching a little bit when the coffee touches his injured tongue. However, the taste is divine so he lets out a pleasant sigh.
“Charlie, this is delicious.”
“You shouldn’t be so surprised. I make good choices.” Charlie smiles, allowing his dimples to light up the entire room. Nick drowns in the glow and briefly registers how smitten he already is. Nick is definitely in danger.
~ 💛 ~
Doing laundry is one of Charlie’s least favourite activities. It’s quite embarrassing to haul around a giant basket filled with dirty clothing. There’s no reasonable circumstance where his unclean underwear should be exposed to the outside air, yet here he is on his way to the launderette, hoping that his pants don’t fall onto the pavement. Adding insult to injury, Charlie can’t even work the goddamn door with his hands full. After a few moments of struggling, an incredibly muscular forearm is reaching over to pull the door open. He would recognise that freckled arm anywhere.
“Nick! Thank you.” He says shyly, turning to see the taller man’s breathtaking grin. “Please just forget you saw me bested by a door. I’m supposed to be the cool, flirty one.”
“Well, I can’t always be the one embarrassing myself. All's fair in love and war.” Nick muses, holding the door as Charlie walks inside.
“Love, huh?” Charlie smirks, sparing Nick a sideways glance and taking immense pleasure in the fact that his face is now bright red. “At least take me out to dinner first.”
“T-that could be arranged.” Nick blurts. Charlie’s ears perk up. He sets his basket on one of the washing machines and turns towards the blushing man. Nick’s hand is reaching for the back of his neck now, allowing Charlie to admire the way his bicep expands.
“Yeah?” He asks hopefully.
“Yeah.” Nick replies. Charlie watches the way Nick’s adam's apple bobs when he gulps. God, the crimes he would commit in order to get his mouth on that beautiful neck. “Could I maybe get your number?”
“You can get way more than my number, Nick.”
~ 💙 ~
Nick was a little scared to begin flirting again (re: The Mocha Incident), but it’s been going well so far! For once, Nick is grateful that his brain cell count dwindles around attractive people. His disastrous nature seems to be endearing enough for Charlie to text him back. Meaning that ever since meeting at the launderette, they’ve been exchanging messages. Talking about nothing, something, and everything for the past couple of days. By some miracle, they always manage to wake up at the same time. This means they can both complain about how early it is. Although, Nick is a little less grumpy than Charlie. He often wonders why Charlie doesn’t sleep in more often, he clearly hates getting up so early.
They’re still seeing each other at Workshop Coffee, of course, and luckily Nick has yet to make a fool of himself again. He’s even been able to score that dinner date, if you ignore the brief fumbles that it took to get there. They agreed to meet at a cute little Italian restaurant that’s about a five minute walk from Nick’s flat. Nick is chronically early, one of the side effects of being perpetually anxious, so he’s currently waiting for Charlie to show up. Once Nick is able to spot that familiar head of curls swaying in the wind, everything just falls into place.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
~ 💛 ~
This is the best date Charlie has ever been on. His face and stomach hurt from the non stop smiling and laughing he’s been doing this entire time. Nick just told him about how one of his students was running a “hair salon” during playtime. Unfortunately, the only service offered by this establishment was a botched haircut with safety scissors. Needless to say, Nick had to deal with a lot of upset phone calls from parents that week.
After they split the bill, Charlie asks if he can walk Nick home. Strictly because he’s a gentleman . Surely not due to any ulterior motives. Cough. Regardless, Nick agrees and they take a step outside of the restaurant, hand in hand. There’s no way Charlie can contain himself any longer. He wants to kiss him. So he does. His lips are perfect.
~ 💙 ~
His lips are perfect. It’s very chaste and appropriate, seeing as they are both in front of a very busy restaurant, but still Nick can feel how their mouths seem to mesh together perfectly. Once their lips separate, Nick can’t help but let out an elated giggle. Charlie matches the tune with his own laughter and they make music together. The world seems more vibrant and there are brilliant colours dancing across his vision with Charlie by his side.
Once Nick’s brain reboots (he just kissed Charlie Spring for goodness sake), he remembers that Charlie offered to walk him home. That in of itself almost causes Nick’s brain to go offline again. He really is the epitome of sweet and, as luck would have it, Nick has the sweetest tooth. He can’t help himself from internally swooning at the mere thought of Charlie making sure he gets home safe. What a gentleman .
~ 💛 ~
The walk to Nick’s house feels oddly familiar until Charlie realises they’re walking the same direction he took to get here. Nick must live close to him, then. That seems about right, seeing as they both frequent the same launderette and coffee shop. Although, the similarities get increasingly more eerie until they reach a building. It’s… Charlie’s building. The building that contains two flats… Charlie’s is on the bottom, so that must mean-
“Mine’s the top one.” Nick says, pointing above at the studio that houses Charlie’s worst enemy.
“ Oh no. ”
~ 💙 ~
“Oh no?”
Nick sees that Charlie has completely frozen in place, staring up at his flat in horror.
“I just- Can I come inside? Please?” Charlie asks. He looks like he’s seen a ghost and Nick is a little bit worried about him.
“Of course you can. Is everything okay, Charlie?”
“Yeah, I think I need to sit down.”
Nick immediately spurs into action in an attempt to help Charlie up the stairs. They finally reach the front door and Nick keys it open, allowing Charlie a moment to get his bearings and take off his shoes. Charlie begins pacing around the flat (the opposite of sitting down), muttering something under his breath about… a giant? Nick can’t be sure he’s hearing correctly.
“Charlie, are you sure you’re alright? You’re scaring me a little bit.” Nick asks, watching nervously.
“I’m so sorry. This is just a lot to take in.”
“Sure.” Nick agrees, pretending to understand despite not having the slightest clue as to what Charlie is talking about.
“I think if you kiss me, it’ll help.” Charlie says, matter-of-factly nodding his head and staring at Nick with pleading eyes. There’s no universe in which he could ever deny that face, so he slowly approaches Charlie and cups his cheek gently. This he is more than happy to do.
“Okay, sweetheart.” Nick whispers before softly pressing his lips to Charlie’s, letting their mouths open and close languidly against one another. Nick has almost worked up enough courage to start using his tongue when Charlie is pulling back. He is breathless and his pupils are blown out. For some reason, Charlie lets out an exasperated groan.
“I cannot believe that you are Polyphemus!”
“Poly what now?”
“Shut up and kiss me, I’ll explain later.”
Nick trusts Charlie, so he shuts up and kisses him. Charlie is kissing him back with much more force this time. It’s almost… angry? Suddenly, Charlie is licking into his mouth and possessively taking Nick apart with his tongue. Nick can’t help but let out a surprised moan at this newfound enthusiasm. This kiss is the complete opposite of the one they shared outside the restaurant, and Nick is struggling to see what changed. As much as he is thoroughly enjoying what they are doing, he’s getting a little bit of whiplash. So this time, he’s the one to pull back.
“Charlie, I am so into this. I’m so into you , but I would like to know what’s going on in your brain. If I could.” Nick says sheepishly, voice a little hoarse with want. Charlie sighs and nods.
“Sit with me?” He asks, motioning to the couch. Nick wordlessly follows as they both take a seat. Charlie turns towards Nick and clears his throat, clearly preparing to drop a bomb.
“I actually live in the flat below you”
“ Oh no. ”
~ 💛 ~
“Oh no?”
That was not exactly the reaction Charlie was expecting. Maybe Nick was already feeling sorry about stomping so damn loud every morning? Maybe he was preparing his lengthy apology as they spoke? Surely it must be a mile long if he has any self awareness whatsoever.
“I cannot believe that you are AND.”
“And what?”
“No. A N D. Annoying Neighbour Downstairs.”
“Excuse me?” Charlie squawks, hideously offended. How is he the annoying one?
“Not that you’re annoying!” Nick scrambles, blushing furiously. “I’m just saying it is a little irritating when you’re making a bunch of tapping noises while I’m trying to do work.” He adds in a hushed tone, surreptitiously avoiding any direct eye contact.
“Oh my god, you can hear me drumming?” Charlie frets, suddenly a little bit embarrassed.
“Drumming! That’s what you’re doing! Wait, shouldn’t a drum set sound louder?”
“It’s an electric drum kit.” Charlie admits bashfully. Nick looks dumbstruck for a moment.
“And you hit these fake drums so hard that I can hear them through my floor ?” Nick asks. Charlie can do nothing but nod sadly as shame paints his cheeks red, he had no idea he was actually causing Polyph- Nick to suffer. He feels a bit shit, if he’s honest. At least Nick was waking up to teach primary school and actually make something of his life. All Charlie was doing was being a complete nuisance. He suddenly remembers all the pillows he took to the head from Tori when he would drum too loud in his room back in Kent. Ugh .
“That’s so…” Nick starts.
“Annoying?” Charlie offers, feeling like the world’s biggest idiot.
“Hot.” Nick finishes, “Can I please kiss you?”
Oh. Was that the question he was going with? Um… there is really only one correct answer.
“Yes.”
~ 💛💚💙 ~
After a copious makeout session, they finally come up for breath long enough to have an actual conversation. They make fun of themselves for not realising sooner and share their grievances with one another (“You seriously named me after a man-eating cyclops from Greek mythology?”). They make sure to kiss in between everything, so it’s safe to say neither of them are annoyed anymore.
After a few months paying double the rent despite practically living together, they take the leap and move into a new flat with much thicker flooring. They refuse to subject any downstairs neighbours to the thumping of what they get up to at various times of day, and blessedly they never receive any complaints. Charlie gradually changes career paths to begin working at a queer-owned publishing house, and Nick continues to make Charlie laugh with unhinged tales from his classroom.
Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson are quite fond of their former flat neighbour and, based on the way they get engaged exactly a year after their first date, the feeling is mutual.