Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter 21: Epilogue - Stick Together

Joint Perspective

“Come on Nick!” Charlie is jumping up and down at the sideline. Nick just wrong footed his opponent with a very convincing dummy pass, before side stepping and making it to the try line. He’s jostled by his teammates, patting him on his back and pulling him into headlock style hugs, but he looks over to the crowd, it’s Charlie’s approval he seeks.

Charlie gives it willingly. Nick’s smile is broad, his chest inflated under his boyfriend's pride.

Rebecca, the wife of the tight-head prop, Russel, offers Charlie a cup from her flask of tea. It’s mid-February, a little over a year since they got together and the air is biting, so he accepts it readily.

“You coming to the club house after Charlie?”

“Yeah - we’ll be there. Need to keep an eye on that one. That’s three tries now, everyone will be looking to buy him a pint and we’re headed off on a trip for half term tomorrow. He won’t want to travel on a hangover.”

“I’d tell Russel to keep the boys in check, but you know that will only make it worse.”

“Oh, I know.”

“So, where are you headed?”

“Catching the Eurostar. It’s not till midday but we’ve got to take Penny to Nick’s mum’s first, so it’s a reasonably early start.”

You going to Paris?”

“Yup! We might catch Nick’s dad but well, we actually went when we were teenagers together, on this school trip. I think there’s a couple of things we want to put right.”

“What do you mean?”

Charlie smiles and his thoughts drift to wandering through the streets holding hands, kissing in front of the Mona Lisa, or on the Eiffel tower, sharing a hotel room with no one else around....

“Nothing really, Nick wasn’t out back then, and well we were just two oblivious fools in love. So... yeah just a couple of things we’d like to do differently.”

“Oh my God, you two are so sweet! It gives me toothache sometimes.”

Charlie feels he should deny it, but what would be the point? No one who ever saw them together could doubt their affection. He bends down and strokes at the chocolate lab at his feet, “I’m just going to take her to stretch her legs a bit. See you Becky. Thanks for the tea.”

He drains the small cup and hands it back. Charlie was a regular supporter at the club, he didn’t come every week. Sometimes he had band rehearsals and Nick insisted he didn’t come when it was pouring, “Charlie - I won’t be able to concentrate on the game if you’re shivering at the sideline, OK!” Sometimes, he did want to take a day for himself on a Sunday but more often than not, he could be found with their dog, cheering Nick on, sharing in his life.

It had taken him a couple of months to be persuaded that Tom wouldn’t cause a scene. It wasn’t even the fact that they’d dated for 5 minutes, but more that Tom and Mark were still close, and he felt like he was the ‘other man’. However, after the initial awkward greeting, Tom assured him he wasn’t one for holding grudges.

_____________________________

“You two are so in love, it actually makes me want to throw up.”

“Em, thanks...?” Charlie was wide eyed, but Nick was grinning at him like a fool at him.

“It’s not a compliment just an observation. I mean it’s not a bad thing either it’s just... obvious.”

_______________________________

Nick was back to teaching full time now, having sold his part of the business to Jess. Between them getting a dog, and trying to make more time to see their families and doing not inconsiderable repair work with a lot of their old friends; trying to manage a startup was proving impossible. Charlie worried that Nick was giving up something he loved, but Nick just told him, he would forever be grateful that it brought them back together, but he really didn’t need it to be a reason they spent half their Saturdays apart.

____________________________

“I was looking for something in the wrong place with that. I wasn’t happy and I didn’t understand why.”

“You love it though.”

“I love you. And I love baking for you, and for people I know. I don’t love manning a food truck every Saturday after a full week at school. I promise you, I will be very content just making the best birthday cakes in our kid’s class one day.”

“Oh my God Nick, you ridiculous sap!”

“Aww, You love me.”

“I really do.”

_______________________________

Charlie heads back to his position at the side of the pitch they’re two converted tries up and there’s only a few minutes left. Nick catches his eye, during a brief stoppage in play and Charlie starts to get a familiar tingling rising in him. He got the impression from the look Nick was giving him, they’d only be staying for one drink.

As Charlie drives them home, Nick’s hand is resting on his knee. From time to time, Charlie brings his own down from the steering wheel to squeeze at it.

“You played really well today, Nick.”

“Yeah?”

“Nick! You know you did.”

“Did you... like watching me?”

“Nick! Honestly... you’re going to make me blush.”

“I’m going to make you more than blush, baby.”

Nick’s hand migrated a little northward and was high up in between Charlie’s thighs.

“Oh fuck. Don’t make me hard when I’m driving Nick – please!”

“Gahhh. Ok – I'll wait till we get back.”

They open the door to the house, Penny runs into her fluffy basket in the corner, and the door isn’t fully shut behind Charlie before Nick, is on him. Pinning him against it.

His hand is gripping at Charlie’s thick coat, their lips wild and and firm. He hoists Charlie’s leg up around his waist gripping just under the knee, and starts peppering kisses at his jawline, “Jesus, Nick, you get so horny when you win. This is ridiculous.”

“Charlie, you’ve had an erection for the last 10 minutes of the car journey, don’t put this all on me!”

“Oh, I fully accept that seeing you play is a turn on for me. I’m not embarrassed about it.”

“Good, neither am I. Upstairs?”

“Upstairs!”

*****

It’s their 3rd day in Paris and Nick looks nervous, they’re headed to the suburbs to see Stéphane and Giselle. It’s the first time they’ve seen each other since the wedding in August.

_________________________

“Félicitations papa, j'espère que tu seras très heureux.” [Congratulations dad, I hope you will be very happy]

“Merci mon fils, je suis si heureux que tu sois là” [Thank you son, I'm so happy you're here]

“Papa, do you remember Charlie? We were at school together, I think you met one time when you visited?”

“Oh perhaps, yes. I think so.”

“Well, either way, Charlie this is my dad Stéphane, Papa this is Charlie, my boyfriend.”

“Very nice to meet you, Charlie. Nick spoke very highly of you when we talked on the phone.”

“It’s nice to see you again to Stéphane.” Charlie very definitely did remember their first meeting. Stéphane had been an hour late for Nick’s birthday meal, and left early since he had a meeting first thing in London the next day. Nick had cried on Charlie’s shoulder that night, and wondered what he could do to make him care more.

Still, Nick wanted to be there at the wedding regardless of the past, so Charlie would be there to support him.

__________________________

“Hey, you OK? We don’t need to visit him if you don’t want to. We can just head to some cafe, and drink coffee so strong that you can stand your spoon up in it.”

“I promise, it’s not that. I just... I don’t know, I’m a bit on edge but it’s really nothing to do with my dad. We’re going to have wine and be talked at for an hour or two but that’s OK. I promise, I don’t need things to be perfect with him, it is what it is.”

“So, what’s up baby?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Nick, do I need to do the, 'we tell each other things', speech that hasn’t come out in a while...”

“I promise, I’m fine. If something was wrong, I would tell you.”

Nick reaches for Charlie’s hand and kisses at his knuckles. He wasn’t lying exactly, nothing was wrong, but he was hiding something.

Dinner with Stéphane and Giselle went as well as could be expected. They had a nice time, they updated each other on their lives. Stéphane got close to criticising Nick for playing in a very amateur Sunday league rugby team, and not having pursued it at a higher level, but his wife put her hand on his knee and berated him in rapid French that Charlie didn’t understand, and Nick looked at her gratefully.

Other than that, they ate and drunk a little too much, and Stéphane was actually very impressed with Charlie’s extensive music knowledge, even showing him his prized collection of vinyl.

In the hotel room that night, Nick was the little spoon, and Charlie stroked his hair. He felt there was still something playing on Nick’s mind, more than just his arm's length relationship with his father, but he just couldn’t work out what.

When he wakes the next morning, Nick is still tucked into his arms, his back against his chest. He’s vaguely aware that Nick is obviously already awake, he smells like hotel shower gel, his breathing isn’t heavy enough. His body carrying just a little too much tension. Nick arches his back, and Charlie understands why he’s woken up.

His dick throbs in response, he’s hard which was pretty normal, especially when he falls asleep with Nick’s perfectly round arse pressed up against him. Nick shuffles again, rolling his hips.

“Something you want Nick?”

“God, finally! I’ve been awake for ages!”

“So, you just thought you’d rub up on me like some sort of sex pest alarm clock till I took the hint?!”

“Charlie - you’ve been fucking hard and poking me with that thing since like 6.30 this morning! I really did want to let you sleep sweet heart. I even got up and had a shower to start getting ready for you, but you were still dead to the world and I kind of need you to fuck me now.”

“Jesus, why were you awake at 6.30? What time is it?”

“It’s nearly 8am – please Charliiieeee!”

Nick pushes his arse right into Charlie’s now painfully hard dick, and he has no wish to leave him waiting any longer.

“Hmmm, what you in the mood for baby?”

🔥🔥🔥

“Mouth and fingers, work me open please, then I want to ride you.”

Nick isn’t usually quite so decisive, he’s very happy to let Charlie take charge. But he's has been tense for days now and clearly needs this. Charlie is very willing to make him forget whatever it is that’s causing him to feel quite so stressed.

Nick spins in Charlie’s arms, and they kiss languidly for a bit, while Charlie continues to come to. His hand works it’s way down Nick’s naked torso, pausing to pinch a little at his boyfriend’s nipple and Nick, whimpers sweetly in response. Charlie suddenly isn’t feeling quite so sleepy any more and he pushes Nick on to his back, so he can properly kiss down his chest, nibbling as he descends.

He pauses at Nick’s navel, and darts his tongue inside. He’d discovered not long into their relationship, it seemed to have a direct link to Nick’s cock. He pushes in with a little pressure and is rewarded with Nick’s Dick pressing up and dripping against his chest. The man himself, burying his eyes in the crook of his arms and barely suppressing a moan in response to the attention.

“Fuuuuccckkkk..... Charlie. I’m Jesus, I’m practically shaking.”

It was true, Nick was covered in little goose bumps, his whole body on high alert. He trembled lightly, at the intensity of Charlie’s touch. As he went lower, Charlie fully nuzzled into the crease of Nick’s hip and brought his hands to cup gently at his balls, stroking softly at the perineum. Nick was fizzing with the anticipation of what was to come. Charlie licked a stripe up up the underside of his cock, then hooked Nick’s substantial thighs over his shoulders so he was tilted off the bed.

He started circling Nick’s whole with his tongue, bestowing wet sloppy kisses, then lapping at it relentlessly before firming up the pressure and breaching him.

“Roll over sweet, your legs are heavy like that.”

They rearrange themselves and Charlie takes the opportunity to retrieve a towel and some lube. He bites down lightly at the round plump cheek before him and Nick squeaks out and laughs lightly in response. Charlie giggles too but is too turned on to be distracted by playfulness for long. He spreads Nick’s cheeks and dives into him with a strong firm tongue, his thumbs hooked into his flesh firmly spreading him further. After several minutes of this he reaches for the lube and starts to work him with his fingers now.

Nick is squirming and begging him for more, pleading to be filled. He sounds desperate and Charlie has electricity running through his entire body. He should be used to it by now. Accustomed to having this man in his bed, moaning or whispering his name but every day he feels as lucky as the first time.

Of course, sometimes they just have lazy handies on the sofa or occasionally a quick and somewhat awkward blow job in their car. But they still make love like they’ll never have enough of each other. Like the world starts and ends with them. The knowledge that they really are each other’s forever, is so freeing. That Nick will hold him on his down days, and that Charlie will do the same in response. Knowing that neither is too broken, or too anxious or too much for the other. Because Nick was right. That’s what loving someone was, getting past the surface, loving all of them and is turned out they both found each other very easy to love.

The care between them feels like a palpable thing. It's so present, in every look and every touch, in every teasing comment, and kind word.

“Fuck Charlie – I'm ready what are you waiting for baby?!”

Charlie shakes his head and withdraws his fingers, wiping them on the towel and settling down on his back. Nick is kissing his neck and then slathering Charlie’s cock in lube, so he can slide down on to him, inch by inch.

Nick lines up and is surrounding him. Pushing down firmly down to the hilt. He’s, hot, and warm, slick with lube and generous with his praise. “God, I can’t get enough of you Charlie, I could fuck you for days.”

Their hands clasped together, Charlie presses upward and Nick uses his substantial arms to bear his weight as he lets himself rise and fall. Nick’s whole body reacts to the sensation. His niggling worries, or anxieties evaporate in the wake of this pleasure. Charlie loves, him, and he knows it. And he’s doing his best to show him just how much, right now. Charlie’s hands move to his hips, and he pulls Nick further down on to his cock thrusting upward in time and Nick’s head snaps back with intensity of it all. He pulls Charlie to sitting, pressing their chests together. Nick always, wanting that closeness that connection. The movement slows to a sensual rocking and he trails kisses up Charlie’s neck, breathing him in, licking over his skin.

Their cheeks slide over each other as Charlie brings his arms to wrap around Nick’s shoulders. Their heads connect and they hold still for a moment.

“I love you Charlie.”

“Nick, I love you too baby but I’m not going to come if you make me well up. Want to lie down on your back for me. I’ll take over.”

Nick kisses at Charlie’s forehead and they change positions. Charlie pushes in quickly this time, folding Nick’s leg up by his chest and crying out as he’s slamming down inside him. Nick’s forces his head down into the pillow, and arches his back in surrender to being filled. Charlie wraps his slender fingers around, his cock. They pant, and rock, and Charlie thrusts. It’s delicious. Nick’s arm squeezes at the back of Charlie’s neck, his eyes trail down to where their bodies are joined, the sight of him being filled, of Charlie sliding effortlessly into him repeatedly is so unbearably hot to watch.

“You close baby?”

“So close, Char. Fill me, want you to come inside me.”

“I’m close too darling, let go – want to feel you tense around me. If you go, I’m going too."

Nick releases and it’s so intense it reaches Charlie’s chin. He runs his fingers through Nick’s spend licking some of it into his mouth before putting his fingers in his lover's mouths. Nick sucks hard as Charlie bucks into him and follows, exploding into him, pulsing wave after wave of cum inside him.

“Christ Char.”

“Nick - oh my God! I thought I was going to pass out.”

Charlie pulls out, and flops on to the bed beside him, he’s grinning at Nick, who’s looking all misty eyed and emotional. Charlie strokes his chin and laughs out, “This is definitely a step up from the last time we shared a hotel room in Paris.”

Nick grins and kisses him on the forehead, “I think this might be a slight improvement darling.”

🔥🔥🔥

They’re out getting breakfast that morning and Charlie gets a message through with details for a regular spot at a local pub for their band. He’s excited and Nick looks at him with soft hazy eyes. “God, I love watching you play Char.”

“You going to be my groupie?”

“As long as I’m the only groupie your shagging!”

“Nick!”

They reach for each other across the table, interlacing their fingers and smiling warmly.

“What, I know what the rock and roll life style can be like, you’re going to get a lot of offers Charlie!”

 “Rock and roll lifestyle - we are playing at The Neptune Inn every couple of weeks Nick, I’m not going on tour!”

 “Still, it’s outrageously hot Char.”

 “Well, if you play your cards right you can even take the hot drummer home and have your way with him!”

 “You’re making me want to kiss you right now.”

 “So, kiss me.”

 Nick leans across and softly captures Charlie’s mouth with his. When he leans back their fingers still joined, he brings Charlie’s hand to his lips and kisses at the delicate skin at the underside of his wrist. That content feeling that had been so elusive for much of their life, was so very evident between them now.

They head for a walk along the River Seine hand in hand. Paris is cold in February but they’re wrapped up warm against the biting air and Nick tucks a stray curl under Charlie’s Beanie as they pause and take in the sights.

He leans forward and kisses the man that he loves, the man that he’s loved since they were both boys, and takes a deep breath.

“Char, you know it always you right, like you’re everything to me.” He feels the tears start to well in his eyes, he’s got very little control over that now, “God, I don’t know what I’m crying for.”

Charlie reaches up and brushes away a stray tear that had escaped and was rolling down his cheek.

“Nick, you’re scaring me a bit, what’s wrong? You’ve been kind of on edge at times since we got here.”

“Nothing, nothing is wrong. Everything’s perfect Charlie, it’s even better it’s real. And I love you and I’m going to keep loving you ’till the day that die”

“Nick...?”

“So Charlie...”

Nick gets to one knee, and Charlie’s mouth gapes open, he can’t help it.

Nick pulls out a ring from his pocket, it’s platinum with a deep blue enamel inlay running through the centre, as close to the colour of Charlie’s eyes as Nick could find.

“Would you do me the honour, of making me the happiest man alive. Will you marry me Charlie Spring?”

“Nick, are you serious right now?”

“I mean... yeah!”

“Of course, of course I’ll marry you.”

Nick gets to his feet and swings Charlie round in his arms, their both beaming, heads touching first, before their lips meet again.

Charlie pulls back, “I just, I can’t believe this is happening to me.”

Nick shakes his head, how could Charlie not have been expecting this, “Believe it darling, I love you, don’t act so surprised.”