(A/N: another chapter out whoo! Thought I'd do a chapter based on the short fight scene we got in season 3 and just write on that, it's sad but has a happy ending. Hope you guys like it and happy holidays!)

(TW: eating disorder, sh & shouting)

His boyfriend was struggling that day. Nick could tell as he sat there beside him, glancing at the plate that was barely touched.

Concern flooded over him as he tried to think of how to approach this sensitive topic, as Charlie fidgeted with his fork. Before Nick knew it and he could process what he said, he spoke out loud, not able to stop himself. "You've barely eaten.." he noted in worry.

Charlie glanced at Nick, caught off guard. He had an anxious look in his eyes as he as well was having trouble comprehending words, "I'm not that hungry today." He managed out.

Nick furrowed his eyebrows as he stared at the plate, "Just eat half." He tried. He at least wanted Charlie to have some food in his system if he hadn't eaten all day.

Charlie tensed at Nick's response. He clenched his jaw and took a deep breath, "I said I can't." He stated in frustration, tossing the fork down onto the plate.

"You're not even trying..." Nick proceeded to try to get the fork to feed him in worry, but Charlie protested, "You're making me feel like shit. You're going to sit there and make me feel insane! Just fuck off!" Charlie cried out in irritation, as Nick held up the fork of peas.

Nick tossed down the fork and got up, not able to handle Charlie's irritation, and stormed out of the house.

Charlie sat there, watching Nick leave trying to understand what just happened. What he said to Nick, how he swore at his boyfriend. Why did he have an outburst like that? Why did he get mad when Nick was just worried about him? His mind began to spiral, and the first thing he thought of was relapse.

- after -

Charlie sat in his bedroom staring at the palm of his hands. Tori had come home and found him in the middle of doing the act, stopping him. He felt ashamed of even thinking of relapsing but it comes and goes like a wave hitting the shore.

Tori called Nick ignoring Charlie's protests, and the worried boyfriend rushed over back to the house. Nick regretted ever having stormed out, in such a time of distress. He should've stayed there for Charlie, knowing there was a possibility of a relapse. He felt so stupid.

Nick rushed into Charlie's room and just embraced him. Charlie clung onto Nick like a reflex, almost desperately. He hid in his shoulder and dug his hands into Nick's back, trying to ground himself after feeling disoriented from his actions. "Shh," Nick murmured as he held onto Charlie, rocking the curly-haired boy softly in his arms. He was trying his hardest to calm him down, after fucking up so bad.

"I'm sorry." Charlie chocked out as tears whelmed in his ocean blue eyes. Nick paused and gently let go of the embrace so he could cup Charlie's face, gaining his attention. "No s-word, even after a fight love." He consulted in a quiet voice, rubbing Charlie's jaw with his thumb in a gentle comforting way.

Charlie melted into Nick's touch, "Please don't ever rush out again. I can't lose you.." he managed out in a shaky voice, clearly close to tears.

Nick's heart ached at the thought of possibly losing the love of his life and held Charlie's face in a soft grip. "No." He said in a stern voice, "I'm never leaving you. Don't ever think that, okay? You're stuck with me." Nick insisted, wiping a tear that fell on Charlie's face.

Charlie stared at Nick with big soft teary eyes and nodded, taking a deep breath.

All Charlie needed was assurance and comfort, and Nick was doing just that. He didn't know how Nick knew him so well, they just clicked immediately. He felt so content, so lucky to have Nick in his life at that moment even after an argument.

"I love you." That was all Charlie managed to say in response to Nick's insistence.

Nick's face softened and he brushed a strand of loose curl that had fallen on Charlie's forehead away from his face, "I love you too, so damn much."