Charlie got home late and drew a sharp breath, rubbing his face.

He didn't want to admit that he had fun with Nick again...It didn't help that Josh was still pissed off. He tried to call him on the drive home, but it got declined, and all of his texts were left on read. It made him feel so...Guilty. His good mood from being out with the Paris gang again vanishes because of Josh.

Why was he acting like this?! Josh knew how bad the breakup was, and Charlie didn't think he could trust Nick again. So, can't he have faith in their relationship? In him? God, his head was pounding with a headache from his thoughts swarming in his head.

He was about to shower to scrub his mind clear but quickly checked his phone as it dinged with a notification, expecting it to be Josh.

It was from Nick. He thought he had blocked him ages ago!? Guess not...

Nicky: Hi

Nicky: it was nice to hang out with you again :)

Charlie sighed softly and sat at the tub's edge, debating whether to reply. 'I mean...harmless, right?' He thought to himself.

Char: hi!

Char: it was.

It felt like a weight was lifted off his shoulders as the text went through. Did Charlie miss texting Nick? He did miss talking to Nick all the time; he missed his laugh, smile, hugs, and the way his eyes could light up an entire room... Things with Josh just weren't the same. He accepted the fact that nobody was as good as Nick Nelson.

Charlie felt like such a dick for missing Nick when he was with someone else...

Nicky: so, how's uni going?

Charlie couldn't help but smile softly at that.

Char: it's good!

Char: Second-year studies are way harder, haha

Nicky: that's what she said!

Char: Nick!!

Charlie giggled loudly and got into the shower, smiling to himself.

They texted all night, catching up on each other's lives, and Charlie asked Nick how Nellie was doing. Nick responded with pictures of the beautiful old border collie, and Charlie's heart felt so wholesome again.

It distracted him from that Josh was ignoring his calls and texts; what was going on?

Charlie swiped out Nick's texts and hit his and Josh's conversation instead.

Char: if ur mad at me pls, tell me.

Char: don't ignore me like an ignorant highschooler.

Josh: well, I am mad.

Josh: I don't want you to hang out with Nick again.

Josh: You were so in love with him!

Charlie tried to call Josh but cursed out under his breath as Josh declined the call; god, he was acting like such an ass?!

Josh: I don't feel like talking right now. I'm going to go to the bar with Jax to calm down.

Charlie's face fell.

So, instead of working out an argument with his boyfriend, is he going to go to the bar with his best friend?

Char: ok.

Josh: you have no right to be mad at me for hanging out with Jax. You hung out with YOUR EX.

(TW, feel free to skip)

Charlie didn't reply; the tears in his eyes rolled down his cheeks. His mind was loud, and his arms began itching, aching for a cut sensation. He couldn't...

He's been doing so well.

He's been clean for over three months and could not ruin it because of Josh's childish behavior. Charlie needed to leave. He needed to be out of his room; he needed to be somewhere safe from his mind.

(End of TW)

Everyone in the house was asleep, so he didn't bother telling anyone where he was going.

Charlie pulled on his shoes, got his keys, and got into his car, beginning to drive.

Before Charlie knew it, he walked up to the Nelson's front door. He rang the doorbell and took a deep, shaky breath.
God, What was he doing? Showing up to his ex's house like this? Without notice? He should go home.

The front door opened as Charlie was about to turn back to his car. Nick stood at the doorway with worried eyes, "Charlie?" He tilted his head.

Charlie looked at Nick, fiddling with his hands anxiously, "God, I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have shown up here...I-I-" He broke down sobbing before finishing his sentence. He's so humiliated and overstimulated that he can't mask his emotions like usual.

But Nick, being Nick, walked over to Charlie and wrapped him up in a hug, rubbing his back in a comforting way. Nick was so pure it hurt Charlie's heart. Charlie sunk into Nick's arms, clinging onto him, desperately needing comfort.

Nick had soft eyes; yes, they broke up, but he'd still do anything for Charlie, no matter what. "Hey, it's okay' you don't have to talk about it... Uhm, Want to come in for some tea?" He offered.

"Y-Yeah...would be great, thank you." Charlie followed Nick inside, pulled off his Converse, and wiped his eyes again. Oh, wow, how he had missed the Nelson Household. It was so comforting to Charlie...It was home, even if Charlie didn't want to admit it.

Nellie stayed close to Charlie, wagging her tail softly, knowing something was up. Even Nellie adored Charlie and loved that he was around again. He petted her as Nick made them tea in the kitchen; it felt so good to be there again.

"You remembered how I liked my tea?" Charlie teased Nick as he took the mug, bowing on it softly. Nick hid his blush, "Uh yeah." He rubbed the back of his neck a bit. Nick never lost his feelings for Charlie...He tried to date, but it just didn't feel the same. Having him around again felt like he was his usual self again...He wasn't sure how this was going to go.

"Uhm, Do you want to talk about what's wrong? We don't have to." Nick rambled, fiddling with his mug.

Charlie nodded. "No, it's okay. I want to." He sipped his tea before explaining, "Uhm, so I'm with this guy I met in uni, Josh. he just got upset that I hung out with you...My ex." He hoped it wasn't awkward for Nick that he was mentioning his new boyfriend.

Nick had big, sorry eyes. "He sounds like a prick." He joked, trying to ease the tension. "He usually isn't; he just got jealous, which ruined my mood..." Charlie set down his mug.

Nick nodded, processing that Charlie had a boyfriend for a second. Not going to lie...It did sting hearing it from Charlie. But he put it aside and had to help Charlie regain his trust.

"Well, My advice is to give him space and to let him reach out to you first since...he started it." Nick said, 'Started it' with a mocking little kid tone, causing Charlie to giggle. Nick knew how to cheer him up... he missed that so much. Josh rubbed his knee and gave him a comforting smile whenever he ranted or broke down; that was it.

Was Josh the one for Charlie?

After seeing how he acted that night, Charlie doubts Josh. His mind was spiraling...He must've been zoning out because Nick poked his cheek gently,

"You zoned out, didn't you?" Nick hummed to Charlie.

Charlie blushed in embarrassment, "You know me so well." He teased.

Before he knew what was happening,

Nick leaned in and kissed him.

Charlie froze; he knew this wasn't right. He was cheating. He cheated on Josh...

Charlie reacted fast; he couldn't think about it properly; he shoved Nick off and ran to the door, fumbling to put on his Converse with his shaking hands, and rushed out the door. His mind was so loud that he didn't hear Nick calling his name.

Charlie got into his car and sped home. He knew he wasn't in the right state to drive, but his flight instincts kicked in.

He shouldn't have gone to Nick's house.

Nick kissed him...

He cheated on Josh...

A/N: ahh! Chapter Five is out now! It is probably my favorite chapter yet and the longest :D Let me know what you guys think!!!