Work Text:
I’ve known the Springs pretty much my entire life, but Tori and I? We clicked back in secondary school, when we both discovered our mutual disdain for – well, people. There’s a special kind of bond that forms when you realise you’re both allergic to small talk and physical affection. You know the kind – where it seems like everyone around you is hugging, chatting, laughing, and you’re just standing there awkwardly, pretending to smile while thinking, ‘Really? This is what’s happening right now?’
It wasn’t even that we hated people. No, it was more like we were two introverts trying to survive in a world that was just too damn loud. We preferred not having to interact with anyone unless absolutely necessary. The library became our sanctuary – a quiet little haven where we’d hide behind bookshelves, usually sitting on the floor, knees tucked to our chests, silently judging everyone else’s life choices. We weren’t even bookish. Hell, the closest we probably got to reading was finding gay smut on AO3 and pretending we had higher standards. But in those moments, we didn’t need to explain ourselves, and we could simply exist.
And the best part? No one cared. No one ever asked why we didn’t want to be part of the latest drama, why we kept to ourselves. Maybe they just assumed we were “those weird girls.” And honestly? We were . But we were a happy weird. We had our own little world, our own language of brief glances and knowing smiles, like we were in on a joke that no one else got. It was the kind of friendship that didn’t need words.
Things were wonderful, peaceful even, but then it happened. Charlie Spring met Nicholas Nelson.
Charlie Spring, Tori’s younger brother, was always there. Part of the family, and I looked out for him just like Tori did; I was practically his sister too. He was quiet, a little awkward, the kind of guy who blended into the background unless you really knew him. Tori and I? We understood that. We were both the same in a lot of ways – content to sit back and observe, laughing about the absurdity of the world but rarely participating in it.
But then… came Nicholas Nelson.
I still remember the first time Charlie showed me a picture of him. Rugby King, Nicholas Nelson – tall, built like a fridge with muscles bigger than his head, but with a softness in his eyes that was enough to melt anyone, especially me! Of all people, I was floored! Usually, I rolled my eyes at the boys Charlie showed me, dismissing most of them with a bored sigh or a snarky comment, but there I was, completely captivated by one single photo. It was just a picture, for god’s sake! I had to give it to Charlie – Nick had an undeniable pull, something that drew you in and made you want to know more. He wasn’t the type of guy who had to try to be noticed, he just was. He commanded attention without even realising it.
Tori and I? We were the complete opposite. We had absolutely zero interest in getting involved in other people’s business. Our lives were simple, quiet. We were perfectly content in our little bubble, far from the drama. We didn’t want to meddle in anyone’s love lives, especially Charlie’s, but I couldn’t help but notice the way his face lit up whenever he talked about Nick or when Nick was around. There was a softness in Charlie when Nick was near, like someone had finally unlocked a part of him that had been hidden away for so long. It was a sight to behold.
I knew Charlie had struggled with mental health for a long time, but he had never been this... alive . He’d always been like my little brother, a person to lean on, but this side of him – the one that seemed to shine whenever Nick was around – it was a revelation. I never pushed Charlie for more information than he gave me, but I could tell, without a doubt, that something had changed. The difference between Pre-Nick and Post-Nick Charlie was impossible to ignore.
They became like two magnets, constantly pulled toward each other. And it was obvious to everyone that they fancied each other – everyone, except them apparently.
Tori and I had been pretty chill about the whole thing, aside from the occasional side-eye whenever Charlie looked at Nick like he was the only thing worth seeing. But then one day, out of nowhere, Charlie casually mentioned that he was tutoring Nick in maths.
We should have been writing our history paper. That’s what responsible students did, right? But instead, we found ourselves huddled in the hallway, desperately trying to stifle our giggles while secretly eavesdropping on their study session in the kitchen. I knew it was ridiculous. I knew we were being totally invasive, but neither of us could resist. From where we stood, I could hear Nick’s deep voice — rich and smooth, the kind that made you smile even if you hated the world. And then Charlie’s laugh, that soft, genuine giggle that I hadn’t heard from him in ages. The sound made me feel a little lighter, as if I were hearing a piece of him I hadn’t realised was missing. They were laughing. It was awkward, sure, but it was real. The kind of laughter that came from being comfortable with someone, from a bond that didn’t need to be said out loud.
I glanced over at Tori, watching her face. Her expression was unreadable, her lips pressed into a thin line as she observed them through the crack in the door, her eyes narrowing slightly as if she were calculating the same thing I was. There was no denying it — there was something special about the two of them. Something that neither of them seemed to see.
Tori raised an eyebrow at me, her expression impassive as always, but I could feel the mischief bubbling up. She leaned in closer and whispered, “Do you think my little brother has any idea that ‘straight boy’ Nick is already head over heels for him?”
I rolled my eyes. Nick was as straight as a ruler… if you’d bent said ruler in a thousand places. I smirked. “Charlie wouldn’t know even if Nick tattooed ‘I’m in love with you’ on his forehead.”
Tori snorted, her gaze flicking back to the kitchen. “It’s like watching a slow-motion car crash, isn’t it? They both want it, and yet neither one of them will do anything about it.”
A frustrated sigh escaped me as I slouched against the wall, crossing my arms. “It’s so obvious! They’re perfect for each other, and neither one of them will make a move. It’s maddening!”
“But they’re both idiots,” Tori quipped, her tone dry as she shot a glance back toward the kitchen. “Well…” She trailed off, her voice shifting into that tone that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I knew that voice. It was the same one she used when she was about to hatch a scheme that would either get us into serious trouble or change everything.
I narrowed my eyes, sensing where this was going. “ Wellllll?”
Tori didn’t hesitate. “We could help things along.”
I blinked at her, trying to process the thought. “You’re not suggesting—”
“Oh, but I am,” she said with that glint in her eyes — the kind that always signalled trouble. She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “We’ll be their little Cupids.”
For a moment, I just stared at her, my mind spinning. Tori was always full of schemes — most of them bad, some of them borderline evil — but this? This felt different. There was a sense of possibility in her words, an idea I hadn’t quite considered, one that made a dangerous kind of sense. I glanced back at the kitchen door, hearing Charlie’s soft laugh mix with Nick’s deeper one. They were still talking, still so close, and yet so far from actually doing anything about it.
Tori was right. We could totally do this.
I straightened up, my curiosity piqued. “Alright, what’s the plan?” My voice was low, cautious, but underneath it was a spark of excitement I couldn’t hide.
Tori’s lips curled into a grin that was pure mischief. “Simple. We just need to make sure they see what they’re too blind to notice themselves.”
I leaned in, eager for the details, and Tori launched into her plan. It was full of the usual Tori creativity – slightly mad, a little outlandish – but there was a kind of charm to it that made me believe, just for a second, that maybe we could actually pull this off. And that’s how we, Tori and Charlotte, became Nick and Charlie’s personal matchmakers.
➽───❥ 🖤
Tori and I were sprawled across the Springs’ living room sofa, pretending to be casual, but in reality, we were plotting. Our eyes were glued to the hallway, and everything was falling into place. It was a Saturday afternoon, and Nick was supposed to be here any time. In theory, this was the perfect opportunity. The kind of scenario we could orchestrate without too much effort.
I leaned forward, grinning like a cat who’d just found a saucer of cream. “Okay, remember the plan. When they’re here, you need to accidentally spill your tea on Charlie’s notes. Then I’ll–”
“You realise this is my plan, right?” Tori cut me off, lifting an eyebrow, the kind of eyebrow that made it clear she wasn’t just agreeing, she was taking charge. “I’ll spill it on purpose, make it all dramatic, then Charlie will have to sit next to Nick to borrow his notes. Simple.”
“Exactly!” I declared, throwing up my hands with excitement. “They’ll be forced into close proximity, and who knows? Maybe a little accidental shoulder bump or hand grazing?” I winked at her, but all I got in return was a classic Tori eye-roll.
“You watch too many romcoms, Charlotte.”
“Oh, c’mon!” I pouted, jutting out my bottom lip dramatically. “I just want to believe in romance!”
But before Tori could respond, there was a knock at the door, followed by the unmistakable sound of Nick’s deep laugh. Tori and I exchanged a quick, determined glance. This was it! Tori had that spark in her eye – the same spark that made me wonder if you should run or follow her off a cliff. I never thought twice about which one I was doing. It was always the cliff.
When Nick and Charlie walked into the living room, their cheeks were flushed from the cold outside, backpacks slung over their shoulders. Charlie was already mid-sentence, something about quadratic equations, but Nick wasn’t listening. His hand was on the back of his neck, his eyes scanning the room — and then freezing on us.
Oh no.
Tori and I were staring. Too hard.
Charlie noticed immediately. His brow furrowed as his gaze darted between us, suspicion written all over his face. “Tori. Charlotte,” he said, his tone dripping with warning.
“Why, hello there,” I chirped, biting my tongue to keep from using the humiliating childhood nickname I’d been dying to whip out. Poor Charlie was about to suffer enough without that gem.
“Brother,” Tori added, her voice oozing a saccharine sweetness that was borderline terrifying. She slid off the sofa with a grace that belied her intentions.
Charlie crossed his arms. “What are you two up to?”
I plastered on my most innocent grin. “Who, little ol’ us? Nothing. Nothing at all.”
Charlie’s eyes narrowed. He had that same blue-eyed piercing gaze as Tori, the one that made you feel like all your secrets were laid bare.
“Right,” he said slowly. “Well, Nick and I need to revise, so… upstairs you go.”
“At least let us bring you some tea first!” I offered, voice almost too bright, scrambling to salvage the plan. “You know, to fuel the strenuous study session ahead!”
Charlie sighed, already halfway to the stairs. “Fine. But make it quick.”
We didn’t need to be told twice. Tori disappeared into the kitchen with a purposeful stride while I grabbed a pair of mugs, carefully setting them up on the coffee table as if arranging a battlefield. Everything had to be perfect — spoon angles just so, sugar jar within easy reach, even the teapot placed slightly off-centre for a touch of casual realism.
Tori returned a few minutes later, cradling a teapot in both hands. Steam curled lazily from its spout, filling the air with the rich, earthy scent of black tea. She set it down with an air of calm that didn’t fool me for a second. Her expression was sharp, focused – like someone on the verge of committing a flawlessly executed crime.
A moment later, Charlie and Nick reappeared. Charlie strode in confidently, already flipping through his notes as he delved further into the depths of quadratic equations. Nick appeared to be listening intently, but if I looked closer, I could tell his hazel eyes were dropping to Charlie’s lips. His hand was gripping onto his backpack strap as he appeared almost mesmerised by them.
His blond hair was slightly messy, like he’d run his fingers through it a few times too many, which made sense since Charlie told me he had an important exam approaching.
Charlie dropped to the floor first, carefully arranging things on the table. Nick followed suit, kneeling down carefully and tucking his long legs beneath him, casting a nervous glance toward Charlie. I understood Nick’s pain, I was a victim to maths too. Nick’s jaw tightened as if bracing himself, but he didn’t say anything, just pulled out his own notebook and flipped it open.
I leaned back against the arm of the sofa, biting my lip to hold back a grin as Tori leaned forward with the teapot. She poured tea into each cup with deliberate slowness, her movements so exaggeratedly careful that even I felt a flicker of anticipation. She was waiting for the perfect moment, and I could see it in the slight tilt of her head, the way her eyes darted toward Charlie’s notebook.
And then, it happened.
“Oh no!” Tori cried, her voice pitched just right – enough drama to sound genuinely flustered but not so much as to tip Charlie off. The teacup in her hand tilted suddenly, and tea cascaded over the edge, splashing directly onto Charlie’s neatly written notes.
Charlie’s head shot up, his eyes wide with horror. “Tori!” he exclaimed, his voice carrying that special mix of frustration and resignation only a sibling could muster.
“Oh, my god, I’m so sorry!” Tori gasped, hands flying up in mock horror as she stared at the spreading stain. “I didn’t mean to… here, let me grab a towel—” She jumped to her feet and darted into the kitchen, though I caught the twitch of a smirk she barely managed to suppress.
Before Charlie could even begin to process the disaster, Nick was already moving. “It’s okay, Charlie. You can use mine,” he offered quickly, his voice low and steady in that way that always seemed to calm everyone around him.
My breath hitched as Nick shuffled closer, his knee brushing against Charlie’s. “Here,” Nick murmured, glancing at him with a soft, reassuring smile.
Charlie hesitated, his annoyance melting into something else as he reached for the notebook. Their hands almost brushed, and for a moment, they both froze. Nick’s hazel eyes softened even more, a faint hint of pink rising to his cheeks as he realised how close they were sitting.
“Thanks,” Charlie muttered, his own face a little red as he looked away, burying himself in Nick’s notes.
Nick didn’t say anything, just gave a small, almost shy smile before leaning back slightly. Even then, he stayed close, his broad shoulder just brushing Charlie’s as they settled into a quiet rhythm.
From my perch on the sofa, I caught Tori’s eye as she returned with the towel. She didn’t even bother hiding her smirk this time, and I couldn’t resist shooting her a quick thumbs-up. Everything was falling into place. It felt like the universe itself was nodding along, saying, Yes, this is perfect. Carry on.
Almost too perfect.
Tori and I exchanged a knowing glance and made a big show of leaving the room, letting the sound of our footsteps fade down the hallway. Of course, we didn’t actually leave. We just moved far enough away to stay out of sight, wedging ourselves awkwardly around the corner like two overgrown spies in a very domestic thriller.
“Oh my goddd, they’re so cute!” I squealed, practically vibrating with excitement. I clamped my hands over my mouth to keep my voice down, resisting the very real urge to do a little happy dance.
“Shh, don’t jinx us!” Tori hissed, whipping her head around to glare at me. Her sharp whisper carried the same weight as a military command, and I instantly froze like I’d been caught stealing snacks before dinner.
Peering carefully around the edge of the doorway, we watched as the magic began to unfold. Charlie was fully in tutor mode, his brow furrowed as he leaned over his notes, patiently explaining some maths problems to Nick. Nick, for his part, looked like he was trying to follow along while his brain sprinted in circles. His expressions were ridiculously entertaining, shifting from totally lost to slightly less lost to something like cautious understanding.
It was… endearing. Heart-meltingly so. Charlie was being so patient, walking Nick through each step and pausing to re-explain when needed, his voice low and steady. I would never admit it to Tori — not in a million years — but watching Charlie like this made me emotional . He looked so at ease, so in his element, and seeing Nick’s obvious admiration only made it sweeter.
Tori shifted beside me, muttering, “This is better than Netflix.” I stifled a laugh, but she wasn’t wrong.
Then, it happened.
Nick reached for his pencil at the exact same time Charlie did, their hands moving toward the same spot. My heart leapt. Their fingers were so close. Any second now, they’d brush against each other, sparks would fly, and maybe — just maybe — Nick would finally realise that he wasn’t just grateful for Charlie’s tutoring skills.
But fate, as it turned out, was not on our side.
I don’t know what went wrong. Maybe Nick shifted too quickly. Maybe Charlie bumped the table. Maybe the teapot, still precariously perched from earlier, decided it wanted a starring role in this drama. All I know is that one moment everything was perfect, and the next—
Splat!
Nick’s notebook was absolutely soaked in English Breakfast Tea.
“Oh no, no, no!” Charlie yelped, grabbing for the dripping notebook, his voice a mix of panic and disbelief.
Nick froze, staring at the mess like it was some kind of cruel cosmic joke. “What—how did—” He blinked down at the ruined pages, his hazel eyes wide with horror. “Oh no,” he whispered, as if saying it softer would somehow make it less devastating.
From our hiding spot, Tori slapped a hand over her mouth to muffle her laugh. Tears of suppressed laughter pricked at the corners of my eyes, and I had to bite down hard on my lip to keep from giving us away. This wasn’t exactly what we had planned, but… honestly? It was hilarious.
Charlie scrambled for a towel, muttering a string of expletives under his breath, while Nick sat there looking like someone had just told him Santa wasn’t real.
“I’m so sorry, Charlie,” Nick finally said, his voice filled with genuine remorse. He reached out as if to help but stopped, his hand hovering awkwardly. “I—I didn’t mean—”
“It’s fine,” Charlie snapped, though his tone suggested it was anything but fine. He was glaring at the notebook like it had personally offended him.
Nick shifted uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his neck. “I—I can rewrite it,” he offered quickly. “I’ll stay late, or—”
Charlie sighed, his irritation softening just a little as he glanced at Nick’s guilty expression. “Don’t worry about it,” he muttered, his voice losing its earlier bite.
Nick looked down, fiddling with the sleeve of his hoodie, his shoulders slumping slightly. He looked like the epitome of a golden retriever puppy who had just had their favourite toy yanked away and it almost made me feel bad for laughing. Almost.
But Charlie noticed it too and bent down to meet Nick’s eyes. “Hey, it’s okay,” he said softly. “Let's rewrite them together. But first, let me take this to the kitchen,” he added, picking up the tray and glaring down at it with absolute disgust. “I don’t think I’ll want more tea… for a long time.”
Tori leaned back towards me. “Okay,” she whispered, “I think these two are going to be… a bit more work than we anticipated.”
And she wasn’t wrong.
➽───❥ 🖤
And so it began. The endless trials of trying to get two boneheads to admit they had feelings for each other. If there were medals for scheming, Tori and I would have earned a ton of bronzes by now. Unfortunately, our efforts had not exactly panned out the way we envisioned.
The tea disaster was only the first of many failed attempts, and every new plan seemed to fall apart at that seams, no matter what we tried.
➽───❥ 🖤
Attempt #2: Boneheads Watch a Movie
Our next brilliant plan? A cosy movie night. Nothing screams ‘romantic tension’ like dim lighting, a blanket conveniently too small for two people, and Pride and Prejudice queued up on the screen. The idea was simple: create the perfect setting for Nick and Charlie to confront their feelings in the most subtle, yet not-so-subtle way possible. We draped blankets everywhere, dimmed the lights to a warm glow, and lit a few candles for extra ambience. The pièce de résistance? We ‘forgot’ to mention that Tori and I wouldn’t be staying.
Nick and Charlie arrived after studying at the library, a little suspicious of the overly-cosy setup, but too polite to question it. We made some excuse about needing to ‘run errands’ and left them to their fate – or so we thought.
Half an hour later, we returned to find the two of them sitting on opposite ends of the sofa, the blanket still connecting them but just barely hanging onto each of their thighs. They were fully engrossed in a heated, but playful debate about whether Mr Darcy was actually a good romantic lead. Nick was adamant that Darcy was “kind of a jerk,” while Charlie passionately defended his “redemption arc.”
Not exactly the romantic sparks we were hoping for.
➽───❥ 🖤
Attempt #3: The Great Bonehead Bake-off
Since our movie night disaster, Tori and I decided to go for something hands-on: baking. Who wouldn’t fall in love over flour and chocolate chips, right?
We told Charlie we’d have a ‘baking competition’ in the kitchen and roped Nick into joining. Both Nick and Charlie needed some extra convincing, but as soon as I mentioned the other person’s name, they were both goners. Tori and I played the part of judges, while Nick and Charlie awkwardly teamed up to make cookies.
Things started off fine; Nick took charge, showing Charlie how to mix the dough. He kept placing his hand over Charlie’s to guide him, which made Charlie blush furiously. I was practically squealing in silent victory.
Then, somehow, Charlie spilled flour all over Nick, who thought it was on purpose and flicked some back. Suddenly, they were in a full-blown flour fight, covering each other in a fine white dust. I thought it was cute until Charlie accidentally launched an egg at Nick, who ducked… and the egg hit Tori square in the face.
The baking ended with Tori glaring at us, while raw egg slowly descended down her nose, and me holding back laughter as Nick and Charlie awkwardly mumbled apologies. Not exactly romantic. Funny, but not romantic.
➽───❥ 🖤
Attempt #4: Bowling Pin or Bonehead? The World May Never Know
The next plan was deceptively simple: create a situation where Nick and Charlie thought they were going on a group outing, only to realise it was just the two of them. Nothing brings people together like unexpected alone time, right?
We set up a bowling night. Tori, our friend Issac, and I were all conveniently ‘running late’, leaving Nick and Charlie to grab shoes, order snacks, and start a game on their own. When Tori and I finally arrived (after stalling for half an hour), we expected to find them laughing, maybe leaning a little too close over the scoring tablet.
Instead, we found Nick attempting to teach Charlie how to bowl, which might’ve been cute if it hadn’t resulted in Charlie accidentally letting the ball fly backwards and nearly hitting an innocent bystander. Cue mortified apologies and Nick laughing so hard he fell down on the ground. Romantic? Sure, if you squint. Smooth? Not even close.
➽───❥ 🖤
Attempt #5: The Shorter Bonehead Injury
After all the failures and in my growing desperation, I suggested a more casual setting – a simple rugby practice. Nick’s practically rugby royalty and Charlie had been trying to pick it up (definitely not to get closer to Nick), so we figured if they had some ‘one-on-one’ training, sparks would finally fly.
Tori and I watched from the sidelines as Nick showed Charlie how to tackle properly, putting his hands on Charlie’s shoulders to guide him. Charlie looked like he might faint from the contact, and Nick just kept smiling like it was no big deal. For a second, everything seemed to be going perfectly. They laughed together, tackled each other, and it was… kinda magical.
Until Charlie, completely misjudging his movements, tripped and twisted his ankle, toppling over into Nick. They both went down, Nick landing on top of Charlie, and for a single, heart-stopping moment, it looked like they might actually kiss.
But instead, Nick scrambled off, face full of concern, and he spent the rest of the day helping Charlie hobble around, apologising profusely and looking like he’d committed the worst crime imaginable. Not quite the intimate moment we were going for.
Sigh.
➽───❥ 🖤
Attempt #6: Two Boneheads Go Back in the Closet
NOW that we were beyond desperate, Tori and I went for the most basic bitch option: we trapped them in a storage closet. It was classic, foolproof even. Surely if they were stuck together they’d have no choice but to talk and maybe even admit their feelings .
Right?
We lured them in by claiming we needed help lifting some heavy boxes, shut the door, and waited outside with baited breath, listening to their muffled voices inside.
“Uh… Nick? Did the door just...?”
“Yeah. Seems like it… locked.”
They exchanged an awkward laugh, and for a second, I thought it was finally happening. We’d done it. But then, the conversation derailed.
“Did you hear what happened to Otis at rugby camp last summer?” Nick asked, suddenly sounding overly-excited.
“No?” Charlie replied, sounding interested but concerned at the same time.
“Well, did I mention he also plays the flute?”
And for the next ten minutes, they just…... talked about rugby… and fucking flutes! I mean, what the actual fuck?! No confession, no passionate admission – just rugby and apparently what Otis likes to get up to in his free time. By the time we finally let them out, they were both laughing, but not the least bit closer to realising their feelings. It’s official. They were two of the most insufferable boneheads imaginable.
➽───❥ 🖤
Attempt #7: Boneheads Lost a Dog
Tori suggested we involve Nick’s dog, Nellie. “Dogs bring people together,” she said. The plan? Have Nick :accidentally’ bump into Charlie while walking Nellie at the park.
We scouted the perfect spot, a quiet pathway lined with trees. Nick walked Nellie down the path, while Charlie, conveniently texted by me about a ‘great running trail’, jogged toward him. Everything was set for the perfect meet-cute.
And then Nellie spotted a squirrel.
Before Nick even knew what was happening, Nellie was bounding down the path at the speed of light and the leash slipped from his hands. Nellie barked madly at the very offensive squirrel as Nick called for her to come back. Meanwhile, Charlie sprinted after her across the park like a man on a mission. Nick, red-faced and yelling apologies, tried to keep up but eventually tripped over the most massive pine cone I’d ever seen. The bloody little bastard. By the time Charlie returned with a wriggling, ecstatic Nellie in his arms, Nick was on the ground absolutely covered in mud.
Charlie helped him up, but the mood was ruined. Instead of romance, they ended up debating leash lengths and the merits of squirrel-proof parks. Not exactly swoon-worthy.
➽───❥ 🖤
Attempt #8: Bigger Bonehead Gets an Ouchie
It was supposed to be perfect.
Sun, sand, and the sound of waves crashing in the background – what could possibly go wrong? Tori and I had this amazing idea to take Nick and Charlie to the beach for the day, thinking the relaxing atmosphere would set the stage for some heart-to-heart moments between them.
We were practically giddy with anticipation as we spread out our towels on the sand. Tori and I, already aware of the underlying tension between the boys, sat back and watched the scene unfold from the sidelines, enjoying the warmth of the sun while keeping an eye on the action.
Nick and Charlie were splashing around in the surf, Charlie being initially hesitant but warming up as he saw Nick laughing and diving through the waves with reckless abandon. It didn’t take long before Charlie was following suit, even managing to pull off a rather graceful dive himself.
Tori and I exchanged excited looks, knowing this was the perfect moment. The ocean breeze tangled in their hair, the golden sunlight casting a warm glow over their faces — everything was set up for a moment. You could practically feel the chemistry building between them.
It started innocently enough. They were standing a few feet apart, water up to their waists, joking and laughing. Charlie was grinning like a fool, clearly more relaxed than I had ever seen him. Nick, never one to shy away from teasing, leaned in closer, flicking some water at Charlie, who retaliated by splashing him right back.
Tori elbowed me. “It’s happening. Look at them. They’re totally gonna kiss.”
I barely managed to suppress a grin, nodding in agreement. I didn’t know if they realised it yet, but it was so obvious. Nick’s playful grin faded slightly, his expression softening as he gazed at Charlie. Charlie, though still a little wary, was looking at Nick with that vulnerable glint in his eyes that made my heart beat faster. They were getting closer. Closer . I swear I could hear the sound of their hearts racing over the ocean waves.
We sat on the edge of our towels, barely breathing as the distance between them closed in. From afar even I could feel the tension building. Nick was almost leaning in, and Charlie was inching forward, his lips just inches away from Nick’s... almost there.
And then…
BAM!
A high-pitched scream broke the spell.
Nick jerked away with a sharp gasp, his eyes wide in shock. He was clutching his leg, hopping on one foot in the water, his expression a mix of pain and confusion. "Ow! What the hell?!"
Tori and I both shot up in an instant. “Nick! What happened?!” I yelled.
Nick, grimacing, looked down at his leg. “I think... I got stung. I— yep, definitely stung by a jellyfish.”
I couldn't help but burst out laughing. Are you serious? Of course, Nicholas Nelson took this moment upon himself to get stung by a bloody jellyfish!
“Here, I can carry you back to the shore,” Charlie offered, already jumping into action, but not before a massive wave came crashing down from the heavens, not only nearly drowning Nick and Charlie, but all of mine and Tori’s hopes and dreams.
➽───❥ 🖤
Attempt #9: Bigger Bonehead is Afraid of Clowns
Halloween rolled around, and Tori declared it the perfect time to manufacture some romance. “Fear brings people closer,” she said confidently. “Adrenaline and close quarters… it’s science.”
We roped Nick into a trip to the local haunted house with Charlie, banking on Charlie sticking close to Nick for comfort. Except it didn’t quite play out that way.
It turns out, Nicholas Nelson — rugby king, six feet of muscle — does not do well with jump scares.
The first time something leaped out of the shadows, Nick let out a yelp that echoed through the whole building. By the third scare, he was gripping Charlie’s arm like his life depended on it, muttering something about “not being scared, just startled”.
Charlie, meanwhile, was having the time of his life. “Are you okay?” he asked, barely concealing a laugh as Nick jumped at a flickering light.
“I’m fine,” Nick muttered, though his knuckles were white from clutching Charlie.
The turning point came when an actor in a bloody clown costume lunged at them from a hidden door. Nick, in a panic, backed straight into a rickety display of fake skeletons. The whole thing toppled over with a deafening crash, scattering bones and props everywhere.
The staff came running, and Nick — face red and apologising profusely — helped Charlie up from where they’d both ended up sprawled on the floor. Charlie couldn’t stop laughing as he dusted himself off.
We were politely escorted out after that, with a stern warning about respecting the set.
On the walk home, Nick couldn’t stop apologising to Charlie for “embarrassing himself,” but Charlie just grinned. “It’s fine, Nick. I didn’t realise rugby players could be scared of clowns, though.”
Nick’s indignant protests made the whole thing even funnier, and Charlie’s teasing smile lingered the rest of the night.
Tori and I counted it as a half-win, no romantic sparks, but at least Charlie had seen a different, very human side of Nick. And honestly? Seeing the great Nicholas Nelson reduced to hiding behind Charlie was absolutely priceless.
➽───❥ 🖤
Attempt #10: Clumsiest Boneheads on Planet Earth
Determined not to give up, despite nine failures now, Tori thought a quiet evening in the local bookstore would work wonders. “Nothing says romance like cosying up with a good book,” she said with an eye roll as she dragged us into a large independent bookstore that had a café in the back. We planned to sit in the comfy chairs, sip coffee, and let Charlie and Nick discover their mutual love of literature.
We even had a list of books we thought would be great conversation starters — The Song of Achilles and The Odyssey. We had it all set up.
At first, it went well. Charlie and Nick browsed the shelves together, discussing books they’d loved over the years. They were close — too close, if you asked me, which was perfect. I caught Nick leaning in a little as Charlie spoke about a new author he’d been into.
Then disaster struck. As Charlie pulled a particularly large book from the shelf, it triggered an avalanche of books from the shelf above. The pile was huge — hardcover books tumbling down in slow motion, one by one, until they had all crashed to the floor with a thunderous noise.
Nick was trying to help Charlie salvage the books, but his efforts only made it worse. In his panic, he knocked into another shelf, sending more books flying. We had a full-blown bookstore disaster on our hands, and the poor staff had to rush over to help clean it up.
Charlie, his face flushed with embarrassment, muttered a “Sorry,” and did not find the humour in it. Nick’s awkward apology didn’t help much either. The romantic evening we’d hoped for turned into a quick exit to the café, where they sat in uncomfortable silence, avoiding each other’s eyes.
I think they were both too embarrassed to even talk about books at that point.
➽───❥ 🖤
Attempt #11: No words. Just Bloody Boneheads at the Museum!
I’d read somewhere that museums were perfect for casual, intellectual dates. There was plenty of room for conversation, shared interests, and quiet moments of connection. Tori was all in on the idea. “We’ll just walk through the art exhibit, talk about the paintings, and maybe they can share a moment over something beautiful,” she said confidently.
At first, it worked. Charlie and Nick lingered in front of a painting, discussing its meaning, and I could see it — Charlie was leaning in a little closer, his voice soft as he explained the artist’s intentions on the canvas. Nick was listening intently, but…
Somehow, some-bloody-how … Nick’s hand brushed against Charlie’s and — BAM! Nick knocked over an entire display stand. The glass case shattered, sending artefacts clinking to the floor. The sound was deafening.
Charlie, horrified, immediately started apologising, but Nick’s flustered response of, “It wasn’t me!” only made things worse. Museum staff rushed over and we were promptly escorted out with a promise to pay for the damages.
On the way out, Charlie didn’t even look at Nick. Tori and I exchanged a resigned look. “This is fine,” I muttered to her. “We’re doing great.”
➽───❥ 🖤
Attempt #12: The Bonehead Miracle
By the time Christmas arrived, Tori and I were completely and utterly spent. After 11 failed attempts it was getting rather pathetic, but we refused to give up. Our ‘well-laid’ plans had become a comedy of errors, and Tori and I had started joking that we’d need to start a support group for frustrated matchmakers.
It was 23rd December, and we were having the annual Christmas party at the Springs’. The lights were twinkling on the tree and the smell of mulled wine and cinnamon filled the air. It was cosy, festive, and warm. Tori and I had decided it was now or never. If there was one moment that we could possibly get these insufferable boneheads together, it was tonight.
Tori had bought a fancy little sprig of mistletoe after me nagging her multiple times that it would make for the perfect Christmas miracle. She rolled her eyes but of course, I got my way in the end.
“I think it’s time,” she whispered to me, holding the mistletoe behind her back, her face as impassive as ever but that mischievous glint returning to her eye.
I nodded, equally exhausted and determined. “Let’s bloody do it.”
The house was crowded with not only people, but loud people. A combination that Tori and I really didn’t like, but we put on our big girl pants because we were determined for the Nick and Charlie Happy Ending™. Laughter echoed as Christmas carols were on a constant loop in the background. Nick and Charlie, both dressed in ridiculous Christmas jumpers knitted by Ms Nelson, were chatting by the fire. They appeared perfectly at ease and Charlie was giggling. I noticed the way he was looking at Nick, the affection clear in his eyes, but he wasn’t making a move. Nick, oblivious as ever, was completely lost in the conversation, going on and on about his new puppy.
Typical.
I turned about to ask what exactly her plan was, but closed my mouth when she gave me that devil-may-care grin. “I don’t like it when you look at me like that.”
“I need your help getting this up there,” she explained, pointing to the doorway leading into the living room.
I blinked, looking at her in confusion. “What do you mean, up there?”
“Don’t be blind, Charlotte. Can’t you tell it’s perfect? I’ll climb on your shoulders, hang the mistletoe, we’ll push Nick and Charlie over here, and boom!”
I groaned and complained, but leaned down to move into position anyway. I knew there was no arguing here. Tori climbed onto my shoulders and she quickly pinned the mistletoe above her before I plopped her back down again.
Tori and I decided to wait and see if Nick and Charlie would walk under the mistletoe themselves and surely enough, as if fate finally decided to team up with us, they did. I glanced at Tori, grinning so widely I thought my face might break. I took a deep breath as I watched them move side-by-side as if in sync.
Then, just as they reached the mistletoe, they both stopped, their heads turning up in unison to look at it. I swear, time froze for a moment. There was that brief, awkward silence as they both realised what had just happened. And then-
“Oh no,” Charlie said, his voice soft with surprise, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink as he met Nick’s eyes again.
Nick blinked, as if still processing things. “Oh… We’re under the mistletoe.”
I could feel my heart thumping loudly in my chest. This was it. It was finally happening.
Charlie, of course, looked like he might faint again. His cheeks were flushed a deep shade of red, and I could see his fingers twitching as if he wasn’t quite sure whether to pull away or stay still. But when Nick reached for his hand, I noticed the tension ease slightly, though Charlie’s face turned even redder.
Nick was just as flustered, but this time, surprisingly steady. There was no hint of hesitation in him, no pulling away or backing down. He didn’t rush it — he moved slowly, like he wanted to savour every moment as his eyes softened when they met Charlie’s. However, I could see the small hint of panic in his features as their hands touched.
“Well, uh... I guess there’s no getting out of it now,” Nick said with that nervous chuckle of his, but there was something else behind his words. His eyes — those hazel eyes of his — were full of warmth, and something even deeper. Fondness. Like he had finally found something worth waiting for.
Charlie’s hand twitched again, and for a second, I thought he might pull away. But then, as if driven by the same impulse, he slid his fingers through Nick’s. It was a small thing, but it was everything . They were both waiting for the other to make the first move, but it seemed like they’d already crossed that invisible line. There was no turning back now.
“Do it,” Tori whispered, her voice low and almost conspiratorial, channelling her inner Palpatine.
Her words were the last little nudge they needed. I saw Nick’s posture shift ever so slightly, his body angling just a touch closer. It wasn’t a sudden movement, but it was enough. Nick reached up and cupped Charlie’s face, his thumb brushing over his cheek as he stared at him. It was like he was seeing something in Charlie he hadn’t noticed before, like he was taking in everything about him and committing it to memory.
Charlie’s breath caught in his throat, and for a brief second, I thought he might pull away, his nerves overwhelming him. But then, slowly, he leaned forward, closing the distance between them with a tenderness that made my heart ache. Their lips met, soft and unhurried, like they were discovering something new, something real. Together.
I barely realised I was holding my breath until I felt Tori’s fingers grip mine, squeezing tightly. I didn’t know what to say. I could barely even think. The world seemed to slow down around us, and for that one perfect moment, it was just Nick and Charlie, wrapped in the magic of something that felt both new and inevitable.
They didn’t pull away. Not right away. They stayed like that, their lips still touching, their foreheads resting together. I could see the quiet joy on both their faces. It wasn’t just a kiss – it was a promise. Everything they’d been too afraid to say before was sealed in that single, perfect moment.
When they finally parted, Charlie’s eyes were wide, his breath still uneven, but there was something in his gaze now. Something that wasn’t there before. He smiled, his hands still loosely tangled with Nick’s, and it was a smile that made me feel like the world had finally clicked into place.
Nick’s thumb stroked Charlie’s jawline affectionately, a quiet laugh escaping him. “Merry Christmas, Char.”
Charlie’s grin was a little sheepish, but his voice was steady as he answered, “Merry Christmas, Nick.”
It was the simplest of words, but they meant everything. And in that moment, I knew without a doubt that this was it. They’d crossed the line. They’d finally found each other. The hesitation, the confusion — it was all gone.
Tori and I stood there, our hands still tightly intertwined, and I felt a rush of relief flood through me. The kind of relief that only comes from knowing that something so right had finally happened. We’d done it. It was done. Mission accomplished.
“Mission accomplished,” I said breathlessly as I echoed my thoughts, not sure how to feel. A part of me wanted to cry and another part of me wanted to hug Nick and Charlie, which was very unlike me. “How do you feel, Tori?”
Tori looked at me, smirking. “Honestly? I thought we’d have to try a hundred more times. Who would’ve thought it would’ve been the bloody mistletoe that made them get their head out of their bloody arses.”
I snorted at that, a chuckle rising in my throat. “I guess it’s just the magic of Christmas.”
Tori rolled her eyes, but she was still smiling. “Whatever. I’ll let you have that for tonight and tonight only.”