Nick's day began as it usually did. He made tea and ate toast for breakfast, tidied his room and apartment from the day before, and texted his friends from Truham-Higgs. It was hard studying in America while they all stayed close to Kent, but he was in school to teach little American lads to play rugby. Or, rather, he was getting his degree in physical education and sports medicine, and America had the best programs. This day, however, would be one that changed Nick's life forever.
He just didn't know it yet.
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When a sharp and quick knock clattered against the door at 10 a.m. sharp, Nick had been expecting it. His new roommates were meant to move in today, though he didn't expect them to be so on time. It was a couple and Nick silently hoped that they wouldn't make him feel like a third wheel in his own home. He lived there, too, after all.
He hopped up to let the couple in and opened the door to a sour looking man holding a box and a smaller, kinder looking man behind him. "Finally," the man in front muttered. The man behind him gave Nick an apologetic look.
"Here, sorry, come on in," Nick said shyly, feeling somewhat intimated by the first man. The man walked past him, setting the box down near the wall, and turned back to Nick. The curly haired man stayed put outside the door like he was waiting for permission for him to enter.
"You must be Nick?" the intimidating man asked. When Nick nodded and held out his hand, the man took it firmly in his own and introduced himself. 'Jesus, he's strong,' Nick thought as the man shook his hand.
"Ben. You spoke with my boyfriend, Charlie," he said with a nod to the man outside the door, "about renting the place as well. Good to officially meet."
Nick was about to reply when the man- Ben- turned to face Charlie. "Well? Are you coming in?"
"Sorry," Charlie squeaked out before stepping inside. He made his way over to Ben while looking around the living room and connected kitchen.
As soon as Charlie reached Ben, Ben pulled him close by his hip. Nick couldn't be sure, but he swears he saw Charlie wince.
"Want to go grab some boxes, babe?" Ben asked Charlie. "We need to get your strength up," he said with a laugh. "The guy passed out yesterday while loading the moving van, can you believe it?" Ben said, his face all but sympathetic.
Charlie looked as if he was about to cry, or throw up, or both, as he rushed out of the apartment. Assumedly, to get more boxes per Ben's request.
"Should he be carrying things up stairs if he passed out yesterday?" Nick asked with a concerned crease in his forehead.
Ben's eyes narrowed at this question, "You think you know what's best for my boyfriend?" Ben asked, poison in his voice.
"No, um, not at all," Nick said quickly, "It's just, I study sports medicine and physical education, and you really shouldn't be doing any kind of physical activity so soon after passing out. That's all," he offered, hoping he hadn't angered Ben. He didn't want to start off with his new roommates on the wrong foot.
"He'll be fine," Ben spat. "Like I said, he needs to get his strength up. Isn't that right, Charlie?" Ben asked the man as he reentered with two boxes. Charlie was red in the face, panting, and looked sick. But, despite all of that, he nodded and turned on his heel to fetch more of the pair's belongings.
"So, which room is ours?" Ben asked.
"Oh, um, it's over here." Nick replied as he led Ben down the hallway, past his own bedroom and their shared bathroom. "I hope it'll be an okay size, I'm not sure what size bed you have."
"It'll be fine," Ben replied as his eyes scanned the room. He did not look impressed.
-
"Finally, the last of our stuff," Ben huffed as he set down the final box. Nick had offered to help, because of course he did, and now the three men were sprawled out in the living room, faces red. Ben had his arm around an exhausted looking Charlie on the couch, while Nick sat in an adjacent armchair.
"I could sleep forever after that," Nick said with a chuckle. "I forgot how tiring hauling shit is."
Charlie hummed quietly in agreement and rested his head on Ben's shoulder. The sour look on the man's face returned.
Nick was quickly realizing that Ben was... off, and Charlie was quiet. Charlie seemed to be the nicer of the two, if anything just because he didn't appear to carry a permanent scowl.
Nick and Ben spent the most time talking of the three of them, Charlie instead opting to remain in relative silence, unless specifically prompted by one of them, usually Ben. Nick couldn't help but notice the way Charlie shrunk when his boyfriend re-entered a room.
"I think I'm gonna head to bed," Charlie said while Nick and Ben were deciding whether to order a pizza or Chinese food. It was the first time he had spoken without being spoken to first the whole afternoon.
Ben scoffed, "Seriously, Charles? We haven't even eaten yet, don't start pulling this shit again."
Nick was taken aback; the way Ben spoke to Charlie was insidious and he did it with such ease. He didn't even seem to register that Nick was in the room with them, but Nick was certain that Charlie was painfully aware.
Charlie pulled his head off of Ben's shoulder, avoiding eye contact with the two men. "I'm just tired, I'm not doing that again," he said weakly, pleading.
"Fine, whatever. I'll hang out with Nick, then. Pizza sound good?" Ben asked, turning his attention to Nick.
Charlie took this as an opportunity to escape, to be alone, to find solace in the comfort of nothing. He quickly stood and made his way to the back of the apartment, whispering a barely audible "Night" to the both of them.
"U-um, yeah, pizza sounds good, mate," Nick replied as his eyes broke away from the back of Charlie's head and returned to Ben's deep, cold stare.
Ben clapped and stood to retrieve his phone, "No fish and no vegetables," he said resolutely, and Nick felt that it wouldn't go well for him if he argued, despite his favorite pizzas including olives as toppings.
Nick's eyes wandered back to the end of the hallway. Through the rest of the (somewhat uncomfortable) evening with Ben, and until sleep overtook him at 3 a.m., Nick found himself wondering what the blue-eyed man was thinking and feeling.
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author's note: hi friends!! i've started a new story :-) this one will be a sort of.. it gets worse before it gets better lol. but it WILL get better!! i'm excited for this story and very inspired, especially for longer form chapters. i hope u all enjoy it!! be sure to check out the story description for updated trigger warnings every chapter, i'm not entirely sure of all the topics that will be discussed in this story right now but i will update as possible triggers pop up! love u all, stay safe, & message me if u ever need to talk <33
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Invisible String
FanfictionNick is starting his second year of college when he has to get two roommates in order to keep affording his flat. When his new roommates end up being a first year Charlie and his second year boyfriend, Nick can't help but suspect something is wrong...
