Holding you like this

Thousand years

Charlie groaned as he opened his eyes. The morning light was shining through the window in a rather invasive manner and it was making him even groggier than he already was. Rubbing his eyes, he turned over and saw Nick awake, book in his lap, sitting on the other side of the sofa "Morning, gorgeous," Charlie whispered, leaning forward to kiss Nick on the cheek, but Nick lifted his hand to stop him. "Shush, Charlie! This book is getting really good," Nick snapped back quietly. Charlie rolled his eyes and scoffed, feigning annoyance.

Truthfully, for some inexplicable reason, he found Nick's enthrallment with the book rather endearing. Instead of kissing him, Charlie scooted closer until he was laying against Nick's side and wrapped an arm around his waist. Once he was comfortable, he closed his eyes and sighed with content. Losing his focus on the book, Nick's eyes fluttered to Charlie's face, noting how his features softened in the light of the sun. Nick bit his lip to keep himself from smiling. How was he supposed to read when Charlie was being so obnoxiously adorable, curled up against his husband's side? Giving up, Nick sighed and plucked his book from his lap, setting it on the coffee table, before turning in Charlie's arms so that he was laying on his side, facing Charlie. He reached up to stroke Charlie's hair gently, and smiled softly as the brunette opened one eye to look at him.

Charlie returned Nick's smile and closed his eyes again. "What about your book?" he murmured, burying his head into Nick's shoulder. Nick closed his eyes and pulled Charlie closer, still stroking his hair. "It can wait. Go back to sleep." Charlie hummed quietly, pulling the blanket higher over the both of them. "Mm, night." "It's nine in the morning, Charlie." "I don't care. Night, Nick," Nick laughed lightly and kissed the top of Charlie's head. "Goodnight, gorgeous."

Less than two hours later, Nick awoke, Charlie still cuddled up to him asleep. He gently stroked his back "Good morning," Nick whispered. His breath ghosted over Charlie's neck. It tickled a little and made Charlie smile brightly. "Good morning," he replied and turned around in Nick's loose embrace. Nick reached up and stilled Charlie's hands beneath his. As he looked at Charlie, his still-frantically beating heart slowed. With an exhale, he pulled the brunette closer until their lips met. Breathing in and out, Nick ran his hands along Charlie's back, as his hands grasped onto the thin short sleeved top Charlie had slept in. Charlie moved to his lap, his legs wrapped around Nick's waist. Charlie held Nick's face and kissed along his cheekbones gently. He nudged his nose against his cheek, and they sat there wrapped around each other, the rise and fall of their chests slowly synchronising. Nick still couldn't understand the how's or whys of their marriage or their relationship in general, but he knew that although they both felt lost, they felt less so when they were together.

Nick noticed Charlie turning more quieter, realising that today would be a bad day "Is it one of those days again?" He asked. Charlie nodded, both embarrassed and endeared that Nick could recognize what was wrong with him majority of the time. He welcomed him under the covers of his bed, moulding himself into the other boys arms, trying to get as close as possible. The two lay in silence, Charlie finding comfort in having the other's presence, because Nick reminded him that tomorrow existed, and that just maybe, everything would be okay for a bit. Nick moved them to upstairs and into bed before carding his fingers through the younger boys soft tufts of dark hair.

Nick kept playing with his hair as he looked up with tears in his eyes "Oh baby, it's okay. Want to watch a film or go back to sleep?" "Film." "Anything?" He nodded "Of course." They were only ten minutes into the film, and yet he has already started softly snoring against Nick's shoulder. Nick glances to the side a bit and takes in Charlie's sleeping face; his rosy cheeks, the curve of his nose, the way his dark eyelashes are downcast and tremble occasionally as he dreams. So cute, Nick thought, smiling to himself. Charlie is so cute. Nick turns down the volume on their TV in their bedroom and tries not to move too much, knowing that Charlie could use all the sleep he can get right now. Nick imagines that this is what cat owners feel like when they're stuck in one spot for hours because said cat decided to fall asleep on them.