Life After Heartstopper

Happy Birthday Nick

Charlie's pov:
Today is Nick's birthday, September 4th. It's a Sunday today so we decided to have some friends over yesterday for a small gathering, then today we're going to Nick's mums to celebrate with his family.

Nick didn't want to do much for his birthday this year, he just wanted it to be small and meaningful. So that's what we did. We did a lot of partying in our uni years, enough to cover a whole lifetime. It's time to just do what we want now.

Everyone arrived at ours last night, and we started the night off with snacks and drinks. A diet lemonade and vodka for Tori of course, she hasn't changed. We caught up with one another while we were snacking, then decided to play some games. Tao and I still being extremely competitive over winning every single game. After we'd had enough competitiveness, we ordered some pizza's and popped on some music. Daisy loved everyone being here as she got fed leftovers from everyone but Tao. Tao doesn't leave anything behind. And she also got LOADS of attention!
"Open your present!" Tao suggested as we were all gathered round eating pizza.
"He has to wait till tomorrow" Elle jabbed while elbowing him in his rib.
"But I want to see his reaction!"
"Tao!" Elle hissed before changing the subject.

To end the night, we shared some birthday cake that Tara and Darcy brought and had a drink.
"So Nick, how does it feel to almost be another year older?" Darcy asks, intrigued but also trying to stir the pot a little bit.
"Darcy!" Tara exclaims.
We always joke about Nick being a year older then me, saying that he's an old man, but sometimes, it does get to him a bit.
Nick laughs, "Another year older, another year closer to marrying Charlie."
Nick and I's eyes meet, we smile lovingly at one another before being interrupted.
"Okay, I'm actually going to vomit" Tao jumped in, starting to gag.

As the night came to a close, Tao continued to beg Nick to open his and Elle's present. We said we were going to save everything for this morning so that Nick could open everything on his birthday, but Tao wanted to see Nick open his present, and he wasn't going to let it go.
He begged and begged until Nick finally gave in. Tao watched him intensely as he opened the present. Inside the neatly wrapped package, obviously prepared Elle, was a small box. As Nick pulled it open, his face lit up.

I knew what the gift was already, but Nick had no idea, especially coming from Tao of all people.
Inside the box were two cinema tickets to the newest Marvel film. Nick was so excited, Tao pulled a sort of disgusted face as Nick held them up.
"We know how much you love-" he struggled to even utter the words, "-Marvel". He shuddered at the thought of him actually buying the tickets.
"We spoke to Charlie to make sure you hadn't got tickets already, and to check that you were free on opening night of course." Elle explained.
"Thank you so much!" Nick cried, "I know how much pain this would have caused you Tao."
"Oh you have no idea" Elle laughed, "this is probably the most I've ever seen him struggle giving a gift! He wouldn't even be in the same room with them until they were wrapped!"
"Well, it's very much appreciated." Nick thanked the two.

Before everyone left, Nick and I quickly discussed our plans for next weekend with Elle. Tara and Darcy kept Tao busy as we crept off. We went over 'Nick's surprise party' and quickly sorted some details out.
When we went back into the living room, Tao was still mumbling about something or other.
"Tao, we have to go" Elle jumped in, protecting Tara and Darcy from the rest of his rambling.
"Ugh fine, I'll see you guys later" Tao stated as he was being dragged out by Elle.
"Happy birthday!" Elle shouted as she left.
"Happy birthday" Tao grumbled as he was yanked out of the doorway.

As soon as they left, we caught everyone else up on the plan for next weekend. We had told Tao that Nick was going to have a birthday party, but that it's a surprise and we can't talk about it in front if him. We said that Nick thinks that we're just going to have a nice date, just the two of us, so he keeps the date free. Then I'll bring him back to our flat for the surprise. But what Tao doesn't know, is that the party is actually for him. Elle's going to sneak Tao out of the flat once they're done setting up, then when they come back, the party will be ready for him.

Tao's birthday is the 23rd of September. So we still have a few weeks until his actual birthday, but we thought that this was the only way we could actually surprise him.

Tao likes having all the attention on him. Elle has said that after every surprise party we've thrown, Tao wouldn't stop talking about it and would always ask why he never got one. She would tell him that he was too nosy and that's why. Which is excruciatingly true.
Trying to plan something for Tao and keeping it a secret is impossible! He always figures it out, one way or another. He'll either find out accidentally, doing something he shouldn't be doing, or keep pushing us to tell him what's going on until we finally break. It's like he enjoys ruining his own parties!
That's why we decided to pretend that it was for Nick, so we could 'plan' it for him, but really it's for Tao. That way, Tao knows there's a party, so he won't pick up on people acting weird.

We've let Tao have a lot of input on the food, decorations, location etc so that's it's more of what he wants then Nick. He's so clueless that he thinks he's actually doing Nick a favour!

But today is Nick's day.

Nick's pov:
We're on the way to my mums now. We're having a little 'party' at hers with a few relatives and, unfortunately, that includes David.
Me and David don't speak much, he's not as bad as he used to be, but he's still not the kindest person in the world. David is still the classic 'bachelor', living in a 'fancy' flat in the centre of London. Now that, I don't mind, it's him just being a dick that gets to me.

David still doesn't really like Charlie, he also doesn't understand that I'm actually bisexual. He still believes that I'm gay but don't have the balls to say it. That, or he thinks that I'm really straight and just using Charlie. Still! He doesn't know what I am, but he really doesn't believe in bisexuality.
But todays not about him, it's my birthday and I'm going to make the most of it. I get to see my mum, grandparents and, of course, Henry.

Charlie, Daisy and I arrive at mum's, and she opens the door and welcomes us in.
"Hello, my darlings, come on in."
Charlie and I are pulled into a hug by mum before everyone else starts crowding around. Mum's new boyfriend is here, he pulls me in for a hug and pats my back heavily before moving over to Charlie. Luckily, he's a lot more gentle with Charlie. Steve is a very manly guy, but he's got a good heart. And he's good to mum so that's all that matters.
"Come here my little baby!" Mum begs for Daisy's attention. As soon as her eyes lock onto Daisy, it's like there's no one else in the room, me and Charlie don't even exist anymore!

My grandparents appear from behind the crowd of people.
"Nicky!" My grandpa shouts over the noise.
"Happy birthday!" Grandma eco's as she signals everyone to start singing.
I've barley made it through the door and they are already singing happy birthday to me.
My face illuminates with a beetroot colour. I look over to Charlie who gives me the biggest smile and a wink before joining in with the song.
Why is being sung happy birthday so embarrassing?

"Happy birthday to youuuu" Charlie sings right in my face, ending the song before giving my a quick kiss.

Once everyone has finished, I'm finally allowed through the hallway and into the living room. As we walk through the doorway, I am overcome by the scene. There's a cake, presents, balloons and streamers plastering the floors and the walls.
"Wow" I react as I walk in, unable to think of anything else to say. Henry jumping up at me in excitement. I reach down to pick him up, I haven't seen him in a few weeks so he's extra needy.
"This is amazing!" Charlie adds, "you guys did so good."
"All the best for my baby" mum strokes my hair, having to reach up to get to the top of my head.
Embarrassment floods over my face again, "muum" I cry out.
She laughs and just carry's on.

Charlie's pov:
When we arrive home after being at Nick's mums for a few hours and it's finally time to give Nick my gift. It's 11pm and Nick and I are both absolutely exhausted from all the social interaction, but I need to give him my present.
I lead him towards the kitchen, blindfolded, and ask Nick if he's ready.
He of course replies with a dirty joke.
I roll my eyes, then begin to count down, carefully remove the blindfold from Nick's eyes as I reach zero.
"Charlie!" He exclaims, "I absolutely love it!"

I smile as I gently push him forward, towards the kitchen table,
"I knew you'd like it."