Charlie and Nick Fanfic - PG13 Version

The One

The next day, Nick could see that indecision was overwhelming his boyfriend. Charlie simply couldn't make up his mind. One minute, he knew that he wanted to go with Tara on tour. The next, the idea was preposterous. The band would leave for Germany in two days and he needed to make a decision. So, while Charlie stressed this way and that, Nick put on a happy, supportive face. He kept telling himself that it would be for less than a month, that Charlie would be safe and happy even if Nick wasn't there to protect him. It was difficult to hide how he actually felt, but this was important.

That morning, Charlie had stated that his pillow was officially too flat, so the couple decided to spend a leisurely afternoon at the shopping mall.

They held hands as they strolled through the wide, brightly lit hallways, window shopping as they peeked into the off-shooting stores. In his other hand, Charlie held a bag with his new pillow inside. Lost in thought, he let the bag swing back and forth as he walked.

When they reached the instrument shop, Charlie idled at the store window.

"Would you like to go inside?" Nick wondered.

"Yes but, would you mind waiting out here? I'm sorry."

Nick smiled and kissed his cheek. "Not at all. I have one more thing I need to pick up anyway. I'll meet you back here in 20?"

Charlie nodded pleasantly and headed into the store, his pillow still swinging at his side with each step.

Nick waited until Charlie walked out of view, then proceeded on to his destination. It only took a minute or so to find the right shop and when he went inside, his eyes widened with horrified excitement.

The man behind the counter greeted him warmly and offered his services if needed.

"I actually called this morning," Nick told him. "I'm supposed to meet with Richard."

"Mr. Nelson, correct?" the shop-keep grinned. "Richard. Nice to meet you in person."

"Thank you. You too," Nick replied clumsily as he approached the glass counter that divided Richard from the rest of the store.

"So, I pulled a few pieces out to show you based on what you told me on the phone," Richard said as he presented said items to Nick. "I find that women just adore this one," he went on as he motioned to one of the items. "Give her that and she will be the envy of all of her friends."

"His friends," Nick corrected. "Do you have anything a little plainer?"

"Something masculine?"

"Yes," Nick agreed. "Not too masculine, though. He likes stylish things."

"One can be both masculine and stylish," Richard pointed out as he perused his inventory. "I know! I have just the thing!"

Nick watched with curiosity as Richard hurried into the back of the store for this perfect item. While Richard searched, Nick turned around and leaned against the counter behind him. He was taking too long. If he wasn't careful, Charlie would catch him here.

As he watched the other shoppers walk by, going about their own shopping matters, Nick wondered how Charlie was doing in the instrument shop. He could imagine Charlie finding an assembled set of drums and sitting behind it. He wouldn't play, not in the store. That would draw too much attention. He would sit and think and when he stood again, he would have his mind made up. The better part of Nick dreaded the thought of Charlie leaving, but a small part, the little cheerleader inside of him wanted Charlie to go for it.

After a few more minutes, Richard finally emerged from the back room with a square, pillowed display. He presented it to Nick and watched expectantly while he examined each piece on the display. "Well? Are any of these up to snuff?"

Nick's lips curled up in giddiness. He pointed to a pretty yet subtle men's engagement ring as his heart pounded with joyous nerves. "That's the one."