Chapter Text
Another year of school. Charlie tears off a piece of tape with his teeth, sticking his Henry Maddox poster up on the wall. A new year, and a new dorm.
Charlie had initially been upset when he’d been allocated to room 312, a larger dorm, but knowing that Isaac was going to be one of his dorm mates made him feel better. At the end of the day, though he might not know the other two boys in the big room, they wouldn’t be total strangers.
Truham Grammar School for Boys is a large boarding school north of Leeds, located in the rolling hills of the countryside. Some students come for the day, but many students board. With home a five hour trip from here, Charlie only goes home for the holidays.
Luckily, Charlie’s big sister Tori is at the girls school nearby, Higgs. She’s in her final year this year, before she goes off to university. They see each other often, and FaceTime their parents once a week, usually from a local cafe, just to keep the peace.
“Spring,” Isaac walks in, duffel bag over one shoulder, towing a suitcase behind himself, “good to see you.”
Charlie puts the tape down to go and give Isaac a big hug. “New year, new dorm.”
“Wonder who’s ended up with us?” Isaac throws his bag onto the bed in the far corner of the room, closest to the window.
“Don’t know, but I’ve got the bottom bunk here.” Charlie has already put his blue and yellow striped sheets on the bed, Kitty, his special cat toy he’s had since childhood, is tucked under his pillow.
“Early bird gets the worm,” Isaac starts unloading stacks of books from his suitcase.
“Isaac,” Charlie groans, “I literally bought you a kindle, why won’t you use it?”
“I do use it,” Isaac insists, “I used it on the train, see?” Isaac pulls the kindle out of his backpack. “I just like the smell and feel of physical books.”
“Your obsession with hardcover books is deeply unwell,” Charlie mutters, but he pitches in to help Isaac stack the books on the allocated white wooden shelving.
Pulling open the drawers under his bed, Charlie starts unloading his stash of snacks. Bags of crisps, chocolates, gummy lollies, sour snakes, red and black licorice, all stacked neatly and lined up.
Isaac throws a cardboard box of tea at Charlie, hitting him in the head, “Go on, put the good tea in there too. Who knows what kind of guys these other dorm mates are going to be.”
Charlie laughs, “Doubt they’d be stealing your tea, but sure, if it makes you feel better.”
Isaac walks over to the bay window, sitting in the little nook in the sun overlooking the gardens, “I love being home, but I’ve missed this.”
“I’ve hated being home, I’ve missed this more,” Charlie walks over and sits next to Isaac.
“Your mum…” Isaac starts.
“No, I don’t want to talk about it.” Charlie leans on Isaac, and Isaac wraps him in a hug. “Fine, no talk of Jane. I’ll be your mum.”
“Sounds great.”
A few minutes later, footsteps are heard down the hall. “Oi!” A voice comes from down the hall, “312!”
“Ah, here we go!”
A tall blonde boy with slightly wavy hair comes stumbling into the room, “Hiya, oh! Isaac! Didn’t realise we were in the same dorm.”
“Oh, Christian, this is Charlie,” Isaac smiles warmly, giving Charlie a reassuring nod.
Another tall blonde boy comes in a moment later, lugging with him what must be four bags. “Hi fellas,” he gives the room a wave, “oh, shit, is this the last bed?”
The tall boy has broad shoulders, his hair is parted slightly to the side with an undercut and his brown eyes are large and gorgeous. He’s also wearing short rugby shorts, showing off his strong thighs.
Charlie smiles, realising this handsome boy is going to be his bunk mate. “You snooze you lose,” Charlie gets up off his mattress, “I’m Charlie.”
“I’m Nick,” the tall boy looks at Charlie for a moment longer, “we had… Spanish together? Two years ago?”
“Three,” Charlie corrects, “good memory.” Secretly, Charlie congratulates himself on being remembered by this gorgous boy.
“You know how it is, too many people in our year,” Nick gives Charlie a smile, “so I guess I’ll be in the top bunk above you then.”
Charlie shushes his internal monologue that wants to make a rude joke about Nick being on top of him.
“I’m Isaac,” Isaac walks over, interrupting Charlie’s thoughts.
“Oh hey,” Nick gives Isaac a polite nod, “and I see you guys have already met Christian.”
“You’re both year twelve as well?” Christian asks.
“Yeah,” Charlie answers, “we’re both 16.”
“Well then,” Christian rubs his hands tougher, “Nick here is turning 17 in three days, what do you two say about a small party?”
“Sounds like a good idea,” Charlie says quickly, “a good way for us to all get to know each other.”
“Go ahead,” Isaac says, “but I’ll probably just be reading in my new favourite spot here, parties aren’t really my thing.”
“I respect that,” Nick says, and then hoists himself onto the top bunk.
An hour or so later, Mr. Ajayi gathers all the boys around in the common room to give a speech about the rules for Clark House. Lights have to be out by 10, no one is to use their phones in study period, uniforms must be dropped into the laundry cubbies by 7pm or they will not be washed, and no one is allowed to leave school grounds without express permission. There’s also the normal rules about not drinking, not sneaking in girls, no shenanigans.
Afterwards, the students spill into the common rooms, and someone turns on the tv to watch the football.
Christian and Nick sit side by side on the couch, looking at videos on their phones.
Charlie tears his eyes away from Nick, and pretends to scroll Instagram.
Charlie knows he’s gay, or queer, or something, but coming out at an all boys school? There’s just no way. The only people in the world who know his secret are Tori and his best friend Darcy, who is also not out.
CHARLIE: SOS
DARCY: spill, what have you done
CHARLIE: new dorm mate is HOT. So fucking hot. And blonde. And tall. And he’s on the top bunk.
DARCY: oh god here we go
CHARLIE: what?! I can’t admire?
DARCY: you have to live with him all year. Can’t you go and have a crush on some other tall blonde boy?
CHARLIE: I never said anything about a crush! He’s just… delicious.
DARCY: okay but…..
CHARLIE: what?
DARCY: my roommate is… 🥵
CHARLIE: adafsffhfjslsh
DARCY: we’re both doomed.
Isaac sits next to Charlie and smirks, “Who are you texting?”
“No one,” Charlie locks his phone.
“I know that look! Who is she?”
Charlie sighs, if anyone asks, Charlie and Darcy had agreed that they’d use each other as cover. “Just Darcy, remember her?”
“Oh! Nice one,” Isaac pats Charlie on the back.
“She sure is,” Charlie tucks his phone into his pocket.
“So… you like her then?” Isaac asks.
“Shhhh…stop…” Charlie pretends to be embarrassed. Isaac drops the subject, and Charlie doesn’t have to lie to yet another person.
Lying in bed, Charlie does his best not to toss and turn. The sheets are fresh and clean, but there’s something about sleeping in a new location.
On the top bunk, Nick rolls onto his side and unlocks his phone. Charlie Spring. He looks Charlie up on Instagram, and his finger hovers over the follow button. He locks his phone, and rolls onto his back.
Having taken the train all the way from Herne Bay, he should be exhausted, but his mind is racing. After brushing his teeth, Nick had wondered back into room 312, pushing the door open without knocking. Standing in the middle of the room was Charlie, in his boxers, facing away as he pulled his long sleeve top off over his head. Nick had quickly launched himself up onto his top bunk, but it was too late, he’d seen one of the hottest sights he could imagine. There’s just something about the long lean muscles on Charlie, his perfect wavy dark hair that frames his face with his brilliant blue eyes.
When Charlie had pulled his top over his head, his body had arched so that Nick could see his perfectly formed back muscles, and the little dimples in his lower back. The pants hadn’t helped the situation either. Tight black boxer briefs that hugged Charlie’s perfect bum. Nick swallows.
Cautiously, he presses his hand down to confirm a suspicion, and yeah, he’s completely hard. Chastising himself for being a creep, he tucks both of his hands under his head. Fuck.
Nick knows he’s not straight. He’s known this for quite some time, to be very fair, but with only two years left at school, he didn’t see the point in coming out. Why bother? People would treat him differently, and it’s not like he has a reason to come out, right? Nightmares of people mocking him in the changing room come flooding back, the idea that people might taunt him or joke about him watching when they got changed. People also didn’t really understand bisexuality. If he came out as bi, there would be even more uncomfortable questions. Perhaps University would be a better place.
And yet, lying here, there is nothing straight at all about these thoughts. Was Charlie gay or bi, too? He didn’t seem gay, but then again, the notion of guessing someone’s sexuality is wrong. Other people probably wouldn’t guess he was bi either.
Charlie had seem to have bought his lie about only remember Charlie from Spanish, whereas in fact, Nick had seen Charlie plenty of times, jogging around the field in those sinfully short running shorts. He’s almost hurt at the notion that Charlie doesn’t really know who he is, which sounds conceited and ridiculous, but it’s a thought, nonetheless.
It’s unfair. Why is his fucking bunk mate so fit? Nick decides that it’s just going to be a full year of grinning and bearing it.
Those short shorts, though. Nick wonders to himself, does Charlie get changed in here after he showers often? Does he touch himself in the shower? Everyone does that, right? There’s just no other privacy at boarding school.
Nick’s erection is now back at full mast. Fuck it, Nick thinks. As quietly as he can, he jumps down off the top bunk. Sneaking down the hallway, he grabs his bathroom bag from the cubbies, and a fresh towel from the linen stash.
The wide open shower room is empty, and the self timer lights stutter and light up as he enters. Just a quick one, Nick thinks to himself. He’s been so busy the last few days, he really has been neglecting his needs. Walking down to a shower cubicle at the very end, Nick hops in and pulls the flimsy curtain. The shower pressure is abysmal, really, but there’s no alternative. As the water slowly heats up, Nick squirts his favourite body wash into his hand, and gets to work.
His brain can’t help but replay that moment of seeing Charlie’s tight bum in those pants, and Nick strokes himself. He’s not particularly experienced, sexually speaking, but even he has to admit, having a wank just doesn’t feel as good when you’re doing it to yourself.
In an effort to try and make his orgasm a bit stronger, he slows down as he gets close, delaying the climax as much as possible, until he can’t wait any longer. The sound of his palm isn’t as quiet as he’d normally try and be, but it’s the middle of the night, who gives a fuck?
Nick gets closer, closer, closer, and finally, with a few strong tugs and imagining Charlie’s hand being the one to finish him, he paints the wall of shower white.
Using his hands to channel the water towards the mess he’s made, Nick sighs a breath of relief. That was a good one, he’d really needed that. He wraps his towel around his waist, and starts to pack up his things, walking out.
The toilet flushes, and Nick swears to himself. This was going to be embarrassing. Anyone would be able to guess what Nick had just been doing, even if they hadn’t heard the thwack thwack of him tossing off.
Time to face the music, Nick puffs out his chest and walks past the sink basins. To his shock and horror, Charlie is standing there, washing his hands.
“Couldn’t sleep?” Charlie asks.
“Yeah,” Nick doesn’t know what else to say.
Charlie smirks, looking at Nick through the mirror, “I’m sure you’ll sleep alright now.”
“Shit,” Nick rubs his neck nervously, is he going to deny it?
“It’s natural, don’t be embarrassed. Everyone does it,” Charlie gives Nick a cheeky smile, Nick looks at the floor.
“I’m just gonna…” Nick gives Charlie a nod, and walks toward the corridor.
“Might as well wait for me,” Charlie giggles, “we’re literally going to the same bed.”
“Ah, yeah, of course.” Nick is beet red now, “look, can you please, just…”
“I’m not going to tell anyone I heard you wanking,” Charlie says, “it’s fine.”
Nick laughs nervously, dignity going out the window, “Yeah, uh, thanks, I’ve been so busy with coming back to school and everything, it’s just…”
“Been a few days?” Charlie guesses with a cheeky grin, “go on, how many days?”
Nick swallows, holy shit, it’s actually only been two but he’s going to sound like such a… such a desperate mess, “Oh, like five days, at least.”
“Five days,” Charlie whistles, “no wonder.”
Nick smiles sheepishly, “I didn’t think anyone would be around.”
“It’s all good,” the boys are nearly in their room now, “talk in the morning.”
The dark room is lit up only by Isaac’s digital alarm clock, and Nick realises he’s still wrapped in only a towel. He can hardly climb onto the top bunk in this state to get changed, so he walks to his set of drawers and pulls out a pair of pants, and lets the towel fall around his feet and quickly yanks them on.
Charlie is already tucking himself into bed. His whole body is nearly vibrating from the excitement of the last ten minutes. He hadn’t meant to actually follow Nick to the bathroom, in his defence, he had really needed to pee, but once he got there, there was no doubt as to what he had walked into.
Steam floating through the air and the persistent and rhythmic slap had given it away, Nick Nelson was wanking in the shower. After peeing, Charlie had admittedly waited a moment to see if Nick would come out.
What a sight to behold. Nick’s flushed cheeks and dazed look, clearly the face of someone who had just had a very satisfying orgasm. It was mean, really, to call him out like that, but the teasing was so… fun? So playful, and really, it had broken the ice. They now had their own little secret.
Charlie knows he needs to sleep, but as his eyes adjusted to the dark, Nick had then dropped his towel, and Charlie had been able to make out the faint outline of his perky bum. This was going to be a long, hard year.
The next morning, Christian, Nick, Isaac and Charlie start setting up the room. Isaac, always one for order, sets out where people can put their things, and Christian and Nick drag the furniture around the room, giving it a slightly better layout.
“Was I dreaming, or did you two come back to bed really late last night?” Christians wonders aloud, taking a break from dragging the navy blue couch against the opposite wall.
Nick flushes, Charlie just smiles, “Late night loo trip, drank too much squash with dinner.”
Christian shrugs, “Oh, and I saw you have a snack drawer under your bed. I’ve got some goodies if you want to add them to the stash?”
“It’s not really a stash,” Charlie says, “but yeah, I suppose sharing is caring. As long as I’m not the only one topping it up.”
“It’ll be good for morale in exam season,” Nick lands with a thud on the dated couch, “but I bet Coach will be on us about nutrition again this year.”
“Rugby, right?” Isaac says, looking up from his kindle.
“First fifteen,” Nick says, clearly chuffed with himself.
“Yeah turns out they’ll let just about anyone play,” Christian says, playfully smacking Nick on the arm.
“And your birthday,” Charlie asks, “what do we want to do for that?”
Christian shrugs, “My older brother can sneak us some drinks, maybe we just all hang in here?”
After a very full day of school on Monday, the boys tidy up their room, and Christian’s older brother drops in with a box of beer and a bottle of vodka, “Nicky,” he says, giving Nick’s hair a ruffle, and then pulls him into a hug, “when did you get so massive? Look at the pecs on you!” Christian’s brother pokes Nick’s chest, “I still remember you and Chris chasing Rose around the garden with the hose.”
“Time flies,” Nick smiles, “thanks for the booze, what do I owe you?”
“Don’t be daft, it’s your birthday,” Christian walks in, “he wouldn’t charge us, would you?”
“You cheeky little shit,” Christian’s big brother hugs him, “this one’s on me, but next time I’m charging, okay? And if you get caught, leave my name out of it.”
Nick fakes zipping his mouth shut.
“Good, you boys have fun.”
A bunch of boys from the rugby team show up, introducing themes as Sai, Otis, James and Caleb, and Nick wedges a book under the door to stop anyone from opening it without any warning.
“Right, cheers!” Christian raises a glass, “I’ve got a little speech.”
Nick rolls his eyes, Charlie can’t help but smile watching Nick looking so embarrassed and… cute? Oh god.
Christian rattles off a little speech about how long he’s known Nick, and makes a few jokes about how Nick has not always been the brightest with school, which, honestly, Charlie finds a bit mean.
“At the end of the day, we love you, Nick. Here’s to you.” Christian finishes his speech and raises a glass.
Everyone raises a mug stolen from the communal kitchen, filled with various combinations of beer, sprite, vodka and orange juice.
The sound of footsteps pattering down the hall is followed by a quick bang-bang on the door.
“Shit,” Nick hisses.
The warning bang, from a student in the year below who’d been put on watchtower duty was to signal the potential approach of Mr. Ajayi, or another teacher.
“Here,” Charlie pulls the snack drawer out from his bed. “Hurry!” He whispers.
Squeezing past each other, Otis and Sai dive under Charlie’s bed, and Charlie pushes the drawer in halfway, concealing the boys.
Isaac jumps up off the window seat, and James, the bigger boy, hides in the under seat gap. “In here,” Nick hisses, and pushes Caleb into his wardrobe, before quickly kicking away the book, wedging the door closed.
Christian has already quickly put the lids on any open drinks, and stashed the vodka under his pillow. The box of beers is out, but on the other side of the bed.
Nick opens the door, in anticipation of Mr. Ajayi coming, just to make them look less suspicious.
Grabbing a random book off the shelf, Nick starts reading aloud,
“The father of Safie had been the cause of their ruin. He was a Turkish merchant and had inhabited Paris for many years, when, for some reason which I could not learn, he became obnoxious to the government. He was seized and cast into prison the very day that… oh hi Mr. Ajayi,” Nick says, as nonchalantly as he can muster.
“Lights out in 10, how was the first day?”
“Tiring,” Charlie says, “we’re just about to go brush our teeth.”
Mr. Ajayi eyes them suspiciously, “Very well then.”
Closing the door, Mr. Ajayi walks down the hallway checking on the other dorms.
“Your reading aloud voice is quite soothing,” Christian giggles, “but what are you babbling about?”
“It’s Frankenstein, you dimwit,” Isaac scoffs, “literally one of the most famous books ever.”
“Is the coast clear?” Comes Sai’s voice from under the bed, “I think Otis farted.”
“I get nervous gas!” Otis squeaks, “I can’t help it!”
“Shhh!” Nick kicks the bed, “just wait!”
Charlie can’t help but laugh. Previously, he wouldn’t have given any of these rugby boys the time of day, but it seems like they’re actually quite decent and fun lads.
“I’ll go check,” Charlie volunteers.
“Good lad,” Nick says, giving him a nod.
Charlie smirks and thinks for a moment, “Can’t have anyone getting caught now, can we?”