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Nick Nelson had been hopelessly in love with Charlie Spring for about a year now–pretty much from the moment they met in fact. No matter how hard he attempted to suppress any and all romantic thoughts of his best friend, they returned persistently, like an unstoppable tide, and Nick was powerless to resist them.
They had met back in January, on a bleak, grey Monday morning, when Nick, an established builder, had arrived at a modest semi-detached house to start work on an extension. When Charlie opened the door, Nick had to take in a deep breath, instantly attracted to his lithe frame, his unruly curls, his piercing blue eyes, and, god, those pokeable dimples. He’d recognised him immediately of course, as he’d admired him dancing on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ many times, but he was definitely even more attractive in real life. It was Sod’s bloody Law Nick was wearing his dirty work gear, and that he hadn’t shaved that morning.
Something had sparked between them that day somewhere between discussions of materials and layouts and timelines, though at the time they might have thought it was just the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Gradually they started to meet up outside of Nick’s working hours for dog walks, Sunday roasts or crazy golf, and soon they were spending most of the week together. As they grew closer, sharing intimate parts of their lives, Nick realised that it was far beyond just Charlie's appearance that had captured his heart. He found Charlie to be witty, patient, empathetic and brave. He loved the way he stood up for what he believed in. He admired how skilful and talented he was–the way his body moved so gracefully and effortlessly. He was in awe of how clever Charlie was and the way he challenged Nick’s views of the world. In those first few weeks, the pair would sit endlessly chatting over warm drinks, laughing, flirting, accidentally touching.
Nick had been known to fall quite quickly in the past, but he just knew this was different. Never before had someone overwhelmed all his senses simultaneously like Charlie had. No one had ever made him feel as special, as worthy, as funny, as clever as Charlie had. However, he had always known that someone as cool as Charlie wouldn’t ever consider being with someone so clumsy and oaf-like as Nick, so best friends they became.
What he didn’t know was that Charlie Spring was also falling hopelessly in love with him.
It was neither of their faults that they both felt instantly smitten, and, as time went on, that they developed deep, heartfelt feelings for one another. But alas, they each felt powerless to say or do anything about it. How could they, with the perfection of the other looming over them? How could they, when it risked affecting their amazing friendship? How could they, when it was so much easier to just watch one more movie, tell one more joke, drink one more cuppa together in the incredible ease of a relationship that was so perfect already?
At certain moments, they both thought they could feel an invisible electricity between them, and that maybe the other might feel the same? But they both decided they had simply found a ‘platonic soulmate’ and didn’t want to take any chances of losing that. So, over time their friendship grew and deepened and almost, almost was so amazing that it made it possible to ignore the gnawing pangs for just a teensy bit longer. So what if it never included more? Nick and Charlie each told themselves that it was fine. And when their respective friends asked if there was anything going on between them, they said of course not, and that that was fine.
Those friends were kind to them though, and soon enough the two groups had slotted together easily. Now the seven friends, while dotted around the UK, met up when they could.
So, when Issac had suggested they all go away for a couple of days for a relaxing Christmas break, both Nick and Charlie and the rest of the squad had been keen. When he’d searched on Airbnb, a place called ‘Lavender Fields Forever’ had come up, and they’d all agreed it looked perfect. Darcy was hoping the lavender would help her sleep better, Elle was excited to take some photos of the fields and buildings, Isaac was looking forward to meeting the cows, and Nick really liked the look of the big kitchen, so he could whip up some Christmas treats.
✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨
Everyone arrived on time, despite the somewhat treacherous driving conditions. Nick and Charlie had driven up together, stopping off at a local Asda to buy their allocated food. Once all the bags were brought in, and the food stored in the fridge, they’d all convened in the upstairs cosy living room. With Christmas tunes playing in the background, the gang had found themselves with mulled wine in hand, and with more cheese than a dairy on the coffee table. They’d cranked the heating up to full whack, seeing as though they didn’t have to pay the bill, which was causing the Christmas tree branches to wilt somewhat, the pine needles scattered underneath like confetti. Outside the snow was falling relentlessly, transforming the lavender fields into a pristine white canvas.
The gang lounged on the comfy furniture, excitedly chatting away, catching up on everyone’s news. Nick and Charlie sat beside each other on the sofa, as they always did, thighs touching, the backs of their hands almost grazing.
“Drinking game anyone?” Darcy suggested with a grin, waving a bottle of Tequila in the air.
“Darcy, do you not think we’re a bit old for drinking games now?” Tao scowled.
“Homophobia! Come on, it’s Christmas!”
Tara took the bottle off her. “Babe, we’re here to relax, not get wasted and then feel crap tomorrow. When did you sneak this in anyway?”
“Oh, it was already in the car. I always have a bottle or two in the boot for emergencies.”
Everyone rolled their eyes.
Charlie glanced at Nick - he often tried to steal a few looks when they were together. Nick's face was illuminated by the dancing flames from the fire, accentuating his freckles like sun-kisses scattered across his skin. The gentle warmth of the light cast a soft glow in his hair that set off its natural hues. God, he’s just perfect . Charlie couldn’t help but smile. Nick had taken off his Christmas jumper, the heat from both the radiator and the fire making him burn up. The arms of his t-shirt sat snuggly on his biceps, a favourite of Charlie’s. He swallowed. He imagined stroking his fingers up and down them, feeling the firmness of them under his fingertips, and then maybe them pinning him down…
Nick turned and caught him looking. “You’re staring.”
“Was, I? Sorry.” Charlie looked mortified.
Nick locked eyes with him, and there it was again – another moment of unspoken connection. He lowered his voice and spoke softly,
“I don’t mind.”
Their look lingered even longer. He was sure there was something hiding behind Nick’s deep brown eyes, Charlie just wished he knew what. His tummy fluttered, like a thousand butterflies taking flight as he gazed in the pools of honey. It was times like this, and there had been many of them, when Charlie thought Nick might just feel the same. He looked down at Nick’s lips, all pink and glistening. God, I wish I could kiss him. Is he moving closer right now? Is he leaning towards me or am I just imagining it? Oh fuck. Is he–
“Hey Charlie! Think fast!”
Darcy’s voice broke in just in time for Charlie to whip around and see a round object sailing towards him, which he just barely stopped from hitting him by clutching randomly in the air.
“Darcy, what the fuck! What is this?”
“Oh, we’re just decorating the tree and,” a hint of smirk crept into her voice, “I thought you’d love this one.”
Charlie realised with a start that he may have been somewhat dazedly fixated on Nick for quite some time, and hoped the others hadn’t noticed. The rest of the gang had moved to a corner of the room and were gleefully digging ornaments out of an old chest provided by the host, hanging them wherever they could find space on the fresh-cut fir. It mattered not that some parts of the tree were becoming slightly more chaotic than others–they were having fun.
Looking down at the ornament he now held in his hand, Charlie rotated his wrist to take in the whole thing. It was a frosted translucent ball, with a little Santa figurine inside, glasses perched on his nose, reading down a list of illegible names on a floor-length parchment. A banner going across the bottom of the scene read: “Any last wishes for this year’s list?”
Charlie looked up at Darcy almost too quickly, wondering how likely it could be that she could read his mind and knew what he’d just been thinking about. Not likely at all, right? Right? Wait–did she just wink? Charlie shook his head to clear it, and suddenly the twinkle in Darcy’s eye was gone and she’d turned round to help Tara hang the rainbow tinsel. Hmm.
It was just then that he realised that Nick had also gone, but where to? He knew it was a bit…much, but well, he always liked to know where Nick was. Sighing, he hauled himself off the couch and trotted over to hang Santa on the tree. He was brushing a few pine needles off of his sweater sleeve when Elle exclaimed,
“Oh, did anyone bring any Christmas hats? I want a proper festive shot of all of us by the tree.”
Charlie vaguely remembered Olly insisting he take, ‘all the Christmas crap I own’ since he didn’t plan to celebrate anything himself, and there may or may not have been yuletide headgear included. “I’m not sure, but I can go check my bag.”
It would also be a great excuse to step away from the group and take a minute, hopefully enough to calm the blush that had spread like wildfire over his face the minute he read Santa’s message and involuntarily wished with his whole heart that Nick would just kiss him .
He stepped out into the hall towards his room.
✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨
The Airbnb had five guest rooms, in addition to the spacious kitchen and living rooms. It really was such a welcoming, friendly, comfortable space, and a perfect size for this group of friends with their specific combination of couples and singles. However, they’d received a message from the owner just a few days before their arrival apologising that room 5 would unfortunately not be available. Apparently the previous guests had had….a very good time….and the room needed to have a minor wall repair- at around the height of where a bed headboard may slam into a wall. Repeatedly.
Anyway, the group was asked if they minded having access to one less room, meaning two of their singles would have to pair up. There were a few scattered jokes in the GC about ‘there’s only one bed,’ but of course it was totally fine. In fact, it was almost a given that Nick and Charlie would share, as they’d done so just recently at a wedding, and no one gave it a second thought. Well. Except for Nick and Charlie, who gave it about a thousand additional thoughts. But very privately and very separately, each assuming the other could not possibly care less. Actually, both found it rather torturous to lay in such close proximity without touching. Both of them at separate times had reached out with their pinky, hoping to ‘accidentally’ brush fingers, hoping then that might lead to more, but instead they had both lay there for hours, trying to ignore the fluttering in their tummies and get to sleep.
Nick had left his phone charging next door in their shared room, number 4, an hour or so earlier, and wanted to check and see if his mum and Henry were okay. On his way, however, he was suddenly stopped in his tracks as he noticed through the hallway window that the stars were shining with exceptional brilliance. It was incredibly beautiful and took his breath away for a moment. He walked over and leant on the cold sill, trying to not fog up the glass with his exhale, when he saw it–a shooting star! He could hardly believe it.
Nick’s brain was nothing if not efficient and goal-oriented. Before he could even consciously decide to do it, a wish had been formed in his thoughts and sent telepathically up to that disappearing trail of light in the night sky. The image of his wish hung in his mind’s eye as he bit his bottom lip reflexively–Charlie Spring, perfect blue eyes fluttering closed, as he planted his lips firmly on Nick’s.
Fuck. His knees almost gave way and he shook his head to clear it. He was probably just confused because of that ‘almost moment’ on the sofa just now, but he knew that wasn’t real. He knew his obsessed heart was just seeing things that didn’t really exist, which is why he’d launched himself away from Charlie’s vicinity as soon as the spell was broken by Darcy’s flung ornament. He had to stop this overwrought infatuation somehow, because in the meantime he was only teasing his poor, deluded heart.
A heart which is absolutely full and fine with the love it already has! He chided himself. Not only the love of his wonderful best friend Charlie, but the friends he could hear in the living room right now, other friends back home, and of course his mum. He took a deep breath and headed off to the room to grab his phone.
He moved very swiftly past the freaky portraits on the wall, and into room 4. He knew exactly where it was plugged in, so didn’t bother with the lights. As he retreated towards the door, he collided abruptly and directly into someone who was bending down to pick up the bag that he’d dumped by the door earlier.
“Ooomph!” Charlie stumbled backwards and Nick instinctively grabbed his waist to steady him. Charlie grabbed hold of Nick's shoulders to help keep balance.
“Shit!”
They both regained their balance. They continued holding onto each other, their chests almost touching.Their faces were only inches apart, their gazes locked. A silent conversation started to unfold, but neither of them were clear what exactly was being said.
“Sorry, I didn't see you there.” Nick finally spoke in a quiet, breathy voice that didn’t sound like him. He loved the feel of Charlie's waist under his fingers and he really didn’t want to let go. He’d never held him for this long before and it felt incredible. His heart was banging against his chest so hard, like it was trying to escape. Every one of his senses was on high alert.
“That’s okay.” Charlie whispered, barely audible. The feel of Nick's strong hands around his waist had created sparks throughout his body and made his legs feel like they were too weak to hold him up. He reached further around Nick’s broad shoulders. The firmness of his back along with the smell of his skin was almost too much. He'd never been this close to Nick's face before and he desperately wanted to kiss every part of it, his cute button nose, his cheeks, his forehead and every single freckle.
Nick, praying the longing he could see in Charlie’s eyes wasn’t in his imagination, pulled Charlie even closer, hands splayed out on his back. He needed him closer. He needed to feel every part of Charlie’s body pressed against him. God, he’d wanted this for so long. Both struggled to control their breathing. Nick inhaled Charlie’s scent properly, sending him dizzy. He’d tried before, but those previous hugs were always over too quickly.
Feeling Nick pressed along his whole body, Charlie just couldn’t hold back any longer. It was now or never. Come on Charlie, be brave. Nick pulled you closer, surely he wants this too . He leant even closer and whispered in Nick’s ear, “Look up.”
Nick's eyes moved upwards. Over the doorway hung a sprig of mistletoe, tied with a red ribbon.
A broad grin lit up his whole face. He cupped Charlie’s face, and tenderly traced along his cheek with his thumb. Then he tilted Charlie’s face gently up to his, leant down, and finally, finally his lips were on Charlie’s.
Just as their lips touched, a delicate mix of soft, tinkling chimes and faint echoes were heard; a hum of energies intertwined in the air. As their kiss deepened, tongues moving in a choreographed dance, a powdery burst of luminous stardust with tiny, shimmering stars swirled around their heads. Christmas magic was undeniably weaving its spell.
Nick and Charlie pulled slowly away from their kiss, breathy and flushed. The intensity was almost too much.
“Wow,” Charlie gasped, eyes wide with disbelief. Did that really happen? His whole body was tingling.
“Yeah,” Nick managed, still trying to catch his breath. The flurry of wings wildly stirring in his tummy had seriously affected his ability to speak. He couldn’t quite describe the kaleidoscope of sensations, it was nothing like he’d felt before. But then, Charlie wasn’t like anyone he’d ever known before.
“God, I've been thinking about that for so long,” Charlie blurted. He instantly averted his eyes. Shit, why did he say that? His stomach lurched. The mulled wines had probably affected Nick's judgement, and Charlie was sure he would regret the kiss instantly.
“Hey.” Nick said gently, cupping his other hand on Charlie’s cheek, making Charlie’s worried eyes wander back to greet his own warm, chestnut ones, “Me too. Ever since we’ve been friends I’ve been …….wait,” he listened, eyebrows knitted together, “it’s really quiet. Where haes aebody gone? I cannea hear thum?”
“Nick, why the hell are you speaking with a Scottish accent all of a sudden? And why is there a daisy chain on your head? And why are you dressed as a….” his eyes roved over Nick’s body, settling at his short shorts which left very little to the imagination. “.. a slutty adventurer?”
Nick felt the heat race to his cheeks. He looked down at his shorts, brows frowned, “I don’t know!” Nick clutched the daisy chain on his head, still utterly confused, yet feeling something akin to familiarity. “What about you? Why the fuck are you dressed a pirate?!”
Sure enough, Charlie was sporting a full pirate costume, including deliciously smudgy eyeliner. Nick had spent months observing Charlie’s eyes; the way they crinkled at the edges when he laughed, the way they turned greyer when he was anxious, the little tiny flecks of lighter blue that looked so pretty in the sunlight, the curve of his eyelashes, the way they really listened when Nick told him a story. But he’d never seen these eyes. Fuck. The perfect shade of blue now somehow managed to seem even more perfect. He swallowed and felt a twitch down below. Meanwhile Charlie was surveying his own arms, which were covered in a billowing white fabric, like he had never seen them before.
“What the actual fuck?” Charlie vaguely remembered dressing up as a pirate once, but he couldn’t quite recall when.
“Charlie, what the hell has happened? I'm just so, so confused!”
They opened the door to the living room to check where their friends had gone. Empty. Confusion was etched in every line and curve of their faces.
“Dada!” came a tiny voice, as a little girl wearing a rainbow cardi tottered over to Nick, little pudgy fingers making grabby movements.
Nick and Charlie’s faces were now more shocked than they had been in any other fic, ever .
“Holy sh-?” Nick realised just in time that he perhaps shouldn’t blaspheme in front of a toddler. “Erm, no, I’m not your dada!” he squealed in an uncharacteristically high voice. But weirdly, I feel like I am.
“Dada!” the little girl gabbled again, dribble making its way down her chin, reaching out desperately for a famous Nick Nelson hug. As she came closer he noticed ‘Edie’ embroidered on her cardigan. Where did he know that name from?
“Agh! What the fuck am I meant to do with it, Charlie?” Nick's voice was now full-on panic.
“It?! Nicky it’s a little girl, not a -”
“Don’t call me that!”
“Peep, peep!” They looked down to see a little hobbling duck heading straight to Nick’s feet, with one leg in what looked like plaster. “Peep, peep!” Its peeps were getting louder, demanding Nick’s attention.
“Charlie, what the hell is happening? How have I got a child and a one legged duck?” As weird as it sounded, again he couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d been here before.
Just then a fluffy little bunny came hopping over, snuggling right into Nick’s other leg.
“ And a fucking bunny! CHARLIE WHAT IS GOING ON?’ He took a deep breath in through his nose, counted to eight, and let it out slowly through his mouth. He bent down to gently stroke the bunny in an attempt to calm his nerves. The feeling of soft, warm fur on his fingers grounded him almost instantly. He took another deep breath, and continued carding his fingers in long stripes. “Okay, just to clarify, I’m speaking with a Scottish accent, I’m dressed as an adventurer, I’ve acquired a baby, a duck with a wonky leg and a bunny, and all of our friends have disappeared.”
“Erm, yup that seems about the size of it.” Whilst Charlie’s expression was still very much confused, there was definitely a slight hint of an amused smile. “Ooh and also, you freaked out a little when I called you Nicky! You don’t normally.”
That’s because you're normally flirting with me when you call me that, and I love it , Nick thought.
Just then, Edie began to whimper, arms outstretched. Nick just looked at her, frozen like a deer in headlights. Charlie bent down and picked her up, sitting her on his hip, rubbing his thumb soothingly across her little toes.
“Dardie,” babbled Edie, wrapping her little arms around Charlie’s neck, nuzzling her little wispy curls into his chest.
“Okay, that was definitely ‘Charlie’ and not ‘daddy’ right?” Charlie asked hopefully.
“Fuck knows! But she seems to know you.” And I really feel like I love her, Nick thought. But how? He’d never seen her before.
“Look,” Charlie interrupted his thoughts. “Don’t worry, I used to look after my little brother a lot, it’ll be fine.” He kissed Edie on the head. “We’ll be fine, won’t we, gorgeous girl? Awwww, aren’t you just adorable?” he said, in a voice he reserved only for animals and small children.
The whole of Nick’s internal organs ceased to work, and his heart melted right there and then into a pool of goo. A vision of his future? Charlie sleeping in a cot with their daughter…Charlie standing on the sidelines with her at his rugby matches… Charlie feeding her at family meals…his eyes transformed into hearts, just drinking in the beautiful sight of Charlie and Edie together. He sighed…so, so beautiful.
Shit, for a nanosecond he’d forgotten he had been propelled into some weird alternative universe. Or perhaps more importantly, he’d forgotten they’d only had one kiss, and maybe he was jumping the gun a bit. He cleared his throat.
“Shall we go look for everyone?”
“Yeah, they must be around here somewhere!” Charlie turned to Edie, “Come on sweetheart, shall we go and see what’s happened?”
Nick led the way. Within minutes, his incredibly loud, angry voice could be heard echoing throughout the B and B.
“OH MY FUCKING GOD, WHAT IS HAPPENING?? CHARLIE COME HERE!!! MY EYES! MY EYES!”
Charlie rushed to the downstairs living room, his one free hand over Edie’s ear, to be greeted by David and Olly, looking perfectly ‘Hallmark’, snuggled up on the sofa in Christmas jumpers, watching an otter documentary.
“Waaaaaaaa?” Charlie lost the ability to form sentences.
“Oh hi boys! Want to watch this documentary with us?” David asked, absentmindedly stroking Olly’s curls as they lay on his chest.
“YOU! A-A-AND YOU??” Nick shouted, pointing angrily.
“Nick, what’s wrong? Why are you acting weird? Are you okay?” David asked.
“DO I LOOK OKAY DAVID? CHARLIE THESE ARE OUR BROTHERS! OUR FUCKING BROTHERS!”
David and Olly gave each other a look. They certainly had been fucking earlier. A festive shag that involved lube named 'Jingle ALL THE WAY', and a LOT of spanking for Olly, who was thrilled to be on the naughty list.
“Nick, I’m a bit worried about you. Charlie, you better take him for some fresh air,” Olly suggested.
“Erm, yeah, come on Nick.” Charlie stammered, holding Edie in one arm and dragging Nick outside with the other.
“Make sure he’s okay!” David shouted worriedly at their backs.
Outside, they both took a minute to take long, slow breaths, each exhale forming a wispy cloud that floated in the crisp air before dissipating into nothingness. Charlie's sense of losing control had started to spiral, stirring a growing unease within him. He rubbed his thumb over a smooth pebble in his pocket. I am brave, I am strong, I can do this. Where had that come from? He continued rubbing in slow, methodical circles. Gradually, it began to help slow his erratic heartbeat. There were another couple of minutes of silence while the two contemplated what the fuck had just happened.
“I know this will sound weird, but, David and Olly, they did look…well, really happy?” Nick asked thoughtfully. Now he’d taken the time to reflect, he felt like this wasn’t actually new news.
“Yeah, they did.” Charlie smiled fondly, as he shifted Edie to the other hip. He was now feeling slightly less anxious. “Anyway, let's see if the others are out here. Maybe they’ve gone to see the cows - Nellie and Henry. Oh, shit, where’s the duck and the bunny?”
“David and Olly will look after them, come on.”
Charlie shivered, the cold nipping at his exposed skin. He pulled his pirate hat lower over his ears and snuggled Edie closer. Usually, at this point in a story, Nick would offer his hoodie to keep Charlie warm, but alas, he was dressed as a slutty adventurer so he wasn’t wearing one.
They trudged on through the snow, towards the barns, making satisfying crunches as their trainers pressed into the fresh, powdery blanket.
“Hey girls!” shouted Nick to the cows, as they got closer. “Merry Christ-moos! Hope you're having an ‘udderly’ fantastic holiday!”
Charlie stopped in his tracks.
“Ohmygod, Nick?” He rolled his eyes but his mouth couldn’t help smirking.
“You love it!”
Nick squinted, looking ahead. “Charlie, I think the girls have grown antlers.”
“Don’t be daft, they can’t just -“
As they approached the barn, it was clear that they had, indeed, sprouted antlers. In addition, their necks were decorated with velvet, crimson bows, and Nellie's nose looked suspiciously red.
Edie reached out to stroke Nellie’s cold nose.
“Doodoff, doodoff! ” she babbled excitedly.
“Noooo, Nellie isn’t Rudolf, Edie.” Charlie started, but then looked at Nick. They looked at the antlers and the red nose, and well, they really didn’t know what to think anymore.
They continued past the next barn, whose door was ajar.
“Hey look, is that a drum kit in there? That’s so cool! It looks brand new except those two which are a bit bashed up.”
“Yeah it does.” Nick said with a frown. Who would just bash part of it?
“What a waste just sitting here in a barn. It would make an amazing Christmas pressie for someone.”
Nick smiled to himself. He had no idea why, but just had this weird feeling Charlie would end up with them.
They carried on into the town, eager to find some answers. Edie was now in a pushchair they'd found at the top of the driveway, kicking her squidgy little legs up and down. Nick hated the pushchair for some reason, though he couldn’t quite put his finger on why.
As they turned towards the town centre, they came across a large red sign, bold and prominent, adorned with a layer of pristine snow on its top edge. In the centre, written in a white, decorative script was ‘FICLAND’.
“Shit, Charlie–look, have we been transported to Finland? But how?”
“Nick, we can’t be in Finland! That’s impossible!”
“Why not? It’s Christmassy! That’s where Lapland is, isn’t it?” He gestured at the sign. “Seriously, these people had one job, fancy spelling Finland wrong!”
Charlie contemplated the information. Fair play Nick, after everything that had happened this morning, Finland could be a possibility. They pressed on through the crisp, winter wonderland, Nick's strong rugby arms tested as he navigated the pushchair through the thick snow. They trudged past neat rows of houses, decorated with twinkling lights and garlands, their rooftops glistening white. They admired the many shops with windows showcasing an array of festive displays, their warm lights and delicious smells enticing shoppers inside. Eventually, they reached the town square where the delicious aroma of cinnamon and roasted chestnuts wafted over from nearby stalls. In the centre stood a magnificent Christmas tree, bedecked with rainbow baubles, ribbons and a golden star on top. Around the tree, stood a group of rosy-cheeked carollers, singing with gusto. Just as Nick and Charlie were passing, one of the carolers with a purple bob and black lipstick called out,
“Hiyoh,” in a perfect Mancunian accent. Nick and Charlie stopped. Both looked blank. “It’s me, Chelsea!” Charlie studied her carefully. He knew her, he just didn’t know her. “Anyway can’t chat, but-
‘Go where there’s green, the nearest will do,
If you find the right place, you’ll get clue number 2. ’ ”
Then she immediately turned back to her choir and started singing again, leaving Nick and Charlie gawping at the back of her purple hair.
“This is just getting weirder. Go where’s there’s green? A field?” suggested Charlie. “But everything is covered in snow!”
“An emerald?’
“Nick, we aren't on some treasure hunt!”
In a flicker of magic, a cardboard treasure box materialised before their eyes, making Edie squeal. Looking at each other and with hesitant hands, they gently lifted the lid. Inside lay three crafted paper hearts. Both their eyebrows knitted together.
“Well, these aren’t green?” Charlie said, lifting them gently out. “But I do feel like it’s really important to keep them.” He placed all three together in his pirate trouser pocket. Nick suddenly felt joy and warmth in his heart, like it belonged.
“Mmmm, green…what’s green….” Nick was deep in thought. He looked intently around, looking for clues. “I’ve got it! Look, there’s a plant shop!”
✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨
The plant shop stood on the most welcoming street in town, owned by a bi-disaster, right next door to a queer bookstore, and across the street from LGBTea. It might have been small but it was also lovely and intimate.
As the boys and Edie in her pushchair entered, a jangling bell on the front door announced their arrival. The air was filled with earthy scents as various shades of green weaved and climbed their way among coloured pots and shelves. Everywhere, leaves were arranged like artwork, each plant a unique masterpiece. A beautiful display of Christmas poinsettias, snowdrops and holly decorated the repurposed librarian’s card catalogue. It was eerily quiet, the shop void of both customers or a shop assistant.
“Hello?” Charlie called out. Nothing. “Anyone here?”
As Nick bent down to fasten up Edie’s cardigan (he didn’t want her getting cold), the shop door tinkled once again. A little girl of about 5 years old, wearing a red scarf and mittens, came hurtling through, bringing in with her a draught of icy air.
“Uncle Charlie!” she shouted, throwing herself around Charlie’s legs, smiling up at him with a gap-toothed grin and pink cheeks from the cold. “Your pirate clothes look sooooooo cool!”
Uncle Charlie? Charlie looked down at the adorable little thing. He was very confused by his new title, but he was gradually getting used to the odd things that were happening in this universe. He was overcome with affection for her, like he knew her really well.
“Uncle Charlie,” she whispered conspiratorially, looking up through her super straight fringe. Charlie bent down. “I hafdid to give you clue number 2.
‘It’s got nice stuff there like biscuits and tea,
If you findid the right place, you’ll get clue number 3. ’ ”
“Millie Holden-Spring!” shouted a vexed voice from outside the plant shop. “Where are you?” Millie's eyes widened.
“I've gotta go Uncle Charlie! But can we play monsters again soon?” Her pleading eyes melted Charlie’s heart.
“Well, Millie-”
“MILLIE!” The voice was now louder and even more impatient. With a quick squeeze of Charlie's leg, Millie vanished through the doorway, leaving only a sense of warmth lingering inside his heart.
Nick and Charlie looked at each other, eyebrows raised.
“Okay, so I have a niece apparently!”
“She seemed to love you!”
Charlie smiled warmly, eyes fondly watching the door she disappeared through. I love her too.
“So, somewhere that sells biscuits and tea eh?” Nick headed to the doorway.
“Yep. I could do with a brew actually, to warm up!”
“Come on then, let’s go and see what we can find!” Nick fastened up the top button of his adventurer shirt and walked out into the frosty air.
“Nick, aren’t you forgetting something?” Charlie called, with a smirk.
Nick turned back, puzzled. “Oh shit, Edie!”
✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨
Since the closest watering hole, LGBTea, was closed as the owners were on a business trip meeting with the CEO of big Tesco, Nick and Charlie had to find another place with tea and biscuits. ‘Cuppas’ was a cute little café round the corner. Through the steamed up window, coffee-lovers, workers, and Christmas shoppers with bags galore could be seen enjoying a welcome rest.
“So, I guess we go in there for clue three?” Nick nodded towards the door.
“Yeah, it looks like they definitely sell tea and biscuits! Hopefully there’ll be a clue to get back to real life.”
The aroma of freshly ground beans hit them as soon as they entered. The sounds of steaming milk, clinking of cups and the chatter of conversation created a welcoming atmosphere. No one seemed to bat an eyelid at the pirate, the adventurer and the toddler entering together.
“Caramel Macchiato with an extra shot of espresso?” Nick asked. Of course he knew Charlie’s winter order. And his spring, summer and autumn orders. And also his Italian, Chinese and Indian food orders. And his pizza order. And his McDonalds order. And… he was getting sidetracked..
“Yeah please. I’ll try and grab us a table and wait with Edie.”
“Great, I’ll get her a juice. Won’t be a minute.” As he turned, Nick couldn’t help but smile at the domesticity of it all. He knew he was a bit too keen, but the thoughts of him and Charlie, together, properly, taking their kids on a day out, well, it was making him all excited and melty. While thinking about Charlie and simultaneously eyeing up the brownies on his way to the till, Nick accidentally collided straight into someone.
“Umph! Oh shit, sorry!”
“Dr. Hottie! Erm, I mean Dr. Nelson, how are you?” The middle aged lady seemed slightly flustered.
Nick frowned. A doctor? He was secretly thrilled with this title. He subtly studied the lady. She had the top button of her shirt fastened, which was underneath a wool vest, which was underneath a cardigan. Her name badge read ‘Linda T. Everton’. She seemed vaguely familiar.
“Erm, well actually things have been a bit weird today. Charlie and I have had some really strange th- ”
“Charlie? You’re with Charlie? Dr. Spring?! Aghhhh! Is he here?”
“Yeah, he’s just over there.” Nick nodded in the general direction he last saw Charlie.
“Have you been kissing again?” Linda looked terrified.
“Well we had one kiss but -”
Linda clasped her hands to her face. “Oh God, not again! It's happening again! If I see you kissing, I AM GOING TO LOSE IT, HEAR ME? LOSE IT.”
Nick started backing away slowly, slightly concerned for his welfare. “Okaaaayyy, Linda.” He looked around to see if anyone else was witnessing this bizarre interaction.
"Hang on! Before you leave, take this," she said, slipping a folded post-it note into Nick's hand. He glanced down, and by the time he looked back up, she had already vanished.
“What the..” Nick shook his head. Surely the day couldn’t possibly get any weirder. He bought the drinks and headed back to Charlie, who had found a table and was bouncing Edie on his knee.
“So, I’ve got the clue. A really unhinged lady gave it to me, she thought we were doctors! Look, this is it.” He unfolded the post-it.
12/12/23
Go where there's many pages of wisdom and imagination,
And there you’ll find an aid to assist with your destination.
They both stared down at the bright yellow square.
“Pages of wisdom?” Nick's nose scrunched up. He was never good at things like this. He looked up at Charlie - he liked to sneak a glance wherever he could. He studied Charlie's eyes which were lost in thought, his eyelashes in a beautiful curve, his olive skin with a pink tinge to his cheeks, his unruly curls just visible under his pirate hat. God, he really wanted to hold his hand. Could he do that? They’d only kissed once….
“Oooo.. pages… books have pages… maybe a library?” Charlie suggested as he looked up.
“You’re so good at this!”
✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨
Finding the library at the edge of town, they turned the iron knocker and heaved open the heavy, wooden door. A warm aroma of cinnamon and wisdom welcomed them in. They instantly felt a tingling sensation along their skin, as if the library was about to reveal its secrets. They both stood, open mouthed, taking in the astounding sight before them, while Edie sat chewing her fingers. The shelves seemed to stretch endlessly with colourful, glowing fics floating upon them, constantly rearranging positions as new ones were posted. The ceiling disappeared into a starry sky; a vast, inky blue stretching infinitely up. Hovering candles flickered all around, creating dancing shadows across the floor. And in the centre, a grand, spiral staircase surely leading to intrigue and adventure. The ambiance was warm but with a hint of anticipation.
Suddenly, at the top of the staircase, an ethereal light shimmering with pink, blue and purple hues appeared, casting an entrancing glow across the bookshelves. Nick grabbed Charlie's arm. He wasn’t scared at all. A faint outline of a tiny flying creature was slowly emerging. Edie pointed her chubby little finger at it.
“Oh my god, is that a - a fairy?” whispered Nick.
As the fairy fully emerged, Nick and Charlie were taken aback, their gasps echoing around the large room. She wore ruby sequined dungarees, which were edged in the purest, whitest fur. Her flowing locks were elegantly pinned with sparkling holly, while her opalescent wings fluttered with a captivating shimmer. In her hand rested a wand adorned with a miniature book and enchanted rainbow ribbons. Her mischievous yet kind eyes held a sparkle of ancient wisdom.
“Welcome Nick and Charlie, I see you’ve found my magical AO3 library. I am Erin the Christmas Fairy Librarian, and I’m here to guide you back to real life.” With that, she waved her wand in a dramatic arc, leaving behind a delightful stream of rainbow stars. She cleared her throat.
“In a farm draped in snow, you two boys did dream,
Of a kiss 'neath the mistletoe's festive gleam.
You both yearned for a moment, your hearts to entwine,
Which started the magic, then you followed my signs.
To here- my magic library, with fics floating high,
Now to find your way home, you both must try.
You wished for kisses, so 12 you must do,
For the 12 days of Christmas, just follow the clues-
To the titles of 12 fics written with love and with care,
Relive your first kiss in each, when you are there.
When your quest is fulfilled and tales amassed,
You shall return to Lavender Fields at long friggin’ last.
There, real life will resume just as it was before,
There’ll have been no passing of time when you walk through the door.
Good luck Charlie and Nick, with your master plan,
Be sure to sign my wings, I’m your biggest fan!”
And with a delicate, tinkling sound and another dramatic wave of her wand exploding with rainbow stars and sparkles, she was gone, as was Edie. The boys looked at each other wide-eyed.
“Charlie and Nick? Who calls us that?” Charlie said, looking mortally offended.
“Seriously Charlie, that’s what you've taken from that whole speech?! We’ve just met an actual real life Christmas Fairy Librarian and my apparent daughter has disappeared!”
Charlie grinned. “Sorry! All of this has blown my mind! So…” He hesitated, his cheeks taking on a hue even rosier than the cold had painted them, “...You, erm, wished for a kiss as well then?”
“Erm, yeah, I did.” Nick grinned, reaching for the back of his neck, a flush consuming most of his freckles.
“Cool.”
“Cool.”
They both gave a quiet chuckle at their awkwardness.
“Anyway….” Charlie fiddled with his cuffs, “…So we have to use the clues to find the name of 12 fics, and relive our first kiss in each one, right? That’s what the fairy said?”
“It seems so. But how can we relive them, when we’ve only had one kiss? I don’t get it! However, doesn’t sound like a bad plan,” Nick winked, very eager to kiss Charlie again. Charlie’s skin tingled with the thought. “And more to the point, what the hell is a fic anyway?”
Charlie glanced around at the hovering, glowing squares, stacked high on the shelves. “So, I think people must have written stories about us. I think that’s them up there. Although I wonder why?”
“I guess we are just very lovable characters.” Nick shrugged with a smirk. And speaking of loveable, I think I’m in love with you. He was suddenly overcome with the need to touch Charlie somehow. He mustered up the courage and leaned over and kissed him tentatively on the cheek. They locked eyes . He’d never seen these eyes before either; Charlie’s longing reflected in the depths of blue. “God, I like you so much.” He reached for Charlie’s hand.
Charlie gave a coy smile, and lowered his eyes, his stomach fizzing and popping. Oh god, I think I’m in love with you . “I really like you t-”
Charlie was abruptly interrupted by a loud swooshing noise.
“Aghhhhh,” Nick yelled, ducking, as a flurry of what appeared to be countless individual letters swooped around their heads, weaving and twirling through the air. As if guided by an unseen force, the letters converged upon the library wall, gradually organising themselves into coherent words.
Kiss 1
Charlie has been injured, and in hospital he stays,
Nick, heartbroken by this news, sits by his side for days.
So here’s a very simple hint, the fic shouldn’t be hard to find,
The title is the number that follows on from twenty-nine.’
“Okay, so it must be 30?” Charlie said, looking up at the rows of infinite shelves. But how the hell do we find it? There are hundreds up there.”
“Look, over there, is that a search screen?” Nick pointed.
They ran over to a futuristic floating screen, effortlessly suspended in mid-air. On it, a rainbow QWERTY keypad flashed, bordered with illustrations of Nick and Charlie.
“Wow! Look at that, Char! The artwork is amazing- I can’t believe the artist drew me so accurately!” Nick beamed, eyes sparkling. “Okay, so let’s type in 30.”
Charlie’s nimble fingers typed in 30. Nothing happened.
“Oh, is that a search button? Nick pointed to an image of an eye. Charlie tapped, and ‘The 30th’ appeared instantly on the screen.
“That must be it! Tap on it Cha-”
“Aaaaaaaaah!” A powerful gust of wind howled across the library accompanied by a deafening suction noise. The boys gripped onto each other, petrified as their limbs became weightless. Suddenly, everything slowed, each moment elongating as if the world had been hit by a slow motion button. Caught in a disorienting whirl, they felt as though they were tumbling through an endless void, losing their bearings through the very fabric of time itself. They instinctively squeezed their eyes shut. Despite the fear gripping them, holding onto each other offered them both a sense of safety.
Gradually, as the noise and movement subsided, Nick and Charlie opened their eyes and looked around. They seemed to be in a small lift, with a family, Charlie in a hospital gown and who, for some reason, was currently being given a piggy back ride by Nick.
“Where the hell are we?” Charlie whispered into Nick’s ear. The closeness of Charlie’s lips and the warmth of his breath launched tingles up and down Nick’s neck. He gave an involuntary shiver, which he hoped wasn’t detectable.
The lift came to a stop at level 10, the doors opened and the family got out.
Relieved they were alone, Nick craned his neck behind. “The clue said you were in hospital, so I guess I’m taking you back to bed?”
Charlie’s eyes widened. Hearing those words, along with the closeness of Nick's body and the heady smell of his aftershave, started his heart palpitating against Nick's back. He hoped it wasn’t detectable. He’d been thinking about Nick taking him to bed for a whole year. Thank god I had a wank this morning .
“Oh god, I didn’t mean-”
Charlie smiled as the back of Nick’s neck turned a delightful pink. Oh he’s so adorable when he’s embarrassed . He tightened his arms around Nick’s neck, just because he could.
“Nick, it’s fine I-”
Just then, a hovering, glowing green square appeared and stopped abruptly in front of them. The green then dissipated, revealing a bold text, moving upwards like an autocue.
“Oh, I guess this is the part in the story with the kiss.” Nick was glad he was facing away from Charlie, as his smile was so wide it was embarrassing. He was about to kiss the love of his life once more. Oops. Jumping the gun, again .
They both read the lines intently.
“Okay,” Charlie was feeling brave, because, well it wasn’t his move, the fic told him to do it. “So it says I kiss your neck, gently like this.” Charlie leant down and peppered a few light kisses on Nick's throat, working up to his hairline.“Nick?”
“Yeah?” Nick’s voice was scratchy, like he’d forgotten how to speak.
“Is this… okay?”
Nick slowly lowered Charlie to the floor and they faced one another. One of his hands grasped Charlie’s waist, the other stroked up and along Charlie’s throat. He let himself look into those pools of blue like he’d wanted to for so long. He’s so pretty. Jesus, how am I going to survive 12 of these?
They both checked the autocue for their next lines. Nick took a breath,
“It’s more than okay. It’s all I think about.” Nick couldn’t help but think these would have been the words he’d have actually said, if the stupid mistletoe magic hadn't interfered. It really was all he’d thought about for months.
“Okay,” said Charlie, squinting at the fic, “well it says now I have to go up on my toes and we, erm, kiss properly. Is that okay?” Charlie swallowed and looked into his favourite chestnut eyes. He was just as nervous as the first time, tummy swirling, skin tingling.
Nick’s lips turned up in a warm, gentle lopsided smile, eyes ablaze, showing just how okay it was. And as he leant down and his lips traced over the curve of Charlie’s, their tongues found each other and their worlds were set alight once more. All too soon, the familiar feeling of weightlessness returned, and they were gripping each other, somersaulting back through time and space, back to the library.
✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨
In the next breath they found themselves standing back in front of the towering bookshelves once again, Charlie gripping a shelf and Nick leaning over with hands on his knees, both panting and blinking at the sudden change.
“What the–” Nick huffed out without even thinking.
“Okay,” said Charlie, wheels whirring as he tried to make sense of it all. “That seems to have worked. I mean, I feel like we ‘completed’ one of the twelve kisses? Don’t you think? Are you okay?”
Nick caught his breath and stood up straight once again. He nodded, “Yeah”. This was a hell of a lot of travelling through time and space and it felt pretty discombobulating, but ….kissing Charlie...well, he’d happily travel anywhere for that. “I think we’re doing it right. So what’s next?”
Either the library was waiting for someone to ask or his timing was impeccable. The next instant, the dozens of letters appeared once again whirling above their heads, their eyes darting around to follow, until they settled themselves against the wall.
Kiss 2
Charlie rented a cottage in Wales, for 3 months all alone
But he fell in love with the landlord's son and together they made a home.
The title includes the names of 3 months, known as summertime,
Head back to the flat rock on the beach, then lift your face to the sunshine.
They debated the beginning and ending dates of summer only extremely briefly, before heading back to the search screen and typing in the obvious answer. They then clapped with glee when “June, July, August” appeared. Charlie’s finger hesitated over the button just long enough to take a breath, protection against the 0.062% of his brain that was still wondering if Nick really, actually wanted to kiss him, and then plunged ahead. If Nick was only kissing him because he had to, because of fairies and magic and enchanted wormholes through the universe, well, then–let’s go with it.
The crazy gusting wind reappeared and instantly blustered them to another dimension. Suddenly they found themselves sitting on a large, flat rock on a beach overlooking crashing waves, squinting in the sunshine. The wind actually hadn’t died down that much and they seemed content to press even closer together on the rock, holding hands.
“Wow. This is gorgeous.” Charlie breathed, looking out to sea.
The green square was hovering next to them before they had enough time to really take in the view, and as it dissolved into text, Nick cried out and pointed,
“Look! It says I cover your hand with mine on the rock, and we already are!”
Charlie leaned forward reading, covering his giggles with his other hand. “Kinda seems like I like it, too, according to this!”
They both grinned as they read the rest of the autocue, not able to resist exclaiming over their favourite parts.
“I love this part, it’s so romantic.” Charlie pointed. “I have a front-row seat to your chocolatey melting eyes.”
“Yeah, but look at this! I turn out to be better than any of your previous snogging experiences!”
They laughed again, clutching at each other, until Charlie straightened up and wiped his eyes. “Alright, let’s see this amazing kiss, Nicholas. I think…” His voice got softer and a tiny bit more timid briefly. “I think you have to start us off by asking me?”
Nick smiled at the shyness, feeling his heart swell inside him, until he managed to tear his eyes away and look at the autocue. He squeezed Charlie’s hand and leaned closer. “Can I…”
“Yes,” Charlie whispered, trying out the freckle-counting thing for about two seconds until that was all swept out of his mind. Instead he could think only of Nick’s lips, pressing against his, incredibly reliving a first kiss that he’d never felt before but actually was their third kiss today. Each one was more amazing than the last. At the last moment, he remembered what the autocue said, ran his tongue over Nick’s lower lip, and suddenly felt completely weightless.
✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨
“So, two down, ten to go!” Nick smiled as they waited patiently for the next set of letters back in the library. He was looking forward to the next kiss already. “Oop, here they come!”
Kiss 3
This fic takes you back to 1912, aboard the ship of dreams,
Throughout the entire story, nothing is quite what it seems.
The title is the name of the ship but with an added pun,
Beware of life-threatening icebergs while you’re having fun!
“Shit Nick, that sounds like the Titanic! I don’t wanna go on a sinking ship! We might die!”
“Me neither. I mean, I love you and all, but I’m not freezing my nads off for you like Jack.” Nick's eyes went wide and his face turned a shade of Barbie pink when he’d realised what he’d revealed. He started talking at double speed, “Erm, anyway, what do you think the pun is? I’m usually good at puns, as you know, but this one is a bit tricky. I had a pun calendar once, it was so punny, maybe I should get another, I think - ”
“Nick, you’re waffling.” Charlie smiled with a warmness in his eyes.
“Sorry.” Nick looked away, wanting the ground to swallow him whole.
Whilst he absolutely loved bumbling Nick,and was thrilled with what he’d said, Charlie thought it best to help him out by quickly changing the topic of conversion, “Mmmmmm. What can the pun be? Ti-ta-nic.” Charlie frowned, sounding out the syllables.
“I’ve got it!” exclaimed Nick, going over to the screen. “TitaNICK!”
“Oh my god, you’re a genius!”
Nick's smile reached his eyes as he walked over to the screen, then his face turned more serious. “To be honest Charlie, I’m shitting myself. Do you reckon we’ll be safe?
“I think if we’re quick, we can get back here safely. I trust the magic. I don’t think the fairy librarian would let anything happen to us?”
“OK, that makes sense. Ready?” Nick held out his hand.
“Ready!” Charlie held it tight.
And once again they were propelled through the space continuum directly onto the Ship of Dreams.
✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨
“Oh, shit!”
“Fuck!”
Charlie and Nick both exclaimed as they stumbled slightly, grasping for anything to hold, as they materialised onto the bow of Titanic-honestly not the safest place to stand on a ship. They’d both just barely got their footing without accidently slipping a limb overboard, when they locked eyes from where they stood a few feet apart, each hanging onto the railing for dear life.
“What in the actual fuck? Why here?” Charlie shouted.
“I don’t bloody know, but can we move closer please? Why have we appeared not close enough to cling to each other for literal support? Last time we showed up holding hands on a goddamn rock embedded into the earth, you’d think the universe would have done us a solid here where we need a bit more help?” Nick’s spiral took just precisely long enough for him to step gingerly up and onto the apex next to Charlie, who smiled at him and grasped his forearm.
“Alright, Mr. Nelson, you’re here now, hang on to me, it’s going to be okay.”
“Well…don’t mind if I do,” Nick said softly, now looking only slightly down into Charlie’s eyes and a smile crinkling across his visage. For a second he almost forgot where they were, swimming in the cerulean blue orbs before him and completely blocking out the deeper, far far scarier blue of the freezing north Atlantic just inches away.
Then they were reminded by a green square zooming between them.
“Christ on a cracker!” Nick exclaimed again, as it startled them both and they dropped each other’s arms to grab the railings again.
Charlie had been terrified briefly but snapped out of it to laugh at Nick. “Is that some 1912 slang you got going on over there?” He giggled a bit before he realised it was almost too cold out here to do that. “Can we find out what we’re meant to do here before we turn into icebergs, please?”
They drew their heads back together and studied the autocue before them.
“Oh,” said Nick.
“ OH,” said Charlie.
“I think I can do this,” Nick said, clearing his throat.
“Same, this seems fine to me,” Charlie responded, feeling like the embodiment of the smiley face emoji.
Nick stepped up over the very last space between them as Charlie turned to look out to sea, and slipped his arms around Charlie’s waist. No big deal, just another thing he’d been dreaming of since, well, about 17 minutes after they met - a little spooning watching the sunset over the ocean. Sigh.
Charlie turned in Nick’s arms to face him and Nick’s heart sped up, playing the part of ‘about to have first kiss with deep crush’ so well over and over again that it deserved an Oscar, but stopping for a second in its tracks as Charlie opened his mouth to speak rather than snog.
“Nick, just one question first. Are you sure we’re not going to end up dying of hypothermia in this universe? It’s really hard for me to get totally romantic while worrying about that.”
“Charlie, are you kidding? Did you see the autocue?”
Charlie looked confused. “What do you mean?”
It was still floating near them, so Nick reluctantly let one hand slip off of Charlie’s waist to reach out to the green square. “Look! Try to scroll down and after a certain point….you can’t! The author clearly couldn’t be arsed finishing this fic! Absolutely nothing bad is ever going to happen to us! In fact it looks like only good things happened in the last few chapters, if you know what I mean,” Nick waggled his eyebrows salaciously.
Charlie leaned forward and speed-read through the ‘hanky-panky’ parts, as his dad might call them, and then settled back into Nick, satisfied. “Okay, that actually looks surprisingly fun and definitely nothing life-threatening. I’m convinced.”
And then they both smiled and leant forward into the third of twelve extremely fucking romantic first kisses, their lips locking for only a moment before the wind blew them back to the library, the warm feeling of “ah, this is it” following them and filling them deliciously.
✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨
They’d only just reoriented when the next set of letters flew by and arranged themselves.
Kiss 4
Charlie is wounded and wary, a fortress his heart hides behind,
Nick successfully breaks down his walls and eventually a soulmate he finds.
The title involves a name in full and includes a very strong word,
Head directly to chapter 15, where the heated kiss occurred.
“Oh, you sound a bit prickly! And a bit sad. I wonder why?” Nick pondered.
“Probably something to do with Ben, he’s a dick in every universe. ” Charlie shrugged.
Nick grinned. He’d heard all about twatwaffle Ben on one of their dog walks. “Looks like it has a happy ending though -soulmate!” I wonder if we will have a happy ending too? No, not that type of happy ending! Well, actually….
It took them about 20 minutes of typing guesses into the search screen to work out that the full name was ‘Charlie Spring’, and that he hated men.
“Are you ready?” Charlie asked, finger poised over the screen.
“I do feel a bit sick from all the somersaulting, but yeah go ahead. I’m more than ready for my next kiss!" In fact, Nick was still as excited for kiss four (well, five, if the one back at Lavender Fields counted), as he was for the very first one. He imagined kissing Charlie would never get boring.
The headstrong wind was no longer a shock to them, but it was still a little breathtaking, and they braced themselves for the journey. It was mercifully over quickly.
They found themselves in a uni corridor when the green square fluttered close by.
“Okay, let's see what we have to do.” They both peered into the autocue. Ohmygod! Nick’s eyes enlarged. As he read on, his heart started beating double time. This is definitely not as PG as the others. Jesus, this is hot! Thank god I had a wank this morning. Come on Nick, don’t be nervous, you can do this.
“Oh okay. Erm… so…it looks like you sort of have to erm, kinda push me against the wall,” Charlie mumbled.
“Oh, yeah, er right.” Nick moved tentatively closer to Charlie. “Okay.” He pushed gently at Charlie's shoulder, not moving him even an inch.
“It says ‘with a whump’ and ‘definitely angry,’ Nick. I think you're gonna have to, you know, be a bit more….aggressive.”
“I don’t want to hurt you though!”
“You won't, don't worry. Go for it! Come on Nick, it says here your eyes are meant to be ‘wild and burning’.” Charlie was really getting into this now. Come on Nick, pin me against the wall with those strong arms . Grrrrr .
“Okay, but please watch your head on the wall, it looks like it’s made from reinforced steel.”
Nick pushed a teeny bit harder, but it still didn’t really have any effect. Out of nowhere, a deep, wizard-like voice resonated from above, echoing through the air.
“This is Beta speaking.”
Nick and Charlie froze and looked up.
“This is not good enough. You need to re-do it.”
Nick looked sheepish. “Oh, okay. Right, sorry. I’ll try and be a bit more, you know...” Nick took a deep breath and pushed Charlie with both hands, again not with any real force. Charlie half rolled his eyes and decided to just step backwards against the wall. We could be here all day.
Nick said his lines, which sounded a bit stilted and without feeling- similar to that of a 6 year old narrator in a school play. “I don’t wanna play this stupid game with you any longer. Just tell me. Do you want this or not?” He didn’t quite know what to do with hands and he looked as though he was internally cringing.
Oh God, this is just awkward . Come on Nick, give me a bit of passion . Charlie had read the next part of the autocue and decided to just go for it. He planted his hands firmly on Nick’s chest and shoved him roughly away from him, pushing until his back hit the opposite wall with a loud thump.
His face was right up to Nicks, eyes ablaze. “Yeah, I want it.” He said, with actual pure lust.
Nick, taken aback, now had wild and burning eyes. Dominant Charlie had definitely done something for him. He took a shaky breath. “Oh, wow, Charlie that wa-” was all Nick could get out before he was roughly cut off. Charlie yanked him down with a ferocious tug of his shirt, his other hand on the wall next to Nick's head, barricading him in. Charlie kissed him with everything he had. Nick was really glad he’d had that wank.
✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨
“Jesus Charlie,” Nick breathed as they arrived back in the library. “That was…”
“You liked that, Nicholas?” Charlie smirked.
“We are definitely going to repeat that when we get home.”
“Oh we are, are we?” Whilst he spoke with sass, Charlie was secretly elated at the suggestion this might carry on once they were home.
“I promise I’ll, you know, get a little more…. involved. That hand on the wall move wasn’t in the autocue though?” He raised his eyebrows.
“Yeah, I don’t know where that came from!” Charlie gave a shy smile.
Kind of like they didn’t actually know where any of this was coming from if he was honest, except maybe if the answer was dozens of creative, inspiring minds dreaming up amazing lives for the pair. Minds that only wished the best for them but also shepherded them through the worst; that might accept that reality held some obstacles but always ultimately had some lovely reward at the end; written in a million different styles and accents and speeds but always, always imagining a beautiful truth that would envelop them all.
And Nick and Charlie danced through several more of the first kisses, not once tiring. There was the tale of the new neighbours who had a very romantic kiss on bonfire night after watching the fireworks, their hearts exploding right alongside. There was what was apparently a fan favourite, a bachelor competition-style show where their first kiss was haunted by words coming from a dark background behind a camera and lights: “Nick, do you want to kiss Charlie?” (The voice was annoying but the kiss was worth it–obviously.) There was an intense moment of feeling and finding one another in what turned out to be a kink party, and though it was a new experience, the slotting together of their needs and their selves felt as familiar as a tale as old as time (and the hummus–out of this world!). There was even one that started with a scary unfamiliar feeling as Nick seemed to not recognise Charlie. But then they’d realised he’d been in a rugby accident and briefly lost his memory, but had worked so hard on finding himself and them again, their reunion kiss was just as powerful as any first kiss had been so far.
When they whooshed back to the library after that last one, they were feeling something new in their chests, a sort of healed melancholy, a kind of reminder that sometimes you have to go through the bad to get to the good. They were stood staring at each other and just letting their minds settle when they both released long sighs.
“I could go for an easy one after that, you know? Maybe just some good music and good company?”
The letters may or may not have been omniscient, and the following message suddenly formed on the wall beside them:
Kiss 9
‘Hi, I’m bi,” Nick said at the bar, and they had a one night stand,
Unexpectedly, love's embrace grew strong, it wasn’t what they planned.
The clue for the title is a question, I think it’s easy to see,
Head to the dance floor for your kiss, what’s it _______ ____?
The two stared at the words in silence for a moment, and then Charlie chuckled. “Well, there’s your music, it seems.” He turned his head and they looked at each other for a second. “But – a one night stand? Does that sound like us?”
Nick pondered while he bit his lower lip (Charlie found this adorable but stowed away that thought for now). “N-no? I don’t think so? But also,” and here his disposition brightened. “What if that Nick and Charlie just think it’s a one night stand, and then they realise they’re meant to be? Same thing we always figure out, just coming at it from a different path?”
A smile curled onto Charlie’s lips. He was frankly loving all these accidental confessions of Nick’s and briefly wished there were way more than 4 more first kisses in his future. Then his body reminded him that he was tired and it was late, and he trotted over to type in his guess for the fic title - ‘What’s it gonna be?’
A few breathless whirlwind beats later found them in a noisy club, pressed close together among the throngs of swaying bodies. The flashing lights made it difficult to spot the green screen for the autocue at first, but when they finally found it, boy was it worth the effort.
They read for a bit and made their usual mumbled commentary about the leadup to the kiss.
“Oh, this is cute! Seems like Tao and Elle give me their approval first,” Nick noted with a smile.
“Also, you copy what I’m drinking, you adorable golden retriever, you.” Charlie wasn’t sure Nick even heard what he said over the music at full volume, but then they caught each other’s eyes and it was pretty clear that the intent at least got communicated fine.
Nick read down a bit further and then sucked in his breath. “So, this sounds fun–if it’s still okay with you?” He gave Charlie a bit of side-eye while pointing to one section. Charlie internally rolled his eyes, but externally resolved to do nothing more nor less than the directions already clearly spelled out in the text. He dragged Nick a few paces further onto the dance floor and started swaying.
Nick had to use super-human strength to wait the “few minutes” and avoid the wrath of the beta being repeated, but he made it through and soon found himself wrapping his arms around Charlie. They both thoroughly enjoyed the next step, which was certainly the First Love Bite of the evening, and could not contain their glee as they crashed into The Kiss just moments later.
✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨
Back in the library, while waiting for the next clue, Charlie was looking at his reflection in a glass case.
“Do you think anyone will notice?” He asked, inspecting his neck.
“Yeah, I think everyone will notice, but ah it doesn’t matter, a hickey from Nicky is like a hallmark card.” Nick winked.
Charlie groaned and rolled his eyes. “Nick, literally no-one should ever quote Grease.” He shook his head in despair, but secretly, he loved the geeky side of Nick. He loved that he watched old cheesy films as well as Marvel, that he wrote his Sunday rugby scores in a little notebook and that he bought a TV magazine every week and circled all the things he wanted to watch. He loved seeing Nick get all excited about new Pyrex dishes for his baking and about the spreadsheet he had made with all his tools on it. These things made him so uniquely Nick. There was no one that made him feel like Nick did, and this year getting to know all his little quirks had been the best year of Charlie's life. He wondered now, after all this kissing , whether they really could finally be more than just friends. He wanted that so much, but he wasn’t sure if that was what Nick wanted too.
“Grease is a cultural touchstone! Everyone should both quote it and question it. Anyway, where the hell is the next clue?”
Just then, the letters whooshed by once again.
Kiss 10
Nick is a uni professor, with twins named Alice and Pat,
Connected together in lots of ways, though SmartDate was their first chat.
The title; the years’ first chapter, one solitary word,
Often a time of fresh starts, when resolutions may be heard.
“Oooh I’m a professor!” Nick stood up from where he had been resting on one of the red velvet covered chairs. “Okay, so it’s one word…” he thought out aloud.
“Mmmm…..The year's first chapter... resolutions …January?” Charlie suggested.
“Let’s try it!”
One might think that upon the tenth time of doing something in the space of an hour, it would become old hat. Apparently one has never been sucked into a fucking hurricane over and over, then.
On the other side, they found themselves in a beautiful, spacious Victorian house, which Charlie had a feeling belonged to him- the petite grand piano in the large bay window with piles of sheet music stacked on top being the main giveaway.
“Woah, this place is gorgeous!” Nick said, looking around while they waited for the hovering green square. He really hoped he and Charlie would end up in a similar place. Nick! For God's sake, stop getting ahead of yourself! Although, things might just be progressing…
“It is! I’d love to live somewhere like this. I wonder what my job is?”
“It’ll be something super smart, I bet you’re smart in any univ- woah !”
A flying green blob came hurtling round the corner and stopped abruptly an inch from Nick's face.
“Aghhhhh!” Nick jumped back, his face a perfect meme. “Bloody hell! Jumpscare!” He put a hand on his heart. “Feel that Charlie, it’s going crazy!”
He grabbed Charlie’s hand and placed it on his heart that was beating super quickly. Charlie’s hand was warm and soft and seemed to fit perfectly in his. They caught each other's eyes, feeling that ever-more familiar switch flip from silly flirtatiousness to drunken abandon. They naturally gravitated towards each other, needing to be closer, Charlie reaching around Nick’s neck, Nick sliding his free hand around Charlie’s waist. Now that they'd had a taste of a delicious variety of kisses, they were desperate to explore some more. Just as they were leaning in, the deep voice boomed overhead again:
“This is beta. Stick to the plan please.”
Nick and Charlie withdrew, looking a little embarrassed. The green square which had appeared minutes before, was now impatiently jumping up and down.
Charlie cleared his throat. “Okay, we’d better read the autocue.”
They leaned in to read.
“Okay, are you ready?” Nick asked.
“Go for it.” Charlie smiled. His casual declaration belied the intense desire pooling in his belly (a desire that frankly was starting to chafe at the sudden stops to their kisses over and over again).
“I truly have no idea what I’m doing,” Nick read from the autocue.
“You do know, Nick,” Charlie replied, his lips just millimetres from Nick’s. “Trust your instincts.” He wrapped both his arms around Nick’s neck and stroked the hair he found there. He leaned over to check the autocue again, then looked directly back into Nick's eyes. “I want this. I want you.”
Hearing Charlie say those words ignited a fire within Nick. He felt a twitch down below and grasped at Charlie’s waist. He’d day-dreamed about Charlie saying that so many times. He fought for breath. “Fuck.”
“That’s not on the autocue?”
“Sorry. God, I just want you so bad.” He leaned down and crashed his lips on Charlie’s. Charlie responded as per the auto cue, by capturing Nick’s bottom lip between his own and sucking lightly. Nick let out a low moan, and his strong arms tightened around Charlie’s back as he kissed him harder.
✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨
The eleventh kiss was over almost as quickly as it begun. How to describe the eleventh kiss? How to summarise it, even, as it’s not entirely accurate to treat it as just one kiss.
“Does it count as number 11 if we never really left the whirlwind? Nick asked. “Maybe we never ‘landed’ somewhere, so to speak.”
“No,” Charlie responded, “We definitely left the whirlwind. I touched grass–I mean, the ground – for sure. But,” he hesitated a moment to try and choose his words carefully. “I think maybe we just went through a lot of first kisses, very quickly, so it felt like we never stopped moving?”
Nick looked confused. “So then why so many at once? Isn’t it supposed to be just one at a time?”
“There was something very profoundly similar about all of them that created a significant connection between them. The universe or the library fairy, or whatever power is helping us, seemed to conceptualise them as all part of one joined, united effort.”
Nick nodded and, not for the first time, reflected on how goddamn fucking smart Charlie was. “So something deeper than the details, then. Because there was definitely more than one kiss there. So while we wait for Kiss number 12, care to try and guess what all of those number 11s had in common?”
The letters were already whirring about over their heads and Charlie declined. “I don’t think we have time, but I’m happy to come back to those memories,” he smirked, “At a later date. For scientific purposes, of course.”
“Of course,” Nick agreed sagely. “Just write down somewhere that I swear to god that on our way out of every single one, I saw the words “Chili’s storeroom” flash by my eyes. That feels significant.”
“Got it,” Charlie said, even as he was distracted by the new verse formed on the wall.
Kiss 12
A caravan park ‘down under’ and a tranquil blue ocean,
Teenagers on the beach, and a heart drawn in lotion.
The title is fluorescent, but is hidden from sight,
And can only be seen under a certain blue light.
“Wooooah, are we going to Australia next?! I’ve always wanted to go there!”
“I don’t think you'll have much time for sight-seeing Nick.” Charlie said, eyebrows raised.
Nick rolled his eyes with a sarcastic smirk. “Yeah but how cool is it we get to go there without sitting on a plane for 24 hours!”
“That’s true! Right, let’s work this out…”
It didn’t take them long to figure out ‘Ultraviolet’ and type it in.
✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨
They found themselves hand in hand on a beach, Charlie holding a half drunk bottle of cider. Nick’s hand was slightly sandy, the grains rough against Charlie’s skin. Charlie gently squeezed it, seeking some comfort for the fact this would be the twelfth and final kiss. Twelve kisses seemed like a lot at the beginning, but the end had come all too soon. Come on Charlie, no being sad on the last kiss, it’ll spoil it. The pitch dark sky stretched for miles ahead-the silvery moon and the little glowing green square the only visible objects.
“Ok. Here goes our last one.” Nick said, wearing a bittersweet smile. They read their autocue. “Looks like we snuck here!”
Charlie scrolled down a bit. “And it’s New Year’s Eve!”
“Oh wow! This one is so gorgeously described. Are you ready?” Nick's thumb gently brushed small circles on Charlie’s hand.
Charlie paused. “Nick, do you think we might have a kiss 13?” He was obviously asking him if they had some sort of future, but tried to camouflage it with the task in hand.
“I think there’s a 100% chance of that.” Nick’s lips curved up into his endearing lop-sided smile.
Their faces drew closer in the dark.
Three.
Nick closed his eyes.
Two.
They breathed the same salt air.
One.
Fireworks, for the second time that night.
They leant in. Charlie tasted like apple cider and sunshine, or maybe moonlight. Their hands both reached for each other's faces, cupping each other like they were the most precious things in the universe. This kiss was different. It felt like it came with a safety net. It was a kiss filled with optimism, with promise, with tomorrows. It was filled with clarity, tenderness and with love.
✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨
“Wow, so we made it! Twelve Christmas first kisses!” grinned Nick.
“Each one so different, but all so amazing!”
“What a great team we make! Team Narlie!” Nick punched the air.
“Narlie? What the fuck?! Nick, you're such a geek.” Charlie shook his head yet again. And that’s why I love you.
Nick gave a smile, the type that made his eyes crinkle at the edges. “So, if we completed our quest, how the hell do we get home?” Nick looked around for a door, or a Christmas librarian fairy or anything else unusual.
“I don’t know.” Charlie joined him and they searched up and down the rows for anything that might help them return to real life.
“Hello!” Nick called out. “Anyone there?” The library was silent. “Erin the Christmas Fairy Librarian said she’d guide us home if we completed the 12 kisses. And we have. We did it. So where is she?” He was now a little tired and getting hangry.
“I don’t know, but I need to sit down.” Charlie wandered back over to the chairs and sat down with a groan. He rubbed his knees. “You can tell I’m getting old, I sound like my dad. He can’t sit down without making a noise.”
Nick smiled and joined him, and they sat there in silence for a few minutes.
“Which was your favourite kiss Char?”
Charlie looked thoughtful. “I honestly couldn’t choose, they were all so different, and, well…. amazingly written.”
“Right!”
“The authors must spend ages planning them and writing them… choosing their words so carefully. They really are an incredibly talented bunch.”
“I know, and look how many there are! Just about us!” They looked up at the thousands of glowing, floating fics, hovering above them, all switching positions as new ones continually appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
“Someone should put those in a spreadsheet.” Nick said earnestly. Charlie smiled, this time with pure adoration in his eyes.
“They’ve all spent so much of their free time writing about us in all those wonderful different universes. It makes me feel, well, so lucky, and..” he paused, “..quite emotional.” Charlie looked at Nick with glassy eyes. Nick reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze.
“We did have an amazing time. I wish we could thank the authors.”
A delicate tinkling sound caught their attention, prompting them to glance up. The familiar pink, purple and blue hues appeared at the top of the stairs as Erin the Christmas Fairy Librarian came into view. Her softly spoken voice echoed through the library,
“Bravo Nick and Charlie. You finally completed your quest. You completed your 12 first kisses relatively easily, and by the looks of it, with much…. enjoyment.” She raised an eyebrow. “However, the real reason for your adventure here was to show you just how much the community loves you, and for you in return to feel appreciation for all the incredible authors who have brought you alive in so many wonderful ways, which I believe you now do. Your final wish was to thank the authors?”
“Oh wow, yes that would be brilliant if we could do that?” Nick and Charlie grinned at Erin and then at each other.
She gave a final dramatic arc of her wand, rainbows, stars and stardust bursting out into the sky.
And there, before Nick’s and Charlie’s eyes, appeared hundreds of authors.
There was a smol ginger in a gorgeous jumpsuit discussing disco toilets with two other girls, one holding some horrific looking cats, the other a bottle of wine with a straw in. There were two American guys, obviously flirting - one wearing an I ❤️Joe t-shirt, the other inexplicably dressed as a Viking. In the middle of the crowd stood a redhead and two brunettes showing others nearby their fabulous croissant tattoos. Near the back, one guy with very impressive yellow eyeliner was giving a talk about anal to a very attentive audience. One person was circulating a petition for something that sounded exciting, more of a character apparently called “tarcy”? One girl holding a ’Science For Dummies’ book was speaking solely in puns (Nick was listening closely for tips) to another who was politely listening as they silently crossed off days on some sort of countdown calendar leading up to the new year. Off to the side, one was examining a wall display of beautifully carved wooden paddles, while also checking their watch with the impatience of someone waiting for a dinner order to arrive, as another browsed the nearby section labelled “Highest of Angst” with a look in their eyes that seemed to say “Oh really? That sounds like a challenge…”. An animated group was getting a bit rowdy in one corner debating what kind of car their main character would be driving if he was a 30-something who just got dumped while living in the American deep south. Their waving arms and impassioned faces almost obscured the one leaning over a desk behind them, scratching down notes for a brand new plot bunny that both voiced vulnerability and also was very hot. And fucking hilarious. And amazing, because they all are.
Countless more moved about the room, right at home in this altar to stories and words, and at intervals a new face pushed through the door and was welcomed with cheers.
It was an artist’s studio at the same time it was a glorious celebration. There were accents from all over the world–Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Argentina, France, Germany, Brazil, to name but a few, all listening intently to one another. (Yes, yes, the Americans were there too, they just don’t need to get mentioned every single time!) There were creative minds buzzing around after plot bunnies, captivating dialogue and breathtaking settings, and even as they took shape in each author’s mind, they shared back and forth, exclaiming, praising and sharpening. Nick and Charlie might be new to this world, but they knew they were in the presence of something awe-worthy.
Erin clapped her tiny hands, hushing the room instantly. Every gaze fixated on Nick and Charlie.
“Wow, this is…” started Nick. He looked to Charlie for support.
“Yeah.” Charlie swallowed. “Quite overwhelming! I’m fan-girling right now!”
The crowd laughed with a giddy joy at this declaration, while at the same time looking tenderly at Charlie and Nick. The two of them were, after all, basically the clay in the potter’s hands for the assembled crowd, and nothing could make them happier than seeing them soak it all in.
Charlie continued, “Okay. We just want to say thank you so much for all the hard work and care you put into our stories. We know some of you probably write even though you are tired. We can tell some of you have written straight from the heart, even though it might be painful. We know some of you probably write to try and help others process difficult times in their lives and that is just wonderful. We know some of you write simply to spread queer joy, which we really appreciate! Anyway, we wouldn’t be here without you, so thank you.” He gave a small bow of his head, Nick looking at him with such wonder and pride, a small tear threatening to fall.
One of the tattooed authors got a tissue out of their bag. The crowd cheered, whistled and waved their arms.
A huge yellow and blue door materialised from the bottom upwards.
“And now, when you pass through this door, it will lead you back to normal life.” The fairy gestured to the door. “Bye, Nick and Charlie, it was amazing to meet you! Oh, hang on,” she exclaimed as she reached behind her wings and handed them a marker. “Could you quickly just sign my wings please?”
Nick and Charlie both signed them with love.
“We've had the best time! Thank you so much! Bye, everybody!” Nick took hold of Charlie's hand. He knew they were going to go back to real life, but to be honest, he wasn’t bothered where they went, as Charlie WAS home now. They both waved goodbye to the crowd. They stepped forward together, disappearing through the door.
Instantly, they arrived back in Lavender Fields, to the exact same spot under the mistletoe where they had first kissed, their friends none the wiser they’d ever left.
Back at the library, the AO3 Christmas party was in full swing. The betas and the readers had joined the authors and, well, it was wild. Tinsel was being twirled by the Facebook group, crackers were being pulled by the Twitter group and slut drops were being performed down the aisles, mainly by Erin the Christmas Fairy Librarian, and her fairy friend Jo, as they’d been at the Bellinis. Again. The Discord lot, festive jumpers galore, were very animated, high with either: excitement at seeing each other again, making new friends, or the edibles they’d consumed earlier. The duck and the bunny, both with Christmas hats, could be seen sat atop the speakers, heads bopping in time to the beat. As the Backstreet Boys blasted out of the speakers, the library was overflowing with love, festive cheer and community spirit- all three swirling around the shelves in their own unpredictable dance, caressing all the incredible words written on them. The authors, betas and readers danced the night away with genuine smiles on their faces and love in their hearts, thrilled they got the chance to share Christmas with their chosen family. All of them truly safe in the knowledge they belonged to something very special.
As for Nick and Charlie, aside from the chapped lips from all the kissing (not that either of them were complaining), they were also on a high from their Christmas adventure. They hadn’t really discussed their future as yet, as they simply couldn’t wait to ‘properly’ share a bed, but somehow, somehow they both just knew they would be together forever, in each and every universe.
✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨
(Yep, End Note that was too long to fit into the End Note box....)
You didn’t think we’d forget to include a bibliography, did you?
All of these fics were referenced in our story; some of them got more airtime than others because, uh, the authors may have had some difficulty forgetting some specific kissing scenes, ok? But we love all the first kisses-and you! 🥰
Authors- Thank you so much for letting us use your masterpieces!
Readers - if you haven’t read them already, WHY THE HELL NOT? LEAVE YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AND GO READ THEM RIGHT NOW! SHOO!
(in order of appearance)
Nick the builder: How to Build Your Dream Home, by NellieSayzBork
https://archiveofourown.org/works/43715524/chapters/109927306
Charlie the dancer: Strictly Dancing, by allamosaurus
https://archiveofourown.org/works/42170964/chapters/105877182
The Airbnb: Lavender Fields, by scienceisrealyo
https://archiveofourown.org/works/46134865/chapters/116141842
Scottish Nick: Between me & you, by bishyreadytocry
https://archiveofourown.org/works/46847110/chapters/118000909
Pirate and adventurer/ three hearts: Follow Stars, You’ll Be Alright, by debbatx
https://archiveofourown.org/works/51253408?view_full_work=true<br />
https://archiveofourown.org/series/3686071
Edie: I Would Move Mountains, by PhoenixSpring
https://archiveofourown.org/works/43129603/chapters/108392157
Don’t call me that! / Cuppas Cafe: Scorched Earth, by henry_amargosa
https://archiveofourown.org/works/47222389/chapters/118983769
The duck: Wild, by Red_Letter_Days
https://archiveofourown.org/works/47929282/chapters/120842905
The bunny: Bunny, by Oatsiexx
https://archiveofourown.org/works/49235266?view_full_work=true
David and Olly: Absurdism, by Hopeless80sromantic, isto4u and KareliasKiss
https://archiveofourown.org/works/47234545/chapters/119014948
The pebble: I Am Brave Because of You, by hereforhsfanfic
https://archiveofourown.org/works/50989336?view_full_work=true
Chelsea: Charlie Spring Hates Men, by aprms
https://archiveofourown.org/works/44117944/chapters/110935708
Plant Shop: It’s Almost Unnatural, by planttaxonomy
https://archiveofourown.org/works/41703783/chapters/104614791
Millie Holden-Spring: Show and tell, by thetomkatwholived
https://archiveofourown.org/works/40422441/chapters/101261391
Linda: From the Desk of Linda T. Everton, by scienceisrealyo
https://archiveofourown.org/works/44857054
Charlie and Nick: Now you’re never ever getting rid of me, by bishyreadytocry
https://archiveofourown.org/works/49810363
Kiss 1: The 30th, by Ye_cats333
https://archiveofourown.org/works/49741012/chapters/125552095
Kiss 2: June, July, August by sophisticatedyet
https://archiveofourown.org/works/38791131/chapters/96997533
Kiss 3: Titanick, by the less impressive author of this fic you just read
https://archiveofourown.org/works/44493067/chapters/112595665
Kiss 4: Charlie Spring Hates Men by aprms https://archiveofourown.org/works/44117944/chapters/110935708?view_adult=true
Kiss 5: Meet Me There, by aprms
https://archiveofourown.org/works/41523504/chapters/104140302
Kiss 6: Showstopper, by PansyFace22
https://archiveofourown.org/works/40860462/chapters/102390342
Kiss 7: Give me thorns but give me roses, by allamosaurus and swise
https://archiveofourown.org/works/44288453/chapters/111376108
Kiss 8: Start Over Again, by PansyFace22
https://archiveofourown.org/works/40437144/chapters/101299320
Kiss 9: What’s It Gonna Be?, by PhoenixSpring
https://archiveofourown.org/works/40052922/chapters/100307415
Kiss 10: January, by bordercollie111
https://archiveofourown.org/works/46400473/chapters/116825212
Kiss 11: Chili’s fics! by: everyone!
https://archiveofourown.org/collections/in_any_chilis
Kiss 12: Ultraviolet, by frogcakes
https://archiveofourown.org/works/44407927/chapters/111692140
‘Narlie’ Narlie Waves, by waveofyou
https://archiveofourown.org/works/44212585/chapters/111181423
And here are all the authors we stuffed into the last party scene. Yes, you do have to now go read their entire oeuvres, since we didn’t specify any one fic 😉
Erinthelibrarian (fairy)
https://archiveofourown.org/users/erinthelibrarian/pseuds/erinthelibrarian
KareliasKiss (smol ginger)
https://archiveofourown.org/users/KareliasKiss/pseuds/KareliasKiss/works?fandom_id=74497137
Jivey (holding the cats)
https://archiveofourown.org/users/jivey/pseuds/jivey
Aprms (wine with a straw)
https://archiveofourown.org/users/aprms/pseuds/aprms
Henry_amargosa (I love Joe t-shirt)
https://archiveofourown.org/users/henry_amargosa/pseuds/henry_amargosa
KitSaidOui (Viking)
https://archiveofourown.org/users/KitSaidOui/pseuds/KitSaidOui
Littlekp (croissant tattoo)
https://archiveofourown.org/users/Littlekp/pseuds/Littlekp
Bishyreadytocry (croissant tattoo / tissue)
https://archiveofourown.org/users/bishyreadytocry/pseuds/bishyreadytocry
CharliesJumperStash (croissant tattoo)
https://archiveofourown.org/users/CharliesJumperStash/pseuds/CharliesJumperStash
Oatcakez (yellow eyeliner)
https://archiveofourown.org/users/oatcakez/pseuds/oatcakez
Swoog (Tarcy smut, oh yeah)
https://archiveofourown.org/users/Swoog/profile
Scienceisrealyo (Science for Dummies book)
https://archiveofourown.org/users/scienceisrealyo/pseuds/scienceisrealyo
Raanne (countdown calendar)
https://archiveofourown.org/users/raanne/pseuds/raanne
Blaewen (paddles and dinner scheduling)
https://archiveofourown.org/users/Blaewen/pseuds/Blaewen
Zitronenhai (angst royalty)
https://archiveofourown.org/users/Zitronenhai/pseuds/Zitronenhai
farmwitch (executive council for American Nick character studies)
https://archiveofourown.org/users/farmwitch/pseuds/farmwitch
animated_garbage (executive council for American Nick character studies)
https://archiveofourown.org/users/animated_garbage/pseuds/animated_garbage
OrionsBracelet (executive council for American Nick character studies)
https://archiveofourown.org/users/OrionsBracelet/pseuds/OrionsBracelet
Glyphs02 (executive council for American Nick character studies)
https://archiveofourown.org/users/glyphs02/pseuds/glyphs02
SwirlingLeaves (voicing vulnerability author, planning another fic that’s gonna be amazing…)
https://archiveofourown.org/users/Swirling_Leaves/pseuds/SwirlingLeaves