Chapter 1

Description (May contain spoilers)

Nick, Charlie, David and Oliver are preparing for a romantic valentine’s night together.

In this story Oliver is only a couple of years younger than Charlie, not the age gap that is in the original books.

Olly: 22
Charlie: 24
Nick: 26
David: 30

Nick

Nick Nelson had been dating his childhood sweetheart Charlie Spring since he was 16 years old. They’d had their ups and downs, probably more than most couples, but they’d come out the other side stronger than ever. They’d been to hell and back when Charlie had spent time as an in-patient for his issues with eating; they’d endured being long-distance when Nick moved to Leeds for university and subsequently when Charlie went to Durham to study classics, making as much of the time they could spend together as they possibly could.

After Charlie graduated 4 years ago, they’d moved in together in Rochester to be near their families, Nick getting lucky and landing a job teaching at a local primary school. While Charlie was commuting into London for his job as a copy editor for a publishing house. This year would be Charlie’s 25th birthday in April and Nick had decided that this valentine’s day he was finally going to propose. He’d known for years that there was no one else for him, he’d not looked at another person since the day he first met Charlie back at Truham. He’d only waited this long because he needed everything to be perfect, he’d been saving for a ring that screamed ‘Charlie Spring’, something simple but elegant, just like his boyfriend.

He’d originally planned to propose at Christmas, but they’d spent the festive season at the Springs’ family home and Jane Spring’s overbearing attitudes had put Charlie into one of his ‘down days’ as they called them. Nick didn’t want Charlie’s memory of him proposing to be overshadowed by those negative emotions. So now that Valentine’s Day was here, it was the most romantic time to pop the question. Nick was pretty sure Charlie would say yes, but he was still nervous, nonetheless.

David

David Nelson never thought of himself as the sappy sort, not like his younger brother Nick, but whenever he thought about his boyfriend Olly he just felt calm and happy. They’d met four years ago when Nick and Charlie hosted the first ‘Nelson-Spring’ family Christmases that had become an annual tradition after they got their own place together. He and Olly found themselves drawn together whenever their two families were in the same place.

Oliver Spring was chaotic and wild, the complete opposite of his older brother, but whenever David was near Olly, he struggled to resist him. He had tried at first, Oliver was 10 years younger than him after all, but once Oliver had set his sights on him, he knew it was all over. Olly brought colour into his otherwise dull life. Olly had been in his first year of uni when they first met and by the time he’d reached his second year, him and David were as close to boyfriends as they could be, although neither of them had told their families yet.

Things weren’t always plain sailing between them, when they fought it was on an epic scale, but they always made up and the make up sex was always amazing. Sometimes David thought Olly picked something to fight over just so they could have ‘the good sex’ as he once put it. David just laughed at his mad antics and played along. It was Olly’s graduation day a year ago when they’d finally ‘told’ their families about the two of them being a couple.

Told, probably isn’t the right word. After Oliver had collected his certificate, he came bounding off the stage and ran straight into David’s arms and gave him the most passionate, and certainly most public kiss they’d ever shared. The whole Nelson-Spring clan had a mix of reactions to this revelation. Jane Spring, Olly’s mother, seemed to be appalled at the sight in front of her, while Nick and Charlie were simply shocked and at a loss for words. David’s mum Sarah was happy for the two of them, while Tori scarily said, “Called it.”

Once they’d all got home that day there was a lot of raised voices in the Springs’ home. Jane had tried to imply that David had ‘groomed’ her son and that he was some kind of pervert for being with someone ‘so much younger’ than him. While Nick and Charlie were hurt for another reason altogether, David had said some pretty nasty things to them when Nick had first come out, which of course he now deeply regretted.

Once the initial shock of him and Olly being together had faded, David and had worked to make amends with his brother and his boyfriend. The relationship between him and Nick was now the best it had ever been. Jane took longer to win over, and David wasn’t entirely sure she was still happy with him dating her son, but Olly had made it very clear to her that if she made him choose between them, that he would choose David every time, filling David with even more love for his Olly.

Oliver

Valentine’s Day was finally here, and Oliver Spring was feeling nervous but excited for the night they had planned. Before Christmas, Nick had confided in Olly that he was planning to propose to Charlie. He’d even asked Olly to go with him to collect the ring that Nick had chosen for his boyfriend. Nick was so disappointed when his plans to propose to Charlie on Christmas Day fell through, but Oliver reassured him that he’d made the right call.

Oliver suggested to Nick that he should wait until Valentine’s Day, as he knew Charlie would love the romance of that. Oliver helped Nick to find a romantic restaurant, deciding on a fancy roof-top restaurant that had amazing views of the London skyline. Nick had insisted on him and David joining them too, as a thank you to Oliver for helping him and wanting to help Oliver to make the evening special for him and David too.

What Nick didn’t know, was that Oliver had his own plans for making the evening special, Oliver was also planning to propose tonight. Last week he had gone back to the same jewellers that Nick had used and picked out a ring for David that he thought summed up the two of them together perfectly. It was beautiful but with a hint of chaos in its design, it was how David had once described him. He knew they hadn’t been together as long as Nick and Charlie, and that he was still quite young, but he knew this was it for him.

He’d seen doubt in David’s eyes sometimes, little things like when he saw Oliver out with his friends or the way he was just more outgoing than David. There were even times when David had ‘joked’ that Oliver would leave him someday for someone younger. But he could see the truth behind the words, the pain, and he wanted to stop David from ever thinking that again, by showing him just how much he truly meant to him.

Charlie

Charlie was putting his suit on for the evening and trying to tame his wild curls into something a little more normal. Nick had booked them a fancy looking restaurant for Valentine’s Day, which had made him a little anxious, but Nick was great at making sure the menu was suitable for Charlie’s needs. It wasn’t even something they discussed; it was just second-nature to Nick to make sure anywhere they went had a few safe dishes on the menu to make sure Charlie could feel comfortable. He hadn’t had a relapse like when he’d been an in-patient during secondary school, but there were always going to be good days and bad. But he was much better at coping now, especially with Nick by his side.

Having Nick by his side was something Charlie knew was going to be forever, there was no doubt in his mind about that. He never knew what Nick saw in him when they first got together back in school, and when they were apart during their time at university they’d had some rocky patches, but now the doubts had long since gone.

Charlie hadn’t told anyone, but tonight he planned on asking Nick to marry him. He’d gotten a ring that reminded him of Nick, it was strong and masculine but with a soft edge to it. He was pretty sure Nick would say yes, but he was wishing now he’d discussed it with someone first, to put some of his natural anxiety at ease a little. But there was no time for that now, Nick and David were arriving any minute to collect him and Olly.

Chapter 2

Description (May contain spoilers)

Nick and David pick up Charlie and Oliver for their Valentine’s night.

Nick

That evening David picked Nick up from the apartment he shared with Charlie. To make the evening extra special, Olly had convinced Charlie that they should get ready at their parents’ house so that their boyfriends could pick them up, just like old times. Nick liked the idea when Olly had suggested it but now it was just more time for Nick to be second-guessing his plans.

David must have sensed how anxious he was because he asked, “Everything alright over there Nicky?”

Nick needed to talk about it, he needed reassurance that he wasn’t making a mistake. “Erm, not exactly,” Nick paused to take a deep breath before continuing, “I’m planning on proposing to Charlie,” then adding at the end, “tonight.”

“That’s amazing Nicky, but why are you anxious? It’s obvious how crazy you two are about each other,” David tried to reassure him.

“But what if he doesn’t want to get married or thinks we’re too young or that it’s too soon,” Nick started to have a small panic attack. David pulled the car over to the side of the road so he could comfort his brother.

“Nick, breathe, just breathe, deep breathes. You and Charlie have been together for almost 10 years, no one could think it’s too soon. You already live together, and he loves you so much Nicky. You must know that.”

A few deep breaths and Nick was starting to calm again. David just waited patiently for Nick to be ready.

“Thanks David, you turned out to not be that bad a brother after all,” Nick tried to tease as he regained his composure.

“Ha, right back at you Nicky boy. We ready to get going?” David asked with true care in his voice for his little brother. Nick nodded and David started the car up again to continue to get their boys.

David

David truly was pleased for his brother; he didn’t have a single doubt that Charlie wouldn’t accept Nick’s marriage proposal. Everyone could see those two were soulmates. There were still days when David regretted how he first reacted to seeing Nick and Charlie together, realising years later that it was just his own repressed feelings of being bisexual that caused him to lash out. They were in a much better place now, there was still bridges to repair between them, but the resentment David had once felt towards Nick was long since gone.

As they drove in a comfortable silence towards the Springs’ house, David’s thoughts drifted to his own boyfriend, his Olly. He didn’t understand what Olly could possibly see in him, he knew it wouldn’t last forever – someone younger, more fun, more like Olly would come along and be able to offer him things that David couldn’t. David dreaded that day, but he knew he wouldn’t stand in the way of Oliver being happy. For now, Olly was his, he was so happy whenever he was with Oliver, it’s like he wasn’t whole unless Oliver was by his side.

David had sometimes thought what it might be like to have a future with Oliver Spring, he’d picture them getting married somewhere crazy like while scuba diving or maybe on a beach at sunset just the two of them. Something so different from a traditional wedding, but full of the love they felt for each other. Maybe if they had met at school, like Nick and Charlie, or perhaps at university, then things might have been different. Even if that future seemed almost impossible to him, David knew he would cling on to everything Olly would give him, for as long as he would have him.

Oliver

Oliver heard the car pull up outside. He double-checked how he looked in the mirror of his bedroom before tucking the ring he’d bought into the pocket inside his jacket. He walked down the hall to his big brother’s childhood bedroom, knocked on the door and called out, “Charlie, our dates are here.”

Charlie pulled open the door and Olly looked at him standing there in his own suit.

“What? Do I look ok?” Charlie asked nervously, returning to look at himself in the mirror to check if something was wrong with his outfit.

Olly followed his brother inside the room, “You look great Charlie, I was just thinking, the Nelson brothers didn’t really stand a chance with how good we look.”

Charlie blushed, “Hardly. Are you sure I look ok?” Charlie said adjusting his suit for the hundredth time that evening.

Olly reached out his hands to hold Charlie’s, “Yes Charlie, Nick is going to love it.”

“Thanks Olly, you look amazing too,” Charlie said, finally taking in how his brother looked.

“Why thank you,” Olly grinned, “Now come on, they’re here and the last thing we want is them getting grilled by Mum.”

Olly and Charlie headed downstairs and were both left speechless when they saw how handsome their boyfriends looked standing there in their suits. Olly was the first to move and ran over to give David a massive hug, whispering into his ear, “I’m going to have so much fun taking this suit off you later on,” causing David’s cheeks to go bright red.

Charlie

When Charlie saw Nick standing there he thought, not for the first time, that he couldn’t believe Nick was his boyfriend. Charlie walked down to stand in front of Nick.

“Hi,” Charlie smiled.

“Hi,” Nick smiled back before pulling Charlie into a hug.

“I missed you,” Nick said without breaking the hug.

“It’s only been a few hours,” Charlie giggled.

“That’s a few hours too long,” Nick groaned, and Charlie was sure he felt Nick smelling him while his face was nuzzled into his neck.

“Nick, don’t we have somewhere to be,” Charlie reminded his boyfriend.

“Oh,” Nick suddenly remembered their plans for the evening and reluctantly released his boyfriend.

Nick and David escorted their partners to David’s car, Nick and Charlie sat in the back, while Olly sat up front with David. When everyone was ready, David gave Olly’s leg one last squeeze and started driving them to the restaurant. Normally Nick and Charlie wouldn’t be able to keep from kissing each other throughout the journey, but Charlie was still distracted by thoughts of the ring that was inside his jacket pocket.

Chapter 3

Description (May contain spoilers)

David drives the group to the restaurant.

Nick

All the nerves Nick had felt earlier in the drive over were immediately forgotten as soon as he saw his Charlie. He looked so hot in his suit, Nick just wanted to skip the restaurant and carry him back upstairs to Charlie’s childhood bedroom and strip him out of it so that he could explore the sexy body he knew was hiding underneath. Nick felt that he and Charlie were just two halves of one whole, needing to be close to one another to feel complete.

Now he was in the back of the car with Charlie by his side, any doubts he had about proposing were long gone. Tonight, had to be the night, if he left it any longer he thought he might explode. In Nick’s heart he knew that if he could marry Charlie tomorrow, it wouldn’t be soon enough. He felt like a teenager that had a crush on someone, mentally going through married names in his head as he thought of all the different possibilities.

Mr Nicholas Spring

Mr Charles Nelson

Mr & Mr Nicholas & Charles Nelson-Spring

Mr & Mr Charles & Nicholas Spring-Nelson

It wasn’t something he and Charlie had ever really discussed, but Nick knew he didn’t care if they changed their names or not, or what name they picked if they did choose a change, as long as he could shout out to the world that he was Charlie’s. Just like he had screamed it to the sea back on the beach all those years ago when he shouted out that, ‘He liked Charlie Spring in a romantic way, not just a friend way’. Nick was sure if he was on that beach again now, he’d be shouting to anyone that would listen that, ‘He loved Charlie Spring in every way possible and would go on loving him until the day they died!’

David

The car ride to the restaurant was unusually quiet, he suspected Nick was still nervous about his plans to propose that evening, and Charlie wasn’t the most talkative, at least not around him. But even Olly was quiet tonight which really wasn’t like him at all.

David reached his hand across to squeeze Olly’s knee and asked, “Everything ok Oll?”

“Hmm,” Olly responded not hearing what David had asked.

“I asked if everything was ok, you seem quiet.”

“Yeah, I think I’m just worried I won’t fit in at this fancy restaurant. It must be fancy if we all have to dress up like this.,” he said gesturing to his suit.

“How do you know the restaurant is fancy? Maybe this was just an excuse for me to see your sexy ass in those tight trousers?” David teased.

“Davey, you can’t say that in front of our brothers,” Oliver gasped in mock shock.

David glanced in the rear-view mirror at his brother and future brother-in-law, “Haha, I don’t think they’re paying us any attention Oll.”

Oliver

Oliver hoped David had believed his reason for being distracted. He’d actually been thinking of how he was going to propose. Should he get down on one knee, or sneak the ring into his desert, or maybe just reach across the table, take hold of his hands and ask him. So many possibilities, but none of them felt quite right, none of them felt quite them.

He probably should have considered what he was going to do before this point, but every time he’d tried he got distracted. His thoughts had drifted to what-ifs instead, like What if David said no or that he thought it was to soon, or that Olly was too young to know what he wanted.

And then what if David actually said yes, what would their wedding be like, would David want a big ceremony surrounded by all their friends & family, or would he want something more intimate. Olly would even be happy with just running away and eloping, as long as he could show David just how committed he was to their relationship.

The thought also occurred to him that he didn’t want to steal Nick’s moment, he knew Nick had been waiting such a long time to propose to his brother. He didn’t want either of them thinking that he was just trying to get everyone’s attention on him. It was then that it occurred to him, he knew exactly how he was going to propose to David.

Charlie

Nick seemed distracted in the car, normally he’d be all over Charlie whenever they were this close, but Charlie didn’t mind. It gave him time to try and calm his nerves, he kept tapping his pocket to make sure the box with the ring was still there. He’d had so many bad dreams the last few weeks, dreams where Nick said no and left him, dreams that he’d lost the ring, or it had slipped inside the lining of his jacket.

Once he woke from each of these dreams and saw his beautiful Nicky lying next to him, he knew it was just his brain doing what it always did, showing him the worst possible scenarios to make him feel worthless. His years in therapy had helped him to at least recognise when this was happening now, rather than allowing him to spiral further and further into the bad thoughts. Normally he’d talk to Nick when he was starting to feel like this, but then he’d have to ruin the surprise. Charlie knew that it was just the stress of the unknown that had Charlie in a spin.

Charlie knew, deep down, that Nick wouldn’t leave him; he also knew deep down that it was only a matter of time until the two of them got married. They’d never discussed it but they were already married in all but name. They spent every moment when they weren’t working together, they were always invited to events as Nick & Charlie, as if they were one person rather than two, and everything in their apartment was theirs rather than Nick’s or Charlie’s. He just wished that that knowledge would be enough to quiet the little voice of doubt that sat at the back of his mind.

Chapter 4

Description (May contain spoilers)

The boys arrive at the Treetop Lounge.

Nick

As they pulled up outside the Treetop Lounge in the heart of the City of London, Nick entwined his fingers with Charlie’s instinctively as they climbed out of the back of David’s Lexus. Drawing comfort for himself to steady his nerves and, unknown to him, helping to steady his boyfriend’s nerves too. The building in front of them was one of the tallest in the city, with the restaurant at the top advertising the best 360-degree views of the capital.

After David handed over his keys to the parking valet and came round to take hold of Oliver’s hand, the four of them boarded the lift at the bottom of the tower that would whisk them up to the restaurant level where they had made their reservations for the evening. Nick gasped when the lift doors open and they stepped out. He’d seen pictures online when he and Olly were discussing where to pick but the pictures didn’t do it justice.

The restaurant was both elegant and magical, a canopy of leaves and branches adorned the ceiling making it feel as if you were up amongst the treetops. The bar situated in the centre of the space was made to look like the tree’s trunk, with little indents for bottles at different points. Branches fanning out from this central point to make it all feel connected. Each table had silk napkins in golden earth tones and delicate tea lights placed in the centre to give a subdued atmosphere. The lighting from above being intertwined with the tree canopy to add to the effect of feeling like you were up at the top of the trees instead of just at the top of another of  London’s ever-growing number of skyscrapers.

Someone must have given the maître d their names, but Nick wasn’t sure who as he had been too distracted by the restaurant’s magical atmosphere. As they were shown to their table, that was when Nick noticed for the first time the view outside the windows. London’s skyline was  lit beautifully against the dark night’s sky.

David

The maître d asked Nick for the name of our party twice and he hadn’t noticed, so David had to step up and tell him instead. They were led to a table next to one of the many windows that surrounded the space, views of the historic Tower Bridge and the Tower of London down below. David pulled out a chair by the window for Olly and then went round and sat opposite him, thinking that Nick would probably want to be on the outside if he was going to do the traditional proposal down on one knee.

Once he sat down, David watched as his brother copied his actions for his own boyfriend by pulling out the chair next to him for Charlie to sit and then Nick sat opposite, next to Oliver. David gave Nick a small smile across the table, sensing how nervous his younger brother was for tonight. The maître d handed each of them a menu and they all started to look through the options inside.

David felt Charlie’s leg start to twitch next to him and Nick must have felt it too because he looked up and asked his partner, “Everything ok Char?”

“Erm, yeah it’s just, this place, its,” Charlie paused, “a bit pricey.”

“Oh, erm” Nick breathed out and before he had a chance to continue, Oliver turned to his brother and said matter of factly, “Don’t worry Charlie, tonight’s on David,” before turning to David and saying, “Isn’t that right Davey,” with the most outrageously flirty look that he knew David would do absolutely anything for.

David’s mouth suddenly felt dry, “Absolutely,” he coughed, “Of course, don’t worry about the cost,” he tried to reassure Charlie before taking a sip of the water on the table.

Oliver

Oliver knew he probably should have checked with David first, before offering for him to pay for their evening, but he’d make it up to him when they were alone in David’s apartment later that night, and if it gave David an excuse to spank him as part of that, then even better, he thought to himself.

He knew how nervous Nick was when planning tonight, what with trying to balance the romance of his proposal with making sure there were safe foods available for Charlie to choose from, particularly in this space he wasn’t familiar with. Oliver was really impressed with how it wasn’t something that Nick struggled with, or even really had to think about, to him, it was just part of Charlie and he made sure to do whatever he could to help.

Oliver was looking forward to officially being Nick’s brother-in-law, because he already felt like family to him. Not just because Nick had always been around since he was a teen, or because he was always looking out for Charlie, but because he was also there for him. When Charlie was taken to hospital as an in-patient, Nick would still visit and spend time with Olly, spending time after school playing Mario Kart with him and teaching him how to bake. Sure it was probably as much for himself as it was for Olly, but he was so grateful to him for that time. His parents never wanted to talk about why Charlie wasn’t around.

A few years later, when Olly was first trying to understand his sexuality, Nick was there for him. He didn’t judge him or question him, he just listened and tried to give advice. He’d been through the same gay-crisis when he met Charlie and with Nick’s help Olly realised he was pansexual. He also stood by him when Olly was ready to come out to his family, he knew his brother and sister would be fine with it, but his parents still saw him as the baby of the family who needed to be protected at all costs.

Charlie

Everything on the menu looked so good to Charlie but also so expensive. He didn’t want to look like he was taking advantage of David, he couldn’t believe Oliver had announced that David was paying. He was pretty sure from the expression on David’s face, that he and Olly hadn’t talked about that before hand, but if Charlie knew his brother, he was sure he would find some way to make it up to him once they were home later. Not that he wanted to know what that way would be, as he mentally tried to shake away any thoughts of David and Oliver in that way.

He saw several of his safe dishes on the menu and while Charlie would have liked to try some of the more interesting items on there, he knew with how anxious he currently was, that if he stood a chance of eating anything tonight he should stick to one of those choices instead. From beside him, David asked if anyone was getting a starter and he was grateful that both Nick and Olly, knowing that Charlie might struggle more with a starter first, said they were going to go straight to main and save room for dessert if they wanted anything more.

David didn’t know about Charlie’s eating disorder, he’d been away at uni when Charlie was admitted to hospital, and as it was only in the last few years that things had improved between the 3 of them, it just wasn’t something he’d ever shared with David.

The waiter came over and took their orders before returning with everyone’s drinks. While they were waiting for their food to arrive, Charlie had made his decision. He was going to ask Nick before their food arrived, he knew he wouldn’t be able to eat at all if he waited any longer.

Chapter 5

Description (May contain spoilers)

Who will propose first?

Nick

After their drinks arrived, Charlie got up to go to the bathroom saying he just wanted to wash his hands. Nick was grateful to get a few moments alone with his brother and Olly. Once he was sure Charlie was out of sight Nick turned to the other men and confessed, “Guys, I don’t think I’ve been this nervous since I was trying to come out to our friends at school.”

“You know he’s going to say yes, what have you got to be nervous about,” Olly stated as if it was already a certainty that Charlie was going to accept.

“Exactly Nick, it’ll be fine,” David agreed then turned to Olly, “Wait, you knew?”

“D’uh,” Olly replied not giving any more of an answer to David than that.

Olly put his hand on Nick’s shaking knee and reassured him with a soft smile, “You’ve got this Nick.”

Nick rubbed the back of his neck they way he often did when he was stressed, hoping it would somehow ease the anxiety that had been building more and more since he first decided to propose last year. When he saw Charlie walking back towards the table, his mood changed instantly. Giving  Charlie the biggest sappiest smile, the one he always got whenever he saw Charlie walk into a room.

David

Olly knew that Nick was going to propose to Charlie, this was news to David. David realised Nick must have confided in him before today, as they certainly hadn’t had time alone together since David and Nick had picked up the Spring brothers. He was a little sad to know that Nick didn’t feel he could come to him, but David knew that was his own fault really. They had been gradually working on repairing their relationship, and David was grateful that the damage he caused hadn’t been irreparable, but there was still a way to go.

He was glad though that Nick felt he could go to Olly. Olly was an such an amazing man. David loved how caring, kind and passionate he was. Every time he woke up next to him he felt so lucky that Olly wanted to spend his time with him. David looked at his boyfriend and he could see just why Nick always got a sappy look whenever he saw Charlie, he was sure he got the exact same look whenever he looked at Olly.

Could he see himself marrying Olly? Sure, he’d like to, but David wasn’t sure if Olly would even be the marrying type. It wasn’t something they had ever discussed; they’d only been together for a few years and honestly David didn’t need to be married to Olly to know how they felt about each other. But someday, if Olly hadn’t got tired of him, yeah, he really could see it.

Oliver

David was looking at Oliver with such a goofy smile that it was making him want to ditch his original proposal plan and just ask him now. He was so in love with David Nelson and he wanted the rest of their lives together to start as soon as they could. But no, tonight was supposed to be Nick’s night, Olly was going to stick to his original plan.

Before Charlie came back to the table, Olly pulled out his phone and sent a quick and simple text to David that he knew he wouldn’t be able to resist. It simply said:

Meet me in the bathroom before dessert 😈

He saw David pull his phone out of his pocket and his eyes immediately shot up towards Oliver when he read the message. Oliver gave him a look that David would know meant that Olly had mischief planned for them, and then grinned when he saw David was so flustered that his hands were shaking when he reached for his drink.

Oliver couldn’t deny that making David flustered was one of his favourite things, especially when he was being a brat. He loved that it brought out David’s dominant side when they were having sex, sure sometimes he loved it to be sweet and sensual, but honestly sometimes he just needed it rough and hard, and he knew David loved it too. Everything was just so intense when they were together and Olly hoped it always would be.

Charlie

Charlie went to the bathroom to splash some water on his face and give himself a moment to take a few deep breaths before he made his move. He looked at himself in the mirror and tweaked a stray curl that wasn’t quite sitting right. He reached inside his jacket pocket, pulled out the ring box and checked its contents one last time. He held the box in his hand, took one final breath and returned to the restaurant.

As soon as Nick saw him returning, his face lit up, Charlie loved the way Nick still lit up whenever he entered the room. His smile was always so infectious and had him smiling straight back. It was now or never, he got back to the table and instead of sitting back down in his chair, Charlie got down on one knee in front of his Nicholas.

Nick’s smile turned to shock, as did David and Olly’s but Charlie didn’t notice them, his  eyes were firmly fixed on his boyfriend. Charlie opened the ring box and held it out in front of him before he started to speak.

“Nick, we’ve been together since we were teens, we’ve gone through so much and come out the other side stronger, I love you so much. Will you marry me?”

He’d done it, Charlie had popped the question, he can’t believe he actually did it. But, wait, Nick was just staring at him. He wasn’t saying anything. “Oh god”, Nick didn’t want to marry him, what had he done. Charlie jumped to his feet and ran back to the bathroom, Nick was calling after him but Charlie couldn’t stop, he needed to get out of there.

Chapter 6

Description (May contain spoilers)

Nick chases after an upset Charlie.

Nick

What had just happened. Charlie had asked Nick to marry him, he’d beaten him to it and Nick was so shocked that he was just staring at Charlie. Stunned into silence.

Before he realised he needed to respond, Charlie was up on his feet and running back towards the bathroom. Nick tried calling his name but there was no stopping Charlie. Nick chased after Charlie and entered the bathroom just in time to see Charlie slip inside one of the cubicles and lock the door.

Nick stood in front of the closed door, knocked gently and began to speak through it, “Char, please come out,” Charlie didn’t respond but Nick could hear him sniffing on the other side, trying to muffle his crying. “Charlie, Char, please.”

Still nothing, Nick knew what he had to do to. He reached his arms up in the air and, not caring who might hear him, he shouted, “I LOVE CHARLIE SPRING AND WANT TO MARRY HIM”

Nick kept his arms in the air and smiled when he heard the cubicle door unlock and start to creak open. Charlie’s eyes were red, and his cheeks were still wet, “Really?” he asked sounding so small and delicate.

“Wasn’t it obvious? Come here,” Nick held his arms out and Charlie ran into them. Nick held Charlie tight to him.

Charlie

Charlie felt like he’d been on an emotional rollercoaster over the space of just a few minutes. Nick wanted to marry him; he was so happy. Nick had said yes.

Nick loosened his grip on Charlie, looked him in he eyes and started to speak, “I’m sorry I made you think I didn’t want to marry you Char, I just wasn’t expecting it.”

“Oh, is it too soon, do you think we’re too young?” Charlie started to panic.

“No, no, Char, that’s not it, wait,” Nick released Charlie and took a step back. “You see, the reason I wasn’t expecting it, is because I was going to ask you,” Nick reached inside his jacket and pulled out his own ring box.

“Oh my,” it was Charlie’s turn to be stunned, “Why are we like this?” Charlie giggled before pulling Nick in for a passionate kiss.

When they came up for air Charlie asked, “Can I see it?”

Nick opened the ring box and showed Charlie the ring he’d bought, “Oh Nick, it’s beautiful.” Nick reached inside the box, pulled the ring out and held Charlie’s hand. He looked at his face to see if it was ok to slide it onto Charlie’s finger. Charlie nodded and Nick slid the ring on, it was a perfect fit.

Charlie reached back into his own jacket to get his ring for Nick out of its box, “Can I?” Charlie asked, and Nick simply smiled back. Charlie repeated the same motion as Nick just had, and the two of them both looked at their new engagement rings before they kissed again.

David

“Did you know he was going to do that?” David asked Olly as they waited at the table after both their brothers ran off.

“No, he didn’t tell me. He kept that really quiet,” Olly replied.

“Do you think we should check on them?”

“No, they just need some time, I’m sure they’ll be alright,” Olly reassured him.

The food started to arrive at the table, and just when David thought he was going to have to go and get them before the food went cold, Nick and Charlie emerged from the bathroom walking hand in hand with matching smiles on their faces. Olly and David were both waiting for one of the couple to say something but they were both just grinning like Cheshire cats.

“Well?” David finally asked.

“He said yes,” they both said in unison as they each held up their hands to show off their rings. The whole restaurant then burst into applause causing Charlie to blush and burry his head in Nick’s shoulder.

“Congratulations, we’re so happy for you both,” David replied on his and Olly’s behalf while taking Olly’s hand across the table. David really was so happy for his brother, he’d grown into such a warm & loving man, and him and Charlie really were perfect for each other.

Olly

Olly loved the way David had spoken for both of them, it felt really grown-up, it felt like a really couple-y thing to do. Sure, it wouldn’t have been to some people’s taste, but Olly loved it so much. He loved David so much.

Nick and Charlie retook their seats and they all started eating their meals. Olly noticed that between each mouthful Nick and Charlie just kept smiling at each other, he suspected they didn’t really remember that he or David were there, or the rest of the restaurant for that matter. They were just so happy.

Olly turned to look at David and as if he sensed his boyfriends gaze on him, David turned and gave Olly his amazing smile that made Olly feel butterflies inside his tummy. Olly was even more certain now. He was going to propose to David tonight. He had it all worked out, he just had to get David alone.

Chapter 7

Description and Warnings (May contain spoilers)

Olly puts his plan into action.

CW: If you have read this far dear reader then I thank you, but I now need to apologise. In this chapter Olly & David have been such naughty boys that I’ve had to change this stories rating to Mature.

David

Seeing Nick so happy filled David with joy. It didn’t surprise him that both him and Charlie had the idea to propose at the same time, they were always so in tune to each other’s needs that they must have somehow sensed that they were both ready to take the next step.

Their mum, Sarah, was going to be so happy for them too, but David wasn’t sure how his father was going to take the news. He didn’t really know how to take Nick coming out and he still didn’t know about David and his relationship with Olly. He was always too wrapped up in his own life to really care about getting to know him and Nick. It took him a while, but David no longer cared what his father thought of him or expected of him. He was happy with his life, and that’s what mattered.

After the boys had finished their main courses, the waiter came round to clear the table and ask if they wanted to order desserts. Olly was quick to speak up before anyone else had a chance, “Can we have a few minutes first please,” after which the waiter retreated from the table. David gave Olly a look of confusion but suddenly there was no doubt as to why he’d sent the waiter away. Oliver gave David a wink and said to table, “I’m just going to the bathroom,” not that either Nick or Charlie noticed, they were still too busy looking into each other’s eyes and holding hands across the table.

David gave it a few moments after Olly disappeared into the bathroom before he followed him, not bothering to say anything to the newly engaged lovers. David made quick work of crossing the restaurant to the bathroom door. He pushed the door open and before it had fully swung shut Olly had pounced on him. David instinctively grabbed hold of Olly’s legs as he wrapped them round his body, their lips immediately connecting as if they hadn’t kissed in a month.

David walked them back into one of the cubicles and between them they managed to knock the door closed without breaking from their embrace. Olly shifted down David’s body and quickly slid the cubicle’s lock into place before giving David a look that sent the blood rushing straight to his cock.

Oliver

After locking the cubicle door, Oliver made quick work of undoing David’s trousers and pulling them and his boxers down to the floor as he moved down onto his knees. David’s cock was standing proud from his body before Olly had even touched him. Olly loved how easily he could get a reaction from David’s body.

Olly leaned forward and started by teasing the tip of David’s cock with his tongue, causing a moan to escape David’s lips. Olly looked up at David with a cheeky grin and reminded him, “You have to keep quiet baby, you don’t want us getting caught before you cum.” Olly quickly followed this by repeating his licks to David’s tip, this time David put his knuckles in his mouth to muffle his moans.

After years of learning how to elicit the most delightful reactions from every inch of David’s body, Olly knew exactly how to bring David to the brink of ecstasy without taking him over the edge before he was ready to. After teasing the tip, Olly starting swallowing each inch of David’s cock until his nose was buried against David’s pubes. Starting slow, he eased off until just the tip was left in his mouth before again taking David’s entire length into his throat.

Oliver gradually built up his speed until he knew David wouldn’t be able to take any more. When he could sense that David was on the edge of his release, Oliver grabbed hold of his balls and squeezed while taking his cock deep into his throat and holding it there the way David loved. David couldn’t take any more, his eyes squeezed shut and he shot his load deep inside Oliver’s throat. Olly gladly swallowed every drop.

It took David a few minutes to come down from his orgasm and when he finally managed to catch his breath again, he opened his eyes and looked down to see Oliver who was still on his knees. But Oliver wasn’t just looking up at David, he’d pulled the ring box out of his jacket and was holding it out in front of him.

“Marry me?” Oliver asked David with a loving smile.

“What?” David asked, still dazed from the intensity of his orgasm.

“Will you marry me David?” Oliver asked again with nothing but confidence.

David was clearly shocked. Oliver stood up so his face was closer to David’s again, “well David?” he asked while gently caressing his arm.

“Yes,” David barely managed to get out before Oliver was locking his lips to David’s again. When they broke apart, David redressed and Olly nervously babbled, “I wasn’t sure if you’d want a ring, but I saw this and thought it represented us, and, erm, will you wear it?”

David smiled, pulled Olly to him in a hug and once again simply replied, “Yes.”

Nick

Nick thought he was the luckiest man alive. He was going to marry Charlie Spring, he didn’t think he was ever going to stop smiling at that thought. He looked down at their hands, joined together on top of the table and took in the sight of the new rings they were now wearing. They were one step closer to being together forever.

He released Charlie’s hands, causing him to let out a little whimper at the loss. Nick reached for his phone from his pocket and opened the camera. He took hold of Charlie’s left hand with his, so that both their rings were on display. He snapped a picture and posted it to his Instagram with the caption ‘We both proposed…we both said yes 😍’, of course tagging Charlie in it too.

Within minutes of hitting post, both of their phones were alight with responses and DMs of congratulations from their friends and families. Nick knew he probably should have waited, so they could tell everyone properly, but he was just so happy. He wanted to scream to the world that he was going to marry the love of his life.

They would still tell their parents in person, as neither Sarah nor Charlie’s parents were on Instagram, but everyone else who mattered to them would soon know their good news. Both Nick and Charlie spent a few minutes looking at messages on their phones, and responding to those they were closest to. Nick then looked up at Charlie and asked, “Are you ok my fiancé?” causing Charlie to blush.

“Yeah,” Charlie smiled, “If you’d have told me 10 years ago that ‘Rugby King Nick Nelson’ would be my fiancé, I’d have thought it was some sick joke,” this caused Nick to feel a pang of sadness at the memory that his Charlie was ever anything but the happy man that he loved. “But Nick, I am so, so happy that you are my fiancé,” Charlie reassured him.

Charlie

Charlie hadn’t really allowed himself to think beyond the proposal before, that little demon of self-doubt preventing him from truly believing that Nick might actually say yes. Now that he had, Charlie could finally think of what’s next. He could finally allow himself to think of wedding plans, and what their future might look like together.

Maybe they’d have a wedding in a fancy hotel, all their friends from school and uni there, Nick’s rugby teammates, Charlie’s friends from the publishing house. Or perhaps something more lowkey, just the Paris Squad and their close family at sunset on the beach where Nick first declared they were boyfriends.

Then after, maybe they’d honeymoon in Paris and finally kiss on the Eiffel Tower, he didn’t really care what they did, as long as he was with his Nick, his future husband. They’d get a dog, maybe have kids someday, Charlie had seen how good Nick was with his students and knew he’d be an incredible dad someday. Charlie didn’t have any doubt in his mind that his and Nick’s future was bright.

Nick gestured to behind where Charlie was seated, towards the restaurant’s bathroom. As Charlie turned to see what he was looking at, Nick said, “those two have been a long time,” when he saw Oliver and David were returning to the table.

“They look happy though,” Charlie mused.

David and Oliver were holding hands when they got back to the table. David spoke first, “So, guys, erm, something happened while we were in the bathroom.”

Nick interrupted David before he could say any more, “David we don’t want to hear about you and Olly having sex,” he shuddered.

“I mean it was really good sex,” Olly cheekily said earning him a spank from David.

“Ewww, Olly, that’s gross,” Charlie joined in.

“But, after that,” Olly continued and smiled up at David, “I asked David to marry me.”

“And I said yes,” David finished for him. Charlie and Nick just stared in shock at their brothers, both stunned into silence.

“Guys,” Olly said while waving his hand in front of Charlie’s face.

Charlie said the first thing that popped into his head, “Mum’s going to hate this,” causing the four of them to burst out laughing.

The End

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Chapter 1 – Sarah

Description (May contain spoilers)

This story continues from my previous work, ‘The Proposals’.

It’s the day after Nick & Charlie and David & Oliver got engaged on Valentine’s Day, the boys decide it’s time to go and tell their parents the news.

Last night was a very special Valentine’s Day. Nick and Charlie proposed to each other after almost 10 years together. It was almost a disaster after Charlie thought Nick’s stunned silence after he proposed was a rejection, but everything turned out ok and when they went home that night, they made slow and sweet love together.

Last night was also the night that Olly proposed to his boyfriend David. It wasn’t what you would consider a traditional proposal, but it was so perfectly them, much like the rough and passionate night they enjoyed together when they got home to David’s apartment.

The four boys decided they would all go together to tell Sarah about their engagements. They wanted to start off with the one person they believed would be happy for them. They knew the conversations with Charlie & Oliver’s parents, and Nick & David’s father were not going to be comfortable ones. Jane Spring was never happy with anything her children did, and Stéphane Nelson didn’t understand Nick’s sexuality and still didn’t know about David’s, so that was going to make that conversation extra interesting.

None of them had told Sarah they were visiting, they knew she would always be happy to see any of her boys, and she included Charlie and Oliver in that, whether they visited with her sons or not. Nick & Charlie arrived a few minutes before David & Oliver and waited in their car for the other couple to arrive.

“Do you think it’ll be ok?” Charlie asked his fiancé while toying with the hem of his jumper, a nervous habit that he started back in school.

“Yeah, I think she’s going to be so happy for us Char,” Nick smiled taking hold of Charlie’s hand, “She already loves you like a son, now it’s just going to be official.”

“You know that makes us sound like brothers,” Charlie teased.

“Do you think we’re like brothers after what I did to you last night?” Nick gave Charlie his best flirtatious smile causing Charlie to blush. Nick leaned in and started kissing Charlie’s neck, teasing soft moans from Charlie, the way he’d learned Charlie loved from years of exploring every inch of his body.

The pair were startled from their embrace by a tap on the window. Nick looked up from his spot nestling in Charlie’s neck and David & Oliver were standing outside the car. Nick groaned, “Our brothers are here.”

Charlie took hold of Nick’s hand, “Come on love, we need to go tell Sarah our news.”

Nick groaned again, “But kissing is so fun.” Charlie chuckled and gave Nick one more kiss before reaching to open his car door. Nick climbed out too and walked round to the greet David & Oliver.

“Didn’t you two get enough last night?” David teased his brother.

“Like you and Olly can ever get enough each other either. You literally had sex in the restaurant bathroom last night,” Nick teased right back.

“It wasn’t sex, I just gave him a blowjob,” Olly chipped in.

“Too much information little brother,” Charlie pretended to gag.

“Come on, lets all go inside before Mum sees us through the window and wonders why we’re loitering out here,” David suggested. The couples walked up to Sarah’s front door, the home were David and Nick had grown up, the place Charlie used to run to when life at home with his own Mum got to be too much. Nick used his key to open the door and called out, “Mum, we’re home.”

“Nicky? I wasn’t expecting you and Charlie today,” Sarah called from the Kitchen. “Would you boys like some tea?” she added still out of sight. Before any of the boys had a chance to reply, she walked into the hall and was surprised to see it wasn’t just Nick & Charlie that had arrived. “Oh, David, Olly I didn’t realise you were here too. What have I done to deserve this unexpected treat?” Sarah was smiling seeing all her boys together.

Just a few years ago it had felt like she was always trying to keep the peace between Nick and David, the two brothers always clashing with each other. At one point it was so bad she wasn’t sure if they’d even be able to spend Christmas together as a family. So to see them together now, with smiles on their faces made Sarah so happy.

“Can’t we just pop in and visit our lovely Mum,” David asked.

“Of course you can darling,” she said pulling each of them into a hug. After making everyone a cup of tea they all settled on the sofa in the lounge. David and Olly were sat next to each other on the sofa, David’s arm instinctively wrapped around his boyfriend. Next to them Charlie was sat in Nick’s lap, while Sarah sat opposite them in an armchair.

After taking a sip of her tea, Sarah was the first to speak up, “While you are of course always welcome to visit, it’s not like you all to turn up together so either this is an intervention or somethings happened,” Sarah teased.

“Yes Mum, this is an intervention, we’re really concerned about you,” David deadpanned causing Olly to hit him in the side.

“We actually did have something we wanted to tell you Mum,” Nick started.

“So, something happened last night,” Charlie nervously continued causing Sarah’s face to change to one of concern.

“Oh babies, oh no, what happened,” Sarah sounded worried.

“No, no, Mum it wasn’t bad,” Nick reassured her, “so, Charlie and I,” Nick started looking at his fiancé with love his eyes.

“We got engaged,” Charlie finished for him, the pair held up their hands to show off their rings.

Sarah got up and wrapped her arms around Nick and Charlie with tears in her eyes, “Oh babies, I’m so happy for you both.” After they finished their embrace Sarah held both their hands to admire their engagement rings.

After she returned to the armchair Sarah asked, “So who asked who?”

Nick and Charlie told Sarah about their joint proposals, and the almost disaster in the restaurant. They all laughed at how silly it all was, and Sarah was so happy that it all worked out for them both. All the while Olly and David kept quiet beside Nick and Charlie, knowing that soon they’d have to share their own news.

Olly was starting to feel nervous; Sarah had always been so welcoming to him, but he was worrying she’d think it was too soon for them. He knew they hadn’t been together as long as Nick & Charlie, but he knew that David was it for him.

David hadn’t said anything to Olly, but he was nervous too. He knew she’d be fine with Nick & Charlie getting engaged, it just made sense after they’d been together 10 years, they already lived together, this was the natural next step for their relationship. But for him and Olly, their relationship was so much newer, at least that’s how it looked to everyone else. He had no doubts in his own mind that he wanted to marry Olly, he loved him with every fibre of his being. He just wanted to wake up every morning next to him for the rest of their lives.

After the conversation of Nick & Charlie’s engagement had come to its natural conclusion, Olly & David knew it was their turn now. Olly looked up at David and gave him a loving smile of encouragement.

David turned towards his Mum, “So Mum, Olly and I had a pretty eventful Valentine’s too.”

“Don’t tell me you got engaged too,” Sarah joked.

Olly and David looked at each other before turning back to Sarah, “Well,” David paused before showing his own new engagement ring. Sarah’s hand shot up to her mouth which dropped in shock at her oldest son’s announcement.

After the shock had sunk in, she rushed over and squeezed David & Olly to her in the same way she’d embraced Nick & Charlie a few moments ago. “I’m so happy for both of you too,” Sarah said with more tears in her eyes.

“So I’m guessing you asked David then Olly, as I don’t see a ring on your finger,” Sarah commented.

“Yeah, I just love him so much and I didn’t want David doubting that,” Olly smiled up at his future husband.

“Aw, that’s so sweet, did you get down on one knee?” Sarah asked and if David had been drinking at that moment Olly was sure he would have been spitting it out.

“Yeah, I did,” Olly tried to say without smirking, “he was so shocked when I asked him that I had to repeat the question 3 times before he said yes,” Olly fondly remembered how David was sill dazed from his orgasm at the time he’d proposed to him. David felt like his face must have gone bright red now, as he remembered their antics from the night before. The boys stayed for lunch and David was grateful Olly kept the full extent of what happened during their proposal out of the conversation. After lunch the boys knew they couldn’t put it off any longer, they had to go and tell Charlie and Oliver’s parents, a visit that none of the boys were looking forward to.

Chapter 2 – The Springs

Description (May contain spoilers)

After telling Sarah, Nick & Charlie and David & Olly go to tell Jane and Julio Spring.

After saying their goodbyes to Sarah, the boys decided to walk round to the Springs’ house. Oliver and Charlie were both grateful for the extra time to mentally prepare themselves for seeing their mother. Jane Spring never really understood any of her children, to her Tori wasn’t ‘feminine’ enough, Charlie was too ‘fragile’ to make his own decisions and Olly was still just a baby in her eyes.

Things had gotten a little easier for both Tori and Charlie when they moved in with their partners, but they still tried to minimise the number of times they visited, keeping to the lowest number they thought they could get away with. They both knew if they didn’t occasionally show their faces that it would just be another compliant for their mother to add to the long list of things that made them bad offspring in her eyes.

Olly hadn’t yet ‘officially’ moved out of their parents’ house, but these days he spent most of his time at David’s, they practically lived together in all but name. Jane still wasn’t happy about his relationship with David, she didn’t view him as being suitable for her son because he was ‘too old’ for Olly. So although David had asked him several times to move in with him, Olly had been resisting so that it wasn’t something she could hold over David as another reason they shouldn’t be together.

Sensing Charlie’s anxiety building as they got closer, Nick pulled him in tight to his side, giving Charlie something else to focus on and ground him in their happiness rather than his anxiety. While Nick didn’t hate Jane Spring, he certainly hated the way that even the thought of her affected his fiancé. Nick was a natural protector, he would fight fiercely to protect anyone and everyone that he cared about, and that instinct was at it’s strongest when it came to the man he loved.

Olly was also nervous about seeing his parents. He didn’t know how his father would react, but his mother would most likely be furious with him and David. He just hoped that David would remain calm and not get riled by her reaction. Unlike Nick who spent many of his teenage years visiting the Springs’ home, David had been spared too many encounters with Jane so far and had yet to experience the full force of Jane Spring’s wrath.

When the Springs’ house came into view, David instinctively reached down and took Olly’s hand in his own. He gave it a reassuring squeeze to wordlessly let him know that he was by his side and nothing was going to change that.

None of them had spoken since they left Sarah’s, and when they arrived at the house Nick turned to Charlie and asked, “Ready Char?”

Charlie let out a long breathe before giving a silent nod to his partner. Nick turned to David & Olly who had been walking behind them, “Ready guys?”

David and Olly looked at each other and Olly was the first to speak, “David, I just-,”

David held his finger up to Olly’s lips to interrupt him, “Olly, I love you, nothing that happens in there is going to change that, so if you’re about to apologise before anything has even happened, save it ok?” Olly thought in that moment he fell in love with David even more than he already did. They shared a chaste kiss and turned back to Nick to say they were ready.

After one final deep breathe, they approached the front door and as Charlie was about to ring the bell in an attempt to give them a few more seconds to compose themselves, the door opened and their sister Tori was standing there.

“How do you do that?” Charlie and Olly asked in unison.

“Older sister magic,” Tori stated without a change to her usual solemn expression. Tori stepped aside so her brothers and their partners could move inside the house.

“How come you’re here today?” Olly asked his sister.

“Jane called saying she absolutely needed me to clear out my old room today so that she could turn it into a guest room,” Tori said before sipping lemonade through the jet black straw sticking out of the top of her glass. “I don’t know why, she hates having people stay,” Tori added.

“So you’re here to tell them then?” Tori asked Nick & Charlie having seen Nick’s post on Instagram, Charlie just nodded knowing his sister would understand how he was feeling. Tori then turned to Olly and David and stated, “You got engaged too didn’t you.” There was no question in her voice, just a statement of fact. Unlike their brothers, David & Olly hadn’t posted anything online about their own engagement yet, choosing to keep it for themselves a little longer.

“What? No, Shut-up” Olly tried to act as if Tori had made a ridiculous suggestion, but she always knew, he didn’t know how but neither he nor Charlie could ever get anything past their sister.

“Nick, David, I didn’t know you were coming over today,” Jane questioned as she walked into the hall.

“Nice to see you too Mum,” Olly muttered under his breathe, if Jane noticed she didn’t say anything.

“We thought it was time we visited you and Dad,” Charlie said while shooting his brother a look trying to tell him to not rile Jane the second they arrived.

“You could have called first,” Jane snarkily replied before leading them into the lounge. David couldn’t get his head around why she wasn’t just happy to see her boys, his own Mum was always thrilled to see him and Nick whether they called in advance or not. He chose to bite his tongue rather than say anything, for Olly’s sake, but he knew things were only going to get worse before they got better.

Julio Spring was sitting in an armchair reading a paper when they walked into the lounge, “Hi boys, this is a nice surprise,” he greeted his sons and their partners as he put his paper down on a table beside him. Unlike at Sarah’s, Nick and Charlie didn’t sit on each other’s laps they just squeezed in side-by-side on the sofa alongside David and Oliver. Jane sat next to her husband in the other armchair while Tori stood in the doorway still drinking her lemonade.

Charlie decided it was best to rip the plaster off and share the reason for their visit straight away, hoping to get out of there as soon as they could and back to their own home, their safe space. “Mum, Dad, we have some news,” Charlie started pausing to take one final deep breathe. “Last night, Nick and I, well,” he looked to Nick who was looking back at him with nothing but adoration in his eyes, “we got engaged.”

There was silence for a moment before Jane started, “Are you sure you’re ready? What with your health issues and everything. I think it might be too soon.”

“We’ve been together 10 years Mum, it’s not too soon,” Charlie replied choosing to ignore her comment about his ‘health issues’, it had been years since he’d had any major setbacks with his mental health.

“Marriage is a lot of work. You and Nick are young and might not be able to handle that,” Jane said really digging in on her thoughts that Charlie was mentally unstable.

“Mrs Spring, I love your son and we take care of each other, through good days and bad,” Nick responded this time, trying to ease the pressure for Charlie.

“I’m sure you do Nick, but Charlie isn’t like other boys-“ Jane continued before Tori interrupted her, “Charlie is fine Mum, and as you seem to have forgotten, Nick was there for him when he was at his worst and he’s still here.” Charlie & Nick were so glad Tori was there to fight their corner for them.

Before Jane had a chance to say anything more on the matter, Julio stood up to cut her off and walked over to Nick & Charlie to shake their hands saying, “Congratulations boys,” as he did. Jane glaring at his back in annoyance.

One down, one to go, Olly thought to himself, it was his turn but nothing could prepare him for what happened next.

“So, erm, I’ve got some news to share too,” Olly shakily started once Julio had returned to his armchair. David squeezed Olly’s hand between them before Olly continued, “David and I, well, we,” Olly paused dreading what he thought was about to happen, “we got engaged too.”

“Called it,” Tori chimed in from the doorway.

“No, no you didn’t,” Jane said as if it was a matter of fact.

Slightly confused by her reaction Olly responded, “Yes Mum, we did. We’re getting married.”

“Don’t be silly Oliver, you’re far too young, I forbid it.”

“Forbid it? I’m not a child, I’m 22.”

 “You are too young to make a decision as big as this Oliver. I don’t care what notions he’s been filling your head with,” Jane stated while waving her hand in David’s direction, “but this fling will not last. He’s far too old for you. You’ll find someone much more appropriate for you when the time is right.”

David’s hand that wasn’t holding onto Oliver balled into a fist, he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He didn’t care what Jane said about him, all that mattered to him was what Olly thought, he considered stepping in and saying something but before he could a voice shouted from beside him.

“MORE APPROPRIATE! My brother would give his life for your son. They are so in love and you have the cheek to dismiss what they have as a fling,” everyone turned in shock towards Nick, who had stood to shout at Jane Spring. David felt tears forming in the corners of his eyes, he’d never felt as close to his younger brother than he did in that moment.

In an attempt to try and calm the situation Julio started to speak, “What I think your mother means is-,” but he was cut of by Jane who was also now standing, “OLIVER JONATHAN SPRING while you live under my roof you will not be marrying this man!”

Rather than rise to her outburst, Olly calmly turned to his partner and asked, “Is that offer to move in still open?”

David gave Olly a loving smile, “Always my love.”

Olly smiled back before standing, not realising their hands so that David had to get up to his feet with him. He turned back to Jane and coldly said, “I’ll go pack my things,” before leading David out of the room and up to his now former bedroom.

Chapter 3 – Back Home

Description (May contain spoilers)

David and Olly get back to their apartment.

Please forgive this slight diversion, but after everything that happened I felt David & Olly needed a little time to decompress.

While they were packing up Olly’s stuff, Nick kindly offered to get David’s car from outside Sarah’s house and drive it round to the Springs’ so that they wouldn’t have too far to carry everything. David and Olly worked to gather up everything that Olly wanted, his clothes, a few pictures and a couple of mementos from his childhood including a small metal toy tractor, the only one that he had left after Jane had declared he was far too old to still have childish toys (he was only 13 at the time).

Olly was quiet on the journey back to David’s their apartment. David didn’t think he’d ever seen a time when he didn’t have something to say. But what had happened was a lot for him to process and Olly just wasn’t ready to talk. He knew his mum would take it badly, but he didn’t think expect it to be as bad as it was. Olly fully expected that now they were engaged, that he would finally say yes to moving in with David properly, but this wasn’t how he wanted it to be.

They got back to their apartment and managed to carry everything from the car upstairs in one trip, but as soon as they walked in the door, the pent-up emotions that were swirling inside of Olly finally broke free. He dropped to the floor and started sobbing uncontrollably. David kicked the door closed behind them, put down what he had been carrying and wrapped himself around Olly, holding him close to his chest and just allowed him to cry as much as he needed to.

Olly turned and tucked his face into David’s neck, allowing the comforting smell of David’s aftershave to wash over him, he smelled like home. David carefully lifted Olly off the ground and carried him to their bedroom, he laid him down on the bed before laying down next to him. Olly crawled back into David’s embrace, nuzzling into his neck as the tears continued to fall. At some point Olly cried himself to sleep, but David just carried on holding him, not wanting to disturb his poor sweet man.

When Olly finally stirred from his slumber he looked up into David’s eyes, “Hey sleepyhead,” David cooed as he placed a gentle kiss on his forehead.

“Hey, sorry I fell asleep on you, you should have woken me,” Olly groggily replied still clinging on to David’s body, fearing if he let ago he’d lose him too.

“It’s ok love, you needed it,” Olly saw nothing but love and concern in David’s eyes.

“Yeah, but I’m sure you didn’t need a big snotty mess clinging to you like a limpet,” Olly joked but David noticed his smile just wasn’t quite as big as usual. The tears still threatening to break through and start all over again.

“I like you clinging to me,” David tried to reassure his fiancé even though his own heart was breaking for him.

“I love you, and I can’t wait until you’re my husband,” Olly said looking up into David’s eyes.

“I love you too,” David replied simply. The pair stayed holding each other a while longer, neither in a particular rush or feeling they needed anything more than the occasional soft and tender kiss. Only when Olly’s stomach started growling at them did they decide they had to get up to find something to eat.

Neither of them felt like cooking that night, so they ordered from Olly’s favourite Vietnamese restaurant and then curled up on the sofa with Olly resting his head on David’s lap while they waited for the food to arrive. David gently stroked Olly’s curls while he laid in his lap, not entirely sure if he was doing it to comfort himself or Olly. As Olly lay there he finally spoke, “I knew it would be bad, but I didn’t think it would be like that,” David didn’t know if Olly expected him to respond but before he could think of the best words to say Olly was continuing, “I’m so sorry she said those things to you David, you have to believe me when I say you did nothing to pressure me into proposing.”

David was confused, why was Olly apologising, it’s not like he was the one who said those things. “Olly, look at me,” Olly turned his head so he was looking up at David. “You have nothing to apologise for,” David said firmly, “Jane has never liked me, we both know that, but all I care about is you. You are my sunshine on a cloudy day, my pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. You are chaotic and brilliant and caring and wonderful Oliver. My life before you had been dull and grey, and now you’re here, I cannot imagine a life without you by my side to hold my hand. I want to share every single day with you, through the good times and the bad.”

“You’re such a sap,” Olly smiled cheekily back at David causing him to smile. David pulled Olly’s face up to meet his, “but I’m your sap,” David replied before tenderly kissing his sweet lips.

Chapter 4 – Stéphane

Description (May contain spoilers)

Nick & Charlie and David & Olly travel to Paris to see Stéphane Nelson.

I’ve seen lots of different ways of incorporating French into Heartstopper stories, for this story I have shown the English translation after a || notation on each line.

The French has been produced using Google Translate so apologies if it’s not quite right.

CW: There is some implied homophobia in this chapter.

Still reeling after everything that happened with telling Charlie and Oliver’s parents, David and Nick decided it would be best to wait a little before they had to approach their own father with the news. A couple of weeks went by and David and Nick were discussing how best to approach Stéphane.

“We could just call him up, leave a message on his voicemail telling him we’re getting married and leave it with him to approach us,” David suggested.

“He’s still our dad, we can’t just tell him in a voicemail message,” Nick scolded.

“Well it’s not like he ever answers his phone.”

“No David, you know what I mean. We should tell him in person, like we did for Mum and for Olly and Char’s parents,” Nick ever the optimist.

“And look how well that went,” David reminded Nick. Nick gave him a sympathetic smile, “How is Olly doing?”

David sighed, “Mostly ok, I guess, we talked a little about it, right after it happened, but then he clammed up and is just pretending they don’t exist.” Nick reached for David’s shoulder, “Give him time.”

“I am, I just,” David paused but Nick finished his sentence for him, “you just wish you could make everything better. Sounds familiar.” David nodded.

“We should go to Paris,” Nick suddenly announced.

“There’s still no guarantee Dad will see us. You know he’s always had better things to do than spend time with us.”

“That’s why we should go to Paris,” Nick said as if his reasoning was obvious, “then even if we don’t manage to see him, at least we get to take our fiancés to the city of love,” Nick smiled proudly as if he’d jut had the best idea ever. David thought about it, and he couldn’t deny that the thought of taking Olly away for a romantic break had its appeal.

A few weeks later, when the easter holidays arrived at Nick’s school, David and Nick were boarding the Eurostar at London’s St Pancras station to take their partners to Paris. Charlie had asked Nick if they planned to see Stéphane when they were there, but Nick had just waved him off with a “we’ll see.” Charlie knew from their previous trip to Paris when thy were still in school, that trying to meet up with Nick’s dad was a mission in itself. He hoped, for Nick’s sake, that Stéphane would make the time to see his sons. No matter what feelings he had about his own mother, at least she wanted to see her children, even if you she was awful to them when she did.

The journey to Paris was spent laughing, joking, and enjoying the onboard bar facilities. They’d decided not to drive so that if everything went badly, Nick and David could drown their sorrows safe in the knowledge that the train would get them home safely.

“Mesdames et Messieurs, nous arrivons maintenant à Paris, Gare du Nord”, was announced through the trains PA system || “Ladies and Gentlemen, we are now arriving at Paris, Gare du Nord”. As their train approached the station, the boys made sure they had all their belongings for their long weekend and prepared to leave the train.

Their hotel was just a short walk from the station, when they arrived at reception David spoke to the woman behind the desk, “Bonjour, j’ai réservé deux chambres au nom de David Nelson.” || Hello, I booked two rooms in the name of David Nelson.

She typed David’s name into the computer in front of her to locate their booking, “Deux chambres doubles? Mais vous êtes tous des hommes? Nous avons quelques chambres doubles disponibles si vous préférez.” || Two double rooms? But you are all men? We have some twin rooms available if you would prefer.

Charlie felt Nick tense up at his side, but as he didn’t speak French he didn’t know what the woman had said. He placed his hand at the base of Nick’s back to try and ease his tension with his touch.

Unperturbed by the receptionists response, David calmly replied, “J’ai réservé deux chambres doubles, c’est ce que nous voulons.” || I booked two double rooms, that is what we want.

The woman gave the boys a look that Charlie could have sworn was one of disgust before she placed two sets of key cards on the desk in front of David and walked away from the counter.

“Quelle salope!” Nick muttered || What a bitch!

“In English please Frenchie,” Charlie teased his boyfriend.

“Oh, sorry, she was just really judgmental about us having double beds and erm,” Nick paused, “she tried to get us to change to two twin rooms instead.”

“What a bitch,” Charlie replied which made Nick laugh, “that’s what I said.”

As the boys rode up in the lift to their floor, Olly whispered in David’s ear, “Maybe tonight you can talk to me in French while you’re inside me,” causing David to blush.

“I heard that,” Charlie told his brother.

“Shit,” Olly said.

“Aww, it seems you’re not the only Spring sibling to like it when the Nelsons speak French mon armour,” Nick teased, now it was Charlie’s turn to blush. That night in their rooms though, the Nelson brothers did both whisper sweet affections in French while they were each inside their lovers.

The first couple of days they were in Paris they hadn’t managed to get hold of Stéphane, instead they spent their time exploring the city and having romantic dinners together reminiscent of their joint Valentine’s meal. They all went up the Eiffel Tower, but this time Nick & Charlie finally got to kiss at the top, unlike on their previous trip to Paris when Nick was still in the closet.

The day before they were due to head back to England, they finally got the call they had been waiting for, Stéphane was free to meet them today at his apartment. As they were heading across the city, Olly was starting to feel nervous. He still felt bad about what had happened to David with his own parents and now not only was David going to be telling his dad about them, but he was also actually coming out to him so that he could do that. David had tried to reassure him that it would all be ok, but it didn’t help with alleviating his thoughts.

Sensing his brother’s anxiety, Charlie came over and took Olly’s hand in his, “Listen, everything will be ok. David is doing this as much for him as he is for you. He loves you Olly and nothing is going to change that.” Olly let out the breathe that he hadn’t realise he’d been holding.

“Thanks Charlie,” Olly smiled at his big brother, “you really are a good brother.” Charlie pulled Olly in for a hug and then returned to Nick’s side.

“He’s right you know,” David leaned in, making Olly jump.

“Don’t do that.”

“It will be ok Olly, I haven’t cared what he thinks of me for years and I promise if he were to say anything nasty about you, we’ll leave and never look back,” David reassured him while holding tight to his hand.

“This is it,” Nick called when they reached Stéphane’s apartment building. As they walked inside the lobby they all looked around at the white walls with sharp black accents and modern artwork adorning them. “Fancy,” Olly said.

When they all walked into the apartment it felt more like a show home than somewhere that anyone actually lived. Everything was spotless and looked like it hadn’t been used before.

“Entrez, soyez les bienvenus, puis-je vous apporter quelque chose à boire, les garçons?” Stéphane offered.|| Come in, welcome, can I get you boys something to drink?

“Pouvons-nous parler en anglais s’il vous plaît papa, Charlie et Olly ne parlent pas français,” asked Nick. || Can we speak in English please papa, Charlie & Olly don’t speak French.

“Bien sûr, of course, my apologies, coffee?” || Of course.

The boys all nodded their acceptance of Stéphane’s offer of coffees and followed him into the kitchen. It was looking more and more like this wasn’t somewhere he spent a lot of time, as their father’s attempts to use his fancy coffee machine were a bit of a disaster. Thankfully Oliver & Charlie both spent their spare time while at university working as baristas so between them they had the machine purring in no time.

Coffees in hand, they all settled around the small table in the corner of the kitchen.

“So how are you boys?” Stéphane asked without directing his question at anyone in particular. David & Nick both replied ‘Good’ in unison in response. This was it, they had to make their announcement one last time. Nick and David had already agreed that sticking to the same order as before made sense as David had more explaining to do than Nick.

Not knowing how long they would have before work would call him away, Nick started, “Papa, so you know Charlie and I have been together for 10 years now. Well,” Nick looked to Charlie and they smiled at each other before Nick continued, “we’re getting married.”

“That’s wonderful news, congratulations boys,” Stéphane smiled as he shook first Charlie’s and then Nick’s hands forcefully.

“Thanks papa,” Nick smiled, none of them had expected that to be so simple, it gave David hope that his own news might not come as the disaster he’d been mentally preparing himself for.

“So David, do you have a girlfriend yet?” Stéphane asked causing Olly to stiffen beside him.

“Well Dad, that’s the other reason we’re here,” David started, “You see, erm,” Olly squeezed David’s leg under the table reassuring him that he was there by his side.

“You see, like Nick, I’m bisexual and I’ve been dating Olly for the last four years and well,” he looked at Olly with love his eyes before turning back to his father, “we’re engaged too.”

There was silence for a few moments, Olly was starting to panic that everything was about to go wrong like it did with his mother. Then Stéphane broke the silence, “Quatre ans?! Et tu viens juste de me le présenter maintenant?” || Four Years?! And you’re only just introducing me to him now?

David burst out laughing, that wasn’t the reaction he was expecting from his father. Oliver looked between the two men, “Erm, what’s going on?”

“Sorry, I was just so shocked that David hadn’t introduced us properly before now that I slipped back into Français,” Stéphane answered, “It’s so lovely to finally meet you properly Oliver. How did you two meet?”

Olly chuckled, “It’s a bit of a strange story really, you see Charlie is my brother.” Stéphane’s jaw dropped, now he looked at the two boys he could see the family resemblance. “Yeah, so David and I met through them and just fell in love,” Olly continued while looking at David who was blushing now.

“Wonderful, and congratulations to you both too,” Stéphane shook their hands the same as he had done for Nick & Charlie.

They stayed and chatted a little longer, Nick and David telling stories of their recent amateur rugby games, before Stéphane’s work beckoned and the boys headed back to their hotel.

“So, that went well, right?” Olly asked, confused at how easy all of that seemed to go. David surprised Oliver by picking him up and swinging him round in the air, “Yes that went well mon chéri,” David giggled as he kissed his fiancé.

Let Them Eat Cake

Description (May contain spoilers)

Nick and David talk about wedding plans.

David and Nick had just finished rugby practice and were waiting in a nearby café for their boyfriends to arrive.

“So, how’s the wedding planning going Nicky?” David asked with a smirk.

“Urgh, I wish we’d just gone for something simple and intimate like you and Olly. Do you know how much there is to do for the big wedding we’re having? There’s the venue, the caterers, the suit hire, the florists, the registrar and don’t even get me started on the cake,” Nick groaned in frustration.

He loved Charlie with all his heart, and he knew the big wedding was his own idea. When he suggested it, Nick wanted to show the world how much he loved Charlie and show off how lucky he is to have his beautiful man want to spend the rest of his life with him, but he hadn’t realised how much was actually involved just to get everything in place. Nick had been seriously considering hiring a wedding planner to organise everything for them, but Charlie had insisted it would be a waste of money when between them they could manage everything themselves.

“It’ll all be worth it though, you told me yourself that Charlie’s face lit up when you suggested the big romantic wedding. If Olly had wanted a big fancy wedding, you know I’d have moved heaven and earth to give it to him.”

“I know, I know,” Nick rubbed the back of his neck.

“What happened with the cake?” David asked.

Nick groaned, “So we met a lady who seemed really nice, she showed us a few pictures of cakes she’d made before and had a few taste samples that were soooo good. Seriously David, some of the stuff she’d done was better than my own baking.”

“Wow, they must have tasted great then,” David smiled at his younger brother.

“Right,” Nick continued, “Then she asked when the big day was, and she said she had space in her diary for that. It all seemed to be going well.”

“Right, so what happened?” David asked.

Nick was quiet for a moment before he sighed, “So she made this comment, she said, ‘It’s nice that your fiancé trusts you and your friend with this decision but I’d like to speak with the bride too, to make sure she’s happy with everything too’.”

“How could she misread you and Charlie for being just friends? I’ve never seen you in a room where at least some part of you wasn’t touching,” David teased.

Nick laughed, “I know right.”

“So what did you say to her?”

“Well I assumed it was just one of those innocent misunderstandings, we both did, so I held up Charlie’s hand to show our rings and very politely corrected her, ‘oh no, Charlie is my fiancé, the cake is for our wedding’, nice and friendly with a smile,” Nick explained before continuing, “That’s when she turned, her face turned cold and she snapped her diary shut saying, ‘Oh my mistake, that date won’t work for me, I’m sorry you’ve had a waste journey.’ She reminded me of Jane when she found out about you and Olly, it was pretty scary.”

“Oh Nick, that’s awful,” David reached across to Nick’s hand to squeeze it across the table.

Nick gave a small smile of acknowledgement, “It was awful, I couldn’t believe people were still so bigoted these days, and especially not when you work in the wedding industry where everything is supposed to be all love and joy. Charlie started shaking it was so bad, I just wrapped my arm around his shoulder an got him out of there as quick as I could,” Nick felt his eyes starting to well up at the memory but he tried to fight them back.

“I’m so sorry Nicky, was Charlie okay?” David asked with genuine concern for his future brother-in-law clear on his face.

“Mostly, but when I try to bring up the subject of the cake now, I can tell he’s scared others will be like her. Now he keeps saying that we don’t really need a cake, and that everyone’s always too full at weddings to eat it anyway. But before, he was so excited David, his eyes lit up at the flavours and the design we’d settled on,” Nick rubbed his neck again in frustration, not with Charlie but at the whole situation.

“What was the design?” David asked when Nick was caught off guard.

“What do you mean?” Nick asked, confuse by David’s question.

“The cake design that Charlie loved?”

“Oh, we came up with this idea that represented some of our first memories together as a couple. It was a 3-tier chocolate cake, with bubble-gum coloured icing and then an abstract frame representing the Eiffel tower made of tempered chocolate leaning against it. It’s supposed to represent our first date and our first trip together,” Nick smiled at the happy memories of their early days together.

“Awww, you’re such saps,” David teased.

“Like you and Olly aren’t,” Nick joked back.

“True, true,” David agreed, “what if I made it for you?”

“What?” Nick was confused again by David’s suggestion.

“Your wedding cake, what if I made it for you? Like my wedding present to you both, you know my baking is just as good as yours so it’ll taste amazing,” David smiled at his brother hoping he wouldn’t be offended by his suggestion.

“We can’t ask you to do that David, it’s a lot of pressure making a cake for a wedding, it’s not like baking a few cupcakes for a bake sale.”

“You’re not asking me Nick, I’m offering, please, just consider it. Maybe run it past Charlie and see what he thinks,” at that moment Charlie and Olly walked up to the table.

“What are you running past me?” Charlie asked as he kissed his fiancé’s cheek before sitting down next to him.

“Oh, erm,” Nick stammered before David spoke up, “we were talking about your wedding.”

“Oh yeah, what about it?” Charlie asked smiling at the thought he was going to be marrying the love of his life.

“Well,” David tentatively started, “Nick told me about what happened when you went to look at wedding cakes,” Charlie’s face fell remembering the awful visit they’d had just a few days ago.

Nick squeezed Charlie’s hand, “And I know you said we don’t need a cake, but I know you too well Charlie Spring. You loved the cake we had planned.”

“Nick-,” Charlie started to say before Nick cut him off, “Don’t deny it baby, we both did.”

Nick and Charlie looked at each other lovingly and when neither of them said anything for a few moments, David spoke up again, “So, I had a thought. I was thinking what if I made your wedding cake for the two of you,” before either of them could say anything David quickly added on, “as a wedding present,” David knew it might be a little manipulative, but he thought that turning down a present would be more difficult for the couple than just turning down his suggestion.

“We couldn’t ask that of you David,” Charlie replied.

“Spooky, that’s what Nick said too,” David smiled, “but you aren’t asking, I’m offering. Look at it this way, you know I’m an amazing baker.”

“Ha, modest much,” Olly cheekily interrupted earning him a jab in the side from his fiancé.

“There’s no point denying the truth Olly, you’ve had my muffins,” David winked at Olly before turning his attention back to the other side of the table, “And you know I’m not going to turn out to be some homophobic psycho bitch, anymore,” David joked causing small laughs from Nick and Charlie. “Plus think of it as one less expense and one item to tick off your list.”

Nick and Charlie looked at each other and without saying a word out loud they turned back to David and Charlie replied, “Thank you David, if you’re sure it won’t be too much trouble, we’d love to accept your offer,” before adding on, “and we’re happy to pay you for it too.”

“Nonsense,” David replied with a smile, “I’m not charging you Charlie. Firstly, I get to make something magical for your wedding and secondly, you’re family Charlie, both of you.”

Charlie felt his eyes starting to well-up with tears, David had called him family. While he knew technically once he was married to Nick they would be family, the fact David saw him like that already made him feel quite emotional.

“Thank you David,” Charlie said as he got up from his seat and moved round to give David a huge hug almost worthy of a Nelson.

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Chapter One – Flying Out

Description (May contain spoilers)

Oliver joins the annual Nelson trip to Menorca for the first time.

This is a Dolly focused story, but Narlie will be along for the ride.

You don’t have to have read the previous parts of this series to enjoy this story, but there may be small references to events that happened in parts 1-3.

Oliver

Oliver was so excited for his first time joining the Nelson family for their annual trip to Menorca. He’d heard all about them from both David and Charlie, who had been joining the Nelson’s every year since he was 18, when Jane & Julio could no longer stop him. Although their families knew about their relationship before last summer’s holiday, it was too late for Oliver to go too because he’d already made plans to spend the summer on a road trip with his friends from uni.

They were all waiting at the airport for their gate to be announced. He was sat next to David, while opposite them Nick & Charlie were cuddled up in each other’s arms not a care in the world. Around them David’s cousins were running around between the seats working off their excess energy ahead of the flight.

Already this holiday felt different to Oliver, previously most of his trips abroad had been with his family to see his grandparents in Almería, and while he loved to see them, those trips were always the same. They’d start with their mother screaming at everyone for not being ready when she wanted them to be, even when they were. They’d all get in the car to drive to the airport and then Jane would be the last one ready to go, which of course she would always say was someone else’s fault.

Once they got to the airport, even when they were little, their mother had expected them to sit still and not draw any attention to themselves in case they embarrassed her. In fact, this summed up a lot of his childhood really Oliver thought to himself as he watched the joy of the Nelson family all around him. He would have got in a trouble at their age just for being slightly too loud, and he never would have gotten away with even getting out of the seat let alone running around the airport lounge.

No, the Nelson family and the Springs’ were very different and Oliver was very much looking forward to being officially part of it. Since they got engaged 5 months ago, David and Oliver had discussed planning their wedding but neither of them was in any particular rush. David had even suggested a long engagement might help Oliver’s mother come around to the idea of their marriage, although Oliver seriously doubted that Jane would ever change her mind, once she’d come to a decision, she would stick to it even when the world around her was telling her she was wrong.

Oliver was a little sad that his mother wasn’t supportive of their relationship, but he gave up trying to please her long ago as nothing he ever did was enough. He had come to realise that his own happiness was all that mattered, and David made him happy. In fact, he didn’t think he’d ever been happier than when he was with David, sure he made fun of him constantly and they would fight occasionally, what couple didn’t, but they always made up and they truly did love each other.

Nick

Nick looked across at his brother opposite him in the departure lounge. David was curled up holding Oliver close to him in the same way Nick was holding Charlie. He was so glad they found each other, sure it was a little weird at first, not just because their brothers were dating each other, but because David being anything but straight had come as a massive shock to all of them. But as he and Charlie spent more time with them, Nick could see that David seemed truly happy for the first time in his life. Growing up Nick and David’s relationship was strained to the say the least, but since he’d started dating Oliver, they’d grown so much closer, it was almost like now that David was no longer denying to himself who he really was, he was able to let Nick in and they were finally able to be brothers rather than adversaries.

Previously on these family holidays, Nick would do as much as could to avoid spending time with David, especially since Charlie had started joining them. After the way David had treated them when he first found out about Nick and Charlie dating, Nick had done everything he could to keep them apart to protect Charlie. For the first time, this year he didn’t feel like they needed to keep their distance. Sure, Nick and Charlie would enjoy spending some time alone, they were young, horny and in love, but he was actually looking forward to spending time together without it being some forced activity that they were doing just to please their mum.

David looked up and saw his brother looking at him and they gave each other a small smile. Yeah, ‘they could do this’, Nick thought to himself. Everything was going to be great.

Charlie

To everyone around him, Charlie hoped he looked calm and relaxed, like he knew he should be feeling when he was about to go on holiday. He knew once they arrived, it would be amazing, especially getting to share it with Oliver for the first time too. But Charlie hated flying, he was an anxious flyer and the longer they had to wait to board their plane, the more anxious he became. It was a miracle really that no one from Nick’s family, aside from Nick, had discovered his fear so far.

He hadn’t wanted to tell Nick either, but the first time he joined them on their trip he was so nervous that he started biting his nails until they cuticles underneath bled. Nick, being so in-sync with Charlie, immediately sensed his nerves and when they were alone, he had carefully asked him what was wrong. Charlie remembers the way Nick had approached him like a wounded bird that he didn’t want to frighten, always knowing just what Charlie needed even when he didn’t know himself.

Not wanting to burden anyone with his struggles, Charlie had at first thought about lying to Nick and saying everything was fine, but Nick would have seen through that straight away, he always did. So Charlie told him the truth, and since then whenever they were in the departure lounge, Nick would subtly hold Charlie’s hands to stop him from hurting himself and he would wear extra cologne so that when Charlie curled up in Nick’s arms he was enveloped in the comforting scent that to him was the pure Nick Nelson that he fell in love with all those years ago. It didn’t completely erase his anxiety, but it did help. Nick was safe, Charlie was safe when he was with Nick, and he knew he always would be.

David

David was so pleased he was finally getting to share this trip with Oliver. He understood why Oliver couldn’t come last year, he would never want to deny him the opportunity to spend time with his friends, and he certainly never expected Oliver to change his plans for him. But once their relationship was finally out in the open, David just wanted to spend every second he could showing Oliver how much he meant to him. David remembers last year being teased by his friend Sofia that he seemed to be ‘more miserable than usual’ when they spent time together and it was true, every day of their holiday he was pining for Oliver like some love-sick puppy. David knew then that Olly was it for him, he’d never felt this way about any of the women he’d been with before. He never longed to be by their side when they were apart like he did with Oliver, if Oliver hadn’t proposed on Valentine’s Day, David was certain that he wouldn’t have been able to go much longer before he would have popped the question himself.

He’d been chatting to Sofia for the last few weeks planning for this year’s family break, he wanted to make sure this was a holiday Olly would remember for the rest of their lives. When David had told her what he had planned, Sofia was more than happy to start preparing things on David’s behalf. He knew if Olly had his way, they would spend most of their time having sex whenever and wherever the found themselves, and sure David was more than happy to be part of that. But he also wanted romantic day trips for two exploring the island, walking on the beach holding hands, swimming together in the sea. He wanted to give Oliver the world and show him all the things about Menorca that were special to him.

It wasn’t just Sofia David had let in on his plans, in fact everyone knew what he had planned for this trip except for Olly.

Chapter Two – La Villa Nelson

Description (May contain spoilers)

The boys have arrived in Menorca.

Oliver

Nothing could really prepare for Oliver for the villa that Sarah had booked for everyone in Menorca, from the outside the white sandstone walls were sharply contrasted with terracotta framed windows and doors that would look clean and simple if it wasn’t for the palatial size of it. Of course it had to not only fit Sarah and her boys, but also Sarah’s extended family, so it made sense it would big but Olly couldn’t even begin to imagine how much this all must have cost, yet she refused to accept any money from him when he tried to pay his way. Each time he’d offer, she would shrug him off saying, “Nonsense honey, you’re family,” but after seeing the villa, Oliver was even more determined to pay Sarah back somehow.

Inside was a stark contrast to the outside of the villa, as they walked in the ground floor had an open layout taking up most of the footprint of the building. Yet it somehow still managed to feel homely with the furniture used to clearly define each area. A large dining table was positioned between the pristine kitchen and the large curved sofa to break up the space making it feel less imposing. To the side of the kitchen were two small bedrooms with a shared bathroom that Sarah’s sister and her children would be staying in. While on the opposite wall an imposing staircase wove its way upstairs to where the remaining bedrooms were located.

Unlike the downstairs bedrooms, the bedrooms upstairs each had their own private ensuite bathrooms, to give each of the couples some privacy away from the rest of the family. Oliver just hoped the walls weren’t too thin between each room, he didn’t want a repeat of Christmas when he overheard Nick very loudly praising his own brother for ‘how good he felt inside him’. Oliver would have happily gone to his grave never knowing what his brother got up to in bed.

Nick

Nick had always loved these family holidays. Before he met Charlie it was one of the few times that he could really be himself without having to worry about what anyone else thought of him or be what they expected him to be. Even David’s attitude towards him when they were growing up couldn’t affect him in the same way when they were here. It helped that often his and David’s rooms were as far apart as possible, so it was easier to avoid him.

Things between him and David were so much better now, maybe in a way it was Olly’s influence him, but Nick liked to think that it was also because once David had discovered he wasn’t as ‘Straight’ as he previously thought, he could relate more to Nick and see more how some of the ways he acted might have impacted his younger brother. They were closer now than ever before, no one was more surprised than Nick when David had even shared his plans for this trip with him and he was more than happy to help make this a holiday Olly would never forget.

Nick must have drifted off into his head because he didn’t notice Charlie was talking to him until he was waving his hand in front of his face saying, “Earth to Nick? Are you listening to me?”

Blushing Nick replied, “Sorry, I was miles away, what did you say love?”

Charlie smiled and shook his head, “I was saying, now we’ve emptied our cases, why don’t we go down to the beach and enjoy the sun before it sets.”

“That sounds great, let’s go,” Nick turned and reached for the door when Charlie put his hand on his shoulder.

“Oh no, first we need to put some sun cream on you,”

“You’ll have to catch me first,” teased Nick as he dashed from the room. He made it to the bottom of the stairs where Olly and David were sat on the sofa when Charlie called out from the top, “NICHOLAS NELSON! if you don’t get your arse back here right NOW so that I can put this sun cream on you, then I swear to god you will not be having sex again before our wedding night.”

“We’re not getting married for 18 months, you wouldn’t dare,” Nick retorted.

“You think? Want to try me and see Nelson?” Charlie replied with his arms folded across his chest and one eyebrow raised in a way that both scared Nick and reminded him of Jane when she was angry (although Nick would never admit that to Charlie).

Nick glanced at David and Olly, “Dude, I don’t think he’s bluffing,” David helpfully supplied before Nick decided he best go back upstairs, pouting as he approached Charlie on the stairs.

Charlie

Returning to their room Charlie told Nick to remove his shirt and started to apply sun cream all over Nick’s fair skin. As he did this Charlie lightly scolded, “I don’t want a repeat of last year, where you went home burned to a frazzle and I spent the next few weeks coating you in aloe vera to ease your skin. Don’t you remember that you couldn’t even lay down to sleep because your skin was so raw, let alone get in a comfortable enough position for us to have sex.”

“You’re right, you’re right,” Nick admitted while giving Charlie and cheeky pec on the lips over his shoulder as Charlie started to coat his back.

Once Nick’s chest, arms and back were coated, Charlie moved down to Nick’s legs and using both hands rubbed up from Nick’s feet to just inside the leg of his shorts, repeating the same motion a few times to ensure the cream was properly rubbed in. With his head the same height as Nick’s cock, Charlie could see his fiancé was starting to get hard from the innocent touch giving Charlie an idea. He looked up into Nick’s eyes with a smirk on his face and said, “While I’m down here, I could help you with that,” lightly grazing his hand over the outline of Nick’s stiffening cock through his shorts for emphasis, causing a moan to slip involuntarily from Nick’s lips.

“Would you like that baby?” Charlie teased with another gentle caress causing yet another moan to come from Nick standing above him.

“I need you to tell me what you want Nick,” Charlie said before lightly blowing on the outside of the thin material causing Nick’s cock to stand to attention tenting the fabric of his shorts.

“Need…you,” was all Nick manage to stammer out through his sex-fuelled haze. Charlie could have given Nick what he knew they both wanted but he was feeling playful and they had time.

“What do you need Nick? Me to stop, is that what you need?”

“No!” Nick quickly rushed out, “Need…your mouth, Char,” was all the words he seemed to manage. Charlie smiled, he loved how easy it was to turn Nick into a horny mess. Accepting he wasn’t going to get any more sense out of him, Charlie reached forward and pulled down Nick’s shorts, “no boxers?” Charlie asked but before Nick could even try to think of a response, Charlie wrapped his mouth around his cock and started sliding slowly down Nick’s length inch by inch while Nick moaned loudly above him.

David

David was on the sofa, kissing Olly’s neck while Olly was sat on his lap grinding down against his cock. He should really move this up to their room, but it felt too good to break the spell or the contact between them. He knew his mum, or even his cousins, could walk in any moment – they’d only gone to the shops to stock up on food – but his brain wasn’t the one in control anymore, not now all the blood in his body was rushing south to his growing erection.

Not able to take Olly’s teasing any more, David made quick work of flipping Olly on his back and climbing on top of him returning his lips to Olly’s neck as he held his hands firmly above his head with one hand. While his free hand slipped down under Olly’s t-shirt. Just as David found Olly’s pierced nipple and was about to start tweaking it the way he knew would elicit a moan from his man, the pair were stopped in their tracks by the sounds of someone else moaning.

They could clearly hear their brothers had beat them to it upstairs. The pair had never been strangers to having sex while others were doing the same nearby, they’d even been to a sex club with David’s friend Max a few times over the last few years, but there was nothing more off-putting than the sounds of your brothers being the ones having sex. David only wished it was the first time this had happened.

He carefully collapsed next to Olly on the sofa and the pair both started laughing, “Shall we go out for a bit?” David asked when they both calmed down.

“Love to,” Olly smiled back at him.

Chapter Three – Enjoying the Sun

Description (May contain spoilers)

The boys enjoy the summer sunshine.

David

David always thought it was beautiful here in Menorca, it was always sunny, their villa was a short walk from the most gorgeous beach and if they wanted to, they could avoid seeing another soul for almost the entire time they stayed. David led Olly past the large outdoor pool to a steep set of steps that let down to the beach. The steps were surrounded on each side by a canopy of trees to shade climbers from the gorgeous summer sun.

When they reached the beach at the bottom, David’s hand instinctively found Olly’s and they started walking along the water’s edge hand in hand. He’d never felt the urge to hold hands with his previous partners, sure he did it if they wanted to, but with Olly it was like he was drawn to him like a magnet. There were a few others on the beach when they got to it, but as they walked further away from the villa, they found the numbers grew less and less until they were the only ones to be seen or heard.

“It’s so peaceful here,” Olly remarked.

“I know, isn’t it wonderful. This is my favourite spot on the island. I used to come here as a kid when my parents were fighting and just sit and listen to the sound of the sea. It was as if there was no one else in the world and nothing could hurt me,” David reminisced.

David found himself pulled into a hug, clearly his pathetic childhood had made Olly feel sorry for him. Nonetheless, David wrapped his arms around his fiancé and held on tightly, nuzzling his face into his curls. David pulled back slightly to look Olly in the face, “Hey, it was a long time ago baby, now I have the most wonderful gift in the world standing right in front of me.” This caused Olly to bury his face back into David’s chest, embarrassed by all the sappiness. When Olly looked up at their surroundings he had a mischievous glint in his eye.

Oliver

“You know, we haven’t seen anyone the entire time we’ve been here,” Oliver winked, “We could, you know,” this time he grazed his hand against David’s crotch feeling his lover growing instantly from the contact.

“Such a bad, bad boy,” David grinned before he was leading Oliver behind a larger sand dune just in case anyone came by, they didn’t want to be interrupted after all. As soon as they were semi-hidden, Oliver pounced, knocking David down onto the warm sand and quickly pressing their lips together in a passionate kiss. Their hands clawing at each other’s clothes in a rush to get them off, to feel their bodies against each other as quickly as they could without their tongues having to separate for any longer than was absolutely necessary.

Cursing himself for not planning better and bringing some lube, Olly resigned himself to the fact that they wouldn’t be able to fuck on the beach, at least not today. Once David’s shirt was off, Oliver started kissing his way down his well-defined chest and abs towards his prize tucked inside David’s shorts. In only took one swift movement for Oliver to have David’s shorts off his legs and take all of his cock into his mouth eliciting the sweetest moan from David that Oliver always loved to be the cause of. Oliver bobbed up and down swallowing every inch of David’s cock over and over again.

Oliver knew David wouldn’t last long, which was probably for the best as they were still in a public place in the middle of the day. He felt David tangling his fingers in his curls which caused his own moans to escape his lips. With a few well placed swipes of his tongue bar against the underside of David’s cock, it wasn’t long before Oliver got his reward, as David released a long moan and shot his load straight down Oliver’s throat. Once he came back down from his orgasm, David started trying to swap places to return the favour but as he reached for the top of his shorts, Oliver put his hand on David’s to stop him and say, “Erm, not right now baby.”

Confused David asked, “I really don’t think there’s much risk of us getting caught here.”

“It’s not that,” Oliver said blushing, “I already did.” David clearly didn’t understand so with a sigh Oliver spelled it out for him, “I’ve already cum, when you your fingers tangled in my hair, I couldn’t last any longer.” Oliver was embarrassed but he had no need to be as David reassured him, “Fuck, that’s hot!” It was David’s turn to pounce on him then, kissing him on the beach with his pale ass on full display if anyone was to come by and find them.

Charlie

Charlie still felt proud that he could turn his fiancé into jelly after all these years together. Lying down on the bed in their room he looked at Nick lying next to him, blissed out from his earth-shattering orgasm that Charlie happily swallowed every drop of. They laid there for a while before Charlie suggested they move out to the pool to relax in the sun. He finished applying sun cream to Nick, planting lazy kisses around his body along the way, before they both headed out to the open-air pool.

Nick wore just his long swim shorts and Charlie thought he still looked as sexy as they day they first met back in Truham, he still couldn’t believe he was so lucky that this beautiful man was in love with him. Charlie chose to wear a T-Shirt with his own shorts. Although he was no longer as ashamed of how he looked compared to back when they were in school, he still didn’t feel comfortable with others seeing his body. Except for Nick, Nick was the only one who had seen him like that and he knew Nick loved him just the way he was.

When they arrived at the side of the pool, Nick sat down on the sun lounger first and then Charlie climbed on between his legs. It wasn’t that there weren’t plenty of sun loungers for them to have their own, they just loved being physically close to each other whenever they could be. Once they were settled, Charlie pulled out his book to read, while Nick was idly running his fingers through Charlie’s curls. It felt so soothing and comforting, he felt so happy to be in his boyfriend’s fiancé’s arms. Charlie smiled as he remembered that they were engaged, Nick caught him looking down at the engagement ring on his finger, “Did you just remember that we’re engaged again?”

Charlie blushed but Nick couldn’t see from behind him, still looking at the ring on his finger, Charlie replied, “I’m just so happy, before I met you, I never dreamed all this would happen for me.”

“Oh Char,” Nick cooed as he pulled Charlie a little tighter to him and pressed a kiss to the back of his neck, “I love you so much, I can’t wait until we are married, and I can call you, my husband.”

“I was thinking,” Charlie started before stopping himself.

“What were you thinking baby?” Nick asked with nothing but love in his voice.

“No, it’s stupid,” Charlie insisted. Nick adjusted them so that he could look at Charlie’s face as he told him, “Charlie, I promise I won’t think it’s stupid, what were you thinking?”

Taking a deep breath Charlie reluctantly told Nick, “I was just thinking, I know we haven’t talked about it, but once we’re married, well maybe we could, erm,” Charlie was babbling, why was this so difficult. This was Nick, he knew Nick would never judge him for this, and what’s the worst that could happen, he wasn’t going to leave him over this of all things. After taking another deep breath, Charlie continued, “I thought, would you like to take each other’s names.”

“Yes!” Nick beamed.

Nick

“Really?” Charlie seemed shocked at how enthusiastic Nick was.

“I’d love that Charlie, I want the world to know I belong to you,” Nick had been thinking for a while about how to bring up their married names for a while now, but just like with their proposal, Charlie had beaten him to it. “I was thinking about it too,” Nick reassured Charlie.

“Really?” Charlie was still shocked causing Nick to chuckle, “Yes, really, I’ve been thinking about it since the night we got engaged. Before we were engaged actually,” now it was Nick’s turn to blush.

“Oh yeah, how much before?” Charlie asked now with a cheeky glint in his beautiful blue eyes.

“Erm,” Nick rubbed the back of his neck feeling a little embarrassed, “you remember back when we were riding to the restaurant on Valentine’s Day?” Charlie nodded, “well I was going through all sorts of different names in my head to see what they sounded like.”

“And what did they sound like Nicky,” Charlie teased, “why don’t you let me hear the names you were thinking.”

Nick was sure his face was bright red now, but he could never resist anything Charlie asked.

“Mr Nicholas Spring,” Nick started before he placed a kiss on one of Charlie’s dimples, “Mr Charles Nelson,” Nick continued placing a kiss on the other dimple, “Nick & Charlie Nelson-Spring,” Nick purred dipping his tongue into one of Charlie’s ears, “Charlie & Nick Spring-Nelson,” Nick punctuated this last one dipping his tongue into Charlie’s other ear before lightly biting on the lobe causing a moan to escape Charlie’s lips just as Sarah rounded the corner.

“Sorry for interrupting boys, I just wanted to let you know we’re back,” Sarah said embarrassed at interrupting the sweet moment between the boys.

“Thanks Mum,” Nick called as Charlie buried his blushing face into Nick’s shoulder.

Chapter Four – Getting Ready

Description (May contain spoilers)

David prepares to surprise Oliver

Oliver

The past week had just flown past, everything in Menorca was amazing. David wanted to share everything he loved about the island with Oliver. He’d even introduced him to one of his oldest friends, Sofia who Oliver thought was so cool. She took them out on a glass bottomed boat to watch the fish swimming in a nearby cove on the edge of the island, it was an amazing experience. Sofia was so much fun too, telling Oliver all sorts of embarrassing stories about David’s visits when they were both growing up.

David had never mentioned that Sofia was his first kiss, something Oliver knew he was going to tease him about for weeks. He knew it was only once a year that David got to see Sofia, so when David asked him if it would be ok for him to spend today just him and her, apart from some gentle teasing about David leaving him for another woman he was absolutely fine with it. Instead, Oliver was going to spend the day exploring some of the ruins that Charlie loved with him and Nick.

At least that was the plan, but when they woke up that morning apparently Nick had caught the sun yesterday, despite Charlie’s best impression of a mother hen, and wasn’t feeling up to going out. So now it was just going to be him and Charlie. They had reserved a couple of scooters and were headed out at a ridiculously early time so they could, as Charlie put it, “get out before all the tourists”. He didn’t seem to appreciate the irony of that.

David wasn’t due to leave to see Sofia for another couple of hours, so when Oliver got up to shower, he was careful not to wake him. Before he left their room to go meet Charlie, he gave David a quick kiss on the forehead and left the room trying not to make a sound.

David

As soon as David heard the buzz of the scooters leaving the villa, he was up and out of bed as fast as he could. There was so much to do today and very little time to do it. He grabbed his phone and text Sofia.

David: The coast is clear…go, go, go

Sofia: 😁 Roger

David: I’m sure that’s only for radios

Sofia: Do we really have time for this?

David: No, you’re right, as you were, go, go, go

Sofia: 🤣 such a dork 😘

He heard the sound of crashing downstairs, so he knew his brother was already hard at work in the kitchen. Deciding to skip his morning shower, he could do that when he dressed later, he headed down to see if Nick needed anything before he moved on to the next phase of his plan.

“How’s it going little brother?” David asked as he entered the kitchen to find Nick covered in flour wearing an odd combination of an apron and swim shorts.

“It’s fine, it’ll be fine, I’ve got this,” Nick tried to reassure while failing to brush off the mess from the front of his apron.

“Cool, is Mum up yet?”

“Yeah, she went to store to get some more eggs, it seems Olly ate a load of them before he left, and I wasn’t quite sure if there were still going to be enough for this.”

Olly does love his eggs, David thought to himself, vividly remembering the first time Olly had been to his apartment. David still pictured that first time together so vividly, but now wasn’t the time to reminisce, he had a few hours until Oliver would be back with Charlie. He’d told Charlie to keep Olly away from the villa as long as he could, with explicit instructions to be back by 7pm.

After ensuring Nick didn’t need him for anything, David went upstairs to his Mum’s room and grabbed the bags she’d helped him hide from Olly in there. It contained everything he needed for his surprise, well everything except for the things Nick and Sofia were organising for him. He laid two of the bags out on the bed in their room before going back down to the dining table with the third bag where he set to work.

Nick

Normally Nick loved to bake, and he was so happy when David asked him to help, but the villa’s kitchen just wasn’t as well organised, or stocked, as his and Charlie’s was back home. He’d manage somehow, he promised his brother after all, but it was much more stressful than anything he had made before.

David has asked him to bake two cakes, one was Chocolate fudge with elaborate Chocolate curls on top that reminded him of Charlie’s delicious brown locks that he just loved to run his fingers through. While the other cake was the Nelson brothers own favourite, an elaborate Lemon cake with Lemon cream cheese buttercream. It was going to be tight to bake and decorate it all before Olly was due back, but once his Mum got back, they were going to work as a team to whip all the ingredients together and get both bakes done.

The cakes were supposed to represent David and Olly as a couple, two opposites coming together to one whole. Nick was surprised at just how romantic the whole thing was, he never really saw his brother as the sappy sort, that was always more his thing, but Nick guessed a lot of that was Olly’s influence.

Once his Mum got back with the eggs, the pair were ready to start, they worked side by side with the radio on happily singing along together, badly, to whatever random tune was playing. Nick loved spending time with his Mum, and getting to do this together for his brother just made it all the more special.

Charlie

Getting to spend the day with his little brother was a rarity for Charlie these days, at least not just the two of them. They saw each other all the time, but usually Nick and David were there too. So to get to laugh and joke, and ok sometimes whine about there partners too, was such an amazing experience. Charlie hoped once they were back home, they could try harder to spend time together just them, and ok maybe Tori too, she was a Spring sibling as well after all and far too scary to leave out.

From what he could tell, Charlie didn’t think Olly had a clue what was going on back at the villa. He hoped everything was going to plan, and that he didn’t mess up himself and ruin the surprise before they arrived. Although everything they were doing seemed quite random to Olly, Charlie had everything planned almost to the minute for their day together. David had told him to get Olly back by 7 and he was determined not to let his future brother-in-law down.

Charlie was conscious that the aim wasn’t to tire them both out before they got home, so they enjoyed a long lunch in a gorgeous old lighthouse before it was time for them to jump on their scooters and head back to the villa.

Everything was quiet when they got back to the villa, not to Charlie’s surprise. When the got off their scooters outside the front door, he offered to wheel them round to the small parking garage so they would be safe before they had to be returned tomorrow. As he did this, Oliver headed inside.

Chapter Five – Moment of Truth

Description (May contain spoilers)

Oliver finds out about David’s surprise.

Oliver

Oliver walked up to the front door of the villa where a little otter shaped post-it note was stuck to it. He peeled it off and read the words carefully written on it,

‘My Ollypop – our bedroom’

This was looking promising, Oliver thought to himself, David must have had a good day with Sofia and somehow arranged for them to have the house to themselves if he was leaving sexy notes for him on the door. Obviously, his brother must have been in on this, he hadn’t reappeared so maybe he’d gone off with Nick for some time on their own somewhere else.

He rushed inside and took the stairs leading up to their room two at a time. When he got to the door he found another otter shaped note,

‘Inside – get dressed’

Oliver and David had dressed up for each other in bed before, so Oliver did think this was anything out of the ordinary. Although he hadn’t noticed David sneak one of their outfits into his case before they left. When Oliver stepped inside the room, he wasn’t prepared for what he found next. Laid out on the bed was his favourite suit, the crimson one that showed off his pert ass just the way David liked. Together with a gorgeous matching silk bow tie that Oliver had never seen before.

Not wanting to disappoint when David had gone to so much trouble, Oliver put the suit on as the otter had instructed and when he lifted the last item off the bed, he found another of the cute little mysterious notes,

‘Open the beside table’

Another cryptic message, but who was he to argue with an adorable little otter. Oliver walked across to the beside table, expecting to find something kinky and he wasn’t disappointed. Inside he found a silk blindfold, a small black and red bell that he recognised from their toy box back home, and another little otter note,

‘Put on the blindfold then ring the bell’

Oliver really liked where this seemed to be going, he decided two can play at this game David Nelson. Before he put the blindfold on, he got on all fours on the bed with his ass facing the door. Once the blindfold was in place, he rang the bell and cheekily called out, “Come and get me old man.”

Oliver heard the door open behind him and an all too familiar voice reply, “Jesus Olly!”

“Charlie?” Oliver was confused and moved his hand to reach for the blindfold but felt a hand on his before he could, “No you don’t Oliver Spring, the blindfold is to stay on until you are told otherwise.”

“Erm, Charlie, I don’t know what David’s said, but I don’t think even we’re kinky enough to have a foursome with our own brothers.”

“Fuck, Olly, I couldn’t have gone to my grave without that image in my head,” Oliver could sense the frustration in his brother’s voice, “Do you think you can get off the bed without removing the blindfold, or do I need to leave the room until you are standing like a normal person?”

“I can do it, just help guide me a little so I don’t fall off the bed.”

Charlie helped Oliver back to his feet, and after he made a slight adjustment to Oliver’s bow tie, Charlie carefully guided him back down the stairs and out of the villa. With the blindfold on, he didn’t have a clue where they were going or why, and despite numerous attempts at asking, Charlie wouldn’t tell him. After about the tenth time of asking, Charlie huffed out, “He should have got you a gag to go with the blindfold,” causing Oliver to deliberately let out a fake moan, frustrating his older brother even more.

Charlie guided him into some sort of vehicle, it was bigger than the scooter but he wasn’t sure what it was. The engine started and Oliver could feel the breeze ruffling through his hair. It wasn’t long before they came to a stop and Oliver heard a familiar voice.

David

“Hey baby,” David said as he helped Oliver out of Sofia’s jeep. He felt so nervous, but Oliver looked stunning standing in front of him. All thoughts of what he had planned went out of his head in that moment, as all he could think of was how badly he wanted to get Olly back to the villa and out of that sexy suit.

“Hey, can I take off this blindfold yet?” Oliver replied bringing David back to his senses, he took one last look around him to see if everything was perfect, he needed everything to be perfect for his Olly because Olly was perfect.

“Sure sweetheart, here let me help you,” David said as slipped the blindfold off with ease. When Olly saw the scene in front of him, his beautiful eyes lit up in astonishment. They were on the beach, the same place David had taken them right at the beginning of their trip, but this time they weren’t alone.

“Erm, David, what is all this?” Oliver said uncertain what was going on. David moved to one side so Oliver could fully see what David had set up, causing him to release a gasp. Standing in front of him were all their friends from back home, Max and the rest of David’s rugby team, Oscar and their friends from Uni, Heather and her girlfriend Lucy, David’s friend Archana. As well as his sister Tori and her boyfriend Michael, and of course most of David’s family. There were tiki torches around the edge, with seats surrounding an aisle down the middle.

“Well…,” David started nervously, “I hope it’s ok, but…”

“Spit it out old man,” Oliver teased causing David to chuckle and roll his eyes.

“I was maybe, kinda, hoping that…” David was finding this so difficult.

“He wants you to marry him today,” came a voice from beside him causing him to jump at the surprise.

“God, Tori, you can’t just appear out of nowhere like that,” David said to Tori before turning back to Oliver. “So, what do you think? Will you marry me as the sun sets?” David asked hopefully.

“I’d love to,” Oliver replied instantly as he leaned forward and pulled David into a kiss.

When it seemed like they weren’t going to come up for air, Charlie interrupted, “Enough of that you two, they’ll be plenty of time for that after the wedding.”

David held out his hand for Oliver to take, and once Charlie, Tori and Sofia took their seats with everyone else, he led him slowly down the aisle as an instrumental version of Taylor Swift’s lover played. They were walking towards the sea, surrounded by all the people they cared about and who cared about them. All that is except for Oliver’s parents. They still hadn’t come round to the idea of David and Olly getting married, even 6 months after they announced their engagement. David had approached them about attending the wedding, they were adamant that they would ‘never support this marriage’. When David told his Mum, she had even offered to speak to them on his behalf, but David knew there was no point, he just hoped Olly would feel the same.

But David was determined not to let it ruin their day, he had everything he ever wanted and by the time the sun sets, they would be married. When they reached the officiant at the top of the aisle, they turned back to look at everyone stood there and David felt so blessed. They held hands as they faced each other, then turned to look at the officiant as she began.

Family and Friends,

Thank you all for joining us here today as we meet to celebrate the love between David and Oliver.

Today isn’t just about a marriage, it’s about these two men pledging to take care of each other, be there for each other through good times and bad, and share each each others lives in front of all you they care about.

David Nelson, are you free to marry Oliver Spring?

“I am,” David responded, with a huge grin on his face.

Oliver Spring, are you free to marry David Nelson?

“I am,” Oliver responded, with an equally big smile looking back at David.

That’s great, now for the vows, don’t worry Oliver as David sprung this on you, he chose to stick with simple vows rather than you having to make anything up on the spot. This earned a laugh from their friends and family.

David we’ll start with you, please repeat after me.

I, David.

“I, David,”

Take you, Oliver.

“Take you, Oliver,”

To be my lawfully wedded husband.

“to be my lawfully wedded husband.”

To have and to hold.

“To have and to hold,”

From this day forward.

“From this day forward,”

For all our days.

“For all our days.”

And now Oliver, it’s your turn to repeat after me.

I, Oliver.

“I, Oliver.”

Take you, David.

“Take you, David.”

To be my lawfully wedded husband.

“to be my lawfully wedded husband.”

To have and to hold.

“To have and to hold,”

From this day forward.

“From this day forward,”

For all our days.

“For all our days.”

Excellent, now David I believe you have a ring for Oliver?

“I do,” David confirmed as he pulled a small ring box out of his jacket pocket causing Oliver’s eyes to go wide for the second time this evening.

David, as you place the ring on Oliver’s finger, please repeat after me:

I give you this ring as a symbol of my love.

“I give you this ring as a symbol of my love.”

Let it be a reminder that I am always by your side.

“Let it be a reminder that I am always by your side.”

And that my love for you is as endless as the circle of this ring.

“And that my love for you is as endless as the circle of this ring.”

With this ring, Oliver, you receive a token of David’s affection, trust, and commitment as he did when you proposed. Do you accept this token?

I do,” Oliver smiled a small tear dropped from the corner of his eye. David reached forward and brushed it from his cheek earning him a few awws from the crowd. The officiant smiled before continuing.

It gives me great pleasure then to announce, that by the power vested in me by the love of everyone present and the laws of this land, I now pronounce you husbands for life! Go ahead, I can already tell you’re dying to seal it with a kiss!

And boy did they kiss, Olly jumped into David’s arms, wrapping his legs around David as they kissed passionately as their friends and family cheered and hollered, as the sun set behind them.

Charlie

All the guests were on their feet applauding the happy couple as they walked back down the aisle. They climbed into the back of Sofia’s jeep and she drove them back to the villa. As they disappeared out of sight, Charlie turned to Nick for the first time since he got back from his day with Olly, “Hi.”

“Hi,” Nick replied as a kissed his fiancé, “How was your day with Olly?”

“It was good, until I walked in on him on all fours,” Charlie cringed.

Nick chuckled, “What??”

“David left all these cute little instructions for Olly, but the last one just said, ‘Put on the blindfold then ring the bell’, apparently Olly thought it was a kinky sex thing,” Charlie groaned.

“Did you keep the blindfold?” Nick asked seductively causing Charlie to grin as Nick moved in a started nuzzling at his neck. Charlie tried not to groan as he breathlessly said, “Nick…Nick, we’re not alone.”

“Oh,” Nick said coming up for air.

Catching sight of the boys’ intimacy, Oliver’s friend Oscar came over to the two boys with a wicked smirk on his face.

“Is this a private party, or can I join?” Oscar leered.

Nick’s jaw dropped and he was lost for words. “Have you met Olly’s friend Oscar?” Charlie asked Nick.

“Enchanté,” Oscar said as he reached for Nick’s hand and kissed it tenderly causing Nick to blush a deep shade of red.

“Hands off pretty boy, he’s mine,” Charlie warned feeling possessive.

“Aww, you really think I’m pretty?” Oscar batted his eyelashes.

“Leave now, or I’ll set my sister on you,” Charlie hissed. Oscar didn’t need telling twice, he’d met Tori before, he scurried off and quickly found someone else to flirt with.

“Wow, he’s…something,” was all Nick managed to say making Charlie giggle before they kissed again.

Looking around at the scene in front of him, Charlie asked “How did David manage to pull all this off anyway?”

“With a lot of help,” Nick chuckled before continuing, “Sofia played a huge part in it, she collected everyone from the airport and got them all here after you and Olly left this morning. She also arranged the chairs and the officiant a couple of months ago. When David got in touch and explained what he wanted to do, she was so excited to help.”

“It all looks amazing,” Charlie gushed as he looked around again.

Nick

“So, David’s organised a party back up by the pool,” Nick told Charlie with a hint of seduction in his voice.

“Oh?”

“I was thinking,” Nick said as he took hold of Charlie’s waist, pulling him close to him, “we could stay and enjoy the last of the sunset.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Nick replied before pressing their lips together. He felt Charlie’s mouth open just enough for his tongue to slip inside, allowing them to passionately make out as everyone else was now dispersing. Sitting back down, Nick effortlessly pulled Charlie into his lap without breaking their kiss, their hands roaming over each other’s bodies. By the time they had to come up for air, the rest of the guests were all gone and the last of the tiki torches was just being extinguished by the gentle breeze.

“You know, we’ve been coming here for years and there’s one place we’ve never had sex,” Nick teased as he brushed a curl away from Charlie’s face.

“Nick,” was all Charlie managed to breath out before Nick scooped Charlie up in his arms and carried him behind a sand dune that was just behind the makeshift wedding venue. He gently laid Charlie on the ground and started kissing his lovers neck, eliciting the most beautiful moans that Nick knew he would never get tired of hearing. Nick felt Charlie reaching for the buttons on his shirt and as Charlie got the last button undone, Nick whispered in Charlie’s ear, “I’ve prepped myself for you baby.”

That seemed to set Charlie on fire as Nick found himself pulled down on top of his body, their tongues duelling inside each other’s mouths. Charlie’s hands reached down inside the back of Nick’s boxers, searching for his hole. A deep moan escaped Charlie straight into Nick’s mouth, Nick knew that was the moment that Charlie had found the plug he’d inserted earlier.

Charlie broke the kiss and said, “A plug too? I didn’t see you pack that?”

“David’s not the only one full of surprises,” Nick smiled.

“Fuck, Nick,” Charlie purred.

The pair rushed to get each other’s clothes off, neither wanting to waste another second with anything separating their bodies. As soon as they were both naked under the night’s sky, Charlie flipped them so that he was on top, surprising Nick with this show of strength. It was Nick’s turn to moan now, as Charlie’s lips wrapped around his nipples.

It felt like electricity was radiating through his body when Charlie started easing the plug in and out of his hole, stretching him further. After all these year’s together, Nick and Charlie knew every inch of each other’s bodies and knew just how to bring each other to the brink of ecstasy and back, teasing and toying with each other until they were both ready to explode.

When Nick felt he couldn’t take the sensations of the plug any longer he moaned, “Char—liiee, I need yoooou.” Charlie’s eyes were dark with lust, he didn’t need telling twice, in a swift move Charlie had the plug out of Nick’s ass and was replacing it with his own stiff cock. In one slow and steady push, Charlie moved until he was all the way inside his fiancé. Even having been plugged for a couple of hours, the feeling of Charlie fully inside him left Nick feeling a different sort of full.

It didn’t take long for Nick to adjust to Charlie’s length, “Baby, I’m ready” he purred. Charlie started slowly easing himself out and back in, causing Nick to start moving to meet each of Charlie’s thrusts. But it wasn’t enough, he needed more. Nick had been plugged for hours now and was desperate for Charlie to take him, to use him, to remind him that he belonged to him and only him.

“More…need….you, Char,” was all Nick managed to say between Charlie’s low thrusts. Charlie picked up the pace, giving Nick what he wanted. Charlie was slamming into Nick harder and harder, thrusting deep inside him, shaking Nick to his core. No matter how many times they had sex, Nick always loved the way it made him feel so much closer to Charlie. It didn’t matter whether he was topping or being topped, he just needed to be close to Charlie like it was the air he needed to breath.

Nick could tell when Charlie was close, he had adjusted his angle and was now hitting Nick’s prostate with each thrust causing Nick’s breaths to become ragged. Just a few more thrusts and Nick was pushed over the edge, cumming hands-free and painting his stomach. His ass clenched as he spilled his load, squeezing Charlie’s cock tightly causing him to fill him with his own release.

They were both panting as they came down from their orgasms when they heard from behind them, “Looks like they had the same idea as us baby.” Charlie’s head whipped round to see David and Olly right behind them while he was still buried deep inside his fiancé.

“Nicky, I didn’t know you were a bottom,” David teased causing Nick’s face to flush.

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Chapter One: Nick

Description (May contain spoilers)

It’s the night before Nick & Charlie’s wedding.

Nick couldn’t believe he was going to be marrying Charlie Spring tomorrow. He still got butterflies in his stomach every time he thought that he was going to get to spend the rest of his life with his Charlie. They’d been together for so long now, and everyone always told him they were ‘End Game’ but Nick never completely believed it. But it was finally dawning on him that tomorrow would be the start of their forever, their happily ever after.

If Nick made it through tonight that is, he had no idea what his friends had planned for him but Sai, Christian and Otis told him to ‘dress nice’. Nick had made all three of them his best men because he couldn’t pick just one of them, not without worrying about hurting the others. They were all his oldest friends; he’d known them all since primary school. When Charlie had seen his fiancé struggling, he simply said, “Why not pick all of them?” Relieving Nick of the nightmare of his impossible decision that he’d been agonising over for weeks.

Now Nick found himself back in his childhood bedroom, getting ready for a mysterious night out with his best friends. Although he and Charlie had been living together for years, they decided it would be romantic to spend the night before their wedding apart. Well, Charlie thought it would be romantic, Nick was already missing having Charlie by his side. They’d barely been apart since Nick finished Uni and Nick hoped this would be the last time they ever would be again.

Just as Nick was putting on his favourite after shave, the one he knew Charlie loved the most, the doorbell chimed downstairs. He heard his Mum answer the door, and after one final check in the mirror, Nick headed down to meet his friends who were chatting with Sarah in the hall.

“Take it easy tonight and don’t forget to eat something before going drinking boys, we can’t have the groom missing his own wedding because he’s too hungover,” Sarah gently warned the boys with a smile on her face.

“We will Mrs Nelson,” Christian replied.

“How many times have I told you Christian? Call me Sarah,” she reminded him, giggling at the fact that the boy had been calling her Mrs Nelson since he was 6 years old, despite always reminding him to call her Sarah.

Nick grabbed his shoes from the pile by the door to slip on. When he was ready to leave he hugged his Mum goodbye, telling her, “Don’t wait up Mum, love you.”

Sarah hugged him back, “Love you too Nicky,” dropping a kiss to his forehead before letting him leave with his friends.

“Is it just us?” Nick asked as they were walking to the cab waiting outside.

“Yeah, we thought it would be best to keep it a little low key, since someone decided they wanted it literally the night before their wedding,” Sai told him sarcastically. Another tradition that Charlie had wanted to observe, Nick really would agree to anything that he asked for.

The group of boys didn’t tell Nick what they had planned for the night, it was a miracle really that even Christian had managed to keep the plans a secret, though Nick suspected that perhaps Sai and Otis had kept him in the dark too. So, when they arrived at Frankie & Benny’s as their first destination, Nick was confused as he was expecting them to go to a pub or a club.

“Erm, are we at the right place guys?” Nick asked as they were climbing out of the taxi.

Otis explained, “This was the first proper place we came to for Sai’s birthday back when we were 7,”

“We thought it would be a nice way to end this chapter of your life, at a place where our friendship began,” Sai continued.

“Technically it began at primary school, but they don’t exactly do food,” Christian added, “or booze!”

“Aww, guys,” Nick cooed before wrapping his arms around his best friends. If they continued like this Nick thought he was going to be a blubbering mess by the end of the night.

The four of them had a nice meal together to line their stomachs, filled with lots of joking about childhood memories. Every time Nick got all misty eyed over Charlie, the boys would tease him mercilessly. Nick could tell it was all in jest, the boys loved Charlie almost as much as he did.

After they’d all stuffed their faces, and got the first few drinks under their belts, they got another cab to their next stop of the night. Apparently, it was Christian’s idea to go to The Stag pub for drinks, but when they arrived there was a sign outside the entrance saying,

‘NO STAG PARTIES’

“Bro, didn’t you think to check first?” Sai asked Christian, playfully hitting him in the arm.

“I thought it was like made for stag dos,” Christian said earnestly.

Nick found this hilarious, and guessed the owners didn’t appreciate the irony of their pubs name as much as they did. The boys took a selfie of their group in front of both the pub sign, and the sign, to post to Insta before they decided to find somewhere else that would let them in.

Rather than the expense of another cab to take them somewhere else, the boys grabbed a couple of a beers from a nearby off-licence to drink while they walked to a couple of pubs near the River Medway. Their walk was full of joking, teasing, and reminiscing about old times they’d spent together. It was so good that Nick didn’t mind the cock up with the pub. As they approached the river, they came to a pub called ‘The Ship Inn’ that looked nice. Nick had his hand on the door, about to push it open when Otis called out, “Wait, stop!”

Nick turned to his friend, “What?”

“We can’t go in there!”

Confused Nick asked, “Why not?”

Pausing briefly to consider what to say, Otis rushed out, “Because you can’t see your groom before the wedding!”

“Oh, OH…you mean,” Nick turned to look at the door, “My Charlie’s in there?” he felt like if anyone were to look at him right now, they’d see little hearts floating around his head, just like an emoji.

“Yes, your Charlie is in there,” Otis chuckled as he rolled his eyes, “Now come on, let’s find somewhere else.”

Taking one last look at the door, Nick turned and walked away with his mates to find the third pub of their evening, hopefully one they could actually make it inside. A couple of roads away they found ‘The Pier Bar’ to settle into for the night. The foursome spent a few hours drinking, never letting Nick buy a single drink, and all getting nicely buzzed. Someone made sure to get them all some water along with their drinks, to try and fight back against the almost inevitable hangover in the morning, but at this point Nick wasn’t exactly sure who.

They were squeezed into a booth together, Nick in the middle with the other boys rotating as they each took turns to buy drinks. When it was Christian’s turn to be next to Nick, he was slightly the worse for wear. Slinging his arm over Nick’s shoulder, Christian slurred, “Nick, Nick, Nicccckk, I’m sorry weee didn’t get you a strip-, a strip-, stripper,”

“What?” Nick giggled, himself more than a little tipsy.

“We was gonna get you a stripper, you know…” Christian continued before attempting to stage-whisper, “for your stag?” Nick was still giggling at his friend who added, “But we couldn’t decide if you’d want a man or a woman.” He quickly added, “We’d have been cool if you’d wanted a man! It’s your stag and all, but we couldn’t decide. Sorrrry.”.

From the other side of him, Otis added, “I think it’s time we got you home mate,” talking across Nick to their clearly drunk friend. Otis had stopped drinking a few hours ago to be the responsible one and make sure that Nick and the others got home safe. When Nick had drunkenly asked him why, Otis simply said, “Because Tori would kill us if you weren’t there to marry her brother tomorrow, and she’s scary man.”

Nick chuckled, “Yeah she would.”

Otis ordered them a cab, first dropping off Sai & Christian at Christian’s parents’ house, since neither of the boys lived that close to home anymore. Otis continued with Nick to Sarah’s house, where Otis was going to spend the night in David’s old bedroom, ready to help Nick in the morning.

All efforts to try and keep the noise down at the late time were for nothing as Otis was helping Nick inside. Nick was loudly slurring, “Charlie is soooo beautiful isn’t he? I love his eyes, I love his smile, I love his dimples. Isn’t he beautiful Otis?”

Giggling at his drunk, loved-up friend Otis replied, “Yeah mate, he’s beautiful,” smiling back at Nick.

“What if he doesn’t come tomorrow? What if he’s changed his mind? I don’t know what I’ll do if he doesn’t show?” Nick was getting a little weepy now.

Of course he’s going to show up, you literally both proposed to each other on the same night. There is nothing and no-one that will stop him getting to marry you tomorrow, Nick,” Otis tried to reassure his friend who was clearly going through an emotional rollercoaster right now thanks to all the drinks he’d consumed.

Hearing the commotion, Sarah stepped out from the living room where she’d been reading to see Nick draped over Otis’s shoulder, supporting his friend. She walked over to lift Nick’s other arm and take some of the weight of her youngest son, “Oh Otis, you are a good boy,” she praised.

“Hi Mum,” Nick cooed now she was by his side.

“Hi baby,” Sarah laughed.

Between them Otis and Sarah managed to get Nick up to his room, leaving him on top of the bed to sleep things off before his big day.

Chapter Two: Charlie

Description (May contain spoilers)

Charlie attends his Stag Night with his oldest friends.

Charlie was getting ready for his stag night in the house he shared with Nick and their dog Daisy. Every day he expected to wake up and find out that this had been all a dream, that really, he was still just a nerdy little year 10 being bullied by the rugby lads for being the only gay boy at Truham. Not that he wanted to wake up; if this was a dream, he’d happily stay asleep forever.

His friends were coming to collect him at any minute and as usual Charlie was fussing over his curls, trying to get them to sit just right. A few years ago, he’d considered straightening his hair or just cutting it short to save all the time he spent each day obsessing over it, but when he’d casually mentioned this idea to Nick, he’d spent the next 20 minutes being given all the very compelling arguments for keeping his hair just as it was. Those arguments involved a lot of kissing and Nick’s fingers alternating between running through his curls and tugging on them. Charlie was sure it was for Nick’s benefit more than his, but he couldn’t deny that it felt amazing.

When the doorbell rang, Charlie gave up his hopeless mission to tame his unruly hair. Putting on his favourite cardigan, because Elle had specifically forbidden him from wearing one of Nick’s hoodies like he normally would, before he headed down to greet his friends.

“Charlieeeee,” Elle screeched as she pulled him into a hug the second the door was open.

“Hi,” Charlie giggled.

“Erm, where’s our hugs?” Tao asked from behind Elle where he was stood with Isaac.

“You snooze, you lose,” Elle teased before releasing Charlie from her embrace. Charlie laughed at the easy banter between his best friends as he hugged each of them in turn.

He chatted with his friends in the kitchen as he got Daisy settled for the night, just casual banter about their lives. It could have been any other get together with his friends, but being able to spend time with all of them together these days was such a rarity that it made it extra special. Sure, they talked all the time through their group chats, but adult life got in the way for all of them, so it just wasn’t always possible to get all four of them to be free in the same place, at the same time.

After Daisy had been let out in the garden one last time, the foursome was ready to head out for the evening. Isaac had volunteered to drive them as he didn’t drink, so they all climbed into his car and drove to the pub where they would be spending the evening. Charlie had been very clear that he didn’t want the traditional, laddish, boozy stag do – he just wanted a nice night, with his closest friends and that’s exactly what he thought they had planned.

Having checked that the menu at The Ship had a few options that Charlie would eat, it seemed a nice enough place to spend his last night of freedom. Once it had been decided, Tao had tipped off Otis so that he could make sure Nick wouldn’t accidentally stumble across them. Although he himself thought it was silly, he knew his oldest friend didn’t want to see his fiancé until their wedding.

When they arrived around 7pm they were guided to a small booth near the window that looked out over the river. The pub was really cosy, with a little open fire which Charlie thought must be amazing to sit next to on a winter’s afternoon. It made him think of lazy afternoon’s curled up with his fiancé in front of the fire at home, after the school where Nick worked broke up for the Christmas holidays.

They were all reading their menus trying to decide what to have when the waitress came over to take their order. Charlie and Elle ordered cocktails, and after much debating with himself Tao ordered the same with Isaac sticking to a coke. Knowing Charlie still had some struggles with food from time to time, none of the group ordered starters and they went straight for their main courses.

The food was so good, not a single plate wasn’t left clean, even Charlie’s. When it came time to order dessert a man that looked oddly familiar came over to their table. He was kinda tall, with dark hair, blue eyes and sort of a sexy professor look. It was then that Charlie clicked, this guy looked exactly like Henry Maddox, his favourite tv history presenter.

“Charlie Spring?” the sexy man asked when he reached the table with a gruff but posh accident that could almost be mistaken for the real Henry Maddox.

“Y-y-yes” Charlie stammered, stunned by the sexy professor he’d been thirsting over since school standing in front of him.

“I’m Professor Madcocks, and I’m here to teach you a lesson,” he spoke with a sexy authority.

Whispering to Elle, Charlie asked, “Was this you?”

“Not me,” Elle replied nodding in Tao’s direction.

“You’ve thirsted over him for as long as I’ve known you were gay,” Tao said low in a flat tone that reminded Charlie of Tori.

Some music started playing, the Henry Maddox look-a-like reached for Charlie’s hand to guide him up out their booth, to sit in a chair in front of their table instead. Charlie blushed as the man started to dance seductively right in front of him.

The dancer was alternating between moving just in front of Charlie to actually grinding against his lap. Before long, he started to undress, unbuttoning the pink shirt that was underneath his purple waistcoat and pulling it off without releasing a single button on the outer garment. Charlie thought this was so hot, and really played to the sexy professor image that he had spent many teenage nights stroking his cock over, when he wasn’t picturing Nick that is.

When he stood up, still dancing, the stripper tugged on his trousers releasing a series of hidden snaps down the sides to leave him standing in just his waistcoat, tight purple boxer-briefs and his shoes and socks which were held up with a pair of sock suspenders. The professor picked up Charlie’s hands and placed them on his now boxer-brief clad ass, as he flipped upside down to do a handstand in Charlie’s face. Charlie took the hint and playfully spanked the sexy ass in front of him as the man was wiggling his ass.

If Charlie hadn’t been due to marry the love of his life tomorrow, he could easily picture doing very naughty things with this look-a-like of his long-time celebrity crush. Although Charlie was picking up some ideas for seducing his future husband from this evenings unexpected entertainment.

When the performer righted himself again, he slowly and seductively unbuttoned his waistcoat and slipped it off to join the rest of his clothes on the floor. As he did, he pulled out a large white silk flag from the pocket. He wrapped the material around himself and Charlie, giving the young man a private view of what was to happen next.

While holding the flag in place, he encouraged Charlie to pull down his boxers. Slightly tipsy from the drink, and the intoxicating effect of the show taking place in front of him that had caused the blood to rush south from his head to his cock, Charlie did as he was told and tugged the boxers down so that they pooled around the man’s feet.

Now freed from its confines, Henry’s cock sprung upright sticking straight out from his body at full mast and was bouncing about as he continued to dance to the music right in front of Charlie’s face. From out of nowhere, the stripper produced a can of squirty cream while he continued to hold onto the material with one hand.

Squirting a liberal amount along the length of his rock-hard cock, he invited Charlie to lick it off. Blushing hard, Charlie wasn’t sure if he could really do it. He’d never been this close to a cock that wasn’t Nick’s before, it was all so different. He could hear Elle cheering him on from behind, and in a moment of madness Charlie leaned forward and licked the cream straight off the stripper’s warm length.

As the music came to an end, the stripper wrapped the white sheet around himself, took a bow towards Charlie and his friends and then turned and took another, exposing his ass to the group as he did, before grabbing his clothes and heading to a back room to dress.

Charlie returned to sit with his friends and found Isaac was sitting reading his book as Elle embraced him with a massive hug. The group continued drinking and laughing until closing time. Isaac made sure everyone got home safely, leaving Charlie alone to drift off to sleep and dream of both Nick and his celebrity crush.

Withdrawal

Description (May contain spoilers)

September 2024 Prompt:: **The world could be on fire and we wouldn’t know**

This story is set after David and Olly return from their honeymoon.

It was David’s first week back at work after his honeymoon and he was certain he was having withdrawal symptoms from not being around his husband all the time. Husband: he didn’t think he’d ever stop smiling at that word. Knowing that Olly was his to hold, to kiss, to touch whenever he wanted with no one to come between them.

Their honeymoon had been fourteen glorious days of exploring each other’s bodies with nothing to distract them. But now, sitting back behind his boring desk, wearing one of his expensive suits in his stuffy office, he was finding it hard to concentrate on facts and figures. His mind kept drifting to thoughts of dark curly hair and chocolatey eyes. Counting the minutes until he could leave to have Olly in his arms once more.

The buzzing of the intercom brought him back to his dull reality with a start.

“Yes Judy?” David responded, trying not to sound too down.

“There’s a Mr Spring here to see you, he doesn’t have an appointment. Would you like me to send him away?” Judy’s nasal voice came over the speaker.

David tried to hide his excitement when he responded, “No, that’s fine, send him in please.” As the door opened, David added, “No interruptions please Judy.”

“Yes, Mr Nelson.”

“This is a surprise,” David smiled as Olly closed the door behind him.

“I hope this is ok, I was missing you,” Olly blushed.

Getting up from behind his desk, David walked across the room and pulled Olly into his arms. “This is more than ok,” David breathed into the beautiful curls beneath him, “I missed you too.”

When they finally broke apart, Olly had a glimmer of mischief in his eyes that David was all too familiar with. “Olly! What did you do?”

“What makes you think I did something?” Olly chirped, trying to sound like an innocent cherub.

“Because I’m your husband and I know that look, Oliver!”

Smirking, Olly turned towards David’s desk and swiftly dropped his jeans to the ground before leaning forward over the papers in front of him. David now had a perfect view of the two delectable globes that were Oliver Spring’s ass, framed beautifully by the black bands of his jockstrap. Not only that but nestled between those cheeks was the base of what David knew was the largest plug they owned.

David was lost for words. Looking over his shoulder, Olly asked, “See anything that takes your fancy?”

Not caring where they were, David strode forward to be up close to his husband’s sexy frame. He leaned over and started kissing his neck, as he took hold of the base of the plug. As he started to ease it in and out slowly, Olly responded with appreciative moans.

“Ssshh, we have to be quiet baby,” David whispered close to Olly’s ear, reminding them they could be interrupted at any point. When David increased the speed of his movements, Olly bit down on his lip to try and muffle his noises. Seeing Olly struggling to control himself had David rock hard inside his suit trousers.

Sensing they were both ready for more, Olly held out a small sachet of lube that he’d been holding since he dropped his jeans. Practically growling with excitement, David wasted no time in getting his stiff cock out of his fly. Using the packet to lube himself up first, before fully pulling out the plug and adding extra lube inside for good measure.

David knew they had to be quick, anyone could interrupt them at any moment, but he was past the point of caring. He pushed slowly inside, not stopping until he was seated all the way into Olly’s tight heat. They’d had years of getting to know each other’s bodies, he knew Olly could take it but if he didn’t go slow, he knew they’d both be coming within seconds.

Pausing to give them both a chance to relax, David breathed a sigh of relief now they were finally connected once more. Taking his time to build up his movements, as his pace got faster, he could hear the desk creaking beneath them as it shook. He hoped it could take the strain of both Olly’s weight and their exertions; he didn’t know how he’d explain it to maintenance if it collapsed.

As he was getting closer to his orgasm, David could here bells ringing. He was certain they were in his mind like a siren’s call, signalling that he was about to fill his love for the hundredth time. Moaning his name, Olly was close to his own release too. Pounding against his ass as hard as he could, David was chasing his release, knowing that their bodies would cum in sync with each other as they always did.

Just a few more thrusts and David felt Olly’s hole clench around him as he spilled out his release, coating the paperwork laid out below him. Feeling his husband’s climax, drew out his own, as David pumped his seed deep inside Olly, filling him from behind.

Once he was drained, David collapse onto Olly’s back, coming down from the euphoria. But the bells David had thought were in his head earlier, were still there, screaming louder now. Realising a moment too late the cause of the disturbance, the door to his office was thrown open. David’s secretary, Judy, calling as she entered, “Mr Nelson, the fire alar-,” stopping suddenly when she saw her boss still buried deep inside the young man she’d shown in not that long ago.

“Shit! Judy,” David started, carefully pulling his deflating cock out and trying to tuck it away without exposing themselves any more than he already had.

Looking anywhere but the scene in front of her, Judy started stammering out an apology before she turned and fled the room.

Helping ease Olly up off the desk, they took one look at each other and burst out laughing. It wasn’t the first time they’d been caught with their pants down.

Chapter 1 – Waking Up Alone

Description (May contain spoilers)

It’s finally here, Nick & Charlie’s wedding day, but will everything go to plan.

Although this story can be read on its own, it does follow a series of fics that are mentioned in part during this story.

CW: Mentions of Eating Disorders, OCD and Anxiety.

Nick  

Nick was rudely awoken to a loud banging sound on the bedroom door. As his eyes slowly opened, adjusting to the sun streaming in through the window, he wasn’t sure where he was. He reached over to Charlie’s side of the bed and found he wasn’t there. In fact, Charlie’s whole side of the bed was gone.  

Looking around Nick realised he wasn’t in his and Charlie’s bed. He was in his old childhood bedroom, his fairy lights still hanging above the window where he hung them as a child. The wallpaper had faded around the spots where pictures of his favourite people used to be stuck up on the walls, well mainly pictures of him and Charlie. The same pictures that now lined the walls of their home together.  

The banging on the door continued and matched the beat of the throbbing in Nick’s head. “Nick, man, it’s time to get up.” It took a moment for Nick to realise it was Otis calling through the door. What was he doing here? Nick thought this must all be a dream. He’d wake up in a minute and he’d be at home, with Charlie by his side as always.  

“I’m coming in,” Otis called out again when Nick didn’t reply. When Otis opened the door, Nick saw him enter the room dressed in a full 3-piece suit.  

“Why are you dressed like that?” Nick asked, still dazed and confused.  

Otis laughed, “Did you forget you’re getting married today?”  

“Oh,” Nick sat up and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. “I guess I did.”  

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Otis placed a hand on Nick’s knee and asked gently, “How’s your head mate?”  

Rubbing his forehead to try and ease the pain, Nick grunted, “Throbbing.”  

“We thought it might be,” Otis said nodding to the bedside table. “Your Mum left you some paracetamol and a glass of water to help.” Taking the glass and a couple of the pills, Nick eagerly swallowed them down in the hope they would quickly get to work easing the drumbeat playing out inside his head.  

“I don’t even remember getting here last night,” Nick croaked, his throat scratchy.  

“I’m not surprised, you were pretty out of it. We had to practically carry you up here.”  

Nick blushed, “Sorry, mate.”  

“It’s cool,” Otis reassured him, “Now let’s get you up and ready shall we, Charlie will kill me if you’re late today.”  

“Well Charlie probably won’t, but Tao might murder you,” Nick joked, “or send you a strongly worded DM.” Sharing a laugh with his friend, before the headache reminded him of its presence.  

Reluctantly climbed out of bed, Nick nearly tripped over his discarded trainers that were scattered on the floor from the night before. He went to reach for his phone, but Otis grabbed it before he could.  

“Hey, what are you doing? I need that,” Nick protested.  

“Nope! We agreed, no contact with Charlie until you’re both down that aisle. That includes phones,” Otis scolded, pocketing Nick’s phone in the inside of his suit jacket.  

“How do you know I was going to contact Charlie?” Nick asked, “I might have just wanted to check the weather forecast.”  

Shaking his head, Otis said, “Because I know you Nick Nelson! You can’t go five minutes without speaking to your Charlie. In just a couple of hours, you can speak to him all you want for the rest of your lives. Until then, no phones!”  

Nick crossed his arms over his chest and pouted, “But…”  

“No, buts! Now go get in that shower and be quick about it,” Otis scolded before leaving Nick alone.  

Nick took a moment to take it all in, today was the day. He’d finally be marrying the love of his life and he couldn’t wait. Shrugging off his clothes from the night before, Nick headed across the hall just as he had hundreds of times before, to get showered ahead of his big day.  

Charlie  

Charlie woke up far too early, he was an odd combination of being too excited and too nervous to sleep in. He looked at the clock on his bedside table, it was only 7am. His friends wouldn’t be arriving until 8:30 to start getting ready. But now that he was up, he couldn’t just lay in bed doing nothing. Getting himself up and showered didn’t take long, so Charlie changed into one of Nick’s hoodies and a pair of comfortable jeans and headed down to the kitchen to make breakfast.  

Despite his nerves about today, Charlie forced himself to eat. Years of living with an eating disorder, he knew there was a possibility his anxiety would get the better of him, so he’d planned out an easy to eat breakfast. It wasn’t much, but it should be enough to sustain him until they got to the reception. He didn’t want a repeat of their trip to Paris, where he collapsed in the middle of the Louvre into Nick’s arms.  

Once he’d finished up the mix of fruit and granola that he’d prepared before he went out on his stag do, Charlie set about washing up his dish. But he didn’t stop there, once that was done, he kept on cleaning. Wiping down every surface in the kitchen, scrubbing them until they were spotless. He was about to start reorganising the cupboards when the doorbell rang.  

Forgetting he was still wearing rubber gloves, Charlie went to see who was interrupting him. Opening the door, he was happy to see one of his best friends, Elle, standing outside, with Tao dragging a huge suitcase up the path behind her.  

“CHARLIEEEE,” she screeched pulling him into a hug. When Tao reached the pair, he asked, “What have you got in here, bricks?” having struggled with the heavy bag.  

Releasing Charlie from her embrace, she smiled, “Just the essentials.” Charlie pulled his oldest friend in for a hug too as he welcomed them both inside.  

“Why are you wearing rubber gloves?” Tao asked as they broke apart.  

Charlie looked down at his hands, “Oh, I forgot I was.” He pulled them off and tossed them into the sink in the kitchen. Recognising the telltale signs of Charlie’s OCD, she tried to reassure him, “It’ll all be great you know.”  

Sighing, Charlie blurted out his biggest fear, “But what if he’s changed his mind and doesn’t show up.”  

Before Elle had a chance to reply, Tao spoke up, “That’s nonsense Charlie Spring and you know it! That man absolutely adores you and would literally do anything for you. He would be there even if he had to fight his way through hordes of flesh-eating zombies.”  

Elle and Charlie both stood staring at Tao, it was a far cry from the boy who had threatened to murder Nick all those years ago if he messed Charlie around. The doorbell rang again, “that’ll be Isaac, I’ll get it,” Elle offered, heading to the door to welcome their friend in.  

Slumping down into one of the chairs in their breakfast nook, Charlie sighed, “I know, I do know. But you know what my brain is like.”  

Walking into the kitchen, Isaac placed his book down on the table and wordlessly pulled Charlie in for a hug. “Hello,” Charlie cooed, relaxing in his friends arms. Now he was surrounded by his friends, he could feel some of the anxiety oozing out of him. They had his back, just as much as Nick did.  

Elle and Tao both wrapped their arms around the pair and made it into a group hug. Charlie had never felt so happy to have so many people who loved him for who he is, regardless of his insecurities.  

As they all let Charlie come up for air, Elle took hold of his hand to pull him up out of the chair, “Come on you, we’ve got a wedding to get ready for.” Leading him up the stairs to his and Nick’s bedroom to start preparing.  

Chapter 2 – Getting Ready

Description (May contain spoilers)

Nick and Charlie get dressed for their big day.

Nick

Taking his time under the spray of the shower, Nick savoured the feeling of the hot water rushing over his body. He could feel his muscles relaxing and the tension in his head easing as the paracetamol kicked in. Images of Charlie popped into his mind, his runner’s legs, his taught stomach, his dark curls that Nick loved to pull making Charlie moan with ecstasy.

Nick’s hand was reaching for his cock on instinct, stroking it and picturing his soon to be husband. He imagined helping him out of his wedding suit in their hotel room, placing gentle kisses all over his body as each new inch of skin was revealed. He could hear the pop of the lube bottle as Charlie prepared to open him up, to take him for their first time as husbands. He pictured laying on his back, looking up into into the crystal blue pools of Charlie’s eyes, his long locks hanging down as he pushes into him.

Just as he felt his climax building, he heard his mum calling up the stairs, “Nicky darling, I’ve made you some breakfast.”

Groaning to himself, he called out, “Down in a minute, Mum.” The sexy images of his man seemed to trickle down the drain as his cock deflated from the unsexy interruption.

Nick finished up his shower and quickly dried off before slinging on a hoodie and a pair of loose trackies that he’d brought with him. He took a moment to breathe in the smell from his hoodie, it smelled like Charlie. Ever since they were teens he was always borrowing Nick’s hoodies, he’d pretend to be annoyed but it always made him happy to see him in his clothes. He was grinning like an idiot from the intoxicating scent when he made it down to the kitchen.

“You look very smiley,” Sarah commented as she saw her youngest son enter the room.

“It’s finally here, Mum. Todays the day,” he cooed as he sat at the kitchen table opposite Otis. His Mum brought him over a small fried breakfast of sausage, bacon and eggs, sitting it down next to a mug of tea.

“Thanks Mum, you didn’t need to go to so much trouble,” Nick said, eagerly tucking in to the greasy breakfast.

“You’ll thank me for it later,” Sarah giggled, “By the time you get through the ceremony, and all the photos, you’ll be starving. Trust me.”

Charlie

“Elle, what is that?” Charlie asked, pointing to the large bag of products Elle was pulling out of the suitcase she’d made Tao drag up the stairs.

These,” she said, holding out the first couple of containers, “will make your hair look so good that Nick Nelson won’t be able to wait to get you back to the honeymoon suite once he sees you,” Elle said with a smirk causing Charlie to blush.

“Really?” Charlie was sceptical.

“Trust me,” Elle smiled reassuringly.

“Erm, Ok,” Charlie nodded and took a seat in front of the mirror where Elle was waiting for him.

Pulling out different bottles, tubs and tools from her bag, Elle got to work working the different products into Charlie’s curls. First she detangled them from their natural state, then she added products to give them more volume and bounce before locking it all into place so that even Nick’s fingers running through his locks couldn’t disrupt Elle’s artwork.

After she’d finished with his hair, Elle pulled out a smaller bag; this time filled with brushes and makeup. Opening one of the compacts, Elle lightly coated one of the brushes with powder.

“No, oh no,” Charlie protested holding up his hands when he saw the brush was intended for him “I don’t need makeup.”

“Charlie Spring I thought you said you trusted me,” Elle scolded.

“But, why Elle?”

Because with a tiny bit of contouring we can really make those dimples of yours pop. I’ve seen how they make your fiancé weak at the knees.”

Charlie blushed, before reluctantly agreeing, “Fine, but just a little!”

“Yay,” screeched Elle before she starting applying the makeup skilfully to Charlie’s cheeks. When she was done, she spun Charlie back round to look in the mirror so that he could see the finished result.

“Wow! Elle, I look,” Charlie was lost for words.

“See, aren’t you glad you trusted me,” Elle smiled before Charlie leaped to his feet and wrapped her in a hug.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“You’re so welcome honey,” Elle giggled, “Now, I’m going to go next door and get myself ready, you get your suit on and I’ll see you downstairs when I’m done.” Giving Charlie two air kisses, so as not to mess up his makeup, Elle left the room, shutting the door behind her.

Charlie turned back to the mirror and he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Was that really him looking back though the glass? He looked so, hot! When Elle said Nick wouldn’t be able to keep his hands off him, she wasn’t kidding. It had been a long time since Charlie had any serious issues with how he looked, but he still never really saw himself as ‘hot’. He made a mental note to get Elle an amazing Christmas present as a thank you.

Charlie picked up the suit bag hanging on the door of his and Nick’s wardrobe and unzipped it. They’d picked matching 3 piece suits for them and all of their wedding party. All the best men had maroon coloured cravats while Nick and Charlie’s were silver with small flecks of maroon dispersed throughout the material making it shimmer when the light caught them the right way.

They’d all tried on the suits in the shop a few weeks ago, to make sure everything fit right. But this time Charlie would be putting it on for real. It was a big moment. Charlie ran his hand over the silky material, took a deep breathe and started getting changed.

Nick

Just as Nick and Otis were finishing up their breakfast, Christian and Sai arrived so they could all start to get ready. While the boys had been at the stag do last night, Nick’s brother, David, had collected all the suits from the hire company to make sure Nick and Charlie didn’t see each other. He dropped off Nick and his best men’s suits at Sarah’s house, while the suits for Charlie, Tao and Isaac were delivered to Nick & Charlie’s place.

The boys went up to Nick’s old bedroom and started to get changed. As they were undressing, Christian commented, “It’s just like being back in the old locker room at Truham.”

“Except Harry and that lot aren’t here being wankers,” Sai added, causing the group to laugh.

“So Nick, you nervous?” Asked Christian, causing Otis to hit him in the arm for his usual lack of tact.

“Not really, I’m excited mainly. And missing Charlie,” Nick said wistfully, “This one won’t let me message him,” he added, pointing to Otis.

“Why won’t you let him message Charlie?” Sai asked.

“Just following orders, mate. I was told under no circumstances were they allowed to speak until they have walked down the aisle,” Otis confirmed, causing Nick to pout. The boys laughed and joked as they all changed into their hired suits, helping each other out with getting their cravats straight.

Once they’d all finished getting ready, they headed down to the Kitchen where David and Olly had arrived and were sitting at the table chatting away to Sarah she had her back to the door making more cups of tea.

“Look at you, you almost look human little bro,” David teased.

Rolling his eyes, Nick replied, “You look nice too Davey.”

Hearing the banter between her sons, Sarah turned around and gushed, “Oh my baby, you look so handsome.” Moving across the room, she squished Nick to her chest in huge Nelson hug, tears of joy streaking down her cheeks.

Mum, you’re crushing me,” Nick cried out, his voice muffled by his Mum pressed against him.

Loosening her grip to look at him, she held him at arms length, with her hands on his shoulders and said tearfully, “both my boys are all grown up.”

“Oh Mum,” David cooed, getting up to join the family hug and comfort their Mum.

“Sorry to interrupt this beautiful moment, but we brought the buttonholes over from the hotel and the cars will be here soon,” Olly added from where he was still sat at the kitchen table.

Wiping her eyes and blowing her nose, Sarah released her boys, “He’s right, not long now.” More tears threatening to fall before the wedding had even begun.

“Not long now,” Nick smiled as Olly helped attach his buttonhole to the front of his suit.

Chapter 3 – It’s Time

Description (May contain spoilers)

Nick and Charlie arrive at the wedding venue.

TW: For Anxiety and Panic Attacks, please take extra care.

Charlie

Travelling to the wedding venue really made it all start to feel real for Charlie. In a few hours he would no longer be just plain Charlie Spring, he’d be a husband to the sexiest man he’d ever met. He knows his friends have all called them Nick&Charlie since secondary school, but today it would actually become official.

In the car beside him Isaac sat squeezing his hand, sensing his anxiety spiking. He knew it wasn’t really the thought of whether or not Nick was going to turn up, everybody knew they were destined to be together. But it was starting to dawn on him exactly what today would entail.

All eyes would be on them, for the whole day. There would be no hiding, no sneaking off to be alone with Nick as they so often did at parties ever since they were young. Everyone was expecting them to be the centre of attention: – standing in front of everyone for the whole ceremony, being in all of the pictures, giving a speech at the reception. As they pulled up in the driveway of the hotel, Charlie was finding it hard to breathe.

“Are you ok?” Asked Tao from the seat opposite him.

Hitting Tao with her small clutch, Elle snarled, “Of course he’s not you idiot.” Turning to Charlie and placing a gentle hand on his knee, “Charlie darlin’, try and breathe with me ok, nice slow deep breathes.”

Charlie tried to copy Elle’s breathing, tried to get his panic attack under control. It helped a little, but sensing the eyes staring at the car outside, was making his anxiety worse. They were waiting for him to get out and walk inside, but he was frozen in place. What must they be thinking? Did they think he had cold feet? Did they think he was going to leave Nick standing at the altar alone?

“Tao, get everyone inside and clear us a path,” Elle barked. Giving a mini salute, Tao got out of the car along with Isaac, leaving Charlie and Elle alone. Together the boys made quick work of getting all the lingering guests away from the car and inside the hotel. Elle fired off a quick text, and when she had a reply that the coast was clear, she gently spoke again, “Listen to me Charlie, I want you to try and focus on my voice and nothing else, ok.”

After hesitating, Charlie gave a tiny nod for Elle to continue, “We’re going to take this one step at a time. First, we need to get you out of this car, then you and me, we’re going to go up to the hotel room they’ve booked for you and Nick.”

“But it won’t be ready, they said we couldn’t use it until this evening,” Charlie protested weakly.

“Don’t worry about what they said, it’s all taken care of. Now do you think you can manage getting out of the car with me?”

Charlie nodded again, choosing to trust his dear friend. Elle opened the door of the car and stepped out, before facing Charlie and holding out her hands to help ease him up out of the car onto the gravel driveway that led up to the hotel’s entrance.

“That’s it,” she cooed, “I’ve had Tao and Isaac move all your guests further inside the hotel, so we’re going to sneak you up the stairs without anyone seeing, okay?”

Another nod and Elle was slowly guiding Charlie inside the hotel and up the stairs, helping him with his breathing as they went. Isaac subtly passed Elle a keycard as they moved past him, and within a few minutes the pair were safely inside the room. Charlie sat down on the edge of the bed, and Elle crouched down in front of him. His breathing had eased a little, but he was still in a state of panic.

Hearing a ding of a new text message being received, Elle quickly checked her phone and after firing off a quick response, tucked it back into her purse.

“Who was that?” Charlie shakily managed to ask.

“Don’t you worry about that, you just focus on breathing for me ok, in…and out…in….and out.”

There was a gentle tap on the door.

“Who’s that? I don’t want to see anyone Elle, please,” Charlie begged, his breathing quickening once more.

“It’s okay, you’re ok, trust me,” Elle said, before she released Charlie’s hands and raised to her feet. As she headed toward the door, Charlie’s eyes darted around the room; he could dash to the bathroom, lock himself in, but then he’d be trapped and feel even worse.

“Char?” The honey soaked voice of his future husband wafted over him from the doorway.

“Nick?” Charlie squeaked, sounding so lost. Nick rushed across the room to wrap Charlie in his arms; holding him close and letting him find comfort in his familiar frame.

Nick

Looking out of the car window at the gorgeous sunshine as they rode to the hotel, Nick felt so happy. All the planning, and there was a lot of planning, was finally culminating in today, their special day. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, perfect weather for all the photos they had planned around the grounds of the country house hotel they’d booked for the day.

When they’d been planning their wedding, they had looked at a number of venues. Neither of them was religious, so a church service wasn’t appropriate, they considered a registry office but that felt a little too impersonal.

When they discovered the possibility of having the wedding and the reception at the same venue, they knew that was the way they wanted to go. They’d been to all too many of their friends weddings where people had got lost along the way between the ceremony and the reception when they had to relocate.

They first considered booking the hotel where they’d shared their first kiss, until memories of both Harry and Ben from that night made them decide to find somewhere that didn’t have any painful memories attached to it. So, when they came across The Lodge, a cute country house hotel that they could have exclusive use of, they both fell in love with it.

Pulling into the large gravel driveway, Nick felt like he was floating on air. He could see the car Charlie had arrived in just driving off, so he knew his baby was inside waiting for him. As they pulled up though, Nick could sense something was wrong. Isaac was standing by the door waiting for them, and that wasn’t part of the plan.

Rushing out of the car in a panic, Nick asked Isaac, “What’s happened? Where’s Charlie?”

“Elle took him upstairs, we think he started to have a panic attack as the car pulled up,” Isaac calmly informed Nick.

“I need to see him, Isaac, take me to him, please,” the last word almost a desperate sob. Isaac nodded and led Nick inside and up the stairs to the suite.

“Thank you, Isaac,” Nick said sincerely before facing the door. Taking a deep breathe, Nick knocked gently, knowing he didn’t want to spook Charlie if he was still in a state of panic. It felt like it took a lifetime for the door to open as he waited, he needed to see that Charlie was ok.

The door opened a fraction, and Nick saw Elle standing just behind it. When she saw it was him, she opened the door wide enough so he could softly slip inside. He saw immediately his beautiful boy looking so afraid at the end of the bed. He called out, “Char?” From where he stood by the door.

Charlie didn’t turn towards him, but Nick heard him call for him so quietly. Immediately Nick rushed over and wrapped himself around Charlie’s smaller body. Engulfing him in his arms, hoping that feeling him close would comfort him and help him to feel safe.

“You’re not supposed to see me before the wedding,” Charlie mumbled into Nick’s strong chest, not letting go now that his own arms had wrapped around Nick too.

Nick giggled, “Hush, baby, you needed me, and I came. I will always come when you need me.” Nick ran has fingers softly through Charlie’s curls.

“Mind the hair, that took me ages,” Elle called from the other side of the room.

Nick and Charlie both looked towards her, neither remembering they weren’t alone. Sinking down to his knees so that he was eye level with his fiancé, Nick asked, “What happened baby?”

“My stupid brain as always,” Charlie said dejectedly.

Giving him a knowing look, Nick simply replied, “Talk to me, Char.”

Taking another deep breath, Charlie filled Nick in on what caused his panic attack to start in the first place. His nerves about today, and all eyes being on them.

When he had finished, Nick tentatively asked, “Do you, do you not want to get married?”

“What?! No, of course I do, Nick. I just…the thought of everything I have to do, while being the centre of attention. it’s…a lot,” Charlie sighed before continuing, “Honestly, I know it’s silly. I know we’ve planned everything in such amazing detail that there shouldn’t be any surprises, but..”

“Do I need to ban buts as well as Sorry?” Nick smirked, “It’s not silly if it’s how you feel.”

“I know…I do. Everything today has just felt a little…off. Ever since I didn’t wake up next to you for the first time in forever.”

“You know that was your idea, right? And for the record, I never want to wake up without you by my side again.” Nick kissed Charlie on the forehead as he giggled.

“As for today, everything is something we have to do. Together, Char, you won’t be alone. I will be by your side all day and we will take everything one step at a time, okay?”

“Okay,” Charlie nodded, a small smile creeping across his face.

Chapter 4 – I now pronounce you…

Description (May contain spoilers)

It’s time, Nick and Charlie finally walk down the aisle.

Charlie  

Originally Nick and Charlie had planned to walk separately down the aisle, but now that Charlie had seen Nick anyway, there seemed little point in them being apart for a minute longer than they had to. They informed the registrar of the change, and waited behind closed doors for all the guests to take their seats. 

“Hi,” Nick said for the first time since he arrived. 

“Hi,” Charlie smiled back, love clear in his eyes. 

“You look, amazing,” Nick cooed, casting his eyes up and down Charlie’s body. 

“Thank you,” Charlie blushed. 

“Seriously, Char, your hair, and wow I’ve never seen your dimples look so, so, hot!” 

“You can thank Elle later, this was all her,” Charlie was so grateful to her for everything she had done for him today. He didn’t know how he would ever repay her. 

“Are you, are you wearing makeup?” Nick asked curiously. 

“Yeah, is it, too much?” 

“God no, you’re breath-taking.” 

“You look pretty good yourself,” Charlie flirted, nudging Nick. 

Nick  

Nick didn’t think Charlie could look any hotter than he already did, but the makeup Elle had applied had really made his dimples pop more than they have seemed to before. Not for the first time in his life, Nick thought to himself, I’m in trouble.  

“You ready for this my love?” Nick asked taking Charlie’s hand in his. 

“Maybe,” Charlie sheepishly replied. 

“Remember, one step at a time,” Nick tried to smile reassuringly. 

“One step at time,” Charlie repeated. 

A door to the side of the little room they were waiting in opened and Charlotte, the venue’s wedding co-ordinator, popped her head around the side. “They’re ready for you guys, are you good to go?” 

Nick looked at Charlie to see if he was ready, Charlie gave a small nod. “We’re ready,” Nick confirmed. 

“Great,” Charlotte smiled, “Just as we discussed, the music will start and then the doors will open. Just take your time and walk slowly. Let everyone take you in.” With that, Charlotte disappeared again. 

“No pressure,” Charlie deadpanned. 

Squeezing his hand, Nick reminded him, “I’ll be right by your side, the whole time.” 

Paul, the pianist they had hired for the day, started playing. The opening music of Avicii’s Wake Me Up filling the room, along with the sound of shuffling chairs as everyone was asked to stand. As the melody of the instrumental version of the song began, the double doors opened, and Nick and Charlie saw their guests assembled for the first time. 

Taking a deep breath, the couple walked hand in hand, moving their feet in the strange one, together, two, together pattern that they’d been shown by Charlotte at their last pre-wedding meeting. All of their friends and family were smiling at them, Nick noticed that even Tori’s lips had an uncharacteristic curl to them as they glided past her on their way up to the front of the room. 

As the music came to an end, the guests were asked to take a seat. 

Charlie  

Charlie was facing Nick, as the registrar was talking about the ins and outs of marriage while all their friends looked on. But in that moment, Charlie focussed on Nick, as if there was no one else in the world but the two of them. Teenage Charlie would never believe this was happening, a tiny part of current Charlie couldn’t believe it was happening either, but here they were. 

When Nick started speaking in front of him, Charlie realised they were up to the vows portion of the ceremony. He’d really zoned out, getting lost in Nick’s eyes for a few minutes there. Repeating after the registrar Nick promised to love and care for Charlie, as long as they both live, his love and affection shining as brightly in his eyes as they day they first said I love you under the glow of the street lamps near Nick’s house. 

Now wasn’t the time to be thinking about that though, if Charlie thought about how Nick was still wet from the shower that day, then he wouldn’t be able to make it through the reception without getting hard. He was already craving Nick’s touch after spending just the one night apart from each other. 

When it was his turn, Charlie dutifully repeated the same promises as Nick. Promising to love him, cherish him, care for him and be by his side forever and always. He meant every word and he knew that Nick felt the same. 

Nick  

Finally, the registrar confirmed, “I know pronounce you legally husbands, you may now kiss.” And wow, what a kiss, Nick thought. The cheers and whoops from their friends felt like they were a million miles away as their lips pressed together. Neither boy wanting to be apart now they could finally embrace each other. 

Only when Tao cleared his throat loud enough for everyone to hear, did they finally, reluctantly, break apart. 

“I can’t believe anyone thought you were straight,” Darcy called out from the crowd, causing everyone to laugh. Opposite him Charlie looked so beautiful, Nick pulled him in for a hug and whispered into his ear so that only he could hear, “I love you so much.” 

As they parted once more, the registrar finally announced, “Family and Friends, please be upstanding for the newlyweds, Mr and Mr Nelson-Spring.” 

The pianist started playing again as all their guests rose to their feet, Nick and Charlie walked back down the aisle, both grinning from ear to ear. Several of their friends dabbing at the tears on their cheeks as they tried to applaud with one hand. Nick could have sworn he’d even seen Tori swiping away a rogue tear drop from the corner of her eye, but he’d never dare mention it to her. 

Speaking close to Charlie’s ear again, Nick said, “We did it baby,” causing the younger man to giggle. 

“We did,” Charlie beamed. 

Chapter 5 – Wedding Breakfast

Description (May contain spoilers)

It’s time for the first meal of Nick & Charlie’s married lives.

TW: Mentions of Eating Disorders and Descriptions of Food

Charlie

“If I have to plaster on another smile, I think I’ll be left with no choice but to divorce you,” Charlie said through gritted teeth.

“Just think of all the ways I’ll make you come undone tonight in our suite, be a good boy for me now and I’ll be a good boy for you later,” Nick teased.

“Fuck, that doesn’t help with the hard-on I have now though, does it, Mr Nelson-Spring,” Charlie groaned.

“You like it when I excite you in public,” Nick continued.

“No, I really don’t,” Charlie deadpanned, knowing that his husband knew him so well. Charlie loved that word. Husband! No longer was Nick his boyfriend, or his fiancé, there was no room for doubt with Husband. No turning back, not that the thought had even crossed his mind.

They’d put together a list of all the shots they wanted the photographer to capture, pictures of them together around the picturesque grounds of the hotel; the obligatory pictures with their parents and families; Nick with his best men, being their silly boisterous selves; Charlie with his best friends, Elle having to persuade Isaac to put his book down while the photographer took a few snaps.

Of course, they also had to have pictures of them with the Paris squad. They may not see each other as much these days but it would never matter how much time passed, the bond between them was for life and Charlie wouldn’t have it any other way.

Nick

With the photos finally done, it was time for everyone to be seated for the Wedding Breakfast. Nick still didn’t really understand why it was called that, as they were having it in the middle of the afternoon. Charlie tried to explain it to him once, but when he started going into the whole history of it, Nick sort of zoned out and ended up just being lulled into a trance by Charlie’s sweet voice.

As they waited outside the hall while their guests were being seated at their assigned tables, Nick reached over and took hold of Charlie’s hand.

“Hello, my husband,” Nick cooed.

“Hi,” Charlie blushed back.

“It’s so nice to finally be alone with you,” Nick said as he started to nuzzle into Charlie’s neck.

“Nick-,” Charlie panted, “Nick, not here.”

“But I need you,” Nick groaned as he continued to mouth the soft skin beneath Charlie’s collar.

“Nick-,”

The door beside them opened, and Charlotte, the venue’s wedding co-ordinated appeared causing Nick to quickly jump back, his face flushed with embarrassment. Ever the professional, Charlotte smiled and spoke softly, “Nothing to be embarrassed about, I’ve seen it all. Are you ready to go in?”

Nick looked across at Charlie for his approval, and with a small nod and a smile, Nick turned back and confirmed, “We’re ready.”

Opening the door in front of them, Charlotte announced, “Ladies and Gentleman, please be upstanding for the happy couple, the new Mr & Mr Nelson-Spring.” As they entered the room, Nick saw everyone was standing on their feet, clapping and cheering them again as they walked between the tables to their place at the top table. A few people patted him on the shoulder as they walked past, hand in hand. Nick smiled and offered small nods to each one, pleasantly surprised to see so just how many people have turned up just for them.

As they took their seats with everyone seated around them, the pianist started playing softly in the corner of the room. Nick was looking out over the room, their friends and family chatting to one another while they waited for the food to be served.

“It’s amazing, isn’t it,” Charlie spoke softly into Nick’s ear.

“That’s just what I was thinking,” Nick said as he turned to smile at Charlie, their hands still joined under the table.

They couldn’t fit everyone they wanted at the top table, so instead of their families, Charlie was joined by Tao and Isaac while Nick was joined by Otis and Sai. While Charlie’s family were sat with Sarah and David at the next table across from theirs.

Charlie

The waiters started to come round serving the wedding breakfast. Learning from his past experiences with his eating disorder being heightened when he was anxious, Charlie and Nick had worked with the hotel to carefully plan a menu which gave people some flexibility in what they were served. Each course having two options, which their guests were asked to pick from when they RSVP’d.

Charlie watched as the waiters worked like a well-oiled machine around each of the tables. The waiters knew exactly where in the room to deliver each choice, thanks to the plan they had provided a few days ago. The only mistakes that were made happened because a couple of their guests had moved their place cards and changed the seating order. Charlie felt bad for the staff when that happened, he was sure it wasn’t an easy job to do at the best of times.

For starters their guests were given the choice of a ‘Cocktail Melon Trio’, which featured a selection of Ogen, Honey Dew and Galia Melon complemented with Fresh Grapefruit or ‘Saumon á la Mayonnaise’ which was a Poached dressed Salmon, served with salad and mayonnaise. Charlie had opted for the lighter Melon dish, knowing he could have as much or as little of the small chunks as he liked. While Nick had gone for the Salmon as it was one of his favourites.

As everyone ate, the pianist was singing along to the tunes he was playing, a medley of romantic melodies. It was difficult to hear over the gentle din of the room, but occasionally Charlie would catch a few lines, smiling when he heard their own names slipped into some of the lyrics.

Although most of his nerves about the day had now passed, Charlie still didn’t feel he could finish his starter. He wanted to make sure he didn’t overload himself before the main course, which he worried would be the biggest struggle of the meal.

Once all of what remained of the starters had been cleared, the waiters appeared with the main course. The hotel had given it a fancy French name, ‘Dinde Rôtie Garnie’, which Nick’s father would have probably approved of if he’d bothered to turn up, but really it was just a simple Roast Turkey dinner garnished with a chipolata sausage encased in Canadian bacon and sage & onion stuffing, with a side of fresh green beans, steamed broccoli florets, thin batons of carrot and a mixture of roasted  & new potatoes. It sounded like a lot when he read it out from the menu cards on the table, but once it was plated in front of him, it didn’t actually seem that bad.

Not wanting to leave anyone out, when trying to decide what option to give to their vegetarian guests they’d spoken to Olly to get his view and he was very clear when he’d told them, ‘Anything but mushrooms!” So, he and their other vegetarian guests had received ‘Crêpes des Legumes de Saison’ which was a simple French-style crepe in a light cheese sauce.

Nick

Trying not to be too obvious, Nick was watching Charlie eating out of the corner of his eye to see if everything was going ok. So, when he heard Charlie place his cutlery down with a clatter, Nick turned and struggled to fight the grin that spread across his face when he saw that his husband had cleared his plate of everything.

“How was it?” Nick asked.

“So good,” Charlie purred.

“Shall we thank our guests now, before they all start wandering around?” Nick asked.

“Let’s,” Charlie beamed as he placed his napkin down on the table. Nick stood and held his hand for his spouse to take, leading Charlie around to the tables of their guests. They took time chatting to guests at each of the tables, making sure everyone had the opportunity to speak with them and offer their congratulations.

By the time they’d made their way around all the tables, Nick could see Charlie was in need of some quiet time to recharge. Nick couldn’t blame him, he felt the same. Pulling him in close as they sat back down, he whispered in his ear, “Not long left and then we can sneak away for a little break my love.”

“Always taking care of me,” was all Charlie managed to reply with a small smile.

Pulling back as the waiters approached again, this time with the dessert course, when they’d been looking at the options with the venue, Nick had jumped at the chance to have Profiteroles Suchard, despite Charlie’s protests that he’d end up with the hot chocolate sauce all down his rented suit. After a lot of indecision, Charlie had decided their second option would be a Cranberry & Lime cheesecake, to give a very un-chocolatey option for their guests to choose as alternative.

Both desserts looked amazing, and Nick couldn’t help but try a small bite of Charlie’s cheesecake too. Although Charlie was very reluctant to let him after he’d tasted it himself and found it surprisingly light with just a hint of tartness from the layer of fruit on the top.

Chapter 6 – The Speeches

Description (May contain spoilers)

It’s time for the speeches.

Charlie

Charlie shouldn’t feel nervous, but as his Dad stood and started clinking his glass with a knife, he wished he was anywhere but here. He and Nick went back and forth over whether to still have Julio give a speech, after the way he and his mother snubbed Olly’s wedding. But in the end, after also speaking with Olly and David, they decided to stick with their original plan.

Now the time had come, it’s not that he didn’t want his dad to speak, but having no idea what he was going to say was making him have second thoughts. He was glad though that he hadn’t even given the speeches a second thought when he was having his earlier panic before the ceremony. That would have pushed him over the edge, he was sure.

Julio started to speak, “Ladies and Gentlemen. First, on behalf of my wife and I, I would like to thank so many of you for coming and celebrating the marriage of my oldest son and his childhood sweetheart, Nick. Their road to get here hasn’t always been smooth, and I was definitely against them getting up to any Hanky-Panky when they were still young.”

“Stop saying Hanky-Panky,” Tori called across the room, causing a ripple of giggles to erupt around the room, while Nick blushed next to him.

“But Nick has proven time and again that he will stand by my boy, no matter what. They have always been there for each other through both the good times and the bad, and it didn’t surprise me when the boys told us they were engaged to be married – I’ve figured for a while now it would only be a matter of time. So, I hope you will all join me in raising a glass, to the Happy Couple.”

“The Happy Couple!” chorused around the room.

As Julio sat down, Christian stood up from the other side of Nick.

Nick

Just as Nick had struggled to pick just one best man, he couldn’t decide which of the three of them would make the speeches. So, he let his friends pick for him, but now that Christian was standing up, Nick wasn’t so sure he’d made the right call.

“Hello everyone,” Christian started. “I met Sai, Otis and Nick at Truham when we were sat together in form in Year 7. When we all found out that’s how he also met Charlie, we figured that must be Nick’s way of collecting new people in his life.” Charlie giggled at that; Nick would never get sick of the sound.

“When Nick eventually came out to us as Bi, it came as no surprise to any of us after seeing him flirting with Charlie all the time when he thought no one was looking for months before then. All three of us are proud to be your friends Nick, and we’re so pleased for both of you today. Charlie, we know you’ll take good care of our boy, and we’re honoured to help you both celebrate your big day. So, everyone please your raise your glasses, to Nick & Charlie.”

“Nick and Charlie,” chimed around the room as the guests’ glasses clinked from each of the tables again.

“You were supposed to toast the bridesmaids’ man,” Otis nudged Christian as he sat back down.

“Should I stand back up,” Christian asked, poised to return to his feet. Before he had the chance, Nick had stood and wrapped all three of his friends in a hug.

“Thank you, guys,” Nick said in appreciation.

That’s when Nick heard another glass chime from behind him, they’d only planned for the two speeches, so he was especially surprised when he turned to find Charlie standing up from his seat.

Charlie

Nick was looking at him, surprise clear on his face. Charlie reached out with his free hand to take hold of Nick’s. He held it tightly as he started to speak to the room while looking at Nick, “Nick, I know we said we wouldn’t make a speech, but I couldn’t let today go past without telling you how much I love you.

You’ve been there for me when I was at my absolute worst and you could have run away, you could have ditched me and picked anyone else, I mean look at you, you’re gorgeous. But you didn’t, you stayed, and I will never not be grateful for that.”

Charlie turned then to all their friends and family, “Everyone please, raise your glasses to my kind, loving and wonderful husband. To Nick.”

“To Nick,” cheered everyone around the room as Nick pulled Charlie in for a passionate kiss.

“I love you Charlie, it’s always been you,” Nick spoke softly when they pulled apart.

“I’m so lucky you’re my husband,” Charlie cooed quietly enough that only Nick could hear him.

“I’m the lucky one, Char.”

🥂 🥂 🥂

After the speeches there were a few more photos out on the lawn before the sun went down. Then it was back inside where a dancefloor had been revealed and Paul the pianist had been replaced by another Paul, the DJ. Nick & Charlie shared their first dance to All of Me by John Legend and after a few verses, were joined by the other couples on the dance floor. After the song ended it was time to cut the cake while everyone was still gathered around in one place.

Neither of the boys had seen what David had prepared for them yet, David had insisted that as it was his gift to them that he kept it a surprise. As two of the hotel staff wheeled the cake out into the middle of the dancefloor, there were gasps from the guests as it passed between them. As it came into view for Nick & Charlie, they both gasped too.

“David, its- it’s beautiful,” Nick spoke softly to his brother.

“It’s even better than what I’d pictured,” Charlie’s voice breaking with the emotions welling up inside him. This day had already stirred a lot of emotions inside him, but seeing what David had produced for them brought him to tears.

“Oh baby,” Nick cooed, seeing the tears start to trail down his husband’s cheek. He pulled him in for a hug and kissed his forehead. Charlie reached out for David’s hand and pulled him in for a hug too.

Charlie whispered into David’s ear, “Thank you so much, brother.”

“Shut-up you,” David teased, brushing a teardrop from beneath his own lashes.

When Charlie had first come up with the design for their cake, he knew it was ambitious. So, when David had offered to take up the challenge, he had been preparing himself for it to not be anything like he had imagined in his mind. But David had taken their design and enhanced it.

They had the 3-tiers of chocolate cake that they’d asked for, with a river of bubble-gum blue icing looking like it was bubbling over the sides of the cake. Then leaning up along either side of the cake was a lattice structure of tempered chocolate that no one could dispute was a perfect replica of the Eiffel tower. But then Charlie spotted something else.

“Wait, is that” he pointed to two figures atop the cake, “is that us?”

Olly came strolling up alongside his older brother, “Yep. You won’t believe how much time David spent trying to find them.”

The two figures weren’t just ordinary grooms atop the cake, but they were mini versions of them. Nick with his dark blonde hair, brown eyes and broad rugby shoulders and Charlie with his dark curls, crystal blue eyes and lithe build. Charlie couldn’t believe how perfect they were. He pulled David in for a hug again and tried not to let his tears of joy completely soak David’s suit.

The happy couple cut the cake to cheers and applause from all their guests around the room. Once it had been wheeled back into the kitchen to be cut into pieces for their guests, the DJ started the music again for everyone to dance into the night.

As the last guests were slow dancing together at midnight, Charlie turned to Nick and asked, “Are you ready to go up to our suite love?”.

“I will go anywhere with you my darling,” Nick whispered close to Charlie’s ear. Charlie held out his hand and let Nick up the grand hotel staircase to their honeymoon suite.