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"Come on, Nick!" Charlie yelled, wriggling on his shoulders."Not a chance, you said your back hurt from the train seat, so now you've lost your walking privileges," Nick replied, shifting Charlie on his back to keep him from sliding off."Yeah, but I was just whinging! Let me down," Charlie insisted, punctuating his words with playful punches to Nickâs backside.Nick chuckled, adjusting his grip on Charlie's legs. "Alright, alright. But donât say I didnât warn you when your feet are absolutely killing you in five minutes."Charlie shot him a cheeky look. "I can walk just fine, thanks. Not like someone who's turned into a human jungle gym."Nick rolled his eyes, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Yeah, yeah. Keep telling yourself that."As soon as Nick set Charlie down, the smaller boy sprang up onto his toes, bouncing lightly. He stretched his legs and then gave a dramatic wave of his hand. "See? All good. Now letâs go!"With that, Charlie marched off towards Nick's uni flat. Nick caught up with a few long strides, ruffling Charlieâs hair as he passed."Youâre impossible," Nick said with a smile.Charlie grinned cheekily. "Yeah, but you love it."Nick turned to look at him, matching Charlieâs dopey grin. "Mmmm, yeah I do. I really do."âŠâŠâŠâŠâŠâŠâŠâŠâŠâŠ.Two minutes later, they stepped onto the street outside Nickâs new flat, a cozy spot about 3 km from the Leeds campus where Nick had spent the last two years studying.As soon as they walked through the door, they were greeted by the sight of Sai âsomeone whom Nick and Charlie had known since secondary schoolâ and Theo, an intriguing yet deeply thoughtful lad Nick had met through his uni rugby team.Both were sitting cross-legged on the carpet in front of the couch, their voices raised in playful fury as they argued over their game of a heated Mario Kart match.Both men on the floor instantly looked up, and as soon as their eyes locked on Charlie, they sprang to their feet, running toward him. They embraced him so fiercely that Nick couldn't help but wonder if his boyfriend would end up with more broken bones than unbroken ones.Charlie grinned through the tight hold, his chest shaking with laughter as the two men practically smothered him in their excitement. "Alright, alright, I get it!" he chuckled, raising his arms to try and pry them off. "I haven't seen you guys in what, two weeks? But I still need to breathe."Nick stood back, arms folded, his lips curling into an amused smile as he watched the scene unfold. He was used to his friends being a little over-the-top when it came to their affection, but this felt like next-level enthusiasm.Theo, a tall but well-built guy, clapped Charlie on the back with enough force to make him stumble. Theo's tone carried a playful edge, âNicks has been so dull without you here.âThe other roommate ruffled Charlieâs hair before stepping back and grinning. "Literally. All he does when you're gone is mope.âCharlie raised an eyebrow, his grin never faltering. "Hey, life gets busy. But I'm here now." His gaze flickered briefly to Nick, who was still observing from the side. "So, whatâs been keeping you two troublemakers busy?"Nick rolled his eyes and chuckled softly to himself, knowing full well that "troublemaking" was probably an understatement when it came to his friends.Sai looked Charlie dead in the eye. âOh you know, nothing much. Just training to beat you in Mario Kart finally.âCharlie feigned annoyance âWow⊠Guess weâll have to see if I can continue to reign champion like I have for the past 5 years then. Care for a match after I set up in Nick's room?âTheo actually laughed at that âOh my god, by âset up in Nick's roomâ you mean go at it, and by doing that drop your bag on the floor, and call that unpacking?âSai snorted and tried to cover it up with a cough unsuccessfully.âHey, we are not a pair of fucking rabbits!?â Nick argued fruitlessly as Charlie was losing his shit next to him, practically doubling over with laughter.âWhatever lets you sleep at night Nelson, or fuck, you know⊠when Charlies around,â Theo said while joining Charlie on his laugh binge.âOi! Shut up!â Charlie managed between giggles, wiping tears from his eyes. âIâm not evenâââYeah, sure,â Theo smirked, raising an eyebrow. âTotally innocent. Just a pair of very friendly rabbits, then?â Nick groaned, his face turning red. âSeriously, Theo. This is why I donât hang out with you two.ââAw, come on, weâre adorable,â Charlie grinned, giving Nick a playful shove.âAdorable my arse,â Nick muttered, but the tension in his shoulders loosened as Charlie and Theoâs laughter filled the air.After they dropped Charlie's bag upstairs and refrained from any kissing just to prove a point to the boys. They were drinking and having loud conversations while Charlie destroyed all 3 boys in every game of Mario Kart. None of them ever came close except when sabotage was involved. But it seemed even that couldn't make Charlie lose.Five hours later Charlie and Nick stumbled up the stairs to Nick's room slightly buzzed, the atmosphere between them electric. The door shut behind them with a soft thud, and the room was filled with the quiet hum of the night. Without a word, they both leaned in, their lips meeting in a slow, heated kiss.Nick's hands found their way to Charlieâs waist, pulling him closer, the tension of the day slowly melting away. Charlie kissed back with equal fervor, his fingers slipping into Nickâs hair, tugging him closer.But just as things were starting to get even more intense, the shrill ring of Nickâs phone cut through the air like an unwanted interruption.âUgh, seriously?â Nick muttered, pulling back with a frustrated groan.Charlie, still slightly breathless laughed softly. âItâs probably important.âNick shot him a look that said he didnât care, but the ring continued. With a sigh, he pulled his phone from his pocket and glanced at the screen.An unknown number. Probably spam. Still, he answered."Nick Nelson?""Uh⊠yeah, thatâs me.""Mark Griffiths here. Head coach of the Leeds Badgers. Hope Iâm not interrupting anything."Nick blinked. His brain short-circuited for a second. Leeds Badgers. A professional rugby team. Heâd followed them for years, watched them play at Headingley Stadium, dreamedâdreamedâof ever wearing that jersey."Noâuh, no, youâre not interrupting," Nick stammered. His heart pounded."Good. Listen, weâve been keeping an eye on you. Your matches with Leeds Uni and your time with the England U20s is impressive stuff. We think youâve got what it takes to play at the next level."Nick swallowed hard. "Wait⊠are you sayingâ""We want to sign you, lad. Pro contract. Youâd start training with us next month."Nick felt like the air had been sucked out of the room.Charlie looked him dead in the eyes. "Nick?""You still there, kid?" Coach Griffiths chuckled."Yeah," Nick exhaled. "Yeah, IâI justâ"How was he supposed to process this? Earlier today he was stressing about sports science coursework. The next, heâs being told he is going to be on the team of his dreams."Weâll go over the details soon. But I need to ask, can you handle this? Playing professionally while finishing your degree? It wonât be easy."Nick barely hesitated. "I can handle it.""Good answer."They talked for a few more minutesâcontract details, training schedules, expectations. But Nick barely absorbed it. As the call ended, Nick slowly lowered the phone, still staring at it in shock.Charlieâs mouth was slightly open. "Did you just⊠get signed?"Nick laughed, breathless. "I think I did."Charlie didnât let him stay in shock for long. With a grin that could light up a room, he pulled Nick into a tight hug. âYou did it! I knew you would.âNick laughed, his voice shaky. âIâI canât believe it. I actually made the team, Char. Iâthis is huge.âCharlie pulled back slightly, his smile softening as he cupped Nickâs face in his hands. âIâm so proud of you, Nick. I always knew you would make it.âNickâs heart was still racing, but he couldnât wipe the grin off his face. âGuess weâre celebrating now, right?âCharlie gave a quick, teasing kiss to his lips. âCelebrating? You bet. But first, I think we deserve a little more of this.âThey kissed again, slow and deep, as the tension between them grew once more, the world outside disappearing into the background. Nickâs hands found their way to Charlieâs shirt, pulling it over his head, the heat between them rising in a quiet, electric intensity.There was no rush. No words needed to be said. The night stretched on, the soft sounds of their breathing and the steady pulse of their hearts filling the space. The room grew warmer, the air thicker, and everything else faded awayâuntil there was nothing but them, together in the quiet of Nick's room, their connection deepening with every touch.And as the moonlight filtered through the window, casting long shadows across the floor, the world outside no longer mattered.âŠâŠâŠâŠâŠ.
After losing to Sai and Theos bet that they would be getting it no later than 10 hours after they saw each other they were lying in bed basking in disbelief.Staring at the ceiling in a daze Nick thought out loud âHoly fucking shit, Iâm gonna be playing professional rugby. Like that's gonna be my job.ââI can't believe it, Nick. Actually, I take it back, I can believe it. But still, you know what I mean.â Charlie said with a slight chuckle.His mind still spinning. It felt like everything was happening at once. The euphoria of making the team, the weight of it finally sinking in, and the quiet, serene afterglow of the night spent with Charlie. He couldnât help but feel like he was living in some kind of dream, a dream heâd held onto since he was a kid.From the moment Nick picked up a rugby ball, he knew what he wanted to do with his life. He could still remember being little, playing around in the backyard, pretending to be one of his rugby idols.Back then, it wasnât just a gameâit was a part of him, a way to channel everything he felt into something tangible.Nick had always been bigger than most of the kids his age, and rugby had been the one place he could use that to his advantage. His passion for the sport had grown with him, fueling late-night practices with or without the team, hours of running and training, and pushing himself to the limit, always with the dream of one day making it to a professional level. But the road to this point hadnât been easy.Being bi in rugby felt like a quiet struggle. He couldnât always relate to the way the other guys talked about women, their locker room banter filled with homophobic and misogynistic jokes. He had tried to get them to stop but it wasnât always easy.At least being captain of his uni team he could do something. But there were still days when he felt like he was walking a tightrope, balancing his love for the game with his fear of being judged or misunderstood. But Charlie had always been there, a constant reminder that his worth wasnât tied to anyoneâs fucked up beliefs.Charlie. He turned his head to look at the smaller boy beside him, his face illuminated by the soft glow of the bedside lamp. Charlie was the one who had been there for every trial, every setback, every win, and every loss. He was the one Nick could lean on, even when things felt impossible.Nickâs chest tightened as he thought about it. âIâve wanted this so badly,â he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.Charlie, who had been staring at the ceiling too, turned to face him, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I know you have, Nick," he said softly. "Youâve been talking about making it to this level forever. Iâve seen you work your arse off for this."Nick let out a slow breath, "I donât know what Iâd do without you," Nick whispered.Charlie pressed a soft kiss to his lips that seemed more intimate than what they had done just earlier that night. "You donât have to worry about that. Youâve got me, always."The moment lingered between them, quiet but filled with so much unspoken understanding. Nick thought back to the call with the Badgers coach, still reeling from the shock of it. He had worked so hard for this, spent years building himself up, battling through the doubts and the fears, always pushing forward. And now here he was, about to join one of the top teams in the country. It was everything heâd ever dreamed of, and it was all real."You know," Nick said, his voice full of awe, "when I was a kid, I always imagined this moment. But I never imagined having you here with me, Charlie. I never thought Iâd have someone who understood me, who knew what this meant to me."Charlie smiled, his eyes warm and tender. "Well, Iâm glad Iâm here. Because Iâm so proud of you.âNick grinned, feeling the overwhelming weight of everythingâhis dream, his struggles, and the unwavering support of the person he loved mostâall in one beautiful, humbling moment."I love you, Char"âI love you too, NickââŠâŠâŠâŠ..Nick woke up to the soft rhythm of Charlieâs breathing, his arm draped lazily across the larger boy's chest. For a moment, everything was still. Then, the memory of the previous night hit him like a truck.He was going pro.The Leeds Badgers. A contract. Training with seasoned professionals. Balancing a sports science degree on top of it all.His stomach twistedânot with regret, but with the sheer enormity of it.
âMorning, rugby star,â Charlie murmured, voice thick with sleep.Nick huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head. âFeels weird hearing that out loud.âCharlie smiled, stretching his arms before flopping onto his back. âYouâre gonna get used to it. Especially when the entire country knows your name.âThatâs when the reality truly sank in, professional rugby and uni? How could I do this? âIâm worried about it. isn't it a lot, Charlie. The expectations, the pressure to perform every single game, and then thereâs uni, and the media? How the hell am I supposed to manage all of that?âCharlie seemed to sense his thoughts spiraling. He reached over and poked Nickâs cheek. âYouâre thinking too much, that's my job.âNick gave him a look. âOf course, Iâm thinking too much! I have lectures, assignments, and exams. How the hell am I supposed to balance it all?âCharlie shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. âLike you always do. With way too much effort and not enough sleep.âNick groaned, flopping back onto the pillow. âThatâs not reassuring.âCharlie laughed, curling back into his side. âYouâll figure it out. And if you need me to keep you sane, I will.âNick kissed the top of his head. âYou always do.âCharlie squeezed his hand and made a content sound.âŠâŠâŠâŠ..A few hours later, Nick was sitting at the kitchen table, staring down at the contract that had been emailed to him. Sai and Theo sat across from him, watching like he was defusing a bomb.âSo⊠you gonna sign it?â Sai asked, leaning forward.Nick let out a breath, rubbing the back of his neck. âI mean, yeah. But it just feels like it's all happening really fast, and this is huge, you know?âTheo nodded. âBecause it is. Youâre about to go pro, mate. Thatâs not something you take lightly.âSai smirked. âI, for one, am excited to milk this for all itâs worth. âOh, you mean my flatmate? Yeah, he plays professional rugby. No big deal.ââNick rolled his eyes. âGlad to know youâre in it for the clout.âCharlie walked in then, two mugs of tea in hand, setting one down in front of Nick before sliding into the chair next to him. âHave you told the team yet?âNick shook his head. âCoach knows, obviously. But I havenât told the lads. Donât know how theyâll take it.âTheo shrugged. âTheyâll be happy for you. Probably a bit jealous, but happy.âNick let out a quiet laugh, but the weight of the moment still lingered in his chest. âItâs just⊠this is everything Iâve worked for. And part of me is scared Iâll screw it up.âCharlie reached out, placing a hand on his knee. âYou wonât.âNick met his gaze, and for the first time since the phone call, he felt the smallest bit of ease settle into his chest. He turned back to the contract, exhaling deeply before picking up the pen.With a steady hand, he signed his name at the bottom.Theo clapped him on the back. âWell, guess thatâs it then. Youâre officially a professional rugby player.âNick let out a breathless laugh, shaking his head in disbelief. âYeah. Guess I am.âCharlie beamed. âIâm so proud of you, Nick.âNick looked at him, his heart swelling. âCouldnât have done it without you.âSai flashed a playful grimace as he walked out of the kitchen. âGet your sap out of here, lads.âCharlie squeezed his hand on the table ignoring Saiâs remark. âI think you could have Nick. But Iâm really glad I get to be here for it.âThe taller boy smiled, the reality finally sinking in. He had made it. And whatever came next, he wouldnât be facing it alone.
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Nick sat at his desk, the screen of his laptop glaring back at him with an array of tabs open. One for coursework, one for his insane training schedule, a few more for things that could barely be described as work, and an endless stream of social media updates and messages from friends. His eyes darted between them, but none of it made any sense. The world was moving faster than he could keep up, and it felt like he was stuck in place.The past few weeks had been a blur. With rugby practices, prepping for press interviews, and the endless coursework, Nick was starting to feel like he was living on autopilot. The pressure had been slowly building, and he was finally starting to crack under the weight of it all. He had no choice but to push through; there wasnât room for failure.His phone buzzed on the desk, pulling him out of his thoughts. He reached for it absently and saw Charlieâs name flashing on the screen. A small, relieved sigh escaped his lips as he clicked to answer.âHey, Char,â he said, his voice tired but grateful for the familiar sound of Charlieâs voice.âHey,â Charlieâs voice was warm, though Nick could tell from the slight lilt of his words that he could hear the exhaustion in Nick's tone. "Howâs it going? Everything okay?"Nick dropped his head into his hands for a moment, rubbing at his temples. âI donât know. It's⊠a lot. Training is killing me, and then there's school. I feel like I'm falling behind. Iâm barely keeping up with assignments, and I haven't even had a chance to do some of the reading for next week.There was a pause on the other end. âI get it,â Charlie said quietly. âI know it's not easy. But itâs not forever, right? Youâre doing what you love.ââI know," Nick replied, though the words felt empty in his mouth. "But I didnât expect it to be this hard. I thought Iâd be able to do it all, but Iâm barely hanging on.âThere was a soft sigh from Charlie. âI know, love. I canât imagine how overwhelming it must be for you right now. I wish I could be there more.ââI miss you,â Nick confessed, his voice quieter now. He leaned back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling.âI miss you too. It sucks. But youâre not alone. Iâm just a call away, whenever you need me. You know that, right?â Charlieâs words were reassuring, but Nick still felt the sting of their distance.âI know," Nick replied, grateful for Charlieâs support, even from afar. "Itâs just... hard. You know? Sometimes it feels like I canât breathe with everything pulling at me. I want to give my all to rugby, but schoolâs not just going to wait for me to get my shit together. And then there's trying to find time to be with you when I feel like I have no time for myself.ââI get it. Youâre balancing a lot, and itâs okay to feel overwhelmed. You donât have to do everything perfectly.â Charlieâs voice was steady, but Nick could hear the worry lacing it, as though he knew how much Nick was carrying on his shoulders.Nick let out a heavy sigh. âI wish I could just take a break from it all. Have more time to breathe, more time with you.â He rubbed his face, frustration bubbling up.âI wish I could be there more often too,â Charlie said, his voice full of regret. âBut weâll get through this. You just need to take it one step at a time. Youâre doing amazing, Nick.âNick closed his eyes, leaning back in his chair. âIâm trying. Iâm really trying.ââI know you are. And Iâm proud of you, I hope you know that. The fact that youâre giving everything you have to both your future and your dreams? That takes guts.ââYeah,â Nick murmured, his lips twitching into a tired smile. âThanks. I just... need a little more time to figure it all out.ââYou will,â Charlie said confidently. âWeâll make it work. Iâm not going anywhere. Even if I canât be there all the time, weâll find a way. Just keep me updated on everything, and if you just want to study with me or someone to vent to, Iâm here.âNick chuckled softly. âThanks, Char. I donât know how Iâd survive without you.âCharlieâs voice was playful, a bit lighter. âIâm basically your personal support team now. Just donât forget to tell me when you need a little break. Iâll help keep you sane.âNick smiled for the first time all day, the warmth of Charlieâs words spreading through him. âIâll try,â he said, the weight on his shoulders feeling a little lighter.As they continued talking, Nick couldnât help but think of how much he longed for the days when Charlie would be with him in person. But for now, they had thisâthese calls, these texts, this shared understanding that no matter the distance, they were always there for each other.âŠâŠâŠâŠNickâs alarm went off at 7:00 AM, a sharp, intrusive sound that shattered the quiet of his dorm room. He groaned and reached out blindly to shut it off, his body heavy, weighed down by the lack of sleep and stress. He just couldnât seem to shake it.
He could feel the exhaustion in his bones, but there was no time to linger. Not today. Not any day, really.Rolling out of bed, he grabbed his phone, bleary-eyed, and checked the calendar app. Rugby practice at 8:00 AM, then a lecture at 10:00, followed by a study session for his biology exam later in the afternoon, and an essay heâs been trying to put together for the past three days but couldnât seem to write one coherent sentence. Every jumbled-up mess in his brain seemed to portray itself in gibberish on his screen when he tried to make an opening statement.At this point, he would probably get a better grade turning it in empty.As always, it was a marathon of responsibilities and obligations, each more demanding than the last.Heâd also been lacking the past week during practice. With all the extra stress of becoming the newest member of the Leeds Badgers, the media announcements, and interviews he had planned for the following weeks.
Nick shoved the phone back down on his desk and dragged himself to the shower, hoping the cold water would wake him up. It didnât.
By the time he made it to the training ground, the morning fog had started to lift, but Nick felt as though he was still caught in it. The smell of wet grass and the sound of boots crunching on the field should have been familiar and grounding, but today, they only reminded him of how much he had on his plate. His muscles ached from yesterdayâs session, and as the team ran through drills, his mind wandered.The coach barked orders, but Nick barely registered them. His mind kept flicking back to his schedule, the essays, the tests, and the ever-growing pile of things to do. At one point, he lost track of the ball during a drill and had to try an quickly snap back into focus, trying to ignore the uncomfortable tightness in his chest. He couldnât afford to be distracted. Not now. Not with everything hanging over him.âNick, mate. Câmon man make a dece pass next time. I'm getting destroyed out there diving to catch your passes.â Ronan, one of Nicks's friends from his Uni team, said while they were walking off the pitch after practice. He was a tall and skinny Aussie lad.âI know, I'm sorry Roan. I don't know where my heads been this past week. I can't do anything right.ââNah donât stress too much, just take a minute. Getting picked up for pro is big but it must be a lot of stress and work. If you ever wanna talk with me or one of the lads you know were here for you.After practice, he quickly changed and headed to the library. His brain felt like it was moving in slow motion. The weight of his academic responsibilities felt heavier than the physical exhaustion from rugby, but there wasnât time to dwell on it. There were lectures to go to and notes to review. He had a paper to write for his philosophy class, and that essay he couldnt even think of how to start, and yet here he was, sitting in the library with his textbooks open, not able to focus for longer than five minutes.The hours dragged by.By 2:30 PM, after an afternoon full of cramming and trying to meet deadlines, Nick felt like he could barely breathe. His mind was a whirlwind, trying to balance everything. He needed a break. Or, at the very least, something to ground him again.Thatâs when he saw it, a message from Charlie.CHAR: Hey, you okay?Nickâs stomach unclenched, just a little, and he let out a breath he didnât realize he was holding. Charlie. Charlie, who understood what it was like to juggle responsibilities and still try to make time for the things that mattered. Charlie, who made everything seem a little less overwhelming.He quickly tapped out a response, his fingers fumbling over the screen as he tried to find the right words.NICK: Yeah, just a lot going on. Practice, classes, essays the usual. I miss you.His phone buzzed almost immediately. Charlieâs response was simple, but Nickâs heart warmed anyway.CHAR: I miss you too. Itâs hard, isnât it?Nick smiled to himself, feeling a little less alone in his mess.NICK: Yeah. But Iâll survive. Just gotta push through, I guess.CHAR: Iâm here if you need to talk, anytime. Youâre doing great, Nick. Donât forget that.Nick let the message sit there for a moment. Charlie always knew what to say. It was a small comfort, but it was enough. He needed that reassurance today more than ever.A wave of exhaustion hit him then, harder than before, and he knew he couldnât keep this pace up much longer. He was slipping, not giving himself the time he needed to recover, to breathe. He needed balance, but there was no time for balance in his life right now. Not with everything pulling him in different directions.He closed his eyes for a second, trying to calm the rising panic. This wasnât sustainable. How could he keep up with rugby, school, and a relationship? How could he possibly do it all?His phone buzzed again. It was Charlie, sending a heart emoji, just because. Nick smiled faintly before his gaze shifted back to his textbooks. He could hear Charlieâs voice in his head, soft and reassuring, Youâve got this, Nick.But did he?The tension in Nickâs shoulders didnât ease as he packed his gym bag.Practice was supposed to be his escape, the one place where he could forget about everything else. But even here, on the field, he felt the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him. The drills had started, and as he sprinted across the grass, his body moving on autopilot, his mind wandered againâback to his assignments, his lack of sleep, the pressure building, and the constant feeling that he was falling behind.His coach shouted from the sidelines, urging the team to push harder. Nick pushed himself harder, but it didnât seem to make a difference. His legs felt like lead, and his breath came in ragged gasps. Something in him snapped.Mid-drill, Nick slowed down and pulled to the side. He didnât know what came over him, but he just couldnât keep pushing. He bent forward, hands on his knees, trying to steady his breath as his mind raced.What was he doing?His phone had buzzed earlierâCharlie, sending a simple thinking of you. But Nick hadnât even responded. He barely had the energy to keep up with everything. He loved rugby. He loved being with Charlie. But he couldnât keep going at this pace.The moment of clarity hit him hard. He couldnât keep pouring himself into everything and expect to keep up. He needed to stop trying to do it all. If he kept pushing himself this hard, he was going to burn outâand soon.Itâs okay to slow down, he thought. Itâs okay to ask for help.He turned back to the field, but for the first time in weeks, the feeling of pressure started to lift, just a little. He walked over to the coach after practice finished."Coach," Nick said, voice rough but determined. "I need to talk to you for a second."The coach paused and turned toward him, a brow arched in curiosity. "What's up, Nick?""I⊠Iâve been struggling," Nick admitted, the words feeling strange coming out of his mouth. "With school, assignments, rugby. Iâve been trying to keep up with everything, but I think Iâm pushing myself too hard. I was wondering if thereâs any way I could cut back on training for a bit. Just enough to get some breathing room so I can catch up with school."Coachâs expression softened, and he nodded slowly. "Itâs important to recognize when you need to adjust. I get it. Youâre not the first player to go through this, and you wonât be the last. How about we cut your sessions in half for the next couple weeks? You can still come to practice, but focus on recovery and keeping your head clear. Donât worry about being at your peak right now focus on staying in the game mentally."Nick felt a rush of relief. He hadnât expected the coach to be so understanding, but there it was, a small step toward taking control again."Thanks, Coach," he said, his shoulders loosening for the first time in days.As his day continued, Nickâs mind wandered again, but this time with a bit more clarity. Maybe it wasnât just about cutting down on rugby. Maybe it was about acknowledging that he didnât have to do everything on his own. He could reach out. He could ask for flexibility. It wasnât a weakness to admit he couldnât do it all.By the time he was walking back to his dorm from a lecture, his phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from his philosophy professor.Nick, I know youâve been under a lot of pressure lately. If you need an extension on your paper, let me know. I want to make sure youâre able to complete the work without burning yourself out.Nick blinked at the screen. Maybe things didnât have to be as overwhelming as they seemed.He quickly typed out a reply. Thanks, Professor. I might take you up on that. Really appreciate it.Nick leaned against the door of his dorm room, a thought forming. Maybe he could talk to his other professors too, just to see if there was room for a little more flexibility.There was a weight on his chest that wasnât gone, but it was at least more manageable. He leaned back on his bed, looking at his phone for a moment before putting it down. There was still work to be done, but maybe, just maybe, he didnât have to do it all tonight.His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at his door. He glanced up to see Theo, his roommate, poking his head in."Hey, mate," Theo said, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips. "You surviving out there? I know youâve got a lot on your plate."Nick sighed, his shoulders sagging. "Yeah⊠but not really. Itâs been a mess, honestly. Between school, and practice⊠just trying to keep up with everythingTheo raised an eyebrow, stepping into the room and closing the door behind him. "Sounds like you need a break. I was just gonna grab some food from the dining hall, wanna come with?Nick hesitated. The idea of taking a break seemed almost foreign to him right now, but Theoâs offer was genuine. He hadnât really given himself any time to relax all week."Yeah, sure. Iâll come." Nick grabbed his hoodie, slipped on his sneakers, and followed Theo out the door.They made their way to the dining hall in comfortable silence. The evening air had a bite to it, a reminder that it was still early in the semester, and winter was just beginning to settle in. When they reached the cafeteria, Theo led them toward the hot food section, but as they were passing the salad bar, a familiar voice called out to them."Hey! You guys grabbing food too?"Nick turned to find Sai.Sai was the kind of guy who always seemed to know when things were going rough for Nick, even if Nick didnât admit it out loud. He often had a way of cracking jokes just when they were needed most."Yeah, man, weâre just about to sit down," Theo said. "You joining?""Absolutely," Sai replied, his usual easygoing smile brightening his face. He was already grabbing a tray, piling on some food with a practiced hand. "Canât let you guys eat without me."The three of them found a table by the window, where the dim light of the evening made everything feel a little more relaxed. Nick took a deep breath as he sat down, allowing himself to let go of the tension in his shoulders. Being with Sai and Theo felt differentâit was easy, like a reminder that there were parts of his life that didnât revolve around deadlines or practices."Okay, so spill," Sai said, leaning in with a teasing grin. "Howâs the whole 'balancing my life and not losing my mind' thing going?"Nick laughed, though it was a little strained. "Honestly? Itâs terrible. I feel like Iâm just juggling all these balls, and theyâre all gonna drop. Iâm behind on schoolwork, Iâm barely keeping up in practice, and... I donât know. I just feel like Iâm constantly running on emptyâŠ. And now I'm dumping it on you guysâŠâTheo gave him a sympathetic look, taking a bite of his food before speaking. "No your not Nick. Weâve all been there. I mean, look at meâIâm literally in a constant state of procrastination."Sai rolled his eyes but smiled. "Yeah, Theo, but youâre still managing to somehow get through it. Itâs all about balance. You just have to recognize when you need to take a step back before you crash."Nick nodded slowly, the conversation sparking something in him. "Yeah, I think Iâm starting to figure that out. I talked to the Uni Coach today, and we agreed I could cut back on training for a little while. Iâm gonna focus more on school and get ahead on assignments. And I might even ask my professors for a little more flexibility on some of the deadlines."Sai raised his glass of water, a serious look on his face for the first time that evening. "Thatâs smart. You donât have to do it all at once. No oneâs gonna fault you for asking for help. Youâve got a lot on your plate, and you canât be in two places at once.""Exactly," Theo added. "And, hey, if you need to talk or vent or just take a break, weâve got your back. Donât forget youâve got a team here, tooânot just on the field, but off it. You donât have to carry everything on your own."Nick smiled faintly, feeling a little more at ease than he had in days. He was so used to carrying the weight of everything by himself that hearing his friends offer supportâreal supportâfelt like a breath of fresh air."Thanks, guys," he said, his voice quieter than usual. "I think I needed to hear that."Sai gave him a thumbs-up. "No problem. Youâve got this, Nick. Just take it one thing at a time. And hey, maybe after practice this weekend, we can hit up that pizza place you love. No oneâs getting any work done on a Friday night anyway, right?"Nick chuckled. "Definitely not."They spent the next hour talking about everything and nothing at all. Theo cracked a joke about his latest failed attempt to cook dinner (involving an unfortunate amount of burnt toast and a smell throughout the flat). By the time they finished their food, Nick felt a little more grounded, a little less like everything was spiraling out of control.As they walked back to their flat, the cool night air seemed less oppressive, and Nickâs thoughts werenât as jumbled. He still had a lot of work to do, but now, he had a planâand more importantly, he knew that he didnât have to do it alone.When they started walking back to their shared flat, Theo nudged him with his shoulder, a sly grin spreading across his face. "You know," Theo said, "we could always make tonight a little less... studious. Go grab a drink or two. Thereâs that new bar down the street. What do you think?"Nick hesitated, running his hand through his hair. The idea was tempting. A chance to get away from it all, even for a little while. But part of him felt the pull of his responsibilities, the nagging reminder of assignments piling up and training early the next morning. Still, there was a spark of desire to unwind, to breathe a little.Theo, noticing his hesitation, leaned in a bit closer, lowering his voice. "Come on, man. You deserve a break. Youâve been burning the candle at both ends. âNick chewed on the thought. He had to admit, it had been a while since he let himself just relax. And Theoâs offer felt like a lifeline, something to help him disconnect from the weight of it all, just for tonight. The work could wait a few hours."Alright, alright," Nick said, a playful spark in his eyes. "But weâre not staying out late. Iâve got too much to do."Theo clapped his hands together, victorious. "Deal. Itâll be fun. Sai you in?"âWell I cant say no to a good night out can I?â He said with a smile, or maybe a smirk?Nick couldnât help but smile. The idea of a drink, a bit of laughter, and a night off from everything sounded good. Maybe even just a brief escape would help him feel more grounded."You know," Theo added, glancing at Nick with a raised eyebrow, "sometimes the best way to solve a problem is to walk away from it for a bit."Nick chuckled. "You sound like my mom. But... yeah, maybe you're right.""Alright, Let's do this. But no funny business, alright?"Theo and Sai both flashed a wide grins. "Funny business is my middle nameâ. Sai said with a genuine laugh.Nick couldnât help but shake his head in amusement. The world outside suddenly felt a little less heavy.The bar was just down the street, and the buzz of conversation and music grew louder as they neared. Theo was practically bouncing on his heels, clearly excited for a night of fun. Nick, on the other hand, felt the mix of anticipation and guiltâhe was still carrying the weight of his to-do list, but maybe, just maybe, he could let it go for a couple of hours.As they pushed through the door of the bar, the dim lights and warm atmosphere enveloped them. Sai led the way, a grin plastered on his face, while Nick followed, still unsure of what he was really ready for.But before they could even reach the bar, a voice stopped them."Hey, Nick, Sai, oh sup Theo!" A familiar face appeared in the crowd. It was Ronan, their friend from the Uni team, looking a little too eager for a Thursday night. "You guys came for the drink, huh? I was about to grab a table. You in?"Nick froze for a moment, his mind flashing back to the assignments he hadnât even glanced at, the early practice the next morning. He opened his mouth to say something, but the words didnât come.Theo, of course, was the one who spoke up first. "Yeah, weâre in. Come on, Nick, whatâs the worst that could happen?"Nick hesitated just a moment longer, the conflicting thoughts battling in his head. Then, with a deep breath, he let it go. "Alright," he said finally. "Letâs see where the night takes us."As they followed Sai toward the table, Nick couldnât shake the feeling that this little detour might just be the break he needed.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The bar was louder than Nick expected, the bass of the music thrumming in his chest as he followed Theo, Sai, and Ronan through the crowd. The dim lights cast a golden glow over the room, reflecting off glasses raised in cheers and laughter. The atmosphere was warm, buzzing with energy, and for the first time in weeks, Nick felt like maybeâjust maybeâhe could let himself relax.They had found a table near the back, half-empty pints already scattered across it from previous patrons. Theo, ever the social butterfly, waved over a bartender and ordered the first round. Nick hesitated before finally deciding to just go with it. He had been pushing himself too hard lately. One night wouldnât hurt.The first drink went down smoothly, the warmth of the alcohol spreading through his limbs. By the second Nick felt himself loosening up, the stress of his academic deadlines and relentless training schedule leaving his mind after each sip. He laughed at one of Theoâs ridiculous stories, nodded along to Saiâs commentary about a recent match, and let himself exist in the moment.It was a welcome distractionâŠ. Until he heard his name being called from across the room.âNick Nelson?âHe turned his head toward the voice and immediately regretted it. A small group of girls was standing near the bar, their eyes alight with recognition. Nick sighed internally. Of course. Being on a professional team meant he was bound to get noticed, but he wasnât in the mood for fan interactions tonight, he hadn't even had a practice with the whole team yet.One of the girls, blonde and confidently smiling, made her way over, her friends whispering behind her. âI thought that was you! Youâre playing for the Badgers now, right?âNick forced a polite smile. âUh, yeah just a couple weeks in.ââThatâs so cool,â she said, placing a hand methodically on his arm in a way that made his stomach twist uncomfortably. âYou must be insanely fit. Rugby players are something else.âSai and Theo exchanged a look, clearly trying not to laugh. Nick, on the other hand, felt a familiar sense of awkwardness creeping in.âUh thanks,â he said, shifting slightly in his seat to pull his arm away. He really, really didnât want to be having this conversation.âSo,â she continued âwhatâs a big deal rugby player like you doing out here tonight? Celebrating?âNick scratched the back of his neck. âJust out with friends.âShe leaned in slightly. âWell, if youâre looking for some companyâŠâTheo actually choked on his drink. Sai smirked into his glass. Nick, meanwhile felt his ears burning.âIâuhââ he stammered, shaking his head quickly. âIâve got a boyfriend actually.âHer smile faltered for just a second before she recovered. âOh. Lucky guy.ââYeah, he really is,â Nick said, more confident this time. He wished Charlie was here right now just so he could reach out and hold his hand, make it obvious to everyone that he was completely, hopelessly in love. Instead, he settled for taking a long sip of his drink, hoping she would take the hint.After a moment, she did, offering him a half-hearted smile before sauntering back to her friends. Theo immediately burst into laughter.âThat was extremely painful to watch mate.ââShut up,â Nick muttered running a hand down his face. He already felt warm from the drinks, but now his embarrassment was making it worse.Sai grinned. âAt least you were polite about it.âNick groaned. âI really need another drink.âAnd so, he had another. And another.At some point, the night became a blur of laughter, drinks, and slurred conversations. Nick wasnât sure when he lost track of time, but by the time he was leaning heavily against the bar, head spinning, he knew he had gone a little overboard.Theo and Sai flanked him on either side, clearly aware of his deteriorating state. âAlright, I think weâve reached the âNick is done for the nightâ stage,â Theo said, attempting to steady him.Nick fumbled for his phone, blinking down at the screen. He needed to call Charlie. Needed to hear his voice. Because despite the fun, despite the temporary escape, there was still an ache in his chest, a longing for the one person who made everything feel okay.Before Theo or Sai could stop him, he pressed Charlieâs contact and held the phone to his ear.âNick?â Charlieâs voice came through, confused but warm. âItâs almost one in the morning. Are you okay?âNick grinned, his heart swelling just at the sound of him. âChar, I miss you,â he slurred. âLike, so much. You have no idea.âTheo snorted. Sai shook his head.âI miss you too,â Charlie said gently. âAre you drunk?âNick huffed. âMaybe. But itâs your fault.âCharlie laughed softly. âOh really, how is it my fault?ââCause youâre soââ Nick struggled for the word, his sap filter completely gone. âHot. Like, insanely fucking hot. And I love you so much it makes my brain stop working.âTheo choked on his drink again. Sai covered his face with his hands muttering, âOh my god.âNick kept going, completely oblivious. âLike, have you seen yourself??? Youâre so perfect, and your handsâmy god your hands Char ugh, and your arse, and yourââOkay, okay,â Charlie interrupted, voice both amused and embarrassed. âNick, where are you?âNick turned to Theo and Sai for help. âWhere am I?ââThe Black Fox Pub,â Theo answered, barely holding back laughter, making a weird face by doing so. âWe were just about to take you back to the dorm.âCharlie sighed through the phone, âAlright, go home, okay? Please get some sleep.âNick pouted. âBut I wanna talk to you.ââIâll talk to you in the morning,â Charlie promised. âI love you, but you need water and sleep, and paracetamol.âNick smiled lazily. âLove you too.âSai plucked the phone from his hands before he could say anything else, ending the call. âAlright, lover boy, letâs get you out of here.âTheo looped an arm around Nickâs waist, helping him stand. âCome on, mate, letâs get you back before you start confessing even more gross explicit details about your relationship.âNick grinned drunkenly. âIâd do it.ââYeah, we know,â Sai muttered as they half-carried him out the door. âWe know.ââŠâŠâŠâŠNick woke up to the shrill blare of his alarm, a sound so piercing it felt like it was splitting his skull in half. He groaned, blindly reaching out to smack his phone until the noise mercifully stopped. The silence that followed was almost worseâhis head throbbed, a deep, insistent ache that pulsed with every heartbeat. His mouth felt dry, his stomach unsettled, and every inch of his body protested as he shifted under the sheets.With great effort, he cracked his eyes open, only to see that the sky looked almost as dull as he was feeling. He squeezed them shut again, letting out a pitiful groan.Never drinking that much again. Ever.Slowly, carefully, he forced himself to sit up, resting his forehead against his palms as he tried to gather the courage to move. Water. He needed water. And painkillers. Maybe an entirely new body while he was at it.The second he tried to stand up lightning struck making him stumble slightly, moving the nausea throughout his body now with the feeling seeming to flow freely and his headache only worsening following the loud sound.As he opened the door to his flat he saw Theo cooking a fry up.âOh thank fucking god, there's no way I would've been able to function enough to make food.âTheo laughed, Nick, wincing at the sound. âSorry.â he said quietly, âI figured as much though, you were pissed, last night mate.ââAgh donât remind me.âTheo set the plates of food up for him and Nick and took them to the table where Nick had migrated slowly. Very slowly.âI don't think I can ever drink again, it's not physically possible for me to absorb any more alcohol after last night,â Nick said while picking through his food, deciding what he deemed possible to eat in his state.âI think Charlie will have enough blackmail on you to last years though, tell him to send some of the voicemails to the group chat please?ââFuck that mate, I don't even remember making any calls to him. There's no way in hell you will get them because I'm going to hack into Charlie's phone and delete them. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.â Nick said, staring at his food.Theo laughed softly. âAnd with what hacking skills will you use to hack into Charlie's phone?ââYouTube exists.â Nick said defensively âI could figure it out.âHis phone buzzed from the table, and he reluctantly reached for it, wincing as the screenâs brightness assaulted his eyes. A message from Charlie.CHAR: Feeling okay? Or should I start planning your funeral?NICK: Barely alive. Send help.NICK: Theo made fry up so Iâm doing a little better though.CHAR: Good. No rugby today?NICK: Nah, fields got flooded out and there's lightning so they canceled morning practice.CHAR: Well I'm glad, considering last night I didn't even think you'd make it to today đđNICK: Omg was I really that bad?CHAR: Yes.NICK: Please don't send anything out đ I LOVE YOUU REMEMBER..??CHAR: Dw, they are for me and you only. Too good to share w anyone else đđNICK: Well that makes me feel better⊠gtg take a shower, I'm gross. TTYL?CHAR: ofc xxâŠâŠâŠ..After a deep shower, Nick had his first lecture of the day, his âDietetics and Nutritional Sciencesâ class.The lights of the auditorium beat into his head with a pulse. He pulled his hoodie to cover his eyes more but to no avail, the headache went on throughout the whole day.In the evening following all of his classes, he went to the library to try and finish his essay. He also had an ANPY exam coming up soon that he would have to start cramming for. But as he typed, every word on the screen was barely registered by the recovering Hangover Sufferer. In the end, he narrowly finished his essay and submitted it.
Soon after, he walked back to his flat to take a nap hoping to clear his head and finally get rid of his headache.A little later than an hour after he fell asleep his phone rang. Reaching over to grab his phone and see who was calling during his precious all-hangover-curing nap.~đââŹCHAR đââŹ~ He answered quickly. âHey baby how are you?â Charlie asked with empathy lacing his words. Nick replied with a grunt. âWords, please Nick?â âFine. I can't get rid of my stupid headache, and I don't know what to do.â He said with a whine, starting to feel truly annoyed and frustrated with himself for last night. âI also have my Badgers practice tomorrow with the whole team for the first time. What if they don't like me, Iâve only trained with two of the guys for the âbefore pre-season prepâ of training. They might absolutely despise me for all I know.ââNick they are going to love you don't worry, and if they don't itâs their loss. You earned that spot.â Charlie said, meaning every word.âI know, I just can't help thinking about itâŠâ Nick said while heading to the bathroom to get ready for actually turning in for the night.The boys talked for a while until Nick got into bed and started dozing off mid-sentence. Charlie called it a night after that.The next day, after Nickâs morning Uni practice, which went much better than usual. Probably from laying it off every couple off days like the coach told him to. Nick had a study session at the library, which then followed Nick getting ready for his first practice with the whole Leeds Badgers team.After packing his duffle bag for his locker, he headed off to the training stadium the practice was at. It was about 30 minutes away, and when he walked up to the front of the building he stood at the doors and started to panic again.I canât do this? There's no way I'm good enough to be here. What if the whole team hates me and I end up having a horrible practice and embarrass myself? What if-âMate, the doors don't open automatically. You good?âNick, was stunned. Making direct eye contact with Paul Davis. The Paul Davis.âUh, Umm, yeah. Sorry.â Nick said hurrying to open the door for both men.âYour good donât worry. I'm Paulie.â The man said acting like he wasn't one of the most famous people in all of rugby, with a smile too genuine for just this encounter.
âIâIâm Nick, Nick Nelson, new fly-half for the Badgers.ââNice to meet you, Nick. Welcome to the team.â
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
âGreat to meet you, Nick. Welcome aboard,ââLikewise, mate. Glad to be here."Nick adjusted the strap of his duffle bag as he followed Paulie down the large stadium hallway. His heart hammered against his ribs, his nerves refusing to settle. It still didnât feel real. Leeds Badgers. His first professional rugby team.Paulie stopped in front of a set of double doors and gave him a reassuring smile. âAlright, mate. Team meeting first, then we hit the pitch. Donât worry, they donât bite.âNick swallowed and nodded. Paulie pushed the door open, revealing a large conference room filled with players lounging in chairs, some stretching, others laughing and chatting like theyâd known each other forever. The second Nick stepped in heads turned.A guy near the front, tall and built like a tankâBenji, if Nick remembered rightâgave him a quick once-over and nodded. Another player leaning casually with his feet up on a chair grinned."Oi, fresh meat's here," the guy said, dark curls falling into his eyes. That had to be Elliot Park, one of the locks.âGive the kid a break, Elliot,â another voice chimed in. A broad-shouldered man with a thick beardâJimmy Callaghan, the captainâstood up and strode over, hand extended. âNick Nelson, right? Welcome to the Badgers.âNick shook his hand, trying to ignore the fact that Jimmyâs grip made his own feel embarrassingly weak.âUh, yeah. Thanks. Itâsâuh, itâs great to be here,â Nick said, his voice coming out more nervous than he wanted.âDonât sound too sure about that, mate,â someone teased, and Nick turned to see a blond guy smirking at him.Tommy Fraser. His direct competition for the fly-half position.Nick forced a chuckle. âJust taking it all in.âTommy nodded, arms crossed. âFair enough. You play fast or tactical?âNick hesitated. âBit of both I guess?âTommy snorted. âSafe answer. Weâll see soon enough.âBefore Nick could respond the door swung open again, and Coach Gareth Hughes walked in.The room fell silent."Right, enough messing about," Gareth said, his gruff voice carrying across the room. "Weâve got a long season ahead and it starts today. You lot know the drill. Hard work, smart rugby. Weâve got fresh blood in the mix. Nelson, stand up.âNick stood quickly, pulse spiking.âHeâs our new fly-half, here to bring some fire to our attack. Treat him like one of us, except on the pitch. Out there, you make him earn it.âNick nodded, not sure if that was supposed to be reassuring or terrifying.âRight. Get to the lockers, get kitted up, and meet me on the pitch in five.ââŠâŠâŠ..The team dispersed, and Nick followed the rest of the backs toward the changing room. He barely had time to shove his bag into an open locker before Brenan, the scrum-half, clapped him on the back.âDonât worry mate,â he said. âCoach says that to everyone. Youâll be fine. Probably.âNick laughed nervously. Great. No pressure, no pressure at all.Just as the team started finishing up getting ready Coach Gareth cleared his throat signaling that he wasnât done.âBefore you all run off to the pitch, one more introduction,â Gareth said, nodding toward the door. âYou all know Sophie, but for those of you who are newââhis eyes flicked briefly to Nickââsheâs the one whoâs gonna keep your reckless arses in one piece this season.âA woman with sharp eyes and an easy confidence stepped forward, arms crossed. She wore the teamâs staff jacket, a clipboard tucked under one arm.âAlright, listen up,â she said in an accent unmistakably American, her voice cutting through the room with effortless authority. âIâm Sophie Lane, team physio. That means Iâm the one who decides if youâre fit to play or if youâre sitting your stubborn ass on the bench. I donât care if you âfeel fine,â if youâre hurt, you come to me before it turns into something worse. Got it?âA few murmurs of agreement went around, though Nick noticed some of the players avoiding her gaze. He could tell Sophie wasnât someone youâd want to argue with.Sophieâs eyes locked on him. âAnd youâre the new fly-half?âNick nodded quickly. âUh, yeah. Nick Nelson.ââGood. Youâve got a lot of quick movements in your game, means youâre at high risk for ankle and hamstring injuries. Stretch properly, donât be an idiot about recovery, and we wonât have a problem.ââY-yeah, of course,â Nick said quickly, not wanting to get on her bad side.Sophie gave him a look that was almost too casual for someone so direct. âGreat. And one more thing: If I catch anyone slacking on post-match recovery, youâll be seeing a lot more of me than you want to. Alright, get to work.âWith that, Sophie turned and walked out, the team left momentarily silent as they processed what had just been said.Brenan leaned over to Nick and whispered, âYeah, sheâs terrifying. But if you ever pull a hammy, sheâs a lifesaver.âNick couldnât help but chuckle nervously, glancing back toward the door. Sophie had a commanding presence, but there was a sense of trust in her toneâshe knew exactly what she was doing. Still, he was glad he didnât have to deal with her too often.âDuly noted,â Nick muttered, walking out of the changing rooms and onto the pitch.âŠâŠâŠ.Nick jogged onto the field with the rest of the lads, his boots pressing into the perfectly maintained grass. The stadium training pitch stretched wide in front of him, the bright white lines crisp against the green. It felt surreal, like stepping into a dream he wasnât sure he deserved yet.The wind carried the faint smell of freshly cut turf, a familiar comfort from years of playing. But this time, it was different. This wasnât school rugby. This wasnât an academy match. This was professional. Every movement, every pass, every tackle mattered.âYou look like youâre having an existential crisis,â Brenan muttered beside him, rolling his shoulders as they continued onto the field.Nick let out a shaky laugh. âJust... taking it all in.âBrenan smirked. âWell, donât stare too long, mate. Thatâs how you get blindsided in a tackle.âNick didnât have time to respond before Garethâs whistle cut through the air.âAlright, listen up!â the coach barked. âWeâre starting off with a warm-up lap, and then sprints. After that meet me in the middle for the drills.âNick fell into stride with the rest of the backs as they started their warm-up lap around the pitch. The rhythm of boots hitting the grass filled the stadium, and despite his nerves, the familiarity of it was grounding.Zack OâConnor, the lightning-fast left wing, jogged up beside him. âSo, Nick, you more of a runner or a kicker?âNick hesitated before answering. âBit of both I guess. But I like to run when thereâs space.âZack grinned. âGood. Means I might actually get some decent ball this season.âNick chuckled, but before he could respond, Brenanâs voice cut in from behind. âDonât get your hopes up, Zack. Heâs gotta survive first practice before we start making plans.ââOi, Iâm right here,â Nick shot back, shaking his head.They rounded the final stretch of the lap, and as soon as they finished, Coach Gareth was already pointing toward the sideline.âRight, sprints! I want full intensity. None of this half-paced jogging. If youâre not pushing, youâre wasting my time. Backs, you go first. Ten-meter bursts, five reps. Letâs go!âNick lined up beside the others, rolling his shoulders as he set his feet. At the sharp blow of the whistle, they exploded forward, pounding across the field in short, powerful bursts. Nick pushed himself hard, forcing his legs to drive, his breath coming in sharp exhales.By the third rep, his legs were burning, but he refused to slow. He wasnât going to be the new guy who lagged behind. That would not be a good look.âNot bad, Nelson,â Lewis Grant, the right wing, said between breaths as they finished the last sprint. âDidnât expect you to keep up with the speedsters.âNick exhaled, hands on his hips. âGotta at least try to make a good first impression,â he said with a shrug.âKeep working like that, and you might,â Brenan added with a grin.Garethâs whistle blew again. âAlright, everyone to the middle! Weâre moving to drills.ââŠâŠâŠâŠAfter a couple of sets of different drills and some shuttles up the field, Coach called them to the sideline.âOk, lads, weâre gonna do a quick scrimmage. I wanna see where you boys are all at, especially you Nelson. Donât take it easy on him boys.âA few of the veteransâJimmy, Benji, and Markâgrinned at the challenge. Nickâs stomach flipped.âNelson, youâre running with the first team,â Gareth continued, pointing at him. âTommy, youâre leading the second team. I want to see how the new kid holds up.âNick barely had time to register the change before Tommy gave him a look that was somewhere between amused and competitive. âDonât mess it up,â he teased, jogging off toward the other side.Nick let out a slow breath. No pressure. Just his first full-contact professional session.Paulie clapped him on the back as they took their positions. âRelax, mate. First hitâs always the worst, and after that, you wonât have time to overthink.âNick nodded, shifting into position. He caught Jamieâs eye, and his teammate gave him a reassuring nod.Then the whistle blew, and everything moved at full speed.Nick barely had time to think before Brenan zipped the ball his way. He caught it clean, scanning the field as the oppositionâs defensive line rushed up fast. Tommy was leading them well, shifting their shape and closing space quickly.Nick feinted a pass to Jamie, drawing in a defender before shifting his weight and flicking the ball wide to Marcus. The center cut a sharp angle, taking the ball into contact and gaining a few meters before being brought down.âGood shape, keep it moving!â Gareth called from the sideline.Nick barely had time to settle before the forwards crashed into the ruck. Brenan was already digging the ball out, barking orders.âNick!âHe barely had time to react before the ball was back in his hands, and the defense was on him. Tommy was flying up in his face, fast. Nick made a split-second decision, stepping into the tackle to brace for impact. He absorbed the hit, gritting his teeth as he popped the ball off to Correy before getting driven into the ground.The hit knocked the wind out of him, but he didnât have time to dwell on it. Correy barreled forward, dragging defenders before going down. Nick pushed himself up and reset, forcing himself to stay focused.âStay sharp, Nelson!â Paulie shouted.Nick shook off the hit just in time to see Zack breaking wide with space. He sent a flat pass across low, quick, and just in front of Zackâs run. The winger didnât break stride, burning past his opposite man and diving over the line.The whistle blew.Nick exhaled, steadying his breath as Zack jogged back. âDecent ball,â Zack said, nonchalantly, but Nick caught the hint of approval in his tone.The scrimmage kept going, and Nick found himself settling in, feeling out the pace of the team. He made some good decisions, took a few more hits, and mistimed a kick that Tommy didnât let slide, but he was holding his own.âŠâŠâŠâŠâŠBy the time the final whistle blew, he wasnât sure if he felt relieved or exhausted.Jogging back toward the sideline, Paulie gave him a quick nod. âYouâll do.âNick huffed out a breath, nodding back. Not perfect. But a start.Sweat-drenched and breathing heavy. Gareth gave them all a once-over before nodding.âSolid work. Youâll get your feedback individually, but overall, not a bad first session.â His eyes flicked to Nick. âNelson, you kept up.âIt wasnât glowing praise, but Nick would take it.âNow,â Gareth continued, âbefore you start thinking youâre done, fitness to finish. Half-field shuttles, four reps, full speed. If one of you slacks, we all go again.âA few groans rippled through the group, but no one argued. This was standard.Nick dug deep pushing through the fatigue, matching the pace of the others. By the final rep, his legs were burning, but as he crossed the line, he knew he had made it.Gareth nodded. âGood. Hit the ice baths, then team meeting in the locker room.âNick exhaled, hands on his hips. First pro session down. More to come.Nick followed the rest of the team back to the locker room, his muscles sore and his head buzzing from the adrenaline crash. The whole squad was silent as they stripped off their training gear and started the slow process of cooling down. The hum of conversation was low, but the tension from a tough session was palpable.Nick, still catching his breath grabbed a towel and headed for the showers. The hot water felt good against his sore shoulders, loosening up some of the stiffness from the scrums and tackles. It wasnât exactly a relaxing experience, more like the calm before the storm of the meeting that was to follow.As the team filtered back into the locker room, the chatter grew louder. Some players cracked jokes about the scrimmage, others mocked each otherâs performance in typical locker room fashion. But despite the relaxed atmosphere, there was an underlying focus only a pro team could have.Nick dried off quickly and dressed in his gear, then took a seat near the back of the room. The team banter was calming, but his nerves were still there, tingling at the edges. He was new. He hadnât earned the full trust of the team yet. That would take time.Gareth entered, grabbing everyoneâs attention immediately. The room fell silent as he took his position at the front, arms folded across his chest.âAlright,â he started, voice steady but cutting through the low murmur. âWeâve got a long season ahead, and todayâs session was just the first step. Some of you showed solid work, others need to pick it up. But thatâs what this whole thingâs aboutâgetting better, together.â His eyes scanned the room, landing briefly on Nick.âNelson,â Gareth said, his tone blunt. âYou kept pace today, but donât get complacent. Youâve got the skills, but itâs about consistency. Keep showing up like that and youâll earn your place in this team. Keep working on your kicking, and weâll see how you hold up in full-contact situations.âNick nodded, his throat tight but determined.Gareth turned his gaze to the rest of the team. âFor the rest of you, no one's resting on their laurels. The competition's fierce, and thereâs no room for slackers. Weâve got another session tomorrow. Make sure your recovery is on point.âThere were nods and murmurs of agreement.âAlright, thatâs it. Get out of here. Locker roomâs open for a bit longer, then hit the gym or whatever recovery you need to do. Donât let the work stop after you leave this room.âThe room began to empty out as players gathered their things, heading for ice baths, stretching mats, and recovery routines.Nick lingered for a moment, catching Tommyâs eye as the fly-half walked past. Tommy gave him a nod. âGood session today,â he said, his voice casual but sincere. âYou handled yourself well.ââThanks,â Nick replied, feeling the weight of the praise more than he expected.As the locker room cleared out, Nick took a moment to sit back and take a breath. His first pro practice was over, and he had survived. The pressure would only build from here, but he was ready. The season had begun, and Nick had no intention of backing down.âŠâŠâŠ..Nick walked toward the ice bath area, his legs still sore from the intensity of the session. The cold hit him hard as he lowered himself into the tub, the shock of it making him wince. It wasnât comfortable, but he knew it was necessary. He sat there, arms resting on the sides of the tub, letting the cold seep into his muscles as the minutes ticked by.After what felt like forever, he pulled himself out of the bath, his skin tingling from the contrast between the cold and the warmth of the locker room. He grabbed a towel, dried off, and quickly dressed, feeling the dull throb of soreness in his body but also a strange sense of accomplishment.As he stepped out of the recovery room, after changing into his normal clothes, Paulie was waiting by the door, a grin on his face as he leaned against the wall.âYou survived practice then?â Paulie asked, raising an eyebrow.âBarely,â Nick replied, laughing as he adjusted his bag over his shoulder.The two walked side by side toward the exit, talking casually about the dayâs practice, the drills, and what had come next for the team. But just as they reached the door to the parking lot, Nickâs phone buzzed in his pocket.He pulled it out, seeing a text from Charlie:CHAR: How was your first day? Tell me everything!Nickâs heart skipped a beat as he read the message, a soft smile curling at his lips.Paulie noticed, glancing at him. âWhatâs that? Someoneâs happy.âNick quickly pocketed his phone, feeling the familiar rush of nerves. âUh, just my boyfriend,â he said, casually, testing the water.Paulie stopped walking for a second, looking at him with no sign of surprise. âYour boyfriend, huh?â he said, tone dry. âDidnât know you were taken, mate.âNick flushed, feeling a little embarrassed. âYeah, weâve been together for a couple years now. His nameâs Charlie.âPaulie chuckled, nudging him with an elbow. âWell, good for you, mate. He paused, eyeing Nick for a second. âYouâre gay, then?âNick felt his face go a little redder. âIâm bi actually. Just... donât make a big deal of it, yeah?âPaulie raised his hands in mock surrender. âNo worries. Itâs your life, mate."Nick laughed, shaking his head. âYeah, alright. Just keep it quiet for now, yeah? Iâm not exactly announcing it to the team yet, and I don't know how the league takes these things, you know?âPaulie shrugged. âNo problem. Your secretâs safe with me.âThey stepped outside into the chilly evening air. Nick could feel the weight of the day starting to hit him, but his heart was lighter, knowing Charlie was waiting to hear about his first practice. He waved to Paulie as they reached their separate waysâNick heading for the bus stop while Paulie drove off in his car.âŠâŠâŠ.Nick sat down on the bus, staring out the window as the city passed by. His phone buzzed again, and he smiled, pulling it out to find another text from Charlie:CHAR: Well? What happened!???Nick laughed softly to himself and dialed Charlieâs number. The phone rang once, twice, and then Charlie picked up.âHey, how was it?â Charlie asked immediately, his voice warm and eager.Nick could hear the smile in Charlieâs voice. He leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes for a moment as he let out a sigh. âIt was⊠intense,â he said rubbing his eyes. âI thought I was going to die halfway through the scrimmage, but I survived. Coach gave me some feedback, and some of the lads are decent, too.ââSounds like a lot for one day,â Charlie said. âAre you okay? Are you exhausted?âNick grinned, feeling the tiredness settle in. âYeah, Iâm wrecked. But I think I did alright. Honestly, I didnât screw up too badly. Paulie, the hooker on the team has been alright, too. Heâs cool.âCharlie chuckled. âGlad to hear it. I know how nervous you were about it.ââYeah, I was,â Nick admitted. âBut I think Iâve got this. Itâs just going to take some time to feel completely settled.ââIâm proud of you,â Charlie said softly. âI knew youâd do great.âNick smiled, feeling the warmth of Charlieâs words. âJust promise me you wonât overdo it. You need to rest, too.â Charlie added, slight worry lacing his words.Nick laughed, the sound easy and relaxed. âI will. Just... let me get through this first season, and Iâll rest all I want after that.âThey talked a bit more as the bus rolled through the city, the familiar feeling of Charlieâs voice on the other end grounding Nick in the midst of everything new. His first professional practice was behind him, but the journey was just beginning. And Charlie was going to be with Nick every step of the way.As he hung up and looked out the window again, the weight of the day still lingered, but now, Nick couldnât help but feel a bit of excitement for what was to come.Maybe I can do this. He thought to himself.
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Nick had known pre-season training would be tough, but nothing quite prepared him for the sheer intensity of it. The early mornings, the relentless drills, the constant need to prove himself.It was exhilarating but exhausting.âNelson, pick up the pace!â Coach Hughes barked as Nick sprinted down the field, his legs burning. He wasnât even at the front of the pack. That honor belonged to Zack, who ran like his life depended on it.âCome on, mate, youâre not in school anymore!â Brenan teased as he jogged past Nick, grinning.Nick huffed out a breath, pushing harder. Heâd been playing rugby for years, but professional-level training was something else entirely. The Leeds Badgers were no joke. Heâd watched them play before joining, seen the fluidity of their movements, the way they understood each other without speaking. Now he was the outsider trying to the inside.After what felt like an eternity Coach Hughes blew the whistle. âHydrate! Fiveâminute break.âNick grabbed his water bottle and collapsed onto the grass next to Tommy Fraser, who was already scribbling in a small notebook.âYou taking notes?â Nick asked, still catching his breath.âObviously,â Tommy replied without looking up. âPre-season is about ironing out weaknesses.âNick laughed, shaking his head. âWhat, and you have weaknesses?âTommy finally looked at him, deadpan. âEveryone does. Yours is your defensive positioning.âNick opened his mouth to protest, but Tommy had already turned his attention back to his notes.Just as Nick started to relax, Zack flopped down beside him. âYouâre doing good,â Zack said, his voice light but sincere. âIt takes time to adjust.âNick nodded, appreciating the encouragement. The team had been welcoming, but there was an unspoken challenge hanging over him. He would have to earn their trust on the field.By the time training wrapped up, Nick was aching in places he didnât even know could ache. He lingered in the locker room, scrolling through his messages.CHAR: Howâs training? Are you alive?Nick smiled, his exhaustion melting a little.NICK: Barely. Send help.Charlie replied almost instantly.CHAR: Should I call the rugby emergency services?NICK: Please. I think I need mouth-to-mouth.CHAR: đł Iâll see what I can do.Nick laughed quietly to himself. No matter how hard training got, Charlie always had a way of making him feel lighter.âOi, Nelson, you coming or what?â Jamie called, slinging his kit bag over his shoulder.âYeah, one sec,â Nick called back. He sent Charlie one last messageâLove you.âbefore shoving his phone in his pocket and hurrying after his teammates.The first week of pre-season had been brutal, but Nick was determined. He had a place here. He just had to prove it.âŠâŠâŠNickâs legs were still sore the next day, but heâd barely had time to rest. The schedule was relentless: drills, fitness tests, team meetings, repeat. By the second week, he was starting to get the hang of it, but it still felt like he was always a step behind. His defensive positioning was a constant reminder that he had so much to learn.âYouâre too static,â Tommy had said that morning, critiquing Nickâs positioning during a drill. âYou need to be more reactive. You canât wait for the play to come to you.âNick nodded, trying to take it in, even as his mind buzzed with the weight of it all. He wanted to impress Tommy, the tactical genius, but the pressure was starting to feel suffocating.By the time the evening came around, he was completely wiped out. But there was one thing that always helpedâCharlie.The screen of his phone lit up with a new message as he sat on the bench, catching his breath.CHAR: Howâs the body holding up?Nick chuckled, even though his body felt like it might collapse.NICK: If you send one more âare you aliveâ text, I might actually die.CHAR: Iâm just concerned. Youâve only got one body, remember?NICK: Well, itâs definitely regretting all the sprints right now.CHAR: Just make sure it doesnât collapse before I see you this weekend. Iâve got plans for you. đNickâs heart gave a little flutter. Even through the exhaustion, the thought of seeing Charlie made everything feel worth it.NICK: Youâre lucky youâre cute. Iâll survive if it means I get to see you.CHAR: And Iâm lucky youâre in love with me. See you soon?Nick grinned at the screen, his tiredness momentarily forgotten.NICK: Canât wait.The moment the phone screen dimmed, Nick stood up, stretching out his stiff limbs, gathering his stuff to head back to his flat.âŠâŠâŠâŠTraining the next couple of days was a blur of tackles, scrums, and sprints. By the end of it, Nick was drenched in sweat every time, his muscles protesting with every move. He had to admit that even though it was tough, something about the challenge sparked a fire in him. He wasnât just trying to prove himself to the team anymore. He was proving it to himself.âNot bad, Nelson,â Jimmy said as they were headed to the locker room. He clapped Nick on the back nearly sending him into the wall. âYouâre holding your own out there.âNick grinned, his exhaustion forgotten for just a moment. âThanks, Jimmy. Means a lot.ââYouâve got a lot to prove, but youâve got the guts to do it. Donât let up now.âNick nodded, feeling the weight of the captainâs words. Jimmy had always been the solid rock of the team, and hearing that kind of support from him made Nick feel like he might actually belong there.As the team filtered into the locker room, Nick couldnât help but think about the weekend. Nick would be with Charlie. A few days of rest before the next grind. It was a chance to recharge, both physically and mentally.But for now, it was back to the grind. The season was fast approaching, and there was no time to rest. Nick had to keep pushingâjust like he always had.âŠâŠâŠâŠBy the end of the week, Nick was feeling more in tune with the team. He was still adjusting, still learning, but every day felt like a small victory. The coaches had given him some extra work on his defensive positioning, and though he wasnât perfect, he could feel himself slowly improving.That night, as he lay on his bed, phone in hand, Nick smiled to himself. Charlie had sent a string of silly memes and messages, each one a little reminder of the life waiting for him outside of rugby.âŠâŠâŠ.The weekend was coming faster than Nick anticipated. By the time Friday afternoon rolled around, Nick was packing his bag after practice, getting ready to head to Home and grab his bags to head to Charlie's. The thought of a quiet weekend with Charlie. No rugby drills, no media, just the two of them. It was a perfect escape from the pressures of pre-season.His phone buzzed as he slung his rugby bag over his shoulder, and a familiar name popped up on the screen.CHAR: I can't wait to see you tomorrow, it's too long of a wait.Nick grinned, typing back quickly.NICK: Canât wait to see you either char.CHAR: You better hurry then. Iâve got big plans. đNICK: If I survive the next few hours out Iâll be at your door as soon as possible.CHAR: If? Come on youâve got this. But hurry.âReady to go?â Brenan called, poking his into the locker room. âThe lads are grabbing drinks.ââComingâ he yelled out to Brenan as he slung his bag over his shoulders.He had been hesitant at first, still feeling like the new guy, but after the weekâs grueling sessions, he was ready to join in. It would be good to bond with the lads outside of training, even if he still felt like an outsider.Nick walked into the pub and immediately spotted the group of players already seated at a long wooden table. The noise of their laughter and chatter filled the air as Nick made his way over.âOi, look who finally showed up!â Jimmy shouted from the far end of the table, waving Nick over. âWe were starting to think you got lost or something!âNick smiled, relieved that they were giving him a bit of a hard time instead of making him feel awkward. âI wasnât lost, don't know what ya mean,â he said, sliding into the empty seat next to Zack.Brenan snorted, shaking his head. âHey, we've all been there.âNick glanced down at the menu, but his eyes immediately flicked to the giant plate of nachos that had been placed at the center of the table. He didnât even have to ask. âIâm going for the nachos.ââAtta boy,â Tommy said, leaning back in his chair with a grin. âI was wondering when youâd catch on.ââI think nachos are a universal choice,â Nick muttered, grinning back.As the server came by to take their orders, the group continued to banter. Zack, whoâd been uncharacteristically quiet when Nick arrived, suddenly leaned over and clapped him on the back. âSo, howâs the new guy holding up?â Zack asked with a smirk. âCan you still feel your legs, or did Coach Hughes break you already?âNick rolled his eyes, trying not to laugh. âIâm good. Just... getting used to it, you know?â He glanced around the table, meeting eyes with Benji, who was quietly sipping his drink but gave him an encouraging nod.âYouâll get there,â Benji said in his deep voice, surprising Nick with his warmth. âThe first couple of weeks are always the toughest. But youâve got the drive. Just stick with it.âNickâs grin widened. âThanks, mate.âThe rest of the table chimed in with their own words of encouragement, and Nick felt the shift. It wasnât just wordsâthey genuinely cared about each other. Even if they were tough on him during training, it was clear that this was a team that had each otherâs backs. Nick was starting to see that he wasnât just trying to earn his place for himself, but for the guys around him too.As their meals arrived, the conversation turned to the usual pre-season gossipâwho was looking good in training, who was struggling, and which player was on track for being the teamâs best prankster this season (which, according to Mack, was already a race between him and Correy). The teamâs laughter filled the room, and for the first time since heâd joined, Nick felt like he wasnât just some guy trying to fit in. He was one of them.âNelson,â Jimmy called from the end of the table, lifting his pint. âYouâve survived your first week. You deserve a drink.âNick was about to protest, knowing he still had training to get through the next day, but then he caught the twinkle in Jimmyâs eye. It was all in good fun. The team had earned their downtime.âIâll take it easy,â Nick said, raising his glass. âBut Iâll join you for one.âThe rest of the table raised their glasses in a cheer, and the buzz of the pub seemed to fade away for a moment. It was a small victory, but one that meant more than Nick had expected. He wasnât just a rookie anymore. He was part of something bigger. The Badgers were more than a teamâalthough he didn't know what exactly they were.âŠâŠâŠAs the evening wore on, the group relaxed even further, sharing funny stories from past years on the team, teasing each other, and making memories. Nick found himself genuinely enjoying the night, laughing harder than he had in days. It wasnât perfect yet but this felt like the beginning of something good. âSo, mate,â Brenan said, grinning widely. âYouâve been a bit distracted lately. Got a girl back home, yeah?âNick froze for just a split second, caught off guard by the question. It wasnât that he wasnât prepared for this moment; he had just hoped it would come up more naturally, not in the middle of a pub after a brutal training session. He shrugged, playing it cool, hoping this would go smoothly.âI donât have a girlfriend,â Nick said, keeping his tone casual. âBut I do have someone.âBrenanâs eyes widened in surprise. âOh yeah? Anyone we know?â He glanced around, eyes twinkling with curiosity, but Nick could feel the growing weight of the moment. Pualie gave him a questioning look, considering he already knew about Charlie.There was a long pause before Nick took a deep breath, deciding to just go for it. He couldnât keep dancing around it forever.âIâve got a boyfriend, his name is Charlie,â Nick said, his voice steadyThe silence surrounding the table was immediate. It wasnât an awkward silence, but it was definitely a weighty one. Nickâs stomach sunk slightly, his heart racing just a little bit, but he forced himself to remain calm.At that, the room went into a brief flurry of reactions. Zack turned toward Nick with a raised eyebrow. Brenan froze for a moment, mid-sip of his beer, his eyes widening slightly. âWait, hold up.â He set his pint down slowly, eyeing Nick with sudden interest. âDid you just say... boyfriend?âNick nodded, not bothering to elaborate further, just letting the words sink in. It wasnât a big dealâat least, it shouldnât beâbut he could already feel the shift in the air as his teammates began to fully understand what he had said after the initial shock.âWait, Charlie?â Zackâs voice suddenly cut in from across the table, his attention now fully on Nick. He leaned forward. âAs in... Charlie? The one you've been texting nonstop?ââYeah, thatâs the one,â Nick said with a grin of his own. âMy boyfriend. Heâs not in rugby or anything. Just a normal guy.âZack let out a low whistle. âLook at you, Nelson, getting all romantic and shit. I figured you were one of those mysterious types who didnât talk about your personal life.âNick shrugged. âGuess Iâm not as mysterious as I thought.âCorrey, who had been wearing an unreadable look, raised his pint toward Nick with a big grin. âHey, good on you, mate. Thatâs awesome. Weâve all got someone we care about, right?â He clinked his glass to Nickâs. âNo shame in that. How long have you been together?ââNearly four years,â Nick said casuallyEverybody stared at him now, gaping. âFOUR YEARS? How old are you again!? Correy asked with a raise and a slight squeak in his voice.
âYeah, four years. Started dating at 16 and I'm about to turn 20.â Everybody continued to stare in shock, mouths open.âHoly shit mate,â Tommy said. He had his usual playful smirk on his face. âAnd here I was thinking Nick was a rugby robot, all business. Turns out thereâs a heart under all that tackling.âNick chuckled, feeling a warm rush of gratitude for the support. Heâd expected a few raised eyebrows, maybe even some teasing, but this? This was comfortable.Just then, Mack, who had been unusually quiet, leaned forward from across the table. âWait,â he said, voice flat, âYouâre gay? And you didnât think to mention that to the rest of us?âNickâs heart sank a little at the tone and immediate assumption, though he tried not to let it show. He hadnât expected everyone to be ok with it, but Mackâs words still stung a little. He was hoping for more support, or at least indifference.âIâm bi actually. And whatâs the big deal?â Nick asked, trying to keep it light. âItâs just who Iâm with.âMack shrugged, âJust seems like youâve been keeping it a secret. All these weeks of not telling us you're with another guy? Seems shady, mate.âNick felt his shoulders tighten, but before he could respond, Jimmy spoke up from the other side of the room, clearly having picked up on the shift in energy.âRelax, Mack,â Jimmy said, his voice stern but calm. âDoes it really matter? Nickâs not hiding anything. Youâve been on the pitch with him for weeks. Itâs his business, yeah?âMack grunted, clearly not thrilled but unwilling to argue too much. âI guess.â He muttered under his breath.âIâm glad you told us, mate,â Brenan said, clapping Nick on the back. âDoesnât change anything. Youâre still one of us. And weâll back you up on whatever.âThe rest of the team nodded, some offering encouraging smiles, others just continuing with the lighthearted conversation.Zack gave him a wink. âIf he treats you right, weâre all good. Just donât let him break your heart, alright? You know how we feel about those.âNick laughed. âTrust me, heâs not the type. I think youâll all get along just fine.âHe felt a warm feeling spread through him as the rest of the team resumed their chatter. Even Mackâs grumbling didnât dampen the mood. For the most part, the guys were genuinely cool about it, and that was enough for Nick. He had no intention of hiding his relationship with Charlie, and seeing that the teamâwell, most of the teamâwas supportive gave him more confidence than he thought it would.Mackâs opinions could be dealt with another time. For now, Nick was just grateful that his truth was out in the open, and he could focus on rugby, on Charlie, and on what came next.âŠâŠâŠBy the time Nick reached Charlieâs dorm room the next morning, it felt like a small piece of normalcy in his hectic life. He knocked on the door and waited, his heart picking up pace in anticipation. When the door swung open, Charlie stood there in a pair of sweats, his hair a mess as if heâd just rolled out of bed.âHey, Char,â Nick greeted with a smile, immediately feeling the tension in his shoulders ease.Charlie grinned, his eyes lighting up. âTook you long enough. I was starting to think you got lost.â He said, placing a long kiss on Nick's lips.âI was just trying to make sure I wasnât walking into some elaborate surprise,â Nick teased as they separated.Charlie chuckled, grabbing Nickâs bag and tossing it onto the bed. âSurprise? No. Iâve got simpler plans for us.âHe gestured to the desk, which was covered in snacks, nachos, pizza, and what looked like an absurd amount of chocolate.Nickâs stomach growled at the sight. âIs this what you meant by âbig plansâ?âCharlie grinned. âYep. I know how hard this weekâs been for you. Figured we could keep it low-key.âNick felt a wave of gratitude wash over him. As chaotic as rugby had been, Charlie always seemed to know how to ground him.âYou spoil me, you know that?â Nick said, flopping down on the small two-seater couch that barely fit the room.Charlie shrugged, sitting next to him. âSomeoneâs got to. Youâre always running yourself into the ground.âNick rolled his eyes but couldnât help the smile that tugged at his lips. âMaybe Iâm just trying to impress the team.ââDonât need to impress anyone. Just be yourself,â Charlie said softly while crawling into Nickâs lap. âBut Iâm happy youâre here. I missed you.âNickâs chest tightened, his earlier exhaustion feeling like nothing now. âI missed you too, more than I thought I would.â Helping Charlie settle on his thighsCharlie leaned in, brushing his lips against Nickâs cheek. âWell, now that weâve established that⊠want to eat your weight in pizza and binge-watch something ridiculously cheesy?âNick laughed. âIs that really what we are going to do while you're literally in my lap already?âCharlie giggled, âMmmm, yeah your right. Fuck the telly.âŠâŠ..The evening was everything Nick needed. They watched movies, snogged, had sex, and repeated. For the first time in a long time, Nick felt completely at ease.As the night stretched on, they found themselves on Charlie's bed, the younger boy's head resting on Nickâs shoulder as they half-watched a rom-com Nick was sure Charlie had picked out just to tease him.âRugby is really helping you out physicallyâ Charlie stated quietly, reaching to squeeze Nickâs toned thigh.Nick chuckled, his fingers gently brushing through Charlieâs hair. âLike what you see?â
Charlie didnât respond right away, his gaze softening with affection. There was a quiet moment of understanding between them. Nick could feel his heart beat a little faster as Charlie sat up, fingers lightly traced the line of Nickâs jaw making him shudder, an unspoken invitation lingering in the air.Charlie slowly leaned in, capturing Nickâs lips in a kiss that was gentle at first, but quickly grew more intense. Their bodies shifted closer. The stresses of the outside world, the expectations, the challengesâall seemed to disappear, leaving only the warmth of Charlieâs touch.Nickâs breath caught in his throat as Charlieâs hands moved with purpose, pulling him closer, the heat of their bodies mixing in a way that felt natural, inevitable.Charlieâs lips trailed down Nickâs neck, and Nickâs hands found their way to the soft fabric of Charlieâs shirt, tugging it up as their kiss deepened. Nickâs pulse quickened, and for a moment, he forgot everything except Charlie.Nick paused for a brief second, looking down at Charlie, their faces inches apart. Charlieâs eyes were filled with tenderness, his chest rising and falling with every breath. Charlie smiled, brushing his thumb across Nickâs cheek.And just as their lips met again, the world outside faded to a distant hum. In that quiet moment, there was only them.The sound of their breathing and the quiet warmth of the moment lingered in the air.âŠâŠâŠ..Charlie's head found its way back to Nick's shoulder thirty minutes later, and Nick, now completely at ease, wrapped his arms around him, pulling him close. The quiet of the room was soothing, like a balm for the frenetic pace of Nick's life outside.Charlieâs voice broke the silence, soft but sure. "We donât need to talk about it, but... you okay?"Nick smiled, pressing a kiss to the top of Charlieâs head. "Yeah. Iâm more than okay. With you here, Iâm... just happy. Itâs all worth it, you know? All the craziness with rugby, the stress. Just knowing I get to come back to you at the end of it all."Charlie hummed in contentment, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on Nick's chest. "Iâm always here, Nick. No matter what happens out there, Iâm here. Always."Nickâs heart fluttered, and he tightened his hold on Charlie, knowing that despite the hurdles ahead, this was the one thing that would always be steady. Their love.The sound of Charlieâs breath soon became even, the warmth of his body settling in as sleep began to take over. Nick lay there, wide awake for a while longer, letting the quiet of the moment sink in. He knew there would be challenges ahead. Rugby season starting, the pressure of it, the world beyond the safety of Charlie's dorm. But tonight, none of that mattered.Tonight, they were just two people who had found a rare kind of peace in each other.Eventually, sleep claimed him too, with Charlieâs steady breathing the last thing on his mind before he drifted off. Together, they slept, the world outside still turning, but inside this little bubble, it was only them.And for now, that was enough.
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Sunday morning was slow in the best way. Nick had woken up first, his body still wired to early rugby training schedules, but heâd stayed in bed, watching the soft rise and fall of Charlieâs chest as he slept. Eventually, Charlie stirred, stretching with a sleepy groan before turning into Nickâs arms.They spent the morning lazily in Charlieâs flat, making breakfast together in the dorm kitchen, Charlie frying eggs while Nick toasted bagels, bumping shoulders as they moved around. It was easy. Comfortable. Like no time had passed since they last saw each other.âI canât believe you're leaving tonight,â Charlie said, pouting slightly as he leaned against the counter, watching Nick spread cream cheese on his bagel.Nick sighed, handing Charlie his plate. âYeah, I know. I hate it too. But at least I made it this weekend, right?âCharlie smiled, bumping their knees together as they sat down. âYeah. Iâm glad youâre here.âAfter breakfast, they decided to head out into London, making the most of their time. They strolled through Covent Garden, stopping at little shops and street performances. Charlie dragged Nick into a bookstore, and Nick didnât even pretend to mind. He just followed behind, watching Charlie light up at every new find.âAre you even listening?â Charlie teased, nudging Nickâs side as he held up a copy of a book heâd been meaning to read.Nick grinned. âNot really. Just like watching you nerd out.âCharlie rolled his eyes, but his face was flushed as he slipped the book back onto the shelf. âCome on then Rugby Lad, we should get lunch.âThey found a cozy cafĂ© tucked away in Soho, sitting close together in a corner booth, Nickâs fingers tracing circles on Charlieâs wrist as they talked about everything and nothing. Charlie talked about the latest drama among his friends and projects he had next week, and Nick vented about the ridiculous early-morning conditioning sessions his coach had sprung on the team and about uni stress.At some point, the conversation slowed, and Charlie reached across the table, linking their fingers together. âI miss you.âNick exhaled, rubbing his thumb against Charlieâs hand. âI miss you too. Every day.âThey sat like that for a while, just holding onto each other, letting the noise of the cafĂ© fade away. Being apart never got easier, but moments like thisâweekends like thisâmade it worth it.As the day stretched on, they wandered along the South Bank, watching the city lights flicker to life as the sun dipped below the skyline. They grabbed dinner from a street vendor and sat by the river, shoulder to shoulder, sharing bites of food and quiet laughter.âI donât want this weekend to end,â Charlie admitted softly, resting his head against Nickâs shoulder.Nick pressed a kiss to Charlieâs hair. âMe neither.ââŠâŠâŠEventually, they navigated the dimly lit streets of London, retrieving Nickâs bag before making their way to Kingâs Cross Station, where he would catch his train back to Leeds.They stood near the glowing departure board, the weight of the weekend lingering between them. Nick shifted his bag higher on his shoulder, glancing down at Charlie, who was chewing his lip, clearly reluctant to say goodbye."Youâll text me when you get back?" Charlie asked, voice softer than usual.Nick smiled, reaching out to squeeze his hand briefly. "Courseâ. And Iâll call you after class tomorrow."
Charlie nodded, but his eyes still held that familiar sadness that always came with their goodbyes. "I wish you didnât have to go."
Nick sighed, resisting the urge to pull him into a proper hug right there in the middle of the station. "I know. But it wonât be long until we see each other again. Youâll come up to Leeds in two weeks to meet the team and watch the preseason game. Itâll be perfect."
Charlieâs face brightened slightly at that. "Yeah, ok."
The final call for Nickâs train echoed through the station, and he exhaled, reluctantly stepping back. "I better go."
Charlie nodded, walking into Nick's arms for one last goodbye.
Nick grinned, putting his arms around Charlie's waist in true Nelson hug fashion. "Love you, Spring."The younger boy stepped back and placed a lingering kiss on Nick's lips. âLove you, Nelson.âAs the train doors closed behind Nick, he caught one last glimpse of Charlie through the window, standing there with a small, fond smile. The weekend had been everything he needed.The train ride back to Leeds was quiet, the hum of the carriage lulling Nick into a half-dazed state as he scrolled through his phone. His weekend with Charlie had been exactly what he neededâa brief escape, a reminder of why he was pushing himself so hard. But now, reality was setting in again. The moment he stepped off the train, rugby would consume him once more.
By the time he reached his flat, it was late, and he barely had time to unpack before collapsing into bed. Tomorrow was back to trainingâŠâŠâŠâŠLectures came first. He made his way across campus, coffee in one hand, trying to shake off the lingering grogginess. His biomechanics lecture was dense as usual, but he took notes diligently, occasionally checking his phone out of habit. A text from Charlie, just a simpleâCHAR: Hope your morningâs good :)âIt brought a small smile to his face.After a couple more classes and a rushed lunch, it was time for training. Back at the stadium, the team was already gathering, stretching out on the field. The coaching staff had made it clear that with the pre-season friendly against Sale Sharks coming up, they were expecting intensity.Energy buzzing through the air. The upcoming pre-season friendly was their first real test before the season started, and the coaches werenât about to let them ease into it."Nelson!" Coach Hughe's voice boomed across the field as Nick jogged toward the pitch. "You enjoy your weekend off?"Nick grinned, stretching out his shoulders. "Yeah, needed the reset.""Good, because we need you switched on today. Saleâs pack is brutal, and I want you leading from the front."Nick nodded, feeling the weight of expectation settle on his shoulders. Sale had a reputation for physicality, and as Number 8, heâd be right in the thick of it.Training was intense, a mix of drills, tactical walkthroughs, and full-contact scrimmages. There was no room for hesitation. Every breakdown had to be sharp, every lineout precise.At one point Brenan clapped Nick on the back. "You ready for next Saturday?" he asked, grinning.Nick smirked, rolling out his neck. "Hope youâre ready to keep up with me."Brenan laughed. "Mate, Iâm the one feeding you the ball. Just make sure youâre in position."As the session wrapped up, Nick stayed behind for some extra work on his handling, catching high balls and practicing offloads. His body ached, but he welcomed the familiar burn of exertion. This was where he belonged.The season hadnât even started yet, but already, the stakes felt high.And he wouldnât have it any other way.âŠâŠ..The next two weeks had been a blur of lectures, training, and early morning gym sessions. Nick had thrown himself into everything, determined to make an impact in his first match for Leeds Badgersâeven if it was just a pre-season friendly. The Sale Sharks were a tough opponent, but this was his chance to prove himself.And now, Charlie was hereAs the curly-haired boy stepped off the train onto the Leeds platform the station buzzed with movement, commuters, and students weaving through the crowd, but he only had one focusâfinding Nick.It had only been two weeks since they last saw each other, but it felt longer. They texted and called every day, of course, but nothing compared to being with Nick in person. He was already grinning at the thought of seeing him again.As he made his way through the station, his phone buzzed.Nick: Where r u?Charlie: Just got off the train. hbu?Nick: Outside, near the taxi rank. Hurry up, I need a hug and a kiss.Charlie laughed to himself, picking up his pace. He pushed through the automatic doors and immediately started scanning the area. It wasnât hard to spot Nick standing near a row of taxis, hands stuffed in his jacket pockets, shifting on his feet like he was just barely containing his impatience.The moment their eyes met, Nick broke into a grin. Charlie barely had time to react before Nick was striding toward him, reaching out to pull him into a tight hug."Hey you," Charlie mumbled against Nickâs shoulder, closing his eyes for a second and just letting himself sink into the warmth of the taller boy."Hey," Nick murmured back, squeezing a little tighter before finally pulling away. He looked Charlie up and down as if to make sure he was actually real. "Missed you.""Itâs only been two weeks," Charlie teased, even though heâd missed Nick just as much.Nick rolled his eyes with a soft chuckle. "Felt like forever."Charlie smiled up at him, brushing his fingers against Nickâs hand before finally lacing them together. "Well, Iâm here now. Where are you taking me?""My flat first, drop your stuff off. Then food. And maybe a walk around, if youâre up for it."Charlie leaned against him slightly as they started walking out of the station. "Sounds perfect."And with Nick beside him again, it really did.One day later Nick stood just outside the stadium entrance, shifting on his feet, scanning the small crowd for the pre-season game."You nervous?" Charlie said, standing next to him, hand in hand.Nick exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, a bit. Itâs my first match, and even though it doesnât officially count, I still need to make a good impression."Charlie squeezed his arm reassuringly. "Youâre going to be amazing, Nick. You always are."Nick smiled, pressing a quick kiss to Charlieâs forehead before stepping back. "I should head inside. My coach will kill me if Iâm late.""Iâll be watching, cheering you on the whole time," Charlie promised, his eyes shining with pride.Nick took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and gave Charlie one last lingering glance before heading through the doors.âŠâŠâŠ.âSaleâs pack is a nightmare,â Tommy muttered, lacing up his boots. The whole team setting up in the locker room. âTheyâll be all over us in the rucks.âBrenan scoffed. âLet them try. Weâve been putting in all the work.ââYou sound confident,â Jonesy smirked. âHope youâre not getting cocky right before the game, we all know how that ends.âBrenan shrugged. âJust saying. Weâre not some pushover squad. Besides, weâve got Nelson now.â He shot Nick a grin. âOur golden boy. No pressure, mate.âNick chuckled, shaking his head. âYeah, cheers for that.âWill, their fullback, leaned against the bench. âHonestly, as long as we donât let them steamroll us early on, weâll be alright. Stick to our structure, keep it clean, and we can take them. Weâve practiced this.âTommy sighed. âEasier said than done. Those lads donât mess about.âNick nodded. âWeâll have to front up, thatâs for sure. But weâre ready.âCoach Hughes clapped his hands, drawing everyoneâs attention. âAlright, listen up. This is our first real test of the season. I want intensity, I want discipline, and I want every single one of you leaving that pitch knowing you gave everything. Sale will come out swinging, so we match them hit for hit. No backing down.âHe looked around the room, meeting each playerâs gaze. âTrust in each other. Play smart. And for fuckâs sake, enjoy it. Letâs go.âThe team let out a collective roar, energy crackling through the locker room as they rose to their feet.A mix of nerves, bravado, and pure testosterone filled the air. The first real test of the season was just around the corner, and they were all feeling the weight of it. Game time.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The locker room had thinned out as the team made their way toward the tunnel, boots thudding against the concrete floor, the distant roar of the still small crowd filtering through the walls. Nick had just finished tightening the strapping around his wrist when he heard his name.âNelson. A word.âCoach Hughe's voice was steady, cutting through the pre-game buzz like a blade. Nick turned, catching the coachâs expectant nod toward the quieter corner of the room. He took a steadying breath before making his way over, already bracing himself.Coach H. wasnât the type for empty pep talks. He was blunt, direct, and had a way of reading his players like a book. Nick had learned quickly that the man could spot nerves a mile off, and right now, he probably looked like a bloody lighthouse.âYou ready?â Hughe asked, arms crossed over his chest.Nick exhaled through his nose. âYeah. Bit nervous, but Iâm ready.âHughe hummed, eyes sharp. âGood. Means you give a shit.â He glanced toward the exit, where the team was gathering. âYou know, first games like this? Theyâre never just about skill. Youâve got that already, or you wouldnât be here. Itâs about composure. How you handle pressure when itâs not just a uni match anymore. These lads across from you? They donât care how much potential you have. Theyâll come for you just to see if you break.âNick nodded, swallowing against the dryness in his throat. He knew this. Heâd thought about it a hundred times already.âI wonât break,â he said, firm.Coach Hughe studied him for a long moment, then nodded. âGood. Now prove it.âHe clapped a hand on Nickâs shoulder, firm but not unkind, and then turned toward the tunnel, where the team was waiting.Nick rolled his shoulders, exhaling one last deep breath.He stood in line with the rest of the team, waiting for the signal to walk out onto the pitch. The tunnel was suffocating. The air thick with anticipation, the scent of damp grass and sweat settling deep in his lungs. The muffled roar of the stadium just beyond the concrete walls was deafening, a low hum of energy vibrating through his bones.He bounced on the balls of his feet, shaking out his hands, trying to loosen up. His heart was hammering. Too fast. Too loud.Beside him, Brenan nudged his shoulder. âYou good, mate?âNick forced a breath, nodding. âYeah. JustâââNerves?âNick huffed out a tight chuckle. âYeah.âBrenan grinned. âGood. Means you give a shit.âThat was the second time heâd heard that tonight, and yet, it didnât do much to settle the unease curling in his stomach.The referee signaled. Time to go.Nick squared his shoulders and followed his teammates out onto the pitch.âŠâŠâŠ..The opening whistle was shrill, and everything quickly snapped into motion.Sale came out aggressive, exactly like Coach Hughe had predicted. Their forwards were relentless, hitting every breakdown like a wrecking ball, their Number 8 charging into contact with brutal force. Nick met him head-on in the first few minutes, the collision reverberating through his ribs, but he stayed on his feet, wrestled him down, rolled away, and reset.It was fine. He was fine.But he wasnât playing fine.He was too in his own head. Second-guessing every hit.His carries were solid but not dominant. His tackles stuck but didnât sting the way they should. When the ball was in his hands, he made the right choicesâsafe, sensible choicesâbut he wasnât taking any risks.No storming runs. No offloads that could break open the defense. Just the basics. Just enough.Half an hour in, the score was tight. Leeds had managed to hold their ground, their defensive line strong, their structure holding up. But Sale was creeping closer, testing their edges, waiting for a crack.Nick wiped a hand over his face looking into the stadium stands trying to find Charlie. As they set up for another scrum. His body felt heavy. Not from exhaustion, but from the weight pressing down on his chest.Charlie was somewhere up there. Watching. And Nick wasn't playing like himself.As the forwards packed down, Brenan shot him a glance. âOi. Wake up.âNick blinked and snapped out of his daze. âIâm good.âBrenan held his gaze for a beat longer before nodding.The scrum engaged.The game went on.Nick did what he had to do, what was expected. But that was all.Just an average performance from someone who was supposed to be so much more.âŠâŠâŠ.Nick exhaled sharply as he crouched into position for another scrum. The game had settled into a tense rhythmâSale pushing forward, hammering the defensive line, Leeds holding firm but struggling to gain ground. Nick felt off, stuck in his own head, playing reactively rather than instinctively.His body was moving, but his mind was elsewhere.The first half wore on, and while Nick did what was required of him, he felt itâthis wasnât his best. A knock-on here, a mistimed pass there. Nothing game-changing, nothing disastrous, just⊠average. And that wasnât good enough.By the time the halftime whistle blew, Nick was tense with frustration.He jogged off the field alongside his teammates, sucking in deep breaths, heart hammering in his chest. He knew what was wrong. He was playing safe, hesitating, letting the game happen to him instead of imposing himself on it.The team gathered together, sweaty and breathless as the coaching staff rattled off instructions, pointing out key adjustments. Nick wiped his face with his jersey, forcing himself to listen, but his own frustration was louder than anything Coach Hughe's was saying.And then Jimmy grabbed him by the shoulder and yanked him aside.âWhat the fuck are you doing, mate?â Jimmy hissed, keeping his voice low enough that the coaches wouldnât hear but sharp enough to cut through Nickâs self-doubt.Nick blinked, caught off guard. âWhat?âJimmy narrowed his eyes. âDonât give me that. Youâre playing like youâre scared to make a mistake.ââIâm notâââBullshit.â Jimmy jabbed a finger into Nickâs chest. âThis isnât you. Youâre a fucking incredible when you play properly. But right now? Youâre just⊠there. And thatâs not good enough.âNick clenched his jaw. He knew that. He just didnât know how to snap out of it.Jimmy mustâve seen something in his expression because he shook his head, exhaling sharply. âNick, listen to me. I donât care if itâs nerves or pressure or whatever is going on in your head. Just play. Play like you know how. Play like the bastard who trucked me in training last week and didnât even feel bad about it.âNick let out a huff of laughter despite himself.Jimmy smacked his shoulder. âYou could be one of the best players on this team. Fight to get there.âBefore Nick could respond, Coach Hughe was clapping his hands. âRight! Second half, letâs go. I want intensityâno holding back.âNick met Jimmy's eyes one last time. He raised a brow, a question to Nick for himself âCan I do thisâ.Nick rolled his shoulders, and shook out his hands.Right.Time to play.âŠâŠâŠ..From the first whistle of the second half, Nick felt the difference.The hesitation was gone. The weight in his chest loosened. His mind wasnât tangled in self-doubt anymore. He trusted himself, trusted his instincts.And it showed.His first carry after halftime, he didnât just settle for a few safe metersâhe ran through a defender, shrugging off a tackle and driving forward before finally being brought down.The next time he hit a breakdown, he dominated the contact area, clearing out a Sale forward with a shoulder that sent the poor bloke stumbling.His offloads were sharper, his support lines were tighter, and suddenly, Leeds had momentum.Sale was still a tough opponent, but now? Now they were reacting to Nick instead of the other way around.With twenty minutes to go, Leeds were trailing by five points, deep in Saleâs half. They had possession. It was a chance.The forwards rumbled through the phases, working their way closer to the try line. Nick hovered just behind the breakdown, waiting, watching.Then he saw it.A gap. A moment of hesitation in Saleâs defense.He didnât think. Didnât second-guess.Brenan picked the ball from the base of the ruck and flicked it to Nickâwho exploded forward.He powered through the space, legs pumping, dragging two defenders with him. They clung on desperately, but Nick refused to go down. With a final push, he reached out and slammed the ball over the try line.The whistle blew, and a smattering of cheers echoed around the stands. It wasnât a packed stadium, just the usual die-hard fans and team staff, but the celebration was still thereâa surge of energy from the sidelines, claps and shouts of approval carrying across the pitch.Nick lay there for a moment, chest heaving, the disbelief ringing in his ears.Then Jimmy was there, hauling him up with a laugh. âThatâs the Nick Nelson I know.âNick grinned, breathless.That felt good.Leeds slotted the conversion, taking the lead for the first time all match. And they didnât let it go.The final ten minutes were brutalâSale pushed hard, desperate to snatch the game back, but Leeds held firm. Nick made a crucial tackle in the dying moments, wrapping up Saleâs winger before he could offload. The clock ran out, the final whistle blew, and just like thatâGame over.Leeds had won.They had fucking won.Nick exhaled, hands on his knees, exhaustion hitting all at once. But beneath it, a flicker of pride. He hadnât played a perfect game, not by a long shot. But heâd turned it around. Heâd found himself.As the team shook hands with the opposition, Jimmy clapped him on the back. âTold you.âNick just grinned.When he turned toward the stands, the first thing he saw was Charlie.Standing, cheering, beaming.And suddenly, everything felt right again.âŠâŠâŠ..In the locker room excitement had not died down. Even if it was pre-season, the win still meant everything. And the rookieâs comeback did not go unseen.Nick slumped onto the bench, sweat still clinging to his skin, his chest rising and falling with deep breaths. His muscles ached, bruises already forming from the relentless breakdowns, but there was a different kind of weight lifting off his shouldersâthe weight of self-doubt."Fucking hell, Nelson," Brenan said, dropping onto the bench beside him, clapping a heavy hand on Nickâs back. "Thought you were gonna let them walk all over you in the first half. But second half? Thatâs more like it."Nick huffed out a small laugh, shaking his head. "Yeah, well. Took me long enough."Paulie strolled by, still buzzing from the game. "Nah, mate, you turned it around. Thought Cap was gonna chew you out at halftime, but you pulled through."Nick exhaled, running a hand through his damp hair. Heâd been average in the first forty minutesâhesitant, slow to react, almost playing like he was afraid to mess up. But after that halftime chat, something had clicked. He stopped thinking so much, stopped second-guessing, and just played."Golden boyâs getting his groove back," Jonesy teased, chucking a water bottle at him. "Keep playing like that, and weâll be unstoppable this season."Nick caught the bottle with a tired grin, taking a long sip before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. The buzz in the room was infectious, and for the first time since joining the Badgers, he actually felt like he belonged.Coach Hughe stood near the door, arms crossed, a small, approving nod in Nickâs direction before he barked out, "Alright, lads! Get changed and get your recovery in. Good work today. Donât let it get to your headsâwe go again Monday."As the team began peeling off their jerseys and chatting about post-match plans, Nick felt his phone buzz in his bag. He pulled it out, already knowing who it was.CHARLIE: You were amazing, Iâm so proud of you. Meet me outside?NICK: yup, see u in 5 ish đNick smiled, the last remnants of doubt melting away. He still had work to doâplenty of itâbut tonight, he could let himself enjoy this small victory.âŠâŠâŠ..The team had plans to go to a pub after the game, and that is when Nick planned to introduce Charlie to the team.The pub was already loud when the two boys arrived, the team's laughter and banter carrying over the low hum of music and clinking glasses. The Badgers had taken over a section near the back, a mix of half-drunk pints, scattered plates of chips, and half-eaten burgers littering the table. Nick felt a bit of tension creep into his shouldersânot because he was embarrassed to bring Charlie, but because this was the first time he was truly integrating both halves of his life."There he is!" Jimmy called out, raising a glass as Nick stepped in. "And he's brought company!"Paulie grinned, nudging Correy in the ribs. "Told you he was real."Charlie huffed a small laugh as Nick rolled his eyes. "You've literally seen pictures of him.""Yeah, but Photoshop exists," Tommy chimed in, smirking. "Couldâve been AI-generated for all we know."Nick shook his head and tugged Charlie closer to the group. "Alright, alright, you lot. This is Charlie. Charlie, meet the Badgersâunfortunately."Charlie chuckled and gave a small wave. "Hey."The introductions were instant and chaotic, the team launching into a flurry of questions and commentary as they made space for Nick and Charlie at the table."So, youâre the one keeping our boy sane?" Darius asked, taking a sip of his drink. "Must be a full-time job."Charlie smirked. "You have no idea."Nick groaned. "Youâre supposed to be on my side.""Not when theyâre right," Charlie teased.The team burst into laughter, and just like that, Charlie was in. The conversation flowed easilyâCharlie asked questions about the team, laughed at their exaggerated retellings of matches, and even entertained the team's attempts at testing his rugby knowledge. Correy leaned forward, pointing a finger at Charlie. "Alright, serious question. Do you actually watch rugby, or do you just pretend for Nick's sake?"Charlie grinned, sipping his drink. "I watch.""Name three current England players," Paulie challenged immediately.Charlie didn't hesitate. "Maro Itoje, Freddie Steward, Owen Farrell."Paulie whistled, nodding in approval. "Alright, alright. Weâll allow it.""Better than half of us," Benji grunted, earning a round of laughter."Alright, next test," Tommy said, tapping his fingers on the table. "Youâre dating a Number 8. Whatâs their primary role?"Charlie smirked and tilted his head toward Nick. "To look good carrying the ball and take all the big hits so no one else has to."The table erupted in cheers and cackling. "Oh, he gets it," Mack howled, slapping the table.Nick groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Youâre all encouraging him."Charlie shrugged. "I mean, itâs true."Coach Hughes, still nursing his pint, chuckled.Nick just shook his head, but he couldnât hide his grin.The night carried on like thatâCharlie slotting in with the team as if heâd been there all along. He humored Lewisâ ridiculous pranks, listened to Elliot ramble about rugby statistics, and even endured Jimmy's fatherly advice about "taking care of our Number 8."Later Zack, already a few drinks deep, leaned over from across the table, his smirk just a little too sharp. "So, Charlie," he drawled, swirling his beer. "You ever been with a rugby lad before, or is our Nicky boy your first charity case?"The table went silent.Nick stiffened. The words landed like a slapâdrunken or not, Zack knew exactly what he was implying.Charlie, to his credit, didnât flinch. His smile stayed in place, but his fingers curled around his glass. "Charity case?" he echoed, voice light but edged.Zack snorted. "I mean, look at him. All brawn, no brains, yeah? Canât imagine youâre in it for the deep intellectual conversations."A few of the lads groaned. Paulie muttered, "Oh, for fuckâs sake, Zack."Nickâs jaw clenched, anger flaring in his chest. "Watch it," he said, voice low.Zack raised his hands, feigning innocence. "Relax, mate. Just saying, bit of an odd match, isnât it? The uni boy and the meathead."Charlieâs expression didnât change, but Nick could feel the tension in his posture. Before Nick could respond, Jimmy cut in, his voice firm. "Alright, Zack. Thatâs enough."Zack shrugged, still smirking. "Just having a laugh.""Yeah? Well, itâs not funny," Darius said coolly.Mack leaned forward, his gaze sharp. "Youâre acting like a knob, mate. Apologize."Zack exhaled heavily, rolling his eyes. "Fine, whatever." He lifted his glass lazily in Charlieâs direction. "Didnât mean anything by it."Charlie stared at him for a beat, then tilted his head. "Itâs alright," he said, a polite but distant smile on his face. "I get it. Insecure straight boys always need someone to punch down at."The table erupted in a mix of laughter and murmurs, a few teammates muttering "oof" under their breaths. Zackâs smirk faltered.Nick couldnât help but grin, pressing a kiss to Charlieâs temple. "Thatâs my boyfriend," he murmured proudly.Zack scoffed and downed the rest of his drink, but he didnât say another word for the rest of the night.And just like that, Charlie had cemented his place in the teamânot just as Nickâs boyfriend, but as someone who could more than handle himself.âŠâŠâŠ..At some point, Paulie sidled in toward Nick, voice just low enough to be private. "Youâre really happy around him. Heâs good for you, mate. "Nick glanced toward Charlie, who was deep in conversation with Darius about music, completely at ease. He exhaled, tension he hadnât even realized he was holding, finally melting away."Yeah," he said, watching the way Charlie laughed like he belonged here. "He really is."Coach Hughes made his way over at some point, nodding toward Charlie with a curious but approving look. "So, youâre the famous Charlie."Charlie sat up a little straighter. "I guess so. Itâs nice to meet you, Coach."Hughes studied him for a second before nodding. "Likewise. Must be a good lad if youâve stuck around Nelson for this long."Nick shook his head. "Youâre all terrible."Hughes smirked before clapping a hand on Nickâs shoulder.Nick felt warmth spread through his chest. He had been nervous about thisâabout blending Charlie into the world of the Badgersâbut watching his boyfriend fit in so seamlessly, trading jokes and stories with his teammates, made all of that worry feel pointless.By the time the night wound down, Nick sat back in his chair, watching Charlie laugh at something Correy was saying, completely at ease in this space Nick had been scared to bring him into. Maybe this balance he had been searching for wasnât so impossible after all.As the night went on, drinks flowed a little more freely. Nick and Charlie, both a bit tipsy, had gotten more comfortable, leaning into each other, laughing harder at every joke, and stealing small touches whenever they could. The team took notice, teasing Nick mercilessly every time Charlie leaned against his shoulder or whispered something in his ear that made him grin.At some point, someone from another table must have recognized the team. A few glances turned into whispers, and thenâflash. A phone camera went off, followed by another. Nick barely noticed at first, too caught up in the moment.Nick blinked, turning just in time to see a group of strangers not-so-discreetly taking photos. He exhaled sharply, annoyed at the interruption, but too buzzed to really care.A few hours later Charlie was clearly drunk. He pulled Nick in, pressing a firm, lingering kiss to his lips. The team erupted into cheers and wolf-whistles, with Jimmy banging on the table like a drum."Get a room!" Brenan hollered, laughing."Oi, let the lad live!" Paulie defended, raising his glass in approval.Nick kissed Charlie again, just because he could, because he wanted to, and because for once, he didnât care who was watching.Eventually, as the night wore on, Nick and Charlie stumbled out of the pub together, arms slung around each other, warm from drink and laughter. The world outside felt a little hazy, but Charlie was solid against him, keeping him steady."That was fun," Charlie murmured as they walked.Nick hummed in agreement. "Yeah. And I think the team loves you more than me now."Charlie grinned. "Obviously. Iâm the better Nelson." he said with a wink.Nick rolled his eyes but squeezed Charlieâs hand a little tighter, letting the night settle around them.âŠâŠâŠ.The next morning, Nick woke up to the sound of his phone vibrating aggressively on the nightstand. His head poundedâa dull, hungover throbâbut the incessant buzzing was impossible to ignore. He groaned, blindly reaching for it, squinting at the bright screen.
49 missed calls. 126 unread messages.
His stomach twisted. That was not normal.Charlie stirred beside him, face buried in the pillow. "Whaâ time is it?" he mumbled sleepily.Nick ignored the question, unlocking his phone and opening his messages. His heart sank as he scrolled. The teamâs group chat was on fire.Paulie: Nick, mate, check Twitter NOW. Tommy: Itâs everywhere, man. Just a heads up before you see it yourself. Darius: You good?? Call if you need anything.A sinking feeling settled in his chest. He hesitated, then tapped open Twitter. His name was trending.
"Nick Nelson spotted getting cozy with mystery boy in Leeds pub đđ"
"Leeds Badgersâ rising star seen kissing boyfriendâofficially rugbyâs next out player?"
"Nick Nelson: The future of English rugby, and a proud gay athlete?"
Nick sat up abruptly, blood roaring in his ears. Attached to every article, every tweet, was the same photo: Paulie and Jimmy grinning for the camera, completely unaware of what was happening in the background. And behind them, clear as day, was Nickâhis hands curled around Charlieâs waist, their lips pressed together in a kiss."Fuck," he whispered, panic creeping into his voice. "Fuck, Char weâve got a problem."Charlie, still groggy, lifted his head. "What?"Nick turned the phone toward him. Charlie blinked blearily at the screen, then slowly sat up. "Oh." A pause. Then, a quieter, "Shit."Nick exhaled shakily, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah. Shit."Charlie reached for his own phone, and Nick could already see notifications flooding his lock screen. "Did the team say anything?""Yeah. Theyâre checking in, butâ" Nick swallowed hard. "I think this is bigger than just the team."Charlie squeezed his arm. "Nick, we knew this might happen.""Yeah, but not like this," Nick muttered. His mind racedâhis coach, the club, the press, the fans. What were they going to say?What happened last night was meant to be theirs. Their moment. Not a headline for the whole world to dissect.Charlie shifted closer, pressing his forehead to Nickâs. "Hey. Weâll handle it, okay?"Nick nodded, but his heart wouldnât stop pounding. Because everything had just changed. And he had no idea what would happen next.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Nickâs fingers felt numb around his phone. His thoughts blurred into static. White noise drowning out anything rational. He forced himself to breathe, but each inhale felt shallow like his lungs had shrunk overnight.Charlie was already on his phone, scrolling, reading. His face remained carefully neutral, but Nick knew him too well. He saw the way his jaw clenched, the way his thumb hovered just a little too long over certain messages.A new notification flashed at the top of Nickâs screen.Coach Hughes: Call me. Now.Nick swallowed hard. "Coach wants to talk."Charlieâs eyes flickered up. "Do you want me toâ"Nick shook his head and got out of bed before he could second-guess himself. He grabbed his hoodie from the floor, shoved it over his head, and stepped out of the room. His hands were shaking as he tapped the call button.The line barely rang once before Coach picked up. "Nick."Nick had heard a lot of emotions in his coachâs voice beforeâanger, pride, disappointmentâbut never quite like this. There was no yelling, no immediate reprimand. Just a pause. A beat too long."You alright, son?"Nick blinked. He hadnât expected that."Iâyeah, I think so," he lied.Coach exhaled heavily. "Listen. The clubâs handling it, but we need to get ahead of this. You canât stay silent."Nick pressed his fingers to his temple. "So what, a statement? An interview?""Not yet," Coach said. "But the mediaâs going to be circling you like sharks today. I need you to come in. Weâll talk options."Nick shut his eyes. The last thing he wanted to do was walk into the training grounds where cameras would probably be set up waiting for him.But he had no choice."Okay," he said. "Iâll be there soon."When he hung up, he turned to find Charlie standing in the doorway."You alright?" Charlie asked softly.Nick let out a breath, rubbing his face. "I donât know."Charlie took a slow step forward. "Do you want me to come with you?"Nick hesitated. He wanted to say yes. He wanted Charlie right beside him, grounding him, reminding him that this wasnât the end of the world.But the truth was, he didnât know what today would bring. And the last thing he wanted was for Charlie to get dragged into it any more than he already was.Nick swallowed and shook his head. "Iâll be okay."Charlie didnât look convinced. But he nodded anyway. "Call me the second you need me."âŠâŠâŠNick arrived at the training grounds with his hood up, shoulders hunched, heart pounding in his chest. He had taken an Uber instead of driving, knowing that the press would already be there. Sure enough, the moment he stepped out of the car, he saw a small group of reporters clustered near the entrance, camera lenses glinting under the morning light.
"Nick! Do you have a statement?"
"Are you officially coming out?"
"How do your teammates feel about this?"
"Has the club spoken to you yet?"
Nick kept his head down and didnât stop walking. His hands curled into fists inside the pocket of his hoodie. His breath came faster, tighter, but he kept moving until he pushed through the doors of the facility.Inside, the noise from outside faded, but the tension in his chest didnât.He wasnât surprised to see Coach Hughes waiting for him in the hallway, arms crossed, his usual stern expression unreadable."You alright?" Coach asked, echoing his question from earlier.Nick exhaled shakily. "Not really."Coach nodded once, like that was the answer heâd expected. "Come with me."Nick followed him down the corridor, past the weight rooms and offices, until they reached a small conference room. The moment Nick stepped inside, his stomach tightened.Most of the senior squad was already there. Tommy, Darius, Paulie, Fitz, and some of the other starting players. No management, no press. Just them.A team meeting.The door shut behind him, and for a second, no one spoke. Nick wasnât sure who would break the silence first.Then Tommy, sitting with his arms crossed, sighed. "Mate, this is fucked."Nick frowned. "I know."Tommy gestured vaguely at the phone on the table in front of him. "All this press, the headlines⊠it's not just about you. It's about the club. The team."Nickâs stomach clenched. "I didnâtâ" He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "I didnât plan for this to happen. I wasnât hiding Charlie, I justâ" He faltered, swallowing hard. "I just wanted it to be ours. Not theirs."Paulie, leaning back in his chair, let out a slow breath. "Listen, mate, weâve got your back. Always have. Just wish we wouldâve thought about this more."Darius, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke. "You know the press is gonna have a field day with this." His voice was calm but firm. "Theyâre already twisting it into some big âhistoric moment.â The first openly gay English player. The face of change in rugby. That kind of thing."Nick clenched his jaw. "I donât want to be a headline.""Well, you are," Fitz muttered, tossing his phone onto the table. "And itâs only gonna get worse."Nick swallowed against the lump in his throat. He hadnât asked for any of this. Hadnât wanted to be a spokesperson, a symbol. He just wanted to play rugby.But it wasnât that simple anymore.Coach cleared his throat. "Hereâs the situation, Nick. The club is standing by you. Thatâs non-negotiable."Nick blinked."No oneâs benching you, no oneâs kicking you off the squad. But we need to control the narrative before it gets out of hand."Nickâs heart pounded. "So what do you want me to do?"Coach exchanged a glance with Tommy, then looked back at him. "Press conference. Tomorrow."Nick stiffened."It wonât be like today," Coach added quickly. "No ambushes, no bullshit questions. Youâll say what you need to say, and then we move forward. But you need to do it, Nick. Otherwise, theyâll just keep making up their own stories."Nick felt his chest tighten. A press conference. A public statement. An official coming out to everybody.His stomach churned.Charlieâs voice echoed in his headâWeâll handle it, okay?
Nick inhaled sharply and nodded, even though his hands were shaking. "Alright," he said. "Iâll do it."The team shared uneasy glances, but no one argued. No one told him it was a mistake.Because they all knew.There was no going back now.âŠâŠâŠNick spent the rest of the day training by himself, but his mind was elsewhere. Every deadlift, every squatâit all blurred together. His body went through the motions, but his thoughts kept drifting to tomorrow. To the cameras. The questions. The headlines.When he got back to his flat, Charlie was waiting for him on the couch, laptop open, scrolling through news articles. He looked up the moment Nick walked in, his expression unreadable."How bad is it?" Nick asked, dropping his bag by the door.Charlie shut the laptop and patted the space beside him. "Come here."Nick sat, leaning into Charlieâs warmth the moment he felt his arm wrap around him. "Itâs a lot," Charlie admitted. "But itâs mostly⊠positive? Like, people are surprised, yeah, but thereâs a lot of support too."Nick exhaled. "That doesnât make it less terrifying."Charlie squeezed his hand. "I know."They sat in silence for a moment. Then, Charlie said softly, "Do you know what youâre going to say?"Nick shook his head. "Not really. I just⊠I donât want it to feel like Iâm making some big declaration. Itâs not like I was hiding who I am. I just wasnât ready for the whole world to know."Charlie nodded. "Then say that. Say whatever feels right. You donât owe them some rehearsed speech. Just be you."Nick let out a shaky breath, nodding. "Yeah. Okay."Charlie pressed a gentle kiss to his temple. "No matter what happens tomorrow, weâre in this together. Always. Even when Iâm in London, Iâm with you."Nick closed his eyes, holding onto those words. Because right now, they were the only thing keeping him steady.âŠâŠ.The next morning, Nick had barely slept. Every time he closed his eyes, his brain replayed worst-case scenarios.Every headline, every snide comment, all of the bi-erasure.Every possible way it could go wrong.By the time his alarm buzzed, he was already awake, staring at the ceiling, heart thudding dully in his chest.Charlie stirred beside him, murmuring something sleepily before his hand found Nickâs under the covers. "You okay?"Nick exhaled. "Not really."Charlie squeezed his fingers. "You donât have to do this alone."Nick turned his head, meeting Charlieâs steady gaze. "I know. But I kind of do."Charlie frowned, but before he could argue, Nick kissed his forehead and forced himself out of bed.âŠâŠâŠ.The drive to the stadium felt suffocating. The closer they got, the more reporters Nick spotted, swarming the entrance like vultures. His grip tightened on his jeans."Ignore them," Coach said from the front seat. "Security will keep them back."Nick barely nodded. His pulse was roaring in his ears.As soon as they pulled into the lot, security ushered him through the side entrance, away from the shouting voices and flashing cameras. Inside, the conference room was already set upârows of chairs for reporters, and journalists, a long table at the front, Leeds Badgers banners lined up behind it.Nickâs stomach twisted."Alright," Coach said, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "You go in, say your piece, answer a couple of pre-approved questions, and weâre done. Thirty minutes, tops."Nick swallowed hard. "And if they ask something off-script?"Coachâs gaze softened. "Then you answer how you want. Just be honest, Nick. Youâve got this."Nick nodded, even though his hands were shaking.From the doorway, he spotted Jimmy, Tommy, Darius, and Paulie lingering in the back of the room. They didnât need to be here, but they were.He wasnât alone.Taking a deep breath, Nick stepped forward, past the cameras, past the murmuring journalists, and into the spotlight.Coach sat to his left, and to his right, a club media officer was ready to cut off any inappropriate questions. The moment the cameras started flashing, Nick forced himself to sit up straighter, schooling his face into something resembling calmness.The moderator cleared his throat. "Alright, letâs begin. Weâll take questions one at a time."The first journalist, a woman from The Guardian, raised her hand. "Nick, can you clarifyâare you officially coming out as the first openly gay professional English rugby player?"Nick took a slow breath. "IâIâm bisexual, actually." He forced himself to meet her gaze. "But yes, I suppose I am. Although, it wasn't really on my terms."A murmur ran through the room. The next question came almost immediately. "How long has the club known? Was this something you disclosed when signing your contract?""My teammates have known for a while," Nick said, jaw tightening. "My sexuality wasnât relevant to my ability to play rugby, so it wasnât exactly something I had to âdiscloseâ in negotiations."A reporter from a tabloid smirked. "Do you think being in a relationship with a man will affect the locker room dynamic? Given rugbyâs... masculine culture?"Nickâs grip on the mic tightened. "My teammates have never had a problem with it. Maybe you should be asking them instead of making assumptions."Coach shot the reporter a warning look. The next journalist quickly cut in. "Nick, are you prepared for the backlash? Thereâs already speculation about how this might affect sponsorships and fan support."Nick exhaled, steadying himself. "I canât control what other people think. I can only control how I play. And I plan to keep doing my job.""How do you think this will affect your career moving forward?" Another asked."I hope it doesnât," Nick said. "I want to be judged for how I play rugby, not for who I love."A reporter in the front row raised an eyebrow. "But doesnât this make things more difficult for the club? The added media attention, the controversy?"Coach leaned in. "Nick is one of our best players. Thatâs what matters. The club supports him, and we expect our fans to do the same."Another voice cut through. "Nick, some critics say rugby isnât ready for an openly queer player. That it might make certain opponents uncomfortable. Thoughts?"Nick clenched his jaw. "If someone has a problem with who I am, thatâs on them. Iâm here to play rugby.""Nick, can you tell us more about your boyfriend?" another reporter asked. "How long have you been together? And how does he feel about all this attention?"Nick took a deep breath, a small smile flickering at the mention of Charlie. "His nameâs Charlie, and weâve been together for four years now. Heâs been amazing through all of this. Iâm lucky to have him."More questions followed, some supportive, some digging for controversy. But Nick held his ground, answering with as much honesty and restraint as he could manage.By the time the press conference ended, his hands were shaking under the table, but he had done it.As he stood to leave, he caught sight of his mates and Charlie standing near the exit, waiting for him.Whatever happened next, at least he wasnât facing it alone.He was here because he loved rugby. Because this was his team. His life.And no headline was going to take that away from him.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Nick left the press conference feeling like he had just finished a rugby match. His head was buzzing, his limbs heavy with exhaustion, but the moment he stepped out of the room and into the hallway, he was met with a chorus of claps and cheers."Fucking hell, mate, you handled that like a pro," Tommy said, clapping him on the back.Jimmy nodded. "Couldnât have done it better myself."Nick exhaled, tension slowly leaking from his body as he took in the familiar faces of his teammates. And Charlieâstanding just behind them, eyes soft, a small, proud smile on his lips. Nick didnât hesitate before walking straight to him, pulling him into a tight hug, and leaving a small kiss hidden in the crevice of his neck. Charlieâs arms curled around him instantly."Told you youâd handle it," Charlie murmured against his shoulder.Nick sighed, allowing himself a brief moment of comfort before stepping back. "Yeah, well, letâs hope it sticks."âŠâŠâŠ..The next few days were a blur of training, media buzz, and trying to focus on rugby while the world dissected his personal life. But on the pitch, nothing had changed. His teammates treated him the same, the banter was still sharp, and training drills were as brutal as ever."Alright, lads! Gather up!" Coachâs voice rang across the training ground.Nick jogged over with the rest of the squad, rolling his shoulders as the teamâs head trainer, Sophie Lane, stood beside Coach with her clipboard."Weâre ramping up intensity," Coach announced. "Season opener is next week, and I want you all sharp. Soph, anything before we start?"Sophie glanced at her notes, her American accent cutting through the teamâs chatter. "Couple of things. First, if anyone is feeling lingering pain or stiffness, see me after drills. No toughinâ it outâwe donât need injuries this close to the season. And secondâPaulie, I swear to God, if you donât start stretching properly, Iâm making you do extra laps."Paulie groaned. "Sophie, come onâ""Nope. Not dealing with another pulled hamstring. You either stretch, or you run. Your choice. And believe me, Iâll enjoy making you run."The team snickered as Paulie huffed in defeat.Nick shook his head, smiling a little. Sophie had been with the Badgers for years, having moved over from the States, and she took absolutely no nonsense from any of them. It was one of the things that made her so damn good at her job.Training kicked off with warm-ups, followed by drills. Nick threw himself into it, grateful for the familiarity of movementâthe weight of the ball in his hands, the burn in his legs as he pushed himself through sprints, the shouts of his teammates as they played through different formations.After practice, Nick found himself in the physio room with Sophie, stretching out his sore muscles while she checked over Paulieâs taped-up wrist."You feeling alright, Nelson?" Sophie asked."Yeah," Nick said honestly. "Just... tired."Sophie gave him a look, unimpressed. "Uh-huh. Listen, I know youâre tough and all, but donât be an idiot, okay? First gameâs a big one, and if youâre running on fumes, youâre no good to anyone."Nick huffed a small laugh. "Yes, maâam.""Damn right," Sophie muttered before turning back to Paulie. "And youâif I catch you skipping wrist mobility exercises again, Iâm personally telling your mom."Paulie groaned. "You wouldnât."Sophie smirked. "Try me."âŠâŠâŠ..Nick exhaled sitting on the locker room bench. The season opener was against the London forgeâa tough team, physical and relentless. But after everything, Nick was just eager to play. To focus on the game again.And as he sat there, listening to his teammates joking around, feeling the familiar ache of training settle into his bones, he knew one thing for sure.No matter what the press said, no matter how many headlines they wroteâthis was his place. And no one could take it from him.
âŠâŠâŠ.The next couple of days flew by. Training was relentless, uni deadlines loomed, and the media storm refused to die down.By Wednesday, the exhaustion was creeping in. Every muscle ached, and his brain was fried from trying to balance coursework with match prep. He needed a break. Needed to breathe.On Thursday evening, after wrapping up a grueling practice session before the match, Nick packed a bag and caught an early train to London. It had been planned for weeksâCharlie had the weekend free, and with the game being in London, it made sense for them to spend a couple of nights together before Nick had to fully switch into match mode with the team.Nick had barely made it through the door before Charlie was tugging him into a kiss. It was all warmth and familiarity. Charlieâs hands sliding up his arms, his nose bumping against Nickâs as he smiled against his lips."Missed you," Charlie murmured.Nick sighed, resting his forehead against Charlieâs. "Missed you too."It had been a hell of a week. The press, training, the constant media noiseâbut here, in Charlieâs tiny London flat, none of that mattered. Here, it was just them.They spent most of Friday wrapped up in each otherâlazy kisses over morning coffee, tangled limbs on the sofa while watching some random documentary neither of them really paid attention to. Nick could feel the tension in his body slowly unwinding, the weight on his shoulders lifting, even if just for a little while.At some point in the evening, Charlie curled into Nickâs side, running a hand absentmindedly along his thigh. "How are you feeling? Really?"Nick exhaled. "Honestly? I donât know⊠I feel like Iâm holding my breath. Waiting for something to go wrong? That doesn't make sense, sorry."Charlieâs fingers squeezed his. "No âSâ word Nick. But you know you donât have to do this alone, right?"Nick kissed the top of Charlieâs head. "Yeah. I know."And for the next twenty-four hours, thatâs exactly what they had. Lazy mornings, walks through the city, Charlie making him try some new cafĂ© he swore had the best pastries in London. For the first time in what felt like forever, Nick wasnât an athlete under a microscope. He was just... Nick.But by Saturday evening, reality crept back in.Nickâs phone buzzed with a message from Coach: Team hotel at 6 PM. Donât be late.Charlie, curled up beside him, glanced at the screen. "Time to go?""Yeah," Nick sighed.âŠâŠâŠThe two boys walked through the tube station, fingers laced, and Nick carrying both bags after Char finally gave up and let him.The moment they stepped into the hotel lobby, they were met with the unmistakable roar of his teammatesâbooming laughter, playful shouting, and the general chaos that followed the Badgers wherever they went."Oi, is that Charlie?"Nick turned to see Tommy and Brenan strolling through the lobby, bags slung over their shoulders. Tommy grinned, slapping a hand over his heart. "Well, well, if it isnât Mr. Spring himself, gracing us with his presence."Charlie rolled his eyes. "I literally met you guys months ago.""Yeah, but now itâs official," Brenan said, smirking. "Youâre dating Englandâs most talked-about rugby player."Nick groaned. "Please donât start.""Too late," Tommy said, clapping Nick on the back. Then he turned to Charlie. "You staying here too?"Charlie nodded. "Yeah, just for the weekend.""Good," Brenan said. "Maybe you can keep Nick from stressing himself into an early grave before the game."More of the team started filtering in, and soon enough, the hotel lobby was full of players checking in, tossing banter back and forth. Paulie strolled over and threw an arm around Charlieâs shoulders like they were lifelong mates."You know, weâve all agreed that youâre basically part of the team at this point," Paulie said. "Weâre thinking of getting you a kit."Charlie laughed. "Iâll stick to spectating, thanks. The rugby ship sailed long ago."Paulie raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Wait, what do you mean? You used to play?"Charlie shrugged, a teasing glint in his eye. "Yeah, back in school. Mostly just to impress Nick, though."The team erupted in laughter, and Nick groaned, running a hand over his face. "Oh my God, Charlieâ""What?" Charlie said, grinning. "It worked, didnât it?"Tommy smirked. "Wait, wait, so you joined rugby just to seduce him?"Charlie crossed his arms, feigning nonchalance. "I prefer the term âstrategic courting.â"Paulie clutched his chest dramatically. "Thatâs the most romantic thing Iâve ever heard. Someone write this down."Nick shook his head, cheeks burning, but he couldnât help smiling as Charlie nudged him playfully.Darius laughed. "Mate, youâre telling me we couldâve had Charlie Spring tearing it up on the pitch, and we missed out?"Charlie snorted. "Oh, absolutely not. I was terrible. Spent more time on the ground than actually playing."Paulie sighed, shaking his head. "A tragic loss to the sport."Nick rolled his eyes. "Alright, can we move on now?"But as the team continued joking, Nick caught Charlieâs gazeâwarm, amused, utterly unbothered by the teasingâand felt a familiar rush of affection.Nick watched the easy way Charlie fit in with the teamâthe way they welcomed him like heâd always been there. It wasnât anything new, but after the week heâd had, it felt more important than ever.And as they finally headed up to their room to drop bags, Nick couldnât help but think that no matter what happened tomorrow, he already had everything that mattered.Charlie had been by his side for years, through every high and low, and somehow, he still made everything feel lighter.âŠâŠ..Later that night, after dinner with the team, Nick and Charlie finally had a moment to themselves. Their hotel room was quiet, save for the low hum of the city outside. Nick flopped onto the bed with a heavy sigh, arms sprawled out, while Charlie leaned against the desk, watching him with a small smile."You alright?" Charlie asked, kicking off his shoes.Nick huffed out a laugh. "Yeah. Just⊠feels like a lot. The season starting, the press shit, everything."Charlie walked over, sitting on the edge of the bed. "You donât have to do all of this alone, you know."Nick turned his head, meeting Charlieâs gaze. "I know." He reached for Charlieâs hand, lacing their fingers together. "Having you here helps."Charlie squeezed his hand. "Good. Because Iâm not going anywhere."For a moment, they just sat there, the weight of the day slowly easing. Then Charlie smirked. "So⊠strategic courting, huh?"Nick groaned, covering his face. "Donât start."Charlie laughed, tugging his hand away and crawling up the bed until he was hovering over Nick. "I mean, I think it worked out pretty well, donât you?"Nick let his hands drop, rolling his eyes but grinning. "Yeah, well, youâre lucky I found it cute."Charlie hummed, leaning down so their noses brushed. "Lucky, huh?"Nickâs breath hitched as Charlie kissed him, slow and deliberate. He melted into it, one hand finding Charlieâs waist, the other threading into his hair. The tension from the day faded as Charlie deepened the kiss, shifting to straddle Nickâs hips.Nick sighed against Charlieâs lips, pulling him closer, fingers trailing under the hem of his shirt. Charlie shivered slightly, his own hands mapping familiar paths along Nickâs chest."Missed you," Charlie murmured between kisses.Nickâs grip tightened around his waist. "Char, Iâve been here all week." he said with a slight chuckle.Charlie smiled against his lips. "Still missed you."Nick kissed him again, softer this time, letting the warmth of it settle in his chest. "Me too."As they kissed, slow and warm, the distant muffled sound of Tommyâs voice from the room next door reminded Nick that they werenât entirely alone. The team had been given adjacent rooms, and Tommy, of all people, had ended up right beside them.Charlie mustâve realized it too because he pulled back slightly, breathless, and whispered, "We should probably keep it down."Nick huffed a laugh, brushing his thumb over Charlieâs cheek. "Yeah, donât want to scar Tommy for life."Charlie grinned, pressing another soft kiss to Nickâs lips. "Not yet, anyway."Nick rolled his eyes, but he didnât stop Charlie from kissing him again, his hands wandering back under Charlieâs shirt. The sounds from the other rooms faded into the background as they sank into each other, wrapped up in warmth, in familiarity, in everything that made this easy.âŠâŠâŠNick and Charlie were the last to arrive at breakfast, slipping into the hotel dining room where the team was already halfway through their food. The second they stepped inside, a few heads turnedâand then Tommy smirked."Morning, lads," he said, far too casually as he scooped another forkful of eggs onto his plate. "Sleep well?"Nick narrowed his eyes. "Fine."Tommy hummed like he was deep in thought. "Yeah? 'Cause Iâd say it sounded more than âfine.â"Charlie froze with his coffee cup halfway to his lips, eyes widening slightly. Across the table, Paulie choked on his juice.Darius snorted. "Mate, we get it. You missed each other. Although didn't you come up early Nick?"Nick felt heat creep up his neck. "Oh, fuck off."Tommy grinned. "Nah, Iâm just saying. Thin walls, yâknow? Almost like some people forgot weâre in a team hotel and notâ""Tommy," Coachâs voice cut in from across the room, warning but amused. "Eat your breakfast."Tommy held up his hands, laughing. "Just making an observation, Coach."Nick dropped into the chair beside Charlie, who was very clearly trying not to laugh. Nick, on the other hand, had decided he was never showing his face again.The laughter died down as the conversation shifted toward the game ahead. Coach leaned back in his chair, sipping his coffee, and gave the team a measured look."Alright, jokes aside, weâve got business to handle later," he said. "London Forge isnât a team thatâs just gonna roll over. Theyâre aggressive in the breakdown, and their back row is solid. We need to hit them hard from the start."Darius nodded, cracking his knuckles. "Their Number 8 is a beast, but heâs slow off the mark. If we keep the tempo up, weâll have him gasping by halftime."Nick, grateful for the shift in conversation, straightened in his chair. "Their midfield defense leaves gaps when they overcommit. If we time our offloads right, we can break through."Tommy, still grinning but at least focused now, nodded. "We need to keep our discipline, though. They love a scrap, and if we give away stupid penalties, weâre just giving them territory."Coach pointed at him. "Exactly. No unnecessary shoving, no backchat to the refâlooking at you, Paulie."Paulie raised his hands innocently. "I would never."Half the team groaned in unison.Coach rolled his eyes. "Anyway. We play smart, we play fast, and we keep our heads. Nick, you lead the forwards. Jimmy, I want you talking in defense. And backsâif you see an opening, take it. Weâre not here to play it safe."The mood around the table shifted into something sharper, more focused. The banter was still there, but the underlying current of determination was undeniable.Nick felt the familiar buzz of pre-match anticipation settle in his chest. This was it. Game day.Charlie nudged his knee under the table and gave him a small, knowing smile.Nick exhaled slowly, steadying himself. He was ready.âŠâŠâŠThe locker room buzzed with the electric tension of game day. Boots thudded against the tiled floor, the scent of liniment and fresh kit thick in the air. Some lads sat quietly, earphones in, heads bowed in focus. Others bounced on their feet, shaking out their limbs, hyping themselves up. The hum of pre-match rituals filled the spaceâwrapping wrists, taping fingers, cracking knuckles.Sophie moved through the room with practiced efficiency, rechecking strappings and handing out last-minute painkillers. "Alright, last call for tape-ups. If youâve been putting it off, get your ass over here now. I am not fixing you up mid-match because you were too stubborn to sort it out beforehand."Tommy was already in front of her, extending his knee. "Just a little extra support, Soph?"She sighed but took out the tape. "You boys are such bloody high maintenance," she muttered, though the corners of her mouth twitched.Across the room, Nick rolled out his shoulders, exhaling steadily. He caught Paulieâs eye as their captain stood in the center, waiting for everyone to settle. When the murmurs finally quieted, Jimmy clapped his hands together once."Alright, lads. This is it. First match of the season. Weâve put in the work, we know what to do, and now we just need to go out there and prove it."He paced slowly, letting the weight of his words settle. "London Forge are no joke. Theyâll hit us hard. Theyâll try to get in our heads. But we do not back down. We are the Badgers, and we fight for every single play."The team rumbled in agreement, the energy in the room sharpening.Jimmy smirked. "Most of you have been here long enough to know how this works, but for any newbiesâ" he shot a glance at Nick, "âlet me spell it out. We play smart. We play as a unit. And most importantly, we enjoy it. Because thereâs no better fucking feeling than winning with your mates."A chorus of agreement rang out. Darius thumped his chest. "Letâs fucking have it!"Jimmy grinned, then turned to Nick. "Nelson, you got anything?"Nick took a breath. "Just thisâwhatever happens, we stick together. No one plays alone today." He glanced around the room, meeting each of their eyes. "Letâs go out there and show them exactly who we are."A roar erupted from the squad, fists slamming into palms, boots stomping.Sophie clapped her hands. "Alright, alright. Letâs not get carried away before weâve even hit the tunnel."Jimmy smirked. "Sheâs right. Save it for the pitch lads."Nick rolled his shoulders, already tuned in. His nerves had settled into something steadier now. A sharp, focused anticipation. He tugged his jersey over his head, adjusting the collar, and took a deep breath.Coach clapped his hands together, pulling everyoneâs attention for one last note. "Alright, listen up. This is it. Season opener. Weâve put in the work, we know the game plan, and we know whatâs coming. Forge plays dirty, but we donât let them dictate the match. We play our game. Keep the tempo high, keep the pressure on, and donât give them an inch."With one last glance, he followed his team down the tunnel, the roar of the stadium swelling around them.
Game on.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The noise hit them like a wave as they stepped onto the pitch. Cheering, chanting, the steady hum of anticipation crackling in the air. The stadium lights beamed down, bright and unrelenting, illuminating the perfect stretch of turf ahead. Nick inhaled deeply, letting the atmosphere settle into his bones. This was where he belonged.
The team jogged out onto the field, shaking out their limbs, rolling their shoulders, settling into the rhythm of pre-match warm-ups. Nick exchanged a quick glance with Paulie, who gave him a nodâsteady, confident. Across the field, the London Forge players mirrored their movements, their expressions hard and unreadable.
Sophie was already moving through the squad, giving final checks. "Paulie, your shoulder holding up?" she asked as she passed him.
"Solid as ever," Paulie grinned.
She gave him a skeptical look but moved on, stopping in front of Nick. "How boutâ you Nick"
"Good. No pain." He said while stretching out his quads.
She narrowed her eyes. "No bullshit?"
"No bullshit," he confirmed.
"Alright. Keep it that way." She patted his arm and turned back to the bench, letting them finish their prep.
The captains were called forward for the coin toss, and Jimmy jogged up, shaking hands with the Forge skipper. The ref flipped the coin, and within seconds, the decision was madeâForge would kick off.
Nick exhaled, rolling out his neck.
This was it.
The whistle blew.
Game on.
âŠâŠ
The first half kicked off with brutal intensity. London Forge played exactly as expected. Relentless, physical, and unafraid to push the limits of what the ref would let slide.
Nick barely had time to brace before Malik Thompson slammed into him during the first carry, wrapping him up and driving him back a few steps. The hit stung, but Nick planted his feet, securing the ball before offloading to Darius in support. The Badgers kept moving forward, phase by phase, grinding out the meters.
Fifteen minutes in, the game was tight. The Badgers were holding their own, but Forge made every breakdown a war zone. Nick found himself locked in with Jordan Riley at a ruck, fighting for control of the ball.
Riley leaned in close, voice low but sharp. "Gotta say, Nelson, all the talk around you? Not a great look. Thought rugby was for real men."
Nick ignored him, digging in harder, driving his shoulder into Riley as he forced him back.
The refâs whistle blew, it was the Badgersâ ball.
Nick stood up, dusting himself off, catching Rileyâs smug smirk. "Yeah, keep talking," Nick muttered before jogging to reset for the next play.
Paulie caught up with him. "Whatâd he say?"
Nick shook his head. "Nothing worth my time."
Paulieâs jaw tensed. "Right. Well, if you wanna hit him legally, Iâll set you up."
The chance came not long after. A loose ball had Forge scrambling, and Nick saw his moment. Riley reached for it, but Nick was faster, scooping it up and barreling forward before slamming into Theo Vasquez, sending the prop stumbling back.
Another ruck formed, and as Nick fought to keep possession, a voice from the Forge pack muttered, "Bet your boyfriend loves watching you bend over like this."
Nickâs fists clenched. He forced himself to stay focused. This was what they wantedâto rattle him, to make him lose control.
He didnât give them the satisfaction. Instead, he got the ball out cleanly, sending it wide, and within seconds, the Badgers were surging down the field.
Thirty minutes in, the score was closeâ10-6 to Forge. The Badgers had been knocking on the door for a try, but Forgeâs defense was ruthless. Every tackle was a statement. Every ruck a battle.
At a scrum near halfway, Sebastian Clarke, Forgeâs captain, locked eyes with Nick across the crouched formations. "Surprised youâre still standing, Nelson," he taunted. "Figured you'd have wilted by now."
Nick just smirked. "Youâll have to hit harder, mate."
The ball went in, and the scrum heaved. Nick dug in, pushing with everything he had, feeling the power of his pack behind him.
The half was winding down, and the Badgers needed something before the whistle. When the ball came loose in open play, Nick scooped it up and broke through a gap, charging into open space.
Malik closed in fast, and hit Nick hard, with accuracy.
Nick hit the ground hard, but heâd gotten the offload away. Paulie picked it up and bulldozed forward.
And thenâfinallyâthe breakthrough. A quick recycle, a sharp pass, and Darius crashed over the line.
The stadium roared as the ref signaled the try.
Nick pushed himself up, chest heaving, ignoring the smug looks from the Forge players. They could talk all they wanted.
He just put points on the board.
As the team jogged back for the conversion, Jimmy clapped him on the shoulder. "Donât let those pricks get in your head."
Nick nodded, shaking it off. "I wonât."
They had a second half to win.
âŠâŠ.
The rest of the game had been a true war.
Forge came out just as physical as they started, hitting hard and making every breakdown a battlefield. The Badgers had responded in kind, keeping the score tight, refusing to let them dictate the game. But with only two minutes left on the clock, they were still trailing 19-15. One final chance. One last play.
Nick stood just outside the pack, breath coming in heavy bursts. His jersey was damp with sweat, mud smeared across his arms. His legs burned, but he was locked in. The stadium roared around him, a deafening mix of cheers and jeers, but all he focused on was the field, the ball, the next move.
The Badgers had possession deep in Forgeâs half, camped just meters from the try line. The forwards crashed into the defense, battering away at the wall of bodies in front of them. One hit, two, three. Each time, Forge held firm.
Clock ticking down.
Paulie barked orders from the breakdown. "Patience! Weâve got this!"
Nick crouched low, eyes scanning for a gap. The defense was stretched, but they werenât broken. Not yet. He could hear Malik panting across from him, still jawing even now.
"Pressureâs getting to you, Nelson?" Malik taunted.
Nick didnât bite. He just kept his focus.
Sophie had patched him up enough times to know his body was wrecked, but he wasnât done. One more phase. One more surge.
Paulie made the callâshort side. Tommy hit up first, dragging two defenders with him, twisting, fighting for every inch. The ball popped back.
Nick was already moving.
He called for it. Paulie flicked a quick pass off the ground, the ball spinning through the airâNick snatched it clean.
And thenâ
A step inside. A sharp burst forward.
Malik came in hard, but Nick powered through the contact, absorbing the hit, legs driving. Another defender latched onâLandon Briggs, a human wrecking ball. The impact jolted through Nickâs ribs, but he refused to go down.
One more step.
The try line was there, inches away.
A third defender lungedâRiley, arms wrapped tight around Nickâs waist, trying to drag him back.
No.
Nick gritted his teeth, muscles screaming as he drove forward, twisting just enough to free one armâ
And then he slammed the ball down.
The whistle blew.
Try.
Â
The stadium erupted, a wall of sound crashing over him.
Nick barely had time to process before his teammates swarmed him, hands clapping his back, arms wrapping around him in celebration.
"Fucking hell, Nicky!" Tommy was the first to reach him, throwing an arm around his shoulders before nearly tackling him to the ground.
Paulie and Mack piled on next, followed by Jimmy, who practically lifted Nick off the pitch in a bear hug.
"You beauty!" Darius shouted, ruffling Nickâs hair as he grinned.
"Clutch as hell," Brenan yelled over the noise, punching Nickâs arm. "Ice in your veins, mate!"
Nick could barely breathe, surrounded by his team, their cheers, their laughterâvictory thick in the air. Someone shook him so hard he nearly toppled over, and when he turned, Jamie was grinning at him, eyes alight with the same fire Nick felt in his chest.
"That," Paulie said, still catching his breath, "was ridiculous."
"Legendary," Brenan corrected.
Nick just grinned, still breathless, still high on the moment. His body ached, his lungs burned, but it didnât matter. Theyâd done it.
Nick exhaled, chest heaving, barely hearing them over the roar of the crowd. He turned toward the stands, searchingâthen he saw him.
Charlie.
He was there, hands cupped around his mouth as he cheered.
Nick lifted a hand and waved to him.
Charlie, beaming, waved right back.
His eyes locked on Nick like he was the only person in the stadium.
Nick felt it deep in his chestâthat look, that unshaken belief, that endless pride.
A try, just for him.
The conversion was good. The final whistle blew.
Badgers 22, Forge 19.
Season openerâwon.
Nick let himself take in the moment, let himself feel it. The roar of the crowd, the weight of his teammates pulling him into victory celebrations, but most of allâthe way Charlie was still watching him like he already knew.
Because this wasnât just a win.
This was for him.
A try for You.
âŠâŠ.
As the Badgers lined up to shake hands with the Forge players, Nick rolled his shoulders, forcing himself to come down from the high of the win. This part was routine, respect, sportsmanship, the usual. Even if the game had been brutal, even if Forge had played dirty, theyâd shake hands and walk away.
Most of the handshakes were brief and impersonal. Some players gave him a firm nod, others muttered a gruff âwell played,â though not all of them sounded like they meant it.
Then he got toRiley.
Riley clasped Nickâs hand, yanking him in just a little too hard, voice low so only Nick could hear. âGuess playing like a real man still gets you further, huh?â His smirk was sharp. âOr do you save your best performances for when your boyfriendâs watching?â
Nickâs grip on Rileyâs hand tightened for a split second, his body tensing instinctively. He met Rileyâs gaze, steady, unwavering. The anger was there, bubbling beneath the surface, but he wasnât giving this guy the satisfaction of seeing it.
Before Nick could say anything, though, a hand clamped down on Rileyâs shoulder.
âJog on, Riley,â Jimmy said, voice calm but carrying an unmistakable edge. The Badgers captain stepped between them, his towering presence enough to make Riley drop his smirk. âMaybe focus on why you lost instead of running your mouth.â
Riley scoffed, yanking his arm away. âWhatever.â He moved on, shoving past the rest of the line.
Nick exhaled slowly, flexing his fingers before shaking hands with the next player.
Jimmy gave him a look, low voice meant just for him. âDonât waste your energy on pricks like that.â
Nick let out a breath, nodding. âYeah. I know.â
Jimmy clapped him on the back. âGood. Now letâs get out of hereâweâve got a pud to get too.â
Nick huffed a quiet laugh and followed the rest of the team across the field, leaving Riley and his bitterness behind.
Paulie threw an arm around his shoulders as they walked. âYouâre buying drinks tonight, Nelson.â
Nick huffed a laugh. âYeah? Thought the man of the match drinks were on you?â
âWeâll call it even.â
Coach was making his way over, clapping players on the back, shaking hands, his usual stern expression softened by the smallest hint of a smile. âGood work, boys. You earned this one.â
Sophie was there too, arms crossed, smirking as she caught Nickâs eye. âDonât think scoring a game-winner gets you out of a post-match check-in,â she warned. âI expect you to be at my table later.â
Nick grinned. âWouldnât dream of missing it.â
It wasnât long before they neared the tunnel, but before Nick could go inl, he glanced back at the stands one last time. Charlie was making his way down, pushing through the dispersing crowd.
Nick didnât thinkâhe just moved.
He jogged away from the team, toward the barriers, and as soon as Charlie reached him, Nick grabbed the front of his jacket and hauled him in.
Charlie laughed, breathless, and then Nick was kissing him, right there in front of
everyone.
He heard the distant whoops of his teammates, the teasing shouts of Paulie and Tommy, but none of it mattered.
Charlie smiled against his lips. âYou were fucking amazing Nick.â
Nick exhaled, pressing their foreheads together for just a second before pulling away. âI had good motivation.â
Charlie rolled his eyes, but the flush on his cheeks said everything.
Nick turned to look back toward the tunnel, slinging an arm around Charlie as he hauled him over the barrier.
âNick! Put me down! Now!â
Charlieâs indignant squawk only made Nick grin wider as he easily lifted him over the four foot barricade, ignoring his half-hearted protests.
âNick! Oh my fucking god. Down, now!â
âNot a chance,â Nick shot back, holding him steady as Charlie flailed uselessly. âYou belong in here.â
Charlie groaned, but his laughter betrayed him, hands instinctively clutching at Nickâs shoulders as his feet finally hit the grass.
The second he was upright, Nick barely had time to react before Charlie grabbed his face and kissed himâquick, firm, and full of adrenaline-fueled exhilaration.
The stadium was still buzzing with people exiting, the echoes of the match lingering in the air, but in that moment, Nick didnât hear any of it. Just the sound of Charlieâs breath, the pounding of his own heart, and the distant whoops of the rest of his teammates as they noticed what was happening.
Paulie let out an exaggerated whistle. âOi! Get a room!â
Tommy snickered. âThey had one last night, remember?â
A chorus of laughter followed, but Nick didnât care. He kissed Charlie again, slower this time, just because he could.
When they finally broke apart, Charlie was breathless, shaking his head with an exasperated smile. âYouâre insane.â
Nick grinned, wrapping an arm around his waist. âAnd you love it.â
Charlie sighed, dramatic, but he melted into Nickâs side. âUnfortunately, yeah.â
Nick turned back toward the tunnel, guiding Charlie with him, the roar of the crowd still echoing around them. His team was waiting, the post-match celebrations about to beginâbut for now, for just a few more steps, it was just them.
Tonight, theyâd celebrate. But for now? Nick just let himself enjoy the winâthe moment, the feeling, the certainty that he was exactly where he was meant to be.
âŠ..
The locker room was chaos in the best way. Laughter echoed off the tiled walls, boots thudded against the floor, and the air was thick with sweat, relief, and pure, unfiltered victory.
Nick barely had time to toss his jersey into his locker before someone clapped him on the backâPaulie, of course, grinning like heâd just won the lottery.
âYouâre actually insane, you know that?â Paulie said, shaking his head. âLast play of the game, and you justâwhat? Decided to be a hero?â
Nick huffed a laugh. âJust doing my job.â
âThatâs not a job, thatâs a bloody miracle,â Brenan chimed in, peeling off his socks. âI nearly had a heart attack.â
Tommy groaned, stretching out his legs. âTell me about it. I was already thinking about how shit it was gonna feel losing to those bastards.â
Mack, slumped on the bench, just grinned. âYeah, yeah, Nickâs a legend, we get it. But I think the real highlight was him hauling Charlie over the barrier like some lovesick caveman.â
That got a round of laughter, and Nick rolled his eyes, not even bothering to defend himself.
âMate, no offense,â Jamie said, shaking his head, âbut you are ridiculously soft for that boy.â
Nick just shrugged, not even remotely ashamed. âAnd?â
âNothing,â Darius said, smirking. âJust fun to watch.â
The conversation shifted as the guys started talking about their own relationships.
âPoppyâs gonna be buzzing after that match,â Wilson said, tugging his hoodie over his head. âShe was already texting me before halftime.â
âYou lucky bastard,â Zack groaned. âMeanwhile, my girlfriend had to work and said sheâd âwatch the highlights.ââ
âOh, shut up,â Lewis snorted. âYouâre just mad she doesnât worship the ground you walk on like Nickâs does.â
Nick laughed, shaking his head. âI donât know if
worship
is the right word.â
Paulie raised an eyebrow. âMate, he was literally looking at you like you hung the bloody moon.â
Nick felt his face heat up, but before anyone could tease him further, Sophie walked in, clipboard in hand, already shaking her head.
âAlright, dumbasses, before you all start basking in your own greatness, who needs me to look at something?â
Paulie groaned, stretching his shoulder. âIâm good unless you wanna give me a free massage.â
Sophie shot him a look. âNot a chance.â
She scanned the room, then turned to Nick. âHowâs the shoulder?â
Nick rotated it experimentally. âSore, but fine.â
Sophie crossed her arms. âYou sure? âCause if you tell me itâs fine and then wake up tomorrow feeling like you got hit by a truck, Iâm gonna be real annoyed kid.â
Nick huffed a laugh. âI promise, Iâm good.â
She narrowed her eyes, clearly not convinced, but let it slide. âAlright. But if I hear youâre wincing through training next week, Iâll make you regret it.â
Nick grinned. âWouldnât dare.â
Sophie just shook her head, muttering something about ârugby idiotsâ under her breath before moving on to check on Jimmyâs knee.
Nick leaned back against his locker, letting the noise of the room wash over him. His body ached, his muscles were already screamingâbut he felt good.
Because theyâd won.
Because heâd scored the game-winning try.
Because Charlie had been there to see it.
âŠâŠ.
The bar was buzzingâhalf full of Badgers players, their friends, and a handful of fans whoâd caught wind of where the team was celebrating. Nick wasnât sure whose idea it was to come here, but he wasnât questioning it. The drinks were flowing, the music was decent, and most importantly, theyâd won.
He was sitting in a booth near the back with Charlie tucked against his side, his arm casually slung over Charlieâs shoulder as if that was just where it was meant to be. Across from them, Wilson was nursing a pint, one arm draped around the shoulders of a brunette with bright green nails and a mischievous smile.
âThis is Poppy,â Wilson said, nodding toward her. âShe puts up with my shit for some reason.â
Poppy rolled her eyes. âFor now.â
Charlie grinned. âNice to meet you. And I respect your patience.â
Poppy snorted. âThanks. Itâs a full-time job.â
Nick took a swig of his drinkâsomething strong and burning that Tommy had shoved into his hand about an hour ago. He wasnât entirely sure what round they were on, but he was definitely feeling it now. A warm buzz settled in his chest, making everything feel lighter, easier.
Paulie slid into the booth next to Wilson, clinking his beer bottle against Nickâs glass. âSo, fearless leader, howâs it feel to be the most talked-about player in the league right now?â
Nick groaned, leaning his head back against the booth. âDonât say that. It makes me anxious.â
Paulie just laughed. âMate, Iâm serious. That try? Instant classic. I bet half the country was screaming at their TVs.â
Nick flushed, shaking his head. âIt was just a try.â
âJust a try?â Tommy, who had just reappeared at the table, dramatically clutched his chest like heâd been personally wounded. âYou won the bloody game! You put the team on your back, Nelson.â
âCareful, Tommy,â Darius said, sliding in beside him. âInflate his ego too much and he wonât fit through the door.â
Nick groaned again. âYouâre all the worst.â
Charlie, grinning, poked at his ribs. âYou love it.â
Nick sighed dramatically. âMhmmmâ
The night blurred into rounds of drinks, loud conversation, and bursts of laughter. At some point, a few of the guys wandered off to dance, while others got caught up in conversations with fans who had recognized them.
Nick was well and truly sloshed now, which was rare for him. He usually kept it controlled, but tonight? Heâd let himself have a few more than usual.
Which was maybe why, when he and Charlie stepped outside for some air, he ended up talking more than he normally would.
âI love you,â Nick said, words slightly slurred but earnest.
Charlie, leaning against the brick wall of the bar, smiled. âI know.â
Nick frowned, reaching out to take Charlieâs hand. âNo, likeâI
really
love you.â
Charlie laughed softly. âI got that, babe.â
Nick huffed, letting his head fall against Charlieâs shoulder. âI think I might be drunk.â
âOh, you
think
?â
Nick groaned. âUgh. Iâm gonna regret this tomorrow, arenât I?â
Charlie hummed. âProbably.â
Nick sighed, closing his eyes. The night air was cool against his flushed skin, and Charlie was warm beside him. For a moment, he could pretend it was just the two of them in the world.
But then the door swung open, and Tommy poked his head out.
âThere you two are! Oi, Nelsonââ He pointed at him, eyes gleaming with mischief. âGet your arse back inside.â
The bar was still packed, the air thick with laughter and the clink of glasses. The Badgers were in full celebration mode, drinks flowing freely, voices getting louder with every round. Nick was pleasantly buzzed, the tension from the match long gone, replaced by an easy, warm glow of victory and alcohol.
Charlie was tucked into his side, laughing at something Poppy had just said. She was exactly as wild as Wilson had described, already dragging him toward the dance floor despite his half-hearted protests.
Paulie slammed another round of drinks on the table, eyes glinting with mischief. "Alright, Nelson. Since you
single-handedly
won us that matchâ"
Nick groaned. "Oh, shut upâ"
"You, my friend, get the honor of tonightâs initiation," Paulie continued, ignoring him.
"Initiation?" Charlie asked, amused.
Tommy grinned, slinging an arm around Nick. "Oh yeah. Since our dear Nick has entered a
new era
of being a star player and a tabloid magnet, he gets to do
The Lovers' Pint
."
Charlie blinked. "That sounds... ominous."
"Itâs tradition," Wilson added, smirking. "Winner of the game-winning try shares a drink with their
one true love
."
Nick frowned. "That sounds harmless."
Tommy smirked. "Oh, it would be. If it werenât for the fact that you both have to drink it at the same time. No hands."
Nick turned to Charlie. "Weâre leaving. Right now."
Charlie, to his absolute betrayal, just grinned. "Oh no. I want to see where this goes."
A ridiculous concoction was placed in front of themâsomething murky and deeply questionable. A mix of beer, cider, and a shot of whatever Jamie had sneakily poured in last minute.
Nick sighed dramatically. "I hate all of you."
Charlie just laughed and leaned in. "Come on, Nick. Letâs show them how itâs done."
They both bent over the table, hands behind their backs, faces inches apart as they tried to angle themselves to drink at the same time. It was messyâNick nearly choked, Charlie was giggling too much to focus, and by the end of it, half the drink was on the table.
The team erupted into cheers and wolf whistles as Nick licked a stray drop off his lips and turned to Charlie, eyes full of mischief. "You realize this was just an excuse for them to get us to kiss in public, right?"
Charlie shrugged, pretending to be thoughtful. "And yet, youâre still looking at me like you want to do it again."
Nick rolled his eyes, but before Charlie could react, he grabbed his face and kissed him hard, to the absolute delight of their teammates.
Paulie clapped loudly. "Nelson, you absolute menace!"
Wilson groaned facing his girlfriend. "Poppy, we are not doing this, I
refuse
."
The team laughed at Poppyâs puppy dog eyes.
Nick just smirked against Charlieâs lips, whispering. "A try for you
and
a pint for you. What more could you want?"
Charlie just shook his head, laughing. "Youâre ridiculous."
"Yeah yeah," Nick said, pressing another kiss to his cheek. âBut you love meâ
Before Charlie could respond, Paulie threw his hands up exasperated. "Get your fucking sap out of here!"
Laughter erupted, and Nick just grinned, entirely unbothered as he pulled Charlie even closer.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
As the night wound down and drinks continued to flow, Nick found himself leaning heavier into Charlie, the warmth of alcohol and adrenaline keeping him buzzed but content. The pub had thinned out, and while some of his teammates were still going strong, he knew he was done for the night.Charlie nudged his side. "You ready to go?"Nick hummed, tilting his head against Charlieâs shoulder. "Mm. Yeah. Hotel?"Charlie bit his lip, looking a little hesitant. "Actually⊠I was thinking, maybe we go back to mine instead? There's no more training, right?"Nick blinked at him, then nodded immediately. "Yeah. Yeah, thatâs a way better idea.âCharlie smiled, and with that, they said their goodbyes, ignoring the knowing grins from Paulie and Tommy as they slipped out into the cool night air.Nick laced their fingers together, tugging Charlie close as they walked towards the station. "You planned this, didnât you?"Charlie grinned. "Maybe. But I figured youâd want some actual peace and quiet."Nick smirked. "You just want me all to yourself donât you."Charlie nudged him playfully. "Obviously."The train ride back to Charlieâs flat was shortâabout fifteen minutes if Nick had been keeping track. Long enough for them to find a quiet corner, for Charlie to rest his head on Nickâs shoulder, and for Nick to let himself sink into the feeling of being alone together after the chaos of the match.By the time they reached Charlieâs stop, the exhaustion was starting to hit, but Nick didnât care. He let Charlie pull him along, up the stairs, through the door, into the quiet of his flat.Charlie turned to him, eyes soft. "You need sleep."Nick hummed, but instead of answering, he cupped Charlieâs face and kissed him slow and deep, savoring the way Charlie melted into him, fingers curling into his jacket."You taste like that disgusting drink," Charlie murmured against his lips, but he was smiling.Nick chuckled. "Still kissing me, though."Charlie rolled his eyes but didnât move away. "Come on. Letâs get you into bed."Nick groaned. "That sounds way less fun when you say it like that."Charlie just laughed, tugging him towards his room. "Sleep first, menace. Weâll figure out the rest later."But Nick wasnât done yet. He caught Charlie by the wrist, pulling him back in, pressing their bodies together. Charlie let out a soft, surprised sound, but Nick was already kissing him again, deeper this time, hands sliding beneath Charlieâs shirt, fingers skating over warm skin.Charlie sighed into it, tilting his head to give in completely. "NickâŠ"The taller boy grinned against his lips. "Come on. I did win us the match. Donât I get a reward?"Charlie exhaled a laugh, but he didnât argue. Instead, he pulled Nick with him toward the bed, fingers fumbling at his shirt, his beltâAnd then the night faded into nothing but warmth, want, and the quiet hum of Charlieâs name on Nickâs lips.âŠâŠâŠThe morning came too soon. Nick stirred at the sound of Charlieâs soft breathing, the warmth of the duvet making it nearly impossible to move. His body achedânot just from the game but from the night before, from the way Charlie had touched him, kissed him, held him, loved him. Feeling the weight of Charlie still curled up beside him, his face tucked into Nickâs shoulder, breaths steady and warm. For a second, Nick considered stayingâignoring reality, letting himself stay wrapped up in this soft, perfect moment.Nick smiled sleepily, pressing a lazy kiss to Charlieâs bare shoulder before sighing and forcing himself upright. He scrubbed a hand down his face, glancing at his phone.7:42 AM.Shit.His Monday morning lecture was at 9, and he had to get back to Leeds in time for classes; and then head over to a meeting with his uni rugby coach.Charlie mumbled something incoherent, shifting closer, reaching out in half-conscious instinct. Nick hated himself a little as he leaned down, brushing messy curls away from Charlieâs face."Iâve got to go," he murmured, pressing a kiss to his forehead.Charlieâs brows furrowed, but he didnât open his eyes. "Donât wanna," he muttered sleepily, voice rough from sleep.Nick chuckled softly, his chest tightening at the sound. "I know, love. But I have class. And I donât think my professor will accept âpost-match celebrationsâ as an excuse."Charlie sighed, blinking blearily up at him. "Fine. But Iâm expecting at least five good morning texts."Nick grinned, already leaning in for one last kiss. "Iâll do you one better. Iâll call you when I get back."Charlie smiled against his lips, sleepy but fond. "Deal."Nick forced himself away before he could change his mind before he could climb back under the covers and let himself stay wrapped up in Charlie for just a little longer.By the time he was dressed and heading out, Charlie had already drifted back to sleep.Nick took one last look at him. And with that, Nick stepped out into the early morning chill, heading toward the station, already feeling the distance settle in his chest.It was Monday. Back to reality.âŠâŠ..The world felt quieter at this hour, the streets mostly empty as he made his way to the station. The train ride was uneventful, but the exhaustion was creeping in, the high of the weekend wearing off as the reality of another long week settled onto his shoulders.By the time he arrived on campus, the halls were already buzzing with students. He made his way into the lecture hall, slumping into a seat near the back, hoping for a quiet start to the morning.No such luck.A few heads turned as he walked in, hushed whispers floating through the room."Is that Nick Nelson?""Yeah, played for the Badgers this weekendâdid you see that last try?""Mate, he was all over my Twitter."Nick sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he pulled out his laptop. He was used to itâalmostâbut the shift in attention since Saturdayâs match was something heâd have to get used to. A girl sitting next to him glanced his way, smiling. "Hey, great game this weekend," she said casually.Nick blinked, caught off guard. "Ohâuh, thanks."She chuckled, pulling out her notes. "Didnât expect to see a pro rugby player struggling through 9 AM lectures like the rest of us."Nick huffed a laugh. "Trust me, neither did I."Before she could respond, their professor walked in, signaling the start of class. Nick exhaled, sinking into his chair. He tried to focus, taking notes, but his mind kept drifting to his next taskâthe meeting with his uni rugby coach.After class, he made his way across campus, his stomach tightening the closer he got to the athletics building. He knew this conversation wouldnât be easy. He truly didn't want to have it either.When he stepped into Coach Garethsâ office, the older man looked up, arching a brow. "Nelson. Have a seat."Nick sat, rubbing his palms against his jeans.Coach leaned back in his chair. "I have a feeling I know what this is about."Nick swallowed, then nodded. "Yeah. I think⊠I need to step away from the uni team."Coach G. studied him for a long moment before nodding slowly. "I figured this was coming."Nick hesitated. "Youâre not⊠mad?"The coach huffed a small laugh. "Mad? No. Disappointed? Maybe a little, but not for the reason you think." He leaned forward, folding his hands. "Youâve got a lot on your plate, Nick. Balancing pro rugby with university is already a massive challenge. Something had to give."Nick let out a breath he hadnât realized he was holding. "I didnât want to let the lads down."Coach nodded. "And thatâs why youâre a great player. But Iâd rather you step away now than burn yourself out trying to do everything."Nick nodded slowly. "Thank you. For understanding."Coach Gareth gave him a small smile. "Just promise me one thingâdonât forget why you love the game. And if you ever want to train with us, youâre always welcome Nick."He left the office feeling lighter, but the weight of the decision still settled in his chest. It was the right call, but it was another shift, another piece of the puzzle of his life-changing.He pulled out his phone as he stepped outside, typing out a message.Nick: Meeting went okay. On my way back. Call you soon?Charlieâs response came almost instantly.Charlie: Always.Nick buried himself in coursework the second he got back to his room, determined to get through his pile of readings and lecture notes before training tomorrow when he wouldn't have any more time. His laptop sat open on his desk, a PDF on sports biomechanics staring back at him while his notebook was filled with half-written equations and scribbled reminders.A playlist hummed softly through his speakersâsome Taylor Swift song that he wasnât really listening to, more of a background hum to keep his brain from wandering too much. His desk was cluttered with an assortment of highlighters, a coffee cup gone cold, and a protein bar he had half-eaten before forgetting about entirely.He tried to focus, really, but after an hour of reading the same paragraph over and over again, his brain started to shut down. His eyes flickered to his phone, thumb hovering over Charlieâs contact.It only took a few seconds before he gave in and pressed the call button.Charlie picked up after two rings. âNick?âNick grinned, stretching back in his chair. âHey. What are you doing?âCharlie sighed dramatically. âSuffering through my workload. You?âNick let out a laugh. âSame. Which is why Iâm calling. I need a distraction.âCharlie hummed, and Nick could hear the rustling of papers in the background. âAlright, what kind of distraction? Do you want me to quiz you? Or do you just want to hear me complain about my coursework until you feel better about yours?âNick grinned. âBit of both, honestly.âCharlie hummed in understanding. "Iâve been staring at the same paragraph for twenty minutes, and I still donât know what it means."Nick chuckled. "What are you working on?""An essay for my lit class. Something about narrative structure andâ" Charlie sighed. "Honestly, I have no idea anymore. You?""Sports science stuff. Injury prevention. I should be interested, but my brain refuses."Charlie made a sympathetic noise. "Lets quiz each other? Maybe thatâll make it less painful."Nick grinned. "Are you actually gonna pay attention, or are you just gonna distract me?"Charlie gasped in mock offense. "Me? Distract you? I would never."Nick snorted. "Liar."Charlie laughed, and Nick felt the tension in his shoulders ease. Even through a phone call, Charlie had that effect on him.They spent the next half hour half-studying, half-chatting about anything but their assignments. Charlie read out random passages from his essay in a dramatic voice, making Nick laugh. Nick tried to explain muscle recovery techniques but got sidetracked when Charlie asked how much he could deadlift. ("Not telling you. Youâll just use it as an excuse to call me strong and get me to carry you everywhere.")Eventually, Charlie yawned. "Okay, Iâm officially giving up. Iâll finish this tomorrow."Nick glanced at the clock. It was late, but he didnât want to hang up yet. "Same. Iâll just wing it in class."Charlie hummed sleepily. "Youâll be fine. Youâre smarter than you give yourself credit for."Nick felt a warmth settle in his chest at that. "Yeah, well. Youâre the genius between us."Charlie scoffed but didnât argue. "You should sleep, Nick."Nick sighed. "Yeah. You too."ââNeither of them moved to end the call.After a long pause, Charlie spoke, his voice softer. "I miss you already."Nick swallowed, smiling at the ceiling. "Miss you too. See you soon?""Yeah," Charlie murmured. "See you soon."The call ended, but Nick stayed there for a moment, staring at his phone, feeling lighter than he had all day.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Nick woke up to the sound of his phone vibrating against the nightstand. He groaned, face buried in the pillow, as he blindly reached for it. His notifications were a mess as usualâgroup chats blowing up, a handful of missed calls, and, most ominously, Google alerts with his own name in them.
It had been two days since the match, which meant the â
big importantâ
articles were finally rolling in.
Still half-asleep, he scrolled through a couple of the headlines:
Â
"Nick Nelson Lifts Boyfriend Over Barricade in Emotional Post-Match Moment"
Â
"Nick Nelson: Rugbyâs Rising StarâAnd Its First Openly Gay Power Player"
Â
"Nelsonâs Passionate Celebration Sparks Debate: Love or Unprofessionalism?"
Â
Nick sat up properly, rubbing his eyes as he clicked through the articles. Some were fantasticâcalling his performance "
electrifying
," praising his leadership on the field, even analyzing how his strength and agility were exactly what Leeds needed. Others focused more on the
moment
after the match. The moment he hadnât thought twice about at the time.
A columnist had written:
"Nick Nelson has the makings of a star. But stunts like this? He needs to decide if he wants to be a rugby player or a headline."
Nick scrolled faster, jaw tightening.
Then there were the TV segments, with ex-players debating if he had "crossed a line"âas if lifting his own boyfriend over a barrier was somehow scandalous. Some older pundits called it "distracting," saying that "rugby is about grit, not grandstanding." Others defended him, pointing out that no one would say a word if it had been a straight player kissing his wife in the stands.
His stomach twisted as he came across Charlieâs Instagram. Thousands of new comments flooded his most recent post.
@Rugbyyy7890:
"Love this couple. Nickâs a legend."
@TrueMarv3l:
"Keep it off the pitch. No one cares."
@SpringNelsonStan:
"ICONIC BEHAVIOR. KINGS."
@CalifornianDayz:
"Embarrassing. Nelson should be about rugby, not reality TV."
Nick exhaled sharply and flopped back onto his bed, staring at the ceiling.
It was so much noise. And most of it wasnât even about the game.
His phone buzzed againâthis time from Wilson.
"Youâve been upgraded to full-blown celebrity. Congrats."
âŠâŠ.
Nick walked into the Badgers' training facility an hour later, gripping his duffel bag tighter than usual. The air inside was thick with post-weekend chatter, but he could feel the weight of attention as he walked in. A few teammates clapped him on the back, murmuring
"hell of a game,"
but there were also side-eyes, smirks, and quiet nudges.
Paulie, ever the shit-stirrer, grinned as Nick dropped onto the bench.
"Superstarâs here. Enjoying the fame?"
"Shut up,"
Nick muttered, pulling off his hoodie.
Wilson slid into the seat beside him.
"You good?"
Nick shrugged.
"Yeah. Just⊠a lot."
"Figured,"
Wilson said.
"Coachâll have something to say about it."
Before Nick could respond Coach H strode into the room, carrying a tablet and shaking his head with something like amusement.
"Alright, boys, letâs get to work. Tape session first. Then weâll hit the pitch."
As everyone settled in, Hughes leaned against the front desk and gave Nick a pointed look.
"Nelson, youâve had quite the weekend."
A few snickers from the team. Nick shifted in his seat.
"Uh. Yeah."
Hughes smirked. "Next time, try to make the headlines for just the rugby, yeah?" He wasnât mad, not really, more like, bemused. Then, more seriously, "I know you didnât ask for all that attention, but this is part of the job now. Take it in stride, focus on your game, and donât let the noise get in your head. Understood?"
Nick nodded. "Yeah. Got it."
"Good. Because weâve got bigger things to talk about than your love life," Coach said, clicking the tape onto the screen. "Like how we nearly bottled that second half. Letâs go."
Relief settled in Nickâs chest. The media could say whatever they wantedâthis was where it actually mattered.
âŠâŠ.
The film session lasted nearly an hour, breaking down every crucial moment of the match.
Coach picked apart the defensive lapses, the missed tackles, and the sloppy set pieces. Nick watched himself on the screenâhis powerful runs, the final game winning try, the way he took control in the last moments of the game. He was proud of that. But he could also see the mistakes, the moments where heâd been half a step too slow, the gaps in communication with the forwards.
"Nelson, you saved our arses in the last ten minutes," Coach said, pausing a clip of Nickâs final carry. "But I need you switched on for the full eighty. No more second-half fades, got it?"
Nick nodded, absorbing every word. "Yeah. I got it."
Coach let the clip run again. "Good. Because if we want to keep winning, we need to be better. Now, letâs talk breakdownsâbecause that was a mess."
Nick took notes, exchanged quick glances with Paulie and Brenan, and stayed locked in as they dissected their performance. For all the noise outside, this was what mattered. This was what he was here for.
âŠâŠ.
When they finally got onto the field, it was straight into drills. Contact work, set plays, and fitness. Nick welcomed the exhaustion, the way it burned through all the lingering nerves from the media storm. His teammates werenât treating him differently. If anything, they were giving him just as much shit as before, maybe even a little more.
"Oi, lover boy, you gonna carry that ball or just stare into the stands looking for Charlie?" Brenan called out after Nick fumbled a pass.
"Shut up and defend, mate," Nick shot back, lowering his shoulder and bulldozing past him in the next phase.
Laughter rippled through the team, and Brenan groaned from the ground. "Alright, alright! Point taken!"
It felt normal. Grounding. Exactly what Nick needed.
By the end of training, he was drenched in sweat, muscles screaming, but his mind was clearer.
Paulie jogged up beside him, tossing him a bottle of water. "Better?"
Nick exhaled, tipping his head back for a long drink. "Yeah. Much."
Paulir smirked. "See? Told you. The noise dies down when youâre out here."
Nick nodded, rolling out his shoulders. He knew the press wouldnât shut up anytime soon, but for now, at least, he could breathe.
"Pub later?" Paulie asked.
Nick hesitated. He still had uni work to get through, and part of him just wanted to call Charlie. But maybe a drink wouldnât be the worst idea.
"Yeah, alright. But Iâm not getting dragged into another initiation stunt, especially because Charlie isn't here."
Tommy laughed, walking by. "No promises, mate. No promises."
As they headed toward the locker room, Nickâs phone buzzed in his bag. He already knew who it was.
Charlie.
A small smile tugged at his lips. He could handle the headlines, the pressure, all of itâbecause at the end of the day, he still had this.
âŠâŠ
The pub was alive with noise when Nick stepped inside, the familiar hum of conversation and clatter of glasses filling the air. His teammates had claimed their usual corner, half a dozen pints already on the table, and Paulie waved him over the moment he stepped inside.
"Look who finally decided to show up," Paulie said, sliding a pint toward him. "Thought you might bail for a second."
Nick dropped onto the bench with a sigh. "Yeah, yeah. I had to pretend I care about my degree for a bit."
Brenan snorted. "Big man, balancing a rugby career and an education. What a role model."
Nick rolled his eyes but took a sip of his drink anyway. He wasnât in the mood for a big night out, but sitting here, laughing with his team, felt easier than sitting alone in his flat, overthinking everything.
The conversation drifted. Recapping the match, dissecting other league games, roasting Tommy about his absolutely horrific attempt at a drop goal in training. Nick let himself relax, the tension in his shoulders easing bit by bit.
But, of course, the topic couldnât stay away from
him
for long.
"So, Nelson," Jamie started, drumming his fingers on the table. "Have you actually read any of the articles about yourself yet?"
Nick exhaled heavily. "Unfortunately."
Paulie grinned. "Come on, mate. Some of them are pretty funny. âRugbyâs Golden Boy Sweeps Boyfriend Off His Feetââvery dramatic."
T smirked. "âPrince of Rugby or Prince Charming?â That one was my personal favorite."
"Alright,
alright
," Nick groaned, shaking his head. "I get it. Everyone suddenly has an opinion about my personal life."
Jimmy raised an eyebrow. "Youâre really handling this better than last time."
Nick hesitated, fingers tracing the condensation on his glass.
Last time.
When that picture of him and Charlie kissing had first blown up, heâd completely panicked. Had let it get in his head, let it mess with his game.
But this time? This time, it was different.
"Yeah," Nick admitted, looking down at his drink. "Guess Iâve grown up a bit."
"Guess so," Jimmy said, nudging his shoulder.
Nick glanced at his phone, checking the time. It was getting late, and he
did
still have coursework to finish. And, if he was being honest, heâd rather be talking to Charlie than sitting through another half-hour of his teammates coming up with ridiculous new nicknames for him.
He pushed his chair back. "Alright, lads, Iâm heading out."
Paulie feigned offense. "Already? What, got a hot date?"
"Shut
up
," Nick groaned, flipping him the bird as he grabbed his jacket.
Their laughter followed him out of the pub, and he shook his head with a small smile.
âBYE NICKY BOY!â
All he could do was laugh at his ridiculous mates as he stepped out into the cool night air, he pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed the number he knew by heart.
Charlie picked up on the second ring. "Hey, you."
Nick sighed, letting the sound of Charlieâs voice settle something deep in his chest. "Hey. Just left the pub."
"Did you survive the teasing?"
"Just about."
Charlie chuckled. "Proud of you."
Nick smiled, glancing up at the stars as he walked. "I miss you."
"I miss you too."
Charlie hummed softly on the other end of the line. âI bet youâre exhausted.â
Nick let out a breathy laugh. âUnderstatement. Training was brutal. Coach tore into us over the second half, and Brenan wonât shut up about me apparently being distracted.â
Charlie snorted. âDistracted by
what
exactly?â
Nick smirked. âOh, I donât know. Some curly-haired guy Iâm
hopelessly
in love with.â
Charlie groaned. âYouâre such a sap.â
âOh, but you love it,â Nick teased.
Charlie didnât deny it. âSo, are you heading back now?â
The older boy sighed, âYeah, heading back to mine. Might grab something to eat first, though. I barely ate today.â
Charlie tsked on the other end of the line. âNicholas Nelson, professional athlete, forgetting to eat? Iâm calling the authorities.â
Nick chuckled. âI didnât forget. Just⊠got caught up in everything.â
Charlie sighed. âI wish I was there. Iâd make you something.â
Nickâs heart squeezed at the thought. He could picture it so clearlyâCharlie fussing over him in the kitchen, making sure he ate something proper, probably stealing bites of whatever monstrosity he wouldâve cooked.
âThat sounds perfect,â Nick admitted. âBut since youâre not here, I guess Iâll have to settle for a Tesco meal deal.â
Charlie gasped dramatically. âNo. Not the meal deal.â
Nick grinned. âWhat? Itâs efficient.â
âItâs a cry for help Nick.â
Nick laughed, turning the corner toward the nearest shop. The streets were quiet at this hour, just the occasional car passing by. He liked moments like this, when everything slowed down and it was just him and Charlie on the phone, like nothing else
really
mattered.
Charlieâs voice was softer now. âAre you okay, though? I mean⊠really?â
Nick paused outside the shop, his grip tightening on his phone. He could lie, say he was fine, but Charlie would know. He always did.
âI donât know,â Nick admitted. âItâs a lot. The game, the media stuff, training. I still feel like Iâm constantly trying to prove myself.â
Charlie was quiet for a moment before saying, âYou donât have to prove anything, Nick. Youâre already incredible. Everybody knows it.â
Nick exhaled, letting the words settle in his chest. âI just⊠I feel like I'm some how going to mess this up.â
âYou wonât.â Charlieâs voice was steady, sure. âAnd even if you do,
which you wonât,
Iâll still be here. Always.â
Nick closed his eyes for a moment, soaking that in. âI love you.â
âI love you too,â Charlie murmured.
Nick sighed, feeling some of the tension ease from his shoulders. âAlright, let me go grab some food before you start lecturing me again.â
âToo late, the lecture is already forming in my head,â Charlie teased. âBut fine, go. Text me when you get back, okay?â
âPromise.â
Nick hung up, shoving his phone back into his pocket as he stepped inside the shop.
He made quick work of grabbing something to eat. Settling on a sandwich, a protein bar, and a bottle of water, before heading back to the flat. The bus ride wasnât long, but by the time he made it to the door, exhaustion was seeping into his bones. He fumbled with his keys for a second before finally pushing inside.
The flat was dimly lit, only the glow from the TV illuminating the living room. Ronan was sprawled across the couch, one leg hanging over the armrest, half-asleep, while Sai sat cross-legged on the floorâlike usualâand eyes glued to his laptop.
Sai barely looked up. âYouâre home late.â
Nick dropped his bag by the door and kicked off his shoes with a sigh. âYeah, stopped at the pub with the lads.â
Ronan grunted from the couch. âSaw that coming. They give you shit?â
Nick let out a tired laugh, moving into the kitchen to grab a glass of water. âOf course. But nothing too bad.â
Sai finally glanced up from his screen, raising a brow. âNothing too bad? You do know that the entire sports media world has been talking about you for two days straight, right?â
Nick groaned, rubbing his face. âPlease donât remind me.â
Sai smirked. âToo late.â He reached for his phone, tapping a few times before reading aloud, ââNick Nelson proves heâs a force to be reckoned with in his professional debut, but is he ready for the spotlight?ââ He snorted. âOh, and my personal favoriteââRugbyâs rising star or tabloid sensation? Nelson steals the show on and off the pitch.ââ
Nick dropped his head onto the counter. âI hate it here.â
Ronan chuckled, finally sitting up. âItâs not that bad. Theyâre talking about your rugby, too.â
âYeah, but they wonât shut the fuck up about everything else.â Nick lifted his head. âAnd you just know theyâre gonna dig into me and Charlie more. Itâs like⊠I canât just exist without them making it A Thing.â
Sai shrugged. âWell, you could always be really boring and mediocre, and then no one would care.â
Nick shot him a look. âThanks, Sai. Super helpful.â
Ronan yawned, stretching his arms over his head. âLook, itâs annoying, yeah. But itâll die down eventually. Just keep playing the way you did on Sunday, and theyâll have no choice but to focus on that.â
Nick sighed. âYeah, I know.â
Sai tilted his head. âAnd if they donât, we could always start feeding them fake stories. âNick Nelson caught sneaking out of a bakery at 2 AM. Sources confirm he bought six croissants and refused to share.ââ
Nick huffed out a laugh. âHonestly, Iâd take that over whatever bullshit theyâre writing now.â
Ronan grinned. âThen itâs settled. We start a misinformation campaign.â
Nick rolled his eyes but couldnât help the small smile that tugged at his lips. As much as the media got to him, at least he had this. His friends, his team, Charlie. That was enough to keep him grounded.
âAlright,â he said, pushing off the counter. âIâm going to bed before you two convince me to commit actual crimes.â
Sai smirked. âNo promises.â
Ronan waved a lazy hand. âNight, Superstar.â
Nick groaned but didnât fight it. He grabbed his bag and headed to his room, already looking forward to finally getting some sleep.
âŠ..
The next week flew by. Between training, classes, and the
constant
hum of media chatter, Nick barely had time to think about anything else. Every morning, a new article popped up dissecting his performance, his relationship, his every move. Some of it was fineâpraise for his last-minute try, analysis of his power gameâbut the rest? The usual nonsense. Speculation about his focus, recycled debates about his place in the league, and, of course, far too much discussion about Charlie.
But by midweek, none of that mattered. Because Cardiff was coming.
The Falcons were a completely different challenge from the last match. They were fast. Ruthlessly fast. Their offload game was one of the best in the league, and Rhys Morgan was the kind of scrum-half who could change a match in an instant. Nick had played against Ewan Davies before, back in juniors. He knew exactly how powerful the Falconsâ number eight could be when given space.
That meant they had one job: shut them down before they could even get going.
ThursdayâŠ
Nick sat in the film room, bouncing his knee as the coaching staff ran through the Falconsâ last few matches. Every clip was a reminder of just how dangerous they were in transitionâturnovers turned into tries in seconds, wingers flying down the sidelines before defenses even had time to set.
"Right," Coach Hughes said, pausing the tape on a breakdown. "This is what they thrive on. You give them a second of chaos, and theyâre gone." He turned to the forwards. "Nick, Mark, Paulie, âyou lot need to slow them down. Make the breakdowns a nightmare. If they canât play quick ball, they canât play their game."
Nick nodded, already mapping out exactly how he was going to do that.
Coach let the tape roll again, highlighting how Rhys directed their attack. "Scrum-half dictates everything. If we rattle him, we rattle their whole system."
Mark, sitting two seats down, grinned. "So what youâre saying is⊠we bully him."
"Legally," Coach added with a pointed look.
"Of course," Mark said, completely unconvincing.
Nick smirked but stayed locked in as the meeting went on. They talked defensive structures, counterattacks, and how to exploit the Falconsâ tendency to overcommit on the wings. By the time they left the room, his brain was buzzing.
The match was in two days. And Nick could already feel the tension settling in his bones.
FridayâŠ
The final training session before a match was always lightâjust enough to get the body moving, to finalize plays, to lock everything in. But the energy was there. Focused. Intent.
Nick felt it in the way every pass was just a little sharper, in the way contact drills had just a bit more bite. His body ached, but it was a good ache. The kind that told him he was ready.
After training, as they were heading back to the locker room, Jimmy nudged Nick. "Feeling good?"
Nick exhaled. "Yeah. Just⊠need to get out there already."
Jimmy chuckled. "You always get like this before big games."
Nick knew that. He felt it in his gutâthe simmering anticipation, the quiet tension before everything exploded onto the pitch.
Tomorrow. It will all happen tomorrow.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Nick had barely stepped out of the training facility when he saw them.
A wall of reporters, cameras flashing, microphones angled toward him like weapons. His stomach clenched, but he kept walking, jaw tight, duffel bag slung over his shoulder. He shouldâve expected this.
âNick! Just a few questions before the big match?â
He ignored the first voice, adjusting the strap on his team issued bag.
âCardiffâs offload game is one of the best in the league. Do you think the Badgers can keep up?â
That, at least, was a
reasonable
question. Nick forced himself to nod. âWeâve done our homework. Itâs going to be a challenge, but weâre ready.â
âSpeaking of challenges,â another voice cut in, sharper, âsome critics think Ewan Davies is the real number eight to watch this season. Do you feel like you have something to prove in this match?â
Nickâs grip on his bag tightened.
Critics
. Right. They always had something to say.
âI donât play for headlines,â he said evenly. âI play for my team.â
A murmur ran through the group, but before he could make his escape, the next question landed like a punch.
âNick, some are saying your personal life is becoming a distraction. Do you think all this attention is affecting your game?â
His feet stilled for half a second. A mistake. The reporters latched onto it immediately, voices overlapping.
âWouldnât it be easier if you kept things more private?â
âIs it fair to your team?â
Nick exhaled sharply through his nose. He wasnât going to give them anything. Heâd learned that lesson weeks ago. But God, it was exhausting, the way they never let up. How his name could never
just
be about rugby.
He turned, gaze steely. âIf youâve got questions about the match, Iâll answer them. Otherwise, Iâve got nothing to say.â
And with that, he walked.
He could still hear them calling after him, still feel the weight of the moment pressing against his shoulders. But he didnât stop.
The only place that mattered now was the pitch.
âŠâŠ
By the time Nick stepped into the changing room the next day, the atmosphere was already electric. The steady thrum of boots against the tile, the sound of tape being ripped and wrapped around wrists, and ankles. The low murmur of last-minute game plansâŠ
all of it
sent adrenaline coursing through Nickâs veins.
He dropped his bag onto the bench and pulled off his hoodie, rolling his shoulders as he took in the scene. Paulie was already bouncing on his toes, headphones in, lost in his pre-match routine. Brenan was grinning through a half-hearted attempt at keeping things light, throwing bits of athletic tape at Jimmy, who swatted them away with a patented Captain Scowl.
Nick exhaled slowly. This was it.
He quickly checked his phone-
Charlie:
Good luck Nick!!! I know youâre gonna fucking kill it. Iâll be watching the game, and cheering you on (even if Iâm stuck in an exam hall). I love you xx
Paulie clapped a hand on his shoulder as he passed Nick putting his phone back in his bag. âReady, Superstar?â
Nick shot him a look, but the nickname barely registered anymore. âAlways.â
Wilson jogged in a few seconds later after coming in from checking the fields, shaking rain from his hair. âItâs coming down out there,â he announced, rubbing his hands together. âPitch is gonna be a bloody mess.â
Nick only nodded. Rain meant slower ball, harder scrums, tougher breakdowns. Exactly the kind of conditions they needed to disrupt Cardiffâs fast-paced attack.
Coach Hughes stepped into the center of the room, his presence enough to silence the hum of conversation. âAlright, lads. You know what weâre up against.â He crossed his arms, scanning the team. âCardiff plays fast. They thrive in chaos. Weâre not letting them dictate the tempo today.â
A few nods around the room.
âOur job is simple. We win the collisions. We shut down their offloads. We make this game an
absolute
nightmare for them.â His eyes landed on Nick. âNelson.â
Nick straightened.
âYou know what theyâve been saying.â
He didnât have to ask what Coach meant.
Coach nodded. âGood. Now,
use it
.â
Nick clenched his jaw. He would.
The team roared their response as they clapped their hands together, the usual pre-game chaos reaching its peak as they headed for the tunnel. Nickâs heart pounded as they stepped into the pouring rain, the roar of the crowd swallowing them whole.
He locked eyes with Rhys Morgan across the pitch. The Falconsâ captain smirked, offering a quick nod.
Nick nodded back.
Let them talk. Let them doubt him.
He was about to prove every single one of them wrong.
âŠâŠ
The rain came down in relentless sheets, soaking through Nickâs jersey before the first whistle even blew. He flexed his fingers, shaking out his arms as he settled into position. The ball was already slick, the pitch a mud pit waiting to happen.
Opposite him, Rhys Morgan barked orders to his forwards, the Falconsâ captain exuding confidence. Nick could see whyâCardiff was built for speed, but Rhys? He was the brains behind it. He controlled the tempo, clearly pulling the strings.
Nick had every intention of cutting those strings.
The whistle shrieked, and the game was on.
The first ten minutes were absolutely brutal.
Every carry was a fight. Every breakdown, a battle. Leeds threw themselves into tackles, hitting hard, making Cardiff fight for every inch. Nick led the charge, slamming into the opposition with calculated aggression.
Then, the first real moment of danger. A loose ball. A Falcons turnover.
Rhys snatched it up and fired a lightning-fast pass out wide. Tim Gale, Cardiffâs lethal winger, took off like a bullet. Nick pivoted, sprinting backâhe wouldnât get there in timeâ
A diving tackle. Jimmy. He wrapped up Galeâs legs and sent him sprawling into the mud just short of the 22. The Badgers scrambled to reset, but Cardiff was already recycling, already pressing forward.
Nick braced himself as Ewan charged straight for him.
Collision. A sharp, shuddering impact as their bodies met. Nickâs boots skidded through the mud, but he didnât go down. He dug in, wrapped his arms tight, and wrenched Davies backward as support flooded in.
The refâs whistle blew.
âHeld up!â
A roar of frustration from the Cardiff forwards. A surge of adrenaline through Nickâs veins.
âŠâŠ
By halftime, it was an all-out war.
Leeds led by a single penalty kick, 3-0, but Cardiff was breathing down their necks. The conditions had slowed the game down, exactly what they wanted, but it was far from comfortable.
On the sideline, the energy was a mix of exhaustion and determination. Nick sat on the bench, breathing hard as Coach Hughes laid out second-half adjustments.
âTheyâre getting desperate,â Coach said. âKeep frustrating them. Keep shutting down their space. Make them hate every second of this match.â
Nick wiped sweat and rain from his face. His body ached. His lungs burned.
He wanted more.
âŠ..
In the second half Cardiff came out swinging. A penalty gave them easy territory, and suddenly, Leeds was camped on their own try line, forced to defend with everything they had.
Jimmy barked orders, Nick throwing himself into tackles, holding the line. They repelled one wave. Then another. Thenâ
A chip kick over the top.
Morgan darted through, collecting it in stride, diving for the line.
The whistle blew. Try.
The Falcons erupted in celebration as Nick slammed a fist into the mud.
Cardiff took the lead, 5-3.
Â
The final ten minutes were held up by sheer will-power. The rain hadnât let up, if anything it had only pounded harder. The ball felt like a bar of soap. The clock was winding down, and Leeds needed a moment. Just
one
chance to steal it back.
Nick could barely hear himself think over the crowd as they set up for a scrum just outside the Falconsâ 22.
âBig push here, lads,â Wilson muttered, digging his boots into the ground.
The ref gave the signal. The packs engaged.
Nick felt the surge, the raw force of bodies clashing, his team driving forward.
The ball shot out the back. Wilson scooped it up, firing it wideâNick to JimmyâJimmy to Brenanâ
Tommy ran the inside support line, waiting, waitingâ
The pass came to the Fly-half
He caught it, lowered his shoulder, and charged.
A hit. Then another. Bodies clung to him, trying to drag him downâ
One last push.
Tommyâs boots scraped against the mud, and thenâ
Contact with the ground.
The whistle.
Try.
âŠ..
The final score: Badgers 8, Falcons 5.
Nick stood there for a second, chest heaving, rain mixing with sweat and mud, his body screaming from every collision. ThenâŠTommy.
Flat on his back in the try zone, grinning wildly through the downpour.
Nick barely had time to process it before his teammates swarmed, dragging Tommy to his feet, clapping him on the back, ruffling his soaked hair.
Tommy had done it. A perfect support run, bursting through the defensive line at the last second, just as Nick had sucked in the final tacklers. Heâd grounded the ball cleanly, sealing the game.
The final whistle blew, and Nick barely registered anything except the overwhelming relief.
They had done it.
Through the storm, through the noise, through everythingâ
Nick had won.
They had won.
Tommy had barely caught his breath on his feet before someoneâprobably Markâhoisted him onto their shoulders. Tom let out a startled yell, flailing. âPut me the fuck down! Iâm too bloody tired for this!â
Laughter rippled through the team as he was unceremoniously dropped back to the mud, shaking his head. âUnbelievable,â he muttered, but he was grinning.
Nick turned, breathing deep, trying to take it all in. His gaze caught on Rhys, Cardiffâs captain, who stood just a few meters away, hands on his hips, studying Nick with an unreadable expression. Then, slowly, Rhys gave a single nod.
âDidnât think you had it in you, Nelson,â he called over the rain.
Nick exhaled, rolling his shoulders. âGuess you thought wrong.â
Rhys smirked. âYeah. I did.â And with that, he turned, heading back toward his own team.
Nearby, Ewan wasnât taking it so well. Cardiffâs number eight was storming off, jaw tight, his frustration bleeding through every movement. He barely spared Nick a glance as he passed, but Nick felt itâthe tension, the unfinished business. This wouldnât be the last time they clashed.
âŠâŠ
The locker room was a mess. Mud-streaked kits tossed onto the floor, the air thick with sweat, rain, and
victory
. Someone had already cracked open a speaker, music thumping low beneath the sound of boots clattering on tile and voices overlapping in celebration.
Nick dropped onto the bench in front of his locker, finally letting his body register just how wrecked he felt. His legs ached, his arms felt like lead, and his ribs were still stinging from a brutal tackle in the second half. But none of it mattered. They had won.
Tommy collapsed next to him, groaning. âIf anyone so much as suggests running drills next week, Iâm quitting rugby.â
Paulie laughed from across the room. âPlease, you love the suffering.â
âNot this much,â Tommy shot back, tipping his head back against the locker. âSwear down, that was the hardest eighty minutes of my life.â
âYou scored the game-winning try,â Nick pointed out, nudging his shoulder.
Tommy cracked a tired grin. âDamn right, I did.â
On the other side of the room, Paulie and Wilson were reenacting the final scrum like it was some kind of war story, and Brenan was already stuffing protein bars into his mouth like he hadnât eaten in days.
Coach Hughes stepped in, clapping his hands once to get their attention. âGood work tonight, lads.â His voice cut through the noise, and the room settled just enough to listen. âThat was a hell of a grind, but you stuck to the game plan and got the job done. Cardiff wanted to play fast, and we shut them down. Thatâs how we win these matches.â
There were murmurs of agreement, nods, even the occasional grunt from players too exhausted to speak.
Hughes gave a sharp nod, then clapped his hands again. âGet your recovery in. Ice baths, check ins with Sophie, foodâhe locked eyes with Brenan, half a granola bar in his mouthâwhatever you lads need. And enjoy this one. You bloody earned it.â
That was all it took for the energy in the room to kick back up. Someone tossed a towel at Nickâs headâBrenan, probablyâand the post-match high rolled on, exhaustion and all.
Nick leaned back against the lockers, exhaling as he reached for his phone. Two unread messages.
Charlie: Proud of you. Wish I was there <3 Mum: So happy for you honey!! Nurse station let me sneak my phone while we logged patients đ
Nick smiled, thumbs hovering over the keyboard before he typed back.
Nick:
Wish you were here too. Call you later?
The reply came almost instantly.
Charlie:
Always.
He hesitated, glancing back at his mumâs message. It had been a while since theyâd properly talked. Not because they didnât want to, but because they kept missing each otherâhis training, her shifts, the way time always seemed to slip through their fingers. She worked long hours at the hospital, picking up extra shifts that clashed directly with his schedule. By the time he was free, she was either already on the ward or crashing for a few hours of sleep before heading back in.
It had been like this ever since he moved to Leeds. She was still his biggest supporter. Watching matches when she could, sneaking updates during breaks, sending texts just like this to remind him she was there. It wasnât the same as having her in the standsâlike in secondaryâbut he knew she was trying.
He typed quickly.
Nick:
Love you, Mum. Hope you get some rest.
A moment later, three dots appeared.
Mum:
Love you too, Nicky. Iâll call when I can.
Nick sighed, setting his phone down. He wished things were different, wished he could just pop home for dinner like he used to. But this was just how it was now.
At least she was still watching. That was enough.
âŠ..
The next morning, Nick was on a train straight to London. His body still ached from the match, bruises blooming across his arms and legs, but none of it mattered. Because in just a few hours, heâd see Charlie.
The train felt both impossibly long and not long enough. He watched raindrops race down the window, music humming in his ears, but his mind was already ahead of him. Already on Charlie.
Calls and texts could only do so much. He needed to see him, hold him, breathe him in.
When the train pulled into the station, Nick barely waited for the doors to open before stepping out into the rush of London morning crowds. His duffel bag was slung over one shoulder as he scanned the platform until he saw him.
Charlie.
Standing just past the ticket barriers, bouncing on the balls of his feet, hands shoved into the pockets of his coat. His hair was damp from the drizzle outside, curls falling into his face, and the second their eyes met, the younger boy grinned.
Nick didnât hesitate. He was moving before he even registered it, weaving through people, shoving past a man with a briefcase (who muttered something annoyed, but whatever). And then..
Then he had Charlie in his arms.
Charlie let out a breathless laugh as Nick lifted him off the ground, wrapping his arms tight around his shoulders. âNick,â
Nick just held him tighter, pressing his face into Charlieâs neck, breathing him in. Warm and familiar, like home.
Charlie clung to him, fingers twisting into the fabric of Nickâs hoodie. âMissed you,â he mumbled.
Nick squeezed his eyes shut for a second. âMissed you more.â
They stayed like that, wrapped up in each other, as if the whole world had melted away.
Eventually, Charlie pulled back just enough to look at him, eyes flicking over Nickâs face. He reached up, brushing a thumb over the bruise on Nickâs cheekbone. âYou look veryâŠrugby.â
Nick huffed a laugh. âYou should see the rest of me.â
Charlie raised an eyebrow. âOh? Should I?â
Nick flushed, but Charlie just grinned, tugging him toward the exit. âCâmon, you giant rugby lad. Letâs get you home.â
And with Charlieâs hand in his, Nick let himself be pulled along.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
They stepped out into the chilly London drizzle, but Nick barely felt it. Charlie was here, solid and warm beside him, their fingers laced together like they belonged that way.
Charlie glanced up at him, amusement dancing in his eyes. âDid you bring an umbrella?â
Nick grinned. âYou
know
I didnât.â
Charlie sighed, fond and exasperated all at once, before tugging his coat tighter around himself. âYou are actually useless.â
âAnd yet, you love me.â
Charlie bumped their shoulders together. âAlways,â he sighed exasperatedly.
Nick chuckled, squeezing his hand as they made their way down the street. It was busy. Cars honking, people huddling under umbrellas, the usual London chaosâbut none of it mattered. The city blurred into the background, the noise distant, because all Nick cared about was the boy beside him.
Charlieâs flat wasnât far, a fifteen-minute walk from the station, and they took their time. Somewhere between crossing streets and dodging puddles, Charlie started updating him on his weekâhis exam (which he was sure he fucked up but definitely didnât), how Tori had finally warmed up to the cafĂ© near her university, a ridiculous thing Tao said in their group chat.
Nick just listened, soaking in the sound of his voice, the way his nose scrunched when he got animated, the way he gestured when he talked.
By the time they reached Charlieâs building, Nickâs duffel was starting to dig into his shoulder, but he barely noticed. He let Charlie lead him up the stairs, keys jingling as he unlocked the door.
The second it shut behind them, Nick sighed, rolling his shoulders. âFinally.â
Charlie turned, eyes bright with amusement. âFinally?â
Nick didnât answer. He just dropped his bag, stepped forward, and kissed him.
Charlie made a surprised noise against his lips before melting into it, hands fisting in Nickâs hoodie. It was slow, warm, a kiss that tasted like time apart and relief, like I missed you and I love you and Iâm here now.
When they pulled apart, Charlieâs breath was a little uneven, but he smiled, pressing his forehead against Nickâs. âHi.â
Nick grinned. âHi.â
Charlie tugged him toward the couch. âCâmon, you must be exhausted.â
Nick didnât argue. He let Charlie pull him down, curling up together in the too-small space, limbs tangled. It was quiet now, just the hum of the city outside and the steady rhythm of Charlieâs breathing.
Nick closed his eyes, exhaling slow.
Charlieâs fingers traced absentminded circles on Nickâs arm, the fabric of his hoodie soft under his touch. They werenât saying muchânot because there was nothing to say, but because they didnât need to.
Nick let himself sink further into the couch, his body finally relaxing after the chaos of the past week. The weight of the match, the pressure, the endless noiseâit had all been so much. But here, in the quiet warmth of Charlieâs flat, none of it mattered.
Charlie shifted slightly, adjusting so he could look up at Nick properly. âYou really okay?â
Nick cracked an eye open, catching the way Charlie was studying himâhis face open, a little worried, like he was still looking for cracks Nick hadnât noticed yet.
Nick smiled, reaching up to brush a stray curl from Charlieâs forehead. âI am now.â
Charlie made a quiet noise, something soft and pleased, before tucking himself closer. âYou donât have to be âfineâ all the time, you know.â
Nick sighed. âI know.â And he did. At least, with Charlie, he did.
Charlie let that sit for a second before exhaling, his breath warm against Nickâs hoodie. âYou were amazing, by the way. I mean, I only saw the highlights, but still.â
Nick let out a low chuckle. âThe highlights donât show the part where I nearly got flattened by Davies.â
Charlie lifted his head just enough to smirk. âShame. I wouldâve liked to see that.â
Nick rolled his eyes, but his chest was warm, his exhaustion fading into something quieter, something steadier.
Charlie yawned then, small and tired, and Nick instinctively pulled him closer.
âYou can sleep if you want,â Nick murmured.
Charlie hummed. âNot yet.â
Nick didnât question it. He just pressed a slow kiss to the top of Charlieâs head and let the quiet settle around them again.
âŠ..
A few hours later, Charlie stretched against Nickâs side, blinking the sleep from his eyes. âOkay,â he murmured, voice thick with drowsiness, ânow Iâm hungry.â
Nick smiled, running a hand up and down Charlieâs back. âYeah?â
Charlie nodded, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. âYeah. And before you suggest ordering something, youâve been living off protein bars and terrible takeaway, havenât you?â
Nick opened his mouth to argue, then promptly closed it.
Charlie raised an eyebrow. âExactly.â
Nick groaned, dropping his head back against the couch. âI hate how well you know me.â
Charlie grinned, pushing himself up. âCâmon, weâre getting proper food. My treat.â
Nick perked up slightly. âOh, so I get to be spoiled now?â
Charlie rolled his eyes but tugged at Nickâs hand until he followed.
They stepped out into the soft drizzle of London, hands brushing as they walked toward one of Charlieâs favorite little cafĂ©s. It wasnât fancy, but it was cozy, tucked away from the cityâs busiest streets, the kind of place with handwritten menus and coffee that actually tasted good.
Inside, the smell of fresh bread and something sweet filled the air. Nick sighed contentedly. âOkay, yeah. This was a good idea.â
Charlie shot him a smug little smile before leading them to a table by the window. âTold you.â
They orderedâCharlie getting some sort of soup and a sandwich, Nick going for a full English breakfast despite it being well past noon.
When the food arrived, Charlie watched in amused horror as Nick absolutely demolished his plate. âYou do realize you donât have to fight your food, right?â
Nick, halfway through a bite of sausage, shrugged. âRugby metabolism.â
Charlie snorted, shaking his head. âUnbelievable.â
They ate in comfortable silence for a bit, the rain tapping gently against the window beside them.
Then, after a while, Charlie asked, âDo you think youâll get a break soon?â
Nick exhaled, pushing his plate away slightly. âDunno. Maybe. If we keep winning, there wonât be much time off.â
Charlie nodded, quiet for a moment. Then, softer, âI just miss you.â
Nickâs chest ached in that way it always did when he was reminded how much they existed in separate worlds. He reached across the table, fingers wrapping around Charlieâs. âI miss you too, but then we have nearly all of summer together.â
Charlie offered a small smile. âWeâve got this, yeah?â
Nick squeezed his hand. âYeah. Always.â he said, like it was the easiest thing ever.
âŠ.
After lunch, they took their time walking back. The rain had lightened into a mist, just enough to make everything feel soft and blurred, like a scene from an old movie. Nick could feel the weight of the week still settled in his bones, but with Charlie beside him, the world felt quieter. Easier.
Charlie swung their hands between them as they walked. âI still canât believe you ate all of that.â
Nick grinned. âGotta keep the rugby metabolism going.â
Charlie hummed. âIâm surprised youâre even still awake after that. Usually, food plus post-match exhaustion equals you crashing for ten hours.â
Nick bumped his shoulder lightly. âYou saying Iâm predictable?â
Charlie smirked. âYouâre saying youâre not?â
Nick rolled his eyes but didnât argue. Charlie did know him better than anyone.
They reached Charlieâs flat, stepping inside just as the drizzle started picking up again. Charlie kicked off his shoes and stretched, letting out a small sigh. âDâyou wanna just⊠stay in for the rest of the day?â
Nick was already dropping onto the couch, limbs heavy, body still catching up to everything heâd put it through in the last week. âI thought that was a given.â
Charlie laughed softly, moving to put on the kettle. âAlright, but if you fall asleep on me again, Iâm taking pictures this time.â
Nick peeked at him over the back of the couch. âAs if you donât already have hundreds.â
Charlie didnât deny it.
A little while later, they were curled up together again, the soft hum of the TV in the background, rain pattering against the window. Charlie absentmindedly traced shapes along Nickâs forearm like usual, and Nick felt himself drifting in and out, just on the edge of sleep.
Charlie shifted, voice quiet. âYou staying until tomorrow?â
Nick made a soft noise in response, too comfortable to form actual words, but he nodded.
Charlie smiled against his shoulder. âGood.â
And Nickâwarm, full, exhausted in the best wayâfelt something settle in his chest.
Yeah. This was good.
âŠ..
The next morning, Nick woke to the sound of Charlieâs soft breathing against his shoulder and the faint glow of early light filtering through the curtains. For a blissful moment, he let himself stay thereâwarm, content, his fingers lazily tracing circles against Charlieâs back.
Then his phone buzzed.
Nick groaned, blindly reaching for it on the bedside table. The screen lit up with an absurd number of notifications. Messages. Mentions. News alerts.
Charlie stirred, mumbling, âWhat time is it?â
Nick squinted at the screen. âToo early.â
Charlie yawned, shifting against him. âWhyâs your phone going off like that?â
Nick exhaled through his nose, already dreading whatever awaited him. âLetâs find out.â
He unlocked his phone, scrolling through the messages first. A handful from teammates. A few from his agentânormal. Then one from Imogen that just read:
Youâre gonna wanna see this.
Nickâs stomach dipped. He clicked the link she sent.
The articleâs headline hit him first.
NELSON SILENCES DOUBTERS IN GUTSY WINâBUT ITâS WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THAT HAS PEOPLE TALKING.
âOh, for fuckâs sake.â Nick muttered
Charlie, now more awake, peered over his shoulder. âWhat?â
Nick skimmed. It was mostly praise for the matchâthe Badgersâ win, Tommyâs last-minute try, Nickâs performance in the rain. But then, further down, the article shifted gears.
And while Nelson was making waves on the pitch, itâs his personal life that continues to capture attention. Immediately after the match, Nelson was seen boarding a train to London, reportedly to reunite with longtime partner Charlie Spring. With his ever-growing presence in the sport, will the scrutiny prove too much?
Charlie groaned. âOh, come on. How is that even news?â
Nick rubbed a hand down his face. â I donât know. But itâs a train ride god dammit! And now itâs everywhere.â
And it was. Every rugby page had some version of the story. Some harmless. Others⊠not so much.
Charlie frowned. âDo you thinkââ
Nick sighed. âI think I donât care.â And he meant it. Mostly.
Charlie didnât look entirely convinced, but he let it drop, leaning his head back against Nickâs shoulder. âTheyâre ridiculous.â
Nick hummed in agreement. He didnât love itâthe way people talked about them like that, like his relationship was just another headline. But Charlie was here, pressed against him, fingers playing with the hem of Nickâs sleeve.
So, really. Let them talk.
Charlie huffed, still scrolling through the article. âThey make it sound like some dramatic reunion.â
Nick snorted. âYeah, because me getting on a train after a match is
so
scandalous.â
Charlie tapped his phone. âLook at this oneâ
âNelson spotted rushing to Londonârugbyâs golden boy puts love before the game?â
â He gave Nick a flat look. âDid you know youâre a
romantic hero
now?â
Nick groaned, flopping back onto the pillows. âBrilliant. Thatâs exactly what I was going for.â
Charlie nudged him. âI mean⊠it
is
kind of romantic.â
Nick cracked an eye open, pretending to scowl. âDonât encourage them.â
Charlie just grinned, shifting so he was half-draped over Nickâs chest, the weight of him grounding. âOkay, okay. Iâll stop.â He paused, then added, âAfter I post a picture of you looking moody in the rain with the caption
âLove always winsâ.
â
Nick groaned louder this time, rolling them so he could bury his face in the crook of Charlieâs neck. âYou wouldnât.â
Charlie laughed, warm and bright. âNo, but can you imagine the meltdown?â
Nick
could
imagine it. Too easily. But right now, with Charlie tangled up with him, his voice still soft with sleep, it all felt very distant.
Nick exhaled against Charlieâs skin, tightening his hold. âWe should probably eat at some point.â
Charlie hummed. âAre you suggesting a post-scandal breakfast?â
Nick lifted his head, grinning. âExactly that.â
Charlie smiled back. âAlright then. Letâs go be dramatic in public.â
âŠ..
Charlieâs idea of
dramatic
turned out to be dragging Nick to a tiny cafĂ© tucked away in a quiet London street, where they squeezed into a booth near the window. It wasnât flashyâno paparazzi lurking outside, no curious fans hoveringâbut that didnât stop Charlie from making a show of it.
He set down the menu with an exaggerated sigh. âSo, Nicholas Nelson, tell meâhow does it feel to be
rugbyâs
most
hopelessly devoted
boyfriend?â
Nick rolled his eyes, but his grin gave him away. âFeels pretty normal, actually.â
Charlie gasped, pressing a hand to his chest. âYou mean to tell me that traveling two hours to see your
long-distance love
isnât the height of romance?â
Nick laughed, shaking his head. âYouâre the worst.â
Charlie wiggled his eyebrows. âAnd yet, you love me.â
Nick felt warmth spread through his chest, the kind that had nothing to do with the lingering chill from outside. He reached across the table, lacing their fingers together. âYeah,â he said simply. âI do.â
Charlieâs teasing expression softened, just for a second. Then he squeezed Nickâs hand and picked up the menu again. âOkay, Mr. Devoted. What are we eating?â
Nick chuckled, scanning the options. âSomething massive. I need, like, ten thousand calories.â
Charlie snorted. âSo, the usual?â
Nick grinned. âExactly.â
Breakfast arrivedâNickâs plate stacked high with eggs, toast, and just enough bacon to feed a small village, while Charlie, ever the picture of balance, had a bowl of yogurt with fruit and honey alongside his own slightly more reasonable plate of eggs and toast.
Nick had barely taken a bite before Charlie snapped a picture of his overloaded plate.
Nick groaned. âChar.â
Charlie just grinned, typing something quickly before turning his phone over. âSorry, I had to document
rugby boyfriend behavior
for the world to see.â
Nick swallowed his bite and raised an eyebrow. âYou didnât just post that, did you?â
Charlie hummed innocently. âMaybe.â
Nick pulled out his phone, already dreading what heâd find. Sure enough, Charlie had posted it to his story with the caption:
He is but a humble athlete in need of sustenance.
Nick shook his head, setting his phone down. âYou love winding people up.â
Charlie beamed. âAnd you love me, so really, this is your own fault.â
Nick couldnât even argue with that.
They ate in comfortable silence for a while, the soft hum of café chatter around them. Outside, the rain had slowed, mist clinging to the windows, blurring the city beyond.
Charlie nudged Nickâs foot under the table. âYou alright?â
Nick looked up, chewing the inside of his cheek. âYeah. Just thinking.â
Charlie tilted his head. âAbout?â
Nick hesitated, then sighed. âJustâeverything. The match. The media stuff. The way people talk about us.â He exhaled. âItâs not bad, just⊠loud.â
Charlie studied him for a moment, then reached across the table, tapping Nickâs wrist with his finger. âThen letâs be quiet for a bit.â
Nick blinked. âWhat?â
Charlie shrugged. âAfter breakfast. No checking the news, no doom-scrolling. Just us.â He tilted his head. âWhat do you think?â
Nick felt the weight in his chest ease just a little. He smiled. âI think that sounds perfect.â
âŠ..
They finished breakfast slowly, lingering over their drinks. Charlie stole bites of Nickâs food despite claiming he was full, and Nick let him, because of course he did.
Afterward, they stepped outside, the air crisp with leftover rain. Charlie looped their arms together, leaning into Nickâs warmth as they wandered down the street. âAlright, what do we do now? We have a whole day of avoiding the internet ahead of us.â
Nick hummed, glancing around. âDunno. What do people do when theyâre not being publicly scrutinized?â
Charlie grinned. âGo outside. Touch grass. Exist peacefully.â
Nick laughed under his breath. âSounds fake.â
Charlie tugged him forward. âCâmon, we can figure it out.â
They ended up walking aimlessly through the city, letting the afternoon unfold at its own pace. They ducked into a bookstore when it started drizzling again, spending ages browsing, pointing out ridiculous book titles to each other. Charlie bought something pretentious-looking; Nick grabbed a history of rugby book because
of course
he did.
Later, they found themselves in a quiet park, sprawled on a bench beneath a tree. Charlie leaned his head against Nickâs shoulder, fiddling with the edge of his sleeve.
âI like this,â he murmured. âJust⊠being.â
Nick pressed a kiss to the top of his curls. âMe too.â
But the peace didnât last.
It was later in the afternoon, when they stopped at another small café to warm up, that Charlie saw it.
Nick had gone up to the counter to order another coffee, leaving Charlie at their small corner table. Heâd pulled out his phone, intending to just check a text, but then, there it was.
Charlie hadnât meant to see it. He really hadnât. But when he saw the Twitter notification while waiting for Nick to get back from the counter, the headline was right there.
"Nick Nelson: Rugbyâs Rising Star or Charlie Springâs Soft Boyfriend? How His âLifestyleâ Is a Distraction on the Pitch"
His stomach dropped.
Against his better judgment, he clicked.
"For years, Nick Nelson has been scouted as the future of English rugby, all the way from secondary. A powerful presence on the pitch, a fan-favorite since his schoolboy days. But as his career gains momentum, thereâs one undeniable factor threatening his focus: his relationship with Charlie Spring. The former Truham student, has been a consistent fixture in Nelsonâs life. But at what cost?"
"While other young players dedicate themselves entirely to the game, Nelson splits his time between training and driving off to see his university boyfriend. Sources inside the rugby community have expressed concern that his priorities may not be where they should be. âHeâs a talented lad, no doubt,â said one anonymous insider. âBut thereâs always been this⊠softness about him. And now, with all the attention on his personal life, you have to wonder if heâs got the grit to make it long-term.â"
"And then thereâs the larger question: does rugby really need the distraction? While the sport continues to battle its own cultural shifts, some fans believe Nelsonâs highly publicized relationship, the insistence on pushing a narrative of being âthe first openly bisexual elite rugby player,â is more about building a brand than the game itself. âRugby is about toughness, resilience,â another source said. âAll this media about his personal lifeâitâs not what the sport is about.â"
"So, as Nelsonâs career progresses, the question remains: is he a future legend, or just another player who let off-field distractions keep him from reaching his full potential?"
Charlie felt cold.
The coffee in front of him had long gone lukewarm, but he barely noticed, heart hammering in his chest.
Nickâs name. His name. His
life
reduced to a "distraction."
He knew this happened. He knew there were people, fans, journalists, even people within the sport, who didnât take Nick seriously because of him. But seeing it laid out like that, reading the way they twisted everything, how they made it sound like Nick loving him was a
weakness
âŠ
He swallowed, locking his phone and shoving it deep into his pocket just as Nick returned, sliding back into the seat across from him.
Nick grinned, none the wiser, nudging his foot under the table. âYou okay?â
Charlie forced a smile. âYeah. Fine.â
He wasnât. But Nick didnât need to know that Charlie wasnât fine.
Not really.
Because thisâthis feeling, this weight pressing against his ribs, the creeping thoughts curling around his mind like smokeâwasnât new.
It was
familiar
.
Heâd spent years untangling himself from it, from the belief that he was
too much
or
not enough
all at once. That loving him,
being with him
, was some kind of burden. That he made Nickâs life harder just by existing in it.
He thought heâd left that behind.
But the words in that article, the way they made it sound like Nick had to
overcome
being with him instead of just
being with him
âŠit brought it all back, sharp and suffocating.
"Is he a future legend, or just another player who let off-field distractions keep him from reaching his full potential?"
"Off-field distractions."
Like
himself
.