#nick nelson x twin sister!reader

[trumpkinhotboy]

Lean on me

Pairing: Twin Brother!Nick Nelson x Twin sister!Reader

Type: Request (thank you so much!!)

Genre: Angst that ends with a lot of fluff

Warnings: Sexual Assault situation. Although the details aren't of extreme nature, it can still be a hard thing to read for some people, so be careful <33

Rating: 13+ (because of SA)

Word count: ~ 4600

Requests: Open! For Heartstopper, twilight wolfpack, chronicles of narnia and harry potter

A/n: I was really inspired for this fic and it took me quite some time to write it. I hope you will enjoy protective brother nick nelson and the fluff with the Paris gang as much as I do. If you have any requests feel free to message me !!

A/n pt.2: Please don't come for me for my summary, I fucking hate writing those xoxo

*gif is not mine!!

Summary: The reader goes to a party without her twin brother, Nick. Through different circonstances, she ends up dancing with someone who might have not rightfully earned her trust. The situation quickly escalates to horrible heights. She will have no other choice, but to learn how to defend herself, and how to lean on the people who matters for her.

Your heart is racing, your eyes are burning, and silent tears stream down your face. You rest on the threshold of the door you've just exited from. You can't grasp and even begin to process what just happened. You look up, hearing your name being called from afar. It feels like you're in a different dimension. Everywhere you look, reality seems distorted by some filter. Finally, you focus on your mother's face. She's sitting in her little car, window down, waving at you. Automatically, your body starts walking toward the car, but mentally you are elsewhere. In a dark corridor up in this horrible mansion. Trapped.

_

Your heart beats in a thumping rhythm as you cross the threshold of the mansion. Music is blasting out at an alarmingly loud volume with the place already packed. 

You try to calm your breathing and to remember you were invited and belong here as much as anybody else. The few people you cross paths with wave at you. You smile back, trying to look confident and relaxed. The image of collected cool. 

Even though there's actually a weight dropping in your stomach. 

You are, after all, Nick Nelson's twin sister. He has a certain 'popular kid' reputation that was mostly passed on to you by association. You are both known for being nice and popular kids. Although you definitely are more lowkey than your 'rugby king' brother. So, even if you aren't sure these people are your crowd, you couldn't refuse when you had been invited to some guy's end-of-exams party. 

It wasn't rare for you to be invited to events like this. Although, it was one of the few times your brother didn't join you. Ever since he started dating Charlie and got closer with the Paris gang, you could see less and less of him at these kinds of gatherings. That's why tonight, instead of being here with you, drinking lukewarm punch and listening to questionable music as some alcoholized teens were being unleashed in a mansion worth ten times your house, he was hanging out at home with his friends. You would much rather be with them, but they were Nick's friends, and even though they were nice to you, you always felt like the annoying sister trying to tag along in her brother's friend group.

That's why even when 95% of you wanted to turn back around and escape that terrible party, you took a deep breath in and let yourself be swallowed by the crowd of people.

10:15pm. You had been here for an hour, and it did not get better. The cup of punch in your hands was sticky and smelled incredibly weird. No doubt because someone had dumped in a bunch of mixed liquors. Your friends were all hanging around. Either dancing or flirting with some questionable-behaving young men. You couldn't help but look at your phone about a thousand times in the last twenty minutes. You thought about calling your mother. You knew she'd come to fetch you, but then what? You'd go back home? Seeing Nick and all of his friends having a jolly old time while you had failed to have a good night on your own? No, thank you.

You loved Nick to death, but sometimes, seeing how liked he was proved to be incredibly difficult for you. You always felt like an impostor. He dared to be himself, and people liked him anyway. You weren't so sure you'd be met with the same welcome if you dared step away from the facade you had carefully built all these years. 

Maybe that's why you accepted to dance with someone you didn't even know. You did see each other around a few times but never actually spoke. He seemed nice enough, so when he reached out a hand and offered you to dance, you drank a sip of your horrible drink and joined him on the crowded dancefloor without question.

He was entertaining and invented goofy dance moves to make you laugh, but all the while, something felt off. You felt like you were being watched. Sometimes, you'd see his gaze over you as if he was looking at someone else. Each time you'd try to look in that direction to see who he might be looking at, he'd find some clever way to focus your attention elsewhere. After a few songs, you were both out of breath, sweaty, and hoping for a break. You were about to invent a creative excuse to get away when he offered to get some water. You hesitated, trying to look around for a friend, but none were in sight. 

"Come on, we'll get some water and air if you want to. I know a spot." His expression was kind and seemed genuine. That's why, again, you followed him even though some small part of you screamed that you shouldn't.

The feeling in your gut turned queasy as he led you through dark corridors. The once kind smile that graced his features seemed to turn smug as you headed deeper into the house. You finally reached a little room far away from the agitated crowd. He opened the door, inviting you inside. "Are you coming?"

Your feet were rooted to the ground, the feeling in your stomach spreading to your entire body. This felt wrong. 

"Uhm, no. I think my mom will be here soon. I should go." You took a step backward, trying to put some distance between the two of you. Trying to calm the instinct that screamed at you to run.

"Oh, come on. Don't you want a glass of water?" 

You only stared at him, not daring to respond, too scared to fall into this trap he layed in front of you. You knew water would not be involved if you entered that room, and he seemed to get that too, "We had fun, didn't we?" the change in his tone made shivers creep up your arms. Gone was his facade of the innocent boy. He now looked like a snake trying to lure in his prey.

"Yeah, but now it's time for me to go. Thanks." 

He stepped towards you, making you fully back into the wall. "Please stay. It's my party, you know. The least you could do is stay a little longer with me."

You looked around, noticing his arms had crept on the wall on either side of you. 

"Please get your arms off," you demanded. You tried to make your voice sound assured but failed to hide the quiver in it. He noticed it, and the glim of rotten confidence in his eyes shone brighter. He had you exactly where he wanted you.

He trailed one finger up your arm, your stomach tying in knots at the touch. "You know, I've seen you around a lot. You're Nick Nelson's sister. People talk about you. They say you're stuck up. You've never had a boyfriend or anything, am I right? I like girls like that, so nice, so pure."

You almost threw up on him, the allusions making you feel nauseous. You couldn't, and wouldn't, hide the disgust filling your eyes. You looked around, hoping to see someone turn up. Praying for someone to come, but it seemed you were out of luck as the corridor stayed empty.

His hand went up in your hair, and you held your breath. Terror like you had never felt before paralyzed your body. "The guys bet you wouldn't get with me, but I think we have potential together. Am I right? We could head in that little room together and see what happens." 

You felt the hand on your waist slowly slide down your hip, tugging you closer. 

"Get off of me!" you exploded as you pushed him back as hard as you could. He hit the door behind him quite hard, the doorknob digging in his back. You made a headstart to get away, but before you could get further, his hand grabbed your wrist, tightening his grip until he had you wincing in pain.

He gritted his teeth, ambers of rage dancing in his eyes. "Oh, come on, don't be like this. Stay here with me, and we'll have fun." He pulled you backward by the collar of your shirt, and you heard the fabric rip with a distinct sound. He pressed you tight on his chest. You could feel every part of him pushing hard against your back. He gripped your hips while his other hand fumbled with your chest. His foul mouth on your neck. 

Refusing to give up, you gathered all the self-defense knowledge you had and stepped on his foot as hard as you could, hitting him with your elbow in the stomach at the same time. You put all your strength in the blow as if you were trying to pierce him through. You knew you cut the air from his body with the sound he made. His arms loosened up for a second, and this time, when you started running in the opposite direction, nothing stopped you. 

Running as fast as you could, you looked back for a second. Unable to resist the reflex to confirm you weren't being followed. Whipping your head to the front, you couldn't dodge when someone suddenly exited a door on the side. You crushed into them with blunt strength, almost sending you two toppling down. 

"Oi! Watch where you're going- Oh, Y/n. Are you okay?" 

The voice sounded incredibly familiar, and your gaze focused for a second. Sai, one of Nick's good mates, was staring at you, worry digging down the corners of his mouth. 

"Uhm, I- I'm sorry. I have to go." You couldn't stop and risk getting caught again, so you started running, leaving Sai looking at your disappearing form.

You fled outside, already texting your mother. You hid until you saw the familiar form of the family car. Sprinting towards it, you climbed in as fast as you could. 

"Well, someone's in a hurry to come home." chuckled your mother as she headed towards the exit. "The party wasn't fun?"

Forehead resting on the cold window, you couldn't say a word. If you were honest, you could barely register what your mother said. All you could feel was his hands on you. His lips on your neck. The phantom sensations gave you the horrible feeling that he was still grabbing you. That you were still trapped up there. 

Your mother's touch on your arm brought you back to reality. "Are you okay, darling?" Even the soft touch on your arm was enough to make you shudder. "Y/n, did something happen?"

Your gaze connected with hers for a split second, but you willed the fear in your eyes to disappear. To go back to a dissociated gaze. Allowing nothing to show.

"I don't want to talk about it now," you mumbled while covering the tear in your shirt with your hoodie. You needed to comprehend what had happened before you could say something. Even if you wanted to, the words were stuck in your throat.

Your mother stayed silent for the rest of the ride, although you could feel her gaze on you a few times. You felt like she'd say something until she faced the road again without adding a word. 

When you finally pulled into the driveway, you made for the door. You wanted nothing else but to disappear into your room. Your escape was halted when your mom grabbed your wrist, stopping you in your tracks. You winced at the pain it inflicted and the reminder it brought. The look in your eyes was one of undiluted terror.

Her face turned white as a ghost's. "Y/n, I will give you your space for now, but I want you to know and understand that we will discuss this."

Your house was filled with music and happy voices. You could hear through cotton-filled ears someone call your name but didn't stop. When you slipped into your room, you stood in the dark and looked at your wrist. The red mark on it was already turning to a soft purple. A whimper escaped your mouth as you sunk to the floor.

You cried and cried and cried. The adrenaline had left your body, and the walls you had built around you to survive had been torn down. With a hand on your mouth, you tried to maintain your sobs to a minimum volume. 

What the actual fuck was all you could manage to think. 

Catching a glance of yourself in the mirror hanging on your wall, a wave of disgust ravaged you. In the darkness, like glow-in-the-dark marks, you could see the print of his hands on you, the sloppy marks he left on your neck. You felt disgusting. You needed to wash this off now. 

You headed for the bathroom, trying not to attract anyone's attention. You were about to grab the doorknob when the door opened on a surprised Tara.

"Oh my god, Y/n, you scared me! I didn't know you were here," she exclaimed with her usual cheerfulness. 

You stayed silent, feeling like you had been caught red-handed. Shame crept on your cheeks.

In a second, she analyzed the state you were in. The tear on the collar of your shirt. Your puffy eyes, your red cheeks. "What happened to you? What happened to your shirt? Are you okay?" 

Her sweet concern was all it took for you to tumble into tears again. She helped you back to your room, supporting and hugging you tight. You babbled incoherently about what had happened. You just needed these horrible words to be out of your system. You needed this unbearable reality out of your head, needed the constant litany of words to stop. 

Tara listened to your whole story and managed to understand through your sobs. As you finished, out of breath, she convinced you to let her get Nick. You dreaded it at first, so scared to see his reaction, but the once-in-a-while seriousness in Tara's tone managed to persuade you.

You heard her going down the stairs and waited in silence. You held your breath. The house was utterly silent as if it was also holding its breath. Then, it erupted, and all you could hear was someone climbing up the stairs at an alarming pace. Your door opened on a whim, almost digging a hole in your wall with how strongly it went flying back.

Your twin brother was standing on your doorstep, his chest going up and down quickly. He didn't say anything. He just scanned you from head to toe before reaching out his arms. Engulfing you in a tight embrace, he rocked you back and forth.

"Tell me," was all he said, his tone hoarse and hard.

"I was anxious and bored, and this guy asked me to dance. We did, and then he offered to get some water and air. I followed him but felt this grip in my gut. Felt like something was off. He led me to a dark room. I refused to go in and said I had to go, but then he backed me into this wall. Saying stuff about what other people thought about me and about some bet he'd made with his friends. I- I tried escaping Nick, I really did, I promise. I kept my distance, I told him to go away, but he wouldn't. I pushed him and tried to make a run for it, but he grabbed my wrist and started touching me. I managed to defend myself and get away. I ran into someone. I think it was Sai. I stopped for a second but couldn't tell him anything, so I ran again and hid until Mum came to pick me up."

The silence in your room was deafening. His whole being was at a standstill. Nick wasn't known to be a violent person. Quite the opposite, but you felt like that was about to change.

"Show me where he hurt you." 

You extended your wrist, the mark gone even darker than before. 

"Anywhere else?" he reluctantly asked.

You couldn't, and wouldn't, show him where precisely but managed to wave your hand towards your neck and upper body. Shame once again invaded your cells. His eyes filled with despair and so much rage. He hugged you tight again. "I'm going to kill him."

You whipped your head up. The look in your brother's eyes was one you had never seen before. Immediately, guilt flooded your thoughts.

"Nick, you can't get involved in this. I'm so sorry I got into all this trouble. I don't want it to affect you at school. I shouldn't have followed him. This is my fault."

He looked at you incredulously. As if you had just said the dumbest thing he had ever heard. 

"Y/n, you didn't get in trouble. Someone assaulted you. You are not at fault here. Do you understand? Because I really need you to." He tightened his grip on you, his cheek on the crown of your head. "I don't need you to pull some Charlie number on me."

"A Charlie number, uh?" you heard a familiar voice speak up. 

Charlie's head peeked from your door. The face of comfort and reassurance. "Can I come in?" You nodded as he made his way to the bed. "Although I'm not sure what exactly he's referring to, I'm pretty sure he's right. You shouldn't feel guilty for something someone did to you, okay? Especially for something like this."

You saw the hint of pain flashing in his eyes and remembered he had experienced something similar. 

He reached a hand you immediately grabbed. You had loved Charlie since that first day he came to your house to meet Nellie. There was something about him that always made you feel safe and comfortable. His presence here meant a lot to you. "You okay?" 

You still weren't precisely grabbing the heaviness of what had happened. But the support you were shown helped you manage the whirlwind of emotions you were feeling. You nodded feebly.

"What do you want to do?" finally asked Nick. "Can we do anything for you right now?"

You confessed you did not want to be alone tonight. You dreaded being left with your thoughts, scared they would swallow you whole. "I just want to feel safe," you whispered.

The words were like a dagger to Nick and Charlie's hearts. They both felt so guilty about not being there to protect you. What happened tonight brought them back to the beginning of their relationship. When Charlie had been through the same thing you just did. It awakened so many unpleasant and painful memories in their hearts.

"Of course. We can stay with you all night," said Nick with a kind smile, and you knew he meant it.

He offered to watch a movie, knowing that was your thing when you needed comfort. He felt that nothing he could do would help you heal from the experience you just had, but he'd do anything in his power to make you feel better. Your eyes light up at the suggestion, and he couldn't help a loving smile from lighting up his face. 

"The gang is still down there. If you want, I can ask them to leave?" suggested Charlie. "Even I can go home if you would rather be alone with your family. That'd be totally understandable."

If you were being honest, you would love for them to stay. The more, the merrier, and Nick's friends were such a cheerful and caring group. You knew they would be supportive. You hesitated, on the edge of saying yes. 

Nick felt your hesitation and put a hand atop Charlie and yours. "We can ask everyone to leave if you want to, no problem. But if you feel comfortable and want them here, I know they'd love to." 

You finally admitted you'd love for them to stay. Charlie went downstairs to fill them in. Leaving you in the room, still wrapped in your brother's arms. Both of you weren't ready to move just yet.

"If you want them to leave or need anything at any moment, I want you to come straight to me. Is that clear?" You nodded. "And while they set everything up, I have to tell Mum. She's worried sick, and rightfully so." 

You nodded once again, knowing she deserved to know. Still, you couldn't help your stomach from twisting in knots at the thought of this thing spreading out. 

Always so observant, Nick noticed how scared you looked. "Please, trust me, let me handle this. You don't have to worry about a thing. Just let me deal with it. You can lean on me." You mumbled an 'okay' as he kissed the top of your hair. 

An invisible promise to protect you forever.

The gang all split up to help make you feel better. Elle, Tara, and Darcy helped you clean up. You didn't want to be alone. So when you looked anxious to step in the bathroom, they all suggested they'd sit down in there, waiting for you. They were incredibly caring and supportive. Acting like this wasn't out of the blue and odd. You knew Nick and Charlie had filled them in, but none dared to say a thing. Their respect for your privacy and light chatting were both things you were incredibly grateful for. In the meantime, Tao and Isaac prepared the living room for the movie. They went all out and built a fort of pillows and blankets with snacks, ready to welcome you when you were done.

As for Nick and Charlie, they were dealing with the situation. They told everything to your mum and contacted Sai to find out what he'd seen. He immediately admitted seeing you running away from a corridor, shirt torn up, with tears running down your face. He found the guy in question, still catching his breath, and pieced two and two together. He even got him to admit the whole thing. He questioned some guys and even confirmed the horrible rumor of the bet. It had taken everything, and encouragement from Charlie, for Nick to stay put and not rush back there to beat his ass. Even your 'anti-violence' mother kept her mouth shut while Nick uttered threats, each worse than the other. The next day would already be horrible enough for the guy without Nick having to get in trouble had reassured his boyfriend.

Forty-five minutes later, you were all covered in blankets, resting on pillows, cuddled up together. Nick and Charlie were sitting on either side of you. Your brother's arm reached around you and his boyfriend. 

The rest of the gang was scattered around the floor and the couch, but you were still all touching. Forming an unbreakable chain of support and love. 

You looked around and felt so grateful as you looked at the people present. Nick squeezed your hand with a kind smile, a quick check-up to confirm you were still okay. You cleared your throat, gathering everyone's attention. The movie softly played in the background while you started, "I wanted to thank you for this. You have all been incredible. Thank you for helping me, and I hope you can forgive me for interrupting your end-of-exams party." 

"Hush with that. As if we'd ever be mad for something like this." intervened Elle. She put a comforting hand on your shin, her features so open and caring. You couldn't help but give her an answering smile.

"Did you really think we'd resent you for what happened tonight?" inquired Charlie. Once again, a light of understanding sparkled in his blue eyes.

"No, but it's just... This was your thing. Your party, and once again, I'm intruding in and forcing you guys to hang out with me."

"Forcing us?!" cut Tara. "Y/n, I don't think anyone here would feel forced to hang out with you. We like hanging out with you!"

Your eyes shone with surprise and something like relief. They all looked at each other incredulously. Not quite believing that you didn't know how much they liked you. "What?! Did you think we only thought of you as Nick's little sister?"

You turned your head towards a disbelieving Tao. Your shy silence was an answer in itself.

"You have great taste in movies. Plus, you have a lot of knowledge about the cinematic universe. I like hanging out with you because you're the only one in this group with decent expertise of the culture." He added enthusiastically. Pronouncing that last word with his usual mediocre impression of a Scottish accent, he extorted a laugh from your chest.

"And you like to dance, and for some reason, you get Darcy's poor sense of humor," added Tara with a sarcastic roll of her eyes. To which her girlfriend lightly tapped her leg in protest.

"And you're into art, and you're actually the only one in this group who can give me constructive criticism about my work." Your gaze dropped back to Elle, giving an accusatory look at the rest of the group.

"And you're the only one willing to have a book club with me. Don't think I can talk and have actual discussions with this lot about all the books I read," finished Isaac with a shy smile. He was the first in the gang, after Charlie, with whom you felt really close. You squeezed his hand as a silent thanks.

"We're trying to tell you how you mean so much more to us. You're Y/n Nelson. We like hanging out with you because you're a great person with great interests. Not because we have to. Not because you're Nick's sister." explained Charlie. He knew how it felt when you thought people didn't honestly like you. Or when you thought they'd be better off without you. He saw so much of himself inside of you. It made his heart tighten with sadness and love.

You stared at them all, a few tears burning in the corners of your eyes. You coughed, trying to hide the emotion flaring up in you.

"You are part of this group if you want to Y/n." Charlie nudged you with his shoulder as if he had read your thoughts. You lifted hopeful eyes towards him. You felt as if your heart might burst with joy.

"I-"

"I'm not giving you any choice." cut Darcy out of the blue."You are part of the gang. Nothing you can do about it." she declared. As always, her unexpected comment had everyone laughing. You looked at her triumphant face, euphoria spreading in your chest.

You looked at your brother, who was already beaming at you, pride and joy mixed in that sweet expression. The tears in your eyes welled up and, against the better of you, softly dropped on your cheeks. 

"Are these tears of joy...?" asked Isaac, speaking for the whole group. You had been through a lot tonight, and they had hoped their intervention would have made you happy. But they questioned if it had been too much, too soon.

You let out a soft chuckle. "Yes."

In a team effort, the whole gang jumped on you. Engulfing your body in an embrace of warmth, love, and laughter, a lot of laughter. 

"I'm so sorry for being such a..." 

You stopped mid-sentence when you felt a pinch on your arm, only to hear Nick whisper, "From now on, you are also banned from saying the 's' word. So shut it and enjoy." The whole group, including yourself, erupted in laughter. 

There would be a lot of hardships coming in the next few days, but knowing you had them all made you feel like maybe, just maybe, you'd be able to weather it.

[bunnysnuff]

Chapter 4.

Pairing: Charlie spring x F!twin!Reader (siblings), Charlie spring x nick Nelson, nick Nelson x F!reader.

Trigger warnings: PLEASE READ!! Self-Harm, bullying, toxic relationships, jealousy and competition (siblings), & body image issues.

Masterlist:

—

Summary: Dear Charlie, we shared the same womb; I love you. I’m sorry.

The hum of the bus engine filled the space between Charlie and his sister as they sat side by side, staring out the window as the town blurred past. The early morning sunlight spilled in through the windows, casting soft shadows on the worn fabric of the seats. It was one of those mornings where neither of them felt like talking much, but the silence wasn’t uncomfortable. At least, not yet.

Charlie shifted beside her, breaking the quiet. “You ever think about... what you actually want in a relationship?” His voice was soft, hesitant, as if he wasn’t sure if he should even be asking.

She glanced at him, slightly surprised. Charlie didn’t usually bring up things like this, not since everything that had happened with his ex. He’d never mentioned him by name, but she knew. She knew how badly he had hurt Charlie, how toxic that relationship had been. How it had nearly destroyed him.

“I guess,” she replied, careful to keep her tone neutral, though her heart twinged a little. This was dangerous territory.

Charlie bit his lip, eyes still focused on the passing scenery. “I just... I don’t know. I thought I knew what I wanted back then. I thought if someone paid attention to me, if they acted like I was special, that it was enough. But... it wasn’t.” He let out a small, bitter laugh. “It was the opposite, actually. Being with him just made me feel worse about myself.”

She knew exactly who he was talking about. Ben Hope. He never said his name anymore, as if erasing him from memory might somehow erase the damage he’d done. But the scars were there, lingering beneath the surface. She could see it in the way Charlie flinched sometimes when people got too close, or in the rare moments when he looked at himself in the mirror for too long, his expression darkening. It was a wound that hadn’t fully healed.

“I get it,” she murmured, even though she wasn’t sure if she truly did. But she wanted to. Charlie’s pain was something she had watched from the sidelines, unable to stop it, unable to protect him from the hurt that had spiraled into something much worse.

There had been days when she would find him in his room, quiet, too quiet, and she’d know something was wrong. The razor-thin scars on his wrists, the way he avoided meals, the nights she’d stay awake because she was terrified of what he might do when he was alone. Charlie had been spiraling for a long time, and she had felt powerless to save him.

Charlie shifted again, running a hand through his hair, clearly uncomfortable with where his thoughts had taken him. “I think now, I just want someone who actually makes me feel good about myself, you know? Someone who... I don’t know, makes me feel safe. Someone kind.”

She swallowed, her throat tight. “Yeah. Someone who listens to you. Who makes you feel seen.”

Charlie nodded, his gaze distant. “And maybe... someone who’s funny? Like, someone who can make me laugh, even when things feel heavy. I never had that before. I want someone who’s... I don’t know, someone you can just be with. No pretending.”

She felt her stomach tighten because the person Charlie was describing wasn’t just some vague idea of what he wanted. It was Nick. She recognized every trait, every subtle hint. And she couldn’t deny that those were the same things she wanted, too.

Her mind drifted back to Nick—his easy laugh, the way he looked at her like she mattered, the way his kindness seemed to radiate from him. How he made her feel calm, and seen, and important, without ever trying too hard.

“Yeah, someone who’s thoughtful,” she added, hoping Charlie didn’t notice how her voice wavered. “Someone who... I don’t know, just does little things that make you feel like they actually care. Like when they remember something small about you, something you didn’t even think they’d notice.”

She didn’t need to say it, but she was describing Nick, too. His little gestures, his quiet attentiveness. The way he made everything feel lighter, less complicated, just by being there.

Charlie looked over at her then, his brow furrowed. Maybe he recognized it, too. The unspoken tension between them, the way they both seemed to be tiptoeing around the same thing, the same person.

The bus jolted slightly as it hit a bump, but neither of them said anything for a while. The silence was heavier now, weighted with thoughts neither of them wanted to voice.

She leaned back in her seat, staring at the ceiling of the bus, and her mind wandered back to the darker days—those days when Charlie had been at his lowest, struggling under the weight of his own self-hatred. The bullying had been relentless, the whispers about him being gay, the cruel looks and snickers when he walked down the halls. She’d wanted to protect him, to shield him from all of it, but she couldn’t. Not really.

And then there had been the nights when she’d hear him crying through the thin walls of their house, when he thought no one could hear him. She would sit outside his door, trying to will him to open it, to let her in. But he never did.

The worst had been the self-harm. The first time she saw the scars on his wrists, the breath had been knocked out of her, like the world had tilted on its axis. She didn’t know what to say, how to make him stop, how to tell him that he was worth more than whatever he thought of himself. It was like he was slipping away, and she was powerless to pull him back.

She would catch him skipping meals, staring blankly at his food, the grip of bulimia tightening around him until he was disappearing right in front of her. She remembered the fights, the pleading, the helplessness as she watched her brother sink deeper into his pain.

And now, here they were. The worst of it had passed, but the cracks were still there. Sometimes she worried that they would never be the same, that the shadow of those dark days would always linger between them.

“I’m sorry,” Charlie said suddenly, his voice soft.

She blinked, turning to him. “For what?”

“For everything. For the way I pulled away from you when I was... going through all that. I didn’t mean to. I just... I didn’t know how to handle it.”

She swallowed hard, her chest tightening. “You don’t have to apologize, Charlie. You were going through hell. I just... I wish I could’ve done more. I wish I could’ve stopped you from hurting.”

He gave her a small, sad smile. “You did more than you think. You stayed. That was enough.”

The bus slowed as they approached the school, and she glanced out the window, her heart heavy. She didn’t know how to fix what was happening between them now, this quiet competition over Nick that neither of them wanted to admit. But as they sat there, side by side, she knew one thing: no matter what happened, she would stay. Just like she always had.

—

As the school day dragged on, she found herself sitting with her tray of food, absently picking at it while her thoughts remained stuck on that morning’s conversation with Charlie. Things between them had been heavy lately, a quiet tension settling in that neither of them seemed willing to break. And she couldn’t stop thinking about Nick—how both she and Charlie had been describing him on the bus without saying it out loud.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she almost didn’t hear Tara calling her name.

“Hey, earth to you!” Tara waved her hand in front of her face, snapping her back to the cafeteria. “Where were you just now?”

She smiled sheepishly, shaking her head. “Sorry, just... spaced out.”

Tara smiled warmly and sat down next to her. “No worries. Actually, I wanted to ask you something.” She paused, her voice lowering slightly. “Harry’s throwing a big party for his birthday this weekend, and I was wondering if you’d want to come as my plus one? I mean, I know you’re not super close with him, but it’ll be fun. You should come!”

Her heart skipped a beat. A party? With Harry’s crowd? The same crowd that included Nick... and Charlie. She opened her mouth to respond, but then something clicked.

“Wait... Nick’s going, isn’t he?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

“Yeah, pretty much everyone’s going. Oh!” Tara’s eyes widened slightly, as if she’d just remembered something. “Nick’s actually bringing Charlie. They’re kind of a thing now, right? I saw them together the other day, and it seemed pretty obvious.”

Her stomach dropped. Nick was bringing Charlie. The words hit her like a punch, though Tara said them so casually, like it was common knowledge, like it didn’t change everything.

She forced a smile, but it felt like it didn’t reach her eyes. “Yeah, they’re... they’re close.”

Tara gave her a knowing look, clearly unaware of the internal turmoil she was now drowning in. “You should still come! We’ll have fun, and it’ll be a good distraction. You know how Harry’s parties are.”

She nodded, though her mind was somewhere else entirely. She couldn’t stop thinking about how Nick had invited Charlie. He hadn’t even thought to ask her. Maybe she wasn’t even on his radar.

“I’ll think about it,” she replied, her voice hollow.

Tara smiled brightly and gave her a quick hug before rushing off to meet Darcy, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

The truth settled in, sinking like a stone in her chest. Nick had chosen Charlie. Maybe he didn’t know about her feelings, maybe it wasn’t personal, but it still hurt like hell.

—

Later that evening, the familiar clatter of dishes filled the kitchen as the family sat down for dinner. The scent of roast chicken and vegetables wafted through the air, but she wasn’t really paying attention to the food in front of her. Her mind was still caught in an endless loop of Tara’s words—Nick’s bringing Charlie.

Across the table, Charlie sat quietly, poking at his plate. He didn’t seem his usual self either. They hadn’t spoken much since the bus ride earlier that morning, and now, with their parents chatting away and Ollie rambling on about something from school, the silence between them felt even heavier.

“Charlie, sweetie, are you okay?” their mom asked, looking at him with concern as she passed the salad bowl. “You’ve hardly touched your dinner.”

Charlie glanced up quickly, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just... not super hungry.”

Tori, sitting at the far end of the table, raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She had always been the quiet observer, noticing things without saying much. Her sharp eyes flicked between the twins, clearly sensing the tension, though she remained silent.

Ollie, oblivious as ever, was in the middle of a story about his day at school, his small hands gesturing wildly as he talked. “And then we played soccer at lunch, and I almost scored, but Jamie tripped me! He said it was an accident, but I don’t believe him.”

Their dad chuckled. “Well, maybe next time you’ll get him back, huh? Just don’t let it ruin your day.”

Ollie beamed and kept going, but she was barely listening. She kept sneaking glances at Charlie, wondering if he knew—if he had any idea about how she felt, how much this hurt. She wondered if he was hurting, too, or if he was just excited to be going to Harry’s party with Nick. Maybe it was easier for him, now that Nick had chosen him.

The thought twisted painfully in her chest. She couldn’t be angry with Charlie, not really. He didn’t know how she felt. They hadn’t spoken about Nick, not directly. But the competition between them was there, unspoken but impossible to ignore. It felt like they were both tiptoeing around the same fragile thing, hoping it wouldn’t shatter.

Their mom’s voice broke through her thoughts. “You’ve been quiet too,” she said, her gaze now on her. “Everything okay with you?”

She nodded quickly, plastering on a smile that felt just as fake as Charlie’s. “Yeah, everything’s fine. Just tired, I guess.”

Tori finally spoke up, her voice calm and measured as she glanced between the two of them. “You both seem tired. Anything happen at school today?”

She felt Charlie stiffen next to her, and for a moment, they both shared a glance. A silent understanding passed between them—neither of them wanted to talk about it. Not here. Not now.

“Nah, same old stuff,” Charlie muttered, quickly turning back to his plate.

She gave a slight shrug, echoing his sentiment. “Yeah, nothing new.”

Their mom didn’t push, though the concerned furrow in her brow remained. Instead, she turned her attention back to Ollie, who was still enthusiastically recounting his day.

For a few minutes, the table was filled with the sounds of clinking silverware and Ollie’s animated voice, but she couldn’t shake the heaviness in the pit of her stomach. She kept thinking about the party. What would it be like seeing Charlie and Nick there together, knowing that Nick had chosen him, even if unintentionally? She wondered if Charlie would be as uncomfortable as she would, or if this was just her own heartbreak to deal with.

As dinner wound down, their dad started talking about work, and she caught Tori’s eyes flicking back toward her and Charlie again. It was like Tori could sense everything. She always had been the most perceptive out of all of them.

After a few more minutes of quiet, she pushed her plate away, her appetite long gone. “I think I’m gonna go upstairs,” she said, trying to sound casual as she stood up.

Charlie looked up at her, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his eyes, but he didn’t say anything. He just nodded, and a moment later, he stood up too.

“We’ll help clear the table,” he added, his voice sounding distant. Their parents didn’t argue, though their mom gave them both a lingering look of concern.

Together, they grabbed the dishes in silence, moving around the table as the rest of the family continued chatting. It wasn’t until they were alone in the kitchen, with the sound of running water and the clink of plates being loaded into the dishwasher, that the tension finally bubbled to the surface.

“I heard Nick’s bringing you to Harry’s party,” she said, her voice quieter than she’d intended.

Charlie froze for a second, his hand hovering over a plate before he continued loading it. He didn’t look at her when he replied. “Yeah. He... asked me earlier this week. I didn’t know you were going.”

She swallowed hard. “I wasn’t going to, but Tara invited me. As her plus one.”

There was a long pause, the only sound being the gentle slosh of water as Charlie rinsed off the dishes. Finally, he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. “Are you... okay with that?”

She didn’t know how to answer that. Was she okay? Not really. But could she tell him that? Could she tell him how much it hurt, how every day it felt like they were both silently fighting for Nick’s attention, even though neither of them would admit it?

“I don’t know,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “I don’t know what I feel right now.”

Charlie finally looked at her, and in his eyes, she saw the same pain, the same confusion she was feeling. Maybe he wasn’t as okay as she thought. Maybe this was hurting him too.

But neither of them said anything more. Because deep down, they both knew that whatever was happening between them—this quiet, unspoken rivalry over Nick—it wasn’t something that could be fixed with words. Not yet.

—

Diary entry 4.

Dear Charlie,

I don’t even know where to begin. Tonight was supposed to be a normal dinner, but it felt anything but. There’s a heaviness hanging in the air, and I can’t shake this feeling that we’re on the brink of something bad.

When you talked about wanting someone who makes you feel good, I felt like I was drowning. I wanted to scream out that I want you to be happy too, but it’s so much more complicated than that. I felt this gut-wrenching pain in my chest because I can’t stop thinking about Nick. It’s like he’s become this unwitting wedge between us, and I hate it.

You don’t know this, but every time I see you together, it feels like I’m losing you little by little. I wish I could be happy for you, but the truth is I’m scared. I’m scared that you’ll choose him over me, that you’ll forget about our bond, our connection. I keep pretending that everything is fine, that I’m okay with you being with him, but inside, it’s like a storm is raging.

It’s not just jealousy; it’s a fear of losing the one person I’ve always relied on. You’ve fought through so much with Ben, and I’ve watched you struggle to find happiness again. I thought I was being supportive, but it’s becoming harder to pretend I’m not hurt. Watching you with Nick feels like watching someone take away the last piece of my heart.

The party is coming up, and I can’t stop thinking about how hard it’s going to be. I’ll have to stand there and smile while you two flirt and laugh, pretending I’m not dying inside. I hate this feeling, and I hate that I’m turning something that should be joyful into a source of pain.

I wish we could talk about this openly, but I don’t want to add to your burdens. You’ve been through so much already, and I don’t want to make things worse. But the longer I hold this in, the more it eats away at me. I’m terrified of what’s happening between us, and I don’t know how to fix it.

I hope you can feel that I’m still here for you, even if it’s getting harder to breathe under the weight of all this. I want to be the supportive sister you deserve, but I’m not sure how to reconcile my feelings with my love for you.

Please, let’s find a way to talk about this soon. I need you to know I love you, no matter how messy things get. I just hope we can find a way back to each other before it’s too late.

Yours always,

[Your Name]

[bunnysnuff]

Heartstopper Masterlist.

18+

send requests.

Charlie Spring.

-Being in a Poly Relationship with Charlie and Nick would include.

-Mornings with Nick and Charlie.

-Jealousy with Nick and Charlie.

-A sleep S/O with Nick and Charlie.

-Bullies. (Imagines)

-Being in a 'V' relationship with Nick and Charlie.

-Poly!Nick & Charlie with a clingy!reader.

-Poly! Charlie and Nick with an Albino, Easily Flustered M! S/O Headcanons.

-Smile. (Imagine).

-Never again.(imagine).

-Better days. (Imagine).

-dear twin brother. (Series)

-Poly! Charlie and Nick introducing you to their friends.

-Being Charlie Spring's Boyfriend Would Include.

-Home for the winter. (Imagine)

-Being Charlie and Tori's younger mtf! sister who is extremely silent and aloof and is an antisocial black cat of a kid of few words headcannon.

-burnt cookie. (Imagines)

-Being in a ‘V’ relationship with Nick and Charlie. (Pt2)

-Being Charlie and Tori's younger mtf! sister who is extremely silent and aloof and is an antisocial black cat of a kid of few words headcannon. (Pt 2)

-Safe Space. (Imagine)

-Being Charlie and Tori's younger mtf!blackcat!sister suffering from agoraphobia headcannons.

-colourful. (Imagine)

-Younger Genderfluid Spring Sibling Headcanons (With Charlie & Tori) head cannons.

-Daddy Cool. (Imagine)

-colourful pt2. (Imagine)

-To be loved. (Imagine)

-Poly! Nick and Charlie with a theatre boyfriend headcannons.

-Respectfully no. (Imagine)

-Poly!Nick & Charlie with a boyfriend who likes F1 and wants to be a race car driver headcannons.

-The quietness between us. (Imagine)

-Birthday Bash. (Imagine)

-A distance. (Imagine)

Nick Nelson.

-Being in a Poly Relationship with Charlie and Nick would include.

-Mornings with Nick and Charlie.

-Jealousy with Nick and Charlie.

-A sleepy S/O with Nick and Charlie.

-Bullies. (Imagines).

-Being in a 'V' relationship with Nick and Charlie.

-Poly!nick & Charlie with a clingy!reader.

-Poly! Charlie and Nick with an Albino, Easily Flustered M! S/O Headcanons.

-Smile. (Imagine).

-Never again. (Imagine).

-Better days. (Imagine).

-dear twin brother. (Series).

-Poly! Charlie and Nick introducing you to their friends.

-Puppy love. (Imagine).

-being nick nelson sister would include.

-Being in a ‘V’ relationship with Nick and Charlie. (Pt2).

-Burnt Cookies. (Imagine).

-Teen dad!Nick headcannons.

-teen dad!nick with a Velcro toddler head cannons.

-Camouflage. (Imagine).

-sibling power. (Imagine).

-Poly! Nick and Charlie with a theatre boyfriend headcannons.

-Respectfully no. (Imagine)

-Poly!Nick & Charlie with a boyfriend who likes F1 and wants to be a race car driver headcannons.

-A distance. (Imagine)

-Nick Nelson with a girlfriend who works in a haunted house head-cannons.

-Nick with a girlfriend that has paranoid hallucinations when stressed head-cannons.

-Rocky horror show.(imagine)

Tao Xu.

-haircuts. (Imagine)

-Movie Nights. (Imagine).

-Espresso. (Imagine).

-Never again. (Imagine).

-kisses. (Imagine).

-being in a poly!relationship with Elle and Tao.

-Mamas boy. (Imagine)

Tara Jones.

-Being in a relationship with Tara and Darcy.

-Tara Jones helping F!Reader come out as a lesbian.

-cuddles. (Imagine).

Darcy Olsson.

-being in a relationship with Tara and Darcy.

-being Darcy Olsson girlfriend would include.

-Beach days with Darcy.(imagine)

Elle Argent.

-Dating Elle Argent would Include.

-Being in a poly!relationship with Elle and Tao.

-Serving. (Imagines).

Isaac Henderson.

-Library Club with Isaac Henderson would include.

-An Artist. (Imagine)

Imogen Heaney.

-Imogen Heaney x Fem!Reader Headcanons.

-Paris with Imogen Heaney would include.

-Locker talks. (Imagines).

-sibling power. (Imagine)

James McEwan.

-being James McEwan boyfriend would include.

-Spontaneous. (Imagine).

Tori Spring.

-Being Charlie and Tori's younger mtf! sister who is extremely silent and aloof and is an antisocial black cat of a kid of few words headcannon.

-Poly!relationship with Michael Holden and Tori Spring.

-Being Charlie and Tori's younger mtf! sister who is extremely silent and aloof and is an antisocial black cat of a kid of few words headcannon. (Pt 2)

-First meetings. (Imagine)

-Safe Space. (Imagine)

-Being Charlie and Tori's younger mtf!blackcat!sister suffering from agoraphobia headcannons.

-colourful. (Imagine)

-Being the rebellious!spring sibling headcannons.

-Younger Genderfluid Spring Sibling Headcanons (With Charlie & Tori).

-colourful pt2. (Imagine)

-to be loved. (Imagine)

-The quietness between us. (Imagine)

-Birthday Bash. (Imagine)

-orange juice and new beginnings. (Imagine)

Michael Holden.

-Poly!relationship with Michael Holden and Tori Spring.

-First meetings. (Imagine)

Other.

-Sleepover. (Imagine).

[bunnysnuff]

Chapter 3.

Pairing: Charlie spring x F!twin!Reader (siblings), Charlie spring x nick Nelson, nick Nelson x F!reader.

Trigger warning: slow burn, love triangle. Charlie’s POV.

Masterlist.

—

Summary: Dear Charlie, we shared the same womb; I love you. I’m sorry.

harlie knew something was off, but he couldn't quite place it. His twin sister, who normally shared everything with him, had been acting differently for weeks. They used to joke about everything, from their teachers to who could finish their homework faster, but lately, there was an edge to their interactions, a silent tension that neither of them wanted to address.

It all started when Nick Nelson joined their lives. Charlie had known he liked Nick almost from the start. The way Nick smiled, his easygoing laugh, the way he made Charlie feel like he mattered just by being there—it was impossible not to like him. But recently, Charlie noticed that his sister had been spending more time around Nick, too. Little things, really, but they added up.

Like how she seemed to find her way into conversations that were just supposed to be between Charlie and Nick. Or how she’d offer Nick her seat in class, brushing her hair back and smiling in that casual way she did when she wanted to charm someone. The looks she gave Nick were subtle, but Charlie had known her his entire life—he could see it. She liked Nick, too.

But instead of talking about it, the rivalry simmered quietly between them, unspoken but very much alive.

One afternoon, Charlie and his sister were sitting at lunch, Nick across the table from them, laughing at something Tao had said. Nick looked relaxed, his broad shoulders leaning comfortably against the back of his chair. It was a typical day, but the atmosphere between the twins was anything but.

"Hey, Nick," she said suddenly, leaning forward with a bright smile. "I was thinking, you should totally come over to help me with my art project this weekend. You’re so good at sketching, I could really use the help." Her tone was sweet, but Charlie caught the way her eyes flicked to him—like a subtle challenge.

Charlie’s stomach twisted. She’s trying to get him alone. He shot her a quick glance, but kept quiet. Instead, he turned to Nick, forcing a smile.

"Actually, we were planning on watching that new show together, weren’t we, Nick?" Charlie chimed in, his voice casual but firm. "You should definitely come over, we’ll make a day of it. Watch a few episodes, maybe order pizza."

Nick blinked, glancing between the two of them, clearly oblivious to the tension brewing beneath their friendly smiles. "Uh, yeah, both sound great," he said with a little chuckle. "I can help with the art project and then hang out with Charlie after, I guess?"

There was a brief silence, the kind that wasn’t uncomfortable for anyone but the two of them. His sister's lips twitched into a half-smile, but there was something sharp in her eyes. Two can play this game, she seemed to be saying.

As the days passed, the competition for Nick's attention grew, though neither of them ever mentioned it directly. They started trying to outdo each other in small, subtle ways—who could make Nick laugh harder, who he’d text back first, who he’d sit next to during lunch.

One Friday after school, Charlie had planned to walk home with Nick, just the two of them. He was looking forward to it, imagining the quiet conversation they’d have, maybe some awkward flirting. But when he reached the lockers, he found his sister already there with Nick, talking animatedly about some music playlist they had both been into recently.

"You guys ready to go?" Charlie asked, trying to sound casual, but his voice came out tighter than he wanted.

His sister looked up, her smile widening as if she’d won some secret battle. "Oh, actually, Nick and I were going to stop by the music shop. He wanted to check out some new vinyls." She shot him a quick glance, her tone almost too innocent.

Nick turned to Charlie, a little apologetic. "You’re welcome to come along if you want, Charlie."

But Charlie knew what she was doing. She was trying to pull Nick away, to get him to herself, and Charlie couldn’t stand it. Not when he’d been waiting for a moment like this all week.

"Thanks," Charlie said, trying to keep the frustration from his voice. "But I’ll probably just head home."

He gave Nick a small smile, but his eyes flicked briefly to his sister, and there was no mistaking the look they shared—both of them knew what was happening, even if they weren’t willing to admit it.

The walk home felt heavier than usual. Charlie’s thoughts were tangled, his heart pounding in a confusing mix of jealousy and guilt. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. They were supposed to have each other’s backs, but here they were, silently competing over Nick, neither willing to talk about it.

He wasn’t sure how long they could keep this up before something had to give.

—

Diary entry 3.

Dear Charlie,

I don’t know how to start this without it sounding weird, but I feel like I need to tell you. I need to get it out because it’s been sitting in my chest for weeks, and pretending like everything is fine between us feels impossible right now.

You’ve probably noticed it too—the distance, the weird tension, the little moments where I know we’re both biting our tongues. I hate it, Charlie. I hate feeling like there’s something standing between us when we’ve always been so close, like we’re not even being honest with each other anymore. And I think we both know what this is about, even if we’ve never said it.

Nick.

I didn’t mean for this to happen, but I like him. And I know you do too. Maybe you’ve liked him for longer, I don’t know. It’s not like I planned on developing feelings for him—it just kind of happened.

At first, I didn’t want to admit it, not to myself and definitely not to you. But then I started noticing how much I wanted to be around him, how my heart did that stupid thing where it speeds up every time he’s nearby. And that’s when I realized… I think we’re both competing for him, in our own way, without saying it out loud.

The thing is, Charlie, I don’t want to compete with you. I don’t want to lose the connection we have over something we can’t control, over feelings we didn’t ask for. But I don’t know how to handle this. I don’t know how to be honest with you about liking the same person without it hurting one of us.

What scares me the most is that I’ve seen the way Nick looks at you, and I think I already know how this is going to end. He likes you, doesn’t he? Or maybe you’ve already told him how you feel. I don’t know—I’m scared to ask because I don’t want to hear the answer.

But Charlie, you’re my brother. My twin. We’ve always had each other, and I don’t want to lose that. No matter what happens with Nick, I just want us to be okay. Can we be okay?

I guess I’m writing this because I want to stop pretending. I want us to be able to talk about this without feeling like we’re both hiding something. I don’t know what happens next or how this will work out, but I need you to know how I feel. Maybe we’ll figure it out together.

Please don’t hate me for this.

Love,

[Your Name]

[bunnysnuff]

Chapter 1.

Pairing: Charlie spring x F!twin!Reader (siblings), Charlie spring x nick Nelson, nick Nelson x F!reader.

Triggers warning: future love triangle, reader and Charlie are siblings. Wrote in the First Point of view. Reader is Female.

Masterlist.

—

Summary: Dear Charlie, we shared the same womb; I love you. I’m sorry.

was a Tuesday afternoon, the kind of day that felt like a thousand others. The air was warm but not too hot, a faint breeze rustling through the trees outside as I sat on the front steps of our house, waiting for my brother Charlie to get home. School had just ended, and I was half-heartedly scrolling through my phone, trying to distract myself from the anticipation of meeting Charlie’s new friend—the mysterious Nick Nelson.

Charlie had been talking about Nick for weeks, ever since he’d transferred to our school. I hadn’t met him yet, but from everything Charlie had said, I’d gotten the impression that Nick was some sort of golden boy—captain of the rugby team, effortlessly charming, and, of course, “the nicest guy ever.” Charlie hadn’t stopped gushing about him, which had been kind of annoying but also, I’ll admit, made me a little curious.

Charlie wasn’t the type to get overly excited about people, so for him to be this enthusiastic about someone meant Nick must be something special. Still, I hadn’t really thought much of it—until Charlie had invited him over.

I heard the crunch of gravel as a familiar sound—the heavy thud of my brother’s school bag hitting the ground—came from the sidewalk. I looked up just in time to see Charlie walking toward me, his usual slightly tousled hair and worn-out sneakers giving him that casually cool look he never really tried to have but always managed to pull off.

But I wasn’t looking at Charlie. Walking beside him was Nick.

And, yeah, okay, I could kind of see what Charlie meant.

Nick was taller than Charlie, with broad shoulders and a rugby player’s build, his light brown hair catching the sunlight in a way that made it look almost golden. His smile was warm and easy, the kind that made you feel like you were the only person in the world when he looked at you. He was the kind of guy who probably had no idea just how attractive he was—which, of course, only made him more attractive.

"Hey," Charlie called, waving as they approached. "This is Nick."

Nick grinned at me, sticking out his hand with a friendly confidence that was somehow both disarming and infuriating. "Hey, I’m Nick. You must be Charlie’s sister."

"Yeah, I’m—" I stammered, momentarily caught off guard by the brightness of his smile. "Uh, I’m [Your Name]. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," Nick said, his handshake firm but not too strong. His hand was warm, and for a second, I had the ridiculous thought that I didn’t want to let go.

"Nick’s going to hang out with us for a bit," Charlie explained, not picking up on the weird tension that had suddenly settled over me. "We thought we’d play some video games or something."

"Sounds good," I muttered, my mind racing as I followed them inside.

As we settled in the living room, I couldn’t help but steal glances at Nick. It wasn’t just that he was handsome—though, let’s be real, he definitely was. There was something about him, a kind of presence that drew you in without even trying. And the way he talked to Charlie, laughing and joking like they’d been friends for years, made me feel like I was watching something I wasn’t supposed to.

Charlie had always been my closest friend. Even though we were different in a lot of ways—Charlie, always more laid-back and easygoing, while I was more intense, more competitive—we’d always had each other’s backs. But now, seeing him with Nick, I felt this unfamiliar pang of jealousy. It wasn’t that I didn’t want Charlie to have friends, but there was something about Nick that made me feel…off balance.

As the afternoon wore on, we all played video games, the banter light and fun. Charlie and Nick were in their element, laughing together as they teased each other over their virtual victories. I tried to join in, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was on the outside looking in. Worse, I couldn’t stop my eyes from drifting to Nick whenever he wasn’t looking. There was something about him that made my heart race, something I didn’t quite know how to handle.

At one point, Nick caught me staring, and for a moment, our eyes locked. He smiled, but there was something in his expression—something like curiosity. I looked away, heat creeping up my neck.

After a while, we paused the game for a snack break. Charlie got up to grab some drinks, leaving me alone with Nick. The silence that settled between us wasn’t exactly uncomfortable, but it wasn’t easy either.

"So," Nick said, turning to me with that disarming smile again. "You into rugby too, like Charlie?"

"Not really," I admitted, shrugging. "More into basketball, honestly."

"Cool," Nick nodded, his gaze steady. "I’ve always thought basketball seemed fun, but I’m terrible at it."

"Maybe I’ll have to show you sometime," I said before I could stop myself, my heart pounding at how casually the words had slipped out.

Nick’s eyes flickered with amusement. "I’d like that."

Before I could respond, Charlie returned with drinks, his usual bright smile plastered on his face as he handed us cans of soda.

"You guys getting along okay?" Charlie asked, glancing between us, completely oblivious to the silent undercurrent of tension.

"Yeah, your sisters cool," Nick said, winking at me, and I felt my stomach flip.

"Of course she is," Charlie grinned, throwing his arm around me in that casual, brotherly way that was both affectionate and a little annoying. “She’s my twin alright.”

As we sat back down, I couldn’t help but feel conflicted. There was this sudden, sharp awareness of Nick—of how I’d started to want his attention, even though Charlie clearly already had it. And I didn’t know how to feel about that. I wasn’t used to competing with my brother for something—someone—I wanted.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of laughter and video games, but that unspoken tension never left. By the time Nick left, I felt like I had spent the entire day trying to ignore something that was slowly growing between us. Something I wasn’t sure how to handle.

As the door clicked shut behind him, Charlie turned to me, grinning.

"See? I told you he’s great."

I forced a smile. "Yeah, he’s…something."

But as I walked up to my room later that night, my mind kept racing, the memory of Nick’s smile lingering longer than it should have. I had a sinking feeling that this was only the beginning of something much more complicated than I was ready for.

And the worst part?

Charlie had no idea.

——-

Diary Entry 1.

Dear Charlie,

I need to get this off my chest, and you’re the only one I can really talk to about it. Today was… different. Nick Nelson came over, and I have to admit, he’s just as charming as you’ve said. He’s funny and confident, and I can see why you’ve been raving about him for weeks.

But I don’t know how to explain this feeling I have. When we were all hanging out, I felt like I was on the outside looking in, like you two shared some secret language that I wasn’t a part of. I’m happy you’ve made a new friend, but there was this weird tug of jealousy in my gut that I wasn’t expecting.

He looked at me like I was more than just your sister, and I can’t shake the feeling that I might have liked it a little too much. It’s confusing. I want you to be happy, but I also want to feel like I matter in this new dynamic.

I guess what I’m trying to say is… how do I fit into all of this? Can we still be the same as we’ve always been, even with Nick around? I’m worried things are changing, and I don’t want to lose our connection.

Anyway, I just needed to vent.

Love you,

[Your Name].