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Language:
English
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Published:
2025-10-26
Completed:
2025-10-30
Words:
3,755
Chapters:
2/2
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12
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53
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Keep My Hand In Yours

Summary:

Nick sustains a serious concussion during a rugby match, Charlie never lets go of his hand.

Notes:

Trigger warning: vomiting! (only one instance and mentions of nausea)

Chapter 1: Keep My Hand In Yours

Chapter Text

Rain was pouring out of the sky, flooding the rugby pitch, tensions were high and the crowd up in the bleachers was getting restless. There were two minutes left in the match and Leeds was down by five points. The players were sliding through the mud, digging up the grass beneath their feet. Nick was covered in mud, soaking wet, and freezing his ass off, but he was determined to win the game. He swiped some mud off of his face, digging his cleats into the pitch in order to keep his footing. The whistle blew, signaling the start of the play, Nick ran as fast as he could to the other side of the pitch to catch a pass that was thrown in his direction. He nearly slipped on the wet grass but he caught it, sprinting towards the try line, Charlie cheering him on from the bleachers. 

 

Nick was about to score when a player from the opposing team came charging towards him at full speed, forcefully tackling him to the ground. Nick’s head slammed against the goal post, causing him to see stars, he blinked a few times, trying to re-focus his vision. He whimpered, feeling a sharp pain rip through his entire body. He groaned, ignoring the pain and shoving aside the player that tackled him. There was a strong ringing noise in his ears making everything around him sound like it was vibrating. He tried sitting up, a wave of nausea and dizziness washing over him. He squeezed his eyes shut, gripping his hair in his hands, trying to stop the shooting pain in his forehead. He tried lifting his head off the ground one more time but it was no use, he just curled himself up into a ball, hoping the pain would go away.

 

Charlie’s heart dropped, he gasped, watching as Nick’s body was thrown to the ground by a player twice his size. Panic coursed through his body as he waited for Nick to get up, to bounce back, like he always did, but the moment never came. His eyes darted around the pitch as he saw players rush over to see what was going on. Charlie frantically got up out of his seat, sprinting down the bleachers to get onto the pitch. The coach started yelling for people to move out of the way as Charlie rushed out onto the pitch, shoving people out of his way as he moved through the crowd. “Nick!” Charlie cried, kneeling down next to him, “Char” Nick groaned. “Try not to move, love” Charlie urged, taking Nick’s hand in his own. Nick looked up at Charlie, his eyes barely open, “i-it hurts” he whimpered, “I know, sweetheart, we are going to get you help, I promise, you’re doing so well” Charlie encouraged. Nick’s eyes went wide, all the color draining from his face, he clasped his hand over his mouth, taking deep breaths through his nose. “I-I d-don’t feel s-so good, I-I think I’m gonna–” Nick didn’t get the chance to finish his sentence before he clutched his stomach, throwing up right on the grass. Charlie used his free hand to rub circles up and down Nick’s back, trying to soothe his discomfort. 

 

“I feel fine! I-I gotta win the m-match, f-for the t-team, I’m c-captain!” Nick raised his arms above his head, pumping his fist in the air. “Don't worry about the team, the match is over love” Charlie tried to explain. “No! I’m good! I can play! Put me in coach!” Nick sat straight up, “Nick, you need to lay back down, I don’t want you to hurt yourself even more” Charlie urged. “I’m fin–” Nick slumped into Charlie, his body becoming limp against his boyfriend. “Nick! Nick!” Charlie panicked, reaching for Nick’s wrist to check his pulse, it was faint but it was there. “Someone call an ambulance!” Charlie yelled, “it’s ok Nick, I’m right here, I’m not going anywhere” Charlie whispered in his ear, hoping that Nick could hear him. 

Nick's eyes slowly fluttered open, he felt his forehead pounding, a sharp pain pulsing through the back of his head. He sat up, frantically looking around the room. He instantly regretted his actions, squeezing his eyes shut again, and laying his head back on the pillow, trying to shield himself from the harsh light. He felt his stomach flip, a feeling of nausea slowly creeping up on him. He took a couple deep breaths, hoping that would stop the room from spinning, when the dizziness and nausea finally subsided he opened his eyes. He blinked a few times, trying to get rid of the colorful splotches blocking his line of vision. The second he could see clearly again, he looked over at Charlie, he was fast asleep in a chair that he pulled up to the side of his bed. He smiled, looking down at their hands, Charlie still managed to hold on to him, even when he was sleeping. 

 

Charlie stirred awake, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, stretching his legs and his free arm to release the discomfort he felt from sleeping in the chair. “Morning sleepy head” Nick mumbled, “Oh my gosh! You’re awake!” Charlie said, relieved. “How are you feeling, do you need anything? I can ask the nurse to get you some water, I shou–” Nick cut Charlie off, “Char, breathe, I’m all right, all I need is you” Nick smiled, squeezing Charlie’s hand. “Nick, I love you, but have you met me? I won’t be breathing until the doctor says you can leave the hospital” Charlie cupped Nick’s cheek in his hand, running his thumb along his jaw. “I know you very well, my love” Nick brought Charlie’s hand up to his lips kissing along his knuckles, “so well that I know for a fact that you won’t be able to help yourself and you’ll worry about me until I’m all healed” Nick said. Charlie let out a sigh “maybe, but I reserve my right to do that as your boyfriend” he pouted. Nick smiled, “fine, but I reserve my right to ask you for as many cuddles as I want, they are essential for my healing” Nick insisted. “I’m pretty sure cuddles are your solution for everything,” Charlie giggled. “Hmm they definitely are” Nick smiled, pulling Charlie in for a hug. Charlie laughed, “fineeee Nicholas, I suppose I can give you cuddles in your time of need” he joked, rolling his eyes.

 

A couple of hours later Nick was finally discharged from the hospital. The doctor informed him that he had a pretty serious concussion and would need to be on strict bed rest for the next forty eight hours. Nick wasn’t too pleased about his situation, at least until Charlie reminded him of the cuddles he promised. It also meant Nick wasn’t allowed to play rugby for the next four weeks, which Charlie was definitely not going to complain about. 

When they finally made it back to Nick’s dorm, Charlie let out a sigh that he didn’t realize he had been holding in all night. Nick yawned, walking by Charlie in the bathroom, starting to throw off his dirty rugby kit. “What do you think you're doing?” Charlie asked, “I’m just going to have a shower” Nick yawned again, rubbing his eyes. “Aww love, you’re exhausted and you’re injured, you need to rest” Charlie cooed. “Char, I’m covered in mud and I'm covered in hospital germs, I need to shower” Nick reasoned. “All right, but I’m joining you, I don’t want you passing out on me again” Charlie insisted. Nick wiggled his eyebrows, smirking, “shut up! That’s not what I meant and you know it” Charlie smiled, “now lift your arms up, I’m helping you get this shirt off” Charlie said.

 

“I can take off my own shirt, Char” Nick grumbled as Charlie helped pull Nick’s shirt over his head, “you always take care of me, let me return the favor” Charlie said as he lifted the shirt above his arms and over his head. Charlie ran his hands over Nick’s bare chest, examining every bruise that was forming underneath his skin. Nick had gotten hurt playing rugby before, but never like this. Charlie shook the thought out of his mind, stifling his tears. He turned on the shower, letting the water warm up before helping Nick remove the rest of his clothes. Charlie removed all his clothes and stepped into the shower first, motioning for Nick to join him. They mostly stood in silence for the duration of Nick’s shower, it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence but there was a hint of unresolved tension. Charlie knew that Nick didn’t like accepting help and Nick could read Charlie like a book so he could sense how worried he was.

 

Despite his many objections, Charlie reached over Nick to grab his towel for him, “you’re in pain, Nick, just let me help you!” Charlie scolded. “Char, I can reach it, I promise I won’t hurt myself” Nick urged, starting to reach over him to get the towel from him. He stopped, feeling a huge rush of blood leaving his head, making him lose his balance, “I’ve got you” Charlie said, grasping onto his arm to support him. "I’m fine” Nick insisted, letting go of Charlie’s arm, standing on his own. “no you’re not!” Charlie cried, “Nick, you have a concussion! I saw your head get slammed into a goal post by a guy who was twice your size! I-I d-didn’t know, I-I thought you weren’t going to get up!” Charlie sobbed. “You fainted in my arms for God’s sake!” he cried, “I hated that you were in pain and I couldn’t help you! I-I love you so much Nick, I just want to help you, please let me help you” Charlie sobbed. 

 

Nick took a step forward, enveloping Charlie in his arms. “It’s ok, I’m ok” Nick whispered, tears running down his face, “I’m here, it’s ok” Nick repeated. Charlie pulled back from the hug a little, looking up at Nick, “I’m sorry, this isn’t about me, you’re the one who got injured, you shouldn’t have to comfort me, I should be comforting you” Charlie sniffled. “Char, if I had seen you get hurt the way I did, I would be an inconsolable wreck, you’re allowed to be upset. I’m sorry you had to see me get hurt like that” Nick wiped some residual tears off Charlie’s cheek, placing a kiss on his nose. They stood there for a few minutes, just holding each other before Nick broke the silence, “Char?” he said softly, Charlie looked up at him, a slight smile on his face. “I-I really think I-I n-need to go to bed n-now” Nick stuttered, “of course, love” Charlie took Nick’s hand leading him back into his bedroom. Charlie helped Nick into a clean pair of boxers before changing into a pair of joggers and one of Nick’s jumpers. “Thank you” Nick whispered as they got into bed, “you don’t have to thank me, Nick, I love you, I will always be here to help you” Charlie said before pulling Nick into his chest and falling into a deep sleep. 

Chapter 2: Everywhere, Everything

Summary:

The same events, just from Nick’s point of view

Chapter Text

Nick wiped some mud off his face, digging his cleats into the pitch, trying to keep his footing. Nick was soaking wet, cold and covered in mud, the pitch was flooded and Leeds was down by five points. It was also still pouring rain but Nick was still determined to win. He looked up at the crowd in the bleachers, his eyes instantly meeting Charlie’s smiling face, he blew a kiss and waved before turning his attention back to the match. The whistle blew, signaling the start of the play, Nick sprinted to the other side of the pitch, catching a pass that was thrown in his direction. He nearly slipped on the wet grass but nevertheless he ran towards the try line, hoping to score the final points of the match. 

 

Out of the corner of his eye Nick could see another player charging towards him but before he could jump out of the way he was tackled to the ground, his head slamming into a goal post. He groaned, shoving aside the player that tackled him. He blinked a few times, trying to re-focus his vision but he could only see stars. There was a loud ringing noise filling his ears making everything around him sound like it was vibrating. He squeezed his eyes shut, gripping his hair in his hands, trying to stop the shooting pain in his forehead. He sat up, feeling a wave of nausea and dizziness, he took a deep breath, laying his head back on the ground. He curled himself up into a ball, hoping the pain would go away.

 

Nick could hear the faint echo of his coach yelling for people to move out of the way. “Nick!” a voice shouted, causing him to lift his head off the ground. Nick could see someone kneeling down next to him, taking his hand “Char” Nick groaned, rolling onto his side. “It’s me, love, I’m right here, try not to move, ok” Charlie urged. Nick looked up at Charlie, his eyes barely able to stay open, “i-it hurts” he whimpered, “I know, sweetheart, we are going to get you help, I promise, you’re doing so well” Charlie encouraged. Nick’s eyes went wide, all the color draining from his face, he clasped his hand over his mouth, taking deep breaths through his nose. “I-I d-don’t feel so good, I-I think I’m gonna–” Nick didn’t get the chance to finish his sentence before he clutched his stomach, throwing up right on the grass. Nick felt Charlie rubbing his free hand up and down his back, trying to soothe his discomfort. 

 

“I feel fine! I-I’m gonna win the m-match, f-for the t-team!” Nick raised his arms above his head, pumping both his fists in the air. “The match is over love, you don’t need to worry about the team” Charlie tried to explain. Nick tried sitting up but Charlie stopped him, helping him lay back down on the grass. “Nope! I’m good! I can play! Put me in coach!” he sat straight up, “Nick, you need to lay back down, I don’t want you to hurt yourself even more” Charlie urged. “I’m fin–” Nick suddenly felt very disoriented, everything around him was spinning really slowly, making it difficult for him to sit up straight. He slumped into Charlie, his body becoming limp against his boyfriend. “Nick! Nick!” Charlie panicked, reaching for Nick’s wrist to check his pulse. “Someone call an ambulance!” Charlie yelled, “it’s ok Nick, I’m right here, I’m not going anywhere” Charlie whispered in his ear, hoping that Nick could hear him. 

Nick's eyes slowly fluttered open, his forehead pounding, a sharp pain radiating through to the back of his head. He quickly sat up, frantically looking around the room, instantly regretting his actions. He squeezed his eyes shut, laying his head back on the pillow, trying to shield himself from the harsh light. His stomach flipped, a feeling of nausea slowly creeping up on him. He took a couple deep breaths, hoping that would stop the room from spinning. When the dizziness and nausea finally subsided he opened his eyes, blinking a few times, trying to get rid of the colorful splotches blocking his line of vision. The second he could see clearly again, he looked over at Charlie, he was fast asleep in a chair that he pulled up to the side of his bed. He smiled, looking down at their hands, Charlie still managed to hold on to him, even when he was sleeping. 

 

He watched as Charlie stirred awake, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and stretching his limbs to release the discomfort he probably felt from sleeping in the chair. “Morning sleepy head” Nick mumbled, “You’re awake! Thank God!” Charlie said, relieved. “Are you feeling any pain, do you need anything? I can ask the nurse to get you some water, I shou–” Nick cut Charlie off, “Char, breathe, I’m all right, all I need is you” Nick smiled, squeezing Charlie’s hand. “Nick, I love you, but have you met me? I won’t be able to breathe until the doctor says you can go home” Charlie cupped Nick’s cheek in his hand, running his thumb along his jaw. “I know you very well, my love” Nick brought Charlie’s hand up to his lips, kissing along his knuckles, “so well that I know you won’t be able to help yourself and you’ll worry about me until I’m all healed” Nick said. Charlie let out a sigh “maybe, but I have the right to do that as your boyfriend” he pouted. Nick smiled, “fine, but I reserve my right to ask you for as many cuddles as I want, they are essential for my healing” Nick insisted. “I’m pretty sure cuddles are your solution for everything,” Charlie giggled. “Hmm they definitely are” Nick smiled, wrapping Charlie in a hug. Charlie laughed, “fine Nicholas, I suppose I can give you cuddles in your time of need” he joked.

 

A couple of hours later Nick was absolutely exhausted but he was finally able to leave the hospital. The doctor informed him that he had a serious concussion and would need to be on strict bed rest for the next forty eight hours. This also meant he wasn’t allowed to play rugby for the next four weeks, which Nick hated while Charlie was happy Nick wouldn’t be back on the pitch anytime soon. Nick wasn’t pleased about his situation, at least until Charlie reminded him of the cuddles he was promised.

 

When they finally made it back to his dorm, Nick flopped onto the couch, letting out a groan into the cushions. “Come on love, let’s get ready for bed” Charlie walked by Nick face down on the couch, he rubbed his shoulder, encouraging him to get up. Nick yawned, stretching before getting up off the couch. Nick sat down on the bathroom floor by Charlie while he was brushing his teeth, starting to throw off his dirty rugby kit. “Do you need any help sweetheart?” Charlie asked, “I’ll be fine, I’m just going to have a shower” Nick yawned again, rubbing his eyes. “Aww love, you’re exhausted and you’re injured, you need to rest” Charlie cooed. “Char, I’m covered in mud and hospital germs, I really need to shower” Nick whined. “All right, but I’m joining you, I don’t want you passing out on me again” Charlie insisted. Nick wiggled his eyebrows, smirking, “shut up! That’s not what I meant and you know it” Charlie smiled, “now lift your arms up, I’m helping you get this shirt off” Charlie said.

 

“I can take off my own shirt, Char” Nick grumbled as Charlie helped pull Nick’s shirt off. He knew Charlie just wanted to help but he couldn’t help but feel bad that Charlie was stuck taking care of him. “You always take care of me, let me return the favor” Charlie said as he lifted the shirt above his arms and over his head. Charlie ran his hands all over Nick’s bare chest, examining every bruise that was forming underneath his skin. Nick let out a shaky breath, carefully prying Charlie’s hands off his chest, not wanting his boyfriend to feel how much pain he was in. Charlie turned on the shower, letting the water warm up before helping Nick remove the rest of his clothes. They both stood in silence while he took a shower, it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence, both of them were just very deep into their thoughts. Nick could sense that Charlie was worried about him. Nick could tell that Charlie had been trying to shake his worry and stop himself from crying, it may have been subtle but Nick knew Charlie like the back of his hand. Sure, he had gotten hurt playing rugby before, but never like this.

 

“You’re in pain, Nick, just let me help you!” Charlie scolded, reaching over him to get his towel. “Char, I can reach my towel, I promise I won’t hurt myself” Nick said, starting to reach over to grab it off the hook. He stopped, feeling a huge rush of blood leaving his head, making him lose his balance, “I’ve got you” Charlie said, grasping onto his arm to support him. "I’m fine, I didn’t get hurt” Nick insisted, letting go of Charlie’s arm, standing on his own. “You’re not fine Nick! And you did get hurt!” Charlie cried, “You have a concussion! I saw your head get bashed into a goal post by a guy who was twice your size! You fainted in my arms! I-I thought you weren’t going to wake up!” Charlie sobbed. “I hated that you were in pain and I couldn’t help you!” he cried, “you’re everything to me Nick, I-I love you so much, I just want to help you, please let me help you” Charlie sobbed. 

 

Nick took a step forward, wrapping Charlie in his arms as tears started running down his cheeks. “It’s ok, I’m ok” Nick whispered, “I’m here, it’s ok” he repeated. Charlie pulled back from the hug a little, looking up at Nick, “I’m sorry, this isn’t about me, you’re the one who got injured, you shouldn’t be comforting me, I should be comforting you” Charlie sniffled. Nick’s heart dropped, “Char, if I had seen you get hurt the way I did, I would be an inconsolable wreck, you’re allowed to be upset. I’m sorry you had to see me get hurt like that” Nick wiped some residual tears off Charlie’s cheek, placing a kiss on his nose. “Char?” he said softly, Charlie looked up at him, a slight smile on his face. Nick’s face softened, his eyes barely able to stay open, he nuzzled into Charlie, letting out a sigh. Nick didn’t need to say anything else, Charlie just took his hand leading Nick back into his bedroom. Without saying a word, Charlie helped Nick into a clean pair of boxers before changing into some joggers and one of Nick’s jumpers. He got into bed, opening his arms for Nick, who instantly melted into Charlie’s embrace, “I love you” Nick mumbled, as he got comfortable in his boyfriend's arms. Charlie pressed a kiss to Nick’s hair, “I love you too Nick” Charlie whispered to him before pulling Nick into his chest and falling into a deep sleep.