Saved By a Stranger

Thank you, Robin_Writes_12, for this idea! I added a little of my twist to it. This will be a little different from my other one-shots! A thank you to kittheeggheadconnor for the help on some of the writing!

~This occurs in an alternate universe where the heartstopper characters don't know each other.

~It also takes place when they are older: Charlie is 22 and, Nick is 23, almost 24, Ben is also 23.

I hope you guys like it!! :) xx

TW: an attempt at SA, Ben

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Charlie drew a sharp breath as he left work later than his boss promised. Being a published editor was busy at this time of year. He was getting out of the office that day at almost 8 pm.

Don't get the young man wrong; he felt so grateful to have this opportunity to get this job right out of university; it was overwhelming most of the time.

It was pitch black outside, cloudy since it rained earlier that day. Charlie adored days like this, where it smelt like rain in the air, and the clouds made the world dark, like his mind. The streetlights lit the sidewalk as he went to the parking garage.

Charlie felt strange in his gut as if someone was following him, but as he glanced around the street, no one was around. He turns back around and continues to walk, taking a deep breath. The gut feeling won't go away for some reason, so he turns around again and sees someone in the shadows, but they are wearing work clothes.

'Maybe he just got off as well." Charlie thought to himself, trying to calm his nerves down. He continues to walk to the parking garage.

Footsteps echo behind him, and the gut feeling worsens. Someone was getting close to him, too close.

Way too close.

He doesn't like that.

Charlie finally got the strength to face the guy following him. He was around his age, maybe a bit older, and had brown hair swooped to the side. His brown eyes were full of lust and determination.

'A predator.' Charlie thought to himself, stepping back a bit.

"Why are you following me?" He demanded, facing the brunette.

The brunette got startled that the guy he was following spoke to him, "What the fuck, I'm not? I'm just going to the parking garage, damn." He said in defense, lie.

Charlie froze, "Oh my god, I'm so sorry." He rambled out before he began to walk again. He felt humiliated for accusing a stranger like that because of his anxiety.

"It's fine." The brunette assured Charlie with a charming smile. But the smile gave Charlie a twisted feeling in his gut,  and he knew it wasn't a friendly smile.

Charlie continued to walk to the garage, his chest aching with anxiety.

(TW)

As Charlie was about to get to his car, the brunette grabbed his arm and yanked him back.

"Where do you think you're going?" Predator, as Charlie called him in his head, smirked in amusement.

He cried out in alarm as he got pulled back and stared at him. "Jesus Christ, can you let me go!? I'm trying to go home!" Charlie pleaded, not wanting to let this man get to him. He was stronger than he used to be; he wanted to prove that to himself.

"Calm down," Predator said softly as he stepped closer to Charlie, his grip still tight on his arm, "I saw you across the sidewalk, and you are so stunning. I had to get your attention somehow." He said as an excuse as if it wasn't fucking creepy.

"I will NOT calm down, this is how a sane person reacts when a creepy ass stranger grabs your arm and pulls you away from your car." Charlie snapped, getting annoyed.

"You're a feisty one, huh?" Predator was amused. "You have this confidence about you that I like." He hummed.

"Please leave me alone," Charlie begged as he looked at him. "Mm, How about no." Predator got closer and pulled Charlie over by his hip.

Charlie tensed up and tried to shove him away, "I said, leave. Me. ALONE!" He shouted the word alone, which echoed throughout the parking garage.

(End of TW)

Nick was on his way to his car when he heard a confrontation between two guys near where he was parked. His gut told him to go over to see what was wrong, so he put his bags in his car, locked it, and rushed over.

He stopped in his tracks and spotted a curly-headed guy, frightened, as a brunette gripped his arm, holding him back from his car. The curly-headed guy was uncomfortable and scared.

Nick knew what to do; his instincts told him to go over and act as if he knew the curly-headed guy to get the brunette away from him.

He took a deep breath and walked over, fighting his nerves. "Hey! I thought I'd check in on you since you were late to our plans!" Nick chirped to the curly-headed guy, which he couldn't help but think was stunning up close. He gave him a look to play along, hoping that he'd get the hint that he was trying to get him out of this situation.

"Oh yeah! Sorry, I'm just being held back at the moment!" Charlie told the kind stranger, who he had to admit was handsome as fuck, relieved someone heard him shouting at the predator.

"And who is this?" Nick asked the curly-headed guy, raising an eyebrow at the brunette bothering him.

At that, the brunette had a panicked look at the fact that he'd been caught and rushed off. Charlie sighed in relief, "Thank you so much." He told the stranger as he wiped his eyes; he didn't even realize he had been crying.

"Of course!" The stranger had worried eyes, "I'm just glad I could help keep you safe. I'm Nick." Nick introduced himself with a smile, hoping to give the cute, curly-haired guy some comfort. Wait, did he call him cute?...

After calming down and trying to process what happened, Charlie looked at Nick, "I'm Charlie."

"Hi." Nick offered his hand as a formal greeting.

"Hi," Charlie said shyly as he shook Nick's hand.

When they shook hands, Nick felt butterflies form in his stomach. He never felt this way towards a girl before.

"Thank you for the save. I can't believe I was saved by a stranger." Charlie tried to joke, lightening up the mood. Nick chuckled softly and nodded, "You're welcome. And hey, we're not strangers anymore! We know each other's names. That's something." Nick hummed.

Charlie giggled a bit, "Uhm...Can I take you out for a coffee as a thank you?" He offered with big eyes.

Nick couldn't help but blush, "I'd love to." He said shyly.

A/N: HAPPY PRIDE MONTH!! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 🏳️‍🌈 To everyone who celebrates! This is my first pride month out as Asexual and Pan.

I know it can be challenging for some people who don't feel or are not supported by loved ones, so if you guys ever need someone to talk to, please feel free to DM me, and I'll help out the best I can ❤️

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Let me know what you think in the comments below. x