Work Text:
One: Charlie
When Charlie says “asexual,” something in Isaac’s chest unclenches and lights up. He didn’t know Charlie even knew something had changed, but Charlie is like him, sometimes. He sees things. Just look at Nick. Now, even when Isaac knows Charlie is dealing with something big, his friend sees him anyway. Charlie doesn’t demand details, not the way Tao might. When Isaac says he doesn’t want to give vocab lessons, Charlie accepts it, loops their arms together, and rests his head on Isaac’s shoulder.
When Charlie texts his research on aromanticism, Isaac understands the real message — Isaac is worth the effort. He still matters.
Two: Nick
Isaac knew immediately there was more to Nick than meets the eye.
At the zoo, on Nick’s birthday of all days, Nick comes through for him. Lunch was a disaster, with he and Tao being arseholes to each other. Charlie snapped at Nick, and Nick just started shoving chips into his mouth. The girls tried, but Imogen has Main Character Syndrome, Sahar got snippy with Imogen, Darcy was oddly quiet, and Tara… tried to feed him chips like he was a toddler?
In the aquarium section, though, he and Tao make up, and Isaac decides to rip the aroace plaster off in the slowest, most painful way possible, with a babbling metaphor about fish flaunting their relationships to their single fish friends, before admitting that he’s scared and has no idea what this means for him. Oh God, he kind of wants to chuck himself into one of the tanks and drift off with the jellyfish, because now things are even more awkward, because no one knows what to say, and Isaac is a reader, not an extemporaneous orator, okay?
But then Nick — golden, lovable, huge-hearted Nick, who took Isaac’s best friend and loved him so much he adopted their entire rag-tag band of misfits — speaks up. He admits that this is terrifying, and confesses that he cried at a stupid “Am I Gay” quiz.
And maybe it’s a bit clumsy, but Isaac meets Nick’s gaze, and understands.
I see you. I’ve been scared, too. This shit is hard, and terrifying, and so, so heavy, Nick’s eyes say, but it’s going to be okay. You have us, and we love you.
And Isaac is so grateful he believed in romance.
Three: The Squad
They’re at the park, sprawled onto picnic blankets. The girls surround Darcy as Elle brandishes a pair of shears in a vaguely terrifying manner. Charlie is snuggled up to Nick (as always), with Nick holding him close. Tao watches the chaos unfold from his spot.
As Isaac watches, Elle snips a lock of Darcy’s hair, and the girls shriek with glee over this small act of rebellion and reclaiming. Nick chants Darcy’s name, and rubs Charlie’s arm comfortingly when Charlie seems to retreat into himself.
His friends’ shenanigans surround him, and Isaac is struck with a wave of gratitude so strong, it almost bowls him over. No one even thinks to question Darcy’s desire to chop her (their? Isaac suspects there’s more to the haircut than they know) hair. Nick doesn’t hesitate to comfort Charlie in a way that passes for their usual cuddly affection. No one makes him put his book down.
They all accept each other, and love without question. Everyone should be as lucky as they are.
Four: James
James could have made it really awkward at school after the debacle in Paris. But he didn’t. He was kind, and understanding, and he embraced Isaac’s labels with generosity.
And now, on New Year’s Eve, when all his friends are coupled up for the midnight countdown (even the hot-pink-meets-glittery-punk flaming champagne trainwreck that is Sahar and Imogen), James shows up, tells him he’s not after a kiss, and just… includes him.
Isaac loves him (platonically) for that.
Five: Tao
Isaac is incredibly curious about Nick and Charlie’s relationship progression. He’s been cheering them on from Day One, and he is invested in what’s next. He just has no idea how to talk about it.
Tao, though. Tao takes the bull by the horns. Or… the cucumber by the base, if you will. Anyway. Tao forces Charlie to talk about sex, his concerns, his fears, and somehow calms Charlie down.
So when Charlie drops into his seat in study hall with a shit-eating grin on his face, Isaac knows exactly what happened over the weekend, and he is so grateful to Tao.
Isaac believes in romance, after all.
Plus One: The Squad (again)
Isaac pulls the glass jar out of the gift bag and frowns at the label. “Isaac’s Compliment Jar” sounds… lovely. But what the hell is it? He looks at his friends in confusion; they’re all staring at him with slightly manic grins.
“Open it,” Charlie says gently.
He does, and pulls out a slip of paper.
Thank you for realizing something was wrong, even when I wasn’t ready to talk — and thank you for respecting that. Love, Charlie
Isaac glances up, and Charlie is smiling at him.
He takes another slip.
I know you saw me crying on Tao’s shoulder that night. Thank you for giving us space, and for watching over us. And thank you for trying to help Charlie. –Nick
Isaac huffs a laugh, which is better than the sniffle trying to escape.
Thank you for loving us, no matter what. Thank you for seeing us. We see you, too. Love, The Girls (and Darcy!)
Isaac swallows and closes his eyes, fighting back tears.
Thank you for your honesty and your kindness. You’re really brave, and I’m glad we’re friends. –James
Isaac laughs, but it comes out as a choked sob. James pats his shoulder, and Isaac nods in thanks.
I know I get caught up in my own drama, but you’re always so patient, even when I’m a jerk. Thank you for staying. Love, Tao
Isaac is engulfed in a massive hug filled with laughter and tears and shouts of love. He doesn’t know what he’s done to deserve any of this, but…
…he’s really, really grateful.