The coursework was piling up. Sorting out the social situation with Harry and the rest of the rugby lads was wearing on Nick. His grades were steady but his head was cloudy. Rugby practice was long, tiring. Usually moving his body helped, and it did. But then all he could think about was a warm meal, the wash of a shower, the quiet of a familiar movie.

And what with David coming home and all the stress around coming out, he just couldn't do it anymore. David invading his space, touching his things, disrespecting his privacy. That sparked yelling matches through the house, resulting in tears behind closed doors and just general overwhelm.

Nick got headaches from overstimulation, and had been pulling away from big group hangouts, only really able to handle one on one, or a trio type deal. At the moment, he was under a blanket in his bed, a sweatshirt on and a cup of tea. He was rewatching a familiar movie, trying to center himself. Charlie was coming over, though he had no idea that Nick got overwhelmed like this.

He didn't know that he was overstimulated, that things had to go a certain way. He hoped they would, because a knock sounded at the door.