**Chapter 1: A Gentle Nudge**

Charlie snuggled deeper into Nick's lap, his eyes fixed on the bowl of steaming hot macaroni in front of him. Nick, determined to get Charlie to eat, gently encouraged him to take a bite. "Come on, baby," Nick said, his voice soft and soothing. "Just a little bit. You know you need to eat something." Charlie shook his head, his lower lip jutting out in a stubborn pout. "I said I don't want any," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Tears began to form in the corners of his eyes, and Nick's heart melted. Nick wrapped his arms around Charlie, pulling him close. "Hey, it's okay. You don't have to eat if you don't want to. But you have to know that I'm not going to give up on you, okay?" Charlie sniffled, his body shaking as he tried to hold back tears. Suddenly, he burst into sobs, burying his face in Nick's shoulder. "I...I don't know why I don't want to eat," Charlie stammered, his voice muffled against Nick's chest. Nick stroked his hair, trying to calm him down. "Shh, baby, it's okay. You're just stressed, that's all. We can just cuddle for a bit if you want." Charlie nodded, his tears slowing as he wrapped his arms around Nick's waist. The two of them sat there in comfortable silence, Charlie's head on Nick's shoulder, Nick's arms wrapped around him. A few minutes passed, and Nick gently rocked Charlie back and forth, trying to coax him into eating. "Just a couple bites, sweetheart," Nick said, his voice gentle. "I know you can do it, baby boy." Charlie sniffled, his eyes red and puffy, but he slowly began to calm down. Nick gently picked up a spoonful of macaroni and held it out to Charlie. Charlie hesitated, then slowly opened his mouth. Nick slid the spoon in, and Charlie chewed slowly, his eyes fixed on Nick's face. "Good boy, good job, baby," Nick said, beaming with pride. "Do you like it?" Charlie nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "It has little cheese," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Nick grinned, relief washing over him. "Just the way you like it, baby," Nick said, as he kissed the top of Charlie's forehead. Charlie leaned into the touch, feeling a sense of comfort and security wash over him. As they sat there, Nick realized that Charlie's eating habits were more complex than he had initially thought. There were days when Charlie would eat normally, and days when he wouldn't eat at all. Nick had tried various ways to encourage Charlie to eat, but nothing seemed to work for long. Nick decided to take a different approach. He gently asked Charlie about his favorite foods, and what made him feel comfortable while eating. Charlie thought for a moment before responding. "I like it when we eat together," Charlie said, his eyes sparkling. "And I like it when you make me feel safe." Nick's heart melted at Charlie's words. He realized that Charlie's eating habits were closely tied to his emotional well-being. With newfound understanding, Nick decided to make mealtime a more enjoyable experience for Charlie. He started by cooking Charlie's favorite meals, and making sure they ate together in a comfortable and relaxed environment. As the days went by, Charlie began to feel more at ease during mealtimes. He started to eat more regularly, and his overall health began to improve. Nick was overjoyed to see Charlie thriving, and he knew that their love and support for each other were the keys to Charlie's recovery. The story will continue based on your direction. What happens next?