**Chapter 1: A Moment of Regret**

The sun had just set over the small town of Little London, casting a warm orange glow over the quiet streets. Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring had been friends for what felt like a lifetime, and their relationship had grown stronger with each passing day. But on this particular evening, the tension between them was palpable. A seemingly trivial argument had escalated into a full-blown fight, with both of them saying things they couldn't take back. As they stood in Nick's living room, the air was thick with anger and frustration. Charlie's eyes blazed with hurt and betrayal, while Nick's face was red with rage. In a moment of fury, Nick lashed out, his hand connecting with Charlie's cheek in a loud slap. "You're such a moron, Charlie Spring!" Nick yelled, the words tumbling out of his mouth like venom. The sound of the slap echoed through the room, and Charlie's eyes widened in shock. He stumbled backward, his hand instinctively rising to touch his cheek. As he felt the warmth of his own tears streaming down his face, his body began to tremble. Nick's face fell, his anger dissipating in an instant. He took a step forward, his eyes filled with horror and regret. "Charlie, darling. Oh baby, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I should have never laid my hands on you," he said, his voice cracking with emotion. Charlie's voice was barely above a whisper. "You hit me." Nick's face contorted in anguish. "I know, baby. I know, and I promise I'll never ever ever do it again." He took another step forward, his hands extended, but Charlie flinched, taking a step back. The room seemed to shrink, the silence between them heavy with unspoken words. Nick's eyes roved over Charlie's face, taking in the tears, the trembling lips, and the haunted eyes. He knew he had crossed a line, one that he could never uncross. Charlie's past came flooding back, memories of Ben's abuse and the terror he had endured. The fear, the pain, and the helplessness all resurfaced, and he felt like he was drowning. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, but his body continued to shake. Nick's eyes welled up with tears as he gazed at Charlie. He knew he had hurt him, and the weight of his actions threatened to crush him. He took a step back, his voice barely above a whisper. "What can I do, Charlie? How can I make it right?" The room hung in silence, the only sound the quiet sobs that racked Charlie's body. Nick's heart ached, and he felt like he was losing his best friend, his soulmate, his everything. He didn't know how to fix this, but he knew he had to try. As the tears continued to fall, Charlie's eyes locked onto Nick's, searching for something, searching for answers. Nick's heart skipped a beat as he waited for Charlie's response, his entire world hanging in the balance.