Heartstopper Fandom Split Over Divisive Take on Nick & Charlie Relationship
Do Charlie and Nick feel the same way about each other?
Heartstopper delivers countless heartwarming moments. The main characters, Charlie (Joe Locke) and Nick (Kit Connor) explore their identities and learn to understand, love, and accept each other. As they experience healthy, non-judgmental relationships for the first time, the boys embark on their journey of growing up, expressing emotions and self-acceptance.
However, as uplifting and healthy as Charlie and Nick's romantic feelings are, there's a perception among fans regarding the disparity in the commitment each shows in the relationship. Let's delve into this idea that's polarised the Heartstopper fandom.
'Nick seems to be putting more thoughtfulness into their relationship than Charlie?' a fan suggested.
The idea is that Nick, having only recently come out as bisexual, makes many more romantic gestures and is more attentive to his partner. Conversely, as some fans see it, Charlie occasionally seems to overlook or undervalue Nick's actions and words.
'Not that any relationship is a competition of who is more 'in' it, some of their intimate scenes just seem more one-sided than I would have thought,' the same fan added.
In Season 2, there is a moment when Charlie and Nick find themselves alone in a hotel bathroom during a field trip to Paris. After a kiss, Nick, having tasted Charlie's toothpaste, recalls a similar moment from a previous kiss at Charlie's sleepover. That is a touching subplot, highlighting the significance of these memories to Nick.
Charlie's reaction, however, is to laugh it off, seemingly indifferent to his boyfriend's sentimental reminiscences. While this is just one instance, it illustrates the contrast between the introverted Charlie and the effervescent Nick, who exudes the enthusiasm of a golden retriever.
Yet, many fans disagree with this interpretation.
'People who feel worthless can find it incredibly painful to accept compliments and love - because their brain replies, "No, I'm worthless." They don't believe it. And it's a defensive mechanism to brush it away quickly and deny it — in order to not feel the pain,' another fan remarked.
Charlie's past is marked by bullying, homophobia, and abusive relationships. Consequently, he's grappling with deep-seated insecurities and anxiety. As readers of the graphic novels will remember, he also confronts challenges like an eating disorder and self-harm. As Charlie learns to love himself, accepting love from others proves difficult.
Furthermore, they express love differently. While Nick is constantly talking about his feelings, Charlie manifests his love through actions. Although it might seem there's an imbalance in their displays of affection, it's essential to see that both have very strong feelings about each other, it's just that they express them in different ways.