Hand-drawn smiley and contrasting relationships

 

Episode 1, run time 09.00

In his second substantive encounter with Ben, in the library, Charlie notes the smiley inked on his hand by Nick, earlier, as he takes Ben's hand.  

Briefly, we see Charlie wistful, contrasting the positiveness and joy of his new friendship, with the one-sided and exploitative relationship with Ben. This was a powerful Heartstopper Moment for me, though it was done in less than a second.