Heartstopper season 3’s most satisfying — and surprising — friendship was actually teased in the show’s very first season, which makes the third-season revelation even more heartwarming. Based on Alice Oseman’s graphic novel series of the same name, Heartstopper is a queer coming-of-age romantic drama that centers on the blossoming relationship between Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) and Nick Nelson (Kit Connor). Although Charlie has been comfortable with, and open about, his sexuality for years, navigating queerness — and a crush on Charlie — is new territory for Nick. Luckily, Heartstopper‘s cast of characters are mostly supportive.

In season 1 of the series, one of Charlie’s long-time friends, Tao Xu (William Gao), is skeptical of Nick’s intentions. Previously, Charlie was involved with a hurtful student named Ben. Since Nick is a popular rugby-playing teen, Tao believes Nick is straight. Even after Nick and Charlie confess their mutual feelings for each other, Tao takes his frustrations out on Nick, especially when more of Charlie’s time and energy goes toward his romantic relationship instead of his friendships. Needless to say, all of this makes the deepening friendship between Nick and Tao really rewarding in Heartstopper season 3.

Tao & Nick’s Heartstopper Season 3 Friendship Was Teased In Season 1

The Duo Reconcile By The End Of Heartstopper Season 1 Due To Their Love For Charlie

Although Tao isn’t Nick’s biggest fan in the show’s first season, Heartstopper season 1’s ending perfectly teases the meaningful friendship Nick and Tao wind up having by season 3. For the most part, Tao’s jealousy keeps him from seeing Nick’s great qualities. Not only does Tao want his friend group, and Charlie, to return to “normal,” but he’s clearly feeling left out of the dating game. Of course, the latter issue changes once Tao and Elle Argent (Yasmin Finney) explore their romantic potential. Still, Tao ices Nick out, likely because he doesn’t want to admit to being in the wrong.

The pair realize they have a shared desire for Charlie to be happy…

As the season progresses, Harry Greene (Cormac Hyde-Corrin) bullies Charlie for being gay. Both Nick and Tao take action against Charlie’s bullies, resulting in physical and verbal fights, but it doesn’t really get them anywhere. Charlie feels that Tao has inadvertently made his life more difficult, which puts a strain on their friendship. Feeling depressed, Charlie ignores Nick too. Although unfortunate, the series of events gives Nick and Tao the chance to reconcile. The pair realize they have a shared desire for Charlie to be happy — an earnest revelation that strengthens their bond in Heartstopper season 3’s ending.

Why Tao & Nick’s New Friendship In Heartstopper Season 3 Is So Important

Tao & Nick Lean On Each Other More In Season 3 When Charlie Is Away

Tao and Nick’s friendship becomes even more crucial in the third season, especially after Nick encourages Charlie to seek professional support for his eating disorder. Once Charlie decides to spend time at a facility and commit himself to therapy, Nick realizes just how lonely the next few months will be. Ever-supportive, Nick doesn’t want to make Charlie’s difficult experiences with mental illness about himself, but that also leaves Nick with very few people to lean on. At a Halloween party, Nick finds himself going through the motions — walking along the dance floor and cracking open drinks.

To make matters more complicated, Nick feels guilty about living his life and having fun while Charlie is grappling with some really challenging stuff. Tao finds Nick at the party and asks if he can sit with him in the hallway. The two have a pretty wordless exchange, but Tao holds Nick while he cries. In many ways, the two couldn’t be more different. In fact, their costumes — Captain America and Donnie Darko‘s Frank — say it all. Even so, Nick and Tao have learned to lean on each other for support in Heartstopper season 3.