Love is Equal (Chardre)

Chapter 27

**Leo's POV**

When we got back home, Nate opened the door for us.  "Hi, Nate, what are you doing here?" I asked.

"Rude," he retorted. "I'm hanging out with Kane but he's fallen asleep."

"Okay then, can we come in?" Nate stepped aside and Charlie and I walked in past him. We went upstairs and sat on my bed, talking for a while. He asked about my self-harm history before we met so I told him about that and we also played a quick game of pictionary.

"I'm sorry, Charlie," I began. "This just doesn't feel right. I think maybe we should go on a break for it."

"If that's what you want, Leo, then okay," he smiled. I nodded. Charlie put his clothes on and left. As Charlie walked out, Flynn walked in.

"Are you okay?" Flynn asked, seeing Charlie leave. 

"Yeah, I'm okay," I replied. "Charlie and I have decided to go on a break."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Leo," he responded. I got up to change into my pyjamas and then I got back into bed. Flynn tucked me in and left. After a while of staring at ceiling and thinking about Charlie, I finally fell asleep.

**Charlie's POV**

I started packing my bags as soon as I got back to Andrea's. Dad wanted me to move back to England. I decided, instead of moving in with him, to move in with my Uncle Max. I was going to miss Leo but I knew that it was for the best and I was glad that we decided to cut it off for a bit. I couldn't tell him, not after what had happened earlier. 

I would go back to Port Talbot for the end of December for all the celebrations . I wasn't sure if I'd go back to England after but I knew it was my choice to make. "Are you ready, Charlie?" Andrea asked. "The taxi driver is waiting for you."

"Yeah, I'm ready." I picked up my heavy suitcase and my backpack and left. Jessica was driving me to the hospital. She flicked on the radio as soon as we got going.

First up, a lunatic car is on the floor, controlled by an ex-police officer but now a sociopath. He's around Port Talbot. If anyone sees anything suspicious then please report it to the police at 5022-030-72.

"Jess the lunatic could be anywhere. Could we stop, please?" I asked, anxiously.

"It's alright, Charlie," she reassured me. "Everything is going to be okay."

"Jess, please," I begged. "Please, pull over."

"Charlie, if I pull over, there is more a chance that he'll hit us," Jess replied.

Out of nowhere, another car came flying into the side of the car that I was on. 5 minutes passed until I could comprehend what was happening. My ears rang. Blood trickled down my forehead onto my cheeks and lap. Jess, because she was on the other side of the car, didn't look as badly beaten up. "Ambulance. I need an ambulance," I wheezed. 

Jess phoned for the ambulance straight away. I had messed up bad and I knew Leo would find out everything. When the ambulance did arrive, I was cut free and out of the car. I knew I had messed up badly. When I eventually arrived at the hospital, doctors and nurses started to take care of me. When the nurse saw my self-harm scars, he didn't say anything. Steve... That's what his name tag said. Steve Jones. Kane Jones' father? 

"Would you like me to call anyone?" Steve asked, putting the clipboard back at the end of the bed. "

"My phone," I started. "It's in my jeans pocket."  I pointed to where my clothes were as I was wearing a hospital gown. "Please can you call Andrea, Leo, Kane and Nate?"

"Wait, Charlie Lenehan?" he asked, confused. "I know you, you bullied my son, you little freak. You gave him depression and he cut his arms, even slashing at his stomach he was. You dirty rotten pig. I will get revenge." He went off with my phone. He had it all wrong. Kane bullied Leo, I didn't bully him. Steve came back after phoning everyone, putting my phone back where he found it. "Your friends and family have been called. I called your mum as well. She seemed pretty cool about it considering I know what she's like. Oh, and sorry for having a go at you. I know you didn't bully my son, I was thinking of Charlie Hiddleston."

"Thanks," I replied. "Do you mind if I ask how you reacted when Kane told you he was gay?"

"Actually, he hasn't told me yet," Steve chuckled. "He thinks I have no clue, the poor lad, but I've seen his search history and it's not something that I want to see again. I'll check in on you in about half an hour, okay?" I nodded in response.

Steve left but Leo came barging in at the same time. "What the fuck, Charlie? What the hell happened to you? I was worried sick. What happened to you?"

"I was on the way to the airport," I started. "And that lunatic car hit us. It was on my side as well. I've still got to get my x-rays and other done. My legs are numb and weak but the doctors are hoping that I'll be okay."

"I'm so glad Steve called me," Leo said, kissing me on the forehead. "I'm so glad that you're in safe hands, baby."

After talking for a while, a doctor came in and took me to the radiology unit for my x-rays. Leo tagged along as well. After my x-rays and scans, the doctor took me back to my room and gave me my results. "Great news, your brain is completely fine apart from the area that detects voices but that will come back naturally. Your chest x-ray is all clear. Your leg x-rays are all clear but you'll be put in a wheelchair so your back can recover. The only thing that's come back broken is your left arm. It's a clean break so you'll get it bandaged and put into a cast. We want to keep you in recovery for night observation but that's just to make sure everything remains how it is."

"That's great, except the wheelchair. How long will I be in it?" I asked.

"About 3 months. You'll also need physical therapy for your legs," she replied.

"3 months?" Leo asked, concerned. "But it's only 2 months till the school prom dance."

"Well the more determined Charlie is about physical therapy, it'll probably only take him about 3 weeks. People have achieved walking after that amount of time. He can do things at home as well as therapy sessions nearby once a week," she replied.

"Thank you," Leo smiled. The doctor left the room, leaving us alone. Leo's mum was to leave for a business trip in 3 days and it was still on so Leo had to stay with me for a while. Leo sat in the chair beside me, picking at the flaking skin on his hands. "Charlie?"

"Leo, come here," I demanded softly. He started breaking down into tears, leaning closer to me. "Come on, don't be silly, everything's going to be fine." I wrapped my arm around him for reassurance. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"Boyfriends?"

"Yeah."

Authors Note: I've had to condense this chapter a lot. Even though it's still quite long, I'm pretty happy with it. I hope you enjoyed it! - Chloe xx