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It's been a day since James left and Charlie can already feel a cloud in the air, he isn't sure what it means but he knows it's nothing good. Something is going to happen whether that's soon or in a year, something big. Charlie would chalk his feelings to the amount of pain he's in affecting his mood, however, his Sister would say it's his pessimism kicking in gear so Charlie's learned to keep his bad feelings to himself, at least until he figures out what's got him in such a pickle.
"Fuck." Charlie whispers when he bares weight on his prosthetic leg, he's used all his salves that he's Ma's bought him to try, and he's taken all the medicine he can but nothing seems to be helping. He's done everything but short of taking his leg off, which his doctor advises against due to Charlie needing to 'breathe through the pain' which Shannon has always thought was dumb advice not wanting to see her baby in pain.
"How are you doing darling?" Shannon asks with a sympathetic look as she stands in Charlie's doorway. Resisting the urge to roll his eyes at his Ma's look he grimaces as he adjusts his position in bed. "Still not great, nothing's helping. Haven't had a flare-up like this in a while." Charlie reaches down and rubs where his prosthetic meets his leg. "Stop that." Shannon scolds lightly this time Charlie does roll his eyes but obeys and puts his hand at his side.
Shannon opens her mouth to say something but is interrupted by a knock at the door, Charlie huffs and goes to move his legs to the floor when his Ma stops him. "Stop, I'll get it. I'm sure it's the man delivering mail or milk." Shannon states as she turns on her heels and walks towards the door, Charlie can faintly hear his Ma open the door and speak in low voices.
To Charlie's surprise he starts to hear his Ma's shoes click towards his room followed by some lighter footsteps, a light knock appears at his door, and before he could say anything the knob starts to turn. "Honey, Steve's here." Charlie can hear a bit of surprise in his Ma's voice, and to be honest, Charlie's surprised too. "Hi Steve, what are you doing here?" Charlie winces as he rises to be in a sitting position. "Well, I was waiting at the diner for you but then when you didn't come I got worried." Steve smiles at Charlie to tell Charlie he isn't mad at him.
"Shit sorry Steve, I'm having a pain flare up and I must've forgotten." Charlie tries to hurry to get up but the pain stops him. Steve rushes over and puts his hands out to gently push Charlie to lie down again. "Forget about the diner, I'm not mad. I was just worried about you, I thought something bad had happened to you." Steve nods towards the bed and Charlie quickly nods.
"I'm sorry for worrying you, I just woke up in pain and it completely slipped my mind." Charlie moves so he's sitting up leaning against his pillows, his eyes drift towards the door to find it closed which means Shannon must've exited when they were talking. "Charlie, I already told you it's okay, don't worry about it." Charlie watches as Steve's hand drifts towards Charlie's good leg, Charlie doesn't mind the gesture but it seems Steve does because he jerks his hand back quickly like Charlie was going to burn him the action made Charlie frown a bit thinking he did something wrong but he hid that quickly with a slight smile.
"I better go, I'm glad you're alright given the circumstances." Steve goes to stand up when Charlie takes a chance, he grabs Steve's hand. Charlie ignores the spark that goes through him and lets go of Steve's hand once he's grabbed his attention. "Stay, please. With help, I can get to the living room, and with some convincing, I can get Ma to grab you a beer." Charlie pleads with Steve who hesitates but shakes his head. "Thanks for the offer but I have something to do at the house. I just wanted to make sure you're alright."
Charlie ignores the pout that wants to sneak out and nods in response, he waves to Steve in place of a goodbye, and soon he hears the door click shut which gives Charlie permission to lie down again. He turns on his side and looks out his small window, that's when it hits Charlie, he's figured out the problem.
He has a crush on Steve.
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