traumatized minds, luke hemmings

breaking down in tears (in a good way)

Charlotte has never been so excited to see Theo in her life – especially after everything that's been happening lately.

Rushing into his arms this morning might've been the best therapy a person could get. The way he held her wasn't like anything she'd ever felt — it was comforting. His hand grabbed the back of her head in a loving way and the other arm wrapped around her waist.

"Hi, sweetheart." Theo whispered into Charlotte's hair as she noticed her eyes become teary.

"Hi." Her voice cracked a little. "I missed you."

"How are you doing?" Theo asked, pulling away and cupping Charlotte's face. "Have you eaten today? Do you want to go get something?"

Theo's thumb gently rubbed against her cheek as the tears gently blinked away. "I haven't eaten yet. But I don't have any money right now, I'd have to go ask—"

"Stop talking," Theo said. "I'll pay for you even if you had more money than me. Come on, love, let's grab you your overnight bag and we'll stop by your house to grab more things."

Charlotte had never felt so loved.

She nodded gently, and Theo took her pinky as they walked to Luke's office where Ashton was sitting — talking to Michael.

"Ash?" Charlotte spoke softly. "Theo's here. He's gonna get us some food and then he's gonna drive me home so I can get some more clothes."

"Hello, sir," Theo smiled gently.

"Hello, Theo." Ashton greeted him softly. "That's fine, Charlotte. Take your time. Make sure to shower as well when you're home, since the showers here suck. I'll be here when you get back."

"I love you," Michael said with a sad smile on his face.

"I love you more, Michael. I will. I love you both."

Theo took her pinky again and they walked to his car parked outside. Theo frowned at Charlotte's appearance — not that she looked gross, she just looked exhausted.

He opened her door for her and got in and drove.

"Okay, so," Theo started, driving with one hand and taking her hand in his. "I will take you home — and you can go inside and shower and whatnot. I'll sit in your room or something, is that okay?"

Charlotte nodded gently. "Fine by me."

Theo made it to Charlotte's house in a decent amount of time and parked, taking Charlotte inside her house. Theo had only really ever been outside the home — so seeing the inside was cool, matching what his mind imagined it would look like.

"This is our house," Charlotte said, noticing his eyes wandering. "I would give you a house tour but It's messy and I need to shower. Another time."

"Always." Theo said as they approached Charlotte's room.

Theodore took her bedroom in. It was exactly like her — written in a bedroom and posters plastering the wall. Her bedsheets were strawberries, matching the dog laying down on the bed — fresh from the groomers.

"Theo, meet Strawberry," Charlotte smiled, giving her dog a kiss on the forehead. "She is very loving. I promise."

Charlotte grabbed a change of clothes. She grabbed dark green sweatpants, a white tank top along with a shirt that had the collar cut off (one she'd stolen from Michael, an old band tee he didn't want anymore) and went into her bathroom.

She came back out to say, "Feel free to wander about the house. Don't go into the guys' rooms, they hate it when I mess with their stuff."

Theo gave Charlotte a big smile. "Of course."

Charlotte showered for longer than she had planned. The warm water on her very stressed body was heaven. She did everything — shaved everywhere, washed her hair, body, exfoliated, and cried a little.

Once she was done, she got out and put a robe on before brushing her hair and teeth. She also did her skin care after, and cleaned her counter a little.

She braided her hair into two simple french braids as well and dried her hair once more and changed into her clothes. After being done, she put her towels in the dirty hamper and walked out of her bathroom.

Theo wasn't in her room — her now clean room.

Her books were put in order. Her school backpack was cleaned out, and all her paper shavings were in her trash bin. Her school notebooks were cleaned up and put together. Her photos (of her and Theo) were pinned on her corkboard— next to a note that said.

"You're so pretty."

Her heart was going to explode.

Her bed was made and her overnight bag was sitting perfectly on the bed — he hadn't packed for her, obviously, but everything looked so clean.

Charlotte walked down the stairs, seeing once cluttered areas all cleaned and organized. She entered the kitchen where the sink was running.

Theo was standing in front of the sink, washing their dishes.

"Theo—"

"Oh, hi," Theo smiled immediately, turning around and giving her a warm smile before continuing. "How was your shower?"

"Theo," Charlotte's eyes swelled up. "You didn't have to clean my room and kitchen."

"I wanted to." Theo corrected, turning off the sink water and drying his hands. "Your family is stressed enough. Having a clean house should not be on that list of stress. I was free, so I did it."

"I—"

"Oh, and I filled Strawberry's bowl and water. I wasn't sure how much to give her so I gave her a little bit, enough for her." Theo finished.

Charlotte felt like breaking down crying right then and there.