<<two>>

Charlie's pov

something's been wrong with Leo lately and I don't know what was it which was kind of a first cause Leo tells me everything, well until now.

"Hey baby, you did great today!",my girlfriend said, breaking my train of thought before smashing her lips on mine. "Chlo, I'm not really in the mood now"I told her before gently pushing her off of me. "What, why? You never reject my kisses before, " she said frustratedly. "You know what? I don't care what's wrong with you right now, let's just take a picture together so I can post it online. " I rolled my eyes at what she said but (unwillingly) looked at her camera. "Done? I'm going to look for Leo now, bye" I told her and left, not waiting for an answer. Why am I even dating her? oh right, for publicity and to shut down rumours.

Flashback:

"Sup, my dear manager, may I ask what's more important than playing Mario Kart with Leo?" I questioned our manager, Blair when he subtly waved me over, trying not to catch Leo's attention.

"well, there's been a rumour about you and Leo circulating around lately and both fans and haters have brought this to social media. "

"sooo? What's the rumor? It can't be that bad, "

"Apparently, your strong friendship have been mistaken by the fans and now they think you're dating Leo."

"What's your point? Does it really matter? "

"Of course it does! Your fan base is mostly made up of girls and if they know you guys are "taken", much worse; gay. Then, we are basically done for."

"What's the problem with us being gay, you homop- what do you suggest then, there must be something other than this you wanted to talk about. "I stopped myself before i would say something I know I'd regret.

"The company will found you a girl, Chloe to date, so basically hang out in public, do whatever normal couples do. Oh and also minimize the hugging, kissing and whatnot with Leo. Easy. "

"Why force others to do this? "

"Oh trust me, she was more than happy to accept this offer. "

"And what if I refuse? "

"We'll drop you, the company can easily find a loophole in the contract."

I can't let that happen ,being on BGT and pursuing music was Leo's dream. I can't ruin it for him.

"Fine, I'll do it. "

"Okay, great! "

"Hey Charl, where'd you go? I missed you. " Leo came to me, giving me a hug.

"I've only been gone for- oh it's been half an hour already. "

Leo nodded and pouted.

Damn that pout is so cute, those li-

where's your mind gone, Charlie Lenehan?

Realizing Leo's arm was still wrapped around my waist, I gently push them off.

"Hey Lion, we can't hug or kiss much anymore, "

"Huh, b-but why? " Leo asked, with his innocent, nutella-coloured eyes, his lips trembling. "Don't you love me anymore? "

"Of course I do! It's just that I'm in love with somebody else. "As much as I don't want to say it, I did. And as those words passed my lip, my heart ached.

"Oh,with who?" Leo whispered softly, releasing me from his hold.

And instantly I felt the lack of warmth; my body protested, wanting Leo again.

"Her name's Chloe, she's really nice"

"That's good, well I'll go up to bed first. I'm exhausted. " Leo softly said.

"Yeah, sure, ""I'm so sorry. "I whispered the last part to myself.

ever since then, Leo and I has drifted apart, we don't hang out as much anymore because I have to go out with Chloe and buy her sh- stuff like a proper boyfriend.

*knock knock*

"Leo? Are you in there? "

I heard a muffled "yeah" and the door opened, "what do you need, Char?"

"I just want to spend time with you and just hang out, "

"What about Chloe? She coming? "

"umm no, I thought we could hang out together, just us two. Like old times? We can build that fort you were talking about last week? "

Leo raised his eyebrows, "you actually   heard what I said? I thought you were busy sucking Chloe's face. "

"Yea, sorry about that. I really wanted to hang out with you but Chloe dragged me to a mall and shop, I had so much fun carrying those bags and seeing money flying out of my wallet at light speed. "

"Well it's been long but, this room is always open for you "

"Leo... we share the same room.. "

"I know I just felt like saying that, "

*3 attempts to build a fort later*

"See told ya we could do it, it was nothing I couldn't handle"

"Leo, "

"Yeah? "

"You didn't do shit! You were just jumping on the sofa eating chips which are meant for later and directing me!"

*fakes sad*"I'm sorry, I-i didn't know you felt that way. I was just so excited as it's been so long since we hung out, I missed you so much. " and to make my act more convincing, I whimpered and tears start to fall down my cheeks.

Great job Charlie, now you made him upset, "I'm sorry baby, I didn't mean to say it so harshly. I'm sorry so so sorry" I hugged him tight so that he was lying on my shoulder and I could feel tears on my neck.

Why did he break our hug? Why's he staring at me with those innocent eyes now? It's making my knees weak.

"You called me baby and you hugged me, it's been so long since you've ever hugged me... " he laughed happily, with a smile I haven't seen him wear since forever.

"I'm sorry for putting you through that gosh I've forgotten how much I liked hugging you"

but something unfamiliar in me stirred when I hugged him and called him "baby"; I felt the need to protect him and when he cried, my heart ached. I felt the need to ensure he's happy but yet I was the only who could make him smile that big smile and laugh that laughter.

oh nothe worst thing that could happen to me, BaM and Leo at this time happened, just as I feared.

I like him.

Great, just great.

"Charlie, come into the fort!! it's an indoor picnic that I set up so ha I did do something! "

"Fine if you say so"

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?! "

"It means I love you too much to disagree with you"

I say softly to him," Aww Charlie, I love you too"

Oh if only he knew how much I meant it.

And before I knew it, I was dragged into the fort made up of many blankets and soft, fluffy pillows

"It's pretty stuffy, and small but it will do eh? " I told Leo.

"Sure, what ever you say, " he teased, mimicking me.

"Are you making fun of me, oh it's on! "

And this is the perks of being a good friend; you know all his weak spots;)

with that I started tickling his neck and sides

Soon enough, giggles and laughter erupted from him making his face red.

"Hey! It's not fair, you know all my weak spots! " Leo managed to gasp out between giggles.

"Well, not all" i winked at him

aww look at him blush,even his ears are flushed.

"It's not funny, Charl, "

"Who said it was a joke? "

I leant in a little bit to test the waters, he didn't move away nor did he move forward

"Charlie, what are you doing? " his breath ,unsteady.

"Can I? " I moved forward by a bit more.