Work Text:
Charlie was alive.
As they drove back to Alan's place, that fact rattled around inside of Babe's brain like loose bolts. He worried he was going insane. Charlie had been dead, they’d held a funeral for him, and now he was alive again, his arms wrapped tightly around Babe as the van rumbled underneath them. He didn't want to think about any of it, not Charlie being alive or Tony being dead or everything that had happened, opting to curl up in his mate’s arms instead. He'd thought he'd never have this again, and now he could bury his nose into Charlie's neck and breathe in his clean inoffensive scent.
He wanted to shut everything out but that wouldn’t happen. Not with everything that was still happening.
After helping Sonic realise his own stupidity, Babe slipped back into the house. Alan came around the corner, his pack alpha looked haggard and Babe felt a pang of worry. He hoped Alan was going to get some rest soon. Even Babe knew Alan took on too much, giving everything for the pack and leaving nothing for himself.
“If you don't need anything I'm going to go-”
“You're not leaving, right?” snapped Alan.
“What no,” Babe quickly shook his head, grateful that he hadn't flinched at the tone, “I'm just going to bed. I won't leave tonight.”
“Okay,” Babe watched Alan take a slow, deep breath, “and Charlie's with you?”
Closing his eyes for a moment, Babe took his own deep breath, “Yeah, he's not going anywhere.”
Or at least he hoped so, but when Babe put his hand on the handle to his room, he hesitated. If he opened it and Charlie wasn't there? If he went through hell and somehow still lost Charlie, Babe wasn't sure if he would survive.
Steeling his nerves, Babe turned the handle.
Charlie was stretched out on the bed staring up at the ceiling, one hand behind his head and the other resting on his stomach. His glasses were on the side table, his face contorted with lines that Babe only liked when they were locked in a heated embrace.
Charlie looked over at the door opening, his face splitting into a grin, “P’Babe.”
“You're still awake,” he asked, taking a seat on the bed, Charlie’s body sliding towards him, “you should go to sleep.”
Charlie shook his head, grabbing at Babe's arms, “I was waiting for you.”
“I still need to shower.” He could still feel Tony and the Foundation on him, like the air there had been contaminated by the vileness. Babe knew if he didn't clean himself he wouldn't find rest. It took a lot to stop himself from shaking Charlie loose, his brain screaming that the contamination could spread.
“Okay,” Charlie slipped from the bed, their hands still entangled, forcing Babe up.
“Why are you getting up?”
Charlie turned around, encircling Babe’s waist, “You said you needed to have a shower, so let’s have one together.”
While that sounded tempting, Charlie’s hair was still damp and there was the natural scent of soap clinging to him, “Charlie, you’ve already-”
Charlie pecked his lips, cutting him off. “Won’t Mama let Papa help? Papa wants to take a shower with Mama,” Charlie cocked his head, “Please?”
Babe was helpless. He needed Charlie close, he needed the reassurance that they’d finally stepped out of the nightmare, so he allowed himself to follow Charlie into the ensuite. Charlie was ever eager to help, stripping Babe of his clothes and pulling him into the warm spray of the shower.
When Charlie wrapped a hand around his dick, soap making the grip slippery, Babe couldn’t protest. Not when this was what he needed. The feel of Charlie, the taste and noises of his mate. The reminder that this was real, that it was all okay.
When they returned to bed, the knowledge that the rest of the pack were safe within the confines of Alan’s house, that Tony wasn’t out there any longer, and that he had Charlie back, Babe was able to drift to sleep.
***
Things got…Babe wasn’t actually sure. In some respects, things got better. Pete brought them all solid proof not long after that Tony was dead (and after some deliberating, they had him cremated. North’s poorly received joke about zombies hadn’t sat well with the pack). It brought relief to all of them but specifically those that had been tormented their whole lives by the man. He’d watched Kenta turn away at the news, excusing himself from the pack, Kim following behind.
Their pack had grown in ways that Babe expected and in ways he could never have predicted even if he had Jeff’s powers. Most of the new additions he was ambivalent too, he could admit the addition of the pups were welcomed and brought some much needed hope and joy. Winner was -to put it bluntly- Babe thought Alan should kick the beta to the curb but Alan was determined to keep Dean (and Babe could admit in private he wanted to keep their beta in the pack). With Dean and Winner involved, and Winner clearly wanting to stay with Dean, it made Winner pack adjacent. Which meant Babe would need to get over his dislike of Winner to not upset Dean. Fun times for all.
He and Way were figuring out the steps forward in their relationship. Babe knew he couldn’t push the enigma out of his life entirely, not without leaving jagged scars for the rest of his life that may never heal, but they couldn’t exist how they did. Pete was helping somewhat. Martin helped a lot. They were all learning.
Charlie was alive.
Other things weren’t so great. A larger pack meant it was taking longer to find their equilibrium. With former enemies, rivals, and friends all smashed into one pack, things were bound to take time, but it also was taking a toll. Specifically on Alan who Babe was worried about after the pack alpha snapped at North.
Charlie had also confessed what his plan had been and Babe had learned not only was his father alive, he’d helped his mate fake his death. Maybe it was because of the kidnapping or the years of abuse or just general pettiness but Babe didn’t want to meet with his father after their initial reunion.
He knew the reasons but it didn’t negate the pain.
So basically things moved forward, whether Babe was prepared for it or not. The pack adjusted to its new size, shuffling into new hierarchies and Babe was dragged along.
At least Charlie was alive.
***
“What are you doing out here?” He stared down at Kenta who was standing at the door to the garage, looking every bit as uncomfortable as Babe felt.
“Air.” Kenta replied.
Babe had never been a fan of Kenta. Seeing him turn himself into Tony’s attack dog, doing to others what had been done to him? Babe had grown resentful.
He isn’t sure what he felt now. The revelation that Kenta was actually Tony’s flesh and blood had made his stomach churn. Kenta hadn’t been taken away from a loving family or even an indifferent orphanage, he’d been born into that hell space, his whole life shaped by it. Learning about the young pup Kenta had didn’t help matters, Babe needed time to come to terms with all of it, but he wasn’t sure how. For now he limited his exposure to Kenta, not always possible considering Kim was his teammate.
“Where’s Buddy?”
Kenta nodded into the garage, “With Kim.”
Babe sighed, leaning against the wall. He’d come out to get some quiet and now felt rooted to the spot. It would feel wrong to just walk away, his kind of wished Kim would come out looking for Kenta, or at least the pup.
Kim was good for Kenta, he knew that, he just didn’t understand how the two came to be entangled. Not his problem to think about.
The air was awkward, most of their conversations before had been jagged with insults and heated words. Now they had yet to find the footing they needed to be in the same pack.
“How are you doing?” He finally asked, feeling suffocated.
Kenta shot him a suspicious look, “Fine.”
Babe scoffed, “That’s a lie.”
Kenta’s suspicion turned to something sharper, “What are you talking about?”
“Tony’s dead, there’s no way you’re doing fine.”
Kenta looked away, not saying anything. It was always difficult with Kenta because Kenta had never been treated like a person and now he was in a pack where he’d be seen as nothing less than a human. Years of abuse left their scars and Babe understood that-
“I almost went back.”
Kenta’s head snapped to him, bewildered and Babe couldn't believe he just admitted that. Well he’d already opened his mouth, “Those first few months after I escaped, there was a part of me that wanted to go back. Everything was too much and I guess I wanted that familiarity.” He chuckled, “If it wasn’t for Alan I may have.”
The silence that followed his confession, one he had never verbalised to anyone, was different.
“You all,” Kenta swallowed, “none of you want anything.”
Babe frowned, “Want what?”
“Anything. Khun Alan doesn’t want me to do anything. He gave us a place to sleep, he gives us food.” Kenta looked away, “I understand why Pete is trying to help me, but I don’t understand why he does.”
“Please stop calling Lhung, Khun, it sounds weird.” Babe let his head drop against the wall, staring out at the parking lot, “that’s just what he’s like. Adopts everyone who looks like they need a home.”
“I don’t-” Kenta hesitated, “I don’t know if I like it.”
“It’s an adjustment period but,” he let his head roll to look at Kenta, “I know if you’re going to disappear on him, he’ll be upset.”
“That’s strange,” Kenta turned to look at him, “right?”
Babe couldn’t help but chuckle, the sound wetter than he would have liked, “Yeah, it is. But at least he decided we were worth it.”
“Are we?” Kenta whispered, more to himself but Babe felt it in his bones. In the beginning he wondered what Alan had seen in him, now he just accepted the alpha’s acceptance and kindness for what it was. If there was one thing he could rely on, it was Alan.
“I don’t know,” he sighed, “but that’s not really for us to decide,” he pushed off from the wall, “you probably shouldn’t stay out here too long. Kim and Buddy are going to get worried.”
Kenta hummed so Babe left him to it, returning back to the garage.
He’d only just walked back in when Charlie appeared, wrapping himself around Babe, “P’Babe where did you go?”
He laughed, letting Charlie be clingy, “I was just outside.”
Charlie sniffed, “You smell like Kenta.”
“We were talking.”
Charlie hummed in understanding, before rubbing himself against Babe. He let him do it, how could he not? He’d barely been around Kenta long enough for the other’s minty scent to cling to him, but he welcomed Charlie’s scenting.
He tilted his head to the side to allow Charlie access to his scent gland, he’d come in a side entrance so it wasn’t like anyone was about to walk in on them. And this wasn’t even close to the most compromising.
Charlie hummed, the sound coming from deep in his throat, sending shivers down Babe’s spine. He only wanted to smell like Charlie for the rest of his life, and had been desperate for the scent after he thought Charlie was gone.
“Charlie,” he said as his brain began liquefying, “not here. We have work to do.” Charlie had started helping Alan with back end stuff.
“Just another minute,” Charlie guided Babe’s hand to wrap around his waist, warm and solid.
Babe was helpless, allowing Charlie to thoroughly scent him. It was possessive, as if Charlie couldn’t stand the idea of Babe smelling even a little bit like a pack member, which was a bit absurd since they all smelt a bit like each other.
Eventually Charlie backed off, clearly pleased at Babe’s rumpled state. Babe didn’t have it in him to scold him, not when Charlie was alive.
***
Pack nights were always an experience, everyone occupying the same space for the purpose of being a pack, it was rarely a calm time. The last one had resulted in Alan collapsing into a heap, the stress and anxiety from everything apparently having caught up to him. Babe had been nauseous as he watched the man he relied on break. He'd only calmed down once Alan had exited the pack nest the next day looking more like himself than he had in a while. He remembered sharing a glance with Way, the enigma also looking beyond relieved.
Babe sat on the couch, Charlie curled up around him. His mind was hazy, a string of nightmare fuelled nights had left him strung out, he didn’t know how Charlie was able to smile so easily.
Every time he had woken up Charlie was quick to offer any form of comfort, usually pleasure, as if he hadn’t been sound asleep. Charlie was probably getting less sleep than him, and yet refused to showcase any emotion other than fine. When he’d asked, Charlie had shrugged and said he’d operated off of less sleep before. Babe had dropped it with a sour feeling in his stomach.
From their vantage point he could see most of the pack where they milled about. In the kitchen Dean and Winner were talking in low tones. Slowly, at a snail pace, Babe was getting used to seeing the other beta around the pack. Winner hadn’t joined the ranks of X-Hunter racers but he did offer his services in training younger rookies, Babe didn’t know if Winner was happy, but he did seem content.
Way walked into his vision, cradling Martin as the pup began to drop off. Parenthood looked good on Way, something Babe would have never thought of unless he’d seen it with his own eyes. With two pups in the pack now the dynamics had all shifted, North and Sonic had made several comments about who would be next. Kim had shut the conversation down when Kenta’s name had been tossed around, Babe didn’t blame him, having something like that broadcasted to the pack was not something any of them needed.
He shifted his head back, putting his mouth near Charlie’s ear, “Do you want pups?”
Charlie looked over with wide eyes, “Do you want any, P’Babe?”
Babe hated how this conversation always went. He never knew if Charlie was serious about having children, his mate always turned the conversation back onto him or gave him vague answers. Even the Mama/Papa thing, Babe didn’t know if that was a showcase of Charlie’s real feelings or a kink that got him going.
Not that Babe hadn’t embraced it full heartedly.
It was like Charlie was incapable of actually answering the question because he was always waiting for Babe’s response first.
And Babe didn’t really know what his answer was. The idea of children before, hard no. All he could think about was Tony snatching the child up the second they were born. He thought about what would happen to the child, what he would do to the child.
And then came Charlie, and Babe could see it. He could see a child that looked like Charlie and him, that called for their ‘mama’ and ‘papa’, that was a manifestation of their love. He could see that, but he didn’t know if Charlie wanted that.
He didn’t answer Charlie, it was his standard response and Charlie let it drop. There was going to be no way to have this conversation in any meaningful way and it drove him just a little bit insane.
A little later North started herding everyone to the pack nest. Babe needed to go to the washroom before he joined the inevitable tangle of bodies and limbs. Charlie had pouted but was soothed by a quick kiss.
Drying his hands on his sleep pants (one of the downsides of the pack nest was everyone needed to be fully clothed. Babe preferred being at his place where he could be pressed up against Charlie without any barrier) and almost ran into Pete.
“Ah sorry phi.” Like everyone else it had been hard to change to the appropriate honorifics, especially with the man who was their team sponsor. It had been Way that had convinced the pack, in a rare moment of vulnerability, saying it made him feel distant from them. Alan responded that Pete didn’t refer to him as ‘phi’; the next day Pete had said it. North had muttered under his breath about being whipped.
“It’s alright, probably shouldn’t have been standing right here.”
Babe nodded, “Martin with Way?”
“Yeah,” Pete’s face relaxed like it always did when talking about his family, “Martin was exhausted after playing with Buddy. I didn’t realize how tired Way was as well.” Pete actually looked upset at that fact, as if he should have been acutely aware of Way’s well being at all points. Babe almost scoffed in response. Way probably had years of sleep debt to catch up on and was an adult who could tell Pete if he was tired.
“Well the nest is probably the best place for them to sleep. North knows what he’s doing when it comes to them.” Not that Babe would ever admit that to North, but he’d been looking forward to the pack nest if only for at least one night of a guaranteed good sleep.
Pete hummed, “It’s good that Martin gets to experience all of it.”
Babe frowned, “All of what?”
“Pack experiences.”
The way he said it made Babe pause. His relationship with Pete only existed because of two links. Way, which was always going to be a strange form of connection, caring about the same person in completely different ways. Considering what had happened between him and Way, Babe was surprised Pete even tolerated his existence. Love and stupidity and all that.
The other connection was one Babe didn’t like to acknowledge, that of Tony. He knew Pete and Kenta had a closer connection, akin to Charlie and Jeff. Maybe in another universe that could have been him and Way, but it wasn’t. Regardless of connection they were all held together by that invisible string.
It was hard for Babe to remember that at times, especially when looking at the others. Each of them had gone through their own version of hell and come out with unique scars. Including Charlie, not that Charlie ever told him much about his time at the foundation. He shook his head before he headed down that path again.
Then he realized, “This is your first time with a pack.”
The question caught Pete off guard as he let out a confused, “Yes?”
“You never had a pack before joining us?”
“No. I’m sure an argument could be made about Kenta, but we were never pack mates. I’ve only ever had Martin. That’s why I’m glad you’ve all accepted him.”
“...and you.”
Pete blinked, “What?”
Babe didn’t know what to do with what he was realizing but he did know he wasn’t the guy to be having this conversation. He sighed, desperately just wanting to be in the nest with Charlie wrapped around him, “Phi, you’re a part of this pack, regardless of how you ended up in it.” He waved vaguely in the direction of where the nest was, “North wouldn’t let you into the pack nest if you weren’t.”
“I-”
“Talk to Alan,” he interrupted, “just talk to him.”
“I-” Pete closed his mouth and slowly nodded his head.
Well that was probably as good as Babe was ever going to get, “Great, I’m heading back.”
Pete nodded, allowing Babe to make his awkward escape. The nest was mostly full when he slipped in next to Charlie. Some members having already fallen asleep.
Charlie nosed his neck, “You took a while.”
“Talking with P’Pete, the idiot thought he wasn’t part of the pack.” He replied so only Charlie could hear him.
“That’s understandable.”
Babe almost jerked out of the nest and would have demanded what that response was, but Martin started to fuss and Way had to shush him. In that time Pete returned, sliding in behind Way and wrapping his arms around both mate and pup.
When Babe turned back to Charlie to ask him what he had meant, Charlie had already slipped under, his fingers curled into Babe’s sleep shirt. Not wanting to wake Charlie up from his much needed sleep, he laid down. Charlie was beside him and a part of the pack, Babe shouldn’t over think it.
***
His skin was itching, mind over-firing with every emotion that could eat away at his sanity. He didn’t even remember what had got him so worked up but now that he was there he couldn’t back down.
He’d slammed the door open, seeking out Charlie like some mindless beast. It couldn’t have been his rut, that was still a while out. It was just emotion and energy, choking out reason.
Charlie had been curled up on the couch with his computer, doing work for who knows what, when Babe had practically hurled the device across the room.
“Phi-”
That was as far as the conversation went before Babe was crashing their mouths together. Charlie always got with the program fast, returning fire with fire. He ripped at Babe’s clothing, until it was only skin on skin. When Charlie pushed in, Babe felt like the world clicked back in place, returning to the world but doing little to actually soothe the fire. He was still burning.
He clawed at his mate, demanding everything he could take. Charlie gave and gave, harder, faster, whatever Babe wanted.
It had to have been hours they were at it, the sun had set, plunging their world into darkness. Only the lights that Charlie had turned on before Babe’s arrival illuminated the space. It was barely enough to see by.
They were both a mess and the couch was a total right off. He wouldn’t even suggest they try and clean it, just trash it and buy a new one. It wouldn’t have been the first time, maybe they should get something easier that was easier to keep clean.
Charlie was sprawled across Babe’s chest, taking heaving breaths as Babe came down from his recent, and possibly, final orgasm. The itch was gone, the fire doused, and his mind quiet of nothing but Charlie.
Charlie pushed himself onto his arms, hovering over Babe. He hadn’t pulled out, keeping Babe full the way he liked, every shift sent shocks of new pleasure through him. “Has Papa satisfied Mama?”
“If Papa doesn’t-” he interrupted himself with a moan as Charlie gave a tiny roll of his hips, “doesn’t stop moving soon he’ll regret it.”
Charlie gave a deep chuckle, “I can go as long as Mama needs me too.”
Babe snorted, running a hand down Charlie’s back. The skin felt textured and wet. He wondered how much of it was lube and how much was the fluids from their own body as he brought his hand back into view.
It was dark in the room but Babe could still tell the liquid was wrong.
He sat up dislodging Charlie, making his mate groan, “P’Babe?”
“Turn around,” he pushed at Charlie’s shoulders when he didn’t move, “damn it Charlie turn around.”
“Phi? What’s wrong?”
Babe starred in horror at Charlie’s back. Jagged lines ran down the length, thick and deep. Lines of red painted the pale skin, a sick image that killed any inklings of satisfaction he had been feeling.
“What the fuck,” his fingers trembled not wanting to touch, “Charlie-”
“Phi? What’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong? Charlie, your back. How can you not feel it?” He didn’t let Charlie respond, quickly standing up, “do not move.”
Luckily Charlie did not like to displease him, because he didn’t move as Babe ran for the washroom. When he returned with the first aid kit and a bowl of warm water, Charlie was still seated in the same position. With the lights now on, he could see the way that Charlie was holding himself, upright and tense.
Babe felt sick when he saw the damage. It was like an animal had attacked Charlie, except that animal had been Babe. Charlie gave him a puppy smile and reached for the first air kit, Babe jerked it back.
“What are you doing?”
Charlie stared at him with his wide eyes, “I can clean them.”
“Charlie, they're on your back.” He was very sure he was going to be sick, “turn around, now.”
Charlie obeyed but not without pouting. If Babe wasn’t looking directly at the damage he wouldn’t even think Charlie was cut, but the painting of red had to be hurting him.
He worked slowly, methodically, and so gently, afraid to cause even a fraction more of pain.
“Charlie, why didn’t you say anything?” he whispered.
“Why would I?”
Babe bowed his head, grateful his mate couldn’t see him because this fucking idiot that holds his entire heart. He could only be glad that he kept his nails short or else it could have been worse. Every wipe of the cloth revealed the extent of the damage, the antiseptic cream must have stung but Charlie didn’t even wince, he did nothing even as Babe dressed each wound, the silence bearing down on them.
When the final wound is covered, Babe leaned forward and pressed the lightest kiss he could to each bandage, “I’m sorry.”
Charlie instantly turned around, his face scrunched up, “Why are you apologising phi?”
“Because you’re hurt.” Charlie opened his mouth to respond and Babe can’t bear the answer, not now as emotional whiplash is making him weak, “please Charlie, just accept it.” It was painful to see the way that Charlie wanted to fight back, and maybe he would, but instead he just closed his mouth with a pout.
Babe didn’t know what to do. Could only hold Charlie close as his mind reeled. Charlie was alive but something was wrong.
***
It is after all never big things that throw the world off balance. It was never going to be some grand thing that brought it all down on top of him, ruined that tissue thin feeling of safety he’d built after escaping Tony, but something inconsequential. Babe barely registered what had happened in the moment.
A comment. One fucking comment, from someone Babe could barely remember the face of. That was all it took to shake the foundation of the flood he stood on.
“You think just because Pit Babe likes to fuck you, you’re something special. What will you do when he eventually gets bored of you, like he did with me?”
Kim had got between Charlie and the other person, pushing the jerk alpha back but Babe got stuck at Charlie’s response. Charlie had just shrugged, looking almost unconcerned. Babe wanted to say it was because his mate knew that Babe could never get tired of him, but he saw the tension on Charlie’s face, the line between his shoulders.
Charlie thought the guy was right, that Babe was going to eventually get bored of him. The world was starting to spin.
“Fucking asshole.” North muttered from his spot.
“It’s fine.” Charlie responded.
“He still shouldn’t have said that. If he said that about me and Sonic I’d have punched him.”
Kim laughed as he rejoined the group, “No one thinks you two could ever leave each other. You got the bite to prove it.”
“And where’s your bite,” North pointed at Kim, “don’t think we don’t notice how you and P’Kenta are.”
Kim shrugged, unconcerned with the direction of the conversation, “We haven’t talked about it, plus we’d need to discuss it with Buddy before we took that step.” He pointed at him and Charlie, “You should be asking these two where their marks are?”
Charlie shrugged, he shrugged and Babe didn’t hear his response because he realised something.
He realised something and he was going to be sick.
He realised that Charlie didn’t think this was permanent. That he didn't think Babe wanted him to stick around.
“I'll be-” he wasn't sure if he finished his sentence before he shoved past their group and out into the night air. He sucked in heaving breaths because what the actual fuck? He needed to be wrong, he needed to be reading too much into it. He needed-
“P’Babe?”
Charlie was there, his beautiful face scrunched in concern, reaching out for Babe.
His words immediately clogged in his throat, he wanted to demand what was going on inside Charlie’s head but he just couldn't.
Charlie frowned, wrapping his arms tight around Babe's waist. Did Charlie know how special he was? Babe hated people being in his space, even the other pack members would occasionally make his skin crawl, and yet Babe thought he'd die if Charlie ever stopped touching him. He needed Charlie more than he needed air.
Charlie pecked him on the lips, his nose scrunched up, “P’Babe.”
“Let's,” he swallowed down all the terror he was feeling, “let's go home.”
Charlie frowned, Babe knew he was freaking his mate out but he couldn't be here any longer. He needed to think. He needed to understand.
***
He tried not to think much about some of the things Charlie had said to him. Sometimes it was because his boyfriend was being ridiculous, other times it was because he didn’t want to hear what Charlie was saying.
“I can return it to you,” Charlie’s face was open, filled with desperation for Babe to listen to him, “If I die, the power I took will automatically return to its owner.” Charlie moved closer to him, almost pleading, “I can die for you.”
Even though he had been angry and betrayed, that had stabbed him through the heart. He didn’t want Charlie dead, even if it meant he lost his sense forever. Even if he went blind. By that point Babe had known he’d been in love with Charlie, he just didn’t have the courage to say anything.
He should have known from that moment.
Babe had been sitting in his car, staring at his house for the past twenty minutes, mind swirling. It had been a few days since the realization had hit him like a wrench to the face. He’d watched Charlie, even more than normal. His mate was attentive, doting, loving, but Babe also noticed he was dismissive of himself. When Babe would ask a question about how Charlie was feeling he wouldn’t give a straightforward question. Charlie would seek him out but mainly for Babe’s benefit by the end.
Did Charlie not trust him to love him?
A knock at the window made him jerk, knee bashing against the underside of the dashboard.
The door pulled open and Charlie was there, “P’Babe, are you okay? I saw you just sitting here and got worried. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Charlie was always worried about him. Even before they got together, Charlie was always worried about him.
“I’m fine.” He dismissed, pulling himself out of the car.
Charlie didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t push. He lopped his arm with Babe’s gently tugging him towards the house, “I’ve got dinner almost finished, come on.”
The night went fine. Charlie didn’t push and Babe didn’t ask and that was all there was to it. Only when they were tucked into bed did Babe know he couldn’t let this continue. He couldn’t do another day wondering if his mate-
-They weren’t mates.
There was a groan beside him, Babe’s scent must have spiked enough to rouse Charlie from sleep. Charlie forced himself up on his forearms, staring down at Babe.
“P’Babe what’s wrong?”
“You know I love you, right?” His words came out small and a little choked, but he did manage to get them out.
Charlie frowned, sleep rapidly disappearing from his face, “Of course I know that.” He leaned down and nuzzled Babe, “And Papa loves Mama so much.”
“No,” he pushed himself up, unable to let this continue. Charlie’s face flashed between confusion and worry, slowly repositioning himself to allow himself to sit next to Babe. He grabbed Charlie’s hand, needing the physical contact to soothe the anxiety, “Charlie you are it for me. You know that, right?”
Charlie frowned. His fingers flexed in Babe’s hold but he didn’t say anything.
Babe was going to scream.
“Charlie,” he swallowed against the bile crawling up his throat, “do you think I’m going to get rid of you?”
There was a three second pause, it stretched for eternity. Charlie’s face twisted into his happy puppy dog look, “Why are you asking me that?”
“Answer the question,” he tightened his grip, “honestly.”
“I-” Babe knew as Charlie's face refused to lose that happy persona with a fragile look in his eyes, “You could find someone better.”
“God damn it!” Babe was off the bed, Charlie on his feet in a second, reaching for him but now Babe couldn’t handle Charlie’s touch.
“P’Babe-”
“Do you know what it’s like to have everyone seeing you as a trophy? See you as something they can win and place on their shelf? Every fucking alpha I slept with got all the bragging rights in the world to say they slept with Pit Babe but none of them actually gave a shit about me. And then you came along!” He grabbed Charlie by his shoulders, fingers painfully biting into skin, “You and your heart, and you saw me as something other than Pit Babe. You became it for me.” He’s panting and there are tears running down his face, “How can you honestly think I’d survive losing you?” Again, goes unsaid, because Babe had almost not survived Charlie faking his death.
“P’Babe, I-” Charlie’s hands come up to grasp his arms, “its- I-” Charlie breaks, cracked right down the center, as tears start sliding down his face, “I love you and I want to stay with you but-” Charlie hiccuped on a sob, “I’m not special. I couldn’t even protect you.”
“I don’t need a protector!” He grabbed Charlie’s face, both of them reduced to tears, “I just need you! That’s all I wanted.” He sobbed, pressing his forehead to Charlie's, “please, all I want is you.”
They ended up in a heap on the floor, Babe cradling Charlie close in a way that was rare for them. Charlie clung to Babe, his shoulder was wet from Charlie’s tears as it all came out.
“I-” Charlie heaved, “I love you P’Babe. I want to stay with you but-”
“No,” he cut Charlie off, “no buts. We’re together, you and me. I don’t want anyone else.”
Charlie sobbed, melting into his hold.
“But-” Charlie flinched, “you can never leave me either.” Babe thought of the way Charlie faked his death to protect him, how he would take Tony on a million more times to prevent himself from feeling that pain again, “I need you Charlie, please just talk to me.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” Charlie repeated it like a mantra, Babe shushing him as if he were a child.
Eventually the wave of emotions receded leaving Babe almost empty of everything that wasn’t Charlie.
“I love you.” He whispered again, all of his remaining emotion put into it.
“I love you too.” Charlie whispered back, placing a gentle kiss to his neck. It sent a shiver down his body, dangerously close to where Babe truly wanted. Maybe it said something about them that now that their emotions had been wrung dry, Babe wanted nothing more than to feel Charlie close.
Charlie’s breath was warm, his lips soft, but Babe could feel a nagging thought.
“Do you want this?” He needed to ask, to know Charlie wasn’t doing this because Babe wanted it.
“Phi,” Charlie detached himself, “I always want you. I-” His eyes darken, the puppy being replaced with a wolf, “that’s all I want. Just you.”
They met in the middle, a surge of want and lust and so much love that it nearly caused Babe to topple. If he could have nothing but this for the rest of his life he would die a happy man. Charlie half dragged him onto the bed, their bodies meeting in familiar ways that soothed the hurt he had been feeling.
Charlie was just as attentive, just as ready to give everything, but it didn’t come with that sharp edge. He reduced Babe to a moaning mess, his skin slick with sweat as Charlie did everything to push every noise he could out of Babe.
When he pushed his way inside, Babe wondered if this is what heaven felt like. To feel Charlie everywhere, to know that this was his forever. Charlie’s mouth was hooked on his neck, open mouth pants sending tingles.
He wanted it.
He wanted it so badly he was going to die.
He grabbed Charlie’s hair, tugging it to force Charlie closer to his scent gland.
“Phi, wha-”
“Bite me,” he panted.
Charlie jerked back, his eyes blown wide. For a terrifying second Babe thought he’d misjudged that somehow this wasn’t what Charlie wanted, that Charlie wanted him but didn’t want to be bonded to him.
And then Charlie thrust in hard and bit down with all his strength.
Babe had never come so hard in his life. His entire being was nothing but Charlie, Charlie, Charlie-
Even thrust into the thorough of pleasure, he still needed to return the bite. He pawed for Charlie until his mate bared his neck for Babe. Sinking his teeth into Charlie’s gland reignited the pleasure, Charlie let out the most gorgeous noise as Babe’s mouth filled with blood.
Time turned to mush, the bond pushing them into pseudo-ruts. Babe lost sense of everything that wasn’t Charlie. He needed Charlie, needed to feel him, to taste him. Everything needed to be Charlie.
When they came out of it covered in sweat, spit, cum, lube, and blood, he couldn’t help but smile. Charlie looked at him, his eyes shining visibly with love. His fingers brushed the healing bite on Babe’s neck, a visible symbol of who they belonged to. Babe couldn’t stop staring at Charlie’s mark, the indentation of his teeth clear on the perfect skin. His mark on Charlie.
“I love you,” he repeated, “so much.”
Charlie’s smile was softer, tender, “I know.” He pressed a feather light kiss to Babe’s nose, “I love you too. Forever.”
Babe liked the sound of that. He really did.