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Charlie knew that he wasn’t the typical kind of person that the revered Babe went after–at least not for a serious relationship, the kind that it seemed as though he and Babe were developing. That he hoped they were developing, anyway. Babe had slept with a lot of people–Charlie didn’t care, it was just a fact, not something that Babe tried to cover up–but hardly any of them ever stayed around as long as Charlie did. At least, were allowed to stay around, because a lot of them would hang off Babe for as long as possible, but he was always ready to cut contact and leave.
There had been two other Alpha’s that had been classed as Babe’s Boy rather than just his plaything, and neither of them looked like Charlie. They were big and broad and had strikingly handsome faces, while Charlie was smaller and had been called adorable on countless occasions, including by Babe.
Charlie didn’t care, at least most of the time.
People had been underestimating him his entire life because he was quiet and smaller than a lot of Alpha’s, including his own father as he had been growing up. And he really didn’t mind, because he was confident and strong and had easily proved himself in several circumstances where he had needed to, but he had never been interested in trying to get to the top of the hierarchy, the way a lot of Alpha’s did. He had also quickly learnt that just because someone was the biggest and loudest Alpha didn’t mean they were the best–it didn’t even mean they were good. He didn’t need to intimidate people or be the largest to be good enough for Babe.
He heard a lot of comments–initially it had been from a lot of the X-Hunter employees, when he had first started hanging around with Babe, but that had died down to the occasional teasing instead. Now it was more from fans, people who followed Babe, jealous admirers, some of the influencers who worked with them for promotion, one of the sponsors at an event Charlie had attended with Babe–it was a lot. Most of them were quiet about their criticisms and jeers, although when Babe wasn’t around they were definitely a lot more brazen, but some of them made comments right in front of Charlie.
He didn’t react often–or at all, really.
He wasn’t interested in starting a fight–he wasn’t like his father, who needed to use his fists and demand respect.
He didn’t need to defend himself, or his relationship with Babe, because he felt confident in what they had.
Babe had his own issues–a myriad of them, which made it difficult to read him but Charlie was figuring it out. They had found this rhythm that worked pretty quickly, probably because Charlie was able to see through Babe’s prickly demeanour and abrasive comments. Some Alpha’s really wouldn’t like that–some people wouldn’t like that, and that was okay, they just wouldn’t have been right for Babe.
Except maybe Charlie wasn’t right for Babe either.
Because it was one thing to hear the offhanded comments from people who didn’t know him and clearly just wanted to get in bed with Babe–not get to know him, just have the status of that place beside him–but it was another thing to hear it from Babe’s best friend, in a private conversation.
And to hear Babe…Laugh.
It had been a bad couple of weeks–and a lot of it had absolutely nothing to do with Babe, it was purely the way Charlie’s life ebbed and flowed. He and Jeff had been dealing with their fathers shit their whole life, an Alpha’s whose angry temperament and violent manner had shaped who they were today and taught them exactly who they didn’t want to be. They were older and out of their family house, but that didn’t stop the way that he could just completely destroy any good day or week or month Charlie was having. He and Jeff only went by the house when their father absolutely demanded it, which thankfully was only every couple of months.
Charlie hated the way his father spoke to them–especially to his younger brother. He could handle whatever he had to say to him, but when it came to his brother, Charlie couldn’t help but feel that protective streak inside of him from his usually quiet Alpha suddenly flare up. His father didn’t hit him, not like he used to, but he’d belittled him with cutting words that sliced under Charlie’s skin and repeated in his head for days.
Babe had a big race coming up, and that had his complete attention–which Charlie understood, racing always came first for Babe, and Charlie didn’t want to be a distraction. Both he and his Alpha were happiest when Babe was happiest, and all he wanted to do was care for him, and make things easier, and he was getting better at knowing how to do that. He knew Babe’s favourite foods and he was learning how to cook them from scratch, he knew the way Babe liked his evening routine, he knew the way he liked best to relax before a race, he knew that he liked to start the evening as big spoon and wake up as little spoon…And he knew that Babe had almost a complete one track mind when he had a big race coming up, and he shouldn’t be taking it personal that he didn’t notice the way Charlie’s mood had in the gutter for the past few weeks.
Alan had noticed–and even Sonic had asked if he was okay when he’d passed Charlie in the office the other day–but Babe was completely oblivious.
But that was okay, Charlie understood, and even though it hurt a little, he still got to slide into bed with Babe most nights, and feel his warm skin against his, and it helped to soothe the irritation around his heart that only his father could stir up.
Except then there was a race, the semi-final before the big one that Babe had been training so hard for, and Charlie had been surrounded by crowds of people who were cheering for Babe and absolutely adored him. Not in the way Charlie adored him, in this superficial way that was noticeable in one conversation with any of them, but their obsession toward him was still strong. Which meant that their dislike of Charlie was even stronger, and he could feel the annoyance and distaste that was rolling off some of the people in the crowd around him. It made his skin itch, and he had to fight not to look over at them, to meet their eyes in a way that could be challenging.
And that was one thing, but afterwards…Babe was taking a while to finish dressing and come back out to the garage, and that could happen. Sometimes he needed a moment to wind down, taking longer under a cool shower and washing away all the pheromones and scents from everyone who had been surrounding him. X-Hunter–Babe had won–and the team had already started celebrating, popping open bottles and turning the music up loud, and after a while of sipping on the same bottle of beer, Charlie slipped away to find out where Babe was.
Finding him on the back stairwell with Way wasn’t exactly unexpected, but when he’d heard his name, he slowed down, and it was easy for him to hear from how things echoed, especially with his heightened senses.
“Don’t you think you’re taking this a bit far, huh? When are you going to stop stringing him along? He’s nothing like the toys you usually keep along–he’s just a scrawny fanboy,” Way’s voice had a derisive tone to it, one that he often adopted when he was around Charlie. Way liked Babe, Charlie could see that from a mile away, but from what he could tell, it was completely unreciprocated and not even noticed by Babe, so…He understood why Way didn’t like him. It still hurt, though, especially when he heard Babe’s laugh.
“Nothing wrong with something different,” Babe responded and Charlie’s lips twitched, unsure if he liked that response but waiting longer.
“So is that what you’re doing?” Way laughed playfully. “You’re just trying something different until you’re ready to go back to what you really like?” Charlie’s shoulders tensed, and he felt the frustration that had been building settle under his skin and his body tighten all over as his teeth ground together. He could smell the way his own scent was shifting, into something bitter, and he took a few steps back, not wanting to alert either of the Alpha’s on the stairway of his presence.
He left the garage quickly, stopping to pick up his bag and keys, but with the celebrating that was happening and the drinking and the loud music, no one noticed him leave except Jeff.
Charlie hardly spent any time at his and Jeff’s apartment anymore–most nights he spent at Babe’s, only really going back to his place for one or two nights a week at most. Jeff didn’t mind at all–especially since the place usually smelt like Alan had been living there whenever Charlie stopped by. But right now, the idea of going to Babe’s house made his skin crawl, and all he wanted was the safety of his own den.
He threw his clothes in the basket in the corner of the room once he managed to get into the small bathroom of his and Jeff’s apartment, stepping into the shower and turning it on as hot as he could stand it, feeling his skin burn. He just needed everything from the day off him, gone, washed away and then he needed to sleep.
He didn’t like acting rashly or without thinking–he’d watched his father react to things harshly and without understanding the full story his entire life and he didn’t want to be anything like him. But he knew for a fact that he wasn’t going to be able to keep a straight face and his emotions under control tonight as everyone was celebrating the win, moving from the garage to a bar, and he didn’t want to bring the others down. He didn’t want to bring Babe down–because he had been working so hard and stressed about these qualifiers for a long time.
But he couldn’t be around them; he couldn’t be around the groupies and the chatter and whatever snide remark was going to be thrown his way tonight.
Charlie took his time washing himself down–it wasn’t often he showered alone anymore either, given how much time he spent with Babe–so it felt good to be standing under the hot water and just letting it wash him clean. He exfoliated thoroughly and when he got out, he scrubbed at his face again with a different cleanser and brushed his teeth and pulled a comb through his hair before stumbling to his room.
He felt clean but he definitely didn’t feel good.
His room smelt a bit stale, although one of the windows was open, which Charlie was grateful to Jeff for. He had also been watering the two plants that were in his room, which was a relief, because Charlie would have been upset with himself if both of them had died.
He thought it would take him a while to go to sleep, especially with all the irritation that was bubbling underneath his skin and making him itch and scratch at himself, but it didn’t. Maybe being back in a space that he knew was safe helped to soothe something, because almost as soon as he was curled up in bed, he passed out.
It wasn’t until a few hours later that Charlie woke up, to the sound of arguing outside his closed door. Both voices were easily distinguishable–Jeff and Babe. Charlie’s body was instantly alert at the sound of the people most important to him right outside, and he moved to get out of bed, picking up a hoodie that was over the back of the chair in the corner of his room and grabbing at his glasses. It wasn’t until he opened the door and light flooded in that he realized the hoodie was one of Babe’s that he’d brought home at some stage.
“Charlie,” Babe’s eyes swung to him straight away, relief on his face while Jeff’s jaw was tense, his hands clenched into fists at his side as he looked between Babe and Charlie. “What happened? Why did you leave the garage? Why aren’t you answering my calls?” He asked rapidly and Charlie stared at him for a beat as he tried to gather his thoughts in his sleep-addled brain.
“I was asleep,” he decided to answer, even though that only answered one of the questions, one side of his face red and a few lines across his cheek from where he’d been curled into pillows. Babe stared at him before letting out a laugh and rolling his eyes away, clearly unsure of what to say and Charlie looked toward Jeff, indicating silently that he give them some space. Jeff clearly wasn’t happy, but he stepped away, backing away somewhere into the lounge. Babe looked over his shoulder at where Jeff walked before back at Charlie, and his eyebrows were pulled together in confusion, his eyes a bit glossed over. “Are you drunk?” Charlie asked with a frown, unable to hold back his concern.
“I–no, I–” Babe shrugged a shoulder and shook his head once, clearly not wanting to talk about that. “I called a taxi, it’s fine–why did you leave? Why didn’t you tell me?” Charlie felt relief at knowing Babe didn’t drive himself over here. He hadn’t checked what time it was, but he felt as though he had been asleep for at least an hour, probably more, and Babe would have been drinking at his celebration party. At least Charlie knew that he wouldn’t be driving home. “Charlie?”
“I was–I am tired,” Charlie replied with a half-hearted shrug. He really didn’t know what to say. He wasn’t a good liar, he never had been, Jeff was the one who would cover for them if a lie was ever needed, and Charlie was even worse when it was Babe.
He didn’t want to lie to Babe, he just didn’t know how to put all of his thoughts in order just yet.
“Why didn’t you go back to my place?” Babe didn’t look happy with Charlie’s answer, which Charlie understood, even though there was frustration beginning to build once again inside him. He was known for his patience, particularly with Babe, given how frustrating he could be at times, but right now, he just wanted to be left alone. He was tired, he was run down, and he was sad–he didn’t know what Babe wanted, and he really didn’t know if he could trust what it was that Babe said to his face. And that hurt, just as much as Way’s words and Babe’s snorts of laughter earlier.
He just needed space to think.
“I wanted to come home,” Charlie mumbled as he rubbed a hand over his face, bumping his glasses before correcting them on the bridge of his nose. Babe was quiet for a moment and Charlie took a deep breath before continuing. “I just need some space, okay? I’ll talk to you later.” Babe looked confused, and Charlie could understand that.
He didn’t think he’d ever asked for space.
“I…” Babe also looked hurt and Charlie hated that–his Alpha hated that. He wanted to reach out and comfort Babe, but at the same time, he was hurting, and he just needed some time to let himself heal from the sting of the words he had heard earlier. “Can I stay with you?” He asked quietly and Charlie blinked in surprise, looking over his shoulder at his single bed that Babe had never spent a night in.
He wasn’t sure why it was suddenly different now.
Maybe it was because things were more serious between them.
But maybe it was because he felt guilty after the conversation he’d been having with Way.
“Why are you with me?” Charlie found himself asking before he could stop himself.
“What?” Babe let out a sound of disbelief. “Why are you asking me that?” Charlie knew it wasn’t fair to have this conversation now, because even though Babe wasn’t drunk, he definitely wasn’t sober, and Charlie’s emotions weren’t in a place for him to have a rational conversation.
He couldn’t stop himself from asking again though, his heart squeezing in his chest and tears pressing behind his eyes as his nose twitched.
“Why are you with me?” He asked again, his voice pitching upward. “Instead of any of those other Alpha’s that are always hanging around you?”
“You know you’re different–”
“Because you like my scent,” Charlie interrupted him, because even though usually he loved that–he loved that, the way that Babe reacted to his scent, the obvious way that he sought out Charlie when he needed to be calmed and buried his face in his neck. But right now it just stung to say. “But that can’t be the only reason you’re with me, Babe. Not when I feel the way I do.” Babe’s eyes were wide and they were starting to tear up and Charlie could hear the way his heartbeat had increased as he started to panic.
Charlie had never been the cause of this kind of vulnerable shift in Babe’s demeanour–they’d had a couple surface arguments, but Charlie let things go easily, and they’d never really been about anything serious.
Why would they be? It wasn’t as though what they had was serious.
He hated that he was the cause for Babe’s distress, and his Alpha was already churning inside with the need to reach out and reassure Babe, but he didn’t, he stayed where he was.
“Charlie…” Babe was clearly at a loss for words, which didn’t surprise Charlie, unfortunately. Babe really wasn’t good when it came to expressing his feelings, especially anything that was in the realm of emotion, and so Charlie really wasn’t expecting Babe to have the words. And usually that was okay, because Charlie understood Babe wasn’t good with being vulnerable, especially putting it into words, and he didn’t expect him to. He would push down any of his own frustration and get over it, but that wasn’t so easy today. “Charlie, I…”
“I–I want you to leave,” Charlie said, even though the words hurt to come out. Babe seemed shocked by them, and Charlie could understand that–it had never been him pushing away Babe, always the other way around. He hadn’t even known if it would be possible for him to say those words, and he definitely wouldn’t be able to repeat them, but Jeff was already moving toward them again, obviously eavesdropping the whole time.
“You should leave, Babe,” Jeff was saying, and Babe blinked over at Charlie’s younger brother, as though he’d completely forgotten that he was in the apartment with them. In all honesty, Charlie had forgotten, but he was glad that he was there to back him up, because right now he just wanted to be alone, and if Babe resisted, he really didn’t have the mental strength to push him away again in a way that was polite. The anger that was crawling around under his skin would end up spitting out something he would regret later, and he never wanted that to happen, particularly with Babe.
“I…” Babe looked genuinely hurt and confused and Charlie’s fingers curled into fists as he had to force himself not to step forward and reassure Babe, and offer to stay with him. He really did need space. Babe stared at him for a few beats longer, and it was incredibly clear that he didn’t want to leave and his expression was desperate, but he finally let out a long exhale. “I’ll…I’ll come see you tomorrow,” Babe seemed to realize that Charlie was serious, and that Jeff wasn’t going anywhere.
“I’ll call you,” Charlie told him with a short nod and for a moment, no one moved.
It felt wrong to be going separate ways and not to hug or kiss and even Jeff, who was just as protective over Charlie as Charlie was over him, hesitated and looked back at Charlie. Babe was staring at him with wide eyes and a look on his face that devastated Charlie, and he couldn’t help but to step forward and lean in to press his mouth to Babe’s. Babe returned the pressure and he tried to reach up to hold Charlie’s face but Charlie purposefully stepped back and looked away, not wanting to get too caught up and Babe made a discontented sound, but he allowed Jeff to guide him out of the room.
And then Charlie was alone again, except this time, he felt it a lot deeper in his chest than when he had originally come back to the apartment.
He tossed his glasses off and practically collapsed in a heap, sleep taking a lot longer to come this time.
“You’re here,” Jeff stated as he stepped back into their apartment the next evening and Charlie looked up from where he was working at their coffee table.
“I live here,” he replied with a small smile that didn’t reach his eyes. It made his skin stretch strangely, like he hadn’t moisturized in weeks.
“Sure,” Jeff shrugged a shoulder. “You haven’t seen Babe, he was sulking the whole day.” Charlie instantly looked back down at his computer, his shoulders slumping, not even pretending to work but not able to meet Jeff’s eyes.
“I called him this morning,” he said quietly. He had, and they’d talked, although it hadn’t been for long. Charlie had been a coward, he’d purposefully called when he knew that Babe was going to be busy at the garage with Alan, and as much as Babe would want to talk, he also needed to focus, and Charlie had insisted on keeping it short. Babe had messaged him multiple times through the day, and had tried to call him in the afternoon, but Charlie had responded.
“What happened?” Jeff asked, dropping his bag on the couch behind Charlie and then collapsing himself into the armchair and crossing his arms over his chest.
“I…” Charlie trailed off. “I don’t know,” he murmured with a half shrug and he knew Jeff was frowning at him, he knew Jeff was aware he was lying. They had always been there for each other, for a long, long time they were really all that one another had, it had only been recently that they had both been finding others that they could rely on. But even then, they had both given each other space when that was what the other needed.
“He misses you,” Jeff settled for before he was picking up the remote for the TV and shifting his attention away from Charlie. Charlie couldn’t focus back on his work, though–he had barely been able to pay attention to it before Jeff had come in and mentioned Babe.
He couldn’t just avoid Babe, that wouldn’t be fair. Way’s words and Babe’s laughter had hurt, but Charlie didn’t want to hurt Babe unnecessarily in return, that wasn’t who he was, and that wasn’t what his Alpha wanted to do. Charlie had been on the other side of being ignored and avoided when he had no idea what he had done wrong, and he knew how much that hurt, and he couldn’t do that to Babe.
Charlie got up abruptly, not even bothering to close his laptop lid as he grabbed his phone and jacket and headed toward the door. Jeff didn’t look surprised by his actions, waving a hand over his shoulder as Charlie slid on a pair of shoes and left through the front door, head tipped forward as he ordered a bike to come and pick him up. He could always take the car that he and Jeff shared, but he wasn’t sure when he would be back and he didn’t want to leave Jeff with a vehicle.
The plan was to come back, even though he missed sleeping in the bed that he and Babe shared, he was still hurt, and he wasn’t sure if their conversation would be productive. He had practiced what to say all day and he was still wasn’t sure, but at least he would have the ride over to figure it out–
“Charlie.”
Charlie’s head jerked up as the elevator doors opened and Babe was standing right there, still in the clothes that he had worn at the garage. He still smelt like oil and grease and the others at the garage…Particularly of Way. It made Charlie’s nose twitch but he pushed it aside in the way he usually did, even though he felt more than a twinge of hurt.
“Babe,” he murmured, taking a step back as Babe stepped out of the elevator and instantly into Charlie’s space, not caring that they were in full view of anyone who decided to open their apartment door. “What are you–” Babe didn’t even wait for him to finish before he was wrapping his arms around Charlie and pushing him backwards until his back hit the wall, and Babe’s head dropped into Charlie’s neck, inhaling deeply. Charlie was tense for a moment as he felt Babe’s nose brush against his scent gland, needily seeking out his scent, but his shoulders relaxed after a moment.
That way Babe sought his scent for comfort, even though it was something that he had been upset about last night when he had been asking Babe what it was that he liked about him, but at the end of the day, it felt powerful. Charlie was aware that was a big thing that had attracted Babe to him in the first place. Given how sensitive Babe was to everything, he often found it difficult to be around Alpha’s for a prolonged period of time in an enclosed space–in an intimate way–but there had been something about Charlie that was soothing. And Charlie liked being that comfort…But he wanted more than that. He needed more than that.
But he also needed this, his Alpha was calmed at the fact that Babe gravitated to him–exclusively him–when he needed to solace. Charlie dropped his own forehead forward against Babe’s chest and inhaled through his nose, taking in Babe’s scent beneath the blanket of the day's smells that were clinging to him. He smelt good. It wasn’t just Babe that was attracted to the other's scent.
“Can I stay with you?” Babe mumbled against the side of Charlie’s neck and Charlie barely hesitated before nodding, rubbing his hand softly over Babe’s hip, instinctively wanting to comfort him. It was easy to push aside his own pain when Babe was so obviously hurting, but he knew that he would need to put himself first again this evening, or else their problems didn’t even have a chance of being resolved. They stood a few moments longer in the hallway before Charlie’s phone beeped and he remembered the ride he’d ordered, wincing as he pulled away from Babe and took out his phone. Babe moved with him, hovering close with his hands still on Charlie’s hips as he looked down to where Charlie cancelled the ride and shoved his phone back in his pocket. “You were coming to see me?” Babe asked quietly, hopefully.
“Mm,” Charlie nodded, and the small smile pulling at the corner of his lips was involuntary. Babe was clearly comforted by the fact that Charlie was coming to see him, his mood and scent lightning slightly, and that made Babe’s Alpha relax a little. “Come on,” Charlie tilted his head back, toward his apartment, and Babe nodded, his hand moving to clutch at Charlie’s, holding on tighter than he usually did. Charlie was reassured a bit by the fact that Babe seemed as eager to resolve their problems as he was, but he also wondered if he would still feel the same once Charlie told him why he had left early last night.
“You’re back? What are–” Jeff cut off as he saw Charlie came back into their lounge with Babe clinging to his hand and only half a step behind him. “Uh,” Jeff’s eyebrows rose as he looked between them, pursing his lips together before looking down at his phone. “I’m just going to go to Alan’s.”
“Thanks, Jeff,” Charlie smiled gratefully at his brother as he got up from the couch.
“Thank you, Jeff,” Babe smiled and bowed his head forward at Jeff who just gave them both an awkward smile as he shuffled around them, grabbing at his keys and heading quickly out the front door. Charlie didn’t think they were that bad to be around, especially since they were obviously not on the best terms, but there had been a few occasions where Jeff hadn’t got out of the apartment fast enough when Babe and Charlie had crashed in, and heard some things that had scarred him.
“Charlie,” Babe’s voice had dropped to the low whine that he only ever got when they were alone together and Charlie took in a deep breath as he purposefully pulled his hand from Babe’s grasp. Babe’s eyes widened as Charlie’s fingers curled into fists at his side, trying to keep his thoughts in order, because there had been a lot of things that Charlie had heard in their time together that he’d just let go and it would be easy to do that again. He loved Babe–he wasn’t sure if Babe loved him, he was too scared to ask–and it made him want to ignore the problems and focus on the good things.
Because there were good things, so many.
“Babe…” Charlie began as he exhaled and tried to keep his eyes on Babe’s, which were sharp with pain as he heard Charlie’s tone. He sniffed before stepping forward, closing the space between the two of them again.
“What is it? What happened–why did you leave without telling me? Why didn’t you let me stay?” He asked, his questions coming out rapidly and making Charlie blink quickly, especially as Babe’s scent began souring in upset once again.
“I heard you and Way,” Charlie said and Babe looked confused.
“Okay..?” Babe tilted his head to the side and raised an eyebrow.
“I heard–” Charlie’s nose twitched. “I heard Way say that I was just some fanboy and something different until you decided to get back to what you were doing before.” Charlie really didn’t need to expand on Babe’s habits before, they all know what Babe had been like before.
“I…That’s what this is?” Babe looked confused. “You know Way is–” he sighed, and often he would just roll his eyes and scoff when it came to Way, making excuses for his best friend. Charlie was glad that he wasn’t doing that now. “Way can be…An overprotective asshole,” he settled for saying and Charlie arched an eyebrow.
“Yeah,” Charlie nodded in agreement. He had let a lot go when it came to Way, and the main reason for that was because of how much Way meant to Babe. It was clear that Babe loved Way, even if it wasn’t in the way that Way loved Babe, and Charlie didn’t want to come between one of the most important friendships in Babe’s life. Even when he felt his Alpha’s heckles raise, and when his feelings hurt, he would ignore a lot. And he could see on Babe’s face in that moment how surprised he was with Charlie agreeing without hesitation, given how careful Charlie had always been when it came to Way.
“I–I didn’t know that you heard that,” Babe’s voice was quieter, and he sounded more serious, as though he realized how serious Charlie was. Finally. But then again, it wasn’t as though Charlie could fault Babe, given how easily Charlie usually let things go. Babe wasn’t used to Charlie holding onto something–not about Way, not about anyone. “I’m sorry,” he added after a longer moment passed between them.
Charlie hadn’t actually been expecting Babe to apologise so soon into their conversation, blinking a few times before letting his head drop to process the apology.
Babe wouldn’t apologize if he didn’t mean it, he just wasn’t that type of person, but Charlie wasn’t sure if he was apologizing for the right reason.
“You laughed,” Charlie swallowed hard as he said the words. “When Way said that–you laughed. You didn’t say he was wrong, or–or anything,” he inhaled sharply through his nose as he looked up again to where Babe was looking at him closely, his eyebrows pulled together in concern. “Was he right?” Babe’s head actually jerked back at the question, as though it had taken him aback physically.
“Charlie…No,” he shook his head adamantly and Charlie could smell the way Babe’s scent was bittering in sadness and something else, something sharper. Maybe guilt. “No–no, he’s not,” Babe squeezed his eyes shut for a moment as Charlie watched him with searching eyes. Charlie gave him the moment he needed to breathe and process the conversation they were having, because he knew this wasn’t something that Babe had been prepared for. When Babe lifted his head, his eyes had a shiny look to them, as though filled with tears, but his voice was firm when he spoke. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell Way to stop,” he stated, his words surprising Charlie. “I should have–I have before when he’s talked about you, but–we’d just won, and we were all going out to celebrate and Way gets all sulky when I tell him to stop and so I was just trying to get the conversation over with.”
“Mm,” Charlie hummed in understanding, because he did. If it was anyone else, anyone outside of Way, Charlie and maybe Alan, Babe really didn’t care about peoples opinions or moods, and had no problem being incredibly blunt with them. He was still straight forward with Way and Charlie, but…He noticed changes in their moods and things that affected them more. And he didn’t like to fight with them, even when he was abrasive with them, it was always very clear that he didn’t like to fight. Charlie knew how he could be with Way, ignoring half of what he said to avoid tension.
Just because he understood it, doesn’t mean he had to like it, though.
“I know Way doesn’t like me,” Charlie began, and Babe’s eyes widened as though he was going to disagree with them, but Charlie just fixed him with a look from behind his glasses. Babe pursed his lips together and nodded once. “And I know he’s your best friend, that’s why I never say anything, because I don’t want to cause trouble between you. I respect you, and I respect the friendship that you have with Way, but…” Charlie trailed off, because even with how hurt he felt, it still didn’t feel right to put restrictions on what Babe and his best friend could talk about.
“I’ll shut it down in the future,” Babe offered, his voice firm, determination taking over his expression as he realized what it was that Charlie needed. It wasn’t just Way talking about him, it was the fact that Babe put up with it. The fact he laughed as though there was a chance that Way was right. “I didn’t–I don’t want to do anything that will upset you, or listen to things that upset you, and–and Way is wrong. He’s so fucking wrong,” Babe reached out for one of Charlie’s hands, his fingers sliding together with his Alpha’s. Charlie looked down at their hands, at how big Babe’s hand was when it wrapped around his, and yet it was Babe who was clinging to Charlie as though he was a lifeline.
And his words sounded so sincere and genuine that it made Charlie’s skin feel hot and his heart beat heavily in his chest.
“I…Charlie,” Babe hesitated for a moment as he lifted his other hand to cup Charlie’s face, but when Charlie didn’t show any signs of pulling away, his hand curved around Charlie’s jaw. “I love you,” Babe stared deep into Charlie’s eyes as he spoke, and Charlie couldn’t help the way his eyes widened. “I love you,” Babe repeated, with just as much emphasis. “I–I love you in a way that I’ve never loved anyone else–and I never want to love anyone else like this,” there was a viciousness to his voice that took Charlie back, his body feeling almost limp as he stared up at Babe.
He had said it playfully before, a handful of times, and Babe had always just rolled his eyes or laughed it off, and Charlie hadn’t wanted to push it.
“Way…Way knows I love you,” Babe continued, and he dropped the hand that was holding Charlie’s so that both touch his face. “I told him the other week that…” Babe trailed off and Charlie tilted his head to the side, his hands coming up to cover Babe’s.
“Told him what?” Charlie asked.
“That I was going to ask you to move in with me,” Babe said, and it was the first time he had looked uncertain since he had started speaking. “I–I was going to ask you last night, actually, after the race–that was actually why Way was being…More of a dick than usual.” Charlie could still remember everything Way said, including the words right when he had first heard them.
Don’t you think you’re taking this a bit far? When are you going to stop stringing him along?
“I went to Way because I needed a boost before I actually asked you,” Babe snorted and rolled his eyes, and Charlie couldn’t help his small rueful smile in response. “Obviously he didn’t help at all, though, and so I went to talk to Alan, and then–then I realized that I couldn’t find you.” Babe’s expression became somber again, pressing his lips together before dropping his head and his hands. His chin dipped forward while his hands clasped Charlie’s. “I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I’m sorry I–I let Way talk that way, and that I didn’t defend you, or our relationship. I won’t let it happen again.”
“...You’re a lot better at apologising than I thought you would be,” Charlie commented after a long moment and it broke the tension that had been thickening between them.
“I spent most of the day with Alan and he told me to just–say sorry. That I’ll never find someone as good as you and I should get on my knees if that’s what it took,” Babe admitted on a heavy exhale and Charlie let out a loud laugh.
“You on your knees sounds like a nice idea,” he admitted with a shrug. It wouldn’t be the first time either.
“I’ll do it,” Babe told him, arching an eyebrow and smirking a little. “You know I will.”
“Pit Babe down on his knees, huh?” Charlie hummed out, and he could see the way his words affected Babe, his smile fading slightly, his eyes darkening and locked on Charlie. His scent was deepening as well, and Charlie inhaled shakily, his eyes closing briefly before he was looking back at Babe.
“Only for you,” Babe said, swallowing hard. “You know I never would for anyone else.” Charlie prickled lightly at just the thought of Babe being with someone else. He knew it had happened before, there had been a lot of people before Charlie–all of his other fanboys, that Way had probably watched come and go. Charlie was also aware that a little fanboy was all Way ever wanted Charlie to be, because that would mean he was just like everyone else, but even he knew that Charlie was different.
Pit Babe loved him.
His Babe loved him.
“Show me,” Charlie tilted his head to the side, curious as to Babe’s response, and then almost tripped over when Babe grabbed his hand and pulled him toward his bed. They hadn’t had sex there anywhere near as much as they’d had at Babe’s, mainly because of Jeff being right next door, but Charlie really liked the idea of Babe in his bed. It didn’t matter that they spent more time at Babe’s, until his move in at Babe’s was official, this was his home, his nest, and of course he wanted Babe’s scent everywhere.
He wanted to say more, wanted to say that he wanted to see Babe down on his knees and showing him just how he planned to make it up to him, but at the same time, he didn’t want Babe to think that he had to do anything for Charlie’s forgiveness. Because Charlie did forgive him, and it was because he believed Babe, and he trusted him, and he appreciated what Babe had promised–not to let it happen again.
Babe didn’t need to earn his forgiveness, and as he fell to his knees in front of Charlie, looking up at him with big, dark eyes, Charlie took in a deep breath, filling his chest as he reached out and wrapped a hand around Babe’s neck. Charlie only squeezed lightly on either side of his throat and the reaction was instant, the Alpha’s eyes fluttering and his body beginning to sway forward. Charlie swallowed hard at the instant submission from his boyfriend, which usually only happened if they had been apart from each other for a long period of time, something that had only occurred twice, or if he had been having an absolutely awful couple of days. It would definitely fall more into the second category this time, and made even worse was that Charlie knew he was the reason for it being a bad past few days for Babe.
He was entitled to his feelings, but as an Alpha, he felt bad that he had upset his lover. Babe was the most important person to him, and he hated the smell of Babe’s scent being bruised and his eyes not looking as bright as they usually did. Everything about him just wanted Babe to feel better, and if there was a part of the Alpha that felt as though he needed to make it up to Charlie to soothe his instincts…Charlie wasn’t going to stop him.
It was easy for Babe to tug Charlie’s sweatpants down as the younger Alpha sat down on the edge of his bed, and Babe fell to his knees between his pale, spread thighs. Charlie took his shirt off and threw it to the side before reaching forward and taking off Babe’s shirt. Babe was already rubbing his hands up the inside of Charlie’s thighs, and he didn’t look particularly happy about having to move, but he lifted his arms to allow Charlie to take off his shirt. Before Charlie could make any motion toward his pants, though, Babe was leaning back forward and grabbing at his hips.
“Please, just let me–” Babe’s words had a whiny tone to them as his eyes dipped back down to Charlie’s lap, and Charlie wanted to take Babe’s pants off, but who was he to deny his Alpha. He spread his legs a little more and Babe’s head dropped down instantly, lips parting to take the head of Charlie’s cock into his mouth.
There had been a time when Babe really hadn’t liked giving head, and Charlie hadn’t minded, he hadn’t pushed it. Obviously he enjoyed it, but he liked giving more, and over time, as their relationship developed and they had gotten to know each other better, and Babe trusted Charlie more, there was a lot more that he wanted to do sexually. Going down on him was one of those things, and while Babe had said he didn’t like it, it had turned out to be more that he didn’t like how aggressive a lot of Alpha’s got throughout the action. Babe himself could get rough with the way he liked to fuck into Charlie’s mouth, but that was something Charlie liked. And Babe liked it as well, sometimes, because he knew Charlie knew his limits.
“Ai’Babe…” Charlie’s voice came out in a hiss as Babe’s mouth slid down further around his cock, his toes pressing into the wooden floors as he felt Babe’s tongue slide right down to his balls. He got quicker and sloppier and his nails were digging into Charlie’s thighs, and Charlie’s hips were rocking forward to press deeper into his mouth. Charlie’s head fell back as he gently fucked between Babe’s lips, feeling the head of his cock bump against the back of Babe’s throat. His fingers tangled in Babe’s hair, scratching over his scalp before he let out a moan as he pulled Babe’s head back.
The string of spit between Babe’s lips and Charlie’s cock gleamed in the low lamplight, and Charlie’s teeth gritted together before he was leaning forward and smashing their mouths together.
Babe let out a groan as their teeth knocked together before he was pushing up on his knees, grabbing at Charlie’s shoulders and trying to get closer, his tongue pushing against Charlie’s. Kissing had never been Babe’s thing, he’d done it when he was younger and then realized how intimate it was and pulled right back, and for a while there, he hadn’t let Charlie kiss him either. Now, Charlie could understand, because Babe had a habit of kissing as though he was starving, like he was trying to pour his entire self into the kiss.
He was glad that he was the first person in years who got to kiss Babe, who got to experience Babe like this, and his Alpha flared up inside of him possessively.
“Okay,” Charlie said, pulling away from Babe, taking back control of the kiss when Babe tried to keep going, pushing his foot squarely into the middle of Babe’s lap, right over where his cock was hard inside his sweatpants.
“Charlie,” Babe groaned out, his body curling forward and his arm gripping at Charlie’s leg. It wasn’t in pain, which Charlie had been briefly worried about even though he had been careful about how firmly his foot had pressed down, and Charlie could feel the way Babe’s hips instantly started to roll forward against the pressure. “Charlie,” he repeated, and his voice was shaky in a way that always filled Charlie with this spike of power at how good Babe was clearly feeling.
His scent sweetened as well, and Charlie had to take in a calming breath before he started to shift the pressure of his foot, from the ball to heel, and Babe responded immediately. His breathing got heavier and his fingers clung to Charlie’s leg as he looked up, his eyes hooded, and he was the prettiest sight that Charlie had ever seen.
“I only want you, Charlie,” Babe stared up at him earnestly from beneath his fringe, his lips red and swollen from their kisses, and from the way Babe’s own teeth were digging into them as he stared up at Charlie.
Charlie believed him.
Maybe he hadn’t known Babe as long as Way had, but he knew that Babe was being honest when he said that he loved him, and that he only wanted him. Alan, North and Sonic had teased Babe on many occasions about how different Babe was with Charlie, how much he had changed since Charlie had come into his life, and other than that–scents didn’t lie. Charlie could smell the earnestness, and the arousal, and the love that Babe had for him.
And he could also smell the regret and guilt that was still clinging to the fringes of Babe’s scent.
He hated that–every part of Charlie and his Alpha hated that.
His foot pushed down firmer, rubbing against the hard line of Babe’s cock, while his hands reached for Babe’s face, his body curving forward as he cupped Babe’s jaw and leaned in to kiss him again. The kiss was messier this time, but this time it was very much Charlie in control, taking back the lead he had allowed Babe to have as the racer had clearly been desperately trying to reassure himself. Now, Charlie bit down on Babe’s lower lip, feeling the way Babe hissed and stiffened before roughly pushing against Charlie. Not enough to sway him, though, and the moment Charlie pressed back, he gave, happily conceding to the younger man.
Sometimes Charlie was still surprised by the way that Babe gave so happily underneath him. Charlie knew what he wanted, and even though he hadn’t had anywhere near as much experience as Babe, he knew what he liked, and it turned out what he liked complemented Babe’s interests perfectly.
But still, some days it felt unreal that Babe was content–was eager, even–to get down on his knees for Charlie. Sometimes there would be some pushing back and forth, which was something they both liked–the power play even though they both knew who was going to come out on top–but it always ended the same way. It always ended with Charlie buried inside of Babe, and Babe panting out his name.
“It’s not just your scent, Charlie,” Babe pulled away from Charlie’s kiss, only enough to speak, their lips still touching, Charlie able to feel the way his mouth shaped the words. “It’s everything–it’s everything about you.” Charlie’s eyes shut and squeezed briefly, breathing in deeply through his nose, and Babe gripped his thighs. “Charlie,” he murmured, waiting until Charlie opened his eyes again. “You–you’re different from everyone else, not just Alpha’s–everyone. You–you see me differently–you make me better, you make me want to be better,” Babe swallowed hard, and Charlie’s hands shifted, one of them sliding down the side of Babe’s neck and the other slipping into his hair. Babe’s eyes closed briefly before he gave a stubborn nod, and when they opened again there was almost a desperate look in them that made Charlie’s chest clench. “I don’t ever want to be without you, Charlie–and I want everyone to know that, I promise I–”
Charlie interrupted him with a kiss, his hand around Babe’s neck tightening as he pulled Babe up, to his feet, and then on top of him as he fell back. Babe’s hands were greedy as they moved over Charlie, the pair ripping off any remaining clothes between them until their bodies were naked and pressed together, and Charlie rolled them over, so Babe was sprawled out beneath him.
Just where Charlie liked him.
There were lube and condoms in the drawer of Charlie’s bedside table, although it wasn’t as though they had used condoms since the first month they had been together, and he reached out to grab for the lube, dropping it on the bed before sliding a hand beneath Babe’s head and lifting it to meet his. Babe’s hands were travelling over Charlie’s body, scratching at his back, grabbing at his hips, trying to touch him wherever he could.
“Charlie, I–” Babe tried to speak between kisses, even as Charlie’s teeth sunk down in his lower lip, tugging on it as he tried to quiet his lover, still able to feel the tension in the Alpha. “Charlie–I just want you to–”
“Babe,” Charlie interrupted him, and his knees shifted to clamp down on either side of Babe’s hips, and he reached around to grip Babe’s wrists, bringing them back to rest against the bed above his head. Babe happily allowed him to do so, his arms lax beneath Charlie’s touch, arching his back and trying to press his chest closer to Charlie’s.
“Charlie,” Babe replied, his voice a little breathy but still clearly ready to try and continue whatever speech he’d likely prepared with Alan. “I–”
“Babe,” Charlie’s voice was sharper this time, his eyes narrowing as he looked down at Babe. He wasn’t wearing his glasses, and everything was a little blurry, but not Babe, right in front of him. He could see Babe clearly. “I know,” he said, earnestly. “I know you love me.” Because he did. Everything Babe had said to him, the state that he had come to Charlie in, the easy way he let himself be handled. It was the way that he had explained things with Way and was more than eager to make things right.
Charlie honestly wasn’t sure what was more surprising, Babe telling him he loved him, or Babe apologizing. His boyfriend was now doing both, and he was trying to do more–
He didn’t want more.
He just wanted Babe.
“I do, Charlie,” Babe whispered, staring up at Charlie, his eyes shiny with unshed tears, emotion filling his face in a way that made Charlie’s heart squeeze tight. “I love you so much–I’ve never loved anyone like this, the way that I love you, and I–I’m sorry. I’m sorry I hurt you.”
“I know,” Charlie’s voice was hushed as he leaned in, his lips pressing down against Babe’s. “I forgive you,” he said between kisses, and what tension was left in Babe’s body melted away, Charlie could feel him relaxing into the bed beneath him, under his body. “I love you,” he added, and Babe’s hands tugged at where Charlie was holding them down. “Uh uh,” Charlie shook his head and bumped his nose against Babe’s nose, and Babe sniffed, pouting in a way that he would absolutely deny later. Charlie bit back his smile, his nose twitching as he did so. “That’s all I want, P’Babe,” he nudged his nose against Babe’s jaw, tipping his head so that he had full access to the Alpha’s throat. Babe let him, without hesitation. “That’s all I want you to say.”
“I love you,” Babe breathed out instantly, obediently, giving into what Charlie asked for instantly. “I love you so much.” Charlie wasn’t sure if he was going to keep begging, and as good as that sounded, that wasn’t what he wanted. Babe didn’t need to apologize, he already had, and he meant it, Charlie knew he did, and that was all he needed. There would be more to talk about, but that wasn’t for now, not when Babe still had the others from the garage clinging to his scent.
Babe liked it when it hurt a little bit, especially like now, after they’d had a fight and he was impatient to be as close as possible, but Charlie was stubborn.
“Wait,” was all he said, with one hand flat against Babe’s pelvis while the other was three fingers deep inside of him. It was enough, Charlie knew it was, even if it would hurt, but he liked the way Babe whined when he was getting opened up, and shifted his hips from side to side, and curled his toes. Seeing that made Charlie just want to keep going, because once he stopped, once he started fucking Babe, it was harder for him to pay attention to all the little things–like the way Babe’s scent became sweeter and his fingers curled and his teeth sunk into his lower lip. He wanted to watch all of it–even though he had seen it a hundred times before and would hopefully see it countless times more.
But he couldn’t keep dragging it out, because he wanted to be inside Babe just as much Babe wanted him to be inside.
“Fuuuck,” Babe let out a long hiss, his head thrown back as Charlie finally pressed inside of him. Charlie’s teeth clenched together at how tight and hot Babe was around him, and he paused as his hips pressed against Babe’s ass, adjusting to his lover squeezing around him. It didn’t matter how many times they fucked–Babe felt amazing. The rush that came with Babe panting underneath him gave Charlie a headrush that was difficult to explain, and especially when Babe started whining and rolling his hips, looking for more.
And even more when Babe asked for kisses, lifting his head from the pillow and pursing his lips, his eyes shining and begging as he looked at Charlie.
Despite how many people Babe had slept with, the people he had kissed was a small handful. It was intimate, something that Babe had learned quickly affected him in a way deeper than sex did, and the last person he had kissed before Charlie had come along had been almost five years ago, before he implemented his No Kissing rule.
Charlie was glad that rule barely lasted a few weeks with them, because kissing Babe was everything.
“Charlie,” Babe sighed, his nails digging into Charlie’s back as Charlie fucked him faster, his knees pressing into the mattress and his hands pushing Babe’s legs further back so he could fill Babe deeper. “Charlie, I–I–” Babe was panting, his eyes squeezing shut and one of his hands grabbed at the blankets underneath him, trying to push himself harder down on Charlie’s cock. “Charlie, I wanna–”
“I know, Babe,” Charlie had been purposeful about not touching Babe’s cock, and he could see the way it was leaking all over his stomach, and how red it was. He was close to cumming, and there had been a few times when Babe had managed to cum untouched, but not often. It was clear that he wanted someone to touch him now, with the desperate way he kept looking down at, whether it was himself or Charlie. “I know you do,” he grunted as his hands gripped behind Babe’s knees, pushing them back until Babe was practically bent in half.
“Charlie!” Babe cried out in surprise, before cutting himself off with a choked sound at how deep Charlie was, feeling as though his Alpha’s cock was buried in his stomach. His cock pulsed and tears pricked at the corners of his eyes at how good he felt, and how bad he wanted to cum. “Charlie, please.”
“You can do it,” Charlie was panting, sweat trickling down his forehead as his hips snapped forward at a bruising pace.
“N-no, Charlie–” Babe jerked and Charlie saw the way precum was spilling steadily onto Babe’s stomach, and he could smell how sweet Babe’s scent was. He was stuttering over his words and his hole was clutching at Charlie’s clock every time he pulled out–Charlie knew the signs of when Babe was about to cum. His own orgasm was right there, but he pushed it back, determined to wait until he saw Babe cum all over himself. “I–”
“You can,” Charlie told him, and he felt the way his voice came out more in a growl. Babe did too, Charlie saw the way his Adams apple shifted as he swallowed hard, a tear finally escaping the corner of one of his eyes as Charlie’s thrusts became brutal and messy, the headboard banging against the wall and making Charlie even gladder that his brother had quickly left earlier.
“I–” Babe looked as though he might protest again, but Charlie shifted them again, and Charlie was hitting his prostate so hard that it was hurting, but it was good–it was so good and Babe let out a cry as he finally came. Ribbons sprayed over his stomach, reaching up his chest and splashing over one of his nipples. Charlie let out a strangled groan as he came just moments later, spilling inside Babe and shuddering as he dropped Babe’s arms to instead drop down and clutch at Babe, always seeking skin contact just after he came.
Babe hugged him for a few long minutes, because he knew how much Charlie liked the cuddles after they came, but then Charlie felt him start to move before he made a sound of displeasure.
“You just got us even messier, Charlie,” Babe complained and Charlie’s lips pressed together in a fond smile before he gathered the strength to get back on all fours above Babe. Babe was smiling too, even though he moved to sit up and acted as though he was unimpressed as he looked down at himself, but Charlie could see how much more relaxed he was now than when he had first arrived.
And it wasn’t as though Babe needed to clean himself up. He hadn’t once, not the in the whole time he and Charlie had been fucking.
Tonight was no different, as Charlie carefully cleaned him up before getting back in bed with Babe.
“Your bed is tiny,” Babe grumbled, even as he rolled over, purposefully arching his back and nudging at Charlie’s arm. Charlie’s mouth twitched in a smile before he was reaching past Babe to turn off the lamp and then tug the blanket up further over their bodies before finally settling down behind Babe, and arm laid over his waist. It was a bit early to go to sleep, but it had been an emotionally turbulent past couple of days and clearly both of them were ready to fall asleep together.
“It’s okay for one night,” Charlie told him. “Tomorrow night we’ll be in yours.”
“...Ours, right?” Babe asked tentatively after a moment, and Charlie felt Babe’s begin to tense, and he leaned in to press a kiss to the back of his neck. “You’ll move in with me, right?”
“Of course,” Charlie responded without hesitation and Babe instantly relaxed, shuffling back further until his back was pressed firmly against Charlie’s chest. “I love you, Babe,” Charlie said, his nose bumping against Babe’s shoulder before he pressed a kiss to the same spot.
“I love you, Charlie,” Babe responded softly.