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If you were ever to ask Babe what he’s grateful for even in his arguably shitty life, it would be a no brainer that his answer, certainly, would be Charlie. The sweet, cute and unreasonably kind Charlie. But if you were also to ask his deepest regrets; the one that now kept him in check, the answer would come back to Charlie again. For his intentional and unintentional words that bruised Charlie’s little heart, for the shoves, the anger in their initial phase of relationship that carved a scar of self doubt and insecurity, now buried deep inside Charlie, looking to surface amidst his occasional breakdowns and low moments. But Babe has determined that he is going to change and change for the better. Charlie deserves a safe space he can run to in those moments, a safe person that grounds him amidst his occasional inner turmoil, and Babe is going to be that safety for his Charlie.
Currently, they lay sprawled against the cozy couch in Babe’s unconventional living room, enjoying the silence and security that now came with the drama being over. Tony has been dead for a year now and Charlie has regained his memories for months now. Now as they lay next to each other after their soft date night that ended with a movie marathon, Babe can’t help but put little kisses all over Charlie’s cute soft face as he tries to remain awake for a last round of movie.
“Charlie, just sleep now. We can continue this another night, you know.”
“No, P’Babe I don't wanna sleep. I wanna watch this movie with you” Charlie pouts as he suppresses yet another yawn.
Babe sighs and lets a little smile take its place as he gives in to Charlie for the umpteenth time now. Well, he could just carry Charlie over in his sleep later anyways.
As the movie comes close to its end, Babe turns to carry the now asleep Charlie to their shared room, but soon tenses as he senses something wrong. He feels Charlie trembling a little in his sleep and a trail of tears trickling down Charlie’s soft cheeks. Gradually processing Charlie’s unease and not wanting to shake him awake, Babe lays back down and hugs Charlie tight and close to himself. He gently caresses his back and softly pats his head in between soft whispers of ‘it's okay’ and ‘you’re safe’ to calm him down for who knows how long until Charlie stirs awake.
“Charlie, are you okay? Do you feel fine? Was it a nightmare?” Babe tries to tone down his concern to not overwhelm Charlie. But even as he wakes up, Charlie is still anxious and keeps trembling. He keeps shaking his head as if to say he’s fine but Babe knows better.
It takes a few minutes of coaxing from Babe until Charlie finally gives in.
“I….I don’t want you to leave Phi. I know my stubbornness has made things unintentionally harder these… past months and even longer. I even forgot you once. Forgot our memories together, tt..treated you like a stranger. W..what if it happens a..again and there’s someone else there for you…” Charlie trembles his feelings out.
“Charlie, look at me. First stop crying and calm down” Babe kisses the tears away. He puts little kisses all over Charlie’s face until he stops crying and lets out a hushed chuckle as Babe continues to softly peck his nose, his forehead, his cheeks, and then repeats it all over again.
“P’babe stop…I stopped crying. You can stop now”
With a final peck to Charlie’s lips, Babe stops his administration and looks at Charlie with soft and loving eyes. “Charlie, you know you’re the only one for me. I would never allow myself to separate from you ever.” A long kiss to Charlie’s forehead, then both his cheeks.
“Even when you forgot your memories, it was okay because I had you. Not the Charlie I knew but Charlie nonetheless. I won’t let these fleeting feelings like doubts and insecurities come between us again. We can work through these together. I will be patient for you. I love you and I know I will keep loving you until my last breath.”
Taken aback from this intense sincerity, Charlie takes some time to process all this. He knew Babe loved him, especially after what they faced together after his fake deaths and events that followed but Babe had never put his feelings into this many words. Unshed tears now start glistening in his eyes and his face flushes upon the realisation. Overwhelmed by this emotion, Charlie moves forward, urgently, to lock his arms around Babe’s neck. He then kisses Babe with all his might. A small peck turns into a longer one and then turns into a sloppy exchange of saliva and tongues. They lose control over their emotions and just concentrate on kissing their worries away.
Babe’s hand previously on Charlie’s back tightens to bring him flushed closer against his body. He pulls him closer until Charlie’s almost fully on his lap. Now with a better access to Charlie, he slides his hands under Charlie’s loose Tee. He gently caresses Charlie's sides and settles on tightening his hold on Charlie’s slender waist. His touch so gentle yet sensual that Charlie releases a soft moan into the kiss. Babe takes advantage of this and pushes his tongue deeper inside Charlie’s mouth, caressing the insides as he savours Charlie's taste. Overwhelmed by the sensation, Charlie tightens his arms around Babe’s neck, tugging him even closer. The kiss was soft yet powerful enough to carry every unspoken words and lingering feelings that were kept hidden from each other. The intense makeout session eventually calms down as they settle down in their shared warmth. Too tired to start anything, they settle on just enjoying the presence of each other. The comfortable silence and quiet understanding, now, between them, a reward for Charlie's quiet courage and Babe’s fiery support.
Wrapped in this sweet warmth, Babe settles them comfortably into the couch to prepare for the long night ahead. He places a kiss on the temple and rests his forehead close to Charlie’s.
“I love you Charlie. Only you.”
“I love you too P’Babe.”