My Babe shot me down...

Chapter 3

Charlie had never cared for someone as much as he cared for Babe...

He did care for Jeff, but Jeff was his brother. However, Babe was something else, more like his lover, if he was allowed to think of himself like that.

and despite the hurt, despite the pain in his heart... He knew he would crumple if it came to Babe's safety and well-being.

Babe might have shown remorse and might have wanted to make amends, but Charlie didn't know if it was true remorse or if he just felt bad for him.

"He saw you crumbled down in Tony's office and all hell broke loose...", Jeff had told him

He wasn't in a position where anyone would feel anything for him but pity... Pity for what Tony had done to him, Pity for what had happened to him and Jeff before.

He was pulled back from his reverie when Babe moved his neck to wipe his face and the side of his neck.

"What are you thinking about, Charlie?"

"Nothing..."

Babe looked at him doubtingly but hummed, continuing to wipe his chest and face, careful not to get his bindings wet.

Both of them were in their undergarments in the bathroom, Charlie was seated on the toilet while Babe was on his knees in front of him, a wet washcloth in his hand, wiping down the expanse of Charlie's bruised skin.

"I will help you wash your hair once you feel slightly better... I don't want you to catch a cold on top of everything you are feeling..."

Charlie managed a small nod, his eyes falling on Babe and lingering...

The glistening skin, the tight muscles, the smell that made Charlie's head spin.

And His head was spinning indeed, darting to dark thoughts.

"Wouldn't it have been easier if you didn't come to get me out? Wouldn't it have been better if you didn't make a worse enemy out of Tony?"

Charlie had no idea what made him ask that question and what made him think it would have been better for Babe to not come to save him.

He saw Babe's handshake slightly, yet to meet his eyes to answer this question.

Things are way less complicated for dead people anyway, it's usually the living that has problems.

Babe paused altogether, hands putting the washcloth away and cupping Charlie's face, looking in the eyes before answering him.

"Remember when you fought Kim because you said that I am more valuable... When you came before the race to my rescue when those bikers attacked me?"

Charlie nodded, of course he did, he still had nightmares about coming too late to get Babe and holding him as he bled out...

He wouldn't have had it any other way... Whatever the outcome was as long as Babe was safe.

"What made you do that back then?"

Charlie stumbled a bit... Before answering in a tiny voice.

"I... care about you... I don't want to see you get hurt..."

Babe leaned in and nuzzled his nose with Charlie's. Not kissing him, yet comforting him.

"What makes you think that I don't feel the same?!"

Charlie shrugged and regretted the movement when it sent pain through his body. Babe's hands on him steadied him and made him sit a bit upright

"Careful, Puppy..."