Your Lips, My Lips - Apocalypse (CharlieBabe FF)

Distance

A/N: hi !! i hope you guys enjoy the chapter !! happy reading :)

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Charlie found himself in the kitchen at the break of dawn, unable to sleep, mind racing with many thoughts. An inner turmoil, he had been contemplating for days. He agreed with Jeff's suggestion but the thought of Babe being in danger did not sit well with him.

Charlie was groomed from a young age to be the family's enforcer, a cold-hearted assassin whose very name struck fear into the hearts of their enemies. An unwavering principle was instilled in him, by his father, Tony, that feelings were a weakness and to survive in their world, one had to be ruthless, unyielding, and devoid of emotion.

Charlie excelled in his role. His icy demeanor and unflinching resolve made him the perfect weapon for the Agnar Clan. Every task he undertook was executed with precision and detachment. However, he wasn't foreign to feelings, he knew what they were, it was just that he had buried them deep beneath layers of hardened steel. He rarely tapped into his feelings, only when interacting with his younger brother, Jeff and yet even then, the responsibility of being the older sibling came first.

He had approached this arranged alliance in the same manner he approached missions – calculated and emotionless.

Initially, Charlie struggled with the whole marriage, not understanding the concept of having to share responsibility. It has always been him alone, he had done the planning and execution all by himself. He had only had to rely on and protect himself but adding Babe into the equation during mission, changed everything he had ever know.

And the older did not make this any easier for Charlie. Babe was the exact opposite of Charlie, if Charlie was quiet, then Babe was loud, if Charlie was cold, then Babe was hot.

Yet, they had to make it work, it was the clans' future at stake after all and they did. Both Charlie and Babe compromised and currently, they can be referred to as somewhat friends.

And Charlie has realized that his resolve of keeping his feelings at bay has recently been failing in front of Babe. The older had slowly but surely managed to melt through the layers of hardened steel and make a little space for himself in Charlie's heart. It was an unknown feeling, a first for Charlie and that scared him because he was raised with the understanding that feelings were a weakness.

So, Charlie started to create some space between him and Babe. It would be the best for both.

Charlie had a lot at stake, and he could not fail. Failing meant everyone he held close dies, and he could not afford that.

He shook his head, trying his best to clear his mind, he moved silently as he prepared a cup of coffee for himself, the marble floors cold beneath his bare feet. He took the cup and stared out of the window, watching the world waking up, hoping he would find a solution to his turmoil.

"Oh, you are up. Couldn't sleep ?" Babe's voice a husky whisper.

"Yeah, something like that." Charlie turned around to find Babe, his hair still tousled from sleep, grabbing a cup of water.

Babe looked soft, sleep still lingering in his movements and Charlie could not help the small smile that graced his expression. Charlie wanted to walk right up to the man and caress his cheeks, wanting to know if they were as soft as they looked but the weight of his monster laid heavy in his mind.

They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, sipping their respective cups of drinks and listening to the distant hum of the city waking up. The peacefulness of the moment contrasted sharply with the tension Charlie felt inside.

The ringing of Charlie's phone broke the silence and Charlie excused himself to pick up the call once he checked the caller ID.

Babe furrowed his brows, that was strange, who would call so early but then again, being part of the Mafia was a twenty-four seven commitment.