charpim oneshots | smiling friends

Pasta, Sauce and Garlic

There was a silence that filled the car as the two critters drove home, only disrupted by the occasional passing cars and blinker signals. It was dim out, the sunset glistening against the piles of snow on either side of the road. It was a peaceful sight, one that slightly calmed Pim's mind.

Only slightly, though.

"Hey, Charlie?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you think we actually helped that guy?"

Charlie briefly turned to Pim once he reached a red light, his brows furrowed in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

Pim's gaze was directed at his hands in his lap.

"What if his smile wasn't genuine? What if we only made things worse?" Pim asked quietly.

Pim felt a hand rest gently atop his own.

"I'm sure he's fine, Pim. I don't want you to worry yourself over that, okay?" Charlie reassured.

Pim sighed and nodded briefly before raising his gaze to the window beside him. He let his eyes drift to each car, tree, and building they passed as they rode home. His mind wandered to worries that he couldn't shake off.

He frequently asked himself that question; What if their smile wasn't genuine?
What if he failed them?
What if he made things worse for them?
What if, what if, what if...

Charlie turned the music up in an attempt to distract Pim from his troubling thoughts. He quietly hummed along to the tune, his hand never leaving Pim's. Pim smiled gently as he watched Charlie nod his head to the beat.

-

Eventually, they pulled into the parking lot of their apartment complex. Once parked, Charlie leaned over and planted a small kiss on Pim's cheek, relieving him of the stress he carried home. Pim smiled warmly, reaching in for a second kiss before hopping out of the car.

The two quietly trudged up the stairs, their hands intertwined. They walked hastily to their apartment, rushing inside to get out of the cold.

Pim sighed as he closed the door behind them, plonking his bag and keys down on the kitchen counter.

"I'm gonna shower, I feel icky with all the snow on my clothes." He said, pecking a small kiss on Charlie's cheek before departing to their bathroom.

Once gone, Charlie took a seat on the couch, immediately feeling relief on his feet after walking and driving all day. He looked over to the window and watched as the small specks of snow piled up against it. He faintly smiled to himself, embracing the peace that it gave him.

After a moment, his smile faltered; he hated that he couldn't share moments like these with Pim. He wanted to ease his boyfriend's racing thoughts, he wanted to give Pim that sense of peace that Charlie looked forward to after every work day. He just wished that there was a perfect solution for it.

He reflected for a moment before getting up and walking to the kitchen. He figured that if he couldn't completely ease Pim's mind, he could at least prepare something to distract him from it for a while.

He pulled out some pasta, sauce and garlic and began boiling some water.

-

Pim turned on the shower, making the water as hot as he could bear. He rubbed his face with his hands, sighing into them as the steam warmed up the room. He got undressed and stepped into the shower, flinching slightly at the heat of the water before giving in.

He stood there for a while, his mind racing with a million thoughts an hour. Tons of problems presenting themselves to him, with no solutions for any of them.

It was a common occurrence for Pim, which used to be a lot worse before he met Charlie.

Breath in for seven seconds,
Hold for six seconds,
Breath out for five seconds.

That was what Charlie always told Pim, and everytime it helped. Even in Charlie's absence, Pim found comfort in him.

He sighed quietly, feeling his skin grow numb to the heat that blasted him from above. He knew he'd have to get out soon, and face reality again.

Just ten more minutes...

-

Charlie diced the onions and garlic, tossing them onto the pan with some butter and letting it simmer. He had already strained the pasta, which was now sat in a bowl, ready for sauce and seasoning.

He hummed quietly to himself as he cooked, engulfed by the aromas that now flooded the apartment. Adding dashes of seasoning here and there, he stirred the concoction until it was time to add the sauce. Once he added it, the oven beeped.

He let the flavors meddle in the pan as he turned his attention to the oven. He quickly took out the garlic bread and set it on the counter, smiling at how perfect it came out.

He found it relieving that Pim's favorite dish was a rather simple one. It meant that he could easily whip it up on nights that Pim felt particularly troubled, which he never minded doing.

Just as he turned off the burner, he heard the shower turn off. With a relieved sigh, he prepared two plates and placed them on the table, making sure everything looked neat and presentable. He put one of their bottles of wine on the table, completed with two simple wine glasses. It wasn't much, but he knew it would cheer Pim up. He patiently waited at the table with a soft smile.

-

Just as Pim stepped out of the bathroom, he was hit was a pleasant smell of food. He smiled faintly as he made his way down the hallway.

Upon entering the living room, his smile widened. He took in the scene; the dinner, the wine, Charlie's smile. The food smelled amazing, and Pim couldn't help but feel butterflies in his stomach.

"Baby, you didn't have to do all that for me." Pim said quietly.

Charlie got up from his seat and hugged Pim tightly, planting a soft kiss on his head.

"I wanted to. Anything to see your smile, my love."

He then walked Pim over to his seat, pushing it in gently once he was seated. He then walked over to his own and sat down, excited to finally eat.

"Thank you, Charlie." Pim said happily before taking a big bite.

"You're welcome, my love."

Wc: 1030!
I got a request for a oneshot in which they're coming home together from a long day at work, and they're already in an established relationship. I loved this prompt, and I hope I did it justice!

Tysm for 2k reads on this book!!! It makes me so happy that you guys are enjoying it so far :D

Have a good day/night! Toodles :P