Chapter Text
There was something inherently off about Charlie, something different.
It had been about four months since Babe met Charlie near the locker room after his race. It had been the best four months in his life, especially for his sex life. Charlie had managed to exceed all his expectations in satisfying him, emotionally and physically. Now Babe realized that all the times he had been doing a quick-fuck in the locker room before races, or a one night stand here or there, were subpar compared to a long-time partner who excels in bed and then made you breakfast in the morning. Also packed you a healthy lunch, prepared your bath with the right temperature, cleaned your house, gave words of encouragement for the day, and sweetly kissed you goodbye. Especially when said partner did all of those with only an apron on.
Babe had never considered a domestic puppy-like partner as his type. He usually prefers the common alpha: broad, built, and dominant. Also, he had been taking care of himself for his whole life, so there was not a need for a partner who would take care of him. In fact, he used to think he would find those kinds of actions annoying. But not with Charlie.
The way Charlie would look at him with sparkles in his eyes, the way Charlie whines his name to get his attention, the way Charlie is free with affection and rain kisses on him; all the things Charlie did for him were endearing, even something as simple as opening the door for him was making him feel butterflies in his stomach. Babe never knew he could be loved and adored to a point he turned into mush. Yet Charlie proved him wrong.
However, as time went on, Babe started to notice a glimpse of something else in his Charlie.
The first time he noticed something odd was the incident with North and Sonic. The super extrovert duo has always been very friendly and hands-on, like personal space is an option rather than a common courtesy. It was after a race where Babe won first place that they decided to celebrate at the bar.
The atmosphere was lively and alcohol was free flowing. Charlie was sitting so close to him on the sofa when North and Sonic joined them blabbing about going to the dance floor. Babe was reluctant and Charlie was following his lead. North laughed and reached out, fingers closing around Charlie’s wrist to pull him up anyway.
And that was the moment it happened. Before anyone registered, Charlie freed his wrist from North’s hold, twisted his hand to his back and pinned him down to the table. Everyone at the table was stunned for a few seconds, blinking and holding their breath.
Charlie’s face was calm, blank in a way Babe has never seen before. And then just as quickly, Charlie let North go with a soft apology. North laughed it off and Sonic rolled his eyes. Alan swore under his breath while Way just stared. The moment passed, the bar noise rushed in and the celebration was ongoing again. Babe, though, couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d seen something slip through, something Charlie didn’t mean to show.
The second time happened in the middle of one of his confrontations with Winner. Like honestly, with the amount of time Winner tried to get a rise out of him, everyone thought he’s obsessed. Winner was arrogant and all-talk without action. So when he was provoking Babe, even after he devastatingly lost the race and the bet, Babe just felt hilarious.
Winner ran his mouth, sneering and said something careless. Babe was already opening his mouth to talk back when Charlie shifted. Not in front of him, slightly to the side, without making it obvious. With a soft and steady voice, Charlie declared they were leaving. It sounded final, so Babe turned around to walk away.
Winner scoffed and reached out, fingers brushing Babe’s shoulder. Charlie caught his wrist. It wasn’t a fast movement, but with intent he slightly bent Winner’s arm just to make a point. Winner hissed in pain and they locked eyes a few seconds long. When Charlie let him go, he staggered back, pale and silent. Before anyone could react, Charlie’s arm is circling Babe’s waist loosely.
“You okay, P’Babe?” he asked, voice soft and concerned. Babe nodded, stomach fluttering but mind still unsettled. That night they went home and didn’t talk about it. They didn’t need to. Sex with Charlie has always been grounding. Charlie tenderly wiped him down after they’re done, like he always did, kissed Babe good night and then waited until Babe’s breathing evened out before relaxing his posture. Babe noticed, Charlie never slept first.
The next one was smaller. It was right after a race, people were crowding in front of the podium. Way has been waiting right beside the podium, waving him over and Babe was walking towards it after receiving a congratulatory kiss from his puppy Charlie. Charlie was following closely beside him when he felt elbow digging into his ribs, hard enough to knock the breath from him. Babe turned and found Winner and his teammates snickering, saying sorry in a mocking way. Babe surged forward, anger hot and mind full of rage.
His punch would be connected if Charlie didn’t catch his shoulder, quietly calling his name next to his ear. He wasn’t warning or ordering him, Babe knew. Babe shook him off, and walked the rest of the way to the podium. Later in the car, Babe asked why Charlie stopped him and why didn’t he step in, half challenging and half expecting an apology.
“You had it handled, P’Babe,” Charlie answered with a calm voice, eyes still on the road since he was driving. It should have satisfied him, but Babe couldn’t stop thinking about the timing. Charlie hadn’t been shocked or frozen, he was waiting for a reason.
Babe may not be the most observing person, but the amount of time he spent with Charlie was a lot. Charlie had been the most constant in his life for months and Babe couldn’t help but notice the discrepancies. Babe was starting to realize that the innocent puppy Charlie who adored him as his god and was always polite to everyone has a layer beneath all the smiles. However, Babe couldn’t help but grow attached to him. He wouldn’t admit it out loud, but he is fond of Charlie. Charlie is Babe’s boy, so it made sense that Babe felt possessive, right?