Work Text:
The two partners had been swamped with work all day. First there was a group of unhappy sextuplets, a suicidal frog, and a drug abuser/alcoholic. Charlie planned on hitting the bar after work as he usually does, but Pim claimed he needed to tell him something.
Pim called Charlie over to the table where he was sitting and asked him politely to sit down. "Yeah, Pim, what's up?" the yellow critter spoke. "Well, I know we've both been swamped with work recently, and I just wanted to tell you, you're doing a great job. I just really appreciate you helping out as much as you do. I know it's hard for you to get motivated, but... yeah. Good job," Pim said.
At this point, Charlie's stomach started to turn. He didn't really know why. He hadn't ever really received praise like this - ever. His expression turned into a sour grimace, which soon wiped the smile off of Pim's face. "Did I say something?" Pim stammered.
"Dude, I just- I dunno, man. Don't say good job to me. I know it's weird, but just don't," Charlie said at last. The pink critter stifled a laugh before speaking. "What, you don't like praise? Who are you?" he joked. The bigger one's brows furrowed and his nose scrunched up. "Dude, it's not your business. Just don't say it, I'm serious."
"Jeez, fine, okay," Pim mumbled something under his breath which could barely be heard by Charlie. The only word he could hear was "humble" which set him off. "Dude, I said it was none of your business!" he stood up, pointing a finger in his face. "Listen, man, it's, like, a personal thing. Okay?" Pim just nodded, dumbfounded at how his friend became so upset.
"Yeah, but.. But why? If we're going to be together, I-I want to help you overcome your problems. I didn't even know you didn't like praise," Pim spoke. "I don't even know, honestly. I've been trying to pinpoint this shit for, like, forever," Charlie admitted. "Yeah? Well, what have you scraped up?" Pim asked.
Charlie took a deep, long breath before continuing. "It might have something to do with, like, me not receiving praise as a child or some shit. That or just me not thinking I deserve it. Or just general insecurity. Maybe all those things," Charlie explained. "Yeah? Well, how does it make you feel when I praise you?" Pim asked.
"Gross. Icky. It-It feels wrong, like you're doing it out of pity or something. Especially when it's something I chose to do. Or something easy, like, everyone else had this nailed down but me," Charlie said. Pim was smiling brightly at his boyfriend before he jumped into his arms and gave him a big hug.
"Thanks for telling me all this, Charlie! I know we've got our ups and downs, but when you share these things with me, I feel like we become closer," the pink critter said. Charlie just smiled and wrapped his arms around his partner. He didn't need to say anything, and that was okay.