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Babe liked his life. He liked even more when people he didn't know, who didn't know who he really was, envied him his life. Did he make it easier for them? Of course not. Babe loved his life. He liked to share it. So he often posted photos and posts on the Internet. The real fun, at least from Babe's perspective, started around Valentine's Day last year.
Like he always did, he posted online before breakfast, he always did, so he didn't want to make this day any different. As it later turned out, in the reflection of the mirror was his Valentine's Day gift, which he planned to give to his beloved later - a large teddy bear in an X-Hunter suit holding a car steering wheel with the inscription "Your love is my path." Babe knew it was quite a distinctive gift. People in the comments below this post, of course, started speculating that P'Babe had a secret girlfriend.
He thought it was funny, so he didn't correct them.
The fun, if you could call it that, lasted all year long. Babe posted posts in which the presence of another person could be noticed, but he never confirmed or denied it. He was not ashamed of his life, but his beloved preferred to focus on the university. If he was recognized as P'Babe's partner, his quiet academic life would definitely change. He would most likely have a huge fan base himself. Babe might be biased about this - but he thought Charlie was totally, totally, totally, sweet. And handsome. Definitely. His lover was certainly very handsome.
Charlie didn't laugh like Babe did at the rumors about his girlfriend that regularly appeared on the Internet. Babe's every public appearance and meeting with any woman resulted in articles and speculation as to whether it was "her", Babe's legendary hidden girlfriend. He knew that if he asked, Babe would stop posting such content and, to put it mildly, inciting his fans. He also knew that Babe was really enjoying this. He often smiled while reading the comments in the evening, lying in bed together, and compared the comments mentioned by fans or their assumptions and compared them to the actual situation.
- Look! This one thinks that my "girlfriend" definitely has chubby cheeks and eyes full of stars!
He turned around in a loose imprint of Charlie, resting his chin on Charlie's collarbone. He looked up to meet his partner.
- He's definitely right. Though…
He reached out, jabbing his finger at Charlie's cheek.
- Maybe I should feed you better to make you plumper!
He laughed. Charlie let him do this with the patience of an angel. Babe was just Babe. He never changed. He just smiled at him, gently kissing him on the forehead and returning to reading the book, which had been interrupted by Babe's outburst.
It was their time. Their evenings together, when they could just be together. Doing what they love while resting in each other's arms. Babe loved Charlie's hug. Strong, powerful, wrapped almost possessively around him. If Babe wanted, he could turn around in Charlie's embrace, but if he tried to get up, those deceptively thin arms would tighten around him, preventing him from moving. Babe loved it. He liked being cared for by Charlie. You could feel his arms around you and know, just know, that he was safe, that there was no danger to him in this place. Never. Babe knew the whole world would end up in flames before Charlie let anyone hurt him.
The incitement of fans continued. Once a photo of two takeaway coffees from Starbucks (of course, one with Babe's name on it, the other with a name starting with C, but he skillfully covered the rest with his finger), another time a photo of himself during training with completely indiscreet hickeys on his neck (the fans were very excited about how fierce and territorial his girlfriend must be, everyone of course started supporting HER and promising that no one would ever touch Babe), or a photo of two suitcases before a race in France.
Babe loved his fans and how dedicated they were to trying to identify his girlfriend. Most of all, he was amused by the fact that everyone insisted it had to be a girl.
At last. Before the last race of the season, he managed to talk Charlie into revealing himself. Charlie had just passed his last exam and he didn't have to go back to school ever again, he could pursue his interests or (as Babe himself proposed) become his housewife and take good care of him. Charlie laughed about it every time. If Babe couldn't find his socks later - Babe was in no position to complain.
Babe was ready to get into the car, but he was still waiting for the biggest attraction of the evening. He could even lose (even though he knew that wouldn't happen), and he would still be happy because his beloved had finally given Babe permission to show him off to the world.
He was standing with his back against his car. Charlie, approached him from the garage. Nobody paid him any attention at first. To them he was just another employee. Babe would be annoyed by this. How could they not pay attention to his perfect boy? At his wonder in skinny jeans and his own biker jacket? However, he pushed all negative feelings aside. He smiled at Charlie as he approached him. Charlie also had a purpose in agreeing to such public disclosure. In his hand he held racing gloves, one engraved with Babe and the other with Charlie. Because they were a couple. Perfectly matched to each other. Always included. He knew it was cheesy, but he wanted to somehow show Babe that he would always be there.
He walked over to Babe's car, stopping less than a step away.
- Hi.
He said hello.
- Hi.
Babe replied, as if he hadn't had his tongue in the man's mouth less than an hour ago. And other parts of him within him, too, this morning.
- I have something for you.
Charlie said handing him the gloves. He looked down at the road, but quickly looked back at Babe, hearing him inhale loudly, turning the gloves over in his hands.
- Wow. That's so sweet.
Babe finally said after a few minutes of silence.
- I'll definitely use them today.
He added, trying to ward off the blush appearing on his cheeks. Normally he was a big, strong Alpha, but with Charlie, with Charlie he was a blushing mess. What was this man doing with him?
- I'm glad. I hope they will be a lucky talisman for you.
Charlie said as he walked closer to Babe, he regained some confidence seeing his lover's reaction. He leaned almost over him.
- Are you sure you want to do this?
He asked one last time, making sure Babe hadn't changed his mind. He nodded, determined to mess with all his fans. Charlie nodded in response, agreeing with him.
- Let me help you.
He said, pointing to the protective clothing Babe wore over his head, under his helmet. Once they were done with that part, Charlie helped him put on his gloves. They felt more and more eyes on them. Babe always prepared for the race alone, unlike some drivers who were helped by co-workers or even hostesses. Babe always did it himself. But now someone was helping him. This aroused interest throughout the stadium. Charlie opened Babe's car door, helping him get inside. He leaned over him. Their lips connected in a heated kiss before Charlie pulled away from him with a smile.
- I will be waiting for you at the finish line, come as quickly as you can and maybe I will prepare a surprise for you.
The camera flash flooded them, almost as if a sudden storm had started. But Babe paid no attention to it. Charlie put the helmet on his head, fastening it under his neck with a deft movement. The window was rolled down. Car door closed. Charlie waved to Babe as he returned to the garage. Only then did Babe return his senses to his body. Charlie just... In front of the entire stadium and hundreds, if not thousands of photographers... It definitely deserved his long-awaited coming out. It was perfect. A shiver ran down his spine as he imagined the hundreds of comments that would now appear under his photos.
Babe was going to win. He had to win. For Charlie.
The race wasn't really hard, definitely not when his thoughts kept drifting to Charlie waiting for him at the finish line.
Of course Babe won.
As soon as he managed to cross the finish line, he was the first to park his car and move quickly towards Charlie, who was waiting for him. He jumped on him, wrapping his thighs around his hips. He couldn't help himself. The long-removed helmet and the protective clothing worn off in the meantime no longer bothered him. He kissed Charlie like his life depended on it. He drank it as if it were the last sip of water he would ever drink in this life. As if it were the last breath he would take. As if he was everything to him in this world.
Charlie chuckled between kisses. But he kept Babe in place.
- I missed you too.
He said finally.
When they finally broke apart, he handed Babe his own phone; a photo of them together, with Charlie kissing Babe before the race, had already been published on his profile. Millions of views and hundreds of thousands of comments. Babe's hands trembled as he moved and moved, reading new encouragements and expressions of surprise. His fans have always been on his side. He returned to the photo, reading the description Charlie had added under it.
"Surprise. He's not a girl.”
He was laughing before he realized it.
His lover always knew how to do it.