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It was quite simple. They were lovers that fell apart. A clean, small and quiet break up. But somehow, by the stars that roam in this universe, they can never stay apart. Exes that never knew how to be exes.
It was a quiet night in Italy, it was the type of actual deafening silence that leaves you remembering. Charles scrolls through his phone, all lights are out, the room is cold and he sits in bed quite comfortable. Somehow there's an ache in his chest, he doesn't understand if it's just him or do others experience it too. His heart aches and there's a deep longing that settles deep in his stomach.
The blast of the AC faintly whirrs in the background. He tries to shove memories down in his brain but he can't seem to do it right. Alone, in the dark and time to waste leaves every memory of lingering touch and gentle perfume to resurface. He really tries to ignore and forget, but his mind betrays him and desperately searches for that long forgotten comfort.
Soft kisses, unruly hair, a solace for a smile. That's what he was. That was Carlos Sainz. He had a warm touch, the kind that you just want to melt a long in his touch. For the first time in his life, Charles gave up his strong facade and embraces the warmth of Carlos. There were times where they talk about life, death and regret. It usually ends with Charles feeling weightless and freed from the shackles of life.
He remembers kind eyes with a glimmer of life. Carlos' eyes were brown, sometimes it looks at Charles with sympathy that never edged to pity. His eyes were brown that reminds Charles that there is so much to live and dream for. His lover, his dearest Carlos was this epitome of hope and a pillar of strength that he longed to feel once again.
His mind lingers around every piece of Carlos that he hoped he hadn't forgotten. He remembers the man's crazy spice tolerance, he remembers how Carlos is fond of birds, he remembers the fabric that his former lover usually wore. It was a soft cotton that glides along with your hands. He remembers how Carlos is silly at bidding goodbyes, he would walk for a few seconds and then turn back and wave happily shouting a loud, "Bye, amor!" he then walks for a few seconds again and repeating the waves and the goodbyes until they both fade away from each other's sight. Charles used to think it was endearing. He absolutely adores Carlos Sainz- the man with adorable child-like wonder with words wise a thousand year old philosopher.
Charles gives up, he wanted to remember it all anyway. He knows that he will never get away from the sound of the man that loved him. He misses the absolute soul of his favorite person. The clock reads a resounding 1am and he decides to drown in a momentary lapse of judgement. He picks up his phone and let his fingers hover above "mi tesoro" before ultimately tapping it.
"Are you sleeping enough without me, Carlos?" Charles wanted to scream, and he did and clicked send.
It was just a few seconds before his phone vibrated and Carlos replied.
"barely surviving, my love." Of course, you're not, he thinks with a soft smile.
Charles sigh before committing something he would regret (or wouldn't?) He sends a quick reply first, "I'm coming, give me five minutes."
He quickly jumps out of his bed and turns on the soft glowing lamp and puts on a pair of jeans and a simple soft cotton shirt. He grabs the key of his motorcycle and the denim jacket hanging by the door.
He checks his phone for the last time, "nice to see u still spell out numbers from 0-9 :p" Charles smiles and pockets his phone. He puts his jacket and starts the engine. The streets of Italy is quiet but never dead, the faint glow of the streetlights gives the streets a little life. Charles passes by pretty houses with beautifully curated gardens. He then speeds along the beach where the waves whisper a greeting. Charles soaks in the night and the air. The stars were speaking and the moon shined bright.
It took Charles approximately 5 minutes and 16 seconds. He parks his motorcycle outside Cralos' magnificant and lively home, it was a two-story building with a terace on the second floor which connects to Carlos' bedroom . He kills the engine and gets off the vehicle. Carlos was already standing there, leaning forward in the terrace above with a big smile, the light from his room casts a faint illuminating glow on his back making him look like an angel.
Charles heart jumps seeing his favorite person in the world, oh how he misses that soft smile. He breathes deeply, not that uneasy breath but more of a sigh of relief. Home, and he stares at the man above him still smiling in his silly dark blue t-shirt and gray shorts.
"Rapunzel, let you hair down?" Charles can never wipe his smile off his face, every organ in his body ready to explode out of pure happiness. "Yes, I know I have great hair," Carlos laughs and motions for Charles to stay down there as he retreats back inside.
The moment the door opened, it was like warmth flooded out. Charles takes slow steps towards the door. When he finally reached Carlos, the first thing he did was to hold his face and place a kiss on his forehead. Then came a big hug from Carlos, completely wrapping Charles' frame in his arms. Charles relishes the moment and sinks in to the hug, his hand clawing desperately for Carlos and hugging him tight too. He takes in Carlos' scent and prints it inside his mind and hopes he never forget the scent of love. They stayed long like that.
"Let's get you to sleep, mi tesoro." Charles says after they broke off. Carlos nods and they both get inside. Charles locks the door behind him as Carlos proceeds upstairs, yawning. It takes one click of a lock before Charles laugh at the incredible situation they were in: ex lovers hugging and still calling eachother endearing nicknames. He chuckles and bolts down the door. If it's going to give them a fleeting moment of happiness where they can be together again, then so be it.
Charles climbs the stairs and the familiar creak of wood whispers comfort and safety. He reaches Carlos' bedroom and finds him lying in his bed looking at the ceiling. Charles takes off is denim jacket and drapes it over the chair where other clothes accumulate.
He kicks off his shoes and climbs on the bed. He crawls and lies stomach down beside Carlos. He studies his ex-lover. His hair is still unruly and wild yet silky and soft, his eyes still glimmered with a touch of exhaustionm his nose was still curving the same with pouty lips, the bags under his eyes tells Charles he hasn't slept good for a while.
He repositions himself and gets closer to Carlos. Charles grabs to hold his hand, but Carlos engulfed him in a big hug. They stay like that, "I hope this is okay," Carlos whispers and Charles smiles, "yes, this is more than okay. Are you sleepy?" Carlos lets out a small steady hum of agreement and Charles embraces his lover— it's warm, safe and felt like home.
That night, Carlos slept properly for the first time and Charles was in his embrace.