Chapter Text
"He's still warm.. Someone call a doctor..!"
Babe woke up, sweat rolling down his forehead. The nightmares haven't stopped since the day Charlie had died, they haunted him every night. It all felt so real he even refused to fall asleep, to avoid seeing these memories over and over again.
He intended to do that this time too, but fatigue has taken over him. He was snuggled up to a shirt, left behind by Charlie, lying on the cold floor. It just felt right. He didn't want anything else, no comfort, no warmth, he just needed his lover's scent with him, to calm his racing mind.
His eyes teared up when he realized the scent was fading out, losing the well-known aroma that kept him alive. He cursed his senses, they weren't any help and they just reminded him of what he'd lost. Of who he had lost. He would exchange them anytime, just to have the younger man back. He wanted his alpha back.
Babe lay without moving any muscles, he felt as if there was no reason to. These days he spent every waking hour like this, either cuddled in Charlie's clothes on the bed, or sprawled out on the floor, holding a shirt close to him and replaying the accident until he couldn't watch anymore, his tears clouding his vision too much.
The alpha barely ate, he had no motivation to complete his daily tasks. His phone was silenced, Babe couldn't bear people calling him all day and night to ask him how he was. He didn't want pity, he wanted Charlie. It was getting annoying, hearing the same question asking whether he was okay or not.
Of course he wasn't.
He's just lost the meaning to his life, someone he could love, someone that showed him that even a person like him could be loved. The only one that could make him feel appreciated, and not a complete failure.
Sometimes Alan came over to check on him, force some food down his throat so he wouldn't die of hunger. Those were the only days he got up and showered, ate and basically just did anything else than lying around. He was grateful for the man, though he wished everyone would just leave him alone to mourn in peace.
"Come on Babe, you have to eat something." The older nudged the bowl closer to the other, looking at him with pleading eyes. "You'll completely weaken yourself like this."
Babe looked up, staring at the man in front of him. He looked at the bowl, frowned and put his head on the table. He had no appetite, everything tasted bland, not like Charlie's cooking that he missed so much. God, he missed the man so much.
"I'm not hungry." He said, the words coming out quiet, muffled by the arms he was resting on.
The older sighed, standing up and walking next to Babe. He put a hand on his back, rubbing little circles to sooth the man. He felt the younger's body shaking slightly, silent sobs echoing in the kitchen. Alan tried to carefully unwrap the human ball lying on the table, but the other was resisting, tossing and turning away from the touch.
"Babe, please." He finally succeded, taking the man's wrists in one hand each. Babe was hysterically pulling against the force holding him, as tears streamed down his cheeks. He constantly shook his head, mumbling unintelligible words.
"Ch-Charlie..!" Hiccups and gasps interrupted Babe, the man trying to communicate, but being unable to. He desperately looked up at Alan, eyes asking for help in a way that made the other's heart hurt. The older pulled Babe into a hug, tightly locking his arms around him. The younger didn't resist anymore, he was exhausted, tired and in despair without his lover. Though he didn't hug back, he appreciated the comfort.
"He's gone. I'm sorry" Alan whispered, brushing his hands up and down Babe's back. Anything he did seemed useless, Babe stayed home all day, didn't answer any calls and barely took care of himself. Alan was worried, of course he was worried. The other was like a brother to him and he didn't want to see him suffer.
Babe seemed to have calmed down, going limp in the older's arms. Exhaustion took over him after all. Alan carried him to his bedroom taking his time because the other alpha was not small, nor light. He laid him on the bed, wrapping the blanket around him, and organizing the clothes that were thrown all across the room, some on the floor, some on the bed.
He looked at Babe and sighed one more time, before turning away and leaving.
The next day Babe woke up like usual, covered in cold sweat, gasping for air. He looked around, frowning at the mess in the room, but he wasn't in the mood to clean it. It looked too depressing.
The house was boring and gloomy, now that his ray of sunshine was missing. It was just like before, him and only him, but he didn't want that anymore. He got so used to Charlie being around him like a little puppy, that without him it didn't feel right anymore. He was lonely, just like in the past, but now it actually bothered him. He needed his mate.
Babe heard the door click and grunted, he felt like he was monitored every day. It was nice of Alan that he cared so much about his wellbeing, but it was getting suffocating.
He got up and dragged himself down the stairs, looking around in the living room, since he expected the older to be there, but he didn't find anyone.
"Lung?" He called out with hoarse voice, searching for the man.
He could feel someone was inside, his senses were going crazy, warning him of the danger he was probably in. He stopped, trying to concentrate on the overwhelming sounds.
Babe crouched down, dodging the incoming hit, which had no signs of approaching. He quickly stood back up, spinning around to catch the intruder off guard and land a punch on them. He succesfully hit the other, but only then did he see who he was fighting with.
Way stood hunched over, recovering from the unexpected blow, wiping his nose with the back of his hands. Babe froze and glared at the man with wide eyes, but a blank stare. His hands started shaking, his chest suddenly filling with anger and plunging at the other.
"Get the fuck out of my house! What else do you want?! You took Charlie, MY TRUST. WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT MORE?!"
He screamed and shouted, throwing himself at his ex-friend, hitting, punching and kicking whatever part he could reach. His eyes watered up, slamming himself against Way even stronger, his anger turning into despair. The hits weakened, landing light whacks against the other's chest.
"Leave me alone.." Babe's voice cracked at the end of the sentence, the man breaking down and falling on his knees. Way stood still, looking at the other with emotionless eyes. He crouched down and put a hand on the shorter's shoulder.
Babe shook off the touch, inching away from the taller even in the middle of his breakdown. He looked up with teary but furious eyes, his lips quivering from anger. Way frowned, sighing and reaching out for Babe.
"Stop." Way's voice was stern and demanding. The shorter could feel his limbs act on their own, freezing on the spot. Anger replaced with fear and confusion, Babe stared wide eyed once again, pursing his lips as tears streamed faster down his cheeks.
"It's okay. I will bring you back to Daddy, and we will have a happy family." Way smiled and at that moment he looked crazy, like he has totally lost any logical sense behind his actions. He brushed a hand against the other's face, fondly cupping his cheeks.
The horror displayed on Babe's face couldn't even be described with words. Way's touch felt as if it was burning against skin, disgusting and frightening. He knew exactly what was going to happen now that he was defenseless, with no one to protect him like last time. Tony won.
Babe relaxed his eyelids, tears pouring heavier than before. He looked emotionless, like someone who had given up. The life left his eyes, leaving him staring blankly before him, lost in thoughts.
God, he just wished Charlie would come save him again.
But Charlie was dead and no one was there to help him. He was done for, destined to be brought back to Tony, to act as a breeding maching for that awful child trafficker.
Way picked him up bridal style, holding him close to his chest. He looked down at the man in his arms, the smile disappearing, replaced by a frown. He kissed his forehead, hugging him closer and walking out of the cold looking house.
Babe lay lifeless, hope leaving his body for once.