TW: depictions of child abuse, homophobia and the homophobic slur (Also I am gay just so you know).
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Carlton was snuggled up on his sofa, using Charlie's dressing gown as a blanket. Trooper tenderly licked Carlton's face, just like he usually did to comfort him. Charlie brought out two mugs, one of espresso (Carlton's favourite, especially when Charlie makes it, it's bitter but not too bitter and has slight caramel undertones) and one of lemonade. Charlie shined Carlton a warming smile.
"Is this why you are such a good waiter"
He asked. Charlie tilted his head in confusion which caused Carlton to grin.
"Cause, you've got such a charming smile"
Charlie's smile grew wider from the compliment. He settled down next to Carlton and Trooper, Trooper turned his head to Charlie with his big, dopey expression. Charlie scratched behind his ear, stroking the fur on his cheeks.
"Thank you for taking care of him"
He whispered into the dog's ear. He knew the dog didn't understand what the fuck he meant but it just felt nice for Charlie to say that.
Carlton fake pouted at the amount of fuss Trooper was getting. Charlie full-on laughed
"Awww, you jealous Carly?".
He shuffled closer to Carlton.
"Don't wowwy, I won't leave you out"
He gently rubbed his cheeks and ran his fingers through his hair.
"You better not start licking my face"
He jested, which led to Carlton just grinning at him.
"I won't don't worry...well"
Charlie immediately took his hands off him in a nervous panic, leading to the little man giggling at him.
"Haha, I wouldn't have either way but it's still cute to see you nervous"
He drank from his mug of espresso.
Charlie shook his head.
"Right, are you comfortable now?".
Carlton shrugged
"Enough. But I would be more comfortable if I have a man's big strong arm around me"
He ran a hand down Charlie's forearm. Charlie blushed but rolled his eyes nonetheless
"C'mere"
Carton pressed his body on Charlie's and Charlie wrapped his arm around Carlton
"Mmm so warm"
He rested his head on Charlie's chest.
"You ready to talk to me now?"
He spoke in that soft and smooth voice once again and hot damn did it make Carlton hot under the collar...if he was even wearing a shirt. He plainly nodded to him.
"Yeah I suppose"
He scratched the back of his hands and dug his nails into his skin. Charlie almost immediately took Carlton's hand into his, Carlton had enough damage on his skin as it was,
Carlton took a deep breath
"Y'know how I have scars all over my body?"
Charlie nodded to him as he spoke.
"When I said that most all of them were work-related and because of my meltdowns...I lied"
He bit his lip.
"All of the scars on my face and my neck were from-"
He paused for a moment. Was he really going to open up again and leave himself venerable again? He shivered to himself. He didn't know what to do. His attention soon turned to see Charlie's face. His concentration focused on gazing at this man intently. It soon struck him, it soon hit him why he should open up.
"For him"
He thought.
"The scars on my face and neck were caused by my family. They never liked the fact I was gay very much. They left me in a state of forcing me, while I was in a fragile state, to endure harassment and physical abuse for years"
Charlie ran his hand through Carlton's hair (Which almost appeared blue against the soft moonlight from the window behind them) as he spoke because Carlton likes physical touch Charlie thought this might help Carlton relax more and it was working pretty damn well.
"Was all of your family like that?"
He spoke softly to him. Carlton shook his head
"I was fine with my brother, he didn't care about me being gay so much. He wasn't there for me at all though, he was too wrapped up in his own life to see the damage that had been done to me"
Carlton started to get a little worked up as he spoke. Charlie, being the best boi he is, noticed and was quick to comfort him. He ran his thumb over Carlton's cheeks and wiped away his tears.
"What sort of things did they do to you? Was it all physically?".
Carlton sighed as he recalled some really dark times he lived in.
"They used to punch me or throw shit at me. Papa's favourite punishment he gave me was the time he whipped a glass bottle on my face and seriously injured me. He always used to point an' smile at the marks on my face. They did all of this while hurling insults my way. 'You're a mistake', 'I brought you into this world and I can take you out', and their personal favourite one was of course 'Dirty faggot' "
Carlton's breathing became shakier and shakier as he spoke. He buried his face back into the comfort of Charlie's chest and sobbed.
"Shhh, it's okay Carlton. I'm here for you no matter what, okay?"
Carlton nodded, still lying his head on Charlie's chest.
"Is there anything else you wanna talk about?"
Charlie asked once the Latino man had calmed.
Carlton shrugged as a response,
"How about the reason you wear your mask".
Carlton fell silent, he really didn't like talking about why he wore it. He knew Charlie wouldn't use the info he'd get of Carlton to hurt him but he was anxious nonetheless. But he once again looked at Charlie's face and thought
"Do it for him".
"I have this thing that's called facial dysmorphia. It's almost like I don't really know what my face looks like, I see it different from everyone else in this shithole called earth"
He sighed
"I use it as a defence mechanism, it keeps me from being hurt".
Carlton continued to speak about his mental state to Charlie. He wouldn't normally do this, even if he wanted to, but Charlie just comforted him and he felt safe in his arms.
"Well, I know this doesn't 'fix' how you view yourself but I think you have a really handsome face"
Charlie smiled to him with a cheeky grin. Carlton's face turned a deep red
"Oh hush, you little charmer"
Charlie giggled
"Ooh, a 'little charmer' now am I?"
He cooed to the Latino man.
Carlton shimmied up Charlie's body
"Damn right you are"
He leant his head in, and to no one's surprise, as did Charlie.
The two kissed passionately, their lips colliding with one another. Carlton let his tongue explore through Charlie's mouth.
Charlie soon pulled back his head though
"Carlton, y'know that question you asked me as my taxi came"
Carlton nodded to him
"Well, I just wanted to know if you were still up for it?".
A wide smile grew on his face
"Fuck yeah!"
He said before nestling his head in Charlie's neck.
He started nipping and kissing Charlie's neck which caused Charlie to wine. Carlton had some sharp ass teeth.
"Damn Carly, what're you doing?"
He managed to stutter between waves of pain and pleasure.
"Marking my territory"
He whispered in his ear
"Also, I'm deleting your Grindr profile~"
He cooed.
"You what?! I don't even have a Grindr-".
Before he could finish, Carlton started biting and sucking his neck harder
"A-Ahh! Calm down Carly, we have work tomorrow".
Carlton sighed but complied.
He reared his head back with a grin
"I've done my work anyway"
He teased, running his hand over the bruise on Charlie's neck.
"Well done, I've been marked by a horny Latino".
Carton laughed at Charlie's words
"It seems I ain't the only horny one here~" he pointed at Charlie's crotch
"It's like a pitched fucking tent down there".
Charlie rolled his eyes
"So about tomorrow"
Carlton giggled
"Yeah, let's talk about tomorrow instead and ignore your rampant horniness"
He teased.
Charlie ignored the aforementioned rampant horniness and continued about his plans for tomorrow
"So what do you wanna watch then?".
Carlton shrugged
"If it were up to me I'd say...we don't actually watch the movie and we just fu-"
Charlie put a finger to his lip
"Let's just watch Apollo 11"
Carlton nodded
"Alright, then I can suck some dick"
Charlie sighed
"You just want to get your ass-tronaut on my spaceship don't you?"
Carlton laughed
"Maybe".