Charlie was absolutely moving in, and Scott wasn’t going to be able to stop him.
“Hey, uh,” Scott started after a few moments of eating quietly. “I never asked about your tattoos. And it’s not that I’m not interested, it’s just never really seemed like a good time, but…”
“You’re curious,” Charlie said. “I get it. I’ve been expecting you to ask.”
“So…”
Charlie laughed. Everyone asked, and he didn’t mind answering, but Scott’s curiosity was adorable.
“I planned the clock on the day of my dad’s funeral, and I had to wait two years before I could actually get it done,” Charlie said, gesturing to his chest. “It’s a way of honoring him, but also a way of reminding myself that life is short. He died so suddenly. He left half a dozen projects in the garage that are still just… gathering dust.”
“You don’t have to tell me this if you don’t wanna,” Scott said.
“No, I… I want to, I just… the point is, we only have a little time. Some of us more than others, but even the longest life is so short. Which is why I’m not holding back with you. I love you. I don’t wanna pretend I don’t. I don’t want to pretend this doesn’t feel like forever.”
“It does, doesn’t it?” Scott murmured. “I was so scared of losing you. I couldn’t imagine my life without you. And it’s too soon, I know that, and I feel like an idiot, but… you feel so right. You feel like…”
“The One,” Charlie finished for him. Scott nodded, staring down at his plate.
Charlie’s heart was pounding in his chest. Scott felt it too. It wasn’t one-sided or something he was imagining. Scott felt it.
“Yeah. You, too,” Charlie added.
He’d have to get a tattoo for Scott. Not his name—name tattoos were cursed—butsomething. Even if this all ended tomorrow, Scott would still have meant something to him. Something huge. He wanted to honor that, as well.
Charlie had intended to get one for everyone in his life for a while now. Maybe it was time to start again.
“So the shoulder?” Scott asked, bringing the conversation back to Charlie’s tattoos as though they hadn’t just confessed their undying love for each other.
That was fine.
That was what this was supposed to feel like. Comfortable. Easy. Like it was the most natural thing in the world.
And it did. Charlie had never felt so at ease with another person, aside from his own family.
That meant Scott was supposed to be family, too.
“I had a crush on my tattoo artist, so I wanted to get something that’d take a few sessions, and this was exactly his style,” Charlie admitted, blushing. “I still love it, and I wouldn’t change it for anything. And they’re addictive, y’know? You can’t stop at one. Also, getting them is kind of a turn on? That’s probably weird.”
“What I’m hearing is that I need to go with you next time,” Scott said. “Not, like, to establish dominance over the tattoo guy or anything, but to help you get off after.”
Charlie paused to imagine that, desperate, needy sex while he was still high on endorphins from the pain, Scott torn between being gentle and possessive, clinging to him and fucking him slow and deep.
Charlie was really glad he’d already gotten someone else to cover for him today. Hereallywanted to stay with Scott this morning.
“Yes. Absolutely, you have to. Also, I’m making a booking today for as soon as possible.”
Scott laughed at that. “What’re you getting?”
“I want a paw print,” Charlie said, only realizing it as he said it aloud.
“Yeah?” Scott asked, surprise in his voice.
“Yeah.” Charlie nodded, shoving the last bite of his waffle in his mouth and pausing to chew on it. A paw print was perfect. “Someone very important to me really loves dogs. And I want to be a part of his pack.”
Charlie looked over to see Scott smiling down at his empty plate, his entire face glowing.
That was exactly the reaction he’d wanted.
