Salubrious part 36

“Charlie, I have a dilemma.”

Charlie was still trying to sleep in bed. He peeked at his phone and saw it was 4:36 am.

“Honey, it’s four in the morning…”

“It’s anime-con today. I have only a few hours to get ready. Please, I need your assistance and professional opinions.”

Charlie grumbled. “I need extra strength coffee for this…”

Charlie’s eyes widen as Allan hands him a steaming hot mug.

“I made it for you already. I put in two shots of espresso, cream, and a spoonful of sugar, Sunshine,” Allan says, looking at him fully awake and wired.

Charlie gently takes a sip, smiling a bit, “Okay, the coffee is good.” He looks at Allan with a appreciative expression. “Come here and give your favorite person ever a kiss….”

Allan kneels down, kissing him on the mouth briefly. “I’m glad the coffee is sufficient. I have three potential outfits today that will suit our schedule. But, first, I need you to look over these makeup palettes and see what you think about these shades. I’m thinking today is gonna be light, natural and not too heavy.” Allan barely takes in a breath as Charlie sits up, gripping the coffee mug with a grumpy look, but smiling a little bit behind the mug.

“So, three outfits?” Charlie sighs, “Isn’t that too many?”

“No, silly. I am wearing one. I have three potential contingencies to account for, weather, emotional climate and for my own safety and security. And general hygiene.”

Charlie scratches his head. “Dude. I’m so tired. I have no idea what you just said. I am.. I think… I want you to do what feels right for you. You know? I don’t know anything about makeup or how outfits work.”

Allan grins, “I know you don’t know anything, Charlie, you’re just clueless. But, that’ll suit my purposes either way. You just show up, look grumpy, hold my hand… and we will have a decent time.”

Charlie raises the mug, “That I can do.”

He places the different palettes of makeup on their bed like it’s a tactical exercise.

“Uhh, what’s this?” Charlie frowns.

“Which one do you like?”

Charlie points to the one with the nude colors, light browns, and grays.

“That one, I guess.”

Allan takes that one away. “Okay, so that’s out. One more, Charlie.”

Charlie looks offended. “Hey! Why’d you toss that one just cause I liked it?”

Allan gives him a serious look. “Just do your job.”

They go through everything as Allan decides his whole new identity for the day.

“That one looks like it might look good on you…” Charlie picks a slightly more bolder palette. “It has less going to your aunt’s funeral and more bouncy energy, or something.”

“Maybe. That’s a maybe.”

“Ugh, Allan, I’m not good at this shit. I think you need better opinions.”

Allan winked. “I’ll make you anything you want for breakfast if you keep helping me.”

“Greasy Breakfast burrito?”

Allan nods. “Yup. With bacon and butter and cheese and everything I hate putting in there so you can be happy.”

“You are one beautiful, manipulative bastard. You got a deal!”

“I might add a veggie. Don’t pout!” Allan sternly says, wagging a finger at him in mock seriousness.

“Okay, okay,” Charlie says with big puppy dog eyes.

“That’s a cheap trick, Charlie. You know I can’t resist that!”

“But you love me?” Charlie pouts, puffing up his lower lip.

Allan sighs. “Yes, I do. You got me there.”

“So no veggie?”

“Fine.”

“Okay, now shoes, then we pick out the best outfit to match..”

“Why does this feel like CIA level tactical warfare type shit. I am so not equipped for this stuff.”

“Aren’t you planning to hang out with Pim later tonight?”

Charlie sighs, looking flustered. “Oh yeah. I am. Is that cool with you?”

Allan nods, sitting next to Charlie. “Yeah dude. Of course. I want you and Pim to hang out and have a good relationship. I know this stuff is not your thing, so it means a lot you’re trying so hard.”

Allan places his head on Charlie’s shoulder, and Charlie leans to kiss his cheek.

“I am glad you want me to be apart of this world of yours. Even if I don’t know anything and I feel useless.”

Allan sighs, getting closer, looking at him blankly. “You’re never useless. You’re always important. Seriously.”

Charlie smiles lightly, “Damn. I don’t know how I got you in my life. It’s crazy. I feel lucky. More lucky than a lottery winner.”

“I don’t know either but we have a schedule to keep, Charlie!” Allan snaps his fingers. “Like your uncle says, shit, shower and shave. Put on your best hoodie. Be ready to fight!”

“Ugh, Allan how are you so peppy in the morning?”

“Because I have Mr. Sunshine beside me every night to keep me warm…”

Charlie laughs softly, blushing. “You got that right.”

“Go, hurry. You get yourself ready and I’ll start breakfast. You’re doing the dishes.”

“You haven’t even moved in fully yet and you’re telling me what to do, great…”

“No whining!”

“I love that for me…” Charlie grumbles as he gets ready for the day.

After a quick shower, Charlie comes out to the kitchen fully dressed in a hoodie, brown hat and pants.

“It smells so good in here.”

Allan nods. “Shoes. Over there. Pick one.”

Charlie frowns as Allan is haphazardly plating the breakfast. There’s a line of four different pairs of shoes near the kitchen table on the floor.

“Honey?”

Allan turns for a second, looking stressed.

“Honey, come here.”

“Charlie, I can’t. I still need to take a shower, find the perfect accessories…”

Charlie takes Allan by the hand, gently pulling him into an embrace. Allan goes slack for a moment, then relaxes, holding him back.

“Dude you’re freaking out. I know you want this to be perfect but you’re over analyzing everything and making it stressful for yourself. Isn’t that antagonistic to what the convention is supposed to be about? Like, aren’t you supposed to be having fun?”

Allan straightens. “This is how I have fun,” he says in a tight, angry voice.

Charlie gives him a concerned look, “No, man. This is weird. You need to just chill. I promise you’ll look smoking hot.”

Allan snorts with a laugh. “Yeah. You’re right. Thanks Charlie.”

“Don’t act like some serial killer and I think you should be okay!”

Allan laughs harder. “I’ll try!”

Charlie looks at the shoes lined up, and really analyzes it for a minute.

“Okay, Allan, I found the perfect pair of shoes,” Charlie says, making Allan perk up.

“These pink high heels with the ribbon looks great, I think since you’re doing that magical girl anime with the ballet, it will suit you best,” Charlie says with an upbeat tone, “and the high heel looks dangerous. Sexy and dangerous.”

Allan grinned widely. “Oh perfect, the Aubrielle heels!” He runs over to Charlie, kissing him deeply.

Charlie grins, “Papa did good huh?”

Allan blushes, looking at Charlie affectionately. “You did.” He goes to get the prepared breakfast plate, handing it to Charlie.

“Now eat, Charlie, sweetheart. Time for us to have… fun.”

“You said fun like a medical diagnosis,” Charlie laughs as he takes huge bites of the burrito.

Allan nods. “Sometimes it is. And other times it’s the cure.”

“You said that like a drill sergeant.”

“Shut up.”