Chapter Text
Something was tickling Yuri’s face. He scrunched his nose, beginning to take in his surroundings. Even though his eyes were still shut, he could tell it’s bright where he is. He hears quiet voices in the distance that he doesn’t particularly recognize. Finally, there is a weight on his chest preventing him from getting up. He would recognize that anywhere.
Opening his eyes, Yuri closed them immediately at the onslaught of light. However, he caught a glimpse of a very cute ghost on his chest before he shut his eyes. So of course, Yuri would suffer being blinded for a few moments if he got to look at said ghost.
Opening his eyes again, he was met with Charley’s wavy brown hair and frosted tips. He smiled, feeling immense happiness at waking up with his favorite ghost. Planting a light kiss on those curls, Yuri then leaned back to get a closer look at Charley. He was still asleep in the same position, with his head on Yuri’s chest and arms wrapped tightly around his midsection. Charley made a noise of complaint, definitely sensing that Yuri was awake. He nuzzled further into Yuri’s chest, wrapping his arms around him more tightly.
“I don’t want to get up either, babe. But it’s gotta be at least mid-day and school is in session.” Groaning, Charley finally lifted his head from Yuri’s chest. Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, Charley took in their surroundings. Yuri had the perfect view. With Charley’s head leaned up, the sunlight from the window shined over his head and made him look like an angel. Yuri wondered if it was possible for someone to fall in love with the same person several times while still being in love with them.
“I always hated school,” Charley grumbled. Yuri laughed, placing his hand on Charley’s lower back.
“Me too.” With a pat to Yuri’s chest, Charley sat up. Yuri followed him, sitting up beside him. They shifted so their feet could rest on the floor.
Now, pressed shoulder to shoulder, neither knew where to began. It was definitely time for “the talk” they had promised. But where do they start? Charley has been having such a hard time relaying his true feelings lately, making Yuri nervous and unsure. He just wanted to help his boyfriend, but he’s beginning to doubt himself.
“I’m sorry-.”
“I’m really sorry-.”
Both stopped abruptly as they accidentally spoke over one another. They turned to face each other, before bursting into amused laughter. Both realized in that moment that they were just Yuri and Charley. They loved each other. There was no reason to be nervous because they would be okay. And Yuri couldn’t help but light up at seeing Charley laugh after such a harrowing experience. Yuri stared unabashedly, completely taken by the ghost beside him.
“God, you’re so beautiful,” he said. Charley immediately stopped laughing. Looking into Yuri’s eyes with a sweet blush on his face, the gears were clearly turning inside Charley’s head.
“You’re just trying to distract me,” Charley replied, looking down at his hands in his lap. Yuri reached out, taking one of those hands for his own.
“Even if I was, it’d still be true. I’ve always thought you’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I promise.” Yuri found he’d do anything to make Charley believe that. Believe that he was beautiful and worthy of being loved.
Charley smiled, cradling Yuri’s hand to his chest before placing a shy kiss on his knuckles. He brought both legs up to sit criss-crossed on the couch, blushing while still holding onto Yuri’s hand and arm tightly. Yes, this ghost had his whole heart.
Scooting so their sides were pressed against each other, Charley rested his head against Yuri’s shoulder with a sigh. For the first time after the incident, both felt content. There was still so much to worry about, so much to be afraid of. But right now, they could just be.
“Charley…you know that you can always come to me, right? With anything. Even if it’s the worst possible timing in the world.”
“I’m sorry. You were just so quiet after Maddie left and I got nervous that you were dealing with too much. Not to mention Janet coming back who lied to us, and who you had a friendship with. I just got nervous, and then my thoughts just spiraled. I was terrified you began to regret us…”
“What? No way. Charley,” Yuri waited until Charley looked at him. “That isn’t true. That could never be true. I told you I love you and I mean it. Truly. I don’t know why you can’t see it, but you’re the foxiest guy I’ve ever seen. You’re so kind and gentle and it breaks my heart that you can’t see that.”
“I’m sorry,” Charley said, looking down once again as he played with Yuri’s fingers.
“You don’t have anything to be sorry for. I didn’t reach out to you because I was worried you wanted space. You got so quiet and you looked so stressed, and then you were leaving. I should have known better. I got in my own head too. If I hadn’t, then all of this might not have happened…”
“Don’t do that to yourself, Yuri. This wasn’t your fault either. You can’t waste time contemplating “what-ifs”. It’ll drive you crazy. This wasn’t your fault,” Charley said firmly.
“That’s pretty insightful. Where did you learn that?” Yuri asked, attempting to lighten the mood. He wasn’t successful. Charley frowned, placing his head back on Yuri’s shoulder.
“Support group. It was something Mr. Martin said a lot.” Yuri tensed at the name. Of course he had to go and somehow remind Charley of another traumatic experience. Mr. Martin was at the top of his list for hurting Charley. Even though Yuri was never one for violence, love was definitely changing his perspective on that. He’d barely been in love for a few weeks and he was already ready to throttle anything that threatened to hurt Charley.
“He won’t hurt you again. I won’t let him. I promise.”
“You’re making a lot of promises.”
“Because I’m going to keep them. I don’t know what’s going on in this place anymore, but it doesn’t change the fact that I’m crazy about you. And I’ll always protect you.” Lifting his head, Charley met Yuri’s eyes again.
“Yuri…” Charley tried, but his voice ultimately fell off. He was touched, but speechless. He couldn’t believe that this was finally happening to him after so many years.
“You don’t see how much you’ve done for me. I wasn’t stuck in a loop like Quinn was, but in a way I sort of was. If it wasn’t for you, I don’t think I would have ever stepped out of that bubble I was in. Do you remember that library book I returned? The character in it talks about a Bubble shield he uses for his bike helmet. He says it makes him claustrophobic, but that it stops him from being stung by the rain. For the longest time, that’s how I lived. I lived in that bubble, even though it was stifling because it was also safe. I didn’t think it was possible for me to be happy. But then you came along. You showed me I didn’t need to be scared to start living again. You saved me. And I feel terrible because even though I can do my best to protect you from whatever’s going on here, I can’t protect you from what goes on up here,” he brings up the hand Charley hasn’t occupied to cradle Charley’s head, “…and that terrifies me.” Charley is startled to see tears appear in Yuri’s eyes.
“Oh, Yuri…” Charley reaches up his other hand and places it on top of the one Yuri is cradling Charley’s head with. In that moment, Charley really started to believe that it was possible for someone to be in love with him.
“Nothing can happen to you. I won’t allow it, okay? I love you,” Yuri said firmly.
“I love you, too,” Charley replied, tears now in his eyes too.
Using the hand around his head, Yuri drew Charley in to kiss him. Immediately seeking entrance, Yuri parted Charley’s lips. Charley gasped as their tongues danced in a passionate kiss.
Charley grabbed Yuri’s shoulders, needing something to ground himself. Yuri’s hands came to settle at Charley’s waist. Before he knew it, Charley was being pushed to lay down on the couch. Without breaking their kiss, Yuri followed him. With one arm holding up his weight, Yuri’s another arm was firmly pressing down on Charley’s hip.
Charley was in heaven as he was thoroughly kissed into the couch cushions. This is something he had been dreaming about since…well, since forever. The idea that a man as attentive, insightful, and attractive as Yuri could want Charley in that way…it was almost too much for Charley to process.
Yuri broke their kiss, instead setting his sights on Charley’s neck. As he began to suck on the junction between Charley’s neck and shoulder, Charley shuddered.
“You know we’re in public, right?” he said breathlessly, eyes sliding shut in bliss.
“Don’t care. They can’t see us,” Yuri murmured against his neck. He went back to work, trying to mark Charley even though he knew it’d be in vain. He’d have to ask Janet for that lesson in making things stay and not reset.
Charley decided not to fight it, relaxing against the cushions. He sighed as Yuri found another spot on his neck he wanted to pay attention to.
Just as Yuri slid his hand up under Charley’s shirt, a voice pulled them out of the bubble they created for themselves.
“Guys, you really need to come-woah! Oh my gosh, sorry! Uh, so sorry,” Quinn said awkwardly, trying to look away from what she had just walked in on. Yuri sighed, leaving the safe space that was Charley’s beautiful tanned neck to look up at Quinn. “I was just gonna say that we really need you guys in the boiler room. It’s an emergency. Yeah. Okay. I’m gonna head there now. Bye.” Quinn saluted awkwardly before immediately turning around and exiting the library.
Yuri looked back down at Charley, who hadn’t moved yet. He smirked at him.
“Raincheck?” Yuri asked.
“Pottery mill. Tonight?”
“I could be down for that,” Yuri teased. Charley laughed, leaning up to press a lingering kiss on Yuri’s mouth.
______________________
As they began to descend the stairs leading to the boiler room, Charley’s steps faltered. Immediately noticing, Yuri stopped and turned to check on Charley behind him. He found him gripping the railing tightly with one hand and clutching his head with the other. Yuri moved up to stand on the stairs right beneath Charley, evening out their height. His hands reach out for Charley, resting on his sides.
“Charley? What’s wrong, what is it?” With it being so soon after the incident, Charley doubted Yuri would be less worried any time soon. Actually, he was beginning to doubt Yuri would ever not worry about him.
“I don’t know. It’s my head. It like…hurts all of a sudden. Like I have a bad headache.” He pressed his hand into his forehead, as if that would make the pain disappear.
“You should stay back. We’re getting too close to this Scar and I don’t feel comfortable with you being so close to one. Even if it’s not yours.”
“Neither of us can be alone right now, it’s not safe.”
“Then I’ll come with you.”
“The others need us. It’s not that bad, I swear. We don’t have a choice.” Yuri looked conflicted. He wanted to protect Charley, but he also knew that the others needed them. Quinn wouldn’t have bothered them if it wasn’t important. He sighed, meeting Charley’s gaze.
“If it gets any worse, you tell me.”
“Of course. I promise.” Placing a kiss on his cheek in an attempt to diffuse Yuri’s stress, Charley then grabbed Yuri’s hand. Together, they continued their trek to the boiler room.
They were met with the door leading to Mr. Martins Scar. It was cracked open, and voices traveled outside to meet Charley and Yuri’s ears. Their friends were in there, and they sounded angry, confused. Yuri suddenly had a very bad feeling about this. He gave Charley’s hand a squeeze, prompting him to look at Yuri.
“Stay beside me. Okay?” Although it was mainly so Yuri could keep an eye on Charley, it was just as much for Yuri’s peace of mind. He would only be comforted knowing that Charley was by his side and safe. Charley smiled back at him, squeezing his hand in return.
“Of course. I’m not going anywhere.” Both nodded before turning towards the door. Yuri reached out, pulling it open. He stepped through first, pulling Charley in behind him.
They were now encased inside Mr. Martins Scar for the second time. Everyone else was present. Wally, Rhonda, Quinn, Janet, and-
“Oh my god,” Charley gasped. In front of all of them, looking like he was very aware of everything going on around him, was Simon. His eyes darted to Charley and Yuri, taking them in with a confused, yet frustrated look.
“Will someone please tell me what the hell is going on?” He asked. Simon looked worse for wear. He was still sporting the dark circles from before, but now, he looked completely wrung out. Like someone had ripped his soul from his body…
And that was just the thing. How was Simon here? It wasn’t possible. Unless he’s dead, which the ghosts surely wouldn’t have missed…right?
Not satisfied with the ghosts silence, Simon spoke up again. This time, more angry than before.
“Why won’t anyone answer me? What’s going on here and where is Maddie?” he shouted. The ghosts exchanged worried glances, not knowing what to say. Although they knew Simon, he was a foreign entity. The only conversing they’d ever done with him had been through Maddie. Now, that barrier is gone.
Charley made a move to step forward. He was always the gentlest, most logical of the ghosts present. He was the best with new ghosts. However, his steps were halted by Yuri tugging on the hand he held tightly. Charley turned to him. Yuri was giving him a concerned look, but Charley nodded to him that it was okay. Yuri glanced over at Simon, as if he was trying to decide if he was a threat. Reluctantly, he let go of Charley.
Making small footsteps over to Simon, Charley held his hands up in a placating gesture.
“Hi Simon. I’m Charley. You helped me out before. With that letter? I never thought I’d get to thank you for that.”
“What’s going on here? Where’s Maddie?”
“Maddie left. To go back to her body,” Janet said. Simon shook his head, not believing her.
“No, that can’t be right. There wasn’t enough time.”
“Simon. What happened to you?” Charley asked gently. Simon grasped his head with both hands, seeming to come more undone by the minute. He was starting to really freak Yuri out. People can lash out when they’re stressed or anxious, he knows that. Yuri took a step closer to Charley as he was beginning to feel unnerved by the distance between them.
“I don’t know. I just remember being so…so mad and upset. And I had to help Maddie. But I couldn’t find her and I was freaking out and then, I heard my name being called. And then I saw the light. I followed it, and it led me here. And now, I’m staring at a bunch of ghosts.” An uncomfortable silence passed between the group, as they passed around grave glances. Simon heard a voice. The voice. Whatever happened, whatever is actively going on, isn’t good.
A manic laugh broke them out of their thoughts. All eyes turned to Mr. Martin, who hadn’t said a word from his spot on a wooden crate. His laughter grew, making him sound absolutely mad with hysteria.
“What the hell are you laughing at?” Wally demanded. Mr. Martin set his gaze upon the ghosts.
“It’s hungry,” he said simply, as if it was so simple.
“What are you talking about?” Rhonda demanded.
“You let its last meal escape. And now it’s starving.”