Chapter Text
It was typical, much to Charles’ dismay, for Edwin to prioritize her schoolwork over her health. She would regularly put off eating and sleeping to perfect a project. So, with midterms coming up, it was no surprise to Charles that Edwin had attempted multiple all-nighters in a row to prepare. Charles had made her promise to actually get a full night’s sleep tonight, with Niko and Crystal acting as witnesses.
Edwin had retired to her room at eleven, claiming she was going to bed. Charles didn’t hear any noise from her room, so he assumed she had. That was until he received a text from Niko at two thirty.
‘edwin is using spotify
her study playlist is on’
Of course, Niko would be stalking Edwin on Spotify. She regularly checks her location as well. Although Charles doesn’t know if Edwin is aware of that.
Charles got out of bed, pausing the movie he’d put on to fall asleep to, and made his way across the hall to Edwin’s room. He stopped outside. There was no light coming from under the door, but he still leaned in, trying to listen for any signs of movement inside. After a minute of straining, he heard what he thought was keyboard typing.
He didn’t bother knocking. Charles gently opened the door. It revealed Edwin sitting at her desk with the lights off, lit only by the light from her laptop. Edwin’s wide eyes met Charles, and he met them with a small smile.
“You’re meant to be sleeping.” Charles walked into her room and knelt down next to her.
“I needed to revise my True Crime in Early Modern London essay.” Edwin had turned back to her laptop. She scrolled, obviously trying to look busy, but there was no longer any method to her movements. ”There are some details I think I might be missing, so I was going through old newspapers trying to-“
“Edwin, mate, everything you write is incredible. You can transport people with your writing, which is fucking crazy. I’ve heard you lament over this essay for weeks, and I know you are already past the page limit for it. No amount of small detail about the author's wife's proclivities will make it more perfect. I would literally bet my life on it.”
Charles’ hand had made its way to Edwin’s back as he spoke, running his fingers back and forth between her shoulder blades. Edwin had fallen completely still. Charles was shorter than Edwin when he was kneeling like this. She had to look down at him as she studied Charles’ face; her mouth was open ever so slightly, showing her front teeth. Charles wasn’t quite close enough to feel her breath on his face, but if he leaned in closer, he probably could. He thought maybe he should stop, but Charles didn’t want her to look away. They didn’t do this, soft caresses and staring at each other. At least they didn’t before Edwin transitioned, and why would that change anything? She was still the same Edwin; she was just a girl now. Charles would be nothing but respectful and supportive of her. Edwin’s eyes drifted down Charles’ face.
Any thoughts in his head were cut off by Edwin’s laptop going dark, plunging them into complete darkness.
“You should go to sleep.” Charles finally spoke again. Edwin was still staring at him. She nodded with wide eyes. Charles stood up and left, throwing a small good night over his shoulder before he shut Edwin’s door again.
He made his way back to his room, not turning his TV back on but instead staring at the wall. What the fuck was that? Charles’ phone vibrated with another text from Niko.
‘she unfriended me :(‘
‘I told her to go to sleep
It’ll be fine when she wakes up’
‘is that all that happened?’
‘Yes
?’
Niko never responded. Charles threw his phone and laid down in bed. Things weren’t weird between them, they all just needed to stop acting like they are.