Work Text:
As they ride back to Clemens Point, Trelawny following a few feet behind him, Charles notices something: Trelawny’s uncharacteristic silence. Indeed, the usually infuriatingly talkative Trelawny hasn’t said a word since they parted ways with Arthur. Don’t get him wrong—Charles enjoys silence and Trelawny’s constant rambling always grates on his patience, but… this silence is far from normal. Something must be wrong. And Charles doesn’t know Trelawny very well (are they close enough to be considered friends?), but he needs to check he is doing okay after getting kidnapped and beaten up by those bounty hunters.
So Charles turns his head without a word, eyes locating Trelawny, who still rides just behind him. Trelawny sits with a hand clamped over his mouth, tears sliding down his face as he cries silently. Noticing Charles looking at him, Trelawny’s face flushes and he bows his head, and Charles’ chest aches at the heartbreaking sight of a man so embarrassed by the normal and healthy act of crying.
“Trelawny?” Charles says, slowing Taima to a stop. “You okay?”
Trelawny stops too, removing his hand from his mouth to swipe it across his tearstained face, brushing away tears that immediately get replaced by more trickling down his reddening cheeks. Now unable to muffle his breathing, Trelawny exhales with a quiet but noticeable sob. “Not particularly, d-dear boy,” he says, voice trembling.
“Are you in pain?” he asks. After all, Trelawny’s injuries don’t look too severe, but Charles doubts he is used to getting beaten up, so this might be the worst pain Trelawny has experienced in a long time.
“A fair bit, to be honest,” Trelawny says. “But…” He sniffs, offering Charles a weak attempt at a smile. “I d-don’t think pain is causing this.”
Charles sighs, knowing the feeling of emotions welling up once the danger has subsided. “I understand.”
“Y-You do?”
“Yeah. It’s happened to me before.”
“You sobbed after getting injured? I, I admit to not knowing you very well, Charles…” Trelawny’s breathing shudders, a small sob passing his lips before he can stop it. “However, y-you don’t seem the type to cry.”
Charles chuckles slightly, combing his fingers through Taima’s soft mane. “Everyone cries. Including me. I have emotions, but I’m not the best at… showing them, I guess. So… you’re not alone.”
Trelawny rubs his teary eyes with trembling fingers, his smile a little broader. “Thank y-you, Charles.”