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Charles hit the wall, his eyes unable to focus. His head smacked right against the wall. The throbbing pain in his head was barely an afterthought to the person he was looking for.
Edwin was in the middle of the room lying on his side, his head resting on the floor, he was struggling to keep his eyes open. Charles tried to reach out to his partner, his hand nowhere near touching him. He turned to roll onto his stomach a slight pain shot through his head at the change.
Charles moved forward on his arms, slight grunts leaving his mouth from each shuffle across the floor. His eyes stayed glued to his partner even as he saw Crystal on top of the witch, punching her. Edwin wasn't moving, his eyes barely open. His chest is still. Ghosts don't need to breathe, but it made Charles crawl faster to his friend.
“Ed’s,” Charles said, a slight tremor to his voice, Edwin didn’t respond.
His hands finally reached Edwin's knee gripping tightly, pulling himself further. His other hand pushed off the floor to keep himself up. His hand moved to grab Edwin's arm. Shaking him slightly.
“Edwin, hey…” He said, his hand on his shoulder squeezing. There was still no response, Edwin seemed to be passed out. Charles moved his left arm to reach out and hold Edwin’s face.
“Mate, wake up…please- Edwin,” Charles' voice became louder. His throat started to tighten, as his eyes started to burn. He was completely stuck not knowing what to do. Not knowing how to wake him. Edwin always knew what to do, he was incredible like that. He was amazing at many things. It was something Charles deeply loved about Edwin and he…
He…loved him.
Charles turned his head down towards his unconscious partner and it clicked.
He was in love with him.
He fell in love with Edwin.
His heart swelled at the realization. But sank immediately remembering the state of his friend. Crystal appeared beside him, seeming to have been talking to him.
Edwin's eyes were fading with no sign that he heard anything Charles had said. Crystal turned to look at Edwin seeing he was non-responsive. Charles wasn't processing anything that Crystal was telling him, nothing was right, Edwin wasn’t waking up.
He felt Crystal lift him from the floor, his arms not strong enough to keep him holding onto Edwin. Crystal turned his body to face her.
“CHARLES!” Crystal shouted, shaking him slightly. His head snapped up in attention, his eyes meeting Crystal’s.
“I need you to focus.” She said her hands squeezing his arms. He felt himself nodding, his eyes still damp from his tears.
“You need to get Edwin home, I will get him over to you, you need to get him somewhere safe,” Crystal said and at the mention of Edwin, his head whipped over to where he was lying on the floor motionless.
He nodded his head, Crystal nodded back to him. She let go of him, causing Charles to stumble a bit, he put his arm up to stabilize himself on the wall.
He watched as Crystal reached Edwin and pulled him up so his head sat on her shoulder. Crystal was strong, despite what people would think. She stood with Edwin limp against her side, her hand on his waist and his arm slung around her neck.
Charles felt sick looking at Edwin’s motionless state.
“Go to my apartment, get him on an actual bed,” Crystal said, moving to slide Edwin's arm over Charles's head to wrap around his neck. Charles gripped his partner tight, watching his balance.
He looked back up to Crystal. “What about you?” He asked, concern prominent on his face.
“I’ll be fine, I'm going to deal with her and meet you there,” Crystal said, smiling at Charles. He smiled back and nodded.
Charles turned to the mirror that seemed to be bolted into the wall. He looked down to look at the most peaceful form of his partner. His chest tightened, the worst conclusions scattered in his head.
He turned back towards the mirror and lifted his leg to step through. Slowly bringing the rest of his body and Edwin through.
He felt almost blinded by the light in Crystal’s room. It disoriented himself for a second before he was able to look around. He held Edwin at his side as he moved over to the queen-sized bed in the middle of the room. Charles leaned down to wrap his arm behind Edwin’s legs, picking him up and setting him on the bed. Charles sat on the edge of the bed next to Edwin’s legs. He stared at Edwin, the boy he loved, showing no sign of waking. Charles reached out to pull Edwin forward using his other arm to push Edwin’s coat off. His hands moved to unbutton his vest to release pressure off Edwin’s chest. He grabbed both his coat and vest and set it folded at the end of the bed.
Charles sat still for a moment, looking at his partner. The sinking feeling in his stomach dropped further.
He let out a sob covering his mouth to muffle the noise. Charles wiped at his tears moving to stand. He pulled off his coat laying it at the base of Crystal's bed along with Edwin’s.
He moved to sit on the other side of his partner, kicking off his shoes. He moved closer until his shoulder was tucked under Edwin’s. Charles turned on his side, his hands wrapping around Edwin’s waist. His head tucked against his partner's, Charles' chin touching the other’s shoulder.
Charles closed his eyes, relaxing against his partner.
“Please wake up…I need you,” Charles muttered against Edwin’s neck. His throat seized up once again, tears forming in his eyes anew.
“Edwin…please, I know I'm not perfect, I'm not the best partner. I couldn’t protect you. I am so sorry for that, but please wake up…I need you,” Charles breathed heavily, his hand that rested on Edwin’s stomach moved to hold Edwin’s jaw.
“I love you,” Charles muttered quietly. His cries drowned out any thoughts he had. His breathing became more shallow as he started to fall asleep.
-
Charles started to stir, he instinctively snuggled closer to whatever he was laying on. His hand was in someone's grip, a thumb brushing over his knuckles. Charles has never known this kind of comfort.
He hadn’t even opened his eyes. The gentle skin-to-skin contact pulled him back to alluring sleep. Charles snapped his eyes open, recalling how he ended up in his position.
He found himself lying on Edwin’s chest. His other hand sat on Charles’s back. He shifted to look up, he found his best friend holding him, he was wide awake. His eyes open and blinking. His chest rose and fell. Charles could almost start crying, he whipped up into a sitting position, startling the boy underneath him.
“Charles!” Edwin shouted, his hand reaching to his chest. Charles would have laughed in any other situation. He just stared in awe and adoration at his partner. In utter devotion to whatever gave him back.
Once Edwin settled his breathing he looked up at Charles meeting his gaze. He looked like he was going to scold Charles.
“You're awake,” Charles said, Edwin nodded and reached out to put his hand on Charles' forearm.
“Of course, I am, why wouldn’t I be?” Edwin answered, his face shifted from annoyance to concern.
Charles couldn't help himself from lunging forward and wrapping his arms around Edwin’s neck. Pulling the ghost into his arms, one hand ran through his hair, while the other gripped his shoulder.
Edwin was surprised once again, not immediately reciprocating the hug. But when he did he held tight, understanding the reassurance Charles needed even if he didn’t know why.
Charles pulled away a moment later. His eyes found Edwin’s, His heart swelling at the proximity of their faces. He remembered the words that he said to his partner before falling asleep.
‘I love you’
“I love you,” Charles said, the words tasted sweet on his lips. Edwin looked completely startled at his words. He didn’t register the tears that coated his skin. He tried to breathe out, a shaky breath being the product.
“Charles what are you-” Edwin started his voice unsteady. Almost terrified by what Charles was doing.
“You were laying on the ground, you weren't moving, not breathing, I-” Charles started, panic present in his voice. His eyes zoned on his shaking hands.
“You were gone. I shook you, trying to wake you up but you were limp and…” Charles stopped, his breathing stilled.
He reached out to take Edwin’s hand.
“I realized…I loved you, that I’m in love with you,” Charles said, his eyes moving from his hands to meet Edwin’s. He was crying as well, his hand gripping Charles tighter.
“And you were gone, I couldn’t tell you, I wouldn’t be able to kiss you or hold you. It just started and ended at that very moment.” Charles tripped over some of his words before shuttering, he breathed deeply.
“I realized how desperately I needed you…I realized that I am nothing without you. That I might as well follow you to wherever you went.” Edwin shook his head at the last comment and Charles tipped his head down.
“No, If something happened, I’d want you to continue our agency, and live longer with Crystal and Niko. You deserve to experience the world and live through it until you're ready to pass on,” Edwin said, the tremor in his voice barely subsiding as he talked.
“I wouldn’t be able to do that and you know it,” Charles said, His other hand that didn’t hold Edwin’s moved to cup Edwin’s cheek. His thumb rubbed under his eye.
“Not without you…you’ve been here since I died, you showed me this world, and you will lead me out of it, the reason I didn’t move on is because of you, I am here next to you because I chose to be and I will not live in a world where you are gone. Never,” Charles emphasized every word. The truth of it rang like a bell in Edwin’s head.
He leaned into his best friend’s hand, his eyes closing for a moment.
“Oh Charles…” Edwin said with a smile. His eyes dropped to his lips for a second.
“You know I feel the same,” Edwin said.
Charles laughed in relief at Edwin’s words, the sound warming the tension around them. Edwin's smile grew wider. He let go of Edwin’s hand to move his hand to the other side of Edwin’s face.
“I swear to you Edwin Payne that the love I feel for you is completely and utterly the same as yours, I am sure of it,” Charles said, unable to look away from Edwin until he knew that his love was reciprocated, that what he felt and the utter devotion is to Edwin.
Edwin nodded after a moment. His eyes looked almost brighter at Charles' words.
His thumb moved gently over Edwin’s cheekbone.
Charles's eyes started to wander, eventually finding Edwin’s lips.
His heart fluttered at the possibility of being able to kiss him. Edwin seemed to notice the change in him, he understood what Charles was thinking. Edwin placed his hand against Charles' chest, soothing the tremors in his body.
“You can kiss me, Charles,” Edwin said, giving him permission with the most gentle smile.
He felt a pang in his chest from excitement. The words that came from his mouth were unexpected from Edwin.
“Yeah?” Charles asked, needing Edwin to confirm.
Edwin let out a giggle, his eyes looking down, then back at Charles.
“Yeah,” He said with the biggest smile that Charles had caused.
He smiled again and didn’t wait as he pressed his lips to Edwin’s.
Charles' head spun. The kiss pulled all the air out of his lungs. Edwin’s hand found the nape of his neck. Tilting his head slightly.
Edwin pulled away first, looking at Charles with a euphoric expression. He smiled at him in return, immediately pulling Edwin into his arms. Tucking his head into his best friend’s shoulder.
Charles tightened his grip and leaned heavily against his partner. Edwin laughed and wrapped his arms around him, pressing a kiss to the side of Charles’ head.
The implode of Charles was imminent without Edwin. Someone he can't live without. The only one he would go to hell for. Nothing would be okay until Edwin met his gaze and flashed a small smile towards Charles.
His heart was eternally stitched to Edwin’s. The sutures rip and pull at their flesh, inevitably missing a part of their hearts if separated.
Charles smiled against Edwin’s neck. He pressed a gentle kiss to his skin.
Edwin leaned his head against Charles. Closing his eyes, relaxing against the pillows.
“EDWIN!”
Both Charles and Edwin jumped. They looked over to the door of Crystal's room to see both of the girls standing in the doorway.
Niko had an excited and relieved look on her face. Crystal looked like she had been crying. Edwin didn’t think it could have been about him.
“You’re okay,” Crystal continued and smiled brightly. Both girls came running over. Niko practically throws herself onto Edwin. Crystal moved to kneel on the side of the bed hugging Edwin and Niko.
The ghost in question was completely shocked by the affection he was receiving, he tried his best to relax.
They both pulled away eventually.
“You scared Niko almost half to death,” Crystal said, gripping Edwin’s bicep, her eyes watery.
Niko nodded and sat back on her knees holding one of Edwin’s hands in her lap.
“Just Niko?” Edwin teased, flashing a smile at Crystal who giggled followed by a sniff.
“You scared me too, you ass,” Crystal said and Edwin laughed with her. Charles had been sitting next to Edwin witnessing how much the three cared for each other. It made him smile.
This is his family.