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“Man, that wind blows right through you, don’t it,” Charles says with a faux shiver. “Makes you almost wish for more layers.” He tugs at the lapel of his coat as he smiles over at Edwin. The two ghost boys are walking down the sidewalk, taking their usual midnight stroll through London.
“You are a ghost Charles,” Edwin says, face forward but eyes looking at Charles from the side. There’s a faint smile playing at the edge of his lips. “Everything goes through you.” Charles chuckles, shaking his head. “And you cannot feel cold,” Edwin tacks on at the end.
“Figure of speech mate,” Charles shrugs, straightening his jacket again. He looks down for a moment before smiling brightly at Edwin. He nudges him softly in the ribs. “And just cause I can’t feel it doesn’t mean I can’t sympathize with those that can?”
Edwin rolls his eyes, his smile growing as he scoffs. And the two continue down the sidewalk, no more mentions of the weather.
~
Edwin sighs, looking down at himself in disappointment. The case was a success, the tarian dwr having returned to sleep with no casualties. Well, except for the fact that Edwin’s clothes were completely soaked in the water spray from said tarian dwr.
“That doesn’t look too comfortable mate,” Charles says, walking up to him from here he had been whacking at the tarian dwr’s claws so they wouldn’t damage anything, including Edwin. “Want some help with that?”
“With what?” Edwin asks, looking back down at himself searching for something wrong.
“Your coats soaked through from that giant crab,” Charles says, waving his hand up and down as he motions at Edwin. He shakes his head as he continues, “Can’t be too comfortable with this weather. Wouldn’t want to you catch a chill.”
“Charles,” Edwin says slowly, his completely blank. “Ghosts cannot ‘catch a chill’. And my coat will simply dry in a moment.” To prove his point, he motions to his coat sleeve which has lightened back to its normal color.
“Yeah, course mate,” Charles fires back with a quick smile that Edwin notes does not reach his eyes. Charles rocks back on his heels as he adds, “Just looking out for you.”
~
“Brr it’s a bit nippy out, innit?” Charles whispers, bumping shoulders with Edwin. The two detectives are currently standing in an alley way, watching a nail salon that supposedly houses a witch. The two had started out with a respectable distance between them, but were now shoulder to shoulder with each other, having gotten closer over the hour they had been here.
“I supposed it would be quite cold out due to the snow falling,” Edwin says, a bit distracted with taking notes on the last person to enter the salon. “Though I do not know why you’re commenting on the weather as you cannot feel it, Charles.” Edwin feels as Charles shrugs his shoulders.
“Just making conversation mate.”
~
“You look a bit cold mate.” Once again, the two dead boys are on one of their midnight strolls through London. The gentle snowfall being the only other movement around them as they walk through a park near their office. And once again, Charles is talking about the cold.
“Charles, ghosts cannot feel cold,” Edwin points out, a bit distracted by the snowflakes dancing in the lamplight.
“Right,” Charles says with a nod, though his voice lacks it’s usually cheer. “Yeah.”
~
The following night finds Edwin in Niko’s room. The two of them usually getting together at least once a week to watch shows Niko thinks Edwin would enjoy. Right now, Edwin is sitting crisscross applesauce on Niko’s bed watching the screen as Niko paints her nails next to him.
“Niko…” Edwin says softly, not wanting to startle her. Niko hums, titling her head toward Edwin’s direction while maintain her concentration on the nails she’s painting. Edwin pauses for a moment, his fists grinding against each other in his lap. “Charles has been acting…” Another pause, as he tilts his head and hums, trying to think of the right words. “Strange lately.”
“Oh?” Niko perks up, looking over at Edwin for a moment before she quickly caps her nail polish bottle. She scooches her body to fully face Edwin. “What kind of strange? Like he’s tried to kill you strange? Or he’s speaking in a different language strange?” Edwin shakes his head, a fond smile on his face.
“He has been making certain comments lately,” Edwin answers. Niko raises an eyebrow.
“Bad comments?” she hesitantly asks.
“No, no,” Edwin says quickly, shaking his head. Niko lets out a sigh of relief. She looks back up at Edwin, nodding for him to continue. “He has been commenting on the temperature lately. Always mentioning how cold it is. Which makes no sense since as ghosts we cannot feel cold.”
“I see,” Niko nods slowly, tapping a finger on her bottom lip in thought. Her eyes flit around the room, trying to think of the best question to ask. “When Charles mentions the temperature is there anything specific happening at that time? Or does he mention anything else?”
“Hmm,” Edwin hums. He looks up, thinking over the situations in which Charles had mentioned being cold. “Usually we are outside,” he offers, looking toward Niko. She smiles at him, nodding encouragingly. “And while we’re outside he will make some kind of comment about it being cold.”
“And?” Niko asks, her eyes bright. Edwin hums, trying to think about each situation but he can’t see any other connecting factors. He lets out a frustrated huff.
“Honestly Niko,” he bites out snippily, crossing his arms. “I cannot see any other connecting factors.” Niko smiles softly, reaching out to grab one of Edwin’s hands. She drags it into her lap, squeezing it comfortingly.
“Okay, okay,” Niko says slowly. “Why don’t you tell me about a couple of the times he mentioned the cold? Maybe I’ll notice something you haven’t. Like looking at something with a new set of eyes?” Edwin sighs, relaxing his shoulders as he nods at her.
“Well,” he starts slowly, squeezing Niko’s hand back. “The first time it happened, we were out on one of our nightly walks through London.” Niko’s smile brightens, her eyes sparkling. She doesn’t say anything, just hums and nods encouragingly. “While we were walking, Charles mentioned something about the wind blowing through him? And needing more layers?”
“Alright,” Niko nods slowly. “Did he say anything else? Or do anything?” Edwin tilts his head with a hum.
“I suppose he might have shivered slightly as he mentioned it to me,” Edwin offers, looking back down at Niko. She nods back at him, taking mental notes on what Edwin is saying. After a moment, she gives Edwin a decisive nod.
“Alright, what about the other times?”
“Well, another time was at the end of a case,” Edwin answers, tapping his fingers against Niko’s hand still holding his. “We had cornered a tarian dwr which led to me unfortunately getting completely drenched.”
“Oh no!” Niko shouts, clenching Edwin’s hand tighter. Her eyes are wide as she looks over Edwin quickly as if he was still injured. “Were you alright?” Edwin chuckles softly, smiling down at her.
“Yes, yes, it was just a little water,” Edwin waves his free hand dismissively. “Hardly a threat to me.”
“Oh good,” Niko sighs, sinking back onto her bed. She tilts her head at Edwin with a nervous smile. “I know you can’t die twice, but I would hate for you to catch a chill.”
“That’s exactly what Charles said!” Edwin exclaims, snapping a figure at Niko with wide eyes. Niko giggles, as Edwin continues, “And as I pointed out to him, ghosts cannot catch a chill Niko.”
“Of course, of course,” she nods, still giggling.
“Then he comments on how cold it is when we’re out on an investigation,” Edwin says, rolling his eyes in fond exasperation. “We were watching a potential lead, when he bumps my shoulder and says it’s a bit ‘nippy’ out.”
“Oh~” Niko drags out the “o” with a teasing smile on her face, which Edwin isn’t paying attention to as he continues on his little rant.
“And the most recent incident!” Edwin says excitedly, moving his hands about. “We were on another nightly walk and Charles mentioned that I looked cold.” He scoffs, like it’s the most ridiculous thing he’s heard.
“What did you say?” Niko asks excitedly.
“I reminded him again that ghosts cannot get cold,” Edwin shrugs like it’s the most natural thing.
“And his response?” Niko asks, inching closer to Edwin.
“He agreed,” Edwin says causally. Niko deflates, sinking back into her bed once more as Edwin continues. “And then we kept walking in silence for a bit.” Edwin looks down at both of his hand in his lap that are now fidgeting with one of his vest buttons. “I believe I upset him but I’m not sure how.”
“Edwin,” Niko calls softly, squeezing his other hand that was still in her clutches. Edwin looks up at her from under his eyelashes. “Each time Charles mentioned being cold was he looking at you? Or did he fiddle with his coat? Or yours?” Edwin blinks slowly at her, processing her question.
“Now that you mention it,” he says slowly, replaying the scenarios in his mind. “I suppose he was a bit more fidgety than normal, tugging on his lapel and sleeves.”
“So,” Niko drags out the “o” as she pulls on Edwin’s hand lightly. “Do you think that maybe Charles was trying to tell you something?”
“What could he have been trying to tell me?” Edwin asks, tilting his head curiously. His eyebrows furrow for a moment before his eye widen. “Wait…”
“Yeeees?” Niko smiles brighter, bouncing in her spot excitedly.
“Niko,” Edwin says breathlessly. “Do you think Charles is actually feeling the cold?” Niko stops bouncing, her smiling falling to a frown. “Perhaps he was cursed from a previous case that causes him to feel the chill?” Niko squeeze’s Edwin’s hand. “Oh, dear this is terrible.”
“That’s not—” Niko starts, but Edwin quickly pulls his hand out of hers and moves off the bed.
“I need to go Niko,” he says quickly, making his way toward her full-length mirror in the corner.
“Edwin! Wait!” Niko calls out, leaning across her bed to try and grab ahold of him again. Edwin pauses, turning on his heels to look at her. Niko scrambles up off the bed and grabs at Edwin’s hand again. “You’re worried about Charles and that’s understandable.” She starts slowly, squeezing his hand reassuringly. “But I don’t think that’s what’s going on.” Edwin lets out a little sigh, but squeeze’s Niko’s hand tightly.
“But then why does he keep referencing the cold?” Edwin nearly whines, his worries coming through in his voice.
“Maaaybe,” Niko starts, smiling softly up at Edwin. “Charles is trying to…I don’t know,” Niko tilts her head, her smile turning mischievous. “Give you his coat to wear? Or!” She raises a finger, stopping Edwin before he can respond. “Maybe he wants you to give him your coat?”
“But why would he want that?” Edwin asks, tilting his head curiously with his eyebrows furrowed.
“Because it’s romantic!” Niko shouts throwing her hands in the air. She places them on Edwin’s shoulder, shaking him slightly as she says, “Charles was flirting with you!” Edwin narrows his eyes, staring at Niko’s excited smile unamused.
“Niko…”
“Trust me Edwin,” Niko says, her smile turning soft once more. “He was flirting with you. Next time Charles mentions the cold, offer your coat! Or ask for his!”
~
The next time Charles mentions something about the cold, happens to be the following night. They were just finishing up an investigation, which had led them to an old playground in a park. As the two make their way back to the streets, snow falls around them. The flakes are fat as they fall, accumulating quickly on any surface they land on.
“Man, I love the snow but hate how cold it gets,” Charles says as he lifts his head slightly, watching the snowflakes with wonder. “No one would be caught alive out right now.”
“Perhaps that’s why it is only us out here,” Edwin says, tilting his head to the rest of the street which was completely clear of another being. Charles chuckles, smiling brightly at Edwin for a moment before looking shyly down at his feet. His shoulders hunched up as he kicks at the snow as he continues to walk.
Edwin stops and watches him for a moment, curious at his reaction. Remembering what Niko said, Edwin straightens his shoulders as he fiddles with the edge of his coat sleeves.
“Charles?” he calls, causing Charles to turn around to look back at him.
“Yeah mate?”
“Are you…” Edwin begins but hesitates under Charles’ curious stare. He looks away quietly, clearing his throat before he continues, “Are you feeling cold?” Charles blinks at him, caught off guard by the question.
“I-“
“Perhaps,” Edwin says quickly, cutting Charles off before he can say anything. “You would like my coat?” Edwin looks down as he traces a hand along the lapels of his coat. He looks back up at Charles as he says, “Maybe it will keep you warm.” Charles’ jaw drops as he stares at Edwin with wide eyes. “If I have caused any discomfort—"
“No!” Charles shouts, quickly taking a step forward with his hands out as if to grab Edwin. He stops himself, clearing his throat as he looks down for a moment. “I mean! Yeah…yeah mate, I’d like that.” Charles looks back at Edwin a bashful smile on his face. “If you don’t mind, that be great.”
“I would not offer if I minded,” Edwin responds, smiling softly at his partner. He takes a step forward, tugging of his coat as he stops in front of Charles. He guides his coat around Charles’ shoulders, tugging on the lapel to straighten it. “And I would not want you to be cold.”
Edwin looks up, coming face to face with Charles’ look of wonder. The two stare at each for a quiet moment, before Edwin remembers himself. He clears his throat as he ducks his head, taking a step back. As his hands fall from his coat’s lapel, Charles catches one of his wrists, holding it loosely.
“Alright,” Charles nods as he tugs lightly on Edwin’s wrist to pull him closer again. “But you gotta wear my coat then.” Edwin blinks slowly, as Charles maneuvers himself to slip out of his black coat and replacing it with Edwin’s brown coat fully.
“But—” Edwin starts, stopping when Charles throws his black coat around Edwin’s shoulders. He tugs at the lapels much like Edwin did to him. Charles smooths his hand down the lapels before looking up into Edwin’s wide eyes with a bright smile.
“Don’t want you getting cold either mate,” Charles says softly. Edwin gasps quietly, before smiling softly and nodding. His hands come up to clutch at Charles’ coat around his shoulders, clinging to it like a safety blanket for a moment.
“Very well,” he says, earning an even brighter smile from Charles. Edwin quickly adjusts the black coat, putting it on properly. Charles steps forward to smooth down the collar on his coat, knowing Edwin prefers the flat collar. As Charles steps away, Edwin stops him by pulling on the lapels of Edwin’s coat. He pops the collar for Charles, earning a chuckle from his partner.
The two exchange a secret smile, before they continue walking through the street. If the two of them took the long way home, no one but they knew. And if their hands found each other on the walk as well? Well, there were no witnesses to that either.