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It’s a grey March morning, about two weeks after they bid Port Townsend goodbye. Rain is ticking against the window, as a quiet lull hangs over the office. Charles is out running an errand, and it’s just Crystal and Edwin doing their own things. It’s quiet, with only the sound of Edwin rearranging papers in a file, and Crystal's soft mindless humming as she lounges on the sofa, reading something on her phone. At some point Edwin stops his organising as if deciding something.
“Hey, Crystal, can we talk?”
“Yeah sure, what’s up?” She puts away her phone and tucks up her legs to make space for him on the sofa.
He sits down, looking straight ahead, as is easiest for him to do during personal conversations.
“Listen, I… I’ve been trying to talk more about my…” Edwin’s face contorts. “feelings.” He sighs. “And, well, since what happened with Niko, I’ve realised that it could always be too late. And…” he trails off.
Crystal nods in understanding, a small empathetic smile on her face.
He turns to her. “I haven’t properly thanked you. For trying to go to Hell for me.”
“Oh, you know, it’s whatever.” Crystal tries to wave away.
“No, no, it’s not ‘whatever’. You sought out your abusive Demon ex, he could have really hurt you! And he did hurt you, and Jenny. I know you ended up having everything under control, but that was really dangerous, Crystal.”
She shrugged, but he could see it was because she didn’t know how to reply, and not because it had been easy.
“You tried to go to Hell for me, even though you knew it would kill you. I know Charles made sure you knew that. But you still tried.”
She nodded. “Of course I tried, are you kidding me?”
“I am very lucky to have friends who are willing to sacrifice themselves. For me.” He looks up at her, eyes shiny. “Thank you.”
Crystal reaches over her hand and he accepts, holding it.
“You’re welcome.” she whispers.
“But you cannot do anything like that again.” His voice turned serious, stern. He tightens his grip on her hand “Please promise me you'll never try to go to Hell for me again.”
Crystal's eyes narrow. “Are you stupid? Do you think I'd be able to live with myself knowing you're being tortured in Hell? You must think of me or yourself very low.”
“If I'm back in Hell, and I have to worry about you getting trapped down there… You'd just be helping the demons torture me!” he fires back.
“Well, I can't do nothing,” Crystal huffs.
Edwin gives her a sideway nod in understanding and ponders it over.
“Edwin, you’re one of my best friends. You’re one of few people who actually care about me. And I care about you. Just talking about it now, thinking about you… There… I'm seriously nauseous.” She puts her hand on her stomach.
Edwin gives a wry laugh. “Well, that's a sentiment we share.” A beat. He purses his lips slightly. “What if I give you a list of things you can do to get me out of Hell before you actually attempt to get me yourself?”
Crystal smiles and points at his chest in agreement. “Look, now you've got yourself a deal.” Her left hand lets go of Edwin's, and she puts out her right hand to shake on it. He accepts, but lingers afterwards.
“Say it.” He looks her in the eyes and shifts on the couch. “Promise me.” It’s almost pleading.
She squeezes his hand firmly. “I promise that I will do your list first, before personally going there myself.”
“Thank you.” he whispers.