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It’s a beautiful spring day, the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and four teenagers are stuck inside cleaning out a disaster of an office.
“Remind me again,” Crystal says as she carefully sweeps up some broken glass off the windowsill. “Whose bright idea was it to open the bag of a thousand storms. In the office?” Three of the teens turn and look at Niko, who is currently collecting cushions.
“Oopsie?” Niko offers with a sheepish grin and a shrug. Crystal rolls her eyes but smiles, while Charles just laughs and Edwin shakes his head.
“In Niko’s defense,” Charles starts, picking up pieces of wood from their broken couch that was tossed around by the storm. “I’d have done the same.”
“That is not as good of a defense as you think it is Charles,” Edwin counters. He looks up from his spot of sorting through loose papers to look at his partner with a very judgmental eyebrow raise. “I fear you two have been spending far too much time together.”
“Oi, you say that like it’s a bad thing,” Charles laughs. He feels a sudden weight at his back as Niko’s face pops over his shoulder and her arms wrap around his neck.
“Definitely not a bad thing,” Niko says. “I enjoy our Sunshine Sessions. Who else am I going to dreamily sigh about my prickly partner too.” Charles laughs brightly while Crystal let’s out an indignant shout. “Beside I’m learning soooo much fun tricks!”
“You’re turning into a menace babe,” Crystal calls over.
“’Turning into’,” Charles huffs. “Niko’s always been a menace. You two were just fooled by the bright colors and sweet smiles.”
“And you weren’t?” Crystal asks, putting her hands on her hips.
“Nope!” Charles chirps, patting Niko’s arms that are still around his neck. “Menace recognizes menace.” Niko nods her head, humming along. Crystal exchanges a glance with Edwin, a silent conversation encompassed in shrugs and eyebrow raises. “Oi! No secret conversations!”
“You two do it all the time!” Crystal shouts, pointing at Charles and then Edwin. “You don’t hear us complain about it!”
“You do,” Edwin says, deadpanned. “Every time.” Crystal shushes him, waving her hand dismissively.
“That’s different, innit,” Charles says with a shrug and a grin. Crystal groans as she throws her head back. She mumbles to herself about “dead married couples” and “losing her sanity”. Charles just keeps smiling, shooting Edwin a quick wink. Edwin gives a long-suffering sigh as he turns back to sorting the papers, though a smile plays on his lips.
The four teens continue to sort through the mess of the office, getting distracted with random objects that one of them uncovers. That is exactly what happens when Niko let’s out an excited shout and nearly dives to the ground.
“Good heavens! Niko what are you doing?” Edwin asks, staring wide-eyed at his friend as she wiggles her arm trying to reach something behind one of the tilted bookcases.
“I…saw…something…under…here,” Niko grunts. Finally, she lets out a cheer as she grabs a hold of something and brings it out into the open. In her hands is a smooth leather-bound book wrapped around three times with thread to keep it sealed.
“Oi, what’s that doing there!” Charles says delighted surprise all across his face.
“Seems the winds must have disrupted it,” Edwin answers, tilting his head curiously at the spot that Niko procured the book from.
“What is it?” Crystal asks, also looking curiously at the book in her girlfriend’s hands.
“Is it a secret book? Or a spell book? Or a forbidden book? Or a secret forbidden spellbook?” Niko asks excitedly. Charles and Edwin both chuckle, shaking their heads.
“Nothing so devious,” Edwin answers, walking over with his hand out. Niko easily passes the book over to Edwin. As Edwin goes to open the book, Niko crowds close to watch. Edwin carefully unties the thread around the book and opens it to a random page.
“What?” Crystal whispers, staring down at the pages before her. The book is made of blank white pages, nothing written on them except for dates. However, each page that the girls can see is covered in as many sticky notes or taped messages as possible. The pages Edwin opened up to have at least 3 blue sticky notes and 4 red ones. Plus 2 pink sticky notes and a single white piece of paper that looks torn.
“That’s a lot of notes,” Niko says, awe in her voice. “What are they for?”
“Like you said, they are notes,” Edwin answers, his finger running across one of the red notes gently. The words “You’re my personal lantern in the dark” written out with a tiny drawing of a lantern next to it.
“Okay…but who are the notes for?” Crystal asks, though she already has a suspicion.
“Us,” Charles answers as he looks over Edwin’s shoulder at the book. “We leave notes for each other in random spots. Usually, little pick me ups or friendly reminders.”
“You’ve been leaving little love notes to each other for…how long exactly?” Crystal asks.
“About 34 years or so,” Charles answers with a shrug. Crystal stares at him with disbelief while Niko giggles. “What?”
“You’ve been exchanging love notes for nearly your whole relationship and you just figured yourselves out this year? Really?” Crystal asks. Again, Charles shrugs, smiling brightly. “Unbelievable.”
“To be fair, the notes started out as reminders of sorts,” Edwin intervenes. “Exchanging notes like this made it easier to share thoughts and feelings to begin with. Especially so early on in our friendship.”
“Ohhhh there’s a story there,” Niko says excitedly, her eyes shining. She turns to look up at Edwin and Charles, her hands clasped in front of her chest. “Will you tell us more about the notes? Please! Even just a few of them!”
“Love?” Charles asks, looking toward Edwin. Some of the notes exchanged between the two of them are a bit personal, and definitely not something either of them want to share with the girls. Most of those personal notes having been exchanged after difficult cases or during one of their rare fights.
“I suppose we could share a few of them,” Edwin muses. Niko lets out an excited squeal, quickly moving to grab the cushions from earlier to place them on the ground for her and Crystal to sit on. Edwin neatly folds himself on the ground, while Charles plops next to leaning against his shoulder.
“Now, where shall we start…”
~
Charles fucked up. At least he thinks he fucked up. It’s hard for him to tell as Edwin hasn’t said anything but to be honest Edwin hasn’t said anything for a few days. In fact, Edwin has barely looked his way, his focus entirely on the book he’s been reading.
So yeah, Charles is having a hard time figuring out if Edwin’s avoiding him intentional cause Charles fucked up or if Edwin is just that absorbed in a book and doesn’t realize it’s been days since he’s even acknowledged Charles’ presence.
Charles has done his best to keep himself entertained, but he’s gotten used to Edwin’s attention. The boys have spent the last few months constantly together. It’s been bloody amazing. But now that he’s not got that constant attention, he’s struggling a little.
Charles even tried to go on a walk by himself, do a little window shopping, and just clearing his head. He even found this awesome stationery shaped to look like comic book speaking bubbles. He grabbed it on a whim, though he’s not sure what he’s going to do with it. Edwin has his notebook to write in, and Charles doesn’t really do notes.
Looking over, Charles sees Edwin breaking from his book to write in the very notebook. As he watches Edwin write down a note before turning back to the book, an idea strikes Charles. Smiling widely, Charles pulls out a spare pen and starts scribbling on one of the papers.
Just as he finishes his first note, Charles quickly scribbles out the words. He crushes the note and stuffs it into his pocket. He sneaks a look over at Edwin, making sure he didn’t decide to pay attention to Charles at that exact moment. Still reading his book, good.
With a sigh, Charles looks at the new sheet of paper. He turns words over and over in his head, trying to think of the best thing to write without it being too much. Eventually Charles decides on something and begins writing the words down carefully on the paper.
Once he’s done, he re-reads the note, checking for any mistakes.
The way you shut down that poltergeist was brills mate!
Satisfied, Charles quietly stands up and slinks toward the desk. He sneakily slips the note into Edwin’s unattended notebook, just past the current page open for note. Charles smiles to himself as he slips back across the room. He decides to position himself so he can look busy while still watching Edwin for a reaction.
It takes about half an hour before Edwin makes it to the next page. But when it does, he actually pauses. Charles watches as he looks down at the note, reading through it. Edwin’s head shots up to look at Charles, who tries his best to act like he’s busy. It’s quiet for a moment, but Charles doesn’t dare to look on the chance he gives himself away. And then finally something breaks.
“Charles,” Edwin calls out quietly. Charles looks up with a hum. Edwin’s looking at him with a furrowed brow, his eyes searching Charles’ face for something. “Would you like to go for a walk?”
“Sure mate! Any particular place you’re thinking of going?” Charles asks as he jumps up from his spot. Edwin shakes his head as he stands.
“No, simply just to wander if you are amenable?”
“Sounds brills!” With that the two ghosts head out, just wandering the streets and talking. Halfway through the walk, Charles wonders if maybe he should have given Edwin the first note. Maybe it would have been okay. But then again, Edwin was still iffy on the whole feelings thing. Best not to push him too much.
Thank you for staying with me despite everything
~
Edwin was struggling. Which is throwing him off a bit, since he hasn’t struggled like this in a long while. Talking with Charles, co-existing with Charles really, has been so easy. Sure, it’s only been a few months, but it’s quite honestly been some of the best months of Edwin’s life, well existence. So, it’s a bit unnerving that he’s struggling so with this.
It’s been a few weeks since Edwin was in the middle of reading a new magic book when he finds a note slipped into his notebook. A simple message from Charles, praising him about their most recent encounter with a poltergeist. And ever since finding that note, Edwin has been torn between the warmth he feels from Charles’ praise and the guilt of wanting to do something similar.
Receiving such a note from Charles made Edwin so incredibly happy, made him feel seen and cared for. And he wants to return that feeling to Charles, make sure he knows how much Edwin values him too. But Edwin struggles with vocalizing his feelings. Even the thought of sharing his feelings has him crushing his knuckles together.
So, Edwin is struggling on how he can express his thoughts to Charles. How Edwin enjoys his presence and is thankful for him and his friendship.
It’s not until Charles pops out for a quick trip to the nearby magic store that Edwin finds inspiration. Charles left most of his stuff in the office, including the strange stationery that he had written Edwin his note on.
Edwin quickly grabs the stationery. He’s ashamed to admit that it takes him longer than he’d like to figure out what to write. At first he writes a simple message but crosses it out fairly quickly after writing it out. While he wants Charles to know how much he appreciates him, he also doesn’t want to come on too strongly.
Eventually he settles on a simple praise, much like what Charles had written him. Looking over the note he’s written, Edwin nods in approval.
You were quite impressive with your quick thinking on how to save that water sprite
He quickly folds the note, tapping it against his chin in thought. Now where could he hide it. Looking around their temporary office, Edwin decides to hide the note in Charles’ portable music player. And he does it just in time.
Just as Edwin makes it back to his desk, Charles barges into the room. Instinctually, Edwin grabs the scratched out note and hides it in his fist.
“Good news,” Charles says as he enters. “I was able to get rid of that chain. Bad news it didn’t get us much credit at the store. But better news, I think I found us a new case.” Edwin nods.
“Excellent, will we be having a client join us then?” Edwin asks, clearing his throat. Charles tosses himself onto the nearby chair, picking up his Walkman in the process. Edwin turns away, trying to clear his desk and look busy.
Charles doesn’t immediately respond, causing Edwin to take a quick look over at him but quickly looks away. Charles had found his note. Giving him a moment, Edwin clears his throat and tries again.
“Charles?” Getting a hum from his friend, Edwin continues, “is there are a client on the way?”
“Huh?” Charles says. This time Edwin does look at his friend, raising an eyebrow. Charles stares at him for a moment before shaking his head and hitting Edwin with the brightest grin he’s seen from his friend. “Yeah, yeah he’s going to come around tomorrow.” Edwin nods, sitting down at the desk.
“Then we have time for you to tell me what we’re getting into,” Edwin says. Charles smiles, hopping up to be closer to Edwin as he explains the new case. As Charles talks, Edwin stealthily sneaks the crumpled up note into his pocket. But not without swiping a thumb over it, wondering.
Thank you for being my friend
~
“Another job officially jobbed,” Charles says as the boys walk into their office. He tosses his backpack next to the couch as he falls down onto it.
“Day officially saved,” Edwin nods, smiling softly at Charles. Edwin walks over to the desk, where he sits down and begins to take notes. As he’s finishing his notes, he takes a quick look over at Charles. Noting his partner’s distraction, he quickly writes out a note on a separate piece of paper.
“Charles,” Edwin calls, closing the case file. Charles tilts his head back to look at Edwin over the armrest of the couch. “Could I have Minor Arcana III please?”
“Sure mate!” Charles says, leaning down to dig in his bag. Once he finds the book, he gets up and passes the book to Edwin over the desk. Edwin nods his thank and he begins to thumb through the book. “I’ll put this away.”
Charles grabs the case file and walks over to the filing cabinet. Edwin hums, pausing as he comes across a sticky blue note in the middle of his book. He looks up at Charles whose smiling at him from the case board. Charles waves at him, a piece of paper in between his finger.
Edwin tilts his head in concession, looking down at the note in his book.
You’re incredible Mate! The way you can recite those spells so quickly is always impressive.
Edwin can feel the smile take over his face. He sneaks a glance at Charles and sees him once again laying on the couch, but a softer smile on his face than before. The two boys make eye contact again before they return their respective task.
‘Seems he enjoyed the note,’ Edwin muses.
Excellent job with the client Charles, your kindness knows no bounds.
~
Charles was feeling antsy. Usually after a case, he was more relaxed. But not now. This last case had made something in his body buzz with excess energy that he could not get out. Maybe it was because he wasn’t able to fight anything even though he really wanted to hit something. Or maybe it’s because the client had left a sour taste in his mouth with her condescension.
Or maybe it’s because for the past five days Edwin has had his head either buried in a book researching a solution or over a flask trying to create said solution. And it feels like he hasn’t seen his best mate in weeks.
Fiddling with the pen in his hand, he looks over at Edwin whose once again has his head in a book. Letting out a sigh, he looks down at the pad of sticky notes in his lap. He quickly scribbles a note out. He pauses, scratching out half of the note before he pops up and saunters over to the desk.
He places his hand on either side of Edwin’s book, leaning over his friend. He looks at the book and his eyes cross at the strange words.
“Charles…” Edwin warns, not looking up from his reading.
“Sorry mate, I just…was wondering if you’d seen that monocle we got a few months back.” Edwin hums, flipping a page.
“I believe we put it in the games cupboard.” Again, Edwin doesn’t look up, his tone fairly board. Charles sighs, his shoulders hunching. He clenches his hands, feeling the note in his palm crinkle. Taking a deep breath, he smiles and slaps his hands on the desk.
“Right, thanks mate,” Charles says. He quickly walks toward the game cupboard and just stands there, wasting some time and hoping to calm his shaking hands. After a minute or so he hears the creak of Edwin’s chair.
“Charles?” Edwin calls. Charles pokes his head out of the cupboard, a bright smile on his face. “I would like to go for a walk; would you care to accompany me?” Charles opens his mouth but quickly closes it, nodding. “Excellent. Shall we?”
“Be right there mate,” Charles says, popping fully out of the closet. As he leaves, he places the sticky note in his hand on top of one of the games. He didn’t need it this time, but it may come in handy in the future.
Want to come to a show with me? I think your big brain deserves a break. And I miss you
~
Charles hates these cases. The ones that, even when they succeeded, Charles felt like it was a failure. And usually, it was Charles’ fault. His “impetuous” behavior getting them in trouble one way or another and Edwin having to save their butts again.
Most times Charles was able to shake off the negative feelings, keep the smile up and move on with the day. But sometimes…sometimes Charles couldn’t help but dwell on his mistakes. Couldn’t help but wonder if this will be the time Edwin gets fed up enough to leave him.
Which makes the fact he told Edwin to go to the apothecary without him a little strange. You’d think he’d want to be around Edwin more than normal, but…but Charles couldn’t look at Edwin and smile right now. So best to give them a bit of distance so Charles can work on getting his smile back.
Charles has kept himself busy with cleaning out his bag, while listening to music through his Walkman. He pulls out his cricket bat, setting it to the side. As he does, a folded piece of paper flutters to the ground. He tilts his head, looking at the strange paper and trying to figure out when he put it in there.
Picking up the paper, he opens it open and freezes at the sight of Edwin’s handwriting. Charles hesitates for a moment before he reads the note.
You call me the brain, but you always blow me away with your brilliant deductions
Charles blinks his eyes rapidly, feeling the burn of tears in is eyes. He’s not sure how Edwin snuck this note into his bag but finding it now meant a lot.
‘Bloody brilliant git,’ Charles thinks as he traces the letters. He smiles, tucking the note into his pocket. Just as he wipes off the last tear, Edwin returns.
“Hey mate,” Charles calls out, clearing up his space before standing to greet Edwin. “How was ol Miss Maple?”
“Quite well, she asked after you,” Edwin responds, walking toward the desk to deposit his purchases. “How goes the cleaning?”
“Eh you know me, got distracted half-way through,” Charles says with a shrug. He smiles at Edwin as he leans against the desk. “Need any help?” Edwin looks Charles over for a moment, before smiling and nodding.
~
Edwin was not happy. First, Charles invites a random teenage girl to join them at their office, without talking to him. Then said girl has them halfway around the world for a case. A case that while successful also led Charles to doing something incredibly stupid. Though it wasn’t only Charles. Edwin also did something stupid, all in an attempt to prove himself to his best friend.
And now they’re trapped in this small coastal town with a possible vengeful witch and the afterlife alerted to their location. And it’s all Edwin’s fault. Well, that and the stupid Cat King. So as Edwin storms out of Tragic Mick’s shop, he has to take a minute to breathe.
As he stuffs his hands into his pockets, he feels his fist clenching around a piece of paper. Startled, Edwin pulls out the paper and examines it. A bright pink sticky note is crumpled in is hand, hints of Charles’ handwriting peeking through.
Opening the note, Edwin can’t help but let out a startled breath as he reads the words his partner had left him. He crumples the note again but quickly soothes it out again, so the words are clear.
“Right mate, got that jar,” Charles says, popping out of Mick’s shop with a bright smile. Edwin stiffens for a moment, quickly hiding his hands in his coat pocket. “I know you’re not too impressed but it’s a pretty brills enchantment.”
“Charles, it is a simple enchantment at best,” Edwin says, turning toward his best friend. “But I suppose it can be a memento of our time in this…charming town.” Charles chuckles, nudging at Edwin’s shoulders.
“Back to the butcher shop?” Edwin hums and nods, turning on his heels to walk back to their temporary residence. And if he spent the next few days running a hand over the note in his pocket? Well Charles never said anything.
You matter. You matter so much to me mate
~
Charles’ head was buzzing. Crystal and Niko were together, watching a show in Niko’s room to try and forget about the insane night. Not every night you see the dead body of your landlord’s disastrous date.
But this means the Charles is alone for the first time in hours. Because Edwin had also left to meet Monty. So, it’s just Charles. Which…it’s okay. It’s fine. Charles can be alone. It’s fine. Except that his head is buzzing with thousands of thoughts. One thought that keeps popping into his head was Edwin and his words.
“You, Charles Rowland, are the best person I know.”
“Bloody hell,” Charles murmurs, knocking his head against the wall behind him. Still unable to silence his thoughts, he fumbles for his bag. Eventually he pulls out one of the packs of stationary he keeps in there and a pen. He starts writing, just trying to get his thoughts out. He goes through various messages, writing and scratching out again and again until he’s settled on something.
Please don’t leave me I’m sorry You’re the best person I know too mate. I’m here if you wanna talk about The Ca Mon Whatever
Charles looks down at the note, debating where he was going to hide it for Edwin to find. He also debates if he should even give it to Edwin. But then Crystal returns to her room, and he puts the note out of his mind.
~
Charles first saw it when he was skimming through Edwin’s journal to find the map of Hell he knew was in there. It wasn’t until he was slowly making his way through Hell that he remembered the peak of a pastel blue sticky note in the shape of a heart.
He looks down at the map he’s currently following, committing the route to mind before he flips back to the page he thought he saw the note on. When he finds the page, he pauses, his finger hovering over the words.
Sorry I You are my most important person, and I am proud of who you are Charles Rowland
He pauses over the crossed off words, wondering what Edwin was apologizing for. What did he think he needed to say sorry to Charles for? He then looks at the rest of the note. The words striking something within his heart.
“Hold on Edwin,” Charles whispers, clutching at the notebook in his hand. He runs a finger over the note, obviously from Niko’s desk, one last time. He plucks it off the page and places it in his coats inner pocket before turning back to the map and moving on.
~
Charles walks back into the office, having walked Crystal home after a draining case, only to stop in the doorway. Charles wasn’t sure what he was going to see when he got back to the office, but Edwin frozen in spot looking down at a book in is hands.
“Edwin?” Charles calls hesitantly. Edwin had been fine when he left, talking about rearranging something or maybe doing some reading. Charles looks at the book in Edwin’s hand, and it takes a moment but then he remembers. Remembers placing a sticky note for Edwin in that very book a few weeks ago.
Your voice is so soothing, makes me feel safe and cared for when you read to me
‘Shit,’ Charles thinks, wincing. Edwin had been reading to Charles when the Night Nurse had interrupted them. And then they had case after case, and Charles was kind of missing their tradition. So, he had snuck a sticky note to Edwin for the next time they read together. Which was delayed for a long while.
“Edwin? You okay?” Charles calls again, more nervous now that he thinks he knows what Edwin’s actually looking at. He really hopes he hadn’t overstepped. He also hoped this didn’t lead to one of those discussions they had. Usually the notes weren’t talked about, just vaguely acknowledged every now and then.
But since Port Townsend, sometimes a note would spark a discussion. Cause they were talking more about things. Which was good. But Charles wasn’t sure he could handle this discussion if it turned into one. Not now anyway.
Edwin looks up at Charles, his eyes a little wide but only for a moment before he straightens his shoulders.
“Welcome back Charles,” Edwin says, clearing his throat a little. “I was just trying to remember where we left off. I thought perhaps we could do some reading. If you are up for it?” Charles lets out a soft sigh, smiling softly.
“Yeah mate, sounds like a great time,” Charles says, slowly walking over to the couch.
~
While technically it was cheating, Edwin thought that perhaps Charles could forgive him this time. Normally when the boys exchange notes, they tried their best to hide them so that it wasn’t too obvious. Which was fine and enjoyable. But since Port Townsend they’ve started…addressing things more. Including some sticky notes.
So, while it felt cheating to place a note on top of a gift he laid out for Charles to see, he also felt it was fitting. Especially considering the gift.
One late night, while Charles had been cleaning out his backpack, he had discovered that the lantern he usually kept in it was missing. Which led to a quick discussion about where it was last seen, and that led to the boys remembering the lantern in Hell and how it most likely did not make it back.
Edwin took one look at Charles’ face after that revelation and quickly shut down any notion of retrieving the lantern.
“It’s just a lantern Charles,” Edwin had said. The devastated look he received for his words nearly killed him again.
“It’s /our/ lantern Edwin,” Charles said as if that explained everything. And…well it sort of did. But Edwin was firm that they were not going to open a portal to Hell simply to retrieve a lantern. Thankfully Charles eventually agreed and that was that.
But…well Charles had been moping since that conversation. And it was breaking Edwin’s heart honestly. So, Edwin had done his best to find a similar lantern, which was easier than he expected. He then spent some time enchanting it, so that not only would the light never go out but that it would always return to the office should it be left behind.
Now, Edwin places the lantern in the middle of the desk, placing a white sticky note in the shape of a ghost on top of it.
You are my lantern in the dark, thank you for finding me
And then he waits, reading through one of their newer books. When Charles arrives, Edwin keeps his eyes on his book, no matter how tempting it is to look at the other boy. Eventually Charles sits down on the edge of the desk, facing Edwin.
“Charles, is something the matter?” Edwin asks, looking up. Charles gives him a soft smile, shaking his head.
“Nah, just wanted to be close,” Charles says. Edwin nods slowly, staring up at his best friend. Charles leans in, looking down at Edwin’s book. “So what’cha reading?”
~
It is not often that Charles and Edwin fight, at least not an actual fight. But it does happen, and it’s what leads Edwin to writing this particular note. Not the fight itself mind you, but the aftermath.
Ever since Port Townsend and Crystal, the boys had tried to be better about talking to each other. It didn’t always work but they were doing pretty good. So, after their fight, once the two had calmed down and could speak rationally with each other, they talked.
And it was during this talk that Charles let slip a fear. The fear that Edwin was going to stop loving him. That Charles was going to mess something up with his actions and Edwin was going to get sick of him and leave. Which was preposterous. And Edwin tried to tell Charles that it wasn’t going to happen, but he fears he fell short.
So, Edwin had decided to do what he always did when saying something was difficult. He wrote a small note to Charles. The only problem was where to put it. Charles always finds his notes, but it can vary in time, and Edwin did not want this note to take too long to be found.
Eventually Edwin decides to leave the note in between case files while Charles has dipped out to visit a store. Edwin keeps himself busy by rearranging the bookshelf, moving books around in a semblance of organization.
He greets Charles as casually as he can and tries to keep his hands moving. Charles is telling him all about the store and how Tragic Mick was getting on. He couldn’t help but focus on the sounds of Charles’ movement instead of his words, listening as he shuffled around the desk.
Abruptly, Charles stops in his story and silence fills the office. Edwin keeps moving books, trying not to read too much into the silence. Suddenly, he hears something fall onto the desk and feels two arms wrap around his stomach. Charles tucks his head into Edwin’s shoulder from behind, Edwin feeling tears wet his shirt.
“Charles…” Edwin slowly lifts a hand, placing it on top of Charles head. Charles just nuzzles closer, refusing to let go. He feels Charles mumble something into his shoulder but has no idea what he says. “I did not understand that.” There’s another mumble and nuzzle. “Still did not quite catch that my dear.”
“Love you,” Charles says, lifting his head just enough to mumble that out. He then puts his head back down. Edwin takes a deep breath and releases it, patting gently at Charles’ head and relaxing into the hold.
“I know.” It may not be the same kind of love, but it is enough. It will always be enough.
I love you, yes even when you are impetuous. There is nothing you can do to take my love away
~
A pale pink heart sticky note sits next to the previous one in the book. The note is written in Charles’ handwriting.
I meant it. I love you too. As more than a friend, mate. I love you Edwin.
~
“Charles?” Edwin calls out. Charles lets out a small hum, his focus staying on the cursed Rubik cube in his hands. “Can I trouble you for a moment?” Charles lets out another hum as he sticks out his tongue as he quickly shifts the rows and columns to try and complete the puzzle.
There’s some rustling that Charles doesn’t pay much attention to until he felt a hand on his head. The fingers run through his hair, distracting him from his task. Charles sighs happily, dropping the cube and tilting his head back. He looks up at Edwin, whose standing over him with a knowing smile.
“Hi,” Charles says softly.
“Hello,” Edwin says back, just as soft. “Terribly sorry to bother, but I could use a hand if you are amenable.” Charles chuckles, as he rolls off the couch to stand in front of Edwin.
“I’m also amenable to help you, love,” Charles says, placing a quick kiss to Edwin’s cheek. “Whatever you need.” Edwin nods his thanks before dragging Charles to the desk where his knitting kit was out. Edwin places Charles in front of the desk, leaning around him to grab something.
Edwin drapes something over Charles’ shoulders, tugging on the ends as he adjusts it. Charles stays still, watching Edwin as he picks and pulls at the thing around his shoulders. Edwin steps back looking at the item critically. He nods, looking up at Charles.
“What do you think? Does it work?” Charles finally looks down to see what was placed around his shoulders. A black scarf is draped over his shoulders, a red pattern flowing down the middle. The scarf hits halfway down his chest on both sides. Charles stares in awe, running a hand over the scarf for a moment before snapping his head up.
“What?”
“Niko mentioned it was tradition to create something for your significant other, and I know we cannot feel cold, but it seemed like the best thing to make,” Edwin offers, a hesitant smile on his face. “I felt it would not get in your way, if you like it and want to wear it that is. If you don’t I can—”
Charles pulls back from the kiss he used to quiet Edwin, a bright smile on his face.
“It’s brills, really,” Charles says. He places a quick kiss on Edwin’s lips again. “And I’m keeping it with me all the time. Even in the summer. I’m never going anywhere without it.” Edwin scoffs, rolling his eyes.
“That is entirely unnecessary,” Edwin offers. “But I’m glad you like it. I was quite nervous.” Charles tugs on the scarf, wrapping it in a pseudo hug, when he hears a crinkling sound. Blinking, Charles looks down at the scarf and skims it. Underneath one of the ends is a read sticky note.
“Oi, you lil sneak,” Charles exclaims, looking up at Edwin in awe. Edwin merely smiles at him for a moment before walking past Charles to return to his desk. Charles scrambles to pick up the note to read it.
You are my safe place, wherever you are I know I am safe. I hope I can offer even a half of the safety you have gifted me.
“Edwin…” Charles says softly, feeling tears springing to his eyes. He looks over at his partner who just smiles back from his spot behind the desk. Charles wraps the scarf tighter around him, hiding his own smile in the scarf.
~
Edwin runs a hand through Charles’ hair as he continues to read out loud. It was late at night, no case or worries on their minds. The only care the two boys had was spending time together. They had spent the first half of the evening playing games, until Edwin suggested they catch up on some reading.
So here they are, Edwin stretched out on the couch with Charles curled up against his chest. Edwin was reading one of their many detective novels, a classic within their collection. He held the book in one hand, while the other was pushing through Charles’ curls. Only pausing to flip to the next page. Just as he does now.
Flipping to the next page, Edwin continues to read until his eyes catch a page yellow note stuck to the next page. He trips over his words. Pausing his reading of the story, Edwin quickly skims over the note.
Love watching you in your element. You look like a vision when you’re confident
“Charles!” Edwin whispers in shock, his face hearing up. Charles chuckles, tilting his head to look up at Edwin with a smirk.
“What, its true,” Charles offers. “You’re right fit.” Edwin sighs, pushing lightly at Charles’ head. Charles laughs, dipping his head down again as Edwin picks up from where he left off.
~
“Okay, I’m saying it was Professor Plum in the Kitchen with the Candlestick,” Charles says, looking down at his notepad and then the board. He nods once, then looks up at Edwin expectantly.
Edwin taps at his chin, humming as he looks through his cards. He shuffles through a couple times, before he sighs.
“I have nothing,” Edwin says, looking disappointedly at his cards. Charles whoops, scrambling for the file that holds the winning combination. Edwin snatches his wrist, holding it above the board. “Ah, ah, ah you need to formally accuse.”
“Fine,” Charles sigh. He clears his throat, before looking Edwin in the eyes. “I accuse Professor Plum, in the Kitchen, with the Candlestick.” Charles lifts an eyebrow. Edwin nods in approval, letting go of Charles’ wrist and sitting back.
Charles scrambles to pick up the file. He pulls out the three cards. Before he can check them, however, he sees a piece of paper falling to the ground. More curious about the paper, he picks it up and reads it.
Being with you makes forever seem too short. I shall never tire of you
Charles stares down at the paper, blinking his eyes in awe. He looks up at Edwin, who is watching him as nonchalantly as he can. Charles looks down to read the note again before launching himself at Edwin, sending the board flying.
“Charles! Do be careful,” Edwin scolds, while wrapping an arm around his partner. Charles chuckles, pushing up to look down at Edwin.
“You can’t say such sweet things and not expect me to smoother you in love, love,” Charles says. Before Edwin can respond, Charles leans down and kisses him soundly. He pulls back a little, just long enough to whisper, “Forever isn’t long enough for me either.”