Actions

Work Header

Rating:
Archive Warning:
Categories:
Fandom:
Relationships:
Characters:
Additional Tags:
Language:
English
Series:
Part 11 of Traumatized Dead Boys
Stats:
Published:
2024-05-05
Words:
1,094
Chapters:
1/1
Comments:
56
Kudos:
796
Bookmarks:
61
Hits:
4,103

My Heart Knew the Weight

Summary:

Charles had noticed some of the quirks of his new partner almost immediately. When they were walking through parks, forests or even the streets, he’d notice Edwin stop and pick up rocks. He’d watch his friend stop mid-stride and crouch down to grab whatever stone had piqued his interest. The teen tucked them in his jacket pocket and continued on their walk without mentioning the pause.

Notes:

Heyo! Just another cute lil piece. Theres like 5 seconds of minimal angst, its literally just cotton candy type fluff. I projected onto our boys and here we are. Hope you enjoy!

(See the end of the work for more notes and other works inspired by this one.)

Work Text:

            Charles had noticed some of the quirks of his new partner almost immediately. When they were walking through parks, forests or even the streets, he’d notice Edwin stop and pick up rocks. He’d watch his friend stop mid-stride and crouch down to grab whatever stone had piqued his interest. The teen tucked them in his jacket pocket and continued on their walk without mentioning the pause.

            They’d just procured an office and living space. There were two bedrooms, one for each. The Edwardian teen always kept his door closed, so Charles only caught a glimpse of the boy’s room. It was mostly empty, minus a shelf covered in collected rocks. Edwin was extremely protective of his collection, barely talking about it and never letting anyone touch it. 

            It all changed after an argument. It was petty, really. They had only been together for a few months, still working out how they fit with each other, so arguments were natural. They went back and forth, growing more and more frustrated. Edwin eventually said some pretty hurtful things to his partner. Charles teared up and went straight to the door, ignoring Edwin’s frantic apologies behind him.

            He walked around for a while, letting himself recompose and breathe. The office was quiet when he returned, the other boy nowhere to be seen, likely holed up in his room. Charles sighed and walked to his room. He was shocked at the sight of his dresser. On top of it was a small collection of rocks, along with a handwritten apology note. The teen teared up again, but this time with happiness. He knocked on his partner's door, and waited for the other boy to appear. When he opened the door, Charles gave his own apology and thanked his friend for sharing his collection. Edwin smiled and said the argument was as good as forgotten.

            Since then, Charles would find his friend’s collected rocks everywhere. They would appear on his desk, bookshelves and even in his pockets. How the other boy was so stealthy about it, he had no idea. But he was beyond grateful. He kept his own budding collection on the windowsill, where the sunlight could reflect and gleam against the stones. Every mention of the gifts earned him a small, private smile, meant only for them.

            Charles wanted to do something in return. The teen often went out and browsed shops for fun, occasionally snagging items for himself. One day, he came across a clothing shop. He went in and browsed aimlessly, until he came upon an entire shelving unit filled with a variety of bow ties. He broke into a massive grin, and rifled through their supply. He paused upon the sight of a dark green tie, the same shade as his partner’s vest. His grin grew impossibly brighter and he snatched the tie off the shelf. 

            He held onto the tie for a day or two, before placing it in a small box and dropping it at his friend’s door. The next day, Edwin walked to his desk, and Charles noticed his friend was wearing the gifted tie. Both boys smiled like children, before welcoming their first client of the day.

            So, Charles kept up with his gifts. He frequently passed through the clothing shop, always picking up a tie or two. They started out as just a variety of different colors, keeping to classic patterns. But one day, he saw a tie with tiny dinosaurs on it. Really, what was he supposed to do? Just walk out without it?

            This was the first tie his friend asked him about. Charles was happy to explain what he knew, while Edwin listened like he was listing the secrets of the universe. The next day, the Edwardian teen was sat behind his desk, dinosaur tie donned while he read a book all about the extinct creatures. And when his friend started ranting about his new interest, Charles listened with natural interest.

            Their exchange of gifts continued through the years. The number of rocks on his windowsill continuously grew, and his friend’s tie collection did the same. While Edwin stuck to plain ties during business, he happily swapped in one of his, now many, silly patterned ties when they were off. Somewhere along the way, Charles noticed his partner stopped hiding his room so much. He left his door open, and even invited his friend in.

            The pattern continued, only paused when they became stuck in Port Townsend. Edwin still tried to keep up his collecting, but Charles couldn’t find a shop selling ties. Since he couldn’t return to their office, Edwin couldn’t swap ties. He took solace in the fact that at least he had the first tie he’d been gifted.

            Once they finally returned to London, Edwin was constantly swapping ties. The girls noticed but didn’t mention. That is, until they saw him wearing the dinosaur tie.

            “Edwin, what are you wearing?” Crystal asked.

            “Clothes?” he answered, confused.

            “Yeah, no shit, I meant your tie.”

            “Ah, yes. I don’t wear them during cases and whatnot, but I do switch through ties. I simply couldn’t while stuck in Port Townsend. I honestly quite missed it, especially this one.”

            “I just didn’t picture you as a dinosaur guy, I guess.”

            “You didn’t?”

            “You didn’t?” Niko echoed.

            “Okay, guess I missed the mark there. But I can’t picture you grabbing these yourself.”

            “Fair enough, seeing as I didn’t.”

            “Wait, then who did?”

            “Charles, of course.”

            “Really?!”

            “Yes. We have a sort of gifting exchange,” Edwin said. “I gift him parts of my collection and he gifts me whatever ties he grabs when he goes out.”

            “Damn, how long has that been going on?”

            “About as long as we’ve been together, so around thirty years or so.”

            “Wow, you must have a proper tie collection, then.”

            The boy smiled fondly, fingering his tie. “I do. I have a whole box dedicated to the many ties he’s given me over the years.”

            That was when Charles returned from his outing. “And I keep every rock you give me.” He rummaged through his pocket before pulling out a bow tie. “Here, mate, found another good one.” He tossed the tie, his friend catching it with practiced ease.

            Edwin unfurled it and smiled. The tie was covered in a variety of fish, including anglerfish. “Reminds me of the sea monster, Angie,” Charles said. 

            “It certainly does,” he responded. He untied his dinosaur tie, carefully rolled it up and donned his new fish tie. “I love it, Charles, thank you.”

            “No problem, mate.”

Notes:

Writing this one was fun! As always comments are always appreciated! I've already got at least one more piece written and ready to go (it's just as cute, if not more so). So, I'll see yall later!

Series this work belongs to:

Works inspired by this one: