CHARLES

i said a prayer to the stars and that prayer was answered. you came back to me. the heavens must have a plan for us.

Smiles gently. "I'm good Charles, and you?"

There he is. "Good morning Charles."

"You never need to thank me Charles. I don't because I care."

He smiles weakly, looking down at the ground for a moment. “Thank you, Charles. You’re a good friend.”

“I know but… that kind of guilt doesn’t just go away, you know. It lingers constantly.” He sighs softly, brow furrowed.

He chuckles quietly, glancing down at his hands. “I don’t feel that way most of the time. I still think about what I helped Esther do.”

“It’s the whole reason I stayed on.” He shrugs, smiling awkwardly. “Figured I’d make myself useful.”

“Mm, well this one is a tracking potion… theoretically makes it easier to find remains of someone if you’ve got an object that’s strongly tied to them,” he smiles shyly.

He grins proudly, rubbing the back of his neck slightly. “Thank you, Charles.”

“Oh im just… getting some stuff made for Edwin. Helps with the cases and whatnot.” He shrugs shyly, smiling.

He glances up slowly, smiling at his presence. “Hey there..”

Idly mixing potions, bouncing on his heels as he moved between the desk and his ingredients shelves.

Holds Charles close and runs his fingers calmingly through his curls. "It's all going to be okay Charles."

"Of course, Charles, you are always welcome." He pressed a kiss to his curls.

"I know Charles, I know. But I will try and be here for you when those hard times come."

"Charles. I wish there was a way to take all this pain from you. Neither of us can change your past, but we can try and make a better future for ourselves and others."

While Edwin can't ever understand it completely. He knows the hurt had scarred Charles and he wanted to be there for him in any way he could. "He can't hurt you anymore."