Chapter Text
2029
After five years, Edwin still found himself occasionally not believing that he had the good fortune of being allowed to kiss Charles Rowland. Luckily, steady as he was, Charles was always there to remind him that he alone had that privilege.
Sometimes, after they completed a case, Charles would watch the client go to their afterlife from his place behind Edwin. Then, as soon as the blue light had gone and they were alone, he would spin Edwin around and kiss him breathless.
On other days, the lazy days that Edwin had quite come to value, Charles would climb atop Edwin like some sort of long-limbed cat wanting for attention. Edwin would close his book with a raised eyebrow, say something that he was aware was rather saucy, and wait for Charles to leave a long, lingering kiss that led to the promise of more.
Other kisses were short. These simple reminders that Edwin was not alone were perhaps his favourite kisses, quick and quiet but effective at quelling anxieties. Edwin would begin to overthink something or another, get into his head and lose himself in the possibilities of what could be. A peck on the forehead, gentle and sweet, was just the thing to remind him that he did not need to face the future alone regardless of what it held.
The type of kiss did not matter. The only important thing was the soft, steady pressure of Charles’s lips engulfing his own, the warmth of his calloused hands and his leg slotted between Edwin’s on their old, frayed couch cushions.
Periodically, when Charles pulled away, Edwin could do nothing but smile.
And he would speak.
“You, Charles Rowland, are nothing short of spectacular.”