Archive of Our Own ^beta

Oh man, what a great day! Charles couldn’t help but think with a smile on his lips.

In reality, it was a perfectly normal Monday morning, just like any other. They had just closed another successful case at their agency. Edwin sat in his chair, Charles leaned back against the desk beside him, and Crystal was on the sofa. The client, an older woman who had recently passed away, sat in front of the boys. She was happily paying them after they managed to resolve her case without any problems.

They just had to find and bring the woman’s ring so she could be buried with it. Sincerely, a last wish is very easy when you have a psychic and a professional at finding spells working under the same roof (even if both of them would refuse to admit it). This ended with a satisfied client and a job well done, just the type of case that Charles loved after... everything that had happened in the previous months. Yep, definitely a breath of fresh air to forget and start anew... Well, perhaps not forget everything.

Because even this year had brought a grand variety of tragedies and misfortunes to his life (his best mate being trapped by a wanker obsessed with him, almost being absorbed by the fungus of a crazy witch that wanted to destroy them, reviving old and painful memories, seeing how his best mate was betrayed, dragged back to hell, and tortured while he couldn’t do a freaking thing... Did you see his point?), it also brought some good things.

Meeting Crystal? Just Brills!

Saving Niko from the Sprites? Awesome

Being forced to be more open about his old wounds?... Not too great, but well, okay.

But

That his best mate in the world was able to sort out his true feelings regarding his tastes and preferences, managing to accept himself for who he truly is (the most marvelous, kindest, and incredible person in the world)? That was simply perfect!

And well… there was also the little detail that his best mate was in love with him.

Which was something.

Charles could swear that he felt 20% confusion, shock, and flattery, and 80% pure and true happiness. Allow him to elaborate.

What would you do if a person that you truly admired, who is super kind, funny, bloody intelligent, and simply perfect, told you that he is in love with you? He doesn’t just like you or even love you. He is in love with you. It’s amazing what a big change a simple two-letter monosyllable can make…

The point is that Charles is not truly sure what should be done in such cases (not that he thinks this situation will repeat often because there is no one quite like Edwin, but well, you know what he means, right?). However, he knows what he will do: reassure his best mate that everything is going to be alright while he works hard every day to find an answer to that confession.

He had told Edwin that nothing had changed, and truly, Charles doesn’t think anything is different now. Edwin remains the same as he was 30 years ago, perhaps a little more relaxed and happy with himself, and like he always says, that is aces! If anything, it is Charles who has slightly changed. But really, how could he hear the other’s confession and not be affected, you know?

Hehe, Edwin would probably panic if he heard him say those words, misunderstanding and quickly apologizing once again for creating some sort of awkwardness and discomfort between them. Ha! Like that was even possible in the first place.

The truth is that yes, he felt he had changed, but for the better. Now, in his head, there is an option he had never dared to consider before. Where once there was just a wide empty field, there is now an open door, and woah , suddenly life seems much brighter! Besides, the change hadn’t even been so radical that Edwin needed to point it out. It’s more like he’s adapting to this new reality, his new reality.

In the beginning, it was little things like saying more sweet things and compliments to Edwin, lingering more with every touch, initiating more hugs. Very quickly, Charles found himself wanting to do and say more. Recently, he had been flirting often with Edwin—his Edwin! (He still found that hard to believe.) The point is, Charles had always been a touchy and flirty person, quick to speak nicely and sweetly to any girl because, well, it was just fun. But in the end, they were just random women who came and went in his life as quickly as clouds, without leaving a mark or even a tangible proof that they were once there.

A thing that clearly could never happen with Edwin because Edwin had already left such an incredible mark and legacy on Charles’s life that he wouldn’t be surprised if, upon opening his chest, they find Edwin’s signature right on his heart and bones.

So each time Charles managed to say something cheesy enough to make Edwin blush, lose his train of thought, or even better, leave him speechless, he gave himself a little pat on the back like he had done a good job in a case. Which reminded him, he was in the middle of wrapping up a case before this little journey down memory lane, right?

“Isn’t that true, Charles?” Edwin said while turning his body toward him. Oh-oh, he probably should have been listening instead of thinking about... well, Edwin.

“...Sure thing, mate!” Charles said with a little smile, hoping it would do the trick, but Edwin’s expression told him he wasn’t fooled.

“You weren’t even paying attention, were you?”

“Sorry, sorry,” Charles couldn’t help but let out a little chuckle at Edwin’s cute frown and accusatory words. “I just got a little distracted there.”

“Oh really? I couldn’t tell at all,” Edwin remarked sardonically, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “Do I need to remind you how inappropriate that behavior is in front of the clients?”

“I said I was sorry, didn’t I?” Charles shouldn't find being scolded so amusing, but his smile widened when an idea popped into his head. “Besides, you just asked me to confirm something you said, didn’t you? I’m always cool with whatever you say, so my answer still stands.”

“...I shall ensure to use those very words against you in the future.” Edwin managed to say after a moment of initial shock, now looking away with an embarrassed expression on his face.

“Can you two please act a little less like… you two, and be done with this already?” Crystal remarked with an unimpressed look. “Some people still need to get some sleep after a night of searching.”

“Naturally,” Edwin said, clearing his tone and adjusting his already perfect clothes, ready to address the client. “Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience, madam. As sparently my partner and I both agree, your payment for this case is more than sufficient. There is no need for you to concern yourself further.”

“Oh dear, I just feel that it’s too little considering what you’ve done for me,” the sweet old lady said, looking at the money and some old items displayed on the desk.

“Nah, this is brill!” Charles said once he finally caught up with the conversation, nudging Edwin's leg behind the desk to get his attention. “Believe me, ma’am, we’ve had payments way worse. Remember that figure of Queen Elizabeth made of earwax from ’93, Edwin? That was nasty.”

“Indeed,” Edwin agreed, his expression a mix of amusement and disgust. “Or the cursed piano from ’07 that only played that one sad song.”

“That wasn’t too bad, though, it made ne realize how insanely good you are at playing it” Charles said with a smile directed at his partner, his finger moving to simulate playing on Edwin’s arm, which was resting on the desk. “Oh! We should totally get you a piano so you can play again.”

“Perhaps a normal one this time,” Edwin agreed with a small smile of his own, lifting his hand. Charles easily intertwined his fingers with Edwin’s when he reached that part.

“I can see that you two have been together for a long time,” the old lady said with a smile, then suddenly realizing her words. “Oh, where are my manners? My apologies, I didn’t mean to assume anything.”

“Everything’s aces” Charles replied with a wide smile, raising their joined hands as if to prove a point. “After all, we’ve been together for almost 35 years now!”

“...Charles, that is not what she means!” Edwin whispered urgently at his side, his face flushed with embarrassment and frustration. Had Charles said something wrong?

“She thinks you two are married,” Crystal pointed out from the couch, her tone both amused and matter-of-fact. “But even if they act like that, they’re not, as far as I know.”

“We are not engaged in such a relationship,” Edwin quickly affirmed, casting an irritated look at Crystal while trying to pull his hand away from Charles’s firm grip. Charles, however, only tightened his hold.

“I see…” The client glanced between Crystal and Edwin, laughing softly. “I know it’s not my place to pry, but I was just curious about what kind of relationship you two have.”

“Oh! Edwin is my…” Charles began, but then hesitated, almost instinctively about to say ‘best mate.’ 

After everything that had happened, that term just didn’t feel quite right anymore. Don’t get him wrong—Edwin was and always would be his best mate. But now, he was so much more than that. What term could possibly fit? “Friend,” “partner,” and “brother” all seemed inadequate. Unless…

“Edwin is my soulmate,” Charles concluded with a broad smile, squeezing Edwin’s hand, which, intriguingly, had stopped trying to pull away.

“How lovely!” the old lady exclaimed, clapping her hands and giving a small, respectful bow. “Now, if you boys will excuse me, I’d like to attend my funeral before moving on. Once again, my most sincere gratitude for everything.”

And that’s how, once the client had left, Charles was happily buzzing about another successful case closed. But the curious faces of the others quickly drew his attention.

“What’s wrong?” he asked Crystal, who was staring at him as if he had grown a second head, while Edwin was… well, petrified seemed the only way to describe him. He was completely still in his chair, his gaze unfocused on some empty point in the room, and his hand remained lifeless in Charles’s grip. “Mate?”

“I think you broke him,” Crystal said, covering her mouth and struggling not to laugh. “Oh god, this is too good.”

“Crystal, this is not funny,” Charles scolded, placing a hand on Edwin’s shoulder and shaking him gently. “Edwin, everything all right?”

“I… yes, yes, everything is fine,” Edwin managed to say, making eye contact with Charles before quickly turning his face away, his cheeks burning with embarrassment. “May I inquire what was that about?”

“What do you mean?”

“I think that he means the fact that you just call him, your ‘soulmate’” Crystal clarified, her head resting in her hand while she watched with a smug smile the situation.

“Wouldn’t you need to go and do things of a living person, Crystal?” Edwin said in an annoyed tone while looking at her like he wanted to give some message “As let’s we said, sleep?”

“Nah, this is so suddenly interesting that I lose all the sleep”

“Okay, you guys are acting reaaally weird”

“We?” inquired Edwin and Crystal at the same time.

“For much that I hate to admit it… Crystal is right” Edwin sighed “Can I ask what was happening in your head to make you use such term?”

“Which one? Soulmate?” Charles asked with a confused expression “Nothing much, why?”

“Because you literally said that you and Edwin are like…fate lovers… just like Orpheus and Eurydice or some shit like that!”

“I did not do that!” Charles said frowning. “Well… at least not today. I just called him my soulmate!”

“Same thing!”

“Enough!” Edwin raised his voice slightly as he finally managed to free his hand, though he tried hard to ignore the sad puppy eyes Charles was giving him. “Could we please leave aside that legend once and for all?”

“I just don’t get what all the fuss is about,” Charles said with a little pout. “It’s not like it’s the first time I’ve used that term, is it?”

“Charles… I think that I would recall if you had ever referred to me like that before” Edwin said with a puzzled expression on his face that Charles still didn’t understand “What I mean is that…-”

But unfortunately, the Edwardian’s next words were interrupted by the Night Nurse suddenly appearing in the middle of the room.

“Jesus! Charlie, you really wanted to take the job of the Ghost Postman”

“First of all, do not call me that Mr Rowland, and second, I don’t have any idea of what you are referring to, but I can assure you that I already have enough job supervising you two boys!”

“Leaving that aside” Edwin decided to intercede before Charles could answer “May I know what purpose lead you here? Perhaps you brought us another case?”  

“Come on!” Crystal complained while rubbing her face “We just ended the last one. Someone is still living here, and she wants to keep doing that and not die of exhaustion”

“If you had let me finish, you would know that I did not bring you boys any case,” the Night Nurse said with a deadpan expression.

“Brills! Then why don’t we relax a bit? Would you like to see a..-”

“I’m afraid that this is not a social call either” The woman quickly interrupted the ‘80 boy. “I require the presence of Edwin Payne, here present, to finish the paperwork of some cases”

“I understand,” Edwin said after sighing, apparently the conversation that they were having before this, would have to wait. “Let’s better get going if that is the case”

“Going behind you mate!” Charles exclaimed getting up, ready to follow the other but it was interrupted again.

“You boys don’t need to come as a lote” the Nigh Nurse put herself between him and Edwin “I remember saying that I only require one of you, the one that is not an actual disaster with paperwork”

“Hey! That is not very nice” Charles complained with a pout “I’m not as good as Edwin but I can do it just fine”

“Need I point out all the grammatical mistakes and nonsense I found in the paperwork you submitted a few days ago?” she accused, raising an eyebrow. “Seriously, so many inconsistencies! I’d rather you leave your personal fantasies aside when writing professional documents.”

“What are you possibly referring to?” Edwin asked, his expression a mix of confusion and concern. After 30 years together, he was the first to know that Charles had a problem or two with writing and reading, but the document the Night Nurse was talking about was just a mere formality with basic personal facts to officially register their work for the ‘Lost and Found Department’. It shouldn’t have been so difficult for his partner.

“What I’m referring to is that the next time that I ask basic things like ‘your relation with the deceased Edwin Payne’ I am expecting some professionalism like ‘coworker’, not such a fanciful term as ‘soulmates’ ”

“I know that I had already used it somewhere” Charles commented under the intense gaze of his friend, who were giving him his best ‘seriously Charles?’ look. “Well, okay, I won’t do anything, but I’m still going”

“No you are not,” Edwin said with a little frown, words that he was already expecting from the other woman, but certainly not from him. “I think that is best if you stay here and put your current ideas to some thinking”

“Edwin come on” He quickly said walking closer to the other, putting a hand on his shoulder while giving his best convincing smile. “There is no way I’m going to let you go alone.”

“There isn’t?” the older ghost asked with a hint of sour amusement in his voice, as if that was what he was expecting to hear. “For my part, I think that is the best outcome, and if I recall, you are ‘always cool with anything that I said’ , correct?”

Damn, the hunting of these words was sooner than he was expecting. Indubdabtily, he was doomed, and even if he tried to convince the other for some time to let him go with him, in the end, it was all in vain, leaving him no other remedy than stay behind in the office.

“How long exactly are you continue looking like a kicked puppy?” Crystal asked a sulking Charles sitting on his spot at the desk.

“I just can’t believe that Edwin didn’t want me to go with him”

“Well, after what you said, it’s normal that he is mad thou” Crystal scoffed while checking her nails distractedly.

“Can you please tell me what exactly I said wrong???” Charles raised his voice while standing up to face the other girl. He seriously was growing tired of the others treating him like he had done a war crime or something worse.

“Once more, the all ‘soulmate’ thing?” the living girl said with a raised eyebrow as if it was obvious.

“What is with that!? And why everybody seems to have the necessity of keep bringing it up??”

“Aghh, you guys seriously only worse my migraine,” Crystal said massaging her temples. “First of all, do you even know what that means?”

“I’m not an idiot Crystal” Charles said, but when the girl only move to let him explain and demonstrate the opposite, he found himself a little trapped. “Look…. I know that is some kind of relationship term, innit? Like what you taught me about BF or BFF”

“I ask you if you knew what it means, not what it is”

“It is like best mates, but bigger” Charles said with confidence, but apparently that was not exactly right, having in mind the face of the other girl. “I don’t know why everybody cares so much about what I call Edwin! Just…’best mates’ doesn’t feel quite enough, and ‘soulmates’ it feels deeper, like a big word as ‘fiance’, you know?”

“Sorry I got lost there, are you saying now that Edwin is like your fiance?”

“Agh, No” Charles said frustrated moving his hand to his face, all under the attentive and incredulous gaze of her friend “I promise it had sense! Edwin is my mate, I am his mate. We are both ghost, which are literally souls, so where is the problem exactly?” 

“The problem is that you truly are an idiot” Crystal said sighing, getting back in massaging her eyes and forehead. “Charles, that is a term used to show love”

“So??”

“Romantic, sexual, and passion love” the psychic girl clarified. “Not whatever the fuck homoerotic platonic thing you have with Edwin…you know what, scratch that, I don’t think that you guys are platonic anymore”

“..... Oh ” the ghost found himself saying, his face turned into a surprise expression.

“Yeah, ‘Oh’.” Crystal mocked him, right before turning seriously. ““Look, I know it’s not my place to say, but you guys are like my best friends—my only two friends, actually. So, you should really take some time to figure your stuff out and stop confusing Edwin any further.”

“What… What do you mean by that?” Charles asked, confusion written all over his face. He didn’t think he was causing any issues, at least not intentionally.

“Charles, you said that whatever we had was over because Edwin had confessed to you,” Crystal began, rushing to clarify before Charles could interrupt. “Which is fine because, honestly, it wasn’t going anywhere anyway. But what I’m trying to say is that you can’t reject him one day and then flirt with him or call him your ‘soulmate’ like some kind of bipolar bastard, you know?”

“I…I didn’t reject him,” Charles said in a nearly inaudible voice. Fuck, he really didn’t want it to come off that way. He just needed some time to figure everything out. “Y-you don’t think Edwin thinks that, right?”

“Honestly? Knowing Edwin, he’s probably considered every possible scenario that could exist—and will exist,” Crystal said, watching as her words sunk in painfully for Charles. “The point is that if you keep things like this, you’re just going to end up hurting him, and consequently, hurting yourself.”

“I—I don’t want to h-hurt him,” Charles whispered, feeling his eyes start to water. “Fuck, Crystal, I’m such an idiot… Hurting him is the last thing I want to do.”

“I know.”

“What… What should I do?” Charles didn’t just ask; he pleaded for an answer that might magically solve the situation.

“First, you should really learn more about what ‘soulmate’ means,” Crystal said softly, handing Charles her mobile phone. “See if that rings a bell.”

“Thank you, Crystal. You are a good friend”

“Yep”

“There is a problem tho”

“What?”

“I don’t have any idea of how to use this phone”

“...Oh, dear god”

And that is how, after several minutes of Crystal explaining to Charles how to use Google searches, and even more minutes of Charles reading about the topic, she was awakened from her short nap on the couch by the frustrated screams of her friend at her side.

“What’s got you now?” she asked, rubbing her eyes. Charles was holding her phone, which displayed an article on the screen.

The term "soulmate" refers to a person with whom one shares a deep, natural affinity. This connection often goes beyond physical attraction or common interests and is perceived as a profound, spiritual, or emotional bond. The concept of a soulmate suggests that this person is uniquely suited to be your perfect partner, often implying a sense of destiny or fate in bringing you together

“Oh god, I can’t believe that I wrote that on Charlie’s papework” Charles said, his embarrassed face hid behind his hands. “I mean it is not wrong, but it’s so…”

“Embarasing?”

“Yeah”

“Well, it could have been worse, at least you don’t mark your civil state like married or something like that” Crystal joked, stopping his chuckle when she noticed the boy's strange silence and expression on his face. “Charles Rowland, you did not…”

“Well…”

“Charles!”

“What? You even said that we already look like a married couple!” the ghost exclaimed, raising his arms in exasperation. “And I’m already engaged to spend all eternity with Edwin, so I kind of don’t see the difference!”

“God give me patience” Crystal murmured, hand once again on her face, which was really becoming a forced habit thanks to these idiots. “How can you be so stupid?”

“I’m sorry that I am, okay?” Charles exclaimed a little offended, right before collapsing dejected on the couch. “What I’m going to do now?”

“Talk with Edwin and says that you don’t know the significance of that word and that you don’t really meaning it.”

“But I mean it!” Charles quickly said and even before Crystal could call him an idiot again, he proceed to explain. “I may not know all of that when I said it, but the truth is that it shows exactly how I feel about Edwin. ‘Deep natural affinity’, ‘beyond physical attraction or common interest’, ‘uniquely suited to be your perfect partner’...Everything of that is what represent better my relationship with Edwin”

“Really?” Crystal asked, with a hint of disbelief in her voice and one eyebrow raised. But she quickly took it back when she saw the other angry face. “I mean, good for you guys, I just thought that cheesy and corny shit like that only happened on the TV.”

“I know it might sound like too much, but… I love Edwin—God knows I love him with all my being—and I know that he’s always loved me too, even if he never said it. But you know how he is. Besides, I know him well enough to understand that he didn’t really…”

“Charles ” Crystal's impatience voice interrupted his word vomit. “I know you're excited about this big realization, but could you please summarize what you're trying to say?”

“My point is that we always had love each other, but then, Edwin said that he is in love with me, like proper love-love, you know?”

“Aham”

“And since then I had been squeezing my brains out and trying different things to figure out if I can love him in that way too.”

“Trying different stupid things” Crystal felt the necessity of correct, being rewarder with Charles’ annoyed expression “But continue please”

“And I think that I can’t” Charles said creating a big confusion for the other girl “I don’t think that I am in love with Edwin”

“YoU ArE nOT?” The girl sincerely inquired, hoping that the answer wouldn't be so foolish that she'd regret asking the question.

“No, I am much more than that!” Charles exclaimed, making Crystal realize that, yes, he could be foolish enough. “What I feel for Edwin is way more than a traditional term can represent. I mean, my parents were married and their relationship was shit, but I don’t think any normal marriage feels this way… like, having a connection so strong that it feels like we were always meant to be together.”

“Okay, first of all, don’t you never—hear me? NEVER—say what you just told me in the beginning to Edwin, because he’ll panic and won’t hear the rest,” Crystal warned him seriously. “Second, that last part was really sweet, and you definitely need to tell Edwin exactly that.”

“You think?”

“Yep, except for the ‘I’m not in love with him’ part” she clarifies once again raising a pointer finger “Honestly, for me, you just are. But you’re too dramatic to see it as a normal person and had to bring this whole ‘soulmate’ thing into it to make you realize. But, well, whatever works for you, buddy.”

“Ha Ha. very funny” Charles said, before looking nervous “How do you think that he will take it?”

“...You better want to investigate a little more about this if you don’t want him to bitching around and destroy all of your arguments,” the girl said giving him a little pad on the shoulder while giving him once again her phone.

“Yeah, wish me good luck”

Apparently, he was going to need a bit more luck… thought as he saw Edwin, visibly annoyed and exhausted, come in a few hours later. Charles, who had been researching intensely, felt like a professional but still wasn’t sure how to approach the topic with his tired, seemingly soulmate.

“So… we need to talk,” Charles began, positioning himself on the corner of Edwin’s desk. Edwin was seated, engrossed in writing on some documents and seemingly ignoring Charles’s presence.

“I’m busy right now, Charles,” Edwin replied in a serious and cold tone, not even glancing up from his papers. Charles, undeterred, reached over and took the papers from Edwin’s hands. “Excuse me, what seems to be the affliction today?” Edwin asked, his irritation clear.

Charles took a deep breath, ready to address the situation despite the apparent challenge.

“I just want to speak with my mate for a few seconds about something really important!”

“Oh, then you should probably go find him,” Edwin remarked with sassy nonchalance, his gaze fixed on Charles with an unamused expression. “Because apparently, I’m your ‘soulmate’ now.”

“Edwin…” Charles rolled his eyes, not even resisting when Edwin snatched the papers back and stood up to organize the other cases. No matter what, when Edwin was in this mood, talking to him was practically impossible. “You’re overreacting again.”

“Well, at least I don’t go around spouting foolish nonsense about us,” Edwin retorted, clearly agitated.

“They are not foolish nonsense!” Charles raised his voice, his face quickly turning into an angry expression. 

“No, of course they are not Charles” Edwin said in a condescent tone, ready to turn and move away, but the other stopped him grabbing his wrist. “Let me go”

“No! If you actually listen to me, I will explain it to you!”

“What there is to explain Charles!?” Edwin raised his voice, clearly frustrated. At this point, his hands would be forming fists against each other if it weren’t for the fact that Charles was still holding one. "Is it your incessant flirtations and affectionate gestures toward me? Or the fact that you refer to us as soulmates so casually? Or perhaps it is the fact that you do all of that AFTER REJECTING ME IN HELL?!”

“I DID NOT REJECT YOU. I’M JUST NOT IN LOVE WITH YOU”

And damn it, what was the one thing Crystal had told him not once, but twice , not to say to Edwin? He felt like an idiot. Charles would have spent more time hating himself if it weren’t for the fact that he was witnessing Edwin’s face shift from anger to shock, and finally settle into a painful, hurt expression.

“I didn’t think you could be so cruel,” Edwin said, pulling away and hugging himself as if he needed protection from Charles. The sight of Edwin’s tears forming in his beautiful green eyes felt like a knife to the heart.

“No, no, no, please don’t cry,” Charles pleaded, panic rising in his voice. He reached out to wipe away the tears even before they fell, only for Edwin to slap his hand away. “Edwin, please, I love you. You have to know that I love you. God… Crystal is right, you’re right. I’m such a cruel idiot, but please, let me explain myself, okay?”

And even when Edwin didn’t let any verbal confirmation that he had agreed to hear the other explanation, this time he allowed when the other’s hand tried to cup his cheek again, so, small victories.

“Look, like I said, I did not reject you, I am just not in love with you”

“Same thing” Edwin's broken voice accompanied by more tears interrupted him, and damn, that was seriously killing him right now.

“No, no, I promise you it’s not like that,” Charles quickly assured, gently cupping Edwin’s face between his hands. “What I feel for you is not something trivial or fleeting. I’m not in love with you in a way that’s simple or conventional. It’s much deeper than that.”

“I... I’m really trying to understand what you’re saying,” Edwin choked out through his tears, his face contorted with pain. “But hearing you say over and over that you’re not in love with me feels like being dragged back into hell.”

“Right, right, sorry. I’ll stop,” Charles said, cursing himself internally. Words had never been his strong suit, and he’d picked a terrible way to express his feelings. “Look, I might not have fully understood what I meant when I first used the term ‘soulmates,’ but I do now. Edwin, I firmly believe that you are my soulmate.”

“Charles, what you’re saying doesn’t make any sense,” Edwin said, his voice breaking with frustration.

“I do! I promise, if you just let me explain—”

“No! Charles, it doesn’t make sense,” Edwin interrupted, stepping back and clenching his fists, his anger barely masking his hurt. “You’re only saying that because you don’t want to admit you don’t love me in the same way. I don’t need you protecting my feelings with excuses, please…”

“It’s not an excuse, and I’m definitely not saying that because I don’t love you in the same way… Edwin, I love you in every possible way that exists and that will exist,” Charles said, stepping closer to bridge the gap between them. “Just think about it, okay? Two individuals who understand each other so well that it feels almost scripted. With such a strong love and devotion that one of them would go to hell for the other—quite literally, you know?”

At least that elicited a little wet chuckle from Edwin.

“Every day for the past 35 years has felt so perfect and natural, like it was meant to happen. I mean, what were the odds that you’d escape hell in the same year that I died? We were meant to be, mate,” Charles said with a conviction so strong that Edwin could only look at him with a mix of wonder and admiration. “Since you confessed to me in hell, I’ve been trying really hard to find an answer, a proper answer. But no matter what, saying just ‘I’m in love with you too’ doesn’t feel quite right, in the same way that ‘best mate’ wasn’t enough either. Partner? Boyfriend? Lover? Nahh. None of those terms covers everything I feels for you. That’s why I could say it back in hell immediately. It’s why it took me so long to even name and properly identify this feeling. And then I heard the term ‘soulmate’ and I just…”

“Jump straight to using it even before thinking?” Edwin finished Charles’s line, his earlier fear now replaced by a look of pure fondness. "What a novelty"

“Oh, shut it,” Charles laughed, pressing his forehead against Edwin’s. “In summary, I don’t just love you because what I feel is so much bigger and stronger. But I guess that in love is inside that, isn't it? So, it turns out that I’m in love with you too. I just don’t feel that quite captures how bloody much I freaking love you.”

“...So soulmates?” Edwin scoffed, still looking a bit unsure of the use of that term. “I had never believed in such fantasy fairy tales, I’m afraid”

“Rich coming from a ghost expert in magic, but sure, if you said it mate…” Charles couldn’t help but joke, gaining a little pinch of his cheek.

“Besides, saying things like… ‘You and I are destined,’ implies that somehow, me going to hell and worse, you dying were things meant to be,” Edwin said quietly, moving his hand from Charles’s face, ready to let it fall. But Charles caught it before that could happen.

“I guess if you choose to see it from the worst side, yes…” Charles admitted with a wry smile. “Truly, I had to get the most pessimistic person in the world to be my soulmate, didn’t I?”

“Well, my apologies,” Edwin said, frowning a little, looking mildly offended.

“I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Charles said, his gaze full of love fixed on Edwin’s green eyes. “And I also don’t regret anything, even if it’s super cruel and selfish on my part, given how much you suffered in hell. But dying… I don’t regret it if it means meeting you.”

“I don’t regret being in hell either,” Edwin quickly affirmed, and even though Charles tried to insist it wasn’t necessary to say such a thing, Edwin had never spoken untruths in his life. “I mean it.”

“I know,” Charles said softly, because he truly did. “So, do you see my point now? Or do I need to give a three-hour speech on why I firmly believe that you are my one and only love, my unique beloved, the end of my red thread, my other half, ‘mi media naranja’ ?”

“Charles, we are not fruits,” Edwin laughed, and although Charles wasn’t sure if Edwin had missed the reference or if it was just the situation itself that made him laugh, he didn’t care. He only care about the beautiful sound of Edwin’s laugh just inches from his lips. Charles loved it, but right now, he was more inclined to make that laugh end if it meant he could kiss those lips.

“Can I kiss you?” Charles blurted out, and although Edwin’s initial shock made him panic a little, the other quickly and embarrassedly nodded, making it all worthwhile.

Leaning forward, Charles didn’t wait another second. He devoured Edwin’s chuckle with his own lips, in a sweet and lingering kiss that might not have expressed the full intensity of his love, but it came close. He wasn’t worried about that, though. After all, they had eternity to learn and find new ways to show and share this beautiful feeling inside their hearts.

“You are so stuck with me now,” Charles said with amusement and happiness, his eyes brimming with love as they couldn’t help but gaze into Edwin’s.

“I would hope so,” Edwin replied with a teary laugh, his face radiating pure affection. “After all, we are soulmates, aren’t we?”

“Yes, yes we are,” Charles confirmed, his heart swelling with joy.

The End.