TFLN gone to scene continuation for Brills

[technicallyhellbound]

[From here]

[He grinds his jaw, just a little, frustration still very much in evidence, still definitely wanting to argue the point and likewise fully unable to because Charles is always going to win out in the end in situations like these, because the truth of it is that Edwin has never really been able to deny him much of anything.

Even still, the repetition still sounds like something rote and expected rather than something he actually believes] I did nothing wrong.

Comments

[brills]

[The quick 'no' is met with a tilt of Charles's head, but then Edwin continues and Charles holds his tongue. Everything he hears though, breaks his heart. Does Edwin think that Charles would simply walk away? Without saying so?

Charles sets his cards on the table and move around it to stand next to Edwin. He curls one hand around each of Edwin's shoulders and tries to turn Edwin toward him. It's a move he's done before when trying to get Edwin out of his head.]

I've been with you thirty years and I plan to keep it up for another thirty. If I don't come back, it's because Lost and Found finally got hold of me. Or a ghost plant. Or something like that. It'll never be because I'm sick of you. Promise.

[technicallyhellbound]

[He lets himself be turned, mostly because he knows he's being ridiculous, but it isn't something he can just shut off the way he can other things, emotions have never been his strong suit after all.] I know. I know that. It's just knowing a thing and believing it aren't always the same thing.

[He catches lightly at Charles' elbow, once again not wanting that statement to be taken the wrong way] I believe it when you say it, always have, I think. But if you aren't here, it's harder to remember what's worth believing and what isn't. [A gentle squeeze of that hand on Charles' elbow] So, again, contingency plan for if you don't come back, since obviously the only way that would happen is due to outside force. Even if it's a plan that we never use, I'll feel better for having it.

[brills]

[Charles listens to Edwin but can’t help but see those nervous worries as not based in fact.]

A contingency plan. We can do that.

[Whatever helps Edwin feel more assured when they’re apart.]

But first, c’mere.

[Unless Edwin stops him, Charles will circle him in a tight hug.]

[technicallyhellbound]

[Edwin knows that particular anxiety isn't based in fact, and that's the worst part, because generally when there's no factual basis for something he can disregard it, but that niggling fear is a persistent one, even with evidence to the contrary.

Like the hug Charles gives him, unprompted, like it's easy as anything, and maybe it is because Edwin just sags forward into it with a quiet sigh, his own arms curling around Charles' middle belatedly] Thank you.

[It's a gratitude for the embrace, the reassurance, for agreeing to help with a contingency plan that will hopefully never be used, for a lot of things he doesn't have the words for, really.]

[brills]

We'll figure this out, Ed. We always do. [Charles speaks into Edwin's shoulder, slightly muffled. They can tackle any problem, even if it's mental anxieties and questions.

Charles hugs Edwin for a couple moments more before he leans back, keeping a hold on Edwin's shoulders.]

I promise.