Chapter Text
Edwin Payne did not celebrate his birthday.
Charles knew this, had known since 1993 when they had managed to find Edwin’s birth and death records and found out what day he was born. Made a cheeky comment, didn’t he, about Edwin being a New Years baby.
Not that it mattered, because Edwin did not celebrate his birthday.
It was not that Edwin did not like to celebrate things, he liked Christmas well enough, and was more than happy to get Charles a present and new patch for his birthday. Hell, he even liked to celebrate the agency’s opening with a day off and a cuddle on the couch. They often read to each other, Edwin with his Max Carrados books and Charles with his Agatha Christie.
It was just- Edwin did not celebrate his birthday. Had no desire to celebrate the day he was born, now over a century ago. A life cut short, and a death too long.
Charles would like to celebrate his best mate, would love to have a special day for Edwin like Edwin did for him, a day where Edwin could choose whatever he wanted, even if it was sitting in the British museum, or wandering the beach side.
But Edwin did not want to, so they didn’t.
They treated it like any other day, at least, somewhat. Charles did what he could, didn’t he? Like going to a nice lookout spot to watch the fireworks that rang in Edwin’s birthday, or getting Edwin to close the office early so they could read together.
Hell, one year Charles managed to get Edwin to blow out a candle, even if it was no where near a hundred.
Anything more was too much, wasn’t it? Stuff that Edwin had no interest in doing, so Charles did what he could to get Edwin to rest, and just have a nice day.
Not celebrating birthdays became trickier, with the living they had befriended.
Crystal’s birthday came first, fresh off Niko’s presumed death and getting her memories back. Only a few days after they returned to London, Edwin had come up to Charles with a glint in his eye and a seven-page plan for how they could make sure Crystal had a good birthday. Or, at least, didn’t spend it moping about her returned memories and mourning Niko.
He had gotten her cake from a local bakery their friend Poppy used to run, and currently haunted to ensure her standards were upheld, and found Crystal several rings that held different enchantments, ranging from protection to offence to decorative. Charles had chimed in with his own suggestions when necessary, but really, he knew Edwin didn’t have to talk to him about it all.
Edwin was aces at throwing birthday celebrations, even if he didn’t want one himself.
And, of course, Crystal had a great birthday. Had cried and complained about Edwin ruining her makeup, before forcing him into a hug he could not escape. Not that he wanted to, Charles could see that pleased little smile on his face, that one he got when he exceeded expectations.
Next came Charles’, which was similarly brills. A long package wrapped carefully in butcher’s paper and ribbon, since there was no reason to buy fancy paper just to rip it up. Inside, a brand-new cricket bat with some strengthening spells, and plenty of room for Charles to add his own runes and spell work. And a new pin- one that said ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ on a red background, that had been carefully attached to the cricket bat with more of the same red ribbon.
And, a new patch. This one a small circle, with a rainbow flag and words that said, “You Are Safe With Me".
“You do not have to wear it,” Edwin had said, “Or sew it on rather. Just- You have been awfully kind to me, and I think our clients should know the Dead Boy Detectives’ stance on such matters as well.”
Charles pretended he didn’t tear up, and Edwin pretended he didn’t notice.
Though, neither could ignore the minutes long hug they shared, nor their shared reluctance to let go of each other.
Then spring came around, and then summer. As leaves started to change colour and fall off the trees, a case came to them that knocked them right side the head.
The thinning of the veil on Halloween had lead them to uncovering the fact that Niko was still around, and much of their time between Halloween and New Years had been dedicated to figuring out how to get their dear friend back.
That was all to say that they had spent Edwin’s hundred and twenty-fourth birthday in the Netherlands, and the week following getting Niko out of a rather strange contract with some fae-adjacent creatures and the Afterlife department.
So, Crystal hadn’t figured out Edwin’s birthday that year, not with all the fun they had going on with getting Niko back. Charles was also sure Edwin would claim Niko was the best present he could get.
Charles would like to add, that the aurora borealis were a suitable substitution for their regular fireworks. Edwin had stared for so long, stars shining in his eyes, to the point Charles couldn’t help but stay with him till the northern lights slowly danced away.
And- since they had worked through Christmas, Edwin had insisted upon having a late holiday party, now that they were all together again.
Truly, Charles couldn’t be happier.
Niko’s birthday had been bloody brilliant as well, landing right on Valentine’s Day and full of chocolate and murder mystery games and some rather raunchy manga that Edwin had insisted she would enjoy.
Charles and Crystal had found her some more anime posters, but they were definitely beat by Edwin with how Niko reacted.
Not that either could complain really, not when Edwin looked proper pleased with himself after a year of sad puppy eyes, and Niko looked seconds away from trying to squeeze him to a second death.
And the year went on, a quartet now.
Then Niko had asked-
“When is your birthday, Edwin?”
It was a quiet sort of day, the kind that had you all sitting in the same room but doing different things. Edwin was reading, Crystal was trying to enchant her coat, Niko was poking around their office, and Charles was trying to get his personal record for how long he could keep his football in the air.
Charles had looked over at Edwin pretty quickly, probably would have cracked his neck if he were still alive, and almost sighed with relief when Edwin just hummed. Then almost missed Edwin’s answer when the football bounced on his head.
“January 1st, 1901.” Edwin said, his voice softer than usual, with his attention still mainly on his book.
It was some book Charles had found while poking around a local bookshop, after asking Janice what kinda book was a romance that Edwin would like- apparently it was written in 1914 but not published till the 70’s.
Edwin was proper entranced.
It was almost enough for Charles to not think about Edwin’s answer, only-
“Wait a tick,” he started, “I thought you were sixteen when you died!”
Sure, they hadn’t actually. Said as much, but it was proper implied.
They both went to St Hilarion’s. They both got killed at said boarding school. And they both died at sixteen.
Only-
“Oh for goodness sakes, Charles,” Edwin put his book to the side, his eye roll evident as he turned to look at Charles. “I died a few days before my birthday. You know this.”
“I thought you were a few days short of seventeen, didn’t I!” Charles crossed his arms, “Not a few days short of sixteen! You would’ve just gotten your learners, when I thought you were a few days short of driving!”
“That is hardly a universal metric to go off of-”
“No, it is! Cause I would be the one driving us around-”
“You were hardly driving either when you died-”
“But I was close-”
“Not that I’m not loving this domestic you guys are having-” Crystal interjected, having apparently put aside her now bright green jacket, “But either way, that means we didn’t celebrate your birthday, Edwin.”
Edwin at least had the decency to not roll his eyes at Crystal, though Charles could see it was a near thing.
“That was intentional, Crystal,” Edwin said, “I do not care to celebrate the date of my birth, seeing as it was over a hundred years ago now.”
“But that means it’s almost your hundred and twenty fifth!” Niko said, frowning at Edwin now, “You have to celebrate that one. It’s special!”
“And you literally celebrate everything else,” Crystal added, “I don’t know anyone who actually celebrates Easter by going to church. Or does Halloween the way you two do. I don’t see why you draw the line at your own birthday.”
“I do not enjoy celebrating myself,” Edwin sniffed, now picking up back up his book and finding his spot again. “If you must know, it was not an enjoyable time for me.”
“Doesn’t mean it can’t be an ‘enjoyable’ time now,” Crystal said, “We’re a few days out from Christmas, I’m sure we can get the party stuff ready for New Years. Loads of places sell themes too, maybe we can find an old fashioned one for you.”
“And cake!” Niko added, smiling now, “Maybe we could talk to Poppy- she might know how to make you a cake you can taste!”
Edwin very rarely frowned at Niko, but Charles could see his mood worsening with every suggestion.
“I would prefer not, thank you,” Edwin said. “And this is not up for debate. I do not celebrate my birthday, and I will continue to not celebrate it.”
And that would’ve been that, if they hadn’t made friends with two girls who loved to meddle and had too much free time.
It truly was the holiday season, when things went quiet between that weird space of Christmas and New Years, where people couldn't quite figure out if they should be working or not.
“So Charles,” Crystal started a day later, when Edwin was off with Niko collecting unicorn hair. “What do you do for Edwin’s birthday?”
“Nothing really,” Charles said, looking up at Crystal from where he was sat on the floor. "We usually go to a good spot to view a load of fireworks, but that’s more for ringing in the New Year, innit?”
“Wait-” Crystal laughed, but not really in a nice way. She had a nice laugh too, it sucked when it sounded more, mean. “You actually don’t celebrate your best friend?”
“Well,” Charles frowned, just a bit. “He doesn’t like to celebrate. Told me a load of times over the years. Always ask, don’t I? If he wants to do anything.”
“That’s just what people say Charles,” Crystal rolled her eyes, “everyone wants to celebrate themselves.”
“Yeah, well. Not Edwin,” Charles said, slowly. “Never fancies doing anything, does he? Not like how we used to mine-”
“Okay, but Charles, you realize we have to do something for him, right?” Crystal interrupted, “He’s gone over a hundred years without a party, or like. Something to celebrate just him.”
“Yeah, but he doesn’t want to.” Charles frowned, turning his body fully towards Crystal now. “Doesn’t like thinking about when he got out of Hell, or his birthday, does he? We do celebrate when we opened the agency, have a good cuddle and read together.”
“Yeah, but that’s like, an open house or something,” Crystal said, her frustration apparently mounting as she stared at Charles. Like he were trying to be difficult. “Like, cheers, we lived in the same place for a year. That’s not a party Charles, with balloons and cake and embarrassing hats! And like- a bunch of your friends around to pay attention to just you!”
“Crystal, do those sound like things Edwin would like?” Charles asked, furrowing his eyebrows at the girl. “Cause that doesn’t sound like Edwin to me.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Crystal said, waving her hand about like she were swatting away flies, “Birthdays are a chance to embarrass your besties cause you love them. Tell me you don’t do things just to mess with him.”
“Sure, I do-” Charles started, but stopped once the office door opened, showing Edwin’s disgruntled expression and a positively beaming Niko.
“Charles!” Niko smiled, clapping her hands together as she bounced into the room, “Did you know unicorns love Edwin?”
Charles smiled back at her, “Course-”
“They are vile creatures,” Edwin sniffed, taking off his overcoat and placing it on one of their coat racks, “Always pushing their noses against you and-”
“Makes it real easy to get the hair, right?” Charles grinned, holding a hand out for Edwin to take, which he did rather quickly, sliding to the floor with a good amount of grace. “Just let the unicorns fawn over Edwin and start brushing their mane. Hardly pay attention to us, when you’re around,” Charles bumped Edwin’s shoulder with his head, feeling something loosen in his chest when Edwin allowed a smile to cross his face.
“Be that as it may,” Edwin said, snooty in the way he did to get Charles riled up with laughter, “Unicorns are still mostly horse, and that means they are awful.”
“Just cause you got a demon horse when you were nine doesn’t mean they’re all evil mate,” Charles laughed, “Wait- were you nine? Or eight? Since you’re born in 1901, instead of 1900 like you let me think.”
“Charles,” Edwin groaned, “It is a few days difference-”
“Nuh uh,” Charles said, “Not ‘cording to the UK’s driving permit laws-”
“We are closer in age than we would have been were I born in 1900,” Edwin continued, as if Charles said nothing at all. “Five months, rather than seven.”
“Yeah, but that’s not my point, is it?”
And that should have been that, right?
Edwin didn’t celebrate his birthday, didn’t like the idea of celebrating.
And while Charles liked to mess with Edwin, that wasn’t really messing with him. That was just-
Disregarding what he wanted.
Which wasn’t nice, was it?
“Charles- do you think Edwin would like blue or green more for balloons?” Niko asked, later that evening, when Edwin had volunteered to walk Crystal home. Niko was sitting on the floor with her back against the couch,
Charles found himself frowning before he could stop himself. “Doesn’t really like balloons, does he? Hates when they pop too much.”
“Oh, really?” Niko tilted her head thoughtfully, “I figured he’d like the way they move, drifting around. It is quite relaxing.”
“Yeah, I think the sounds remind him too much of St Hil’s,” Charles shrugged. “He has a really good eye for aiming, but he hates using it. The pop probably sounds too much like a gun for comfort.”
Niko hummed thoughtfully, turning the packs over in her hands, again, and again, and again. “Was Edwin going to go to war?”
It was a question that took the unneeded breath out of Charles’ lungs. He didn’t like to think about the hard stuff, did he. Even when it stood in front of him screaming. It was easier to just- not think about it.
“Probably.” Charles said, looking into Niko’s soft brown eyes, and wishing he could keep this from her. “He… Doesn’t really remember, does he? He likes saying he probably wouldn’t have lived long, even if he did survive St Hil’s, he probably would’ve served.”
Charles looked away, back at his jacket that he was carefully sewing another patch on-
Another small patch Edwin had found him, this one blue and pink and purple.
The same words said, “You do not have to wear it.”
Because of course Edwin was the first one allowed to know.
The first one to hold him afterward.
Just like Charles did him-
“He doesn’t remember?” Niko’s voice shook something fierce, and Charles blinked back up at her, having forgotten she was there. “What do you mean?”
Charles hesitated, drumming his fingers against the fabric of his jacket. “I don’t know how much to say.”
Niko sank to the floor beside him, fingers trailing along her shoe as she thought. “Edwin told me he doesn’t miss being alive. Is it cause he doesn’t remember?”
Charles tapped his finger against the smiley face pin on his jacket, “I think. He remembers more than what he says he does. But either way, he doesn’t like sharing much, does he?"
“No, I guess not.” Niko sat quietly beside Charles, for so long he started his stitching again.
It was nice, sitting with Niko, peaceful in a way that was unexpected.
“Edwin told me,” Charles started, voice low to keep the fragile peace intact. “That when he was younger, alive I guess, his birthday was never really, for him. His family were really stuffy, and from the sounds of it, there was nothing really there to enjoy. It was too loud, and too, much. Y’know? And he had to just- deal with it, cause that’s what kids did back then. And I guess he just, got used to it. Doesn’t see the point in celebrating, since it’s not really, for him. Even if we say it is.”
Niko nodded slowly, her fingers trailing the plastic wrapped balloons, her thoughts almost loud enough for Charles to hear.
Though, it was still nice. Sitting with Niko.
No expectations, were there? Just him and Niko, sitting on the floor with Edwin off to the shops and Crystal in school.
“We want to throw him a party,” Niko said quietly, once Charles was done his sewing and about to get up. He looked at her, his confusion clear. “For Edwin, I mean. Me and Crystal. We want to throw him a birthday party on New Year’s. I think- it would be nice, right? To set something up the way he’d want?”
Charles sighed, “I don’t know, Niko.”
It would be easier to say definitely not, that it would end terribly. That Edwin would hate it and be pissed at them for days.
It would be easier to just- agree and help them out, and try to mitigate when shit hit the fan.
It wasn’t easy though, cause it never could be.
Because Charles couldn’t say Edwin would hate it, not if Niko was involved, not if the two girls actually did it for Edwin, instead of for themselves.
It was like Charles taking Edwin to see the fireworks, partially for the New Year, mainly to see Edwin’s eyes wide and shining under the bright explosions, fear forgotten in way of his never-ending fascination.
“Do you know- what he would like?” Niko asked, almost delicately.
Charles thought, for several long seconds, before slowly shaking his head. “Can’t say, can I? Edwin’s proper aces at planning stuff for others, but party scenes have never really been his thing.”
Niko hummed, the plastic packaging crinkling in her hands before she abruptly stood. “I think, it will work out. Edwin is open to new things.”
Not that much, Charles thought, though he could not say.
Felt wrong, to stomp all over their plans, but Charles just- couldn’t see a world that this ended well. Or at least, a world that did not end with Edwin smiling and baring it because he knew he was supposed to.
Another day passed, then another. And Charles knew the girls, and knew they would not drop such a thing so easily, but they didn’t come to him again, other then one time to ask if he knew anywhere to get cake that would taste for Edwin.
And then it was New Years Eve, which meant it was time for another tradition the two of them had done since they first met and Charles found out how much Edwin liked pretty lightshows.
They had spent a decent chunk of time in 1990 figuring out which building had the best view, and in 2004 when it changed, they found a new one.
It wasn’t really about being the highest, or anything like that. It was mostly about seeing multiple places, which had the added bonus of being far away enough that the sound wasn’t an issue.
It wasn’t like Edwin couldn’t handle the noise, he wasn’t so easy to startle, but still. It was an added bonus.
Charles sat on the edge of the roof, in their regular spot, legs swinging over the edge before he turned to make sure Edwin was joining him.
Edwin had sat next to Charles, wrapped up in his long overcoat, his knuckles pressed together as he waited for the first of the fireworks to start.
Charles found himself simply watching the other boy, at how his eyes looked up at the sky, thoughts no doubt floating about like bubbles. About how light pollution had snuffed out what little of the stars Edwin used to see through the smog of London, how Charles would eventually start getting cold, even if ghosts weren’t meant to feel it.
Maybe Edwin even thought about kissing Charles.
And that was a pleasant thought, for Charles at least. For the other boy to lean over and capture his lips, to press them together till they became one. Edwin safely tucked away in his chest, where no one could hurt him.
To have that decision safely plucked out of Charles’ hands, for Edwin to decide Charles must love him back, and simply couldn’t find the words.
He wouldn’t be wrong, would he?
Big oaf like Charles, unable to say for sure without action.
Looking at Edwin and wanting to know what he tasted like, before even knowing what love was.
Love couldn’t be what his dad showed, or his mum.
Love shouldn’t hurt.
There were booms like thunder, beginning to sound, and Edwin’s eyes seemingly widened, sparking in the cold London air.
New year ringing in, and Edwin was hundred and twenty-five, or fifty-two, or sixteen, depending on how you look at it, and he deserved to know he was loved.
And Charles could not help but lean forward, and press his lips against Edwin’s.