#deadboys

Edwin froze for about two seconds and then melted into it.

It wasn't so different from kissing girls, Charles thought. He wasn't used to being the shorter one, but that was all right. Edwin had shaved right before they'd come to the wedding, so there was no stubble to contend with. The only real difference that Charles noticed was that the chest pressed to his wasn't soft and squishy.

He nudged gently until he had Edwin pressed against the wall, his leg tucked neatly between Edwin's thighs, and then let it stretch out for another minute before he pulled away.

Edwin chased after it for a beat and then recovered, his eyes fluttering open. His pupils were blown wide, and his lips were still parted as he panted for breath. "...Oh," he said softly.

Charles smirked at him. "Is the prick still coming over?"

"Uh." Edwin blinked a few times before finally tearing his gaze away from Charles's mouth to scan the room. "No," he said. "He's at the gift table now." He took a steadying breath, and then his mouth curved a little. "Do you kiss all your dates like that?"

"Nah," Charles said. "Only the really cute ones."

Edwin's cheeks pinked, but he huffed and gently pushed Charles away so he could stand up straight. "I'm going to the washroom," he said. "If Thomas tries to follow me in there--"

"Brain him with a beer bottle?" Charles suggested, and grinned wide at Edwin's expression. "Nah, I've got it," he promised. "Go on."

Charles waited until Edwin had disappeared down the door to stroll casually over to the gift table, where Thomas was pretending to admire what seemed to be a hand-sewn quilt made with fabric printed with Niko's favorite anime characters. He glanced up as Charles approached. "Charlie," he greeted with every appearance of cordiality.

"It's Charles, and you need to stay away from him."

"I was just coming over to congratulate you two on finally getting together," Thomas said, hurt. He traced the pattern of stitches with one sharp fingernail.

"What does that mean when it's at home?" Charles demanded.

Thomas laughed softly. "He didn't tell you. I should have guessed. The reason that Edwin and I didn't work out, dear boy, was because he couldn't get over his years-long crush on you."

"Don't be stupid," Charles said. "I'd have known. He's a terrible liar."

Thomas looked amused. "Perhaps not as bad a liar as you think," he purred. "But it doesn't matter now, does it? You're together." He flipped one corner of the quilt over to reveal the somewhat eye-searing pattern of hearts on the reverse side. "Well, I think I'll go offer my congratulations to the beautiful brides, and then be on my way. No hard feelings, Charlie."

"It's Charles," he growled, but Thomas was already sauntering away.

Thomas had to have been lying, Charles thought, staring blindly down at the hearts. There was no way Edwin had ever had a crush on him. Edwin was his best mate, he would have known.

...Wouldn't he?

He was suddenly flipping through his memories, searching for clues. Nothing stood out as obvious, but it... would explain a few odd moments.

Perhaps not as bad a liar as you think.

"There you are," Edwin said, stepping into the space Thomas had just vacated. Charles looked at him, and Edwin's eyes widened in alarm. "What's wrong? What happened?"