#rbrv

Whispers were all Charleston heard every time he walked down the halls. The others never seemed to shut up about him. It wasn’t praise, though. They were more curious than anything.

Curious as to what exactly the teacher guard was to their leader.

In reality, none of them knew that Charleston was around him so often in order to keep the man stable and keep him from overworking. They weren’t supposed to know. After all, the spirit still felt chills run down his spine at the memory of what happened to that one poor soul who’d found out about the researcher’s hidden side. If Charleston’s hunch was correct, their mind was still recovering.

Now, since the other spirits had a lack of information, they instead created theories.

Rumors.

“Hey, hey, didn’t you hear?”

“Hear what?”

“If my sources are right, there’s a little something more between Theodore and that guard guy!”

Eugh. As if these kids had anything better to do. They were doing it right in front of him, too! Couldn't people just mind their own business?

There was no way he would date his superior!

The guard cleared his throat behind them, catching the attention of the two young spirits. They stepped back in surprise- maybe they shouldn't be talking where their subject could hear them, then!

The guard walked past them, trying his best to quickly get out of there. Instead he would focus on his job and-

“What are the others saying this time?” The voice sounded tired as it echoed through his mind. The fact that it happened often didn’t stop him from feeling a shudder go down his back. It always felt like his mind was being invaded, but it was still more efficient than going back and forth to find each other in this huge building.

Not that Theodore wouldn’t be able to find him in seconds anyway. The researcher had every single important spirit on lock, using small items of theirs to track them if need be. That included his shield, who had turned in an extra pair of glasses a while back when the researcher asked for something of his.

“It’s noth-”

“No, it’s bothering you. I’ll be over there soon. It’d be better if we worked this out in person.”

The philologist scoffed, shaking his head. “And now you’re coming over here. Great.” A scene was being made, and Charleston hated it. There was no reason for him to be checked up on. This was absurd.

He could hear footsteps. Then was a cold hand on his shoulder, just barely hovering over as if afraid to make contact.

How did he get down here this fast?

Charleston turned around quickly, looking at the other man. Theodore pulled his hand back hurriedly, watching every single move the man made. His hands fidgeted at his sides as if itching to do something, anything useful. The researcher smiled nervously, resulting in Charleston’s eyes narrowing behind his mask. Out of habit he pressed the mask closer to his face, feeling it wasn't his face right. He felt comfortable with it on. It wasn’t safe to take it off-

Where did that feeling come from anyw-

No matter. This interaction meant more than that thought.

The mask stays on. His ability couldn't be turned off, so there was no good in going around without the thing.

He looked Theodore over, making sure that the man didn't have any plans up his sleeve. After all, the researcher tended to become a little… handsy when he was unstable. Luckily enough, he seemed to be doing fine at the moment.

“Now… What's bothering you, exactly?” Theodore’s voice was clear and articulated, yet oddly calming, like the calm before the storm.

Don't tell him. Don't say a word. He's got enough to deal with.

Charleston could handle this on his own.

He should say something… It involves both of them after all. It's not like he'd be bothering Theodore by telling him something he'd find out anyway…

No- wait a minute…

Theo looked at the guard nervously, examining every movement Charleston made. His hand moved away from the guard's and back to his side, slow at first, but then quickly as he seemed to realize that Charleston had noticed.

“You don't have to hide things from me… I can assure you that I can handle whatever is bothering you.” His amber eyes locked on to Charleston’s grey ones, as if he was seeing inside the guard's soul.

It wouldn’t surprise Charleston if Theodore already knew the situation- after all, the man had a way of constantly being able to hear other's thoughts as if they were his own. It was just a matter of the researcher wanting to hear his friend admit there was a problem on his own.

Charleston adjusted his mask, staring Theodore down as he spoke. “There are others… thinking that we're dating.”

Theodore’s eyes widened as he took a step back. Either he didn't actually read the philologist's thoughts, or it was more surprising to hear it clarified out loud.

Oh yeah, right. Theodore was from over a century ago. That statement probably didn't sit well with him. At all.

“Nono! It's okay! I understand that making you uncomfortable!” The researcher fiddled with his hands, gently pressing his fingers together over and over in different patterns. “And while I am aware that you do tend to gravitate towards the male gaze, please rest assured that I see you as nothing other than a friend!”

What.

When did he figure THAT out??

Noticing Charleston's newfound stiff posture, the researcher slowed to a stop. The two looked at each other, the tension too thick to cut.

“Did I… say something wrong…?”

Just deny it, Charleston. Deny that or the man will be kicking himself for it for the next several months.

Again Theodore focused on the guard as if mentally picking him apart. Charleston felt it this time- small, cold pulses in the air, just barely noticeable. The blank look on the researcher’s face eventually softened into sorrow. Crap.

“I… I apologize. I didn't mean to cross a boundary or say something out of-”

“Please just stay out of my mind.”

There was no answer from Theodore. The man only seemed to get more nervous by the second, fiddling with hands that would no doubt be tugging at his hair the minute he was alone. He nodded and practically folded into himself, refusing to look in the guard’s direction.

Great. He broke him. Good on you, Charleston. How absolutely perfect!!!

“... I’ll just go.”

That’s it, Charleston! Leave the scene of your crime! That won’t cause any problems at all!!!

“Oh… I see.” The researcher smiled, but there was no happiness behind it. He began to walk away, and Charleston felt himself do the same. It was like an automatic response, his body on autopilot. He wanted to go back and apologize.