give me one last kiss

But sometimes. Sometimes Edwin would let himself foolishly think, would allow himself to sometimes read into the younger boy’s words, would permit himself to do something as idiotic as hope. And then, Charles would shatter that small fragment of light to pieces, and Edwin would let him.Over, and over again. He would let himself listen to the ramblings of Charles’ infatuation for Crystal– would allow the praise that the younger boy would spill upon her name to fill his chest and squeeze his heart tighter, tighter, tighter, until it was worn down, and deflated. Until the steel in his heart was dented and torn. And even then, it wouldn’t stop. Maybe it couldn’t, Edwin remembers thinking to himself once. Maybe this is my punishment.But maybe, the single shred left would whisper into his ear. Maybe.