"Choose me, Henry."

Chapter 23: Going Into The Lion's Den

Charles can't stop thinking about the kiss Dave gave him. On one hand, the kiss was good, but Charles still has feelings for Henry and is not looking for a relationship at the moment. However, maybe it's time for him to move on. Meanwhile, the Government has gotten Sven's location and now is going to stop him once and for all.

Charles was cleaning his helicopter while Rupert and Henry were talking a few feet away from him. Well, more like flirting to Charles but didn't vocally admit it, he was too busy cleaning his helicopter to care.

That was a lie.

He does care, a little. He was still feeling upset about Henry's rejection and Rupert and Henry acted like sickening sweethearts were giving him a headache. However, another thing was occupying his mind. Dave's kiss was on his mind. Ever since that day, Dave kissed him, he never stopped thinking about it.

He never expected Dave to kiss him, and he never knew Dave had feelings for him.

Then Charles remembered the one time he was cleaning his helicopter like he was doing right now. Dave almost fell and killed himself but he was caught by Charles. He didn't think much of his reaction back then, but now... Charles noticed Dave's face was red like he was embarrassed or shy.

Charles kept washing his helicopter as Dave came over to him. Speak of the devil but in this case, an angel.

"Hey Dave," Charles said as he smiled.

"Hi, Charlies," Dave replied with a smile and his face red.

Dave stood next to Charles as he watched him clean his helicopter, Charles didn't miss the fact Dave was acting nervous around him. Charles's face was now warm, his mind played him the memory of the kiss. Curse his mind. But...there's one question on his mind, why did Dave kiss him?

"Hey Dave, can I ask you something?" Charles asked as he stopped washing his helicopter.

"Sure," Dave replied anxiously. He was nervous and Charles knew why.

"Why did you kiss me?" Charles questioned as he glanced at him.

Dave felt like he was going to die, his face was redder, and his eyes shifted everyone but Charles. He shuffled his feet as he twiddled his thumbs, he looked over to Charles who was patiently waiting for him to answer.

"Dave?" Charles said in worry, "Is everything alright?"

He went up to Dave, Dave was acting more nervous. "If I tell you, don't get mad or anything," Dave responded anxiously, "Okay?"

Charles nodded as Dave closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He exhaled as he opened his eyes, he stared at Charles as his eyes shimmered. "The reason I kissed you is that I have feelings for you," he murmured.

Charles blinked at him as his face was like a tomato, "Me?" he asked in surprise.

Dave nodded as Charles mulled over Dave's feelings for him, "And I know you have feelings for Henry. I mean, you had feelings for him..." Dave stated as he rubbed his arm awkwardly.

He glanced down at the ground as he shuffled his feet, "Do you still have feelings for Henry?" he asked in a whisper.

Charles's eyes widen in shock at that question, looking away from Dave. Does he still have feelings for Henry? He thought over what happened with Henry these past few months: he bullied Henry, made fun of him, ruined Rupert's date with him, and made Henry feel like shit. When Henry found out about what he did to him and Rupert, Henry told him he would never return his feelings and he disgusted him.

Charles's face fell as he frowned, he knew Henry would never return his feelings. He chose Rupert which Charles realizes is the better option for Henry, after all, Rupert made an effort to win Henry's trust and affection. Charles felt tears start to brew as his lips quivered, he screwed up. Henry hates him, Rupert hates him, and he loses Henry to Rupert. Like that other headphones, the guy who has lost Henry to Rupert, Charles quickly wiped his tears as he looked at Dave, who saw his tears despite him trying to hide them.

"Charlie?" Dave said nervously, "Are you alright?"

"Y-yeah, I'm fine," Charles responded, voice cracking as he sniffled, "To answer your question, I still do but it's time for me to move on."

Dave nodded in agreement, they stood there awkwardly for a few minutes until Charles went back to cleaning his helicopter. Charles stopped again to look at Dave, "Hey... Why don't I take you on a real date this time?" he asked sincerely, "And I'm sorry for the last time, I used you and I promise not to do it again."

Dave's eyes widen at that suggestion, he looks away from Charles to think about it. It will be nice and last time it was even a date, and Charles needed to move on. He glanced at Charles, "Sure, but no funny business, " he stated firmly, "Got it?"

Charles nodded as he resumed cleaning his helicopter and Dave helped him.

Rupert and Henry were in the clearing just relaxing and enjoying each other's company. Rupert was rubbing Harry's belly as the hedgehog lay on his back, Harry was enjoying the belly rub with his eyes closed. Henry was sleeping next to Rupert, Rupert put Harry down on the ground. Harry made tiny sounds and Rupert got out a strawberry, he gave it to Harry who ate it happily. Rupert was about to mimic Henry's actions when he heard his phone ringing, he groaned in annoyance as he opened his phone to check who was calling him.

Rupert saw the caller ID and Victoria was calling him.

"Hello," he answered in a whisper.

"Rupert, I need you and Henry back here," Victoria responded firmly, "The General needs us for a meeting."

Victoria hung up before Rupert could answer, Rupert sighed as he shook his head and Henry opened his eyes and shifted. Henry yawned as he rubbed his eyes, he stretched as Rupert stood up. Henry also stood up as he wiped the dirt off his pants, "Oi, we need to get going," Rupert said, "The General needs us for something."

Henry nodded as he followed Rupert back to the base, they said their goodbyes to Harry who squeaked. They got to the base and into a meeting room. Only a few people were in the room, Victoria, the Bukowski twins, and a random soldier were in the room. Rupert and Henry took their seats near the projection board. Rupert took out his phone as Henry was given water from Victoria, Henry thanked her for the water. 

A few minutes later, everyone started to come in.

The last people who came in were Charles and Dave, however, they rushed in like they were running late. Their faces were red and there were wrinkles on their clothes. Rupert was looking at them as he frowned, he didn't like the look of them. Rupert wanted to question them but he was still angry at Charles and the General came into the room.

"Alright, let's get started," Galeforce said as he turned on the projector. Victoria came to stand next to him and cleared her throat.

"Everyone, we have found the remaining Toppats location." Victoria stated firmly, "We will come up with a plan to stop them and set out in a few days, understand?"

Everyone nodded as Victoria continued telling them what was going on. A few hours later, Victoria dismissed everyone.    

Rupert and Henry left together, and Rupert walked Henry back to his tent. They said their goodbyes and went their separate ways. However, they both have one thing on their mind...

How's the mission going to end?