Dead Boy Detective One-Shots

If I Knew It All then, Would I Do It Again?

Title: everything i wanted by Billie Eilish 

(Set post season 1- Crystal is off doing her own thing)

The sound of the buzzer in their office snapped the boys back to reality. Both boys had been deeply engrossed in research for cases. (Well, Edwin was; Charles was more busy admiring how cute Edwin looked reading.)

"I, uh, I can get it," Charles said, snapping himself out of his trance.

"Ok," Edwin said, preparing for a client.

Edwin could hear murmered whispers at the door but didn't bother to try and figure out what they were saying.

As the client started to walk up to the desk, Edwin began his rehearsed speech:

"Hello I'm-"

"Edwin?"

Edwin stopped and stared at the client in front of him, except he knew this boy.

It was Simon.

"Simon," he squeaked.

'E-Edwin, do you know him?" Charles asked a little dumbfoundedly.

Charles was perplexed. In the 30 odd years he had known Edwin, he never knew him to have any other friends than the agency. Suddenly, Charles felt territorial over Edwin. He was Edwin's best friend.

But then Charles reeled himself back. I mean, he himself had other people than Edwin. But, of course, Edwin was still number one. And Charles has seen no evidence to suggest that he isn't Edwin's number one. So he calmed down.

But then, as he watched the two converse, he got a bitter taste in his mouth. It seemed too friendly. No, Charles was getting jealous. He wanted Edwin to himself. He cared for Edwin, and Edwin cared for him. And this Simon fella seemed to be too comfortable around his boy.

Wait no

Not his; Charles had to remind himself. He had the opportunity on that blasted staircase in hell, yet he blew it. He let everything he'd wanted fly right by. Obviously, he didn't mean too. He hadn't realized his feelings for Edwin yet, so he wasn't lying. He never considered the possibility of him and Edwin, so he never thought about it. But once Edwin confessed, he couldn't stop thinking about it.

He didn't like Simon. And why did that name sound so familiar?

"So Simon, what brings you to the agency?" Charles asked, trying to get him out of there as soon as possible.

"Right, I guess I should explain," Simon started. "So as Edwin knows, I was in hell, and after me and his talk, death came to see me. She said I had served my time in hell because Edwin had forgiven me. But she said I still had some stuff to figure out before I could move on, so she sent me back here. And I was at a loss as to what to do, but some ghosts led me in your direction." He finished.

Edwin smiled at the explanation, honestly happy for Simon.

Upon hearing this, suddenly everything clicked in Charles' mind.

"Simon? As in that, Simon? The one that sacrificed you to a demon, Edwin? No, why on Earth would you forgive him, and why would you not tell me about seeing him again?" Charles was angry. I was angry at Simon for doing that to Edwin. Angry at him for thinking he had the right to earn Edwin's forgiveness, angry at the fact he thought he could waltz into the office like he never did anything wrong, And angry at himself for allowing him to even be near Edwin.

"Charles, while Simon has done some less than appreciated things to me, I firmly believe he had enough torture. After all, he was a scared 16-year-old boy. And they genuinely meant for it to be a prank. Now I am by no means saying what happened is ok, but hey, it all worked out alright, right?" Edwin said, sincerely hoping Charles would understand.