Fear and Response
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Summary
It’s not that things don’t startle Edwin. They very much do, and Charles knows what his best friend looks like, afraid. An unexpected sight; something particularly offensive to his Edwardian sensibilities; once, when he was concentrating deeply and Charles surprised him. He’ll flinch back then, jump in alarm, release a gasp. Real reactions, and Charles treasures them—as soon as he makes sure that Edwin’s okay—because he loves every piece of Edwin he gets to see. But if Edwin ever flinches backward at pain, Charles is yet to see it.
Whatever instinct it is that has people jerk back before they can get hurt even further, Edwin doesn’t seem to have that anymore.
Or: Edwin injuries himself on a case. On purpose. For Charles. He doesn't seem to think that's a big deal.
Series
- Part 1 of Fear and Response
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Summary
Maybe it had never been fight or flight with Crystal. Maybe it had always been both. She fought instinctively, always, even in cases when she shouldn't have, and then when the fight was over... She fled. Back to ignorance. Back to her life free of repercussions, back to a life free of consequences, where no one cared if she did the wrong thing, even though she knew in her heart that she had.
Or: Crystal Palace is tired of reacting with anger but sometimes it seems like that's all she is these days, a bundle of rage and regret. After Port Townsend, the boys aren't interested in letting her take any risks. Somehow, it doesn't all end in a screaming match.
Series
- Part 2 of Fear and Response
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Summary
Truthfully speaking, Edwin is nearly always afraid, in some capacity or another. He can relax and laugh with Charles, certainly, but he rarely forgets the Hell-forged sword poised at his neck, ready to strike at the slightest slip up or mistake. Fear is nothing new to him.
Sometimes though, sometimes, that fear slips over into terror and his feet glue themselves to the floor. It is cruel, to be so pleased when Charles is there to jolt him free again, to delight in Charles' presence, in the midst of the danger with Edwin. But Edwin delights in it anyway.
Or: a case involving demons, dolls, and magical ghostly tortures bring Edwin's fear to the forefront, but Charles is never far behind.
Series
- Part 3 of Fear and Response
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Summary
Sometimes, Charles' fear looks like this: desperately begging for another chance, promising to be good, to do better, to get it right next time. Sometimes, Charles' fear looks like a grin and a laugh and a compliment. Sometimes, it looks like silence, like pushing down his doubts, like an apology. But it can't be fear really, can it? Because Charles is perfectly fine.
Or: The Dead Boy Detective's current case involves authority figures abusing their power, ghosts desperate to be seen by the living, and a gun with iron bullets, and Charles is handling it just fine, thank you very much.
Series
- Part 4 of Fear and Response
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Summary
Jenny Green's life got thrown for a loop when she killed a woman in self-defense in her own shop. And then again when she was possessed by a demon. And then when her shop was blown up. And then... Well, it was a lot to handle, okay? No one could blame her for passing out at the sight of a talking seagull too.
Or: Jenny isn’t handling the supernatural well, especially after the death of her young tenant. But for the first time in a long time, she's got people (and ghosts, apparently) in her life who care about how things turn out for her.
Series
- Part 5 of Fear and Response
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Summary
Stuck between a rock and a hard place, both of them aware that their foes are truly only after Edwin, Edwin keeps waiting for Charles to run: from him, from danger, from the trouble he brings and the threat of Hell hanging over him. But running from danger is never Charles' first instinct.
Or: Edwin Payne does not understand this strange, cheerful boy who seems to see nothing wrong with him at all. Charles just wants Edwin to stop trying to get him to leave.
Series
- Part 6 of Fear and Response