!!! CW for this Chapter apply. Please read the chapter description to see warnings. !!
The next day Roy was at the HQ early in the morning as he was told to be. He had Famfay in his bag, sleeping, only his tail hanging out.
Roy was terribly nervous. He hadn’t spoken to Charlotte in two weeks. He knew he had messed up, and didn’t want to put it down to the heat of the moment or what had happened beforehand. He could take Charlotte no longer liking him, but he didn’t want to see her being so miserable anymore.
He knocked on her door and let himself in. “Miss Evans?”
Charlotte looked up from behind her desk. “Why so formal?”
Roy gulped and looked to the side. “Did I not lose first name privileges?”
Charlotte sighed. “Sit down, Roy.”
He did as he was told, taking a seat at Charlotte’s desk. He placed his bag on his lap, grasping it nervously.
“You wanted to talk to me about what happened two weeks ago. Correct?” Charlotte spoke in a soft voice, but her expression was empty.
“...” Roy looked her in the eye. “I… I’m terribly sorry… For everything… I didn’t want to hurt your feelings. I don’t hate you… I really don’t.”
Charlotte folded her hands.
Her partner Morpho Mon, Cinq, looked up from the couch.
“Charlotte-” Roy swallowed hard to suppress tears. “I am so grateful… for everything you’ve done for me… I wouldn't have managed my first three years without you being by my side all the time… and I will forever be thankful…”
“...” Charlotte got up from her seat and walked around her desk. “Roy… it’s okay. Really. I’ll get over it. After all, I messed up too. I should have intervened earlier to prevent Mr. Williams from ever touching you. And I should have waited with your demotion to an apprentice, too. But… I’m not as good at my job as I try to be. That being said…'' Charlotte crossed her arms and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, too. I want things to return to the way they were…”
“Charlotte-” Roy got up, clearing his throat. “I’m- I’m glad… I was worried sick the last two weeks, seeing you like this.”
Charlotte’s gaze wandered, and she looked out the window, where the sun was slowly rising. “I expect nothing but perfection from myself. I was trained to be infallible. I am responsible for the younger generation that decides to work for the Defenders. I can’t be slipping… every mistake I make can-'' She covered her mouth with her hand.
“Can cause someone’s death.”
Roy’s mouth was agape. He knew what she was talking about.
“Charlotte… I’m sorry… I had no idea I triggered this memory…”
“... The death of Nadine Summers was my fault. Not a day in my life passes where I don’t think about her.”
Roy remembered as well, that day was burned into his mind.
The last casualty of the Morpho Defenders. It was two years ago.
Nadine Summers was a first year Morpho Defender and only 19 years old. She was on duty with two of her classmates, when an emergency call from Charlotte Evans called all nearby Defenders to a huge, raging Morpho Mon that went berserk in town, seemingly unstoppable. No first year Defender could ever deal with a Morpho Mon of that caliber, nor should they ever be called to even be near them, as they could disturb the work of the experienced defenders.
Alas, Charlotte made a mistake, and Nadine had to pay for it with her life.
This had caused a lot of outrage with the Defenders and their work safety. Their image took a harsh blow that year, and Charlotte was under a lot of fire.
No wonder she was still affected by it. There was no way anyone could ever forget something like that.
“Charlotte…” Roy spoke quietly. “I don’t want you to suffer in silence. No one wants that. If you ever feel like talking… Y-You can call me. I’ll be there.”
Charlotte looked back up at Roy. “You’re too sweet, Roy. Thank you. I will be there for you, too.”
Roy had a tight grip on his bag. “Thank you.”
“Also… I have to say you look exceptionally good in your black uniform.” For the first time in a while, Charlotte smiled again. “You look very elegant.”
“Ah-” Roy blushed over both ears. “Th-Thanks--”
“I bet you have a hard time keeping all the ladies at bay.” Charlotte chuckled.
“... Y-Yeah.” Roy rubbed his cheeks to make the blood go away. “D-Do you- do you think I’d be fit for a relationship?”
“Hm?” Charlotte raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Well well, do you have anyone specific in mind?”
“... Maybe.”
Charlotte tilted her head. “Only you can know when you are ready to open yourself up for a relationship, Roy. But I’d say you’d make a great partner. You are very kind.”
“Mhmh…”
“Whoever the girl of your dreams is, I’m sure she’d be glad to call someone like you her partner.”
“... Yeah- okay-” Roy shook his head. “Y-You’re probably right- Th-Thank you Charlotte. I’ll go now-”
“Sure. Have a nice school day. And say Hi to Mr. Franklin for me~"
Roy frowned. “He threw a marker at my face last time… My lip was swollen for the majority of his class…”
Charlotte chuckled. “That sounds like him. Just try to be nice. You two aren’t too different from one another, actually.”
“... Okay? Sure. I’ll be nice.” Roy went to the door. “See you, Charlotte… And- thank you… For everything.”
Charlotte waved as Roy left her office.
The smile on her face vanished once again after he was gone, and she sat down on the couch next to the Lizard Morpho Mon. “Cinq…?”
Cinq opened an eye to look at her. “Charlotte…?”
“We haven’t been on patrol duty for a long time. What if we swap with Catalina and go fight some wild Morpho Mons?”
Cinq’s eyes lit up. “Oh yeah!!! I’m in!!”
“Good. Let’s go.”
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