Chapter one: Falling for you, just as I always have been
May 14, 2026 at 1:08 PM
“ Well “ Charles looked back at Henry just to be sure before ascending in his helicopter once more, “ That was close. “ Henry nodded in response- even if Charles couldn’t see it, he just… knew. Him and Henry have been working together for almost a year now, so they know each other well. Well enough to guess basic responses that is.
“ No kidding “ Henry said softly- not in a weird way. Henry is a selective mute, as everyone on base knows, and in places like this or on missions is honestly the only time he manages to talk. It always seems hard even when he does, and it.. Honestly breaks the pilot’s heart each time Henry forces a word out, especially when he clearly doesn’t want to. So of course, Charles has learned pretty much everything that doesn’t include verbal cues- well.. He’s trying to at least. He wants to fully understand what Henry says with his hands when he starts signing to the general about missions. He wants to know what those taps on his shoulder mean- He wants to know how to understand him to the fullest. He seems to have gotten rather caught up in his train of thoughts, especially since he only reacted to the missile hitting the back of his helicopter when Henry screamed bloody murder,
“ Look out! “ Henry yelled far too late, the loud boom opening the back.
“ HENRY “ Charles yelled, abandoning his control panel as they went down, reaching out to grab the flying Henry.
“ Charles! Get your ass back to the steering! “ He yelled as Charles grabbed his hand, holding onto a shard of metal.
“ Like hell I’m letting you go?! “ Charles responded, pulling Henry further inside. Thank god for the training he’s received based around moments like this.
“ Charles, this is no time to play the hero! “ Henry cried out- and was that tears in his eyes? Well- it makes sense, considering they were clearly about to die.
“ I’m not playing the hero you idiot! I’m saving you! “ Charles said, wrapping an arm around Henry’s lower back with one hand, still holding onto the one thing keeping them both on the helicopter.
“ Charles! Don’t even- “ Henry started before realizing how close they were to the ground, “ Fuck it. “ he whispered, pulling the pilot as close as possible, trying to lean in for the first and probably last kiss either of them would have, but of course, fate (Me) was cruel (Per usual) and didn’t let Henry even have that before they crashed.
