Better Ways to Communicate

Summary: Follows Figuring Things Out. Charles is acting out. Monty is clearly bothered by something. It's left to Edwin to help his best friend and one of his romantic partners
Warning(s): Spoilers for the Netflix series Dead Boy Detectives; spanking; references to violence; explicit sexual content; elements of D/s; AU
Pairings: Edwin Payne/Monty; Thomas/Edwin Payne/Monty (hinted at); Charles Rowland/Crystal Palace (hinted at)

###

His toothpaste tube was filled with sand.

Edwin stared at the yellow grains that had spilled out onto the bristles of his toothbrush. It was almost genius, really. There were tiny traces of the toothpaste, but whoever had emptied the tube and filled it with sand had done a very good job of removing most of the toothpaste.

Sighing quietly, Edwin dropped his useless tube into the bin and then picked up one of the others. Whoever had replaced his toothpaste with sand...and he was fairly certain he knew who it was...had left the others alone, so he was still able to brush his teeth. It was just a minor inconvenience.

But it wasn't the only minor inconvenience he'd been experiencing lately.

Edwin held back a sigh of irritation as he opened the bathroom door and stepped outside, nearly walking into Monty. He put out a hand to steady the other man; dropped it with a flood of confusion when Monty flinched back as though expecting a hit. "What's wrong?" He couldn't hold back the note of concern that filled his voice.

"N...nothing. Nothing," Monty repeated, in a slightly more confident tone. "I just wanted to clean myself up. Are you finished?"

Edwin couldn't help but notice the way Monty was carefully avoiding making eye contact with him. It bothered him, a lot, but he didn't want to have a conversation about why out in the corridor, where anyone would be able to hear him. Instead, he stepped to the side, so that Monty could easily slip into the bathroom and close the door behind him.

As he walked to the kitchen, Edwin couldn't stop the thoughts from swirling around inside his mind. It wasn't the first time he'd noticed Monty seemed on edge around him; not exactly scared, but certainly more nervous than their relationship should really indicate. And then, of course, there were the other problems that had been occurring. Like the sugar being replaced with salt, so that when Edwin had tea in the morning, it was inedible. And tins of cat food had been purchased, even though they didn't have a cat. Edwin was pretty sure he knew just who was responsible; he just didn't know why.

Inside the kitchen, Niko was sitting at the table opposite the Night Nurse, talking away to the woman, who had a slightly glazed look on her face. As soon as she saw him, though, Niko smiled happily and waved him over to join them. "I'm about to make pancakes. Did you want any?" she asked, standing up.

Edwin took a seat and admitted, "I'd rather have porridge." Maybe it was a result of the times he'd first been alive, but certain things like pancakes, at least for breakfast, were just too sweet for him.

As Niko nodded quickly and walked over to the cooker to start making breakfast, the Night Nurse stirred a lump of sugar into her tea and spoke without looking up. "It seems to me that some people are on edge."

"I don't know why." Edwin sighed and poured his own cup of tea. He sniffed suspiciously at the sugar before stirring a lump into the hot, steaming liquid, waiting for it to dissolve. "I find myself quite enjoying this peace," he admitted. "Especially since I no longer have to worry about being pulled back to Hell."

"Boredom can lead to trouble," the Night Nurse observed. "Something as harmless as pranks being played can escalate to more dangerous, reckless behaviour if left unchecked."

Edwin's first instinct was to tell her that she didn't know what she was talking about. He knew Charles more than she did, after all. But the words died in his throat before they could leave his lips. Maybe the Night Nurse didn't know Charles as well as Edwin did...but that didn't necessarily mean her observation was wrong. Instead of his original instinct, he asked, "Do you think this behaviour will escalate?" He kept his voice low, so that the words wouldn't carry to Niko's ears.

"You know him better than I do." The Night Nurse shrugged. "But I would say, from what I've seen of the both of you, that things will only get worse." She glanced towards Niko at the stove, preparing breakfast, then stood up and walked to the door.

"Where are you going?" Edwin asked.

The Night Nurse paused at the door, but didn't turn. "I still have a job to do, even though you and Charles have returned to life," she answered. "I need to make a report." She paused, though it was only for a moment, before adding, "I will be back later."

"Does one of us need to go with you?" Niko asked, even as she brought food over to the table, setting a bowl of porridge in front of Edwin.

"There is no need," the Night Nurse stated. "I don't need any help." She didn't wait for a response and stepped out of the room.

Niko sat in the chair opposite Edwin, eyes wide with worry. "I hope she's not in trouble for what happened."

Edwin paused in the act of reaching for the sugar, considering her words. "That is highly unlikely," he said finally. "She couldn't have known what would happen, or the deal that Thomas made with Death."

"But she did return Monty's emotions to him," Niko said quietly. "Maybe that was a step too far."

Edwin glanced towards the door the Night Nurse had disappeared through. "She believes she will return...even if it is later," he said. "If she doesn't come back, Charles and I will go and find her and bring her back." He paused, and a quiet sigh escaped him as he thought about his best friend.

"Is Charles okay?"

Edwin finished putting the sugar on his porridge, but didn't immediately start eating. "I think we are all adjusting to some big changes," he said finally. "I am not sure any of us are okay, but I think we will be. Eventually." He ate a spoonful of porridge, then glanced towards the door as he heard footsteps outside.

Monty walked through the door, his black hair wet and tousled from his shower.

Edwin's gaze shifted towards Monty, and a smile touched his lips. There was so much tension...so much he had to deal with...but seeing one of his partners always made him feel good. "Would you like some porridge?" he asked, trying to keep his tone warm and inviting.

Monty flinched, and Edwin wondered if the other man was seeing or hearing something in his tone that Edwin wasn't saying. He gentled his tone slightly and asked, "Would you like some coffee instead? Or tea?"

Monty hesitated, glancing down briefly before raising his eyes to Edwin's face again. "I'd like some coffee, please," he said quietly...uncertainly.

Edwin tried not to wince at the response and stood up. He stepped over to the kettle and filled it with water before turning it on. He then walked over to the fridge and opened it, reaching in for the carton of milk. Then, a huff of air escaped him...something between a sigh and a groan. "Charles."

"What's wrong?" Niko asked.

Edwin stood up, holding the empty carton of milk and casting a glance at the board on the front of the fridge. A board where the word milk was missing. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, counting to ten under his breath, before saying, "Charles."

Monty flinched back, like he was expecting to be struck, and Edwin closed his eyes for just a moment. Opening them again, he set the carton down on the table, then walked towards Monty with a determined, resolute expression.

"Edwin?" Niko spoke up, looking between the two of them.

Stopping just in front of Monty, Edwin spoke without taking his eyes from the other man. "I'll be back to finish breakfast soon." He reached his hand out to Monty and waited.

Swallowing, glancing at Edwin's hand for a moment, Monty finally took it.

Edwin squeezed Monty's hand, holding eye contact for a few seconds...just long enough for the other man to feel the weight of his gaze. Then, slowly, he led Monty from the kitchen...out into the hallway and towards the stairs.

No words passed between them as Edwin led Monty up the stairs, but his thumb stroked slow circles over Monty's hand, calming the racing pulse he could feel against his fingers.

At the top of the stairs, Edwin's eyes were drawn to the door leading to Charles' and Crystal's room...but only for a moment. His best friend could wait a bit longer. His main focus was on the person about to fall apart right in front of him.

Edwin released his grip on Monty's hand, but it was only so he could place his hand against Monty's back. Rubbing it slowly, he guided Monty into their shared room, closing the door behind them with a single, decisive click. Then, he turned to face the other man, placing both hands on Monty's shoulders. "Look at me."

Slowly, Monty raised his eyes to Edwin's face.

Edwin leaned in close, his lips barely brushing against Monty's ear, and whispered, "Stop hiding from me." It was a trick he'd learned from Thomas, using the close proximity to break down barriers and lower defences.

Monty shivered slightly, even as he whispered, "I'm not hiding."

Edwin's arm wrapped around Monty's shoulders, drawing him in closer even as he whispered, "Now you're lying to me."

Monty's breath caught. It was a quiet inhale, followed by a quick, harsh exhale. His head dropped slightly, breaking eye contact with Edwin, as he whispered, "I'm sorry."

Edwin shook his head, his fingers gently grazing the back of Monty's neck as he murmured, "I don't want you to be sorry."

"I don't know...what you do want from me. What you want me to...to do. Or be."

"Monty." Edwin took a step back, cupping the other man's cheek. He gently guided Monty's face up so that their eyes met. "Why do you think I want you to be anything other than who you are?"

Monty bit his lip, his body trembling slightly under Edwin's grip. "I don't understand what's changed," he admitted finally, his voice a small, fragile thing.

Edwin took a deep breath. "Monty..." His fingers stroked along to Monty's chin, gently grasping it between thumb and forefinger, and he leaned forward, pressing a slow, deep kiss to the other man's lips. When he finally pulled back, he could see Monty's eyes were closed, and he was leaning forward...as if seeking more of the affection.

Stroking his thumb along Monty's lower lip, Edwin whispered, "Nothing changed, not really. I just realised how I truly feel. About you...about Thomas." He took a step closer to Monty, allowing their bodies to press together.

Monty's eyes opened, a flicker of doubt showing in their depths. "What if...?"

Edwin shook his head, dropping his hand to Monty's shoulder, fingers gently digging into it...not to harm, but to provide a steady, grounding touch. "There are no what-ifs," he interrupted gently. "I will not suddenly change my mind on you. I will not suddenly decide I no longer want to be with you."

"I don't deserve..."

And there it was. The heart of the problem. The answer Edwin had been seeking. The self-doubt; the belief he didn't deserve this happiness after what he'd done.

"You're wrong," Edwin stated, his voice firm...allowing no room for argument. He used the grip on Monty's shoulder to pull the other man closer to him, guiding Monty's head to rest against his shoulder. "I don't think about what happened before," he whispered into Monty's ear. "Not because it isn't important...but because it makes no difference to how I feel about you, or to our relationship now." His lips brushed against the side of Monty's face as his voice dropped an octave lower. "Do you need help understanding that?"

Monty shivered slightly, even as he asked in a small voice, "What kind of help did you have in mind?"

Edwin pulled back, just enough to look into Monty's eyes. "To start with, a firm spanking over my knee. Just enough to help you reach that emotional release. After that, we can see how things progress."

Monty closed his eyes for a moment, breathing in deeply. There was a low, raw note of vulnerability in his voice when he admitted, "I think I...need that."

It wasn't a surprise. And Monty wasn't even the only one acting out in need of a response that was more firm than Edwin would like to give. But he pushed away the thoughts of his best friend to focus on Monty...and what his lover needed from him. 

His movements gentle and unhurried, Edwin slid his hand down Monty's arm, interlacing their fingers together. He gave Monty's hand a firm squeeze, then guided him towards the bed. He took a seat, then guided Monty down, helping the other man to position himself across Edwin's lap. 

Once Monty was in place, Edwin didn't start straight away. He let his hand rub gently over Monty's backside, letting the other man feel his position and that Edwin had him. Then, he took a tight grip around Monty's waist, fingers lightly stroking along the nearest hip, soothing the sudden tension he could feel radiating from Monty's body.

When Monty relaxed, Edwin delivered the first swat...light and stinging and not especially hard. His other hand shifted to Monty's shoulder, squeezing it gently as he waited for the sting to register. Then, he landed a second smack, using the same force as the first one.

Monty shifted slightly as Edwin continued the slow, steady smacks. Tiny whimpers escaped his lips, but they didn't sound distressed or pained. Instead, they sounded relieved. A release of the negative emotions, of the poison, that had taken hold of him.

After a full circuit of smacks, Edwin paused the spanking, but kept his hand on Monty's bottom, rubbing gently. "I want you here," he said, his voice low and intense. "Do you hear me, Monty? I want you."

Monty shifted slightly and a quiet sob slipped from his lips. "I don't know why..." he whispered.

It wasn't defiance. Edwin heard doubt...confusion. His hand slid from Monty's shoulder down to his back, sliding up under his shirt to press against bare skin. "We belong together," he said firmly, pouring everything of himself into the words...into his voice, so that Monty would hear and, more importantly, believe that he belonged here. With Edwin and with the rest of the Dead Boy Detective Agency.

Because if he couldn't believe that, there was a chance Edwin might lose him. And he couldn't bear that. Not after everything they'd been through together.

Carefully, Edwin shifted Monty off his lap, turning the other man over so they were face to face. He positioned himself above Monty, a knee on the bed on either side of his head, then leaned in, kissing him once more.

But this time, it wasn't gentle or soft. It was filled with passion and need.

Beneath him, Monty whimpered. His hands rose, hesitating for just a moment before finally clasping Edwin's shoulders. His lips parted as his body arched upwards...as if in offering.

When Edwin broke the kiss, they were both panting for breath...something that still filled Edwin with awe, no matter how much time had passed. He placed his hands over Monty's own, looking into the other man's eyes as he whispered, "Stop hiding from me."

"You hid from your own nature...for so long," Monty whispered, as if in protest.

"You're right," Edwin agreed, lowering himself onto the bed next to Monty and gathering the other man into his arms. He nuzzled into Monty's hair, closing his eyes and breathing in his scent as the soft strands tickled his nose. "That is exactly why I can tell you not to make the same mistake I did." He brushed a kiss against Monty's hair. "Your argument doesn't hold much weight, though, considering what we've hidden are two very different things."

Monty took a deep breath and closed his own eyes. He sank into Edwin's arms, one hand reaching up to gently grasp the front of Edwin's shirt, fingers twisting anxiously in the material. "I'm sorry I made you spank me," he whispered.

Edwin's hand came to rest on Monty's lower back and he rubbed gently for a few moments. "You didn't make me spank you, Monty. You had a need and I responded to it. That's part of our relationship now."

"Oh." Monty was quiet for a few moments before whispering, "I'm sorry I interrupted your breakfast.” 

Edwin shook his head, pressing a kiss to the top of Monty's head. "You don't need to apologise for that either. I wouldn't have been able to eat breakfast, knowing you were struggling." He stroked the side of Monty's face, cupping his chin to encourage him to look up. "Do you feel better now?"

"A little bit. But...I can't promise I won't feel insecure again."

Edwin nodded slowly. "Feelings often don't just vanish after one heart to heart. Or, in this case, one moment of catharsis at the hands of your boyfriend." He gently cupped Monty's backside. "But when you start feeling insecure...when things start bothering you again...I want you to tell me, so I can help you. Can you do that for me?"

Monty looked into Edwin's eyes for a few moments before he finally nodded, leaning gently into the touch on his face. "I will," he promised. "I'll tell you."

"Thank you." Edwin pulled Monty closer, wrapping one arm around his waist while his other hand stroked Monty's hair gently and soothingly.

If only this peace could last....

###

Edwin had been half-expecting it, but he was still disappointed when he tipped a small amount of white granules into his hand...and was able to identify them immediately as salt. Not sugar. "Charles."

The Night Nurse glanced up from where she was sitting at the table, stirring her coffee like it was something she did every day, and not just while staying with them. "Using the same prank again. He must have run out of ideas."

"No." Edwin considered the statement in a moment, dismissing it the next. "Charles is brilliant in his own way. This isn't him running out of ideas. This is him looking for a reaction."

The Night Nurse leaned back slightly, studying Edwin like he was a fascinating insect. "What are you going to do?” 

Edwin didn't hesitate. He wiped his hand carefully on a washcloth and walked towards the door. "I'm going to give him the confrontation he's asking for," he replied, opening the door and stepping out into the corridor.

It was silent as Edwin walked up the stairs, as if the whole building was holding its breath. He stopped outside the door to Charles' and Crystal's room and raised his hand, knocking firmly.

There was silence, for about two seconds. Then the door was opened, revealing Charles standing on the other side of it.

For a few moments, they just stared at each other. Then Charles spoke. "Sorry, mate. In the middle of something. Can we do this later?" He started to push the door shut.

Edwin put his hand on the door to stop the movement. "No, Charles. I will not come back later. This conversation will not be postponed." He paused meaningfully. "If you would rather have this conversation in front of Crystal, of course, we can do that."

"Shit no." Charles' eyes widened and he quickly stepped out into the corridor, pulling the door closed behind him. With a half-hearted glare, he asked, "Your room? Or is it...occupied...by Monty?"

"Monty went to buy groceries." Edwin refused to rise to the bait as he walked towards hiss own room. He opened the door and stepped inside, only closing the door once Charles had followed him into the room. He then turned to face his best friend and took a deep breath, so that he would speak in a calm, even tone. "Why are you acting like a child throwing a tantrum, instead of talking to me?"

Charles' mouth opened and, for a few moments, nothing came out. When he did speak, what he said seemed to surprise even himself. "It's not fair."

Edwin waited, not saying anything. He'd learned long ago that when Charles was finally ready to speak, Edwin would learn more if he didn't interrupt; if he didn't ask questions.

True to form, Charles continued speaking. "It isn't fair that both of us made a mistake but you were the only one punished for it."

Oh. Edwin raised his eyebrows and glanced towards the large mirror in one corner of the room...the gateway for Thomas to enter or pull him through. "How did you know about that?"

Charles frowned. "You think I can't recognise the look of someone who's been spanked? Really? I mean, I spanked you...but the Cat King had no reason to spank you for something you'd already been punished for."

"Charles." Edwin took a deep breath and then moved forward, looking earnestly at his best friend. "Thomas wasn't punishing me. I felt guilty, so he helped me."

Charles looked away.

Well. That explained things. But it didn't answer the most important question. "Why didn't you just tell me you felt guilty, instead of playing pranks that didn't really explain anything?"

Charles didn't say anything.

"Are you going to make me do all the work?" Edwin tried to sound exasperated, but a fond note crept into his voice. He waited a beat, but when Charles still didn't speak, he nodded. "Very well. Stop me if I get anything wrong. You didn't feel guilty for what we did before...entering the Dreaming and saving Thomas, Niko and Monty...until you realised I'd been spanked. Then you felt guilty. But you thought you shouldn't feel guilty...so instead of actually talking to me about it, you decided to try to irritate me enough that I'd step in anyway." He paused, then asked, "Does that cover it?"

"You know...sometimes I really hate that you know me so well," Charles muttered.

Edwin gave a tiny smile. "We've been friends for a very long time. We both know each other well." He looked steadily at Charles. "If we hadn't done anything, Thomas would have died. Monty would have died. And Niko...who knows what would have happened to her?"

Charles gave a half-smile without any humour in it. "You must have told yourself those exact same things."

"I did," Edwin admitted.

"Did it make any difference?"

Edwin shook his head. "Of course not."

Charles raised his eyebrows and waited.

It would have been much easier if Charles had just spoken to him, Edwin couldn't help but reflect. Especially rather than wasting money on cat food, of all things, when they now had to worry about earning money to spend on actual food they could eat.

"You know, humans can eat cat food. It might not taste good, but it's still edible," Charles said, just as if he could read Edwin's mind.

"That's not the point," Edwin said wearily. He shook his head and sighed, then walked over to the bed and sat down, legs slightly apart. He patted his thigh gently, making eye contact with Charles. "Come here."

Charles stiffened slightly and, for a moment, he didn't move. He hesitated just long enough for Edwin to wonder if Charles would refuse; if he'd changed his mind. And if he had? Well, Edwin would push. Pranks like this revealed that Charles needed this...and Edwin wouldn't neglect his best friend's needs. Not for anything.

Edwin didn't have to push, though. Charles took a deep breath and walked over to stand by Edwin's right side. He glanced at his best friend, then slowly leaned forward, lowering himself over Edwin's lap. "I'm not sorry we went into the Dreaming," he said quietly.

"I know. You're only sorry because you feel guilty that I was punished." Even though it had been more about catharsis than punishment. His hand came to rest on Charles' lower back, rubbing for a moment or two, before he moved his hand a bit lower, lifting it and then bringing it down in a firm smack that echoed in the room.

Charles gasped softly, but otherwise didn't react to the first smack.

Edwin lifted his hand and let it fall a second time, then delivered two more smacks just below the first. He settled quickly into a pattern of swats, working his way over Charles' whole bottom from the crest down to mid-thigh. Then, he started over from the top. 

Partway through the second circuit of smacks, Charles began shifting slightly. His fingers curled into fists, flexing slightly, and his hips shifted in response to the impact as Edwin reached his thighs for the second time.

Edwin paused partway through the third circuit, his hand resting lightly on Charles' hip...letting his best friend feel his presence while the sting settled. "I know you feel that you need this, Charles, but you didn't do anything wrong," he murmured. "Maybe we could have done things differently. Maybe. But it's always easier to think about what you should have done in hindsight."

Charles shifted again and mumbled something.

"What did you say?"

"I said...it hurts, but...it's kind of comforting in a way too," Charles muttered, glaring at the floor.

Edwin released his breath in a slow sigh, his other hand squeezing Charles' shoulder. "I know," he agreed. "Why do you think I asked Thomas to do this to me?"

"You could have asked me..."

Edwin softened his voice slightly, allowing his affection to come through clearly as he murmured, "I know I could have, Charles. I trusted you to punish me when I needed it. But...what I asked Thomas to do was different. It felt different. It isn't that I trusted him more...just that our relationship is different."

Charles sniffed quietly before whispering, "I'm really glad that we're living people again, but I kind of miss the times when it was just us."

"So do I," Edwin admitted quietly. "That is normal, Charles. To feel happy about a change yet regret others." He lifted his hand and brought it down in a firm smack, drawing a hitched gasp from Charles. "But that is no excuse to use pranks instead of talking to me." He resumed the steady pattern of swats. 

Charles hissed, shifting slightly...not quite squirming, but close. "I thought you were finished!" he protested, not quite a whine.

"No. That first part was for your sake. This is for the pranks." Edwin didn't smack for very long, though. He delivered two more swats, then paused, hand moving to Charles' shoulder...squeezing lightly...before he helped his best friend to stand. He stood up as well, pulling Charles into a tight hug.

Charles didn't pull away, to Edwin's relief. Instead, he let out a tiny, shuddering breath and relaxed into Edwin's hold.

For a few moments, the two of them just held onto each other...taking advantage of it just being the two of them, even if that was only temporary.

Charles was the first one to break the embrace, letting go of Edwin and taking a step back, wiping at tears that hadn't quite fallen yet. "Thank you," he whispered, looking at Edwin without hesitation. "Not for...the spanking itself. That would be just odd." He grimaced slightly, then added, "For always being there. Even after...all of this."

"You're still my best friend, Charles," Edwin said, his voice filled with quiet sincerity. "No matter what happens...no matter where we end up...that won't ever change."

Charles just nodded, a tiny, grateful smile touching his lips. He took a deep breath and then stepped back. "I suppose we'd better go and join the others. Give an explanation for what's been going on."

"There's no explanation needed," Edwin replied reassuringly. "It's over. We don't need to speak of it again."

Charles looked into Edwin's eyes for a moment before he finally nodded. "Yeah. Okay." He moved towards the door and then turned back to Edwin, a more natural smile spreading across his face. "Are you coming?"

"Yes. I'm sure Monty will be back soon anyway." Edwin walked over to join Charles, and they left the room side by side...the mood between them much lighter than it had been.

Edwin fully planned to enjoy the peace while it lasted.

The End