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Chapter 43 - "I won't abandon you"

Spreading his arms wide, Willow hugged him. Charlie was startled and couldn't even react as Willow held him tightly in his embrace, on his tiptoes to level up with the taller boy. With one hand on his back and the other lightly rubbing his head, he whispered, "Don't be sad, Charlie. I...I'll be your real friend. What if you've never had friends before? You can always make new friends."

"But Will, there must be a reason why I never had friends. As I thought, I'm the problem-"

"No, no. You've got it all wrong! It's not your fault, okay?"

He retracted his hands and released Charlie from the hug. Almost immediately, Willow cupped his face and made him lower his head down to his eye level. "Listen to me clearly. It wasn't your fault, okay? You just met the wrong people."

Charlie didn't know when his eyes started to go numb. There were unshed tears in those, threatening to fall.

Oh crap, this is bad. He shouldn't cry in front of Willow. What will he think of him? A cry baby who cries at every little thing.

Charlie bit his lips harshly, trying to focus on the pain to stop the tears. Willow noticed this at once and smiled sadly, "Charlie, don't bite your lips. Don't force yourself to stay calm if you want to cry."

As if guessing the other's thoughts, Willow continued, "It's not a shameful thing. Even boys cry. Crying is just a way to release your emotions, okay? It doesn't have any other meaning."

Charlie still looked down decisively. His eyes were red, but he still bit his lips, trying to force all those tears back in.

"Charlie, listen to me. Think about it this way. Would you judge me if I ever cry in front of you? Would you hate me or think I'm weak?"

Charlie immediately whipped his head upwards and blurted out, "No! Of course, I won't-"

Willow smiled knowingly, "See, I told you. Just like how you'll support me, I'll do the same. I won't judge you for crying."

"Charlie, you don't need to force yourself or pretend you're alright anymore. At least not in front of me."

Pressing Charlie's head to his shoulder, Willow rubbed circles on his back and assured, "Let it all out. You don't need to suffer alone anymore..."

A sob sounded as Willow's shoulder felt wet. One hand on his head, Willow caressed his hair soothingly. "Yes, just like that."

A silence fell, the only sound being Charlie's occasional sobs.

"I won't ever leave you. I won't abandon you."

Charlie didn't reply so Willow continued, "I don't know what kind of trash people you met before, but now, you're not alone. You have me, Adelia-"

"T-That bug?" Charlie's voice was hoarse. He straightened and looked at Willow. His eyes were still red, but he actually looked a lot better since he let it all out.

Seeing that he was alright, Willow playfully retorted, "Hey, don't call my sister a bug."

Charlie croaked a laugh. That joke eased the previous tension and the atmosphere became comfortable. "She's still a bug. Everyone else is a bug. Only Willow is a person in my eyes."

Seeing him back to his usual self, Willow smiled in relief. Standing on tiptoes, he ruffled Charlie's hair. "Oh, is that so?"

Instead of making him look bad, the unkempt hair only increased his attractiveness, kind of like a straight out of bed natural look.

Willow suddenly felt an urge to tease him. "Then, are even my parents bugs? Even your parents and family? Even you?"

Charlie was startled as he quickly denied, "N-No!"

Looking sideways, he said sheepishly, "On second thoughts, only Adelia and blondie are bugs."

Willow chuckled at that. Not only did he not defend Adelia, he even wanted to spoil Charlie a bit. "Okay, okay, whatever you say. Adelia and Claude are bugs. Only Charlie and Willow are humans, alright?"

Charlie nodded slowly. His lips were curved in a soft smile, eyes shining with affection.