#lowkey edwin/charles/crystal

[falling-star-cygnus]

Edwin might have Scary Dog Privileges but i think Charles would genuinely be crushed if he found out he was the scary dog -> it's also kinda funny that this dynamic switches once you get to know the two

[the four of them are chilling in the office, because Niko is alive and im not open to criticisms actually, thank you] [Charles had just shooed off a particularly nasty client- a nasty nasty client that resulted in the agency closing early. Or least going on break] [Edwin is on the couch, reading, while the other three are sitting on the floor playing cards] Crystal, tossing a blue 3 into a steadily growing pile: You know, it's so nice not having to deal with people like that anymore Charles, taking his turn: People like what? Crystal: You know- assholes like that guy. Who think they can be rude to service workers just because they're 'paying' [Niko nods emphatically as she debates on the best card, while Edwin doesn't even look away from his book] Edwin, briefly reaching down to squeeze his partner's shoulder: I can tell you Charles has never once let that kind of abhorrent behavior slide, especially not in this office. You needn't worry Niko, finally laying down a yellow three: That true, it's like having our own scary dog.. but instead of robbers, he scares off rude people. And spirits [Crystal snickers, her fingers primed to set down a yellow skip] Crystal: And Night Nurses. Charles, with the face of a people pleaser obviously about to crack: ...you guys think I'm scary? [Everybody freezes- Edwin on the couch, Crystal with her skip, and Niko with remaining two cards] [Edwin finally looks up from his book to glare incredulously at Crystal from over Charles' head. Crystal quickly chooses a new card] Crystal, shaking her head: ...no- No no, no no no.. it's a- it's a joke! [The game is quickly abandoned in favor of Niko and Crystal scooting closer on opposite sides of Charles- the latter holding her phone out with one of those 'reasons i feel safe walking alone' videos open and playing] [Edwin leans over Charles' head to watch too, his hand laying almost protectively on the other boy's shoulder]

[gloomygloworm]

idk man i kinda wanna see more knee jerk reactions from edwin from his time in school. i love it when charles calls him pretty in fics and stuff but i feel like i dont get to see enough of the trauma that he maybe FORGOT? like yeah 70 years in hell tends to take precedence but what about things he FORGOT that sets him off? charles calls him pretty to tease him and edwin absolutely freaks out because his classmates used to call him pretty when kicking the shit out of him. just imagining edwin screaming IM NOT PRETTY because only soft fairy boys are pretty and soft fairy boys get their faces punched in. idk maybe its the internalized homophobia i just want him to work through these things with charles and the girls help

[lezabeththetheodoraimposter]

i love dbda but i also love fashion history so i was very triggered when edwin said emma died in the late 1800s when she very clearly died in the mid 1800s

i would say the 1850s but the latest she could’ve died was in the 1860s

i used this as the reference because you can’t see her full outfit in the show. it’s not very historically accurate but it is clearly 1850s

just look at how similar they are. you cannot tell me she isn’t from the 1850s which classifies as mid 1800s not late 1800s edwin

[aspiring-wildfire]

okay not to cross hyperfixations but what do we think all the dbda characters’ dnd classes are

[lesbicosmos]

happy last day of pride month to Them‼️

[reyl0ct]

I was called problematic, a red flag, and should stay in my corner and never evolve because I ship the Cat King and Edwin :3

You ppl that hate on the CatWin ship got some real problems 😂 like I can't help but laugh. Do you all not realize the Cat King was like Edwin's gay awakening?

Listen, I respect everyone's ships, but I do not understand the attacking when someone else has a different opinion than yours.

There are way more important things to fight over like fight against the ppl who wanna take rights away from women. Fight against the hate crimes that are constant against LGBTQA+ and People of color. Fight against the horrible things taking place in Gaza and Palestine 🇵🇸 But DON'T fight over stupid things like what relationships ppl like in a TV show....

And jokes on you because I literally ship all the main characters:

Edwin x Cat King? Top tier. Charles x Edwin? Fucking love it! Charles x Crystal? Fucking cuties. Edwin x Monty? Precious! Niko x Crystal? Yessssss. Charles x Monty? Pretty sure I was like the first person to start shipping them because my mind is unhinged but still 100% behind it

Point is I just don't get the absolute hate ppl recieve based on who they ship together ✨️

[the-lefthanded-fate]

Halfway done with dead boy detectives and I am having a lot of fun. Ships are challenging though because I'm really not sold on Edwin/Charles, but I also don't really like Charles/Crystal, and I feel like the only draw of Monty and the Cat King are the drama they are causing, which I am living for. Also I love Niko with all my heart

[la-haruchan]

Please, 22 episode, one per week and i'll paid a six month subscription.

#Shut up and take my money.

dead boy detectives was meant to have TONS of wacky adventures per season beyond the terrible 8 episode format that limits many tv shows. Netflix give my boys the more episodic format for their shenanigans, it is what was meant to be.

[honorarypines]

Mean girls au. For some reason.

Lore under the cut

Crystal is Regina, the school queen bee, and Edwin is Janice, the bitter outcast. In the past they were friends but then Edwin came out to her and admitted he had crush on Charles, local cutie. Which made Crystal flirt with Charles out of pure nastiness (she's yet to have her arc). Since then Edwin has been plotting to overthrow her

Charles likes Edwin but he's a huge people pleaser and that lowkey makes him a pushover. He's having trouble rejecting Crystal bc dating her, aka the most popular girl in school, gives him a self esteem boost and immunity, both things he desperately needs to survive another year of high school. He also hates hurting others' feelings so he really wants to make things work with her bc if that's what she wants who is he to deprive her of it right? Unaware Edwin likes him.

Niko, much like Cady, is the iccocent new girl who was previously homeschooled in Japan. Edwin befriends and uses her to get his revange on Crystal. But then whoops Crystal and Niko fall for each other. And Edwin suddenly cares about Niko and wants her to be happy?

I also lowkey want to make CK and Monty Crystal's circle simply bc they deserve to gossip about guys and paint each other's nails

Eventually they all become friends

[alexwilltellyouthings]

Dead Boy Detectives was really smooth with how they decided to keep us hanging with Edwin/Charles. We have hints, but no real way of knowing how their relationship will move forward and that feels very deliberate.

'Cause I mean. We see how Edwin is acting after realizing his feelings. He's not all that subtle (for us) in episode 6. He changes clothes, checks Charles out, lingers on a touch on his shoulder, etc. It's clear he changed.

But then, after hell and the confession, we have just TWO scenes focused on them, and they are somehwat hard to decipher, especially when it comes to Charles' reactions. The scenes are pretty opposite.

First, the roof right after hell. They are standing very apart from each other (not usual at all), each looking away, and there's an awkwardness going on when they do make eye contact. It's cute, but unlike anything we've seen from them before, and it indicates a shift in the dynamic that neither of them seems quite ready to face.

Then Charles reassures Edwin that they're good, they smile, Crystal shows up and goes straight to lean against Charles, not even thinking about it, while Edwin is still at the other side. It feels very interesting to me that they chose to go with this unbalance of proximity. It looks... hurtful, to Edwin at least.

Then there's Crystal with her memories, saying goodbye, Esther, the whole shebang, and the next time we see the boys by themselves is at the very end. Which was also a very interesting choice in proximity, as we all know. But this time, the other way around — they are closer than ever.

Also I think it's worth noting that, before this, when they are about to leave Port Townsend, both Charles and Edwin have a little moment with their respective love interests. Charles and Crystal act kinda shy at each other in Niko's room, while Edwin talks to the Cat King. Again, it feels deliberate.

So are there going to be other awkward moments? Is Edwin going to be fine with the craving he now clearly has? Is Charles going to act confident or bashful? And obviously there's room for the Cat King and Crystal to still mean something romantic and/or sexual to them, in one way or the other. Basically, the evidence can point to any direction. And as much of a Payneland truther I am, I have to admit it can also point to a whole different development. The show made sure to leave all doors open, including the ones leading to heartbreak.

It makes me anxious, and it's also lowkey brilliant.

[multi-fandom-lunatic]

OKAY GUYS. ITS THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN. WHERE I GRACE YOU WITH MY SHITTY HCS. PAYNELAND EDITION. LETS GO.

Edwin 100% wheres those old mens swimsuits. And to everyone else he looks goofy. charles lowkey digs it though.

Edwin doesnt say anything about it. but. he always notices charles' earring when they arent on a case. how it dangles and how it totally fits charles. he just. is enamoured by every aspect of our fave rowland.

charles is super confident about confessions usually, but when it comes to edwin, he is terrified. this is his best mate of thirty years. he REJECTED him. and now he wants to reconfess?? the procrastinator demon in that boy has overtaken him.

oh, how did charles realise his feelings, you ask? well. it started one day when charles was on his own in the agency. edwin was out doing something...somewhere. and charles is like. strangely upset that edwin is gone. not in the 'oh i want him back im bored' kinda way. in the 'i need him to be near me right now or im going to explode' kinda way.

and then he gets thinking. its normal to want to kiss your friend, right? not just a friend, at that, a best mate. its normal to want things that you'd want with a partner with them, right?

and then crystal strolls in, and charles and her strike up conversation. casually he mentions this. crystal stares at charles for a good few seconds before replying.

'charles...thats not very platonic of you. are you sure you dont have a crush on him?'

'edwin's my best mate. its different.'

'different, sure. thats what it is'

and them charles starts panicking thinking, 'oh shit, i have a crush on the boy who i rejected a while back'

and oh-so conveniently, edwin pops back in, and suddenly, charles is very aware of exactly how he's feeling and exactly the thoughts hes thinking.

'are you feeling quiet alright charles? you look a bit sick.

'im fine mate. completely aces.'

and theres the interactions and payneland have. simple touches become so special to charles. and he's hyperaware of how often he brushes against his best mate. simple arm pats, holding his shoulder, brushing against him.

and then one time, charles is just over the moon happy after solving a case. he just goes up and hugs edwin. edwin is shocked for a sec, then hugs him back. charles pulls apart for a moment, so their faces are close but not touching. charles changes that. he pushes himself forward and kisses edwin.

he pulls apart after a moment, completely red because. charles rowland. kissed. edwin. payne. and edwin payne kissed him back.

'charles-?' edwin can barely speak, and neither can charles.

charles, completley embarassed and dazed, admits to his crush. edwin is in utter shock for a moment.

anyways they get together.

crystal is very proud. and how shes the one whos telling them to focus.

andddd thats all i have.

[falling-star-cygnus]

my favorite part of Charles' character is that he's just- not capable of holding grudges. At least, towards people that hurt him specifically yk? as long as you're not an active threat to the wellbeing of his loved ones, he's generally pretty chill

it's really funny and really sad actually, because even though he was jealous of Monty he was still really sweet towards him and lowkey hurt when Monty didn't want to interact with him -> and don't even get me STARTED on the Night Nurse

Charles: No, no, absolutely not. Rejected Crystal: She was literally just being an asshole, it's fine- Charles: Well she should've watched her mouth then!

Charles: I say we help him out Edwin: ...Charles, he stabbed you

[mirellapryce]

Back on my Season 2 ideas

Unrealistic, but sue me, I want TCK to come to some kind of “Well it doesn’t have to be me (always on the table though), but at least let me take you out and introduce you to the queer scene and let you openly experience desire.” with Edwin. Charles finds out about their plans to hit the clubs, and inserts himself. At first it comes off as rude and overbearing protectiveness. Plus a little gauche given that it’s obviously part of Edwin trying to find someone who isn’t Charles. Then it becomes hilarious when they get to the club and Edwin is immediately like “Oh no. Ohhhh this is overwhelming and terrible. Why do people come to clubs?” and Charles just slowly pulls out ear plugs, an anxiety toy, and asks Edwin if he’d like a fiction or non-fiction book to read. The relief and love on Edwin's face are palpable as he takes these items, and sequesters himself a place at the bar to just read and ignore everything around him. This plan is so off the rails, and Charles’ expression is far too smug. It gets even further off the rails when Charles tells Edwin, “Hey, me and Whiskers are going to dance. You good?” He gets a barely paying attention thumbs up, before Charles drags TCK onto the dance floor.

It’s there that Charles explains that he doesn’t like or trust TCK, but if it’s something Edwin’s choosing, he’s not going to interfere unless he sees it going sideways. To which TCK reiterates that he only beds enthusiastically willing partners. Then Charles explains he’s on board with Edwin getting more of a taste for the queer community and he absolutely wants that for his best friend. He doesn’t know if he loves Edwin like that, but he’s currently with Crystal, and he knows it’s unfair to expect Edwin to wait while he figures his own shit out. But if TCK is going to be that queer mentor he should at least know Edwin better. Clubs like this are an overstimulating nightmare for Edwin. If TCK can find anything more lowkey, or even involving books Edwin will be over the moon.

Bonus points if once TCK does find something more suited to Edwin, and they both expect Charles to impose himself as a chaperone again, Charles just gives them a smile (slightly fake) and tells them to have a good time. This is him trying to trust his best friend with other people. This is Charles learning to let go. And because this is me the scene would end with Charles alone in the big, wide office.

[s--strawberry]

god charles was sooooo scared of edwin thinking hes a bad guy he was so worried edwin could feel the same way as crystal (lowkey scared of him) but then edwin was like wdym youre the best person i know im literally in love with you. theyre so !!!!!!! 🫂💗

[tongueandtailbutcher]

//ooc -  Some quick rambly thoughts before I head off to work but since Jenny can canonically see the boys by the end of Season 1 I'm gonna need Season 2 (if we get it 🤞) have her head to London and I need it to give me some "Jenny bonds with Edwin and Charles moments"

Jenny and Edwin matching each other's snarky/sassy quips.

Jenny somehow becoming somewhat of a mentor to the newly out Edwin (despite the fact she is lowkey making shit up in life as she goes)

Jenny recommending Edwin some of her favourite podcasts she thinks he'll like in an attempt to connect and in turn he gives her book recomendations

Jenny and Charles bonding over their shitty fathers and their pain (Jenny's ready to confront Charles' father when she learns he's still alive)

Jenny and Charles swapping music recomendations despite having different tastes

Jenny rolling her eyes at Charles' jokes but there's a little smile that's getting that bit harder to suppress

Just Jenny Green being a reluctant family figure to Charles and Edwin in a similar way to what she became to Crystal and Niko, she's snarky and a little awkward about things but under it all she really cares (reluctant family figure Jenny is so important to me <3)

[deadboy-edwin]

I have this idea for payneland:

Both of them get hit with some kind of spell of sorts that makes them "human" for 24 hours (basically like when they were alive: people can see them, hear them, touch them, they can taste and feel things again, the works)

What do you think they'd do in that time? Maybe taste their fav foods again?

So please bear with me as this will be more of brainrot than an actual fic because I just want to yap- but in my head, it would be kinda funny if the gang was able to get Tragic Mick to turn back into a walrus. The goddess Sedna would then "punish" the boys for daring to defy her- since she had said that Mick would never return to the sea if he chose to leave.

I feel like Sedna would lowkey have a soft spot for abused children, and would also see Mick's love for the sea, and on the inside not really be that mad tbh. Hence the "punishment". She'd "curse" Edwin and Charles to be alive once more.

They don't really know if it's permanent or whatever, but can you imagine the hilarity of Edwin being so used to phasing through walls and doors, then him just walking straight into a door and smacking into it because he's solid- Crystal would have a field day ribbing him for it.

I think, them being human would make them quite unable to take on cases, since admittedly them being regular humans (not everyone can be Crystal Palace Surname Von Hoverkraft okay) makes them vulnerable to beings like demons. So they'd have some downtime. That gives Charles time to think.

Being fully corporeal also allows Crystal to hang out with them like she would with living people. It also allows Crystal to notice things about them that would not have been possible when they were ghosts- like Charles blushing when Edwin adjusts his collar so it's up. Or how the two boys are so tactile. Sure, they'd always been tactile, but why does it seem Charles is extra touchy, now that both boys can feel physical touch?

I think Edwin, bitchy little nerd that he is (and we love him for it) would have a field day with Google. He'd struggle with whatever the fuck a laptop is, and how LED screens strain his poor eyes, and probs get those anti-blue light glasses, and Charles would have a bisexual awakening because Edwin in glasses???

Charles, on the other hand. I feel like boy would want to party. He strikes me as the kind of guy who would be fun at parties, and he'd probably drag the gang to a nightclub after spending the entire day eating different kinds of food (I think he'd enjoy cookie dough ice cream- but that's just me projecting my own cravings).

At the club, Charles might be a bit sulky because Edwin had spent a lot of the day on Crystal's laptop, despite them switching restaurants so that they could try everything- and he's thankful that the laptop is not present at the club.

Unfortunately, Edwin is Edwin, and his brand of anti-rizz also works on the living. You have living people coming up to him left and right, and Charles wonders why this hasn't happened much in death.

Crystal is fast to point out that it's because ghosts are invisible to regular humans. Edwin is not a ghost at the moment, so he's not invisible. She also makes it a point to tell Charles about exactly how many people had simped for Edwin in the afterlife (Monty, the Cat King, hello????)

I think Charles would then get drunk. One, because he's been a ghost for some thirty-odd years. Dude has no fucking clue what his alcohol tolerance levels are. Two, because he gets annoyed that Edwin is getting hit on so much.

There is a third reason that comes to mind once he's fully inebriated, and it's the fact that the following thoughts aren't exactly heterosexual

Getting pouty when your best mate isn't paying attention to you while you are having a meal together

Staring and practically drooling when your best mate is wearing glasses

Getting upset when guys and girls (despite Edwin's lack of interest in the latter) keep flirting with Edwin

Wanting to feel Edwin's touch while he has all his senses at full blast

The plot twist here is that since Edwin is also alive and fully corporeal, our repressed Edwardian boy has actually been icing Charles out because as a human, he does not have the luxury of willing erections away.

I think though, because it seems like immortal beings in the DBDA universe have a sense of humor (hi, Cat King and Esther- wicked as her sense of humor is), when Charles finally makes a move and pulls Edwin away from the admittedly gorgeous guy that had been chatting him up with a "He's in love with me, and vice versa, I'm afraid" and kissing Edwin in the middle of the dance floor, is when they turn back into ghosts.

Even though they're now invisible to most humans once more, Edwin is still quick to berate Charles on the PDA- though there's a softness to his berating.

They end up discovering that as ghosts, they can still feel physical sensations if there's enough emotion involved.

That is a fortunate discovery for all parties involved, especially for our girl Crystal Palace Surname Von Hoverkraft, who walks into the office a few days after the club debacle, and sees Edwin pressing Charles up against a bookcase, snogging him with a fervor, his thigh working its way in between Charles' legs---

"Hot," Crystal comments with a smirk, causing the two boys to jump apart with matching sheepish grins on their faces. "If I'd known Edwin kissed like that, I would've gotten it on with him instead."