What's up, Internet? Yeah, it's been a while, but a lot has happened since chapter 1. But enough of that. I own nothing but my OCs. Everything else belongs to RoosterTeeth and Monty Oum. Enjoy.
There was a lump in Charlie's throat the entire way back home. What he should've been feeling was honor and excitement that such an offer was extended to him, after the travesty that was his exam. What he felt instead was dread. Guilt. A deep fear of what would happen when he told his father. As he slowly moped his way down the dirt road that led to his home, Cloverfield Farm, he muttered to himself in an attempt to settle both his mind and his stomach.
"It'll be fine, Charlie. You can't keep it from him, and you especially can't just act like it never happened. You know he'll be devastated, but you both know he can't keep you here forever. He knew that when he let you go to Signal in the first place. But I'm sure he was expecting Beacon or something close like that, not some far-off place like Shade!"
The sound of the screen door swinging open ripped him from his thoughts. Standing in the door was Arthur Trefle, Charlie's father. He looked almost identical to Charlie, save for the crows feet and the silver that lined the bottom of his deep crimson hair. His overalls were dirt stained from the hours he likely spent tending to the crops and making sure the watering pipes weren't busted. He held a large steel bowl close to his chest, with freshly picked ears of corn peeking over the rim.
"Hey, kiddo! Figured you'd be getting home a little earlier, but that's Signal for ya. You're just in time for supper!" He cheered, hurrying back inside.
Their farmhouse wasn't what most would call luxurious, but it certainly felt like it to Charlie. The dining room and the living room were practically the same room, with only a line of brass on the floor dividing them. The living room had a big sofa relatively close to a CCT Radio. The dining room had a round table with a vase full of green chrysanthemum flowers sitting in the middle. Only two chairs were set up, leaving a comically large amount of space at the rest of the table.
"Hey, dad? So I have something important to tell you. It's kind of a big deal, but I know I can't keep it from you forever."
Charlie's dad came through the kitchen door with two big bowls of stew that smelled heavenly to Charlie. He choked up a little at the scent. It was a favorite of his, ever since he was a kid: Spicy Beef Stew.
"Did you fail? Well, can't be helped. Not everyone can make the cut to be a huntsman. But at least you got a place right here. I know it ain't much, but I know you can still be happy right here. C'mon, let's chow do-"
"Headmaster Theodore offered me a place at Shade Academy!" He blurted out, cutting off Arhur's thinly-veiled excitement. Charlie looked at Arthur and saw the shiny, happy face he'd seen almost his entire life vanish, and get replaced with a defeated smile, like he was trying not to show how heartbroken the news made him.
"Shade? That school all the way in Vacuo? Huh...that...that's amazing. Son, why didn't you tell me sooner?" He asked, tears welling up in his eyes.
"Dad, you don't have to lie to me. I know you don't want me to go. After what happened with Mom, I get it. But I don't want to be a farmer boy while the world hurts like it is. I don't know if I wanna go to Shade, but I do know that I want to be like Mom. I wanna help people and make the world a better place for you and me and just about everybody else…"
"I know, Charlie. I just...I don't wanna lose you. I already lost your mama, and I just don't know if I can handle losing you. Not when you're all I have left."
There was a strangling silence in the dining room. There was no air, no atmos[here. Only a tension not even the sharpest knife could cut through.
"Charlemagne Lierre Trefle, you know I love you. I'll always love you, no matter what you choose. And...we both know Cat would never forgive me if I didn't give you the chance to do what you want with your life. I won't get in the way of you going to Shade, and I won't try to guilt you into giving it up. All I ask is I get to see you off, and that you'll call every now and again when you get there." He said, trying visibly to not break down.
Charlie ran up and hugged his father tightly. "I'll make sure to come back whenever I can, and I'll stay as safe as Remnant will allow." He promised. "Now, lets eat before the stew gets cold."