About three weeks after the incident, 11:02 a.m.
"Charlie, come on. I know your sad, but please hurry. We're early for a reason." General Galeforce urged Charles. Charles stared at the ground for a minute, then sighed, before calling back to him. "Coming..!" He left the room he was in, eyes stinging. He only got about three hours of sleep within the past two weeks, and the unpredictable crying. Charles desperately missed Henry, his love. He figured he should tell the General that he told Henry he loved him before he died. "General..?" The young pilot said, head hanging low. "Can I tell you something..?"
"Anything, Charlie. I'm listening." He replied. Charles nodded. "Right before Henry died, I..." He hesitated. General Galeforce stared at him with confusion and concern. "Well... I... I loved him. I told him I loved him, too." He shook his head, trying to avoid his General's gaze. "I'm sorry, I never really told anyone that I was gay." Charles muttered. "That's okay, Charlie. I figured you did anyways." Galeforce replied. "Wait, how!?" Charles immediately looked up at him again. "Ah, I just figured. You acted different around eachother, you two often got too close for comfort. Sometimes I even caught you holding hands. It was pretty cute, though. I must admit. Sad to see such a good relationship go to waste like that." Galeforce told Charlie. "Yeah... I didn't think he loved me back, but he told me he did... It was.. bittersweet, to say the least."
Galeforce shook his head and looked at Charlie with grief. "Sad. Shouldn't have ended like that... Well, we should get going before we're late."
Charles nodded. He expecting to be embarrassed by his General's reaction, but he felt relieved. He understood his feelings, and Charles was grateful for that. They began walking down the corridor the exit of the place, and went outside. Charles wished to sleep, but he had to stay awake, just for only two more hours, he hoped he could last for that long. He saw Rupert Price, standing next to Dave Panpa, holding his hand. They were amongst the people who came early for preperations. "Hey, Charles. Just wanted to say sorry... again..." Rupert told him. Dave looked as if he wanted to say the same thing to him, and Charles knew Dave had anxiety, and didn't like social interaction. He understood, even though Charles didn't have anxiety. He just wanted to be left alone in his room, to mourn in peace. But it wasn't that easy, he had to work for the government, like he swore to do. However, he didn't have his loved one with him. "C-Came early to avoid the crowd, ye-yeah?" Dave stuttered to Charles. "Well, yeah, sorta..." Charles replied. "I feel bad for you, Charles. Really, I do. After I heard what happened I thought you were devastated, heart-broken-" Rupert started to speak to Charles again, when he was cut off. "Since when did you figure Henry and I were in love?" Charles glared at Rupert. "Oh come on, Charles." Rupert replied, and Charles could tell he was trying to keep himself from laughing, and was doing a pretty good job at it. "It was starting to get obvious. You two were usually too close together, and sometimes you even held hands. It was adorable, it was hard to keep myself from-"
"Shut up..!" Charles' face was bright red. Dave's eyes widened. "Sorry, Charles. I wasn't thinking. I know your not feeling well, emotionally." Rupert told Charles sympathetically. Dave just glanced at Charles empathetically. "... I-It's okay. I shouldn't have snapped at you, anyways." Charles replied. "You... You look exhausted." Dave commented. "When did you last sleep..?"
"About two weeks ago." Charles replied. "Don't worry, though. I'll get some sleep tonight." Charles knew he was probably lying. He couldn't sleep, no matter how tired he was or how badly he wanted to. "Oh, yeah... You'll probably feel better if you sleep." Rupert commented. Charles looked away. He knew he was right, but he had so much to think about. Plus, what if he met Henry in a dream? How would he react? Charles thought it was his fault that he died. Charles would do anything if there was a possibility to see Henry again, but there wasn't. He could only see him in dreams, if that was even possible. Which, he hoped it was possible. Anything for Henry. Even though he used to be a criminal. The charming, quiet governor, who uses to be a criminal will remain in Charles' mind forever. "Well, the funeral is about to start. I just now noticed the people getting here." Rupert said, looking around. "Huh, yeah." Charles murmured. "Do you want us to sit next to you? Or... Are you fine?" Rupert asked Charles, knowing Charles was in a bad emotional state. Charles hesitantly nodded. It was pretty lonely for him without Henry. even though Henry was always quiet, he was good company. They each took a seat, Rupert and Dave sat to Charles' left. Charles looked up for a moment, then started to think.
"Charlie, wake up." Charles heard his General talking to him. "Did I fall asleep?" Charles blinked. "Yes you did." Galeforce replied. "Why didn't you wake me up?" Charles was angry with himself for falling asleep during Henry's funeral. Why couldn't I stay awake for just a little bit longer!? Charles scolded himself. "You needed the sleep, Charlie. I know you wanted to stay awake, but you really needed the sleep." Galeforce told him. "...Okay." Charles shook his head to himself. He couldn't stay awake for the funeral! "Go home and rest, Charlie. You don't have to fly your helicopter tomorrow." Charles' general told him. Charles nodded as they left.
Charles sat in his room, looking outside the window. He was trying to think things through, but he couldn't think. Charles wanted to grieve in peace more than anything right now, even though three weeks had passed since Henry died. He laid down and sighed. It felt... empty in his room without Henry. No more talking before sleep, no more comfort hugs, that was all gone. Just a distant memory. Henry was gone, and there was no changing that. Charles looked beside him, and felt as if his ghost were right there.