"I understand that, but I come from a different time, and I'm trying to find some way to make this happen and you- You looked like a sucker punched you when I brought up marriage, and trust me that wasn't easy for me either," he said.
"Did they start setting you up at birth?" he said, with a tiny smile. "Because you're not that old."
Callum framed Charlie's face and pressed a punishing kiss to his lips. He pulled back slowly and his hands slid over Charlie's shoulder. "I know you mean well, but Alastor doesn't need anyone other than Alastor, and Baron is better off without seeing his father in this state. I-" What did he even want to say? That he loved Charlie? But that was irrelevant; in fact, it would make things worse, but he needed to make Charlie understand.
He closed his eyes and pressed his forehead against Charlie's. "I love you, too," he said in a whisper. "I never told anyone but my family, but I love you, and I can't do this. I can't be friends. I'm not going to survive it. I feel as bad as when I got here."