<3
Charlie hesitated, then collapsed with a faint ‘flump’ to land in the sand beside Oliver. Adjusting himself into a somewhat comfortable position, he glanced out of the ocean and watched the waves roll over and over each other. He could feel the sand sticking to his still slightly damp skin, mixing with the maze of freckles that covered his arms and legs.
“I get it,” he replied, with a smile. Charlie turned to examine Oliver’s profile. “I didn’t think I could survive without the Sanctuary. But you just have to get your head down and get on with it, I guess.” Charlie didn’t really know who he was without his work. A brother, he guessed. An Uncle. The guy who emptied the shit pits twice a day and went to the pub and vanished up off the mountains occasionally. But none seemed to fit particularly well. You had to just get on with it and hope it got better.
"Um…” he hesitated. “I mean, it’s alright. Fred’s here. I’ve met a few people I get on with pretty well.” It was all pretty non-committal stuff. Charlie didn’t think he could leave this place – he couldn’t do that to his family. But then he hadn’t really found anything that made him desperate to stay, either. “Who’re you Godkids? Percy’s sprogs?”