First punch of change solo

Take place after
Date: January 4th, 2022

A day till returning to school. The blonde would have preferred not to return back to the manor but he needed to collect his bags. His broom.

The sun started peeking out from it's slumber. The early morning dew settled against the grass. The teen treaded carefully, staying low and avoiding windows as he stepped softly up the steps of the manor toward the front door.

A small creak. Rust aginest metal. Charles turned the key in the hole, pocketing the sliver once more. A small opening as he pulled the door slightly, bending a tad to step past the threshold and enter the manor.

A glance around. The blonde felt himself take breaths, eyes dsrting from painting to crack to beam of light. His ear perked at every sound, echoing off in his mind. The sudden noises... lights... the teen felt his breathing escalated.... faster... faster... his chest clenched unsure what is happening. What is happening to him... the teen reached a hand to his chest, rubbing at it. Holding it as he stumbled back, leaning aginest the wall. Blinking hard as his eyes darted. Breathing kept quickening. His eyes squeezed shut, his breathing started to even out but he wasn't sure how long he have been there for.

"Charles?"

A voice broke the silence of the morning. Charles opened his eyes, dropping his hand immediately and stepping back from the wall. Not wanting to appear weak. Forgetting that moment ago. Hos eyes flickered ahead, the first step stood his elder brother. Andrew. Attending his final year at durmstrang this year.

The teen inhaled, stepping through the manor for the stairs. Climbing the first two steps when he felt Andrew resched out and grab his arm, firm, the raven haired lad stared at the blonde. Charles stopped, his eyes on his brother as he swallowed hard and pulled at his arms for his brother to let go as he spoke"let go." His words brought no result as he worried about his brother alerting the others... they aren't exactly close anymore.

"Why were you leaning on the wall?" Andrew asked. His words sharp. Charles looked away, eyes lingering for the floor above. Not wanting to answer. Not sure how...

Andrew looked around, considering his options, he pulled Charles's arm a bit. Leaning close as he spoke"I should tell the others you returned but your not staying are you?" Charles stayed silent. That was the truth. His eyes moved from the upper floor to Andrew's eyes, nodding slightly, watching his brother inhale before speaking"your still my brother, whether we like it or not so run along and hurry but Charles, the longer you keep up these games the harder it will be for you with the rest of our family." Andrew woild let go of his brother, sending him a nod.

Charles stared. His brother is helping him? Giving him advice? Like before durmstrang? Was this a olive branch? Maybe the page to start again? Charles nodded, a slight smile as he spoke"I-" his words faltered. Games? Is that what hus father thought? Grandfather? Games. The blonde found himself stalled. He never wanted to come out and usually fought his problems with punching but how does he punch this? How does he solve it?

"I didn't see you today but you will be joining me on the trip back here for the summer holiday, yes?" Andrew spoke. His words they felt different than before. Charles nodded, a soft smile knowing well that he won't need to reply to his brother. At least not in this moment. Charles turned and carefully raced up the stairs, stumbling as he got to the upper floor and going to the left. Tip toeing down to the end.

One of the doors on the end of the hall. The blonde quietly open it a cracked, slipping in. The blonde cast a gaze around his room. Exactly how he left it those few days ago. Charles sought to pack, unsure of how long he has till someone else hear or notices him that morning.

His duffle bag and backpack. Stuffing them with his school items, quidditch gear. The blonde close them. Pulling the backpack over his shoulder and duffle bag tied to the strap of his backpack. Broom in hand. The teen stared around, the wooden fixtures. The light above. Quidditch posters covering the walls. The bed he slept in for years in that manor. The desk... filled of old parchment and empty ink jars... papers from a time no longer remembered... schedules and pictures tapes to his closest doors. The teen felt his eyes pass by his room. Knowing he will be there again that summer.... he promises his brother... his brother stated the words.

Pushing the door, slipping out. The blonde crept through the hall. Eyes alert for any sudden movements as he neared the stairs. The stairs inches away when the voices found him... pressing aginest the wall besides the stairs. The blonde peeked around. Eyes found the image of his father, brother, and mother. Standing in front of the door. A part of him wanted to run pass but he knew the safer option is waiting it out. His ears hear their voice and eyes caught their expressions.

"Who were you talking to, Andrew?" His father spoke seemingly to know someone else was in that house, Charles held his breath as his brother replied"only to myself, preparing for the dinner tonight." Charles stared. His brother is lying... for him? The teen couldn't- he felt his grip tighten to the broom. His ears listening to the words and eyes watching the scene unfold.

"Is that all or did Charles return? We only want to help to him and you know this," Aaron asked his son, eyes ahead as his wife. Charles's mother. Jessica found her eyes drawn to above the stairs, where Charles hid. No longer peeking. Back to wall. Ears staining to listen.

"He shouldn't be on his own and he needs to know that we're here for him," Jessica spoke loud enough to echo in Charles's ears. His eyes glisten. The words soft... honey like... he wanted to run down... to speak with his parents... to know they accept him... support him... their words- her words warmed him.... his grip trembled to his broom as he inched closer to the stairs, ready to run down when he heard his father speak"that we understand." Charles placed a hand on the railing. His father understood. Maybe he was worried for nothing?

"Understand why he thought he needed to do that call for attention on us," his father's words echoed in his ears. Charles felt his breathing quicken. He stumbled back a step. Words... voices.... echoing in his mind. The teen felt his grip tremble. Call for attention? That's what they thought.... thought of him coming out...

"I'm sorry-" Andrew spoke, apparently his brother couldn't belive the words their father voiced either. Charles felt his eyes fluttered shut as his father spoke"him saying that he's gay or has a boyfriend, wasn't it a call for attention? Jealous of you, Andrew for all you accomplished and will do. Since who makes a scene from that anymore when there's a simple conversation or owls." Charles bit his bottom lip as he raced down the stairs.

His eyes on his parents as he shouted"that wasn't a call for attention! That was me coming out to you! Hoping you support me.. but- but-" His voice failed him as his father scoffed. His brother reached his hand out, a whsiper of his name while his mother stared.

Charles couldn't take it. He couldn't stand there. He pushed aside his parents and ran for the door.

Running the land to the wizarding world. To a friend to stay the last night of the break wirh before heading back to school.