This is so adorable, and yes this very much did happen
Okay, but after Charles and Edwin have gotten their shit together and finally started dating, Charles still calls Edwin mate, because that is what he has always done, and sometimes it feels strange to finish a sentence without any kind of nickname at the end. And it's not like Edwin minds.
Only that Crystal, one day, just snaps, like, "Charles you are aware that you aren't mates anymore, are you? Because I walked into on you two making out at least three times this month and you are currently in Edwin's lap. Don't you think you should update your vocabulary a little?"
And Niko coos, and agrees, and Charles just raises an eyebrow, thinking.
Crystal regrets saying anything just five days later, because it's "here you go, luv", when Charles hands Edwin a letter opener.
"Careful with the sulfur, babes, that shit stains real bad when you get it on your hands. And yes, even ghost skin, don't try and start that with me", when they are brewing a potion.
"Come with, darling, I found this ancient tome you'd really like", when Charles grabs Edwin's hand and drags him to a secluded area in the local magic shop, either to look at a book, or just to share a few kisses.
But what finally gets Crystal to snap is when Edwin looks at Charles like he has never seen a single more beautiful being in the world in the middle of a case, and says, "What brilliant reasoning, my dearest heart."
They ignore her pleading to just go back to normal completely, but a few days after, there's a mate thrown in between the loves and the sweethearts and the babycakes.
It's the first time Crystal considers retiring before she has reached the age of twenty.