#《 I'm assuming this is a little bit after Mackey has exchanged numbers with Ed for Charlie Related Emergencies 》

[first-frost-fallen-snow]

Charlie hiccuped, lifting their head to look up at him. They were clutching a plush that had ripped almost in half, trying to keep the stuffing from falling out. They looked up from their knees, squinting at Ed through tears.

As soon as they fully recognized hum, they scrambled over. Immediately tackling Ed's shins in a tight hug, dropping their plush in the rush to get to him. They gripped onto him, sniffling and shutting their eyes as tight as they could.

( console ) : one muse finds the other sobbing uncontrollably 

Mackey was nowhere to be found, yet his child, Charlie, was heaving sobs just outside of Ed's office. It was impossible to tell how they got there, or even why they were there. Unfortunately for poor Ed, he was the only responsible adult nearby.

@first-frost-fallen-snow

The day had been quiet. Suspiciously so. No arguments or drama with the rest of the development team, and no Mackey barging into his office with whatever fire he needed to put out. No attacks on the Encom server. For once Ed had a productive morning and managed to accomplish his his project goals on time. He'd been so productive, he forgot about lunch until 2:30 in the afternoon.

Of course something had to go catastrophically wrong as soon as Ed let his guard down. He'd just returned from the deli around the block, lunch in hand, when he found the Mackey's child outside his door.

"Charlie?" Ed asked dumbfounded. "What's wrong?"