[ eventually, charles does decide that — well, that he's probably gone over the time limits of a socially acceptable hug by so many seconds it's better to count them in minutes, and he really should let go, no matter how comforting he finds their current position.

so he pulls back, brushing the side of his thumb discreetly against his eye before aiming a small smile at junpei. ] Nah, no need for thanks. I wanted you to know.

[ wouldn't have said it all otherwise, right? but that — well, that sort of reminds him of something else he probably should have said, way before this moment. ]

Right, so, since we're already talking about all this... I wanted to say sorry. You know, for leaving you.

[ he doesn't specify, because frankly, does he need to? he doesn't think so. instead, he just goes on, before junpei has a chance to misunderstand, ] I would've come back if I could've. Just — I'd have never abandoned you, yeah? Never. [ and he can't bear the thought of him believing that. ]