Hellhound AU

[just_aces]

Sometime round about 1900, a witch summoned a hellhound as a familiar.

He didn't mind it, hellhounds are loyal after all, and if some of her spells left him tired and drained, well, that was what he was there for, to keep her from using too much of her own energy for things. That and to eat the souls of her victims, sometimes.

But then, in the early 1970s, she ran afoul of a much stronger coven.

She was quite quickly banished to hell, but the hellhound couldn't be allowed to go with her, because, well, hellhounds are loyal and she was powerful and would have been able to use him to escape.

So the hellhound was made human, figuring that sixty, seventy, even eighty years if he was lucky would be enough time for the witch to have been consumed, so that even when the human-that-had-been-a-hellhound died, and Death herself realized that he was definitely not where, or what, he was supposed to be, she'd send him back.

But then one Charles Rowland kind of fucked up that whole plan by dying young and immediately running away from Death herself.

So the ghost-who-was-the-boy-who-was-the-hellhound has no idea what he was, or still is, under it all.

But, after a trip through hell to save his best friend (Hellhounds are loyal, after all) and time spent in a familiar position -though not a familiar kitchen- after that has been enough to knock a few things loose...

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[just_aces]

There was another shiver as Edwin's fingers moved from the collar to his skin, brow creasing as he made himself keep still and listen to what he was being asked, but the problem was that there were too many things he wanted to do, and the fact that Edwin admitted the same didn't help with deciding even a little.

He did surge upwards again to claim another kiss, one hand sliding through Edwin's hair, getting a good hand-hold down at the roots, cradling the back of Edwin's head even as he did, deepening the kiss almost immediately. Mostly he was hoping that would help take the edge off so he could think, and it almost worked, because the first thing that fell out of his mouth once he separated from Edwin's was: "I want to rub off on you, all put together again, just want to ruck you all up like."

[uptightboy]

Edwin whimpered into the kiss. The desperation of it was delicious and he felt just a bit of guilt about thinking it was almost erotic. He kissed back, chasing Charles's tongue as he pulled away, wanting him deeper and more intense, and inside.

He barely noted that Charles was talking. But when he got it, a breathless smile pulled at his lips.

"Do it, Charles," he hissed, yanking the collar just a bit. With the same movement, the leash was gone. Not dispelled but not present, as if signing that Charles was not on a leash anymore. Letting him go, letting him run free. "Come here and take what you need," Edwin said and leaned in to seal their mouth in a kiss again. Right, his trousers may be undone, but otherwise, he was still pretty put together. All ready for Charles to ruin.

[just_aces]

Charles practically surged forward as soon as the leash was gone, like that was what he'd been waiting for without fully realizing he'd been waiting for it. There wasn't much space left between them to start with, but Charles closed it almost instantly, whining in the back of his throat, low and insistent and edged with something that was nearly a growl as his hips rocked forward, the sound transmuting into a groan at the drag of hot, damp skin against the relative cool of Edwin's shirt.

It only took him a moment, a shift in weight and angle to have himself grinding against Edwin's hip, leaking damp against Edwin's shirt-hem and the waist of those open trousers all at once. He had one hand clutching at Edwin's shoulder as if to keep him in place even while the other was still tangled in his partner's hair. Charles felt desperate, even to himself, keyed up in a way he didn't usually get.

There was another whine, burying his face against the arch of Edwin's throat, hips having settled into short, bucking movements, on edge and just hanging there, finally managing to gather himself enough for words, however muffled they were against Edwin's skin, "Tell me." Even Charles wasn't entirely sure what he was asking for, he just knew he needed to hear Edwin's voice even if he didn't strictly need permission at the moment.

[uptightboy]

Edwin always had trouble with sudden movements coming toward him, with bodies pressing him to walls or in tight places but not this time. This was Charles, the love of his afterlife. And as his body moved and pressed against his it almost felt like a miracle. Edwin had no better word for it. It felt right. And terribly erotic.

He grabbed Charles's shirt, fisting his hand in the material as he pulled him closer. He felt him rock against him in his whole body, feeling his clothes getting wet. Charles was so hard and Edwin whimpered, loving to have him against him like this. This was new. And exciting. And Edwin knew he was going to want more and more.

Charles's words were felt more rather than heard as he muffled them against Edwin's neck. Edwin released a trembling sigh. He tilted his head so his lips pressed against the other's ear.

"Come for me, Charles," he whispered, his hand sliding down on the boy's back, pressing at his lower back. "Make me proud."

[just_aces]

It was the cadence as much as anything, the feeling of Edwin's voice across his ear, the way the words settled there the same way Edwin's hand settled against the small of his back, it was perfect and too much and not enough all at once and Charles just made a half-strangled little sound as his hips jolted forward again into that perfect space he'd found, thighs pulling tight, everything pulling tight, for a moment as his senses seemed to just white out to static for a moment.

It was entirely possible, not that Charles could see it at the moment, that his own edges went a little hazy as well, briefly more non-corporeal than usual and coming back to himself a long moment later with a shudder and a wheeze, belatedly realizing that there were tears in his eyes, soaking into the collar of Edwin's shirt, managing to unstick his voice for a reassurance of: "I'm fine. Perfect, actually. Bloody brilliant, even."

[uptightboy]

Edwin could see it. The way Charles's form flickered just a bit. Just enough to almost make him worried because any other time he had seen Charles like this, it was in danger. It was in pain. But as Edwin felt the evidence of pleasure on his clothes he relaxed. He stroked Charles's back fondly, placing small kisses on his ear and jaw.

"Good," Edwin chuckled a little breathless. This boy, he wondered, could take his breath away even if he couldn't draw any. "I'm glad," he added softer, pulling Charles close to him. "I love you."

[just_aces]

Another shiver slid down his spine in the wake of Edwn's hand, not an aftershock but not really anything else, either, just curling himself closer against Edwin's side as he caught his metaphorical breath, letting himself settle again.

He couldn't help the smile that broke out at that declaration, however, angling his head up from where he'd settled it against Edwin's shoulder so that he could press a kiss to the corner of his jaw in return, "Love you, too. You know that, yeah?" He was pretty sure Edwin knew it even when Charles didn't say it, but that was part of why Charles said it as often and as openly as he did, just so there was no doubt regardless.

He grumbled softly then, nudging his brow against Edwin's shoulder before levering himself a little further upright from the boneless sprawl he'd landed in, "That was... it was a lot." It had been intense in ways he hadn't expected, but certainly didn't regret at all.

[uptightboy]

"I know," Edwin smiled, holding Charles tight for as long as he was slumped against him. He knew Charles loved him even before he said it. He knew when Charles needed to think about it. Edwin knew. But hearing it always made his heart flutter.

When Charles moved, Edwin's touch lingered on him as if he was still unable to let go. The blissed smile of his lips was still there as he was looking at Charles. Ever so slowly he was starting to come back to his senses too.

"Ah, certainly..." Edwin cleared his throat, looking down at himself. Yes, they were... a mess. A sweet mess. He shivered a little only at the memory of what they had done. Ah, what did Charles say? He couldn't fucking wait to do it again. "Quite new experiences, indeed."

[just_aces]

A quiet laugh simmered out of Charles a moment later, only barely trying to hold it in and even then it was only because he knew Edwin wouldn't know what he was laughing about until he actually managed to explain.

Which was why he stretched up and in again to press another kiss to Edwin's jaw, voice practically dripping amusement as he said: "Thank you, you know, for not pointing out that I wanted to hump your leg like an overexcited guard dog." He nudged his head against Edwin's temple before straightening again to where he could see his partner's face, "It's just..." He shook his head, chewing the inside of his cheek for a moment, "I dunno, sometimes seeing you all tucked away and put together and perfect, all I want to do is mess that up."

It was something that had been a problem even before they'd gotten together, one of the reasons he never told Edwin when his hair was mussed after a job, because he liked seeing that crack in Edwin's armor, as it were.

[uptightboy]

"Hm, you are most welcome," Edwin replied with a smirk. At that moment he couldn't even imagine anything hotter than Charles humping his leg like an overexcited guard dog. But in retrospect, it was indeed something that he had to experience rather than... talked about. Though as Charles continued he frowned a little. If ghosts could blush he would certainly be beet red at what the other was saying.

"Goodness," he whispers, setting his collar though it is quite in vain. It must be something akin to the feeling he got when he first saw Charles in a collar. But to think that Charles has such fantasies... what else would be there? "Well, then, hm, I suppose there is nothing against acting on such urges in the future, is there?" he asks with one playful eyebrow raised. He reached for Charles to pull him back for a kiss. "You can take what you want, Charles. And I shall do the same," he added.

[just_aces]

That statement, the permission and even the promise that followed, were enough to have a bolt of desire rocketing down Charles' spine, coiling in the pit of his stomach. Not enough to need to do anything about it so soon after his recent climax, but certainly enough that he noticed.

It was also what had him surging forward again, clasping Edwin's face between his hands and kissing him deep and hungry all over again, finally drawing away with a soft whine, pressing his fingers to Edwin's lips as if that might actually stop him from trying again, "This party's not going to be easy." Edwin dressed up in something fancy -or whatever the assumption of a ghost detective turned out to be- keeping him on the leash even if it was the predominantly decorative one, "Might have to pounce as soon as we get home."

[uptightboy]

With a whimper, Edwin kissed back, just as hungry. He wondered if he just brought some disaster upon them by allowing this. But he wanted it. He wanted Charles beyond logic, beyond common sense and when he had him it was incredible. Charles was incredible, and Edwin wanted more.

"Indeed, not easy, no," Edwin smiled against Charles's fingers. "But maybe, dare I say, fun?" And inspired by whatever remaining madness he still had from their activities before, he kissed Charles' fingertips gently, before taking one lick at them. "Now there is a whole new reason to attend." It was a drag, a boring, annoying event to go before. But now, with a sweet reward at the end of it? Edwin can almost say he is excited.

[just_aces]

Charles couldn't help the soft laugh at that kiss and the teasing press of Edwin's tongue against his fingers, shaking his head, smile very much in evidence, "Might be. And we'll have Crystal there to keep us in line, too, that might help keep us out of trouble." By 'us' he definitely meant himself, because he knew that of the two of them he was likely to do something that would be disapproved of far sooner and more easily than Edwin would.

His brow creased then, head tilting, "Going to have to work out something for me to wear, too, you know they'll want me to show off before it's all over." He only sort-of understood the politics of the whole thing, and just because he understood them didn't mean he had to like them, but if he was going to be himself for at least part of the evening, he'd have to come up with something that matched what Edwin was wearing.

[uptightboy]

Right, Edwin hoped that Crystal and the other guests would serve their purpose: to keep him from having his hands all over Charles all night.

Edwin leaned his head back, against the desk. He was eying Charles in silence, thinking. Yes, they needed to appear a certain way, to show who they were. It was a requirement by the coven, probably the only thing Daphne was insistent to be followed. This event was important for the current status quo, which Edwin understood more of the more they were involved with the coven.

"I believe you should look exactly what they expect: dangerous."

Charles in black and red, or gold with matching makeup. A hound walking in disguise, but barely made the effort. 

"If they want a hound we shall give them a hound," Edwin decided, then looked over himself again. He felt the blush on his cheeks but thankfully it wasn't visible. "But I do think it is work for a later time, let us get sorted first."

[just_aces]

Charles had straightened a little, though he was still sitting astride Edwin's thighs, knees bracketing his hips, and his brow creased just a little at the statement, mostly because he knew that expression -flushed or not- because that was the expression Edwin wore when he had an idea about how to do something, or how to start something even if he wasn't sure of the rest.

But when paired with the blush, that was where Charles' puzzlement and even curiosity came in and he narrowed his eyes just briefly, reaching up to tap a curled knuckle against Edwin's temple, "You've got something rattling around in there, I can tell." Charles hadn't really thought about it himself until just then, because he was well aware that he'd be a hound on a leash for most of the night, putting thought into his actual appearance really had only just occurred to him.

The follow-up, however, had him laughing softly, nodding as he lifted that hand to run his fingers through Edwin's hair, mostly putting it back to rights, "You're right, really ought to get tidied up before anything else."

[uptightboy]

With a smile, Edwin nodded.

"We may need some assistance from others but we may still be able to deliver what the coven wishes us to do in style," he said. His hands settled on Charles's hips as if wanting to feel him before they needed to get up to move on with their afterlife. However difficult it may be. He adored Charles's laugh and the way he touched him, letting this moment still stretch between them. Oh dear, how was he ever going to get things done ever again?

[just_aces]

They'd both continue to get things done because Charles was there to keep them on track. Of course, Charles was also the one being the distraction as often as not, so that might not work out in the long run, but it was going to work out fine short term, because he clasped both of Edwin's shoulders, giving a gentle squeeze and a gentle shake before unfolding to his feet, just putting himself away again, willing away the mess as he did before offering Edwin a hand up, "C'mon then. Don't have anything else planned for tonight, do we?"

He didn't think they did, they usually carved out a block of time when Edwin was doing any casting, just to make sure he had recovery time whether or not he strictly needed it.

[uptightboy]

Edwin took Charles's hand and by the time he was on his feet he was back to his proper and prim self. He still ran a hand down the front of his shirt as if it wasn't  neat already.

"We have time, indeed," he nodded.

With the leash in place, their next task was to prepare for the theatrics of it all. Something Edwin started to dread and look forward to. Both emotions got more intensive as their plans for outfits started to become more solid (pun not intended).

And then the night of the event came. Edwin had to play the ghost detective, spellcaster, and alchemist, and Charles the hellhound for the crowds at the coven's event, however ridiculous that sounded. But together with Crystal, Charles, and a few other magic shop owners, their outfit was put together in a way that translated all Edwin's annoyance about this event into a silent 'kindly fuck you' statement.

He was wearing a high-collared, slightly puffy-sleeved shirt, that had an open back. His trousers were high-waisted and tight, accompanying his knee-high boots. A simple pearl necklace adorned his neck, and he was also wearing his alchemist glasses for show, though he figured he wasn't going to do any alchemy during the night. On his thigh, there was a holster for his notebook, with his family crest on it in it courtesy of Charles. One of his finest works, if Edwin had to say so. When Charles presented it to him Edwin got a little emotional too. 

As they were waiting to be let in, Edwin let out a sigh he didn't need. He looked over Charles at the end of the leash, and Crystal looking like a medium out of a TV show.

"Do try to behave," Edwin warned both. And himself too.

[just_aces]

Of the three of them, Crystal had the most experience with attending hostile environments presented as industry parties, and once she'd gotten over the 'come as the you they expect' aspect of getting an outfit together, she'd also helped the boys with theirs, mostly Charles, as Edwin had his well in hand. She'd also helped Charles practice a couple of other aspects of his appearance that he hadn't initially noticed or thought he could control.

Crystal had also approved of the massive 'fuck you' that the open back of Edwin's outfit provided, the surety that Charles would be there to protect him from any and all comers if it came to that, it was exactly the kind of passive-aggressive thing people like this understood.

Charles, for his part, had drilled himself changing from the hound to his own party outfit until it was as easy as his usual clothes, though for the time being he was the larger -but not largest- version of the Hound, head at about Edwin's shoulder height when he was sitting, and level with Edwin's -if not a bit taller- when standing. He had made adjustments to the collar, the usual teardrop scales along the bottom gone to something more like spikes, though still wholly decorative, chiming faintly with every move. The bangles likewise were thicker, broader, more like some kind of bracers, though not hindering his movement and with no risk of sliding off over his paws.

The leash was almost comically delicate in comparison, but they'd also drilled responding to even the slightest tug, there was no way they were going to risk anyone thinking Edwin couldn't control him, as that was one of the reasons they were here.

The most important factor of it all, at least as far as Charles was concerned, was one of those things that Crystal had helped him practice, which was the banked-ember glow to his eyes, something he hadn't even fully realized happened in larger iterations of the hound-shape, but was definitely present now.

He snorted softly at Edwin's admonishment, though did lean to nudge his brow against his partner's shoulder before trundling to his feet again as the doors to the manor swung open, more guests appearing as if they'd been summoned by that one simple act, everyone making their way inside in pairs and groups.

[uptightboy]

Edwin reached up to pet Charles's head as he nuzzled against him. Not because of Charles but because of him. While he may have more training in etiquette and a deeper understanding of this all, he could still get nervous. Attending an event like this somehow made him remember to the time he was alive, making him remember more of being alive. Which was new, and yet nostalgic in the strangest way. But Charles's hound form and Crystal's honestly ridiculous outfit were there to remind him that he was still pretty much dead and playing into the game of some supernatural politics.

The event took place just outside of London, where a manor like that could be located. For the ordinary human, it was just someone rich throwing a Christmas gathering. Only those who were privy to London's supernatural society knew that this was one of the events of the year.

Edwin raised his chin as they entered the doors, and provided their names to the servant at the door, along with the invitation. Then they proceeded further inside. It was clear from the very first glance that this was a party of great caliber. Edwin spotted a few people he had seen in the crowd during their trial and of course the witches too. Daphne hurried to fetch them immediately, leading them to the venue. But even at this point, Edwin noted the glances toward them. Mostly at Charles. Because he was a spectacle. And he was beautiful.

They trained hard to be able to appear as the master and their hound, to let the world see how obedient the hound was, despite the coal in his eyes and it was working so far. However, the end of the night was still far away.

[just_aces]

Any time Edwin paused to talk to someone, or take a look around, Charles settled a half-pace behind and a half-pace to his left, the same place he generally stood when he was himself, but much more obviously guarding in hound form. He was also paying close attention to who greeted them first and how they reacted to him personally, whether it was to ignore him as an accessory or to include him in the greeting as well. For the most part people would greet Edwin and Crystal, and while most of them didn't openly ignore him, there were only a few who included him in the greeting as well.

Charles recognized many of the party-goers even outside those they knew from the Coven, there were some merchants that they interacted with on the regular at the floating market, and the Cat Regent with a wholly feline entourage, winding between their ankles like a rolling fog preceding them, or perched on a shoulder, or even in some moments riding the hem of their rather impressive robe as it slid along the floor behind them.

They were one of the few who came to greet the trio personally, even whisking Crystal away gently for a turn around the dance floor, returning her before long looking somewhat less tense than she had for most of the evening.

It was shortly after he was returned that the Lady Goode emerged from the crowd with a pointedly polite suggestion that perhaps Charles would enjoy the party more in his usual form. Not his 'natural' form, because as far as the Coven was concerned, the hound was his natural form, but his usual form. While it was what they had expected -and what they'd practiced- Charles still looked to Edwin for permission first, and while it was difficult to tell as much on the canine face, he was definitely smirking his usual wryly amused smirk.

[uptightboy]

Edwin took notes of those who greeted Charles even in his hound form. Some of them they knew, and a few just introduced themselves. It made Edwin wonder just how far the news about the hellhound spread exactly. But he was glad to meet their allies, and seeing them all in one place did remind Edwin how far they'd come.

While he still didn't approve any of this, it was also a great opportunity to make acquaintances, as it would give him access to some of the private libraries, and book collections of the society.

Then, the request to include Charles in the party by letting him turn into his usual form came and Edwin could barely help his smile. He looked over to Charles, seeing him waiting for his permission. Even in this form, he could tell that Charles was also waiting for this.

"Good boy," Edwin told him, reaching to pat his head again. "Go on," he nodded, taking a step back.

[just_aces]

Charles snorted softly at the pat and the 'good boy' -as if the praise didn't make his stomach flip in the best sort of way- and gave a little roll of his shoulders, unfolding smoothly to his feet to a collective gasp and murmur of surprise and even approval, a ripple of noise that he was mostly ignoring in favor of focusing on Edwin's reaction.

Edwin had seen most of Charles' outfit, he'd seen the early stages, when Charles was working out a counterpoint, even a mirror to Edwin's own. Which was to say that while Edwin's shift was open-backed, Charles was wearing a close-fitted and high-waisted jacket without anything under it but a decorative harness of gold chains, matching the leash and spilling from the collar to circle his ribs and even his waist, giving the impression that he was harder to control in this shape than the other -or at least that was the idea- and the collar itself was still broad and ornate, looking like finely-linked mail once more, the spikes that had been mostly dangling in the hound form actually standing out in this one, though they were shorter, if only so that he could actually get close to Edwin if he wanted to without the risk of jabbing him.

Most importantly Edwin's family crest was front and center, settled between his collarbones in the hollow of his throat right where it belonged.

Crystal had helped with his makeup, instead of just the usual smudge of khol his eyes were lined first with thick black and then with thin angles of gold on top of that, along with a smudge of red-orange shadow in the corners, something to accentuate the fact that they were still glowing like banked coals.

The leash was also still very much in evidence, fastened somewhere in the middle of that chain harness instead of at the collar as it had been, and without even hesitating, Charles offered Edwin a hand, one brow lifting, "May I have this dance?"

[uptightboy]

At the sounds of awe and fear and curiosity, Edwin didn't look away either. His attention was on Charles and only on him. He had seen parts of his get-up, yes, he needed to approve some of it but he also witnessed the whole thing now, along with everyone. And as Charles took more of his form, it got more difficult to keep his expression neutral. Charles was beautiful. And looked just like Edwin wished him to look: dangerous. With the spikes and the harness. Matching Edwin's style... And those eyes that changed nothing, still burning with Hell's fire. Edwin made a note to express his gratitude to Crystal once they were in private again. But otherwise, his attention was on Charles. On the hound that these people wished to see.

At Charles's question, Edwin could see the horror creeping into Lady Goode's expression but he didn't care. They wanted Charles's usual form to have fun, so they will have fun.

"You may," Edwin smiled at Charles and took his hand. His gaze dropped to the crest on his neck with pride. He had other emotions swirling around his chest at the sight of his love but he was trying to behave. He was trying to behave so much. "Aren't you a spectacle, Charles?" Edwin asked, his voice trembling only a little as they got to the dancefloor. "I can barely believe you belong to me," Edwin added quieter, catching a few gazes toward them.

[just_aces]

He just made a quiet noise of agreement at the question of his being a spectacle, a question he knew was mostly rhetorical, "That was the idea, wasn't it?" He kept his voice low, for Edwin only, smile spreading as he stepped close, just looping the leash around Edwin's hand again before settling his own into place, one brow lifting a little to let Edwin lead -something else they'd practiced, at least a little- amusement and pride warring across his face, "And I always have been, haven't I? It's just other people know it now, too."

Charles would argue that he was, and had always been, Edwin's, it had just taken him a while to realize it.

Despite the confidence in his expression and his stance, he was fully aware of just how many eyes were on them and how quickly this could get ugly, but he was doing his best not to think about that and instead keep his focus on Edwin. He doubted that the Coven would risk the additional spectacle of asking them to leave, especially when this was to the spirit of what the Lady Goode had just suggested herself, but it was entirely possible, and even probable, that Charles would be asked to change back due to safety concerns, or something like that. Which was why he was going to enjoy himself while he could.