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]

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.

[uptightboy]

Yes, it was the 'other people know it now too' part that thrilled Edwin. Charles was handsome and attractive; Edwin didn't miss the looks he had gotten. And knowing that others knew who Charles belonged and if they wanted to get to him they needed to go through Edwin? There was power in that thought, there was love in it too. Edwin still felt a little guilty about it yet it was also a guilty pleasure as far as he was concerned.

Originally he didn't look forward to this event. To parade around and lead Charles on a leash. Edwin was still angry about that. But they rarely, or more like never, attended anything like this before. And Edwin had to find he liked to lead Charles on the dancefloor. Right, they practiced it in the office and played around during it, but this was different.

"I'm afraid I may have trouble paying attention to anything from here on, Charles," Edwin huffed, still quietly but there was a playful hint in his tone. "You seemingly did not hold back when choosing to dress up." It wasn't an accusation. It was a compliment.

[just_aces]

His smile just spread, though it did soften at the edges, letting himself fall easily into the steps they'd practiced, "Of course I didn't," his tone was amused and easy, and still just meant for Edwin alone, "supposed to be a spectacle and all." And on top of that he'd wanted to see if he could get Edwin's self-control to waver even just a little bit, and despite Edwin being very much in control of himself, he was still pleased with the results.

He swayed closer, voice dipping just a little further as he added, "And isn't it a good thing that there's not much more after this to go?" There weren't likely to be any further surprises that evening, the Lady Goode was strategically minded and had requested Charles' transformation after all the guests had arrived but before anyone had begun to filter away again or become bored otherwise, it was the kind of thing that even Charles, impulsive as he was, could appreciate.

But it was also clearly meant as the apex of the evening, and unless some of the other guests were going to pull some kind of Maleficent At The Christening shenanigans, there weren't likely to be any other surprises in store.

[uptightboy]

His self-control wavering was quite an understatement. Edwin was still close to ending this attendance early and dragging Charles back to the office.

"You did well," Edwin assured in a hoarse voice. And then Charles confirmed his thoughts too. That there wasn't much to go. They did their part of the deal, nobody would blame them when they told the coven they were working on an urgent case and needed to leave.

So, probably at the end of their well-practiced dance, they were allowed to go and leave this circus behind them, for much better entertainment.

"Not much to go, indeed," Edwin agreed a little preoccupied. Because the more they danced, the more he spent close to Charles, even if all the steps were already rehearsed, Edwin felt it. The excitement. He hadn't been drinking, ghosts couldn't after all, but he felt lightheaded just like after a glass of wine. So when the music ended to start on the next score, and Edwin ended their dance, he also didn't just lead Charles off the dancefloor. But pulled him closer and leaned in to lay a chaste kiss on his lips.

[just_aces]

Charles was absolutely surprised by that kiss, swaying easily into it for a moment before drawing away before he could get carried away, though keeping close to Edwin all the same, considering for a moment, debating just changing back immediately, but deciding against it, especially as Crystal and Daphne approached, Crystal smiling even as she jostled her phone at them a moment before pocketing it, "You two need to get back to the office, that case from the archives is coming due, needs attention ASAP."

Daphne nodded, and while there was a very good chance she knew it was a ruse, she clasped Crystal's elbow gently, "Crystal has graciously offered to stay for the duration as the representative of the Agency, and our mutual acquaintance the Cat Regent has promised to get her home in one piece."

Charles' eyes narrowed just briefly at that, but as he was dubiously friends with the local cat royal himself, he actually trusted that they would, and more than that, trusted that Daphne wouldn't let anything happen to Crystal at the party -as unlikely as that was- in their absence and he nodded, catching Edwin's wrist gently, "We'd best get to it, then."

[uptightboy]

Even Edwin himself was surprised at the bold move. He didn't even want to think what kind of consequences there may be but right now all his priorities were above that. It was a good thing that Crystal and Daphne walked up to them because Edwin was terribly preoccupied with Charles.

"Ah, yes, quite," he cleared his throat, looking at Charles. Though when Crystal was mentioned as the representative of the agency his dreamy eyes snapped back at her. While he truly was done with politics and work for this night, he apparently... wasn't entirely. "I... believe Crystal is indeed a great choice, that is exactly why we appointed her as such." A slight warning, that if anything happened... Though Edwin did catch the hypocrisy, he just kissed a hellhound after all. But with Daphne and the Cat regent around, there shouldn't have been any scandals. Oh dear. "Well then, have a great continuation of the party," he nodded at Crystal and Daphne, taking Charles's hand. "Shall we, then?" he looked at Charles, lightly tugging at his leash.

[just_aces]

Charles nodded, straightening a little, "Yes, we really ought, duty calls and all that." Daphne led them quietly away to a side corridor half-hidden behind some of the decor, escorting them almost all the way back to the now-empty entryway, "You may get cold-shouldered at your next meeting." She warned, though there was a warm smile to go with it, "But at least now there's no arguing that the hound," there was no small measure of amusement in her tone as she said it, which in turn made Charles smile as she continued, "is precisely where he belongs, and you certainly can't be blamed for the Lady Goode not fully thinking things through." Which was to say: deliberately forgetting that they were still sixteen at heart.

She shooed them towards the door with both hands, then, "Go on, get home, we're probably only another hour here before things start wrapping up."

Charles smile turned into an out and out beaming grin, catching one of those hands to brush a quick kiss against the back of it, giving her a wink as he did, "Thank you for being one of the few sane people in this whole place."

[uptightboy]

As Daphne confirmed that yes, now everybody knew about the hound, everybody knew who it belonged and the nature of that relationship too, Edwin realized that it was what he was trying to do. He wanted to tell the world Charles was his, and in what way, in the past this kind of expression of his deepest desires meant trouble, so he'd never done it. It meant bullying, it meant death... But now, with Charles by his side, with him, Edwin felt braver to be known. Charles was his world after all.

Charles, who was flirting with someone else. Alright, not really but Edwin was kissing those lips just a few seconds ago, and now they are gracing someone else's hand. And even if Edwin knew it was nothing, purely a courtesy, he still yanked Charles's leash a bit harder than necessary.

"Truly, Miss Daphne, we wouldn't have come so far without your generous support." Edwin's voice was soft, his smile the same. He wasn't mad at her, never at her. "Have a great night," he said then looked at Charles. "Charles, the case? We need to go."

[just_aces]

Charles was a little surprised by that flare of apparent jealousy, he was more surprised to find that he kind of liked it, the tug at the whole decorative harness was different -if similar- to when Edwin pulled the more solid leather lead tight against the collar, but it was definitely not the kind of thing to explore in the Coven's borrowed foyer. Which was why he didn't press it further, just straightened and settled closer to Edwin's side once more, giving a nod, "We really ought."

Daphne nodded once and slipped away back to the party, smiling still.

Charles smiled in turn, giving Edwin's shoulder a nudge, nodding towards a decorative panel mirror on the far wall, something that the Coven's actual headquarters didn't have, likely to prevent just this sort of thing, but he was going to take advantage of now, "C'mon."

[uptightboy]

Edwin looked at the mirror, wondering if Daphne deliberately lead them here. But he wasn't going to pass up to get back to the office faster.

"Indeed," Edwin nodded back and walked to the mirror. Opening a portal was already second natural to him, so in only a few seconds, they could walk through the mirror. It took just a second to arrive back at their empty office, though decorated for Christmas.

Once they were both back, Edwin closed the portal. Then the first thing he did was to change the decorative chain back to leather. At the beginning of the evening he purely planned to discard it the moment they got out of there but right now he didn't think it would harm anyone to keep it around just a bit longer. Was he truly going mad?

"Come here," Edwin's voice was quiet but stern. He didn't pull Charles this time but waiting for him to obey.

[just_aces]

Charles kept close, focusing on Edwin and on the destination, he knew he wasn't going to get lost again, but the memory of having done so was one of those quiet little fears that lingered at the back of his mind.

He relaxed almost as soon as they emerged into the office, even before the portal was closed behind them again and he just swallowed reflexively at the additional weight of the leash, hesitating briefly himself, considering, before he let his brow crease in concentration, doing what he could to transmute the decorative harness into something to match the heavier lead.

It wasn't his best work, but it wasn't bad, either, it was something like a shoulder-holster, or perhaps the harness for a spine sheath for a sword, but at the same time not fully like either, as it was still just wrapped across his ribs, thin strips of dark-oiled leather to frame his chest with slightly broader columns of dark elastic to keep them in place, the leash still fastened in the middle of it, just below his sternum.

That done, however, he did step closer at Edwin's command, small smile settling into place as he did, eyes having faded from that Hellfire glow back to the usual warm brown somewhere along the way.

[uptightboy]

Edwin's gaze snapped to the movement as Charles' harness shifted. He pressed his lips together as he assessed the newly formed one, made out of leather to match the leash. It was incredibly attractive. But Charles looked beautiful with his golden chains too. So Edwin did wonder if it was the accessories or the ghost who was wearing them.

"Kiss me, Charles," Edwin asked quietly. It felt almost unbelievable to say that out loud. To someone as devoted to him, to someone as beautiful as Charles.

[just_aces]

There was a slow-spreading smile at that order of a request, a smile that didn't take long to unfold into Charles' usual broad, sunshine-bright grin.

He did, however, step just a little closer, closing the already scant space between them so that he could run the backs of his fingers along Edwin's jaw, uncurling them to cradle the side of his neck and the back of his head, thumb resting just beneath his ear, caressing the corner of his jaw for a moment.

The other hand lifted a moment later, catching gently at Edwin's chin as if to keep him in place as Charles leaned in to claim a kiss, lips just barely parted, but making no move to deepen it right away, the hand at Edwin's chin sliding down to splay flat against his chest, over his heart.

[uptightboy]

Edwin didn't expect the touch to be so overwhelming. Charles had touched him like this so many times since they became more and yet, it felt like a first. So much that he uttered a small, fragile sound from his throat when he felt Charles' lips at his, and his hand on his chest.

His eyes fluttered shut, pressing his lips tighter to the other's. Edwin dropped the leash, and the magic with it. His now free hands came up to grab Charles' sides, fingertips sliding on spectral skin, and pulling him flush to his body. Only against Charles' warmth he noted his cold, trembling fingers.

[just_aces]

As the leash dropped, so too did the harness, though that still left Charles bare-chested under that dramatically cut jacket, save for the ornate collar. He hummed quietly in response to that soft sound, deepening the kiss almost immediately, though he noted the tremor in Edwin's hands before he noted the chill, which was when he drew back, brow furrowing, just sliding his hands down Edwin's arms to catch his partner's hands between his own.

His brow creased further, studying Edwin's face, though finding nothing amiss there he asked, "Everything alright?"

[uptightboy]

"I..." Edwin swallowed as he looked away for a moment. He took a breath to calm his heart but it proved to be impossible with Charles so close and looking like that. "Charles, I find myself simply overcome with quite a few emotions. I'm afraid you may laugh that I..." He looked at their hands, feeling his own cold and still trembling. It was even more apparent as Charles held them. "I have never thought I could love you even more but I do. "

He licks his lips.

"I wanted them to know who you are, who we are. They know now, and yet I still feel like it is not enough," he added in a breathless laugh, thinking about the way he felt in that second about Daphne. "Charles I'm afraid I will never get enough of you," he said and leaned in for another kiss, needy and deep.

[just_aces]

Charles wasn't going to laugh, but he was going to smile fit to burst, clasping Edwin's hands more securely, drawing him close even as Edwin continued, and Charles would have pressed a kiss to his partner's knuckles, but Edwin was already leaning in for another kiss, and that was even better, that was something Charles could work with.

He all but melted into that kiss, returning it after a moment, just as deeply and just as hungrily. Charles wasn't good at talking about his feelings, even the good ones, but he hoped as he always did, that at least some of what he felt, some small fraction of the depth of emotion he carried for Edwin every moment of every day made it through via his actions.

Actions that in this case were returning that kiss in kind and gently rubbing Edwin's fingers before tucking Edwin's hands into his jacket, against his ribs, so that he could catch at Edwin's chin again with one hand, the other settling at his hip, dipping him back just slightly with the intensity of the kiss.

[uptightboy]

As his hands were back on Charles' body, Edwin pulled him close again. It wasn't entirely a conscious reaction either, it was just his deep need to be close, to hold, to keep. He wondered what could even make Charles more his than a leash, than his crest on his throat, the fact that they kissed publicly, on the most important event of the year...? Maybe Edwin was truly turning into someone like that witch who owned Charles before, hungry for more and never satisfied.

And yet, he was unable to stop. With every touch, with every kiss, the brewing storm under his skin got worse. And his knees weaker. So when he had a moment of clarity, he tugged Charles towards the couch.

[just_aces]

Charles knew there was a difference between the way The Duchess had wanted to possess him -and had, for years- and the way Edwin wanted to -and would for as long as Charles had any say in the matter- but if asked, he would have to take a moment or two to actually work out how to explain just what that difference was besides knowing that he was safe with Edwin where that had always been in question with the Duchess.

Though maybe the real difference was that Charles wanted Edwin just as much, even if he didn't fully realize it himself.

There was a soft huff of a laugh into the kiss as Edwin gave that gentle tug to move them, keeping himself pressed close even as he moved, pivoting easily to drop back to sit on the couch himself, tugging Edwin down with him, hands snug against Edwin's hips, sliding down along his thighs a moment later to get him situated astride Charles' legs, grinning up at Edwin once he had, "Good?"

[uptightboy]

It was just like their dance. They moved in sync and Edwin knew he could trust Charles to bring them where they needed. His body moved with the other's eagerly and practiced, with as much ease as thirty years could grant them.

"Good..." Edwin nodded, breathless once he found himself on Charles' lap. Exactly where he wanted to be. He leaned in to press his forehead against Charles, smiling. "Charles, I wish you to have me tonight... I could barely think of anything else." A sentence Edwin only recently had the courage to say out loud.

[just_aces]

Charles couldn't help but smile in turn at the agreement, the way Edwin swayed closer, pressed their foreheads together as if he couldn't help but try and be even closer.

The statement, however, left Charles blinking, drawing back slightly but only so that he could bring Edwin's face into focus, to gauge his sincerity, apparently finding what he was looking for as he lifted both hands to cradle Edwin's face between them, leaning in to claim a solid kiss, humming eagerly into it as he did.

He broke away after a few long moments to actually answer, "Yes, yes of course, absolutely." He was grinning fit to burst all over again, hands sliding from Edwin's face down over his shoulders and along his arms, "Going to have to do something about all this, though." He said, tugging lightly at Edwin's sleeve.

[uptightboy]

Edwin was sincere, oh he was. And the way Charles looked at him made him feel even more grateful to have him. For Charles being the one he gave his spectral heart to. He smiled into their kiss, and it widened as Charles pointed out their dressed state.

"Indeed," Edwin whispered. Naturally, since he was a ghost, he could easily shift out of it. Drop all the clothes and just sit naked on Charles' lap for the taking. As he was thinking about it, it did excite him. He wanted to see how Charles would react. But he also could just... "Take it off of me." His voice was low. And he didn't have the leash with him but he did reach through his magic to feel around the collar for a moment.

[just_aces]

That unseen touch, the gentle pressure, and the near-order that went with it was enough to have Charles swallowing reflexively, mouth suddenly gone dry even though there was no real way it could have, given as how he wasn't actually alive. But he nodded all the same, managing to collect himself a moment later, smile inching back into place, managing to dislodge his voice again a moment later as he slid his hand down Edwin's arm, lighting against his side and then his hip.

"Think we ought to start with this." His fingers dipped under the belt of the holster holding Edwin's notebook at his thigh, though he didn't start with the belt, instead sliding his fingers down along the straps, careful only to touch the leather and not the fabric -and Edwin's thigh- beneath. At least not until he got to the lower strap, nimble fingers making quick work of unbuckling it, though he did pull it tighter in the process before threading it free.

He did the same with the upper strap as well, quick and efficient and teasing as much as he could, he let his other hand dip to help with the belt, working it free more carefully even as he commented, "Looked proper dashing though. Like a hero in a story book."

[uptightboy]

Edwin's gaze followed Charles' fingers to his thigh, to the holster. His lips parted on a voiceless stutter as the boy started his work untying it. The teasing was cheeky, oh so cheeky... Edwin huffed when Charles' long, practiced fingers refused to touch anything other than business. But on the other hand, Edwin once again marveled over how pretty the boy's hands were. On some occasions, he did stop taking notes and stared at Charles' hands when he was working on something in their downtime. And now those fingers were working on him, teasing and horrible.

One of his hands was resting on Charles' shoulder, while the other hovered over Charles' hands when he heard the comment. It made him look up at the other in question. It was because, in Edwin's world, the hero was Charles. He was the dashing prince.

"Then, I suppose I matched you," Edwin said gently and leaned to lay a chaste kiss on Charles' cheek. It was still a new thing to him to dress up for the sake of dressing up. And dressing up for Charles... and if he got these kinds of compliments, then, maybe he should do it more. "But this means you liked it?"

[just_aces]

There was a bright laugh at that question, even once he'd tilted his head into the kiss, "Helped design it, didn't I? Of course I liked it." It wasn't quite the same as a whole collar, but he had liked seeing Edwin wear something he'd helped to create.

He finished sliding the belt free even as he spoke, lifting the whole piece away to set on the arm of the couch so that he could settle his hands at Edwin's hips again, as if considering where to go next, though he did tug almost delicately at Edwin's shirt to get it un-tucked, continuing that process with one hand while the other drifted up Edwin's spine, touch light against bare skin, thumb slipping up under the high collar, not undoing the buttons just yet, "This was incredibly distracting all night, I hope you know."

That said he did thumb the two collar buttons open, then drew his hand down Edwin's arm, lifting his partner's hand so that he could get at the matching buttons on the sleeve cuff, mischief sparking in his eyes as he brushed a kiss to Edwin's knuckles, slipping those buttons free as he did.