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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[uptightboy]

Edwin gasped at the touch on his face, leaning into it. He turned his head to kiss Charles' palm, his eyes still closed. He slowly, ever so slowly inched the last of Charles into him. It also brushed against something deep inside him that made his body jump from a spark of pleasure. Edwin wanted to feel it again but he was already full and felt just so much.

He took Charles' hand at his cheek, squeezing it as he finally opened his eyes to look at him. He could barely believe how his heart could barely calm down, and his breath... Edwin felt like he was actually alive.

With a moan, Edwin moved up, just to slide all the way down again. A surprised, sweet noise escaped him when he felt Charles deep again. This was definitely not in the books.

"There..." Edwin smiled. "Charles..." he sighed, his words feeling heavy in his mouth. He leaned in for a kiss with trembling lips, wondering if Charles could hear his ghost heart beating because it was so, so loud...

[just_aces]

It was probably a good thing that Edwin went in for a kiss, because otherwise Charles would have started babbling nonsense and probably wouldn't have been able to stop.

That almost-tentative kiss to his palm, the noises Edwin made, the absolute bliss writ clear across his face, it was all almost too much, especially on top of just how it felt to be buried so deeply and so fully inside the other boy. It was too much and not enough and Charles felt some deep well of possessiveness rising up in him again. That bone-deep certainty that Edwin was his, not just his to have -though that was part of it- but his to keep safe, to protect.

It was a wave of feeling that manifested in that banked-ember glow returning to his eyes and the soft growl stirring deep in his chest once more. The hand at Edwin's cheek slid back into his hair, cradling the back of his head, while the hand still at his hip kneaded there for a moment before dragging down his thigh and back up again, Charles' own hips giving a fitful little roll, as if he couldn't keep still any longer.

[uptightboy]

With a sharp intake of breath, Edwin pulled back when Charles rolled his hips. He heard his growl through his body, and when he opened his eyes he saw the glow in Charles' eyes. And he was gorgeous. He was everything Edwin wanted and needed.

"Charles," Edwin swallowed. Warmth pooled in his spectral body, waking up all his senses as if he still had a body. As if he could still have a world he no longer was a part of. Edwin grabbed Charles' shoulders, his thumb brushing over his collar. "Please, I... take it, take me," Edwin stuttered, his hips bucking as he was trying to set a deeper, firmer pace. "Oh, Charles..."

[just_aces]

That growl ticked up just a little, something almost inquisitive, as if making sure Edwin really did mean that, but Charles grinned again a moment later, stealing another quick kiss as his hips gave another, somewhat steadier arch.

He didn't have a lot of leverage with Edwin sitting astride him like that, but maybe that was for the best because Charles wasn't entirely sure he'd be able to control himself completely otherwise, and not just due to the hellhound instincts, but also just because of how much he wanted Edwin and the dawning realization of how long he'd wanted him just like this.

His hand at Edwin's hip curled, kneading again as the other slid through his hair to settle at the nape of his neck, giving a full-handed squeeze even as Charles arched his hips again, just a little, as if testing his range of movement, and it was only a moment before both hands dropped to Edwin's hips, encouraging him to move as well, falling into an almost-steady rhythm before long, burying his face against the arch of Edwin's neck again.

[uptightboy]

Edwin whimpered as Charles moved again. There. There it was. He felt it. His whole spirit felt it. There was no way back, they were each other's in so many ways now. They were one and it felt like being born.

The squeeze on his neck, the movement of Charles' hips, everything was there to make Edwin feel like he'd lost his mind. To think he was just another animal with only one thing on his mind. As Charles buried his face in his neck, Edwin grabbed at the back of his head. He moved his hips in sync with Charles wanting to feel him more intense, and deeper, and faster, and more more more.

"Charles," Edwin moaned. "Charles, I love you..." If he had to take breaths he would have choked, for sure. But thankfully Edwin had no breath, so he could try to talk around the moans that were continuously breaking from his throat. "I love you. I- It feels so good, Charles..." his voice was strained, almost sounding scared. But it was far from fear Edwin had felt.

[just_aces]

Any other time Charles might have been concerned about that strain in Edwin's voice, but at the moment, thanks to everything, especially Edwin's hand on the collar, he could feel that feedback again, he knew what Edwin was feeling because he was feeling it too and it just made everything that much more intense.

He knew he wasn't going to last much longer under that near-tsunami of sensation and desire and want and satisfaction all tangled up at once in ways he couldn't even begin to pick apart. Instead he set his teeth against the jut of Edwin's clavicle, not biting and not grinding his teeth against it, just pressing them there to pale skin, tongue curling back and forth against the spot, sucking a mark there even as his hips continued the steady rolling movement in counterpoint to Edwin's own movements.

With one last broad lick across the mark he'd left Charles finally managed to find words himself again, pressing them hot and insistent against Edwin's skin, "Love you, so much. Always have, Edwin, always." Another faint growl as he nuzzled against the mark he'd left at the base of Edwin's throat, "Mine." And another almost gentle nip against the same spot, "My Edwin. Always." He knew he wasn't going to last much longer, but couldn't collect himself enough to give that warning, instead just clutching at Edwin's hips more tightly as if to keep him in place.

[uptightboy]

Teeth were against his skin again and Edwin let out a sound close to crying. He closed his eyes, his fingers grabbed on Charles' hair as he felt the press of teeth and the tongue. The strangest thing was that this time the mark stayed. Just like the collar on Charles. Edwin couldn't see it yet, though, all he knew that need gripped him more and more. So much, that his magic also picked up how out of control he was getting, pouring into the nearest channel it could which was the bond between them.

Edwin jumped when he heard Charles talk. His words, his growl, all in tandem with the roll of his hips... Edwin felt like a powerful spell was being cast. But it was just them. Their love and them belonging.

"Yours," Edwin said. "Mine..." he whimpered, dipping his hand between them to grab himself as he felt he needed more. Finding just how hard he already was. When Charles grabbed him tighter he went with him, following his lead because he was already close too. Again. And before Edwin knew it, he followed his stray magic through their bond, feeling Charles' and his pleasure and a happy, almost manic chuckle left his throat before he could stop it.

[just_aces]

Charles decided that he liked the sound of that laugh, if only because it was so much more unfettered than Edwin usually was, it was definitely the kind of thing that might have been alarming in another situation or at another time, but right at the moment was almost precisely what he expected to hear.

It was when Edwin's hand moved that Charles realized he'd left Edwin bereft, and that had him making an almost apologetic noise, because his vocabulary had gone again already, but he also couldn't actually uncurl his hands from Edwin's hips to take over stroking him, and it seemed that Edwin did have that task well in hand, for the moment.

He knew he should probably be a little concerned about the strength of the magic cycling between them, it was dangerously close to how things happened when he accidentally overloaded a spell, but they weren't casting anything at the moment, at least not on purpose. Though they would likely both be surprised later to find how much deeper the bond between them went once this was finished.

Charles soon lost all semblance of rhythm, movements gone instinctive and unsteady, hands sliding from their grip at Edwin's waist to the tops of his thighs as if to hold him in place more firmly as Charles arched against him again, muffling the sound he made -keening and hungry and satisfied all at once- against Edwin's throat as his climax swept through him.

He didn't go hazy as he had the last time, but he was definitely running on instinct more than actual thought, likely gripping Edwin's thighs tightly enough to leave finger-mark bruises there.

[uptightboy]

The fact that Edwin was more occupied by Charles and what was happening, rather than the strange magic that spiked between them could tell that he was really gone. He wasn't taking magic he was basically oozing it, without even noticing. And all around was only them, him and Charles. And for Edwin, it was only Charles that existed in that moment.

It was only Charles. And his name on Edwin's lips whenever he could speak it. It was his hands on his thigh and his hardness inside, and then his peak- Edwin could feel it. Inside. And through his magic. It was intense, new, and deep and Edwin closed his eyes as the sensations hit him just a bit too much. He wasn't even sure if it was his peak that reached him or if it was Charles' that he felt and pushed him over the edge. But it didn't matter. What mattered was that Charles was his. And his hands were holding him so tight- so tight that Edwin could feel the marks forming already. And he loved it. He loved to have proof that he belonged to Charles.

"Charles..." Edwin whispered because every time something new happened to him, or if he felt something he had never before he needed to call for Charles. And he had never felt like this in this afterlife. Light, and free, and tired, and full. And belonging. He nuzzled at Charles' temple, wondering if he'd ever be able to let him go from his embrace.

[just_aces]

Charles was panting as if he'd just been running sprints, because the part of him that knew he didn't need to breathe was buried somewhere under the layers of instinct and sensation and even as he sagged back against the couch again he snaked one arm up along Edwin's back to draw him along with, keeping him held close, running a string of open-mouthed kisses along his jaw and down his throat, just nosing at the mark he'd left again before letting his head roll back fully as if that might help him catch the breath he didn't actually need.

He kept his arm curled around Edwin, keeping him as close as possible, stroking a hand along his spine in slow, steady strokes, from nape to waist and back up again. The other hand was still curled tight against his thigh, though he managed to disengage that hold after a moment, stroking slow and gentle there as well.

It was going to be a minute before he actually managed to remember how to speak again, but even despite that he was still spilling contentment and satisfaction and devotion over that bond between them. There was nowhere else he wanted to be and no one else he wanted to be with right at the moment.

[uptightboy]

Edwin half collapsed on Charles as he leaned back, breathing heavily, chasing useless breaths just as the other. His arms were around Charles, unable to let go still after his orgasm. The hand on his back and the one on his thigh were like a balm to his spirit. He may not feel pain quite like others but he feels the comfort after it. Sometimes it's the only time he registered that something painful had happened with his body. He let out a stuttering breath, holding onto Charles tighter and leaning his forehead on his shoulder. 

He could feel all through the bond, everything Charles could not say to him in words. And Edwin returned it all. The love, the devotion, the promise of safety and loyalty. The promise of forever.

Edwin was absently kissing Charles' shoulder and neck as he was trying to recover, to put some thoughts together but it was futile. It was maybe the very first time in a long while that his rushing thoughts were finally halted. After a bit he turned his head, just to look at Charles' collar, reaching to run his fingers over it, frowning at the faint glow on it.

"Charles... I'm afraid I fell in love with you again," Edwin muttered.

[just_aces]

His brow furrowed just a little at that mumbled statement, but it only took him a few moments to sort it out and he smiled, brushing a kiss to Edwin's temple, arms having settled in a loose loop around his waist, "Yeah?" His voice was quiet, warm, a little hazy but in the best kind of way, "Probably a good thing I finally sorted out I've been in love with you all along then, innit?"

It was something he'd suspected for a while, that the reason his feelings for Edwin hadn't changed was because there was nothing there to change, but it amused him a little that it took something like this, and being able to feel exactly how Edwin felt for him thrumming between them over that bond, to actually put it all into perspective.

"I meant it, you know." Another gentle brush of his lips against Edwin's temple, "Always been yours, since the start. And you're it for me, always have been."

[uptightboy]

"All along?" Edwin muttered into Charles' skin. He had never understood the phrase 'butterflies in his stomach' up until now. He listened to Charles' words and he could barely believe them. They were just too good to be true, even if Edwin knew they were! With a tired smile, Edwin closed his eyes. "And yet, it took you so long to figure it out," he teases softly. "You gave me a proper scare," he added, still being anxious about that thought. About having to go on about his afterlife with an unrequited love for his best friend.

Edwin shifts, so he no longer has Charles in him and drapes over him just a bit more comfortably. He is aware that if he had a proper body it would ache in various ways for sure. But all he feels is Charles' hands and the remnants of his magic.

"Have you felt it?" Edwin whispered. "The binding magic..."

[just_aces]

He snorted softly at that teasing jab, "Yeah, well, kept expecting something to be different didn't I? And it just never was." Some things were, certainly, a lot had changed since that first night in the attic, up to and including Charles learning his true nature, but his feelings hadn't changed at all.

He made a quiet sound of agreement at the question that followed, resuming stroking one hand along Edwin's spine as he relaxed closer, "It's..." His brow creased a little, considering even as his other hand lifted to trail along the edge of the collar briefly, as if he might be able to physically feel the difference, "There's more of it now, yeah?" He didn't know how else to explain it, it was the same as it had ever been, he'd be able to find Edwin again the same as he knew Edwin would be able to find him no matter where they'd gone, but it wasn't only that, now.

[uptightboy]

Something about Charles' feelings not changing ever since they'd met made Edwin's chest feel as warm as if he still had a heart. Oh, he was utterly gone for him, wasn't he?

"Yes," Edwin said quietly, watching as Charles touched his own collar. "It feels more and deeper. I do believe it has changed. Or, hm, evolved," he frowned. He wasn't sure what that would mean in practice, aside from what they already knew. But it sat right with Edwin as if a warm blanket was wrapped over him. He smiled a little, but then he frowned as something occurred to him. "Charles... I think it could be because y-" His voice hitched as the thought nestled more into him. "Y-you took my virginity." Or... maybe because he took Charles'? Edwin tried to think if Charles had ever told him he had been with anybody in such a way. Was that a concept with ghosts at all?

[just_aces]

He craned his head a little so that he could actually see Edwin's face, or at least his profile, "Have I?" It was surprise even though logically he knew there hadn't been much chance for Edwin to have been with someone else otherwise, the same as there hadn't been for him, though he'd done his share of fooling around.

"Suppose that means you've had mine, too." Another gentle kiss to Edwin's temple, "Wouldn't have thought that mattered for most things." He was well aware that magic operated on its own rules and principles, though, and there were whole branches of sex magic that were their own doctrine of sorts, and it amused him a little that he and Edwin might have stumbled into something like that without even trying.

His smile emerged a moment later, tucking his chin against the top of Edwin's head, "Suppose that means we ought to do it the other way 'round next time. Just make sure we've covered all points."

[uptightboy]

"You have," Edwin confirmed with a blush creeping to his cheeks. Especially when Charles confirms that Edwin also has something precious of him. "I- I wouldn't have thought either but I cannot see any other explanation," he said. Though, it was time to look into sex magic then? Oh, the thought itself made Edwin shiver, though not entirely out of disgust.

But he smiled at the suggestion of switching too, nodding.

"Indeed," he agreed, absently stroking Charles' collar. "I only hope to be as good to you as you were to me. Charles, you were incredible."

[just_aces]

There was another warm curl of a laugh at that, "You did most of the work, love." The endearment rolled off his tongue as easily as anything, he didn't even think twice about it, "But might be a good idea to do some research before we go again, just in case."

A little shrug, hand stroking along Edwin's side instead of his spine, keeping him close, "If this is going to change how you do magic, or, how much you can do without my help," his brow creased, "or even with my help, I suppose." Though they well knew how easily the magic could get over-charged with Charles' help, "Better to be safe about it so we don't risk blowing anything up like, right?"

[uptightboy]

"Hmm, we may have to repeat this many times then. For research," Edwin said with a playful smile. He couldn't believe how giddy he felt over Charles calling him so dearly. It was almost embarrassing. "I shall look into it, later. The last thing I wish is to hurt you again."

But if this meant they had more magic, more power, and even more control? Edwin could barely believe the possibilities they could have... But everything was in due time. For now, he was just glad his lube worked and he could connect Charles in a completely new way. Even after all these years.

[just_aces]

Oh Charles adored that smile. Granted, he adored most things about Edwin and was realizing that he always had, but that sly smile that hinted at amusement well below the surface was definitely one of his favorites.

He hummed in agreement, still stroking over Edwin's side, keeping him held close, "Yes, later. Right now you get to settle and enjoy the afterglow." Which was one of those things he'd always scoffed at a little, except then he'd actually experienced it, the way his mind went comfortably blank when Edwin had used his mouth the first time they'd tested the leash and again now, there was a different quality to it now, as evidenced by the fact that he was carrying on a coherent conversation, but the comfort of it was still there, and that was what mattered.

[uptightboy]

And they did research indeed. Extensive. And pleasurable. It was a kind of research Edwin didn't have to convince Charles too much to participate in. The bond became intense and something they could use like their everyday tools. And it was great. It was... aces.

Edwin could not have been happier. With Charles being so close to him, bonded to him. With their feelings finally settled. With Charles' nature being an asset to the agency rather than a painful mystery. And the way the coven was handling them ever since that evening? Oh, Edwin loved it if he was honest. They were handled with caution, and with a bit of disgust, but with some newly found respect too.

So Edwin had no idea why... why would he think about horrible scenarios from time to time. He would be in the middle of writing notes or interrogating a witness or a new client, and he would think in the back of his mind about what if Charles got hurt, or worse, taken? What if his magic backfired again? What if he lost him in a mirror maze again...? Edwin was used to these kinds of thoughts even before this and he was trying to ignore them. But with his intense feelings for Charles the thoughts of losing him, however unfounded they may have been, were also more intense. They usually got worse when he was exhausted.

It was a particularly heavy case, involving a demon and a sacrifice. It took them days to solve it. It was one of those examples when a man lied and killed the one he was supposed to love for eternity. Sometimes power got too tempting it ruled everything out in people. And it was always, always ugly. It was... bad. And getting rid of a demon was worse, even with Edwin's powerful magic and with the help of the coven.

By the time they got back to the office, Edwin felt himself being so faint his image was almost see-through.

"Now, Charles, can you get me the..." Edwin said as he stepped out of the mirror, and turned back to close the portal. Only to see something in it as he looked at the reflective surface again. When he realized he was staring at Despair of the Endless, he froze. When his thoughts got bad, he did spot her in some mirrors, in the window, looking at him. This time, however, it felt different. She was there looking at him as if she wanted him to...Yes, yes this was the same as in Hell... But before Edwin could yell, step back, or do anything, his body moved, ducking back into the mirror, and arriving in the room full of mirrors. And the friend he'd involuntarily made.

"I missed you, Payne," she smiled.

[just_aces]

Things between them were so much better than they'd ever been, so much better than Charles had ever thought they could be. It wasn't just the newly added physical aspects, though that did definitely play a part, but the fact that Charles rarely had to worry about accidentally over-charging Edwin's spell-casting, and Edwin rarely had to worry about accidentally taking too much energy.

They both still did worry about those things, on occasion, because that was just in their nature, but as their bond had deepened, so too had their control grown, a sort of innate sense of one another, where they were, even how they were feeling. Charles had even made the effort to get better at navigating mirror travel for himself instead of relying on Edwin, determined never to get lost in that mirror-maze again, even by accident. Of course, familiar places were always easier for him to find, but more than that, he was almost always able to focus on Edwin, likely thanks to the new depths of their bond, and was able to find him even if he was somewhere new.

Things were good.

Until this case came along and fucked everything up.

Charles had been leading the way back to the office, not how things usually went, but with Edwin in the state he was in Charles wasn't going to take any chances. He was also already moving to get the green glass console bowl with the scalloped edge that Edwin preferred when he was reduced to his ghostlight orb, since Charles was pretty sure that was the only way this was going with Edwin as drained as he was.

It was why when that request trailed off in the middle he was expecting to see a globe of dimly pulsing light in place of his partner when he turned around, only to be met with nothing. His brow creased as he set the dish on the desk, worried that perhaps Edwin had drifted behind the mirror when his energy had given out, "Edwin?"

There weren't even dust bunnies behind the mirror, nor under the side table or on the lowest shelf of the bookcase nearby, all reasonable places that an orange-sized Edwin might have ended up, "Edwin, mate, where'd you go?"

[uptightboy]

Not her, not now... Edwin thought. He looked down at his hands, they were more solid but he still felt faint. He also noted he was wearing his nightclothes from the day he died. Ah... his true form then. His throat tightened as he looked back up at the Endless. He hoped they would never meet again, not like this.

"What is the meaning of this?" Edwin asked, his voice was weaker than he expected. As if it was too weak from all the begging... He took a trembling breath even if he never needed it. "Why am I here again?"

Despair smiled still but she looked almost bashful. She looked around the hall, reaching for the closest mirror to her, and brushing it with her fingers. It reminded Edwin of a younger girl, too shy to state what they wanted. It didn't make him feel any better.

"I need to go back to Charles, he is going to be worried for me," Edwin tried.

"You're prettier when you aren't with him. You're with him a lot. A lot. Now be with me. I'm lonely," she said, pouting as she walked to another mirror, looking into it.

"You cannot just whisk me away like this, I-"

"I can do whatever I want!" she snapped, her shy demeanor dropping for a second. Edwin closed his eyes grabbing at his arm to try and shield himself.

"Please tell me how long do I have to stay?"

"Until I'm done with you," she sighed, looking around. "How long does a ghost last?" she asked, as if just out of curiosity. Edwin could not answer her. But he suddenly heard Charles' voice, faintly, so faintly that Edwin wasn't even sure he did and not just imagined it. So he turned to the nearest mirror, only to find Charles looking back at him. But not seeing him.

"Charles!" Edwin yelled, and without even thinking about it, he reached for their bond too.

[just_aces]

Charles was worried, but mostly confused, because he could still feel Edwin, almost within arm's reach, but he just wasn't there, and Charles was doing his best to keep calm even as he checked in, under, and behind all the furniture nearest the mirror, and then expanded his search to any furniture within a couple paces of the mirror, because he didn't expect Edwin had managed to get that far in the state he was in.

He even went so far as to duck back into the mirror, careful to keep ahold of the frame in the office so that he could focus on the labyrinth on the other side, not trying to go anywhere in particular but to make sure Edwin hadn't fallen back in instead of getting all the way through into the office, and while Charles could still feel his presence the same as he could outside, he still couldn't see him anywhere.

It was moments after he'd emerged again, doing another quick visual sweep of the office that his head snapped up, sure he'd heard Edwin calling his name, felt that tug at his core as if Edwin was trying to summon him with their bond alone, which hadn't happened often, but often enough that he recognized the sensation, "Edwin? C'mon, where are you?"

[uptightboy]

Edwin watched in helpless anger as Charles was looking for him. He could see his mouth move but he couldn't hear what he was saying. Edwin fisted his hands and turned to the Endless again. The last thing he wanted was to stay here, to deal with whatever this entity, one of the pillars of existence, he reminded himself, wanted to do with him. As if she was bored and found a shiny bug to torture. Edwin just wanted to go back to Charles, spend some time in his console bowl with the scalloped edge to regain his strength, and just hold onto Charles until he was ready to face the world and their cases again.

"You must let me go back to him! I cannot stay here," Edwin yelled. He could have taken on any other challenge. Any witch, or creature or spell, anything. But not an Endless. Not something that was a part of reality itself. How could he fight something like that?

"No. But you can call out to him all you like," she smiled. "Go on. Call him," she taunted. Edwin knew it was because she thought it was meaningless. And it did make him hesitate. She liked this. She liked to see him squirm like this...

Edwin angrily wiped his tears from his eyes and looked at the mirror again.

"Charles!" he screamed as if the volume of his voice would make any difference. He reached for their bond too, feeling it but the end of it felt like it was disappearing into something that is grey and endless.