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]

Charles very diplomatically didn't point out that if the coven was responsible for his current state, they could very well unmake the two of them, probably with very little trouble. Likewise he just let Edwin pace, dropping into the chair himself, swaying it back and forth a little with one foot, waiting out whatever idea was simmering in Edwin's head.

He did brighten a little at the reveal, "Newt!" It definitely wasn't the man's name, and it was anyone's guess as to why people called him that, because it had definitely been going on before Charles picked it up, "Haven't been by to see him in a while, have we?"

He glanced at the clock before wrinkling his nose just a little, "Should probably wait for tomorrow though, he's still trying to keep mostly regular business hours." And a little extra time to come up with some kind of plan of attack wouldn't go amiss, though he figured that was one of those things that went without saying, "How direct are we going to be with him? He gets jumpy." Which, really, being in the business he was kind of made sense, never knew when someone was going to turn into an actual evil witch about not being able to get supplies.

[uptightboy]

"We haven't," Edwin agreed quietly. It wasn't like the man wasn't useful, or he didn't have stuff to offer to them. He was just. A Lot. One of those who loved ghosts. But yes, they needed to visit him. In working hours.

"I believe he should know it is a case but not too much," Edwin nodded. "I think he is also aware of witches. So, telling him it is for his own safety he shall not ask us unnecessary questions." Hopefully... Then again, Edwin knew how curiosity worked. He looked at Plan A then. "We're gonna need warding charms."

[just_aces]

He considered for a moment, chewing the inside of his cheek as he so often did, "For a case, can't say much just to keep him safe." He smiled at Edwin's conclusion, nodding, "There we are, legitimate reason to pay him a visit." Definitely preferable to trying to bluff their way through.

Sure, he owed them, and it should be easy just to call in that favor to keep him from asking questions, but doing some actual shopping would work even better because that would give them a chance to get him talking without making it seem like it was an interrogation.

[uptightboy]

"Well then, we have a proper approach," Edwin nodded to himself. "We could also pick up some items worth anything against witches, or help us break into forbidden archives," he added, looking over to their closet absently where they kept some of their supplies too. "So, now we wait for business hours." Which was, the worst. The living were so difficult with their sleep schedule and working times. At times like these Edwin was actually glad he was a ghost, he could have read and researched to his heart's content. Only to end up as an orb when he was tired but that was a different story...

[just_aces]

"I'm still going to call a heist plan C." He replied, "Last-ditch option." He didn't think Edwin had been serious, but wanted to make absolutely sure of it, especially about something that was dangerous enough that it was the kind of reckless plan he would come up with himself.

He nudged Edwin's shoulder then, unfolding and stretching, heading to the games cabinet, "C'mon, round of Battleship ought to keep us busy that long." Either that or it would be over within minutes because sometimes Edwin could read him that easily, it was always one of the two and Charles still hadn't figured out what the difference was.

[uptightboy]

Edwin did wonder why he was actually fine with a heist. But as he felt warmth bloom from where Charles nudged him, he knew. Discovering what Charles was threatened to change what they had. So Edwin maybe wanted it all to fail... maybe.

He watched as Charles walked to the closet to get the board game, and Edwin stopped to let himself feel this for a moment. This emotion wasn't entirely fear, not yet. But close to it. It didn't numb him just yet but it made him... a bit aware. Hellhounds belonged to Hell. It was their home. Even if Charles's owner was still alive, it may have been sealed, but it still meant that there was a chance Charles needed to return to Hell...

There was a chance Charles would leave at the end of this and that scared Edwin more than Hell itself.

"I see you are ready to be conquered once again," Edwin said at last with a playful eyebrow.

Battleship was a fun game. Not for the impulsive. But Edwin liked to use it to study Charles's habits, and he was doing it pretty well if he could say so himself. Sometimes he deliberately missed some of his hits just to see how Charles would react. It was a fun game. It did entertain them until they were ready to visit Newt.

As they arrived at the small pharmacy, Edwin wished they could play Battleship forever.

"So, we are here for charms and supplies and just inquiring about witches on the side, yes?" Edwin asked Charles, to make sure they knew their plan.

[just_aces]

"Oh just you wait, I'll best you one of these days." He wouldn't, and he knew he wouldn't, strategy was never his strong suit, but that was beside the point at the moment, which was to try and get Edwin to stop running off with the worse possible outcome when they didn't have any solid information yet.

Mostly he was just glad that Edwin let the game go on instead of trouncing him immediately as he occasionally did, since they were meant to be using it to pass the time.

Upon arrival at the pharmacy he nodded at Edwin's confirmation of their task, "Yeah, figure easiest way to ask about witches is ask about who he contracts his charms through, that we might need some in bulk, not that we're trying to take him out of the loop."

[uptightboy]

"Good idea, Charles, let us lead with that indeed," Edwin nodded. Then he looked at the door. It was like a door of any other small, older business in London. Almost charming really. And they could have walked through without problem but Newt had certain rules for not-living customers. Namely that they shouldn't just walk in, and they must ring the bell three times, no less, no more, three times. This way he could prevent any heart attacks that would get him when meeting spirits, as he always said.

So Edwin rang the bell three times, waiting for the door to open. Thankfully, they didn't need to wait long. A man slammed the door open, setting his glasses as he looked at them. Giving the impression that he had not slept at all... or changed clothes in the past three days.

"Boys, welcome! It's been a while," he greeted them, motioning inside. "I almost thought you forgot about me. Do you boys get my weekly flyer with the new offers?"

[just_aces]

Charles couldn't help but smile, the man's half-manic demeanor always made his own easily-excitable nature seem tame by comparison, "Yeah, it has, we were, uh, unexpectedly abroad. Back now, though, and I know we usually do, though I've not seen one since we got back."

The smile hitched higher just a little as he moved to lean one hip against the counter, keeping out of the way, "If you've got a spare I'll have a look, Edwin's the one who knows what he's after." That much was no different than how they usually did things, and the fact that Charles was just a little more alert than usual was easily chalked up to the fact that they were employing something that was half subterfuge.

[uptightboy]

"Abroad? Now that sounds like an adventure. Where were you, in Brazil? I heard the nagas as acting up lately, I wondered myself to go check out what the fuss is about..." Newt rambled as he grabbed a handful of flyers to toss them in Charles's hand. "There, bring them to your office. Maybe some of your clientele also wants to get their juice."

Edwin crossed his arms as he was waiting for Newt to stop talking for just a second...

"Why would we go to Brazil, we have no cases there..." he wondered out loud. But then he shook his head. "Doctor--" he started but he remembered how Newt hated being called that. So with an eyeroll, Edwin started again. "We are here on business, Mr. Newt."

"Oh sure, yes, everything's on the house for you boys. I owe you a lot after all. So, what do you need?"

"We need some..." Edwin started, his gaze flickering to Charles for a second. "Well, we found ourselves out of protection charms. Premade ones."

"Aah, you need the witchy ones, don't you?"

"Precisely. And, well, a lot."

[just_aces]

Charles had been about to mention that it had been America, but decided against it as Edwin answered the more pertinent question of why on Earth would they go to Brazil, and glancing up from the flyer in his hand -which he'd only barely been paying attention to in the first place- he gave a nod, "Yeah, like, bulk order kind of a lot."

He shrugged one shoulder, drumming his fingers against the strap of the backpack, "Ran out of the emergency stockpile, I'm usually better about keeping on top of inventory, making sure to pick up a handful of replacements even if I've only used one or two." Which was true, or at least true enough that he could say it without his voice hitching the way it did when he was trying to make something up.

It was definitely easier to follow Edwin's lead and just interject as needed to bolster what he was saying. And it was easy because that was how they did things anyway as often as not and while other regular acquaintances might notice something off, Newt wasn't likely to.

[uptightboy]

"Well boys, gotta say you got me there good. I don't have that amount on me right now but I can give in an order for you-"

"It is quite urgent," Edwin started, looking at Charles again. He was never good at pretending. His disguises did most of the work for him. "I suppose they are made by witches, yes?"

"Yes and those sweethearts work fast, so in a week or two I could get you your fix," Newt said but Edwin stepped closer to him.

"Maybe they have some already made? If we could ask them directly, that would be wonderful, and quite effective."

Newt narrowed his eyes, looking between the boys.

"Are you trying to get my supplier? Is this one of your cases?"

[just_aces]

Charles nodded then, spreading both hands in a sort of 'what can you do?' gesture, "You got us, don't get me wrong, usual stockpile is gone, but yeah, we need them in a rush for a case."

He flashed his most winning smile, "It'd just be this once. You know you're our favorite." Which was maybe laying it on a little thick, which was why he added, "And not just because of professional courtesy discounts, either." This was where things could get dicey and he knew it, but he also knew that Newt liked them, which he was pretty sure had as much to do with their following his sometimes esoteric rules as it did with anything else.

But they, or Charles at least, followed those rules because he actually liked Newt in turn, which would just run this all in circles, which was why he bit his tongue to keep from rambling on further.

[uptightboy]

Before Edwin could panic and give them away too soon, Charles stepped in. So wisely, it was Edwin this time keeping quiet. When it came about people liking them, Charles did the better work.

Newt took a moment, eying Charles but then burst out laughing. Almost manically.

"I thought you're after witches now! What a stupid idea, sorry about that, I like those ladies you know. I swear one of them has the hots for me but stupid coven rules forbid her to make a move or something."

"Mr. Newt, the charms..." Edwin tried to hint, letting out a tense sigh.

"Right right, lemme give you a name and address. Tell them I sent you," Newt searched around his cupboard for paper and pen, scribbling the name and address on it. Then he handed it to Charles. "Lady Goode is the one you need for the charms."

"We appreciate the help, Mr. Newt..."

"While you're there can you ask Daphne if she likes me?"

[just_aces]

Charles laughed in turn, mostly relief, just nodding as he accepted the slip of paper, with an easy, "Cheers." Before folding it over twice and pocketing it, "No promises, but I'll see what I can do."

A smile was turned on Edwin then, "Any other supplies we need to top off while we're here? Save us a trip later? I know I'm going to need a jar of oak ash, but other than that haven't used much of anything lately." It was, theoretically, the kind of thing they could make themselves, but it was easier to get it already measured and weighed properly. The paint jar was still half full, even after two new circles, but Charles believed in being prepared when he had the chance.

[uptightboy]

"Maybe she just can't say it directly or something..." Newt muttered, mostly to himself, before turning his attention back to Charles. "Coming right up! Figured you'd need some if you need that many charms for your secret mission, so tell me all about it when you get back! And... please get back!" With that, he disappeared into the back room to get the ashes.

Edwin let out a useless breath, walking up to Charles with a little smile. They succeeded, which was great. Trick is tricked... or something like that. A moment later Newt got back to them not one but two jars of oak ashes, also carrying what looked like... a rose.

"Here," he presented it to Edwin. Who blinked at him in alarm.

"Oh, no, no, no, not for you, for Daphne. This is a rose that never withers, just like my love for her- or is that too much? It's too much, isn't it?"

"I um..." Edwin frowned, looking at Charles for help.

[just_aces]

Charles shook his head, "Don't know the bird, can't say what's too much, but, that's definitely the kind of thing better delivered personally and not by, y'know," a loose gesture between himself and Edwin with one hand, "courier. Wouldn't want anyone to get the wrong idea, yeah?" In a rare moment of understanding, however, he was quick to add, "But maybe let us do some recon first? While we're there?" A little shake of his head, "If we get the chance, obviously, got to stay on mission as best we can."

There was the full-beam charming smile again, "Which means we'll have to get back so we can relay the information, right?" Honestly he was a little worried about how smitten the man seemed, but he couldn't be sure if it was the result of magic or if it was just that they'd never seen him interested in someone before.

[uptightboy]

"Are you serious, Charles? We will be there to... for business and not on personal matters," Edwin frowned. "I also do think these things are better to be handled personally," he added pushing the flower back to Newt's hands and taking the jars instead.

"Oh, wow, you boys are saving me here again if you find out what she thinks, really!" Newt exclaimed as if he didn't hear Edwin at all. Or... most probably didn't want to. "Thank you, thank you!" And he went for a very enthusiastic handshake which Edwin got out of as soon as he could, only for Newt to catch Charles with it.

[just_aces]

Like something out of some kind of Three Stooges routine, Charles immediately traded the handful of fliers he'd been given for the ash jars so that he could tuck them away into the backpack, like that circular hand-off was something practiced, something that could so easily turn to slapstick even as he spoke, "We'll do our best, we're going on business after all, like I said, gotta stay on task, but that doesn't mean we can't use a little bit of getting-to-know-you as a distraction if we need to, yeah?"

The jars were already stowed by the time the handshake came his way and the grin ticked up higher as he returned it, shouldering his backpack again, "Look, this is the kind of thing that might take a few days, so maybe keep mum about it until you hear from us, yeah?"

[uptightboy]

"Sure, sure whatever you want but- Wait, so I could be part of the case?" Newt gasped, holding the rose that remained in his hands to his chest.

"You already kind of are," Edwin frowned at him, a bit unsure what to do with all the fliers in his hands suddenly.

"This is so exciting, now it's gotta be good news you bring. So, go go go, do your case, and report back if love is true or if I'm going to die alone! I'll keep your secret to the grave!"

"That is not why we are..." Edwin was trying to say as Newt was already ushering them out through the door.

[just_aces]

Charles, likewise, managed to not only get the fliers back, but also hand them back to Newt on the way out the door, taking advantage of the man's fluster to do so without drawing attention to it.

It was only when they were halfway down the block that Charles' composure finally broke and he laughed, shaking his head, "This is insane. This whole plan is insane." He wasn't spinning out, but it wouldn't take much to send him over that edge even with trying to reel himself in a little. He pulled the slip of paper out of his pocket to pass it over to Edwin, "Here, better if you keep this, innit?" Not because Charles was likely to lose it, but because he might deliberately misplace it, which was worse.

[uptightboy]

Together with Charles, Edwin also let out an amused huff. Right, this was mental. The whole thing.

"Why, I did not expect to be asked to act as kind of matchmakers. I doubt we ever had a case like that," he wondered out loud as he took the paper. "Maybe the Case of the missing ring in '04 was the closest," he huffed and looked at the address and name in his hand.

The address where their next clue lied. And the key to Newt's romance.

"Do you think..." Edwin started but as he realized what he wanted to ask he just stopped, clearing his throat. It was better not talk about romance, it would only bring up sensitive topics. "So, we got our next clue. How should we proceed? We must consider that they may be able to tell your nature, Charles. So we must be careful in our approach."

[just_aces]

The amusement dissolved almost as quickly as it had set in, and Charles just nodded at that statement and slowed his pace, turning to look at Edwin, "I hate to even say it," which was to say he hated to suggest leaving Edwin without immediate defense and backup if it became necessary, "but it might be safer for you to go it alone. At least for the first run, yeah?"

He shook his head, "If Esther figured it out, anyone who was actually involved is going to know right off." Another tight little head shake, "And there's no good will come of that." He ticked options off on his fingers as he relayed them, "They'll keep me in a vault somewhere until they can figure out what went wrong, or they'll change me back and keep me around for spell components, or they'll change me back and send me back to Hell because Hellhounds ain't supposed to be on the mortal plane."

There was no proof that anyone involved with the original trial was still alive -there was a good chance, certainly, as it hadn't been so long ago, but no proof- or even that they would do anything other than be mildly puzzled how Charles in his current state had happened, but apparently Edwin wasn't the only one who would run off after the worst possible outcome on a whim.

[uptightboy]

Edwin came to a stop as Charles turned to him. He nervously rubbed his fingers together on one hand as he was listening to Charles. The boy said out loud what he didn't want to. That this was one of those operations he had to do alone.

"I shall waste no time then," Edwin nodded, looking at the paper in his hand. He licked his lips nervously. It wasn't like they didn't do some things alone but it was rare. Doing a mission alone was even more so. "Let us regroup in the office once I am done."

He considered it for a moment. Witches were no small threat. And this was a sensitive issue. And... yes it put him in unease especially after dealing with Esther. But this was also about Charles's safety. He looked at Charles again nervously.

"I will find out if that trial was the one we need," he said determined. He wasn't sure what he wanted to say more yet he hesitated in moving away. Maybe it was just difficult to go on separate ways, no matter what.

[just_aces]

It was a reflex to catch that nervously-curling hand, pressing his fingers to the back of Edwin's hand, gentle and firm, "Two hours. Then I'm coming after you." Sure, it was his idea, or at least his concerns that prompted the split, but with witches involved there was a lot that could go wrong in two hours, but he was doing his best not to think about it, because he knew Edwin would need time to do this carefully so as not to give them away.

Which he knew Edwin would probably have an easier time of just in general, given Charles' own tendency towards impulsive decisions, not the kind of thing that would help in a situation that needed more than the usual amount of subtlety. Even still, knowing it was the right call, it made something clench uncomfortably in his chest.