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...

Comments

[just_aces]

His arm -leg- still hurt, but at the moment that didn't matter, because at the moment all he could see was the Duchess and the way her attention had shifted from him to Edwin as she picked up her spell again, voice too quiet for Charles to catch.

Logically, of course, he knew the wards were to prevent just that sort of thing, but right at the moment, things were simpler to process all he knew was that she was a threat not just to him now, but also to Edwin, and that was the one thing he wouldn't allow.

There was a growl rising in his chest, the kind of thing that was felt more than heard, something that set the scattered bones and iron shards on the flagstone floor to skittering as if in the precursor to an actual earthquake, but it wasn't until the growl reached an audible register that the Duchess concentration actually broke, though it was as much the sound as the fact that Charles had prowled forward across the space, backing her against the edge of the circle so that she was out of space to retreat.

It was a credit to her skill that she did try to redirect that spell at Charles instead -or possibly had intended it for him in the first place and was just watching Edwin as a misdirection- but it didn't matter in the end because Charles didn't give her the chance to actually finish it, pouncing forward to drag her down, jaws locked around her throat -and jaw and chest given the size of his mouth- just shaking her, hard.

It was brutal and savage in a way Edwin had only seen in Charles a handful of times, though the shape definitely made it clear where that ferocity came from even in his human form. It happened quickly enough that the council's spell-casters didn't have a chance to intervene before it was already finished and Charles had thrown the Duchess' lifeless body to the side. Though even as they moved to action, Old Bailey was ordering that the gallery be cleared, the matter was settled, as there was a clear victor.

Getting him contained so that the Duchess' team could retrieve what was left and return to Hell didn't prove to be as complicated as expected, mostly because even as the magic of the arena shifted, shrinking some to contain Charles but not the Duchess' corpse, Charles shrank back as well, not transforming back to his human shape, but instead the smaller version of the hound, clearly exhausted, sides heaving even as he gnawed reflexively a the wood still encircling his limb.

[uptightboy]

It was... something. Being called such a name and then watching the Duchess being gnawed on like she was nothing more than a toy herself. The sight was undeniably horrid and all too familiar for Edwin's liking. He had seen Charles being angry like this before, killing someone. But with his newfound powers it was even more brutal. Similar to a spider made of doll heads, Edwin couldn't help thinking. Hell was still near, Hell was present and there were bones crushing, teeth chewing on a spectral body... if Edwin could he would have gotten sick.

The whole court was in an uproar at the violent results but Edwin paid no attention. All he saw was Charles. And when the Duchess's remains were picked up Edwin's legs moved to bolt, despite the deep set fear in his stomach.

"Hold on, boy," Lady Goode yelled, grabbing Edwin before he could run. "That hound may not be the same hound you let in the arena. He could tear your soul apart just like he did to his old master."

Edwin frowned at her then looked over to Charles.

"No, no, he- he is still Charles, I know it," he insisted tearing himself away from the Lady, running up to Charles. And yes, he did feel like when the first time he had seen him like this: afraid and unsure. But this was Charles... and he was free...! "Charles," Edwin called him, tentatively stepping closer. He knew there was a circle containing the beast but it wasn't him Edwin was afraid of. He was afraid of the possibility that what Lady Goode said was true.

[just_aces]

Charles was watching the hubbub, dimly aware of the blood on his own face as he just continued gnawing at that bent willow wood that was the one thing still keeping him from being comfortable so he could just have a minute to recover.

The demons retrieving the corpse gave him a wide berth before simply vanishing with the remains and it was the movement from Edwin and the witches that had him lifting his head again, ears perked forward at Edwin's approach, because that was Edwin, and he was safe and Charles had made damn sure of it.

But more than that, Edwin would be able to fix the problem of the magic gone wrong, he would know what to do, because he always knew what to do, and even as exhausted as he was, Charles managed to push himself up into a sitting position, whining quietly at the spike of pain putting pressure on that foreleg caused, lifting it to let it dangle limply in front of him instead, expression about as pleading as it could be, even in the current shape, even covered in blood.

[uptightboy]

Edwin did hesitate for a second. But only a second before he closed the distance between them and knelt by him to examine the damage Charles had done to himself.

"You should have been more careful," he scolds as he holds the giant paw in his hand to check if he could use a generic counterspell to undo the spell. "I always tell you to check if an item is enchanted before applying another layer of magic, Charles, you should be bloody aware about it by now! How can you be so silly! It could have-"

Edwin quickly wiped his eyes, just in time for Daphne to arrive by his side.

"A counterspell may not work but I can reverse it," she said gently. "It's what we do after all. I will have to charge you later but he will be good as new in minutes," she assured with a small smile.

Edwin swallowed, suddenly unable to speak.

"Right, please do," he nodded when he was finally able, looking up at Charles again. "It shall be alright."

Daphne smiled gently, then put her hand on Charles's paw, as Edwin held it, and started to work.

[just_aces]

He didn't exactly cringe at the scolding, but his ears did pin back, head dipping, and looking for all the world like a dog that was being told off for having gotten into the garbage again, and mostly he was just confused, because he'd done the right thing, he'd removed the threat, but Edwin was still upset and Charles was too tired and too close to just letting the Hound run things for a while to realize that he wasn't being scolded about that but about an ongoing problem with forgetting what spells would clash with each other, and badly.

Daphne's approach was almost enough to stir a growl in his chest again, except that he recognized her as the one who'd been at Edwin's side all week, whenever the Night Nurse had left the office door open, Edwin had been there, and so had this witch, and so he let the noise die again before letting it fully build.

The relief when that band of wood returned to the shattered end of a cricket bat and clattered to the floor was immense, and it was only the realization that he was still covered in gore that kept him from surging forward to lick her face in thanks, instead just extending the now-freed paw in Edwin's direction, there was something akin to an iron burn wrapped around it where the wood had rooted itself, but the magic was gone, which meant it would heal, which in turn meant that Edwin didn't need to be upset with him anymore.

[uptightboy]

As Edwin was watching Daphne work only then it settled in him: they won. Charles won. He sent his master back to Hell, and their bonds were broken now. Charles was free.

"Detective." Daphne's gentle voice pulled Edwin back from the panic that was about to grip him. Now that he was safe, now that everything settled, only now he let himself feel the despair of it all.

"Thank- thank you," Edwin stuttered at Daphne. The he reached for the paw Charles extended to him. He held it in both hands, feeling its weight and warmth. This was Charles now... well, it always was.

"You did well, Charles, you did well," Edwin swallowed, looking up at him. He reached up then, petting the hound's head.

"We'll handle the papers from here. Once you are ready, you are free to go," Daphne said. "It has been an honor, detectives. But I'm sure we will seek you out soon. It is our task to monitor Hellhounds on this plane."

[just_aces]

He relaxed as he tilted his head up into that touch, those faintly-glowing eyes dipping closed in relief, practically sagging into Edwin as he did, because they were safe and it was over and that meant they could go home and rest.

He hesitated only briefly before pushing his head up past Edwin's hand to nose into his pocket where the binding charm string was usually kept. Part of him still knew that a Hellhound, much like a human, wouldn't be able to travel by mirror -which once he was able to actually think about it would probably explain his own trouble with learning it- but he likewise knew that they couldn't just wander around the city without some kind of lead, despite the fact that he wasn't about to stray from Edwin's side even for a moment.

But just because the two of them knew as much didn't mean that anyone they passed on the way would.

[uptightboy]

Edwin blinked as Charles turned his attention to the string. He did not want to put anything on him but it did make sense. Still, his heart broke that Charles still wasn't entirely true, even if he didn't want to use him in any way the witch did.

"I can send you a list of binding spells, more comfortable than the string you have," Daphne offered.

"Is it necessary?" Edwin could not help but ask as he took the string and activated the magic of it.

"Hellhounds are not allowed without a bind. But don't worry, most of the collars are barely recognizable," the witch assured.

Edwin pursed his lips and put the string around Charles's neck, holding the end of it. The circle around them disappeared the moment the hound was tied to him.

"Let's go home, Charles," Edwin tells him gently. He is ready to settle back in their usual place, and let Charles heal. Maybe help him heal too. But most importantly Edwin just wanted to bring Charles home finally.

[just_aces]

Charles actually relaxed into Edwin's side once the string was in place. He didn't have a way to explain, really, but having it there meant that Edwin wasn't still upset with him, wasn't going to reject him, it meant they were both safe.

He trundled to his feet, making sure to keep the same, smaller size, head no higher than Edwin's hip.

Once he was upright Daphne made a soft noise of realization, shaking a handkerchief free from her sleeve to daub gently, cautiously, at his muzzle, though once the cleaning charm didn't seem to cause him any pain, she quickly took care of the rest, nodding once, "There, now you look like you belong out in society." She stepped back again, glancing to where Lady Goode was finalizing the paperwork with the barrister, "I'll... I'll see what I can do to make sure I'm the liaison she sends to your office." It was quick and quiet, "Should be about three days. She's not unreasonable."

Charles was just leaning heavily against Edwin's hip at that point, mostly because he knew they still had a walk ahead of them before he could actually rest, but he did nose lightly at Daphne's hand in something like thanks before giving the previously-magically-bound paw a shake, testing putting weight on it and giving a little wave of his tail when there was no pain, fully prepared to keep close to Edwin's side as they went.

[uptightboy]

Edwin almost commented they do not need to belong in society. But he did agree that cleaning the blood was a good idea. Edwin didn't think many would see them in their current state but dragging blood back in the office may not have been good. Edwin still felt a little out of it as he held the string in his hand. He could feel Charles's exhaustion somehow and he is ready to be alone, without all the noise and people around them.

"Thank you, Ms. Daphne, for... everything," Edwin said, making a note to officially thank the coven and Lady Goode for their assistance in this case later, maybe in a letter. He looked over to Lady Goode for a second, before addressing Daphne again. "Please excuse us now, I believe it is the best we... withdraw." He truly just wanted to leave, especially as he saw Charles trying his paw.

They couldn't travel by mirror, not with Charles in this form. So they walked. When Edwin was little they had a dog he sometimes got to walk. The memories were bittersweet, and with the memories of the trial it felt even more so. All the way Edwin was silent thinking about learning healing spells and dive back into his research about Hellhounds and how they work. He got multiple good leads from the coven about it, and if they are going to get monitored then he will become London's number one Hellhound specialist if needed.

"Do rest now, Charles," was the first sentence Edwin uttered once they were back in the office.

[just_aces]

Charles was very attentive the whole walk back, not letting himself get distracted by new smells -and there were a lot of them, something he'd have to revisit and re-evaluate later- and just sticking close to Edwin's side.

He did nudge his head against Edwin's hip once they were safe in the office, rather more akin to a cat scent-marking something than a dog-like affection, but that was Charles too. He waited until Edwin had settled at the desk -because he knew Edwin wasn't going to rest without some research first- and settled himself on the floor at the side of the desk he usually perched on. Habits were habits, after all, and it wasn't like a new shape was going to change them that much.

I was some hours later when he finally rolled to his feet. His own two feet, just leaning against the edge of the desk once he had. It was only the two of them and they were home, so there was no reason for coat or polo, just his singlet, which also made it so that he could inspect his arm, not yet healed but definitely healing from what he'd managed to do to himself earlier, a sort of mottled greenish bruising from his wrist partway up his arm, and two definite puncture marks, one at either side of his wrist, as if something had gone clear through.

It took him a moment to actually find words and remember how to use them, just asking: "'ve you found out anything new?"

[uptightboy]

It was strange. Charles was not in the office, but he was. In a different way. Edwin knew he was safe, he also knew that he himself was safe. Yet, it still felt new. Their agency shifted once again, just like when Crystal joined. It wasn't that different, Charles was still there, but it was... different. A new era. And Edwin still wasn't sure how to handle it.

He was glad that he wasn't worried for Charles so much that he couldn't distract himself with books. It worked. And then, Edwin watched as Charles transformed again, leaning against the desk as if nothing had happened. Only then it dawned on Edwin that he missed him, so much. It felt like a lifetime had passed since the fight. He also noted that ever since he had come clean with his feelings for Charles the boy looked so handsome in his singlet.

As Charles was looking at his arm, Edwin did the same. Now that Charles's true nature was out in the open his existence and appearance also looked a bit more... alive.

"Well, congratulations, you are officially a hound, Charles, which means we have to handle you as such in the future," Edwin said, flipping through a book he borrowed from the coven. "Different healing spells, new abilities... You will find crossroads a very pleasant place from here on, if you haven't before. Ah, and thunderstorms," he lists, his eyes scanning through the pages before returning to Charles. He stops himself then, hesitating. Then, reaching a decision, he stood up, facing Charles.

"Are you in pain?" he decided to go with the easier question first.

[just_aces]

He would have commented that being comforted by thunderstorms was nothing new, they were one of the few times Charles' brain had been quiet before, either taking up space in the seat under the window or even going up to the roof even though he wasn't actually able to feel the rain, he just liked watching the lightning build and build whether crackling to earth or just from cloud to cloud.

He considered the question, however, holding the arm out so that Edwin could inspect it as he would, finally just shaking his head, "Nah, not really?" He shook his head again, "Hard to explain, it's like it did hurt, or maybe should, but it don't actually hurt now. Can still feel it, though." He added, prodding at the edge of the bruising with his fingertips.

A twitch of a smile followed, "Wrong spell to use on charmed wood, wasn't it?" He didn't wait for an answer before explaining, "Thought I might've said it wrong, at first, but with as hard as you drilled that one to make sure I wouldn't forget, don't figure there was much chance of that."

[uptightboy]

Edwin reached for Charles's arm to gently hold it and inspect the damage. Even the way his arm felt in his hands, the way his skin touched his fingertips was different. It did feel like Charles had arrived into himself somehow; a different being than Edwin. Ah... yes, that was it. He wasn't a ghost anymore, not in the strict sense of the word.

"Almost as if it is the only spell you remember properly," Edwin muttered, sending a look at the boy. It was an important spell at the time in a very dangerous case. It was almost ironic that this was the spell that came to Charles. Edwin brushed over one of the bruises on the boy's arm with his fingers. He was trying to look into spells that could speed up the healing process but so far he hadn't found any he trusted. "I truly wish you have mispronounced it, so it would not have taken effect." He was glad Charles was not in pain, though, not physically.

"Charles," Edwin continued quietly. "You were forced to kill your master." He stated but he couldn't continue for a second. "Are you alright?"

[just_aces]

He sighed heavily at that question, not frustrated as such, but because it was something he'd been trying to ignore. Leave it to Edwin not to let him, not that it was a bad thing all in all.

He shook his head after a moment, finally admitting: "I don't know." A little shrug, "I know I should be feeling something about it, right? But I just..." He shook his head again, folding his arms loosely across his chest, "Don't. Not yet." His brow furrowed a moment later, because there was an important correction to make there, "And I killed her because I wanted to. Would've been just as easy to keep her down without killing her." At least, in theory. There was no real way to be sure of that now, and Charles had done what he'd always done, removed the threat in the most efficient way possible.

[uptightboy]

It might have been indeed too early for asking such a question, Edwin admitted. But it wasn't Charles's unsure feelings that alarmed him. It was when he was talking about how he wanted to kill her.

Was that anger going to come out more? In different ways? Rabid Hellhounds without owners tended to be violent, bloodthirsty. And Edwin knew that Charles technically wasn't without an owner but then again he didn't summon him. They were friends, they were there for each other. And Edwin loved him. But would that be enough?

Edwin barely registered that he actually took a step back, away from Charles. All he knew that fear creeped back into his chest again; a fear he rarely experienced outside Hell. Because it was the fear of Hell.

"Do you remember everything she did? Is that why?" Edwin almost winced at how terrified he sounded.

[just_aces]

Charles curled in on himself a little when Edwin retreated, because it wasn't moving off to go look something up, or just giving himself space because he'd been hovering, it was quite clearly in reaction to what Charles had admitted, and while he couldn't smell actual fear -probably wouldn't have been able to even in his natural form thanks to the fact that Edwin was a ghost- it was still there in Edwin's stance and expression and Charles hated it.

He shook his head at the question, "Not everything, no." His brow furrowed more deeply, shaking his head again, "I was under her control longer than we've known each other, but I remembered enough." A sniff, swiping the back of his wrist over his nose, biting back the emotion welling in his chest, both thanks to remembering what he'd already been through and distaste over the fact that he was scaring Edwin, "She wouldn't have stopped trying, even from Hell, even with her chains gone. She still would've been a threat and I couldn't let that stand."

[uptightboy]

Edwin's hand reached up to grab at his jacket, as if he wanted to set it but he just held it. As if pulling up a barrier between him and Charles. He believed him, god knew he never doubted this boy, ever in their afterlife. Charles did it because he wanted to eliminate a threat. He wanted to... protect. So why was Edwin so scared? Charles did what he always did, there was nothing new there.

Then again, Charles was a hound from Hell, with the utmost certainty. And that was new.

"I understand," Edwin uttered because he did understand. "You are right, I should not have questioned." He doesn't want to feel like this, not with Charles. And he hated how terribly polite he sounded just there. Pretentious. Just like his father. A coward. "Well, I am not sure if you could listen but we shall receive a few options for binding spells in a few days. We are also being monitored by the coven, so that is also something we shall deal with." Yes, talking business could be the right way yet Edwin did not feel it was right.

[just_aces]

He just nodded, "I heard." He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, the movement almost nervous, except that he could feel Edwin's cord there and it was enough to have him going still when he realized it was still there even in this shape.

The realization was enough to have him stalling out briefly -but noticeably- before he continued with his answer, "And we're already being overseen by one agency, what's another one added to the mix?" He lowered his hands, then, just leaning back against the edge of the desk, still, "Though maybe a hiatus for a few days on new cases? Except what the Lost & Found sends our way, obviously." Though given the givens he wasn't sure if the Night Nurse would be sending anything their way for a few days as it was, given his somewhat loosely-defined 'assistance' of the past week.

[uptightboy]

The string around Charles's neck was not charged with magic for now, so it looked less dramatic. But with a snap, Edwin could activate it any second. He wasn't sure how he was feeling about it, especially noting how Charles's hand hovered over it. Edwin hoped the binding spells they get would be less outrageous.

"Indeed, that would be the most reasonable," Edwin nodded at Charles's suggestion. "We shall not scare away future clients before you are sorted out." Being sorted out meaning the final administration of Charles's existence on this plane.

With the question of Charles's nature solved Edwin was reminded of the case card. So without a word he moved away from Charles, from the desk, toward their case board to find the card with Charles's case. "I also believe your case is done, job jobbed," he said as he took the card and put it with the solved cases. Usually doing that made him feel better but this time it made him feel worse. His hand hovered just a moment too long before pulling it away.

"I would also advise you staying inside until we have our discussions with the coven," Edwin suggested.

[just_aces]

His brow furrowed a little at the shifting of the card. The case was closed, they knew for sure what he was now, but he still had to ask: "Doesn't feel quite right, moving it, yeah?" Mostly he wanted the confirmation that it wasn't just him feeling unsettled by everything, though he couldn't be sure just why aside from 'everything'.

He did manage a small, watery smile at the rest, giving an exaggerated shrug, "Guess it's a good thing I don't have any errands to run." It was an attempt at a joke and it only barely landed the same as the smile wasn't quite right. His arms folded again almost immediately, brow still creased, "'course now I want to go out just because I shouldn't. Old habits, I guess."

[uptightboy]

Right, it didn't feel right to move the card. Probably because that case was for a different Charles, Edwin wondered. That case was irrelevant now. They had another one, a new, disturbing one. He vaguely remembered knowing that things would change after the case was solved but not like this. He did not expect Hell to be a part of this so vividly.

"The case was about your nature of existence," Edwin said quietly, trying his best to sound neutral. "I believe we are quite aware of it now." So Charles could also feel it. But Edwin was too afraid to flat out address it just yet. This strange fear that gripped him. Because it wasn't right...

"I suppose you can still go up the roof if you so wish to go outside but no further," he assures in a weak attempt of comfort. Charles's smile broke his heart. "As for supplies, I shall go if we find ourselves in need of anything."

He sets his shoulders then.

"Well, do continue to rest, Charles. I shall look into healing magic in more depth."

[just_aces]

"I'll be alright." He replied to the first, "At least until we get a better idea of what's allowed." If the rules were that he couldn't go out on his own at all regardless of shape, that was something he'd argue to the last, but he also wasn't going to get ahead of himself and formulate arguments he wouldn't actually need, not if it would only frustrate him to do so.

He pushed himself up away from the desk then, rubbing at the back of his neck again, letting the feel of that cord under his fingers calm him further, tangible proof that Edwin still wanted to keep him close, trying to use it as a reassurance that any fear Edwin was feeling was temporary, that it would pass.

"Should probably take a chance to organize the backpack, been a while." It wasn't sleeping, but it was restful for him, putting things back in order, even if it was an organization system that only he understood. Or, perhaps, especially in that case, something to keep his mind busy with only the organizing and not overthinking anything else.

[uptightboy]

Edwin watched as Charles was reaching for the cord again, and he wondered how he was feeling about it. For Edwin, it looked humiliating; something a hound that was being kept as a slave would detest. Just how long would it be until Charles snapped about it? But Edwin didn't ask...

Instead he just gave a nod at Charles, and went to find some books. They both needed time, he thought. And it was almost awkward. Edwin buried himself in books more intensely than usual, being a bit more closed off than it would be in his nature. So the distance he put between them did not close the next few days while they were waiting for Daphne and the binding spells.

Edwin thought that things would settle once the coven stated their stance on Charles. That everything would return to the way it was. The coven confirmed that keeping Hellhounds was not illegal, using it for ill was. So, as long as Edwin and the hound didn't break any laws they should be fine. Oh, and Charles of course needed to be bound by one of the accepted methods for the duration of his service. And once all that settled, Edwin thought that it was it. Yet, as he held the parchment with the binding spell on it, he still felt unsure.

Edwin looked over to Charles.

"Do tell me when you are ready," because heavens know he may never be.

[just_aces]

After reorganizing the backpack, and then doing it again when it seemed Edwin still needed time instead of wanting to talk just yet, Charles had gone up to the roof for a while, except there was nothing to hold his attention there except scaring the pigeons, but even that was only entertaining for the first two or three and left him restless again afterwards.

There were a handful of times over the next few days where Charles considered just pushing through the awkward distance between them as he would have done before, but whenever he considered it he remembered the flash of actual fear in Edwin's expression when he'd admitted that he'd actually wanted to kill the Duchess, and he kept to himself again instead of doing so.

Likewise he'd considered shifting back to the Hound-shape, because that might make things easier for him to process, but knew even without asking that it would make things harder for Edwin and decided against it. Likewise, whenever he started to get agitated over how long things were taking, or the distance between them -despite that he could, theoretically, close it himself- his fingers found the cord at his neck, either fingertips against his nape or thumb at the hollow of his throat, letting the presence of it -the reminder that Edwin did want to keep him nearby- calm him again.

He was as polite and as charming as ever while the delegation from the Coven was there to go over the rules, though Edwin would likely be able to tell just how forced that brightness was, even despite there being no reason for him to be otherwise.

Charles had hovered close as they left, and his brow creased a little at Edwin's request, "Sooner the better, yeah?" A little shake of his head followed, "Shame we couldn't just get your sanctioned, though. Already used to it and all."