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

[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."

[uptightboy]

"Quite," Edwin muttered, reading through the lines of the spell. But it was mostly so he didn't need to look at Charles. It was awkward, and he wished he could talk to anyone about it. But he supposed the only one was Charles. They had learned their lesson about talking to each other but apparently it wasn't always easy. Edwin was afraid and he was also afraid what Charles was going to tell him if he asked. So many things had changed and Edwin didn't feel like he could keep up.

But seeing Charles suffer was something Edwin never wanted. He looked at the boy a bit annoyed at this remark about the string.

"Don't be ridiculous Charles," Edwin huffed. "It is only a string, it isn't to bind a creature from Hell." He pursed his lips for a second. A 'creature from Hell'? That was Charles now...? Edwin was tempted to just go through the spell. Just bind Charles as the coven required. But that wasn't them, was it? Edwin closed his eyes. "It also must feel quite humiliating, being bound."

[just_aces]

Charles flinched at being referred to as 'a creature from Hell', it was one thing hearing it from others, but quite another coming from Edwin, especially after Edwin's insistence during and leading up to the trial that he was more than that, and the protest of 'I'm still me' died on his tongue before he could actually voice it as Edwin continued.

That was what gave him pause, brow furrowing, blinking slowly as realization finally set in realizing dimly that he'd gone still and staring for probably a beat or two too long he shook himself, "Right, so, apparently Crystal's right again and we really do need to learn to use our words, and I should've just done what I always do and bulled through the awkward patch because I thought you just... I dunno, needed more time to wrap your brain around the facts, line things up like you always do."

He shook his head to get himself back on track and answer the crux of Edwin's statement, "But no it's not humiliating, because it's yours and that's not what you meant it to be." He inched closer to the desk, still half-afraid that Edwin would move away again, but forging on ahead anyway, "The past few days when we weren't talking? It's been a reminder that you do want me to stay, it's kept me from doing anything monumentally stupid just because it's there, not because it's keeping me here." He wasn't sure he was making sense, but he was hoping Edwin would be able to figure it out as he usually managed to when Charles was speaking in fragments.

[uptightboy]

"What...?" Charles suddenly talking about Crystal was not something Edwin had expected. But he frowned as the boy continued. He parted his lips to complain though he wasn't entirely sure about what. It was just a muscle reaction to Charles's arguments, truly. But he was glad he couldn't start on some rant or lecture because Charles was faster answering his doubts.

His glance flickered to the string around Charles's neck for a second. To the permanent binding he did.

'it's yours and that's not what you meant it to be,' Charles said and Edwin was struck with so many things: relief most of them. Yes, that was right. He wanted Charles to stay, and he wanted to stay with Charles. The binding couldn't be helped, just as much as their ghost natures couldn't be helped. In Edwin's way of thinking, it was just a part of Charles. Just like Edwin. That bond was his proof that he belonged to Edwin. And it was proof to Edwin that Charles belonged to him. It was not to shackle and enslave him and Charles knew that, and that made Edwin so, so relieved.

"Charles," Edwin whispered, the parchment in his hand trembling as he stood from his chair. "I... I do apologize, I... thought," he swallowed nervously. "I was afraid, I admit, it is quite taxing to get used to your true nature. I do suppose I still hold some resentment towards Hell and its habitants." He took a stuttering breath, his voice going softer as he continued. "But never towards you. Alas, I believe my fears got the best of me and making me think that..." his eyes went to the string again. His fears made him such a coward. Being afraid that Charles was a shackled monster? Goodness, Edwin had never felt worse in his afterlife. "I apologize."

[just_aces]

He did circle the desk then, instead of leaving it between them and leaning across it, though that had been his first instinct, closely followed by simply walking through it, but he wanted, needed to make sure that Edwin saw him coming, catching lightly at his partner's elbow, drawing Edwin in and giving a little shake of his head, "Not necessary." Another little shake of his head, rattling his own thoughts back into place, "Accepted, obviously, but not needed. I could've closed the gap at any time, too. Could've said something. Should have."

A small smile slid into place then, hand sliding down Edwin's arm to curl into Edwin's, lacing their fingers, "But we're putting that aside, for now. We can talk about it later if we need to." A gentle squeeze of Edwin's hand, "If I need to spend more time in the other shape to give you a chance to get used to it, I will. I hadn't because I just..." He shook his head, "I thought it would make things worse? So I didn't, and didn't say that's what I was doing, either."

A decisive nod, using his free hand to slide the parchment over to where it could be seen again, "So, let's get this done all official-like, and we can get back to doing what we do best."

[uptightboy]

The touch on his elbow, and then on his hand is the sign for Edwin that once again he was thinking too much. He let his silly thoughts carry him to dark depths he should have known are filled with false fears. He squeezed Charles's hand back, a small smile spreading on his lips. He let himself enjoy this a little. Even if they were together, he missed Charles. He missed him so much...

They both should have said something; with how eager Edwin was to point things out to people, even with Charles, some things still came difficult for him. Especially when he thought Charles would leave him. But as the boy told him that he wanted to be there with him, he wanted to be bound, he wanted to stay. And Edwin didn't want anything more in his afterlife.

"Indeed, let us address it when we are both in a better state of mind, I suppose," Edwin agrees, looking over to the spell. He rubs his thumb over Charles's hand, feeling the flutter in his heart that had nothing to do with fear. "I believe returning to our old routine shall prove productive," he remarked, reading the spell again, now with more intent. And huh, funny Charles mentioned his other form...

"Charles, you will have to practice your newly acquired skill because I need to bind you in your true form," Edwin said.