Hellhound AU

[just_aces]

Sometime round about 1900, a witch summoned a hellhound as a familiar.

He didn't mind it, hellhounds are loyal after all, and if some of her spells left him tired and drained, well, that was what he was there for, to keep her from using too much of her own energy for things. That and to eat the souls of her victims, sometimes.

But then, in the early 1970s, she ran afoul of a much stronger coven.

She was quite quickly banished to hell, but the hellhound couldn't be allowed to go with her, because, well, hellhounds are loyal and she was powerful and would have been able to use him to escape.

So the hellhound was made human, figuring that sixty, seventy, even eighty years if he was lucky would be enough time for the witch to have been consumed, so that even when the human-that-had-been-a-hellhound died, and Death herself realized that he was definitely not where, or what, he was supposed to be, she'd send him back.

But then one Charles Rowland kind of fucked up that whole plan by dying young and immediately running away from Death herself.

So the ghost-who-was-the-boy-who-was-the-hellhound has no idea what he was, or still is, under it all.

But, after a trip through hell to save his best friend (Hellhounds are loyal, after all) and time spent in a familiar position -though not a familiar kitchen- after that has been enough to knock a few things loose...

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[just_aces]

He blinked twice at that revelation, mostly because it rang true with what was buzzing against the edges of his mind from Edwin's thoughts -and that facet of their connection was going to take some getting used to- but his smile just spread, slowly as ever and twice as bright, "Edwin. Did you forget I'm here because I want to be? You can look if you want to, it don't make me uncomfortable at all."

He shrugged then, circling around to perch in his usual spot, though not moving to close the additional distance created by Edwin's leaning back in his chair just yet, "Look..." His brow creased a little, struggling to sort the words into the right order, because initial teasing aside, this was too important to mis-speak about, "It's alright if you like how they look. I like how they look, and I like knowing they're yours. You're allowed to like that part, too."

[uptightboy]

It was reassuring to hear Charles's words about it. About what he felt and what he was thinking. Maybe because of the confession Edwin was just a bit more on edge about these things. His lips tightened as he was listening to Charles but the knot in his chest loosened just a little.

"I..." he started, letting his gaze roam the collar again. "I do like it, yes. That it is m-mine." He cannot flat out say 'I like it that you are mine', that would just push it. He would decease on the spot. "And now everyone can see it," he added straightening his back. "I suppose it would take time to get used to all that has happened."

He then dares to reach out to run a finger over one of Charles's bangles. And he can actually feel them. The metal was warm, for some reason, either because of magic or because it was on Charles's body. Edwin found it a nice sensation.

"Do tell me if they ever get heavy," Edwin whispered a little distracted.

[just_aces]

Charles was grinning outright at that point, the little half-caught stammer delighted him in a way he couldn't explain, and maybe it was just the difference of Edwin still not being eager to control or own him but just to keep him the same as he'd always done.

He nodded at the way Edwin's fingers trailed over the bangles, turning his own hand over to catch at Edwin's hand lightly, tone serious enough as he replied, "I will." He didn't say that he doubted they would, mostly because he was fairly sure Edwin could feel as much the same as he could feel Edwin's nervousness and resolve against the edges of his own mind.

He made a thoughtful noise then, "Though, if we're going to get you used to looking, I suppose I should give you something to look at, yeah?" There was something warm and teasing in the tone as he lifted both hands, fingers running lightly along that thumb-thick band of mail at his throat, brow creasing as he concentrated, shifting the bulk of the bonds again, letting the collar unfold into something that was more of a gorget, some combination of finely-linked chainmail and edged with something more like scales, and despite the fact that the edge of it was well below his collarbone, the pendant with Edwin's family crest -and he would be amused to know that's what it was- still hung in the space at the hollow of his throat.

It also left him with two bangles on one arm and three on the other, the ones with the chimes, just because it amused him to do so, and the fact that he hadn't bothered manifesting his usual shirt again after his earlier transformation, only the singlet, meant that the whole works was, as intended, quite visible.

[uptightboy]

Edwin let himself to smile, squeezing Charles's hand fondly. He loved this little beast so much, he thought. Though he was alarmed when Charles seemingly had an idea. Edwin had a bad feeling about it...

He watched as the transformation happened, his eyes widening. If he thought about Charles as a knight before now it was even more so. How could he even get more regal and pretty? This was an overkill and Edwin was so flustered it annoyed him.

"Now you are just showing off, goodness," Edwin, rubbing his eyes. He was glad ghosts couldn't blush but he could feel the burn on his cheeks and ears. What a menace... And the worst thing was, others must have thought the same thing; Charles was aces with people, he was popular. And now when he would go and flaunt his perfect self at living girls, there was going to be a beautiful pendant of ownership around his neck.

[just_aces]

"Yeah," he replied easily, grin right back in place, "I am. You going to try and tell me you don't like it?" He would absolutely tone it down if Edwin didn't like it, but as the idea was to get him used to the fact that he was allowed to look, and not just to look, but to enjoy, Charles didn't think he actually disliked the look, it was just that it was going to be distracting.

Which was also kind of the point as far as Charles was concerned.

He straightened then, giving a little roll of his shoulders, "So, we've still got another day before back to business as usual, yeah? What kind of preparations should we be doing today?"

[uptightboy]

"Oh dear, Charles, you know well it is quite a sight and I shall not deny it further," Edwin pouted. Enjoy was truly a weak word for what he was feeling. The more it sank in what they did, the more he felt some kind of pride about it too. That Charles was his; not it the way of he could 'tame a beast' but in a 'Charles Rowland was standing by him and him only'. This truly wasn't helping about his feelings for the boy at all.

"Yes, let us see about work then," Edwin was quite happy to jump back into their routine. Even if he had a feeling it wasn't going to be the same. "We shall see our supplies, if we need anything. I admit I wasn't paying much attention to our stocks lately. I also believe we need to visit Mr. Newt to thank for his services. Also, I suppose this is as good time as any to go through some cold cases, as I have acquired invaluable knowledge from the coven, we may find new clues," Edwin listed, finally trusting his knees enough to get up from his chair. Work could always calm him down and he was absolutely looking forward to it.

[just_aces]

"Cold-storage cold?" He asked, jerking a thumb towards the bookshelves where the fully dead-end cases were kept, still accessible, but out of the way, "Or just bottom shelf cold?" He cocked his head towards the shelf that contained the ledgers of the past year and change's completed case files, but also had the more-recent cold case ledger as well. It was a movement that caused the scale edge of the collar to click softly, not quite the jingling of the bangles, but still soft and nearly musical all the same.

He slid from his perch, just bouncing once -because he could- as he landed, "Because I can handle the inventory, that'll keep me busy for at least an hour, and if you've got fresh eyes on cold cases, I can still answer questions while I do that."

[uptightboy]

"Cold-storage cold," Edwin repeated in a low voice. That box was the bane of his existence. Cases that eluded him were the most annoying things; so much so that Charles physically had to take the files from him and lock them up in an iron box to stop Edwin's stress about it. But the soft clicking of Charles's collar made him look at him again. Perfect, so it also gave a sound. Edwin couldn't wait to lose himself in cases a little. Not that because he didn't enjoy Charles's new upgrade but it was overwhelming.

With that he closed the books on his desk, and slipped the parchment of the binding spell into one of the drawers. He will sort it to its proper place later.

"Alright, do start with the inventory, I will take the files." He knew where the key for the box was after all, it was only taken from him when he was overly agitated.

[just_aces]

He clicked his tongue against the edge of his teeth as he leaned over to snag the memo pad from its file bin on the desk, "Got it." He replied even as he went rummaging through the cup next to it for his favorite pen, grinning when he caught hold of it, "Be back in a tick with the box."

It was the equivalent of an ammunition box, with a tea towel knotted around the handle so that it could be moved without actually injuring either of them, as the box being iron wasn't meant as an actual deterrent, just something to make them think twice before opening it, and it had worked so far.

Charles slipped off -still jingling faintly- to the other side of the office, sticking the memo pad in his back pocket and clipping the pin to his bracer strap where he could pop it off again as needed, careful in pulling the file box from its place, setting it gingerly on the desk, "Mind your fingers."

Box delivered he swung the games cupboard door open, wedging it easily once he had, "I'll work anti-clockwise from here." There weren't many places where supplies were stashed in the office, and starting in the cupboard would take care of the bulk of it.

[uptightboy]

"Thank you," Edwin nodded, taking the key from one of the hidden compartments of the desk, and carefully opened the box. Even if he would burn himself on the box, it didn't matter, but he learned to take care of himself because of Charles mostly. He got more upset about Edwin burning himself than the boy himself.

Placing the files on the desk, he picked one up, and opened his notebook too. Edwin started to work. He basically knew these cases by heart by now and he tried to solve them almost obsessively.

And even as he was working, he could still hear the jingle from Charles occasionally as he moved around. At first it was slightly annoying. But as time went on Edwin didn't even pay attention to it anymore. It was almost soothing.

[just_aces]

It probably helped the getting-used-to that it wasn't just the new jingling, but also the familiarity of Charles muttering to himself as he counted and made notes, and humming in a decidedly off-key fashion even though it was under his breath, though he did lean back around the open door to check on Edwin every few minutes, whenever he changed categories in his indexing, really, just to make sure he wasn't dangerously absorbed in the work, just the regular level.

Once he'd finished with the cupboard he swung the door closed again, "Mostly good, few things we're close to low on." He commented, "I'll get you the list when I've done the rest."

It was only partway through counting paper supplies on their proper shelf that he turned to ask: "Is floating market this week or next?"

[uptightboy]

Edwin was trying not to get himself worked up about the cases again. Because it was more humiliating to have Charles take them away than him not being able to solve them. Horrible to say that not many of those cases looked any different with the new knowledge he acquired. There was one or two he decided to seek consultation with the coven. The rest... had to go back into the box.

"That is perfect, Charles, thank you," Edwin looked up. Then sighed at the sight. Right, yes, getting used to it... yes. It was a process. But, it just occurred to him that they were back. Together. In their office. Working. A small smile pulled at his lips about it.

"The market is this week," he answered, taking the key of the iron box. "Shall we visit this Sunday? I suppose it is advisable if there is anything we are low on."

[just_aces]

"Yeah," he tapped one of the file boxes on the shelf, "running low on proper vellum, I know we don't use it often but better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Same with the blue ink and uhhh..." He checked over the list from the cabinet, "Oh, glassware, could always use more tincture bottles and test tubes even though we don't go through those too fast, definitely don't want to run out of them."

He gave a shrug, "Besides that, might just be nice to get out for a while, yeah? And if the junk shop's open we'll probably find something in there to add to the collection." Or at the very least to keep Charles busy with taking apart and putting back together later.

[uptightboy]

"Well, with the coven so close to us, it may also be productive to pick up some magic. So magic ingredients are going to be needed around more," Edwin remarks. And he does perk up about the junk shop because while he is not too keen on leaving the office, he liked that shop and collecting unique things. It was almost amusing to watch Charles tinker with them. Except when they explode, or when they accidentally free an angry pixie...

"But to be honest, Charles, I have spent too much time away from the office the past couple of weeks," Edwin remarked. "But I understand you wish to stretch your legs."

Now that Charles's nature was discovered, some things also made more sense. Dogs needed to be walked after all.

[just_aces]

"Yeah, we both have?" He gave a little shrug, "But it wasn't under our own power doing our own errands, yeah? It's different." Another easy smile, "We can make it a quick trip, though, pick up what we need and come right back."

He pointed with his pen towards the next shelf, "And magic ingredients inventory is next, have to keep them separate from the alchemy ingredients." Even though there was some crossover, and for the most part the alchemical ingredients stayed safe in the case until they were actively being used which usually kept them from interacting with any properly stored magical ingredients.

His brow creased a little, "Going to have to get you a proper caster's satchel, aren't we? If you're going to be doing more magic."

[uptightboy]

"Quite, a quick trip shall be it," Edwin nodded. He locked the iron box and pushed it toward Charles, in a silent 'that is enough of these'.

"I suppose an item like that shall be convenient, indeed," Edwin frowned as he was thinking about it. They have seen them being sold in the market, and some shops too. But never truly felt the need to fetch one until know. "There is also the question..." Edwin started. "We are bound now, and, well, your kind is also used to aid magic. There could be... issues with that." Namely that he didn't want to use Charles's powers without the boy agreeing to it.

[just_aces]

Charles nodded at the agreement, finishing up his inventory of the paper goods -and similar- before going to snag the file box and return it to its usual place, though he didn't immediately return to his inventory at Edwin's almost-question.

Though, of course, his concern was from the other side, not so much Edwin drawing off his energy -which he was happy to give- but more the judgement from outside parties that would come whether that was happening or not, which was why his nose wrinkled just a little, "Yeah, coven already thinks you just want me as a battery because that's what I was to someone else even though that's never been the case with us."

He barely managed to refrain from rolling his eyes, "None of their business if I help with a spell or two, is it? Nothing I wasn't already doing anyway." Though his prior help was generally along the lines of measuring ingredients or drawing the spell circles, not actually powering Edwin for it, "Besides, easier for me to help now I know I can, right?"

[uptightboy]

Edwin supposed that being a battery was the only reason someone would try and shackle a Hellhound. He started to suspect that their case was quite unique and thus there will be many eyes on them.

"I truly do not care what others think," Edwin assured . "It is not my concern in this. Only if they would try to interfere," he added, looking away for a moment. "I am more concerned about my own inexperience in this. I shall try not to hurt you but... I suppose I just want to warn you that I need to relearn how to use magic with you by my side. So I won't hurt you."

[just_aces]

For as slow as Charles sometimes was to pick up on things, Edwin's statement about not caring what others thought was enough on its own for him to realize just where Edwin's actual concern lay, and he couldn't help but smile when he confirmed as much, just nodding, "Right, so..." His brow furrowed, considering, lifting one hand to trail his thumb along the lower edge of the collar, which was, he realized something he'd been doing for the past few days when it was still the simple cord, something to help quiet his mind so he could gather his thoughts, only realizing belatedly that at the moment it was probably a distraction he dropped his hand again, hoisting himself up to perch on the side of the desk where he usually did.

"So, I think, when I'm still..." A loose, one-handed gesture at himself, something that did cause the bangles to chime briefly, though he was determined to ignore that at the moment and continue on so as not to let Edwin get distracted and that was definitely something he was going to have to figure out later, "like this, it'll be easier for me to keep myself to myself? Not let you draw any off, or even if I can't, I'll at least be able to say when I feel it, right? So it's just going to take practice, for me to be able to warn you when you're doing it and for you to be able to tell the difference like."

[uptightboy]

Edwin went terribly still once again when Charles was playing with the collar in mid-thought. He wondered if he was truly getting used to it, or if he was getting worse about it. And taken Charles could manipulate the appearance of it made Edwin wonder that he might have to start again with each new design. Perfect.

"Quite," Edwin nodded. "It will take practice, and I wanted to issue a warning about it." Considering now easy it was to draw power just by touch. "It is something we need to mind from here on."

Trust was the base of their relationship, and Edwin trusted Charles with everything he was and everything he had. And if he hurt him because of a spell he could not bear it. Even if it didn't happen before, and it may never happen, but Edwin was always thinking of the worst case scenario.

[just_aces]

He reached over to press a curled knuckle to that drawn spot between Edwin's brows, just a gentle, steady pressure before lifting his hand away, "Nope, none of that. I know that look, that's the 'thinking of how things could go wrong' look. We're not going to do that today, right?" If Edwin wanted to let him know what any of those thoughts were he'd do his best to assuage them, but he also wasn't going to ask outright, because sometimes Edwin just needed to think them and let them go on his own.

He patted Edwin's shoulder then, sliding off the desk and picking up the memo pad again, "Going to go inventory the spell ingredients and then I'll bring the lists back. Maybe we can practice a couple small charms? Re-up the wards on the lintel?" The wards above the door usually worked for keeping anyone that meant harm out, any violent intentions. Of course, they didn't account for things like being followed through the mirror, or the one time a lesser imp had gotten in through the window, and the wards probably didn't need to be recharged yet, but it would be a low-power application of Edwin's skills to give them a better idea if -or how quickly- he was drawing off Charles' energy.

[uptightboy]

Edwin blinked up at Charles as he physically pointed out his stress. His frown may have lightened but his pout stayed. If anyone could read him that was definitely Charles. How could he not fall in love?

"I shall try not to think too much ahead," he agreed with a sigh.

At the mention of the charms his gaze indeed fell on the door in thought.

"That is a brilliant idea, Charles," he agreed. He opened his mouth to say they should maybe change them even, to maybe a stronger one. But in the end he quickly got rid of that thought. It would be better to start with spells that he knew how they feel. Then move on to other ones. "Very well, tell me when you are done. We shall waste no time."

[just_aces]

"Aces." He replied with another easy smile, sliding off his perch, "Won't be a mo." Mostly the magical ingredients tended to be the easiest to inventory because Edwin was meticulous about keeping them properly packaged and labeled.

It really was only a few minutes before he'd returned both with the completed lists and with the supplies they'd need to re-work the entryway wards, setting both on the desk even as he said: "Already knocked these off the inventory." He clicked his tongue against the edge of his teeth, giving an exaggerated wink and tapping a curled knuckle against his own temple, "Thinking ahead. Sometimes I manage it."

[uptightboy]

Edwin let his lips pull into a fond smile. Charles was smart and he still didn't believe it. It was a shame. Though he knew better than to mention it.

He looked over the list first, just a quick look to know what to expect. Then the ingredients they needed. Sandalwood powder, talons of birds of prey and pine resin.

"Perfect, maybe the range could also be extended if we renew it before it expires," Edwin muttered, looking over to the window for a moment. That stupid imp surprised them quite a bit... "Well then?" Edwin scooped up the ingredients and stood up to go to the door where the original ward was placed. "Fetch me the Guide of Magical Talismans and Blood Magic." One of the strangest books they had, even Edwin was amused by it.

[just_aces]

"Right, book." He replied with a wry little twist of his mouth, darting off to the bookshelf, "It's one of the little square ones with the arsenic-green covers, yeah?" He was running a finger along the edge of the shelf to track titles as he scanned them in case he was wrong about the size and the color, "And were you thinking extending into the office or out into the hall?"

Both amused him for different reasons, because the thought of someone with ill intentions being stuck at the top of the stairs, unable to advance to the door that was right there was one thing, but keeping themselves safe if someone who hadn't had ill-intentions to start with suddenly flipped when they were already in the office could only be a good thing, too.