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 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.

[uptightboy]

"That book, exactly," Edwin nodded as he walked across the office, to the door. The ward was hanging on the doorframe, facing the inside of the room. Edwin remembered when they hastily put it up the very first time after some poltergeist believed it could still return to this abandoned place. Ever since then it served them good.

"I was thinking lining the walls with its protection," Edwin answered as he took the small bundle and opened it, to look inside. The ingredients were starting to turn into ash but they still looked intact. Edwin felt the warmth as the spell was still pretty much working. "Meaning, nothing should be able to come through the walls and window either," he added. Of course that still didn't protect from mirror invaders but apparently now they could find a charm that may work on mirrors too.

[just_aces]

He grinned outright at the fact that he'd gotten it right, and it was only a moment before he snatched the book off the shelf crossing back over to the desk, "Into the walls is probably a good idea, more of a..." He hummed, considering, head tilting from side to side for a moment, "Barricade, I guess, than just a vault door."

He mulled that over for a moment before adding, "Or would it be better to do one for the door and one for the window so they can each cover half the office?" That way they wouldn't have to overtax one and potentially need to replace it sooner, though it would mean going through the construction twice at the moment instead of once.

[uptightboy]

"A barricade, precisely," Edwin agreed. Though as he stood there by the door, looking at the opened talisman in his hand he fell silent. It was indeed logical to do one for the window too, rather than expand the one on the door. "Then, I advise we shall let this one run its course, and create a new one for the window." Edwin decided and bundled the ingredients back up again, letting them hang by the door. "Bring me a piece of string and cut a piece from the sheets for a new talisman, Charles, please," he requested and put the ingredients down the desk again. Then he reached for the book, flipping it through it for the spell.

[just_aces]

There was another small smile at that agreement, he was two for two in getting things right and that was enough to have warmth budding in his chest again and he nodded at the request, snagging the scissors from the pen cup on the desk before moving to get both string and a strip of sheeting from the supplies in the cabinet -those particular items covered magic, alchemical and general, so they were where there was the most space- humming to himself as he emerged, coiling both sheet and string in a careful, loose loop, setting them both on the desk and returning the scissors to their place.

He stretched his fingers then, "You want I should just stay out of the way like usual? Let you know if I feel anything different?"

[uptightboy]

With a quiet 'thank you' Edwin took the piece of sheeting in his hand reading through the spell. It wasn't like he hadn't done this a few times before but this is the first time with Charles's powers out in the open and their new bond. He wanted this to be perfect.

Before this Edwin didn't exactly mind if his spells weren't perfect as long as they worked. He taught himself magic on necessity and not because he wanted to be a witch or a wizard. It was for protection. But now he had someone depending on him who was sensitive to magic... it had to be perfect. For the first time Edwin was quite jealous of those young witches in the coven, receiving guidance for their magic.

"Yes, let us proceed as usual and see how it works," Edwin nodded, sending a look at Charles. "I will start in then, and let me know whatever is different," he warned. He was slow repeating the words of the spell and even slower putting the little bundle together. He felt the magic work through his fingers, trying to find leverage in his flesh but there was none. Edwin expected this, as always, and tried to stir it without losing much energy. It didn't feel all that different from the previous times he had done this.

[just_aces]

"Yeah, easy." He took a half step away from the desk, lurking just in line of sight as he usually did, not that he'd had to yank Edwin away from magic that was starting to warp probably since the first few attempts at it, but he was still always prepared to just in case.

He chewed briefly at the inside of his cheek as he felt whatever thread of power it was in him that was now tied to Edwin wanting to press forward and assist, but he was able to keep a damper on it for the time being, to keep it right where it was, and likewise he had enough sense to know that he definitely wouldn't have been able to hold it back if he was in hound form, and that was something they'd have to work out later.

Likewise he wasn't sure how long he could hold it back, or if it would be harder to do so with something that took more power than a simple warding charm that Edwin had performed a number of times at that point and had practice at.

[uptightboy]

Edwin felt the magic seeking flesh even more, as if it knew it could have more power nearby. As usual he tried to stir it, as if trying to guide smoke or water, just like he did way before they had to bond with Charles. It took him practice but by this time he was able to do it without the magic escaping or going rouge. But Edwin did feel the pull being stronger, so he needed to concentrate more.

He wasn't usually tired or lightheaded at the end of such a simple charm but this time, by the time the little bundle got hooked on the window knob, he felt his shoulders a little heavy. But he figured it could he because of the nerves too.

"There, that should do it," Edwin muttered, mostly to himself as he reached out and put the flat of his palm on the window to feel the energy he just created. It was strong, sealing the window from unwanted visitors. "I believe that was a success. How about you, Charles, do you feel anything?"

[just_aces]

He moved closer as Edwin went to hang the charm, but didn't touch just yet when he returned, remembering how easily his system had just poured energy into Edwin before. Which was probably because he'd still been in the other shape and had wanted to help.

Granted, he still wanted to now, because he knew he could and because he hated seeing Edwin looking even a little peaky.

He nodded at the question, "I did, I could tell that..." A little head-shake because he didn't really have words for it, "Whatever it is that's got all the energy, was trying to reach out, I guess? Best way to explain it, but I could keep it from doing so." Another little gnaw at the inside of his cheek, making a considering noise, "But don't know if it's something I'd be able to keep hold of, like if you were using more power or even just keeping at a low level but for a long time?" A little head-shake, "And definitely wouldn't be able to do it in the other shape, but I think we already knew that one."

[uptightboy]

Edwin's attention was on Charles, intense and seeking. He wanted to see if Charles was downplaying what he'd felt or not.

"I see," he nodded, his gaze dropping on Charles's collar, not because he was distracted, but more like as he was thinking. "I did feel it being harder to wield but nothing I cannot manage. I suppose we must work up to stronger spells at this rate." A pause. "Until we aren't confident in using magic, I shall not use spells while you are in your true form."

[just_aces]

He nodded, "Probably for the best." His nose wrinkled a moment later, "Hate taking out your two best defenses at once, though." Apparently Charles already considered the Hound-form a better defense than himself, which was probably true, at least in some areas, but wasn't going to be a be-all/end-all for every situation.

He shrugged, dropping to perch on the desk again as he usually did, the urgency of the power trying to bridge the gap between them had subsided, at least for the time being, "But practice is probably our best chance for now, yeah. get you back up to what you're used to, be like working out a muscle after an injury, yeah? Have to bring it back up to regular strength."

[uptightboy]

"Hmm?" Edwin frowned, looking up at Charles again. But after the initial remark, he continued with something else related. Edwin pursed his lips as he listened, nodding. "Yes," he said a little preoccupied.

Then, Edwin slowly turned away from the window to face Charles properly.

"Charles," he started in his lecture voice. "For the past thirty years I had you, and you alone, and I have never felt safer," he assured, stepping closer. "It shall be alright as long as you and your cricket bat are there for us in dangerous situations. Magic has always been an afterthought after all."

[just_aces]

Oh that response was enough to have the warmth in his chest from having gotten two things right already, and in quick succession, just grow further, he wasn't blushing, not that he could tell, but felt like he should be.

Mostly it was because that simple statement 'I have never felt safer', in Edwin's usual matter-of-fact tone, that assuaged a fear he didn't realize he'd still been holding onto and he almost didn't hear the rest of what Edwin said over the rushing in his ears, barely managing not to surge forward off the edge of the desk, mostly thanks to the fact that he'd only just sat down again.

What he managed, trying for playful and sort-of managing it except that the earnestness was there as well, not about to be pushed down completely, "Pretty sure that's the nicest thing you've ever said about me."

[uptightboy]

"Goodness me, I must be losing my wits. Do not tell anyone," Edwin remarked with a playful raise of his eyebrow. The earnestness wasn't lost on him, however. He sent a small smile at Charles before hesitantly continuing. "That said, Charles, if you feel bad about my initial fear about the hound... Please cease it. It has nothing to do with you. It is... different."

During all this misery, while they were figuring Charles out, Edwin had never lost faith in him. His fears were not about if Charles was able to or willing to protect him. It was more about being in close proximity to something from Hell. Those fears were apparently still all deeply rooted in Edwin's very being to shake them off too easily.

[just_aces]

His smile tilted at that, recognizing the tease for what it was, "Yeah, well, nobody's going to hear it from me, got to protect you after all."

He did let the rest sink in, or at least did his best to, nodding even as he reached over to nudge his fingers against Edwin's elbow, not drawing him close just yet, partly to make sure his energy wasn't going to surge in to refill Edwin's just via the contact, but also to make sure Edwin actually wanted to move closer, "Nah, s'alright."

It was alright, now that they'd settled things a little better, "Like, look, we spent all this time avoiding anything to do with Hell, when we could, and then all of a sudden there's a real big piece of it right in the office. Fact of it being so close was more important than fact of it being me, yeah?" It wasn't self-deprecation, for once, it was his skill at reading Edwin leaving him to make an educated guess.

[uptightboy]

"Precisely," Edwin nodded, looking away for a moment. Being read so easily by Charles sometimes was a blessing but other times it was slightly unnerving. He knew there was nothing shameful in his fears, he was just embarrassed because it involved Charles in such a cruel way. He did step closer, to seek comfort but did not reach out to touch just yet. "I truly did not expect to have such intense emotions about it. I am... I'm glad you understand."

There will be other things in their future to get used to with practice, apparently. But it was fine. As long as they were together doing it. The thought made Edwin smile a little and brush his fingers against Charles in reassurance. This boy protected him in many ways, and Edwin was sure he would continue to do so. Until eternity.

[just_aces]

His hand curled more closely against Edwin's elbow, almost cradling it as Edwin closed the space between them himself, and he could still feel the prickle of his own energy wanting to reach out to replenish what felt like a deficit in Edwin's, but it was something he could still hold back on, more easily now than the first time, which he was just going to chalk up to Edwin's energy rebuilding on its own.

He nodded at the explanation, because it did make sense, and would have made sense before if he'd taken even a minute to think about it, it was just that he'd been too wrapped up in his own bruised feelings about it to do so before, "Glad we got it sorted, though." He would have persevered, for Edwin's sake, but it wouldn't have been easy.

[uptightboy]

After a few seconds, Edwin tentatively reached for Charles's arm, the one that was reaching for him. It was reassuring they could still talk about things, that they could also touch, despite the fact that Edwin was still learning that way of connection. It was also amazing how they could still encounter and learn new things after thirty years of being together.

"Yes," Edwin smiled again, in a way he only did with Charles. "I'm glad too."

[just_aces]

Things had settled, they had their twice-monthly meetings with the Coven to make sure Charles was still under control and Edwin wasn't doing anything he shouldn't, but also giving Edwin a chance to learn better control of his magic, or uses for simple spells that neither he nor Charles would have originally thought of.

But, perhaps most importantly, they were permitted to resume their regular business, along with the cases from the Lost and Found department, of which there were a steady number, but nothing overwhelming. In fact, more than Charles -as the Hound- followed a difficult case back to the office to keep them calm until their pickup could be arranged.

He still wasn't sure why kids, especially the younger ones, decided that the overlarge black beast with the glowing-ember eyes was a friend even if they hadn't met Charles as himself first. But he also wasn't going to argue it, either, not if it helped get things finished without trouble.

The current case was one of their own, and it was one that had been fairly straightforward: determine what had taken up residence in a family mausoleum and get rid of it if they were able.
Unfortunately they hadn't been able to figure out what it was before it got violent, only multiple instances of what it wasn't. It wasn't a banshee or any kind of imp, it wasn't a grim or to their knowledge any other kind of ghost or even a poltergeist.

It was probably some kind of guardian spirit, but if it was one for the family in question it had gotten twisted somehow, but it might have been seeking vengeance on behalf of another family and they didn't have that information and nor did their client who had only recently married into the family in question.

Regardless, Edwin had been trying for the past half hour to either contain or return it to wherever it had come from, but it had lunged all teeth and claws and with a snap of: "Hurry up Edwin!" Charles had done what he always did, he'd thrown himself between Edwin and danger, shifting smoothly into the hound shape he preferred, roughly the size of a Great Dane, leanly muscled, fur short and sleek so as better to emphasize Edwin's bonds -not that that last one was a conscious decision- and had pounced the thing mid-leap, sending it sprawling, but it had drawn the thing's attention to him instead, which was the intention.

He wasn't sure what spell Edwin finally managed, all he knew was that it had been enough to blast the thing to smoking tatters, and at the same time enough to yank energy out of Charles in a way he had only experienced a handful of times while still bound to the Duchess. It was enough to not just leave his ears ringing as if he'd just been near ground zero of an explosion -though he kind of had- but enough to have him collapsing, feeling like everything in him had been pulled through a keyhole to fill a void that wasn't quite the right shape to contain it.

It was sudden enough that he didn't fully realize he was flickering between shapes where he was sprawled on the floor, likewise barely aware that his whole left side was covered in a low-level burn, like a sunburn, or that his face and head had prickled over with blisters or pinprick bites -where they would have been from the nails in the Duchess' muzzle- or even that a thick band of remembered iron-burn had bloomed into place around his neck, wrists and even ankles.

When he did finally settle from the flickering, it was in the hound shape, the smaller one that he favored for running errands, sides heaving as he tried to stabilize himself again, so he could at least try to figure out what had just happened.

[uptightboy]

Change was never something Edwin liked or easily welcomed. He truly had to be dragged through this screaming and grumbling. The only reason it was maybe slightly easier on him was, with the coven keeping them on a short leash, that he also had access to all their resources. Though, Edwin did apply to turn their meetings into on-demand because truly, he knew if they did anything wrong the coven would find them, and the other way around too. He also hated some of the witches they had to share these meetings with.

Dealing with Charles's new nature was more on his mind. His fear was still present, especially when Charles shifted during difficult chases or when he deemed it a better way to deal with a violent spirit. But it was getting better. It also helped that many children, if not all, were drawn to Charles like a moth to a flame. Edwin did understand because the boy was pretty charismatic and apparently that also transferred when he was an actual puppy. Kids also loved dogs, even ones from Hell. So when Edwin watched Charles distract those kids, even making them stop crying, he could barely believe that he belonged to Hell. No, he belonged to him.

They tried to work through spells and magic with Charles. And it was difficult, yes, but Edwin did feel he was getting better at it. So, when they were going into the family mausoleum case, he stocked up on spells. Even if he truly did not expect it to turn so violent.

Spirits that were bound to places where a family was laid to rest, especially mausoleums, were strong. The emotion that made them stick around, either revenge, love, hate, or all, always worked their spirit so intensely that even its shape twisted, leaving one to wonder if it ever belonged to a person. Edwin failed to identify it thus, none of the banishing spells worked, or even the ones that were supposed to bind a damn spirit. Edwin started to suspect there was some item or creature around that contaminated it and made it immune to everything he tried... But it was getting angrier. Edwin stumbled back when the spirit launched at him, thankfully being stopped by Charles.

Edwin barely noted that this time it was the hound that was fighting with the thing, as he was going through spells in his head, trying to see what this thing cannot dodge. Well, there was always banishing magic, not entirely unlike sacrificial magic. Edwin barely let himself think it through because something told him that yes, yes he could pull it off. He can put this spirit to rest, wherever it may be. He started saying the words before he even went through them, and felt the pull of power. The magic he called upon was thick and angry and hungry and Edwin had everything it wanted. And oh, it was thrilling. It was a powerful spell, a spell only a living could have used. But this time, Edwin could too. Only when he said the last words of the spell did he realize it wasn't about banishing but to destroy. To take and not give back. As if time slowed down, Edwin watched as the magic shot out from his hand, and only then he also felt from where all that power was coming from. He watched the spirit being destroyed as the spell worked, but soon his attention was on something else.

"Charles!" Edwin gasped, watching the hound collapse and flicker. Was he caught up in the spell? Was it too wild? Edwin moved but as he did his body collapsed as if he was just a puppet. It took him a few seconds to get back on his trembling feet, just like the times he was running from monsters, and hurried to Charles's side, horrified at the sight. "Charles, what-" he started but as he put his hand on him he immediately knew what happened. Because it was still happening. Edwin was empty and he took from Charles, he took a lot, and he was still taking. "No, no, wait, I can stop it, I will stop it," Edwin swore, pulling his hands back, even if it was the last thing he wanted to do. "Hang on, Charles, I can stop it..."

[just_aces]

Having Edwin close was better, sort of, it was enough to have Charles' edges solidifying once more, though those old injuries were still very much in evidence, and Charles tried to roll to his feet at Edwin's obvious distress, because they'd gotten rid of the spirit or ghoul or whatever it was, and that meant it was over, and that meant they could go home and he could collapse somewhere comfortable.

Though he just managed to kick his feet ineffectually, finally managing to heave himself over onto his belly instead of sprawled on his side, but even that had his breathing going unsteady again, whining faintly and pressing his head up under Edwin's outstretched hands, and while he felt the tingle of energy passing between them, it didn't feel like it was being pulled away from him anymore, it was just there like a closed circuit. There was a blown fuse somewhere -metaphorically speaking- but Charles couldn't pinpoint just where, or that it was his own.

He did finally seem to realize that his eyes were closed, blinking slowly up at Edwin, ears swiveling forward finally, full attention on his partner, waiting for a command.