sword_breaker | Myth!AU

[There's a slight wind to give signs that colder weather was going to hit the city at some point but otherwise the chill didn't faze many much with the sun pouring down rays without any resistance from white wisps streaking across blue. Another busy work day for most people as they packed the sidewalks in order to accomplish whatever the day asked of them to do, some of them heading off towards lunch break even as the afternoon brought along ease in traffic after the rushing around or rather dead still in the morning commutes that always came like clockwork. The towering skyscrapers piercing above while scattered about were busy shops and apartment complexes ranging to the higher end of the spectrum, fortunate for several residents of them being close to where they worked usually.

However it didn't matter much to the man lying face first towards the blue in an alley, red bursts staining his shirt in an act of fatal defiance against the fabric. He wasn't caring about anything anymore. Pools of crimson have congealing into a sticky mess at his side to keep company with the broken body though it was a waste honestly. A barrier of yellow and black tape announcing the crime scene as if the body and the blood weren't enough already to do so. Officers scurrying about to comb through every little thing in order to scrounge up evidence ranging from fingerprints to shell casings while a medical examiner started jotting down notes as though it were a race.

To be fair, it was a race that was ticking away for all of them but yet he didn't exactly have to put so much effort into finding out the who, why and whatnot of this particular case. Never really showed interest in the exact details of a person's death as it wasn't under his job description nor would he if paid enough, more so content enough with the tasks that were scheduled for him to do. He sends a confirmation of his arrival with a quick text before stowing away the smart phone into his back pocket and assessing the fussing police. No doubt Matthieu was going to blow his phone up with messages after getting the answer but that could be ignored.

Passing underneath the tape, the man eased through the scene with no problems coming from the uniformed others. Though that was the point of having such a decent illusion in order to essentially make him invisible, allowing a much easier time accomplishing his tasks without the stupid questions that would be raised at his presence much less what he would do here. He had the slight frown that could've been considered appropriate for the situation but the claw marks and irrevocably damaged right eye would certainly cause a more sinister thought process to occur. Maybe even be considered as a hit man that had down the crime but to be fair he didn't hunt unless told otherwise and certainly not boring humans such as this idiot. Besides a man decked in a suit stood out in this mess with much help to his disregard of everything save for the dead man who certainly was still brimming with the confused energy of a trapped soul. Definitely need to rectify that.

James crouched down right next to the examiner and fished out a knife before making an incision right at the heart before reaching down to draw out the reluctant soul. The reaper was only doing his job and besides no one was going to see him do his work, not the police nor the surrounding crowd of onlookers.

He was looking forward to the break after this one, sneak away towards his usual haunt; a coffee shop that boasted fantastic blends that were more so a necessity at this rate rather than a mere commodity and plus the perfect spot he claimed by the window in order to watch the world keep moving. The energy from the illusion would be easily restored during that. Then it would be another one in midtown before being able to return back home for the day and unwind. That or check with the bar to make sure a friend or two didn't snoop around more than they should. The former was going to be the most probable though so he shows the other idea to the back of his mind before focusing.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The ride back home is a quiet and somber one because he wasn't exactly looking for a conversation with either Shade or the head in the bag that hadn't much as made a noise since receiving it. Part of him thinks it's an elaborate ruse and it's not actually the dullahan's head. That all of this effort was for nothing.

Still he's heading back to his apartment soon enough and unlocking the front door. Hopefully the body was still--

All he could focus on was the flipped over coffee table to the side of the expansive living room. The glasses that had met an awful demise and shattered across the hardwood. Pillows thrown across the room. Couch going to need repair since someone had made an effort into ripping it open in several places.

Son of a bitch. He should've known but still. All of the bad of the day was starting to really stack up.

However the body is located and quickly stopped from trying to go upstairs. Definitely a disaster that could be prevented. Then it's onto gently tugging him back into the living room before handing over the bag.]

There. Fixed it.

[Now to fix his apartment which he soon busies himself doing.]

[Whatever's been done, he's taken no notice of it, because he's solely focused now: find his head. Find his head, fix the problem, he needs his head.

It's only when there's a hand on his shoulder that he's stopped, and there's a pulse of something and a bag in his hands-

It isn't pretty, isn't graceful, as the plastic is shredded and clawed fingers scrape against the sealing charm still lingering on the head. It's his head though, and though it's momentarily sluggish, his eyes shoot open, dark and bloodshot and frankly as monsterous as ever. There's still no energy directed to the glamour of keeping his normal appearance up, everything is focused on breaking the charm while he gnashes his teeth and nearly vibrates with barely contained rage.

But..wait...wait what, where is he?

Now that he's able to see, it takes a moment or two for things to click, and once he overlooks the mess that he's made,he's at least kowtowed enough to feel ashamed. This is James' place. James' place that he's unintentionally trashed.]

...sorry.

[His voice is hoarse with disuse, and it takes him a moment of coughing to get it working again. By that time he's sufficently embarrassed enough that he's letting the glamour slowly drip back into place.]

[He's had his fair share of running into dullahans so the more monstrous true form that is in his home right now doesn't garner much but rather training that runs deep in his bones. It echoes in his head.

Don't let it get close. Avoid the teeth and nails. Watch out for the whip. Don't be afraid. Don't let it in close. Distant, remain distant.

No. Stop. There was no danger here. That became evident after he had gotten the table straightened and the pillows back into place. The man was yes monstrous but he was also confused and wary despite that show of fury.

Not just a monster. Liam. His second chance.]

It's all good. Part of my job.

[He slips passed him before getting the broom and dustpan out in order to take care of the glass on the floor. The couch would need to be reupholstered or replaced but that can be worried over later.]

[Oh. Yeah. Job. That cuts a little deeper than he'd like to admit, but instead of letting it show he instead focuses on letting the glamour slowly slide back into place. It takes more out of him than he'd have expected, sometimes masquerading as normal was more difficult than other times. But it gives him something else to focus on, beyond the slight stab that he's pointedly ignoring.]

Guess it is, yeah. I uh...I'll fix the mess. Pay for whatever needs to be paid for.

[Fix that first, that's the first step.]

[The whole avoidance thing might be mostly because of what the idiot fae decided to do to the dullahan but he can't help but feel that he wasn't exactly helping the situation either. That what if makes him deflate in on himself. He was trying to make a difference and so far there wasn't any indication of that other than returning the head.]

I...I didn't mean as a reaper. More so as a boyfriend but no I've got it.

[Focus on the cleaning because that was much easier to do in the end. This didn't feel much like he figured it would. However the glass is swept up and soon in the trash.]

The couch can be handled later. I'll need to get an estimate on it. Have it checked out and everything. Tomorrow probably.

I-oh.

[Oh that's certainly not what he'd expected, and there's momentary guilt for having doubted any of the reaper's intentions. The glamour slides back into place a little easier now though, and soon enough he's indistinguishable from any normal human being, head and all. And there's a grin forming, small, slow, and unsure, as he moves over to try to lend a hand. He reaches out, catching James' hand and pressing a soft kiss to the back of it, and there's never been a single point in his life where he's been more sincere.]

Thank you.

[That wasn't the reaction he had been hoping for when he finally corrected everything so he makes a bigger attempt to busy himself with making sure that the rest of the apartment was tidy once more. However he gives pause to the hand and especially at the kiss, trying to figure out what to do here.]

I ugh...you're welcome.

[His fingers lace with Liam's slowly before weighing the pros and cons of his next choice. He winds up pulling him in closer towards him despite every part of his training that screams no and steals a brief kiss. The reaper's free hand going up to protectively hold the back of the dullahan's neck, rubbing gentle circles with his thumb.]

I like it better when you're whole. That or have the choice of being so.

[The kiss is good, and the touch is incredibly unexpected. Such a small thing shouldn't feel so intimate, but given the implications of what had happened just earlier before, there's something profound about it. It's comforting, and shows far more trust than he'd ever put into anyone else.]

Well definitely gotta stay that way then, since you like it.

[He only wanted to show some understanding of the situation and maybe a few protective tendencies decided to kick into gear after the whole incidents but most of them are kept in check. The reaper presses in close and rests his chin on his shoulder.]

You don't have to. I ugh I'm sorry that I wasn't faster. I should've known something was up or could've been quicker.

[There had been a chance of losing this. Something that had the potential to be nice.]

No.

[It isn't harsh, the way he says it, but firm and gentle all in one. One hand strays to wrap around the reaper's shoulders, holding him close as he lets go of some of the tension that's been wound tight since losing his head.]

No, thank you. Like...you didn't have to do that.

[There's a moment where he tenses up at the no, bracing himself for a scolding and how his viewpoint was utterly wrong. How he was an idiot or worse. However he all but melts into the hold when he picks up on the gentleness coming from the dullahan.]

I don't want to lose someone good. At least not like that.

[And that was the complete truth of the matter. Liam was good regardless of what someone labeled him as. He was good and a worthy fight.]

[He can feel the tension, and for a brief moment he has to wonder if what he said was somehow wrong. It shouldn't have been, but then again he's never been the best with people or emotions. But thankfully the reaper relaxes, and he takes that time to lean down and place a chaste kis to the crown of his head.]

Be the first time anyone's called me good.

[A light joke, to help lighten the mood.]

You should hear it more often. Haven't done anything to prove otherwise.

[This was much nicer than he had expected and he wasn't going to complain. The reaper almost curls himself into his hold, giving a small content noise at the kiss. There's a moment of hesitation before he takes a chance at giving him a nuzzle to the side of his neck.]

I ugh...I don't know if you have somewhere to stay but you're more than welcome to stay here. If you don't, that's fine too. Just ugh...yea.

[Wait. Wait. It takes him a moment to process the offer, let alone the compliment, and he merely leans down for a moment to press another kiss to the crown of the reaper's head.]

I-wait-you're serious?

[there's wonder in his voice, a bit of confusion, and general awe. No one offers shelter to his type, this is a new concept.]

[The kiss gets a small pleased noise from him.] Well...yea obviously. I'm not too sure if you had your own place. Plus kind of went through a lot. Not that I'm saying you can't handle it ugh-

[He was kind of floundering here so he sticks to burying his face into the crux of his shoulder. Supporting him was important to the reaper but he didn't want to overstep any boundaries that the guy had. It had been a bit since he had done anything resembling this.]

You can take the bed for the night.

I uh, no. I don't.

[Motel rooms don't count, he figures. Besides, this is something that means the world to him, and he wraps his arm around the reaper with a quiet, content noise.]

I, no, I wouldn't kick you out of your own bed.

Oh. Well offer still stands and all. But ugh...

[This was incredibly nice. Just being held so close and showing that each of them cared for the other. The reaper kept that observation to himself because it was proof that things weren't supposed to be like what they were with her.

He raises his head to place another soft kiss to his neck.]

My apartment, my rules. Besides you're not kicking me out.

[There's another small, content noise at the kiss, and he leans over to gently brush his lips over the reaper's temple. The quiet and the intimacy of everything is nice, definitely something he could get used to.]

What, going to join me then?

[It's only half a joke.]

[Well that certainly was thought. He has to stop himself from stumbling over his words before he's ready to and put actual thought into all of this. However there was nothing wrong with it. Besides if it was anything like this...]

If you'd allow me to, sure.

[Oh, that's certainly an answer he can run with. Not one that he'd expected, but certainly not one that he minds at all.]

Well, I mean it's better than the couch.

At the moment, definitely. Downstairs gets a bit colder at night after all with the city heading into winter. So yea That'd be great.

[He was rambling and should probably stop but he can't get himself to do so. That only encourages to bury his face away and hope for the best. That tends to work out in some fashion.]

I mean, uh. Like I promise this isn't like...pushing way ahead too fast, but if it gets colder I mean...better to share body heat, yeah?

[Smooth Liam, smooth.]

[Good thing his face is hidden away because a surge of heat hits his cheeks at that. However he was more than willing to make an attempt at his own teasing.]

Are you saying things are going to get heated tonight?

[Oop, alright that definitely brings colour to his cheeks, and he flounders a bit.]

I mean, uh, like-

[The tables have turned and he's still got the red on his face but he looks up with a smirk. So much for being the smooth dullahan. However he actually liked when he wasn't all figured out and tripping up, certainly made him cute at times.]

Like what? Thinking of something?