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

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?

Look, I mean like-

[Damnit, he's been bested at this point, and he's really trying his best to regain his cool. And failing miserably, of course.]

Like y'know, being considerate don't want you to freeze and all that like-

[He raises a brow at all of that before giving a simple nod and pressing a soft kiss to the dullahan's cheek. Then he's slipping out of his arms in order to put away the trashcan before heading for the fridge.]

Well while you figure that all out, I'm getting a drink. It's my day off anyway.

I-yeah-

[He's been bested, it seems, and he can't help but grin at that fact. Though he may not have come out on top of that little encounter, that's...actually perfectly okay. It's a strange feeling, but a welcome relief after all the turmoil of the day.]

I still owe you coffee.

[Still accidentally stood the guy up, after all.]

[He waves off that notion before popping open a soda and contemplating whether or not he should put the effort in getting a glass. The reaper simply sticking with the bottle for now and returning to his side with a smile.]

Call it a break from paying for all of them. It was only an excuse to spend more time with you anyway.

[That was the more important part. Why he went after his head. He was far more important than some outing.]

[Oh, that's certainly something to hear and it brings another shy grin to his lips as he attempts to search for words. It's a bit more difficult around the reaper sometimes, and this flustered feeling is something that he's decided he actually quite likes.]

Well, I uh, I mean like...I'm always up for spending time no matter what we do. I like being around you.

It's something I wouldn't be against doing more of. You know the whole spending time thing. That was obvious obviously.

[Nice one self. Still he moves enough to grab the dullahan's hand with his free one and gently tugs him over to the stairs. This should go better now that someone has a head.]

Come on. I'll show you around.

Good, 'cause I uh, I'd like to stay around.

[It's a nice feeling, to be wanted, and he follows willingly, giving the hunter's hand a gentle squeeze.]

It'd be a pleasure to have you stay then.

[He nudges open the first door which turns out to be the study, bookshelves full of different stories that spanned the last century and tomes that showed his reaper siding as well. Some war propaganda hung the walls back from the forties as well as other pieces he had collected.]

Not exactly fun but this is the study. If I'm not out and about, this is where I do other work and business.

I-thanks. Like I mean it.

[It's so strange to be welcomed in, and he finds that he likes it. It's nice that James trusts him. It really is.

And the fact that he's being allowed into someone's personal space like this...it's actually a little overwhelming at first, but he reaches out to gently take the reaper's hand as he nods, taking in everything.]

's...'s nice. 's really nice.