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.]

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I'm sure there are others that would appreciate that.

[And come on dullahan, surely you expected that? He was trying to relax around him which included joking and whatnot. Plus the look on Liam's face was rather priceless.]

I'd be up for learning.

Well, I mean I can definitely be a teacher there.

[Is he flirting? Taking things literally? Who knows, especially not he himself. Still, he punctuates the comment with a grin before reaching out as if to take the reaper's hand.]

C'mon.

I would hope so. Be a shame if you didn't know how to very well.

[There was toss up on if he was teasing about actual riding or something else. A small smirk offered before taking his hand and leading him downstairs.]

I'm an expert, don't worry.

[Casual flirting now. It's a nice break from the events of the afternoon, and he gives the reaper's hand a gentle squeeze for a moment as he's led.

When they reach the bottom of the stairs he goes still for a moment, brows furrowed in intense concentration.]

's not quite by the bar anymore. Little bit of a walk.

I'll be the judge of that.

[Everything is so much more relaxed now that they've moved on from the earlier misgivings. The dullahan was whole, happy and safe. It felt good to see him back to such a carefree demeanor.

Pausing with him, he waits before nodding towards the door.]

Lead the way then?

I mean, I won't disappoint then.

[There's a flash of a smirk, but it's gone in an instant and replaced by a look of concentration as he leads the reaper outside. It's his bike, he has a bond with it, but locating it after everything that'd happened is still a bit of a chore. There's a slight pulse though, and after a minute or so he nods, tugging James along.]

Moved a little. Not too much though.

[Following along, the reaper keeps up the brisk pace that Liam has decided was suitable. He wasn't going to say much when it came to the pauses as it probably wasn't an easy task trying to sort out where the bike was in the mess that was the city at times.]

Alright then.

[He pulls on a pair of shades though, more than ok due to the sun still being present in the sky. He can't exactly make himself disappear all the time. This made things less awkward with people staring too much at his face.]

It...it feels, yeah? Kinda hard to explain.

[It's part of him, after all. How does one explain that?

Thankfully it isn't too far past The Whisp's last location before he's turning into an ally and huffing in annoyance. How it had gotten shoved out of the way he wasn't sure, but certainly his precious bike deserved better.

As he tuts his disapproval, he works on hauling the thing back out to the road. He's careful to do things the hard way, only lugging it by hand and not by mental command so that he draws less attention. He'd meant it when he'd said he didn't want to cause the reaper any undue trouble.

Still-]

So you can do the invisible thing, right?

That's fine. I don't need all of the details.

[Besides he's more than content with simply being out with Liam, continuing to hold his hand and following along without worry about getting a call into work. Thank the gods for days off.

He however drops his hold, watching the dullahan pull out and check over the bike with what seemed like less than satisfactory noises. The reaper was glad that they were able to find it though. The question garners a raised brow from him and his mouth pressing into a thin line.]

I can. Will it be necessary?

[Did he not want to be seen with the reaper any further? That was quite a stab.]

Huh?

[The devilish grin that had been steadily growing suddenly disappears at the sight of James' look, and he shakes his head and raises a hand.]

Nu-uh, not like that. Promise. I got an idea, that's all.

And what exactly is that idea?

[He trusted the dullahan but still that slight worry. Maybe he shouldn't have come along.]

You wanted to learn how to ride.

[He's definitely smirking now, wide and toothy]

Gotta give you the real road experience. I can disappear me n' the bike, just not anyone else.

I know.

[Liam might be smirking and all but he's still doubtful and keeping his expression neutral. Sorry dullahan but this is one broken reaper. He's used to not being wanted.]

Different invisibility though. How are we supposed to see each other?

Don't gotta see. Just gotta feel, yeah? Whole arms on the waist thing so you don't fall off.

[He may still be smirking, but he's trying his best to assuage any fears.]

Main important thing is that none of the mortal see what we're about to do right now.

Sure, whatever you say.

[The effort helps somewhat but the fears are still there. It's apparent when he starts working his energy to feed the simple magic and turns his back to the other man. Soon enough the reaper slipped out of sight, completely invisible.]

Promise it's gonna be okay.

[To prove his point he reaches out a hand in the direction of the vanished reaper.]

'cmon. Trust me.

[He turns his head back towards the dullahan, letting the promise sit in the air. He wants to believe that so much but old mistakes flash in the back of his head, making him hesitant after such talk of being invisible and the difference between their magics.

However he winds up taking up the offered hand and moving in close. It feels like he climbed over a mountain and his chest is tight with anxiety.]

've got you. Promise.

[His talents don't extend into seeing through illusion, so he can only hope that his offered hand is enough and there's a moment of panic before he feels fingers entwine with his own. There's a form close to him soon after, and to emphasize his point he gently kisses the back of the reaper's hand. Or what he hopes is the back of his hand.]

Here, get situated first. I'll go lights out after everything is settled. Not until then, promise.

[And with that he's gently leading James towards the bike, throwing his own leg over to get comfortable then urging the reaper behind him.]

Hands work best around my waist.

[He believes that now but the anxiety continues to cling to him without any show of stopping and it's evident when he squeezes Liam's hand. That and how quiet he's gotten. However there's no hesitation or resistance in following after his lead.

His hand slips out of the dullahan's before he eases behind him and onto the bike with an uneasy glance around. What if this was a bad idea? The reaper wraps his arms around him before pressing his face into his shoulder.

So many what ifs running around in his head.]

I got you.

[To emphasize the words, he reaches down to gently squeeze the reaper's hand for a moment or two. As reticent as he is to break away, he has to however and with another reassuring brush of his fingers over James' he pulls his hand away so that he can get situated. His bike itself was an extension of his will, it'd always been so familiar, but it's the first time he's allowed anyone else to ride. There's something poignant about that, if he thinks too hard. Something almost intimate.

That's for musing on at a later time, though, because there's a rumble of noise as he kicks the ignition and the bike starts to life. Everything nominal of course, it's as much an extension of him as it is a tool anyways, and so it's not difficult to slowly bleed the colour from it, and from himself, until he too is invisible to the mortal eye.]

Remember when I said hang on? Hang on.

[And with that warning, he kicks everything into gear and there's no moment of hesitation before they're screaming out of the ally and into the street. The noise is eradicated to onlookers, thankfully, and the invisibility protects them from any watchful eyes, but that doesn't mean that he's going to play safe beyond that. Fast, dangerous, and reckless. The perfect trifecta.

It means that he's weaving around cars, mortals, obstacles, at a breakneck speed, laughing all the while. Restraint isn't quite a strong suit, unfortunately.]

I know.

[That's all he's able to manage and it's shaky to say the very least. Everything from his training to the fucked up fractures in his mind are telling him to letting go and run away from this. That this wasn't going to be well for him and it was a mistake. However he sticks around regardless.

His glasses thankfully had removed so nothing else was to be worried over. He appreciates the soft touches, wishing for them to be a constant rather than so brief. He trusts the dullahan though.

Then there's the cascade of noise and motion that assaults him. The regret and nerves return with new fury and strength against him. This was a mistake. A serious mistake on his part. He shouldn't have done this. He should have said no. His knuckles turn white as he grips his arms hard around Liam and screws his eyes shut. Should've said no.]

[For a while everything is good, better than good really. His head is returned, there's wind in his face, and his boyfriend's (that's still such a novel word, boyfriend) arms about his waist. Really, he couldn't be happier.

But the longer he thinks about things, the less excellent he realizes things are. The first two are fine, yes, but what he had taken for mere closeness feels far more like a vice grip when he gives it more than half a thought.

They aren't home yet, close but not quite there, but he peals into an empty ally and lays on the breaks nonetheless. When they're finally stopped, he twists in his seat to try to look back at James. Invisibility hampers that, and so he reaches a hand out and fumbles along the reaper's arm until he's able to get a good, steadying grip.]

Hey. Talk to me.

[Everything slows down to a halt but his blood continues to thunder in his ears while his heart races enough that he wouldn't be surprised if it never stops. He doesn't want to open his eyes. There's no sense in holding as tightly anymore yet he doesn't relinquish at all.

Glancing around, he notes that they had stopped in alley. It wasn't home. He had stopped them from reaching the apartment because of his dumb fears and that crushes him.]

I-I'm sorry. I'm fine.

[But he's not. Something dark and lingering reminds him mockingly that he's not. It shows as color slinks back and reveals his shaking form.]

[Not good, not good. Something is definitely wrong, and it's strikingly obvious. Shit, this hadn't been his intention at all, and now he's scrambling to try to make things right.]

Woah, woah. Hey.

[Colour bleeds back into his form, and he keeps his touch soft as he rubs the reaper's arm in as soothing a manner as he can manage.]

No, shit, I'm sorry.

[Being able to be seen as much as seeing the dullahan helps and it shows as his grip starts to lax against him. He latched onto the soft touches to drag himself out of the dark that his anxiety had buried him in. Breathing was starting to get easier.

The reaper leans in with a less pained look to his face. Second chance. He wasn't her. This was safer than that hell. Breathe.]

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. It shouldn't have.... I'm sorry.

[Focus on the feel of the bike and the dullahan. It wasn't the same. Far from it and he soon crumbles against him. Apologies continuing to slip off her tongue. But the big thing is that he breathes and relaxes slowly.]