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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[Finally he feels safe enough that his hold loosens around the dullahan and he focuses on steadying his breathing. The tightness in his chest is there but it's faded to a dull ache rather than a constricting force. Everything was slowly clearing up but it still hurts.

Gods that asshole screwed him up good. Why wasn't she satisfied with just his eye?]

Please, Liam.

[It comes out shaky still and he isn't certain if he can manage more than that right now. But saying the name helps. A reminder that things were different and someone else was here.]

've got you.

[It comes without any forethought, because it's the truest thing he's said in a long while. Seeing the reaper so small, so vulnerable, hurts something deep in his chest, and protective instincts normally quelled rush to the surface all at once.

He shifts on the bike, wrapping his arm around James' shoulders with enough pressure to reassure, but still room for the man to pull away if he needed to.]

'm sorry.

[Being pressed in but having that option of escape was nice to have but he's not wanting to pull away. Instead the reaper is too busy melting against the dullahan and burying his face into the crux of his neck. This was much calmer than the rush of noise and sensation that was the bike ride.

He can actually breathe like this and everything starts to settle out. This was ok. Things were going to be alright. He trusts Liam.]

...not your fault. It's ok.

Still sorry.

[And he means that, tracing small soothing patterns along the reaper's back as he holds him.]

We're close enough to walk back, don't have to do that anymore. Promise.

Don't be.

[It was his own damn fault for getting so worked up and overwhelmed because all he can focus on was the overwhelming sensation of being told to disappear. To be boxed in and having to vanish. Why was it that hard to not be able to do that with ease? because she fucked with his head enough to cause panic when someone makes it the only option.

So he keeps his face buried away for now. Shaking his head, he tries to scrounge up some courage.]

No we should finish it. [Because he wants this to be a good thing and not being soured by awful.]

We're only doing it if you're okay with it.

[And that's that. There's no argument to be had, as far as he's concerned.]

'nd there's nothing wrong with not being okay. Promise.

I'm good. Now I am. You're not her.

[He starts to peel himself away from the dullahan though remains close in the end to soak up more of his reassuring presence. Things were no longer stressing. Everything was back to their normal pace as he stares ahead at the building.]

I know but I got it now.

[There are so many questions that he wants to ask, first and primary being 'who is her'? but this is neither the time or the place for such, and in as much he stows that thought away.]

Promise we'll stick to the speed limit for now, okay? And no more disappearing.

No we can go back to what it was like. I got it.

[Sighing softly, the reaper shifts around to better grip Liam's waist again. He takes in a deep breath before trying to sort himself out and then it's onto settling his energy before spreading it out to cover the both of them in invisibility.

It takes a lot more out of him than himself but it got the job done. Even if he felt like he had been kicked in the chest again.]

T-there.

Hey, hey-

[He frowns, leaning back to try to catch a glimpse of the reaper. Of course he can't, it's a good illusion, but that doesn't mean that he doesn't try.]

I mean it, we don't have to.

No it's fine. I haven't had to share invis in a long time.

[A shaky laugh being offered. This time he can see both the dullahan and the bike which is much more reassuring than not being able to see at all. He shifts around and places a guiding hand to his chin to steal a kiss.]

[The unseen touch is strange, but he lets himself be guided forward, grinning into the kiss. He lets it linger, only pulling away after a moment or so; even if he can't see the other, the warmth from his hand and his lips are a good reminder.]

's a pretty impressive little trick.

[The kiss went over rather well and he focuses on wrapping his arms back around Liam's waist. His chin resting on the dullaha's shoulder for now.]

I try. ...Thank you

[Back to business it seems? He's still not entirely sure that things are copacetic, and that worry nags at him.]

I'll take it slower this time, okay? I, uh, forget that people don't normally drive like I do.

Whatever you think is best. Also we aren't normal so it's fine. Really.

[He ducks his head down some to press his forehead to the back of his shoulder. The reaper trusted the man regardless of his call on what to do.]

What I think is best is you bein' comfortable, right?

[There's a moment of kick as he restarts the bike, but he stalls on actually pulling out.]

Doing okay?

I trust you. I'm ok with this. I swear.

[There's a subtle tensing but he soon relaxes against him and sighs. Then a small nod.]

Let's go home please.

I trust you, okay? Anything you don't like, you say so and we stop.

[He does take a less drastically dangerous route though, making sure to curb any reckless riding for the sake of the reaper. When they finally make it back to the apartment, he kills the engine and leans back into the other man to make sure he's still there.]

You okay?

Understood.

[The rest of the ride goes over exponentially better than previously thanks to having settled away that attack and having more control over the situation. He didn't want to ruin the dullahan's fun because of it all though.

So when they get back, he gives a small nod in part to feeling guilty. Maybe he was too messed up for this. All of it really. However he sticks to being quiet and slips off the bike, focusing on bringing them back into view.]

Hey, hey.

[Quiet isn't good, and he's certainly not going to overlook the fact that the reaper has suddenly pulled back into himself again. Shit, he really did screw things up pretty badly before.]

James.

[The name is spoken gently, filled with concern, as he blinks once, twice as the both of them come back into view.]

Talk to me.

[A soft sigh slips out and he turns back towards the man with a grimace. This was going to be a tough one to explain. That and well it wasn't something to be discussed in public really.]

Inside. I promise.

[Turning away, the reaper heads inside of the apartment complex.]

Okay, yeah. Alright. When you're ready.

[Pushing would be the worst thing he could do, as far as he's concerned. James will come to things when he feels ready to, and trying to force anything would just be cruel.

Instead, he's quiet as he follows the reaper up. He remains a constant presence though, near enough to provide comfort and stability but not so close that it could be overwhelming.]

[Once up in the apartment, he steps away for a moment and works on setting up a charm that has seen more than enough usage over the years. It was a simple calming one. Something to take the bite off the nerves after attacks such as the one that happened on the ride back.

A hollow laugh is given as he lets it settle on his arm and watches it vanish slowly.]

Even if she can be a pain, the fae knows her stuff.

[He skirts past the dullahan while rubbing the fading mark. The couch a suitable place to stash himself onto even with all of the damage.]

I...What happened out there wasn't your fault. Not really. Someone else screwed me up and that's the parting gift they gave me...as much as the whole partial blindness too.

[He's uncharacteristically quiet as James works, watching over the reaper with a concerned eye but trusting him to know what was for the best. While there's a flare of worry over the charm, he doesn't speak his mind; he can only trust in James now.

He stashes himself near the couch when the reaper moves, leaning up against one of the damaged arms as he listens. It's not good news, and it's something that twists deep inside his chest in a way that he'd never thought possible. There's anger too, not at the reaper but at whomever was responsible, but he keeps it carefully controlled as he listens. For as much as he's been used to using violence and intimidation to get his way, the person wasn't here and it would accomplish nothing.

Instead, he'd rather be there for James.]

I-I'm sorry.

[It feels weak, but it's hard to come up with words that could even begin to fit.]

I never thought it would actually happen. She was probably one of the sweetest people I met at first and we hit it off. Dating her was as simple as breathing. Then it suddenly wasn't.

[He knows he's rambling and shouldn't be delving into the mess again but gods he had to get it off his chest. Maybe that would get rid of the rest of the suffocating feeling. His throat could stop being raw and constricted.]

I didn't notice it at first. She was a necromancer and had sworn it off from what she said. All of the illegal stuff wasn't going to happen but it kept popping up. We fought. A lot. Then finally I realized how much control she had over me. How she had wormed her way in.

Too late though. She twisted me into a monster to do whatever she wanted. ...took me months to get back to normal looking. She took my eye when I broke free.

[A shaky breath taken in.]

So it's not your fault why I'm so fucked up. The attack just...yea.