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

[There's a brief soft laugh before he contently hums at the kiss.]

Barely been dating a month and you already think so? Quite the fast attachment you dullahans have. Never expected that.

Hey, when you've been around as long as I have, you learn to appreciate the good things in life. And you? You're a really good thing. A really, really good thing.

So what you're getting at...is that because you're apparently incredibly old that you're rather willing to be so fond of someone already? Wow. Didn't know that sentiment grew when one becomes old.

But I don't know about being good.

I mean, kinda old. Not like old old.

[But he's laughing through the words, leaning in to kiss the reaper's temple.]

And definitely good.

Oh? Exactly how old are you? And what qualifies as old old apparently?

[He hums contently with the kiss, closing his eyes once more.]

Maybe for you.

I mean, 've been around for a while now. Like...a lot of a while.

[But it's far more important to kiss his reaper again than to try to remember even more.]

That's not exactly an answer. Especially to a reaper.

[However he's silenced by the kiss before anymore quips over his dissatisfaction with the answer could be heard.]

[When he finally breaks the kiss it's with quiet noise of amusement, and he stays close in the aftermath.]

's the truth. I don't uh...I don't quite remember how old.

That's...um ok then. It doesn't matter. Just curious.

[A small shrug offered in the end. Though he can't help the thought that the dullahan was certainly than him. He just didn't know by how much. Probably a lot knowing fae.]

No, like...I promise I'm not tryin' to hide it or anything. I legitimately don't remember. It's...been a while.

[He pauses for a moment.]

...'s that okay?

Nothing wrong with not remembering. I've forgotten things before so I understand. I'm not that shallow to say no because of you being decades or hell centuries older than me. Whichever it is.

You're still stuck with this reaper. So it's fine. Promise.

I mean, who the hell knows, could be either.

[But he's grinning warmly nonetheless]

Think I like the idea of being stuck though.

Doesn't matter either way. Though that's good because I'm pretty comfortable right now. Kind of have an overly affectionate and warm idiot on me.

[A brief kiss before he hums contently.]

Idiot maybe. Definitely not affectionate enough. You deserve all of the affection. Like...all of it.

[He nuzzles into the reaper with a quiet, amused noise.]

You deserve the same. No denying that either. Fair's fair.

[The dullahan deserved much better than what he went through earlier. So maybe his hold around him tightens for a brief second before laxing.]

Rough day. What do you say to catching some rest?

Psh, dunno if I would go that far.

[But he nuzzles softly into the reaper with a quiet, contented, sigh.]

Yeah. Yeah I like that idea lot.

Just because you won't doesn't mean that I won't either. Ok but going to need to let me go for a sec.

[He presses a kiss to his cheek before untangling themselves. Stretching out, he slips out into the hall to take care of the main lights before coming back in to close the curtains. It wasn't late but who knows when either of them would rouse.]

Only a sec.

[But he's teasing, of course, and instead watches with mild interest as the reaper disappears for a handful of moments. When he finally returns, Liam winds an arm about his waist and gently drags him back down onto the bed with a low, unintelligible murmur in a bid to get the man to relax.]

Get s'me sleep. I'll be here when you wake up.

[A low halfhearted huff given in return of the tug but otherwise the reaper comes down willingly, stretching back out along him. He wraps an arm around his shoulders before his hand inches up to hold the back of Liam's neck. The pad of his thumb brushing against the thrum of his heart.]

If you say so.

I do. 's been a long day. A really long day. Get some rest. I'll be here right when you wake up, just remember that.

[Its quite adjustment having another person in the apartment especially one that sticks around regardless of the time. The place became as much a home to the dullahan as it was to him. There was quite a few details that stood out amongst the rest that he paid the most attention to.

One was that the dullahan didn't exactly need to eat or drink so there was no need to order more or get groceries more frequently. Another was coming together and not having to wonder when he would have to leave. Plus there was the whole having a warm and rather affectionate dork eagerly in his bed or on the couch to maximum time together.

However not all of it was good. Especially a certain detail that made him furrow his brow at the man lounging in the living room, watching tv.]

That's the third time I've seen that shirt in the past five days. Do...do you not have others?

Huh?

[It's been a strange time getting used to such a sedentary life; he's never spent much time rooted in one place, and it's an almost novel change of pace.

But now he's caught like a deer in headlights, staring at James and blinking dumbly as he tries to decipher the question. It seems strange to ask in the first place, and it takes a moment for him to find any words.]

I uh. Have a couple.

[Generally changes of clothes weren't high on his list when he was out on the road.]

[That gives him zero confidence that the dullahan was actually being truthful with him. So he shakes his head and heads to the hall to collect his jacket and shoes.]

What size do you wear?

Wh?

[It seems as though the reaper is filled with strange questions today, and it's enough that he moves to switch off the television and make his way out into the hall, trailing behind.]

Everything okay?

[He glances down at the jacket in his hands, avoiding any possible confrontation out of habit.]

I just... You don't have anything to really wear here. So I was going to go pick up some things for you. So it would be better for me to know your size than to have to guess.