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

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.

Wh-

[Oh. Oh that's certainly not something he would have expected, and it gives him a moment's pause as he tries to come up with a proper response. One doesn't come, but that becomes less and less important as he notes how the reaper seems to shrink in a bit when questioned. That's not something he ever wants to see, and he relaxes his line of questioning.]

That's.....that's really....like, you don't have to do that, that's- you're-

[He backtracks a moment to try to compose a proper sentence.]

That's really really nice of you. Like...really nice. Um. I mean, you don't have to. Only if you want to.

If you don't want me to and think it's a waste of my time then fine I won't go out. I read you loud and clear.

[Which means that the reaper turns away to put his jacket back onto its hook before skirting around the dullahan. It was painfully obvious to him that his effort wasn't a desired one and he should brush off the observation he made. He knows best to back off and make himself scarce.

So that's what he's going to try and do. Only bad thing is that his office is upstairs.]

[Wait, wait what's going on now? That's a definite turn, and it doesn't seem to be heading in a way that sounds at all alright. It has him starting from the couch, brows furrowed, and following along behind the reaper.]

Wait, what no!

[There's a frantic lilt to his voice."

No, I mean just-like-no one's ever been that nice! No, I don't think- I'm just-

[He pauses beside the stairs at the sudden shout, glancing back at the dullahan. The franticness causes him to reconsider things as he listens carefully. He looks down in shame from overreacting.]

It's ok. I'm sorry. I really am.

No, I uh. No I'm really sorry, I just haven't had anyone ever like...

[He chances a brush of his hand against the reaper's.]

Like no one's ever asked that.

Trust me when I saw that I know that feeling rather well. It's ok.

[His fingers seek out Liam's after the touch, lacing between them before giving a gentle squeeze.]

[He entwines his fingers with James', looking down at their hands for a moment while he tries to gather his thoughts.]

So uh. If you want, we can. Go do that, I mean.

I want you to be comfortable. That doesn't mean we have to do this even if I want to. You're the one that decides it.

[A soft kiss pressed to his kiss while offering a reassuring hand squeeze.]

It's getting to do stuff with you. Why would I ever not want that?

[And he genuinely means that, the idea is just so unthinkable.]

Just like...that costs money, yeah?

Because you could want to do something else. At least something that isn't clothes shopping. It can still be done.

I've saved for decades. I think I can spoil my boyfriend with clothes without worry.

Wait, wait. What'd you say?

[For a moment he's sure he's misheard, but there's a shy, hopeful grin that turns the corner of his mouth ever so slightly.]

The thing. The boyfriend thing.

Boyfriend, yea. That's what you are.

[To be honest, he was a tad caught off guard at the question because he wasn't sure if he had said something wrong or not. He immediately relaxes though.]

Not going to change anytime soon I hope.

No. No! Definitely not!

[He can't hide how touched he is though, and for a moment he just savors the word like he's never heard it before.]

Boyfriend. I think I really like that.

Hey relax. I get it.

[His words are light and reassuring, accompanied with a small smile. There wasn't any sort of worry that things were going to fall apart so quickly.]

I can tell.