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

[Nodding, he glances back at the door before back to the dullahan. It would be the polite thing to step out of the changing room so that way Liam had privacy. Easy enough to slip back in and out so long as no one else really drew a fuss. Though he honestly didn't care what they think.]

I mean maybe. Want me to leave so you can change things out?

Do you have to?

[There's trepidation oozing off of him, and his brows furrow ever so slightly in concern. He isn't used to these confined spaces, but he can understand if it would be easier for the reaper if he didn't have to deal with the dullahan's fumbling. Still, he's reticent to admit that he doesn't want to be parted.]

[That's not exactly what he had been hoping to see. The hesitation and general worry that comes off of Liam is ample enough to get him to step away from the door. Better to stay with him anyway rather than going in and out so much.]

No I don't. I can stay in here with you.

[With that, the reaper takes a seat on the bench though after making sure that he didn't accidentally sit on any of the clothes.]

Er, sorry. Just uh, not quite used to this kinda stuff.

[Never in his long life has he had to actually deal with shopping, after all. Generally all he owned was stolen off his victims.

Still, he wants to try for James and so he gives a small, unsure grin before shrugging out of the shirt and reaching for the next to try it on.]

Promise you'll tell me if I look dumb though.

No, it's fine. I'm not going anywhere until you're done. Seriously.

[He meant every word of that. Not a single drop of hesitation holding him back as he leans back against the wall, hands draped in his lap.

Ok and maybe it was obvious that he was enjoying getting to check out the dullahan without a shirt.]

Promise you that, Liam.

I trust you.

[It's entirely the truth, and he looks back over his shoulder as he rummages through the mess of clothing they had carted in. He can't help but grin softly, and raise a brow in the reaper's direction as he finally finds what he's looking for and gets to work pulling it on.]

I'm glad you do. It goes both ways really.

[It may only be a glamour but the dullahan had quite the nice body and it was hard to not take the opportunity to look and appreciate it for the first time. His eyes following the curve of his back, taking in all of the scars and more before taking their time coming back up to meet Liam's. Not much use hiding the fact that he checked him out so he smirks back.]

[It's still such a novel thing to have someone look at him the way his reaper does, and it brings a slightly impish grin to Liam's lips as he raises a brow and makes no move to actually start putting on the shirt in his hands.]

Glad to hear.

[He hums softly in content appreciation, letting his eyes wander once more and taking in the front as much as he had the back. Tilting his head to the side, the reaper continues to smirk.]

Also good to know that you're cute all over.

Well I-uh.

[The grin shifts to something a bit more shy, and he ducks his head and averts his gaze for a moment as he feels his cheeks heat.]

I mean I don't think so but, I'm glad you like it.

[He watches the dullahan flounder for a bit before pushing off of the bench and heading over to tip Liam's chin up. A kiss stolen away albeit a brief away with a smile gracing the reaper's face.]

You really are. Swear it.

You...

[The words stick on his tongue, and he can't help but grin shyly as he averts his gaze over James' shoulder.]

You're something else, y'know?

Well not the worst thing I've ever been called.

[A brief chuckle slipping out as he shakes his head at the minor joke. His fingers slip down to lightly hold the back of Liam's neck, gently thumbing over the slit that marks where his head and neck separate.]

But I'm your something.

Promise it's not a bad thing.

[He falls quiet, eyes slipping shut in a show of trust as the reaper's hands wander. The sensation of fingers across the separation of his head and neck sends a shiver down his spine, and there's something so very intimate about allowing someone so close.]

I'm the luckiest guy alive.

Don't even have to promise it. I figured it wasn't.

[Curiosity gets the better of him at shudder that rocks through the dullahan at the simple touch and he simply continues those soft passes of his thumb over the groove. He steals away another brief kiss, smirking.]

Guess I can be the luckiest undead.

[A slight, quiet noise slips from his lips as the reapers fingers continue to wander, and Liam lets his eyes fall shut as he revels in the soft intimacy of everything.]

Feels weird. Not bad weird. Good weird.

Well sounds like you're enjoying things and all. Even if it's a so called good weird.

[The reaper tucks the dullahan in close albeit for only a few brief moments to enjoy the comforting presence. However he soon pulls away with a small smirk.]

Should probably finish trying on all these clothes though, right?

Like I said, it's a good weird. Definitely good.

[And he's content to enjoy the touches for as long as possible. But James makes a good point, even if he's loathe to pull away. Instead he grins and laughs quietly under his breath as he cocks a brow at the reaper.]

Yeah, might be a good idea. They might start to think there's stuff going on if we're in here too long.

Glad to know.

[He scoffs, a low noise in the back of his throat, but smiles nonetheless. Maybe there was a brush of heat tinging his cheeks yet it goes ignored. The reaper tilts his head in mock thought.]

As much as I don't want to be a disappoint to that line of thought and I have pondered over it, I don't think this is the best place. Maybe back at our place.

Yeah yeah, I'm just kidding I promise. But not gonna lie and say the idea's never crossed my mind.

[But he's back to the clothing now, and it doesn't take much longer for him to get through the small pile that they had brought in. Of course he takes his time and asks for James' opinion at every go, but eventually he's back in his old clothes and pulling the reaper out of the changing room with the load of new clothes under his other arm.]

I figured as much but have you really? Hunh.

[The smirk certainly broadens itself into a grin on the reaper's face before he busies himself with providing opinions on all of the various items. There's a decent pile that gets approval and he happily allows himself to be led out by Liam. A brief detour to nab a couple of extra socks and whatnot so everything is covered.

Soon enough the dullahan and reaper duo are heading out onto the street once more with two bags heavy with Liam's new wardrobe.]

Well, y'know...

[But things move quickly after that, and soon they're back outside and the fresh air is welcomed. There's a twinge of guilt at the price of everything, really he needs to find a way to pull his weight for James, but the reaper had insisted. At the very least he fusses until he's allowed to carry the bags.]

Thank you. Like...really, I don't think anyone's ever gotten me stuff before.

Hm I might not.

[The expense of the clothes is nothing in the eye of the reaper especially since it was a worthy use of funds that would more likely than not simply sit there. He doesn't argue when Liam takes the bags and simply mulls over things for a moment.]

Wait out here for a second.

[With that he slips away and heads into the store next door. It takes a couple of minutes of perusing and asking around but the reaper returns with another two bags before offering them over to the dullahan. A carefully wrapped box in one while the other had two shoe boxes waiting inside.]

Think you'll need these as well.

Oh. Oh yeah, okay I can do that.

[There's still an aire of guilt that seeps about him, because this is far too much kindness. Still, he waits quietly outside, closing his eyes and breathing deep to try to ease some of it away. James' voice breaks him out of his trance, however, and he cocks his head over and blinks in confusion as he accepts the new bags.]

O-oh. Y...y'didn't have to get more stuff.

I didn't have to but I wanted to. There's a difference and one that I'm glad to do for you. Besides your boots are worn down worse than a construction worker's.

[Hopefully that would cover all of the bases when it came to the dullahan. He didn't want to be overbearing on the man but that doesn't mean he can at least make sure he has options and not ones that he stole off of bodies. Sometimes it was nice to have something of your own.

He offers over his hand to him with a small smile.]

To home?