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...

[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?

's...'s a nice thing that you want to.

[Really, it is and he's entirely floored by it. Scavenging was his normal way of life, so to know that these clothes were his and his alone is such a pleasant shock.]

Yeah, home.

[He offers a shy grin as he takes the reaper's hand.]

You deserve nice things. I'm going to make sure they happen sooner or later for you.

[Lacing their fingers together, the reaper squeezes his hand gently and reassuringly. Then it backs down the way that they had came but taking their time to meander along the various store fronts and simply take time enjoying the walk with each other. They had spent enough time in packed and closed spaces that he wanted the dullahan to relax and have breathing room.

That was the goal in the end. To make sure Liam was comfortable rather than amped up with tension and not the good kind.]

Well, I mean...you're here. I think that's the best nice thing I've ever had.

[He moves to press a small kiss to the back of James' hand as they walk, uncaring what the rest of the world may have thought. The city and it's people were still so foreign, at least up close and personal like this, but with the reaper by his side he's entirely certain that he'll be able to face whatever may come.]

[He smiles at the kiss and leans in to steal away a proper one before reorienting himself to lead along the dullahan back home. Overall it was a rather pleasant walk. There was plenty of windows to peer through to see what other stores had and some idle chatter shared between the two.

However it changes when they reach the building. He pulls him into the elevator with a soft coaxing but even better was they were alone. The reaper waits a moment before humming softly and leaning over.]

To be honest with you...I am wondering what you would look bent over the couch. Stuck in my head since the changing room.

Wh-?

[The walk back was pleasant, well any time spent with James was pleasant if he was being completely honest, but now that they're back in the safe and quiet of the apartment building some of the tension bleeds from his shoulders. He's still not completely adjusted to the bustle of the city and it takes more out of him than he'd like to admit, but James' hand in his helps ground him.

At least until the reaper starts speaking.]

Well, I mean, could just...find out, yeah?

We could maybe. Only if you'd be down for it.

[He lifts up Liam's hand to press a soft kiss to the back of it, holding it there for a few moments. They had already done quite a bit during the day.]

Don't have to rush things.

[He gives a reassuring squeeze to James' hand, leaning in to steal a proper kiss when all is said and done.]

I mean, now you got it all in my head-

[There's a flush of heat that floods his cheeks but he shakes it off with a soft laugh. When the elevator opens, he leads him out and proceeds to pin him up against the wall to kiss him deep and hard. He pulls away after a couple moments. Everything focused on gauging Liam's reaction.]

[He isn't a stranger to physicality, but before James it had been quite some time. Frankly it was a novel thing to have someone to be so close to, and Liam finds that he's certainly been enjoying the attentions.

The mouth upon his and the body pressed against him is more than he could have hoped for, and while he allows himself to be pinned that doesn't mean that he's a docile participant. Fingers wind in James' hair and a leg slips between his, wrapping around to keep him as close as inhumanly possible.

When the reaper pulls away, Liam grins crookedly despite the high slash of heat across his cheeks. With a slight nudge of encouragement, he draws his reaper back in to steal another kiss, hot and deep and filled with all the want that he can't quite put into words.]

[Sure there had been a couple of scattered flings since his last actual (though incredibly regrettable) relationship so the reaper knew what he was doing but there was still that subtle worry of making sure that things were going good. Fair to say that they were with that kiss nearly taking his breath away.

He drags his teeth over Liam's bottom lip when he pulls away to catch a breather. That blush on the dullahan was perfect and that damn grin is what he aims to steal away but apparently he was a step behind with lips returning to his. Hands tighten around Liam's waist as James grinds against him brief yet rough.]

[He would be lying if he were to ever say that the feeling of James pressed so close to him wasn't wonderful, and Liam pours ever ounce of heat that he can manage into the kiss, one arm coming to wrap around James' waist to pull him even closer.

He exhales sharply into the kiss, lets his hips press into the reaper's, and there's a stirring of heat low in his belly. It's far better than he's remembered, and he groans low and warm as he catches James' lower lip between his teeth.]