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

[He temporarily loses his words, shyly grinning at the kiss before reaching to run his knuckles over the curve of his reaper's cheek.]

Love you too, James. Loved you for a long time, and gonna love you for the rest of ever.

[He leans into the touch before settling back against Liam. The dullahan had such an effect on him, breaking through all of the toughness and thick skin that he built around himself and letting him know that he can breathe again. Open his heart up to warmth and care.]

I can say the same again finally. Gods just...huh. That's so nice. This is so nice.

[There's another surge of affection that rocks through him, and he leans in to press gentle kisses to James' shoulder. This is what he'd been searching for for so long, and now that he has his reaper in his arms it feels almost surreal. It's a good feeling though, one he wouldn't trade for anything in the world.]

You're a huge sap.

[There's a playful lilt to his voice, and he's grinning against James' skin.]

I think I'm allowed to be. I wasn't much of one for a very long time.

[He laughs softly under his breath with each press of gentle lips, grinning like a fool at all of the affection that makes his heart swell to a near burst. There's a guess that they practically mirrored each other in expression what with that tone of the dullahan's.]

You've always been one, no matter what.

[He spares a moment to gently nip at his reaper's shoulder, one arm playfully winding around his waist.]

And you're never gonna stop being one. Even when you're at work or out or fuckin' me into the couch. Always gonna be a sap.

[It means a lot to hear that from him. Liam believing in him to not only have been affectionate in the past but that he was now. That he hadn’t lost it all thanks to the years and what’s he gone through.

He does chuckle at the last bit. Leaning his head back, he steals away a brief kiss.]

Well I haven’t done that last bit yet. I get what you’re meaning.

[He laughs in return, and gods does it feel good to have all the weight he had been carrying for so long finally off of his shoulders. He's back with his reaper, and that's how things were meant to be.]

Hey, you're the one that suggested it, I'm just sayin'.

[He hums soft and low as he mulls over the point before shrugging and grinning mischievously. It was nice to have someone to joke with and well it wouldn’t hurt to enjoy it with him]

Suggested but haven’t enacted it. Quite remember a different idea being handed to me. You have a knack of rubbing the right way.

I mean, I can rub certain things the right way I hope.

[There's a lightness in their banter that he's missed so much, and despite everything he finds himself grinning dumbly as his hand traces small, nonsensical patterns along James' side]

Could use a refresher though, I think you kinda took all the thoughts I had away with that trick of yours earlier.

You must certainly can. Not going to deny that now.

[He stretches up at the touches, humming low in the back of his throat as he drinks them in. The dullahan brought out such contentment and ease that he's perfectly fine letting them continue and slipping his eyes shut.

A smirk flickering to laugh while he laughs for a moment.]

Oh? You rather enjoyed said trick. Are you wanting me to show you what I wanted to do in the first place? Is that what I'm hearing?

I mean, I can't deny that at all. You've got some talent.

[He presses a soft kiss to James' shoulder; it's a gorgeous sight to see the man so calm, so relaxed.]

An' I can't deny that that doesn't sound pretty good too. Like being here with you either way, no matter what we're doin'.

Hm well when you put it like that.

[He slowly eases out of Liam's arms even if the draw of their warmth and comfort has him wanting to stay. There's a bit of finagling before he has the dullahan on his back against the cushions. His hands starting to slowly wander downwards, taking his time in exploring.]

It makes it hard not to do anything else.

[He lets himself be moved, grinning softly up at his reaper all the while. This isn't the same rush as before, things are quiet and lazy and perfect; he couldn't ask for more.]

Makes some things hard. But really, just like being with you. Here. No matter what.

[He doesn't make any moves after that. There's such an air of ease and peaceful happiness that he's afraid of doing anything that would rob them of it. They had earned this after so long and he wants to continue but also there's also such joy in just being here with Liam.]

I mean making things hard is part of plan. But yea, yea I really like this right here. You and me. like it should've always been.

Like it always will be. [He counters, because he'll fight to the ends of the earth to keep his reaper safe. He wasn't strong enough the first time, but things have changed. This is his second chance.]

Hey.

[He grins almost shyly up at James, free hand running down his spine to rest low on his back.]

Kiss me, though?

Always.

[He laughs under his breath, smiling down at him and giving a nod. Then it's onto leaning down further to capture his dullahan's lips for a slow drawn out kiss. A hand ghosting along the cushion before coming to rest at Liam's side.]

[His other hand slides up to bury itself in James' hair, fingers gently cradling the back of his head as they kiss. There's a growing warmth between them and he can't help but smile against his hunter's lips.

He gently rolls his hips, breaking the kiss for just a moment to laugh quietly and press another kiss to James' cheek.]

Always.

[And then he dives back into the kiss, pouring all the love he can into the simple gesture.]

[He tilts his head back into the touch before chasing after the kiss once more. Slowly he sinks down onto his elbow to press in closer, tracing gentle patterns down Liam's side all the while. Then all of the touches slow to mere brushes as he responds with his own hip roll.

He doesn't stop with just the one though. James carefully rocks against his dullahan before taking a breather.]

You're the greatest. Don't believe anyone that says otherwise.

[He inhales slowly, a pleased noise slipping from him at the slid of skin on skin. As his eyes slip shut he grins, gently moving to slip a leg around James' so he can tangle the both of them together.]

Nah, you're the greatest. I'm pretty sure of that.

[He rolls his eyes good naturedly before roughly rocking against him once more. Gentle kisses trailing along Liam’s jaw and up to his ear for him to talk low and heated. A smirk on his lips.]

Are you calling me a liar? That’d be a shame if so. Might have to do something about that.

[His grin takes on a wicked aire, and he pretends to think for a moment as he trails his hand along his reaper's lower back. He gives another roll of his hips, inhaling softly at the feeling, but doesn't back down.]

I mean, I might be. Depends. What are you going to do about it?

[He rolls his eyes before his smirk turns with mischievous amusement. His hand taking up one of Liam's wrist before collecting the other and pinning them above the dullahan's head, effectively pinning him to the couch. Kisses trailed down his jaw then along his throat.]

I can do so many things. Just a matter of choosing the right one to punish you with.

Is it really punishment if I like it?

[He smirks up at his reaper, testing the strength of his hold for a moment to see how far he can push. It's playful, this thing between them, and he's more than happy to go along with everything. Especially when James' mouth draws closer and closer to the seam along his neck.]

'cause if it is, I think I might have to be bad more often.

Who said it was going to be a bad sort? There’s punishments of sorts that can be liked.

[He doesn’t budge at the testing, making sure that Liam’s hands don’t go anywhere for now. It’s not an unneccessary force or one that’s done out of malice. He would let go if Liam wanted him to.

Finally his tongue brushes along the scar.]

You can certainly be if you want.

[He has no intention of breaking away, not when James' mouth is at his neck and it sends electric jolts of pleasure down his spine with each brush of his tongue. He struggles for words for a moment, but all that comes is a breathy groan as he tries to compose himself.]

I like this one. Like it a lot.

[He dares a buck of his hips, grinding himself up against his reaper with a shaky laugh.]

'll have to misbehave more often if this is the result.