technicallyhellbound | for @convincingsmile - Nobody's dying today (probably)

for @convincingsmile - Nobody's dying today (probably)

Edwin knew as soon as he fell through the mirror that something was wrong, and not just a little bit wrong, but the kind of wrong that made the whole world tilt on its axis a little.

It wasn't a misdirected portal, not like the case that had ultimately led them to Crystal, not like many other failures of concentration when traversing mirror portals before, it was something else, and he couldn't place what it was. All he knew was that he'd simply passed through the mirror in question and had landed, hard on the floor on the other side of the room, hard enough that he actually skidded a couple of feet and that couldn't be right because that actually hurt, and hurt in the way he hadn't felt in... well, decades.

It was enough to tumble him against the far wall just from his own momentum, impacting hard enough to knock the breath out of his lungs, and that was definitely wrong, because he shouldn't have had breath or lungs. He could see, even through pain-hazed vision that the poltergeist he'd been baiting had, indeed, gotten caught in the trap he himself had leapt over when aiming for the mirror.

That was, however, the last thing he saw before the half-rotted-through loft floor gave way beneath his sudden and unexpected weight, sending him falling, flailing, scraped to ribbons on the broken slats, to the ground below, and he was reasonably sure he'd actually heard something snap on impact, ribs, if the sudden radiating pain was anything to go by, though his shoulder wasn't in good shape either, and that was an entirely different kind of pain, just layering on top of the feeling of the ragged scratches from the wood, and it occurred to him, dimly, that he'd forgotten how much he hated the feeling of blood on his skin.

It had been different in Hell, the pain, the sensations in general, all of it, it had been horrible, yes, but it was so much more visceral now, and even as his vision began to go hazy again, head swimming, his last thoughts were trying to remember how he'd somehow gotten separated from Charles, who had been barely a step behind him when he'd rounded the corner into the loft pursued by the poltergeist now trapped securely above him.

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"I knew we're gonna use them for something one day!" Charles exclaimed when their cane collection was brought up. They were truly just their for exchange and for their own amusement, but now they had some use and Charles loved to prove Edwin that things had use. "So we have a plan, yeah?" Charles asked, bouncing on the balls of his feet. Plans were great. They gave him directions and they also relaxed Edwin, it was a win-win.

He couldn't help but smile at Charles' excitement over getting to use even part of their collection, "Probably couldn't hurt to add some kind of strengthening charms to them." Just in case they had to be used to pry debris up and away, though he was doing his best not to dwell on the thought of the place collapsing again. They were going to take precautions, they would be fine.

"Besides, I've used one of the sword ones before, Case of the Awful Opera, wasn't it?" Not the so-called Phantom Of, but a ghost of an actor who'd fancied himself the arbiter of who should take the role despite not having been very good at it himself, by all reports.

"Oh yeah. It was the first time I realized you could fence," Charles grinned, remembering it. What a night, what a performance. Edwin's of course. He'd told Charles before that he could fence, of course, but seeing it in action was different. And hot. And Charles definitely still had a body. "You looked fit," Charles added.

He chuckled to himself then, trying to rein it in.

"So, do we have everything you need for these spells?"

"Mm, yes, you were quite enamored of that fact for a few days as I recall." He replied, amusement sliding in under the statement without his really trying, because he'd definitely noticed, and it had amused him at the time as well.

He made a considering sound at the question, nodding a moment later, "We should, protection runes on clothes should just require thread, and strengthening runes can just be carved into the wood of whatever cane or staff we use." He glanced at the time, and while it was still early, he knew preparation and travel time for their date was something to take into consideration, "I can get the sewing kit and a pen knife if you can fetch the Intermediate Runic Applications, second volume." He gestured towards the bookshelf, "It's one of the greens, dark blue lettering."

Charles looked down, a little embarrassed, as Edwin confirmed he was caught being too happy about him fencing. He truly couldn't help himself.

"Book coming right up!" Charles grinned and turned to get it. "And I can do the carving too, yeah? Just point to which one you need," he assured as he was searching for the book. Blue, no, green book... He found it in the end, and helped Edwin to put runes on their clothes, and the chosen canes too. Charles made sure they picked the most mint looking ones for their little adventure. He even remarked they should have gotten tuxedos if he knew they were going to use the canes.

While he'd known it was a joke, Edwin snorted at the comment, stating that would draw far too much attention, so it was for the best that they hadn't.

All in all, it was a pleasant way to spend an hour or two before it was time to get ready for the movie, and despite it all, Edwin was feeling considerably better than the day before, which was probably due to the fact of not having kept working his already over-taxed brain, not continuing to gnaw at a puzzle that he couldn't solve without further information.

For their date, Edwin had chosen a pair of brown trousers with a darker houndstooth pattern, along with a plain white button-down, surprisingly un-tucked, along with an almost-teal pullover sweater-vest, and somehow it worked for him without looking like someone's grandad having a Freaky Friday swap, though he was still a little nervous about it, smoothing a hand down over the pullover once more as Charles helped him get it situated around the one arm with the limited mobility, he was hoping that the selection was still enough of a surprise for Charles, seeing what he put together, even though he needed help getting into it.

Charles and Crystal got all kinds of colors they thought Edwin liked for multiple garments. And Charles was glad that Edwin did seem to find a set that he felt good in. And looked good in, bloody hell.

After Charles put on his own set of clothes, a pair of black jeans, fishnet tights, and a red, cropped sweatshirt, he went to help Edwin. And it was good, alright. Seeing the clothes slowly coming together on Edwin was a treat. And once the last piece, the teal sweater-vest, was slipped into place, Charles was completely charmed. He didn't let go of Edwin but slid his hands on his waist, holding him gently. He wished the boy could do those silly reveals they did on tv when they did makeovers, but this was just as good. At least Charles could watch it up-close.

"Looking good, Edwin," he said with a tilted smile. "Can't believe I gotta call you my..." he started, but he trailed off for a moment. "I've never actually called you my boyfriend yet, have I?" Partner, probably, best mate definitely, but not boyfriend... Somehow, that word sounded a bit limiting for what they were to each other. "Nah, let's just call you mine," Charles settled with a grin, leaning in to press a kiss to Edwin's forehead.

"You haven't, but that's fine. Seems..." His brow furrowed, humming in consideration, "Reductive, doesn't it? To what we are?" 'Boyfriend' seemed considerably less than what they were, especially after so long, even if it had been a fraction of that time actually together, and he didn't mind Charles not using the word.

Instead he just smiled at the forehead kiss, some lingering tension sliding off his shoulders. The slipover didn't have an interior breast pocket, but it covered the breast pocket of the shirt well enough to count, and Edwin tucked his notebook -as well as the bills Crystal had slipped him for refreshments on her way out- into that pocket, nodding once, "Shall we? We've still got time, but it will be nice not to feel rushed, and still have some time if things don't fully go according to plan." Or if there was a line at the ticket kiosk or the concession counter.

Right, and somehow 'boyfriend' also sounded more... alive than they were. Maybe that's why Charles thought of it. That maybe in a different life, they could have started out as that. As boyfriends. But he didn't regret anything. Charles was just still grieving, apparently.

"Right, let's go," Charles grinned, taking Edwin's hand. He was sure there would be barely anyone around. It was a late-night screening of an old movie, after all, the reason he chose it. And he was excited to see if Edwin would like it. They both liked adventure, though this one had a few elements Charles only remembered now. But he hoped it would be alright... it was just a movie. Maybe he could distract Edwin by making out at the scary parts. Yes, that's a plan!

Charles led Edwin down the stairs and out to the empty, dark London streets toward the theater. He tried to keep his steps slower than usual as he was still holding Edwin's hand during their walk.

"Huh, do you think this counts as our first date?" Charles wondered out loud.

He considered the question for a moment before nodding, "Yes, I suppose it is." There had been moments, during cases, when they'd had to pose as a pair, but that didn't count as a date, not really.

The walk didn't actually take as long as Edwin had accounted for, which was likely because while he still ached, he was on the mend, two days in wasn't much but it was some, but also he hadn't done anything that day to wear himself out, either, which helped.

Checking in was just as easy as Crystal had said it would be, and while there was a line at the concession stand -people inexplicably in costume for the film- it wasn't bad, and even the group's obvious and exuberant excitement didn't make him back out of reach as it sometimes did even when he couldn't be seen.

Instead he just kept himself close to Charles' side, eying the rack of boxed candies, a little boggled at the selection, many of them things he'd never even heard of, but he was relived to find both jelly babies and nonpareil chocolates, snagging a box of each easily, giving Charles a nudge, "Go on, Crystal's made sure I have enough to cover it." He was pretty sure she'd given him enough money to cover their snacks and something from a hot cart after if they were still any operating and they walked back the long way through the park. The statement was followed by a considering noise and the quiet statement of: "We really should raise her salary. If you think she'd let us."

"Huh," Charles furrowed his brows. First dates. Wow. He was getting so spoiled today.

Looking at the selection of candy, Charles was basically vibrating from excitement. He always, always wanted to try all of them, and now, when he was presented with it, he couldn't choose! Edwin was so sure and quick with his choice and while Charles knew he could get a lot, some would still have to be excluded. That was until he realized he could actually get a bag and mix his own. So he did that and got a little out of everything. He didn't have much of a sweet tooth, but trying out new flavors was exciting. At this point, he was getting a little worried if he could watch the movie and distract Edwin at the scary parts when he had so much candy to try...

"We're already giving her all the actual money we would get," Charles said, eying his bag of candy. "I have a feeling she'd ask for favors if, and IOUs if we ask her what she wants for a raise..." Nothing he wouldn't do, of course, especially after today. "But we definitely should do something nice for her after this, raise or no raise," he said, looking up at Edwin.

Edwin had considered the Pick'n'Mix himself, but had decided against it simply because there were too many things he didn't recognize, but he wasn't at all surprised to find that Charles had opted for it, not with the way he seemed bound and determined to try everything he could while they still had the chance.

He just made a quiet noise of agreement at the response, nodding, "Another day off to her schedule, then." A twist of a smile, "Not that she wouldn't still come by anyway." As much as she complained about doing their busywork, it was clear that she liked being able to help in much the same way the two of them did, "But no, you're right, we should find her something nice."

He straightened a little, setting his selections on the counter, both brows lifting in Charles' direction: "Drinks?" It was a request for help, in its way, not wanting to draw attention to the fact that he had no idea what he was looking at, sure that Charles would know more, "And popcorn, obviously." His brow creased then, regarding the sizes, "How much do you think we'll need between the two of us?"

Charles was also determined to make Edwin try every single candy once they settled. He also wondered what Crystal would like. She seemed to be feeling the best when they hung out, so maybe going to places with her would be something they should do. Or looking for some nice trinket in one of the shops.

"Mate, you know we gotta get the biggest one," Charles grinned then looked at the drink selection. Most of the flavors he recognized, and the remaining few he had an idea about. God, he wanted to try them all but he knew that would be overkill. He glanced at Edwin for a second in a smile, then leaned closer to explain what he knew.

This reminded him of the very first years they got together and roamed London as new friends. Edwin new to this world, and Charles new to being a ghost. Kind of nostalgic. And that was the time Charles explained the then modern world to Edwin. Now, he explained soda flavors. And... what a soda is, basically.

"So, yeah, they're mostly sweet. I usually get ginger ale," Charles concluded. "You should really try one of the sodas," he added, thinking Edwin would like it.

"Oh, actually ginger ale sounds lovely, two of those then." He addressed the clerk, "And the largest popcorn you're allowed to give us." There was amusement in the tone, and some kind of relief, mostly due to the fact that there had been no visible response to Charles practically hanging off of him. He'd known, of course, that tot sort of thing was normal, now, but there had still been a tight, sharp-edged knot of worry in the pit of his stomach.

The transaction was handled easily enough, and Edwin was thankful that there was a cardboard tray for carrying the popcorn and both drinks, though he was able to slide both of his candy boxes into his sweater pocket, "If you could carry this, I'll get some napkins." He'd seen the amount of butter that had been poured over the popcorn and knew they were going to need them.

Charles would have been less brave if he wasn't going out on his walks to watch people all these years. But he saw how the world changed, he saw how people could love just a bit more freely. Maybe that helped him to accept Edwin's confession and his own feelings too. And boy, was he thankful? That it helped him to have Edwin in every possible way.

"Or maybe we could just lick it off, yeah?" Charles called after Edwin, maybe a little louder than necessary. He heard a costumed group chuckle nearby, making him stifle a laugh too as Edwin got back with the napkins. "Man, you still look so good," he said. The only reason he didn't try to pull Edwin close again was because he has a handful of snacks and drinks.

Edwin made an exasperated noise that didn't fully make it to an exclamation of Charles' name at the statement, stuffing the napkins into the pocket that didn't already have candy in it, though he moved to open the door to the auditorium so that Charles didn't have to struggle with it with his hands full, just reminding him of their seats, as they wouldn't be lurking in the back as they usually did.

He did relax considerably once he was seated, finding that the seats were rather more comfortable than he'd expected them to be, and it didn't take long to get the drinks situated, settling in to wait, though taking a cautious sip of his soda, only to nearly choke a moment later as he hadn't been expecting the carbonation. He managed to clear his airway a moment later, pressing a hand to his chest, "Wasn't expecting that." He wheezed in explanation.

Something about all this was so new, and yet so nostalgic. Charles couldn't stop smiling and he couldn't help kissing Edwin's cheek as he held the door.

The row they sat in was empty so Charles had enough place to put the treats. He went for a sip too and jumped when Edwin started to cough. Mostly because that sound was new. Ghost didn't breathe, so they didn't cough... But they were alive.

"Everything okay?" Charles asked the same time as Edwin explained. Then he burst out laughing. He did talk about the taste of the sodas but didn't even think to explain them being carbonated... Charles completely forgot Edwin never had that. "Sorry, mate, but... yeah, they're fizzy," Charles chuckled. "How do you like it?"

Another, considerably more cautious, sip followed, as if to determine whether he liked it or not, but he nodded, "It's good." And another small sip, assessing the flavor as well as the sensation, just nodding, "Didn't often have soda-water when I was young." Or when he was alive in general, but it was less suspicious to anyone overhearing if it was a matter of age and not being dead for decades.

"It was usually for when we were sick?" A little shake of his head, "Ginger was, too, but it was also for... hm." He had to consider for a moment, "Holiday punch?" Often that had also been incredibly alcoholic, but herbal flavors were definitely high on the list when it came to celebratory beverages, which he found rather fitting for the outing.

Even if Edwin referred to his life before this as 'being young,' it still sounded just a little funny to Charles. Edwin looked sixteen, and he was over a hundred years old. When they were ghosts, it didn't really register with Charles, but now, as they were eating snacks in a movie theater, being alive, it was just amusing.

"Ssso it tastes like medicine and some punch your parents drank?" Charles asked, raising an eyebrow as he took a sip from his own drink. "That's mental, half the drinks around have fizz in them and they are definitely not medicine," he mused. "I drank a lot of coke when... I was younger," he snorted, looking away. "My dad always told me it's gonna put me in an early grave, hah." Haha... Charles winced as that part of his 'youth' came up. He had such a good day, he wouldn't want to ruin it by remembering some things.

"Not only my parents, everyone had punch at holiday parties." His brow creased a little at that, "The children generally got shuffled off to bed shortly thereafter, but that was just how it was done."

Another small smile followed, shaking his head, "And I didn't say it tasted of medicine, just that soda-water with a sort of..." Another head shake, "Cola syrup, was used when we were sick. Especially for a fever, had to get it from the chemist and everything." He tilted his cup just a little, "This, definitely tastes more like a celebration."

"They gave you booze?" Charles laughed. Then he shook his head. "Everyone's drinking coke now, mate. Can't believe it was medicine back in the day," he grinned. He could barely imagine going to a pharmacy just to get coke. "Probably had different things in it, yeah?" he mused out loud. Maybe they could ask Crystal to check what the difference was between the cola syrup Edwin got, and the soft drink Charles wanted to drown in his teenage years.

"Well, we're celebrating, aren't we?" he shrugged, taking his bag of candy to check which one to start with. "Our days alive, an' our first date too," he grinned, picking one of the sour-looking ones. Then he offered it to Edwin. "Wanna try another thing that's new?"

"Yes?" He replied, sounding puzzled, "Obviously they weren't giving it to infants, but the children could have a small glass, it was just the way things were." He even sounded puzzled, but that confusion was why he accepted the offered treat without thinking twice, popping it in his mouth.

He didn't even get as far as chewing it before he grimaced and spat it back out again, shuddering as he tucked it into a napkin, "That is vile. You enjoy eating things that taste of bile?" Granted, he knew that some people enjoyed eating lemons, but there had been a particularly bitter note to the -supposed- candy that tasted too much like vomit for Edwin's taste.

Charles would have asked if Edwin was ever drunk, only to watch that disaster happen with the sour candy. He couldn't help his laugh, but he was glad Edwin tried it.

"Sorry! Thought you'd like it, yeah? I mean it's sweet too, aside from all that sour," he grinned, trying one himself too and moaning at the taste. Ahh, he missed this. He'd forgotten how much he missed this. And now he remembered... damn it. "Wanna try another one? I'll kiss it better if you don't like it," he offered one that he suspected tasted like coke.

"I'm not entirely sure I trust you right now." He replied, though he was biting back a laugh as he did so. Honestly he'd expected the first one to taste like some kind of baking spice, clove or cinnamon or something, the way that good gumdrops did, and that all-encompassing sourness, bad enough to make his jaw go tight, had felt like some kind of betrayal.

His eyes narrowed briefly, "And if this is a ploy to get me to trade some of my nonpareils you can think again. Though I may be convinced to trade a jelly baby or two." If only because he'd never been entirely fond of the blackcurrant flavored ones, and while he would eat them, he'd eat them first so they didn't take him by surprise when expecting flavors he liked better.

He did, however, accept the second candy, tasting it much more cautiously than he had the first one, brow creasing as he chewed carefully, jaw working to roll it from one side of his mouth to the other, nose wrinkling as he swallowed, "Cough medicine. Who's flavoring these things?"

Charles gasped loudly, gripping his chest.

"One sour candy was enough to lose you? No no no, that won't do! Now I gotta work on getting you back, mate," he sighed dramatically. "I don't need your jelly babies, all I need is you, right?"

He watched in amusement as Edwin was working through the new candy, a bit relieved that he liked it.

"They wouldn't exist if people didn't like them, yeah?" Charles shrugged, munching on a gummy worm.

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