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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Those were Edwin's fingers, his real, alive fingers. Charles could grab them, he could gently bite them if he wanted... And now they were pleasuring him. His hips moved into the touch again, fucking into Edwin's hand.

"Please... please, Edwin," Charles begged. "It changes everything," he whined, tilting his head to press his lips under the boy's jaw. "You'd feel so good, you'd... feel..." he rambled, kissing down Edwin's neck, reaching his collar. Charles made a clumsy work of undoing Edwin's bowtie and tugging his collar lower to get to more skin. With a hungry sound, Charles pressed his lips against Edwin's neck, kissing and sucking, and very eager to leave a mark.

Edwin's eyes went unfocused at the pressure of Charles' mouth at his throat, a shiver rolling down his spine and back up again, leaving him trembling for a moment, though somehow not breaking his stride with the movements of his hand, stroking again, fingers still snug against Charles' cock, another slow stroke even as his own head lolled back to give Charles that much more space.

The sensation was enough to dissolve his vocabulary, losing the thread of conversation, only able to feel and react and try to spur Charles on further. Edwin made a breathless, half-swallowed little sound as Charles actually started sucking, relishing the sting even as he gave a rolling twist of his wrist, giving another, firmer squeeze as he did, thumb nudging up against the smooth patch beneath the head of Charles' cock, applying a nearly gentle, rolling pressure there.

Charles's whole body trembled as Edwin went on. He whined and moaned against his neck as he was trying to continue to put his lips on him, to leave a mark on him. It was surreal, it was so much and not enough and Charles was aware that he was half sobbing Edwin's name between breaths.

"Edwin..." Charles groaned, barely refusing the urge to reach down between them to guide Edwin's hand to do it again. He knew it wasn't necessary. His hips helplessly jerked to get more friction. More of Edwin. Charles was closing in on his release despite he wasn't truly working for it. His mind was chasing pleasure, chasing Edwin, high on their new life and suffering from all the things he wanted to do... "Wanna... wanna come inside you so much." Charles was barely aware that he was rambling. "Wanna... do so many... things..." he moaned, twitching.

Edwin had managed to find his own voice again, despite the fact that Charles' breath and the thrum of Charles' voice against his skin was almost too much, finding that he was still almost oversensitive everywhere after his own recent orgasm, but also finding that he didn't mind it as much as he thought he would, or should, because it was Charles that had caused it and Charles that was still right there with him and very much at his mercy at the moment.

"I'd let you." He said, quiet but clear, just repeating the same movement again, as he'd felt the way it made Charles respond, "Whatever you wanted to try, whatever you think I'd like." He liked quite a few things already, he knew that much, or, at least, he liked them as a ghost, he already knew the sensations were different in a living body, but if anything that made him more curious rather than more cautious.

'I'd let you' Edwin said and it was enough. It was like a magic word, a spell that shook the whole existence of Charles. With the repeated movement of the boy's hand, it was entirely overwhelming.

"Edwin," Charles slurred, sobbing a breath as his lips sought Edwin's. At the same time, his hips jerked into his touch. And there it was. It wasn't like they weren't doing this before, oh no, but this time... It wasn't only his spirit that felt it. But his body too. And god, it was amazing. It felt like rediscovering a spark he had lost, as if he finally remembered something good and finally, finally... "Don't stop, don't stop, don't stop--" Charles repeated the words like a prayer, his voice breaking when the first wave of his peak crashed into him. It was messy, without any rhythm, with only the need and the wonder of being alive. He came suddenly, and needy, wanting more and more, rolling his hips into Edwin's grip, seeking sensation and pleasure until there was nothing. Until he hit a wall and started to come down from his high. Yeah, he gets the tears now...

He tilted his head into that searching kiss, returning it gently, giving Charles a chance to breathe even as he did. He felt like he could taste the moment Charles finally tipped over, though he knew that was a ridiculous notion and he was only picking it up from other sensations. Mostly that hot surge of spend against his hand, and he'd been going to lift his hand away to clean up, but then Charles was begging him to continue and there wasn't a chance in Hell that he'd stop before Charles was ready for him to.

He hummed, pressing a kiss to the corner of Charles' mouth, and then down along the line of his jaw to the underside of his chin, smiling against the warm skin as he slowed his strokes but didn't yet stop, working in an easy counterpoint to the apparently reflexive movement of Charles' hips. He gave a quiet murmur of: "Beautiful boy." Against Charles' throat, barely aware that he'd actually said it aloud.

Charles's breath was ragged as he was still trying to get every last drop of pleasure. His eyes were stinging from tears, and his body felt already too sensitive as Edwin continued to stroke him, just as Charles asked. It was getting too much and yet it hurt more to pull away. As if, when this was over, he would return to being dead, which was such a silly thought.

Though, his heart fluttered at the praise. He was already red in his cheeks but it made him feel the burn in the tip of his ears too. Charles isn't sure why it made his breath shorter, but he wasn't complaining. Edwin thought he was beautiful...

With a whine, Charles tilted his hips away from Edwin's touch, telling him that he was done... And he was done. His body was still shivering as he was trying to calm down, his heart was throwing itself at his ribcage with less urgency.

"Fuckin' hell, Edwin..." Charles sighed, leaning his forehead on Edwin's shoulder. "I could do this all day, forever," he chuckled, still catching his breath.

Edwin finally drew his hand away with one last lingering stroke, the other hand sliding easily along Charles' back, squeezing gently at his nape before settling into slow, full-length strokes down his spine from nape to the small of his back before lifting away to do it again, soothing Charles down again.

He couldn't help but laugh softly at that statement, the way that Charles was practically vibrating with mirth himself even while trying to catch his breath, "I can't say I'd be able to do the same. We'd still need to set aside time for cases, after all." There was clear amusement in his tone, not shooting the idea down, because the truth of it was he could very easily fall into Charles at any time of day, for as long as he was allowed.

But that was a problem even in their natural state, too, it was just his strict sense of duty and obligation -and professionalism, to a degree- that kept him from doing so. It would be all the more difficult as a living being, when those sensations and emotions were all the brighter and closer to the surface.

Charles closed his eyes as the thought of 'god, I love Edwin Payne' hit him with brutal force once again. Leave it to him to talk about cases literally seconds after doing something nasty. But Charles couldn't blame him. He knew that the agency, and their cause will always be the most important for Edwin. His role was to distract him from it from time to time. He sighed as he felt the calming strokes on his back, feeling like he could fall asleep like this. Listening to their heartbeats, sharing warmth...

"Sorry, I made a mess," Charles muttered, tilting his head to look up at Edwin. "I'll clean us up, yeah?" So they could look at least half-presentable for Charlie from Charlie's Angels in a few minutes. He paused then for a moment. "Love you so much, mate."

"There's no reason to apologize for something I expected to happen, Charles." It could easily have been a reprimand, but it was the kind of thing that had long since worn down to a gentle reminder, that Edwin wasn't going to be upset with Charles for taking up space or needing things, or -in most cases- for making a mess, especially since he was good at cleaning up after himself -as he'd just offered to do- which Edwin always appreciated.

He hummed, pressing a kiss to Charles' temple at the follow-up, "And I you, Charles." He had given up saying that he loved Charles more than Charles could know, because no matter how much he loved Charles, Charles loved him just as much, and that was... well, it was incredibly gratifying, and even freeing in a way he hadn't expected.

Charles was sure that Edwin could feel the jumps his heart was making in his chest at his words. He paired it with a set of small kisses, peppered all over Edwin's jaw and chin and lips. And when he didn't feel like his legs were made of jelly, he got up to clean them and offer a new pair of pants and underwear if needed. Thank god they got plenty of clothes.

So once the Night Nurse was back, Charles was less angry to greet her. He even forgot that she may bring bad news...

Edwin was thankful to be put back together again, it wasn't his usual uniform worn like a kind of armor, but it was comfortable enough and he was actually prepared when the Night Nurse made her reappearance, this time actually using the office door and knocking first, which Edwin knew probably needled her more than it should have, and he knew he shouldn't be amused by that thought, but he still was, at least a little.

"Good, you're both decent." She greeted, eying them both before waving someone from the Department through the door behind her, "This is Mr. Lionel, recently remanded by your office to the Reintegration Department, and as you can see, they've done their job admirably."
The man in question was maybe fifty or sixty, gray streaks at his temples in an otherwise still dark russet head of hair, looking a little like some misplaced history professor with his tweed jacket and a pair of spectacles tucked into his breast pocket along with his pocket square, he regarded them both for a moment, "From what I understand, you two are suffering some, ah, adverse effects from the spell I was working with before my unfortunate slide into obsession."

Edwin's brow creased slightly, he knew that theoretically poltergeists could be returned to their former selves, but it was tricky work, and knowing that there was a whole department dedicated to just that was something he was going to have to ask about later, instead just nodding, "I'm Edwin, this is Charles, and that's one way of putting it, yes."

Charles frowned, sending a look at Edwin when the man addressed them. A department only for handling poltergeists? Just how many departments were there, he wondered. But he smiled easily when it was his turn to say hello. He raised a hand in a wave, grinning as friendly as he always did.

"Yeah, you gave us a proper scare, mate. Before the spell, I mean," he added. He didn't comment on the spell thought. "So, what's the deal?" he asked, crossing his arms. He didn't really want to slip into their interrogation setup, it just happened. Bad cop, worse cop. He could see the Night Nurse rolling her eyes, but Charles was too focused to care. Because this was important.

Edwin was still a little puzzled by this turn of events himself, but he also wasn't going to argue it too hard, just nodding, "Yes, I, we were returned to our mortal state." He didn't say that it was unfortunate, partly because he knew Charles didn't think so, but partly because he wasn't entirely sure of that fact himself, now, "I attempted to recreate your work with pictures of what was left, so that I could reverse it, but all I managed to do was somehow reverse the injuries we sustained at the time."

Mr. Lionel brightened at that, "You did? May I see it?" Edwin just nodded, still feeling a little off-balance about the whole situation, but moving to lead the group to the storeroom where the circle was still chalked on the floor, the man paced the outer edge, sliding his glasses on to survey the work, finally blinking up at Edwin over them, "And you, you managed this from just pictures of the circle I'd left? You hadn't found any of my notes?" There was no small measure of amazement in his tone, which left Edwin a little squirmy under the scrutiny, used to having to defend himself, though Mr. Lionel didn't seem dismissive about it, if anything he seemed fascinated, looking over the circle again, "Remarkable. And you adjusted for new dates, though I can tell you now there was no reason for that, it was only meant to be temporary."

Edwin tensed, "It was?" The fear that he'd accidentally gone and made it permanent tightened in his chest even as the man continued, "Oh yes, I'd only intended to bring her back to celebrate our anniversary one last time. The effects will fade once the date has passed."
Edwin was sure the rest of the room's occupants could hear how hard his heart was beating, something like panic still tightening his chest, "I see. And, ah, is that still wound into the circle?"
"Oh, yes." The man nodded, "Inherent part of the magic that is. What's today?"

The Night Nurse was the first to rattle off the date, causing Mr. Lionel to brighten, "Ah, three days away then, nearly four if you count the rest of today."

Even with all the anxiety in his stomach, Charles smiled widely when Edwin got his well-deserved praise. His mate was the smartest after all, he could figure out anything. This was a challenge for sure, but Charles was glad that someone actually recognized how brills it was that Edwin figured it out without any help. He was so proud, as always.

Though, his smile froze when the man said 'temporary'. Supposed to be? But Edwin messed with it a little... Charles repressed a shiver, focusing on the man more. But his thoughts were rushing. He couldn't help sending a look at Edwin. And... yeah, he looked pale. Scared. And Charles felt his own heart break a little.

"Wait, what?" Charles blinked, taking a step toward Mr. Lionel. "So... the spell worked, yeah? And even if we messed with the dates... So, it's gonna fade in three days?"

The man nodded, returning his glasses to his pocket, "Yes, worked far better than it ever had for me, though, I suppose the state of you is proof enough that my initial spell worked as intended, even after so long. I daresay the adjustment of the dates is what reversed any injuries, though I obviously can't be sure of that, it does seem the most logical explanation."

Edwin had gone from plummeting dread to welling hope and wasn't quite sure where between the two he'd landed, still nearly vibrating and high-strung in a way he couldn't quite figure out, though he suspected it was mostly to do with the hope portion and just how quickly he'd swung between the two while still riding high on the endorphins from what he and Charles had been doing just beforehand, "Three days. And then things go back to how they were. We can... continue on as we have been?"

Mr. Lionel nodded again, "Yes, it would seem so." The Night Nurse nodded as well, "The Reintegration Department and Mr. Lionel have agreed to keep him on hand until the effects of the spell ought to have faded, just in case revisions are needed."
Edwin swallowed thickly, taking a breath to steady himself, "That is... much appreciated."

So Edwin not only recovered the spell, but he actually solved it. As if Charles wasn't proud of him already... And he could see the Night Nurse sending an approving look his way, too.

Charles wasn't really thinking as he moved closer to Edwin and put a hand on his back, it was instinct at this point. He was still surprised that his palm found Edwin warmer and alive than he was used to. And it would last three more days... Charles forced his thoughts away from that fact, he didn't want to think about it. No. Otherwise he... Well, otherwise, he was afraid that his chest would split open.

"Yeah, sorry for keeping you waiting a bit more, mate," Charles couldn't help saying. He figured poltergeists would be happy to move on after all. Though, that reminded him of something. "So it didn't work, yeah? You couldn't... see her again."

Edwin straightened reflexively at that touch, expression going to actual sympathy as Mr. Lionel shook his head, "No, it would seem that she had already moved on. Though at the time I couldn't accept that, hence my obsession that led to my unfortunate state when the two of you first found me." Another little head shake, "I can only hope she'll be waiting for me at the end of this, another few days isn't going to matter in the whole of things."

Edwin didn't imagine he would be half as gracious in the man's place, and so he nodded, "We do appreciate your delaying your departure, as it were." He gestured to the circle, "This really is impressive work, and while I'm no expert, from what I can tell it should have worked, were she still lurking around the mortal plane waiting for you."

They'd already known that the spell and the experiment were a failure. But having the guy admit it was different. Charles smiled in compassion, moving just a tad bit closer to Edwin. He wondered if he would have found love so intense if he could live a full life. If death brought him something so profound as what they had with Edwin.

He couldn't tell what the afterlife was for Mr. Lionel, or if she was waiting for him at all. All Charles knew was that it would be alright with him now. That he will be alright.

"Sorry for your loss," Charles said before he could stop himself. It was strange to say it. He had said it to many clients before, it wasn't that. But with him being alive in the moment, maybe that made it... different. "So, that's that then, yeah? Good news, bad news, eh? Anything else we should know, Charlie?" he said, looking at the exasperated Night Nurse.

The man inclined his head in thanks even as the Night Nurse looked even more exasperated at the nickname, "No, that will be all. If any cases better suited to your involvement come through the Lost & Found Department in the next few days they will still be directed to you, I trust you'll find some way to work around this new development."

Edwin did his best not to smile, but it still inched into place anyway, "Of course, the agency is only on a brief health hiatus, emergency cases are still a priority."

"Right, wouldn't wanna leave folks in trouble cuz of this," Charles grinned, motioning at themselves. "And three days isn't that long, yeah?" he shrugged.

After they also agreed on a daily check-in until the effects of the spell were there, the Night Nurse escorted Mr. Lionel back to the Lost & Found, as it was more up to standard to keep him there. So when they got back to the office, and Charles and Edwin remained, the silence was something Charles didn't want to hear for too long.

"Didn't see that comin', huh? I mean, the whole guy coming back to praise you doing a good job with his spell an' all," Charles remarked, eying the spot where the Nurse disappeared with their client. "And the three-day thing," he added, clearing his throat. He paused for a moment before turning to Edwin with an easy smile. "You're okay?"

Edwin gave a half-startled, breathless little laugh, shaking his head, still looking more than a little off-balance, but definitely coming around, blinking over at Charles again at the question, "I..." He shook his head again, "At the risk of repeating myself, it's an entirely unexpected relief."

He was still trying to collect himself, mostly surprised that he'd managed to stay so during their official meeting, "I suppose we should give Crystal an update, and then..." He opened his mouth only to close it again, shaking his head once more, a little bit like he'd gotten caught on the movement, some sort of nervous tic, mind going too fast to realize he was still moving, "Well, after that I really did mean what I said, earlier." There was a blush cresting the tips of his ears again, even though he wasn't saying anything explicit, or even that racy, it was just the thought of it that was causing the reaction.

Charles's smile widened as he watched Edwin work through his relief. They didn't mess up the spell, that it was going away soon... and that they would be dead in no time was... well, it made Edwin happy. It was what he wanted. And it was the goal they would have worked toward anyway. So Charles tried to be truly happy about it. Everything was fine...

So Charles moved to Edwin again, reaching for him as he spoke.

"Right, and..." but he stopped when Edwin continued about his promise from earlier. Charles did feel a burn in his cheeks too at the memories. "Yeah, okay, right," he nodded, moving closer to put a hand on Edwin's waist. He let go of a trembling breath and let himself think about the next few days and what it all meant. "How about we- we do stuff during the day? Like, try things ghosts can't do, and the nights... so the nights we, I..." Because he was sure Edwin wouldn't just want to do it like rabbits, which Charles would be terribly down with. "Maybe we could find a bed somewhere?"

Considering how overwhelmed he'd been just by Charles going down on him, it was probably a toss-up just how down he would be for the rabbits scenario, already nodding at Charles' proposed plans, because there were some things he would like to do while he was solid, though they'd always seemed trivial before, like taking one of the guided tours through the museum. It wasn't that he didn't already know the history of the items there, it was just that he liked hearing people talk about things they liked.

He wouldn't object to going to another movie, either, now that he wouldn't be achy through the whole thing.

But before he could even start listing things, Charles brought up an incredibly salient point and his brow creased, "...Where was Crystal sleeping when she stayed with us?"

Oh, Charles had many ideas too. Even more if half of his thoughts would leave the image of Edwin naked under him alone... Now that he could touch him freely, and he wasn't in pain, and they had limited time, Charles felt like it wasn't going to be enough.

He opened his mouth to answer but stopped for a second.

"The couch...?" he furrowed his brows as he remembered. He knows that he put Crystal on the couch the first time, but for those few days... "Wait, she had a mattress, didn't she? An air mattress..." It was just such a useless item for them that Charles completely forgot about it when Crystal moved into her current place. But it still wasn't a bed. "We could ask her, yeah? Maybe she has ideas," he shrugged. Then he took Edwin's hand, squeezing it. "So, gotta make a list, right?" If he could, he would have run out and do everything all at once, but all these years with Edwin at least made him a little bit more patient, even when he was nervous.

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