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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Crystal cleared her throat, rubbing her cheeks too. While she was apparently ready for hugs, she didn't expect the cheek kisses. She did bristle at the call, despite they were good in nature, but by the time Edwin addressed her she was ready to go on.

"Good," she smiled. "Take all the breaks you need. I'll handle Charles if needed," she smirked. Then shook her head, squeezing Edwin's wrist in reassurance. "The way he is at, it's gonna be him who has to be taken home. I hope I'm not right, though," she added.

Then shook her second half of the concert was even more intense than the first. Charles kept bouncing between Edwin and the group that basically adopted him as their puppy for the night. It was Charles Rowland in action, charming and energetic and affectionate. Until a certain point in the night. The band had already finished with their encore, wrapping up when Charles disappeared from the scene, just to be found in one of the stalls of the restroom.

He would have had to leave again with the way the crowd was in more of a frenzy, if it weren't for one of Charles' new friends pressing a cellophane packet with a single-use pair of earplugs into his hand as he did his best to keep to the edges of the crowd while still keeping Charles in line of sight.

It was a surprise, in a way, that Charles' new friends had already -apparently- accepted he and Crystal into the fold simply by dint of knowing Charles. But they were also far more of a help than he'd expected, mostly because he hadn't really known such a thing even existed, and if he had he definitely would have thought to use them in the first place. The crowd was still too densely-packed and too energetic for him to be fully comfortable, but with the sound cut down somewhat it wasn't enough to have his adrenaline spiking again as long as he kept to the edges, finally managing to settle at one of the standing tables between the bar and the dance floor.

It was when the band was wrapping up and some of the crowd began to disperse that he realized he didn't know where Charles had gone, had seen him with his new friends only a few moments before, and did his best not to let the cold panic settle into the pit of his stomach, forcing himself around to the most logical conclusion first, heading for the restroom, relaxing almost instantly upon finding Charles there, "Alright then, Charles?"

Charles groaned when he heard Edwin's voice. He couldn't lift his head, as he was kneeling, with his cheek resting on the toilet seat. Sweating and looking clearly sick. Right around the time he heard the last chords of the last song he got dizzy, too dizzy... to the point he could not fight it anymore. He isn't entirely sure how he got to the bathroom...

"Fuck," Charles groaned, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand as he attempted to get up. But the movement only resulted in him getting sick again, hurling his guts out into the toilet. It was a nightmare, and he wasn't entirely sure where he was. "'M okay," he coughed when he dared to move his head, pushing himself away to lean against the wall of the stall. Though he tensed when he felt the dizziness get him again. "Gimme me a tick..."

Edwin winced at the sound, that was just one of many things he really didn't miss about being human: the ability to be sick.

But he knew pointing that out -or the reason for it- would only make things worse, so instead he grabbed a handful of paper towels to wet them in the sink, sidling closer to dab at Charles' face with them, "Well, your aim is as impeccable as ever, nothing on yourself at all, I'm impressed, actually."

He wasn't going to try to get Charles to move to the sink until he knew he was actually steady on his feet and finished heaving. He did shift his weight a little so that he could actually flush the toilet, feeling well enough himself for the time being, but the smell of it would undoubtedly have set him off before too long if he hadn't done so.

Charles tensed his lips, trying to breathe through his nose as he was trying to assess if he was fine or not. He opened his eyes at the dabbing, finding homself face to face with Edwin. And he felt himself flush, as if they weren't together already... God, Edwin could make him fell for him over and over again.

"'S talent," Charles chuckled, leaning his head back against the wall. Though, this was new. Edwin being nice, was new. Charles remembered getting laughed at when he got sick like this, once or twice... Not many times, for sure, his memories were fuzzy. But he remembered the laughter and the shame that came with it. And his father... Charles froze as his body was trying to decide if it was going to get sick again, but thankfully it calmed soon. But the nausea was still present.

"You're always gonna come and save me in the end, huh?" he huffed in a hoarse voice.

"Of course I am, Charles." He replied, brow creasing just a little, folding the paper towel over so he could dab that relative cool against Charles' brow and temples, "You've done so for me more times than I can count, I'd be remiss if I didn't do the same from time to time."

He shook his head once he'd said it, "And I've gone and made it sound like some sort of obligation and it isn't, not even close. It's simply what you deserve, or, at least as much of what you deserve as I can provide." Because as far as he was concerned Charles deserved so much more than Edwin could give him, he would forever be just doing his best.

"Feeling alright to move, or would you like to catch your breath a bit longer?" He asked, brows both lifting in some sort of concern.

Charles wasn't sure why but as the cold, wet towel touched his heated skin again he thought about his dying day. This touch felt the same as Edwin's presence when everything hurt and he was so scared... His eyelids were heavy, closing as he was listening to Edwin.

"Mmmm," he hummed, trying to catch the boy's hand, even if his eyes were not open. So his attempt was... made but he probably couldn't take Edwin's hand. "You're all I wan', mate," he slurred. "Love, dear, annnngel," he chuckled. "You're enough for me," he added softer. And he almost fell asleep on the spot, now that he knew that he was safe and fine and Edwin was there. So his next question shook him awake.

"Uuuh," he hummed, trying to assess the situation. "I wan'ed to go to the afterparty," he said in a stupid laugh then, instead of answering. Because what were they talking about?

"I'm sure you did," he agreed with a nod, gently steering Charles towards the sinks, "and I'm sure you'd have a grand time, but, we've a full day ahead of us tomorrow, and we do actually need sleep to be able to do things." An innocuous enough statement if anyone happened to overhear it, it would just seem like a reminder to get some rest, even if it was oddly-phrased.

He trusted that even in his current inebriated state, Charles would still understand that he meant it as 'while they were human'.

"And Crystal has been kind enough to offer to arrange us a ride home, so that we don't have to walk the whole way, but if you think the walk would do you good, I can simply decline the offer."

Charles stumbled, feeling like his body wasn't his anymore. As if he himself was possessed by some kind of sludge monster that made his limbs become heavy, and his head dizzy. He grabbed the side of a sink, trying to get a grip on himself.

"Oh... Oh Edwin," he mumbled, his eyes closed as he was trying to process the whole few steps from the stall to the sinks. "Right, yeah..." Right, yes, tomorrow... and the things they planned. Right. That was still there. "I don'- I don' think I can get into a car, mate," he added then. Not because he wouldn't have killed to be in a car, but he knew he would mess up the seats the moment it got moving. He let go of a suffering groan and leaned his forehead on Edwin's shoulder. "'M sorry... 'M sorry."

"You've nothing to be sorry for, Charles." He replied, threading his fingers gently through Charles' sweat-sodden curls, just cradling the back of his head gently, "And we'd already planned on walking home as it was, so it isn't as if declining a ride changes our plan at all. Besides, I've a feeling the night air will do us both some good."

He knew he hadn't had anywhere near as much to drink as Charles had, but even he was feeling pleasantly languid, joints just a little liquidy where they probably shouldn't be, but he knew he'd be able to get them both home easily enough. And would then, quite probably, just pass out with his jacket still on. He wasn't thinking that far ahead just yet, though, "Think you'll be alright to get as far as the bench outside? Can catch our breath and have some water there before we get moving for real."

"Okay," Charles said after taking a few deep breaths. And even in this state, he noted that Edwin had a scent. He could smell him. He shivered when he felt his fingers in his hair, and he wished he could pursue that sensation further. If he could see where else Edwin's fingers could cause such a feeling... but the dizziness and the nausea was too distracting. "Okay," Charles repeated then, leaning more heavily on Edwin. "You smell so good..." he muttered.

He gave another small smile at that, hesitating only briefly before looping his arm around Charles' waist even as he drew Charles' arm across his shoulders to help keep him balanced, "Come along then, some of the crowd will have thinned by now, should make it easier to get outside without running into anyone."

Anyone save Crystal, who was waiting for them, two fresh water bottles in hand, she was also gracious enough about them declining the ride, as if she'd halfway expected they would, though her compromise was to walk with them at least through the park, even though it was the opposite direction from her new flat, she could get a ride home from their side of the park just as easily as from in front of the club, and it might even be cheaper away from a late night venue.

Edwin considered declining that insistence as well, but knew that she would feel responsible for them if something happened in their current state, and so he just nodded, accepting one of the waters even as he steered Charles towards the stairs, "Thank you, Crystal, it's appreciated."

Charles leaned heavily on Edwin as they were walking up the stairs and to the benches outside. He could barely pay attention to the conversations around him, or even to the water that was offered. He knew that his new friends said bye, asking him to be there at the next party so they could exchange numbers. Charles only realized how sad that made him the next day... But right now, he was just happy he could rely on Edwin and Crystal to get them back to the office.

Charles remembered telling Crystal to be safe and phone them when she gets home, which was something he didn't truly realize was something he usually said when he was alive... They usually used the mirrors to check on Crystal when needed, after all.

And when they were up at the office, along with Edwin, Charles didn't remember for a moment how they got there...

"Crystal's okay, yeah?" Charles heard himself slur the words as he found himself on the couch.

It had been habit more than anything that had Edwin leading them to the office instead of the room down the hall that they'd done up with the air mattress and the clothes, and that meant he was going to have to haul Charles up off of the couch so they could actually sleep comfortably, and had been working out how to say so when Charles asked after Crystal.

All he could do was smile, nodding, "Yes, she's caught a ride, and she's assured us that the driver isn't a serial killer, and she'll text when she's home safe." He offered Charles an arm, then, "Which means we ought to take our time getting ready for bed, if we can, should at least wash your face," his nose wrinkled a little, realizing even as he said it that he felt gritty as well, just another sensation he hadn't missed, dried sweat, "Mine too, really, and change into proper pajamas before we crash. Save an actual shower for morning when there's less chance of falling asleep in it."

His brows both lifted, "Think you can make it down the hall? If not I'm sure I can fashion one of the spare bed-sheets into a travois to drag you there."

Charles closed his eyes as he was trying to concentrate on listening to Edwin. Good, Crystal was going to be fine. Right. Alright. And Edwin was safe too. Aces. Yes.

As Edwin went on, Charles gasped. Right, yes, they were alive... They had bodies. They had a place to sleep! And he was looking forward to sleeping with Edwin, in all the sense of that word. He looked around the office, thinking that yes, it was such a habit to end up here instead of their makeshift bed. God, he was so dizzy, he felt his body heavy and light at the same time and his mouth tasted foul... He swallowed the shame again as he opened his eyes at Edwin.

"No I- Yea', yea... I can move," he nodded, then reached for him to help him get up and somehow walk down the hall to their room. "I feel so hot," he chuckled, realizing how long it had been since he felt feverish. He let Edwin lead them to the bathroom for a wash-up before getting to bed.

"That would be the whiskey." He replied, warm and amused and fully intent on ignoring the way his own ears were still crested red, though that was the walk as much as it was the gin and whatever it was the shots had been. Edwin had ended up washing not just his face but scrubbing down his chest and arms and the back of his neck as well, because once he'd started the relative cool of the wet washcloth felt marvelous.

Brushing his teeth was done as quickly as possible because he detested the feel of it, likewise he disliked the burn of the mouthwash but didn't mind the cooling effect of the mint flavor.

He'd only just finished changing into sleepwear when the text from Crystal came through, "She's made it home." He commented, "And says she'll bring 'hangover breakfast' for us tomorrow so we're fortified for the trip to the botanical gardens."

Charles was still stumbling around as he did his best to scrub himself down and washed his teeth. Taking off clothes was easy but putting them on was too much, so he fainted into bed wearing only his boxers. So all he said was an approving sound as he was laying in their makeshift bed, trying to will his dizziness and nausea away.

"Aces," he chuckled but groaned when he felt his stomach disapprove of all the movement. He opened his eyes then as much as he could, looking at Edwin. "Mate, I wan'ed to make love to you tonight, but..." he sighed, whining almost as a puppy. He couldn't finish that sentence. He couldn't say it that he was too drunk to give proper kisses, let alone do anything else.

Edwin shook his head, stretching out beside Charles, wriggling just a little to get comfortable even as he answered, "It's quite alright, Charles, I daresay I'm not exactly feeling up to it myself."

While he hadn't had as much to drink as Charles had, the near panic attack had definitely taken it out of him, and while he was feeling better having had time to recover, he still felt a little wrung out, not shaky exactly, but not far from it, either. He did prop himself up on an elbow so that he could press a kiss to Charles' temple, as that was what he could reach, "We've still got time, good night's sleep will do us both some good."

Come morning, Edwin was awake only slightly later than his usual time, and even then he was content, for the time being, to just lay there, stretched out alongside Charles, listening to his breathing.

"Mmm..." was Charles's only answer. Then he felt the mattress dip next to him as Edwin got in bed, and he felt a warmth in his chest. He once again forced his eyes open to look at his mate in the darkness. It was so dark... Charles was trying to make out Edwin's features, trying to see how he was doing. The night was fun, it was so fun, and yet, he felt like he let Edwin go... Charles remembered wanting to say something, or move his hand to touch Edwin, but the other's closeness and his warmth was so... calming. It felt so safe. So safe that it made Charles fall sleep in seconds.

Charles slept and slept, occasionally shaking awake by a nightmare he didn't remember just to fall back asleep immediately. He woke late into the morning, thankfully not due to a nightmare. But he was definitely confused for a second.

He thought he was home, at first. Then he thought he was in boarding school. Nothing made sense for a moment and Charles was about to panic. Then he saw Edwin next to him. Oh. Oh, right... Charles let out a sigh, his head resting on the pillow still. He was afraid if he moved his headache would split it apart. But he still smiled, reaching out to brush his fingers over Edwin's cheek.

"Mornin'." Bloody hell, his voice and throat was properly wrecked.

Edwin was easily stirred awake whenever Charles was, and just as briefly, each time once Charles slipped back to sleep so did Edwin.

He smiled at the fact that Charles was actually awake, tilting his head up into the touch, turning it to press a kiss to Charles' fingertips, just because he could, though his brow creased a little at the state of Charles' voice, "Alright then, Charles?" A crooked little tilt of a smile followed, "How's the head?" He was hopeful that he'd gotten enough water into Charles the night before to help with the worst of the headache, but he was also pretty sure he hadn't actually managed.

In deference to the fact that Charles probably had a headache -and the fact that they were still close together- he kept his voice low, "Should probably shower and dress before Crystal gets here with breakfast, if you're up to it."

Charles truly thought he was still dreaming as he watched Edwin kiss his fingers. He was laying so close and so alive, with his hair tousled, his eyes sleepy. He was warm and living and Charles could not love him more even if he wanted.

He barely listened to Edwin's words, or paid attention to anything else really as he gently pet his hair adoringly.

"Hmm?" Charles asked when he realized there was a question. "Yeah, I... think my head's gonna crack open soon," he laughed in suffering. He moved closer attempting to trap Edwin with him. Even if a shower sounded heavenly right now, there were still more important things to do: namely to cuddle Edwin properly.

"Yeah, just a tick..." Charles murmured.

He had tilted his head up into Charles' stroking fingers on reflex, eyes dipping partway closed because that felt lovely, as it always did, but somehow moreso for their current position, not something he'd be able to explain, but something he was going to enjoy nonetheless.

He gave a quiet, considering hum at Charles' answer, but nodded, just once, "I think we can spare one of those. Maybe even two." They definitely still had time before Crystal was set to arrive with whatever it was she considered a 'proper hangover breakfast' and Edwin hadn't thought to ask the night before, and the truth of it was, Edwin wanted to stay there and bask in the attention and in Charles' presence just for a while longer.

Gathering Edwin in his arms, and just feeling his weight and warmth was more than Charles could ever ask for. So this was how it felt to hold Edwin who was alive. It was how it felt to be with him with an actual body, with a beating heart... and a horrible headache. Charles pressed his lips together because he won't let a headache take away this moment from him.

"You look cute like this," Charles said in a hoarse voice, his fingers playing with Edwin's fluffy curls. "You looked proper fit last night too," he added in a chuckle but groaned when it made his headache worse. Then he just held him, enjoying the quiet, the warmth, and Edwin's scent. Charles found he could fall asleep again like this, even with the headache. He could fall asleep like this for the rest of eternity...

In deference to Charles' headache Edwin continued to keep his voice low, but he couldn't help but smile at the praise, "I'm afraid you're terribly biased, Charles." A twitch of a smile, mostly trying to keep it from becoming an out and out grin, "But I'll accept it all the same, it isn't as if anyone else is going to call it out."

He settled just as easily as Charles did, hesitating only briefly before leaning in to press a kiss to Charles' temple, settling back again, just studying his face. It was the same as it had ever been, the same as he'd always known it, but there was still something more to it now that he couldn't place.

"Even if I am, you're still a prize, Edwin," Charles mumbled, his eyes closed. "'M so lucky I could be the one telling you." And he was serious. He knew how amazing Edwin was, and others knew it well, too. And with all that, Edwin chose his stupid ass to confess to.

Charles's arm tightened around Edwin, pulling him even closer.

"Did you have fun last night?" He tried to remember what exactly happened, but all he gathered was that he was dancing and singing and making friends... Did he check up on Edwin at all...?

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