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

[technicallyhellbound]

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.

Comments

[convincingsmile]

"'S no problem," Charles muttered as he gently covered the wound with gauze, and taped it on. Thankfully it didn't seem like it was bleeding that much, not a worrying amount, but for a ghost to bleed at all was still alarming. "Done," Charles sighed. He looked at the bandage before his hand slipped to the base of Edwin's neck in his back, his fingers pressing on his neck gently. God he was so warm, and so... soft? Somehow. He watched Edwin's skin and adoring how pink it could get under all that pale.

"Sorry for yelling at you," Charles said and before he could have told himself it was a bad idea he leaned in to kiss the back on Edwin's neck. Bloody hell, he needed to get a grip. "Lemme help you dress and then... can we still travel by mirror?"

[technicallyhellbound]

His breath caught just a little at that brush of a kiss, though before he could collect himself to say anything about it, or to mention that the apology was unnecessary as Edwin well understood that tensions had been running high and they were unfortunately far more corporeal than they usually were, which just wound everything all the higher, Charles' asked his question about travel.

He just shook his head, "No, that's what I was trying to do before realizing I was... this, again." A loose gesture with one hand towards his chest, "I just went right through. I'd been trying to go to the office and back, and that's clearly not what happened. We'll have to walk, I'm afraid." Mostly he was thankful that they weren't that far from the office, and had only mirrored in to start with because it was easier, especially when trying to take a poltergeist by surprise.

[convincingsmile]

Charles looked up a the mirror as if it was personally responsible for everything that happened. But he was just trying to think, trying to keep himself straight but finding that he was getting tired. It was unnerving. Because it had been a while he felt tired because of his body and he wasn't sure if he remembered when his limit was...

"Shit," Charles cursed. Then he took a deep breath. "I'll carry you, yeah? The office is not that far," he said. He was ready to do it. Grab Edwin, on his back or in his arms, however, but take him and drag him back. To take him home. "Want my coat?" he asked already shouldering out of it. He noted how the bandage on the other may not make it possible for Edwin to put back his shirt. Or his pain, for that matter.

[technicallyhellbound]

"Charles, my legs still work." He replied, already working at getting his shirt back on, moving slowly and carefully as he did, both in deference to not wanting to risk the taped edges of that bandage peeling up or sticking to the fabric, but also because between the shoulder and his ribs he couldn't turn as freely or as fully as he usually did, "I can manage the walk."

He gave the waistcoat a baleful look, because while he wanted the comfort of his usual layers, wanted something to be normal, he knew that he wouldn't be able to manage both that and his jacket, and of the two the jacket was the more important.

It was also why his brow creased a little at Charles' second offer, shaking his head and clasping Charles' elbow gently, "You'll need it. We can feel the cold now after all." He was thankful that in that area, at that hour, there wasn't likely to be anyone else about, which meant they were unlikely to draw attention, either.

[convincingsmile]

"I know, but-!" Charles whined. He would hate to watch Edwin walk while he was in pain. Though he did admit it may have been humiliating for him to be carried. But there was nothing humiliating in it! Charles could show how strong he was! That he could still carry his friend all heroically. He needed to do something with this energy. But Edwin was right he could walk.

"Right, right," Charles swallowed. Then just took the waistcoat Edwin didn't put on and put it in the backpack. One less thing for him to carry. "But lean on me at least, yeah? Could be easier to walk like that," he said as he got up and offered a hand.

[technicallyhellbound]

"That, I believe, is going to be a given." Mostly he was thankful that Charles didn't press the issue, because he didn't think he had it in him to argue if he had, because it was definitely a matter of humiliation -even if no one saw it- but also the fact that being picked up and dragged off was something that had happened far too often in Hell, and he much preferred having a say in how or when he was moved, even if he was being carried to somewhere he actually wanted to go.

As it was, he accepted the hand up, though almost reached for it with the injured side at first before correcting himself and using the other hand. He did blanch again, briefly, once he was on his feet, but he didn't sway the way he'd done when just sitting up from where he'd first hit the floor, though it was hard to say if that was a good sign or not.

Once he was steady all he had to say was: "Once we're outside we'll keep the river to our left and we'll be going the right direction."

[convincingsmile]

Charles didn't let go of Edwin's hand until he was sure he wasn't going to fall. Or faint. Oh god, they could faint now... as some living do.

"I know London, Edwin," Charles assured in a sad smile. He sometimes roamed the streets when he couldn't calm down. Without the talent to mirror travel, he would often stick to walking. Sometimes he went the long way, and pretended he was alive. London was bustling and huge, but not to a ghost of thirty years walking its streets and longing for his steps to give a noise on the cobblestone. It shrunk but got further, in a way. "I know you know the map too," Charles added and squeezed Edwin's hand. "We'll be back soon, yeah?"

Oh and he wouldn't let go of Edwin's hand until they were back at the office, safe and sound.

[technicallyhellbound]

"I know." He replied to the first, "It was a reminder to myself as well." He could keep the map in his head, he often did in fact, he'd honed that sense of direction in hell, but sometimes, when he'd mirrored in somewhere he needed to remind himself of the physical location in relation to the starting point, or end point, in this case.

He nodded at the actual question, returning that gentle squeeze, loath to let go of Charles' hand, and thankful that Charles seemed to be of the same opinion.

He did have to stop to catch his breath twice along the way, both times trying to remind himself to move more slowly afterward, which he managed for a time, but ended up resuming his usual quicker walking pace before long. Upon arrival at the office, all he had to say was: "Not looking forward to the stairs." Before actually managing to slow himself down instead of taking them at his usual speed. He was wheezing faintly again by the time they were actually in the office proper, lowering himself gingerly to the sofa, canted forward, elbows resting on his knees, as if the angle might help regain his breath more easily.

[convincingsmile]

For a while now Charles knew that his mission was to keep Edwin safe. Hell, the moment he told him he would stick with him, he knew. But there was something about them being alive during all that. Suddenly, there were a whole lot of other issues coming with both of them being dead. Suddenly they had bodies, and they could get noticed by people. Charles was still confident in his ability to protect Edwin, but he knew if anyone decided to pick on them that day he wouldn't be able to hold back.

Thankfully they could get back to the office without being noticed. He held Edwin's hand during the walk and helped him up the stairs, and made sure he was fine as he helped him onto the sofa. And then Charles just stood there, feeling a little helpless.

"Where does it hurt?" he asked quietly.

[technicallyhellbound]

"Ribs." He replied, taking as deep a breath as he could manage, holding it for a moment, trying to pinpoint just where the pain was, but not fully able to because of the lingering ache of everything else, the relocated shoulder, the bandaged gouge, the various scrapes over both hands and up his arms.

He let the breath out slowly again, still wheezing faintly on the exhale, "Back, same side as the shoulder. I landed hard." A little shake of his head, mostly because he knew his hip was probably going to be protesting later, after the fall and the walk, but for the moment it seemed alright.

His brow creased, trying another slow breath, finally shaking his head, "It's a bit like when I had asthma when I was still alive." Another little head-shake, "Alive before, I suppose."

[convincingsmile]

Hearing Edwin breathe was... an experience. Especially hearing him breathe in pain. Charles was too busy trying not to despair to really feel his limbs going cold at it all. He bounced a little on his feet as he was trying to think. At least... Edwin wasn't going to die... not yet, at least. Charles once again had to rub his eyes. They were back at the office, they were fine, safe for now. Edwin was in a good place now.

"You should lie down," Charles said, throwing his bag down. "'S gonna get worse," he added. "If I remember right," he added with a tired smile. Then he went to Edwin, putting his hand as gently as he could on his back. If he could he would have just gathered him into his arms and squeezed the life out of him but that wouldn't do so well for him at the moment. And Charles was dying inside. "I should get painkillers, eh? And water," he frowned.

[technicallyhellbound]

He gestured with one hand towards the supply cupboard, "Check the cabinet. Crystal's taken over a shelf for 'living girl supplies'," something that she had actually asked about first, which surprised him, but it did make sense if she was going to be working from the office as often as not, "that may be something she's stocked, and I'm sure she'll understand that we couldn't exactly take a trip to the chemist."

He shook his head at the suggestion of lying down, fishing the polaroids out of his jacket pocket, "I can't lie down just yet, I should at least start looking for these, the sooner I can figure out the array and the purpose of it, the sooner we can return to ourselves."

[convincingsmile]

Edwin didn't have to say it twice, Charles was already roaming the cabinet, already writing an apology letter for Crystal in his mind. But yes, she would understand. He also found a bottle of water with the painkillers. He put the bottle next to Edwin on the sofa and he was about to take one pill when Edwin spoke again. Charles huffed.

"Edwin," he started and stepped in front of his friend, grabbing his hand that held the pictures. "You gotta rest first, just a tick, yeah?" he said more gently than he felt about it all. "The pictures won't go away and what if you make yourself worse?"

[technicallyhellbound]

"What if waiting makes it worse, Charles?" For something that could easily have been Edwin's snippy, terse tone, as it often was when presenting a counterpoint, it just sounded defeated, "What if we wait too long and it... sets? If this is it and we're alive for good now?"

It only occurred to him after he'd said it that wasn't necessarily an issue for Charles, who admittedly hated being dead and his expression folded in on itself a little, along with the rest of him, just sagging forward, dragging a hand up over his face and through his hair, "I'm sorry."

[convincingsmile]

Edwin's tone wasn't snippy but it didn't make a difference for Charles. Right, yes... he enjoyed being alive again. He liked how his steps had weight, he liked the feel of Edwin's hand in his. He liked that he could smell the air, that he could feel his lungs burn as they took the stairs. He liked to feel the breeze in his hair. But that wasn't what Edwin wanted to hear now.

"No, mate, don't be," Charles smiled sadly as he got to his knees in front of Edwin, holding onto his hand still. "I get it, yeah? You're always thinking of the worst-case scenario. But there was nothing you and your brain couldn't figure out." He smiled and kissed Edwin's fingers. He knew Edwin was fine as a ghost. His afterlife was much better and less lonely than his life. And just as Edwin could understand how Charles wished to be alive, Charles... could somewhat understand how Edwin preferred his spectral existence.

"I told you I don't mind being dead with you, but I also don't mind living the rest of my new life with you either..." he added. "But for both of those, you gotta rest."

[technicallyhellbound]

His fingers twitched at the kiss, the sensation familiar to -and still different from- how he was used to it feeling, "It's hardly the worst case scenario this time, Charles." He shook his head, "I was hardly good at it the first time I was alive, and we both know I'm worse at it now."

He wanted to argue for at least getting the books set out so he could start researching as soon as he was rested, but he also realized he was too physically exhausted even for that, didn't think he'd actually be able to get up again now that he was sitting. His brow creased a little, catching at Charles' hand more firmly, "Just... if it's obvious I'm having a nightmare, please wake me up? Don't let me sleep just because you think I need it?"

There were other things to worry about, certainly, like the possibility of his ribs actually being broken and not just cracked, that they might be causing actual damage to his lungs, but Charles had seen the shape Edwin's nightmares were likely to take, and Edwin would much rather suffer the physical pains than go through that again.

[convincingsmile]

Charles felt himself sigh, deeply. Edwin was afraid of being alive. Because of all the things that it brought to him. He didn't see the good side of it all, all he saw was the horrors. And that... broke Charles' heart a little. He wished he could show Edwin how great life was. All the food, and things to do, and things to experience... That having skin was a great way to enjoy each other too... But it was truly Edwin's luck that he had to be alive while his body was battered and broken. 

So Charles just smiled, sniffing, and leaned in to kiss Edwin's lips again.

"Yeah, I won't let the Dreaming torture you," he assured. "I'll try to get some books for you for when you wake up, alright?" Maybe not the right books but he can make some guesses on what Edwin would want to check first. 

"And, I think you'd do great being alive, Edwin," Charles added, as he offered the pills.

[technicallyhellbound]

His breath caught a little at the kiss, not in pain as it had been doing, but still a sort of surprise, swaying forward into it a little and once again wondering what he'd done to deserve Charles as a partner.

"Thank you." It was quiet as the apology had been, but he still meant it. It took him a moment to get the right leverage to get the bottle of water open, but he did so, accepting the pills and swallowing them down easily enough. That done, he went about shedding his jacket, more careful of the injured shoulder than he had been before. He situated himself on the sofa, the way he usually sat when reading, half propped up against one arm because he did remember that laying flat only aggravated his asthma when he'd first been alive, and couldn't imagine that would be any different now.

"Intermediate runic arrays to start, and advanced alchemy, I think?" His brow creased, trying to determine what else he might need even as he was already feeling the pull of sleep tugging at the edges of his mind, "The Hendrick's Encyclopedia, the old edition, not the new." He blinked slowly, realizing he was already fading fast now that he was mostly comfortable, "There's another one. I can't think of it right now."

[convincingsmile]

Charles took Edwin's jacket and folded it with the utmost care. It may not have been as neat as the other boy would have done it but at least it won't have wrinkles. He put it on the desk as Edwin got comfortable.

"I know, Edwin, I know, relax," he chuckled as he walked back to Edwin. He gently put a hand on his shoulder, squeezing softly to try and assure him. "I'll get them. Sleep now," he smiled.

Charles waited by the sofa as Edwin fell asleep.  And even a little after that. Because this was the first time he had seen him sleep. Usually, when they got exhausted they reduced to an orb. So Charles had never seen Edwin's sleeping face. And, however horrible the circumstances were, he still felt lucky that he could experience it. Without the always present frown, without the tight lips... Edwin almost looked younger even. And very handsome. Charles couldn't help laying a soft kiss on his forehead before going to the bookshelf to find all the books, and some more for him for when he woke up. He was also glad that he had a few moments to himself, where he could just weep a little. Because by god, he was worried, and then he was ecstatic, and then worried again, and now he was so, so tired...

[technicallyhellbound]

Luckily for them both, Edwin was too exhausted to dream, head lolled to the side against the back of the couch, barely moving aside from the slow and steady breathing, still wheezing faintly on the exhale, but not as bad as it had been back in the house.

More than that, he slept for a solid six hours, barely even shifting the whole time, though for all that stillness, he still startled awake at the first light from the window creeping across his face, blinking wildly and gone startled-still for the few moments it took to actually register what had happened, to remember falling asleep in the first place, seemingly surprised to find himself in the same place he'd gone to sleep, "Charles?"

[convincingsmile]

Charles piled the books Edwin asked for and a few more on a chair next to the sofa, placing the polaroids on top of it all. Then he got the one blanket they had and draped it over Edwin, so he wouldn't get cold. And then it got quiet.

He didn't exactly plan to sleep, not like this. Since the chair was occupied by books, he sat down on the floor leaning his shoulder against the sofa, watching Edwin for any kind of nightmare. And before he knew it, his head was resting on the seat, next to Edwin's body, and he fell asleep too.

He stirred a little when Edwin woke but still didn't fully wake.

[technicallyhellbound]

It only took Edwin a moment to take in the scene, to sort out what had happened and to realize the weight of Charles' presence. He felt that he should probably take him up so he could have the sofa, since Edwin himself wasn't likely to fall back to sleep, but at the same time, he didn't want to wake him if he'd only fallen asleep himself recently.

So he moved as carefully as possible, levering himself a little more fully upright against the arm of the sofa where he was, moving carefully, remembering to rely on his good arm rather than his dominant one as it was the one that was injured. Re-situated he gently shifted the blanket off of himself and over Charles instead, hesitating only briefly before trailing his fingers across the other boy's curls, smiling faintly at the sensation.

That done, however, he picked up the pictures to go over them again, flipping to a fresh page of his notebook to jot down the symbols as best he could, pulling the first book off the top of the stack to leaf through it for anything that would help.

[convincingsmile]

As the blanket was draped over him, Charles let out a sigh and went back to sleep. It took him a little more than half an hour to slowly start waking up. He sighed, slowly opening his eyes. He was a little lost for a moment... because he thought that he dreamed it all. That he died. That he spent his afterlife with a boy named Edwin, and falling in love with him.

Charles felt a cold sensation sink in his stomach as he thought for a second that he had he had to get out of bed and face his father. Or his schoolmates. After all the adventures he went on with Edwin. But then a movement caught his eye and he turned his head just to see Edwin already hard at work.

Charles's eyes widened as he grabbed at Edwin's leg.

"You're okay? You didn't have a nightmare, right?" he asked, his words still slurring a little from sleep.

[technicallyhellbound]

He startled a little at the touch, but his hand settled in Charles' hair again almost immediately, that tension bleeding out of him again, "I'm quite alright, Charles, slept right through."

His brow creased a little, taking in Charles' momentary distress before asking, "And you?" He'd been sleeping soundly as far as Edwin could tell, it was just waking up that had caused him to startle, almost as if he'd fallen asleep mid-duty, not that Edwin blamed him in the slightest.

[convincingsmile]

At the touch in his hair, Charles still wondered if he was dreaming, because it felt slightly different than their usual touches. It was more... alive. Oh, yes. They were alive. That was why he could sleep too. Shit, he fell asleep when he was supposed to watch Edwin for nightmares... great.

"Good... okay," Charles murmured, rubbing his red eyes. It's been a while since they felt like this, a little puffy. He sighed, looking around in their little office, sighing in relief. "'M fine," he said. "For a second I thought I've dreamt it all. But this isn't a dream, yeah?"