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.

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[technicallyhellbound]

He managed a nod, though words were still caught somewhere in the back of his throat, breathing still shaky and shallow, gulping down air like he'd just been saved from drowning, catching half blindly at Charles' arm and shoulder just pulling him close, burying his face in the crook of Charles' neck, dimly realizing that tears were spilling out of him and he wasn't even sure why, since that had been amazing in a way he didn't even have words for.

The only real clear thought in his mind was that Charles had been right, this was an entirely different experience alive than it was in their usual state, and once he had a few minutes to settle he'd realize the overflow of emotions was most likely due to the endorphin rush, as that wasn't the kind of thing he was used to at all, but right at the moment all he could do was cling to Charles like a lifeline and try to rein himself in.

[convincingsmile]

As Edwin reached for him, Charles went to him. He put his arms around him, and pressed close, holding him tightly. As tightly as he could, now that he was allowed; enjoying the way Edwin had weight and mass in his arms. He kissed his cheeks and neck, his ear, and wherever he could reach him without needing to let go of his hold.

"Love you, yeah?" Charles whispered into his ear before kissing his earlobe. "So much, Edwin." God, he didn't come but he felt the overwhelming sensation of it being so much and not enough, and the need to be close to Edwin. They were together for thirty years now, and got closer, and Charles still felt so giddy every time he could hold Edwin. As if it was the first time. He loved him so dearly, in death, and in life... "So much," he repeated.

[technicallyhellbound]

It didn't take long for the tears to subside, and the shaking soon after, still holding Charles close, nodding at the reassurances until he managed to get his voice back, "I love you too, Charles, more than I can say."

Another deep breath followed, less shuddering than it had been, turning to press his face into the crook of Charles' neck again, finally beginning to settle again, letting one hand roam down Charles' side, kneading at his hip, drawing his head up to actually see Charles' face as his fingers roamed a little lower, "I can't hope to manage what you've just done." He had some trouble with it even as a ghost, too many memories of being gagged and unable to speak, and was reasonably sure it would be worse now, "But I should quite like to see what sort of reactions I can wring from you otherwise, if you're amenable."

[convincingsmile]

Charles nuzzled at Edwin, humming low, content, as if purring. He could get used to this. The trembles and warmth of Edwin's body. His pulse under him, the way his skin felt against his lips. It was all just so beautiful, sensual... alive. Especially when Charles could feel Edwin's wandering hands.

He smiled when he heard Edwin talk. Charles tilted his head to look at him, his gaze roaming all over his face. His Edwin.

"Hmm, you wanna know?" Charles chuckled, maybe a little excited. Edwin could force him to his knees with only a look, so he was always curious what he would plan when they were... having fun. "I also have some ideas," Charles mumbled amused, pressing his hips between Edwin's legs. He was so close, he was sure Edwin could also feel the twitch in his pants.

[technicallyhellbound]

He could, indeed, feel that twitch, and it was somewhat gratifying to know that Charles was just as eager now as he usually was, perhaps moreso, and as he'd managed to collect himself, Edwin nodded, "Indeed. We've still got a half hour, perhaps a little more, though giving ourselves time to, well, collect ourselves before our minder returns will likely be for the best."

He worked Charles' pants open with quick, practiced movements, cupping him through his shorts, breath hitching just briefly at the heat of Charles' skin even through the fabric, "But I should also like to hear what you have in mind, either while I see what reactions I can draw out of you or afterward."

[convincingsmile]

Charles was looking at Edwin's face with a dazed smile, lost in the closeness of him. And a laughter broke from him when he felt his hand against his crotch. It was so new, so expected and yet unexpected. He pressed into Edwin's touch, seeking, feeling, wanting...

"Uh huh," he said, trying to focus on Edwin's words. It was a bit difficult with his hand down there, with Charles rubbing against him. "Yeah, Edwin, mate, I just wanna take you so badly," he said in a breathless laugh. "I know we dun' have time but I wanna feel you naked an' I wanna be inside you, yeah? Like, I'm... dying here, Edwin."

[technicallyhellbound]

"Oh." He wasn't sure why he hadn't expected that particular line of thought, but it was definitely something he'd be interested in if they had the time, though he was sure it would be even more overwhelming than having Charles' mouth on him had been.

He also hadn't expected that just hearing Charles' voice in that tone would be enough to have want curling in the pit of his stomach again, which was why he just ran with his first instinct in keeping himself from getting sidetracked. He snaked his free hand up against the nape of Charles' neck, dragging him into a kiss even as his fingers worked down past the elastic of Charles' shorts to actually curl around his prick.

Edwin's eyes fluttered closed briefly, half-whining into the kiss at the heat of Charles' skin against his palm, it was definitely the kind of thing he could get addicted to, and he wasn't letting himself think any further ahead into what would happen when they were returned to their usual state, no, he was just going to focus on the moment and doing what he could to overwhelm Charles as fully as Charles had done to him moments before.

[convincingsmile]

Charles moaned into their kiss in the most pathetic way. He kissed Edwin as if he was the drop of water in the middle of a desert, hungry and needy, and still wanting more. He froze for a moment when he felt Edwin's fingers directly on him, only to start moving into his touch.

"Edwin," he whined, pulling away from their kiss so he could breathe. But it wasn't too effective, because without Edwin's lips on his, he somehow still had breath to talk. "Edwin, please, god..." he groaned, tilting his hips to thrust into Edwin's grip more. Charles felt like he was going to go mad. His heart was beating so fast and hard that he felt it in his cock too. "I wanna know your body, I wanna know how you feel," he rambled as he was rolling his hips, seeking more of Edwin's hand.

[technicallyhellbound]

He couldn't help but smile at that, the half-swallowed begging and the way Charles continued with his thought despite the obvious need flooding him, one that Edwin was only trying to spur on at the moment, fingers kneading at the base of Charles' cock before dragging slowly to the tip once more, thumbing easily across it when he reached it, a move he'd used before, but one that felt so much different now if only for the heat of Charles' skin against his own.

"If you'd have said that last week, I would have claimed you already know those things. Quite intimately, in fact." He shook his head, giving Charles another stroke, fingers curling just a little tighter as he did, "But this... being solid, it changes things." He didn't know if it was a change for the better, though it certainly wasn't a change for the worse. It was just a change, and one that felt important.

[convincingsmile]

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.

[technicallyhellbound]

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.

[convincingsmile]

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.

[technicallyhellbound]

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.

[convincingsmile]

'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...

[technicallyhellbound]

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.

[convincingsmile]

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. 

[technicallyhellbound]

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.

[convincingsmile]

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."

[technicallyhellbound]

"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.

[convincingsmile]

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...

[technicallyhellbound]

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."

[convincingsmile]

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. 

[technicallyhellbound]

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."

[convincingsmile]

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?"

[technicallyhellbound]

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."