Boo

[shakesbro]

[shakesbro]

longing ~ a yearning desire

[itsscienceliam]

“They think I’m a bloody ghost cat. Or that all ghost are cats. I’m not entirely clear, there were drugs involved it tends to make things hazy.”

[vegetarian-elias]

[shakesbro]

vegetarian-elias​:

If Elias didn’t know better he would think Tybalt sounded almost sad. In fact, he knew Tybalt exceedingly well, and he was quite certain Tybalt did sound almost sad. It made Elias’s heart ache even more. A small, selfish part of him was glad Tybalt so wanted to touch him, even just the briefest, most glancing of touches. A greater part of him hated to see Tybalt, always affectionate in life, deprived of that physical affection for the rest of eternity. Maybe. Unless this book was the answer… But Elias didn’t want to get Tybalt’s hopes up for nothing. Starting with the spell that might let his muggles see him felt wiser. If that spell worked, then there was reason to believe the other would too. 

For now they were both doomed to continue their longing from such a close but insurmountable distance. Love was not something Elias had time for in life, though he’d died quite young. Then it became something twisted, a lie he told himself because it was the only way to keep going day after day until finally he broke free of Thaddeus and all the death and blood that came with him. For a long time he saw Tybalt’s love as shallow and fleeting, jumping from one muggle to the next just as he’d jumped from one lover to the next in life. Elias knew better now. Tybalt loved fully and purely and with all his heart, and he had an endless amount of love to give. Still, Elias felt lucky to be one of many objects of Tybalt’s affection, knowing that Tybalt meant it when he said he would like to see Elias properly kissed even if it could not be by him. But Elias wasn’t sure who else he would ever trust with his heart. He closed his eyes and let out a breath when Tybalt let his fingers glide past his cheeks, imagining for a brief moment that the coolness he felt was Tybalt’s fingers on his skin. His own hand lifted to brush over the place where Tybalt’s hand should be, another rush of cold all that greeted him. He opened his eyes and gave Tybalt a soft smile as he let his hand fall. “If anyone could possibly find me that person, I believe it could only be you.” 

Elias was used to going long spans of time without seeing Tybalt. But as the decades went on, Tybalt’s absence became more noticeable during those stretches of time. And reuniting with him all the more sweet. But Elias was surprised when he saw Tybalt fade, his own version of a blush at Elias’s words. A smile pulled at his lips; it was so much harder to get that sort of reaction from Tybalt than it was for Tybalt to get it by teasing him. But Tybalt’s response was not teasing, and still Elias could feel himself paling again. His smile softened, and it felt like his heart should be racing if only it were still capable of such a thing. But then the moment passed, as they always did, and he chuckled at Tybalt brought them back to teasing. “I just may try. Of course it will be futile, but knowing how much you’ll enjoy my effort it may be worth it all the same,” he said with a grin before following Tybalt through his newly-set-up shelves. 

He smiled at Tybalt’s interest in a newer poet. “That is not the present, but I do have a particularly lovely poem of his I plan to share with you.” He was glad Tybalt approved of his choices in terms of snogging, he supposed. Elias still wasn’t sure snogging against even the most romantic books would be something he wanted to do with someone other than Tybalt. But he didn’t mind the amusement of the conversation. Though he certainly could have done without Tybalt giving him that look as he spoke about people being ravished. Elias paled again, glad that Tybalt quickly found a spot so he did not have to dwell on that thought. Though Tybalt’s explanation of why it was the perfect spot for them to snog was not helping Elias to stop blushing. Nor was that mischievous look. Elias bit his lip. “I think I would close the bookshop and let the moonlight in,” he said with a slight smile. “I don’t think I’d want to get caught. I would want to take my time if I was ever so lucky as to be kissed by you.”

Longing had always been part of who Tybalt was. As a child he’d longed for the adventures to be found outside the nursery. At Hogwarts he’d longed to meet those fearsome muggles who seemed to scare even the bravest wizards. In fact he’d longed for a great many things at Hogwarts. Even amongst the muggles there were plenty of things to long for, people too. So it shouldn’t have been a surprise that as a ghost there would be so much longing. What Tybalt had never expected was that the longing for even the briefest of touches from one specific person would create an ache where his heart once was. Almost enough to think it could beat once more just so it could break. But perhaps seeing Elias finally properly kissed, loved even, would be enough to ease that ache. He’d been so blessed in love, even now, while Elias had not. Tybalt had been horrified to discover what sort of lover Elias had, his only. That was not love but in Tybalt’s mind love was shown in physical ways so he had no way of showing Elias real love. The lack was almost too much to bear as he brushed his fingers where Elias cheek was. Disappointment flooding him when Elias’s hand went through his own. But he smiled at Elias’s faith in him. “It will be my honor and privilege to find you just the right lover.” Tybalt meant every word. Just as he meant to find this person. London was even larger than last they were here. Tybalt was optimistic that he’d be able to find someone.

Tybalt had many compliments in his lifetime, less in his death but there had been some. But Elias  managed to compliment something Tybalt normally didn’t get complimented on. Hearing it from his lovely Elias had him blushing, a rarity in death as it had been in life. It was easy to recover when he saw Elias paling from his honest words. Sweet Elias. Tybalt laughed, pleased at how Elias took to his teasing. “I shall enjoy it immensely. My two favorite things, me and your voice.” Tybalt had a lot of favorite things and it would be easy for anyone to think it meant that he tossed the word favorite around meaninglessly. They’d be wrong. Tybalt had always had a huge capacity to love many things with his entire heart. His love for one didn’t diminish the love for another. Even so it could be said that Elias’s voice was very high on the list of his favorites. Certainly something he’d have thought of immediately if asked to list his favorites. Elias’s grin would also be among those favorite things. Tybalt tried to get as much of Elias as possible so that in Elias’s absence he had something to think back on while he waited for their next meeting.

He’d think of Elias and the writers Elias had introduced him too. While Tybalt didn’t choose his muggles based on their bookshelves he did enjoy finding books on their shelves Elias owned. In his mind all of his loves were connected thanks to those little things. Even the ones that Elias would never know of. Tybalt was surprised to hear the poet wasn’t his present.  Rather than press about the present he was distracted by the poem. “Have you? Oh how I do cherish lovely poems. All the better when read by you. I shall wait impatiently for the reading,”  he told Elias with a grin. One that grew wider when Elias paled once more. As much as he liked the thought of a ravished Elias, that was not special. He wanted Elias loved. Treated as he should be. Which of course started with the right spot to set the mood. His attention was distracted from the perfect spot for a moment by Elias biting his lip. Tybalt licked his own. Elias words bringing his eyes back to Elias’s. He smiled at the words, resisting the urge to step closer and attempt to kiss him. The way Elias was looking at him made it so tempting. But it  would only end in despair. “Tis I that would be the lucky one, dearest. Moonlight dancing across the books, softening edges and bathing the shop in beauty. Your eyes sparkling in the moonlight, outdoing the moon in loveliness. It would be a moment to take thy time with for certain. Never have I seen lips that looked as heavenly to get drunk on as yours. Far better than a stolen moment, you’re right.” Tybalt very much wished it was an experience he could have. But alas… “I shall envy the one who gets that honor and enjoy very much seeing you kissed.”

[shakesbro]

vegetarian-elias​:

Elias listened as Tybalt described the sort of bloke he thought Elias ought to kiss, amused at first as the ghost described characteristics that were indeed agreeable, and that began to paint a picture of Tybalt himself the more he went on. Elias’s amused smile turned fond, and it softened further at the thought of running his fingers through Tybalt’s wavey locks. He certainly wasn’t prepared for the lovely things Tybalt said next. If Elias’s heart still beat he was certain it would be racing as his eyes stayed fixed on Tybalt. As it was he could feel any remaining color draining from his cheeks. When he thought about this later – and he would, certainly – Elias would think about how it was no wonder Tybalt had had so many lovers before his death, when his words were like a love poem and his gaze so enticing. His eyes flickered down to Tybalt’s lips when the ghost licked them. If only… Elias licked his own lips. Speaking of breathless, he was quite certain he’d have forgotten how if he still needed to breathe; he hadn’t missed the way Tybalt had said both of you forget you don’t have to breath. If only, if only… And then the spell was broken with that addition, at least partly. There was still something wildly enticing about hearing Tybalt say he wanted to watch Elias be kissed how he’d described, would want to see him after. It took Elias several moments to gather himself enough to respond. “Well um…” What was he supposed to do with his hands? He ran one through his hair. “When you put it that way, that sounds…quite enticing.” His voice came out surprisingly soft. “But I don’t know what living soul you could possibly find to fit that description.” No living soul, because he was looking at the deceased soul who Elias so badly wanted to kiss. He wasn’t sure when he’d started to so notice the absence of Tybalt’s touch. First it had just been small things, a desire to brush a curl off Tybalt’s forehead or hug him hello. Now what Elias would give for just one kiss… his mind flickered to the book he’d already hinted at. But there would be time for that later. 

Clearly all the talk of kissing had emboldened him, or maybe it was the teasing, or the giddiness he was still feeling to be reunited with Tybalt once more. Each reunion felt even sweeter than the last, and this one in particular. He smiled when his words elicited the very laugh he’d just complimented, and Rowena if it wasn’t the loveliest sound. “Of course you like it,” Elias teased, though he was rather enjoying telling Tybalt all the things he liked about him too. Too much time apart, clearly. “I like too many things about you to list them all, I’m certain I’d bore you,” he said with a teasing grin, though it softened and he added, “You’ve a beautiful soul, Tybs. I think that’s my favorite thing.” Tybalt was attractive, certainly, but that wasn’t why – in spite of himself at first – Elias had grown ever so fond of dear Tybalt over the centuries. He was excited by the possibility that he might be able to do something grand for the other – if what this book claimed to do worked. He was surprised when Tybs confessed he’d never bothered to find out if he could keep something, though he smiled fondly when the other explained why. Maybe not just out of necessity, then, and Elias didn’t have it in him to mind. “I quite like our arrangement as well,” he agreed. 

The shelves didn’t really look properly finished until Tybs was floating through the shop; this was just how Elias liked it. He chuckled at Tybalt’s reminder of his new mission to get Elias snogged, making a face at the thought of snogging against Faulkner and Dickens. “No, certainly not,” he agreed, moving to walk through the shelves behind Tybalt. “I feel like I should defer to the expert in terms of the best location. Perhaps once you find it I’ll put the poets of the greats there. Byron and Keats. Dickinson. Tennyson and Blake….I’m rather fond of Cummings these days,” he mused, not one of the classics perhaps but one that Elias suspected may be classified as such in the next century or so.

As much as he loved himself he hadn’t realized that he’d described himself to Elias. Hadn’t noticed he’d gotten so caught up in the imagining of it that he’d slipped and put himself in place. Not even the part of allowing to watch was off for him. He certainly wouldn’t have minded someone watching him song Elias, or any of his past lovers, breathless. Once outside the confines of Hogwarts and his pureblood family he’d been overjoyed to discover far less restrictive boundaries among the acting troupe. Now that he was a ghost he seemed to have gone back to restrictions. Funny how cheating death partially had given him more and less freedom. Those restrictions were chaffing now as he described the sort of kiss Elias deserved. He swallowed watching Elias lick his own lips. How he wanted to lean forwards and taste them. Tybalt waited for Elias to compose himself, thrilled he’d gotten to the vampire so much. Now if only he could back up those words with action. He smiled softly as he watched Elias’s hand do what his own could not, run through his hair. The soft voice made Tybalt long even more for Elias. Even just a touch. “I don’t know either,” he replied softly, sounding the closest he ever did to sadness.

“I just know that since I never had the chance to dip my tongue into the sweetness of thy mouth I shall endeavor to find someone who will do it properly,” he told Elias softly but earnestly. Tybalt couldn’t resist letting his fingers glide near Elias’s cheek. He didn’t have enough energy for an almost touch but it was too great a desire not to attempt something.

Tybalt very much enjoyed this bold Elias. Not that he’d ever seen an Elias he didn’t like. It wasn’t only because he liked the confessions he was getting, and the teasing. But those were very nice. Had he breath Elias would have stolen it with his addition. He faded, a ghostly blush thanks to Elias’s lovely words. Oh how he wanted to touch the other. A soft kiss. Something. Anything. “As do you, my dearest. I’m more enchanted by you each time we meet,” he confessed softly, teasing momentarily forgotten. But not for long. “Really though, me, bored of hearing about me? Please, Elias, you know me well enough to know that would never happen. You’re certainly welcome to try though.” Tybalt knew he’d enjoy it. Not only because it would involve lovely things said about him from Elias but because he could listen to Elias speak for eternity and never be bored. It was one of the reasons he loved to hear Elias read. His voice was like a balm, soothing Tybalt’s restless spirit. It, and being near to Elias, was all Tybalt could ask for. The only things he desired to keep. He smiled happily when Elias agreed that he liked their arrangement as well.

“I shall find the perfect spot then,” he told Elias with a grin at his new assignment of sorts. His smile turned fond as Elias rattled off poets, some he’d actually known when they lived. “Cummings,” he asked turning around in curiosity. “Ah, that must be my present, a new poet. I do love when you discover the next great. You have such a knack for it Elias, dear.” Because clearly this poet must be a great if he was listed among the others. “Those are all wonderful books to be snogged against,” Tybalt agreed, coming back to their original quest. “Of course you could always put those dirty novels there, if you’ve got any more of those. I rather like hearing about lads and ladies being ravished by handsome princes and devilish strangers.” He gave Elias a look that said he wouldn’t mind ravishing Elias before finding the perfect spot. “This is where you should put the books you’d like to be snogged against. It’s a nice little nook. Exactly where I’d snog you. A little privacy in case there’s others around, but not so much you might not get caught. Plenty though if you’ve closed the bookshop early for some fun, you can leave the blinds open and let the moon play across the books and no one outside will be the wiser.” He looked over at Elias with a mischievous look, exactly where he’d snog Elias if he could. If only…

[shakesbro]

vegetarian-elias​:

Elias had missed Tybalt’s laugh, both the sound of it and how easily it came. It was especially sweet when it was because of something Elias said. Speaking of sweet – a shiver ran down Elias’s spine when he felt a soft, cool whisp of air brush against his ear as Tybalt surprised him by getting so close. His cheeks paled further, as did his neck, and he was certain Tybalt would notice this time. The absence of a physical presence felt even more pronounced, then, as it did on those occasions where Tybalt made like he was going to touch him and Elias foolishly hoped perhaps he could. He turned back to face Tybalt when the other moved back, though he was still unfairly close to be talking about kissing Elias properly. Though he quirked a skeptical eyebrow when Tybalt suggested Elias find someone else to kiss. Romance had never been an interest to him in death, not since he first broke free of Thaddeus. Except, of course, when Tybalt spoke of it. He made it sound so nice, after all. “What sort of person would you find to give me a proper kiss?” He asked, curious. 

His smile widened at Tybalt’s hearty laugh and the other’s reaction to his comment. “I’m glad to hear it, though of course I never doubted your taste.” He did, however, doubt the taste of the muggles’ cousin. Though Elias couldn’t help laugh at Tybalt’s comment about how the Hogwarts students treated ghosts. “Never you though, of course,” he teased. 

“Well that shouldn’t be hard, I’m sure I can manage. Perhaps I’ll also remind you more often how attractive your laugh is,” he added with a smile, feeling a bit bolder than normal in his excitement at being reunited with Tybalt once more. His enthusiasm was infectious; Elias had missed that. Though perhaps he’d gotten a bit too caught up. Maybe he shouldn’t have mentioned the book he’d found yet, lest it prove not to do what it claimed to. He’d hate to get Tybalt’s hopes up – but really the only way to know if the spells would work would be to try them out, and Tybalt had to be a knowing participant for that to work. “I’m not sure I’d call it a present, at least not in the sense that it’s something you can…” He paused and regarded Tybalt for a moment. “You can’t keep things, can you?” All of the books he’d shared with Tybalt over the years had been shared by Elias reading them to him, or holding them open for both of them to read to themselves and turning the pages for them both, Tybalt reading over his shoulder. Surely that had all been out of necessity. He chuckled at Tybalt’s teasing. “Tybalt, my dear, you’ve helped with the most important part,” he said fondly; Tybalt had held the shop open for him, after all. “All that’s left is some minor adjustments.” Speaking of which, Elias pulled out his wand, double-checking that the window shades were draw to keep out prying muggle eyes before he gave it a few waves, transfiguring some of the furniture into shelves and summoning some extra ones out of his small suitcase, arranging and rearranging them a few times until he was satisfied with the fit. Packing and unpacking his bookshop was something he’d done so often it was a rather quick process now. He’d be done in no time.

Elias was blushing. Godric, he did like when he made Elias blush. Sometimes he thought of things he could do to make Elias blush. Sadly most were things he couldn’t do any longer. As much as he loved being a ghost it did have severe drawbacks. Ones that were more upsetting whenever dear Elias was near. It seemed as though each time they saw each other the longing got worse. But it was hard to tell, time was no longer a thing for Tybalt so knowing if the pain was worse each time was hard. All he knew was that he couldn’t stop trying to touch Elias even when he knew the results would be disappointing. But if he couldn’t do it, it only seemed fair that someone should. He smiled when Elias asked what sort of person. Truthfully he hadn’t thought about that but it didn’t take him long to answer. It was an easy question after all. “They must be good looking of course. A good sense of humor. Someone who can hold their own in conversation. Even if you won’t be conversing it should be someone capable. Strong but not too bulky. Leaner for certain. A charming smile never hurts. Knowledge of the great romances. No need to write your own sonnet when you know all the best by heart. Wavey sort of curly hair so you’ve got something worth running your fingers through but not so curly they get stuck. Someone who will push you against a shelf full of poetry, or romance novels, and tell you that drowning in thou eyes would be the sweetest of deaths. Confess how long they’ve been wanting to kiss you and beg for just one kiss of your divine lips so they may know what heaven taste like.” Tybalt licked his lips lightly, eyes on Elias’s lips, if only. “Before kissing you so long you both forget you don’t have to breath and come up from the kiss breathless.”  That was the sort of kiss Elias should have. “But most importantly someone who wouldn’t mind me watching because I’d very much like to see you kissed properly, dearest. And be distracted by how delightfully sinful you are sure to look after.”

As much as talking about it made the longing to kiss Elias worse, it was easy to smile as Elias teased him more. Tybalt was hardly one to mope, alive or dead, he never let disappointments get him down. Especially not in such wonderful company. “I never ignored any ghost in my life. Or death for that matter.” Which was all he could attest to not doing given how he’d teased a few.

Tybalt laughed without a thought, his eyes lifting in interest.  “I’m glad to hear of your appreciation of my laugh, given how easily it is to be mirthful around you.” Not that it was ever difficult for Tybalt. “I rather like you telling me all the sexy things about myself. Do keep it up,” he added unabashedly. The boldness Elias was showing was hot. As if anything about the other wasn’t. Not even the blood part put him off, surprisingly. He was surprised by Elias’s question,  mostly because it was one he’d never considered himself. “I don’t rightly know,” he confessed. “I’ve never bothered to find out. The only things I might be tempted to keep are from you and why should I when we have such a lovely arrangement. You’re a capital reader and I rather enjoy reading over your shoulder,” he added with a teasing smile. Anything to be closer to Elias.  He smiled when he got another chuckle out of Elias. Watching Elias set up shop was always a joy. Occasionally he missed the thrill of a wand in his hand, the magical kind too. He drifted through the shop once Elias had finished. “Perfect! I like this layout, easier not to accidentally go through a shelf. Now you’ve just got to decide which is the best location for your snog so you’re certain to  put the right books there. No one wants to be snogged against Faulkner or Dickens.”

[shakesbro]

vegetarian-elias​:

Elias’s slight grin gave way to a wider one at the response his coy teasing got from Tybalt. He laughed at the other’s unabashed admission of getting distracted by himself, something Elias did not doubt one bit. “I’m not saying that’s the only reason I hid behind books,” he answered, teasing a bit more, though it was also true. Elias loved to read. And Tybalt had also been distracting in a way that Elias used to attribute to annoyance, until he’d gotten a broader perspective on who a bloke could fancy and realized perhaps he’d mislabeled some of those feelings. Though really he should have known better than to flirt with Tybalt, because the other always managed to outdo him. Elias could feel the color draining from his cheeks, the vampire version of blushing (which was unfair that it was even still an option when he had no blood of his own) when Tybalt spoke about snogging him silly in the library. He was glad he’d turned away. If only… “Yes, well, you’re very easily distracted,” Elias pointed out, though his voice was still teasing. 

He chuckled at what Tybalt said about the muggles. “I do hope they don’t find me and my shop dreadfully boring,” he said, though he was teasing again. If Tybalt thought they would enjoy his shop, Elias did not doubt that. He knew his people quite well. 

He laughed at Tybalt’s comment about the wizards. “I can’t imagine compliments have gone out of style, though I have been away from London for a while so I supposed I could have missed it.” Elias had a hunch they were probably perfectly fine with compliments that were not of the ‘you would look great nude’ sort, but ignoring Tybalt even when the muggles were not present also felt ruder than necessary, so Elias didn’t want to give them too much benefit of the doubt unless and until he had a chance to meet them for himself. “If I ever do meet them I’ll be sure to give them a lesson on ghost etiquette.” 

He chuckled when Tybalt said Elias calling him attractive was the highlight of his death. Tybalt always did have a knack for hyperbole. “I shall try to say it more often, then,” he assured him, because hyperbole or not he did enjoy making his dear friend happy however he could. A favor Tybalt always seemed eager to return. Elias smiled fondly when he mentioned the closest butcher shop that he’d already scoped out for Elias. “You are a treasure, my dear Tybalt. With any luck I may have a new highlight in store for you,” he added, keeping that intentionally vague. “But I shall have to get the shop settled first or I’ll never find it in here,” he nodded toward his small suitcase. 

Tybalt laughed happily as if Elias had just said Tybalt was the only reason. He knew the vampire loved reading but finding out he’d been anything of a distraction during their school days made him very happy. As did the fact that Elias seemed to be blushing, it was hard to tell with his back turned. Tybalt would just decide Elias definitely was, something he enjoyed making the other do. “Perhaps,” he agreed coyly, he’d moved so he was close enough to whisper the word in Elias’s ear. Had he not already used so much energy hoping to scare muggles he would have been tempted to do more. Not that there was much more he could do. But occasionally Tybalt found reason to touch Elias. Or a suggestion of a touch really but it was more than he could normally do. A breeze through his hair as Tybalt adjusted a wayward curl. The impression of a hand against his cheek when Elias’s ex lover showed up once more. Once he’d even given Elias a whisper of a kiss on his forehead when he’d come across the other sleeping in his chair. All so much yet so little. He stepped back before he passed through the other once again. “It’s still a sight I’d very much like to see. Shame I didn’t know about kissing lads then, or about being so distracting to you,” he added teasingly. “Perhaps we should find someone to do it, I think you could use a proper kiss.” Tybalt wasn’t a selfish person, even though he couldn’t kiss Elias properly there was no reason Elias couldn’t be kissed.

He laughed heartedly at Elias’s comment about finding the shop boring. “Perish the thought! I can’t imagine what dull muggles they’d have to be to find you boring or your shop. They are both keen readers, and not just made up rubbish about us. They read books you sell as well.” His muggles would love Elias, Liam probably more so. But now that they were together maybe Alex would have more of an open mind.

Tybalt naturally felt as though the sort of compliments he gave were superior. The naked form was an art in itself, some more abstract art than others, but art all the same. The fact that the wizards hadn’t taken well to his compliments was perplexing.  “Good! They clearly need it. You’d think Hogwarts would cover that. But then again students are awful little snots to the ghosts.” He’d certainly been a time or five. He’d never ignored any though.

“Good you should,” he replied quite pleased with the idea of it. Especially now that he knew he had been a distraction for Elias all along. Elias’s  comment about a new highlight had him as excited as he was confused. “Have you brought me a present? My dearest, Elias, you are present enough for me. Which is to say I’ll accept your present very willingly when you find it.” While Tybalt didn’t know what kind of present a ghost could get, if it was indeed a present he didn’t doubt it would be one he could keep. Elias would never give him something that he couldn’t. Though if he thought on it too much he couldn’t help wondering what sort of object could be kept by him? Best not to think too much on it. Easy to do for Tybalt. “I’d help with the shop but I’m afraid I’m all air,” he teased letting his hand pass through one of the books Elias had already gotten out.

[shakesbro]

vegetarian-elias​:

Tybalt’s ego remained unchanging through time, and it was something Elias has come to appreciate the consistency of, if nothing else. Though Tybalt had a way of being entirely full of himself without it making him insufferable, likely because he extended the same generosity to most everyone he came across. It was a shame Elias hadn’t realized that when they were both alive. “Who says I wasn’t?” Elias asked with a subtle grin, turning back to his suitcase intentionally playing coy just to tease the other. He waved his wand and a few stacks of books flew out of it, stacking themselves neatly next to the bag on the countertop. “Well that part I have no doubt about,” he agreed with a grin at Tybalt’s words about the muggles. “I’m excited to meet them.” Tybalt always did pick out the most fascinating muggles; Elias always felt it was unfair he was the only one who actually got to speak to them. 

Elias laughed at the next thing Tybalt said, though he had no doubt that was the truth given the company Tybalt had kept before his life was sadly cut short. He chuckled again at the thought of Tybalt driving some poor muggle shop owners away. Though it was less amusing to hear the muggle’s cousin was being rude to Tybalt even when the muggles weren’t around. Elias could understand not wanting the muggles to question who he was talking to, but it seemed unnecessary to be cold when they weren’t around. It wasn’t as if a ghost hanging around could hurt the muggles, least of all a friendly ghost like Tybalt. Though Elias couldn’t help letting out another laugh when Tybalt let slip that he’d told one of them they’d look good nude. Elias could understand some hesitation there; it had taken him some time to get used to Tybalt. “Some people just can’t take a compliment,” he said with a playful shake of his head, amused at the situation. “Still, it’s a shame they’re not friendlier.”

But his smile was back to hear the laugh he pulled from Tybalt, and the compliment that followed, just confirming his point that Tybalt really was a boost to his ego. Overly generous to him, in Elias’s opinion, but it was something he appreciated about his dear friend. “I’m glad you think so. Nothing you need worry over either, not that I think you’d ever worry about that.” Tybalt was nothing if not confident, and Elias’s words were affectionate. 

Despite being positively delighted already at just Elias’s presence the Vampire’s coy answer had Tybalt even more delighted. “Elias, are thou saying you hid that pretty face behind so many books at school because I distracted thou? That does make sense, I was so fetching in my Gryffindor robes I distracted myself plenty.”

Tybalt let out a sigh, though the smile didn’t dim any. “Oh how I could have snogged you till you were positively giddy in the library. Now that would have been a distracting sight, you properly kissed.”  Something Tybalt would very much like to see. Even if he wasn’t the one getting to properly snog Elias, though he doing the deed would be decidedly better. Not something he was able to do as a ghost, sadly. At least he could introduce Elias to his muggles. He always enjoyed that. It was the closest he came to having an actual conversation with them. “As you should,” he agreed. “They too if they only knew what delight awaited them.” Anticipation for that meeting had been building since Liam took the pizza job.

For now he was content to bask in the laughter of Elias’s, he’d missed that. Conversations with wizards who did not know him were not nearly as satisfying as talking with his dearest Elias. It was gratifying to know he could still make the other laugh.  “Sadly you’re right. These two seem to be. Firmly in that category. Odd given how attractive they are. Perhaps compliments have gone out of style. A shame if that’s the case. I’m fond of telling people how attractive they are. Even those I wouldn’t have slept with.” He hadn’t decided which category the cousin and his boyfriend fell into, would have slept with or just enjoyed their good looks from afar. “I agree with you there as well. You’d think they never met a ghost before. I know the ones at school are bores but still it’s just basic manners. I’m not certain if you’ll meet them, but if not it’s not a great loss.”

Tybalt laughed at Elais’s words, enjoying the only type of affection he could receive any longer. “Not at all my friend. But I do so enjoy hearing you find me extremely attractive. Not that it’s not enough to find oneself attractive but hearing you say it is a highlight of my death.” Hearing it from Elias made him very happy. He in turn liked making Elias happy as well. In whatever ways he could, from compliments to scoping out the neighborhood for him. “I assume you have already located the nearest butcher’s shop. If not it’s in the same spot. Not far off from here, you can pop round for groceries with little trouble I’d guess.”

[shakesbro]

vegetarian-elias​:

Elias chuckled. “Maybe more of one than the other,” he said with a teasing grin, knowing full well which of the two Tybalt would think it was. Elias didn’t necessarily think that was wrong, either, but the ambiguity amused him. Not nearly as much as Tybalt hanging around muggle ghost-hunters amused him, though. The poor muggles, no clue what they were searching for was actually hovering in front of them so much of the time. Less amusing was the notion that one of the muggles might meet Elias and suspect he was a vampire. The last thing he needed was to be accused of violating the Statute of Secrecy and get himself banished from London until enough time had passed that no one remembered him anymore. Still, he chuckled at Tybalt’s reassurances. “I’m sure you’re right.” Elias did not doubt he would enjoy Tybalt’s muggle friends, he just hoped it didn’t cause him any problems. 

It was a surprise to hear Tybalt had chosen the bookshop location before the muggles ended up working next door, though he chuckled at Tyb’s admission he’d suspected one of them would end up there regardless. “You always do know the objects of your affection quiet well,” he said with a smile, pleased to be counted as one of those. Tybs had clearly known the sort of location Elias would be attracted to for his shop, though he’d also frequented so many of them over the years Elias would hope that was the case. Elias let out a laugh, louder than any he’d let out since he was last in his dear friend’s company, at the thought of him making faces at a wizard bloke and his boyfriend while they were with the muggle cousin. That was a new one. “Now hang on, do they ignore you just when the muggles are around? Because you can hardly blame them for that. Then again if their cousins are supposed ghost hunters…” Elias trailed off, musing over that one. Was it so bad, even with the statute of secrecy, to confirm the existence of someone a muggle already believed in? What a delightfully curious situation; Tybalt really was good at finding those. 

Elias always worried he bored Tybalt when he got to talking about politics and the like from the countries he traveled to. A lingering sentiment from their lives before death, perhaps, where Tybalt had been gregarious and lively while Elias had been quiet and bookish and surprised the other had even remembered him when their paths crossed again years later. But of course Tybalt had not grown tired of him for centuries. Or perhaps Elias was just a friendly face, and so Tybalt didn’t mind when Elias bored him. At any rate, he was pleased when his water bottle pulled a laugh from the other. 

“Yes, their trends are taking an interesting turn. It’s working quite well for me.” Now people just assumed Elias was a punk kid instead of thinking he was pale because he was sickly. Though he was quick to laugh and nod his agreement. “I don’t think I could pull of the whole look.” Nor did he want to; Elias would also be sad to see his hair gone. He laughed at Tybalt’s addition. “My ego always seems to be smaller when you’re not around, Tyb, though I can’t for the life of me imagine why,” he teased, two jokes in one because saying things that suggested he was actually alive always amused Elias. 

“I agree, fake bosoms and a corset are never enough to make a convincing girl. They were very lucky I am such a beautiful bloke. I don’t know how you manage not be distracted by me at school,” he added flirting. One of the few regrets of his life was not having snogged Elias when such a thing would have been possible. But at school Elias hid his pretty face behind books so often Tybalt would forget he was a good looking bloke. And their only other time of meeting he’d been so shocked to both see Elias and to see Elias looking like several years had not passed that he regrettably hadn’t thought about it. But he didn’t doubt Elias meant his good looks and not the padding. Tybalt’s ego had never been what anyone would call small. Not even living with muggles who couldn’t hear or see him shrunk it. “I know my muggles, they’ll delight you,” he said confidently. The Statute of Secrecy wasn’t something he’d ever concerned himself with too much alive, dead it didn’t even register in his mind as something to care about. Instead he just thought about how amusing it would be to watch Liam try to convince Alex that Elias was a vampire and not just a punk.

Tybalt grinned at Elias’s words. Considering that Elias was one of those objects he felt certain that he did. Indeed know them all well. Even when he chose to ignore certain pesky truths like the fact that Alex would be aghast and not excited to find out about him. “It’s why I was such a magnificent lover,” he agreed. “I knew this was the shop for you as soon as I saw it. Thankfully it was already empty or I’d have had to drive out the current occupants.” Something Tybalt would have gladly done to make certain that Elias got the shop he wanted. Especially since it got one of his muggles and Elias in the same location. An actual dream. “Hardly blame them! Of course I can blame them. It’s rude to ignore someone that is talking to you. Especially because I was quite in distress the first time I realized the cousin could see me. They think I’m a bloody ghost cat. Or that all ghost are cats. I’m not entirely clear, there were drugs involved it tends to make things hazy. The point is I was ecstatic to find someone I could talk to only to be ignored,” Tybalt pouted, the nerve of that bloke. “And he tends to try and do it when they’re out of the room too.  He even shooed me! Can you believe it? Who shoos a ghost?” Tybalt looked offended at that. “The boyfriend was a bit nicer but clearly can’t handle being flirted with. You’d think no one had ever told him he’d look marvelous nude. I’ve seen better but he has a nice figure.” The pair of them had been disappointing as far as wizards went. But then wizards did tend to be on the disappointing side, which was why he spent so much of his afterlife with muggles.

He laughed at Elias’s words. “I’d agree,”  he replied, talking about the way Elias looked in the clothes he was wearing and not about how much easy it might be making death for the other. His laughter was only louder at Elias’s jokes. He enjoyed the little jokes about life. “I can’t think of why that’d be either. But I’m happy to help. I’ve always said the bigger the better when it come to egos. Unless of course you’ve got nothing to have an ego about. Nothing thou need worry over.”

[shakesbro]

vegetarian-elias​:

“That you did!” Elias agreed with a chuckle. Granted at the time he’d just been surprised to see an old classmate in a muggle play and horrified at the thought said former classmate might become a meal for one of his coven, but in hindsight Tybalt had indeed made a lovely maiden. An amused grin settled on his face as he opened up his suitcase on the countertop; Tybalt always seemed to think the latest muggles he’d found to keep track of were the best yet. Though Elias paused at what Tybalt said next. “Ghost hunters?!” Elias asked with a laugh; of course Tybalt had found himself ghost-hunting muggles. The hairy giant and the camping were new ones. “Hm. I’ve done my share of camping then, I suppose, though never by choice,” he commented, in agreement with Tybalt that it seemed an odd choice for fun. Then again, youths these days didn’t know how much rougher life had been just a century ago, let alone two centuries ago. He quirked an eyebrow as Tybalt kept talking; these muggles did indeed sound unique. “I usually try to avoid muggles who might suspect I’m a vampire, you know,” he pointed out, though if this bloke was also hunting ghosts and bigfoots perhaps Elias didn’t have too much to worry about. And he didn’t doubt he would enjoy them as Tybalt suggested. 

“Why am I not surprised one of them works next door?” He quipped, pleased that Tybalt still wanted him close after all these years. It was a surprise to hear one of the muggles had a wizard cousin. “I can only imagine how surprised the wizard was to find out his muggle cousin had a friendly ghost following him about,” Elias commented with a grin, disappointed he’d missed that. It was possible, Elias supposed, that Tybalt had not revealed himself to the wizard, but that didn’t sound like Tybalt. Plus Elias wasn’t sure how else he’d have figured out the cousin was a wizard, unless perhaps he’d spotted some surreptitious magic; certainly a possibility. 

“Where was I when last we spoke?” He asked, musing for a moment. “France, I believe? I went to Germany next, when I heard of that wall going up. Terrible business, that, though I joined up with some wizards who were helping people flee to the West. Once it became clear that wall is not coming down for some time, though, I moved on to Prague, incredible protests going on there before the Soviets took control. I’d been in the States since then, incredible civil rights movements among the muggles and a squib rights movement happening there as well. Of course once I got word of what’s been happening here in London I knew it was time to make my return. You’ll love what I got in America before I left, take a look,” he added with a grin, pulling out the metal water bottle from his bag with a bumper sticker that said ‘human blood.’ “Got it from a muggle shop, can you believe it?” Elias said with a shake of his head; the punk movement was a gift, truly.

Tybalt grinned wider at Elias’s agreement, the joy that Elias had gotten to see him in action on stage had always overshadowed the unpleasantness of muggles getting eaten that night. “Didn’t even have to use magic, just good muggle ingenuity and my own fantastic looks.” He’d always been a good looking bloke, now he was a good looking ghost. A visual gift to everyone. It pleased him further that Elias found the fact that the muggles were ghost hunters as humorous as he did. “I’ve had a few muggles who did as well. These are the first who enjoy it.” They were odd ones, but fantastic all the same. He grinned once again at Elias’s words. “Yes, but you’ve never met one like this one. You’ll enjoy him. Both of them.” Tybalt was certain of it. “Liam believes in everything. It’s lovely. Such an open mind.” It was a wonder, truly.

“In all fairness I chose this location before he went to work there. Though I did have an inkling he’d be attracted to it. His last job as also in pizza. It’s all they seem to eat.” The only issue was that Alex’s job was so far away. Tybalt wasn’t sure what he could do about that but two out of three wasn’t bad. Especially since Alexio was always at the pizzeria as well. He laughed at Elias’s comment about the wizard cousin. “Yes, he’s not one for conversation, sadly. I keep trying to get him to tell them things for me. The boyfriend is not better. It’s quite rude actually. I’ve taken to making rude noises and facial expressions since they refuse to engage in conversation.”  Only natural in his mind, a ghost had to have some dignity.

Much better than the rudeness of his muggles’s cousin was hearing about Elias’s adventures. “Yes, France, what fun that was. I was with an artist then  I believe. Always a happening with those.” Tybalt tried to keep up with events so he’d be able to have something to speak with Elias about. But it was hard. The length between their meetings was long enough to make it difficult. Adding to that was the fact that Tybalt had never paid attention to such things before. While Elias sought after historic events to be a witness to, Tybalt was more interested in individual muggles. Usually creatives of some sort. He’d managed to accidentally cross paths with many now famous writers, a few famous artists, and some actors. Only more times than not he was clueless to their eventual fame until he spied their names on a spine in the bookshop or heard someone speaking of them. He was vaguely aware of the happenings in London. Historical events  were momentarily forgotten when Elias pulled out the bottle. He laughed.

“A muggle, really? I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. My muggles are in university and some of the others are odd ducks.  They’ve taken to shaving their heads, marking their bodies like sailors, and sticking pins in various areas.” Tybalt was used to being slightly confused by current fashions. Elias always seemed to manage well, looking both fashionable and attractive no matter the outfit. “Glad to see you haven’t gone for the full look. I’d be sad to see your hair gone. That said, I do approve of the trousers,” he added with a flirty look. 

[shakesbro]

vegetarian-elias​:

Before Elias could protest – which tended to be how Tybalt did most things – Tybalt was launching at him with a hug and Elias was met with the familiar sensation of cold washing over him. An extra odd feeling given his lack of blood made him colder than an average human too. Elias had always thought perhaps part of the reason it felt so cold was the absence of the touch that was intended; even knowing how Tybalt’s attempt would end, Elias was met with the usual pang of disappointment when the other passed through him. Still, that disappointment was nothing compared to Elias’s joy at seeing his oldest friend once again. With all the changes they’d witnessed over the centuries, especially recently, Tybalt was a constant.

It figured he was also haunting the pizza shop next door. Or perhaps it was just presumed haunted because of its proximity to the book shop, but Elias had a hunch Tybalt had chosen this place for a reason beyond just the good location. “No doubt I’ve got the best ghost for a bookshop. Who better to help sell old Shakespeare anthologies than an original cast member?” Elias asked, his voice neutral but his eyes teasing because he knew that wasn’t what Tybalt meant when he said Elias had the best ghost, and Elias was inclined to agree him on that. He laughed at Tybalt’s next, not at all surprising comment. Elias looked the same as ever, forever 17 and unchanging except for his clothes. There was a sort of comfort in always seeing Tybalt in his clothing from the world they’d grown up in. Tybalt was a reminder of home, and the closest thing to home itself. Not to mention things were always more interesting when Tybalt was in town. “You’re looking translucent as ever,” Elias said with a grin as he walked over to a dusty countertop and set down his small suitcase. “So tell me, what have you found to keep yourself occupied in my absence?”

Tybalt let out a half-hearted groan at the name of the playwright who’d memorized him in such a careless manner. The least he could have done was make his Tybalt more like the real one. But alas Tybalt had come to realize he was just too amazing to for someone as mediocrely talented as William was. In truth he was never consistent on Shakespeare, sometimes the other was a mourned friend, other’s he was a villain for what he’d done. Today it was more of a slight annoyance overshadowed by his memories of being on stage. “He was lucky to have me. I made a beautiful maiden.” Tybalt fluttered his eyelashes demurely before breaking out in a wide, unabashed grin. One that widened at Elias’s question. “Ah, I’ve been having a wondrous time, my friend. You simply must meet my muggles. They’re an excellent pair. In fact I’d say they’re by far my best yet!” Tybalt spoke as if he’d had something to do with the amazing-ness of the muggles he was latched onto currently. “They’re ghost hunters, isn’t that droll.” He laughed, it was a constant amusement for him. “Last year we even did something called camping which is such a curiosity. They give up all manner of comfort to sleep rough for amusement. Or in my muggles’s case to look for something called Bigfoot. From what I gather it’s a rather hairy giant. We always go on adventures like that. It’s the bee’s knees!” Tybalt’s love for muggles had only grown after his death. Every time he was forced to part with one, he thought he’d never find another as lovely or worth getting attached to. Yet he always did. A pair of them was unusual for him but then these muggles were, in his opinion, highly unusual. “Now I know sleeping out of doors makes them sound daft but they’re really very intelligent. I think you’ll love them! One will certainly believe you’re a vampire and the other will absolutely not believe. It’s how they flirt. So very adorable.” His muggles were a very cute pair.

“It’ll be quite easy to meet them too. The believer works at the pizza shop and they both love books so when they see the shop open they’ll come to you.” His plan would be complete. Tybalt was very pleased with himself with how it was all working. “Oh!  I nearly forgot. One is cousins with a wizard. How perfectly splendid is that? I simply can’t wait for you to meet them. It’ll be lovely having all my dear friends meet.” Tybalt couldn’t wait. “How about you? What marvels of history have you wondered at since our last meeting?”  It wouldn’t be as exciting as his muggles but Tybalt was keenly interested to know what Elias had been up to since their last meeting.  He’d missed the other despite the amusements of his current muggles and the ones who’d preceded them.

[shakesbro]

vegetarian-elias​:

Elias was always glad to come back to London. With so many decades between his visits it was different each time he returned, but it still felt more like home than anyplace else in the world. Perhaps that was partly to do with the company that could almost always be found there. Elias was hoping that particular company was the reason he’d found such a good price on the newest location for his shop; if not, he was going to have to deal with either rusty pipes or a ghost he was not yet acquainted with. Not that Elias could complain too much. By now he was used to getting skeptical looks for his attempts to rent at a young age; he’d learned long ago that if he chose a place that someone wanted to get rid of badly enough, and if he offered a big enough pile of cash as a down payment, people stopped asking questions. What mattered was that, supposed haunting aside, the location was a good one. Lots of muggle activity, very close to the Leaky Cauldron so wizards could walk over easily and peruse the concealed magic section.

After signing off on the paperwork and procuring the keys, Elias made his way to the shop – complete with a small, one-room flat on the top floor – with a single suitcase that contained all of his personal possessions and the entire contents of the bookshop he’d cultivated over many lifetimes. A grin pulled at his lips as he was hit by a blast of cold air the second he opened the door and the noise that followed, the ghostly voice familiar even in its current exaggerated state. “Is creaky pipes and some moaning really all it takes to scare muggles these days?” He asked, unfazed as he stepped inside and set down his suitcase, his grin widening as he spotted a familiar, slightly translucent face. “Tybalt! You’ve outdone yourself, my friend, this spot will do quite nicely, assuming there’s anyone left who dares enter the haunted shop,” he quipped, his grin giving away just how glad he was to see the other.

Tybalt was not expecting a response at all, except perhaps for a scream. Yes he wasn’t pulling out all the stops but Tybalt fancied himself an accomplished actor, he’d been in multiple first runnings of Shakespeare’s plays after all. The role of scary ghost was even easier than that of a desirable young woman. He was doubly surprised to hear the familiar voice commenting on his actions. A broad grin replaced the spooky look, quickly followed by a hearty laugh. “Elias, my friend, you’ve finally made it.” Forgetting himself in his excitement Tybalt rushed over to give Elias a hug only to go right through the other. Right, he wasn’t solid. After so many centuries you’d think one would get used to being non corporeal but Tybalt often forgot such details when excited. Truly the lack of touch was the most difficult part of being dead for someone as physical as Tybalt had been. A loss he felt more keenly when Elias was around. That did not hamper his excitement at seeing his oldest and dearest friend.

Chuckling he turned back to the vampire. “I shouldn’t think you’ll have any problems. The pizzeria next door hasn’t seemed to suffer. Besides while all the best bookshops are in fact haunted, you’ve got the best ghost. That’s what the lads call a winning combination, my friend.” Tybalt looked quite pleased with himself as he looked over at Elias. There was a lot of comfort in seeing his dear friend unchanged despite the time since their last encounter. For what seemed like an eternity things changed at a very slow pace. But then the industrial revolution occurred and things sped along at a pace that Tybalt found a little jarring even if it was also exciting. But Elias was unchanging just as he was. Observers to the innovations of both wizard and muggle kind. “You look well,” he told the other, adding a cheeky wink as he tacked on, “As always.” Despite having used up some energy thinking he was scaring muggles, Tybalt was buzzing with excitement now that Elias was here. What fun they’d have.

[shakesbro]

One of his first actions after arriving in London with his muggles was  to find out if Elias was in the city. Disappointedly he’d beat the vampire here. Accordingly Tybalt took it on himself to locate a suitable spot for the bookshop in case of Elias’s return. He’d chosen the spot next to the pizza shop before one of his muggle’s got a job there, inadvertently being the reason for Liam seeking employment there.  Once Liam had gotten the job there it was clear that he’d chosen the best spot for Elias to set up shop. All that was left to do was continue to make certain the spot stayed empty. As a ghost his sense of time was not all together accurate so he was uncertain of how long he’d haunted the space beside the pizza shop. Only that he’d managed to make the pizza shop known as a haunted spot. Thankfully the notoriety did not attract any tenants to the empty shop beside the pizza place. The ones that did attempt to rent the space were easy to scare off. Though some days it was a bit of a job. All worth it if Elias chose the shop. But with no idea when, or if, that might be he needed to be diligent. Naturally when he saw the rented sign he was disappointed but not deterred. He’d simply run them off.  

Exactly what he was planning on doing. He stayed around the shop waiting for the new tenant or tenants to show up. Finally his wait came to an end. Tybalt decided to start with the classics, as one does, as soon as the door opened he blew cold air out into the room. The chill was quickly followed by banging on the pipes and moaning. “Oooooooooo.” It took a lot of energy to make noises muggles would hear but worth it if he managed to scare them off. Both because it was amusing and because he wanted this spot open for Elias.

“Run mortals, tis haunted,” he said to himself, amused already by his own efforts.

[shakesbro]

Tybalt was in London, his best dead mate was in London, and the bookshop was opened once again. It was a wonderful time to be dead. He loved flitting through the two sections. Peeping on muggles and occasionally scaring wizards, sometimes accidentally. Nearly all his interests and hobbies under one roof. Especially now that some familiar faces were showing up in the shop again. Tybs was delighted to know that some of his favorite customers had not been wizards but Veela instead. Naturally when he spied one he couldn’t stop from saying hello. “Hello, poet. I didn’t think I’d set eyes on that face again.” While he recognized the person in front of him time didn’t seem to have been kind to him. “Thou looks as though you’ve been indulging in too much poetry,” he surmised. “That isn’t groovy my mate.” Tybs was surprised at how melancholy the bloke in front of him looked. He had remembered him and his mate as being jolly fellows. They’d had rousing discussions about his former mate, lover, and nemesis. Maybe it wasn’t too much of a surprise given the bloke’s penchant for poetry. Poets made lovely companions, one of his favorite genre of people to fall in love with. Yet too much poetry did make one melancholy he’d learned. Tedious really. With so many wonderful things just being added to each year he didn’t understand why anyone would indulge their melancholy state. Luckily for Beck, Tybs had excellent advice on how to shake oneself out of the doldrums. “Perhaps some indulgence of another sort is due. A lovely lad or a bonnie bird, or both, several even. Why limit yourself, I always say. There’s nothing like a pretty face to turn one’s mood around. It really is the bee’s knees.”