Castiel (tree_topper) wrote in knowhereic, @ 2017-07-26 18:26:00 |
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Entry tags: | haloverse: canon: york, marvel 1610: canon: remy lebeau, supernatural: canon: castiel, the dresden files: canon: harry dresden |
Who: Harry Dresden, York, Castiel & Gambit
What: Harry gets his new lab and apartment!
When: Early evening.
Where: Half a mile from where the apartments are built.
Rating: Medium for possible language.
Status: Log - Complete
The lab was finally ready. It’d actually taken less time than Gambit had planned for, but he’d still been impatient about it. As they discussed, the lab was a little over three thousand square feet, it had a large area, and several more smaller areas with walls and doors. There were fire walls everywhere, so if fire broke out somewhere it wouldn’t spread. The lab itself had fifteen foot ceilings and plenty of built in tables, as well as a cold storage unit (self contained, it ran on a generator outside, so no electricity needed), and a place for incineration, and plenty of just plain old storage, so Harry could keep things as tidy as was possible for him. Ahem. The walls and floor, even ceiling were made of concrete, with long steel beams stretching everywhere to help hold things up. And, as asked, Gambit had left out any and all electricity. Instead, along the wall, about every five feet, was a little recessed area about ten inches square, with a built in holder for candles. Candles which were already all there and lit, waiting for the new owner. Every ten or so feet along the ceiling, there was a hanging light that contained a few candles. Really, it lit the place beautifully. There were few windows, but that was to be expected, with it being fire proof and all. It was quite nice, really-- it even had a little basement for.. Whatever Harry might want to use it for. A dungeon? Who knew? The stairs, though, the ones in the back of the lab that lead up, those were the highlight. Gambit would give Harry time to check out the lab at the bottom before pointing out those stairs and letting the wizard lead the way. An apartment. Unplanned, but there all the same. A little over two thousand square feet, four bedrooms, a large living area, a reading area, a sitting area, four bathrooms, a large kitchen, and balconies. The rest of the top of the building had been turned into a sort of.. Back yard. Almost a thousand square feet of artificial grass, fake trees, and a sand box for Mouse to dig in the dirt, if he wanted. Yes, Gambit had dirt brought in so the dog could entertain himself. What of it? The place was (mostly) furnished with the big things, couches, beds, rugs, pots, pans, plates, even toilet paper. The Cajun had taken care of everything except the personal touches. The house had plenty of windows, and plenty of mirrors, which candles were hung in front of. It doubled the light. Really, it was spectacular. Well, that was something Harry would realize once they got inside. Presently, the ginger American was just leading the trio up to the large warehouse-like building, nudging the double doors open. Harry had insisted on bringing along a tall blonde (Gambit wanted to climb him like a tree) and his secretary, but the Cajun didn’t mind. It was more people to show off for. The key was extended out to Harry as Gambit gave him a wink. “G’wan in an’ check it out.” Welcome home, Harry. Gambit had even put a ‘Go The Fuck Away’ mat outside that front door. For Harry. *** Harry had a headache, which was a pretty standard mode of operation for the wizard, a pretty common factor that contributed to his general grumpy attitude. His attitude hadn’t cheered at all, especially after he’d been found by Gambit. Gambit who Harry had contemplated punching in the throat until the younger man grinned his stupid grin and told Harry his lab was finished. “Already?” Harry had asked, his attitude changing for the better but not bringing him out of grump mode. Already, indeed. The man had worked his ass off to get it put together and Harry was both astounded and pleased. Which he couldn’t tell Gambit, because that stupid fuck had that stupid fucking smug grin on his face and Harry wanted to slap it off of him. But feeling giddy, Harry had rounded up York (the man was with Harry often enough that the wizard figured he might as well include him in this) and Castiel, because they both needed to see the work space and then as a troupe, they’d all followed Gambit out to the warehouse like space where Harry paused. He stared at it for a moment then glanced at Gambit, taking the keys then pushing the doors open with a hand. It was lit well enough for Harry to see several yards into, but through discussion the wizard was aware there would be a space for candles around the place (Harry would upgrade later to self made magic lanterns but for now, it worked) so he muttered a word and all the candles in the building lit at once. It took Harry’s breath away. A grin spread across his face and he stepped further into the building. Shelves, high ceilings, a cleared out secluded space with a ring of iron and copper in a six foot radius in the floor (a summoning circle, but no one needed to know that). All of it to Harry’s specifications and more. God, damn. Gambit knew what the fuck he was doing when he offered to help Harry. Harry hated him more in that moment because he couldn’t hate him for it. The wizard looked around at such a grand space and couldn’t believe it was his. His own lab, a genuine lab space! To work and keep his work and to conduct his own research, for the first time in his life. Harry’s grin widened and he looked around at his group of merry men. “Holy shit,” He said, not even glancing furtively at the Holy Angel in their presence, “it’s beautiful.” And Harry meant it like he meant very few things when talking to Gambit. He was like a kid a candy shop, wandering across the new floors under such high ceilings, looking at and touching whatever he came into contact with. This was what being a real wizard was like. It was fantastic. *** Castiel sent him a side-glance for that reference, but didn’t say anything. Instead, he allowed Harry time to have his moment, while York pat him on the shoulder and smiled widely at the space around him. “This is impressive, Harry. It’s a ton of space-- what are you going to do? Raise an army and house them here?” He gave that shoulder a squeeze, only looking aside to Castiel when the angel spoke up from his spot closer to the door. “If he keeps bringing home strays,” you, York. You. “He’s going to need a place big enough to house an army.” So said the angel, who finally moved further into the room stiffly, hands hanging at his sides as he looked around. The circle of iron was eyed, and he then turned that suspicious gaze onto Harry. He knew exactly what that was for, but he’d let it go, as he let so many other things go. For his part, Gambit managed to remain quiet, his hands pushed into back pockets as he watched the trio begin to explore the workspace. “What are all these rooms for?” There were individual rooms off to the sides, and they were drawing the blonde man in, headed that way to start opening doors curiously. Unfortunately, they were all empty. Harry would have to get more stuff to fill them. *** Harry could raise an army in a space like this, he could house all the weirdos of Knowhere here if necessary--or so it felt like. The man just grinned more. “Research,” Harry said happily. For the first damned time in his life, Harry Dresden could do his own work because he wasn’t being weighed down with the bullshit of other people or Chicago trying to blow itself up. Sure, yeah, he still worked and did work for the people that needed his services, but that wasn’t so often that Harry couldn’t get up to his own trouble. It was freaking amazing. Ignoring Castiel’s look, Harry knew the angel knew what the circle was about but he played dumb for the moment, just spreading his hands then shrugging. Like a kid. His grumpy mood dissipated and the wizard felt happy enough to harvest sunlight if only there was a sun to do it from. He exhaled steadily then eyed Gambit. “You’re an asshole, you know that right? This doesn’t change that,” Harry said steadily, crossing over to him, but when he got close enough, Harry thrust out his hand to shake the younger man’s, “But it looks fucking great. So,” Harry scowled at him, “thank you.” Dick. Harry didn’t want to like Gambit in that moment, but he couldn’t help it. Double dick. The wizard smiled happily, pleased. “What’s upstairs?” He asked after a moment, because he’d seen the balcony windows from afar. Private investigator, of course he noticed the small details. Harry glanced around the interior and spotted the stairs. *** Harry approached and Gambit held his ground, that smug smirk still settled so easily onto his features. Of course, as Harry got close enough and thrust his hand out, the Cajun visibly flinched-- it was a tiny thing, barely a hair of a shift, but it was there and it altered his expression for only an instant-- then his own hand was thrusting out and he clasped those leather-encased fingers around Harry’s and gave him a firm shake, then abruptly released. “Gonna have y’ repay me wit’ blowjobs.” He replied with a grin. The Angel had been watching, he’d taken note of that little flinch and tilted his head curiously before looking at Harry, his gaze lingering there. Scrutinizing. But his gaze didn’t stay long, as Harry mentioned the stairs and then, from a hundred feet away, York called over to the three of them. “Hey, where do these stairs go?” He was peering up them curiously. “Y’ new apar’men’.” Gambit answered Harry’s question with a tip of a non-existent hat. “G’wan.” Go check it out, wizard, he thought you’d like it. *** “Fuck you,” Harry replied lightly in response to the blowjob payment plan. “It takes a lot more to get me on my knees.” He’d noticed the flinch too, but because he was feeling generous, he said nothing about it. But it was definitely an interesting detail and Harry wasn’t about to forget it. He turned away to look, still ignoring Castiel’s probing looks, and trekked on over to York’s side, looking up the stairs then looking at the blonde. Harry raised both brows then he shrugged. A new apartment, close enough to his workspace that he could keep an eye on both? Harry grinned, he felt like an idiot for as much as he was smiling today but damn if this didn’t feel good after the last few weeks of hell. The wizard clapped York on the shoulder then ascended the staircase, and a flight later, came to an apartment door. Harry removed the keys from his pocket and unlocked the door. What he found on the other side was enough to floor the man, but he held steady. Holy shit. He’d never been the owner of such luxury in his life. What could he say? He wasn’t a rich man and all of his belongings had all been second hand, from shirts and shoes to the sofas in his basement apartment in Chicago. He made due with what he had and felt proud of it, but this? Holy hell, of this was well beyond the wizard’s means. He stared around in brief shock then sort of laughed. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” he said, “This is the space for a whole family, man.” He was one person, one goofy wizard and this wasn’t the kind of life he’d ever envisioned for himself. Stepping further into the apartment, Harry looked around and then started taking the mirrors down. “Nice detail, but too many things can come through these things.” Harry never kept them in his apartment and he wasn’t about to change that. Mirrors were doorways. Everything else though? Well, it would take some getting used to. At least Mouse would have room to breathe and if York stayed around- Harry paused and cast a furtive glance back at the blonde. Did Harry want him to stay? They’d have that conversation later, he guessed. *** York had eagerly followed Harry up the steps and he’d be there when the wizard got his first look around. He flashed the wizard a smile when he saw the look on his face and gave him a nudge. “Nice digs, Harry. Look at the kitchen--” He headed off that way immediately. Gas stove. A proper (and large) ice box with its own generator set on the roof. It could be turned on and off with a switch so it wouldn’t burn up all the fuel if it wasn’t being used. Gambit had tried to think of everything. There was even a doggy door leading out onto that patio, for Mouse. Granted, it was the whole bottom half of the door that swung open (a barn door, for a stall, really), but still. He turned around to look at Harry when the mirrors were mentioned. “What do you mean?” “Mirrors are doorways for spirits, demons, monsters-- many things can come through them.” The helpful answer from the gravelly voice of the angel, who had appeared at doorway, coming inside slowly and looking around. “This is very large for only one person.” He remarked idly. “Well, it means I won’t have to sleep on the couch anymore, even if that couch looks really comfortable-- I get to pick my room.” The soldier smiled across at the two of them before heading down the hall, presumably to look at the rooms. All but one of them had a skylight to look out at the stars. York definitely wanted one that he could see the stars, thanks. Glancing back to the door and the stairs beyond, Castiel lingered a second before coming closer to Harry. “He’s still by the warehouse door.” He thought Harry might like to know, Gambit hadn’t followed them here. This was Harry’s apartment and he’d respect that. The warehouse and lab below were fair game. “They all have their own bathrooms!” York called from one of the bedrooms. *** Harry opened his mouth to explain, but Castiel beat him to it, and then York answered Harry’s unanswered question about staying. That weird little tightness in his chest he’d been studiously ignoring eased a little bit, which Harry decided not to question just then. A self reflective person the wizard was not. He just snorted and let the soldier wander off, shaking his head as the blonde went. That man went to certain lengths to convince Harry he wasn’t a kid, but even so, Harry could let him have a bit of ridiculousness and spirited ease. That was fine. The wizard looked sharply at Castiel at the mention of Gambit then nodded. “Good, he’s not invited in.” As thresholds went, Harry’s was never particularly strong. Bob had told him once that was because his apartment was never really a home. But even so, thresholds were important to upholding boundaries and as far as Harry was concerned, Gambit wouldn’t violate this one. The lab space downstairs, fine, that was a public venue as far as work went, it would have people in and out of it for work. “Let’s go down and see my scum lord, then,” Harry said and shook his head. “Hey, York!” Harry called. “Do me a favor and check the door leading out, I don’t want this apartment entrance only having one way in or out. See what the neighbors look like, won’t you? I’ll be downstairs with Gambit.” Harry glanced back at the angel then gestured him out. “You don’t have to come down if you don’t want to,” Harry said after a pause, “Not your problem.” Harry had entered into the deal with Gambit, therefore it was the wizard’s responsibility, not his secretary’s. Harry smiled faintly anyway then trekked back down the stairs and into the breathtaking room below. “Now I really think you’re an asshole,” Harry said, closing the distance again. “But it’s… it’s more than I imagined.” *** “Sure thing!” York called back, heading out of his claimed room to check for the back exit, there surely had to be one. The angel, meanwhile, gave Harry a look. “I am not leaving you alone with him.” Lord knew what Gambit would do or say, and what Harry would do or say in return. The two of them needed some sort of mediator. Castiel was a good choice. He would follow Harry down the steps and back across the wide open space to where the Cajun was waiting, tapping away on his tablet. He looked slightly concerned, but that was wiped away as he saw the two if them approaching and smiled, slipping the tablet away. Then Harry spoke and he shrugged up his shoulders. “Gotta do what’cha good at, non?” He grinned wider and glanced at the angel, looking him over briefly. “Liked y’ as a girl.” Which earned him a hard stare. It made Gambit put his hands up in surrender. “Jus’ a compliment, beau.” *** Gambit was giving all sorts of interesting cues about his current state. That concerned expression wasn’t lost on Harry but it sure worked to pique his interest; he eyed the younger man just briefly then put it away for later. He’d bug when the man hadn’t just given him the keys to a kingdom. Feeling generous, Harry? The wizard cracked a smile which promptly died at the mention of Castiel as a woman. Harry looked between the two of them then decided it wasn’t business he wanted to be involved in. Right. Okay. Not his problem. Harry exhaled a breath then folded his arms across his chest and continued to eye Gambit. “You really pulled through,” he said after a moment, “I’m glad. Here’s to having a healthy relationship, right?” He said, quirking a brow. Harry knew better than to hope for any such thing, but he and Gambit could work out their differences as they went. … Right? If not, Castiel was here and there was York and Harry’s better judgment. He held out his hand for Gambit one last time and said, “Anything else?” *** “Non, nothin’ else. Rent due on de first of de month, don’ wanna hear no excuses. And if de dog destroys somethin, gonna hafta cover it.” That was that. He took Harry's hand and gave it a shake, the nodded and turned to head out those double doors. “Tell y’ cute lil’ cabana boy,” York, “Dat if you can't pay rent, gonna take him as payment.” He gave Harry a wink before heading out. Castiel just watched him go before looking at the wizard again, eyebrows going up. “That seems like a healthy relationship.” So said the Angel who was in love with a human who wasn't in love with him. Healthy. “Come on, if we leave York alone too long, he may make a fort.” And then they'd never get him out of that nice, new, large apartment. “Would you mind if I brought Deanna over to play with Mouse sometime?” His dog, of course. The angel had a dog. *** “Sure,” Harry laughed, “Tex won’t have any problems with that.” He returned Gambit’s wink. That was fine, piss off the homicidal Freelancer, or at least make her laugh if nothing else. Who knew what she’d do for York in that situation, Harry sure as shit didn’t want to find out. But Gambit could, maybe she’d kill him for Harry and his problems with the kid would be solved. Shaking his head, Harry watched the younger man go then turned his attention to the archangel. He quirked a brow. “Your ideas of healthy are screwed up, Cas. I’m more worried about York making friends with the neighbors.” He was just friendly enough to do it, too. Harry frowned. Deanna? Oh, right, of course. The dog. The archangel had a dog. Harry blinked at him then nodded, “Yeah, of course. Anytime, man. Big place to roam up there, Mouse won’t mind---he’s not neutered?” Harry warned. “So, you know…” He shrugged. “Let’s not make puppies happen.” Harry looked around the interior of the lab again and grinned yet again, looking goofy and relaxed for the first time since arriving. This was nice. This was a change of pace and he was more than pleased. Things were finally looking up. The wizard shook his head, stepped back up to the double doors and locked them. He’d ward them for the nighttime, but during the day this would be a place of business and Castiel would need regular access, as would Harry’s new clients. He’d enjoy figuring out the best way to protect it. But for now? Regular keys would have to do. Looking back at the angel, Harry gestured him to lead the way back toward the apartment. “Man, what am I going to do with all that space?” *** “Neutered?” He questioned, giving the other man a curious look. He didn't understand the word. Really, did Harry want to be the one to explain? But he fell into step with him as he walked. What would he do with all this space? “Find happiness.” Came the angel’s simple response. “And do good.” Because it was just that simple. Forget that Cas wasn't always the best influence, even for an angel, but he had the right ideas. Most of the time. But he soon came back around to another question as they neared the stairs. “Why are you concerned about York making friends with the neighbors?” Wasn't that a good thing? *** Harry sighed. “His testicles are still attached, means he can make puppies if Deanna isn’t fixed---if she can still have puppies.” He looked at the angel and shook his head. “You know.. Mating?” Awkward. Harry cleared his throat. “Sounds easy,” Harry replied, sarcastic. The world wasn’t as cut and dry as the angel liked to think. The more Harry moved through it the more he understood that there wasn’t just black and white or good and evil or happiness and unhappiness. There was struggle and there was grey and that was life, and you took what you could and you rolled with it. Harry supposed that was what Castiel meant though. So he looked at the angel and nodded. Yeah, be happy and do good. Harry could do that. He could try. He’d never stop trying to do good in the world. “Yeah, he’s friendly, but I don’t need all the neighbors in our business here or York inviting them over because he wants to hang out. Gonna have to talk to him about boundaries.” And acceptable visitors. And nighttime visitors if it came to that - what would Harry do if he had a nighttime visitor? The idea made Harry blush, but he rubbed his face to hide it. *** Castiel seemed to understand mating well enough. “Hawke told me she thinks Deanna is.. fixed? There is a.. mark on her abdomen.” He touched his own abdomen as if to demonstrate. “No puppies.” Thank goodness. Dean would kill him. “Do you think he would do that?” York seemed nice. Maybe he would. Best to have the boundaries talk just in case. But then the angel’s eyes were narrowing down as he considered Harry. “You're blushing.” A calm statement. “Is it in reference to York?” He seemed a little uncertain. Were York and Harry...? *** “No, I’m not blushing and I’m not gay, damnit!” Harry said, even more embarrassed now. Why the hell did everyone assume he and the damned blonde were anything other than friends--oh. The realization dawned on Harry which just made him scowl more. York was constantly touching Harry, which Harry liked because so few people ever touched him in his life that it was nice having human contact so Harry never asked him to stop. And they were always around each other and Harry had mentioned York to other people a few times and now they were living together. Jesus fucking Christ Harry was gonna kill York. “Conversation over.” Harry said stiffly, turning his eyes away from Castiel. He wasn’t getting into these kinds of details with the angel. Not ever. Nope. Oh god, how had this turned into his life? Harry sighed again. *** “Why are you so upset?” The Angel asked as he followed along, his movements stiff but his eyes locked onto Harry. “Does something about homosexuality upset you?” God was indifferent to it, but that wasn’t exactly Castiel’s place to remark. “Or is it York who upsets you?” Of course Cas was curious, Harry had been so pleased and relaxed and he’d suddenly tensed up and was angry again. What had caused that? Apparently, the conversation wasn’t over. The angel couldn’t understand for the life of him how the mood changed so drastically. What had happened? *** “I'm not upset, and no it doesn't bother me. As far as I'm concerned, what happens in people's bedrooms is between them. It doesn't affect my life any so why worry? But I'm not gay.” It occurred to Harry maybe York was, and maybe Harry was giving the man the wrong signals. Shit. Why did life have to be so complicated? Harry sighed softly for the thousandth time and eyed Cas. “Just keep this between us for now. Okay? I'm not used to living with people, that's all. Lots of things to consider and hash out.” like rent and visitors and grocery buying. Stupid mundane things that helped the world spin a little easier. Harry rubbed his head and smiled at the angel. “Lets just get York and get a drink to celebrate. Now we can start work and make money. Everyone wins.” |