Disclaimer: Black Butler and all the characters used in this story belong to Yana Toboso. This fanfiction belongs to me. Enjoy.
"Do I really have to do this?" Alan groaned.
Grell flashed him a toothy smile. "Of course you do, Humphries! You know what the deal was!" he giggled.
Alan looked at the ground, dejected. With a sigh, he replied, "Yes, if I lost the bet, I had to come into work wearing a dress."
"Aw, don`t be so down about it!" the scarlet haired shinigami replied. "I`m sure you`ll look absolutely adorable in the dress! Besides, I bet that boyfriend of yours-What was his name again? Eric, will love it~"
Grell had picked the girliest possible dress for Alan. It was pink and long sleeved, decorated with ribbons, frills, lace, the whole nine yards.
"Better hurry up and get dressed! Wouldn`t want to be late and make Eric worry, would we?" Grell snickered.
"Fine!" Alan said gruffly. "And by the way, Eric is not my boyfriend! He`s just…" Alan blushed, unable to continue the sentence.
Naturally, Alan was met with snickers and jeers when he got to work. And William wasn`t impressed, either…
"Mr Humphries, I hope there`s a good reason for this!" William said sternly.
"I…I lost a bet to Grell…" Alan whispered in reply.
William shook his head. "This does look like something he`d make you do. I`ll let you off for now, but I`d advise that you refrain from making such silly bets in future."
"Y-yes, sir." Alan said, face bright red with embarrassment.
Alan decided he`d just focus on work for the day. He still had a post-reaping report to write up, so perhaps he`d get that done…
"Hey, Alan, what`s with the dress?" Ronald asked jokily.
"Lost a bet to Grell," he said shamefully.
Alan found his desk and began writing. He was so focused, that it wasn`t until mid-morning he noticed that his close friend, Eric, wasn`t there.
"Ronald, do you know where Eric is today?" Alan asked.
"Oh, Slingby? He`s got some reaping to do," Ronald said. "He`ll be back just before work ends."
Alan was relieved that Eric wouldn`t see him when he looked so ridiculous, but at the same time, he was sad that he wouldn`t get to see Eric all day…
Alan tried to slip away quietly when work ended, lest he catch Eric`s attention…
"Ouch!" Alan cried as someone bumped into him.
"Apologies, miss," his assailant said. "Are you alright?" he extended a hand to help Alan.
Alan went as red as a tomato when he saw that it was…Eric?
"E—Eric!" Alan cried in shock.
Eric looked into the eyes of who he`d hit. It can`t have been Alan, the reserved, diligent, somewhat bashful shinigami he knew and loved. He would never dare to be seen in such a ridiculous dress!
"Erm…That`s a very cute dress, Alan," he said nervously.
Alan looked to the side. "I lost a bet," he replied.
Eric laughed nonchalantly. "Geez, Alan. You`re so irresponsible when I`m not around. I leave you alone for one day, and this is what you get yourself into? You need constant attention, just like a small child, don`t you?"
He continued laughing until he realised he`d sounded like an overprotective boyfriend…
Alan blushed again, turning to face Eric. "Maybe I do," he whispered.
Eric smiled, and put his arm around Alan`s waist. "How about I walk you home, where you can find some less embarrassing clothes?"
"Ok," Alan said happily.
"See you tomorrow," Eric said with a wink, when they arrived.
Alan went inside, smiling `till his face hurt. Maybe today wasn`t so bad after all!