Formalities Aside

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters are the property of Yana Toboso and Square Enix, Co. Ltd. I don't own them; I just examine all their possibilities.

Author's Note: This piece is me stepping in the waters of William/Ronald so I ask for a little patience. I am taking quite a few liberties with characterization as well so bear that in mind too.

I am of the philosophy that anyone ship however they please, regardless of canon. If anyone dislikes this pairing and wishes to tell me I made them like it or they enjoyed the story despite this, then feel free. If anyone wants to complain that this pairing was even written or lecture about how this pairing is inferior or just should not be written about, then please save your energy and click away from this page.

Part 1

William had little patience with anyone, though fresh eggs from the academy tended to grate on him even more. Their lack of experience meant clumsiness and inefficiency. Such was to be expected from a new recruit, but that didn't mean William had to like it.

There were a few who came to dispatch in perfect lockstep ready to please, then there were those who thought passing the final exam and getting their spectacles and scythes made them some sort of conquering hero. The first kind William took no small amount of pleasure in barking at a little harder and tapping a little more frequently to keep them respectful (or just scared). The second kind were not as easy to keep control of, they were the ones with the least amount of discipline and the least amount of respect (or proper fear).

Then there was Ronald Knox.

Knox certainly fell into the second category, though he was almost a special kind of aggravating. He wasn't merely cocky and disrespectful, he took all that to a new level. His manners were lacking, his work was sloppy, he took more interest in the secretarial pool than his clients, worst of all he seemed so bloody proud of his slacking. He was respectful to his superiors in address, though his tone as of late was too familiar for William's liking.

What smacked against every nerve though was how open he was about his lack of caring around his superior. No officer should be talking as much as Knox did about going drinking right after this one collection or how many secretaries he had bedded. William knew too many reapers took that same lifestyle and he knew full well it was common. For William it was how blatant Knox was being about his lack of care and within earshot of his supervisor. How the hell he ended up with Grell Sutcliff for a Designated Senior was a question that plagued the universe. Who's idea of a joke was this?

In the past few months Ronald Knox had been trying to act a bit more social with William for whatever reason. It started as light chatter in the hallway and attempts at conversation that were quickly waved off by the uninterested party. After a short while William wasn't even dismissing him and actually tolerating his nonsense, giving him a few grunts in his direction hoping he would take the hint and go away. He didn't, in fact this reaction had the opposite effect.

At least once a week Knox was dropping by William's office, he would start by leaving some paperwork or even asking a question about how to fill out whatever form or if one could get away with whatever reaping procedure. He wouldn't just speak his peace and leave, he would linger and try to strike up a conversation. He would get resoundingly kicked out the moment William realized his formal business was over.

For whatever reason this became more of a habit, continuing to come back and chat after getting scolded against wasting everyone's time. Eventually William just gave up, he did not want to admit Knox's pratter was actually relaxing to a certain extent. Perhaps it was background noise, perhaps it was a validating reminder of all the idiocy that ran rampant in this office he had to work through.

Knox's little visits went from once a week to a few times a week. William noticed the frequency, but for some reason wasn't saying anything. At first Knox would stay in the doorway and say a few words, soon he was inching his way more into the office. William just kept his eyes on his work and mouth shut when Knox started sitting down by his desk or leaning against stacks of paperwork. William asked himself more than a few times why he tolerated this, why he didn't just lock his door. The thought was always lost in the midst of typing and inane chatter about football and French menswear.

Then again he tolerated Sutcliff's same nasty habit of dropping by as well, though Sutcliff was different; Somehow he considered their relationship a bit different by circumstances and practices. There was a place in his mind that considered Sutcliff more a peer than a subordinate, no amount of self-scolding could scrub that away. Then there were their occasional off-hours activities, that was another bad habit for which scolding himself was useless. Regardless it was a poor example and a poor precedent.

Odds were Knox knew full well about how loose William allowed himself to be with Sutcliff and insisted on the same treatment. This reason alone should have made William quicker to establish stricter boundaries, though he didn't bother; not with Sutcliff and now not with Knox. William was thinking more and more that he must enjoy being entertained by complete fools.

Knox stopped by again one afternoon, talking about some hot date he had that night. William just working and not even look at him, but that rough manner of speech just grated on him. Everything about Knox grated on him. William periodically looked up from his typing and beheld the object of his scorn.

His collar was always unfastened and his tie was loose, William caught a glimpse of his bare collarbone before barking at him to adjust his tie. Knox obliged, though kept talking. He swore he saw Knox slightly widen his collar before buttoning it, revealing a hint of tone muscle. William looked down, then back up to see the patch of black underneath that messy blond mop. Blond and black hair was the trend these days; William always thought alteration powers should be used for more practical purposes.

He always wore these finely tailored, Italian suits that draped well over his wiry form. The thought passed through William's head briefly if he had been an athlete at some point, this thought was replaced immediately with the nagging wonder of where the hell was he getting the money to dress so frivolously. Just who the hell did he think he was? William's glance then turned to that watch on his wrist. He could only imagine where he acquired it, it looked functional but too flashy. William caught a glimpse of a toned forearm underneath his sleeve and a few wisps of pale hair on his arm before pulling his gaze away and going back to his work.

Knox's hand was now on William's desk and he was leaning down. William could almost feel his breath on his face, a chill ran down his spine.

"By the way I've been meanin' to ask, what cologne are you wearing, sir? It's got a nice fragrance."

William's body tensed up and he gritted his teeth.

"He doesn't wear any, dear boy; but I do believe it's a brand of Austrian soap if I'm not mistaken."

William gave a hard huff and pinched the bridge of his nose. This was exactly who he needed to drop by. It was bad enough dealing with Knox's nonsense, now he had to deal with Sutcliff right now too.

"What was the brand, dearest William?" Sutcliff continued, probably with that pointed-tooth grin though William didn't even want to look at him.

"Knox off with you, Sutcliff this had better be important," William barked.

"Nice chattin' with ya," Knox said.

William's eyes trailed up and he saw Knox waving out of the corner of his eye.

"We should hit the pub sometime, you and I," Knox said with a little smirk. "I bet we could have a smashing time."

"Out!"

Knox smirked and spun around, walking out of the office. William went back to typing, though he could see Sutcliff looking back at Knox, then looking down his way. He heard a giggle that sliced right through him. William readied a few creative ways of telling him to piss off, but Sutcliff was surprisingly keeping his mouth shut. He dropped some reports on his desk, making a comment about "you're a busy little dear," before blowing a kiss and leaving. At last William had some quiet, though he knew it was only temporary.

Of course Sutcliff was back later that evening, this time shutting the door and bringing a chair beside William's desk. There would be no brief words and pleasant quiet now. Sutcliff's own brand of inane chatter was to be expected, then he turned the conversation to Knox's earlier visit.

"You want to bang him into next week don't you?"

William sighed hard and resisted the urge to kick his teeth in for this declaration. Sutcliff's meaning of the phrase "bang" was a little obvious. He must have been frowning quite mightily given Sutcliff's little giggle.

"You don't think I'm oblivious to these things? Me of all people?" Sutcliff just had to continue. "I see the way you look at him, those little love scowls, the way your eyes trail up his body. He is a handsome lad."

"Then why don't you go after him?" William huffed, planting a glare on him. "Gods know you're not exactly modest about your co-workers."

"I'm interested in men, love, not little boys. He's a brat; handsome yes, by but an overly flashy brat with no danger. He looks like he could be nicely schooled by someone with more experience; someone who could whip him into shape."

William paused and looked at the wall across from him. Was he really hearing this?

"And who might this be?" William couldn't believe he was feeling into this either.

"Don't play coy with me, sweetie."

William looked right in his eyes, seeing Grell batting those false eyelashes.

"Let me guess, you want me to express my carnal interest in this boy just so you can go and splash his blood in a jealous rage," William replied, putting some papers away in a file.

"No, I would do no such thing," Grell said evenly. "We've got our thing, darling."

William had the misfortune of looking in his direction when he winked at him and flashed those pointed teeth.

"But you could use a little more shaking up," Grell continued. "You're too bloody stiff and you know this. Dearest Ronald, however, is nothing but youthful trouble. A little trouble could be good for you; loosen up your old joints."

Grell rubbed William's shoulder, William batted Grell's hand away and adjusted his glasses. He knew he should just shoo him away, or better yet dropkick him through the door. The direction of this conversation was making him ill, though somehow there was a little nagging voice in his head to keep listening.

"Sutcliff, I am aware the concept of logic is alien to you and trying to force some into that empty brain of yours is not only futile, it's a risk to anyone's sanity," William said, adjusting the row of pens on his desk. "Though perhaps you need a few lessons in reality and I am enough of a masochist to attempt them."

"Well we both know you're a masochist," Grell said.

William saw Grell shift in his seat and grin out of the corner of his eye, though he tried to ignore it.

"Forgetting whatever our torrid history has been, I am still a supervisor and he is very much a junior. The rank and age difference would make any relations between us most inappropriate. For another he is in strong need of discipline and I need to be the authority figure, not another distraction."

"And although I know drilling some common sense into that thick skull of yours is futile and maddening, perhaps I should make an attempt as well. You can't have the same stick up the rear attitude when dealing with everyone and your head can't be in your ledger all the time."

"Maybe you should try it sometime, perhaps we could get some more things accomplished. Maybe you could actually be a decent senior by example."

"Or maybe if you show little Ronnie a few rough nights and he will be saluting you in lock step and handing in some of the crispest paperwork in the realms. There are other ways to command respect."

William gave a profound eye roll. This was all so bloody ridiculous, he couldn't believe he was allowing this conversation to continue.

"And you know our boy has his eye on you," Grell continued, looking down at his red painted nails.

William picked up a file and started rifling through the pages inside.

"For one, he's a brownnoser, anyone can see that. He's currying favor with me, though I doubt he's of your degeneration."

"And your's too."

William tensed up and adjusted his glasses, seeing Grell's dirty grin.

"If you haven't heard for the thousandth time he has a harem of secretaries, William said, then muttering, "and so many potentials for harassment complaints,"

"He's a strapping young buck, dear, he's bold and virile. Though I can just tell those secretaries are snacks to him; he needs something a bit more meaty."

"He needs a little starvation in that respect. Even if he has that inclination, the worst thing I could do is play into his hand."

"Then play him in your hand, if you know what I mean."

William tried to ignore the lewd hand gesture Sutcliff made, but it was futile.

"Really, Will, this could be a good thing for you," Grell said. "It's not like you've never been involved in a little behind the scenes maneuvering."

"Or rather I made a grave mistake."

William cast a pointed glare to Sutcliff, who simply giggled and put a dramatic hand to his chest.

"What's existence without a few grave mistakes? Being correct all the time is boring, though being so repressed is even worse, I know I've tried to drill that into your skull too many times."

Grell rose from his seat and lightly tapped William on the head a couple times with his knuckles before running his fingers through his hair. William allowed it if it meant he were finally leaving him alone.

"Give it some consideration, dearest," Grell said. "And make sure to get some sleep."

Grell kissed him on the cheek, then walked to the door, blowing a kiss at William as he left the room. Finally William had some bloody peace.

He did get some sleep that night but it wasn't a pleasant rest. He dreamt he was walking into a richly decorated bedroom; dark mahogany furniture and crystal lamps all over. A vase of roses was set on a small table in the middle of the room. He looked over to the bed; there was Knox lying nude in the middle of a plush white quilt. His hands and ankles bound in leather straps and his legs were spread open. He was gyrating his pelvis and displaying his (well proportioned) nethers, kissing the air and winking at him.

Somehow William was unclothed as well. He took one look at Knox. His eyes running hungrily over that youthful body. He growled and jumped on top of him, grabbing his hair, thrusting into him hard, and slapping that smarmy little face. Knox writhed under him, panting and moaning; how lovely it was to hear that smug voice screaming.

William suddenly woke in a sweat, feeling his pajama bottoms a ghastly mess. He swiftly rose and changed from his soiled clothes, grumbling about the nonsense that found its way into his mind. He went back into bed, muttering curses at Sutcliff for putting such rubbish ideas into his head. Sutcliff was deranged, Knox insignificant, end of story. The thought gave him enough peace to go back to sleep.

There were no more odd dreams that night, thankfully. That didn't mean William was any more rested or any less perturbed going into the office the next morning. He plowed through his tasks, though no work he did could purge the lewd images that popped up in his brain at random to taunt him. Thankfully Knox himself only popped in the office for a passing moment and didn't stay for a visit. William really wasn't interested in even thinking on that one let alone dealing with his nonsense.

There were no dreams that night, he went into the office the next morning most refreshed.

Then Knox showed back up at his door. William looked up from his desk and there he was.

His mind intended to bark at him to leave him the hell alone right now, though the thought was never articulated. Instead he allowed him to enter, took a few of his reports with a simple nod, though said nothing when he started griping about some boring assignment he had just been on. William's bile rose with the thought that he was saying this to his supervisor, though he was trying harder not to think on that dream. The more he talked, the more William wanted to punch him through the doorway; at least that action would be more agreeable than what else he could be doing with him.

Knox then picked up a nice fountain pen from William's desk and started looking it over; a pen William had had for around for half a century that had did not cost a small amount. William's hand shot up and grabbed the pen, he was about to snatch it back when he felt a gloved finger slightly rub against his hand. William froze his position, seeing Knox's finger still in its place. Knox's posture suddenly stiffened, his cheeks blanched and beads of sweat trickled down his forehead. He looked at William, then nervously glanced down at his guilty finger. William just stared at him with a blank expression.

Ronald casually pulled his finger back, though William snatched it up in his other hand. Ronald let out a yelp, sweat now streaming down his face.

"Might I ask what that was all about?" William said calmly, gently putting the pen back down on the desk.

"Mr. Spears…sir…I don't know…" Knox stuttered back.

William was about to simply let go. He wanted to snap his finger so badly though that could lead to trouble later. Instead something made him hold on, a curiosity perhaps. Sutcliff's words from the other day floated through his head, words he initially brushed aside yet they echoed.

He loosened his grip on Knox's finger, his thumb gently brushing against the tip. Knox's eyes widened and his mouth dropped slightly, though the corners of his lips curved upward. Ronald's hand carefully reached for William's, the tips of his fingers caressed against his glove. William felt a chill through his skin, a sudden surge of excitement…or perhaps outrage.

William dropped his grip, Ronald's hand fell hard on the desk. Ronald was frozen, the back of his hand rested on the desk and he stared at William in shock. They locked eyes, Knox's face was now shade of bright crimson

William jumped from his seat and stepped from behind the desk. He marched toward the door, slamming it closed and turning the lock. He then walked around the office, his fingertips tracing a line on the walls with a lingering blue glow. Ronald watched the motion with a gaping expression. William knew he was familiar with charm, it was a basic reaper power to block any sound from coming from a small space. Normally he would call to someone outside to test the charm, though he really wasn't in the mood to play around anymore.

He marched back up to Ronald, one hand grabbing the side of his hair and giving a firm, yet careful pull. Ronald flinched for a moment in response. William then leaned in his ear, slightly loosening his grip.

"Let's get the obvious out of the way, Mr. Knox," William hissed in his ear. "I am your superior officer. I gained my position through blood, sweat, and proper discipline before you were born. I can even have you sacked on the spot, or I can just make your existence here a living hell if I preferred."

"Oh I am certainly aware of that, sir," Ronald replied in a shaky voice.

His fingertips lightly massaged Knox's scalp. Knox shivered, his visibly tense muscles somewhat relaxing.

"Then why this little charade?" William continued, leaning his face closer into Knox's. "Are you trying to curry my favor? Are you daft enough to think cheap flirting will do anything for me but earn you a world of trouble? Or do you see me as another conquest, a more hallowed prize?"

"It was none of that sir, you have my word," Knox sputtered

"Then tell me the real reason."

Knox looked him square in the eyes, his worried expression stiffening to one more resolute. His lips curled a little, looking as if he was trying to find words. William was curious just what the hell he had to say for himself.

"All right fine, I'll admit it," Knox started, his voice stronger. "I…yeah I fancy you."

William profoundly rolled his eyes.

"I could call it a schoolboy fancy, that's probably the easiest way to put it," Knox continued. "I called it that at first, but now I really don't want to. Yeah you're my supervisor, yeah you can knock me around really easily, but to me you're still just a guy."

William cocked an eyebrow and looked down at him. Ronald reached a hand up and caressed the side of his face. William shoved down the instinct to slap it away, instead he allowed the touch.

"You're a handsome guy, sir," Knox said, bushing his hand against William's cheek. "Got that whole air of mystery and danger and all that. Ya know what, maybe I know what Mr. Sutcliff sees in you. The thing that gets me? The thing that really grabs me in? I know you're just a regular decent chap deep down. I know you're more than just knockin' reapers' heads around and barkin' at the louts. But I can see there's a fun guy, or maybe a dangerous guy under that shell of yours. And you know what? I want to get to know that guy better."

William stared at him, his eyes narrowing slightly. He then gave a dirty chuckle.

"I never pegged you for one of those," William snickered.

"Don't get me wrong; yeah I love the girls, but maybe I don't like limitin' meself," Knox replied with a smirk. "And maybe since I've been at this job, I've been appreciating how the laws of humans don't mean bollocks; it's a bit freeing."

The corner of William's mouth turned up in a dirty smirk.

"Out of all the reapers you could go after, you just had to pick me."

"We're both reapers, Mr. Spears; we're both men. Tear down those walls and where are we? Just think about it."

Knox's words somehow sunk in. He could find a thousand things to refute everything he said, but a part of him really didn't want to question it. This could be the result of Sutcliff's encouragement, though he was too mentally drained to think on that too much. Maybe he was curious, maybe he did wonder where this could go.

Knox leaned in closer to William's face. The tip of his nose was now against his cheek, the feeling repulsed him for a moment then made his skin tingle in some anticipation. This was dangerous territory and William adored it.

He slightly turned his head and looked at Knox, who wore a calm expression. The two stared at each other in a tense quiet. William slightly leaned his head in a bit more, he saw Ronald's lips quiver a little then start to pucker. William grabbed both sides of his head hard and yanked him down. Ronald scrambled, nearly falling over though William braced him for a moment. He then planted a hard kiss on his lips; the threshold was crossed, there was no going back now.

Ronald let out a little snicker and kissed him back with just as much gusto, a hand grabbing his tie. William thought his kisses were trained, yet still a bit sloppy. He did have such nice, soft lips. William ran a hand down his back, Ronald arched his back slightly and kissed him deeper.

William wanted to simply savor the moment, but he couldn't lose the reality they were still in his office with the rest of dispatch right outside. William suddenly pushed him off, Ronald scrambled to his feet with heavy breaths. William adjusted his glasses and looked at him, seeing his body trembling and a pleading look on his face. That should have been the end of it, but he was too far now to retreat. He wanted to see where this could go.

"Now is not the time to discuss this," William said, adjusting his glasses by the arm. "We both have better things to do right now."

"But we can't just leave it at this," Knox panted.

William stared at him blankly.

"Your quarters, 9 o'clock tonight, William said.

Knox's eyes widened and he nodded.

"Lower your wards because I won't be knocking," William continued. "Breathe a word of this to anyone and you will regret being born."

"Cross my heart, sir, you've got my word," Knox replied, his finger making an X motion over his chest.

William marched back over to the door, tapping the wall and releasing the charm. He unlocked the door and yanked it open.

"Now out with you," William barked, adjusting his tie.

Knox practically ran for the door, though slowed his pace and left the room without a word. William slammed the door behind him. Everyone else in the office would likely think Knox got chewed out over something, though what did he care.

He went back to his work with a renewed drive. This silliness had cost him precious moments of his time, though William knew he bore much of the blame for it. He shoved out any distracting thoughts for the rest of the day, even the voices in the back of his head scolding him for giving into this.

Self blame would accomplish nothing, though what would engaging in intimacies with Knox, his junior employee, accomplish? The corner of William's mouth quirked up for a moment on the thought. There was only one way to find that out, wasn't there?