Grell Sutcliff, the marvelous red reaper, was uncharacteristically reserved while he walked into the Dispatch Management Division. Half lidded eyes and a peaceful smile graced his normally extravagant features. Used to his outrageous behavior and flamboyancy, the other reapers were quite surprised as to how demur the red reaper's entrance was today. Besides his bizarre behavior, Grell was also not dressed in his normal attire. Today the reaper wore a horribly drab black suit, just like every other reaper at the Dispatch, however he sported a light blue tie. His long crimson locks were tied professionally into an elegant bun, and his makeup was minimal, but just enough to compliment his effeminate features.
"Good morning Ronald," Grell called spotting his protégé flirting with a petite brunette girl behind a desk at personnel.
"Hello, uh, Senpai?" Ronald said, confused, as he noticed Grell's appearance, "What's up? You look uh, very nice today. How are you?"
"Why thank you Ronald. I'm feeling marvelous today darling. I woke up today feeling like a new me!" Grell gushed.
"Really?" Ronald smiled, "that's great. I'm glad Grell-senpai. Have you met someone new?"
An light pink blush tinted Grell's face, "I suppose you could say that. Now hurry along now or you'll be late to your shift Ronnie, we wouldn't want overtime now, would we?"
"Haha, I guess not. Thanks Senpai," Ronald laughed.
"Of course, what are friends for! Now ta ta darling, I have some paperwork I must do."
And with a small and a wave, Grell went to his office, hips swaying, and heart content. As soon as the door to his office shut, the office was ablaze with gossip and chatter. Whispers of Grell's new appearance and rumors of his change spread from personnel, to collections, to human resources and throughout the dispatch division. The same thing was going through everyone's mind. What was going on with Grell?
Suddenly, a slam abruptly cut through the office chatter and William T. Spears walked through the door. His sharp, stoic eyes cut throughout the Dispatch Management Division. He coughed lightly, clearing his throat.
"What's all the fuss about? Why isn't anyone working?" Will demanded.
"Something's going on with Grell-senpai!" explained Ronald Knox.
"While I doubt anything is wrong, Grell is unlike himself today," Alan Humphries calmly added.
Will rolled his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. Grell was forever causing problems and or controversies. When would the man learn? This was a workplace, not a play house.
"Very well, I will take care of it. Now the rest of you get back to work. I suggest you save the gossip til your lunch break, unless you want overtime?" Will said, sending a pointed look toward Ronald.
Will briskly walked away as everyone began working. As he settled into his office he decided to settle the Grell problem later. There was a lot to get done, and he did hate working overtime. The day went by rather peacefully and Will flew through all his paperwork. He was rather surprised when he glance at the clock and it read 12:00. He had almost worked through lunch. Will got up from his desk and headed to the lunchroom. He was quite surprised Grell had neither bothered him or flirted with him all day, and he decided to seek him out at lunch to see what had all of the Dispatch Management Division talking.
However, he was surprised that Grell wasn't present at lunch. In fact, nobody had seen him all day. Will squinted his eyes in confusion. Where was the red reaper? Had he snuck off to see the wretched demon Sebastian? Or was he at home, sleeping? After finishing lunch, Will was determined to find him. He headed off to Grell's office, but as he turned around a corner, he bumped into someone. The stack of paper this someone was carrying flew into the air, and with one fluid movement, Will stopped himself from falling backwards and caught the stack of paper. The person he collided with was less fortunate. The other person unceremoniously fell on his rear.
"Oh my, excuse me, I was in a hurry and I didn't see you there," said a very familiar effeminate voice.
"Sutcliff?" Will questioned, looking past the stack of papers and scrutinizing the man on the ground.
"William, oh, hello there. You were just the man I was looking for," Grell said, getting up and dusting himself off, "I have all the paperwork from last week and this week that you requested."
Will tried to maintain his professional aura, but he was shocked to say the least. Was this man really Grell Sutcliff? Not only was he finally in line with the dress code, but he had finished his work. Not only all the worked he failed to complete last, week, but this week too? And for the very first time since they had met, Grell Sutcliff had not molested him with is words or his hands. Will clenched his jaw to keep himself from gaping.
"I beg your pardon?" Will asked, his eyes wide.
"Well I know how much you needed me to get this work done, and I can't afford any overtime, and I certainly can't afford any more demotions, so I worked through lunch to finish all my work. And, uhm, since I have finished all my work I was wondering if I could leave and have an early weekend?" Grell asked, his hands held together hopefully.
Aaha, Will knew it. There was no way Sutcliff would not be acting this way unless he wanted something. His appearance and demeanor were all part of an act. Grell Sutcliff did not behave unless he wanted something. Once Will refused his request, Sutcliff would be back to his old ways. Slacking off until he tried to grovel his way out of a reprimanding.
"Why should I let you leave early?" Will said, raising and eyebrow, "After one day of doing the right thing after years of failure you think your past infractions can be rectified after one good day? No Sutcliff, you may not go home early, why don't you go help one of the new reapers with his work?"
Will smirked. As unprofessional as it was, William T. Spears secretly enjoyed crushing the red reapers spirit; it was his secret revenge against the reaper who had treated him so badly back at their days at Shinigami Academy. Now as his superior, Will had gotten his chance to finally get back at him. However, Will grecieved a reaction he was not expecting.
Grell Sutcliff dropped his hopeful hands and bowed slightly, "Of course Will, I'll get back to work."
The red reaper spun gracefully on his heel and headed off. No begging, no groveling, no crying, no flirting, no threatening, just compliance. In the safety of the empty hallway, Will's jaw dropped and his eyes were wide. What the hell was going on with Grell Sutcliff?
At the end of Grell's shift, Will headed to Grell's office to see if he had given up the façade and tried to sneak away or was asleep behind his desk. The big bold letters on his door read , "Mr. Grell Sutcliff" although Grell had protested for it to read ,"Ms. Grell Sutcliff" or for a more decorated or colorful office sign. He tentatively rapped his knuckles on the door, and opened it.
Once again, Will had to admit he was pleasantly surprised. There Grell sat, helping a younger reaper with his paperwork. Will fidgeted with his spectacles, a nervous habit and cleared his throat. The pair looked up at him. However, when he looked around the room, all of the previously ghastly decorations and furniture were gone, and so was Grell's outrageously red office. In its place was a, quite frankly, drab, office with minimal color. The bright red walls were painted white. The red roses in elaborate vases were gone as well as the red chaise and matching arm chair.
The many framed pictures of Will, Sebastian, and other men Grell adored were gone, as well as the self portrait of Grell himself. The office now consisted of a mahogany L-shaped desk with a desk chair, which Grell sat at, and a smaller chair, where the younger reaper sat at. Will was stunned. Will needed to have a chat with Grell.
"Your shift is over Sutcliff, you may go home," Will nodded at the younger reaper, "you are dismissed; continue working in your office."
The younger reaper stood up tried to hug Grell; instead, Grell held up a hand and gave him a handshake instead. He helped the youngster collect his things and waved as the young reaper walked past Will.
"Thanks for all your help Senpai, I really appreciate it!" he called as he left Grell's office.
At this point, William T. Spears was baffled by Grell, and decided to continue with the talk he was planning on giving the red reaper. He shut the office door and stood in front of Grell's desk where he sat, arms crossed.
"We need to have a chat," Will deadpanned, hoping to conceal his confusion of red reaper.
Grell nodded wordlessly. Will waited a moment, expecting Grell to offer him to take a seat. When Grell didn't, Will let out an annoyed sigh and fidgeted with his glasses again. Will was so confused he didn't know where to start.
"What is it William? Have I done something wrong?" Grell asked, looking at Will.
"No Sutcliff, I just," Will sighed, "I just wanted to know if you were okay. You have been acting strangely today and I wanted to know if there was something bothering you today?"
Grell's cocked his head to the side, confused by Will's words.
"Strange? How so?"
"You near appearance, your new demeanor. You have never been one to follow rules or actually work Grell. Just look at your office! When has your office ever been in regulation?" Will demanded.
"I am just doing what I'm supposed to do, William. I didn't know that doing my job was wrong," Grell countered, quirking an eyebrow, "you have always yelled at and berated me for my poor worth ethic, for not following the dress code, and for not following the rules, and when I have finally done so, you question my motives? I don't understand. This is very unprofessional. Did you want me to continue my poor work ethic?"
And for the first time in a long time, William T. Spears was shocked. Grell was actually making sense, while he himself…wasn't? What was going on? Will was supposed to be in the right, not in the wrong. Why was he questioning the new change in Grell? Shouldn't he be happy the red reaper wasn't bothering him and was doing his job?
"Well I mean, or rather, you see…erhm…" Will stammered.
Will stammered. He never stammered. He always knew exactly what to say. A rush of heat flew to his face and Will hopelessly fidgeted with his spectacles, trying to save what little face he had. Grell was right. To have good behavior questioned by your superior was very unprofessional.
But before either man could get another word in, the telephone on Grell's desk cut through the thick silence.
"Excuse me William," Grell said, picking up the phone and spun around in his chair as he spoke.
Will let out a breathe he didn't know he was holding.
"Why hello darling, how are you? Yes, my love, I missed you very, very much. My heart is torn to be away from you so long. What was that my sweet? Yes love; when I get home we can go shopping. Why of course, I will buy you anything you like. Now I must be going now dear. I'll be home soon, okay, yes, okay. See you then. I love you so very much precious. Bye now," Grell said with a deep blush.
Will felt a sharp pain in his chest as he heard Grell speak, but why? Was he…? No, no. No! He was not. But then who…? Who was the other person on the line with Grell as he spoke? Could it be? No, it couldn't be. Or was it? Did Grell actually have a lover? The pain in his chest increased at the thought, but Will tried to shake it off. Grell Sutcliff was a vile, common whore. There was no way anyone could ever be remotely interested in Grell. Ever. The man was a gender confused lunatic. He was a nuisance. A fool.
Will's chain of thought was interrupted when Grell stood up and collected his things. Grell put on a plain black and glanced at Will before heading out the day, head held strong, as if he had heard Will's insults and was trying to prove him wrong. After today, he would not see the red head til Monday, because he cut Grell's hours due to his poor work ethic.
"Goodbye William, have a nice weekend," Grell said as he walked passed Will.
And with his head still held high, Grell Sutcliff walked away, once again leaving behind a very stunned Will.