Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters; Yana Toboso does.
Further warnings: This is my FIRST fan fiction. So I'm probably making a huge amount of mistakes; needless to say I will greatly appreciate any suggestions or help.
Also, the first 5 chapters or so will have relatively violent themes. So if you're uncomfortable with that then I'm sorry but after the 5th chapter I promise the story will be more of a classical romantic fanfic.
Ok, so the first part of this story will take place when Grell is human and then once he dies the story pics up after he has turned into a death reaper.
With that being said, chapter 1:
It started on one of those wet and gray mornings. The air should have been brisk but a welcoming, warm breeze swept through his red hair. It was mid-May and only now had warmer weather begun. Grell was walking to his piano student's home, it was quiet outside and he could only hear the tapping of his heels on the coble stone along with the soft chirping of birds. He tried to check out his hair in the reflective puddles to little effect; so he self-consciously pulled some stands behind his ear. Grell tried to look his best always; he tended to wear only earthy colors. Today he proudly wore his favorite brown boots with his tan pants and a crisp tailored shirt. To fend off the morning chill he clutched his dark green sweater but knew that when the sun came out he would discard it. Although Grell knew that he looked presentable he still felt a twinge of nerves. It was always an important factor to look professional for his appointments.
Grell loved his small town just outside of London. Small enough for everyone to know each other although that also meant that it was a place where secrets were impossible to keep a hidden.
Grell's family was the wealthiest in the town; they had made their money off beer brewers but had now retired to live in a sizable mansion in the little town. The Sutcliff's had only one son: Grell.
The Sutcliff's son was painfully shy; he had shoulder length, wine red hair that he wore in lose tendrils. He was always smartly dressed, and usually had his nose in a book. If he was particularly stellar at anything it would be piano; that is until you heard his voice; that was his real talent. He was now twenty, with a head full of dreams to leave the small town and go on to make a career in drama or singling. Both were careers that were fully frowned upon within their town. Instead, his parents had forced him to be a piano tutor and after some yelling matches Grell acquiesced to his parents' wishes, even if they were retrograde to his.
Thinking on what he was giving up Grell sighed. In his heart he still hoped to someday perform but part of him knew that he never would. He brought his thoughts back to more immediate matters: today's appointment was to tutor Reverend Mayor's daughter. A most dreaded day on his calendar. As dramatically terrible as he would like to think the lessons to be, they really were not that awful. The Reverend's daughter was fine, 8 years old, dark hair, very polite, and a fast learner. She caused Grell no trouble, her father on the other had been…well, he made Grell's innards curd with a mix of both anticipation and fear to put it lightly.
The Reverend had a tall figure, dark hair and piercing clear eyes. His voice was monotone and offered Grell only backhanded insults. The Reverend was always touching him…whatever he was doing it always manage to make Grell feel very uncomfortable. The man had never hurt him but when they were alone …well he didn't want to think about that.
As Grell reached the house he silently prayed that the reverend would not be home. He gulped and took a long breath in before he knocked on the door. 'Oh Hello Grell, come in I just finished brewing tea' Grell offered a polite, shy smile while always avoiding eye contact with the Reverend's wife. When they reached the parlor the redhead spotted the reverend and hoped that mixture of surprise and disappointment was not evident in his expression.
'Hello Reverend'
'Oh, Good Morning Grell; my, you look terrible, have you been resting?' the reverend said coolly as he placed his hand on the boys shoulder and looked him up and down. Grell sighed at this 'yes, but I have been busy.'
The Reverend raised an eyebrow at Grell's retort and asked 'have lady friends been keeping you up at night?' Grell blushed deeply at this and fully avoided the Reverend's eyes. He raised his hands apologetically and denied the accusation.
'Do you have lady friends at all Grell?' The reverend asked.
'Oh, I have friends that are ladies but no girlfriend sir,' Grell's blush growing deeper.
'Are you not a bit old to have never courted anyone?'
'I'm very shy' Grell's annoyance at the reverend's insults was growing evident which seemed to please him because a smile grew on the man's face. 'Well, I'll leave you and my daughter to practice then,' Grell nodded and kept his gaze down.
Grell sighed with relief when the man left and continued out the lesson smoothly. When they had finished with the lesson the reverend came down stairs and told his daughter to go to her room. This time Grell was looking up at the reverend with wide eyes full of fear.
