Chapter 1

Alan was sitting in his chair staring into the dancing flames of the fireplace, thinking of his co worker, Eric Slingby.

Not only was Eric his co worker he was also his only reason for living, his best friend, his only love.

Alan's feelings for Eric were no illusion. His golden shoulder length hair on one half of his head and jet black cornrows which lay perfectly across his scalp on the other, portraying his personality in ways only Alan could understand, for Eric was brave and loyal, he would do anything for Alan. he was kind and passionate towards his closest friends, always helping in a time of need.

But also his pride and bravery as he tackles his day to day work with anguish. And the pure suffering that courses through his veins as he watches his best friend dying day after day but never complaining, only doing the best he can to maintain Alan's health, but Eric is no fool for he knows that Alan can not hold on to the threads of life forever and the ropes that hold him up will one day be cut causing him to fall to his grave.

Alan was envious of Eric's traits and how he could go on living through such a hard life, knowing that if he was in Eric's shoes he couldn't even live a day with such a coarse lifestyle choice.

As Alan fazed back into his harsh reality there was a knock at his front door. He stood from where he perched and strolled casually over to the door straightening out his reaper uniform on the way to make sure he kept up to the standards he was expected to withhold when out of the reaper dispatch society.

He smiled happily when he saw that there was Eric stood in his porch way holding a bag of hot food he had picked up on his way, and invited him into his home with pleasure. Blushing at the fact that Eric had been thinking about him just as Alan was thinking about Eric.

Alan walked to the kitchen and found two plates and brought them back into the living room so they could separate the food. Alan was still blushing furiously and hadn't noticed that he had been staring at Eric's perfect facial features for some time now and that his food was going cold.

When Eric noticed that Alan was gazing at him, Eric smiled the most perfect smile and was also blushing.

(Time skip)

Eric and Alan had finished there food. It was getting late and Alan yawned, closely followed by Eric's yawning. Both men stood up at the same time. Alan was trying to think of a way to keep Eric at his house as he did not want him to leave so he walked over to the stereo and turned on some music.

"Come on Eric let's dance. It would be nice to let our hair down for once" at this comment Alan was irresistible and Eric took Alan's hand and they danced.

When a slow song came on they slow danced in the living room with Alan's small body pressed firmly against Eric's tall and masculine frame. Alan gazed up at Eric, and Eric gazed down on Alan. Suddenly Eric saw a opportunity and took it, not quite aware of his actions. to Alan's face and kissed him, pressing his lips firmly against Alan's.

Alan was shocked by Eric's sudden movement and when Eric saw this he pulled away quickly releasing Allan from the kiss. Eric couldn't bring himself to look Alan in the eyes all he could think was what have I done, have I just ruined my only friendship.

Eric's question was answered by the soft but happy smile on Alan's face. Alan took Eric's hand and pulled him back in close then Alan wrapped this arms around the back of Eric's neck, pulled home close and kissed Eric. Eric was happy with this response to his kiss and kissed Alan back with the same amount of pressure. Alan then pulled away to place kisses down Eric's jaw and neck and whispered into Eric's ear saying passionately

"I love you Eric" Eric smiled and said

"I love you too"