A/N: The first chapter of a new fic coming up. In which we follow Ronnie dear struggling with his early days as a reaper, and the things he did to get attention and so on. Poor baby. The entire plot revolved around my random idea that the reapers are much darker, plot important characters that we think. Anyway... reviews are very much appreciated, peoples, and thanks if you leave one.

"Where did you get this tattoo, Ronnie?"

Delicate fingers slid across Ronald's chest and he shivered slightly, still in a slight haze from earlier activities. The raven haired beauty beside him moved from where she was leaning on his shoulder and leant down to kiss the seal like mark. He hissed softly and she giggled, slowly tracing the patterns with the tip of her tongue.

"Where did you get it?" she purred. "Tell me, love?"

"It was a drunken mistake," Ronald muttered, turning away. She knew him better than most, she was a serious girlfriend. Ronald didn't want to lie to her. He didn't want her to ever know what happened. "It's nothing."

"Eric has the same one just here…" she said, tilting him back to face her and drawing circles on the lowest point on his back. Ronald frowned. He knew that, but that meant she had seen Eric undressed. "What's does it mean?"

"I don't know," he said, turning away again. "Eric and I got drunk and I woke up and had this."

"It's pretty, even if it does look a bit like a demon's seal."

Ronald nodded. There was a reason for that. A reason he never wanted to admit to anyone he cared for. He wanted things to be ok again. He wanted to forget the screams in his head and his senior's insane laughter. He wanted it all to go away, but he couldn't walk away.

He couldn't even if he wanted to.

Ronald couldn't understand why his seniors didn't like him. He was part of London Dispatch, quite possibly the best in the world, full of the best reapers and with the best support. There was nowhere else like it. And Ronald was there. He was finally there.

At the top if the London Dispatch food chain, and sometimes it honestly seemed that was what it was, were the best of the best. The man in charge, William T. Spears, was terrifying. He was cold and strict and a slaver driver. No normal person said more than was necessary to him or questioned him. Ronald tried hard to please him. He worked hard to try and get some attention from William. He'd never lost a soul, he worked harder than anyone else at his level or above. He worked himself to the bone to get his seniors' attention.

The one senior who did pay him attention wasn't that much better. Grell Sutcliff was supposedly keeping an eye on him. He seemed to spend more time running off after romance or being suspended than actually helping and Ronald got stuck doing his paperwork, another desperate cry for attention. He didn't know why William kept him around sometimes.

Then there was Alan Humphries. He seemed rather nice; polite and courteous if nothing else. Ronald had been struggling with his tie and Alan had helped him out more than once. That was it though. While he was polite and seemed friendly enough, when he spoke to Ronald there was a cold, scathing edge too his voice. There was always something almost sarcastic to it. There seemed to be a double meaning to everything.

And that was when he wasn't with his boyfriend, Eric Slingby. People said he looked like and older, rougher version of Ronald. Ronald himself didn't see him, but he knew Eric made no secret of his dislike for Ronald. He'd deliberately knock his paperwork from his hands in the halls, he'd lose his files, kicked him out of his seat at lunch and had even locked him in the office one night.

But they were Ronald's seniors, some of the best reapers in the world and Ronald wanted their approval.

Eric had locked him in the office again. He groaned and collapsed back against the door but it gave way and arms wrapped around him. As he glanced up, a blindfold was pulled over his eyes and his arms pulled back and tied.

"Hey, what's going on? Let me go!"

"Shut up, kid."

Eric? What punishment was he in for now? He was hauled off the ground and thrown over Eric's shoulder, little rougher than was necessary. Honestly, Eric could do whatever he wanted and Ronald didn't think anyone but Alan and William would call him out on it. They certainly hadn't so far. He ended up being dumped on what felt like a couch, a cover pulled up and around him and a pillow slipped under his head.

"What's going on?" Ronald said weakly. "Mr Slingby?"

"You didn't hurt him, did you love?" came Alan's voice from somewhere above him. A delicate hand ran through his hair and Ronald turned his head, trying to find a gap in the blindfold. "Don't struggle, Knox, you'll slide off the couch and hit the table. I don't want more dents."

"M-Mr Humphries?" He squirmed slightly against the holdings around his wrists. "What's happening?"

"He told you to stop struggling, Knox," Eric growled. Alan soothing hand in his hair was quickly replaced with Eric's, tugging his head back sharply. "Do as you're told."

"What do you want? Come on, guys, please, let me go."

Eric released his hair and Ronald was stuck lying on the sofa, completely at a lost as there was the rustling of fabric then a door shutting and locking. He struggled to sit up and tilted his head again, trying to find any creases where they could get some light in. He really couldn't understand what he'd done to deserve this treatment by his seniors. They certainly didn't treat the other juniors as badly as they did him. He was sure he'd have noticed if there were others being locked in offices and bullied into paperwork or torments and shunned. Had he done something wrong? Something to deserve this treatment in their eyes?

Deciding his seniors had done a pretty good job trying the blindfold, Ronald laid back against the pillow and tried to sleep. It was all he could do. Of course, it was a little hard to sleep when he was tied up like this. He really didn't get it. Pushing aside the fact that they all seemed to hate him, what use would having him tied up and all but held captive here actually achieve unless they just wanted to be sadistic and there was no real reason?

He had no idea how long it had been when the door opened and closed again and he assumed that was Eric and Alan back. After a long moment, there was a noise he couldn't quite figure out and the cushions dipped near his waist.

"Are you hungry, Knox?" Alan said.

Ronald nodded weakly and Eric growled. "Speak, boy."

"Y-yes," Ronald squeaked.

"Yes, what?" he said firmly.

"Yes, s-sirs," he said quickly, nodding his head. "Please. I'm really hungry." Eric chuckled maliciously and Ronald lowered his head. Eric had taken his lunch from him today. "Please…"

Eric laughed again and Alan sighed, running his hand gently through his hair. "What's wrong, Knox?" It sounded almost gentle and polite, even considerate, as always, but there was still that sharp, cool edge to it. "You sound uncomfortable. You're not afraid of us, are you?"

"N-No," he replied, tilting his head in an attempt to find his seniors. "I just don't understand what's going on."

Alan hummed understandingly, at least it hoped it was understanding rather than mocking. It could go either way. Still there were his fingers running soothingly though his hair. It was at least something gentle about the situation. Suddenly, he was pulled to sit up and Eric's thumb brushed over his lips. What the hell were they doing here? What did they want from him?

"He's cute," Eric mutter thoughtfully. "I'm a little short on cash. Think we could sell him?"

"What?" Ronald cried, jerking back only to yelp as Alan's hand clenched in his hair and pulled him back firmly. "You-you're not really going to- what's going on?"

"What do you think, Alan?" he continued. By now Ronald was trembling, not at all comforted by Alan stroking his hair again, or by Eric's iron grip on his jaw. This was terrifying. He'd never been so scared in his life and he was supposed to be able to trust his co-workers with his life. "We could. I've reaped enough souls from some shady people looking for a cute little boy like him. We could get some good money for him, I'll bet. Maybe even some demons who'd pay."

"Eric," Alan snapped. "We're not selling him to a demon." Ronald struggled to twist away but both his seniors held him still. And Ronald had been hoping for a second that Alan was going to tell Eric off for wanting to sell him. How foolish of him. They really did hate him, didn't they? "You'll be suggesting we let prostitute him next."

"We could. That'd be a steady income then."

"No!" Ronald cried, twisting desperately. "Please, no."

"No, Eric," Alan said firmly. "Stop struggling, Knox, I've warned you before. You'll put a dent in my table."

"Please, Mr Humphries," he said desperately. "Please, I don't understand what I've done to deserve this. I don't understand what you want from me. I'm sorry."

Eric's hand moved from his jaw and Alan shifted his weight to lie against his shoulder, stilling stroking his hair. Finally it seemed more comforting than threatening. The room fell into an awkward silence and Ronald's breath caught as Alan's arm wrapped around his middle, pulling him gently closer. He couldn't stand this silence, not knowing whether that what they wanted from him. What was happening? There was silence for the rest of the evening, only broken when Alan sat him up and fed him some soup.

Ronald must have dozed off in the darkness, because when he was aware of the world again, he was being carried along in Eric's arms. He groaned slightly and Eric chuckled and dropped him. Ronald gave an undignified yelp and fell on the bed. Eric undid his wrists but kept him pinned down, and Ronald was very aware of Eric's weight leaning over him. His breath fell over Ronald's cheek and he turned away.

"You should keep what happened tonight just our little secret, Knox," he said firmly. Ronald nodded instantly. He wasn't going to argue with him. He had no idea what had actually happened that night, but he wasn't going to say anything. "That's good. If I hear you mentioning it, you might end up in a mess." Another frantic nod. "Good boy. You play your cards right and you might get somewhere in Dispatch." Ronald's eyes widened behind the blindfold and he turned slightly, to where he figured Eric was. Really? Eric actually thought he could get somewhere? Even after all he'd done to him? The older blond's lips brushed his cheek and he shivered. "We're watching you, Knox."

The door shut and Ronald sat bolt upright, pulling away the blindfold and running after him. Eric was already gone though. He sighed and returned to his room, flopping back on the bed. What was going on? If they were watching him, and they thought he could do well, why were they being so cruel? What had tonight been about? It didn't make any sense. But, maybe now, now they'd admitted to watching him, maybe they'd start treating him better. Maybe this was the start of something better.

The next morning, he hurried into work with his files and coffee, unable to stop grinning at the idea of being treated better by his seniors. They were paying attention to him, so he'd just have to make sure he was working even harder than usual to make things better. Sooner or later, he'd get where he wanted to be. He had to.

He bumped into Alan first, nearly literally. He danced aside and the only damage was the puddle of coffee on the floor. Alan sighed and Ronald grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, Mr Humphries. I'm so sorry. It's not all of it, is it? Did I spill any over you? I'm sorry."

"It's fine, Knox," Alan said firmly. Ronald nodded quickly and lowered his head. There was that thinly veiled sarcasm and annoyance beneath the polite cheer. "You shouldn't be running in the hall though. You'll get into trouble."

"Yes, Mr Humphries, I'm so sor-" He yelped pathetically as someone smacked him from behind, sending his files and coffee to the floor in a heap. "What the-"

He turned just as Eric threw him to the floor with his things. "That should make up for your coffee, Alan."

"Really, how clumsy of you," Alan said. It took Ronald a moment to realise Alan was talking to him. He crouched down and gently helped Ronald to his hands and knees. "All your reports are ruined now. You see, didn't I warn you not to run in the halls?"

So much for being treated better. He nodded slightly. There was no point arguing. "I'm sorry, Mr Humphries."

"What on earth is going on here?" William said, walking passed. "Knox, get up off the floor this instant."

"I'm sorry, sir," he said quickly, standing up shakily. "I tripped. I'm sorry."

William glared down at him and Ronald stepped black slightly. He was going to get killed at this rate. "Those reports are ruined, Knox. I suggest you clear your schedule for the next few days. You'll be working overtime until you've made up for them."

"Yes sir…"

"Rickie," Grell squealed, bouncing over only to slip on the split coffee and fall on his behind. There was a ripping sound and Ronald decided the morning couldn't get any worse as Grell's eyes flew wide and wild. "Who spilt this coffee?"

"I-I'm so sorry, Mr Sutcliff!" Ronald blurted.

Grell snarled and got up, kicking off his shoes and pulling off his trousers, showing Ronald the rip. Ronald turned bright red as Eric sniggered, trying not to think about the fact that Grell seemed to be wearing lacy underwear. This was horrendous and embarrassing. How was he supposed to deal with any of this? Especially with Grell advancing on him.

"What did you just call me, Rickie?" he snarled.

"It-it's Ronald-"

"You're correcting me? You're correcting me!" he screeched. Everyone was looking now and Eric was grinning like this was the best show he'd ever seen. Grell slammed Ronald into the wall by his throat. "You little twerp! You dare to correct me! Say me name, you little pest, try it again!"

"M-Miss Sutcliff, I'm sorry," he cried, shaking his head.

"Sutcliff is not a woman," William snapped. "Do not encourage him, Knox. I suggest you help Sutcliff find something to wear and then get to work before I give you enough overtime to keep you in the office for the next century." Ronald nodded quickly and Grell dropped him. "Get cleaned up, quickly."

"Yes, sir."

He scurried away and hid away in the bathrooms. This was killing him. Everyone looking at him and William yelling and Grell being furious and Eric laughing… He splashed water over his face and took a few deep breaths. This was ridiculous, how was he supposed to deal with this? How was any one supposed to deal with this? No one cared. Everyone saw and no one cared because they were the best, the best in the world. He was nothing here.

Ronald pulled the form he'd been saving from his trouser pocket. It was ruined now. He hadn't wanted to use it. He'd wanted to be stronger than that. He'd wanted to be here. And now it was too much. Ronald wanted to get away. He wanted nothing more than to get away. He was going to be weak and he was going to fill out that form and get a transfer.

He couldn't do it. He couldn't be here any longer.

Ronald's hands were trembling thinking of the pain he'd been in back then. Still, he couldn't help smiling as he closed his eyes and tilted his head back, his girlfriend's lips moving teasingly over his neck. Even back then, he was already in too deep. They were watching him, his seniors, he couldn't escape them.

"Ronald?" she murmured, leaning over and kissing his lips. "What is going on in that sharp little mind of yours, Ronnie?"

"Just-" He was cut off by a sharp knock on the door, quickly followed by the lock being turned and the door opening. His girlfriend curled up against him, watching the door carefully. "Hello? Who's there?"

"Knox," William called. "If you could put on some clothes and put Miss Clements down for a moment, we've been called out for an assignment. Now."

"Yeah, of course," Ronald said quietly, getting up and smiling back at Lillian. "Sorry, love. Duty calls." She smiled and nodded, giving him a final kiss before letting him get up and dress. "See you later."

She waved and Ronald hurried out to where William was waiting. The older reaper gave him a cold glance and Ronald slipped on his shoes before following him out without a word. Neither of them spoke until they were out in the streets.

"Miss Clements seems nice," William said.

Ronald nodded. "Yeah she's nice. It's good. It's going well, we're happy together."

"Perhaps a stable relationship will keep you focused on your work rather than women's breasts," he said coldly.

"I want to go to a hotel when we're done," Ronald said.

William glanced down at him and Ronald gazed back. He knew it had sounded like a demand, he hadn't meant for it to sound quite so much like a demand but he wasn't asking. There was a long moment of silence as they watched each other before William nodded.

"If that's what you desire, I can't stop you."

Ronald nodded and they carried on through London in near silence rather than continuing with awkward small talk. Ronald was alright we that. Things would ease up once they had something to distract them rather than just each other. Either way, chances were it was going to be a long night.