A/N: Chapter two. Michelle returns in all her stropy unpredictable glory and Ronald picks up where he left off in Glass Emeralds with dirty thoughts. They're fun. We get William back too. Not Eric yet, that's next chapter. And thank you for the lovely reviews last chapter. I love you guys. Please leave lots more lovely reviews this chapter too.
"Michelle."
The slim brunette young woman looked up from her paperwork and adjusted her glasses slightly. Alan frowned. She did it just how William did it and Grell too sometimes. She was their senior though, she'd tutored William when they were doing their exams. Like how Ronald often used Eric's mannerisms or movements, because he'd looked up to him and learnt from him. Michelle Galloway was a reasonably attractive reaper, an inch or two taller than Alan without her heels, with her long dark brown- almost black- hair always braided neatly while on duty and easily recognisable by her fancy black stock tie with a deep emerald broach. The light flashed off her glasses- another trick William seemed have picked up- and her cold gaze locked onto him. Alan hated that. She used to look at him lovingly and always smile when he came in.
"Miss Galloway," he said quietly, closing the door to her office behind him. "I'm sorry to disturb you, Miss Galloway, but I need your help."
"I'm sure you do," Michelle muttered. "I'm busy, Mr Humphries. Find someone else."
"Alright," he said, pushing a strand of hair from his eyes. "If you won't help me as a friend... help me as a favour."
"I don't owe you any favours."
"No but I know you haven't changed your ways. You're still trading favours. What do you want?"
"What are you after?" Michelle said, leaning back and smiling. It didn't comfort Alan though. It wasn't the nice, reassuring smile she used to give him. "What do you need?"
"Mr Corbin hit Ronald today."
"What do you want me to do about it?"
"You used to care what happened to us, Michelle," Alan snapped, slamming his hands down on her desk. "They always used to say that no matter what you did, you cared for your friends. What did we do to make you turn on us like this?"
"The world doesn't revolve around you, darling," she laughed bitterly.
"You're telling me you stopped caring about your friends just because you and Grell broke up," he said. She sighed and shook her head. Realising he wasn't going to get an answer quickly he pushed on. "You were one of the biggest helps when Eric... everything you've done for me, Michelle, I refuse to believe that after everything one silly little argument with Grell would-"
"It was hardly a silly little argument," she said, moving around the desk and leaning next to him. "We broke up. You know how serious it has to be to make Grell back out of a relationship."
"What happened?"
Michelle frowned and folded her arms. He missed being friends with Michelle. She knew him too well. She'd helped Eric hide the souls he was collecting souls. She'd been the one Eric had trusted to help him, even though if Eric had told him he probably would have just forgiven him. He was only trying to help, after all.
"He... convinced himself that there was someone I wanted more than him."
"Well, no one said Grell wasn't the jealous type. Was there though? I remember you said to Eric once that no one had ever compared to William, but then, you say a lot of things. I'm not sure what to believe sometimes."
"Ah, you know what people said about your first love."
Alan smiled slightly but shook his head. "I'm afraid I don't know much about that. I've only ever... loved Eric..."
"Yeah, I suppose so," she said quietly. "He loved you too."
"That's why he asked you to look after me... and Ronald," Alan said, pulling himself up to sit on her desk. Michelle smiled slight and nodded slowly. "You did promise him."
"Yeah, I did," Michelle sighed.
"And I know you won't do something for nothing, not for me and Ronald, not even for Eric," he said quickly, knowing he was wearing her down. Michelle's business was knowing everyone else's business; if he could do something for her, she'd gladly return the favour. "We can work something out, can't we? I'm sure there something I can do for you for your-"
He was silenced by Michelle gently cupping his cheek and pulling him into sweet, gentle kiss. There was a long moment of complete shock, his cheeks burning with embarrassment, before he kissed her back, a little uncertainly, and slipped his hands up to her shoulders all without really thinking. Michelle was rather whimsical and the chances were it meant absolutely nothing to her but a bit of amusement. Still, there was something so tender about the way she stroked his cheek- in a way horribly reminiscent of how Eric used to- that made him wonder if there was something more. He'd seen Michelle with Grell. They obviously cared for each other but they were rough and brutal together, both seeming to only want to completely dominate the other. He'd never understood why anyone would show affection like that, it had always scared him on some level, but this was so easy and almost caring it felt like she really wanted something from him. Maybe Michelle just missed Grell as much as he missed Eric. Maybe she was just lonely too. His eyes closed slightly as Michelle's hand trailed through his hair, her arm against his back gently drawing him close. Somewhere in the back of his mind there was something complaining that he always seemed to be the position girls were expected to be in- even when kissing an actual girl.
Suddenly Alan realised what he was doing, his eyes snapped wide open and he slowly broke the kiss, panting slightly. He gently pressed against her shoulders, pushing her away a little- even though it wasn't enough to break her tender hold. He liked Michelle but not like that. It didn't mean it wasn't comforting to be in her arms, or to suddenly feel loved again. And he supposed the kiss had been pretty good.
"M-Michelle, I-I'm flattered but, uh, you know- but I- you know I'm-"
"Don't be silly, Alan," Michelle laughed gently. "I know you're into guys and only guys. I'm not stupid, I was just satisfying my curiosity; Eric always said you were the best kisser. So, little Alan, let's get Will back in charge of you guys. But I'm still not talking to the others."
"Alright," he said, still flushed red. Michelle picked up her files and he followed her out the office. "Goodnight guys."
"Goodnight, Mr Humphries," called her young division members.
"Love you guys too," Michelle called.
"Night Shelly."
Michelle's impromptu promotion- and reinstating for that matter- meant she'd been given en entire division of Junior Dispatch Officers straight out the academy. As the human population grew, they were needing more and more reapers to keep up. And given that reapers didn't die too often, the entire city build for the reapers of London area alone was expanding all the time. Michelle's division had been working for seven years now, and the group age ranged from fifteen to seventeen depending on how long they'd spent in the academy. They were old enough and experienced enough to work to a decent standard and perhaps ready to move onto another division to work with a senior partner. Alan and the rest of their division had worked with them a considerable amount in their early days, he knew they were going to be a good bunch. Ronald had been younger than them when he'd stopped working for one of the divisions assigned for reapers who'd just graduated and come to work in their division.
"What are you doing tomorrow?"
"I'm going out to Eric's grave," he said quietly. "Umm, what is your plan?"
"Currently, I'm gonna go in there and kick his ass and make it up from there, is it still in his office?" she said with a deceptively sweet smile.
"Yeah, when we left," he said. "Don't be too harsh on him."
"Sweetie, you came to me for help," she laughed. "I'll come up with an actual plan to get Will back in charge later. Remember, I know nothing and neither do you."
"Thanks, Michelle, but... what did you want me to-"
"You've done plenty, babes." She kissed her fingers and pressed them to Alan's lips. Alan blinked in surprise then smiled slowly. If that was all she was asking for as payment, that was fine by him. "Go home. I'll see you tomorrow or something."
"Alright, Michelle. Have fun."
She giggled and headed into the office. "And don't go anywhere near Christian. If he tries anything, you tell me and I'll kick his ass too."
"Michelle."
"No one's hurting you, ever," she laughed. "You make life pretty."
"Pretty?" Alan said.
"Yeah. Like Eric always says-" Alan lifted his head and frowned. That wasn't right. Eric was officially dead. The doctors had been ordered not to save his life. Only Alan and Michelle knew that he was now involved with a top secret branch of reapers and his death had been faked to cover both his crimes and his sudden disappearance but Alan wasn't allowed contact with him. Michelle- a former member of the branch who'd managed to get off without faking her death- had promised to cut off all contact as well. "-said. Said. Like Eric always said, you're like a little ray of sunshine. You just light everything up. You make life... beautiful."
Alan smiled slowly. "Thank you, Michelle."
"For what? I'm just keeping my promise. I always keep my promise."
"Does it hurt?" William said quietly.
Ronald frowned and William ran his fingers over his bruised cheek. "No. Not really."
"Good," he growled. "I'd hate to think he actually hurt you." He leant in and gently kissed his cheek. Ronald gasped as his lips brushed his skin, sending sparks of pain through him. "Are you certain it doesn't hurt?"
"No," he said taking his hand gently and kissing his palm. "It's ok. Come here."
He caught William's tie and gently pulled him down, pressing their lips together, slowly reached up around his shoulders. William pulled him up onto his lap, moving his kisses down to his jaw. Ronald hissed and turned away.
"Alright, alright," he cried. "Yes, it hurts."
"Sorry, but if you will say it doesn't hurt," William said with a sigh. "You should tell one of the higher ups."
"Tell who?" Ronald growled. "It's like the bastard said. He's been at this for over a hundred and fifty years with a perfect record. It's his word against mine that I did nothing to deserve it."
"Ronald-"
"They won't believe me."
Ronald sighed and gently laid his head against his shoulder. William's ran his fingers slowly through his hair. "Ronald. It's ok. It's ok."
"Alan... Alan's talking to Michelle."
"Good," William said quietly.
"No," Ronald whispered. "She won't help. She's not helped us since her and Grell broke up. You know she can hold a grudge."
"Yes she will," he said firmly. "Especially if it's Alan asking." He sighed and gently kissed the top of Ronald's head. "I'm sorry I can't help you."
"How long until you're back, boss?" he whispered, shivering slightly.
"I don't know. As long as it takes for them to realise I'm doing the best I can with you bunch of idiots. And they will. We've tried to straighten you out, do you think Mr Corbin is going to manage any better than anyone else?"
"I don't know..." He sighed and turned over on William's lap, sitting back against him and picking up the book he'd been reading. "I can't believe you're reading this crap. How was your day?"
"Rather boring," he said quietly. "It's better now you're home again."
Ronald laughed and nodded. "You're so sweet sometimes."
"Don't say that so loudly."
"Let's go to bed."
William sighed and Ronald grinned up at him. Without a word, William opened up his book found his page. Obviously not getting his way, Ronald sat back and chatted away quietly about nothing in particular, just for the sake of talking. William would nod or give a word or two when prompted but was mostly reading silently. People had always- and probably would always- think William was too cold for Ronald, for what they considered a child who longed for love and affection. Even Eric had believed that while they cared for each other they were too different. People thought Ronald was a silly little kid who was being strung along William because obviously all William really wanted from him was sex. Ronald sometimes wondered why people had yet to learn it was more than that. He would have thought seven years would have put an end to those ideas- as well as the ones about him being easy- but it seemed he'd underestimated how shallow and stupid people could be. Even if it didn't seem like it, Ronald knew William was listening. He always listened. Because, even after this long Ronald still struggled to open up and become more than sweet smiles and laughs. William always listened, just in case he'd said something of importance.
A key turned in the lock and Ronald turned. Alan smiled and shut the door behind him, slowly walking over and slouching on the edge of the couch. Ronald smiled back, Alan didn't look like he was in a bad mood. Hopefully that meant things had gone well with Michelle.
"Michelle kissed me," Alan said quietly, sounding like he was in shock.
Ronald burst out laughing before he could stop himself, or think about how much it would hurt his cheek and jaw. He groaned and cupped his cheek as William sighed, set down his book and gently stroked his hair to calm him down.
"What happened?" William said.
"I, uh, I went to her for help about Mr Corbin- you've seen what he's done to Ronald- and we were talking- arguing... you know, Grell thought she was interested in someone else?"
"Why?" Ronald said as William stroked his cheek. "I mean, we saw them, they were amazing together... scary, but amazing."
"I don't know what Grell thought that, she didn't say."
"Was she good?"
"Ronald," William snapped.
"What?" he cried. "It's just a question. I mean, did you like it? She wasn't rough like she is with Grell, was she?"
"No..." Alan smiled and blushed slightly, lowering his gaze. "No, she was really gentle. It was... nice..."
Ronald laughed. "Really? So, is she being sweet with Alan or rough with Grell?"
"Why are you looking at me?" William growled.
"She's your ex," he said.
"That was over a hundred years ago now and was a serious lapse of judgement on my behalf and quite possibly hers. We were young and stupid. Besides, you don't like me talking about my previous relationships."
"Boss..." Ronald pouted and William sighed. "Please?"
"Grell brings out something dangerous and bloodthirsty in Michelle," William muttered. "She liked to be in control but she was never rough."
"Alan?" Ronald said quietly. Alan frowned and Ronald grinned. It was almost like Alan didn't trust him. "Umm, it's been seven years now, have you considered maybe, I dunno, seeing someone else?"
"Michelle?" Alan said, almost laughing. "Ronald, I'm not interested in women, you know that."
"Well, I don't know," he said. "I think you two would be cute together and, you know, you said you liked it. Maybe you're only into guys 'cause you've never considered women, maybe Michelle's just right for you."
"I'm not sure it works like that, Ronald," he laughed, moving over and gently kissing Ronald's cheek.
Ronald smiled. Alan was always more gentle and caring beyond belief. William's eyes flashed slightly. He didn't really like how close they were, he never had. Ronald had always been incredibly close with Eric and Alan. William had hated it with Eric but was at least tolerated it was Alan. Ronald had been trying to convince William and Alan that threesome would be a good idea- merely out of curiosity- but hadn't got anywhere with it. They both seemed against the idea for some reason. Ronald couldn't understand why really. Well, William was possessive and Alan didn't really like upsetting people. He supposed he could see why but still... that wasn't the point. The point was he wanted it. He also wanted to get Alan together with someone but apparently he wasn't ready. Sometimes the people around him were just no fun.
"Besides, if I got together with Michelle," he said quietly. "I wouldn't have so much time for you."
Ronald grinned and nodded. That was good enough for him. "I still think you'd be cute together."
"Stop it, Ronald," William said quietly.
"You guys ruin all my fun."
"You have a filthy mind," Alan said.
"Hardly," Ronald huffed. "You two are just way too repressed. Are you trying to tell me neither of you has ever thought about the other like that?"
"I thought we were talking about Michelle," he said, folding his arms. "And no, I haven't, ever."
Ronald glanced at William who shook his head. "Liars. Both of you. You're a pair of repressed liars. I miss Eric. You know he was honest about this stuff."
"Ronald," William sighed.
"Aw, don't sound so annoyed about it, boss," he laughed, getting up and heading out to the kitchen to search out his favourite mug. "He admitted to thinking you were kinda hot."
"When did he say that?" Alan cried.
"Ronald, stop being so stupid," William said, folding his arms.
"Aw, it's cute you think I'm joking around," Ronald said, pouring a coffee and heading to the bedroom.
"You are joking," Alan said. "Aren't you?"
"I dunno," he said with a shrug. "I don't remember. Perhaps getting my own way for one would help me remember."
He shut the door with a grin, waiting for the inevitable. "Ronald!"