Masquerade
*~*Hello. I really wanted to finish before I started uploading, and though I believe I am nearing the end of this story, I didn't want to keep you all waiting. It probably doesn't matter but I need to amend my statement on the first chapter about it being 3 years. I looked and it's only been about two years.*~*
He had to admit there was a certain beauty to it that pleased him. A jeweled blue rose upon entwining silver to form the stem and clasp. It looked custom made. No doubt it had cost the buyer a small fortune. There was no way Sutcliff could have afforded it on his salary, not unless he scrimped and saved and cut back on the luxuries. What sacrifices had he made to be able to purchase such a piece? Come to think of it, he had been working a lot of overtime lately. Did he dare wear it?
William glanced at it in the mirror to where it on sat on top of his dresser. One must always abide by the rules and to wear such an accessory would break the rules regarding dress code. Disregard for the rules only leads to chaos. His scythe in one hand, a cup of coffee in the other and he was out the door for another long day at the office.
"William~"
Dear God, no. But there was no denying that voice. William glanced up at his source of torment, smiling back at him like a love-struck teenager. "What do you want, Sutcliff?"
"Do I need a reason to visit my favorite hunk?"
"Yes, you do. Such as to turn in completed paperwork, which I doubt as to why you are here," replied William, resuming his work. "Now, unless there is some sort of emergency that needs my attention, get back to work." Grell giggled lightly, walked over to the side of William's desk, and perched himself on the edge.
"OH!" he clutched at his heart, "Oh, my heart!" He feigned a swoon and lay over the top of the desk.
"Sutcliff…"
"My heart, it's bleeding. Is there a skilled, handsome doctor in the room that can heal me of these pains of love?"
"The infirmary is on the second floor," was William's impassive response. "Now, out." Grell formed his mouth into a pout, his gaze flicked to Will's plain, unadorned tie before righting himself.
"Can't blame a girl for trying," he shrugged. At the door, he paused, "Did you at least look at it before you tossed it?"
"No I did not." It was technically the truth. He had, after all, done just that. That fact that he later retrieved it he decided to keep to himself. What Grell did not know would not hurt him. Honestly, this pitiful excuse for a grim reaper should get over this ridiculous infatuation, before order could no longer resist the chaos. The very thought of that happening horrified William.
Grell forced a laugh, "You really know how to break a maiden's heart."
William responded, "Perhaps, but I see no maidens in this room." He thought he heard actual hurt in Grell's voice, however, decided to pass it off as another act.
"So cruel," Grell replied softly, shutting the door behind him. Arms crossed, his heels clicked on the floor in the direction of his own office. "So cruel, indeed," he muttered.
"Everything all right, Senpai?"
Grell lifted his gaze from the floor to his subordinate standing in the hall with a few of his colleagues. 'What a sweet kid.' He flashed him a smile. Showtime. "Why of course, Ronnie."
"Are ya' sure?" Ya' seemed kinda down just now."
"Oh!" he laughed, "Dear, that's nothing. William was just being an ass. Think nothing of it," he said with a wave of his hand. He grasped the junior reaper's chin with the other, "Thank you for caring." Then grasping both of Ronald's shoulders, he grinned, "Now, back to work, before Chilly Willy has a fit." Releasing the other reaper from his grasp, he continued on his way.
"Drinks later?" Ronald hollered after him.
"Not tonight, Ronnie, thanks," he replied without looking back.
Once he was in the sanctity of his office, the door locked, he allowed his mask to come off. Another brilliant performance by the deadliest of actresses. A tear rolled down his cheek. He looked at the paperwork piled on his desk, then at the picture frame sitting to the side of it. He sniffed, walking over to pick it up. The only picture he had managed to get of him and William together. It was taken not long after they received their new glasses upon graduating from the Academy. The day after Grell had fallen in love with William. William had not changed much, his hair now worn slicked back instead of the mussed look he had in the picture. Grell, on the other hand, had changed a lot. His hair, once short and spiked, was now long and flowing down past his waist.
He knew William thought his affections had no more meaning than a school girl professing her love for her favorite idol. But Will was wrong. This was so much more than a crush. The man was blind, not just literally, and Grell was tired. No, he was beyond tired. He was exhausted. He had pursued the man for over a century, trying various ways to win his affections only to be shot down over and over again. This time was the last. Oh, if only William knew how much time and effort into the gift. How much he sacrificed to be able to afford it and all the overtime he had put in. He had worked his ass off. Literally. He had cut back on his grocery bill, including refraining from self indulgences. He hadn't purchased a new outfit in months! And don't get him started on the beauty products! Wearing as little makeup as he could allow himself to be seen in public with. But William didn't care. Grell doubted he ever would. If there was ever anything under that cold exterior, it had long ago been snuffed out. No. If Will loved anyone or anything, it was the desk he was married to. In a fit of jealous rage and frustration, Grell threw the picture at the wall with all his strength. The glass broke and the frame splintered into bits. He screamed and shoved the paperwork and everything else off his desk. Setting about to trashing the rest of his office before finally sitting down amongst the mess to cry some more.
KNOCK, KNOCK
Grell raised his head up off the floor, adjusting the red frames of his glasses so they would sit straight. He must have fallen asleep. The person on the other side of the door knocked again. "Grell?" It was only Ronald. He looked around at the unsightly state of his office. 'Oh, dear!"
"Senpai, open up! Did ya' fall asleep or something? Boss is gonna be pissed if he finds out."
"Just a second, Ronnie!" he called, scrambling to his feet he attempted to smooth out his appearance and fix the small amount of makeup he had applied that morning. Tiptoeing over items, he made his way to the door, opening it just enough to poke his head out.
"Geez," Ronald griped, "it's about time. I've been out here forever tryin' to raise ya'. You must really sleep like the dead." He smiled and made Grell's signature hand signal as he spoke.
"Enough with the jokes, how can I help you, love?"
"No one's seen ya' for hours. Ya' missed lunch and everything. So I came to check on ya'."
"What time is it?"
Ronald checked his watch, "It's almost three. Don't you have to go out on collections soon?"
Grell's eyes widened and he shrieked in alarm; racing to the other end of the room to retrieve his death scythe. "William's going to kill me." He fussed about the messy room in search for his To Die List. Ronald whistled as he stepped into the room.
"What happened in here?"
"I was redecorating," he lied.
"But I thought-"
"Shut up and help me find that list!" he snapped. Ronald wisely shut his mouth and began to help look. He'd rather not piss off the crazy red head any further.
They say silence is golden. But in the case of Grell Sutcliff it could be downright terrifying. For who knew what the menace was up to when he was not in here bothering William. He had not seen Sutcliff since that morning and William could not determine if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Still, he had managed to finish his work and leave for home at a decent hour.
Alone, he walked out of his office. Alone, he walked home. Alone, he sat at the kitchen table and ate his supper. Alone, he took a shower and readied himself for bed and alone he laid himself down atop it. "Damn." He muttered a curse as he lied in darkness. The emptiness of his flat began to weigh down upon him. William T. Spears is feeling lonely? 'Absurd.' He shut his eyes before slowly opening them once more to further ponder his situation. Would it really be so bad? Did he have to live an eternity alone? No one to be there to greet him when he returned from a hard day of work? He decided he could not seem the harm in resisting anymore. Tomorrow he would see about getting a pet.
Sutcliff dragged himself back into his office and gazed at the mess. Heaving a sigh, he went about straightening the place up. He guessed he should be grateful that no one had reported the fact that he had trashed his office. Heaven knows what Will would have done to him, other than a lecture on the destruction of company property and proper behavior for a member of the London Dispatch. Will! He suddenly remembered smashing his precious treasure against the wall. He scurried over being mindful of the glass he carefully lifted the picture from the broken splintered wood. He gazed at the picture once again. Did he really have the guts to call it quits after all this time? He crumpled it and shoved it into the pocket of his favorite red coat.
In a red nightgown with his hair pulled up out his way by a hair comb, Grell sat in front of his vanity to remove the little bit of makeup he had applied. "Meow," a sleek black cat jumped onto the flat surface seeking attention from his owner. "Hello, Sweetie." He smiled sadly as he scratched the feline's chin. "Looks like you'll be the only man to share my bed with me tonight." He picked up the cat as he stood and pulled the comb from his hair to allow his red locks to fall down his back. Setting the cat down on his bed, he then removed his glasses and laid them on the nightstand before pulling back the covers and sliding under the merlot colored sheets. "Good night, Bassy." He turned out the light and the cat named 'Bassy' curled up on Grell's stomach. If he was going to move on, Grell believed some changes were in order.
TBC
Note: The cat is not Sebastian. Grell merely named the cat after him. Just wanted to make that clear.
Update: I was rereading it yesterday and noticed some awful mistakes. I think I got them all, sorry for that. On the other hand though, I've officially finished the rough draft. Working on an epilogue. Chapter 3 should be up monday. Cheers!