A/N: So, my pretties, a few reviews last chapter, thank you. I know, you don't get so many reviews on the first chapters, ever really. I'm thinking this'll probably update about twice a week, I can't update as fast a Mina even if I have nothing to do all day. Given it was mostly Will and Ronald last chapter it's almost nine of them this chapter. But we do get pretty much every other character for you. And then next chapter you will finally discover what cute, little blue gift Grell gave Ronald and it won't be that much of a surprise but you won't have thought of it. One of those obvious things you don't think about. Well, I know I didn't until I was told, then I was like 'oh yeah, that's always cute' and I've probably given it away but I don't mind. Anways, yeah, a long note there, thank you for your reviews and please keep them coming (and that sounded exactly like how Mina writes that).


There was a strong woody and fresh smell in the Undertaker's that Grell quite liked. Most the time, he couldn't stand the old reaper, with his constant giggling and chuckling and cryptic clues because he cared more about how much fun it was to watch them squirm than how many people were put in danger. He did like the smell though. Why it didn't smell of bodies was beyond him. He expected it to smell of rotting corpses and body parts and the chemicals used for embalming and stuff. Instead there was a nice woody smell, probably from the coffins.

"Is there are reason you're here, my dear reaper, instead of with your friends?" the Undertaker called from the back room. "You don't like being in my funeral parlour."

"Everyone's being all cute and in love and it's cool in here." The Undertaker hummed and Grell continued. "Eric and Alan are doing their adorable 'we're so in love and reading each other's minds' thing and adorable as it is, I don't want to be the only one without someone to love. I just feel like a third wheel."

"What about little Ronald? You're close with him?"

"Little Ronnie? Yeah, any other day I could rely on him and just bang on his door and we'd go out and have fun and make everything better while William sits and reads like always but not today. Today is William's birthday and that means he's going to keep Ronald hauled up in bed the second they get home." He hummed again. "It sucks, being the only one with no one to love. I thought it'd be some ultra romantic tale, my life. I thought Will pushed me away because he was denial but then he fell in love with Ronnie. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for them, they're a beautiful couple. I just wish it was me."

He'd always thought that he and William were destined to be together. They were like a classic romance. They argued and bickered but were always there when they needed each other. Eventually they'd realise they loved each other, followed by hot, passionate love making. Instead, Grell had inadvertently set him up with Ronald by bringing him into the division and introducing them. It was so unfair. Of course he was happy to see William with someone he loved, it had softened him slightly. If he couldn't have William, he was glad it was at least someone he adored and trusted like Ronald. He was honestly happy for them. He just wished he had someone special too.

"What about dear Michelle? Weren't you two rather on and off?"

Grell frowned. On and off was putting it mildly. He'd loved how cruel she was, then she started to calm down and look after Alan. Eric's mission to cure him of the Thorns of Death by killing a thousand people had got him in a lot of trouble. He'd succeeded, more than a little because Ronald hadn't come to them the second he'd found out, Alan had forgiven him as long as he'd promised not to kill anymore- Eric hadn't kept that promise of course- and Michelle and the Undertaker helping him out and getting him into a top secret branch by helping him fake his death. It was all rather complicated and obviously it had taken a toll on Alan. Since Eric had made her promise to look after Alan she'd become devoted to helping him through and Grell had ended up pretty much ignored. They were very on and off since then.

"She's retired and being all quiet and boring."

"Shame," the Undertaker said. He wheeled out a coffin on a trolley and slid it off to the floor. "Then, why are you here? I was under the impression you disliked me."

Grell glared over and growled. "You're preferable to all the other idiots who live and work in my presence. They don't appreciate my greatness. And neither do you but I tend to assume that's just because you're old and senile."

"My my," he chuckled. "Such cruel words coming from someone who professes to be lady? No wonder Mr Spears doesn't want you."

"That is just rude!"

He chuckled and patted Grell's head. This was why he didn't like going there, he found everything funny. He groaned and fell back into his coffin he was sitting on. The Undertaker chuckled and leant over him. "Those are for the dead you know, my dear."

"You're lucky it's so cool in here or I'd leave. And you're the one who sleeps in them."

"Perhaps, but I at least sleep in coffins that suit me." He giggled and leant over with a measuring tape. "This one is the wrong colour, shape and size for you. Come into the back room and I'll make you a better one."

Grell sat up and narrowed his eyes. He wasn't going in any back room with a creepy old man. Desperate for love as he was, the Undertaker really did grate on him. Good looking as he was without the robes and long hair over his eyes and most of his face he just gave him the chills. Alan kept telling him that if he got to know him he wasn't so bad but Grell just wanted somewhere cool and shaded to hang out and get away from all the loving couples.

"Since you're here and not going anywhere, would you like some tea while we talk about your measurements?"

"You are not making me a coffin!" he cried.

"Why not? I make the coffins for most the London Branch."

The door burst open and Grell sat up. "Undertaker!"

The Undertaker grinned as a blonde and brunette came running over. They stopped in front of the Undertaker, panting heavily. The blonde recovered first, straightening up and shaking his hair slightly. Grell knew them well. The Midnight branch was a top security and top secret group of reapers, trained to work above the normal rules of their world. They'd taken in Eric after the 'thousand souls incident', as it was now referred to. Getting him back afterwards had been complicated, and when they thought back there were a lot of times when they'd seen Eric around, even in the office and they'd spoken to him, and no one had mentioned it. Well, no one had wanted to pipe up and say a man they thought was dead was sitting on Alan's desk in case no one else had seen him. It would be a bit weird, even for their division.

It turned out Michelle was one of the Midnight Branch at one stage and the Undertaker had been one of the top members of the branch as well. And one they still ran to. Peter Dunham, the blonde, was a high ranking member who'd mentored Eric during his time in there and the brunette, Mark Davis, was head over heels in love with Eric but had pushed him to reconcile with Alan and go home. He was a nice boy, very sweet. Grell could see why Eric had seen him as a replacement Alan for the years he wasn't supposed to have contact. Peter on the other hand was generally cruel and cold. The perfect temperament for a secret agent.

"Stop running, boys," the Undertaker said, patting their heads. "It's not respectful. Now, what's the matter?"

"Have you heard about the half breed?" Mark said. "They've actually made a half breed."

Grell frowned. "That's not possible and you boys should know it. We are, unfortunately, sterile. All of us. We can't breed. No exceptions."

Peter glanced over and shook his head. Grell couldn't stand him. Honestly, he annoyed Grell more than anyone else he had regular contact with. Yes, Eric was mean, and not even in the sexy way- and he was blonde anyway, Grell liked tall, dark and handsome more and couldn't see any way he convince Eric to change his hair back to its normal brown when Alan preferred it blonde- and William didn't appreciate him at all and the Undertaker was just the Undertaker but Peter was in a league of his own.

"They've done it artificially," Mark said before Peter could answer. "Somehow. It's complicated. You remember that orphanage run by Charles Dray-"

"He was the one experimenting of children, wasn't he?"

They nodded. They'd bumped into him a few months ago. His wife had been dying and he was looking for a way to save her when his daughter had contracted with a demon- the Phantomhive brat, just their luck- to help by capturing reapers and holding them prisoner while he experimented. Ronald had run off after his attack, he had been struggling with being around anyone and had left without a word, and had been caught and held. Luckily for them, Michelle had been paying attention and sent her demon to feed on the soul of the mother, and the Phantomhive brat was smart enough to take advantage. He'd never asked what happened to Charles though. Obviously he'd survived the fire and carried on with his research.

Peter frowned and turned his attention back to the Undertaker. "He's done it. Somehow, he's done it and made a half breed. We have no idea what mix of traits it has, but it's going to be trouble."

"So go and kill it."

"Wow, you make it sound like we haven't thought of that."

"Then what's the problem?"

The Undertaker stepped between them, raising his hands slightly. "Now now, children, let's not fight. The problem is simple, my dear. It could be useful."

"We don't know how powerful he is," Mark said, folding his arms. "Or what traits he has, or how he was created. We need answers."

Sighing, Grell fell aside and found himself resting against the Undertakers chest as the older reaper stroked his hair soothingly. He could feel a headache coming on. Why did Ronald have to remember William's birthday? What was wrong with just treating it like any other day? "Why are you hands wet? You'd better have just washed your hands and that's water. If that's anything I'm going to take my chainsaw to your hat and possibly other body parts."


"Hey, look," Alan said, nudging Eric's side as they walked by the office building. Eric glanced up to the roof. There was a figure sitting on the wall around the edge, watching something a little way off out of sight. "Ronald and William are enjoying themselves then?"

Eric folded his arms around glared up. "Whatever, come on. Let's go, I'm not going to have time to cook if you spend all your time appreciating what a cute couple they are."

"You're so grumpy recently."

Eric narrowed his eyes slightly but said nothing. After another long moment watching Ronald, Alan slipped his arms around Eric's and took his hand, gently guiding him on. It was true, Eric had been incredibly grumpy recently. It was partly because Ronald wasn't coming out drinking with him so much anymore. He didn't really have any one to go out and let off steam with anymore since Alan wasn't interested. Ronald's therapy had changed him, toned him down and in some cases the change was so subtle it only showed if they knew him well. Of course Eric, being the overprotective big brother figure he was, didn't appreciate it at all. He'd said several times that if William loved him so much, why was he encouraging him to change? Ronald needed the help though and Alan suspected it was less about Ronald getting the help he needed and recovering and more that William was finally putting his foot down about how close he was with Eric.

Alan had never said a word about it. He wasn't exactly innocent in the whole affair. While he'd tried not to actively encourage Eric, they were both a little too fond of cuddling Ronald and getting a bit affectionate. He'd always wondered how long William was going to stand for it. From the start he'd made it clear he disliked it but he begrudgingly allowed it. Ronald's therapist had spoken to him about it and that was that. He'd set clear boundaries and when Ronald went over the line, William told him what he'd done wrong straight away and then completely ignored him for a set amount of time. It was like a parent dealing with a child. And conversely, when Ronald was obviously tempted to break the rules but didn't, he would be rewarded, even in a little way. Ronald's behaviour quickly began to change.

Not that Eric had been at all impressed by this new idea. He didn't see why Ronald needed to change his behaviour, just work through his problems. Whether he was simply being grumpy or he really didn't get that the two had to go together, Alan wasn't sure.

"Don't worry, I knew you were grumpy when I fell in love with you." Eric grunted and Alan squeezed his hand. "So, what do you think about what Grell was saying?"

"About what?"

"Why we're a proper couple but William and Ronald aren't."

"I agree."

Alan sighed. "You would. Please, Eric, be serious."

"I am being serious." He sighed and nodded slowly. "I just don't see why they're dragging out something that's not working."

"It is working. And it makes them happy. Why isn't that enough?"

Eric lowered his head and glared at the ground. It was enough. He would be absolutely furious if William ever broke Ronald's heart and left him. Whatever anyone said, Alan could see them lasting forever. No matter what problems they had, they worked to overcome them. Eric wanted them to stay together as much as Alan did really, he was just too stubborn to admit it.

Alan caught Eric's tie as they entered their apartment and pulled him into the kitchen. It was Alan favourite place to be. When he'd thought Eric was dead, when he wasn't staying with William and Ronald or Michelle trying to distract himself from the pain, he'd sat in the kitchen and cried to himself. It had been so painful. Being in the kitchen, where Eric would cook and he would always sit and watch him and chat made him feel closer to Eric, even if he was alone. He'd missed him. He was all he'd ever wanted. Eric had been, and still was, almost perfect in his eyes. There were times he'd questioned him and times he'd wondered if he'd made the right choice, he understood why Ronald and William had problems. No one was completely perfect. No matter people thought of him and Eric, they weren't a perfect couple. They fought and argued just like a normal couple. Eric had flaws, and Alan knew he had flaws too.

He reached up slowly and pulled Eric down into a firm but gently kiss, letting the older reaper press him back against the kitchen counter, the edge cutting into his back just enough to make him mewl softly against his mouth. They stayed locked in that tender, loving kiss for a few long moments before Eric laughed a little moved back.

"I'm never going to get around to cooking if you keep distracting me like that."

Alan chuckled and shook his head. "But aren't I just the most wonderful distraction, darling?"

"The most wonderful," Eric purred, cupping his cheeks and pulling him up to press their lips together once more. "But if I gave into temptation very time we'd both starve. Unfortunately we can't live off our love for one another. If we could we won't have any need for anything else."

"Ahh, you sappy idiot," Alan said, smacking his chest playfully. "I thought you were a tough guy. Get on with cooking and leave the emotional stuff to me."

"And yet you hate it when I call you a girl."

"Go, get cooking. I'm hungry."

"Whatever you say, sweetheart. Your wish is my command."

"Yeah, if only."

It wasn't long before the mouth watering smell of bacon and eggs wafted through the apartment. It was simpler than they'd been planning but it was quick and easy, especially since Alan had his arms around Eric's chest and was leaning on him from behind. It hindered Eric's ability to cook complicated dishes. They chatted quietly as he cooked, about little things that weren't really important, just talking for the sake of talking. Ronald used to do that. It was something Alan missed. After the brutal attack he'd become withdrawn and quiet. Recently he'd started to talk again, not quite to the same as before but he was getting there. Ronald could ramble on and on about nothing at all really. He smiled at the thought.

"Where do you suppose Grell went off too?"

"Who cares?" Eric said. "Find the muffiny things."

Alan laughed and let him go, turning away to the cupboards. "Muffiny things? I'm not seeing anything resembling a muffiny thing. We've got roll like things, bagel whatsits, bready stuff-"

"Alright. I get the picture, you don't have to mock me. The breakfast muffins."

"Oh, right. Found them, but it's not breakfast."

"It's an all day breakfast, or would you prefer I ate yours as well, sweetheart?"

He laughed again and pushed over the plates with the breakfast muffins cut and buttered. He loved it when Eric cooked bacon sandwiches. Just the smell was amazing. They served them in canteen at work but it never compared. There was nothing better when waking up with a hangover- which was rare given that he didn't drink all that much- or just watching Eric with his hangover than a delicious, hot and freshly cooked bacon and eggs, rather than cooked and kept warm until it was rubbery and hard. Then there were times Alan just craved bacon them- which really didn't help with Eric calling him a girl and making jokes around watching his weight. It didn't help that Alan was a little insecure about that. If he was taller, if wouldn't be such a problem but he was small and light and putting on even a little weight would make him look chubby and Eric wasn't exactly a low fat cook, everything was fried or buttery or creamy and then there were the deserts... Eric was definitely a full fat cook. Of course, he didn't mean it maliciously. He just seemed to be the master of unfunny and insensitive jokes. At times at least. Other time he was absolutely the most charming, funny and caring person in the world, and at least Alan knew if he was ever really offended Eric would be apologising profusely for days.

Melted cheese dripped from Eric's egg as he put it on the muffin followed by the bacon. Alan had never bothered with that much cheese on anything let alone a sandwich. When he was sick, he'd tried to eat a little healthily. He didn't want to make the Thorns worse in anyway and for a while Eric had cut down on the fatty foods and agreed that if Alan was looking after himself, Eric would do it as well for moral support. He'd even stopped drinking and stayed in with him. Only, Alan didn't want him to suffer because of him, so they found middle ground.

There was a bang on the door and Alan got up, opening it slowly. Michelle was there, with Madeline at her side and small, overnight bag. "Michelle?"

"Hey Shell," Eric called from inside.

"Hi," she said, pulling Madeline inside and Alan closed the door slowly behind them. Within moments, Madeline threw her arms around Alan, giggling softly as he stroked her hair. "I need you two to look after Maddie for the night."

Alan shook his head quickly. "Oh, we can't do that, Michelle. You knew that's against the rules. She's human, you shouldn't even bring her here."

"I know, but I wouldn't ask if I wasn't desperate, you know that, and you guys like her. Just look after her. Keep her safe for me, ok? If you need me I'm staying with Will and Ronald tonight."

Alan grabbed her hand as she turned to leave. "Have you told them that?"

"That's where I'm going."

"They're not in and it's William's birthday, they won't appreciate it. And we really can't look after a kid."

"We'll see about that. Thank you, love you guys." She kissed his cheek and hurried out. "Thanks, bye."

"Michelle!"

She's gone, Al," Eric said gently. "Have you eaten yet, Maddie? Want a sandwich?" She nodded quickly, muttering her thanks. "Come on, let him go, let him breathe."

Alan sighed as Madeline let him go and ran over to the kitchen with him. Why would Michelle drop off Madeline with them? She had a demon willing to do whatever she wanted, and she must have had other people around she could ask favours of. Not to mention what would happen if she was caught here.

"Mr Eric? I still don't get it."

"Get what?"

"How you and Mr Alan can be in love."

She frowned and tilted her hand, gazing up at him expectantly. It wasn't exactly an unexpected question, humans tended to see anything that wasn't a man and woman of the same class as wrong and something to be shunned and kept in the shadows. It was a shame. Everything to them seemed to about breeding and who would bring the most prestige to your family name, or who would give you kids. Since reapers weren't able to breed, it was pretty much a mute point. They'd learn eventually, they'd always been a little behind the immortals in terms of morals, social norms and technology. Eric laughed though and lifted Madeline up to sit on the kitchen counter.

"What don't you get about it?"

"You're not married and you can't have kids." Eric smirked and glanced back at Alan who sighed. Children saw everything so simply. "Isn't that the point of being in love?"

Eric laughed and patted her head. "Well, grim reapers can't have kids. We're not born really, we're created the way we are and since we don't get older, we don't need to have kids. It's not a problem. And... hey, do you know anyone who's married, Al?"

"No, now you mention it," Alan said, leaning on the back of the couch and watching them. "It's not really the done thing around here, is it?"

"There you, Maddie."

"Besides, love has nothing to do with who you're married to or anything like that. Especially in your world, most your marriages, higher class ones at least, are arranged. Love is about who makes you feel special and safe and happy, like nothing else in the world. Even if you argue and fight, you always go back to them, because they make you feel like you can do anything."

"Even find a way to make miracle cures from fairy tales work."

"Yes, thank you, Eric." Madeline giggled. "The point is, Maddie, you can't be forced into loving someone or arranged to love someone or even be told you can't love someone. You love who you love and nothing is going to change it."

Madeline frowned, seemingly thinking it over for a few moments before nodding slowly. "Is that why you two are in love, even though Mr Eric is so much older than you, Mr Alan?"

"You're really curious about everything, aren't you?" Eric muttered.

Alan smiled and watched them quietly. There were reapers who wanted children. They felt life meant nothing if they didn't have someone to share it with and to raise and be proud of. It was their way of getting over the monotony of immortal life. Some got kittens and puppies instead but finding an immortal one like Grim was rare. At first no one had known what to make of him but the Undertaker had said that centuries ago reapers had looked into creating immortal pets, creatures that wouldn't pass away in a fraction of its owner's life. Eric was constantly teasing Ronald about how he seemed to mother Grim like he was a stand in child, something that got the little blonde so flustered while trying to deny it that William wouldn't step in. After all, it was no secret William loved seeing Ronald blushing and stuttering, much like how Eric said certain things just because he liked it when Alan let go and got angry.

"Well, Mr Alan looks only a little older than me," Madeline said. "He's really young, and you look like you're really old, like thirty or something."

"Firstly, I don't look like I'm thirty, which isn't old for your kind anyway. Secondly, there's only twenty-five years between us, way less than the difference between William and Ron, which is about... what, ninety years or so? And given that we live forever the age difference doesn't matter that much."

"And I don't look that young, do I? What's going on anyway, Maddie? Why has Michelle brought you here rather than leaving you with Julian?"

"She doesn't trust him," Madeline said, shaking her head. "And she was getting all upset over Daniel. She loved him, didn't she?" Alan and Eric glanced between each other. "She said he knew what was going on but helped her anyway."

"What is going on?" Eric said, handing her a plate. "What's she up to now?"

"Something about demons. She says it's dangerous to tell me too much."

Alan frowned and lowered his head to his arms. Why would she keep around a demon she didn't trust? Honestly, he'd been absolutely amazed when Michelle had agreed to take in Madeline for him. As a general rule, she did nothing without an incentive, not even for friends. If she was putting up with a demon she didn't trust there was something serious going on. Alan's frown deepened and he rubbed his temples. This couldn't be good.