A/N: Happy Valantines. I got two cards and a box of chocolates, from my favourite horse and from the one who threw me off and stood on my face. Yeah, my friends and family are all so mature. However, I'm not complaining, I got chocolates and just about managed to eat them without hurting my jaw too much. This chapter... I dunno, I'm not overly comfortable with lemony stuff. I tend to write it and then edit it out so it still seems natural, so this is the first time I've actually left any lemony stuff, so I'm not too sure. Anyway, yeah, thanks for the reviews, please keep them coming. Thanks.
Grim mewled from inside the wicker basket and Ronald double checked the buckle holding the basket lid closed. It had taken him long enough to get Grim wrapped up in the blanket and put him inside. Technically, pets weren't allowed in the office building, so they had to hide him. William smiled slightly. It warmed his heart to have Ronald rambling aimlessly like he used to. He could talk about everything and anything and William would just smile and listen quietly, speaking when prompted to, because Ronald was smiling again. Not just because he was trying to make his friends feel better either, it was a genuine honest smile.
"It's nice..." William glanced over and Ronald tilted his head, grinning slightly. Was he reading William's mind now? That was actually a bit disturbing. He didn't want Ronald reading half the stuff on his mind sometimes. "Seeing you smile like that."
"Like what?"
"Like everything's ok again," he replied. "Like you're honestly one hundred percent happy, and not thinking about work or what's happened, you know?"
William nodded and reached over, wrapping his arm around Ronald's waist and pulling him close. They were off work, so he didn't really care who was around to see. "Maybe I'm just thinking about what I'm getting for my birthday."
"Well, we should hurry home then, shouldn't we?"
"There's no rush. Haven't I told you enough that there's no point rushing anything? It's better to take your time rather and enjoy it, you know that."
"I don't want to be patient though," Ronald whined, leaning against his shoulder. "Why can't I just pull you into one of these unused offices and-"
"Please, Ronald, tell me again who's birthday it is?"
Ronald pouted and William squeezed his waist gently. There was a slightly feminine edge to Ronald's body that William adored. Mainly his waist, hips and rear, there was a lovely feminine curve to them and his soft, welcoming lips. It had been proved several times in undercover jobs that Ronald could make a beautiful girl. Some people didn't like that, William loved it. How it made Ronald blush and squirm and how Ronald hated to let anyone but William see him like that, he wasn't sure why but he knew he loved seeing Ronald like that. He smiled as they wandered slowly up the stairs, Ronald leaning against him as they went. It was reassuring in strange way, Ronald seemed to have complete and utter faith in him. It was all very well believing that William was in control and would do all he could to protect him, but William often worried what would happen if he let Ronald down and he got hurt again.
They'd barely closed the door before Ronald stepped around, snaking his arms around his neck and locking their lips together. From inside the basket, Grim yowled for attention having been dropped unceremoniously on the couch. William dropped the cooler and unbuckled the basket with one hand, wrapping his other arm tightly around Ronald's waist and drawing him in firmly. The pair stumbled back to the couch, Ronald moaning softly as he always did when William's tongue slipped past his lips and met his advances with his own. It was another of Ronald's little habits, something William had grown used to and come to expect. And when Ronald had been suffering, when he'd not met his touches and kisses with soft, encouraging moans and whines but with terrified, heartbreaking whimpers and sobs, it had been one of the things he'd missed so much. William fell back to the couch with Ronald above him, straddling his lap and pulling off William's tie before slowly breaking the kiss and sitting back.
"Happy birthday, boss," he purred, fingers moving smoothly down William's shirt and undoing the buttons as he went. "How old are you now?"
"Old enough." Ronald finally got William's shirt open, pulling away the light, bright white fabric and smirking to himself. "You seem to be taking a lot of pleasure out of this, Ronald."
"Well, who doesn't take pleasure from being on the lap of such a handsome man?"
He took William's wrist and pulled his hand up. With absolute precision, the little blonde pulled William's leather gloves from his hands with his teeth and, of course, given how experienced and skilled Ronald was at this sort of thing, William didn't even feel his teeth graze him, just his hot, moist breath. With the gloves out the way, Ronald set to work removing William's crisp white shirt. There was no cool air to soothe his heated, sweat slicked skin, just the stifling heat of the summer.
Ronald reclaimed his all too willing mouth seconds later, pressing into another forceful, almost desperate kiss, tangling his fingers into his hair and whining softly as William squeezed his arm around his waist, his free hand sliding up to Ronald's collar to slip it away from his neck. He wanted Ronald out of these clothes as quickly as possible. Making the most of their time and taking it slow was all very well, but today he was impatient. It was a possibly he was just getting restless because Ronald was forcing them to continue at his pace. He wasn't in control and that always made him fidgety.
His hand trailed down Ronald's chest, stroking his damp skin as Ronald giggle into his mouth. Sliding his hand in slowly down to the first button still done up, he tugged gently before popping it open. That was when Ronald broke their kiss once more, much to William's disappointment, and gently took his hand away, kissing his fingertips. "Please, not yet, boss. Just wait a little longer for me, it'll be worth it."
William opened his mouth to argue but his throat when dry as his little blonde leant into his neck, moving a few fluttering, soft kisses down his neck, nuzzling playfully against his jaw as his breath sped up and his heart pounded. Every instinct told him to push Ronald down and undress him but he'd wait for now. There was no harm taking time and letting Ronald do his work. In the back of his mind William hated how good at this Ronald was. There were boys his age that had only had one partner and were still inexperienced and shy and naive when it came to love and intimacy. Ronald was a strong, confident lover who had been with so many partners he couldn't remember them all. So William took great pleasure in finding things Ronald had never experienced before and to have him blushing and nervous, because it meant it was something between just them and no one else.
He gasped silently as Ronald nipped roughly at his sensitive neck then lifted his head, gazing up at him hungrily. There had always been something so stunning about that dark, lustful look that filled him with a desperate need.
"Ronald?" William breathed huskily as the blonde slid off his lap. "What are you..." Words failed him as Ronald's fingers slid along his thighs, parting his legs and settling on his knees. "Oh."
Ronald toyed with his belt teasingly, his fingers brushing over his aching need every now and again, making William stiffen and jerk slightly. It was a few long moments before Ronald finally eased down William's trousers and underwear just enough to allow him access. William watched him intently, completely enchanted by the youngster leant closer, his breath washing over him, sending hot shivers bolting up William's spine and making Ronald smirk. He tilted his head back onto the back of the couch as Ronald's fingers closed around him firmly, giving a soft, teasing squeeze before slowly sliding his hand up to make him hiss slightly.
"I love making you squirm, boss."
William growled and pulled Ronald's glasses from his nose, letting them drop to the couch and leaving Ronald staring up at him. It wasn't unusual for William to relieve Ronald of his glasses while leaving his own on, short sighted as they were it was a quick easy way to get him at a disadvantage. Smirking, and not seeming to care about his lack of glasses, he slipped out his tongue, running it along his length, making him shiver and almost making him moan.
"Ronald..."
"Patience, boss, remember," he teased. "Isn't that what you always say? Patience makes it all the better, doesn't it?"
It was what he was always saying, yes, but it didn't always work like that. Finally, Ronald took him into his mouth and this time William couldn't stop himself moaning softly and sliding his fingers into Ronald's thick, golden hair, pulling him closer and letting his eyes fall shut. Much as he tried not to think about it, there was always a nagging voice in the back of his mind reminding him how Ronald became so good at this, and how he should have seen Ronald was on a path of self destruction long before their relationship. He wasn't pleased about it, but he knew everyone spoke about Ronald like he was just a stupid child who slept around with anyone who tried it on. Actually, he hated how people spoke about him and Ronald's relationship too. The way people assumed he was using Ronald just as everyone else had. Everyone had always used him and Ronald had let them just to feel affection for a little while. It made Ronald an incredibly competent lover, of course, but it didn't stop William seething at the thought of Ronald with anyone else.
As if sensing his annoyance, he reached up, gripping his hip with one hand and massaging firmly and humming, making him moan and thrust lightly into his mouth. His breath quickened, clenching his fists in Ronald's hair, making him moan around him. Ronald was his now. It didn't matter about the others. He kept telling himself that. It didn't matter about them, Ronald was his and only his, loving and caring. He tugged at Ronald's hair and the blonde whined. He laid his head back, panting heavily as he thrust into Ronald's hot, wet mouth, arching his back and pulling Ronald closer. This time, when he clenched his fists in his hair, Ronald gave a small, low cry, gripping William's hip and sending him over the edge, hot burning pleasure tearing through him.
William opened his eyes after a few long moments, just in time to see Ronald swallow and sit back slightly, still stroking his hip. For a long moment, William just watched the little blonde staring up at him, those big, sharp, glistening eyes completely focused on him even without his glasses. Absolutely stunning. No matter how insecure Ronald was, William would always tell him honestly he was beautiful. Slowly and carefully, he untangled his trembling hands from Ronald's damp hair and slid them down to cup his flushed, heated cheeks, gently guiding him up in into his lap once more so he could draw him into a soft, tender kiss.
"Oh please, Will, I know it's your birthday, but put the kid down for five seconds."
Ronald growled, much to William's amusement and annoyance, and turned to glare at the door. Not that William thought he could see anything more than a figure but it was cute that he got so possessive. Of course, they both knew the voice without looking. It was better than Grell interrupting, which was, unfortunately, a rather common occurrence. He seemed to have a sixth sense for when people really didn't want to be interrupted.
"How did you get in here, Michelle?" William said, glancing over.
Ronald wrapped his arms possessively around him as Michelle came over and leant on the arm of the couch. "The front door, Will. How else would I get in?" Again Ronald growled, glaring over. "Oh, who's a possessive little Puppy?"
She giggled and reached over, ruffling his hair as Ronald looked disgusted by the nickname. If she was only here to tease them, William wasn't going to be at all impressed. Interrupting his time with Ronald without good reason was almost suicidal. It was Michelle though, she did tend to have a reason for everything.
"What do you want, Michelle?"
"Get rid of your little pet, we need to talk." This time Ronald didn't even make a sound, just hugged him tighter, burying his head in shoulder, obviously an absolute refusal to leave. William sighed and Michelle smirked. "I don't remember ever being that insecure about your love for me, Will. And don't you let him go out to drinking and stuff? You trust him to go out alone."
Ronald glared over. "You're interrupting."
"And it's important."
"Go on, Ronald," William said, gently nudging him up. "I'll be in soon." There was a muttered complain in response but he slid off and stood slowly, leaning over to press a gentle kiss to his lips. "I won't be long."
"You'd better not be," he whispered.
As he strode away, William pulled on his shirt and quickly redressed to a decent standard. The door shut and he turned to Michelle, who smirked and caught his shirt collar, reaching down and buttoning up his shirt for him. William frowned and pulled her hands away.
"Please, Will, it's nothing I haven't seen before."
"That was a long time ago, Michelle."
It was roughly a hundred years ago, she was his first girlfriend and she was always going to be special to him, which of course, Ronald hated as much as William hated thinking about who Ronald had been with before him. They'd never really been as close as they were back then, and he was still careful around her, since she always seemed to be up to something, but he still turned to her when things got too dangerous. Being known for consorting with demons, finding a loop hole for every rule anda willingness to go though anyone and anything standing in her way, she was useful, especially now she was retired.
"He's good for you, Will. He's a sweet kid, I've never held it against him that he's got you." William nodded. He knew that. "Anyway, I need to stay here tonight."
He frowned as she picked up Grim, cuddling him to her chest. "Why?"
"Because I need to get away from Julian for a night or so," she said. Demons. If she wanted to hang out with demons it was her own fault when they got too much to handle. "William, do you know what's happening? There's something huge going on."
"Like what?"
She sat and leant back against the arm of the couch, letting Grim curl up in her lap. "Like Charles Dray has created a half breed."
"That's not possible."
"Shouldn't be possible, but he did it." William frowned and tilted his head slightly. "And as yet, no one's been able to even see the thing for more than a flash. Do you know, it's killed reapers over in Wales? It's only a matter of times before it figures out London is the biggest hub for reapers within easy reach. We're screwed, Will. It is vicious and well trained, seems to be hunting us and we don't know what mix of traits it has. Can you imagine if he makes more and the breed. We won't be able to keep up. We'd become an endangered spices. And what if it doesn't age? What if it has normal human eyes so we can't recognise it? What if it's not short sighted? It could have all these advantages."
"It's not like you to be so worked up, Michelle." She sighed and nodded. "It might also have disadvantages. Humans aren't as strong, fast or resilient as us, they're not known for seeing records, it will be untrained and won't have the knowledge of who it's fighting or how to reach our realm. Also, unless it's taken the scythes of its victims it won't be much of a threat and it's possible it will be venerable to normal human weapons and not just death scythes."
Nodding slowly, Michelle leant his shoulder. "I miss you."
It was purely instinct to reach around her shoulder and rub her arm reassuringly, gently resting against the top of her head. When he thought back to how Michelle and he used to be it was strange to see her so stressed and quiet. It would be cruel to turn her away. William was cold but not cruel.
"You can stay."
"Thank you, Will. I won't get in the way of you and Ronald having your fun."
She went to get up but William pulled her down again. "Before you turn in, you're unusually stressed. This isn't like you. What's happened?"
"Just tired I guess," she said with a soft smile. "Thanks again, Will."
She smiled and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Michelle. What else is going on?"
"I've just been thinking a lot, I guess. You're really lucky to have him, you know?"
William nodded. There were several times it had seemed like there was no way they could continue, but he'd refused to give up and so had Ronald and they'd worked through it. It wasn't exactly easy but he wanted to keep hold of Ronald no matter what. He glanced down at Michelle and realised what she'd actually meant.
"You were good with Sutcliff." She laughed bitterly as she got up. "But you always preferred someone a little more subservient, didn't you? That was why we fell out. "
"Yeah, you decided being a cute little junior wasn't your thing anymore."
"Unlike your butler." A soft pink tint rose to her cheeks and she hung her head, nodding slightly. "You'll find someone else, Michelle. You always do. Nothing ever holds you down for long. And whatever's going on, if it's important, you can tell me. Don't let your pride stop you." Again she nodded. "If there's nothing else, I'm sure Ronald will be getting restless."
"Goodnight, Will. Have fun."
He waited until Michelle had shut the door to the spare room, Grim just about slipping in after her in time not to get his tail trapped, before getting up and heading into the bedroom he shared with Ronald. The little blonde was nowhere to be seen though. There was movement inside the adjoining bathroom and William rattled the handle. It was locked. He frowned.
"It was important then?"
"Very. But it's not so urgent we can't continue from where we left off. What are you up, by the way?"
"Well, I thought you'd want your surprise. Where's Grim?"
"With Michelle."
"She's staying?"
"Just for the night. She's just a bit stressed at the moment. Things are difficult for her. Stop thinking about Michelle and Grim. We've got better things to do."
The door unlocked and William stepped back as Ronald opened the door a crack. "Don't laugh. Or smirk. Or look smug, ok? I mean it. I know you like it when I get embarrassed but seriously. I'm going to kill Grell for this."
William nodded slowly and pushed the door open a little more. The door swung open and Ronald stepped out into the bedroom, his head low and a soft, rosy blush across his cheeks, hands clasped nervously in front of him. William swallowed heavily, his heart rate quickening already. This time Grell had really out done himself. He caught Ronald's wrist, wrapping his arm tightly around his waist and pulling him close against him. Ronald's fingers tangled into his hair and William leant down, capturing his lips in a rough, bruising kiss.
"You're looking smug."
"It's hard not to." William smiled and cupped his cheeks. "You look absolutely adorable."
