Authors note: most of the chapters before have been building up to this one, i liked writing this as things are beginning to happen, so please review and i hope you will enjoy the read, olé!

The coming days unfolded strangely ordinary, true Mey-rin had been looking at him with a puzzled look ever since finding him on Sebastian's floor handcuffed with a belt, something Finnian still did not quite understand how it had happened mind you.

He was not stupid though, he knew Grell had done something to anger Sebastian while in control of the gardeners body. It had became apparant these last couple of days. Finnian had finished the last garden-preparations for the spring and now he found himself drifting aimlessly around the the mansion.

It did not matter whether he was hanging after his friends or sitting alone, he could almost feel the eyes of the mansion's butler on his being. And that of course was only when he could not see him, everytime their eyes did meet Finnian felt something deeply unsettling about Michalis.

The butler would bore his eyes into the poor gardener as if he expected him to transform into something, different, for lack of better words. Finnian had come to realize that this was his punishment for aligning himself with his new master's schemes but what options where they? go away and die, no, he could not do it, not as long as his friends, both birds and otherwise needed him, not to discount the young master.

No, he would just have to wait until things became normal again, when Sebastian forgot whatever wrongdoing Finnian had unknowingly committed.

The young reaper was sitting on the large stairs, attempting to reading goldilocks, a book gifted to him by the young master to help him in his reading skills. While inwardly scorning the blond girl for being too picky with her choice of bedding a tall shadow spread over the book and much of his own figure.

Recognizing the foreboding aura, the boy kept his head down while at the same time closing the book.
, what can i do for you?-

The dark-haired butler gave the boy a piercing gaze.
- A certain William. are at the door, looking for you..- his voice barely concealing hints of triumphant undertones.

Finnian suddenly jerked upwards looking at the menacing butler, his eyes almost bulging out.
-W-what?-
Sebastian did not bother concealing his pleased smirk.
- My dear Finnian, you certainly have friends in strange places.-
Finnian opened his mouth several times to speak but he was interrupted by Sebastian.
- Let us go, i am sure he is anxious to talk with you.- Sebastian almost sang it.

Finnian quickly got up, leaving his prized book behind in a hurry.- I..you,..i.-
Sebastian merely led him to the door shooting him a cold glance. -Stupid boy.-

William gave the boy an emotionless glance as Finnian and his demonic butler came to meet him.
Turning to Sebastian he narrowed his eyes.
- Thank you servile, that will be enough.-

Sebastian graced the reaper with one of his closed-eyes smiles.
- The young Finnian is under the patronage of the earl, it would not be prudent to have him speak alone to someone of your high stature,..he might, agree to something he shouldn't-
The demon added.

Finnian coughed gently, catching the attention of the elder reaper.
- William..-

William scoffed at Michalis before focusing on Finnian.
- You are going to come with me, i have things to speak with you about and i do not intend to it in front of -that-.
he sent one scornful look towards Sebastian.
Finnian did not understand the bad blood between the two, what could someone like William feel towards a mere butler?

Sebastian moved between the to, placing himself in Williams way.
- Young Finnian has not been granted leave from the mansion, if you wish to speak with him i am sure you could do it here, regardless of my presence.-
William did not deign the demon an answer, merely looking at him with unveiled contempt.

Finnian felt his pulse beginning to beat ever faster, why did this have to happened now?
- Please i-i William, cant we do it here? i must stay with my mas-
William interrupted them, his words like a lash.
- He is not your master any longer, this pretend you are entertaining yourself with, while harmless can never be given priority over your duties.-
Will pushed his glasses up his nose-bridge.
- I have been giving you a lot of leeway considering how we inconvenienced you in the past but even that has its limits.-

Sebastian narrowed his eyes, what had this foolish boy gotten himself into.- What do you mean, the earl is no longer his master? i might be encouraged to let you have him for a while if you tell me.- A tug in his arm made the butler interrupt himself, turning around to see a very sad looking gardener.

For the rarest of moment, the demonic butler hesitated watching those big teary eyes, a wonder he had not grown immune to them by now now thought, he decided regardless to ask.
- Yes, young Finnian? is there something you wish to say?-

William raised an eyebrow: - I hope you do not plan to-

Finnian almost shouted, tears already streaming down his face. - Please ! p-please dont be mad, i-i can tell you everything, not from him just,..please, d-dont have me sent away!-
As he went on to embarrass himself his sentences devolved into broken phrases, words lost amongst sobs.

William stared at the pathetic boy a long minute. - When you are done, i will have Grell sent to pick you up, this was a waste of time.-
With that said the elder reaper made a huge jump, disappearing into the sky.

Sebastian looked at the reaper leaving, the mystery he had been given to his master to uncover was nearly done.
He looked to his side where the sobbing boy sat on his knee's in the door opening, so different he was from last night Sebastian thought.
- Young Finnian, while i make no promises your best chance will be to tell me everything.-

The boy did not respond, in his mind it was already made up, he would have to leave the mansion and never return., he would cease to be 'Finnian' and instead become something else, something without his friends.

Sebastian rolled his eyes, why was this boy so eager to dwell in negative thoughts and possible outcomes? did he not see that it crippled him? with a friendly sigh he scoped up the gardener into his embrace to take him somewhere secluded.

-So.- Sebastian began, they where once more sitting on top his bed, this was the place where he had seen the younger male the most comfident and so he decided to chance it by taking him here.

Finnian was sitting in lotus-style in front of the butler, he had been given a handkerchief to dry his tears and now, appearing a lot more collected he looked up at Sebastian expectantly.

- How do you know ?-

The young reaper was about to answer when he realized that the truth would sound bizarre to his butler if he told him, hell, he might even think him mad! And Finnian would not be able to blame him, no, he could not do that, he would have to do that which he never wanted to do, not against Sebastian or Ciel or any of his friends, he would have to lie.

And so he began, forcing himself to think about never seeing his friends again he forced a trembling lip, a lone tear appearing when it made the most effect. He told Sebastian the story of having been saved by a red haired person working for Will, how he had been robbed only to have his robber killed before his eyes.

He made sure to force the point that he had no idea who these people where other then that he had been told that he was in debt to them for saving his life and that he had to work som menial tasks for them in return.

Sebastian of course new full well who William and the murderous redhead where but slowly he began to wean off the idea that Finnian knew, he was clearly to dumb and emotional to dare double cross the phantomhive through ambition.

But there was something that still nagged him, why would a couple of reapers from the dispatch division want the masters gardener, nothing about their work suited Finnian. Grell he knew was quite mad and could have done it as some elaborate plan to get some laughs, the redhead did like to corrupt humans, but Will? why would Will take the time of his day to come all the way here?
Looking over Finnian, it slowly begun to come into shape, he was a young attractive man, Sebastian could say as much, and though he did not have much of the attributes humans valued in the male sex, Sebastian could see how someone would find him entertaining, especially those plump lips of his, his cheeks, reddened both by tears and shame.
Sebastian smiled to himself before he continued his silent examination.
- Finnian was obviously very naive, maybe that was it, they wanted to use him for something, maybe to lean something about his master? yes, maybe, his superhuman strength was not a great need for reapers but his connection to the phantomhives and perhaps to Sebastian himself was certainly a value in itself.

And here he had thought that the figurative case was closed, if the reapers wanted to get closer to him or his master, maybe he should let them, if only for awhile until their ploy became apparent.

Finnian had gone quite by now, staring to the textures of the fabric below them, he had closed his eyes as if expecting a beating.
A passing thought of a pair of cat ears attached to the gardener's head entered Sebastian's mind, it was a nice thought, being about cats and all that but he really did not have time for that now.
- You where very foolish to get involved with these kinds of people Finnian.-
Sebastian said in the sternest voice he could bring forth.

Finnian nodded, not facing the man, instead preferring to look down.
- Yes sir.-

- You are a foolish little boy, and you continue to get into troubles, causing me and the young master headache after headache.-

Finnian nodded, the sting in his eyes, this time real.
- I know, i-i am so-
Sebastian hushed him.
- As i was saying, you are causing my young master much duress and in turn you are making troubled, But, in this specific case i know things.-
-You know things?-
-Yes, about these people, and let me tell you that you where for once smart enough to comply, they are dangerous.-

Finnian looked up at Sebastian, not sure what to say.
- I will speak with the young master but for now, i will let you go with Will, so that you may work off you debt, but this is on one condition.-

The gardener blinked, once, twice..thrice, he could not believe his ears.
- A condition ?-

The demon butler leaned forward, cupping Finnian's face in one gloved hand.
- You are too repeat everything you do to me, and.
Sebastian flashed the boy with a full view of his vermilion eyes, they locked unto the boy with a predatory glare.
- If i found out that you where lying to me, or that you even withheld any information from me? you will beg for me to merely have you sent away, i will give you a good reason to cry for once.-

Finnian gulped scared but unable to look away from those terrible eyes.

- So, do we have an agreement, young Finnian?-

Finnian could not nod as his head was firmly held in place by Sebastian.
- Y-yes sir.-

In an instance the butler released him from his grip, gracing him with a friendly smile.
- Wonderful, i will find some thick winter clothes for you, it will be cold when Grell comes by to pick you up.- With that the butler made a small bow before jumping of the bed and then disappearing through the door, leaving Finnian looking confused and scared.

Finnian was standing outside the mansion when a familiar red-head appeared, pulling him into a strong embrace.
- M-master.- he whispered into the forest of red hair as warmth rushed to his face.
Grell pushed him away as quickly as he had embraced him.
- Don't go all cute and stuttering on me now brat, we have work to do-

Finnian took a moment to regain balance after being pushed away.
- Work? b-but i cant, Sebastian only just forgave me and.-

- This is not about that! besides.- Grell added smiling his mischievous grin. - I told you to count that as a success.-

- I am s-sorry, what work was this?-
Grell rolled his eyes and made a dramatic pout. - Sadly 'real' work, the big death book back at the office have recording something major going down in London, he is requesting reapers from every department to chip in.-
- Department? master?-
Grell had begun to walk down the path leading away from the mansion-grounds, Finnian quickly followed.
- Right, i forgot you never went to the academy, it is how the death-gods are organised, organisations, don't worry about it, unlike others you are allowed to be stupid!-

- I am not stupid! i did not ask to being murdered.-
Grell just flashed him a toothy grin while looking back at the mansion growing smaller in the distance.
- Soon we will be together again, beautiful raven- Grell said dramatically as he sighed.
Finnian did not know why, but the masters word unsettled something deeply within.

The hour was late when they entered the dusty apartment, Finnian not used to such a filthy place began to let out a series of coughs.
- Why are we here?- he asked meekly, cloth from from his arm to cover his mouth as he breathed through the nose.

Grell slapped the boy over the back of his head. - I told you brat, this is the apartment we will share until this big reaping is over. The redhead threw himself down on the lone bed in the small room, releasing a a dust cloud reaching for the roof.

Finnian slowly closed the door behind him, his eyes traveling across the small area they had to share. Like Grell's apartment there was an abundance of different shades of red, rugs, bedding, strange dolls littered everywhere and what looked like several wooden boxes and...
-Of course..- he muttered, standing next to the bed was that damn fruit basket.
- You are supposed to eat all of them you know, not that they will go bad or anything but still.-

Finnian knew better then to argue, by now he believed that detestable assortment of fruit and ribbons to be haunted. Looking around with worried eyes he began to bite his lower lip.

Grell was just brushing the black hair on his Sebastian-doll when he looked up to see the lost puppy looking around with big worried eyes.
-What?-

- Where is the guestroom?-
Grell stared at him as if he had heard the most uncouth joke of the century uttered by a priest and then he burst into laughing, dropping the Sebastian-doll while holding himself across the stomach.
Finnian looked surprised, then hurt, then slightly bothered.
- What is so funny?-
Grell ceased his laughing for a moment just to answer in a scared, feminine voice - Where is the guestroom?- he then proceeded to fall back down into the red covers of his bed laughing like a mad man showing every pointed teeth to the worried gardener.
- This is not the mansion brat, then again with your new eyes you probably could not tell the difference.-
Grell snickered to himself before motioning Finnian over to his bed with his index finger.
Finnian walked up to the bed before sitting down on the bed end, the furthest away he could from his master.
A part of him wanted to come closer, wanting to know whenever he would get hit again or something else.
Grell pulled a hand through his own long red hair, tilting his head and smiling gently at the strange antics of his intern. Nonetheless the redhead withdrew a small box from his coat, carelessly he threw it to Finnian. - This one is yours now.-

The boy looked down at the small box who had landed before him, looking back up at Grell to be re-assured it was actually his to open, he proceeded to slid the small lid off.
A pair of scarlet glasses laid in the box, surrounded with red silk, they reminded the boy of the ones his master wore but instead of having the glasses being half-moon shaped they where full. Along the rims blacks lines contoured the edges giving them a rather intense look.

Finnian did not know what to say, they where beautiful and he received gifts so very rarely.
Grell did not seem to pay him any mind, instead taking the time to open her small death-book,flipping through the pages. - They are my spares, but you should have them now, i don't want you to go around walking into walls.-
-.. well put them on! they wont do any good in that box!-
The younger reaper picked them up, Finnian moved his thumb over the rims for a moment before sliding them up his nose.

The blurry world that existed one meter beyond his sight suddenly gave rushing into shape, colors, light and dark everything assorted itself as if having a whip at their backs until the apartment in its entirety became clear.
He had been without a clear vision for so long that he was taken a back by the clarity of everything, looking around, focusing on different objects both close and far away, it was a joy.

- Aaaaaawh, you look like such a precious little pointdexter!- Grell proclaimed, grining from ear to ear.
- You remind me a little of Will during our academy years.- The redhead smacked with his lips for effect.

Finnian was about to retort that he looked nothing of the sort when his curiosity got the overhand.
- You went to school with William?-
Grell did enjoy to talk about himself as such he was quickly to bite. - Oh yes i did, can you believe i actually had higher overall score then that bore? It is true! and it bugged for Will oh so much!-
Finnian summoned the picture in his mind of the stern emotionless reaper being all angry and flustered, a small giggle escaped his lips.
- So.. does that mean he was always,..like he is now?-

Grell shrugged - More or less, if you wonder whether he always was a dullard and a total bore, yes, but i could always get those deeply kept passions out of him, he was not nearly as good at controlling those back then.-

Finnian slowly shuffled himself closer to where Grell was sitting, not wanting to hear more of whatever relationship the reapers had once enjoyed he pointed towards Grell's death book.
- Does it say what is going to happened here?-

Grell interrupted his story telling looking at his intern while noticing the sudden shift of topic, how cute he thought before looking down into the pages of his small notebook. - It tells you all about who will die and when brat, you really suck at paying attention to things don't you?-
He sighed dramaticly before whisking an arm around the younger male's waist.

Finnian shoot up a worried glance at his master, although he made no attempt to free himself, only making the elder reapers assumption from before grounded.
- ..I.,..i did n-
Grell just shot the boy an amused smirk, closing his small death book with a small thud.- I am obliged to teach you about reaping, that does not mean i do not recognize a student who is not in the mind of learning.-

Finnian's first reaction was that he had done something wrong, trying to formulate an apology was however cut short when a black gloved index finger pressed against his lips.
- You do not like when i talk about Will, or any of the others do you?-
Finnian turned his head away, breaking contact with his lips and Grell's finger.
- i don't care about that..- he did not sound very convinced, more like a grumpy child.
Grell withdrew his hand, enjoying the view of Finnian doing his best to shy away.
- I am so glad to hear that, we are meeting with some of my old friends tomorrow, it is a comfort to know . .-
Grell put emphasis on the last words, just to tease his jealous little intern.

Finnian was angry at himself, why in the world was he feeling jealousy when his deranged master spoke of his ungodly relaltions, he did not care! his master could go around and anger the good lord for all he cared but this gardener certainly wanted to part of it.

- I wont give you anything until you ask for it Finny.- Finnian quickly looked up at the older male, an angry blush spreading over his face as he broke himself free from Grell, getting of the bed in no time. Glaring at Grell he gave retorted in a way he hoped would shut up his damm mouth.
- I don't want anything from you master, except a cover to sleep on, i think i have had enough of this day.-
Finnian's words oozed unveiled hurt but Grell did not call him on it, instead he ceased his smiling and merely directed the boy to the drawer where he could find an extra cover to sleep on.

The boy removed the cover from the drawer, wishing to put it as far as possible from his disgusting master he sadly had to use the confines of the small apartment, at last placing it down on the dusty floor besides the bed.

Grell shifted, laying down on the stomach while watching the boy struggle in silence.
Finnian sank down on the cover, laying down on his back, he prayed sleep would soon take him.
-Hey brat.-
Finnian glanced up at the reaper once more smiling goofily, with a mask of indifference the boy asked:
-What?-
- You did good today.-
- I did not do anything master.-
Finnian did his best to sound cold and uncaring.
Grell made a small gasp for dramatic purposes.
- Nothing? you lied to Sebastian, you got sent with us without loosing your position, but most importantly. You lied.-
Finnian broke eye contact with his master, the thought of it still caused him great guilt.
- You are progressing, you might even become worthy before this is all over.-
- Worthy of what?-
-Good night Finny.-

Finnian's arms and legs where restrained upon the surgery table, the room was far to bright making his eyes hurt, several white clad figures surrounded him their voices melting together in an incoherent mumble, only lone worlds where recognized by the ten year old Finnian.
- S-012 is progressing.-
-More then could be said then the others, did you see how easily he fractured the cranium of S-005?-
- Lets continue, , administer the serum.-

Finnian began to scream at the hight of his lungs as the bruised skin near the bend of his arm was pierced with the sharp syringe.
The boy had begun to cry, it hurt so much. He was afraid, he was so very afraid that he would have to kill more of his friends.
This dream always came to him in the night, so many times had he been on this table even long after having escaped it continue to haunt him. So many times had be been cut with their times, forced to re-live those terrible memories.

It mattered little how many times he saw it, every night he became their victim and nothing could ever save him until the dream allowed him respite through the waking hours.
The climax of the dream was fast approaching, he was supposed to be freed from these confines before being taken to 'the cage' where he would kill one of his friends.

Just as he was going to be taken to the cage doctors froze, the ten year old Finnian looked around, not understanding what had happened. was still writing in his notebook, not moving an inch. Looking to his side, the same was true for the other personnel, everyone looking like a statue, everyone except one. Finnian had never seen this man (women?) before, He had long red air, eyes with a strange iris, a mix of green and yellow and a mouth full of sharp-teeths, revealed when he grinned at their surroundings.

- So this is where all the anxiety is stemming from, well, i got to give it to you, this looks terrible, not a single of your captors are even remotely handsome- Grell sighed as he walked around ripping of the facial masks of one of the doctors, some had faces underneath while others who Finnian never saw without masks where all blurry.

The young boy did not know who the stranger was only that he looked scary, tears still being shed dotted his frightened features as he stared.

Grell walked past a few of the frozen scientists before coming to a halt in front of the operating table. Finnian looked up at the stranger with big turquoise orbs.
The reaper gave the ten year old Finnian a small pout. - Do i look that scary?-

Finnian did not know how to react at the strange person talking to him, somewhere he felt he knew this man, but he could not place it. Slowly he nodded in response.

The stranger just shrugged as he touched the straps keeping the boy in place, they disappeared as if being made of vapor.
This memory obviously is causing you to function poorly, and i would say so, seeing the same drama over and over would bore me greatly, passion does not go well with familiarity you know.

Finnian could not place the stranger, he spoke weirdly, like an adult but not like the other adults here. Giving Grell a puzzled look he slowly sat up on the table, keeping his legs over the edge.

Grell leaned forward towards the young Finnian while speaking in a terrible cutesy voice - Would you like to wreck terrible vengeance on your inner demons you dangerously cute little brat?-
Finnian looked confused, he did not understand it was grownup words again, but he did notice how Grell spoke in a way grown ups sometimes spoke to him.

-I'll take that as a yes!- Grell leaned forward, smirking as he watched the young Finnian freeze before playing a small kiss on his forehead.
The boy gasped as memories flooded into his mind, the mansion, Sebastian, the young master, his death...-GRELL!- he shouted jumping backwards.
- W-why am i dreaming of Grell, no brain i told you i did not feel that way stop telling me otherwise!-
Grell snickered but then he snapped his fingers in front of Finnian.
- Don't you have something to do? i heard these men where going to make you kill your friend.-
-Oh what? yes,..i need to do it, so they can evaluate my strength..-
Grell gave the boy a pondering look.-Well that does not sound very fair, say if they want a fight so bad why don't you invite them?-
Finnian's eyes went wide.-..Invite them..y-you mean, kill them? make them get hurt?-
Grell's face split in a terrifying grin-Oh such a fun idea, and you had it all by yourself, but that wont be very interesting with just those fist of yours, what to do, what to do..- Grell tapped his index finger unto his chin before flashing the boy a cruel grin.- Oh i know, you should use this.- unto the table Grell dumped something looking like a big bladed machine, its sole blade was covered in a chain containing smaller blades.
- You just pull the string here on the side and voila!-

Finnian glanced at the machine before jumping of the table, taking Grell's schyte in his hand, he went quite, he stood still for the longest of time not making a sound before the tiniest chuckle escaped his lips, it slowly built into a full-fledged laugh as he pulled the string making the linked chain spin with all its little knives.
- ..hah,.haha..ha...-
Grell looked at Finnian like a mother-bird watching her young take to flight for the first time. Snapping his fingers the disappeared and the time which had been frozen seemed to speed up again.
- Alright lets continue down to the testing..-
The man dressed in the white lab coat looked up at the small boy holding the rotating blade in front of him.
Then for once in his life, Finnian felt in command of his own destiny.

Finnian had awoken earlier then usual, Grell had been gracious enough to lend him clean clothes, a pair of striped black costume pants, a white top and a black vest. The red lined glasses gave him vision, although he did not think his face suited wearing them.
While standing before the mirror he had noticed that he had reverted to his reaper-look as he slept. That usually did not happened but Finnian had a nagging feeling that last nights strange dream was partly responsible.
Feeling hungry his eyes sat on the fruit-basket. Walking of the bed table where it stood he removed the last apple from it, only a lone cherry remained.

Taking a bite out of the red fruit he began to almost instantly feel better, last nights sleep had been, enjoyable in ways he had never experienced before, he had craved control all his life and even if just a dream he had been allowed to sample it. It was a whole new set of emotions Finnian experienced and it was equally terrifying as exciting.

- My, my aren't someone looking good.-
Finnian turned around swallowing a piece of apple, his hair although unruly where still kept from his eyes with his red clippers revealing a pair of half opened chartreuse orbs behind the round glasses.
- I slept well master.- he graced Grell with a small sharp-teethed smile.- I dreamt about you.- Finnian cursed himself silently, where was this boldness coming from? it had crept up on him, he coughed as he forgot to chew the new piece of apple, whiling sporting a small blush.

Grell rewarded the boy with an uncharacteristically sweet smile.- I am glad to here it, and i am glad to see you out of that disguise.-

The younger redhead took another bite of the crimson fruit looking at his master with a perplexed look. After chewing and swallowing he retorted.
- That was my true self, i did not think about it as a disguise.-

Grell tilted his head.- Is that soo? do you feel like your old self?-

Finnian hesitated, he did not have a clear answer but luckily Grell did not seem to demand one instead he said.
- We are going out on your first mission today.-

The boy finished his apple before asking - Mission? what kind of mission, more stalking or underwear stealing because i really did not like getting tied up..-

Grell sighed- As much as i would like to revisit that tender night this is a reaper mission, you are going to reap your first soul!-

Finnian stared at Grell as if he had grown a new head. -What?! what, do you mean with that?-
Grell shrugged.- You already know how it works, you almost got fully reaped back when you where human.-
Memories of that dark alley, the feeble looking boy with the unkept hair, running him through with that garden tool, he had interrupted a reaping, the killing of a poor child.
Finnian had not given it any thoughts, that he would have to do something like that was unthinkable!
- You cant mean i am suppose to kill people?-

Grell shrugged.- How else are they supposed to move on?-
- What do you mean 'move on'?-

- You are not just killing them, you are making sure their souls move on to the next plane of existence, whatever that might be, otherwise they could be devoured by nastier things then reapers,.. demons for instance-

-Demons?- Finnian inquired.
- They look for souls to but they hunt them for sustenance, damm you brat, you are making me speak like Will.- Grell sighed but graced him with a smile all the same.
Finnian did not immediatly respond, he was not comfortable with this, not one bit.
- If i can't do it, will you?-

- No, i am Grell, Will is the boring looking one.- the red reaper answered snickering at his own great sense of humour.
Finnian's head quickly sank beneath his shoulders, releasing a sigh. - You know what i meant master..-
- You want me to tell you i will do your job, that i will be there to pick up on your assignments, i wont promise you that brat.- Grell sounded a lot more serious then he usually did.
- But i will be there to make sure you go through with it if i so have to hold your hands through it.- Grell raised an eyebrow, looking at the younger redhead standing before him.
- No! i mean no, of course you wont have to do that..- Finnian was quick to retort, although the idea of his masters fingers intertwined with his was not an unpleasant thought.

- Wonderful, well we are heading out in ten, if you check your coat i have put your own copy of the death-book in the front pocket.-
Finnian went over to his chestnut coloured winter-coat, looking through the chest pocket he found a tiny black book.
- Its the twentieth Januari, we are going for the time of death happening at 14.22.-

The younger reaper quickly flipped through the pages, it was easy enough until he came to the small description. Sebastian had taught him to to read, although it went slow, focusing on each word he began to piece together the sentences.
- It, it is a about a retired dock-worker, he will die in his bed,..- Finnian breathed out in relief, he would not be made to murder a child.
- See? easy-peasy even for someone like you..- Grell teased, it was a really dull assignment but it should be a good start for his squeamish intern.
He just nodded mutely in response, putting on his coat he glanced at himself in the mirror.
The face that met him felt not like his own, he wondered where that carefree smile had gone, where the life that made sense ran away to, while feeling better then he had done in a couple of days he had began to worry that he was losing himself.

Two slender arms wrapped around his waist, interrupting the worrisome thoughts, feeling that odd churning feeling in his stomach he groaned silently.
- You sure like to think a lot don't you?- Grell teasing voice inquired.
Finnian did not remove himself from the reapers embrace, instead he choose to lean his head backwards unto his masters chest.
-.. I guess, i mean i did not use too, i usually just broke stuff back at the mansion, by accident.-
Grell nodded, moving his hands gently over Finnian's belly, responding with a vague hmm.
- Lets make a deal, you finish this reaping and i'll.. take a bunch of time off to listen to you whining, er i mean talking about all the weird stuff in your head, deal?-

Finnian shrugged, feeling slightly put off from having his thoughts and doubts referred to as 'whining'.
- I guess,..-
- Thats my boy, c'mon we have red to spread!- Grell proclaimed as he pulled the boy with him out through the door in a sudden burst of energy!

The small barrack was located down at the docs, standing on algae-ridden poles the drafty building smelt heavily of tar. From the surroundings sound of men shouting, crates loaded and off-loading and rope being put to its limit where heard.

Finnian stod outside the barracks when his master, this was the place, Grell had instructed him what to do, graciously lending him a small 'schyte-scissor' to use.

- This is is, you just go in there, wait one minute for him to start oozing soul energy and you just cut it in half, simple as that!-
- I- i am still not entirely su-..-

Grell quickly opened the doore, pushing the poor gardener inside- To late go get him!-
The room was dank, same for the eerie light of a few tallow-candles. It seemed almost deserted until Finnian noticed the faint sound of ravaged breaths coming from the back.

The young reaper felt his heart beat even faster at the sound, slowly he moved to the source of the breathing, a lone bunk bed, separated from the others in the corner of the barracks. Closing in on the sound Finnian could see a tattered cover raising and lowering on the put away bunk.
The pile occasionally gave of a few intense coughs but otherwise it was mostly a low weezing kind of breathing followed by a few ragged ones.

- You should not be here you know..- the voice came from the breathing heap of cloth, it was muffled.
- The others where smart enough to leave, you do not want to get sick, do you?-

Finnian slowly closed in, until he was one meter away from the cover-obscured person.
- I am sorry sir, but i can not get whatever you have, but i am here for you.-

An amused snort was heard from the bed.
- One of the foremans runts are you? i do not think even he would be thick enough to attempt to squeeze any more work out of me,.. no kid sorry, the only one who will have business with me will be the good reaper.-

Finnian thought that his cue as he stepped forward.- Well, eh sir, you see i sorta am the reaper.- the boy sent a goofish smile that the covered man obviously did not see as he laughed nervously.

- Yea right, and i am the Queen, listen kiddo, i sorta appreciate your foolishness, not letting me die alone, but i rather not die agitated so could you perhaps.. aagh!- a series of violent coughs interrupted him as he shifted back and forth under his covers.

Finnian felt his small scissor hum gently in response too what was unfolding, from the huddled form on the bunk a strange blackish ooze began to float,while shifting like smoke it appeared solid as taffy, the boy advanced quietly upon the man with his scissors, this was it.
The coughings ceased, although the lack of momement did not spell good for the doomed man.
- Well, you are still...here after all of that, most youngsters would have ran off by now,..heh maybe you are death after all..-

Finnian opened the scissor, positioning it at the center of the sludge-looking energy seeping out of the man.
- N-no, i-i am just...an intern to die for.- He was not sure why he had said it, maybe he had heard Master Grell do, somehow it had felt right. Before the man could respond Finnian brought the opposing blades down, cutting cutting the sludge free from the body.
The old doc-worker shook for but a moment before he went still, from his chest the cinematic records spilled forth, circling Finnian as they traveled before his eyes.

Finnian's own life had not been 'standard' so far, as such he was not sure if what he was watching was out of the ordinary. A boy born into a poor family, spending his life enriching those above him often working in hazardeous conditions, no love just, 'meetings' Finnian decided to look away from. He had sometimes done bad things, although kindness was not lacking from the records. Many of the bad things seemed to correlate to a lack of money or freedom.

Finnian was reaching the end of it, where he had to 'judge' the soul on its merits, wether it should die or if it was so beneficial to the world that it deserved to live on. Grell had told them that they almost never judged someone worthy to continue living, that it was basicly just a paragraph never to be used.
Looking down at the now still body, Finnian wondered what life would be for this one if he allowed him to continue living. If his past held any clues, he mused it would probably be more of what it had already been. Try as he might he saw little substance in the life he had watched, and so he decided to let it go.

The boy closed his eyes as he ended the reaping, the record vanished, appearantly going to some sort of library. The reaper did not cry this time, maybe it was because he was tired, or because he had not seen the mans face. He was somewhat glad for it, he would not have to face his master with another teary face.

Exiting the barracks the strawberry blonde found his master sitting on a fence, checking his nails.
- Oh! you are all done?- Grell asked.
Finnian responded with a nod, he did not feel like talking.
Grell quickly checked his death book, flipping the pages he read out.
-Simon Jarrick, 52 years old, dock worker, tar-lung etc etc..- Grell made a short hmm.
- judged to die..perfect, you did just right.-

The elder reaper smiled his wolfish grin at the boy.- And here i was sure you would end up cutting yourself on the scythe or having the dying man comfort you..- The elder reapers words where equally laced with venom as friendly teasing, it was always hard to discern what Grell really thought of him.

Sporting an angry blush Finnian locked eyes with his master. -...-
Grell pouted, jumping of the fence he walked up to his blushing intern.
- Don't be like that, as you have shown, you did as you where instructed, i would not have assumed that, you are more then just a dull pretty face, you know that?-
Finnian was about to answer when Grell began to walk away, his hands on the back of his head.
-Hey where are you going!- Finnian shouted running after.

- That was one little reaping, i still got ten left before my shift is over and guess what? you are going to do half of them!-

Finnian paled visibly.-..w-what.-
Grell ruffled his hair playfully, granting him another face splitting grin - You are not going to let a lady do all the work?-
The boy blinked a couple of times -Lady?-
- Then its decided, i'll even take you out for a drink after the shifts end!-

The pub was furnished with green armchairs and sofa's green lampshade cast an emerald light over the large room, for all purposes it was not very unlike the dispatch office. A pub for death-gods, hidden in central London it was, and the space was only slightly crowded. It was the time most death-gods from all the different sections finished their shifts, the bar itself was crowded with hooded and costume clad men and women, placing orders, the booths contained even more worn out reapers, talking away their troubles with colleagues and friends, the floor near every table was filled with all manners of death-scythes, mainly but not solely in the shape of gardening tools.

In one of these boots the young gardener sat quietly, staring down unto his glass of milk.
He knew someone sat next to him, hearing his master speak, and someone else.
- So who is the cutie?-
- Oh? don't mind him Ronald! he is just my intern i have to bring with me.-
His master was sitting in the knee of the stranger, a blonde with glasses, Finnian was not quite sure what to make of it.
The five reapings he had done had taken their toll on him, everyone of them had been judged and deemed unworthy of preservation, Finnian was not sure whether they went to heaven and hell for he found himself growing distant for every record he watched. There had been children, not unlike the one he had once died for. Two suicides, one fire-related accident, and three murders.
As his hands shakingly reached for his glass of milk, his left eyes caught his master snuggling up to Ronald. His thoughts had remained unfocused until now, sadness, grief, hopelesness, regret had all raged in him after cutting away the life of his last target but now a new emotion began to emerge. Finnian had only momentarily touched with this new sensation before, but now it came rushing into focus.
Jealousy, anger, he was jealous of this stranger who came from nowhere and so readily recieved his beautiful master's affection. Once it became clear all the other emotions who had torned at him submitted and fell in line behind this new direction. Ronald, this Ronald was the reason for his misery.

- Ms Sutcliffe, i would really prefer if we moved to a more secluded place for this.- Ronald suggested, glancing at Finnian.
Grell was all to busy feeling the blonde up, hesitating he to cast a brief glance and her charge.
- Oh, i suppose this is nothing for children to see, and we are responsible adults after all.- He giggled.
Ronald shot Grell a sly smile before lifting the read head up in his arms, making there way for the bathroom.
It felt like a stab in Finnian's chest, it hurt, it hurt more then the night he was killed, but there was no tears, indeed he found that finding a target funneled everything into a manageable form, every emotion made sense. emptying his glass, he spent a a good minute before turning his green-yellow orbs down to something laying under the table.
- Master Grell forgot his death-scythe here,.. i better bring it to him.- next to it stood Ronalds scythe, it was a strange contraption with wheels and several blades underneath. Grabbing his masters scythe he remembered his dream where he had used it. Looking at its working, it seemed to be just as how he had dreamt it.
Taking it with him, Finnian made his way to the bathroom stalls.

As he opened the door he found two shamelessly fondling each other in the corner, his Master sitting on an elevated position with Ronald standing between his legs, holding him, trailing bites down Grell's bared neck.
The redhead had his legs wrapped around the blondes legs and his gloved hand appeared to be in business of entering the front of Ronald's pants.
- Oh 'Nald, you know how to drive a women crazy don't you, my passions are overflowing! ready for the.- Grell smacked her lips
- Main course.-
The two reapers, caught in the throes of lust where interrupted by the sound of Grell's death-scythe activating, making its rotating blades spin in a deadly fashion.
- I agree with my master,..Ronald, my passions are certainly overflowing as well.-

The two lovebirds froze, turning around they saw the younger red-head standing only a few meters away from them with his deadly weapon pointed towards them.
- ..Finnian..- Grell gasped, looking at the boy holding his customized death-scythes as if he owned it!
Ronald was for the moment silence, staring it utter surprise at the boy.
Finnian's voice had grown so unlike how it usually sounded, innocence, sadness or happiness, everyone of the intones that made his voice his was gone, left laid only unveiled hurt and anger.
- Oh you do know my name after all!- The boy faked a giggle.
- I could never have guessed, always being 'brat' or 'kid'.-

The initial surprise had lost its hold over Grell, the reaper was had just enough of his cheeky intern.
- Brat, why would i call you anything else when you act like nothing like one, leave my scythe here and go back to the table, and i might just forgive your interruption.-
Ronald looked at Finnian, and then to his lover, quietly mentioning:
- Grell, the br- boy holds a death-scythe capable of killing even us..maybe we should try to not anger him...-
-QUITE!- Finnian screamed ramming the death-scythe into the wall, sending the bathroom tiles flying.
- I made all what you told me to!- his voice shifted from anger to hurt, in an instance.
- You promised you would listen to me i had reaped for you, because i TOLD you i had a lot on my mind,..-
Just as quickly it was gone replaced with anger once more.
- But i am too much of a bore for you? so after doing half your job you dump me to,..to do unspeakable, dirty things with him!-
Finnian pointed the scythe towards Ronald who answered with holding up his hand's in surrender.
Grell's eyes rolled sarcastically.- I got bored so what, and don't come on about doing 'dirty' things, you are really obvious, i told you before i would give you nothing until you asked for it, and Ronald here.- The redhead stroke a hand over the other reapers chest as he purred.
- Knows all the right questions.-
Finnian shouted in response as an indignant flare erupted over his face.
- I-i do n-not!, i'll,...i..will..-

Grell had untangled himself from Ronald, standing him looking at his intern with his arms crossed.
- What will you do,..brat?-

- I'll KILL HIM!-
The younger reaper ran towards them, the scythe still held against the wall causing untold property damage, as he came into striking distance for Ronald he ripped the scythe from the wall swinging it towards the blondes head!

Ronald only barely managed to dodge the deadly cut, as he fell down on the floor, Grell attempted to circle around Finnian.
The boy would have none of it, constantly re-positioning himself he stabbed towards Ronald, pouring all his anger and hurt into every thrust.

Ronald rolled around like man on the floor, every thrust from Grell's weapon sent tiles and pebble flying.
Grell had first assumed that the boy would not harm him and had because of this decided to move in closer, a wide arc of his own scythe had ripped up quite the wound across his arm.

Finnian felt drunk, all the emotions cascading inside him marinated in the haze of power, he loved this weapon, he loved to make the others flee, to gasp, for once, he was in command, he decided the fate of others not the other way around, and it felt, really good!
- Come here Ronald, i am..i am a gardener to die for!- He swung the scythe once more cutting a few hairs from the blonde while rippinng a large hole in the floor.

Grell, focused on disarming his wayward intern paused as he heard Finnian's proclamation, it
was hot, as was Finnian, so full of hurt and killing-intent, swinging that scythe, never mind he still had to stop him or they might end up being barred from returning here in the future.
Throwing a glance at Ronald, he nodded jumping up into the air in an arc over Finnian.
The boy reacting to his raised the scythe to cut him in the air but suddenly felt his legs being kicked out from under him by Ronald! falling unto the floor, he was nonetheless quick to get back up.
Grell had however just landed beneath him, waiting for him to stand up the older reaper grabbed both Finnian's wrists while locking his feet with his own. Finnian gasped in surprise, trying to overpower his superior only to find that his superhuman strength did not abide.
- Your strength as a human was derived from serums, it was bound to your old body, as a reaper you do not have it, as a reaper i am your better,..stupid brat.-
Grell was surprisingly strong, his voice often dramatic or humorous was cold, it breathed disappointment.

Ronald had gotten back up on his feet, walking over to Finnian, he had firmly relieved him of Grell's scythe.
- Grell, it sounds like hanging with me was the last thing you should have done tonight.- Ronald looked at the struggling boy in his lovers forceful embrace.
The blonde sighed as he looked out over the ruined bathroom.
- The girls at General affairs will love this..-
Grell gave Ronald an apologetic smile.- I am sorry Ronnie, i thought i had my pet in a tighter leash.- to emphasize he pinched down with his gloved thumbs over the smaller red heads wrists earning a pained moan.
- You read the book, we do not want to into the days to come with any less reapers then possible, you should take time to talk with your intern.-

Grell smiled sweetly, much to hide his disappointment for having their intimacy interrupted.
- Don't worry Ronnie.- He said looking down at Finnian who had remained quiet.
- We are going to have a really long talk.-