Crazy For a Demonic Romance

~Chapter 7~


The next morning...

Ah, damn, it's so bright, Claude inwardly groaned as he blinked himself awake. He tightened his hold on the body that was curled up close to him and yawned, annoyed by the slight blur in his sight without his glasses. Of course, he could see without them. He was far-sighted. But he'd rather that he saw Grell's face than the birds outside.

He paused.

Hold on a minute. Am I...? He checked himself, and thanked whatever entity that had played a role in him waking up dressed. He rolled over, and reached for his glasses, eventually grabbing a pair and putting them on. Something... isn't right about this...

"Heehee! Oh, Clauddy dear, you silly man, what are you doing?" Grell giggled as he woke up with his usual pep. The ravenette sighed to find the glasses snatched off of his face, and he glanced at Grell to make out the redhead putting on the spectacles himself. It was then that he realized he'd accidentally put on the reaper's spectacles, and he gave a small grin at the thought. Grell reached over his body and picked up the demon's glasses, then handed them to Claude. "My, I have to go into work today - what a bore!" the redhead groaned, getting of the bed. "But I must say," he hinted, glancing at Claude. "It was a wonderful night."

"I have been told that some beings prefer to sleep in pairs," the ravenette answered. "I am not one of them; however, I do not mind spending a night with you if it makes you comfortable."

"Hehe, don't you go back to being formal now, you'll break my heart!" Grell cried, sweeping in and stealing a kiss from the demon's lips. Claude returned the action, knowing better than to pull back during these critical bonding times. He allowed Grell to deepen the kiss, not minding as it turned into a long, passionate kiss rather than an affectionate peck. He hooked his arms around the reaper's waist and pulled him up, nearly picking Grell off of the ground as he did so. The redhead moaned, his face flushed in pleasant suprise, when Claude was the one to back away, breathing a little heavier.

"You do need to go into work today, otherwise Mr. Spears will probably come and take my head to mount on his wall," he sighed. "I'll go prepare breakfast, okay?" Grell gave a wide grin, and nodded.

"I'd like that," he said gently. The servant bowed and left the room, and Grell sighed, leaning against the bed. He couldn't believe himself. A mixture of disgust and pride swirled bittersweetly in his chest as he thought about what he was doing. He no longer thought that he was trying to replace William or Sebastian with Claude - this time, he was certain that Claude and he had a spark. Wouldn't that have to be the case if Claude was being so openly affectionate with him?

At long last, the sweet, loving relationship Grell had wanted for years was starting to happen. He had always wanted a darling man to spend his life with, at it seemed as though Claude might just be the very male he was always looking for. The mere thought of being loved... it was breathtaking.


Claude hummed a small, light tune as he cut a slice of cake from what he'd made for dessert a couple nights ago. He could care less that cake was hardly a breakfast item. As long as it would put a smile on his master's face. The demon worked in a brisk and upbeat manner, silently wondering what a corrupted divine soul would taste like. Perhaps it would be savory taste like that ice cream, or maybe it would be a sweet, salty flavor. There was even a chance that it would turn out bitter or sour. Maybe it would set his mouth ablaze with spice.

Or maybe, he would be too scared to try it.

No, no, not possible.

"Morning, Clauddy dear!" Grell sang as he entered the dining room. Claude tensed slightly as Grell shoved his weight against his back, pressing his chest up into the demon's skin. He felt the reaper's arms lace around his waist and could sense the soft breathing on his shoulder.

"... Mistress?" he eventually whispered.

"I have to leave in a half hour," the redhead sighed. "In the mean time... tell me something sweet, okay?"

"... For breakfast today, I'm giving you a generous slice of the cheesecake that I made for dessert two nights ago."

"Aww, you're just trying to fatten me up, aren't you? So you can enjoy me better?" Grell giggled, nuzzling into the demon's shoulderblade. "How absolutely cruel."

"If you don't want it, I can prepare something e-"

"No, no, this is fine," the redhead sighed, and Claude felt an intense chill as the reaper stood up tall and planted a tiny, wet kiss against the back of his neck. Any sane demon would've turned around and gouged out the reaper's throat, but Claude didn't feel the sense of danger he should have. As a matter of fact, he was almost enjoying Grell's flirty attitude that morning. He stepped back in an attempt to bring the redhead closer, but jumped when he heard the reaper stumble. He turned around, dropping the knife, and he reached out to catch Grell, before grunting in frustration as he went down as well. He soon found himself lying on top of the reaper, on his hands and knees, and he could actually hear the reaper's heart hammering in his chest as a reaction to the position. "Claude...," Grell whispered, looking away. "Sorry... you stepped back and I lost my balance..."

"If you wouldn't wear such high heels, it would be less hard to balance yourself...," Claude sighed. "Are you all right?" The reaper gave an embarassed smile.

"Oh, Clauddy dear, I'm fine. It was just a tiny thump to the head," he murmured, wrapping his arms around the other's shoulders. "Then again... I... wouldn't mind if we stayed like this, just for a little while."

"I think you got 'thumped' a little harder than you think," Claude teased, reaching a hand up and touching it to the other's soft cheek.

... What the hell am I doing?

The demon leaned in, his lips parting slightly as pale lids fell over his golden eyes.

This isn't right. Damn, I need to stop myself.

His lips touched Grell's, pausing for less than a second before they pushed against the reapers, melding their lips together until his teeth ground into the redhead's. The dangerous friction only encouraged him further, and he turned his head, before trying to force himself closer. The result was an uncomfortable sensation as their teeth clashed together, and their spectacles tapped together from the proximity. Only moments later, Grell shoved him back, and Claude stared hungrily, almost wishing he could devour the reaper whole right then and there.

"Claude," Grell said in a warning voice. "I need to go to work today."

The fushia luster in Claude's gaze slowly faded, and he sat back, watching with a trace of disappointment as Grell stood. The reaper took the plate of food that Claude had set out for him, and began to eat, the ravenette observing him from a small distance away. The reaper's face was lightly flushed, his eyes narrow, a frown tugging at the corner of his lips. The demon couldn't begin to fathom why his master seemed upset, even while he was scolding himself for the bold move. Had he perhaps frightened Grell with his forwardness? No, maybe the reaper had been caught off guard and worried that the spider demon had actually intended to feast that morning.

The demon gave a small smile.

How silly.

It wasn't long before Grell bid the demon good-bye to go into work, and the glasses-wearing demon bowed to him as he handed his master a sack lunch. The redhead gave him a small kiss on the cheek, and left all too quickly, Claude watching in slight irritation as the reaper disappeared into the realm of the Reaper Library.

He didn't know why, but he was annoyed. The demon soon kicked over a chair, then flipped the table with ease, before folding his arms as he more or less pouted. Why did Grell have to leave? More importantly, why couldn't the demon attend him? Of course, Claude knew the answers to these questions, but even so, they buzzed around in his head, and it took all of his willpower not to go around trashing the mansion. He swallowed his frustration, and righted the dining room table, his eyebrow twitching as he saw that he'd put a crack in the wood.

Woe is the demon who can't hold his own possession by his side whenever he pleases.

As Grell made his way into work, he silently wondered what had gotten into his servant earlier. Perhaps Claude was just... caught up in the moment? Like yesterday? The reaper didn't really want to believe that. As a matter of fact, if at all possible, he would've told himself that Claude was starting to return his feelings. But that wouldn't be truthful to himself, and Grell knew as a fact that he wasn't the kind of woman to lie to himself. Not intentionally, at least.

"Sutcliff, you came to work," William noted as the red reaper stepped into the Library. "I hope that wretched demon isn't with you?"

"No, Will, I left him back home," Grell assured. "I wouldn't want to irritate you too~ much!" The ravenette sighed, and pushed up his glasses, before giving an authoritative nod.

"Right. That's good. If that's the case, you can head up to your office. Today's work has already been dropped off." Grell gave a wide grin, and nodded happily, before skipping off to his office, William rolling his eyes as he saw the other reaper leave.

"William-senpai," Ronald called as he approached the ravenette. "Are we still on for dinner tonight?"

The ravenette gave a quick glance around to make sure no one had heard the blond's remark, before giving a nod and walking away. He wasn't suprised that Ronald ended up following him.

As Grell walked into his office, he wondered if Claude was going to pop up during a reaping or deliver dinner to his office as he had previously. It wasn't likely, since he'd ordered the demon to stay out of the Reaper Library, but he wouldn't put it past the ravenette to make an attempt to sneak around the order. The red-haired reaper slid into his seat, and sighed at the pile of paperwork before him.

Damn it. I want Claude here. This work is such a drag... who's William to tell me I can't keep him around, anyway? I mean, I...

I like him... a lot...

Suddenly, he felt a warm sensation on his inner thigh, and he gasped, immediately starting to roll his pants leg up to find out what on earth it was. He was shocked to find his demon seal glowing a bright, amber color. "What?! Am I... subconciously calling him?" He tried to stop the glowing, but, as he didn't know how it even started, it wasn't long before a portal opened behind him. He turned, and gave Claude a helpless look as the demon stepped into his office. "Claude... I... I didn't mean to...," he protested. The demon gave a small bow.

"I am loyal to that which my mistress wishes of me," the demon spoke, his voice as soft and smooth as spider silk. "And what you wish, my Lady, is for me to be beside you right now. I can sense it. Don't fret; I will stay out of William's sight." Grell could only stare at the demon, suprised. It was amazing what the demons could tell just through the contracts. But then... was there more to it than that? Maybe Claude really did like him. Maybe they were going to fall in love. Maybe... maybe they were going to one day be married and have a family.

Grell shook his head, silently praying Claude couldn't read his fantasies. What if he was wrong? It wouldn't be anything new. Very often did Grell get carried away when dealing with his emotions, and another heartbreak simply wouldn't do. Already, his heart had been shattered a few times, and he felt as though he wouldn't be able to stand being crushed ever again. After all, a vase that has been broken might be repaired once, but there was a certain amount of times it could be saved.

If only there was some way to know for sure that he felt the same! Grell mentally cried. Oh, my Clauddy dear, if you can hear me...!

Almost as soon as the thought crossed his mind, he felt lips against his own, and his green-gold eyes opened wide, then shut as he was met with that piercing, almost cat-like demon gaze. Overcome with delight, the reaper threw his arms around Claude's shoulders and kissed back, clutching the back of the demon's shirt as he did so. No, he wouldn't be hurt this time. This was real. It had to be real.

Claude's lips quirked up in a small smirk as he felt the redhead clinging to him. He had been pleasantly suprised when he found himself summoned, and he'd come to his master's office without a second thought. He had even taken the liberty to use the sickle death scythe that had been given to him during that reaping a few days back. And now, he had Grell precisely where he wanted him. The one way telepathy in a contract was so very useful like that. Now that Grell was so rooted in this relationship, Claude could manipulate him into twisting, into becoming dark and corrupted. Oh, how delectable that soul would taste. Yes, it had to be delicious. Probably the finest the demon would ever devour. As he subconciously tried to lick his lips (as per habit), he found himself instead swiping his tongue over Grell's, and the reaper pushed him back, cheeks flushed as he giggled a bit.

"Oh, my Clauddy dear," he said, "don't get too excited now~! You haven't the slightest idea how happy I am about all of this. I mean... I've always... always wanted something like what we have now. I've searched for years in an attempt to find the man who would make my life complete. I should've found you sooner... Don't you think?"

"Yes, my Lady," Claude answered, before leaning in closely, and husking, "I intend to make one hell of a feast out of you." The reaper looked away for a moment, and the demon's eyes glinted red when he sensed the pang of disappointment that Grell had felt. What was that about? he wondered.

Knock knock knock.

Grell gasped, looking back at Claude in a panic. The demon almost immediately ran over to another corner of the room, in which there was a lamp. He quickly took the shade, and put it on his head, but just before Grell could complain that he looked ridiculous, Ronald walked into the office. "Hey, Grell-senpai! How was the day off?" the blond asked cheerily. Grell tried to regain his composure, and laughed off his nervousness.

"Oh, it was splendid, Ronnie dear, thank you for asking," he replied. "Claude and I spent the day in leisure, and it went by nice and slow." Ronald chuckled, then leaned in, winking at the redhead.

"You kiss him yet?" he whispered, so low that even Claude couldn't catch it (that lamp shade on his head probably hindered his senses a little).

Grell giggled, and Claude could feel envy flaring in his chest as he tried to figure out what Ronald had asked his master. "Well, Ronnie," Grell murmured. "Maybe I have~!"

"Whoo, senpai! Haha, don't worry, I'll keep it from William-senpai," Ronald teased. "Still, you gotta be careful. Who knows what he's capable of. He could easily be tricking you..."

"He... he would never...," Grell mumbled, although the remark made anxiety bubble up inside him. "I told him not to lie."

"Huh~ Anyway, I just stopped by to say good morning, and I've decided to take half of your work load today. So, pardon me!" With that, the blond took half of Grell's cases, and left the office, leaving the older reaper dumbstruck. Was that Ronnie just now? Taking work? Voluntarily?

"I apologize, mistress, that was a bit comical of me," Claude muttered as he replaced the lamp shade. "What did Mr. Knox ask?"

"Nothing, Clauddy dear, no worries," Grell sighed. The demon's eyes glowed fuschia for a moment, before he sombered to the corner that belonged to him. He was reunited with his former spider friend, but wasn't as intrested in it as he had been formerly.

Not when there was a meal for him to guard.

-End Chapter


Holy Sebastian-slapping long chapter! :O

I pressed some effort into this chap., so some effort in a review would be excellent! :)