A/N: Ronald is finally getting his own way. Yays. You know, if you look there's a surprising amounnt Will/Alan and Ron/Will around. I'd never considered Will/Alan all that much but it does work 'cause they're both kind of quiet and serious and it's lovely really. And more of Eric and Christian's history. Because Eric really is that irresitable. Anyway, thank you for everyone who reviewed and please leave more.
"Alan..." Ronald grinned and shook his head. "I didn't think you were going to come. I thought you were going to be busy." He frowned and Alan smiled slightly. "What's wrong?"
"Stop talking, Ron," Alan whispered, slowly reaching up and gripping his collar. Ronald frowned. Alan smiled and leant up, gently kissing his bruised cheek. The swelling had gone down to almost nothing but it didn't stop Ronald whimpering softly. "Nothing's wrong, not anymore. It's ok now." He leant up and brushed their lips together. "You have been begging this for so long, haven't you, Ron? So, no more talking."
"Alan?" Ronald stuttered, looking adorably confused. Alan's smile widened and he pushed Ronald inside gently, kicking the door closed behind him and gently catching Ronald by the back of the neck, careful to avoid his hurt cheek and pulling him down into a brief kiss. "Ok... if you're sure. Boss."
"What is it now, Ronald?" William called from the bedroom. "You should be in bed by now anyway."
"I'm not a child, I don't have a curfew," Ronald said, folding his arms and glaring even though William couldn't see him. "Alan's here."
"He's here a lot, why is today special?"
Ronald grinned and Alan could almost see the plan forming in his mind. "If you want to play games, Ron, feel free."
"Who are you?" Ronald laughed. "And what have you done with our Alan?"
"I just need a bit of a fun tonight, Ron," he said quietly. That was an understatement if ever he'd said one; after what happened earlier that evening, being saved at the last minute by Michelle and all the stress he'd put himself through recently... if he'd still been affected by the Thorns he'd be giving himself attacks with the sheer amount of stress. He still didn't know how he'd been saved, just that Michelle had held him with her hand over his eyes and when she let him go Christian had vanished and she was disappearing into a green porthole. "So, I suppose we should convince William to play along?"
"Let's go."
Ronald laughed and nodded, almost running towards the bedroom. Alan laughed softly and followed him through to find William sitting back on the bed with a book and a glass of wine. He always did look so calm and sophisticated, which just made him an even more amusing match for his sweet, boisterous young lover. Alan could see why people thought William used Ronald as a toy. It had taken him ages, even after spending a few months living with them while getting over Eric's faked death, to realise that Ronald was far smarter than anyone gave him credit for. He hid it well, but Alan would feel perfectly comfortable calling Ronald a genius, he was very capable of matching William intellectually if he wanted to and pound for pound he was the strongest in the division, and Alan suspected always had been, even when Eric was there. He was ridiculously strong after years of hauling around that oversized death scythe. He never really made the most of his strength or his smarts. Although, that might have been a good thing. He could probably be incredibly dangerous if he put everything together and really tried.
"Alan's here," Ronald chirped.
"Not only can I see that, Ronald," William said quietly. "But you've already told me that. And you are a child, and an injured one at that. It's time for bed."
"Couldn't agree more, boss," he purred, wrapping his arms around Alan and kissing his cheek. "And I keep telling you Alan's here because you don't seem to be taking the hint."
William looked up from his book and rolled his eyes. "Please, Alan, don't encourage him. He's very impressionable at his age."
"I know," Alan murmured, leaning up and pressing a kiss to Ronald's lips, making sure William had the perfect view. "But he's really persuasive."
"For goodness sake, Alan," William said, shaking his head. "What's wrong with you two, aren't you happy to just... why do I bother, Ronald's not going to listen."
"So is that a yes, boss?" Ronald said with a grin.
He sighed, setting down his book and his glass as Ronald pulled Alan over. He would be lying if he said he wasn't a little unsure about this, but it felt right and he trusted Ronald and William and he needed to relieve the stress. Ronald pulled him so they were either side of William. Their supervisor glanced between them and Ronald grinned, slowly pulling Alan over, making sure their kiss was perfectly angled for William to see ever little movement and touch. Alan almost instantly noticed the jealous, possessive glint in his eyes, although mixed with something hungry and lustful. He was always so possessive of Ronald but he was still only human... well, reaper, he couldn't deny his desires. And Alan supposed sometimes he watched Ronald and William together and did consider how William looked. He'd never denied he found Ronald stunningly attractive, kind of like what Eric might have looked like had he been created younger.
"Ronald," William said, reaching for him only to be pushed away.
"Is it a yes?" Ronald murmured.
"You're so childish," he sighed. "Stop throwing tantrums when you don't get your way."
"Never mind then."
Alan took advantage of Ronald's distraction, leaning down and gently kissing Ronald's jaw, making him gasp and shiver, a soft rosy blush coming to his cheeks. He loved that look. He began to move the soft, brief kisses down his neck when a strong firm arm warmed around him and he was pulled back onto William's lap.
"Yes then?" Ronald laughed moving over and sitting in front of him. Alan blushed slightly as William's gloved fingers moved over his jaw with a slow, almost curious touch. "Boss?"
"Is this alright, Alan?" William said quietly as Alan shivered. His voice was low and husky, filled with raw lust. He'd never heard William like this. He kept his private life private and Alan had never really seen him and Ronald do much more than make out, William didn't like to do things like that in public, even in front of Alan. "You can walk away if you'd like."
"No..." Alan whispered, pulling Ronald closer. "I need a bit of fun. It's been kinda hard recently."
"Yeah, what's all this I heard about you and Christian?" Ronald said.
"It doesn't matter anymore, Michelle... talked me out of it..."
He sighed and tangled his fingers into Ronald's hair as he kissed the already heated skin of his neck. In his haze he reached down to grab the sheets with his other hand but suddenly remembered he was on William's lap when his hand found his thigh instead. He glanced up quickly, and swallowed heavily. William moved his fingers slowly over his jaw once more, tipping his head up and gazing down at him. Without thinking Alan leant up and pressed a brief, slightly uncertain kiss to his lips, having absolutely no idea how he'd react. He stared up at William for a long moment, wondering just what he was going to say, until he was distracted by Ronald tugging off his top and tossing it away.
"I miss this," he murmured, licking at his collar bone. Alan clenched his fist in Ronald's hair and moaned softly. "Remember the last time I got to do this to you?"
He laughed weakly. "You looked terrified."
"Yeah well..." he chuckled.
William growled and Ronald bit down softly on Alan's shoulder. He half gasped, half cried out, arching his back but finding himself completely trapped between the pair. "Ronald! You don't bite William."
He moaned again as Ronald trailed his fingers over his chest and grabbed his hair tighter. William tipped his head up once more and his lips fell over his own. He was absolutely stunned. Of everything he'd expected, he'd never thought William would be so open to this and so comfortable letting him in let this. He suddenly noticed Ronald had stopped and was staring up at them. He was a little disappointed but was so distracted by William slowly moving his hand down his stomach and an intense kiss he didn't really care until William reached over and pulled Ronald in against him, their bodies meeting roughly, causing Ronald to moan loudly and Alan to cry into William's mouth.
"Considering how against this you've always been, boss-"
"What have I told you about talking too much, Ronald," William growled. "You're getting your own way, now hush."
Alan giggled and Ronald shot him a mock glare. Did they always argue like this? It was strange and kind of weird but sweet. Eric had said before that you could tell how much someone loved you by how you could insult them before they actually took offense. Considering how different William and Ronald were it would be no surprise to him if they did argue like this all the time. Still, after everything that had happened that night it was good to be with the pair of devoted and caring, if slightly argumentative, lovers. It was soothing and exciting at the same time.
He glanced at William, then stopped their bickering by capturing Ronald's lips with his, pulling him close against him. Ronald looked completely confused but only for a moment. "I think I told you to stop talking too, didn't I Ron?"
"Hey Mark," Eric muttered, sitting on the roof next to the small brunette. Mark glanced up and smiled. "How's it going? Anything happened?"
"Nothing yet," Mark replied, watching the window across the street. "But it's not due 'til midday tomorrow, is it?"
"No, I suppose not," he said. "Hungry?"
Mark smiled and took the sandwich Eric had offered. "Thanks. Where did you go off to anyway? Isn't this supposed to be your job?"
"Yeah, the Undertaker wanted me," Eric muttered, pulling out a flash and pouring a cup of coffee for both of them. "Peter and Michelle were there too."
"Alan again?" Mark sighed.
"Mark-"
"It's ok," he said quietly. "It's alright. I mean, you love him."
"No, it's not ok. I shouldn't have used you like that," Eric said firmly. "That's not right."
"Come on, idiot," he laughed. "I knew what was going to happen. I knew you couldn't let him go so easily. Just tell me he makes you happy and that's enough for me."
"He does," Eric said with a gentle smiled. Mark was just like Alan in that respect, way too understanding and kind. "When we're together but... he told me he doesn't love me anymore. He might as well have just torn my heart out then and there. Hell, it felt like he had. Thing is, I get why, and I can't be angry at him for it. I still love him and he should try and get away from me. I've caused him too much pain already. I'm the reason Christian went after Alan."
"Christian?" Mark said.
"Christian Moore," he explained. "He used to be my best friend, kind of, decades ago. We met at the academy, we were roommates." Mark nodded. "We used to screw around sometimes. I mean, we weren't together or anything but sometimes, if there was nothing better to do, we'd hook up."
"Somehow you don't surprise me."
"Hey shut up, I was different back then," he muttered. "Ok, we were a pair of idiots. That's not the point. He was my roommate, my best friend, we trusted each other. We were idiot kids, ok? Because everyone else came and went but he'd always been there. He got jealous of how much time I spent with Alan when I was tutoring him but I always tried to make time to go out with the guys."
"I always imagined you and Alan had this sort of love at first sight thing given how sweet you were together."
"Yeah, well, Alan tends to say it like that too. His story is I was something of a jerk but I when I was with him I was different and sweet and it was such a sweet little first kiss and all that romantic crap. He leaves out the fact that I was a complete ass." He laughed and shook his head. It was true, sadly, and he hated looked back at how he was. "I wanted him though. I'd always wanted him. It's why I split him up with the guy he was with. I wanted him single so when he was out the academy I could get my hands on him whenever I wanted. He was more obvious about his crush on me than he'd have liked, but I didn't want to embarrass him."
Mark frowned and looked over him. The little brunette was too much like Alan sometimes. Not only physically but personality wise as well. He'd never really told many people about his past; he'd told Michelle a lot of it, because she liked to know everything she could, and Alan had got most of it out of him, even the stuff he didn't really want him to know and Grell seemed to have blabbed most the rest. Having been there of course he and William knew most of it, although William didn't particularly care. Ronald would pick up bits and pieces and had probably pieced everything important together by now and, much as he hadn't seen Ronald much even when he was in the area and keeping an eye on his former friends, he hoped his murders and Alan's stories of their past hadn't stopped the little blonde looking up to him- or at least the version of him that Ronald had always known. He hoped Ronald hung onto those memories fondly and perhaps that he'd given the youngster something meaningful in their time together.
Peter and the Undertaker knew everything. Being Eric's mentor in the Midnight Branch, Peter had to know everything, so in the first few days had sat him down and spent hours and hours every day combing over his files and making sure he knew everything. It just so happened that he'd done most of this work in the Undertaker's back room, where the Undertaker would drift in and out chuckling and making unhelpful comments. Hopeful disclosing this to Mark, someone who had no obligation to watch over him- unlike Peter who was always going to have his name tie to his- or stay with him, wouldn't destroy their friendship.
"Christian noticed too," Eric said quietly. "He noticed how much I wanted him and how Alan looked at me. Everyone knew there was something about Alan that was off, how he didn't have many friends and he'd never really good that far with any of his boyfriends." Mark nodded slowly. "So he said, you know... the guys were laughing about it, making fun of him and I defended him. Christian looked really offended, he snapped at me, said that if I thought he wasn't just a blank, emotionless child I should prove it."
Mark nodded again. "He seems like more of an ass than you."
"Yeah, well, it was stupid but Christian said if I could get him into bed, if I was Alan's first, he'd buy the drinks for the night." He laughed bitterly again. It sounded so stupid and insensitive now, but at the time he'd been only a kid himself. Alan had been only eleven and he was in his thirties. Neither was considered mature. Mark frowned. "I'm not proud of it ok. I don't know what he saw in me really but I did it. I mean, it wasn't exactly easy and I spent a lot of time with him, by the time I'd actually got my way... I didn't realise it until he didn't turn up for work. I'd just walked away that morning, really early actually. William told me he was the hospital after a serious incident and wouldn't be in for the day. I was so worried about him. I was so afraid something serious had happened and he wouldn't tell me what was wrong and I kind of realised I'd... fallen completely and utterly in love with him. Only Alan was mad at me. I don't blame him. He was in the hospital sick and I'd been laughing with Christian about what happened. I deserved it."
"Yep," Mark said, pouring a new cup of coffee. "I wouldn't have forgiven you."
"Thanks, Mark, you're really reassuring," Eric muttered. "The point is I won him over. I got him back. Christian was furious when I ditched going out drinking with him to stay with Alan in the hospital. He hated Alan more than anything after that, started to talk about how I hadn't even liked him and I was just being stubborn and he'd make sure Alan got what was coming to him. I didn't take him so seriously, he was angry. There was once when me and Alan had an argument in our early days, I was in the bar and Christian came over. He kissed me, like I actually mattered, like he cared about me."
"Well, you are irresistible, Eric," he laughed. "I would have thought you'd have figured that out by now." He smirked and elbowed him. "You know everyone loves you."
"He told me that if I loved Alan, that was fine, but he wasn't just going to let me go. If he ever hurt me again, he would make him pay. He made it sound like I was some kid how needed looking after and being protected. He blames Alan for my death, after all I died collecting those souls for him."
"Aww, Eric," he giggled, leaning against him. "You're so cute when you're trying to be all tough and masculine. And you know I'm here if you need me. You want some company?"
"Yeah, thanks." He smiled as Mark closed his eyes and sipped his coffee. "This is so boring."
"Yeah, but keeping demons from getting more souls is important. You know, I'd love to meet Alan one day, after everything you've said about him. He sounds like a nice guy."
"I think you'd like him, yeah. I hope you get to meet him on day too, no matter how unlikely it's looking these days." Mark laughed and he frowned. "What?"
"Well, if there's one thing I've learnt, Eric, it's that if you two love each other so much, you'll find each other again.
