A/N: Hey there, readers! I hope you have been enjoying reading this here story! I've been enjoying your feedback and thank you all. I apologize if the ending of the previous chapter was awkward, because I felt reaaaaally awkward writing it. Anyways, please read on for chapter 10! :)
November had finally arrived as well as the change in weather. The sky was knitted with gray clouds and a chilling breeze blew. The streets of London stood still; even the birds were few. Amongst all this an eerie feeling began to set in, a feeling of dread.
Though it was terrible outside, within a small shop, warmness prevailed. Two reapers scrounged around to get dressed and ready on time. Even though it had been a long two days, neither could believe it was already Wednesday.
Even in the short time that Grell and the Undertaker had spent together, they had bonded immensely. They had sat around and giggled while drinking tea. Grell finally got up the courage to try some of the Undertaker's bone cookies, which he found were delicious. Most importantly though, the old reaper had allowed the redhead to watch him work, and that was a privilege.
As the time neared for them to leave, Grell began to get nervous. He had been talking a lot about William and the incident, but more importantly the fact that he had two men. It was weighing on his mind and he couldn't help but wonder what was going to happen when they met up with William.
"Something wrong, dearie?" The Undertaker asked as he wrapped his arms around Grell's waist from behind. He could tell he was deep in thought.
Upon hearing his name, Grell shook himself out of his thoughts and smiled. "Of course not! I'm just a bit nervous. That's all."
The Undertaker nodded and released his hold on the redhead. "Well, don't worry. I won't let him hurt you." He glanced at a small clock on the wall and sighed. "Sadly, we must be leaving. We wouldn't want to anger him anymore by being late."
Grell agreed and crossed over to the nearest wall while the Undertaker locked up the shop. Pushing aside his thoughts for the time being, he focused hard on creating a portal. After a few moments, a glowing circle appeared and he stepped back from the portal.
"Hurry, dear!" Grell called, but barely got out his words before an arm wrapped around his waist and pulled him through the portal into the Shinigami realm.
William sat at his desk and stared straight ahead, neither moving nor breathing. Even though it wasn't necessary for Shinigami to breathe, they were supposed to for image purposes. Although at the current moment, Will could care less about his image.
Ever since he had gotten off the phone with the Undertaker, he had been thinking about Grell. Was he okay? What was he doing? Why had he chosen to go to the Undertaker? William knew the man had saved him before, but he never knew they were close. His mind raced as he thought of all the possible questions he could think up.
And the more he sat and thought, the sicker he became. He could feel his chest begin to tighten and his eyes glistened with tears. Will glanced quickly at the clock and realized that in any second the two reapers could arrive. After rearranging his desk and attempting to look like he was working, William wiped his eyes and sat back in his chair.
Almost as soon as he had gathered himself a knock came upon his door. William glanced up and sighed. "Come in." He stared hard at the door, mentally preparing himself for whatever may be waiting for him outside of it.
The office door opened slowly and in walked the Undertaker, who loosely held Grell's hand as he entered behind the old reaper. The door made no sound as it shut and the two reapers made their way across the room, taking a seat in front of Will's desk.
Anger and utter hurt seethed through William's veins as he looked at the picture in front of him. The Undertaker holding Grell's hand? What was that all about? It couldn't be that…? But just as he was about to get lost in his thoughts, the Undertaker cleared his throat. Will's head snapped up and he came back to reality.
"Hello. I'm glad you all could make it. Undertaker, you said there was news we needed to discuss?" William tried to keep his tone level and was struggling.
A smug smirk housed the Undertaker's face. He knew all too well that Will was suffering. "Ah yes, there is new news to be told. Apparently the disease is still spreading. I talked to the people at the Japanese and Chinese headquarters and they said a cure has been found. They are attempting to mass produce it right now, but it may be months before it is finished. Also, I have been in touch with the Russian headquarters, they say that by Christmas the disease should enter Europe and London will be affected by early January."
William mulled over this new information and thought for a moment. "Where is the disease currently?"
"Well, the Russian people have done a marvelous job at slowing down the spread, but it is currently almost overtaken the entire country of Russia. India and Iran headquarters have also reported the disease in their area." The Undertaker spoke seriously and quietly. Whether or not he enjoyed torturing William, he decided to save it for later.
"So everywhere between Japan and the majority of Russia is infected. Am I correct?" William questioned the Undertaker and leaned forward, crossing his hands and laying them on his desk.
The Undertaker nodded. "You are correct. Turkey is expected to become infected in the next few weeks and that includes the surrounding countries."
"And the cure? You're sure that there is-" Will was cut off before he could finish his sentence.
"They are trying their best, Mr. Spears. We all know that the cure contains rare elements and we can't rush them. There is a small stock being made and shipped out for the important reapers and containment areas are being built. Until they can find a way to increase the growth rate of the elements needed for the cure or find an alternative element, we're just going to have to suffice with what we get." A sigh escaped the old reapers lips as he finished his speaking. He knew a lot of reapers were going to die before their destined time and it really bothered him.
Will nodded and became silent. He looked up and saw Grell, realizing he had forgotten he had been there since he hadn't spoken a single word. The redhead's face was casted over by a frown and he looked like he was deep in thought. It pained William even more to see Grell like this.
The Undertaker looked between Grell and William, making a final decision. He reluctantly stood up. The two reapers directed their attention towards him as he rose. He spoke quietly. "I am going to leave you two alone for a moment. I would like to speak to the higher ups. I believe I have an idea that they would be interested in."
The Undertaker turned to leave, but stopped and leaned over Grell, giving him a light kiss on the cheek. He whispered so that William couldn't hear. "If you need me, all you have to do is say my name and I will come." With that, he turned and strode out of Will's office, closing the door behind him.
Once the Undertaker had left the room, William lost it. Seeing the Undertaker kiss Grell had made it even worse. The tears made little lines down Will's face as he began to speak. "Grell, I'm so-I'm so sorry. I-I didn't mean to hurt you, I promise! Please don't hate me." He laid his head in his hands as he choked back sobs.
Grell was totally taken aback by Will's behavior. He had seen him break down but never like this. He slowly rose from his chair and rounded William's desk. He kneeled down beside the crying man and took his hand. "William. Please don't cry. There is no reason for you to cry like this. I understand why you did it and I forgive you, okay? There is no reason to be upset."
William's head snapped up and he pulled his hand away from Grell's grasp. "No reason to be upset?! You have to audacity to come in my office with another man holding your hand and tell me not to be upset? He kissed you Grell! Right in front of me! By god, what the hell have you been doing for the past two days, huh?" He stood up and looked down at the red reaper. Anger began to take over the hurt that pulsated through his veins.
Grell put his head down as Will began to yell at him. He knew what he had done was wrong, but he couldn't help it. He had come to love the Undertaker and he had started to rely on him a lot. He knew he was safe with the old man and he knew his love wasn't going to falter.
As William stood up, Grell flinched away from him. All of Will's anger ceased and he realized what he was doing. To see the one he loved cringe because of him, it hurt him deeper than anything else had that day. He became silent and sighed. Will bent down and sat in front of Grell. "I'm sorry, Grell. I don't know what's gotten into me lately." His voice was gentle as he spoke.
Grell raised his head and looked at William, no longer seeing anger in his eyes. Tears began to fall down his face and he flung his arms around Will's torso. There were no words that could be spoken at the moment; for no words could have explained how Grell felt.
Will pulled the redhead into his lap and stroked his hair. As he held the weeping reaper, a thought slowly began to form in his mind. The longer he sat there, the clearer the reality became. Grell was in love with more than one person, and it was eating him alive.