This chapter makes a tiny reference to my EricxAlan story "Aprons and Olive Oil", which fits into this story's universe, happening some time before "All the Difference." It's not necessary to understanding the chapter though methinks.

Double Date Part 2: A Test of Strength

Upon Grell's next thrilling discovery, namely the Test Your Strength game looming over the midway, it wasn't William this time who balked at the suggestion, but another member of their party. As Grell began dragging his lover toward the game, insisting on Will winning him some ridiculous prize, William looked back to see that Alan and Eric weren't following. Instead of the couple's smiling faces he was growing accustomed to seeing, William saw something he had witnessed on a few occasions that never failed to intrigue him.

Eric and Alan seemed to be having an entire conversation without speaking at all. A flick of the eyes, a gentle touch, a twitch of an eyebrow, a quirk of the lips, all of it a fitting together to form a complicated language that only the two of them seemed to understand. Though whenever he witnessed the phenomenon, the academic in William couldn't help but try to interpret it. Alan seemed reluctant or upset, and Eric looked dismayed by it… Alan then shook his head. 'Don't worry' perhaps? What are they worrying about I wonder?

"Will? Will are you listening?"

"W-what?" Tearing his eyes away from their companions' silent conversation, William realized with a start that they had reached their destination.

The game's overseer, an overweight balding man in a grease stained undershirt, glared impatiently at him as Grell sighed and repeated, "I said that all you have to do it use this mallet…" said mallet was unceremoniously shoved into William's hands as the redhead continued, "…and hit this spot at the bottom as hard as you can, which will make the bell at the top ring and win a prize~! Easy peasy right~?"

"Yes… I suppose…" William muttered as his eyes traveled upward. The bell at the top of the structure seemed much farther away standing up close than it had from across the midway. Feeling slightly self conscious as Alan and Eric finally joined them, thereby doubling his audience, William hefted the deceptively heavy mallet above his head and brought it down on the target. The weight attached to the tall board rose swiftly, though it slowed just as quickly as it lost it's fight against gravity. Reaching it's peek about a meter from the bell, the weight paused for a split second before plummeting to the ground.

William's effort was met with cheerful congratulations from Alan and Eric, as well as words of praise for his apparent manliness from his excited lover. Grell positively squealed as the man who ran the game grunted " 'ere" and tossed a midsized teddy bear at the redhead. "Next!" the operator grunted.

"You're goin' down Spears!" Eric confidently exclaimed, a cocky grin on his features as he hefted the mallet and swung down hard. To his dismay, the weight rose to just below William's highest mark before crashing to the ground. William had the class not to smirk, though he did allow himself a congratulatory glasses adjustment as Eric laughed and sheepishly scratched his head, passing his identical teddy bear to Alan.

After smiling and quietly thanking his partner, Alan spoke up to the group. "Hey, why don't we go ove-"

"Aaaaaaa~ my turn~!" Grell exclaimed, wiggling with excitement. The game operator looked at him skeptically for a moment, before finally shrugging and passing over the mallet. After twirling gracefully several times and suggestively stroking the tool's handle, no doubt for dramatic effect, Grell raised the mallet high. Letting loose a scandalous moan, the redhead positively slammed the mallet down.

The weight sped straight to the top of the tower, the brass bell ringing loudly and echoing through the night air. William wasn't surprised in the least, as he knew better than most that Grell was much stronger than he appeared. What did surprise him was the giant teddy bear nearly half his size that Grell shoved into his arms with a wide grin.

William sighed, "Well… thank you Grell… I suppose. However, isn't this rather… large?"

Grell put a thoughtful finger to his lips as he considered the situation. Eyes brightening as an idea formed, the redhead rounded on the man running the game. Still holding the mallet rather threateningly, Grell sidled up to the man and batted his eyes. "You'll let us keep these things here and pick them up later… right?"

When faced with a shark toothed mallet wielding psychopath with freakish strength and false eyelashes, the man gave the only response he really could. "O-o' course" he stammered, gulping and backing away slowly.

"Good~! Your turn Alan~!" Grell responded cheerfully, handing the mallet over to the shorter man.

Alan's grip nearly faltered as the mallet's sheer weight surprised him, but managed to tighten his hold before embarrassing himself. He looked uncharacteristically uncomfortable however. Eric seemed to sense it as well, gripping the brunette's shoulder and starting to say something before Alan laughed nervously and shrugged his hand off. Frowning in concentration and furrowing his brow, Alan stepped up to the target and swung the mallet.

Alan didn't need to watch the weight to know that it hadn't gone very far. It was always like this. He was always the slowest, the one that got tired fastest, the weakest. Squaring his jaw and holding his head high, Alan put on a brave smile and politely handed the mallet back to the attendant.

"Well, let's see what's this wa-" Alan began in a faux cheerful voice as he grasped Eric's wrist and took a step away.

"Wait up dere! Don't cha what yer prize?" the game attendant shouted, causing Alan to stop in his tracks and turn around, a wary look in his eye. "Gotcha a real good one right 'ere! It's a right special prize it is." The man chuckled darkly as he dug deep into a box behind the tall wooden structure. " 'ere we are! A pretty li'le crown for a pretty li'le princess!" the man exclaimed, roaring and snorting with laughter as he presented Alan with a dingy and slightly bent children's tiara.

The air seemed to drop ten degrees as Alan's eyes hardened, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.

"You fucking bastard!" Eric growled as he suddenly surged forward, his fingers itching to summon his deathscythe, when Alan placed a hand to his partner's chest.

"Don't."

"But Alan! This-"

"DON'T!" Alan shouted. Taking a deep breath, Alan dropped his hand and looked away whispering, "Just don't. He's not worth it."

"Alan…" Eric breathed in disbelief.

Turning back to the hateful man, Alan somehow mustered up a small smile that didn't reach his eyes as he politely accepted the humiliating prize. "Thank you sir. Good evening." he spoke in a clipped tone, turning on his heal and walking briskly past other game tents and darting between two, making his way into a deserted area behind the stalls.

Eric glared bloody murder at the attendant, clearly still considering beating him senseless, before reluctantly turning his back and jogging after Alan. Meanwhile, William and Grell experienced a silent communication of their own. After a few tense moments and meaningful glances, William nodded solemnly and started after their companions, while Grell rounded on the disgusting man.

"My, what a clever trick that was you pulled on my friend there~! What a lovely prize you gave him~!" Grell purred as he stalked toward the attendant, his teeth bared and eyes wild. "I think I might even have to give you a prize…" The man trembled and backed away behind the tall structure, conveniently away from prying eyes, before clumsily tripping over his own feet. He looked up in terror as the redhead continued, "…a prize…" Grell grinned wickedly as he picked up the mallet and raised it high above his head, "…to die for~!"

The bell at the top of the tower remained silent... as a terrified scream rang throughout the night air...

As William briskly followed after his understandably upset colleagues, he could only hope that Grell wouldn't make too much of a scene when he told that gentleman what for. A blood curdling scream suddenly ripped through the air… perhaps they still had a few things to iron out on the unspoken communication front. Wincing at the extra paperwork the redhead had likely just caused him, William finally rounded a corner and spotted Alan and Eric behind the tents. Coming through the passage between game stalls, William entered into the clearing and slowly approached Alan.

"Alan Hu- ah!" William began, before he felt a sharp tug to the back of his shirt collar. Turning his head sharply toward his assailant, he was met, unsurprisingly, with an eyeful of red. "Grell? Grell what on earmmmph-" William's confused protests were silenced by Grell's hand clamping over his mouth. If William had already forgotten how strong the redhead truly was after his resent prize winning performance, he was forcefully reminded as Grell proceeded to roughly drag him backward. Before he knew what was happening, William found himself trapped with Grell in a narrow dark space between two tents housing midway games of chance.

Grell wrapped an arm around his lover's waist, tightly holding him in place against his slighter frame, and agitatedly whispered, "What are you doing Will?"

"Mmm ruusss tyyy-" William began, glaring out of his peripheral vision at Grell, who had yet to remove his hand from it's position sealing his lips shut. Meeting his death glare with a playful smirk, indicating the oversight had been entirely intentional, Grell finally removed his hand.

After a deep breath-turned-frustrated-sigh, William tried again. "I was trying to offer my support. That man was incredibly rude! It seemed necessary to say… something." Internally, a tiny part of William was thankful that Grell had stopped him, as he really had no idea what he would have said to console the other man.

"Yes, but right now that's Eric's job~!" Grell whispered in reply.

"First you constantly tell me I need to be more outgoing and make friends with my subordinates, now you tell me not to? Which is it Grell?" William huffed in frustration.

"You really are hopeless aren't you? You've got to learn to read the atmosphere~!" Grell answered, his voice somehow betraying both exasperation and fondness.

"The atmosphere? I don't see how anything about the weather relates to the current situation!" William blurted out, utterly confused.

Grell's soft laughter met William's ears. "The weather? Oh Will, you are just too cute~! I mean the mood~!"

William could feel his face heat up as Grell continued to silently giggle, the sensation vibrating through them both with the redhead still holding onto him tightly. "The mood? Honestly, what on earth are you talking about Grell Sutcliff?" he grumbled, feeling more embarrassed by the second.

As the redhead's laughter finally died down, Grell settled his chin on his lover's shoulder and used the hand not currently holding William in place to turn his head toward Alan and Eric, who stood a yard or two away. "Just watch Will, you might learn something." Grell enigmatically whispered before bringing his arm down to join it's fellow in circling his partner's waist, snuggling against him and sighing contentedly.

William thought it terribly rude to watch the people he had recently begun to consider friends from the shadows like this, but with Grell plastered to his back he didn't really have much choice but to comply if he didn't wish to make a scene. Frowning, William turned his attention to his two subordinates.

Alan clenched his fist around the cheap trinket, the thin metal nearly snapping under the strain…

"Alan."

…It wasn't as though this was the first time he had been forcefully reminded of his shortcomings, had been mortified by his weakness. It had happened time and again, and with increasing frequency it seemed. He was never quite good enough, fast enough, strong enough…

"Alan!"

…Alan's heart hammered in his chest as a storm of anger, frustration, humiliation and shame raged within him. Why? Why did it have to be in front of my co-workers? In front of my boss! A broken sob escaped his lips as a sharp pain ripped through his chest. No… not now… no… please… no no NO…

"Alan!"

Gasping, Alan snapped his head up to meet Eric's worried emerald gaze. Strong warm hands were gripping his shoulders, anchoring him, keeping him from being swept away by that sea of emotion and pain. Eric's eyes softened as he brought a hand up to gently card through the brunette's hair. "Thought I'd lost you for a minute there." he breathed, the beginnings of a smile forming on his lips. "You ok?"

Alan hated himself at moments like this… when he felt weakest of all. He could face the agony of the Thorns of Death, the looks of pity from his co-workers, the constant knowledge that each day could be his last, all with his jaw set and his head held high. But when Eric, his kind earnest wonderful Eric, would look at him with such utter faith and love, so sure of his partner's strength… it was moments like this that Alan felt as though he would shatter the most. Eric loved him, he trusted him, believed in him, and Alan hated to let him down. Alan wanted to prove to him that his faith was not misplaced; that he didn't need Eric's comforting or support to be strong. Only… at moments like this… he did.

Inhaling deeply, taking in he and Eric's mingled breath along with the balmy summer air, Alan felt himself relax as the pain subsided somewhat. Alan gently removed Eric's hand from it's position tangled in his hair and brought it down beside them. He had intended to release his hand, feeling weak enough as it was without having to hold on to his lover, though as Eric's calloused fingers intertwined with his and gently squeezed, Alan found himself squeezing back. "Yes… I… I'm alright now." Alan whispered in reply.

"That guy was a real prick Alan, don't let him get to you." Eric murmured, embers of anger smoldering in his eyes at the thought of the humiliation his lover had suffered.

Alan sighed and looked away, unable to meet Eric's gaze. "Yeah… I know" he breathed. Alan laughed darkly as his eyes fell on the tiara clutched tightly in his hand. Clenching his teeth, he extended his arm to throw the reminder of his weakness in a nearby trash can.

Eric quickly caught Alan's wrist, a playful smirk growing on his features. "Hey! You won that for me didn't you? I won't have you throwing out my prize!" he exclaimed as he deftly snatched the tiara from his lover's grasp.

"Eric…" Alan sighed, "…you don't have to…"

"Oh, don't think I'm doing it to save your feelings!" he replied with a wink before lowering his voice, "I just think it will look great with a certain apron." Eric purred with a wicked grin.

Alan felt his face heat up at Eric's comment, only to feel as though it were on fire as Eric lifted the cheap little tiara to rest upon his blonde mop of hair. With Eric's unique half poofy, half braided hair style, the tiara sat rather crooked and looked far too small to be worn by a grown man.

As the scene went on, William only grew more and more confused. One moment Alan was looking thoroughly depressed, and Eric's solution was… to put on a tiara? Why was Grell making him watch this? "What is he thinking? He looks positively ridiculous!" William mumbled.

"Maybe… but look at Alan…" Grell whispered with a soft smile.

How could anyone look anywhere but Eric Slingby after such a display? Somehow managing to tear his eyes away from the spectacle the blonde was making of himself, William's gaze shifted to Alan. What exactly am I meant to see by looking at Ala… oh…

Alan's eyes were shining. A smile lit up his face as he gazed up at his idiotic companion. Gone was the haunted look in his eyes, the tense lines on his face, all replaced by a look of joyful mirth, seemingly brought about by Eric's sacrificed dignity. William's eyes widened as he took in the sight, his arms rising with a mind of their own to grasp his lover's arms wrapped around his waist.

Try as he might, Alan couldn't stop the giggles that erupted from his lips. "Eric! What on earth? Are you mad?" he laughed, his hand held to his mouth in a token attempt to control himself.

"Mad about you." Eric unabashedly exclaimed, a smirk stretching across his face.

"Oh God Eric! You're awful!" Alan managed to say good naturedly in between his laughter. "You have got to be the sappiest man I have ever met…" he said with a bright smile, his chuckles subsiding as he reached up to caress his partner's face, "…and I absolutely love you for it."

Eric smiled warmly and rested his forehead against Alan's as he brought a hand to tangle in his chestnut hair. "I love you too Alan. Don't you ever let anybody make you think you're weak…" Eric leaned back and kissed Alan's forehead, "…you're the strongest person I know Alan."

Alan felt tears well up in his eyes at the honest conviction in Eric's voice. "Not without you" he whispered while gently caressing his lover's face.

"Alan."

Eric leaned forward slightly, wetting his lips and pulling his lover closer… when the metal tiara glimmered in the carnival lights, sending Alan into a fit of giggles once more. "Oh Eric, please… take it off!" Alan panted while clutching his sides, "I just can't take you seriously with it on!"

Eric frowned for a moment as his lover's hysterics denied him a kiss, but a smirk quickly replaced the expression as he took hold of Alan's chin and tipped his face up to quickly claim his lips. As he leaned back with a satisfied smile, Eric removed the tiara and chuckled, "Alright, alright! Hey…" Eric's eyes cast about, clearly looking for something, "…where's Grell? He might want it."

Seemingly taking that as his cue to come out of hiding… Grell made his presence known. "Aaaaaa~ Will~! You want to do it out here… in the open? You bad boy~! What if someone sees us?" the redhead squealed with delight as he quickly spun his lover around and jumped him, wrapping his legs around William's trim waist and smiling mischievously.

The shock of Grell's actions coupled with the public setting and the presence of his coworkers sent William's finely tuned Make-Grell-behave-on-the-job reactions into overdrive. Grabbing a fistful of Grell's hair with lightning speed, William yanked hard and sent the redhead tumbling to the ground. In a flash of steal, William's deathscythe pressed threateningly against Grell's panting chest. "Honestly Grell Sutcliff. This kind of behavior is unacceptable on the cloc-" William paused as his brain finally caught up and took in his surroundings. Yes, they were in the human world, and yes, Alan and Eric were in fact present, but this wasn't a mission. They were on… a date. "… on a… well… that is… this behavior is inappropriate!" he finished, a flustered blush spreading across his cheeks as he coughed awkwardly and removed the scythe before helping his lover up.

No one was surprised at Grell's excited reaction to being manhandled and pinned to the ground, nor the small pout that followed as William calmed down and dismissed his deathscythe. The redhead's good spirits quickly returned however as he turned to address Alan and Eric. "I can't believe the gall of that man~! Anyone can clearly see that I'm the only Princess around here~! And one to die for at that~!" Grell exclaimed with his trademark pose and seemingly boundless energy.

Alan laughed softly and took the tiara from Eric, perching it instead on top of Grell's head. "Indeed you are Grell. I think it suits you much better than Eric." the brunette said with a wry smile.

"Of course it does~! What do you think Will~! Aren't I beautiful~?" the redhead asked, tossing his hair dramatically and posing for his lover.

William raised an eyebrow and dryly replied, "…stunning." Paying Grell's continued antics no mind, William turned his attention to Alan. Boldly placing a hand on his subordi- on his friend's shoulder, William solemnly spoke. "That man… he was wrong Alan Humphries." Feeling as though he should say more in this situation, but not sure what exactly, William merely nodded and squeezed the other man's shoulder before releasing it.

Alan nearly teared up, thoroughly moved by the show of support from his friends. Unable to meet their eyes, Alan looked down and willed his voice not to shake with emotion as he softly spoke. "Th-thank you. All of you."

Alan subconsciously gripped his shirt above his heart as another sharp pain shuddered through him. Today had been the most fun he'd had in a long time, but it had been exhausting. Any extended period of time spent with Grell was exhausting to begin with, but the shear roller coaster of emotion he had just experienced was more tiring than any ride that could be found at this small traveling carnival. If he wasn't careful, he was liable to have an attack right there, which Alan would like to avoid at all costs. Not only would it be humiliating after William and Grell had been so supportive of him, but it would no doubt put a damper on an otherwise pleasant (if not unusual) evening.

As always, Eric was extremely perceptive to his lover's silently growing distress. Wrapping an arm around the brunette in a way that could be flirtatious, and could just as easily support his fatigued lover, Eric smiled broadly and said, "I don't know about you guys, but I'm gettin' kinda tired of this carnival…" his smile morphed into a playful smirk as he continued, "…and I'm getting' kinda anxious to get this one into bed." he said with such masterful inflection as to indicate that his bedtime intentions with the shorter man were anything but honorable. Alan didn't know whether to be grateful for his lover giving a believable reason why he would want to cut the date short, or smack him for saying something like that in front of their coworkers. Blushing bright crimson, Alan decided on both.

Grell giggled and replied, "Well aren't you two love birds cute~!" Rounding on his lover, the redhead suggestively fondled William's tie as he leaned against him and whispered, "I think I might be ready for bedtime too~!"

"G-Grell!" William sputtered, a blush coloring his cheeks as he tried, with little success, to shove his lover away.

Alan found a small smile amidst the pain building within him. At least he wasn't the only one embarrassed. "Well we'll leave you two love birds to it then." he replied, chuckling softly. Stepping forward, Alan hugged Grell lightly, coughing a bit as Grell returned the hug far too enthusiastically against his aching chest. As Grell said his fond farewells to Eric, Alan turned to William. He nearly laughed as William tensed up and looked positively terrified at the thought of Alan hugging him as well.

Smiling fondly, Alan extended his hand. Taking William's hand in a firm grip and shaking, Alan quietly spoke. "I glad you decided to come tonight William… honestly." Alan couldn't resist smirking slightly as he teasingly added the familiar ending to his sentence.

William nearly jumped out of his skin as Eric slung his arm around his supervisor's shoulders and had the audacity to… ruffle his hair! "Yeah! You aren't half as bad as we all made you out to be back at the office!" Eric teased, a smirk on his lips and laughter in his eyes.

William raised an eyebrow and made a mental note to keep a closer eye on his subordinates, to ensure that they were at least getting some work done while badmouthing their superior. Shrugging out of the friendly embrace as gracefully as possible, William straightened his glasses and haltingly replied, "I… well… yes. Th-thank you... perhaps we should do this again at a… a later date."

As his subordinates murmured their agreement and waved goodbye as Alan and Eric walked off, William finally released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. It was over… his first real date… and he had survived. Feeling tension slowly beginning to leave his frame, William turned his attention back to his lover. Grell was still wearing that ridiculous tiara, his arms crossed and a smirk on his ruby lips as he observed his lover.

"What? If you intend to criticize my behavior or decorum this evening, I would rather not hear it Grell Sutcliff! I feel that I did very well all things considered! As to your degenerate behavior, I believe I also handled that quite we-mmmmph" William snapped, suddenly feeling self conscious as his lover stared at him, only to be cut off once again by Grell's habit of kissing him midsentence.

Being utterly frazzled by the evening's events, physically and emotionally drained, and with the two of them finally alone, the redhead's soft warm lips pressed against his, William let the dam break. Finally letting go of his iron clad restraint, William sighed and melted into the embrace.

When Grell finally pulled away, he wore a brilliant smile as he laughed and replied, "You did beautifully Will~! You were a gentleman to die for."

Embarrassed all over again at his apparent overreaction, William blinked owlishly at his lover's praise. Though he would never admit it, Grell's enjoyment of the evening had been his primary concern, and William allowed a tiny corner of his heart to soar with pride at the knowledge that he had succeeded. "I… well… good." he sighed, closing his eyes and resting his forehead against Grell's, finally truly relaxing.

His relaxation was once again short lived as Grell posed him a question. "Say Will… would you wear a tiara just to make me smile?"

Blushing as he couldn't help but visualize the ludicrous request, William stammered in reply, "H-honestly Grell… what an absurd question…"

Grell raised an eyebrow and studied his lover's eyes, William actually squirming minutely under the intense scrutiny. Suddenly Grell seemed to find whatever answer he was looking for, and with a blinding smile, the redhead quickly removed the tiara and placed it squarely on William's head. "Yes, it really was absurd… especially when we both know the answer..." Grell giggled as he pulled his indignantly sputtering lover in for a passionate kiss.

To be continued...