A/N: Yes, a new, cute chapter. Eric is being all motherly, Will is being a grumpy bunny, Ron's doing an impression of a house cat and Alan is getting a bit tipsy. Yay. So, thank you for all the lovely reviews, and please keep them coming darlings.

"Are you ok, William?" Eric said quietly. William glanced at him uninterestedly and lit another cigarette as Eric sat on the bench next to him. "William?"

No. He wasn't ok. He was a mess. He was just about holding it together outwardly but his mind was haunted. He couldn't even sleep. That stupid demon was on his mind constantly. Every time he closed his eyes he was reliving that night, or some fantasy. The little demon's voice was constantly in his ear, he could swear he could feel his hands over his body and his lips over his. He couldn't escape him. No one had ever done this to him and he didn't know how to get over him.

"William, you can talk to me," Eric said. "I won't tell Grell, or Alan. Is this about your demon?" William nodded. "You can talk to me about it." He shook his head and Eric sighed. "Well, what happened?"

"Nothing," he grumbled.

"Don't lie to me, William," he replied. "You're making everyone miserable just so you're not alone. We've had enough overtime to last years. And you've been buried in work and you're not looking after yourself."

"I'm fine," William snapped.

"No, you're not," he said. "Tell me. Come on, we've got the day off, let's sort this out."

"I volunteered for overtime," he said.

"Yeah, I know, I de-volunteered you," Eric said. "I told Alan I needed to deal with you so didn't know if I'd be able to spend the day with him so I'm going to sort you out, William."

"I don't need-"

"Yes you do," he said firmly. "Now, come on. You've got to learn to open up and share." William smirked and offered him a cigarette and his lighter. "Thanks. Alan's hidden mine. Apparently I should be quitting."

"You two have barely been a couple a week," William muttered. "Why are you being bossed around already?"

"He's one of those little guys who everyone things is really cute and sweet but he's actually very good at getting what he wants." Eric frowned and seemed to realise what William was doing as he scowled down at him. "Stop changing the subject. This about you and Ronald."

"It's really not, Slingby."

"What happened?" Eric said quietly. "Just between us, tell me what happened. I mean, I know you were never thrilled about this demon being in your head but since last week you just seem kind of… broken…"

William shook his head, closing his eyes and adjusting his glasses. This wasn't right. Why was this demon so different? Why did it have to be a demon? He got up slowly, snubbing out his cigarette and tossing it in the bin with Eric following as he strode away. This wasn't supposed to be like this. He didn't want help, he just wanted to get over this. It wasn't right. He knew Eric was following but didn't really care. Why did he have to be a demon? This was everything he wanted, wasn't it? When he thought about relationships he thought about someone like Ronald. He was smart, attractive, strong willed and challenging. He'd never wanted a lover who was easy to handle, he liked a challenge. Ronald certainly challenged everything he thought he knew.

"What can I say to make you leave me alone, Slingby?" William snapped.

"You're not calling me Eric, have I touched a nerve?" Eric said.

"Leave me alone," he said, glaring over his shoulder.

"William-"

"Look, I was only spending time around him because I owed him, ok?" William said, turning to glare at Eric. "And because I'm not going to be told what to do by a demon. The fact that he is…" What was he? Ronald seemed to be… perfect, except for one little thing. "Fine, Eric. What do you think you can do to help me?"

Eric sat on the edge of the fountain near the offices and William sighed, sitting with him. He didn't know what else to say. He didn't know how to deal with Ronald. Hopefully Eric would be able to help, even if he'd never admit taking his advice.

"Well," Eric said. "Tell me what happened?"

"There's not much to tell," William said slowly. "We spent the night together, at his and-"

"What was he like?" he said. William frowned and glanced at him. "Well, was he good?" William smiled slightly at the thought but wasn't really sure how to put it. "Well, that look is more than anyone else has got off you."

"I don't think it matters."

"Of course it does. Did he make you happy?" Sighing slightly, he nodded. Yes, he had been pleased to be with Ronald. It made him forget about all the stress and work and the fact that sometimes, even thought he'd never say it, he got a bit overwhelmed by brutality of their job, ending people's lives. That night he didn't even care that he was a demon. It just felt right. "Nothing makes you happy, William, so if you've finally found something that makes life even a little easier, you should grab it with both hands."

"He's a demon," William snapped.

"It's better than a human," Eric argued. "At least you know you'll always have him. At least you won't have to watch him growing old… dying…"

"Alan told you then?" he muttered. Eric nodded. "I told you, it wasn't my place to say anything."

"I know. It's ok, but it should teach you that you should act now, while you still can."

"But I-"

"Look, are you really going to let him being a demon get in the way of you being happy?" Eric said quietly. William frowned and glared down at his hands. It just felt so wrong to think of a demon as anything other than an animalistic monster. "Just think about it, ok? If it makes you happy and it's not hurting anyone and he's obviously up for it too, what's the problem? The entire issue seems to be that you're afraid."

"Afraid?" he snapped.

"Of what could happen if you let your guard down," he replied. "He's a demon, so what? Would it be worse to take a chance and know that you tried, or to do nothing and always wonder what could have happened? At least, for now, just take the day off and try to figure things out. Don't bury yourself in work and ignoring the problem, ok?" William nodded. He didn't see how he was going to focus on work like this anyway. "I'll see you later, now I can find Alan and see if we can have a romantic day off. I'll check up on you later."

William nodded and watched the ripples in the fountain. He'd love to just take a chance on Ronald and hope everything would turn out alright, but something told him it wouldn't. He could just give in and let it happen, couldn't he? No matter how he tried to turn it around, no matter how he tried to rationalise it, it always came back to the fact that Ronald was a demon. Reapers generally disliked demons, they interfered with their jobs and attacked them after all, but many reapers and demons were civil when they weren't in direct competition for souls. William couldn't though. He couldn't get over it. He honestly couldn't.

He sighed and got up, slowly returning to his room. Ronald was a young demon, probably not even half a century old since he was only just being noticed, that mean he still retained a lot of his humanity, even if he did feed of souls in such a disgusting manor. Some demons were less beastly than others. It all depended on their experiences in life and demon-hood. Perhaps Ronald's wild side could be tamed. He knew demons needed to feed, apparently they could last an average decade without on before the hunger overtook their minds and they went completely insane, tearing through everything in their way, feeding on everything that stood in their way and making a gory, bloody mess. They'd looked into it apparently. There was a time, decades, maybe even centuries ago, the elder reapers had chosen to capture two dozen demons to investigate how demons worked. William couldn't say he approved of their experiments, demons were still living creatures and some of the things they were doing were unusually cruel, but they were demons. He couldn't say he disapproved either.

As he opened the door to his room, William was greeted by another bouquet of lilies. He frowned and took the card from next to them. 'It's good to see you're learning. Ronald is mine.' William frowned and clenched his fists. Ronald. Closing his eyes, he tried to ignore how awful it felt to have walked away from him. Ronald was constantly on his mind. 'I thought you might want some company.'

"Company?" Something rubbed against his leg and he glanced down. There was a yellowish blonde cat staring up at him with big blue eyes. He frowned. That wasn't even funny. That bloody demon had left him with a cat that reminded him of Ronald. He sighed and picked up the cat. "Demons…" The cat meowed and wiggled out of his hold, stretching out on the bed. "You're not staying. As soon as I find somewhere to dump you, you're going." The cat yawned and curled up. "I suppose that does look very comfortable."

He sighed and sat on the bed, kicking off his shoes and laying his waistcoat, tie and jacket over the chair. Perhaps things would look better when after he got some sleep. He changed back into his pyjamas and switched off the lights, climbing under the covers. Perhaps this time his dreams wouldn't be plagued by that demon.

"The things I do for you," Ronald muttered, stretching as he slipped off William's bed. "Seriously, I show you such a fun time and you just get up and walk out. Don't even call me." He sighed and glanced back at William's sleeping form. "Bloody reaper. If I weren't so stubborn I'd have given up on you by now." He glanced around and smiled. "It's quite a nice place you've got here though. I like it."

He sighed and sat on in the armchair, tossing his legs over the arm and watching William sleep. So, how to tame the reaper's spirit? That was the question. He picked up a book from the side, figuring he'd give him a bit of time before he made him mood. It wasn't long before he got bored though, and decided he'd waited long enough. William didn't have any interesting book anyway.

Climbing onto the bed once more, he leant over William, slowly pulling back the covers, kissing along his jaw. William stirred slightly and Ronald smiled, moving to his ear, whispering to him teasingly until he was sure William was about to wake up.

"You have to keep your eyes closed, William," he whispered. "If you open your eyes, I'll be gone again, won't I? You can't wake up."

"Ronald…" he breathed.

"Yes, yes," Ronald said, leaning down to brush their lips together. "I'm here." He ran his fingers slowly over his chest and dropped his head to lick his neck. William when to push him away but Ronald caught his wrists. "Do you really want me to go? Do you really want to be alone?"

"No," he whispered. "Ronald, I-"

"Do you miss me?" he said quietly. "Do you want to try to be together? I want to be with you." He sighed and leant against his chest, stroking his hair. "I want to be loved for who I am rather than what clients want from me. You're so different from my normal clients, you're not that type I'd normally go for. You're strict and cold and strong, in mind and body. My clients, they're all scared, pathetic weak humans, their idea of morals and love… they're too scared to say no and take what they want. With you…"

William reached over, running his hands slowly through his hair and Ronald smiled, closing his eyes. "What about me?"

"I'm not your dirty little secret." Ronald smiled slightly and closed his eyes as William stroked his hair. It was true. Being with William was so different to being with his human clients. Even other demons didn't make him feel like he did. He might not have been a secret, but he certainly meant nothing to any of them. Very few of them even knew him from the next one demon the bedded. "It gets kind of lonely sometimes. Everyone always there, but no one really sees you, you know?" William nodded slightly. "You don't want to use me though, do you?"

"Ronald," William whispered. He hummed slightly and snuggled against him. "I can't."

"Why?" Ronald said gently.

"You're a demon," he said quietly. "I can't be with a demon."

"Is that really so terrible?" he murmured. "Does it matter so much? I don't want to hurt you? I don't want any trouble. I didn't ask to be a demon, you know." He sighed and opened his eyes to gaze up at him. "I thought you'd be better than that."

"I just…"

William sighed and pushed the demon from his chest, rolling over and closing his eyes tighter. Why was he haunting his dreams? Why couldn't he get this demon out his head? He opened his eyes slowly and glanced over his shoulder. He was gone. It was all just a dream. That cat was glaring up at him, obviously disturbed by his movement. He sighed and patted his head, sitting up and drawing his knees to his chest. He had to forget about him. He couldn't do this. Ronald was a demon. He couldn't sink to that level. The cat mewled and climbed up into his lap, leaning against his stomach. William sighed and stroked his fur, listening to his purr. At least he wasn't a dog, William wouldn't have the time to walk it. At least cats didn't require so much time.

"Hey, hey, Grell," Eric called. He glanced at Alan and smiled awkwardly. "One minute, Al." He ran after Grell and pulled him away from the girls he was giggling and gossiping with. "Grell, do you know what happened to William?"

"Huh?" Grell said. "What's happened to Will?" Eric sighed. "Has that demon done something to Will?"

"No, I meant to make him hate demons so much," he replied. Alan came over and sat with them quietly. Grell shot him something of a dirty look, something that didn't surprise Eric, given that he was the latest to the join their group. He was rather defensive of their group, especially when it came to gossip, but Eric took his hand, making sure Grell could see, and the redhead nodded, apparently accepting it. "You must have noticed that he hates them more than anyone. Do you know why?"

"Not really," he replied, playing with his hair. "But he wasn't so against them in the academy. I mean, he's never liked them, but he didn't hate them. I think. I guess something must have happened. So, you two?"

Eric laughed and nodded, wrapping his arms around Alan's shoulders and kissing his cheek as he blushed. "He's all mine."

"It's about damn time," he giggled. "You two are so perfect together. You'll be amazing together."

"Hush you," Eric laughed, guiding Alan away. "Behave. Come on, Al, let's go."

"You're really worried about him, aren't you?" Alan whispered, leaning against his arm as they went. "Mr Spears?"

"You can call him William, Alan," he said quietly. "But yes. I know he doesn't seem like it all the time, but he's a really good person, and a good friend, and a pretty good boss. He just likes everything to be done right. I'm sure you've noticed by now getting me and Grell to work tends to involve being nasty sometimes." Alan nodded. "He's suffering. And when he suffers, we suffer overtime. Besides, I want to see him happy again. I know Grell won't appreciate it but this demon makes him happy. Who are we to stand in his way?"

Alan chuckled slightly and leant against his arm. "See, this is the charming, caring man I fell in love with." Eric grinned and squeezed his hand. "Grell doesn't really like me, does he?"

"No, he likes you fine," Eric replied. "I know we don't always act like it, but we're close and you're new to the office, you know it'll take time. And he's very much a fan of romance and love, so you've got nothing to worry about. He'll let you in just to hear all the gossip. He just isn't too keen on strangers."

"I'm hardly a stranger," Alan muttered.

"I know, don't worry. Come on."

He pulled back toward the residential building and quickly up to his room. Inside, he pulled him down into his arms, hugging him close on his lap. Alan laughed softly, tilting Eric's head up and pressing their lips together in a sweet, brief kiss. Smiling gently as he curled up against his chest, closing his eyes happily, Eric stroked his hair gently. He got the feeling that Alan wasn't going to let their relationship move to fast.

Of course, that didn't really matter, but it was unusual for Eric. An average relationship with him involved getting drunk, stumbling to the bed, sometimes not even that far, and then maybe a few hook ups afterwards before Eric forgot their name. He didn't deny he got around a bit, and he wasn't exactly proud of it, but he never treated anyone badly. They all knew what they were getting into. He never pretended he wanted a relationship. Eric had never wanted anyone but Alan.

"So, you think Mr Spears is going to be ok?" Alan murmured.

"I think so," Eric said quietly. "I'll go and check on him later. I know that demon makes him happy, I think he just need to get over whatever makes him hate demons so much. Anyway, come on, let's get some drinks going."

Alan nodded slightly and slid off his lap, letting Eric pick up two shot glasses and a bottle. He poured out their drinks and Alan took his glass, looking over it slowly. Eric laughed and tipped his back. Alan sighed.

"It won't bite, Al," Eric laughed. "Well, I mean properly." Alan frowned and swallowed it before coughing slightly and Eric couldn't help laughing. "You're not a drinker then?"

"What was your first clue?" Alan said quietly.

Eric laughed and poured again. "Well, it's up to you. You don't have to drink, whatever you want, don't push yourself."

"Don't baby me because I'm sick," he snapped. "I'm fine. It's fine. I can drink just as much as you."

"Ok, if you say so," he laughed, picking up his glass. "Try to keep up."

Alan nodded and swallowed another shot as Eric did. Eric quickly poured about another glass for each of them. A few hours later, Eric was sitting next to Alan on the couch, next to Alan, missing the glasses as he tried to pour again. Alan laughed and leant against his arm. He chuckled and tilted Alan's head back, abandoning his attempts to pour in favour of capturing his lips. Alan slide his arms around his neck, letting Eric draw his close and tangling his fingers into his hair. Their bodies pressed together and Eric he slid his hands slowly over Alan's body. He traced Alan's lips clumsily and for the first time Alan's lips parted as he moaned softly, tightening his grip around his neck.

Suddenly Alan gave a sharp cry, shoving Eric off and coughing hoarsely, gasping for breath. Eric stared at him for a moment before Alan gripped his hand, and the effects of the alcohol seemed to wear off within seconds. "Eric…"

"Sweetheart?"

"It'll pass, please, just stay with me."

Eric nodded quickly and held him close, rubbing his back as Alan's attack worsened. It hit home in the moment just how serious the Thorns were. Alan was really going to die, and it wasn't even that bad yet. He closed his eyes and leant against Alan's head, struggling to hold back the urge to break down and cry. Why did it have to be Alan? Why did he have to be the one to suffer like this?