Title: Heat

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Characters except for the unknown ones.

Warning: This story deals with gender bender, it's AU, and OOC for some characters.

Author Notes: Due to recent computer issues, I'm sorry to say that my updates will become less frequent as I cannot afford to replace my computer and getting it repaired would cost too much.

Pairing: Claude x Sebastian, Undertaker x Grell

Chapter 37.

"Sebastian is the grandchild of Demon Lord Lucifer?" Grell squeaked out, gaping at what he'd just been told. On a personal note, he thought that the Demon Lord in question was rather scary; as such, it was surprising to think of Sebastian actually being blood-related to such a person.

Undertaker looked at Grell, nodding in silent confirmation. "Sebastian's mother is Lucifer's banished daughter, though Sebastian came to live with Lucifer before she was sent away," he murmured, knowing that the other Shinigami were probably wondering about Sebastian's parents. "As for his father- he's not a factor in all this. He never wanted a child to begin with."

William winced a little at that revelation; it was hard for him to imagine such a thing. When he'd been younger, he'd wanted a child of his own almost as much as Grell currently did. Unfortunately, she'd died and the baby with her, but he remembered the incredulous joy that had once been his for far too brief a time. "Does Sebastian know that he wasn't wanted by his father?" he questioned, his normally stern voice far softer than usual.

Grell felt so hurt on Sebastian's behalf; how awful it would be to be unwanted by a parent. Genuine tears welled up in his green eyes for Sebastian; he couldn't imagine how much it would hurt. Grell wanted a child more than anything, even jokingly teasing about carrying Sebastian's child, though he knew that it was impossible, nothing more than a dream that could never be.

"Yes," Undertaker admitted, closing his eyes briefly. "Lucifer told him the truth when Sebastian asked about his father, that his father wasn't ready, able, or willing to be a father." Seeing a disapproving look on William's face, the silver-haired male continued on relentlessly, knowing it had to be said- and what he was going to say was nothing more than the truth. "It would have been far worse back then to give the child false hope for a reconciliation that would never go the way that Sebastian would have wanted. Besides, he had Lucifer to raise him, love him, and care for and protect him, along with myself."

Grell started at that revelation; he knew that there was something between Lucifer and Undertaker, though he definitely hadn't thought it would be as 'parents' to Sebastian. "You raised him too?" he asked, still pressed against the taller man slightly from behind. A few tears had escaped, though he was glad, very glad, that Sebastian hadn't been left all alone. Being alone was very hard; having people around who cared for and loved you was much better.

Ronald was wondering what the nature of Undertaker's relationship with Demon Lord Lucifer was exactly, since he'd just admitted to raising Sebastian with him. Not speaking, he continued watching, though he felt bad inside. No child should ever be unwanted by a parent like that- and if Sebastian's mother had done something awful enough to get banished from the demon world, she probably hadn't been much a parent either.

Turning slightly, Undertaker wrapped Grell in his arms, raising one hand up to wipe his tears away with his thumb. "Yes, because Lucifer couldn't always be there with him, Grell. Sebastian had to be protected, even if he himself did not know why. It would be too informal to say that I simply guarded him, for I took care of the child as much as Lucifer did, especially when it was time for Lucifer to go do his duty as part of the triumvirate. Aside from Lucifer and his wayward daughter, I alone knew the truth about Sebastian and Lucifer knew I'd help him keep Sebastian safe…"

"Oh…" Grell blushed a tiny bit at the thumb on his cheek, feeling his cheeks warm up as he looked at Undertaker. He smiled a tiny bit and nodded; it made sense to him that Lucifer had needed someone to help keep Sebastian safe- and Undertaker was certainly more than qualified for that job. He liked being held like this; it was a first for him, and he pressed close to Undertaker, watching his face closely. "The two of you did a fine job, though; Sebastian turned out well and he's quite decent- most of the time."

William coughed a little, embarrassed at how Grell and Undertaker were acting, pointedly looking away from them. Such blatant displays of affection were something best done in private, he believed, glancing at Ronald. The younger Grim Reaper looked a little embarrassed though somewhat intrigued- which made him look even closer at Ronald.

Ronald had never seen anyone- or any couple- act like this before, being so obvious with how they were feeling. It took him by surprise a little, considering that one of the participants had a scythe still drawn out. He certainly hoped that Undertaker realized it before he accidentally cut Grell with the sharp blade.

If William hadn't cleared his throat, Undertaker might have kissed Grell. As it was, he settled inside for giving William a rather baleful look, his ire rising again. This was his house, not William's, and he certainly wasn't going to put up with William acting as prudish as a nun. If he didn't like it, then he could leave. It wasn't like William had been invited inside, after all.

Grell ignored William, instead focusing on Undertaker. Seeing the way Undertaker looked at William, he stifled a slight giggle. It was rather funny to see someone stand up to William the way Undertaker had- clearly, he was not worried about possible repercussions. He was going to say something, though he fell silent and simply stared, mouth open, as two figures appeared.

Lucifer was the first to be seen clearly, his hair flowing loosely around him. His clothing was disheveled, a far different look than what he'd held when the others had left his estate in the demon world. Blood ran in a trickle down his face, and within his arms, he held a still sleeping Sebastian. "Uriah!" he called out urgently, holding his grandson closely.

"Lucifer? What happened to you?" Undertaker released Grell, seeing the blood and the state that his old friend was in. It wasn't exactly easy for anyone to get the best of Lucifer, though the retired Shinigami suspected Lucifer had brought Sebastian to him for safety.

"I'm fine," Lucifer replied back, shifting Sebastian slightly. "But it's not safe for Michaelis right now since someone is clearly after my life and I don't know where that human boy lives. I have to return but I don't want Sebastian caught up in it. He's too weak right now and he needs to rest and regain his strength…"

"Of course," Undertaker agreed immediately, taking Sebastian carefully from Lucifer to place the younger demon in his bed. He didn't like the way his old friend had emphasized that he was fine or the nonchalant way he had said that someone was after his life. "I'll help you, Luce; I'll take him to Ciel Phantomhive and then-"

Licking his thumb, Lucifer brought the moistened digit up and trailed it across the cut on his face. As it sealed off the bleeding, he closed his eyes. "That… That is not what I need or want, Uriah; you are the best one to guard Michaelis. Even with Michaelis' mate there, I'll worry about him unless you are there. I know you'll protect Michaelis to the very best of your ability, no matter what it takes."

Not looking directly at his old friend, Lucifer then used the back of his palm to wipe the blood from his cheek. He wasn't lying when he said that Uriah really was the best fighter to protect his pregnant grandson right now, and he genuinely would be worried if Uriah wasn't there, though that wasn't exactly the full truth. Beyond where Uriah stood, Lucifer could clearly see Grell, the one that Uriah had fallen for- and that look that the redhead held spoke volumes to him.

It would have been cruel to accept such an offer, for Uriah to join him, when Grell clearly didn't like it. The stricken look told Lucifer that without a single word being said. Besides, as the lavender-eyed Demon had already reminded himself before, he had to get used to not having Uriah there.

He had no doubts that Uriah would stay close to Michaelis, caring for him as he had since Michaelis had come to them as little more than a toddler. And undoubtedly Uriah would always be there for Michaelis, no matter how old he grew. But for himself, Lucifer knew, it was an entirely different situation.

Though clearly Uriah hadn't figured it out yet, that things had to change. Michaelis was first priority for both Lucifer and Uriah; that was to be expected. But when it came to Uriah, his second concern should be for Grell, not for himself, Lucifer knew. It was a bittersweet knowledge and though it hurt, it was true. Uriah shouldn't have offered to come with him and put himself in danger, not when he had Grell needing him as well.

Undertaker was stunned into silence, pain entering into his heart. He didn't understand why Lucifer had just turned him down on his offer to help- until he realized that his old friend was not looking at him. It was Grell that those purple eyes were focused on and Undertaker had only to turn his head to see that look of pain on the younger male's face.

What Lucifer already knew now struck Undertaker and he didn't like it. Lucifer was telling him without words that his focus, his primacy, should no longer himself but Grell. Sebastian Michaelis was their common interest- to protect him and continue treating him as their own child as they had for centuries now. But nothing more could be between the two of them now because Undertaker and Grell were together.

To be continued