The morning sun peeked through the window of the bedroom much too early for the couple's liking. Even for Alan, who was usually up in the morning. Eric was surprisingly the first one to open his eyes, chuckling as he felt Alan's arm on his chest. He looked down to move it so he could get out of bed, but he saw purple thorn-like markings on the thin arm that went all the way up to his shoulder. His smile faded into a worried frown and he gently shook his lover's shoulder.
Alan gradually woke up and smiled happily up at Eric until he saw the blond's expression.
"Alan, explain these," Eric said softly, gently touching the marks. He watched the smaller reaper turn nervous.
"E-E-Eric," he stammered, his voice squeaking softly as he retracted his arm from Eric's chest. "It's nothing to worry about. It was a little illness I got right before I graduated. It's no big deal."
The man wasn't convinced. "Alan, what is it? Please tell me," he pleaded softly.
"I…I have the Thorns of Death…"
The words struck Eric harder than anything ever had in his life. He had been warned of the disease when he was in the academy. He hadn't thought too much about it after that, but now he had a reason to worry. His partner, now his lover, was inflicted.
"So that means…you're going to die?" Eric breathed, almost unable to speak. His heart wrenched as he saw Alan nod silently. He bit his lip to hold back tears before he pulled Alan in a crushing hug. "I can't let you die, Alan. I care for you too much…" he whispered. Alan whimpered and hugged Eric back.
"There's no way to cure it, Eric. It's my fate to die…" Alan whispered back. "But at least I'll be with you before that happens."
They held each other for what seemed like hours, not speaking as word as Eric tried to comprehend his lover's illness and get a grip on the fact that he would soon lose Alan to death. It was ironic. Death itself was dying. But it was no time to make jokes.
"Alan, I know you don't have much time, but I'm determined to make you happy until the moment I lose you. It's the least I could do for you," Eric told him softly.
The other reaper smiled and kissed Eric's cheek. "You've done a terrific job these few weeks, though…" he said quietly. "But can I go back to sleep? I'm really sleepy. I'll make breakfast soon," he said sheepishly.
Eric chuckled and nodded. "All right, sexy. I have to go out and run a few errands; I'll be back soon," he promised, slipping out of bed and kissing Alan's blushing cheek before going to go get a shower.
Once he was clean and ready, Eric departed from the apartment, though he was now nervous about leaving Alan alone. What if he had one of those attacks while he was gone? He shook his head; his errand was really important. He had to find a way to save Alan. He couldn't be lonely again.
He arrived and looked up at the weathered sign, taking a deep breath before he entered the building. Although he had retired decades ago, Eric knew a lot about the old Shinigami from William, who seemed to seriously respect him.
"Undertaker?" he called, looking around the dim room. He jumped when there was a creak and one of the coffins opened.
"Yesssss?" Undertaker hissed, giggling as he peeked from the coffin. "Oh~? A new customer~? Are you here to be fitted for a coffin?"
Eric shuddered at the thought of being trapped in a coffin. "No, Sir. My name is Eric Slingby and I'm here to ask about a certain disease… I don't want to go to Mr. William to ask him." He took a deep breath. "I want to know how to cure the Thorns of Death."
That seemed to catch the silver-haired man's attention. "Oh? Afraid to die, are you?" he giggled.
"No, Mr. Undertaker. It's not me that is inflicted. It's a dear friend of mine and I will do anything to save him," Eric declared.
"Ah~. Well, there is no official cure for the Thorns of Death, but there is one supposed way…" He giggled again. "Collect a thousand pure souls and then, maybe, your friend will be cured. However, it is considered a sin for all Shinigami," he warned.
Eric tensed up, worried. He didn't know how to get a thousand pure souls just by working, and he didn't have access to those… But he would do anything to save Alan. He nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Undertaker. I'll be leaving now," he said before walking out of the building. He needed to think of a way to save his friend… Even if it meant losing everything else.