Chapter 20

Disclaimer- I own nothing!

New recruits; neither had anything against them. Well not really anyway, but there were so many new faces around them. Alan was all smiles to all of them and tried to help as many as he could. Whether it was where something was or who to talk to about something or just advice on how to handle the job he made sure they were seen to. Eric could only watch as Alan ran circles around him. He tried to help to; it was part of his job as being an officer and being one of the older members here. If Will made sure the newbie's could talk to him then he could do the same. But he wasn't sure what to do exactly; he felt odd going up to them and asking them directly if they needed something. It seemed strange though to see so many, it wasn't uncommon but usually one or two started with them. Looking around there was a least ten. Had they changed the final exam? It had been years since anyone he knew that took it so it was possible.
"M…mister Slingby, sir? Do you have a minute?"
Turning he saw a student, he had no clue what their name was and he only half cared to really ask for it.
"Yea?"
"Could you please explain to me what something means?" Man this kid was scared shitless right now. Was he really that scary looking to the rookies? Was Alan this scared of him when he started?
"Sure. What?"
"Well…um…it's this column here. I'm not sure what to fill it in with. What's the reference number?"
"Oh that is this id number here. And make sure it get filed with that number too so it done correctly."
"Okay. Thank you."
"No problem."
Sending the rookie off he realized he didn't see Alan anymore. Well whatever they had nothing to do together anyway. He would see him either when the day ended or back home.

Alan walked to the training room with a bunch of new employees or possible employees to show them around and give them pointers. Final exams were coming up for them and so all the seeded employees had to help them out. Show them how things were run and what to expect. It was the closest he would get to mentoring so he took advantage of it. Technically he was eligible to do so but he knew William would never approve it because of his condition. That was okay, he would have felt terrible if something happened while they were out on assignment. And he was sort of glad to hear that Eric probably wouldn't get someone to mentor either. He wasn't sure if he told William he didn't want one or not but he heard rumors of who would be getting people and he didn't hear Eric on that list.
"Will you train with us sir? Show us how it's done properly and what we are doing wrong?"
"Sure. But I may take it slightly easier than I would on the field. I'm coming off an injury and don't want to reinjure it." They all agreed and allowed him to show them a few things. He didn't have to tell anyone about the thorns if he didn't want to so he kept it from whomever he was helping. The more he learned about how his body felt before an attack the more he could prepare against it. As he started training the group he thought about getting Eric to come help him He was the one who originally showed him how to do all of this after all. Not getting the chance to he didn't worry about it, tomorrow was another day after all.

Alan walked into the house to see it was empty, that wasn't too strange lately. Eric had been staying out late for the last few weeks it seemed. Ronald had created parties for the new members to help them relax and talk to the older ones. Even William had joined them on the first one, it was a historic moment for him but he hadn't gone since. He probably saw all the alcohol and flirting taking place and knew not to trust Ronald's parties anymore. There had also been a few group dates that had taken place that they both attended, though not as a couple. He hadn't felt too hot to go last time but he trusted Eric to know he wouldn't do something incredible stupid with someone else. Plus he basically threw him out of the house telling him he was just going to sleep early and not to worry, though telling him that just meant Eric would worry all night. He probably did too, but he stayed out all night so he obviously got the message. Not sure when he would get home Alan started dinner for himself. He worked up quite an appetite from helping the trainees. He was excited to see who would pass the final exam and start to work with them as a reaper and would go to the other departments. Once he was cleaning up from dinner he moved to the living room to get comfortable and wait for Eric, he could call Ronald to see if he knew when he would get home but then Eric would probably feel the need to run home and there was no need for that. They deserved their down time seeing how busy they had been lately.

Alan woke up feeling hands wrap around his waist, it seemed Eric was finally home. He wasn't sure what time it was but as long as he was home safe and sound he didn't care. Moving closer to Eric he fell back asleep, feeling his warmth around him.
"Sorry to wake you."
"No…its fine….glad your home." Mumbling he smiled feeling lips on his forehead. Both fell asleep peacefully feeling the other near. Eric felt bad making Alan sleep alone some nights but he was trying to collect souls again. He still wasn't at a hundred yet it was disgusting.

Walking back into their bedroom after showering Alan heard Eric mumbling something while he tossed about. Quickly going to him he saw sweat beading his forehead. Not again, this was starting to really worry him.
"Eric, Eric wake up!" Holding his shoulders down he stopped him from thrashing in the bed. His eyes snapped open as he sat up nearly throwing Alan off him.
"Alan? Shit. Did I hurt you?" Breathing heavy he tried to get it to return to normal. God he couldn't take it anymore, he hated shutting his eyes and trying to rest.
"I'm fine but it's you I'm worried about." Throwing on his work pants he took his towel to wipe some of the sweat off Eric's forehead. "These nightmares are happening a lot it seems like. You look so exhausted. Is it still the same one, the one with all the voices?"
"Yea it is and it's nothing I'm sure. Maybe I just need a day off." Seeing the look on Alan's face he could tell he wasn't buying it. "What do you want me to do huh? They are just dreams. Seeing the nurses aren't going to do anything."
"Well then let me help you, please, maybe together we can figure out what's causing them."
Sadly he already knew what was causing it; he was hearing eighty-four voices in his mind, hearing their pleas to be released, to find peace. At this rate he wasn't sure he could handle a thousand souls. He would do it for Alan of course but he might go crazy by then.
"I'm really worried about you, what if you're haunted again? That could be it couldn't it?"
"I'm not being haunted it's just a reoccurring dream, it happens." Pushing Alan away he got up to shower he felt covered in sweat it was gross. Maybe he would take a trip to visit someone after work today and try to get the voices to stop, or at least find a way to get Alan to not worry. Getting out of the shower and dressed for work he saw Alan finishing breakfast for them.
"Is what's happening why you get home so late?"
"What?" Already pouring a second cup of coffee he sat down pulling a sausage off the plate.
"Your nightmares. Are they the reason you get home so late?"
"Partially. Since I'm not mentoring anyone I have taken on a few extra assignments for Will. Assignments the newbie's couldn't handle."
"I see." Seeing Alan stare into his cup before sitting he waved his fork at him.
"The thorns have nothing to do with it. Will likes working you like a dog knowing it's less he had to worry about."
"He hasn't let it bother my work has he?" He didn't mean it as a question, it was the truth. William was probably the only one that was glad to hear him ask for more work and assignments. He had no problem giving him things to do when it seemed Eric and Ronald liked to make sure he did less.
"If you need more to do see if he has anything for you."
"Maybe I will, though I'll be happy with just training the newbie's. I really enjoy helping them out and working with them in preparation for their final."
"You should have become a teacher I bet you would have loved it."
Seeing the smile over what Eric said take over Alan's face they went back to their breakfast, they stopped talking about work and nightmares and enjoyed the simple company of each other.

Eric walked into the Undertakers building forgetting how strange this place was. This guy was obsessed with death and even though he sort of was too this place was the extreme of that. Knowing he could show up any where since he wasn't at the desk he looked around slightly frightened to see too much. Hearing his unmistakable laughter he jumped a good ten feet and towards the door
"I wondered when you would come to see me. Tea?"
"No, I want answers and I know you know that."
"Ah yes I've seen your plea for Humphries life. Such a pity he will die. Though he will make such a beautiful corpse. Lovely really, one of my finest I believe. Yes he will,"
"Stop! Alan isn't going to die, you aren't going to touch him!"
"Sorry dearie, you are trying so hard. I've seen the lovely job you're doing. Just smiles they all have. They must have trusted you."
"Will you shut up!" Pushing the old reaper away from him he tried to get as far from him as he could."
"Such a temper. Ah such commotion in your mind, so many voices yes? They must hold such company."
"How did you know about that?" Curious about what he had to say he stepped a little closer to him again, allowed his body to rest against a desk littered with bottles for the dead. He waited to hear what he had to say knowing he hadn't yet told him about the voices.
"I know it all dearie, poor innocent Alan and his incurable disease, your hunt to fulfill a legend by collecting a thousand pure souls. Souls need a place to stay or else they'll die dearie. You're weapon may collect each soul but your body holds them, keeps them alive until they move to their intended person."
"Will Alan have to hear them too once he receives them?" He knew right now that Alan would never be able to handle this, the voices would drive him insane, he would become even more emotional then he already was.
"No, they will destroy the darkness of the thorns and then they too will die."
"Can I stop the voices then?"
"Are they keeping you awake? You're always welcome here. I could keep you from hearing them at night."
"No thanks."
Shrugging at what was Eric's loss he moved to a book beside Eric idling flipping through it.
"The voices are seeking solace; practice will allow you to tune them out. As for the nightmares, that is your soul fighting against itself over what you're doing. Over your conscious knowing that while you're doing this to save young Alan your still killing innocent woman in cold blood. I must ask, is it worth it?"
"Of course, no matter what happens to me Alan must live!"
"Sorry to anger you dearie, perhaps staying close to Alan then would help you ward off the nightmares. Or maybe you could allow them manifest into something that swallows your sanity."
Not really getting anything out of this visit Eric stood to leave. This was a waste of time. He would do what he was doing and handle the consequences as they arose. He could try to hide the nightmares better, maybe try those teas Alan had been wanting him to take a crack at since this started.
"Leaving so soon? Tell Alan dear that he has to stop by more often. I want to size him, only the best coffin for that one."
Trying not to slap the retired reaper he walked out, slamming the door behind him.

Getting home he saw Alan reading on the couch. Sitting beside him he wrapped his arms around him and pulled him close.
"Eric?"
Alan had to live on no matter what. Even if his body perished doing this for him he had to live on and continue to be someone's light.
"God I love you."
"Eric?" Worried by the weird behavior he closed the book he was still holding and looked at the one he was now with. "Are you okay?"
"Never better."
"Oh, okay. Have work to finish?"
"Ssshhh."
Using only his lips he quieted Alan, stopped him from worrying about him for the moment. He had told the Undertaker the truth; if anyone was to die it wouldn't be Alan. He figured he would die and he was okay with that. He had been as soon as he found this current cure. He couldn't think of a way to get the souls over to Alan without ending his own life. Ever since meeting him he saw what his purpose was in this world. That purpose was to save Alan, Alan could live on, find someone new, watch all of his dreams come true. Possibly even have that family he knew Alan always wanted but would never get so long as they stayed together.

Even more confused and worried by Eric, Alan allowed their lips to connect. This scared him only for the fact that Eric hadn't been sleeping right lately and had been working so hard. Oh God what if he became sick too? What if he searched for a way to get the thorns so they could die together, a Romeo Juliet tragedy.
"No!"
Eric pulled back taken off by what Alan said. He had never been against a kiss before. Well not since they had been together.
"You can't die too, I won't let you!"
"Alan?" Now it was his turn to be confused by the other.
"I refuse to let you get this illness, I won't stand for it."
"Who told you I was?" Had someone started a rumor, something so far from the truth that it would never stick? "I'm fine I promise you. Don't worry."
"Promise?"
"Sure, I promise. My goal is to get you better, not get myself sick."
"You're still trying to find something?"
"I am and I'm so close I can feel it."
"I see. Then what was just now about?"
"What I can't kiss you anymore? I realized that I've left you alone a lot. Especially at night and I know how much you don't like being alone then. I wanted to say sorry."
"Oh, well, then your forgiven." Moving to his knees he allowed them to pick up where they left off. He missed this, he missed Eric, so many nights he had gone to bed alone and he hated it.

From being with someone Alan learned something no book could ever hope to teach him; feeling of a lovers flesh on one's own was the best feeling ever. Nothing could ever replicate it. His body became more aware when his lovers body touched him. He could hear everything they did, feel everything they did, he felt so alive. Something as simple as love making was really so complex, no wonder humans believed it should only take place with the one you truly loved. And through it you could really see the soul of someone. On the outside Eric looked rough and aggressive but really he was so gentle and caring. He always took care of him; that was who he really was. That was who he was in love with.

Eric was happy to push past the nightmares, the lies, everything he had to so long as Alan remained in the dark. So far no one but the Undertaker knew of what he was doing and it didn't sound like he planned to tell Will. He would collect all the souls soon, Alan would be free. They would be together or he would die trying. Cradling Alan in his arms, looking into his eyes, into his slowing dying soul he made it promise him not to give out. Seeing the fire that burned inside his love he knew the promise was accepted. It was still so strong, so determined just as Alan was and it was beautiful just as its owner was.

While they were together enjoying each other Alan wanted to tell Eric a request he had. The words wouldn't come though. He wanted to tell him that when his time came, when his life was ending he wanted to die in Eric's arms. That was all he wanted, to not die alone, to die in the arms of the one he loved. Feeling Eric hold him tighter he knew he understood, their souls had discussed it and his had accepted the request.

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Filler chapter I guess since I didn't get where I wanted to. Reviews make me smile, if only they created more writing time then you guys would be set with updates. I'm going to try to write this weekend but I'm not sure I'll be able to so expect the next update around Tuesday. Love you!
~Femalefighter~