Chapter 23

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Alan woke up to the light hitting his eyes and a smile on his face. He didn't want to move, Eric's hands were still wrapped around his waist holding him close. He hadn't woken up to this in a long time. Carefully rolling over he faced Eric to see him sleeping peacefully. He seemed at peace, which he hadn't seen on him in what felt like months. Eric had seemed so tense; he looked like he hadn't been sleeping well for a while. Making sure not to wake or disturb him he just watched him sleep. He felt bad for what happened yesterday and last night. He put him through a lot between the attack and the meltdown. He truly appreciated Eric and all he did for him, between staying with him while he tried to deal with the thorns and while he lost his mind. He also appreciated all he did for him throughout the years as well. No matter what he said he was a great man. Moving a few strands of hair out of Eric's face he saw his eyes slowly start to open.

"Morning, sorry if I woke you up."

"Morning." Pulling Alan closer he rested his face in his hair before closing his eyes again. He missed waking up to Alan's face, why did he spend so many nights away?" Alan had a lovely scent to him, with his soaps and shampoos along with his natural scent, it was intoxicating.

"How are you feeling, did you sleep okay?" Lifting his head he rested it on the side of Alan's to whisper in his ear. He passed out fairly quickly once he allowed himself to last night and while he believed he would have woken up if Alan was in pain he wasn't sure.

"I'm feeling fine and I slept well. How about you? You looked really peaceful. "

"I was, still am."

"Good to hear."

They stayed as they were until they heard commotion down the hall and remembered where they were. It was terrible to know they let their guards down this much. If anyone tried to attack them they would probably get a good hit on them.

"When this is over let's take a day off and spend the day just like this. Or let's take a vacation together. "

"That sounds nice, okay. We've never taken a vacation before. I've always wanted to see Paris."

Seeing the look on Eric's face he smiled before leaning closer to kiss him, "but we could spend a week in London too, there is a lot here I haven't seen."

"Okay, sounds nice. "He would have gone anywhere with Alan, even Paris, though it didn't appeal to him. So long as he could to keep him near and see him happy he was content with the location.

Hearing yelling from the dining room they went to see what it was all about and to take their leave. They may have let their guard down to sleep but they weren't dumb enough to eat anything prepared by a demon. He would probably try to poison them, they could eat in town. Eric could ignore them and head to the door but Alan would keep his manners. Really, they should say thank you to them for helping them make their stay pleasant and allowing him to rest.

"Excuse me, but we really have to finish our investigation real soon."

"Huh? But you just arrived."

Why did he get the feeling they never had many overnight guests.

"I am sorry, missy. The most important thing is..."

"The most important thing is for you to sit down, have breakfast, and stay where you are."

Hearing Sebastian coming down the hall to the dining room Eric stopped. Just great he wanted to leave before he arrived. He knew he should have just kept his mouth shut and kept walking, Alan would have followed. Seeing Sebastian coming towards them Alan quickly moved closer to Eric but making sure his back wasn't towards him. Who knew what the demon would try with his back turned.

"There is no need to investigate any further. The culprit of the serial murder case is...Eric Slingby. "

Alan tried to make sure he heard Sebastian right. Did he just say Eric? Hearing him laughing behind him he relaxed ever so slightly. He may not believe that demons had a sense of humor but Eric would never be a serial killer.
"What evidence do you have? Spit it out hottie." Keeping his cool and waiting to hear where this came from he more or less brushed the accusation off. Waiting to hear what he said he moved to the table and got comfy on the chair. He could still see Alan watching him with a confused look on his face.
"Evidence you say…roughly counted, there are ninety-six pieces of evidence." Eric saw Sebastian throw a paper on the table, curious and trying to hide his growing anxiety over the conversation he stood up to take a look.
"After analyzing the crime scenes and the angles of the victims' wounds in which they were cut. I have concluded the culprit's habits."
"Are these all evidences?"
Throwing the paper back on the table he let the servants gawk away at them. Things were becoming complicated but he still didn't have any hard evidence that he personally did anything.
"It's all bluff and bluster. There's no way one could investigate all that in a single night." He couldn't believe he had started to worry, sure the names on that paper were all victims of his but there was no way even a demon could pin it on him in just one night. He was probably using Grell's past incidences as ground for this claim.
"If it were Sebastian it, it's possible." Hearing Ciel he tried not to roll his eyes at him. What did a kid like him know?
"Say, aren't you doting your butler a bit too much?"
"Doting him? I am simply telling the truth. If it were Sebastian, it's possible. There's no doubt about it."
"And this time I received some help."
Eric saw the smirk on Sebastian's face even as he spoke, that smug bastard.

Alan and Eric looked to where Sebastian turned to too see Grell coming down the hall, or more like stumbling down it.
"G…Grell?" Alan couldn't believe that was actually him and was that woman's night clothing he had on? It seemed everyone was surprised by what they saw as the servants questioned him about it.
"Are you alright? You seem hurt!" One of the servants, Alan wasn't sure of his name, ran up to Grell to see if he was okay. Alan was a little scared to know what happened to him.
"That was a very hot night. I and Sebby-darling…thrusting passionately spent a sweaty night together!" Yea, why did he know his superior would say something like that. And he didn't have to hear it.
"Please do not express yourself in such a misleading way. In order to finish the investigation in one night, I needed the strength of a Death God. That's all."
Glancing over at Eric he wondered if he knew what Sebastian was talking about. It wouldn't be above Grell to lie about what actually took place but how could a Death God give a demon their power? Was it something Demons could do or could Death Gods?
"You were so rough…Sebastian's entangling voice echoed in the moonless night…You're useless! Quicker! Is that Death Scythe of yours just a toy? Aaahn say it once more!" Seeing Sebastian shaking his head he figured Grell was lying but he still didn't want to hear it. Leaning against the rooms' wall he waited for this little scene to end, he figured Eric did too as he looked bored where he was.
"Sounds like a rather pleasant night." Actually if what happened was true in any sense he was jealous. He hadn't spent a night like that with Alan in some time. Maybe tonight he would change that. Alan watched the other and tried not to blush or smile knowing this wasn't the place for such thoughts but, he did miss nights like that.
"But you still lack hard evidence." He wanted the conversation to end so he could get out of here. They had wasted enough time, and he was starting to get hungry. Sitting back down he waited, this wouldn't take long but might as well get comfortable.
"If you really want to know…then it would be fragrance."
"Fragrance?" He saw that catch Alan's interest too, shit. Why did he suddenly not see this going well.
"All the victims of the Lace Club appear to have a very grateful relish. The perfume they use is a limited product made by a perfumist in Glasgow." Both tensed as Sebastian moved closer to them though Eric hid it better. Alan wanted to stay near Eric just in case something happened but found himself taking a few steps back as Sebastian stepped between them during his circling around Eric. He needed to know what he was up to and how he could think Eric had anything to do with those deaths.
"And the coat you left yesterday night, had the exact scent on it."
Hearing that Alan tried to piece the two together, Eric, could he do something like that, would he do something like that? But, could that be why Eric was scared to fall asleep at first last night?
"Even if it's a limited product, it doesn't mean that only the victims possess it." That was true, if there were a hundred bottles made of the perfume and four people died while wearing it that really didn't meant anything. It was a sad coincidence and nothing more.
"Indeed, however, this perfume's top note is a refreshing citrus and magnolia scent, the middle note emerges an elegant scent of white fern leaves, the base note is the smell of a blooming rose. And that's how it is. The victims have used perfume on their clean skins but then died five hours after that, and that is exactly when the scent of the middle note starts to emerge."
"What?" Now he was lost, he remembered smelling something on those girls but he didn't give them anything hours before he killed them. He would take something from them to give it back when they were looking for it but it wasn't perfume and it didn't have any on it. Alan watched Eric, he believed he was innocent but this whole thing was really starting to confuse him.
"You're coat, happens to tell the time of the murder; the scent on your coat was definitely the scent of white fern.
"Eric?" He felt a stab through his heart as two thoughts ran through his head. Neither was pleasant though, either Eric had killed those girls for whatever reason or he had been having an affair all this time. All those nights, all those nights Eric left him was it to kill or to spend it with someone else? He didn't think Eric could kill anyone not meant to die but then that would mean, God he didn't want to think about it. Eric saw the look on Alan's face, the one that was hurt and needed answers, needed the truth. No matter what he said though he would only hurt him more and he didn't want to hurt him, not any more than he already did.
"And moreover, the crime scene is filled with that which Death Gods can't erase no matter what. The scent of Death."
Looking over at Alan who waited for him to say something, and seeing Sebastian who had him corned he knew no matter what happened now the truth would come out. Alan needed Eric to say something, he would back him up against the lies Sebastian told, he would stand beside him forever, but he needed the truth first. He needed to hear what had really been going on with him these past months and last few days.

Knowing he was screwed but knowing what was more important he made up his mind over what his next move would be. Laughing at the terrible fate that once again laid before him he hoped Alan knew how much he loved him,
"If I keep denying, I'll only smear mud across my own name even more." Taking a final glance at Alan he went after Sebastian, Alan would always come first, he would complete his mission for a thousand souls for him. Alan stayed where he was by sheer shock of what was taking place in front of him. What was Eric doing?
"Finally showing your true colors?"
"Eric!" He had to stop him, he wouldn't let him fight Sebastian, he didn't want him to risk his life. All he hoped for was to talk. Trying to stop him he was pushed back by Eric, what had happened to the love he loved, to the one he knew? That wasn't the same person he saw now. Why was he doing this? Keeling on the floor he held his chest feeling the thorns starting to creep back up, not now. He couldn't have an attack now, he had to stop Eric. Get him to see clearly again. Using the wall he managed to stand as he fought the pain. He could feel his mind refusing to let the thorns win this time. Even if it killed him he had to get to Eric. Falling to the floor he tried to catch his breath for a moment. Knowing he wouldn't be able to physically come between the two he stood and forced his body to at least take a step, he could get his voice to get the others attention of he had too.
"Eric!"

Hearing the plea in Alan's voice Eric couldn't stop himself from being distracted long enough to check on him. Feeling Grell's weapon slice across him he knew that was a mistake, one he always had Alan look out for. Feeling blood start to come from the slash he felt time almost stop for him as his cinematic records began to play. He knew Alan would learn the truth. Maybe it was better this way, though he wouldn't stop fighting for him to live. Alan fell to his knees stunned by what he saw. How could this be true? How could Eric, the man he loved and idolized be a killer? Why would he do something like this?
"Why?"
Eric pulled back his records forcing the cut to close and the blood to stop. Sebastian would pay for hitting him while he wasn't looking.
Alan forced his jaw to close and his legs to stand him back up. He wanted answers, after everything they had gone through together he deserved them.
"Why! Why is this happening, Eric!"
Damn it, he had to get out of here. He was too distracted by the pain in Alan's voice. There was no way he could defeat Sebastian right now, not like this. Turning to the closest exit Eric made a break for it.
"Eric!" Seeing Eric run out of the house Alan ran after him. He couldn't let him get away he had to know the truth about all of this. He needed to know what made Eric betray him the way he did.

Running down the path that lead away from the Ciel's mansion Alan tried to catch up with Eric. He had always been the fastest out of the two of them but he also ran clutching his chest, forcing the pain down. He couldn't give into it yet. Why was Eric running from him too? He wanted to talk to him and nothing more. They were partners, they would always be partners. He would be willing not to tell William, but only if he got the truth from him. Reaching London he lost sight of him, damn it! The city was big, Eric could anywhere and he probably would avoid any place he would try to look for him like the Undertakers. Falling to his hands and knees he tried to catch his breath and deal with the pain in his chest. It didn't feel like the thorns though. This felt worse, his heart felt broken, shattered into a million pieces.
"Eric, why? How could you?"
Catching his breath he stood and started combing the city for him. He had to find him before anyone else did. He needed him to come to his senses and see that he wasn't really a killer. He needed to save him from the person he was becoming. Checking every side street he knew Eric had to be here somewhere and he wouldn't stop until he found him. Hiding his weapon he made sure not to scare the public with it as he tried to avoid them as much as possible. The longer he took to find him though the more things could happen, the more time Eric had to hurt someone else. His eyes stung and burned but he refused to cry, not that he was sure he would be able to. He had learned that in the past that no matter how badly he wanted to at times his eyes would refuse.
"Eric, where are you?"

Eric stayed hidden on a rooftop in the center of the square of the city. He knew he was more exposed up here but he could see everyone, including Alan, better. It was hard not to go to him, explain to him why he was doing all of this. Apologize for hurting him as badly as he did. The look on his face, he couldn't get it out of his head. He had hurt him again and while he knew it would happen eventually he didn't think it would be like this. He didn't want him to find out this way. The only good thing was that he didn't think he knew exactly why yet. So long as he didn't know until he was given the souls it was fine. He was going to do this for him. He messed up his life beyond repair but Alan still deserved his. If he could do anything to repent for the sins he committed in his past, make it up to anyone, it would be for Alan. He could really do something great with his life. He would see his dreams come true, he would find happiness. Seeing a cloaked man come up between two woman he leaned in closer to get a better look. Something about this man and situation didn't sit right with him. Watching him give something to one of the woman and her collapse in his arms he moved to get off the roof. What was the guy doing? He hated the thought but maybe he could use this to his advantage. Maybe he could get some of the heat off him, get the demon to go after someone else for awhile. Still, he wanted to know what this man was going to do with the women. He may kill the pure souls but he was doing it for someone else. He would not let this shady man do something as heinous as rape or sell them. He could never understand how people could do something so grotesque to woman. He thought you were suppose to treat them with respect and take care of them not treat them like property. Making sure he kept them in his sights he followed them across the alleys of town. Deciding what his next move would be. Keeping his focus on them his back stayed towards Alan, this was what it had to be for now.

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So between work and school schedules updates after this week might be slower. I'm not happy about it but at least days out of the week I'll be out of the house from 8 am to 11:30 pm soooo yea…. I plan to update again before the week is over so I hope that chapter (and this one) are to your enjoyment. Reviews make me ever so happy. Love you!
~Femalefighter~