The next day, Grell woke up to sunlight pouring through the bedroom window. The redhead stirred, groaned softly, and rubbed his eyes. When the vampire opened his eyes fully, he saw that he was cuddled up to William. Grell giggled as he thought of last nights events after the three reapers left. Grell kissed the pale chest his face was buried in and sat up. His arms stretched above his head as he kicked back the blankets. The vampire pulled on William's white dress shirt that fell down to his thighs, since it was the piece of clothing closest to the bed. The redhead skipped happily into the bathroom to brush out the tangles in his long red locks.
In the intervening time, William was almost forced awake by the warmth that had left his side. The reaper took his glasses from the nightstand and placed them on his nose. The stoic man pulled on a pair of underwear and pants as he searched for his lover.
"Grell, where are you?" William called.
"In the bathroom brushing my hair darling~" Grell called back. William walked into the bathroom and smiled at the sight of his beloved. The reaper snatched the hair brush from Grell and kissed him lovingly. William dropped the brush on the ground as he lifted the redhead. Grell pulled away first to catch his breath.
"Will~! In the morning?" Grell giggled.
"No, that was simply good morning," William smirked.
"Don't you tease me like that!" Grell whined. Grell smiled as he pawed at William's bare chest. The reaper set the vampire back down and looked down at him. William smiled and raised an eyebrow once looking Grell over.
"Is that my dress shirt?" William asked. Grell giggled and wrapped his arms around William's waist.
"Maybe~"
"Oh Grell, what will I ever do with you?" William said. William began to walk to the kitchen, dragging Grell behind him. Once in the kitchen, William prepared breakfast; Grell sat at the kitchen table twiddling his thumbs.
"Will, I'm sorry for losing my senses yesterday…" Grell mumbled. William continued making their meal.
"Think nothing of it. Besides, I have managed to keep your scythe…for now that is," William mentioned.
"You got them to let me keep my scythe?!" the vampire exclaimed. Grell was absolutely stunned. William had got the association to let them keep a scythe. William must've made somesort of deal for that to happen, Grell became suspicious.
"Well…not exactly…" William said quietly.
"That's what I thought. William,what did you do?" Grell asked a bit concerned. William sighed and finished breakfast. He set the meal on two plates and placed them on the table. The reaper looked Grell square in the eyes.
"Grell, I talked back. I didn't give them the scythe. I explained your bond with that blasted contraption and they didn't give a damn about it. I risked my safety and job. More importantly, I risked your safety," William spat through his teeth. The reaper was indeed very frustrated with the scythe situation, not with Grell. He felt horrible for taking his anger out on his beloved.
Grell's serious look turned innocent and small as William snarled. Grell understood what William had done for redhead felt guilty for what he put his darling through.
"Will, I'm sorry for causing such a mess," Grell spoke quietly, not wanting to anger William further.
"Damn it Grell. What's your infernal connection with your scythe? It's just a weapon," William told vampire's eyes traveled away from William; William would never comprehend.
"Will, there are some things in this world we don't understand. For example, you'll by no means recognize my adoration for my scythe. But Will, you have to know that my attachment to it is not frivolous," Grell beamed. That was the wisest thing Grell had said in quite a long time and William was impressed.
"I will do my best to appreciate this 'affection' you have towards the scythe," William responded.
So the two sat in silence and ate their breakfast. William got dressed and kissed Grell goodbye, as usual.
As the front door closed, Grell went to go about his day. The redhead got dressed and skipped back into the living room. This was his average morning, nothing special. Then around noon, the vampire would play in the human realm. He'd jump across rooftops and drool over any humans who happened to be bleeding (not that there was one every day). Grell had been living a very calm and laid back life as a vampire. No schedule, no paperwork, and no rules. It was perfect! Or so he thought. Little did Grell know that he was being stalked. A certain raven demon had been following him…
During one of Grell's daily outings, he came across something rather alluring. A human was slumped over in an alley, he was dying slowly. Grell licked his lips at the delicious sight before him. Temptation was slowly building up in the vampire. The redhead leaned over the edge of the roof and crouched to an instinctive position.
About four rooftops away, Sebastian was observing the vampire with interest. How could I ruin the vampire's life further? The demon thought as smirk etched itself upon his lips. When an idea struck the demon butler, Sebastian immediately took action; leaping to the vampire. Once he landed behind Grell, said vampire whipped around to face him. Grell narrowed his eyes and growled at Sebastian.
"What do you want?" Grell hissed.
"Now Grell, don't be like that. It's not lady like," Sebastian said, "I saw you looking ever so hungry at that poor human there," the demon motioned down to the alley. When Sebastian saw the human, his own mouth watered at the sight.
"Why does that concern you?" Grell asked angrily.
"Because as your creator I must make sure my creation does not fail and/or die," Sebastian remarked, "Therefore, you're my responsibility. And it's in my best interest that you feed on that dying wretch, it's to protect you Grell. We wouldn't want you dead, now would we? I'm sure William would agree," Sebastian replied cunningly. Grell just glared at the demon.
"Don't try to trick me Sebby, I'm not stupid. And don't you dare speak of William. You know nothing about him and what he would want," Grell barked.
"Oh but Grell, don't I? What William would want is for you to be safe, healthy, and happy. Grell, what he wants is you," Sebastian said with a tone full of deceit. Grell thought about it for a moment. It was true that William only wanted the best for him. But, they had made a deal! Grell only fed off William, not anything else. Although, William was always in the Shinigami realm and Grell wasn't allowed there during working hours. Grell had to go hours without feeding. Maybe…just this this once, never again! Grell thought. Grell looked back down to the dying human bellow. The vampire's fangs grew and his eyes went dark; Grell lunged down into the alley. The redhead grabbed the human, slammed his back against the wall, and sunk his fangs into his victim's neck. As Grell began to feel the blood flow down his throat, he purred. A human's blood tasted much better than William's. It was hot, thick, and it tasted…different.
Above, Sebastian stood proudly on the rooftop; grinning down at his creation. Grell is mine, not the foolish Shinigami's, the demon told himself. Sebastian's attention was then drawn to a dark figure approaching the scene bellow. As Sebastian leaned forward toget a better view, he saw electric green eyes behind square framed glasses. A Shinigami here for collection. Oh this is too good! The demon leapt downand landed perfectly beside Grell. The demon pried the vampire off the human and looked at the figure coming closer.
"Well, well, what a surprise," Sebastian greeted. The shinigami stepped forward to reveal himself; William T. Spears. Sebastian smirked at he picked up Grell and stood the vampire up. Grell had a frenzied gleam in his eyes and blood coated his lips as he looked at William.
"What have you done Michaelis?" William asked. The reaper gripped his scythe extremely tight and glowered at the demon.
"I'm simply protecting what's mine," Sebastian responded happily, "You seemed to be failing," William growled audibly. Then is glare shot at Grell, it instantly turned sad. To see Grell's body, but not his mind. A demonic monster had taken control over the redhead.
"Grell is mine, nothing will ever change that," William said as he took Grell's hand in vice grip, "but the monster you put in Grell, that…thing…is most definitely yours," William pulled Grell to his side. The reaper leapt to the rooftops, Grell still in his grip.
When William decided they were far enough and Grell's mind returned, they stopped in a meadow. William let go ofGrell's arm and looked away.
"Will, I swear I-"
"Grell you broke our promised," William spoke.
"Will he-"
"Grell you listened to him. I've told you he's trying to hurt us, destroy us,"
"But Will I-"
"Why are so ignorant? I gave you simple instruction. Why can't you follow them? Now the association is going to be up my ass with why I didn't collect the soul, not to mention I kept an unlicensed scythe,"
"William! Fucking listen to me!" Grell screamed. William finally looked at Grell, "I never meant to break our god damn promise! I swear! But for fucking Christ sake I had no choice! If I didn't feed I wasn't going to make it through the day!" Grell took in a deep breath and sighed it out, "Will, I'm not a Shinigami anymore. I don't have rules, I don't have consequences, I don't have a schedule, and I have a very different lifestyle now. I can't control my hunger, it just happens. Will, when you aren't around when I'm hungry…I have to suffer through the pain. It hurts…it burns…it stings…it aches. I couldn't take it today, I'm sorry Will," Grell said sadly. William listened to Grell word for word. He didn't know Grell felt pain,"William, if the association comes after you…give them the scythe. It doesn't mean anything if you're in danger," Grell told him, "and if the worse comes, just hand me over to the association. I don't want my issues and antics to become a problem for you,"
"I'm never turning you over; I would never allow myself to do that. We both know they'd kill you, and I refuse to let you die," William said firmly.
"Then just understand that you need to learn to adjust to this," Grell said holding William's hands and looking deep into his green eyes, "We are in this together William,"
"Oh are you now?" a familiar voice asked. William turned to look at the intruder of their tender moment; Edward Masterson. William went stone cold and defensively drew Grell to his chest.
"Will?" Grell asked in fear. William did not respond.
"William T. Spears, I was sent to your branch of the association. I was told that you were on a collection and went out to find you. And when I do, I find you here, fooling around with your mate," Edward spat. The higher up looked at the two with disgust.
"What do you want, sir?" William asked, absent of emotion.
"I have come to find the location of Sutcliff and his scythe. I am to apprehend them both and have them terminated," Edward said plainly. Grell eye's grew wide and he clung desperately to William, "It appears that that vampire has tainted your mind and I am to remove him so you may continue your work," William kissed Grell's forehead and stood in front of the redhead.
"You will not be taking Sutcliff, but you are free to the scythe. It is in my office if you wish you take it," William said.
"The scythe is now only a matter of policy," Edward stated, "Grell Sutcliff however is now a matter of 'good business'" William grit his teeth, how dare he.
"Grell Sutcliff is no distraction, I assure you. Removing Sutcliff would only prove to make things worse. You wouldn't want that, would you sir?" Grell hid behind William like a frightened child; listening to the two argue.
"Mr. Spears, I will leave for now,to reprimand the scythe," Edward said, "However, I will find where you hide Sutcliff. Or I'll seize him when your absent, to make things easier," he warned. William narrowed his eyes and snarled at the higher up.
"W-Will," Grell stuttered as he spoke quietly. Grell wrapped his hands around William's arm and tugged lightly,"Will, let's go," William snapped from his hateful trance and looked down at Grell. The vampire was scared, it was very rare. The reaper nodded and looked back to Edward.
"We're leaving Mr. Masterson," William informed. And the two left; leaping into the air and disappearing behind a line of tall trees. Grell just clung to William as he the reaper ran for the both of them.
Grell sat quietly on the was slumped over the kitchen counter with his face buried in his hands.
"What do we do now Will?" Grell asked. His sweet voice was hollow, emotionless. Grell knew they were in danger now, or at least he was. Maybe I should just leave…it save William so much trouble, and I'd be protecting him…, the vampire thought sadly. A single tear dripped down his pale cheek and he smiled bitterly.
"I don't know," William confessed.
"Will, I think it's best that I disappeared…" Grell suggested, "I mean, you'd be safe and you'd be able to continue your life," William looked up from his hands and saw the heartbroken look on his beloved's face. Grell truly believed that's what had to be reaper stood up and walked over to the distraught vampire on the couch. He stood tall over the redhead.
"You're not leaving, I won't let you," William said. The reaper knelt down in front of the vampire; he brushed his hand across the moist cheek, "Grell, please don't ever leave. You're presence is not is not putting me danger, it's making me safer. It's making me safer because I have something to fight for, something to live for, and something to make me stronger. Grell that's you," William reassured his redhead. Grell looked deep into the green eyes in front of him. Grell ran a hand through the black locks of the reaper.
"Promise me you won't let them take me," Grell pleased. William stood back up and pulled Grell into his arms.
"I don't need to promise you that, it's already a guarantee," William said smoothly. Grell smiled lovingly and cuddled up to William.
"I love you Will," Grell cooed.
"I love you too Grell,"