Overtime Yet Again

“Yes.” William tells him. “I want you to receive full marks for the effort your putting in.” He nudges up his glasses, “believe me Ciel, all I care for are results as well but if there is a proper way to do things, then you must follow the instructions.”

Ciel makes a face. “But it’s so tedious.”

“As is life.” William states, flipping the page of the textbook.

The chopping from the kitchen halts as Sebastian pops his head in, “must you be so grim, William? Let the boy assume there’s some enjoyment in life.”

William leans back, crossing his arms. “I’m stating a fact. Shall I also tell him that life is full off disappointment, heartbreak, anger and sadness as well?”

Sebastian rolls his eyes as he walks up to Ciel, “do ignore him. You’ve been at school for seven hours now and I’m sure some proper encouragement will go a long way.”

Despite the nod Ciel gives, William raises an eyebrow, “And I don’t suppose that ‘encouragement’ includes those expensive chocolates in the pantry?”

Sebastian grins. “Oh? Are you complaining?” He waves his knife at William, “because someone’s already been into them and they’re far too high for Ciel to grab them alone.”

William’s face turns a light pink and he snaps his attention away from Sebastian and back to the books, “yes, well, I had to be sure they…I wanted to see if they…it was my responsibility to…” he clears his throat, waving his hand to dismiss Sebastian entirely. “Anyway, I admit, Sebastian does have a point.” He puts his hand on Ciel’s and squeezes, “you are doing impressive work, Ciel. You’re exceeding beyond most of your classmates and you’ve made Sebastian and I very proud of the effort you’re putting in.” He taps the textbook, “but it would do you good to follow the instructions, understood?”

Ciel scoffs. “Fine.” He looks at William, gesturing with his pen, “but if I ace this coming exam, I want that new chess set.”

William holds out his hand. “You have a deal.”

Ciel shakes William’s hand before returning to his schoolwork. “Is supper almost ready then?”

“A good question.” William agrees, looking up only to hear Sebastian call from the kitchen, “yes, yes, it’s nearly ready!”

Immediately, Ciel shoves his school work aside. “Good.”

Once Sebastian has dinner served and set in front of the other two, he takes his own bowl to join them, automatically reaching for William’s hand to hold it, rubbing his thumb over William’s knuckles, “I’m sure William and I agree that we have total confidence in your ability to ace this exam of yours.”

Ciel slowly picks at his dinner. For a moment, there’s a quiet that depends between the three of them, William fretting for a moment that Sebastian’s said something to upset the boy but when Ciel does speak, his question causes William’s heart to ache. “You both really believe in me that much…?”

“Of course we do.” William agrees, answering without a second thought. “You’ve surpassed out expectations.”

“Well…thanks.” Ciel says after another bite. “It’s…really nice to hear…”

William gathers Ciel in his arms for a warm hug, disliking that the boy had to go so long without any truly caring for him but the moment Sebastian and him signed the papers, he was determined to give Ciel what every child show have.

Eventually when dinner’s done and Ciel gets his free time before bed, William helps Sebastian with clean up. “You were right.” He says as he washes a bowl in the sink.

“Oh? Now that doesn’t happen very often.” Sebastian grins, their arms brushing together. “What about?”

“Ciel.” William replies. “You were right to insist that we—I—needed another child.”

Sebastian grabs William’s hand to stop him for a moment as he leans over, kissing William’s temple. “I know old wounds cannot be so easily healed,” he says before placing his dry palm over William’s heart, “but I knew giving that love that would otherwise have nowhere to go, to another boy in desperate need, would help.”

“it did.” William admits quietly, placing his hand over Sebastian’s. “So, thank you.”

Sebastian cups William’s jaw to kiss him; a sweet, light kiss that has William leaning into it. “And thank you, William, for being the rock both Ciel and I needed.”a smile forces its way past his lips, a smile he tries to hide by resting his head on Sebastian’s shoulder.

Eventually, with clean up done and the “expensive chocolates” had for dessert, Ciel ends up falling asleep on the sofa. William admires the sleeping boy for a moment, flashes of his old life phasing into existence as he leans over Ciel, gently brushing bangs from his eyes. Having only accepted one part of the paternal role for Ciel only months ago, he assumed it would be harder to adjust and yet, he finds it hard now to see a world without Ciel or Sebastian in it. “Would you mind carrying him to bed?” He whispers.

Sebastian smiles. “Of course.”

William sits back, watching Sebastian gently lift Ciel into his arms and carry him to his bedroom where William turns down the blankets to allow Sebastian to lay the boy down on the mattress as William pulls the blankets over him, tucking him in. “Sleep well.” He murmers, before leaning down to kiss Ciel’s forehead.

Exiting the room quietly, Sebastian faces William once he closes the door, taking William’s hands, “you’re committed then?”

“To him?”

“To us. Both of us.”

William rolls his eyes, “I believe that’s been made very clear as I haven’t left yet.”

“It may have been clear to Ciel, maybe, but I still worry you’ll leave me behind.”

It’s clear Sebastian’s teasing, putting on that pouting face which only makes William roll his eyes and pulls Sebastian down for a proper kiss, “Honestly.” He sighs, “You should know I don’t make commitments I can’t keep.” He cups Sebastian’s cheek, “even if I hadn’t want to keep you at first, you’ve grown on me.”

Her eyes search his; there’s nothing in them but that exhaustion that stretches beyond even William’s limit. Her lips twitch downward into a frown, her arms circling around his neck before pulling him into a warm embrace.

Just like that, he all but goes limp in her arms.

His own wrap tightly around her, fingers grasping at the back of her shirt as if he’s afraid this is some illusion; a fear he’s still trapped at his desk but Grell soothes him. She runs her fingers through his hair and over his back, having not seen William act like this before. “You need to take it easy.” She says, “you’ll run yourself into the ground otherwise!”

“You think I’m not aware of that? If I could take a break Grell, I would.” He closes his eyes and lowers his head to her shoulder, still clutching tightly to her. “I just need rest.”

“You do.” She agrees with a whisper, “now, it’s well past three in the morning. Let’s get you to bed.” William lacks the energy to care as Grell drags him through the back of the house toward the bedroom before she opens the door and all but shoves him inside. “Right, let’s get you out of those clothes.” She commands, taking his blazer and tossing it to the bed.

“You’re lucky I lack the energy to protest.” He mutters as she starts working on the buttons of his waistcoat.

“Oh believe me, I know.” She says, flicking open each button before pushing the fabric off his arms. She takes one hand and slips her manicured red nails under the hem of his glove, slowly working it up until she tugs It off, tossing it to the bed before switching hands, “have I ever mentioned how attractive your hands are?” She asks, slipping that glove free.

“I was unaware hands were attractive.” William states, looking at his own in Grell’s.

“Clearly, you’ve never lusted over someone like I have.” She replies, upturning his hand and gently massaging her thumbs into the underside of his wrist.

William flinches, fingers twitching—before, she would have assumed it was a pain reflex but the more she’s done this, she knows it to be how William expresses certain pleasures. She does watch his face however, watches for any sign of true discomfort as she massages her thumbs down his wrist and to the centre of his palm, his fingers twitching again. “That feels…nice.”

“I’d hope so.” She says, flipping his hand over to rub the top of his it, massaging down to the top of his wrist. “I have to ask Will, when was the last time I’d done this for you?”

“The last time I let you, you mean?”

“Well, that too.”

William breathes out, feeling the tension starting to leave his body. “Too long.”

She clicks her tongue, lowering his hand and cupping his cheeks. “How many times must I do this for you to remember how good my hands are?” William doesn’t get to answer as she starts working on his shirt buttons and it’s not lost on William how she pinches each one open slower then the last. He would normally prevent her from being so forward with her demands, but the thought of finally laying down makes him pliant for her. 

When she opens his shirt, she takes a moment to run her palms down his abdomen before gently pushing the shirt from his shoulders. “Lay down Will.” He doesn’t protest, barely managing to keep himself from outright flopping to the mattress.

The moment his head hits the pillow, his eyelids flutter. The exhaustion consumes him but the lavender that’s permeating the air is helping take the rest of the edge off. “I wasn’t even aware I had lavender incense.” William states, closing his eyes, “nor that I had an incense burner in the first place.”

“I borrowed it from Alan.” She explains, laying down next to him, “and that was an ordeal! I asked if he knew what would help someone sleep better and he went on and on about different flowers and what this one does or what this would do, blah blah blah. Really, did he think I had the time to just sit and listen while he—”

“Grell.”

She sighs. “I know, I know, you two are friends. I’ll be quiet.”

The corner of William’s lips quirk up in a small smile. “I’m sure, in some other reality, the two of you are friends.”

“Mm. Maybe.” Grell agrees, gently plucking his glasses from his nose then turns to set them safely on the beside table. “There. Now try to get some rest.”

William cracks his eyes open enough to look at her, “you’re staying then?”

“Do you not want me to?”

For once, she genuinely sounds hurt, so William rolls to his side and finds her hand, giving it a squeeze. “I do.” He assures.

She relaxes, pulling her hand free to cup his cheek, smoothing her thumb over his skin. “Close your eyes darling. You only have a few hours to get some real sleep.”

“In a moment.” He replies, shifting his arms to pull her against him. “I much prefer to have you closer so I can properly look at you.” He runs his fingers through her hair, pushing it out of her face. “Your beauty is the last thing I want to see before I fall asleep.”

She’s glad he’s hard of sight for he makes her blush with just that simple compliment. “You can be charming when you want.” She tells him before leaning up and kissing his cheek. “Sleep, Will. Really.”

William was not assigned to the Phantomhive case, nor had he any interest in it or the Phantomhive’s themselves and would have happily remained blissfully unaware of the headache that was Sebastian Michaelis if not for Sutcliffe and her meddling in mortal affairs. Then again, with how determined the demon’s young master was to reclaim what was stolen, he was bound to run into them sooner or later and he much preferred later.

Being a reaper, William had seen his fair share of horrors when it came to the human world and while he’d grown numb to most of the atrocities by now, his heart was not completely made of ice as it appeared to be, especially when it came to the innocent. “I’m only here until Sebastian gets back.”

William barely gave the boy a glance as he renames the case file he was given. Sharing a tent with that beast was bad enough and now he had the beast’s master hovering nearby. “I’m sure you could do your waiting outside.”

“Not when freckles won’t leave me alone. I doubt I’ll be found in here.”

William snaps the file shut, holding it in his lap instead. He faces Ciel, intent on telling the child to do his waiting someplace where he won’t be bothered yet when he looks at Ciel, the way he’s dressed as a commoner, William’s reminded that Ciel is not the adult that he pretends to be. “You’re the youngest master of a demon I’ve ever encountered.”

He watches Ciel flinch, that blue eye of his narrowing toward him, “stop saying things like that. Not when we’re both trying to blend in.”

William nudges up his glasses, “no one will hear us, especially not with how busy it sounds outside.” He place his palm over the ledger. “But my point stands. You’re young.”

“And what exactly is the point?” Ciel fully turns to him, arms crossed over his chest. “I am young, but that didn’t stop what happened to me.”

William taps his finger in a rhythmic pattern atop the black covered ledger, “no. It did not.” He sets the ledger aside as he stands, “my point, is that you’re young enough to not truly understand the consequences of making a deal with a demon.”

“I understand the terms. He helps me reach his goal and then he…feeds.”

“Exactly. Will there be any point in this revenge you seek if you’re not around to revel in it? Demon’s are not sentimental creatures. Nor do they carry remorse or sympathy. Your goal will be reached and then you will be stolen. Devoured, Phantomhive, not simply ‘eaten’.” William sighs, a long weary sound, “a human’s soul is a precious thing and I have witnessed what lesser demons will do to get it. The only thing that separates your butler and those creatures, is your contract, yes, but that’s it. Once the contract is compete, there is nothing holding him back from turning to his instincts.”

Ciel shifts where he stands, bravely meeting William’s eyes. “You don’t understand the desperation I felt. You don’t understand any of the hell they put me through. What I had to endure just to keep myself alive. Sebastian was my only option. He was the only thing that could give me freedom.”

William sees the fire in Ciel’s eye, the strong will of a boy who was ready and willing to burn the world to get what he sought but beyond that, he sees the boy who suffered greater then any child should have. “You are not free.” William corrects him. “You are bound to the beast that is chained to you. You are handing over the one thing that prevents you from becoming nothing more then a mindless corpse. Once that beast has his hands on you, there is nothing after. There is no peaceful slumber, there is no in-between and there certainly is no redemption. There is only a void. A void that will house only you.”

Ciel stands up straighter, “then that is the price I’ll pay for sending the bastards that ruined me to the hell they belong in.”

Again, William sees that fiery determination but he sees the fear Ciel does not let the world see flickering beyond that fire. “I only offer you a warning.” William tells him, his voice growing just that tiny bit softer as he speaks to Ciel, his cold eyes holding not pity exactly, but almost a regret that he could not change the boy’s mind. However, even if he could, breaking a contract was not an easy thing to do. “And now, I will offer you advice.” He walks up to Ciel, placing his hand on the boy’s shoulder, squeezing it, meeting Ciel’s gaze with the eyes of a Grim Reaper. “I suggest that you value the time you have here and the relationships you make. The living will mourn you and the dead will welcome what Sebastian will leave behind but neither the realm above or below will greet you.”

Briefly, he sees that flicker of fear, of hesitation, burn brighter then the anger and determination but it dies out just as quickly. “Then that’s how it will end.” Ciel shrugs of William’s hand and walks toward the flap of the tent, opening it. He pauses, hesitant before he glances back at William, “I…appreciate the concern, but my soul was lost the moment everything else was.”

William lets the boy go, sitting back on the edge of the bed as he picks up his ledger again, flipping it open, tapping his finger against the page he opens the ledger to. Demons were hellish creatures; selfish, manipulative and gluttons that sought to destroy for their own whims.

He flips the page.

And emotions were not to be brought into his job.

He flips the page again.

And yet, he carries the same regrets he had with Thomas. 

William doesn’t need his sight to identify the speaker. His eyes narrow as Sebastian’s voice, wrapped in that faux warmth, reaches his ears. “Demon.” William all but growls.

He hears Sebastian click his tongue. “Is that anyway to thank me for intervening?”

William presses his palm harder against his sternum. While it’s obvious to him now, the thought of Sebastian helping him makes him queasy. “You’re…the one who tended to me?”

“But of course. Who else would have gone to such lengths?”

William tracks the blur, flinching when Sebastian’s icy hand touches his cheek. Only then does William realise how clammy his own skin feels. “You’re fever’s broken.” Sebastian murmurs, shifting the back of his hand other hand to William’s forehead.

“Fever?”

“Oh yes. A most persistent one.”

William’s memory comes back in little fragments; it’s not enough to make the full picture but it’s enough for him to remember the predatory eyes of the demon that ambushed him, William, for once, feeling utterly unprepared for a fight. “If I didn’t know it was another one of your kind that did this, I would have assumed it was you just so I’d owe you a debt.”

“Of course not.” Sebastian’s head tilts, “if I wanted you to owe me, I would leave you still conscious and begging.” William knows Sebastian is telling the truth about that as well; why have a debt owed when you can threaten your pry into begging for a deal? “Now, here. I’m sure you’ll appreciate having these again.” The world instantly snaps into crystal clear focus once his spectacles are placed gently on his nose; Sebastian stands over him, wearing that smile that’s always been too smug for William’s liking. Beyond Sebastian, William recognises the sparse, simply decorated interior of the butler’s private quarters—a room he’s been in only a handful of times. “Is that better?”

“Yes.” William answers curtly. “Does your master know I’m here?”

“My master and the servants are asleep thus for the moment, it’s only you and I.”

The tension in William’s shoulders eases a fraction. With the demon’s master asleep, he wouldn’t have to worry of Sebastian being called away or facing the humiliation of others knowing he needed Sebastian’s help in the first place. “How long have I been here?”

“A good few hours. I’m rather surprised your absence among your reapers hasn’t been noticed.”

“I’m certain my presence wasn’t missed.” William replies, gaze drifting to the basement window. A silver of moonlight filters through the glass, casting a cold, silver rectangle of light across Sebastian’s eyes. “Our shifts end at six o’clock. There would hardly be any one in the building to notice I was even gone.”

“Overtime then?”

“As I tend to have.” William sighs, his exhaustion bleeding into his voice.

Sebastian eyes scan William from head to toe, examining the reaper’s usual posture which is more slack and hunched. He leans forward, surprising William with how gentle he is as he brushes a stray lock of hair away from William’s eyes. “You were motionless when I found you.”

William doesn’t meet his gaze. Instead, a flash of disgust crosses William’s eyes. “I dislike how worried you sound.”

“And if I admitted I was?”

“I wouldn’t believe it.” William snaps, his voice regaining his bite. “You’re a demon, Sebastian. You feel nothing beyond smug disdain for the world and the beings you meet.”

Sebastian sighs, a sound both of defeat and understanding. “And here I thought I was making progress in proving you wrong.”

William offers no rebuttal because he can’t. Because Sebastian’s right. Slowly, over the time this…whatever it was, had formed with the demon, Sebastian continued to show William that, perhaps, humanity was beginning to affect his black heart. What used to be guarded stress relief was something more, something deeper and William would have preferred a mauling from a demon then ever acknowledge those feelings. “How long do you intend to keep me here then?”

“if you’re capable of walking out on your own, then by all means.” Sebastian says, gesturing toward the door.

William glares at him, “bastard.” He mutters but it’s without any of the usual heat behind it.

Sebastian moves to sit on the edge of the bed, his presence strong but unthreatening. “How are you feeling?”

The genuine quality of the question catches William off guard. “Fine.”

“Mmm. I’m sure.”

William inhale’s sharply, then let’s go, his own hand inching up to rub his shoulder. “Sore.”

“There we are.”

“I still recall very little of the attack itself, but my body remembers better then my mind could.” He presses harder into his shoulder, “your kind never were known for their grace when encountering a reaper.”

“No, they never were.” Sebastian agrees, cupping his jaw in thought. “However, an ambush on you? That in itself sounds absurd. Your mind is as usually sharp as your tongue.”

William shifts, wincing at the throb in his chest. “I’ve been working overtime for…quite a many shifts by now.” He lowers his head, Sebastian now not only hearing the exhaustion but seeing it fully consume William’s body as he slumps back against the headboard, “its taken it’s toll.” He looks at Sebastian through half-lidded eyes, “there. Is that what you wanted to hear?”

Sebastian expression falls into frown. “No. That isn’t what I wanted to hear at all.” He reaches out, taking William’s hand to hold it between his own. The warmth is…startling. A hand that was cold on his cheek, feels soothing, caring whilst holding William’s own. “You repeatedly come so close to believing my feelings are true and yet, you continuously pull back. I can’t tell if it’s because of your Board, your rules, or your very being that resents me. Or rather, resents us.”

“Because it’s ab—“

“A demon loving anyone, is abnormal, William. To love a reaper…would that really be crossing a line too many?”

“Love.” William scoffs, though his voice is softer then he probably intended. He’s silent for a long moment, wanting to dismiss the sentiment as some sort of demon ploy, yet…yet Sebastian continues to prove that there really is no hidden intentions beyond the sweet words he tells William. “You can’t fault me for being wary.”

“I can’t, no.”

William’s eyes flicker over the wooden floor of the room, too many thoughts to voice whirling in his head until finally, he looks Sebastian in the eye and says to him, “thank you.”

Sebastian’s thumb traces slow circles over William’s knuckles. “At least you’ve finally remembered your manners.” Sebastian quips, clearly in an attempt to bring things back to their usual dynamic. “It was rather distressing see those wounds, you know. I much prefer it when it’s my own mark that mars your skin.” William rolls his eyes but his eyelids are feeling heavy again. They only close a fraction more but it’s enough for Sebastian to notice. “You require more rest.”

“What I require, is to return to dispatch so I may be at my desk on time for my next shift.” William counters, though he makes no move to get up.

Sebastian pulls the blankets up, tucking them around William’s lap. “Sleep. I will wake you before the sun rises as I know your district cannot function without its manager.”

“Oh it can.” William mutters, finally closing his eyes. “I simply shudder to think of the chaos that would befall it if it did.”

“Then you shall need your strength.”

Sebastian turns down the light before turning toward the door until William’s voice stops him just short of opening it, “you don’t need to leave.”

Sebastian pauses, looking over his shoulder. “Oh?”

“Wipe that smirk off your face.” William grumbles, puling the blanket higher. “I can hear that smirk in your voice.”

Sebastian chuckles, returning to William’s bedside. “Are you ordering me to stay?”

“Hardly.” William cracks one eye open to peer at the demon. “It’s an invitation, should you be inclined to accept it.”

Sebastian sits beside him, his hand moving in a steady, soothing motion up and down William’s arm. “Then I shall.” William watches him for a moment and once Sebastian is laying next to him, he closes his eyes one more time, resting his head against Sebastian’s shoulder. Within moments, his breathing evens out. There’s still a slight shudder as his body still aches but it’s better then how Sebastian found him.

The butler leans down, carefully sliding the spectacles from William’s face and setting them aside whilst pressing a single, lingering kiss to William’s temple. He leans back, an arm carefully slipped around William’s waist as he supports William’s weight—it’s a comfortable, warm presence that Sebastian has grown to adore and grown to desire when he’s been apart from his reaper for weeks on end.

William raises an eyebrow. “I believe it’s a little early to be flattering me so blatantly.”

Ronald chuckles, “c’mon Will! I’m bein’ honest! What’s wrong with that?”

William upturns his hand, curling his fingers around Ronald’s. “I suppose there’s nothing wrong with it. I’m still…unused to flattery being so genuine.”

“Which is why I won’t stop.”

William makes no comment to that, instead slipping his hand free and scanning the bottles again. “I can’t say drinking is an expertise of mine, however. What would you recommend?”

Ronald spins around to the bar, “hm, nothin’ too hard, yeah?”

“That would be appreciated.”

“Then…could go with a basic cider? Oo! Or a wine spritzer! Fits your class act.” He nudges William’s shoulder with his own, leaning heavily onto the other man, “sex on the beach?” He winks.

William rolls his eyes, shoving Ronald back into his seat. “I should have expected such idiocy sooner or later.”

Ronald snorts with his grin returning, leaning closer again, “yeah, you shoulda.”

“There a problem here? This lad bothering you?”

Both of them swap attention to the bartender. He’s a tall, muscular fellow with brown hair; a real handsome type and of course his question is directed to William who shakes his head whilst waving his hand. “No, he’s not bothering me. We’re here together. He’s my companion.”

Companion? Clearly, the bartender took the word to mean purely friendship as well as his demeanour changes quickly, placing his palms on the countertop to lean on his arms, offering William a real charming smile. “Glad you’re not being bothered then. So what can I get you?”

William sighs, “that’s the problem I’m afraid. I don’t drink very often and I haven’t a clue what modern alcohol would fit my tastes.”

“Modern?” He leans back up, “you’re an old fashioned kinda guy?”

“He is.” Ronald interrupts. “And he’ll take a wine spritzer.”

“I can order for myself Knox.” William reprimands him. “And you’re the expert here. What do you recommend? I’m not overly fond of hard alcohol.”

“There’s always the classic gin and tonic.” The bartender suggests. “But, if you hear me out, try an old fashioned since you’re an old fashioned type of guy.”

“I don’t think that’s the kinda drink he’s lookin’ for.” Ronald cuts in again.

William nods. “I must agree.”

The bartender chuckles. “Then a gin and tonic it is.” He finally properly addresses Ronald. “And you?”

“Yeah, I’ll have the same thing.”

“Two gin and tonics coming up then.”

It takes little time for the bartender to make their drinks and once he’s off to take care of other patrons, Ronald immediately asks, “companion?!”

William swirls his drink in the tumbler, appearing confused by the indiscretion of Ronald’s voice “Yes?”

“Com. Panion, Will. That’s the word you use to describe us?”

“You are my companion. My life companion and considering our lives as reapers do not end, that is not a word I’d use lightly.”

Ronald groans, covering his face with his hand. “C’mon Will! You’re killing me!” He drops his hand, “you coulda said partner, y’know. That sounds more, y’know, like we’re datin’.”

William ponders, sips his drink, then nods, conceding Ronald did have a point. “Ah.” He says after he swallows. “I suppose it would. I apologise Ronald. You know romance is still a rather foreign concept to me, especially when we really hardly have the time to be anything more then superior and subordinate. I’d overheard Humphries refer to himself and Slingby as companions and I believed it carried another meaning beyond friendship.”

“Because they were tryin’ to be subtle! Even if they’re as subtle a Grell is.” Ronald adds as an after thought.

“Then I apologise again.” William insists, clearly trying to convey that he really meant nothing by his choice of words and Ronald could never really be mad. Despite how long they’d actually been dating, years at this point, this relationship was still a learning curve for William and it was a curve Ronald was willing to help William navigate. Instead, Ronald just offers a smile, squeezing William’s hand.

After a few more minutes of it just being them, the bartender returns and Ronald once again notices how he’s facing only William. “So, how’re the drinks.”

“Refreshing.” William replies. “A gin and tonic was certainly the way to go, thank you.”

“Of course! I know how to take care of my friends.” He winks, Ronald’s hand tightening around his tumbler. “So, I’ve got to ask. Are you a lawyer or something? You’re dressed pretty damn smart to be in a pub like this at this time of night.”

True. William, as expected, remains in his three-piece suit while everyone around them, Ronald included, is dressed down into something more casual. “A lawyer? Hm. I suppose in some sense, but no. We are Grim Reapers.”

Ronald slaps his forehead and shakes his head while the bartender flicks his eyes down and up over William’s suit. “A Grim Reaper? Like…a mortician?”

“Yep.” Ronald cuts in a third time. “Morticians.”

The bartender nods, eyes alight with amusement, “fascinating! You know, when I was younger, I thought I could stomach working with bodies, even had plans to work for forensics but as I got older, I couldn’t even handle horror movies!” He chuckles. “So I opted for something more social and I’d say, I’m pretty good at it.” He takes William’s empty glass, “another?”

William looks at his watch. “I suppose another wouldn’t hurt.”

“And put the drinks on my tab.” Ronald says, shoving his glass toward the bartender indicating for a refill as well. “My treat for him.” He puts his hand back on William’s.

“Can do.” He says, once again more to William then Ronald.

Again, once the drinks are made, the bartender tends to other patrons but Ronald continues to glare. “Is there a reason why you’re clutching my hand so tightly?” William asks, looking down at said hand.

Ronald instantly releases him, “my bad.”

“Is something wrong?”

Ronald downs half his drink in one go. “No. I’m good.” He forces a smile. “So, I was thinkin’, why don’t you come back to mine after we’re done here?”

William clearly doesn’t believe Ronald but he doesn’t push. Instead, he considers Ronald’s offer. “I’m not sure that would be the best idea. I’ll have to go in early tomorrow to catch up on the work I’m skipping tonight.”

“You don’t have to stay the night!” He insists, “even if I’d prefer that. Just, stay for a bit? Some evening tea? A snog on the couch?”

“Evening tea does sound nice…”

Ronald smirks. “Just the tea?”

“Oh I’m sure you’ll manage to convince me to indulge as well.”

True. William’s even admitted that Ronald’s the only person he allows himself to really relax with. “Hey, you have a great time!”

“I suppose that’s also true.” He offers Ronald a small, brief smile that means more to Ronald then any kiss or declaration of partnership. He’d spent so long trying to find William’s smile and knowing he’s probably the only one that can pull a genuine one from William is his greatest achievement.

The bartender returns quicker then last time, a fact that isn’t lost on Ronald. Nor is it lost on him that he’s been more occupied with them then anyone else at the bar. “so, feel like it’d be rude not to ask your name.” He scans William again, “if I had to guess, it’s something sophisticated.”

“My name is William T. Spears.” William answers as he does each time he’s introduced himself.

The bartender whistles, “pretty formal about introductions huh?” He chuckles. “What’s the T stand for?”

“That is private information.”

“Ooo a secret hey? That’s okay, I’m good at prying lips apart.” He winks; Ronald grinds his teeth while William remained infuriatingly passive. “Call me John.”

“A pleasure to meet you then, John.” William nods.

“I gotta say, I like your mannerisms. Really makes for some good conversation.”

“I speak the same way my father had.”

“Then you must have grown up pretty well off, hey?”

“I’m afraid the monetary value my human self had is not up for discussion.”

John blinks. “Human…self?”

“Just how he refers to the him when he’s not workin’.” Ronald answers.

“Ah I get it. You take your job pretty seriously then, eh?”

“I must, else a demon could easily snatch away the souls we’re meant to collect.”

Ronald takes a moment to breathe in deep before breathing out through his nose. “Not even gonna try explaining that one.”

John just laughs it off. “You’re real interesting, you know that? Well William, I’ve never seen you here before. Are you new or have I just been blind?”

“Ronald frequents this place more then I do. I’ve only been here once before and that was to retrieve him.” William gestures to Ronald.

“Makes sense then because I know I would have remembered a guy like you.”

“Everyone usually does.” Says Ronald.

“Not entirely.” William contradicts. “I’ve been told I’m rather boring all things considered.”

“Boring? Listen to what you’ve been saying! I’m sure under this stiff exterior of yours is a real genuine guy.”

William quirks an eyebrow. “You believe so?”

“Of course! Look at you! All the mysterious, genuine men I’ve known all have your sort of stiffness.” He puts on hand on the counter top to lean on, gesturing with his other hand, “as I see it, you’ve got to really get to know someone before trying to get to the nitty gritty, yeah? Those are the kinds of people you have to treasure. To really make it known you’re not the type to just run if things get hard.”

William cants his head, Ronald freezing for a moment as William seems too interested in the conversation. “I believe it’s hard to find genuine people nowadays. Everyone seems obsessed with themselves rather than what trying to make real connections.”

“I’ve noticed that too! Me though? I’m not that kinda guy. I like looking for the real people to make those real connections and you’re striking me as the same.”

` “He’s got a real connection.” Ronald says, putting his hand on William’s arm. “Me.”

“Well, I’m sure but I think maybe he’d want someone older. Someone who’d really understand.” He winks and excuses himself as he departs to take a drink order from another patron giving Ronald time to process how all this flirting has gone over William’s head. He hates that it reminded him of when he tried asking William out the first time and how oblivious he was that it was an actual date. He assumed it was something along the lines of co-workers getting dinner together until Ronald tried to seal the end of said date with a small peck to William’s cheek and the man recoiled like he was struck. “He’s rather friendly, isn’t he?” William comments, finishing off his drink.

“Yeah. Friendly.”

William waves a dismissive hand. “You’re overreacting.”

Ronald doesn’t get to protest much more when John returns again, this time with a drink that’s familiar to Ronald while William looks cautiously at it when it’s slid over to him. “I know you said no hard drinks, but this is a classic.”

“What is it?” William asks, picking it up.

“A sex on the beach.” John says, crossing his arms on the countertop to lean on them. “It’s not overly strong and it’s sweet and fruity. I think you’d like it.”

“We also didn’t order it.” Ronald says, throwing his arm around William’s shoulders. “So, no thanks.”

“it’s on the house.” He replies, only briefly flicking his eyes toward Ronald.

“That won’t be necessary.” William objects. “If anything, put this on my own tab.”

“Nonsense.” John assures, reaching over to squeeze William’s hand. 

William retracts his hand with a twitch of his eyebrow, Ronald’s own arm growing tighter around William’s shoulders. “Well, I suppose a sip won’t hurt then.” William examines the sunset coloured drink before daring to take a small sip. “It’s…not awful.” He admits. “But it’s not to my taste.” He adds, setting the drink aside.

“I guess like its name.” John chuckles. “Not awful but not to my tastes either.”

“Mmhm. I’m sure.”

“Sorry, sorry.” He rubs the back of his neck, “been a long time since I’ve talked to someone as handsome as you.”

“I’m sure if you saw all the other options in dispatch, I would be at the bottom of the list.” William assures. “I’m rather plain.”

“Now that’s just not true! I’m sure of it.”

“He’s really bein’ modest.” Says Ronald, grabbing the back of William’s bicep. “He’s one of the more handsome guys we got.”

William glances at Ronald, “that’s a blatant li—”

“Truth.” Ronald cuts him off with a forced smile. “Blatant truth.” He stands up and wraps his arms around William’s chest from behind, resting his chin on William’s shoulder. “He just doesn’t have the ego like the rest of us.” He narrows his eyes at John. “By the way, I’m gonna make this clear. I’m his partner. Not just his companion, but his partner.” He turns William’s head and kisses him to prove his point. William freezes for only a second before his eyelids flutter shut and he returns the lip-lock.

When Ronald breaks the kiss, John raises his hands in surrender. “Okay, okay. I get it. I didn’t mean to step on anyone’s toes here.”

“That would be my doing as well.” William says once he’s cleared his throat, a bright pink high on his cheeks, “for I didn’t realise what exactly you were implying.”

“Yeah, well, maybe one day I’ll get lucky like that partner of yours.”

“Yeah. Maybe.” Ronald agrees just to be polite before paying for their drinks, satisfied as he and William take their leave for the evening. “So, had fun?” Ronald grins.

“I suppose I did.” William admits, looking up to the evening sky. “Though I’d be more content with some evening tea.”

“Then come back to mine and I’ll make it.” He takes William’s hand, holding it warmly as they begin the walk to Ronald’s. “Buuut I gotta ask.”

“Hm?”

There’s a pause before he asks, lifting William’s hand to run his finger over the older man’s knuckles, “you called me your lifetime companion.”

“I did.”

Ronald looks up at him. “And you meant that?”