Time After Time EricXAlan Ch. 03

Eric leaned over and kissed Alan softly. He left the house quietly, then raced to dispatch

Alan smiled, then sighed, and lost his smile, and then he fell asleep.

Eric reached dispatch in only a few minutes. He took a deep breath then walked in

William noticed Eric come in the dispatch, "Why so in a rush Slingby?" he asked seriously, adjusting his glasses.

"Ah, William! Just doing some extra research…the shinigami notebook, I need to take a quick look at it…"
"Okay..." Will shrugged.

Eric nodded. "Ah, where is it?" He was nervous now and anxious
William rolled his eyes, "In my office, I'll get it." he walked to his office, and used his scythe to get the handbook, and used his scythe to give it to Eric.

"Thanks," he said taking it. He skimmed the pages quickly. Finally, he found what he was looking for
In the handbook it stated the whole thing about the thorns, here is what it reads: In the few known cases of this disease, the effect to develop sharp pain in the wrist, which progressed at the arm and down to the chest, into the heart where the attacks increased till the heart gave out, related to the Shinagami’s death. No evidence yet backs the claim, it’s believed that collecting 1000 pure souls could be a cure for such a disease…

Eric read the passage again. He closed the book and returned it to Will as he rushed back home.
Alan was still asleep.

Eric looked at Alan's small, pale body. "I will not live in a world without you" he said softly. He grabbed his death scythe and left, looking at Alan once more before closing the door
Alan moved a bit in his sleep.

A woman, in her twenties, was on a walk.

Eric looked up and saw a woman walking alone. "Miss?" He called sweetly
"Oh hello sir." the woman said happily, comming his way.

Eric looked at her with a sweet smile. "I'm looking for the theatre, could you point me in the right direction?"
"A theater? Just over there." The woman pointed in the right direction.

Eric waited til her back was to him and cut her quickly with his death scythe The woman fell to the ground unconsciously.#

Eric looked down at her sadly. "Forever" he reminded himself as he continued walking

~ XX ~

William was in his office, not noticing what was going on... yet...

Ronald walks in. "William, looks like there won't be any over time tonight" stretches and smiles. He looks down at what William is working on. "Hey…this is weird," he says picking up one sheet and looking over it "William?" He handed him the paper
William took the paper, and adjusted his glasses to look at it, "We need to get everyone together, urgently, for a meeting." he said, seeing that people are dying as they speak.

Ronald sighed and walked away muttering about over time.
"And I think we will HAVE to have overtime Knox." Will said, to crush Ronald's spirits, and to get him to shut it.

Ronald shook his head. "Why am I not surprised!?"
"These are people dying not supposed to, this is a need for overtime, the rest was just to crush your spirits about not having it." William said, and smirked, then looked at the death list, also showing a list of people dying not supposed to. "And you are the one to URGENTLY get them together."

Ronald looked at him and nodded, serious now. "Ok, I'll get 'em"
"Good. Took me twice to tell you, listen immediately the first time I order you to do something Knox." Will scolded.

Ronald nodded, then left to gather everyone.
Alan was up, and noticed Eric still gone, and sighed, and he put on his suit and walked to leave when he had bumped into Ronald.

"Alan? What are you doing here? Never mind. Meeting at dispatch ASAP. Where is Eric?"
"Eric left ages ago. And if you run ahead, you could possibly catch up with him. But anyways, I shall get on my way to the meeting room." Alan said.

Ronald nodded and ran off
Alan went to the meeting room.

Grell was looking at the blade of his chainsaw like it is a mirror, and he fixed his hair, and smiled to look at his shark like teeth, he calls 'fabulous'.

Eric walked slowly into the room

"Hello Eric." Grell said, noticing Eric.

Grell looked over at Grell "hey" he responded calmly with a smile
Grell then looked at his painted red nails. "What is this meeting about Will~?" he asked.

William looked at Grell, and answered, as he looked at all of them. "Mysterious deaths happening, in-sick people being murdered, or should I say, collecting of their souls."

"Collecting souls?" Eric asked. "In what way?"
"Reaping the souls of those who aren't on the list. They are not meant to go. We need to investigate. Speaking of which, Humphries, you are in charge of this case. And the list." William said.

Alan nodded, and William handed him the list, and Alan looked at it.

Eric looked at Alan with worry. He was still pale. And he needed to rest
"And Slingby." William said, adjusting his glasses.

Eric looked up "hm?"
"Since you are the guardian of Humphries, you shall help him with this case." William said.

Alan looked up from the list, "What?!"

Eric nodded, accepting this. And glad he would not be separated from Alan
"Support?! Isn't that... I CAN DO IT ON MY OWN!" Alan said.

"Eh~ you're such a hindrance," Grell said, walking away, "try not to get in my way you too." he added as he walked away.

Eric looked at Alan. "Let's go,"
Alan sighed, and followed Eric.

"How do you feel?" he whispered
"Disappointed." Alan said, walking ahead.

Eric looked at him sadly. What?"
"I can do this case on my own, and William-san doesn't think so."

Eric looked at him sadly. "Alan…I won't help with this case. It's yours. I'm just here for the ride"
"But William-san wants you to."

Eric shrugged.
Alan shook his head, "It's fine if you do help."

Eric walked closer to him.
Alan looked behind himself, noticing Eric walking closer to him, then he looked ahead.
Alan was still disappointed that William doesn't trust him to do this case alone.

Eric came beside Alan. "Don't be so upset dear"
Alan nodded, "I know. I just wish William-san would trust me to do this case on my own. Is it because I have these damned thorns?"

"Does he know?" Eric asked
"Apparently..."

Eric sighed. "I'm sorry"
"Sorry? Why?"

"Maybe he saw what I was reading in the notebook…"
"Possibly."
"But why do you say your sorry about it?"

"Because maybe if he didn't know he would let you handle this case alone like you want"
"Ah. Yes. True. Curse these thorns!!!"

Eric felt sad. "Don't worry. I'll find the cure soon"
Alan nodded slightly, "Okay Eric." he finally showed his smile.

Eric smiled. "I promise I will save you"
"Thank you Erikku..."
Alan smiled sweetly.

Eric nodded. "Where are we going?
"I have some souls to reap, so I am going to do that." Alan said.

Just then Eric and Alan bumped into Sebastian and Ciel.

Eric looked at them and smiled. "Hi " he said with a smile.
"Who are they?" Ciel asked.

"Shinigami it seems," Sebastian said, putting his arm in front of Ciel, protectively.

"Shinigami?" Ciel questioned.

"What are you two death gods doing out this late, snooping around?" Sebastian asked to Eric and Alan.

"What is that supposed to mean?!" Alan asked angrily, as he points the blade of scythe at Sebastian.

Eric held up his death scythe to stop Alan. "Don't worry with them now. We have work to finish. The overtime work needs to be handled quickly"
Alan nodded.

"Isn’t it strange, having to carry gardening tools around with you, you all could tend an allotment and work on that instead for a change." Sebastian said.

"Eric! No need to listen to what this demon has to say!" Alan said, pushing Eric's scythe away, and he charged at Sebastian blade first.

Eric grabbed him. "This is why William insisted I stay with you. Let's go. I'm done wasting time on demon scum and little brats" he pulled Alan to him and easily dragged him down the street
Alan tried to push away.

"Alan please. You will tire yourself…" Eric let Alan go and looked him in the face. "Save your energy, this case may be harder than we think"
Alan sighed, and looked down, and hugged his arm.

"You said you have souls to reap?"
Alan nodded, and he looked up at Eric.

"Is something wrong?" Eric asked, fearing Alan was feeling pain again
Alan shook his head, but the look on his face said differently, he was sickly pale, and his eyes looked full of pain, and it shows he is trying to hide he is.
"I'm totally fine." Alan said.

Eric grabbed him. "Don't lie to me" he whispered angrily
Alan sighed, and grabbed the middle of Eric's arms, "I'm sorry. If you do want me to be truly honest, I do feel a bit of pain at the moment."

Eric nodded. "Always be honest…do you need to rest for a while?"
"I'm not sure---" he was cut off by coughing, and falling to the ground.

"Alan?!" Eric wrapped one arm around Alan and helped him stand.
"Apparently I do need a--" Alan continued to cough. "a rest." he said in a weak voice.
"Let's go home…" he supported most of Alan's weight as they walked to the house.
Alan nodded, and let Eric help him home.

They where home in 15 minutes. Eric helped Alan inside.
Alan fell out of Eric's grip onto the ground.

"Alan?" Eric kneeled down to him.
"Y-yeah....?"

"How much pain do you feel?"
Alan closed his eyes, clenching his chest from the pain, "A lot really.."

Eric looked at him. "Come on, you need sleep" he picked him up and carried him to bed
"But I have souls to reap..."

"I will do it…just sleep" Eric argued
"No. I have to do it!" Alan argued back.

Eric looked at him blankly. "Sleep Alan. At least for a few hours. I'll be back soon"
Alan sat up, "No. Please? Stay with me till I fall asleep?"

Eric sat. "Ok," he held his hand.
"Thank you Erikku~." Alan said, holding Eric's hand, tight, and after a bit he fell asleep.

Eric kissed Alan's hand…then slowly left. He had almost reached his goal of 1000 souls
Alan moved a bit in his sleep, like a nightmare of Eric collecting poor innocent live's souls, to save him, then he woke, and saw Eric gone, and he went to look for him.

Eric was walking slowly through a park. Looking up, he noticed a small group of women. He smiled. "Hello" he said coming near. "I was wondering if you've seen my dog? She just got loose"
"Oh that's sad, would you like us to help you?" one woman said.
He smiled sweetly. "Yes, maybe she would come to a sweeter voice such as yours. Her name is Shiro "
"Alright, thank you for the compliment, we can help you." the woman said, and they turned around, and one of the women said, "Oh Shiro~!" in a sweet voice.

Eric quickly cut them with his scythe.
Alan saw Eric do so, and looked shocked. "ERIC!" he shouted.

Eric kept his eyes on the women, a single tear escaping.
The woman all fell unconsciously to the ground. "ERIC!!!!" Alan shouted once more.

Eric didn't look at Alan. His body was shaking with silent sobs.
Alan ran over to Eric, and shouted angrily, "Don't ignore me! Eric!"

Eric looked at him, his face wet with tears.
"You are the collecting these poor innocent souls?" Alan said, trying not to snap at Eric.

"I told you I would save you…you told me to look at the notebook…1000 souls the notebook said…I'm so close"
"A-a-a-a-a thousand...?! Eric... that is ridiculous! Stop now! I told you I don't want you to kill many innocent lives to save my sick soul! It's not worth it."

Eric looked up and grabbed Alan. "This is not ridiculous ! I made a promise to the only person I love ! I made a promise…I will save you!"
"But... isn't that just a fairytale?" Alan asked holding in the middle of Eric's arms.

"I have to try…"
Alan sighed, "Why is that?"

"I cannot live in this world without you…" Eric touched Alan's face
Alan placed his hand on Eric's, and said, "You will never, when I do lose the last light of my life, let it shine on yours, so that I can be your guardian, your light. Like you were to me all this time."

Eric cried. "Please…don't talk like that. Please"
"Why?" Alan asked.

"Because.…I'm almost to 1000…13 more…" Eric explained
"Please Eric... enough."

"No. I have to try."
"E-Eric... please, I beg of you, enough."

Eric looked away from him.
Alan looked down, and tears began to be in his eyes, "Please..." he whispered.

Eric wiped the tears from Alan's face. "If you wish…" he walked away, his heart shattered
Alan cried, and walked over to Eric, but stopped in his tracks, collapsing on the ground, coughing harshly, the thorns don't like this little bit of love...

Eric stopped and looked at him "I just want to save you. Does that make me evil?"
"No. But what about all those other people and their families? Do they deserve to die, for one?" Alan asked, calming down a bit.

Eric looked back at the women. "If I don't finish this then they all would've died for nothing. 13 more
"But do they deserve to die for one?!" Alan repeated, getting a bit more irritated with Eric.
Then Alan asked more clearly, "But, do they seriously have to die for one that is sick and dying anyways?"
"It's just selfish, because you're doing this for yourself.... I don't ask for it..."

Eric looked at him with sadness. "I am selfish, it's true."
"True? You're not always selfish, just what your doing is selfish." Alan said.