Unmei (AlanxEric Kuroshitsuji Fanfic)

Chapter 12: The William T. Spears Apparatus

*Alan's POV*

Eric chuckled at my statement, "Alan, I told you to call me for help."

I jokingly rolled my eyes at his tone, "Eric, you've done more than enough already! Besides, if I'm going to be stuck in a wheelchair, I have to learn to be independent," I stated confidently.

"Alright, 'Mr. Independent,' lets go eat." He mocked. I laughed in response.

He rolled me to the side of the dining table, where two bowls of vegetable soup sat next to one another. Eric positioned me in front of one, then sat down, facing the other. We quietly sipped our soup, not speaking for a while.

Soon, Eric became completely silent. Not even the sound of his metal spoon fishing for food, was heard. I glanced up at him, only to find that he was stone-faced. His view was planted somewhere out the window in front of us. I suddenly felt a sharp throbbing in my torso, which caused me to clench my jaw. Cursing in my head, I returned my attention back to Eric, who was now peering at me.

"Does it hurt?..." He asked in almost a whisper. The expression he held was a soft mixture of sympathy and sadness. I paused before responding, "...Yes."

Eric returned his gaze outside, biting the inside of his cheek to stop the tears, that welled up in his lids, from falling. He seemed so broken. "...How long was I gone?" I wondered. Eric's gaze flickered to me for a second before he ran his hand through his hair. Sighing into his response, he said, "...Five days..."

The impact of his words combined with the pain of my torso, caused heaviness to settle on my chest. My breath sank, as tears welled up in my eyes. All the damned pain was for five days of loneliness. I abandoned Eric for a week. As I was all worked up, I realized that, for us, that was an eternity. I immediately wheeled back and positioned myself in front of Eric. Reaching towards him, I wrapped one arm around his back, and cradled his neck with the other. "Eric... I'm so sorry... I had no idea..."

He wrapped his arms around me, replying, "Don't apologize, it's not your fault... Someone did this to you, Alan." I sighed, leaning onto his chest. "I know. The nurse questioned me about the situation, and asked if I could recall who it was. But... all I can remember is this strange voice saying, 'I'll see you soon, Shinigami.' After that, everything went dark..." I trailed off, letting the thought end.

"Really..." Eric said in a matter-of-fact tone. I turned my head upwards to look at him. "Yes..." Eric brought a hand up to fiddle with the hairs on his chin. "Hmm," He was quiet for a moment.

"Hey, don't think too much about it. What matters now is that we're together." I rubbed his back reassuringly, feeling as though I said that for not only Eric's benefit, but mine as well.

Eric smiled down at me and brought his lips to my forehead, "You're absolutely right, flower." He then tightened his hold. I took that moment to savor his warmth. I embraced his scent and felt his presence. I knew Eric was still thinking about it, I could tell, he felt something was off. Because, I had the same feeling.

~

Later that day, Eric asked more questions about my pain. I told him everything I knew. In response, he was extra gentle and supportive, to which I greatly appreciated. We laid on the bed in my room, just talking.

"Don't you want to learn more about it?" Eric wondered out loud.

"Of course. But, right now, I don't exactly have the materials to study something so rare. Not even the doctors knew about it..."

"We could always check the library," Eric suggested.

"That's a possibility..."

"Although, I doubt they would have information on such a thing," Eric fiddled with his goatee, puzzled.

"Or we could check The Library," I inched in a hushed voice. Eric sat up, clapping his hands together, "Alan, you're brilliant! That's such a good idea, it makes me want to kiss you!" He joked, "Oh wait..." Eric leaned down, planting a giant smooch on my lips. I broke out in laughter, Eric doing the same. He took my hand and continued, chuckling, "Come on, dork." I giggled as Eric assisted me into the wheelchair. We made our way out the front door and started towards the Headmaster's office.

As we arrived, Eric and I exchanged nervous glances. We both new that Mr. William T. Spears was no laughing matter. He was extremely strict and expected nothing but excellency from his students. He wouldn't hesitate for a second to expel anyone who attended the college.

"What were we thinking?! Mr. Spears is going to kill us for asking permission!" I whimpered.

"Don't worry, I'll butter him up," Eric winked, smirking.

I threw my hand to my face and muttered, "We're doomed..." Eric shot me a glance and I threw my hands up in innocence, "Just kidding!"

We are so getting expelled... I thought.

Eric bounced, shaking out his limbs and stretching his neck, in an attempt to loosen up. I rolled my eyes. Eric finally knocked on the door.

"Enter." A stern voice called from the other side. I basically shivered at the uncomfortable noise that rang through my ears. Eric sweetly patted my shoulder then opened the door. He held it open so I could wheel inside. I halted in front of the Headmaster's desk. William spoke once the door shut and Eric took his place behind me.

"Ah, Alan Humphries and Eric Slingby," He paused, acknowledging us both. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" He finished in a sinister snare. Eric started, "Good evening, sir." I gestured a small 'Hello.' "We came here wondering if you might give us access to The Library."

William scoffed, "And what business might you have there?" I heard Eric gulp and fought the urge to comfort him in front of the Headmaster. "Well, I'm sure you're aware of Alan's condition, and that it's practically unknown to the Shinigami realm," He continued in a matter-of-fact tone.

"I am." Mr. Spears nodded.

"We were hoping to seek out evidence of past deaths with the same symptoms. They could be related to Alan's illness."

"Oh, really?" William mocked. "Yes, sir," I spoke up, quietly.

"And you are aware of just how many deaths are recorded in that Library, am I correct?"

"Yes, sir," Eric replied, his confidence sinking.

"So, you must have some sort of strategy to finding the symptoms of such a rare occurrence." William's stare was beginning to cause discomfort in Eric.

"Er... no, sir. You see, we were planning on constructing a strategy on the way there..."

"And it didn't occur to you to maybe think up this "strategy" before asking my permission?"

"No, sir." Eric replied, defeated.

"So, instead, you came down here in pure hopes that the Headmaster would recklessly give you permission to enter such a treasured monument?" William's stone cold features never wavered. He continued to strip Eric's self consciousness down to the last layer. At this, I was fuming. What terrible man would say such things?!

My poor Eric merely responded with a blunt, "Yes, sir..."

"Very well then." The Headmaster's voice was chilling as he finished, "You may leave."

I hung my head low as Eric silently nodded and opened the door, once again, for me to exit. I rolled out onto the pavement and turned, facing Eric as he followed. Looking up at him, and saw that he was totally put down and hurt. He ran a hand through his hair and exhaled heavily, "Wow..." was all he managed to say. I placed comforting hands on his wrists, "Hey, it's okay. I thought you presented yourself very nicely. Besides, we can still go to the regular library. We don't need permission from that self-obsessed jerk."

Eric sighed, complying, or so I thought. He looked up from the ground, smirking, "Too bad, I'm not giving up."

He turned to leave, "Eric wait! You could get expelled!" I pleaded. He smiled down at me, "But, it's worth the chance, my flower. If it means coming closer to an answer."

"You're so persistent. Please don't risk that for me, Eric, no way!" He laughed triumphantly, "Ha-HA! But, I shall, dear flower!"

With that, he was off. He turned, marching up to William's door.
And barged straight in.