The Shinigami Nursery 2 (Sequel)

Chapter 3 - Panic Button

William crashed into Undertaker's shop, landing squarely on his ass on a display coffin. The old reaper didn't even seem to notice the ruckus, just continued writing a letter in his beautiful calligraphy, the stationary set up nearly next to him. The younger reaper ran up to his boyfriend and yanked the quill from his hand, causing it to topple over the ink pot, black ooze seeping across the paper. Letter ruined. Undertaker did look up this time. "Can I help you?" He asked in a bored, slightly annoyed tone. William had to gasp for a few intakes of breath before beginning his explanation. Shinigami didn't need to breathe of course, but it was required after doing intense  exercise. Which, of the sweat and flushed face indicated anything, he had been doing just that.

"Grell...Ronald...suspicious...on their way!" William choked out before collapsing into one of the coffins. Just then there was a knock on the door. The silhouettes of two people lingered like ghosts through the glass. William hissed. "That must be them. Adrian we should just tell them the truth!"

"We'll just hide until they leave!"

William suddenly felt a pang of dread twang in his heart. "Uh...Adrian?"

"Yes?"

"Where's Alan?"

"...Shit,"

Alan knew he wasn't allowed to open the door on his own. But then, what toddler always did as they were told? The little reaper was walking up to the shop door, and jut before one of them could yell 'DON'T OPEN THAT!' Alan turned the knot and almost got knocked off his feet as the two reapers burst in. The sight of Undertaker and William peeking up from behind a coffin would have been comical if they hadn't been so enraged and determined. It was the overly-extroverted Grell who made the first move, stalking up to them with his purposeful stride. William stood up first out of pride, dragging the weaker Undertaker up by the hood. The elderly reaper gave them a strained smile.

"And what can I do for you two fine gentlemen today? Hehe," Undertaker put on his eccentric old man act.

"Cut the shit you cooky old man!" Grell snapped, stalking towards them. Undertaker was both shocked and impressed at how assertive Grell had become. Although when the redheaded reaper grabbed the front of his shirt, slamming no him on the desk, he realised that 'aggressive' might be the better word. "Who the hell were those kids you adopted?"

"There were three of them," Ronald elaborated, but it was clear that he was intimidated by Grell too. "And why the hell do you call me 'Ronnie'?"

"Adrian," William stated, picking up Alan and hitching him on his hip. "Just tell them," he petted the brunette child's hair. Undertaker sighed.

"For a brief period, of about a year or so, you lived with me. You called me Uncle Undie and I treated you like my children. You left when you were three. That's it. It wasn't even that big of a deal," he spoke quickly and effortlessly, trying to downplay the whole thing. The two reapers looked at each other, then back to him, stunned.

"So whys he he only one who knows about this?" Ronald asked, gesturing to William. Undertaker knew what was happening; he was in shock, so his body was bypassing the emotional part and skipping straight to the logical questions. It was a good tactic for avoiding trauma, Undertaker knew. E went through the same process when they took his kids away.

"Oh, I didn't have to tell him. He never forgot," Undertaker stated bluntly. "He was older than both of you, so he had begun to process long term memories by then. He showed up at my doorstep when he was twelve,"

Ronald nodded, seeming to still not understand. Grell however, had yet to say anything. His long red hair covered his face as he stared as his own feet, completely still and rigid. Nobody could read anything from his expression. His body language seemed to have lost its dictionary. In his eyes, however, spun a web of interconnecting tendrils of long grey hair.

"Higher, make the swig go higher!"

A low chuckle. A soft hand ruffling his hair. "Hey little lady don't be so harsh on me, I'm an old man now!" He was picked up off the swing and held close to a chest. Feeling so safe, so secure. Like nothing was wrong in the world. Like nothing could hurt him. And it couldn't, not with his Uncle Undie there to protect him.

"Hey!" He felt his own body move without him controlling it. "I'm the lady, you have to do what I say. And I say higher!"

The man in front of him, who looked like Undertaker but without the hair in his eyes, and gaping shirts showing off his slender, toned body, seemed to bow down in front of him. "Of course. I am at your service, m'lady. Always by your side little Grell. Remember that. I'll never leave you, my princess,"

Tears rolled down his cheeks. He sniffles, gritting his teeth before jumping forward, almost rolling the old man in front of him over. He was shaking and crying comically. "Uncle Undie I missed you so much!" He exclaimed, blowing his nose into the fabric that wafted loosely down from Undertaker's hat.

Undertaker just grinned, stealing a glance at William. "You could use a lesson or two from him in how to show your emotions!" He laughed as his eldest turned bright red with embarrassment.