The Shinigami Nursery 2 (Sequel)

Chapter 7 - Tea

"U-Undertaker I can-"

"No need to explain," the older man raised a dismissive hand, the smile on his face fond and proud. "I always knew the two of you were meant for each other,"

Will scrunched up his nose. He wouldn't say meant for each other, just that he got caught up in the moment, and succumbed to a residual desire. Then he realised his hand still rested on Grell's inner thigh and had to admit, he liked being this close to the redhead. There was a kind of chemistry, a spark ignited by familiarity and comfort. The unconditional love and affection passing between them; they'd had the same upbringing, they found each other attractive and their witty bickering could give way to deep, philosophical understandings. What was holding him back, really?

Well, maybe the fact he already had a boyfriend. He decided he'd need to talk about this with Undertaker later on, but for now made an attempt to change the subject. "You certainly scared us, Ronald," he chided, adjusting his glasses on his nose. "You ran off,"

"Uh, yeah," he blonde laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head. "Sorry guys. Undertaker, d'you mind if I call Eric real quick?"

"There isn't a phone here Ronnie," the old man chuckled. "Humans haven't advanced as far as us. You'd be quicker using the portal,"

While Ronald was in the Reaper Realm, Undertaker prepared some tea in his flask. Busying himself in the kitchen, he almost didn't notice when a tiny body wrapped itself around his robes leg. "Did you fo'get 'bout me?!" It was little Alan, holding the dark robes above his head like a huge parachute. Undertaker laughed, picking up his son and sitting him on the counter.

"Apologies my little one," he bowed in praise. "Would sire like some chocolate milk to make up for it?"

"Yeah!" Alan readily agreed, and Undertaker produced a small milk carton - with a straw of course, to minimise mess. The toddler jumped down and ran through to speak to Grell and Willian, who were now having an intense conversation using seemingly just their eyes. He began to ask them questions in a sing-song voice, suggesting he knew at least part of what was going on. Undertaker decided to leave them to it, figuring William deserved some kind of punishment for kissing another guy - even if it was his soul mate. 

"What happens now?" It was William, having narrowly escaped the toddler in the other room. He leaned against the door, admiring the way his foster father poured the tea so elegantly with his long, black nails gripping the handle.

"This is a somewhat unprecedented situation I must agree," the old reaper chuckled, setting down the kettle and loading cups onto the tray. "You should let things take their course,"

"But-"

"Willy!" Undertaker smiled behind his hair. See, William had discovered over the years that Undertaker had 3 distinct smiles. The predatory smile, which was his version of a glare. The crazy smile, when he was elated. And the paternal smile, when he was feeling particularly, well....paternal. Currently he was displaying a weird mix of the first and third that made him look like a mix of the first and third. "I know you have your little obsessions, but trust me," he picked up the tray and bustled past the younger man. William sighed and followed him.

"Tea is ready!" He announced, plonking it down on the table. "I'll just go and get biscuits and sugar. Please! Amuse yourselves!"

William sat down in his previous spot and looked at Grell. His elegant legs were crossed in a feminine style, and he stuck his pinkie out daintily when he lifted a teacup. It made him smile, just slightly. Cracking through that cold exterior. Undertaker returned, sitting back down and munching on the bone-shaped biscuits, dumping several sugar cubes in his tea. "Tell me, how would you all feel about doing this once a week?"

"What do you mean?" William asked.

"You know," the old reaper sounded... worried. Scared of the answer in case it was no. "All come together once a week, here, and drink tea and eat biscuits and-"

"You mean have a tea party," Grell summarised.

"Yes, That,"

William shrugged, turning his attention to Grell. "Yes, That sounds wonderful!" The loud reaper agreed. "We can share stories and I can find out all about my adopted...uncle?"

"Of course we'll need to ask Ronnie,"

As if on cue, the youngest member stumbled through the portal (he had never been very good at working them) and settled himself on the floor. "Eric is really happy about this whole thing!" He announced. Undertaker laughed.

"Of course he is, he adores me,"

"Is you talkin' about Mr Ewic?"

"We sure are," Undertaker lifted the child onto his robed lap. He dangled his chain of lockers in front of the child who grasped it happily, entranced in the shining gold and silver.

"Well," Grell said indignantly. "Now that Willy and I are moving in together-"

The fore mentioned man spit out his tea. "Ex-Excuse me?!" And Undertaker burst out laughing.

"My dear lady," he got it between bouts of giggles. "While you may have always considered Willy to be your partner, I'm afraid this is all very new to him. He will need some time,"

The redhead pouted, but listened to his wisdom.

After tea, Undertaker sent everyone back to their respective houses. He suggested William spend the night with Grell, but the pride wasn't ready for that. Instead, he'd sleep in the comforting bed once shared with the elder reaper, who took refuge on Alan's bedroom floor. They couldn't share a bed now, and Undertaker wanted to give William the night to think everything over. It had been a stressful day to put it lightly.