Death of a Reaper

Grell's Death -Prolouge-

Death of a Reaper -prologue-

A trail. A trail of red.

The normally comforting colour filled William T. Spears with a sense of nameless terror as his eyes followed the erratically spattered droplets.

"Grell?" He calls softly.

The flamboyant reaper had chased their target down the garden path as it had fled. But now, neither target nor reaper was anywhere in sight. Avoiding the glistening trail of blood, William advances further in amongst the plants.

"Sutcliff!" He calls hoarsely. He wasn't sure if the demon they were hunting was still in range, and for that he had to be cautious. On this area of the path, the trail cuts jaggedly into the bushes. Will stops hesitantly. Maybe it wasn't grell at all. Maybe the demon had crawled here to succumb to its injuries. With that thought in his mind, will pushes through the bushes and stumbles into the clearing beyond. There was nothing of interest over here at first glance, but upon closer examination.. Will let's out a soft gasp as he spots a huddled figure across the way.

"Sutcliff? What are you doing over here?" He asks, keeping his voice formal despite his pounding heart. "The targets been eradicated I presume." At the lack of answer, William strides over and kneels beside the crimson clad man. "Grell. Do get up. I've had enough of the nights exuberance'"

Grell looks up slowly and fixes a dilated gaze up at the older reaper. "Will~ you found me." He mumbles almost drunkenly, tilting his head to the side.

The dark haired man rolls his eyes, secretly relieved about his partners safety. "Stop messing around Sutcliff. Our target has been eradicated, therefore we should return back to the institute." He says, grabbing grells arm and hauling him to his feet. He's stopped when grell gives out a pained gasp before leaning heavily on his taller counterpart.

"William darling..." He trails off slowly, his eyes avoiding wills questioning glare.

"What are you going on about now?" William snaps impatiently. Then his eyes travel down and he inhales sharply. For what he saw hiding under grells jacket was enough to spark that thoughtless terror once more. The redhead whimpers softly as Williams gaze travels over the excessive amounts of blood that stained grells front.

"It's not your blood." He mumbles as he lowers the younger reaper into the grass again. "You must've been aggressive when you attacked the target grell. That's it."

Grell smiles slightly and stares at the stars. "I didn't get him will.." Slowly he rolls his head to the side and looks up at the dark haired reaper. "He got me~" He giggles, a low gurgling sound that made the hairs on Williams neck stand up.

William had seen grell go through many phases during the long years he'd known him. But never had he see him look so... Calm.

"We need to get you back to the institute." Will chokes out, attempting to hide the sting of tears behind his eyes. "We'll get you help grell. You still need to finish your paperwork. I'm not letting you slip by without it again Sutcliff." Carefully, he lifts the reaper into his arms, making sure not to jostle him too much.

"What if I don't want to get better William?"

Will doesn't even miss a beat as he strides through the bushes and back to the path. "You have no choice. We've got another job to finish tomorrow and I'm not inclined to do it on my own." He says quietly.

Grell laughs painfully, splattering blood over his saviours pristine charcoal grey suit. "No one will miss me darling. I'm a screw up and you know it." He says weakly, his head falling limp against Williams chest.

Where was this coming from? Where was his companions normally cheerful exterior? The one thing that never ceased to amaze will even during his most stressful hours.

"Sutcliff!" He snaps angrily. "Stay awake! I won't have you passing out on me now. You WILL get better. Understood?"

The redhead groans softly in response as will continues his trek down the path. By this time, the trail of blood had already dried, speckling the path with black dots, a macabre pattern of deathly designs.

"Okay grell." Will says stiffly. "You're going to be fine. I promise." He says hoarsely. Whether to comfort grell or himself, he wasn't sure.

But by the time he reached the beginning of the path, his crimson clad reaper had already ceased to exist, his hand falling limply beside him. Wide eyes staring up at will in a look of total adoration.

It was almost too much to bear...