Figuring It Out (Black Butler/Kuroshitsuji fanfic)

Chapter 2

After reaching Eric's house the blond shinigami went straight to cooking supper, disappearing into the other room. "Just make yourself at home." He called from the kitchen

"Um...okay." Alan responded, unsure of what to do now that he was alone. The brunet sat down awkwardly on the couch and surveyed his surroundings. It was a nice cozy home, there was a fireplace on the opposite wall keeping him warm, a big chair on his left, a small low table in front of him, a couple bookshelves which were about half full of all sorts of books, and the door to the kitchen on his right was ajar so he could hear Eric making their dinner.

Just as soon as he started to feel at ease he felt a burning sensation erupt throughout his chest, spreading rapidly through his body. He tried to yell out, to call for help, but no sound came out except little gasps of breath.

Eric having not heard a sound from Alan in the living room since they got there went to check on him. Upon entering he found the small shinigami laying on the floor withering in pain. He rushed to his side but didn't know what to do, so he wrapped his arms around him and whispered soothing words of comfort in his ear, trying anything to try and help his friend in pain.

Finally after what seemed like hours-but was more around ten minutes-the weak shinigami gained enough strength to talk, yet still lent heavily on Eric's side. "Th-thank you for that...but I should be okay now, I believe it's over."

"What are you talking about?!" Eric demanded, "What even was that!?" He stared down gently at the small brunet still wrapped in his arms as he spoke. His words sounded harsh and demanding, but his eyes showed worry and confusion.

"It was just an attack from the thorns, I get them sometimes. They may hurt a lot, but they don't usually last that long...except today's felt worse for some reason." He tried to avoid the others gaze, still feeling rather guilty for bringing him into this whole situation.

Eric's eyes widened at the end of Alan's statement, automatically fearing the worst, "You mean they're getting worse? That's not good, can't you do anything to prevent them? Or make them easier for you? So they won't hurt as much?"

"Well...all I can really do is just take it easy, but I'm not gonna just lay around all day! I refuse to let this take control of my life."

Eric sighed and gave a little nod of understanding, he wouldn't want to spend all day in bed either, but he just didn't want Alan to hurt. "Anything I can get you? Even if it just helps a little, I'll get you anything you need."

"No, I'm fine. Umm... Eric, what about the food? Weren't you in the middle of cooking something?" Alan wondered, he knew how particular Eric could get over his cooking.

"It can wait." The blond replied with a shrug, helping Alan onto the couch and sitting down next to him. The younger reaper watched him with mild interest, wondering why he would care so much about him, he knew they were friends but, to drop everything to make sure he was okay...he just didn't understand it.

After a deafening silence that seemed to drag on for minutes on end Alan finally spoke up at the look on Eric's face. "Are you okay Eric...? You don't look so good, do you feel sick or somethi-"

"Alan." Eric cut off the end of his sentence with a look of something akin to despair, "Why did you keep this from me? I would have been there for you, helped you all I could. I don't understand why you tried to do this by yourself!"

Not expecting the sudden outburst Alan was at a loss for words. Opening and closing his mouth yet no sound came out. Regaining his composure after a bit he managed to let out what he wanted to say, "I...I just didn't want to be a burden to you, I mean, if you were always watching out for me you couldn't get as much work done and-"

"You are more important than work!...you could also never be a burden to me."

Despite the concerning look in the blondes eyes Alan was starting to get slightly annoyed from getting cut off, resulting in him having a sharper tone than he meant. "I'm sorry if I offended you, it's not that I didn't trust you. I just didn't want to make you get involved."

"Your not making me get involved! I want to be involved! I want to be there for you! to protect you! to stay by your side no matter what!..." The older shinigami looked straight into the brunettes eyes, showing him how truthful his words were, not that it was needed since the emotion in his voice left no doubt. Before Alan could reply to his confession he pressed his lips against the brunets in a passionate kiss, it was gentle yet firm; showing just how much he truly cared. He continued the kiss even though the smaller reaper next to him was unmoving and stiff. He needed Alan to see how he felt, he didn't care that he wasn't returning the kiss, he just needed him to know.

Eric pulled away from the kiss and desperately studied Alan's face, he looked like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming truck. And with that look, Eric's heart sank.
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Thanks for the reviews! Let's try and get some more this chapter too.
And would you classify that ending as a cliffhanger? Probably. Anyway thanks for reading!!