Chapter Text
A few weeks passed and Alan was on his way to recovery from his ordeal. He had moments of confusion and depression, but Eric was quick to explain things to him or do little things to cheer him up. If he couldn't bring a smile to his face then he would just hold him and remind him over and over again that he loved him, reassuring him that their days would not always be so dark. They moved closer and closer to England, and between Alexander's snooping and the Undertaker's sources, they monitored the situation at London Dispatch closely. In the beginning of June after reaching the shores of England, Lawrence Anderson called for a meeting to decide whether to move in on their old division and attempt to retake it. As the Undertaker predicted, they were spread out too thin in their campaign for domination of the reaper world, and London headquarters was finally vulnerable to attack.
The decision was unanimous. It was time to gather up the Undertaker's army of Bizarre Dolls, create mass portals that would open up in the sewer system beneath headquarters and begin the attack. Those who remained behind in the camp were responsible for creating the portals so that those who would be fighting could teleport to the agreed location without expending their energy. Should their forces begin to fall, it fell upon the leaders of the strike teams to send an emergency signal back to their camp alerting the rest of their community so that they could evacuate to safety with the families and children.
Everything was carefully planned, but each of them knew that sometimes even the most meticulously detailed plans could fail. Couples spent one last night in each other's arms, some of them preparing for the possibility of both perishing in the fight while others prepared to send their husbands and wives off to war.
Alan shook his head as he lay atop his half naked husband, "I don't like the idea of you rushing into battle without me." He muttered. They had had this conversation before, and Alan had agreed to stay behind with their baby and help behind the scenes with communications. The technical team, lead by Alex, had developed a secure way for them to keep in contact with those going out to battle. It would help them strategize as things happened, keeping all groups updated.
"We're partners... we have always worked together."
Eric caressed Alan's face lovingly. Their son was being watched by Jenna Coleson tonight, so that he and Alan could have some intimate time together before the big day. "I know, sweetheart. It feels weird tae me too, tha thought of going off tae fight wi'out yeh at mah side. One of us needs tae be here wi' our son though, in case anything goes wrong. I wouldn't want him being raised by non-family if we can help it."
He lifted his head and he kissed Alan's nose. "Dun' look like tha', lover. I've got no plans tae die on ya. If anything, knowing yer both back here waitin' fer me will give me incentive tae fight harder an' be more alert."
He ran his palm over Alan's back in a slow glide, feeling the subtle variations in the skin where the Thorns had left faint scars. "Yer mah heart, an' so long as there's strength left in me tae do it, I'll always come back to ya."
"Eric..." Alan slipped his arms around him, "I don't know what I'd do without you. You are my heart and strength. You are my savior, husband, and partner... and...I..." he trailed off, his lips locking with Eric's and his eyes closing, "Just... know I'll be begging you to be careful way too much until you are safe back in my arms again." He whispered.
"I'll do mah best," promised Eric.
He kissed Alan languidly and he began to swell in his briefs. They hadn't made love yet since getting married; mainly because Alan was too heavy with child and then the trauma of his ordeal with the Thorns so shortly after giving birth required recovery and rest. Additionally, they had been abstaining simply to avoid having another accident. Much as Eric liked the thought of having a big family with Alan, he didn't want to get him pregnant again until their living situation was more ideal and he certainly didn't want to get him knocked up again so soon after having their first son. Ronald, however, had proven to be their salvation. He'd generously given them one of his special pills and told them to "go to town and have fun". Eric knew how important those pills were to Ronnie, and he also knew he had a limited and shrinking supply of them. It was probably the most thoughtful gift anyone could bestow upon him and Alan right now.
Eric took his time with it though. They had the whole night to enjoy one another and he wasn't about to jump Alan's bones like some caveman after waiting this long to be with him again. He nibbled the smaller man's lips and he let his fingertips glide over Alan's back in a sensual caress. "I'll have Ronnie an' Will tae watch mah back," reminded the Scotsman softly, "an' it might no' be tha same as having yeh at mah side, but I trust 'em both."
"I know..." Alan signed and sat up, looking down at Eric, simply soaking in the way he looked in the dim light, "But I'm allowed to worry about my handsome Scot being out there without me." he trailed his fingertips along Eric's pecks, a light blush on his cheeks. "Sweet Scythe, I love you..."
Moved by the passion in Alan's statement, Eric sat up and positioned Alan so that the smaller man was straddling his lap. Putting his arms around him, Eric kissed Alan deeply, his own quietly desperate passion rising to the surface. His hands stroked Alan's back and shoulders as his lips and tongue teased, cajoled and frolicked.
Moaning, Alan slid his hand into Eric's hair and the other arm up his back, his head tilting so that he could enjoy Eric's mouth on his neck. "Mmmh...want...to see if we can do this again without hurting ourselves or getting pregnant again?" he whispered into the air heavy with romance.
Eric nodded, sucking lightly at the skin of Alan's neck. "Gods, ya dun' know how bad I've wanted it, lover."
Actually, he was pretty sure Alan did know. Time and time again, he'd demonstrated to Eric how easily a light, sensual touch could get him worked up. It made Eric feel good to know his desire for his partner was mutual, but damned if it hadn't been a frustrating year for them both. He hadn't even been able to mess around much with Alan since being reunited with him—first because of his injuries and afterwards because they were both worried about harming the baby. Even on their wedding night they'd done no more than kissed and caressed.
"Tha' reminds me," murmured the Scotsman thoughtfully, his hands sliding around to Alan's front. He smirked at him as he began loosening the drawstrings of Alan's pajama pants. "We ne'er had a proper honeymoon. Maybe tonight we can make up fer tha'."
Alan flushed and lifted himself up to assist in removing his pajamas. "Is there anything special you want to try with me?" He asked. He, after all, had no suggestions. He wasn't an innocent virgin any longer, but he was still innocent in the way of sexual interactions. If left to what he did know they'd kiss for hours, touching and trying the basic position with him on his back.
Eric thought about it. "There's a few different positions we could try, an' there's also..."
He grinned, suddenly inspired. After all, the oil Ronnie gave to them was flavored, after all. He leaned over to the side where their box of toiletries was stashed and he opened it to locate said oil.
"Ya could let me slather ya wi' this an' lick it off tha' sweet little body o' yers, fer a start."
Alan flushed, "I-I thought that was so that you go in more easily and with less pain! It's not edible...is it?" he asked, eyeing the rose oil. Though, Roses were edible, now that he thought about it, though he'd never tasted one, himself. And if Eric wanted to try it, then Alan could find no objections.
"...Just read the label to make sure it's actual rose oil and not some fake stuff."
Eric checked the label, now that his spouse called it to his attention. Since they hadn't had the opportunity to use it more than once, he hadn't really examined the contents. Upon realizing that it actually wasn't edible oil as he'd thought, Eric let out a sigh.
"Ah, damn. So much fer tha' idea." He set it aside and he put his arms around his spouse, winking flirtingly at him. "Doesn't mean I cannae still lick yeh all over, though."
He demonstrated that fact by leaning in and running his tongue over Alan's throat in a slow, moist glide. "Mmm."
Gasping, Alan tilted his head back and allowed Eric's tongue to glide all the way up from his shoulder to his chin.
A dream... everything was like a dream in that moment. Thorns were gone, he had a son with the man he loved, and that very man was holding him close, touching him, kissing him...tasting him... If it weren't for the impending battle, it would have been all too perfect.
And he was overcome with both love and worry for his husband.
Wishing to express it, Alan gripped Eric's strong shoulders and tilted his head forward and to the side to press kisses to the Scotsman's neck, trailing them down his shoulders and backing up so he could venture further, helping himself to the taste of Eric's body as he moved ever downwards until his jaw line brushed up against the hard, twitching member of his husband.
Only then did he glance up to read the look on the Scot's face.
Eric's expression was one of awe that he would have found ridiculous, had he seen it himself. He'd never been with anyone that moved him so much...inspired such passion in him. His breath released with a shiver and he whispered Alan's name. He parted his thighs further and he stroked Alan's soft brown hair, looking down at him with anticipation. He hadn't expected his shy, inexperienced partner to try such a thing without prompting, though Alan had shown him more than once that he could be a firebrand once provoked.
"Gods, ye'll kill me," Eric breathed, even as he longed to feel Alan's lips on him down there.
"Rhea, I hope not. I want to keep you around." Alan teased lightly in a breathy voice. He moved shyly, reaching to take hold of the base of his shaft. Alan had never really done this sort of thing before and he bit his lip and took a deep breath as he leaned in and then kissed the blushing tip. "Tell me what you like...I'm new at this..." he admitted before taking the head into his mouth and ran his tongue around it in a slow circle.
"Ah, gods...yer doin' jus' fine on yer own," gasped Eric, thighs tensing involuntarily. He swallowed again and he kept stroking Alan's hair. "Those lips...tha' tongue...Alan..."
Alan didn't respond. Not with words, at least. Taking Eric in deeper. He could only go about halfway down before he felt the urge to gag, so he stopped there and slid back up towards the tip.
Eric groaned softly, the pleasurable ache spreading through his groin, hips and stomach as his partner lovingly sucked on him. He broke into a sweat as he watched Alan's head begin to bob slowly, his lips sliding up and down his length. He'd all but forgotten what it felt like to be sucked off and what Alan lacked in experience, he more than made up for in enthusiasm. Eric began to pant softly and another groan burst from his throat when his spouse's tongue curled around the underside of his shaft.
"Al...Alan...ah gods...keep it up an' ye'll finish me," he warned softly, releasing the smaller reaper's hair to grab hold of the bedding.
Alan's face heated right up into his ears as he continued, his hand lying on Eric's inner thigh as he bobbed his head. He wasn't worried. He knew Eric was a man fully capable of more than one round, so completion now wouldn't end their evening.
Over and over again his soft lips and slick tongue caressed his lover's sex until he'd achieved his goal. The taste, however, took him by surprise and he pulled back, getting the tail end of Eric's completion squirting onto his face.
Eric's loud cry of gratification filled the air, and it took him a moment to realize he'd gotten his spunk all over his partner's face. Still gasping for breath, he hastily grabbed the first thing within reach—Alan's discarded pajamas—and he wiped the mess off the other man's face.
"Sorry, lover," he panted in embarrassment. That really wasn't the best way to finish when it was Alan's first time giving a blow job, and Eric hoped it didn't turn him off. He'd tried to warn him but it still crept up on him, in the end.
"Jus' felt sae good," excused the Scotsman with a sheepish grin.
"I..." he shook his head as his lover cleaned him up, "You took me by surprise is all. I wanted to make you feel good." he pulled himself back up along his body and kissed him.
"Oh, tha' yeh did," assured Eric with a breathless chuckle. He put his arms around Alan and he reciprocates his kisses. "Mmm, tha' was great. I wasnae expecting it, but surprises like tha' I dun' mind."
He slid his hands down Alan's back and he let them settle on his bum. Tracing the smaller reaper's tailbone with languid fingers, Eric kissed him again.
"Tonight's special...I want it to be one to remember." Alan whispered against his lips, "I love you."
He pulled Eric into a deep kiss, wrapping his arms and legs around him to lock him in place against his own nude body.
Eric returned the kiss with lazy sensuality, one hand curving around from Alan's backside to his front. He curled his fingers around Alan's arousal and he stroked it slowly as his tongue fenced with his. Eric began to swell again, his cock stirring with re-awakened passion.
"Mm, tha' dinnae take long," he purred against Alan's lips, "but wi' a sweet, sexy thing like yeh in mah arms, it comes as no surprise."
It only took moments for him to harden again completely and he took his other hand off Alan's rear to reach for the oil. Popping the stopper off with his thumb, he dribbled some of it over the stiff length he was fondling before dripping some over his own sex. Eric paused his stroking to lube up his fingers, and then he resumed as he sought out the crevice between his husband's buttocks.
"Nice an' easy," whispered the Scotsman, carefully inserting the tip of one finger.
Alan gasped, closing his eyes. A thrill rippled through his body as it was quickly reminded of the pleasures Eric had bestowed on him their first night together. Gentle, but thrilling. Eric was an expert on making sure it wasn't rushed and painful.
"Eric..."
He rubbed up against him, pressing their members together as he let his hands wander again, scoping out Eric's now all familiar form. His muscles and curves, the smooth skin and trail of body hair under his fingertips. It was nice being able to press so close to him again. The baby had created a buffer for so long.
"Ah, sweetheart," husked the Scotsman, easing his finger deeper inside of him. Patience was definitely a virtue right now, and he practiced it tenaciously so as not to spoil his partner's pleasure. Eric covered Alan's busy hand with his larger one, encouraging his stroking. He claimed his lips again in a kiss, groaning softly into his mouth.
"Want-you!" Alan gasped, moving a little more confidently, thrusting his hips to add friction between their members. "Oh, Rhea, I never thought I'd be thinking such dirty thoughts..."
He kept imagining what positions they'd try that evening, what games they'd play and what words and moans they'd utter. The inside of his mind reminded him of things he'd overheard in the break room over his years at dispatch. Usually between Eric and Ronald as they compared notes of dates they had had.
Eric chuckled huskily and a second digit joined the first inside Alan's snug passage. "Looks like 'Dirty Eric's' had some influence on ya. I like tha'."
He was starting to get breathless with need again and the Scotsman strove to prepare his partner without rushing it, while at the same time attempting to work fast enough to avoid blowing his load again before they could join. Alan's curious, eager stroking felt too bloody good, and his innocent but sincere passion was driving Eric mad with lust.
"I love how yer still sae innocent," purred Eric against Alan's throat. He sucked at the skin before licking it. "I dun' think ya could e'er be 'dirty', lover...but ya definitely know how tae make a man feel wanted."
He petted the internal gland he found and he pulled back to watch Alan's face as he stimulated it. Eric smiled as the brunet's eyes widened in response to the sensation. "Aye, yeh remember how tha' feels now. Mm, I love tha way ya blush when I hit it jus' right, Alan."
He knew pillow talk tended to embarrass Alan at times, but he just couldn't seem to help it.
"E-Eric, why..?" Alan gasped, his whisper hitching in a small cry when Eric touched him just right as he tried to speak. He moaned out louder than he intended and promptly hid his face against where Eric's shoulder met his neck. "...You talk so...dirty..." he husked.
"Ya bring it out in me, sweetheart," chuckled the Scotsman. He leaned in again to nibble Alan's earlobe and he wiggled his fingers firmly inside of him, pleasuring the little gland without mercy. A low, carnal growl rumbled in his throat in response to the reactions he was getting and he bucked into his lover's hand, letting him know with his actions how much he appreciated his touch.
"Ahh-ah!" Alan's control over his voice started disappearing as Eric worked his magic inside him. His strokes grew jerky and irregular as he struggled to keep concentration. But he kept going, determined to keep Eric's body happy until they finally joined together.
Eric was panting for breath and fighting for control by the time he felt confident enough to withdraw his fingers and cup Alan's hips. "Do ya want tae try riding me, lover? Ya might enjoy having more control o'er tha thrusting an' how deep yeh take me." He kissed Alan's throat and nuzzled it before adding: "an' we can switch tae ano'er position anytime ya like."
Alan nodded, whimpering at the loss of stimulation. He let Eric grab his hips and guide him into position over Eric's throbbing sex, and quickly realizing what to do, he lowered himself, cheeks flushing brighter as he felt Eric at his entrance and he pushed down.
"Ahh-hh!" He gasped as the resistance gave way and Eric's tip was inside him again for the first time since that day they tried to make love and ended up tearing the Scotsman's stitches. A shiver ran up his body as he closed his eyes, pausing to adjust as Eric's sex was larger than his fingers.
Gripping Eric's arms, he started to move down more when he was ready to do so, glad his husband was being patient with him and not taking over to thrust up too fast.
"Oh, Alan..." Eric's voice trembled with passion, and he clenched his jaw and tried to relax. Supporting his spouse with both hands on his hips, he stared into his faintly glowing eyes and he took a deep, controlled breath. "It's been too long, sweetheart. Lugh, I forgot how amazing ya feel."
Alan's response was a loud gasp as he got as far as he felt he could and paused again before he let Eric guide him back up slowly, and then down again, testing the pleasures as he grew used to it so that they could speed things up. But as they did, Alan felt thrills rush through him.
"Gahh-ahn-Eric!" His head dropped back as they hit a decent speed and rhythm.
Confident that Alan had found his pace and no longer needed his guidance, Eric claimed his lips in a deep kiss and he embraced him. He rocked with him, delving gently but insistently inside of him as he rolled his hips. He felt complete now, joined with the reaper that had so easily captured his heart years before Eric even made a move on him. If it weren't for the severity of their situation that day the Scotsman drove his partner to the edge of the city to drop him off and urge him to vanish, he might not have even kissed him. He'd never really told Alan how deeply he respected him, or how unlikely he thought it would be that he'd reciprocate his attraction. He'd been a player back then and he knew Alan didn't approve of his conquests, even though he never said anything judgmental about his lifestyle.
"Love ya," moaned Eric in a fit of felicity. He knew his spouse was already aware of that, but he probably didn't know that Eric had never spoken those words to anyone else before. The connection they shared was amazing, and the deep bond forged upon speaking their vows had only made it stronger.
"K-Ki-" Alan gasped in time with his movements before giving up so he could better speak his mind, "Kiss me!" He demanded, cupping Eric's cheeks between both hands before pulling him in against his soft lips, his bottom settling in Eric's lap, slowly sinking to the hilt as he continued his pause in motion. He wasn't normally so demanding, but he thought he'd try a new way of letting the man know what his heart was screaming with every beat. He moaned, enjoying the lip lock as he slipped his tongue in past Eric's lips.
Eric's rumbling growl of delight rumbled in his chest as he kissed Alan back as requested. He put a little more forced in his upward thrusts and he grabbed the smaller reaper's buttocks, beyond the point of self-restraint. He allowed his husband to dominate the kiss for a while, stroking his exploring tongue with his own and softening the pressure of his lips on Alan's. It was a fine line of balance...a demonstration to show Alan that he was willing to allow him to call the shots while still maintaining his own assertive nature.
It was probably a good thing that they were lip-locked, because Eric's groans were fast on the verge of becoming bellows. As it stood, the noises of pleasure he was making got trapped in his partner's mouth as he drove himself into him, ever mindful of any changes that might indicate he was causing discomfort. So far, Alan seemed to be enjoying the hell out of it. Eric himself was grateful to see his shy lover gaining confidence. One of the best things for him in any given sexual encounter was to experience enthusiasm from the one he was with, and so far Alan had always delivered on that account.
Alan's noises were smaller, but just as loud, muffled only by the kiss. As Eric thrust into him, his short noises grew longer and louder as his body began to bounce in time. It began to get so rough that Alan bit his-and Eric's tongue, though not too hard. Gasping, he pulled out of the kiss, not wanting to repeat the accident. Rather, he hid his face in Eric's neck, crying out unrestrained against his skin as his hands ran over his chest, nails scraping his skin lightly.
"Gods...ah gods...Alan!" Eric's husky cry filled the tent and probably alerted everyone within twenty feet of what they were up to, but he felt no shame in that. He was making love with the love of his life—as many in their camp were now doing—and he doubted anyone would find fault with that. He couldn't get over the feel of his husband's touch or the sound of his sharp, helpless cries. He gripped Alan's smooth bottom almost desperately, guiding his motions and driving harder into him.
"Ah, hells!" Eric groaned, at the very edge of his release. He retained his tenacious hold on his bliss, somehow managing not to blow his load. It felt like it was shifting through his entire body, though. It was destroying him in the best way.
"E-Eric-please," Alan begged when his breath could manage more than a cry of pleasure, "T-touch me, I feel so close!"
He remembered the feeling from the night he'd gotten pregnant with their son, and knowing he was on the verge of utter bliss, he wanted Eric to coax him the rest of the way. In return, he hugged the man with one arm, and with the other he reached back and around to fondle the Scotsman's family jewels.
"Fu—" Eric somehow managed to bottle up his mounting expletive and he let go of Alan's right cheek to grant his wish. Curling his hand around the smaller reaper's flushed arousal, he began to jerk him off. "Lover...fer tha love o' gods...you're sae hot..."
He started to twitch inside Alan and he bit his lip until it bled, desperate to hold off just a little longer. It was a battle doomed to failure, though. He'd simply gone for too long without and Eric tensed beneath Alan, his breath exploding helplessly as he bucked inside of him and filled him.
"Shite," gasped Eric, still thrusting beneath his husband. He stroked his thumb over the head of Alan's erection as he gave up his seed to him, hoping his lover wasn't too far off.
Luckily for Eric, Alan wasn't far behind. Before long, Alan's back arched, throwing his head back as a final cry ripped from his lips, his entire body inside and out twitching as he spilled over in sweet, sweet release. He waited for the waves of pleasure to settle before he leaned forward again, collapsing against Eric's chest.
"Eric... Oh Sweet Death, Eric..." he whispered in a sore, broken voice.
"Aye...well said," panted the Scotsman with a breathless chuckle. He could completely empathize with Alan's sentiments. It was just as good as he remembered and he knew it would only get better each time. He caressed Alan's sweaty back, his own body glistening with beads of perspiration as well. He missed the winter, but this encounter was definitely worth working up a sweat. He kissed Alan's forehead and he sighed, rocking him gently in his arms, his softening length still wedged inside of him.
"Let's jus' stay like this fer a while," he suggested. "Feels nice."
Alan nodded, relaxing against his lover, "I love you." He hummed, closing his eyes. They would need to get cleaned up and dressed, and he'd take the pill Ronald had given him before going to get their son for the rest of the night... but they needn't do so now. "As long as we don't fall asleep and forget to clean up..." he murmured.
"Aye, and dun' forget tae take yer pill," Eric reminded, his thoughts mirroring Alan's.
As much as he wanted to have a big family with Alan, they'd just had their first and he didn't want to have another accident while they were still fugitives. Maybe in a year they could try for their second...but one of two things needed to happen, first. Either they'd have to succeed in taking back Dispatch, or those currently in power would have to drop the charges against them and allow them to live as civilians. Eric couldn't see the latter happening, and he knew that most of the agents amongst them wouldn't be satisfied working a civilian job. Being a Dispatch agent was hard, grueling, dangerous work...but it took a certain kind of reaper to do it, and once you earned your place as a collector, it became a part of you forever.
The Undertaker was one of the very few reapers Eric knew of that had retired of his own accord. Previous retirees were generally agents that suffered mental or emotional trauma and were no longer considered fit to reap. Some might argue that the old mortician wasn't stable enough for the job, but Dispatch had commissioned his help before in the past when too short staffed, despite his status as a defector. Though he seemed quite mad to most, his skills in both combat and reaping were still superior to most—Eric learned that the hard way when the man kicked him clear across the room that day.
"Alan," he murmured, "Do ya think we could e'er be happy livin' as civilians, if it came tae cutting some sort o' deal wi' those bastarts tha' took o'er Dispatch?"
He didn't mention that such a deal would likely only be possible if the strike teams failed and got either killed or captured. If captured, odds were they'd be executed or imprisoned—perhaps for life. Still, seeing as the remaining refugees were just civilians and parents with children, it was possible that those in power might be lenient.
Alan bit his lip. He had nothing against the idea of living as a civilian, And given his addiction that had given him Thorns, perhaps it would be the best option for him, personally. He didn't want to risk it all again after Eric had done so much to save him, with the help of Undertaker and Alex. Though the side effects from the cure were starting to lighten up and he was lapsing into less fits of confusion and depression, he had a family, now. A handsome, dedicated husband and an adorable son.
But still, there would always be a part of him that would long for his old job at Dispatch. Becoming a full-fledged reaper changed reapers. They gained a personal connection to not only the scythe they used, but death itself. They may not show it, but they cared about the souls they collected. Alan had just cared too much. He hadn't the talent to separate his emotions from the job.
"To tell you the truth, Eric..." Alan tilted his head to meet his gaze, "I think that I should choose that lifestyle when we return to our realm. I love being your partner but I can't help myself from...contact with records. I got so good at it. I knew how to sneak it even with you a few feet away. I knew how to keep it under control so they didn't overwhelm me completely. I knew how to stop it within seconds if you started to turn around... You worked so hard to save me from my own mistakes, I shouldn't be exposed to that temptation again, even with you there by my side. I don't want to get Thorns again."
Eric felt a lump of sadness form in his throat. He knew Alan was right, but he himself had failed to notice his partner's contact with the cinematic records all those times. If he had, he would have put a stop to it. Alan's safety was more important to their family than the two of them being a team in the field again, and the unspoken truth they were both facing was that there was a chance Eric might not even make it back. He didn't want to think of that right now, though. He just wanted to concentrate on Alan and the bond they shared, for tonight.
"Whatever happens," he whispered, "Ye'll always be in mah heart, an' I in yers. We made a strong, beautiful son together an' as long as I know yer both safe, I'll carry hope in mah heart an' fight tae get back tae tha both of you, an' then we can rebuild our lives. Whate'er ya decide is fine by me, an' I think yer idea's a good one. I'll miss tha hell out o' collecting wi' ya, but we're still partners in life...now an' forever."
Alan pulled himself up enough to kiss Eric's lips in response, Eric's soft length slipping out of him from the movement. His lips softly caressed Eric's with little wet smacks. He didn't need to put it into words that he was worried about what was to come.
"Partners in life...is better than partners on the field." he whispered, "It's a more than fair trade."
Eric held him close and he buried his face in the crook of Alan's neck, breathing in his scent. "I ne'er thought I'd have this. No' just tha relationship. Ne'er thought I'd have you. So many times I watched ya pouring o'er files an' reports, lookin' so serious at yer desk. I might've had tha reputation of a player, but tha scariest thing fer me was tha thought of walking up tae yeh an' finally telling ya how I felt. I couldnae help staring at ya sometimes, Al. I think ya caught me once or twice an' ya asked if somethin' was wrong."
He chuckled at the memory and he pulled back to smile at the smaller reaper. "I came up wi' some bullshite excuse, usually. Truth be told, I couldnae stop thinking of what it'd be like tae finally kiss ya."
"I would have never guessed you'd have even the slightest interest in me. Alan confessed, "You, or anyone. I certainly wasn't the type off person you took out every Friday, and I sort of just...thought I'd live alone and die alone...until you kissed me. I was so confused and hung up on why you would do such a thing, all the while feelings I hadn't recognized I even had hidden in my heart for you started bubbling up inside me. So...unlike you, I can't say when I fell for you... if it was before or after the kiss, I'm not sure."
Eric smiled. "Doesnae matter now. We're together an' maybe it's fate tha' I didnae act on mah feelings sooner. I dun' care how it happened...I'm jus' glad it did."
He cupped his spouse's face and he pressed soft kisses to his eyelids. "Thanks fer being mah conscience...an' mah closest friend an' partner in everything."
"And mother to the son you didn't expect to have?" Alan smiled, kissing his jaw before reaching over to the make-shift table by the bed and taking the pill off it to swallow.
"Tha' too," agreed Eric. He reached for the water canteen and he offered it to his partner to help him wash down the pill. After Alan finished with it, Eric took a swig himself. Reluctantly the Scotsman eased his husband off of him. He kissed Alan on the lips and he whispered a promise to him. "Be right back wi' our son, sweetheart. Jus' relax."
"Don't!" Alan called after him before swallowing, cheeks growing red all over again, "...Don't forget pants." He remembered all too well the time he had managed to streak all the way to William and Ronald's room.
Eric wasn't nearly as modest as his lover and he realized just as he was about to duck out of the tent that it hadn't occurred to him to put a stitch of clothing on. More for his husband's sake than his own, the Scotsman delayed his exit for long enough to pull on a pair of pajama bottoms. He smiled and winked at his blushing spouse as he pulled aside the tent flap.
"Be back in a few, lover. Hold tha fort."
Alan gave him a smile and got to work cleaning himself up before locating his pajamas and slipping into both the bottom and the top. He didn't care for sleeping half naked, personally, He liked having a shirt on to keep him warm, even if it was hot out. It was almost a security thing for him.
"Ahh...love...bloody hell!" The Undertaker finished off with a groan, shortly after bringing his lover to completion. Hair pulled to one side and spilling over his left shoulder, he lowered his gasping lips to Grell's to kiss them softly. "You make this ol' bloke feel alive, lovely. I couldn't say where I'd be right now, if it weren't for you."
He kissed Grell languidly before trailing his pale lips over the fair, smooth skin of his lover's face. It was ridiculously blissful...a thing which he was unused to experiencing with anyone. He and Grell hadn't actually made love together again before tonight and the Undertaker enjoyed every moment of it.
"Darlin'...I know I've kept saying I might not be the best 'Papa' material," he murmured against Grell's throat, "but I've been thinking on what y' said. I mean about us possibly trying again."
Undertaker lifted his head and he gazed down at Grell. "Did you mean that, m'dear?"
Grell gave a short nod. "I did."
He sighed and moved to fetch the pillows that had fallen to the ground, dusting them off before using them to prop himself up. "I'm not exactly the perfect motherly type, either, Unnie. I'm not like Allie is. I don't have protective tendencies, and I have many flaws. That being said, it has still been a dream of mine to have a child of my own with the soul my soul was meant to be with. Loosing our daughter was a huge blow, but I'd like to try once more... and with any luck, we won't create a complete psychopath together."
Undertaker chuckled, and he kissed his way up Grell's fair, lean body. He paused to kiss and nibble his ear before he spoke again. "I think any child of mine is bound to have some issues, but it'd also be a strong and self-sufficient li'l nipper. Especially with you as the mother."
He ran his long black nails through Grell's flowing tangled tresses, gently combing out some of the snags. The Undertaker sighed and he cuddled up to his companion, resting his cheek against Grell's chest. "I love you, li'l rose. Have for some time—I'm sure you know. If we get though this I might even consider giving up the embalming business to raise a family with you."
He smirked and he ran his nails over Grell's torso. "That's how much I adore you, love. I never considered myself the family sort, but now..."
He left it at that, softly trailing off. He hadn't even known how to handle it when he first found out his lover was expecting. He still didn't believe he was good father material, but he missed the child he'd never gotten the chance to meet alive. Burying that tiny thing had been a sort of murder on him.
"You wouldn't have to quit making your coffins and working with the dead, just because you become a daddy," Grell said, running his hand up along Undertaker's back as he held him, "I know you love those coffins and your shop. Besides, you wouldn't want me to be the only one supporting our family, would you? Away and working all day with you at home with our kid? We can both work and manage the time without baby evenly."
"Actually that might be the ideal plan," agreed Undertaker. "Since I work from home anyway, someone will always be there to take care of the nipper. I do most of my business in the evenings anyway, so you'll usually be home from work by the time I have to start working on clients."
It felt a bit strange to actually be planning a family. Undertaker had gone from swearing off even the notion of ever reproducing to eagerly discussing a future filled with babies and domestics. He was certainly a changed reaper, even if most couldn't see it on the outside. Before they could welcome any bundles of joy into their lives though, he and Grell had to survive the coming challenge and change their world into one more suited to raising children.
"See? No need to toss aside the job you love like a hobby, darling." Grell smiled and kissed the crown of Undertaker's silver head. "We can have our cake and eat it too, should tomorrow and the days to follow turn in our favor."
Undertaker sighed and closed his eyes, turning his head to kiss Grell's chest. "Tomorrow. We'll change the face of our world before the day's through, or we'll at least make a big enough dent in their armor to make 'em vulnerable. Once word gets out someone's fighting back it might inspire more reapers to resist those buggers."
The biggest problem was how many Shinigami didn't even realize that Dispatch was being slowly taken over by hostiles. That was where Alex was going to come in, if he could manage it. If they could secure London dispatch, they would bring the hacker over to that side to try and broadcast proof of their victory over all of the main channel signals. Exposure was probably the opposition's biggest enemy. If they could get the word out and show everyone the truth, the Revivalist's empire would start to crumble whether they held London Dispatch or not.
"I love you, pretty rose," murmured the Undertaker, cuddling Grell. "Wish I'd come to that realization sooner."
"No arguments there!" Grell huffed, "Would have saved us a world of pain, maybe not all..." he trailed off and sighed. "But you have and I love you back, my Unnie-bunny. We'll get through this thing tomorrow together."
Undertaker chuckled sleepily and he kissed Grell's chest again. Within moments he was snoring softly, wrapped in a lover's embrace with the reaper that had somehow captured his heart so completely.
-To be continued