Chapter Text
That’s it. It’s his final straw. He’s not sure what William’s intentions were, if the younger reaper was genuinely trying to be kind to him for whatever damn reason or he was not so subtly pitying him. Either way, he’s had enough of it. WIlliam’s never been known for being kind, so obviously there had to be some ulterior motives. So he waits. He waits in the office even long after the last reaper’s gone home because he knows William's still on overtime. However long overtime lasts varies but he’s determined to finally get an answer out of the man.
Finally, after a few hours of overtime, the door to William’s office opens and the other reaper walks out, closing the door after him. Once he’s locked it and turned to leave, Eric comes from the darker end of the hall and grabs William from behind, shoving him up against the wall and pinning his arms at his sides. The shock that flashes across William’s face quickly dissolves into annoyance and even anger, “Slingby, what the hell do you think you're doing?!”
“I want answers.” Eric retorts, caging William against the wall with his body. “Answers yer gonna give me.”
William’s eyebrow twitches. “What answers do you possibly want?”
“Why the hell are you being nice to me? Everyone knows Mr. Spears isn’t nice for no goddamn reason.”
William’s lips press into a thin line, struggling against Eric’s hold but Eric’s always been stronger, so it’s easy to keep him pinned. “Let me go else I’ll provide you with overtime for a month.”
“Answers Spears. Tell me why you’ve been so generous to me. Why would you care if I followed Alan to the grave, huh? Why would you care if I’ve been takin’ care of myself? Why ?”
William still isn’t keen on answering, struggling even harder to force Eric’s hands off his arms but when he comes to realise he’s not going to be leaving without giving those answers, he lets out a long sigh and drops his defensive stance. “You’re one of my best reapers, Slingby. On the field, you nearly outbeat Sutcliffe in terms of efficiency when she’s not distracted by that bloody butler. Losing you would be a detriment to the office, that’s all.”
Eric studies William’s face, searching his eyes; he’s not telling the full truth. He’s masking it by trying to play to Eric’s ego. Perhaps what he’s saying is true but something tells Eric that it’s not just the office William would worry about losing another reaper. “You won’t get what you want if ye don’t talk to me.” With that, he kisses William. He feels the tension rise again in William’s body and he struggles once again but it lasts mere seconds before he falls limp and slowly, returns the kiss. It’s slow and soft and one Eric hasn’t shared with anyone since Alan left. He lets William’s arms go to encircle his own around William’s waist, pulling their bodies tightly together as William’s hands grip Eric’s arms.
The kiss lasts for long enough that Eric nearly forgets who he’s kissing until William slowly pulls away. There’s no soft look or admiration in those eyes, instead there’s only sadness as he glances away. “Thank you and now that you’ve had your fill, am I free to leave?”
Eric frowns, “Spears, William , ye think I’d kiss ye like that then just walk away?”
“Yes. Why on earth would you want to kiss me otherwise then out of pity for my feelings? I am not Alan, I cannot be Alan and I will not be a replacement for Alan.”
Eric tightens his arms around William’s waist, refusing to let him go. “I don’t want another Alan. I loved the lad, I loved him with everything that I am but you, and everyone else, is right. Alan’s gone. He’s gone and I can’t get him back. I’ve…slowly come to accept it, but only because of you. You’re the only one that’s cared enough to help put me back on the right track. Yer not Alan, yet never gonna be and I would never want ye to.”
William shakes his head. “You say that while I doubt you feel anything for me to begin with.”
“Aye, maybe at first, but Will, it’s hard to deny growing attached to someone when they show you how much they care. I dunno if you did it on purpose or there’s some well meaning bone in that body of yers, but you were showin’ me everyday that you did. That you care.” he removes one arm from William’s waist to take that hand and cup William’s cheek, gently coaxing his head back so their eyes lock. “Love’s a strong word, one that’s not gonna be easy for me to say again, but , with you, I think I’ll be able to find it again.”
William’s expression doesn’t betray what he’s thinking and for a long moment, Eric thinks maybe he really has read the man wrong and he’s just made a fool of himself that was until William pulled him back in for another kiss, one just as soft. “Love is a strong word and I don’t think that’s entirely what I feel for you yet,” William finally speaks, his lips brushing Eric’s, his voice barely above a whisper, “but I do feel strongly for you, a feeling I’ve not felt for anyone before.” he takes a breath, looking back into Eric’s eyes, “perhaps, you’d be willing to try?”
Eric grins at him, squeezing William’s hip, “more than willing darling.”
William’s face reddens at the pet name, turning his head again to adjust his glasses and get himself under control, “yes, well, I…I thank you, Eric, for giving me a chance.”
Eric pulls William back in for a final kiss, letting it linger, letting the unspoken words pass between their lips, “no Will, thank ye for giving me another one.”