As Long as You're Beside Me

William T Spears walked down the pristine halls of the Shinigami Dispatch Society, his step not as light as usual.  He sighed, almost trudging along as he shakily tried to make his way towards his office.  This was going to be a long day.....

A couple of minutes later, William finally made it to his destination and slumped down into his chair, coughing.  He groaned, taking off his glasses and rubbing his emerald eyes before snapping the glasses back on his face and staring resentfully at the stack of papers on his desk.  Did they really all have to be filled out today?  He sighed, stifling a sneeze before pulling them towards him.

Of course they had to be filled out.  Otherwise he wouldn't have come to work at all.  He had woken up that morning feeling as if an anvil had been dropped on his head.  It didn't help that his throat felt like it was on fire and he was so congested he could barely breathe.  He hoped that no one would come near him....not that he was worried for their safely, but he just didn't want them near enough to hear him sniffling and wheezing.  How embarrassing.
At least paperwork wasn't so bad....Will was dreading the time he had to go out and do field work.  He could barely sit up...how could he go about collecting souls in this pitiful condition?  Sighing, he finished the report and pushed it aside, pushing up his glasses with his free hand.  

He supposed he should have been more careful.  A few days ago he noticed he was starting to come down with a cold but seeing as their department was currently understaffed as many of the London Shinigami had been sent out on a special mission over in another branch, he had ignored it.  Well, now he was paying for it.  

William managed to work in that condition for another hour before he heard a knock at his door.  Instantly, he was thrown into a panic, his heart starting to pound rapidly in his chest.  Oh no...not now...please don't have anyone come in and see-
The door was pushed open, crushing his hopes at being undetected as a young blond-haired reaper strutted into the room, a lazy grin on his face.
  "Oi Sempai! What's up? I haven't seen you all mor-"
The smile faded off of his face as he eyed his superior.  William pushed up his glasses nervously, half hoping to cover his face with his hand as he did so.

Ronald Knox quickly crossed over to the desk, biting his lip in concern.
  "You look awful."
William gave his glasses another awkward push up his face, trying to appear as normal as possible.
  "Dow buteder dave....grmblealsdkjfhas." He stopped, his cheeks instantly flushing a deep shade of pink as he closed his eyes, knowing Ronald was staring at him closely.

Ronald cocked his head at the incomprehensible babble, then gently placed a gloved hand on his forehead, his eyes going wide with alarm.  He could feel the heat penetrating through his leather gloves.  Ronald bit his lip, then gave William a small smile, his arms moving around him as he gently starting massaging his shoulders.

  "Aww Sempai, why did you come to work today? You're obviously sick...."
William glanced away, his cheeks the color of ripe tomatoes.  
  "Dut..." He gave a strong sniffle in a vain attempt to clear his nose before he continued.
  "But we're so understaffed at the moment....I had to come...." He trailed off, his expression going blank before he let out a sneeze.

Ronald shook his head, grinning as he took out a handkerchief and used it to gently wipe his superior's runny nose.
  "But you can't work like this....look at you..."
William shook his head, gently taking the handkerchief from Ronald as he sighed.
  "But we need more people all the same...besides, Grell Sutcliff never finishes up his work on time, and I do not have the heart to ask Mr. Humphries to do overtime with his already unstable condition...."

He sighed, taking off his glasses and rubbing at his eyes again.  After a moment, he slid them back on and gave Ronald a weak smile.
  "It is alright...I shall take some medicine and go to bed early...."
Ronald had just opened up his mouth to reply when William suddenly glanced up at his clock and let out a yelp.

  "AH!" He accidentally knocked some papers to the floor as he scrambled for his book containing all of those who were on the list to die.  He slammed it open then suddenly slammed it shut again as he sprang up, grabbing his death scythe from where it was leaning against the office wall.
  "This person is scheduled to die in an hour! I must go!"

  "Ah! Sempai!"
Ronald ran after him, but was stopped as the door slammed shut in his face.  He sighed, then glanced at his watch and noticed that he had to start gathering souls as well.  He opened the door to the office and glanced down the hall but William was nowhere to be seen.  Biting his lip with worry, he hurried off for his own office to pick up his scythe and start work.  He just hoped William would be okay.....


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

William bit his lip, peering out over the city from a rooftop.  A slight drizzle was falling over London, casting the city in cloudy darkness.  He coughed, then pushed up his glasses and glanced down at his list.  Andrew Taymore, 37.  Set to die from a knife wound. William snapped his book shut then headed off.  

He hadn't gone far when he was suddenly seized by a coughing fit. Doubling over, he narrowly avoided falling off the roof as he squinted down at the street below.  Andrew Taymore, there he was, getting chased by his soon be murderer.  Panting, William watched as he was overtaken by his attacker....saw him fall to the ground....now.

He jumped off the roof, landing not so gracefully on the street below him.  Staggering a bit from his awkward landing, he regained his composure then shot out his death scythe.  Instantly, the cinematic record began playing. William watched it as usual, then stamped his book and collected the soul, sighing wearily as he finished.  One down.....and many more to go.

Three hours later he had finished most of the names on the list.  Just three more left.....William shivered slightly, shaking his head as thunder clapped in the sky.  The earlier drizzle had quickly turned into a full on downpour and he stumbled through it on his way to his next mission.  Only three more...then he was done for the day......William shuddered, his teeth chattering against the cold as he traveled along, his uniform and skin completely soaked.

Which person was it now?  William had stopped checking his book after it had begun pouring to avoid getting it wetter than it already was. Elizabeth.....he couldn't remember the last name.  All he knew was that she was set to die a few blocks away at exactly 6:00 pm from head trauma.  William gritted his teeth, pausing to wipe rainwater off his glasses with his soaked coat.  It was 5:49 right now....

Suddenly, he was seized by an intense coughing fit, sending him crashing to the pavement as his knees gave way beneath him.  He gasped, trying to regain his breath when a sudden wave of nausea sent him reeling to the pavement once more.  Clutching at his stomach, Will whined, rolling on the slick pavement as he curled up into a tiny ball, shaking.  It hurt.....he retched, then vomited.  

Whimpering, William managed to pull himself to his knees, one hand still clutching his stomach.  He had to get to that soul!  He has halfway up when he felt his stomach heave and was sent hurling once more just as the clock stuck six, sending a chill through his heart.

No....One. NO! William reached out his hand pitifully, vainly hoping that he could somehow move himself to that soul just by will alone.  Two... he was running out of time!  He had to get there before the demons discovered it! Three... William let out a soft cry, tears starting to fill his eyes, his body shaking with fatigue and fever.  He wouldn't be able to make it! But he had no choice! He had to!

Six. The clocked stopped and William felt a part of him die alongside side it.  He didn't make it....the soul was gone, uncollected.  Tears mixed with rain as his head dropped to the pavement.  Then everything went black.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ronald Knox was pacing the halls of the Shinigami offices, worry etched on his usually carefree features.  Where was Will?  He should be back by now.....he quickly spun round to one of his fellow Shinigamis who was typing up a report nearby.
  "Alan-Sempai...."
Alan Humphries looked up innocently.  Ronald stared at him, then shook his head and continued pacing.
  "Never mind."
Alan nodded, confused, then returned to his report.  

He suddenly gasped a few minutes later as something unusual caught his eye.
  "There's.....an uncollected soul here...."
Ronald spun around, running up to him and glancing over his shoulder at the paper Alan was typing up.
  "What!? Whose list was it on?"
Alan bit his lip, his eyes scanning down the list.
  "William...san."

Ronald felt his blood run cold.  The blonde reaper with the black cornrows in his hair next to Alan raised his eyebrows as he peered in at the report.
  "Ah....probably stolen by a demon eh? William's not going to be happy about that...."
Alan nodded, then continued scanning. He glanced up a few minutes later.
  "There's...another uncollected soul here too.....it's..." He stopped dead. "...Another one of William's."

Ronald stared at the list, then dropped everything and ran.  Alan looked up just in time to see the door slam shut, and Ronald was gone.


Gasping through the rain, Ronald tore down the streets of London, his eyes ever searching, calling out his senior's name into the night.
  "SEMPAI! WILLIAM-SEMPAI!!" Ronald gritted his teeth, rushing down an alleyway.  Please don't be dead! Please don't be dead! He grunted, trying hard to block out the foreboding voices in his head.  He couldn't be dead! He wouldn't allow him to be!  Ronald would never forgive himself if he was....

He charged through the rain, hardly noticing where he was going.  Actually, he didn't care where he was going, as long as it took him to his William.....he stopped, catching his breath as he glanced this way and that.  And then he saw him.  

  "No..." Ronald felt his heart drop into the pit of his stomach as he stared, frozen.  It couldn't be.....Ronald felt his legs move at their own accord as he walked closer to the still form of his beloved.  William was lying illuminated in the light of a nearby streetlamp, looking for all the world like a broken porcelain doll.  His was still half curled up from where he had fallen, glasses askew as his hair lay wet and loose in his eyes.

Ronald quickly blinked away the tears that had welled up in his eyes as he reached him.  
  "Will..." He gently knelt down beside him and placed a hand on his cheek, fearing the worst.  But instead of the coldness of the dead he felt warmth melt into his hands once more.  Too much warmth.  Ronald quickly drew William's head into his lap and started stroking his forehead, cradling him.
  "Oh William...whatever am I going to do with you...."

William stirred slightly, then started coughing.  Ronald smiled gently as the other's eyes fluttered open behind his rain-spattered glasses.  William blinked, staring blankly out at the sky, then his eyes grew wide as he realized where he was. Ronald felt a tug at his heartstrings as he saw the fear shining in those polychromatic eyes.  He quickly wrapped his arms around his lover and smiled, stroking him soothingly.
  "It's alright sweetheart, I'm here...."

William's eyes flickered up to his face, then he suddenly buried his head into Ronald's chest, wrapping his arms around his waist as he started shaking.  It took Ronald a moment to realize he was crying.
  "Aww...shhhh...it's alright now....it's alright." He gently started stroking William's back, smiling gently as the rain continued to fall.  He waited until William had calmed down a bit before he bit his lip, placing a hand on his forehead.

  "You're so warm....I have to get you out of here." He gazed down at the other reaper. "Do you have enough energy to hold onto me?"
William nodded.  Ronald smiled, then turned around so he had his back to him.
  "Get on."
William blushed slightly, then did as he was told, climbing up onto his back and slipping his arms around his neck and shoulders.  Ronald smiled, securing his grasp on WIlliam's legs, then started back to the Shinigami Realm.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Arriving back at William's apartment, Ronald quickly unlocked the door and carried his boss inside, tenderly placing him upon the couch before straightening up.  He gently placed a hand on his forehead once more, then headed off to the bathroom.  He came back a few minutes later and smiled.
  "Sorry Sempai, I would let you go straight bed but..." he gazed at William's soaked suit. "I think you should have a bath first."

William nodded, then made to sit up, but Ronald pushed him back down.  He smiled at Will's confused expression, then gently picked him up bridal style and carried him off to the bathroom, tenderly placing him down on the floor once they arrived.  He then proceeded to gently work Will's soaked clothing off him. William blushed slightly and opened his mouth to protest, but Ronald placed a soft finger against his lips.

  "Shh...you're terribly ill.  Don't think....just trust me."  
William stared at him, then nodded obediently.  Ronald smiled and finished undressing him before helping him into the tub.  After he had gotten William settled he quickly peeled off his own clothing and slid into the tub behind him.  Ronald sighed as he settled himself into the warm water, then slid his arms around William and gently started to bathe him.  He felt William relax under his touch and smiled sadly.  William was so sick...it pained him to see him this way....

Ronald finished up the job quickly, then got out, drying himself off first and throwing a bathrobe on before he gently picked Will up again and set him down on the edge of the tub, quickly and tenderly drying him off and dressing him in pajamas before picking him up once more.
  "There....feel better?"
William nodded gratefully, snuggling into Ronald's warmth.  He was glad he was doing all this....he felt so sick and weak he doubted he could even walk straight....

Ronald smiled then carried him off to the bedroom.  
  "There we go...you get some rest. I'll make you some broth-" He stopped, glancing up as Will suddenly latched onto him, hugging him close.
  "No..."
  "Hm?"
  "No..." William glanced away, clutching at Ronald's bathrobe. "not...the bed...."

Ronald raised his eyebrows, gazing down at him.
  "Will? What's wrong?"
William glanced down, still clutching the bathrobe.
  "I....don't want to....stay here.....You'll...be in the kitchen right?"
Ronald nodded, then felt his heart melt once more as he saw that Will's lip was quivering.
  "I don't....want to be so.....far away from you...."
Ronald gasped at this, then held him close.
  "Oh Will....Will...." He bit his lip, then smiled. "Alright.  Is the couch alright with you?"

William nodded.  Ronald smiled, then gently carried him over and set him down upon the couch once more.  He gave him a slight kiss on the nose, then hurried back off to the bedroom where he yanked Will's pillow and blankets off the bed and brought them over to the couch where he lovingly tucked the sick Shinigami in.
  "Feel comfortable now?"
William nodded, smiling weakly.
  "Thank you...."
Ronald smiled, then watched over him until he fell asleep.

After William had woken up and Ronald had gotten a bit of soup into him, he carried him off to the bed again where he tucked him in, retrieving the blankets from the couch and making sure he was warm and comfortable.  Ronald sighed, making sure all was in order in the apartment before he too decided to retire for the night, snuggling up next to William under the covers and holding him close.  

William smiled sweetly, feeling Ronald's warmth next to him.  
  "Mmm...you're so...warm...." He smiled, then hugged him, only breaking away when he started coughing again.  Ronald smiled, rubbing his back as he tried to ease his pain.  His coughs sounded horrible...terribly racking his thin body....Ronald watched as the fit subsided, then suddenly bit his lip and let out a soft sob as he turned away.

William gasped at this, reaching over and placing a hand on Ronald's back.
  "Ronald...what's wrong?"
Ronald gulped, turning around so he was facing his lover.
  "Sorry...so much happened today...I just...."
William nodded, sniffling.  Ronald sighed, then angrily wiped at his tears with a fist.

  "It's....I'm so relieved....when...I..." He shuddered. "When you d-didn't come b-back to the o-offices...I....I was s-so worried....y-you were s-so s-s-sick....and...then you...d-didn't come back...."
William bit his lip, trying his hardest not to let it quiver.  Ronald sniffled.
  "A-alan-sempai...later...s-saw...the s-soul list....your's....the souls....weren't c-collected and..." He let out a small sob. "I...I p-panicked...."

William nodded, a couple of tears escaping from his hold and trickling down his cheeks.  He suddenly felt terrible...and it wasn't just from his illness.  He lay down and gently squeezed Ronald's hand, trying hard not to burst out sobbing.  Ronald let out a small hiccup.
  "W-well....you know....I w-went out looking for you.....and......w-when I saw you...l-lying there....I instantly f-feared the worst."  He gazed into William's shining green eyes and felt tears fill his own in a sudden surge of grief.
  "I....I thought a d-demon had attacked you....I thought....that maybe.....I.....w-wouldn't ever see you again....."
Ronald drew in a shuddering breath, reaching out and hugging William close.  

  "I should have stopped you.....earlier. I SHOULD NEVER HAVE LET YOU GO!" He squeezed William close, almost possessively, feeling the other's slight, feverish body against his own.  "I feel so...pathetic.  This...is a-all my fault.....if I had gone after you....maybe.....you wouldn't have collapsed.....in the rain....all alone...."  
William sniffled, then suddenly couldn't contain his tears any longer and started sobbing.
  "Ronald...I'm s-sorry...I...I c-chose to g-g-go...when...when I k-knew I was ill...I'm so s-sorry..."

Ronald smiled gently, taking William's face up in his hands and cradling it.
  "No...it isn't your fault....I should know you by now.....you never think about taking care of yourself when it comes to work....."
Ronald bit his lip, then sighed, wiping away his tears and smiling.
  "I'm sorry...I made you cry....when you're already so sick..." He kissed him tenderly as he began to stroke his hair.
  "Will...I love you. I love you so much.....I just...I got so scared...I don't want to loose you ever....and....I felt...today....like I might have..."

He sighed, then gently cuddled William in his arms, grinning.
  "Smile for me?"
William blinked, then quickly turned away as he sneezed. Ronald chuckled, grabbing a tissue and wiping his boyfriend's nose as he pat him on the back.
  "Smile.....well I know you rarely do anyway but.....I hate to see you so sick...so unhappy....."
William blushed, then smiled his sweet smile that only Ronald got to see and know.  

Ronald grinned, then gently kissed his nose and held him close.
  "Alright...I can have good dreams now." He chuckled, then turned out the light.
  "Best we get some rest. You need to get better and I have to rest up too." He laughed, petting Will's hair.
  "...As it seems like being a nurse is a tiring job."

William chuckled, then wrapped his arms around Ronald's waist as he nuzzled into his shoulder.
  "Alright....." he blushed slightly as he glanced up to Ronald, concerned. "Will you be alright now? I'm sorry you had to suffer through all that....worrying about me..."
Ronald smiled, giving William a slight kiss on the lips before cradling him once more in his arms.
  "Yes....as long as you're beside me, everything will be just fine."