Author's note: Hey guys, I am so sorry for such an absence! I have had a really busy schedule and haven't had the time to sit down and actually write. But, now, here is chapter four! Get excited.

But for now, enjoy a picture of myself and my best friend in cosplay. I feel it is fitting for this story. Her cosplay isn't complete, she just happened to have a pink wig. For more of my Grell cosplay, just check my deviant art!

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I plan on drawing a Christmas card of Grell, William, and Crona, so hopefully I can get that posted within the next week with a new chapter! If not, it might be a little late, but I still would like to share it with you guys.

Anyway, again, I do no own these two series, yadda yadda. I apologize if this chapter is a little messy; I need to get back into the swing of things.

Enjoy!

Chapter Four: Growing Adoration

"Okay, Crona, I will be home in a bit." Grell said, sitting on the edge of the couch beside Crona. The smaller boy just looked up at him with wide eyes. He was going to be left alone? How would he deal with that? Grell was in the same outfit he was in the first time Crona saw him. Instinctively, he flung his arms around the red-clad reaper and clung to him.

Grell blinked before smiling and ruffling the lilac hair on the other's head. "No need to worry, just rest and it will seem like no time before I am home." He said and nodded, politely removing the other's arms before standing. "If any strangers come by, just leave the door shut." He reminded before winking and waving to Crona, taking a few swift steps to the door before exiting the apartment.

And now, all alone, Crona sat on the stranger's couch. He was in that silky red night gown, and his choppy hair was a ruffled mess. Letting out a soft sigh, he stood and went to searching for his clothes. Eventually ending up in the one bedroom, he found them, washed and hanging up to dry. They were still a tiny bit damp, but he took them down anyway and got changed.

The apartment was small, but cozy in a good way. Crona found it quite inviting. He'd never been in someone else's home besides his own, so he decided to explore a bit. It mainly consisted of the necessities; a kitchen, bathroom, a few closets, a bedroom, and a living room. Hints of red everywhere, but mainly in the bedroom. He was even nosy enough to snoop through a few closets. After an hour of exploring, he was starting to get quite bored and lonely. Again, his thoughts started to wander and he got to thinking about Medusa. Crona was starting to scare himself as he thought of what she'd do when she finally found him.

Suddenly, sitting silence was scary and he needed to be somewhere, around people, anyone. Going back to one of the closets, he grabbed a coat and slipped it on before leaving the apartment. He wandered down the halls until he stepped outside into the cold, the air hitting his face and instantly turning his nose red. The Shinigami Dispatch Society was a big building, and he knew exactly where it was. Within five minutes, he walked into the front doors, his arms hugging himself as he looked around the lobby area. He had no idea where Grell worked.

He had been at work for about an hour, finally forcing himself to work on the papers that were stacked high on his desk. They had gotten into a bit of a fight this morning, so he decided that it would be smart to get some of the reports done. Grell had gotten three out of the way when a secretary from the lobby came to his office.

"Grell, there is someone downstairs waiting for you." She said, walking off. Grell got up and followed, taking the stairs to the first floor. He was confused, who would be visiting him? As he turned the corner, looking for his visitor, he spotted and thin boy, wrapped up in a black coat sitting in the chairs at the side of the room. The lilac hair caught his attention. A smile graced his lips as he walked over, sitting beside the frail boy.

"I see you found me at work!" He said and looked over. Crona nodded and glanced over at Grell before his eyes fell back to his lap.

"I was lonely." Crona mumbled as he pulled the coat closer along his body. Grell nodded as he took Crona's hand, leading the other to stand as they walked off.

"You can help me finish up my report and then we can head home, how does that sound?" Crona nodded at the comment as they walked down the hall to Grell's office. William luckily wasn't in his. Grell let out a breath of relief.

But, as the two walked into Grell's office, there stood William, his arms crossed as he stared at Grell with an emotionless face. William raised an eyebrow. "You brought him to work?"

"No! He was lonely at home so he came to see me. Calm down, I've finished three reports today!" He pointed to his desk, almost cringing at the very tall pile of unfinished work. He could tell his love was fed up with this, but Grell was trying! Today, he had done more work than he had done in months. But the agitation growing on William's face was making Grell feel guilty. "Look, William, I—"

"Just go home, Grell. And take him with you. I will do the work, as usual." He sneered, grabbing a stack of papers before leaving.

With a big pout on his face, Grell sighed and walked over, putting on his coat and grabbing the rest of the papers. "Let's go." He said, and Crona nodded, following. He picked up any papers that fell from Grell's arms as they walked down the hallway.

William walked down the street, his hands in his pockets, a scarf Grell had knitted him last year wrapped around his neck. He was still upset from earlier, but he could never stay mad at that flamboyant reaper for long. He had finished a few reports, and decided he wouldn't stay home for overtime.

Arriving at home, he expected the everyday routine; coming home to Grell cooking dinner, an apron tied around his thin waist, his long, smooth hair tied up and out of his face. But as he walked into their apartment, he found it dark, with one light coming from their room. He took off the scarf and coat, setting them on the back off the couch as he wandered into the room.

"Grell?" He called, spotting a sleeping Crona laying on their bed. As much as the presence of this child angered him, he could help but admire the innocence and vulnerability on Crona's face. Plus, he was dressed in only one of William's dress shirts (obviously the work of Grell), that fell to the boy's knees. He quirked an eyebrow, but couldn't help but smile. Grell was nowhere to be found, so he simply pulled the sheets over Crona before exiting their room.

William turned on a light in the living room before he went into the kitchen to start on a simple dinner for three. He tossed a few ingredients on the island that also served as their table. Ten minutes passed, and a frantic Grell walked through the door. He looked straight to William and walked over.

"I finished the reports and hurried to turn them in!" He said, leaning against the opposite of the island as he faced William. His coat was hanging from his elbows and he walked over to cling to William's arm. "I'm trying, I really am, please forgive me."

Despite how irritating the other could be at times, William couldn't help but crack a smile. "It's okay, Grell, I'm not mad."

William let Grell go get changed as they worked on dinner together. They ended up eating alone, but saved some for Crona and set it aside, just in case the boy woke up and was hungry. The time seemed to slip by, and eventually the two grew tired. Changed in pajamas, Grell climbed into bed, and William carried Crona back out to the couch, tucking a blanket over the boy.

It wasn't much longer before Grell was asleep as well, but William was feeling quite restless. They had a small library of books, and that was what he was up to, kneeling as he ran his finger over the spines of countless books. One caught his eye and he pulled it out. Pushing his glasses up his nose, he recognized the book as a cinematic record.

And it just happened to be Crona's.

William raised an eyebrow and flipped to the first page, sitting and leaning against the bookcase. He wasn't sure what to expect of Crona's past, but if it matched Grell's description, he was bracing himself for a lot.