Forgiven

[death_glare]

[ No one questioned anything when William suddenly left his office that morning. "I've been called to a meeting" was all the information he gave the rest of Dispatch. To them, it wasn't surprising, seeing as he was the head of the department. For William, however, the summoning came with zero notice. As he made his way to the upper managements' offices, all he could wonder was what issue his subordinates caused that he'd have to clean up after, this time.

It wasn't until lunch break that William returned to Dispatch. The others expected they'd get reprimanded for something, but William remained quiet, his face expressionless as he closed the door to his office. ]

Comments

[death_glare]

You say that as if I've never cried before.

[ He'd adjust his glasses right now if he still had them. Funnily enough, his hand almost moves to do so anyway. ]

I only ever said that emotions didn't belong in the workplace, because there's a job to get done in a timely fashion.

[untodeath]

I've never seen it.

[ But she hums in a seemingly appeased fashion, easing herself to settle back against him. ]

We've all been told that showing vulnerability does not equate to weakness, but I've been fighting all my lives... One stumble, and I was afraid I'd fall and never pick myself up again. [ A small sigh. ] But then, I suppose that the ground fell out from under me.

[death_glare]

Thankfully I caught you.

[ He allows her to stay there against him as he slowly retracts his wings. ]

I'm glad you showed me that part of yourself.

[untodeath]

[ Grell breathes a short little laugh. ]

I'd never imagined you would desire such a thing.

[ And she hugs him just a little tighter. ]

But I'm thankful, too. For everything.

[death_glare]

Seems we're learning quite a bit about one another.

[ He hums, acknowledging her gratitude. ]

Get back inside now. You need to get some rest for your meeting tomorrow.

[untodeath]

[ Though she hums in acknowledgement, it's not a happy one. She delays in moving, but she finally steps back to slip her arms free of him, looking a bit bashful while doing so. Arms draping over her waist, her hands wrap into the fabric of her robe a bit, whiles she turns to head back inside. ]

I suppose I could try.

[death_glare]

[ A huff sounds behind her. ]

Unless you'd like to show yourself exhausted and unkempt.

[untodeath]

[ A tick of the tongue sounds back, at that! ]

I don't think any amount of beauty sleep could save me from that now.

[ She shoots him a skeptical look, as she turns to close the door behind them. ]

But perhaps I can rest a little easier tonight.

[death_glare]

I would hope as much.

[ William returns his coat to the closet and his shoes just beside the door. ]

Your meeting in scheduled for late afternoon. But I'm assuming you take far too long to ready yourself.

[untodeath]

You expect me to take the entire day? [ Okay, so that earns a bit of a laugh. ] Really.

[ With a shake of the head, she'll take a seat atop the armrest of the couch, while waiting for him to settle down. ]

If you intend to take me to the barber beforehand, I suppose that's wise, however.

[death_glare]

Honestly, I can't see you turning down an entire day of self pampering.

[ He adjusts the pillows to his liking, then shakes out the blankets. ]

He may insist you cut your hair even shorter.

[untodeath]

[ Judging by Grell's expression, it doesn't seem like a bad idea at all-- but at the idea of her hair being even shorter, that immediately sours. She looks down to her knees, feet swaying. ]

Any shorter than is necessary and I'd insist he fuck right off.

[death_glare]

Unsurprising.

[ But maybe they will get her hair tended to beforehand. So long as he stops the barber from saying anything to anger her, they should leave without issue. Now keeping her from attacking the agent that cut it, should they pass, that may take a bit more effort. ]

Get to bed, then.

[ Before he pushes you off the couch! ]

[untodeath]

[ Not wishing to leave his side. She pouts in protest! She gets up, but delays in moving toward her room for the moment. ]

We could share my bed, you know. You'd be a lot more comfortable. [ She raises an index, in point. ] And please appreciate my restraint regarding the use of innuendo.

[death_glare]

[ William gives her the usual glare he keeps especially for her. He was wondering how long it would take for her to suggest that. ]

I'm certain that won't last long.

[ He looks down to the couch, perhaps actually thinking it over! ]

[untodeath]

[ With a huff, she turns on heel to head for her room-- not swooning over his icy stares, for once! But, for the first time, she's really depending on his affections. Perhaps he's spoiled her already! ]

[death_glare]

[ Both surprised and impressed that she didn't insist, William takes his own place on the couch. He has a bit of trouble falling asleep, as it is a rather uncomfortable 'bed', but eventually drifts off - after quite a few pillow adjustments, that is. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell finds herself staring at the ceiling for no more than an hour before anxiety keeps her from staying still any longer. There's the overwhelming sensation that William might not be there by longer, once she goes to check in on him - that it may have been a long fever dream, or bout of insanity.

Thankfully, that isn't the case. He's still up and moving by then, beating at his pillow.

Still, the paranoia keeps creeping back into her mind. So she keeps on poking her head back into the living room, until he's finally fallen asleep.

Staying in his company proves to be much more comfortable for her, the redhead finds, ince settling onto the floor at his makeshift bedside. She sits against the couch, simply lost to her thoughts as she takes in the sight of his features. Without quite realizing it, she drifts into slumber, cheek against the cushion at his side. ]

[death_glare]

[ Usually a light sleeper, William must have been just as exhausted from the days events as Grell. Thank goodness Grell's meeting is later in the day as he's already slept far longer than he'd intended to.

Finally his eyes blink him awake. He ponders the ceiling above him a moment before the dullest back ache registers with his mind. He grimaces, thinking how much more it would hurt had he still been a reaper.

A shower sounds wonderful right now, and perhaps he can sneak one in before Grell wakes. But when he goes to move, his hand lands upon Grell's head instead of the couch cushion. Obviously not expecting that, he slips, musing up her hair even more and it gets pushed into her face. ]

[untodeath]

[ A soft sound comes from the redhead, jarred awake by the peculiar touch. She's confused, as she doesn't remember falling asleep. Even more so, that her hair is entirely covering her eyes!

With a sleepy sigh, she pushes away her bangs, gaze setting on William's with a bleary blink. ]

[death_glare]

What are you doing on the floor?

[ Now paying more attention to where he's pushing, he sits up, frowning down at her. ]

Were you sitting there all night?

[untodeath]

[ With some sense coming back to her, Grell's cheeks take on a bit of color!! She looks away, a hand slipping under her glasses to rub at an eye. ]

Not all night...

[ But when she attempts to sit herself upright, her stiff back and shoulders cause her to wince! Busted. ]

[death_glare]

[ William just shakes his head, getting up from the couch.
He's fairly certain he knows why she's there, but keeps that to himself, for now. ]

That isn't going to help your wounds.

[ Because of which, he hooks his arms under hers and hoists her up, with decidedly less force than usual. ]

[untodeath]

[ With a sound of surprise, she reflexively holds onto his wrists! Not quite ready to be awake just yet, she tiredly teeters on her feet some. ]

I've subjected myself to worse. [ A yawn interrupts her muttering, as she leans forward to rest the top of her head against his shoulder. ]

[death_glare]

That doesn't justify it.

[ He rights her again, making sure she won't fall over before he walks away. ]

I'm using the shower first. If you could put some coffee on.