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

[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.

[untodeath]

[ Grell huffs with the most irritated pout, as she's forced upright once more. ]

Yes, fine, alright. [ Ruffling her hands through her hair, she patters her way into the kitchen. ] Use whatever suits you.

[death_glare]

[ It's not too long of a shower. Though it lasts a bit more than it would have if William wasn't sifting though multiple bottles to find something to wash his hair and body with. By the time he reenters the kitchen, he's got quite the floral scent to him. He doesn't look particularly pleased with that as it's drowning out the fragrance of the coffee. ]

You have far too many options in there.

[untodeath]

[ Grell has already set herself up with a mug of coffee, stirring it noisily whilst half-asleep. The other's voice barely snaps her out of it. ]

That's the opposite of a problem, darling. [ Dismissively, she gestures for him to help himself. She's left out a mug and sugar for him, at the least. ]

[death_glare]

[ As he makes to prep his own coffee, he can't help but wonder if she's more peeved about his cold treatment this morning or that her meeting is inching closer. A mixture of both he figures. He takes a seat across from her at the table. ]

We will get something quick for lunch and then head over. I'm not certain how long this meeting will go.

[untodeath]

[ Grell is a bit cranky, but not because of William. She aches and is rather embarrassed about being caught this morning-- plus, yes, her stomach is in knots over how the meeting may go. How deeply in trouble she is. If William will absolutely stay true to his word.

She also hasn't finished her first cup of coffee. ]

Mn, a last meal of sorts?

[death_glare]

If I hadn't returned and they'd caught you, then yes, it would be. How fortunate for you that that isn't the case.

[ Sipping at his sweetened coffee has a calmness return to his features. He even closes his eyes, humming softly to himself. ]

Were you aware that there is no coffee in heaven? I certainly wasn't.

[untodeath]

[ He's right - and it isn't that she doesn't want to trust him; she simply doesn't believe that he could ever value her this much. Leaving forever made much more sense.

She leans over the table a bit more, just to be closer. ]

The more I hear of it, the more dreadful it seems. [ She reaches out to hold William's wrist reassuringly. ] You'll never be short on coffee while you're with me, I'll see to that.

[ A bit of playfulness to lighten up her otherwise shitty attitude with him so far! ]