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]

[ The thought of doing something together gets her to smile, but with a clear of the throat, she picks up her coffee to hide it by taking another sip. Even if she has to bear the less than perfect taste. ]

That's the thing, though. After you'd left, I realised... it was never the job I loved. [ A sigh, as she leans back in her chair, swirling the liquid in her cup. ] I only felt that I was a part of something bigger, that made me feel powerful, indispensable... and it suddenly became quite obvious that I'd just been romanticising an eternally monotonous task in which I was naught but a cog in the machine. Not valued, ultimately replaceable. Even if the new piece wasn't as polished.

[death_glare]

Is it certainly a depressing concept when you stop to think on it.

[ He can understand that from a certain point. ]

I found myself lingering on thoughts of eternal self loathing. We all believed we were escaping that feeling, but in truth, ended up being trapped with it far longer.

[ Even though he's been forgiven and accepted a lot, there's still a lingering sadness in his tone. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell hums in agreement, mouth quirked into a half-frown. ]

Not only that, we are punished for our sorrow. Looked down upon for it.

[ There's a mild scoff from her. ]

I won't strive to please anyone; especially not them.

[death_glare]

Then what is your solution? They are not going to let you become a deserter.

[ Sipping quietly at his coffee, he observes her over the brim of the cup. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell's eyes refocus on his, brows raised. ]

As I've said, I'll stay here, with you.

[ She says it as though it should be plainly obvious! ]

Were I alone, I'd try to find happiness elsewhere, but I don't need to keep looking anymore.

[death_glare]

[ Apparently content with her answer, he nods. ]

So it will just be a boring, mundane job from now on. Perhaps there's no reason to regain your position in Collections. Janitorial duty may be preferable.

[ He's teasing in as teasing a manner as he's capable of sounding. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell near retches at those words, looking quite distressed by the very idea. ]

Absolutely not. I'll hate it!

[ She looks quite pouty as she slumps down into her chair, huffing into her cup while trying to take a sip. ]

It's just... easier. You'll have a chance to be happy, you know? And there really isn't any place for someone like me, so I might as well make due.

[death_glare]

[ He exhales sharply though his nose, a short laugh at her initial response. It's the fist she's ever seen of it! ]

On the positive side, there will be minimal chance for overtime, now. Perhaps I should have asked for an easier position, long ago.

[untodeath]

[ She's positively shocked-- did she just get William to sort-of-laugh? Her parted lips twitch into a blissful little smile, and her mood immediately shifts! ]

Well, that much is true. We'll actually have some free time together.

[death_glare]

Honestly, I'm not even certain I know what do to around London anymore. I hardly ever got the chance to find out, much less had any ambition to once work was over.

[ Not that he's super outgoing, but it would be nicer than coming home late just to climb into bed, exhausted and grouchy. ]

[untodeath]

You'll have to figure out something. Get some hobbies.

[ It's her turn to chuckle. ]

Otherwise, what were you planning to do while I'm out at work all day?

[death_glare]

I suppose I will need to get to know myself better, as nothing is coming to mind.

[ He glances down to his wrist, noting that they've been sitting here chatting longer than he'd anticipated. ]

We need to leave soon. [ Standing, he moves to the living room to gather up his suitcase. At this point, he may as well bring it into the bedroom. ]

[untodeath]

[ The reaper's head lulls back with a groan, before she's hoisting herself up to return to the bedroom. But not before refilling her cup.

While William unpacks his suitcase in her room, she'll settle in front of her vanity, removing her glasses to begin her makeup routine. She shoots William a pleased little smile, before leaning in closer to the mirror. ]

You're welcome to claim a dresser, though you'll find it a bit cramped... We night need a bigger closet.

[death_glare]

[ He looks though a few of the drawers, noting how little space there is. It has him huffing. How much clothing does she need, really? ]

Speaking of which, I'll need to speak with the housing department about finding me a flat of my own. Unless you'd like to have them relocate us to a larger one together.

[untodeath]

[ With a gasp, Grell grasps the back of her chair to turn toward him! ]

Could we?! [ She springs out of the seat to throw her arms over his shoulders! ] YesyesYES♥!

[death_glare]

[ The usual William response of shoving her away resurfaces, granted with less force. ]

Not if you keep jumping on me like that. Now, go and get ready.

[untodeath]

[ Stumbling back, her butt plops onto the bed less than gracefully. Cheeks puffed in a mighty pout, she draws her knees up to her chest with a huff! ]

You've just asked me to live with you, Will! Allow me this moment!!

[ She extends her arms demandingly. ]

[death_glare]

Yes, but you don't need to pounce on me like that.

[ Sighing, he grabs one of her hands, pulling her off the bed in one tug. She tumbles into his arms where he holds her. ]

[untodeath]

[ The tug is rather fun, leading her to laugh as she falls against him - where her happy sigh drawls into a croon. Nesting her cheek against his neck, she sways idly. ]

Is it really so bad~?

[death_glare]

It's irritating and an immature way to react to something.

[ With a sigh he rubs her back lightly. ]

Though, I suppose it'd be odd if you suddenly stopped.

[untodeath]

[ Grell seems content with his answer, as she hums beneath her breath, leaning back just so to dash her thumb along his cheek. ]

You'll just have to learn to catch me♥. [ She cranes up to give him a kiss, before pulling back, playfully batting her lashes at him. She spins back to head for her vanity, where she'll continue to get ready. ]

[death_glare]

[ Though he's feeling very content with his decision to be with Grell, part of him wonders just what he's gotten himself into. ]

I'm so used to side stepping you. The floor will have to catch you until I learn.

[ He picks out his usual suit, despite not actually working. Out of habit, most likely. But his wardrobe isn't nearly as elaborate as Grell's. ]

[untodeath]

... I suppose I'll need to better my aim in the meanwhile.

[ Surprisingly, Grell doesn't take too very long to apply her makeup, and there's not much to be done with her hair, aside from neatly combing it and applying a bit of product to the ends of her layers to keep them curled.

She replaces her glasses on the bridge of her nose, stepping back to look at herself in full. Though she wrinkles her nose a bit while fluffing the roots of her hair, she shrugs it off when she gets a sight of herself in the lingerie. She pulls the tie of her robe loose with a hum, dropping it on the way to her closet. ]

You really took that suit all the way to heaven and back? [ The redhead calls back, teasingly. ]

[death_glare]

What else do you expect me to wear?

[ She can't see it, but he gives her a good look over on his way to the vanity to straighten out his own hair. ]

[untodeath]

Oh, I don't know, something that you actually like, perhaps?

[ Shuffling through the clothing on her hangers, she hums with some irritation. ]

What am I supposed to wear? They'll just have me change into one of those horrid jumpsuits, I'm sure.