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]

I can't deny that after all that's happened.

[ That seems to have calmed him, the crease in his brow fading. ]

[untodeath]

[ The corner of her mouth twinges a little higher, as she reaches out to place a hand over his. William is always so serious, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing, cas in point. ]

[death_glare]

[ He's nearly about to turn his hand over to take hers when the waitress arrives with their food. So, instead he takes up his fork and knife and sets about spreading butter over his pancakes. ]

[untodeath]

[ While initially huffing about this, the pancakes are a tempting enough distraction; she, too, busies herself with dressing them. She's just much more hasty about it, so that she can get to the warm maple syrup.

Cutting into the stack, she finds it satisfying to watch the maple syrup ooze down onto the plate - but not as satisfying as taking that first bite! She nearly purrs. ]

[death_glare]

Seems you enjoy your sweets just as much as I do.

[ Of course he's very happy with his chocolate chip pancakes, but Grell's showing it far more. ]

[untodeath]

[ As if that wasn't proof enough, Grell's already going in for a second bite! She glances away with forced nonchalance. ]

I-- may like to partake, every now and then.

[death_glare]

Hm.

[ He has a feeling it's more than that. ]

What is your favorite food, then?

[untodeath]

[ The redhead's gaze falls back on William with a blink! She takes that second bite, finally, giving herself time to think it over. She sets down her fork to take a sip of tea, even! ]

Angel hair pasta in a creamy red sauce. With garlic bread. And maybe a moist slice of chocolate cake, to finish.

[death_glare]

We'll get ingredients for that, then.

[ He could go for that chocolate cake, too! ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell's shoulders raise, hands clasping, and exuberance all over her face! ]

Really? Aw, Will--♥!!

[ There's a small jolt in her seat, before she's forced to sit back with a snerk. ]

Thankfully, you've got a table between us... But that's so sweet~!

[death_glare]

[ His frown momentarily returns thinking about how she would have tackled him. ]

I told you I would cook for us. I will have to if we don't want to eat out all the time.

[untodeath]

Doesn't mean that you have to make my favourite meal.

[ She's looking at him as though he's the dreamiest man she's ever seen! (And, well, to her perspective, that isn't a stretch.) ]

I don't know what I can possibly do to make up for all the kindness you've given me.

[death_glare]

I want to make certain you will eat it and it won't go to waste.

[ He pauses to return to his pancakes. ]

Behaving yourself from now on, for one.

[untodeath]

[ Grell smiles, knowing better. Her expression falters, however; pulls into something of a grimace, even! Seems to be the best time to follow suit, in returning to her meal. ]

Well... Something realistic would be preferable.

[death_glare]

I want you to put in effort, at the very least.

[ He understands that it's just in her nature, though. ]

I will think on other things.

[untodeath]

[ There's a hum of agreement, around a mouthful of eggs. ]

I'm here, aren't I? Ready to start that stupid position...

[ Those last words drip from her lips like poison, as she pouts down at her plate. Time for some more pancakes, to smother those sorrows in fluffy goodness. ]

[death_glare]

You are. And I'm honestly surprised. I thought you were going to put up much more of a fight.

[ The sausages on his plate don't last for long, nor the beans and toast. Seems he was pretty hungry after expelling all that energy last night. ]

[untodeath]

And what would you do if I had?

[ Grell watches him with a little smirk plucking at her lips. Seeing William, always restrained, eat like a typical man... it's a bit endearing! ]

[death_glare]

Been highly insulted.

[ With that gone, he neatly wipes his mouth and returns to his tea. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell chuckles, pushing around some of her beans with her fork. ]

You've managed to get me out of trouble countless times now. I have learnt to trust your judgement.

[death_glare]

Good. Let's not regress from this progress we've finally managed to make.

[untodeath]

[ She peers up at him over her glasses. ]

If I couldn't do it... Would you leave me?

[death_glare]

[ He meets her eyes for a spell before sighing heavily. ]

No. I'd help you along.

[untodeath]

What?

[ She asks of his sigh, laughing partly with nervousness. That, paired with his previous words, make her insecure. She can't help it. ]

Really?

[death_glare]

I came back for you and I intend to stay. Honestly, I don't expect you to become the model citizen. It wouldn't suit you, anyway. But I will help you stay afloat. We depend on one another, more than I realized before I'd left.