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]

[ Grell's having a time deciding between the two-- the distraction leaves her breathing sharply, taken by surprise when he whirls her!! There's a delighted giggle upon exhale, though. Having his genuine concern feels... quite nice, actually! ]

See~? I told you, that rest did wonders.

[ With those scissors in hand, she snips at the air idly, an upturned brow quirked. ]

Would you like to help me remove them?

[death_glare]

Your body took quite a bit before that, though. Honestly, I'm surprised the stitching didn't pop on its own.

[ He looks to the scissors in hand before inspecting the area around the stitches to see if it's wise to do so. Pleased with what he sees, he holds his hand out for the pair. ]

Give me them. They should come out easy enough.

[untodeath]

Well, I wasn't sleeping. Or taking care at all, really. I'm not entirely surprised.

[ Grell IS surprised that he's agreed to the idea of removing the stitches, however! She'd somehow expected him to fuss about it.

Biting at her lip excitedly, she carefully turns the scissor in hand to give them over. ]

[death_glare]

[ The scissors are taken as he touches around where the first knot is located. ]

I was referring to last night. And the night beforehand.

[ His eyes shift up to hers for a brief moment before the first stitch is quickly snipped. Then with a powerful yank to the thread, it's pulled free from her skin. There's barely a moment to process any pain that may have caused before he's on to the second one. ]

[untodeath]

--Oh.

[ The redhead's laughter is cut short, biting her breath as she presses her eyes and grasps at the counter's edge. By the second, her breath is hitching. ]

This... Is much more fun than the doctor's office.

[death_glare]

Honestly, only you would find this fun.

[ Shaking his head, he continues on. The sharp contract between the gentle touch he'd given to her prior to starting, and the blatant ignoring of any pain she may be feeling, most certainly makes it even more appealing to her. There are quite a few stitches, after all, and he'd like to bathe before the hot water's all used up. ]

I could have removed these all at once if I still had my scythe.

[ Never mind that the wound was caused by a death scythe, to begin with! ]

[untodeath]

[ This time, her snerk lulls into a quiet hiss. That one, in particular, really hit a nerve! At this rate, there will be no denying how much she's enjoying it. ]

You're doing-- just fine. In fact.. [ Another hold of her breath, before releasing it shakily. ] ... I might mistake you for enjoying it, as well..

[death_glare]

[ His only response to that is to give her a piercing glare while he pulls sharply on the final stitch. The threads are quickly brushed off into the bin before he gives her a firm slap on her upper thigh. ]

Get in the tub. We're taking a bath.

[untodeath]

[ The pull earns a pained little hum - and the smack, a sharp inhale, as her teeth drag over her bottom lip. ]

Happily.

[ As Grell passes, her hand trails along low on his middle. She's sitting herself on the basin's edge to test the temperature, and seemingly satisfied, shuts off the faucet. Dipping in her feet, she breathes a content sigh while sliding herself down into the pleasantly warm water.

[death_glare]

[ It's not the biggest of bathtubs, probably why Grell wanted him to mention a larger tub when he went to inquire about a new flat for them to share. But, the close quarters is hardly something to complain about as William climbs in after her. Choosing to scoot her forward and take the place behind her, he slides each of his legs along her sides until he's able to lean comfortably against the slanted back of the tub. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell giggles as she's scooted forward, but is happy to accommodate-- especially once she's able to settle against him. Her hands trail up and over his knees with a croon. ]

Mn, I'd be quite content to start every morning this way.

[death_glare]

I may have to agree. Though, this seems like it may be better as a way to relax before bedtime.

[ Scooping up some water, the funnels it over her back. Thankfully her shorter hair allows him to rather than having a lap full of her red locks. ]

Choose a soap and I will wash your back.

[ Glancing at all the bottles again, he's not making that decision. ]

[untodeath]

Ah, perhaps you're right about that.

[ With a chuckle, she's already leaning in against her knees, very content to have him pay her such attention. With the command, she hums in approval. She shuffles through them to find the same rose-scented soap that she'd chosen before; apparently, she has a favourite. ]

Were you expected to come in with me again today?

[death_glare]

Not expected. But I was planning to, regardless.

[ Perhaps he's still stuck in his work rhythm and doesn't realize it. Or perhaps he wishes to be there as support after seeing her so drained yesterday. Either way, he takes the bottle, nodding as he recalls the scent. If he had to pair any scent with Grell, this would probably be it, and it gives him an oddly comforting feeling, he thinks.

The pink soap is pours into his hand before he begins to massage it into the skin, focusing on her shoulders where he imagines some aches may be from having her arms restricted last night. ]

[untodeath]

Oh~? You know I'd be happy to have you.

[ When he'd offered to wash her back, she didn't expect him to take such care. Breath deepening, her head gradually lulls forward. When he finds just the spot, she sighs a pleased groan. ]

But-- perhaps you should take the day for yourself. Or, at the very least, go submit the request for our new flat, instead!

[death_glare]

[ He focuses on the knot, kneading it with his thumbs in tight circular motions. ]

I will be speaking with them about the flat. And to find out where my things have disappeared to. We may have to go shopping for clothing sooner than I'd hoped. If only so I can get through more than three days without doing laundry.

[untodeath]

[ Her breath shakes just so-- that fine line between pain and pleasure, but in a different sense. Still makes her want to fuck him senseless, though. Or vice versa. ]

Mn, sounds like a plan♥.

[death_glare]

[ As the muscles of her shoulder loosen, William spoons some more water up, rinsing the bubbles from her skin. Then he's pulling her back against him, hands drifting to her chest to continue washing. ]

I will stay through your lunch break, at least. You'll need to leave me your key to let myself back in afterwards.

[untodeath]

[ Grell relaxes into him, head resting back onto his shoulder. ]

Mn, deal. Eating lunch together would undoubtedly keep me in better spirits.

[ She raises an arm, reaching back to rub along his neck, and up into his hair, eyes drifting closed. ]

Enough to keep me to snapping a mop over someone's head, at least.

[death_glare]

I better not hear of you acting like that.

[ He sounds serious, but certainly not as stern and cold as usual. Her massaging his scalp probably has something to do with that. ]

I don't want to have to babysit you every day.

[untodeath]

You won't. Goodness.

[ Something between endeared and annoyed, she gently rakes her nails along the base of his skull. ]

While you're welcome to visit me anytime, I won't have you using me as an excuse to work. You addict.

[death_glare]

I'm not addicted to work.

[ He sounds way too defensive. ]

If you hadn't noticed, I looked forward to clocking out each day. The lot of you made that exceptionally difficult to achieve.

[untodeath]

So you say, but you take it very seriously.

[ Craning her neck but just a bit more, she cups his cheek, so that she may press a kiss to his other. ]

Not that your serious nature is a bad thing, mind.

[death_glare]

[ Still, he's not to keen on hearing he was focusing entirely on work all the time. He knows he was, but it seems the thing that got him into a lot of this mess was what he fell back on to try and forget it all. ]

Just... [ He pauses as she kisses his cheek. ] Tell me if I'm getting to distant. Sometimes I feel as though I can't tell.

[untodeath]

[ Grell peers up at him for a moment, lips softening into a fond smile. ]

Oh, darling, I won't let you stray far. Trust me.