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]

Precisely. I'm here and we're living together. And I've confessed to loving you. Aside from a ring, which I assume you'd want, there really isn't much difference.

[untodeath]

[ Grell's brows raise, lips puckered in a way that says she can't argue wanting the ring. It would be nice. ]

Now, I didn't say that... It's an eternal promise, Will! The honour of introducing one another as husband and wife... you must understand that.

[death_glare]

And who do you expect will oversee the ceremony?

[ Certainly not any priest from the mortal world. The reaper realm may be a lot more progressive than their current time period, but reapers are meant to perform a job, not focus on marital status. And with Grell in hot water, as it is, he can't imagine they'd allow it. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell's gaze rises to meet his, with a surprisingly understanding little smile. ]

It's our promise to one another, who's to say that anyone else ought to have a word in it?

[death_glare]

Then I've already given you that promise.

[ His gaze is as serious as ever as he reaches for her hand a second time. ]

You will still have to have patience regarding any ring. I don't have nearly enough money for something such as that.

[untodeath]

[ Eyes widening with hope, she turns her hand to rest more comfortably in his. ]

Really...?

[ It's true, William looks quite serious, and he's never been one to lie, as it is. Still, she can't seem to understand how he could change his tune so drastically. Was it the idea of a public ceremony, or the paperwork, or...? ]

[death_glare]

If we're practically married already, in the devotional sense, and there's no ceremony to be had, then I suppose we may as well look at it as that.

[ Her hand taking up his dominant one, he continues to enjoy his food a bit awkwardly with the opposite. ]

[untodeath]

[ Threading her fingers into his, her eyes glisten with tears of excitement, though yet to spill over. Watching him awkwardly fumble with his eating utensils only leaves her smiling with endearment, a chuckle wavering her breath. ]

You should know that I do want a ceremony one day, though. If I don't get a wedding dress at some point, I'll be upset.

[death_glare]

Something you'll have to have even more patience for, then. That or you will have to be extra thorough when cleaning the bathrooms at headquarters. Then perhaps they will give you a raise.

[ Ok, now to awkwardly sip that wine again. ]

Though, I think you would look quite nice in formal men's attire, as well.

[untodeath]

[ With a raise of her brows, Grell hums, nodding solemnly in agreement. William's surprisingly cool response to the idea has her squeezing his hand fondly, though!

The latter comment earns a curious gaze. ]

Hmn... I suppose that brings me to my next question for you...

[ Now she'll take her turn at an awkward drink of wine-- albeit a gulp, in comparison. With a sigh, she licks over her lips. ]

Assuming it's possible, would you have issue with me giving up slacks, in favour of a skirt? That is, becoming a woman.

[death_glare]

[ That has him pausing, brow furrowing once more. There's a long bit of silence before he takes the punishment of sipping more wine. ]

Actually, I'd been meaning to ask why that is something you desire. [ Sip. ] I can't even begin to claim that I understand it, but I can't see it making too much of a difference. Aside from the obvious physical ones.

You'd be just as irritating as ever, I'm certain.

[untodeath]

[ Watching him carefully, Grell keeps her glass close to her lips, swirling its contents absently. Perhaps to distract from the way she chews at her lip slightly. ]

The simplest way to describe it, I suppose, would be that my soul wasn't meant for this body. I've never felt at home in it, and it shall never give me what I desire from it... [ She shrugs, gaze drifting off. ] Even if I were to take the steps to transition now, the latter would never change-- but I hope that science may progress in that area, in time.

[death_glare]

You have a great deal of confidence for not feeling at home in your body, as you put it. That's one of your most attractive traits.

[ He replaces his near empty glass on the table and glances towards the kitchen, trying to recall if she'd picked up two bottles. ]

You must know I'm attracted to the female body, as well.
Exclusively, I'd thought, until now. Though, perhaps it's merely you that I like, not whatever body is housing you. [ He pauses to think on it a moment, before nodding. ]

[untodeath]

[ She's a bit torn by the compliment, and she looks it, brows briefly furrowing and lips shifting. ]

I've-- attempted to make the best of it, over the years. It took some time, learning to embrace who I am, as a whole... These days, I believe my confidence is-- mostly genuine.

[ But, ultimately, she reconsiders his last statement with a lopsided smile. Slightly flustered, even. ]

But that's... more reassuring than I could ever express, you know. Hearing that.

[death_glare]

Perhaps we should have had this conversation long ago.

[ Though, that fault's on his end, never letting anyone in. ]

Did you get more wine?

[ He's feeling surprisingly sober, despite them going through one bottle already. ]

[untodeath]

[ To answer his question, Grell simply rises from her seat to retrieve it, tucked away beside one of the cabinets. On her way back to the table, she brushes her hair through the back of his hair, down to embrace his neck whilst she leans in to kiss him. ]

Glad you enjoy it, my love.

[ Standing herself upright, she uncorks the bottle, nodding toward his glass to have him offer it up, so that she may pour him some more wine. ]

[death_glare]

[ The pause before he offers his glass is used to take her in a second kiss. He breathes out a comfortable sigh, enjoying the feeling of her fingers in his hair. ]

It's surprisingly good, though a bit meek. I can't say I feel very tipsy yet, at all.

[untodeath]

[ Grell smiles against his lips, lingering close before she must pull away to continue their meal! ]

Oh yes, this isn't your hard liquor, Mr. Whiskey. [ She chuckles, slipping back into her seat. ] Which is an option, if this bottle doesn't do it for you.

[death_glare]

It's gin.

[ He corrects her, even though the nickname gets him the frown. ]

And I think I will give the wine a second chance. Considering the vast price difference, and all.

[ Another larger sip and he's returning to his plate, scooping up the last bits of potatoes with a bit of the meat. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell giggles into her glass, busying herself with another gulp, before she sets to finishing her plate, as well. ]

Oh~, now you can be a proper sophisticate, not unlike myself.

[death_glare]

There's no sense in wasting it.

[ And apparently no sense in saving any for tomorrow. ]

I believe it's your turn to ask a question. If you'd like to continue.

[untodeath]

[ Grinning at him knowingly, she picks up her napkin to press over her lips. ]

Your last question related to mine, but-- I'll let it slide.

[ With a wink, she leans back while taking up her glass. Raising one leg to cross over the other, she instead decides to play her ankle up along his inner thigh. ]

Before me, what's the most daring think you've done in the name of sexual gratification?

[death_glare]

There was nothing stated against doing so. If anything, it makes more sense to ask related questions.

[ Having to stop and think has him taking another larger sip. His sexual relationship with Christine was vastly less intense than the one he and Grell now share. ]

I suppose a display of public affection that was a bit beyond what's socially acceptable. Nothing you would probably consider to be daring, though.

[untodeath]

[ With a single quirked brow, Grell's fingers brush beneath her chin with intrigue. ]

Oh, by Eighteen Century standards? Did you take a glance at her ankles?

[death_glare]

[ He sighs, shaking his head. Not so much at her sarcastic comment, but more at how true the statement is. It just makes it more and more obvious how much further the supernatural world has come. ]

We had the pleasure of an empty boxcar traveling to southern Wales, where her mother lived. At least for a short while. Another group of passengers did interrupt us, eventually, which left her quite mortified.