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]

[ There's a simple nod at her thanks. At least he was able to get that bit of gratitude from her. ]

Do you know me to make up stories simply to get my way? Of course it's true. And they must have believed so, as well, seeing as my requests were honored.

[ Though, not this time. But the consequences were far higher this time, so in his opinion they came out on top regardless of Grell's demotion. ]

[untodeath]

[ With a begrudgingly agreeable sound, she reaches up to pet a knuckle along his chin. ]

You're right, I suppose... [ And then, a boop! ] Your turn!

[ You bet she's going to change the subject, because it's a very awkward feeling to suddenly not know what to say, and she definitely doesn't know what to say to positive reinforcement. It isn't as though it happens in... ever! ]

[death_glare]

[ It's easy enough to sense that awkwardness, so he lets the subject be. But, as he already knows the exact moment Grell fell for him, he has to come up with another question. He thinks on it a bit, but finally comes up with something. ]

If you were to change one thing about me, what would you choose?

[untodeath]

[ With an upward twitch of her brow, Grell picks herself up just so. ]

Oh! That's a good one!

[ Already knowing that she's going to need it, she crawls over him to grab one of those glasses one wine. ]

The thing is, even if you lack a sense of fashion, I don't know that I'd necessarily change that about you... it's a bit endearing, finding that flaw...

[ She ends up gradually muttering into her glass as she raises it to her lips for a sip. A long one. She's clearly struggling. ] Your self deprecation. Even if you're just as beautiful in your sadness, it just... [ She licks over her lips. ] Doesn't sit as well with me, I suppose.

[death_glare]

[ Even though he'd asked, he's still frowning at her answer. He'll own up to the fashion one, but the other has him grabbing for his own wine. ]

What about depression is beautiful? Besides, that has improved greatly since being forgiven. [ He takes a sip before correcting himself. ] Or returning here, more so.

[untodeath]

[ She holds out an index, gesturing to hold, that she'll be addressing his first point. ]

It's not a simple answer, but it's that sense of relation. Its knowing that pure bliss can only be experienced once facing despair-- and wishing to hold the one in suffering... [ With a roll of her hand, she moves on. ] And you are consistently blaming yourself, William. Your habits haven't ceased entirely, apparently.

[death_glare]

[ His frown only increases as she explains. ]

What logical sense does that make? Happiness is hardly derived from despair.

[ He'll reach out and move that hand down from his view of her. ]

I said they had only improved, if you'd payed attention. Honestly, you can't expect that feeling to simply disappear. Angel or not.

[untodeath]

[ She gives him a look, pushing at his hand to splay it, so that she may thread her fingers with his. ]

Now who is misunderstanding? [ A huff, as she gives his hand a squeeze! ] You asked what I would change, and I would have you love yourself more. Not later, but now! How does that make you angry?

[death_glare]

[ Since he'd obviously steered the topic elsewhere he huffs and sips at his drink. ]

Well, as I said, it isn't simple. Though, I wouldn't mind that changing, either.

[untodeath]

[ With a quirk of the brow, she nods. ]

If it were simple, we wouldn't be here, now, would we?

[ She kisses at his knuckles, before allowing him freedom... and she also takes the opportunity to grab a strawberry off the platter. ]

Now, same question for you.

[ She's preparing for this one, glass held at the ready whilst nibbling away at her sweet. There will surely be a list! ]

[death_glare]

[ He opens his mouth to start doing just that, but resorts to taking a few short sips of wine. This may be harder than it initially seemed. ]

Many of the things I would have listed a month ago don't seem to apply quite so much anymore. You've tamed yourself decently enough, and I've come to accept many of your attributes.

[ Goodness, is he really stumped on a question that should have such easy answer! ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell has to forgo a second bite of that strawberry, as she's too busy gawking, instead. Did she just hear any of that right? ]

You--... I... [ Wait. Her brow furrows! ] Tamed?

[death_glare]

Yes. You've been surprisingly respectful towards me since I returned.

[ Ah, but what complaint is she going to have against his word choice. ]

[untodeath]

What, you mean that you don't have to throttle me over incomplete paperwork anymore?

[ Because she doesn't really see what he means, otherwise... oops!

But that amused little grin plucking at her lips droops all too quickly, recalling that precise work that triggered her initial reaction. ]

Tamed, though! Please tell me that doesn't mean I've become boring!

[death_glare]

The moment you become boring is the moment Knox settles down with a woman.

[ He joins Grell in nabbing some fruit from the platter. The green stem is meticulously removed from the strawberry before he takes a bite. ]

[untodeath]

[ With a blink, a corner of her mouth twitches upward with a snicker. Apparently appeased, she takes the final bite if her own strawberry, setting the stem aside on the platter. ]

Well, alright, you flatterer. You still can't tell me that there isn't one thing you'd change, with how crazy I drive you.

[death_glare]

Learn how to control your volume.

[ The answer comes out without much thought. Perhaps proving he'd had the idea all along. ]

[untodeath]

What, does the idea of the neighbours hearing your name from my lips-- embarrass you? Because...

[ Her voice got a bit breathy at the end there! Oh, and now it's becoming moreso, gradually rising in volume.She's also rolled onto her back, an arm draped over her head, as her other hand ventures down her torso. ]

I just-- can't help myself around you, William--! [ Yep, and that' her moaning his name quite loudly-- and immediately breaking into a cheeky grin. ]

[death_glare]

[ Apparently it's too much of a bother to lean forward and smack her, so he'll opt for a hard kick to her side, instead. ]

You've made that decidedly clear through the years. I'd be surprised if the neighbors even batted and eye at the amount of noise you make.

[untodeath]

[ Grell yelps, with a grasp to her side - which becomes her downfall, as she teeters just enough off the edge of the bed to send her tumbling! She grasps onto the bedding just a moment too late, leaving her bottom to hit the floor with a shout and a loud thud. ]

Alright... Point understood.

[death_glare]

[ Not even bothering to lend her a hand at getting up, he sips at his wine, instead. ]

Good. Now I believe you need to ask me an original question.

[untodeath]

[ Miraculously, Grell managed to keep her glass upright enough that just a bit of wine sloshed onto her hand. She's so unfazed, she's merely busied herself with licking her skin clean while crawling back to her spot on the bed. ]

Hmn. [ She casually pushes at one of his arms to make room, so that she may scoot up against his side. ] Alright then, tell me, what sort of life had you always dreamt of leading? No matter how unrealistic it may seem!

[death_glare]

[ He shifts his drink to the opposite hand, lifting his arm enough that Grell can scoot up beside him. It repositions itself around her waist and settles on her hip. ]

Dreamt of? I believe you're giving me more credit than I deserve.

[untodeath]

[ The redhead looks QUITE content as she cozies down, though her expression turns rather baffled soon enough. ]

You can't tell me that you never had any aspirations for yourself. You didn't want to have a certain sort of home? Live someplace special? Be something amazing when you grew up!

[death_glare]

I wanted to be stable. Be well enough off that I wouldn't have to worry about food or housing. [ There's a pause. ] Honestly, I never really thought about marriage or having a family until it happened.

[ There's a short sigh. ]

I'm aware that I'm not a very exciting or interesting person.

[ That self depreciation is showing itself again. ]