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]

Well, obviously! I meant food groups, silly man.

[ She plops down beside him, to fold her arms over a shoulder of his. ]

But if I'm to pick, I'd like a pasta salad~

[death_glare]

You really enjoy pasta.

[ Nothing wrong with that, in fact you could say the same about him and his cookies! ]

But if that's what you want, then I'm certain we can find a cafe that serves a selection.

[untodeath]

I do... and though I really shouldn't indulge in it as much, I feel we've been active enough to make up for it....

[ Her voice trails off with guilt, but once he agrees, she perks right back up! Because! She's getting! Pasta! ]

Ooh, a selection~. What are you looking forward to, then?

[death_glare]

I can't say I have a taste for anything in particular, at the moment. You're free to choose the spot.

[ He's only just realising how hungry he is. Anything really sounds appealing, right now.

Shoes firmly tied, he decides to forgo the suit jacket and tie. An attempt to look more casual, if not to avoid having to retie it every time he tries on a new shirt. ]

[untodeath]

Well then! I know just the place.

[ Hopping up, she's ready to go, and awaiting William's cue with hands on her hips. It takes her a moment to realize that is how he intends to go. ]

A white top and black slacks for an outing... Goodness, you need me.

[ Still, she reaches out to take his arm, teleporting them just outside the shopping district, where the restaurant of choice just so happens to be located! ]

[death_glare]

[ He opens his mouth to comment, but is cut short by the sudden shift. After a brief glance around to get his barrings straight, he huffs. ]

I don't see the issue. And I also don't appreciate all this down talk.

[untodeath]

[ Never mind that she could explain said issue, he's left her tilting her head with an oblivious blink. ]

Down talk? What have I said that's abrasive to you, darling? Aside from teasing over your casual outfit, that is.

[death_glare]

You sound personally offended that I, apparently, have no sense of fashion.

[ He's not so much angry as miffed.
Though he hardly cares what any onlookers may think, there's an awkwardness surrounding not looking casual, but also looking highly unprofessional ]

[untodeath]

[ The readhead's shoulder fall with a sigh, a smile plucking at one corner of her lips. ]

Fashion is expressive, and I think that if you find a way to present yourself the way that I see you, I'll be forced to fight off other women in the streets!

[ Wrapping her arms tighter around his, she rests her cheek atop his shoulder possessively. ]

Regardless, you should know that I'd be proud to be seen with you, even if you were naked. [ A breath. ] Especially if you were naked.

[death_glare]

That is not happening.

[ His mouth hardens into a line and he gives her a look that says he's serious and not changing his stance on that, regardless of if she was actually suggesting he walk around naked or not. ]

[untodeath]

[ Of course he's taking her seriously. With a wry smile, she shrugs! ]

You never know, and should it happen, you'll definitely want me there.

[death_glare]

I do know.

[ Even though she's clung to his arm, he makes to right his collar, buttoning it back up to it's usual place. ]

What way would you have me present myself? Aside from naked.

[untodeath]

[ Grell releases him, in favour of reaching out to take that hand, before he has the chance to right anything. ]

Current garments considered, you're fine as you are. [ She leans in awfully close, as though to kiss him, but stops short. ] Just wait until I get you into those shops, however!

[death_glare]

[ With his one hand grasped in hers, he uses the opposite to force her to spin around. ]

Get going to the restaurant, already.

[ As grumpy as he's gotten suddenly, the lunch outing does well to relax him, once more. Even as they exit the restaurant, he's looking around at the various shops the plaza has to offer. He'll admit, he hasn't even bothered exploring the area until now. ]

Which shop are you thinking first?

[untodeath]

[ Grumpy as he may be, he still keeps hold of her hand - a detail that does not go unnoticed.

Once fed, Grell can barely keep still! Not only is her energy renewed, she gets to go shopping for an entire wardrobe! Sure, it isn't for her, but she gets the chance to dress William up, which is almost BETTER.

Arms swaying gleefully, she turns on heel to face him as they walk. ]

Down at the next corner, there's a glorious boutique that specialises in eccentric cuts and prints. [ She tucks those arms behind her. ] We can find something exciting that speaks to you, and build around that with some more practical pieces!

[death_glare]

Prints?

[ He's already looking sceptical. Tagging 'eccentric' onto it doesn't help much, either. ]

[untodeath]

Doubt me all you'd like, my love, it will make my triumph all the sweeter.

[ WINK. ]

[death_glare]

You have much higher hope than me, it seems.

[ But her hand is kept within his as they enter the shop. And any odd looks the two men receive from employees or other customers do little to get him to let go. ]

[untodeath]

[ They've been rather daring, as of late, but Grell still has it in her mind that he intends to pull away once in the public eye, by reflex. Any moment. Except that moment stretches into a few, a few into a minute, and then several of those have passed, too.

A gleeful blush creeps over her skin, her free hand resting over her swollen heart-- and rhe curious - especially the scrupulous -looks they might receive only make her straighten her posture with pride, lashes fluttering as she flaunts the expression to match! ]

Now, why don't we start simple. [ At last, she breaks her unusually flustered silence, in favor of reaching out to touch the sleeve of a very smart blazer. ] Deep grey and black houndstooth. Terribly subtle, but it's got its charm. A toe in the water, you know.

[death_glare]

[ It's now that William releases Grell's hand. Not out of embarrassment or to be 'proper' in the eyes of London's public, but simply to reach out and feel the fabric of the blazer. It's not something he would have chosen himself, given the option, but it's subtle enough that he would be willing to wear it, if given to him as a gift. Though, he knows this is the least eccentric of any pieces Grell may choose for him today. ]

Doable.

[untodeath]

Good. We will consider this one our last resort, today.

[ Clasping her hands with a pleased little hum, she's not wandering off like a distracted child, now untethered. ]

We need to add some texture, some drama! [ She outstretched her arms to the back wall, displaying all of the shop's most interesting pieces. ] If I can't get you in some color, perhaps we can go the opposite route with layers of rich black fabrics~♡

[death_glare]

How much colour are you implying?

[ He eyes her warily. Yes the reaper uniform is nothing to be called fancy, and certainly not dramatic, but William thinks he looks quite good in it, regardless. Seems he's already forgotten he's no longer expected to adhere to a reaper's garb. ]

[untodeath]

I'm not expecting to send you into the world with a neon two-piece ensemble, darling. For you, I believe the key will be to switch up neutrals with strategic pops of colour! [ Pressing her fingertips together, she's scanning the room whilst brewing up ideas. ] Blue is your favourite, isn't it?

[death_glare]

That or green.

[ Her explanation of her thought process seems to calm him quite a bit. It even has him turning to a rack of ties and slowly turning it to see his options. ]

[untodeath]

[ The redhead hums with approval! ]

Good, more to play with!

[ She nearly skips to the racks of ready-to-wear pieces, one having already caught her eye. And then another! ]

You see, these are rather practical, aren't they?