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]

[ With her attention on him, he leaves them to hover there in the brightened sky, his wings beating in a slow and steady rhythm. ]

I would have thought you'd prefer it this way. It's far more dramatic, even more romantic.

[untodeath]

Oh, it absolutely is. Why do you think I'm so positively obsessed?

[ Her hinds find their way to his face, and she leans in close, just a breath away from his lips. ]

You know I'd relive that misery a thousand times, if it meant I could rejoin you like this. It's mere musings, my love.

[death_glare]

[ His stern features soften just a bit and he glances away from her gaze. ]

I can't say the same. Not entirely. But, I believe we would have met in some way, regardless of what we'd been subject to in life.

[ With a sigh, he looks back to her. ]

I suppose I have to admit to believing in fate and soulmates, now.

[untodeath]

[ Ah, well, that briefly has her gaze falling with sadness, but she nods, regardless. Even manages to perk up a little at his latter admittance. ]

All it took was Heaven to spell it out for you.

[death_glare]

Yes, you've made it quite clear over the years that you believe I'm stubborn.

[ Though he can't really deny it, especially now. ]

[untodeath]

[ That gets her to chuckle with a shake of her head. ]

It's more than that; I know it.

[ Pulling away just so, she settles her arms against his chest, looking out to the bridge over the river. The air is much cooler here, and she briefly closes her eyes to breathe it in. ]

[death_glare]

You should also know that I could drop you at any moment.

[ Ah the teasing and bickering. He hates to admit how comforting it is to him. ]

[untodeath]

[ It proves to better her lowered mood, as well; she's got a lopsided little grin on her lips, when she turns to shoot him a glance. ]

Please, Will. I've already fallen for you!

[death_glare]

[ The pun gets him to consider actually dropping her. But, he decides against it, tucking the idea away for a time she's truly irritating him. ]

That one was terrible. Now, is there anything else you'd wish to fly over, or are you satisfied for the day?

[untodeath]

If you're offering...

[ Gaze drifting to the clouds, she puts some thought into it, perhaps more than either of them were expecting. ]

Your home. Do you remember it?

[death_glare]

Of course. Though, I've avoided the area as much as I could, handing most of the assignments there off to the lot of you.

[ But, perhaps it's time to push past that fear. With a forceful beat of his wings, he rounds back over the bridge, heading south to where the decently well-off would have lived at the time. As he reaches the townhouse, he descends, carefully landing them before the mid-sized building. He sets Grell down on her feet, his face expressionless as he scans the building front. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell looks up at it with some wonder, ascending the steps to take a closer look. It's clearly been remodelled over the years, but it seems to have the same bones, as it aligns with its neighbouring homes. ]

Your family, what was it like?

[death_glare]

[ It takes him a moment, as if he's replaying his mortal life in his mind. Viewing his own record. ]

Which? My parents or wife and child?

[untodeath]

All of them, silly.

[ Placing her hand on its door, she peeks back to shoot him a grin. ]

Tell me, how did you grow up? Where did you meet your wife?

[death_glare]

[ Honestly surprised at her wanting to know the last bit, he concedes. He retracts his wings and takes a seat on the stoop of the building. ]

I was an only child, so my mother was basically my closest friend. She gave me a lot of attention, but I never found it easy to be social with others. Her relationship with my father was fairly strained, as he was always working. A trait I regrettably inherited despite how much I wish he'd been around.

[ He's fairly monotone as he recalls, and he reaches into his coat pocket to retrieve his cigarettes. ]

I ended up in the banking field as he was, perhaps hoping to be around him more. But, by that point, I don't think I even knew what to say to him anymore.

[ He lights one, taking a long puff before letting the smoke out in a slow exhale. ]

It's a wonder Christine ever got me to open up.

[untodeath]

[ Grell lowers herself to take a seat beside him, nearly shoulder-to-shoulder. To his recollection of his mother, she smiles, although her expression is replaced with something of sympathy as he continues.

Resting against the door, her eyes trace the skyline between the buildings. ]

Perhaps she reminded you of your mother? That's how it goes, I hear. [ A chuckle. ]

[death_glare]

Hm.

[ He hums as though the thought had never occurred to him, but made quite a bit of sense now that he heard it. ]

I think her persistence played into it, as well. Perhaps something I favoured in you, despite complaining about it on the regular.

[untodeath]

[ Well, that earns a bit of a wry smile, being compared to the other woman-- and yet, she knows it to be a good thing. A compliment, nearly! ]

It would be like you to deny another lady....

[death_glare]

[ Grell's comment, however, gets a decent frown from him. One that almost makes him look saddened. ]

I wasn't meaning to deny either of you.

[untodeath]

[ The redhead can't ever recall seeing sadness like that in him, and quite nearly flinches for it pains her heart so! Immediately, she reaches out to encircle his shoulders, pulling him to her chest, where she cradles his head. ]

Not like that, my darling! I didn't mean it, I'm sorry! [ She kisses the top of his head with a sad little croon! ]

[death_glare]

[ The sensation of having someone holding him this way - cradling and comforting him with tiny gestures of affection - it's something he can hardly recall his last memory of. That cold, icy out shell of his melts near instantly, and he lets himself rest limply against Grell's chest.

It feels nice. Like something he's needed for a long time. ]

I should be apologising, not you.

[untodeath]

[ Such a reaction surprises her just as much; however, this time, her heart overflows with affection. She would blame maternal longing, perhaps, but she certainly doesn't mind continuing to coddle him in such a way.

Brushing his loose bangs away, she tenderly traces her fingers along his temples and along his cheekbones. ]

You needn't apologise for anything any longer, my love. It's in the past.

[death_glare]

[ Christine had said much the same to him when he saw her. It was all the held back emotion that spilt from him that finally had him feel release over his past.

Grell's words do much the same, but rather than tears welling up in his eyes, he closes them with a calm sigh. The cigarette is left to fall from his fingers, no longer needed. ]

Can we continue this back home, in bed?

[untodeath]

[ Nestling her nose into his hair, she finds herself able to relax with him, lashes lowering to flutter over her cheeks. ]

Mm. You know I'd like nothing more.

[death_glare]

[ It only takes a moment for them to teleport, landing with a soft thump atop the mattress. Who needs to bother with front doors when you're already nestled so nicely together. Certainly, William could stand, remove his shoes and get into something far more comfortable. Instead, he's draping an arm across Grell's chest, face content to stay in the crook of her neck. ]