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]

[ With a chuckle, she grabs one for herself, as well - whatever it just so happens to be. ]

But of course. That one has quite the interesting twist, you'll find.

[ Laying hers out before her, she takes in the title whilst sipping at her tea, humming in approval. ]

[death_glare]

[ He's slightly intrigued, and flips forward to the first chapter. The fire crackles softly as they sit reading their respective books. It isn't too long before William's engulfed in the story. He'd always enjoyed reading, but barely found time to, almost always climbing straight into bed after an extra late shift. ]

[untodeath]

[ Eventually, Grell places her pillow against his side and settles down there, book held above her face. She's prone to breaths of excitement, soft croons and giggles whist reading-- such probably doesnt make her the best reading partner, but she truly is enjoying herself! ]

[death_glare]

[ William tolerates all the noise she's making, for a bit. But eventually he looks down from his book with an irritated frown. ]

What exactly are you reading?

[untodeath]

[ Hugging the book to his chest, she looks up at William curiously as he speaks, before breaking into a shameless little grin. ]

You could probably guess. [ But, even so, she pulls away a hand to tap at the cover-- a book of sonnets by Shakespeare, and it's well enough read that its bindings are nearly repeating from the spine. ] In some ways, I'm dreadfully predictable, I'm afraid.

[death_glare]

Ah. Yes, I should have known. Though I'm surprised you haven't sprung up from the floor and began dramatically reciting them for me.

[ He comments drily as his eyes return to his own book. ]

[untodeath]

[ With a gasp of feigned realization, she lights up! ]

If you'd like to hear some, I'd be elated to oblige! [ And she rolls forward to spring to her feet -- and promptly stumbles forward with a groan of regret. ]

[death_glare]

[ William lifts his book up in an attempt to block himself should Grell fall directly on him. Not to catch her, of course. But when she manages to keep her footing he resettles himself. ]

You're already up, you may as well proceed.

[untodeath]

[ Righting herself with a sigh, it takes her a moment to process that he's actually consented to hearing her recite! Head titled, her lips are quirked into a smile of disbelief! ]

Well. Fortunately for me, I've come across one of my favourites.

[ Holding the book to her chest, she doesn't need to look at the lines to this sonnet. She puts on quite the show, with grand sweeping gestures of her hands, voice clear and emphatic. Once done, she crosses her legs and bends into a flamboyant bow!

Upon standing, she heaves the biggest, happiest sigh. ]

I think a performance like that deserves a sweet to follow! Don't you agree? Perhaps some of those biscuits...

[death_glare]

[ He gives her the benefit of his full attention and none of it surprises him. The motions, the cadence to her voice, it's all so her. There's no applause when she's finished, but he does nod his head, getting up to join her in getting some sweets. ]

Is there a particular reason that one is your favourite?

[untodeath]

[ Eyes warming, she reaches out to take his hand, so that they she may eagerly tug him along. ]

Mn, the subject matter, the language, the execution - but it's also fairly unique to his other works. It fails to connect the speaker to the words personally, though conveyed as through experience. It adds a deeper sense of defensiveness, shame-- brilliant complexity!

[death_glare]

[ Obediently following along, or what may seem as such, William runs the words over in his mind. Interestingly, he's familiar enough with the sonnet to know most of it on his own. ]

I think it could speak to someone on a personal level. Or, at the very least, it's relatable enough to make you feel as such.

[untodeath]

Oh, absolutely.

[ The reaper only releases his hand to reach up and rummage through the pantry. ]

What I mean to say is that the speaker generalises the subject, neglecting the use of pronouns, creating distance.

[ Finding the box of biscuits, she giggles in triumph!! And presents it to William with a grin. ]

Of course, I've found it relatable.

[death_glare]

If I'm interpreting his words correctly, wouldn't it no longer apply to you?

[ Oh that is a rather pleased look on his face as he takes the box. Flipping it open, he offers her a biscuit before taking two for himself. ]

[untodeath]

[ Oh, she's impressed that he's offered them before helping himself! Sweet in one hand, she scoops the other behind his neck, chuckling against his lips. She lingers after their kiss, forehead to his. ]

And never shall again.

[death_glare]

[ Perhaps he's slowly coming around to the fact that Grell is the lady in his life and he should act more gentlemanly towards her! Thankfully, though, she got that kiss in before he shoved a biscuit in his mouth. ]

Have you ever written a sonnet, or otherwise?

[untodeath]

[ It seems they'll need to keep the box, she muses, whilst taking a bite out of her own. Licking the crumbs off her lips, she quirks a brow - and snatches said box away! Making for the exit to the sitting area, she quips back to him over her shoulder. ]

If you hadn't thrown away all those love letters I'd left on your desk, you'd know the answer to that! [ But, by her tone, she isn't actually angry.

She's still running a little funny, though. ]

[death_glare]

[ Not wanting her to eat up all the biscuits without him, he follows right along. ]

Perhaps if I'd bothered to read any of them.

[untodeath]

Are you implying that you at least opened them? Why, I'm flattered.

[ Plopping back down on the blanket, she shoves another into her mouth tauntingly! ]

[death_glare]

If I did, it was on accident.

[ Because the red envelope and scent of perfume would have made it blend in with any other mail, surely. He eases himself back down to the floor, fussing a bit with the pillows to make his seat comfortable, once more. ]

[untodeath]

And what did you accidentally read, hm?

[ Okay, since he's apparently not threatened just yet, she'll just have to eat another! Except, now she needs to wash them down with what's left of her tea. And they'd just been in the kitchen, too. Damn. ]

[death_glare]

[ Now that he's finally settled, he takes note of how many she's eaten! He snatches the box away, taking a few before setting it down out of her reach. ]

I can't recall, it must not have made an impression. Perhaps you'll have to write me another.

[untodeath]

[ About time! Though, perhaps she should've taken the time to savour those a bit more, now that they're gone. Lips quirked off to the side, she gets up to drape herself over his chest. ]

Now, don't go blaming your poor memory on my writing! Perhaps I could, though, as it might spark some remembrance...

[death_glare]

[ There's a slight hint of irritation on his face as he now has to reach around her to get to those biscuits. But at least he isn't shoving her away! ]

Then get on with it, before I forget this instance, as well.

[untodeath]

[ With a tilt of the head, her brows furrow with a curiously lopsided grin. ]

What, you want me to write it for you right now?