thedispatch | Forgiven

[ Grell's hand stills. ]

Was this you taking the reaper oath much too seriously? Or are we talking about something entirely different?

It's in regards to my mortal life.

[ Since she seems to have paused in her task, for the moment, William interrupts the potential awkwardness of the discussion by spooning some water up over his chest, washing away the bubbles. ]

[ Squeezing out the cloth, she shifts to stand, moving to the other side of the basin tub. There, she can make eye contact.

Reaching into the water to lift one on his ankles, she props his foot against the ledge oh the tub, to wash down his leg. ]

Would you tell me what happened?

[ It's a bit of an odd topic to talk about when he's in a bathtub with Grell washing him down. ]

Considering how important the job of a reaper is, I knew I wouldn't be able to give enough attention to whomever I was with.

[ Odd or not, this is where their conversation led them to, and Grell won't turn away from the chance to learn more about him.

She washes all the way down William's thigh, motions diligent and caring. ]

So you were with someone that wished to have more of your attention, then?

[ He nods, surprised a how appropriate she's keeping her touches while she washes him. ]

Yes. And she was wholly entitled to it.

[ Humming with acknowledgement, she lowers his foot into the tub, so that she may take the other, in turn.

She could make assumptions, based on her experiences with William, but she'd rather hear it from him. ]

Why was that, darling?

Being my wife, I should have been there for her instead of burying myself in my work.

[ He frowns, thinking over his choice of words. ]

I haven't learned much, it seems.

[ His wife... At that, the reaper's hand falters for a moment, before she forces her hand onward. Such focus makes her miss the way she presses her lips, swallowing. ]

I wouldn't say that. You've always come through for me when it mattered most. [ She pauses, to dip the cloth and apply more soap. ] You're here now.

[ A nod as he remakes eye contact with her. ]

I spoke with her while I was still in Heaven. She was the one who made me realize I'd been treating you the same way. So when management asked to see me regarding your behaviour, I'd already made my mind up to return.

Granted, they were unaware of that, so it allowed me to negotiate your punishment moreso.

[ Grell glances up to him, brows raising a bit. ]

You-- spoke with her? [ Sitting back on her haunches, she just looks utterly stunned. ] And-- you still decided to return?

We both decided it would be best to put that part of our relationship behind us. It's saddening, yes, but part of being forgiven was coming to terms with everything that had happened. She just wanted to see me happy again, and from watching over me these years, saw that you were someone who could "balance me out", I believe is how she phrased it.

[ He dips the one leg back under the water and lifts the other. ]

And you certainly are my polar opposite.

[ Grell's shoulders rise and fall with a sigh, the slightest flutter to her breath. A smile twinges at her lips, as her hands encase William's ankle, and begin to swathe the skin. ]

I can't say that I've ever had someone's blessing before.

[ It's a lot to take in, but there's nothing to particularly be upset about. William's moved on, in every sense of the word. In fact, Everything she's been told only bodes well for their relationship. ]

I wouldn't think that'd be something you'd need, being the rebellious type that you are.

[ She's taken this news of him formerly having a wife much better than he'd expected her to. ]

[ With a chuckle, the redhead's gaze rises to meet his. ]

Oh, it isn't. It feels a bit... [ A thoughtful hum. ] Odd, I should say.

[ Outreaching a hand to him, now that he's only a few places left to watch, she curls her fingers inward insistingly. ]

Stand.

[ And as she waits for him to do so, she find her mind wandering. ]

So, your relationship with your wife... Is that what led to your passing?

[ Hoisting himself up by the sides of the tub, he then shakes a bit of the water from his arms. ]

The start of it. We divorced, and shortly after she passed away. [ He's silent for a spell. ] It was after our daughter passed, as well, that I took my own life.

[ Grell's breath catches hard, almost painful in her chest. She's nearly sorry that she'd asked - or perhaps she is - as it's shattered her heart. How is she supposed to enjoy the view now?

Even so, she reaches forward to take hold of his hips, ensuring that his footing is solid, before she begins to wash over his lower abdomen. ]

Will, I--... [ Inhaling, she shakes her head. ] What happened?

A demon.

[ As monotone as it comes out, you can still hear the pure hatred in the words. He may have accepted that he lost her, and that it wasn't his fault, but that disgust for demons won't ever leave. ]

[ With a knit of her brows, she struggles to find something to say. Finally, she can understand why he'd taken his disdain of demons further than the rest. But she also can't fathom what it would be like to have a child, then to lose them... Primarily, because she can never hope to. Would it bother him that she'll never be able to fulfill the role of a mother, no less be an acceptable partner for him in the public's eyes? If her thought his relationship with his wife wasn't easy... ]

I'm sorry. I'll-- never know how painful that must have been for you.

But you do. We both ended up in the same place, just with different routes taking us there.

[ He frowns at himself. When did he start being so philosophical about things? Must be the angel part of him speaking. ]

Those final few moments of desperation and defeat were the same.

[ There's a twinge to her lips-- an effort at a smile. ]

Perhaps. It just seems far more cruel, giving someone the world, only to tear it away... Never knowing that love may have been better.

[ And yet, William is doing his best to comfort her, she realises. That has her shaking off the though, looking up at him to offer a better smile for him. ]

It's best not to dwell on it. I've learned that much.

[ Even if he's stabilized himself on the topic, having another there to listen and sympathize helps keep that going. He takes Grell's hand, holding it and acknowledging her smile with a nod of his head. ]

[ Grell draws his hand near, to press a kiss to his wrist. ]

Mn. There's much to be grateful for, now.

Yes, you best be grateful for everything that's happened these past two days.

[ Hey, he needed to get a cold comment in there. He was starting to feel a bit too mushy! Still, he's grateful that he's made the right decision. ]

[ Ah, that gets an amused breath from her! Yes, this is much more familiar. ]

Trust me, I intend to prove it in every fashion I may.

[ As though to prove it, she gently slips her hand free, so that she may shift it to his buttocks, intending to do a very proper job of cleansing it! ]

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