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]

[ He frowns, apparently confused by her question. ]

No. Why would I think that?

[untodeath]

[ She blinks whilst mirroring his frown, head tilting. ]

Then why were you nervous?

[death_glare]

Your reaction. I expected it to be loud and violent, but it was the exact opposite. I thought I'd broken you, for lack of a better term.

[untodeath]

[ Her expression slacks a bit, as she recalls that moment. With all that's happened between them, she'd briefly forgotten, and perhaps healed a bit from it. It feels a bit like ripping a bandage away from a wound to take a look. ]

Hmn. Well. I suppose I had, in a way.

[death_glare]

[ There's a hum and he looks down to the water, recalling it, as well. ]

I am sorry.

[ He looks up, realizing he hadn't said so until now. Apologies aren't something he gives out often, so it's sincerity is apparent. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell's lips twinge into a half-smile, and she leans in to place a kiss upon his lips softly. ]

I've already forgiven you.

[death_glare]

[ He nods, lightly and gives her a kiss in return. ]

You know, I something occurred to me the other day, while you were at work.

[ This talk of their past and all made him remember. ]

[untodeath]

[ That gets Grell to blink at him curiously! Also, she realises that she can strain those suds from his hair, now. Oops. ]

Ah~? What's that?

[death_glare]

That novel Thomas Wallace had written -

[ He's expecting her to remember the kid's name, despite it being so long ago. ]

It has come true, in a way.

[untodeath]

[ It does take her a moment, as it's been so long since the name has been spoken, but the recognition shows in her eyes once it clicks. ]

What makes you say that? I remember it being a story of you with some other woman. [ A brow quirks high in scepticism, but she's also smiling. ]

[death_glare]

Well yes, my love interest in the story was not you. However, in terms of giving up everything in order to save the one I'd fallen for, you fit that role quite perfectly.

[untodeath]

[ Shoulders falling with a sigh, her wrists lower to rest on his shoulders briefly, as a lopsided smile settles on her lips. ]

Mm. I suppose you're right. You sacrificed eternal happiness for me... [ Which, suddenly, seems quite sad. Maybe she's just gotten herself into a mood. ] This version is better, in any case. I am a more intriguing love interest than some frail mortal woman.

[death_glare]

I'm not certain I even know what eternal happiness would have been for me there. But, I know that I am happy now.

[ With a tug at her forearms, he gets her to lean against his chest. ]

And you are more intriguing than anyone I've met, in any of my three lives.

[untodeath]

[ The redhead is a bit stunned as she falls against him, but she certainly doesn't fight it. Nearly nose-to-nose with him now, her eyes looks between his, a genuinely happy little smile plucking at her lips. ]

Thank you. For coming back for me. [ She glances away a bit shyly. ] I'm not sure that I've ever explicitly said it.

[death_glare]

You've certainly implied it.

[ He gives her a soft kiss, the romantic mood paired with the warmth of her body and the water around him, putting him in perhaps the most relaxed state he's ever experienced. ]

[untodeath]

[ Not only is it relaxing, it's genuinely tender. Grell's uncertain that she's experienced anything like it. It's enough to make her feel as though he's embraced her very soul. That she's finally safe.

Goodness, it's made her a bit misty-eyed, and she's closing her eyes tight to push it back as she wraps her arms about his shoulders, returning his kiss. ]

[death_glare]

[ He catches that flicker of tears but waits until their kiss parts to comment. ]

You don't need to feel ashamed of crying.

[untodeath]

I don't know what you're talking about.

[ Of course her voice has to waver and crack when saying so! Realising her cover had been blown before she'd even put the hat on, Grell huffs whilst looking off! ]

[death_glare]

For future reference then.

[ But his tone tells her straight out that he knows she's full of it. ]

[untodeath]

[ Peeking back at him, her lips purse into a pout, and after another moment of hesitation, she moves to rest her head against his, chin propped atop the arms she's folded about his shoulders. ]

It feels foreign, and I-- don't enjoy it much.

[death_glare]

Even if they're tears of happiness?

[ Though, he can understand, in a way. Still, he's seen her in tears before and wants her to know there won't be any judgement from him over it. He slips his arms around her middle, holding her fast against him with a strong hug. ]

[untodeath]

[ That hug somehow makes her more emotional than it does less! It hardly makes sense, but she's sniffling a fit while stubbornly pressing her face into her arm. ]

Something I'd never experienced before you. You really did break me!

[death_glare]

For the better, it seems.

[ Much like he had when she'd clung to him crying at his return, he now rubs her gently along her back. A comforting gesture he'd hardly shone anyone before now. ]

[untodeath]

[ Okay, now the tears have begun to roll down her cheeks. It feels as though an immense pressure has been released, but it isn't like the first time. It's gentle, gradual, and warm. Thank God she isn't wailing, either. ]

You do make me better. [ Hic. ] In every way...

[death_glare]

I feel the same of you.

[ Here's where his eyes close as he takes in the moment. It truly is odd how something most associated with sadness can also express joy. It's almost soothing to hear the quiet sobs against his shoulder. Perhaps just knowing that the tears he's caused this time are nothing for either of them to feel ashamed of. ]