thedispatch | (no subject)

Oh.

[ Shoulders easing with a sigh, she folds her hands with a lopsided little smile. ]

You don't need to worry about that, Will. I'll be fine enough, especially if you can manage to smuggle home some sweets for me.

That won't be necessary.

[ He finally approaches her, eyes connecting with hers. ]

I want you to accompany me.

[ Eyes widening, her head tilts forward to gawk at him over her spectacles! ]

You-- [ Hand pressed to her chest, she straightens herself! ] What will you say??

I will introduce you as you are and explain that we've been living together.

[ It's stated as if it should be obvious. Also, he's conveniently left out the specification of whether he aims to present her as a lady or man. ]

[ Okay, now she'll need to take the nearest seat, numbly stumbling her way over to plop down. Her fingertips are pressed over her mouth, trying to find words in her shock. ]

Is that-- are you--!! Truly--?! [ She blurts out, as soon as she gives herself the chance to speak! But it seems she's lost the ability to form words, hands cupping against her cheeks with frustration! ]

The event begins at six but I will be expected to arrive before then to assist. So you'll need to ready yourself by four, I should think.

[ Apparently oblivious to how taken aback she is, he continues to ramble out details. ]

[ That brings about a choked sort of sound! ]

I--I'll need to ready myself! [ That simple realisation brings about a most startling truth. ] I haven't anything to wear!

[ Finally hearing her panicked tone he looks to her with a slight frown to his features. ]

Of course you have.

[ Then without another word beyond that he turns to make his way down the hall and towards his bedroom. ]

[ Brows knitting together, she is entirely bewildered by this apparent lapse of sanity he's having... but he sounds so certain of himself that she simply has to follow!

Grasping onto the door frame, she peeks inside. ]

Will...?

[ The sight she'll be met with is of William pulling a dress from his closet. The gown is elegantly stitched with piping and lace and seems to flow from his hands to where he holds it up for her to inspect. Oh, and of course, it's a vibrant red that near matches the shade of her hair! ]

You'll have this to wear.

[ Clutching at her collar, Grell audibly gasps. It's the most beautiful gown she's seen, she thinks - and the wonder is so clearly reflected in her features as she comes forward to see it, in detail. The way that she moves, it seems that she's fearful it might disappear before her eyes, as though it were some fleeting dream. ]

William, you... you had this made for me...?

[ Carefully reaching out to touch its fabric, her fingertips trace the beaded detail in the lace. It dawns upon her that she had been admiring something similar not long ago. ]

Like that one on the way home from market, but in my favourite colour...

I searched but had no luck finding any for sale in this colour. So, yes, it is custom made. The seamstress found the request quite odd and tried to convince me it was the wrong choice for whatever woman I was looking to impress.

[ It's obvious by his tone that he made no effort to feign accepting that advice. ]

[ Breath hitching with a laugh, Grell looks up to William with tears in her eyes. She take his face in her hands, bottom lip tucked beneath her teeth to hide her grin as she sniffles. ]

It's the most beautiful gift I've ever received.

[ He gives her a solid nod, features now relaxed and near warm! ]

You will accompany me, then?

[ Closing her eyes to push back her tears, she nod once, surely. ]

Though this might very well be leaping into the fire, you've clearly thought it through. I trust you-- and I could never deny you, in any case. I think you must know that.

Will you feel comfortable presenting yourself as female? You'll be under far more scrutiny than if we were at market or the like.

[ He has no doubt in her, as she's certainly grown in her self confidence. But he wants to make certain she feels the same. ]

[ Drawing a shaky breath, she swallows. ]

I don't know that comfortable is the right word, but I certainly will find it in me to manage.

It will be nice to have you there. I hated the idea of leaving you to yourself on such a night.

[ Content with her acceptance he moves to bring the dress to her room. ]

[ Grell's hand trails down his shoulder as he passes, and she accompanies him to assist. Pushing her door aside, she then opens her closet, pushing aside other garments to make room. Plenty of it. ]

Is that what it is... Truly, you don't have to worry about me, in that regard. You already do so much.

[ The gown is gently set to hang, after all it cost a good amount! ]

It's going to be Christmas Eve. You are meant to spend the time with those important to you. That includes you just as much as any of them.

[ Now that his arms are free, she throws her arms about his shoulders to embrace him! ]

My heart is simply overwhelmed with joy! I'm truly the luckiest lady alive, knowing you...

I'm glad I've been able to bring you that joy.

[ His own arms wind around her middle and he holds her close until she's ready to release him. ]

[ It's a moment until she's satisfied, leaning into him with a content sigh. ]

... How will we say that we met?

At Beachy Head, where we shared a meal together.

[ William isn't one to lie, of course. But leaving out key information isn't actually lying. ]

[ Pulling back, she smiles him a little lopsided smile. ]

Hm! An awful meal, at that. The company turned out to be quite good, though.