thedispatch | (no subject)

(no subject)

William dropped down from his horse. It had been a long ride - from London straight down to the southern coast of England. But he'd barely stopped, only doing so when his horse refused to go further without rest and water. But each time, William did little more than tap his foot anxiously, trying to focus on anything but his thoughts of what happened the day before.

But now that he'd arrived, there was nothing else to distract him. The horse was forgotten as he walked towards where the English Channel extended out to what seemed like eternity. With the thick fog of the early morning, there was no telling just what was out there. William's breath was shaky as his gaze then drifted down. Beachy Head, a beautiful site for some, with the tall cliff towering over the shore line below. But for him, this day, it was his enemy - or perhaps his closes friend. Whichever the case, he was terrified.

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How so?

[ Having never been in her situation, he knows he's lacking information on it. But he wants to learn and help her. ]

[ For a moment, she quietly contemplates how to tell him, or if she even should. After all, this should be a night of celebration, for many reasons.

No. Not only does he deserve to know, he should understand what her world was like before she drags him into it.

With a swallow, she looks down. ]

My teeth--uhm. Three young men tailed me home from the theatre one evening. They pushed my face into the wall, kicked at me once I was down, shouting that I-- wouldn't be using my cock-sucking mouth for sin any longer, more or less.

[ Closing her eyes, she's frowning deep as she heaves a shaken sigh. ]

I don't know how long I was on the ground before the policeman arrived, but when he did, my neighbor was there and told him it was all because I was a molly. The only question he asked is if it were true.

[ A faint scoff. ]

Oh, and while I was in the hospital, the theatre was exposed for its nightly festivities, as it were. Those there were dragged out into the streets and stoned. The ones they found in bed together were hanged.

[ Really, he's always known that this was the way people treated those like Grell. But it had never been something he'd encountered first hand. Essentially, he had no reason to dwell on the subject, until now. ]

That won't be happening to you again. I will see to that. I will keep you safe.

[ He pulls Grell back in for a hug, holding her head close, should she need to let out any tears. ]

Are you more fearful of what people think of you, or what may happen as a result?

[ Still, he's so brave for her sake. Leaning into him, she rests her chin against his chest, breath quivering. She's trying very hard not to cry, relief washing over her like spring water. ]

I'd-- always been fearful, but. Yes. It became too overwhelming, lonely, unbearable. With all else, I couldn't find the sense in struggling to live in a world that didn't want me.

[ She hugs him a but tighter. ]

But then, there was you.

I only wish we could have met under better circumstances.

[ As she hugs him tighter, his hand rubs along her bare back in an attempt to calm her. ]

You haven't met anymore hardships during your time alone during the day, have you?

[ The question effectively distracts her, as she mulls over her time during the past several months. ]

I can only think of a few curious stares out at market, perhaps? Nothing notable...

[ A calming breath. ]

Dressing as I have seems to help, after all, it seems

That is most likely because you feel more yourself.

[ Sensing she's calmed, he releases her. ]

Tell me, immediately, if something happens.

[ Leaning back to look at him, her arms droop about his waist. She closes her eyes with a nod. ]

No secrets, so deception. I meant that.

Good.

[ His eyes leave hers, instead looking over the delicate pinning of her hair. He wouldn't even know how to begin taking it down without it becoming a tangled mess. ]

Tend to your hair and paint. I'll finish readying myself for bed, as well.

[ Ah, so perhaps he does intend to just sleep. Humming her understanding, she saves any looks of disappointment for once she's turned away to do just that.

But first, she kisses his cheek. ]

Very well, darling. I won't be long.

[ Once she's returned, she'll find William has forgone the long night gown he would typically wear to bed. Instead, he's merely in his pants. But being as it's Christmas Eve and snow is falling, he's dug out some heavy blankets to keep them snug and warm despite the bare skin. He's just laying out the last one as she approaches. ]

This should keep the chill off us.

[ Touching a hand to her chest with some surprise, she has a lopsided little smile on her lips. ]

Good. You must be freezing.

[ She, however, has removed all those pesky underthings of hers and replaced them with a nightgown. Not much warmer, though!

Picking up a corner of the diligently layered blankets, she holds them up for William to slip under more easily. ]

Come on, then. Let's fix that.

I sleep like this on occasion. Nightgowns tend to roll up on me and I rarely find them comfortable.

[ With that, he's slipping beneath the blankets, then holding them up for Grell to join him. The effect of the blankets takes over immediately and William finds himself sighing comfortably. ]

Pants don't seem much more comfortable in bed, really...

[ Still, she won't complain, as she's able to cozy right up beside him and run her hands along his bare stomach whilst embracing him! ]

It's the better of the two, for me.

[ He'd held her in bed like this before, but there's a difference this time. Subtle as it may be, William feels like he's relaxed even more as she holds onto him. Perhaps the conflict of his feeling for her was stressing him more than he realised, because now he feels as though he can breathe and push everything but this moment with her from his mind. ]

I have been curious. Which do you prefer, scarlet or crimson?

[ Grell idly wonders why he might not just forgo garments altogether, if that were the case - but, that can be a suggestion for another time.

Settling her head on his shoulder, in favor of the pillow, she is caught off guard by the seemingly random and startlingly innocent question. She can't help but chuckle through her breath. ]

Ah, that's a good one! I think scarlet is daring and lively, and crimson more dramatic and passionate. I might lean slightly toward the latter.

Hm. I can see how those terms would correlate.

[ The way he responds sounds as though her answer has given him some important insight, though he doesn't continue with any explanation. ]

[ When a moment of silence passes and he doesn't continue, she realizes that must be it. ]

Well, come on, then. [ There's some laughter laced into her words. ] Tell me what you're thinking.

I was trying to choose a nickname for you. It only seemed fitting that a word representing the colour you associate well with should be my choice.

[ Knowing him, he has a list of red related terms somewhere in his desk and has been adding to and pondering over them for some time now. ]

[ ah, she remembers talking about this months ago, and knowing now that he's been taking the task as seriously as she imagined he would just tickles her endlessly. ]

Whatever you choose, I'm certain that I'll love it. She kisses the just if his jaw with a content hum. ] Though, between the two, Scarlett sounds more natural as a name.

That was part of what kept me from choosing. Rose was another option. Which I believe sounds nicely along side either of the other two.

[ Okay, he's nowhere closer to a decision than he was before. Pondering it, he wraps an arm around Grell's shoulder once he's certain she's comfortable. ]

[ The newest suggestion earns an intrigued little sound! ]

Oh, it certainly does! I quite like that one.

[ Comfortable, she certainly is. In fact, she's even hooked a leg over one of his. His feet are much warmer. ]

You will be my Crimson Rose, then. Though I believe I'll keep it to special, private moments.

[ Like now, he supposes. But when her leg slides over his, it makes him startle slightly. ]

Your feet are absurdly cold.

[ He fidgets with the blankets as best he can in their position, but not much is changed. ]

[ Okay, that gets something of a purr out of her-- although cut short by his declaration! Blinking up at him innocently, she only shifts her weight onto him more, clinging for warmth! ]

I'm fortunate that you're here to warm me.

I should make you put your stockings back on.

[ Perhaps he warming her up, but he feels as though she's taking the warmth from him entirely! He even gives a shiver! ]