thedispatch | (no subject)

And I love you.

[ He gets a second kiss in before he lets her go. Why couldn't he have admitted it sooner...

Seeing a cross road ahead, William leads the horses in a sharp drift left. It has the cart effectively cutting ahead of the stable hand. If Grell can manage, she maybe able to use the maneuver to her advantage. ]

[ The redhead narrowly avoids crashing into the side of the cart, herself - but, upon gaining her footing, she find herself facing the opposition, and realises William's intentions. Smirking, she plants a foot against the siding, plunging the sword forward-- and though the stable hand has managed to pull his horse up alongside the cart, he only narrowly avoids the jab by leaning back! He can't dodge the blade as it swings for his gut, however; with a shout, he loses balance.

The man falls, but not before reaching out to grasp Grell's shirt. Roughly falling against the side of the cart, and dragged forward, her weight is only kept up by her knees. It's painful, she shouts - but it's nothing compared to the sounds of the stable hand, gutted and being dragged through gravel.

She attempts to slice at his arm, but before she's successful, he's caught on a stone, and his dead weight pulls her to the ground. ]

Edited 2020-04-15 07:26 (UTC)

[ Unable to look back as he's trying to keep the horses from faltering, William's only sense of ease is the shouts from the man. She has to have hit her target for him to cry in such agony. He pulls back on the reins just enough to get their bearings, once more. But it's oddly quiet behind him, now. William risks a glance behind only to find Grell's gone, and her image is slowly growing smaller as the horses continue.

With out another thought, William risks a jump from the moving carriage. He falters, stumbling hard onto his knees, undoubtedly causing more injury than the earlier fall. But he's up before he's realised, running as fast as he's able to reach her. ]

[ Falling hard into the gravel, Grell is still quite fortunate that her sword has tumbled a few feet away, lest she'd have fall onto its blade, instead. It takes her a few moments to push herself up on arms that ache terribly - and finds her shirt still weighed down by the man's grasp, though her clearly lay dying.

Smacking his hand away without sympathy, she listens for the cart, growing quieter in the distance. Though her heart sinks, with distance between them, she hopes he doesn't stop.

Hissing in pain, she looks up for the lone horse, now-- but discovers that, since the stable hand had fallen, the inn residents have resumed pursuit. Further in the distance, it seems that the local law enforcement have taken notice.

Hastily looking for her sword, she reaches out with a grunt to grab it. Pulls herself to her feet. There's a faint grimace to her features, but her stance is resolved. She's not going down without a fight. ]

[ William pushes through the pain. He's finally found something he cares for, someone who makes him feel happiness and worth. She's up, he stance showing she's ready to take down the approaching mob on her own. But he knows they don't stand a change against such a large group.

Reaching her, he calls her name before grasping her by the upper arm and tugging her away. ]

We must flee. You can't take them all down.

[ Hearing William's voice, her hair nearly whips as she looks behind her. Eyes widening, a touch of moisture gathers in their corners.

Knowing that he's abandoned his sure chance at life breaks her heart-- and yet, he's refused to abandon her, and she can't ignore how good that feels. ]

Will--!

[ Swallowing down such emotions, she glances back to the mob once more to gauge their distance - but now that her lover is by her side, she certainly won't refuse the chance to get them to safety. Once she has her footing, she tugs her arm away, but only so that she may take his hand. ]

We'll have more of a chance if we cut through the woods-- ngh, everything hurts, damn it--...

Edited 2020-04-15 08:05 (UTC)

[ He has to take a moment to weigh the options. Surely it will slow the mob down, but hopping over fallen branches and dodging bushes in their current state may nullify any advantage. They haven't much time to decide, and with Grell already tugging him along, he has little choice to do anything but agree. ]

I know, but we need to loose them in the woods if we have any chance.

[ The opposite side comes out along the cliffs. The sparse foliage there won't help much with their escape, but... He doesn't want to say the idea that suddenly enters his mind. ]

We can't outrun them, in this state, my love...

[ Her breathing has become a bit laboured, bearing through the pain of her tumble. Surely, manoeuvring around the trees and uneven ground of the forest is proving to be especially difficult, but she won't allow herself to stop. ]

[ With each stumble, William catches her, holding her body close to keep her going. But his own body aches, as well. His knees are sure to give out despite his will to keep moving, but that's all been pushed aside for now.

Somehow they make it through to the other side, and with the law enforcers having to leave behind their horses, it gives them a bit of time to get a better lead on them. ]

[ Breath heavy, she falters for but a moment, once the brush clears and the cliffs are visible. The ocean lashes loudly against stone, and the wind chills her down to the bone, but the sight of moonlight upon the water is enchanting. ]

Will... It's where we met...

[ The rustling and chatter of the others still indicates some distance between them, but it still won't be long until they've caught up - and so, Grell gently pulls him along to chance a closer look at the cliffs' edge. ]

[ The sudden calmness to her voice as she pulls him along has a heaviness settling in his chest. He'd been terrified that night, questioning his decision, yet too fearful of living with his past to turn back. But then she was there, and suddenly he had a reason to change his mind.

Now, as they approach the cliff side, he's feeling the same want to pull her back and protect her. But, how can he this time? ]

I'd wished never to return to this place.

[ Hearing it in his voice, her gaze turns to him. Somehow, though battered and worn, he looks especially beautiful. Her heart simply overflows. ]

Nor did I. Truly, I'd meant what I said; I hadn't begun living until our paths crossed.

[ Her fingers wind between his with a soft squeeze. ]

You've saved me.

Have I?

[ His brow furrows; this time in doubt rather than anger. He can't help but feel that he's failed in his promise to her. ]

Yes. God, yes.

[ Turning to him, she steps in dangerously close, until their bodies are flush, and her nose brushes his. ]

I was desperate to relieve myself of my misery, tormented by loneliness-- and then, there was you. You gave me unconditional love, and in turn, I found peace within myself. Colour, music, and art regained their splendour. I looked forward to every day that we could be together; I was truly happy to be alive.

[ Her eyes have drifted closed, her features serene. ]

My experiences with you this past year have exceeded a lifetime before.

[ William takes the slightest step back, needing to see her face, to look into her eyes. ]

I wanted to give you that for far longer. Your happiness shouldn't have to be so short lived.

[ The phrasing of his words gives away what he's expecting must happen next. Fingers still intertwined, he squeezes her hand. ]

[ Grell eyes connect with his, and with a soft smile, she reaches up to cup his cheek. Her thumb pets over his skin, as she drinks in the sight of his features. ]

You must remember that you were hurting, too. After everything, you'd done the best that you could - and it's more than I ever could have asked for. Truly, William, thank you.

[ His features finally relax as he nods. ]

You've gained so much confidence. I am proud and thankful I could see it grow from you.

[ As shouts are finally heard emerging from the woods, William only gives the noise a side-eye. Seeing her so serine and honest in her happiness has brought him peace, in this moment. ]

I would like to go together. [ He finally responds to that first comment she'd made to him when they met. ]

[ When it clicks, something of a chuckle lulls beneath her breath. Though difficult, she pays those in the near distance no mind. Instead, her hand shifts to rest behind his neck, as she rises on toe to give him a kiss. However brief, it is immensely passionate - and she whispers her love to him, against his lips, once more.

They haven't got much more time; she tugs him along to stand along the very edge of the cliffs, though she doesn't look below, only at him. Giving a confident nod, she waits for the signal that he's ready, hand tightening in his. ]

[ Giving his own nod, the two take that fateful step, falling hand-in-hand to meet whatever comes next, together. ]

---

[ Having tormented himself enough with watching back his old record, William looks away from the screen. He knows the story well enough, after all. One final look out over the foggy of the English Channel and then blackness. He sighs heavily, reaching out to flip the projector off, when the voice of a particular redhead is suddenly heard. "We could go together, you and I..." ]

Honestly, Sutcliffe. Can I not get a moment's peace from you?

[ William starts his reprimand but trails off when he sees no sign of his subordinate behind him. Perhaps the stress is getting to him because he could have sworn he'd heard her.

"Life is a series of illusions, isn't it..."

Okay, where ever she is, now she's just mocking him. Irritated, William turns back, only to notice the projector is still playing. And there he finds Grell, speaking to him in the frames of his record. Utterly confused, William reaches to retrieve the canister his reel was housed in, eyes glancing back up to the screen in between his scans of the can's labels. And there it is: Original Uneditted in fine print beneath his name and date of death. He pushes the tin aside, now completely transfixed on the record still playing before him.

---

A few hours pass before William finally returns to the Dispatch office. With as stern a look on his face as always, he approaches Grell's desk. ]

Sutcliffe. Get up. Let's go.

[ The command comes with zero explanation as he impatiently waits for her to comply. ]

[ It doesn't seem as though Grell's been very productive at said desk. In fact, she happens to be reapplying her lip gloss as her superior approaches, and doesn't seem to be at all fazed over being caught.

The usual chatter about the office ensues; chuckles and snide little remarks regarding what she could possibly be in for, this time. ]

A fair question! Not even I remember. Hm!

[ Indeed, she looks confused - only shortly before snapping her compact closed and swinging up onto her feet. It's a moment before she's replaced the coat on her shoulder and pulled her hair free of it, though. Another, as she floofs her tresses. ]

But, truly, who cares. I've got an excuse to get away from this bloody paperwork, and spend time with my Will~♥!

[ And if she can manage it, she'll latch onto the manager's arm with a purr of a hum. ]

Edited 2020-04-16 06:33 (UTC)

[ 100% expecting that attempt at contact, he lifts his arm away, effectively making her stumble ahead of him. Once she's caught herself, he applies a forceful shove at her back. ]

Keep moving. You've wasted enough time today, as it is.

[ The surprised sound that erupts from her quickly drawls into a giggling croon - once she's regained her composure and can bat her lashes his way. ]

So rough. You must've missed me!

[ Lacing her fingers behind her back, she wanders forward. It's an idle pace, as she heads for the exit. ]

Where are we off to, then? I hope it isn't another meeting with Upper Management-- I haven't done anything significantly terrible, not that I can remember...

You best not have caused any trouble.

[ He doesn't give a retort to her first comment. The memories he just regained of her are having him question too much right now. It's easier to simply reprimand her for something instead. ]

Take the lift. We are heading down to Record Storage.

Record Storage--?

[ It's clear by her voice that this is entirely baffling to her. ]

Whyever would we go there?

[ Still, she does as he says, approaching the lifts and smacking one of the buttons. Waiting for it, she turns and folds her arms behind her, resting against the panelled wall to face him while they wait. She has a foot propped up, her head tilted as she bats her eyes at him a bit. ]

Is it some sort of investigation we haven't heard about yet?

You could say as much.

[ Keeping it vague, he enters the lift once it arrives and only just lets her slip though the door before the correct floor is chosen. He's quiet the remainder of the ride, leaving her to wonder on the subject. ]