thedispatch | (no subject)

You should have been well aware of what you were getting yourself into.

[ The glare he gives Thaddeus holds no sense of sympathy for the man. It's icy cold and quickly shifts to Grell so he can reprimand her, as well. ]

And you should be at your desk, not flaunting your personal relationships around the office.

[ Those 'mates' of his are shooting wry looks Thaddeus' way, for they were pulled into the mess, and one of them now sports crooked frames and a swollen cheek. To this, he almost chokes!

I didn't-- You can't believe that! He's crazy, you know!!

Grell's expression drops uncharacteristically drops, arms falling to her sides as she walks forward to face him. And decks him square in the nose. ]

To think. [ Looking down her nose as him, she flips back her bangs with a flick of her wrist. ] I actually liked you. It leaves an awful taste in my mouth, you know.

[ William looks completely unfazed by Grell socking the guy, and waits until he regains enough composure to finish his scolding. ]

Whatever the case, perhaps now you'll have the sense to keep your trousers up around her.

[ With a brief adjustment to his glasses, William takes a firm hold of Grell's shoulder, spinning her around in the direction of Dispatch and giving her a heavy shove to get her moving. ]

Get moving. I am not having this absurd ordeal causing me overtime.

[ The rest of the mess is ignored while he follows behind her. ]

[ Grell's head whips to give William a look, concerning his line about the trousers and all; however, she doesn't have a chance to properly execute it, as he's no sooner manoeuvring her out of the lobby! ]

Will--! I can walk well enough on my own, you know!

[ Still, she doesn't make a single effort to pull herself away. No matter how riled up, she seemed quite grateful for his presence, in her own way. ]

[ Her complaint doesn't get any sympathy. In fact, he doesn't say another word to her until they're back in their department and he's directer her to his office. The door is firmly shut behind them, which is when William finally lets out an exasperated sigh. ]

Why must you cause so much trouble? You realise I will have to speak up for you, again.

[ Crossing her arms over her middle, she flops into one of the guest chairs with a huffy little sigh of her own. ]

No, you don't, you've got too much going on, as it is. Let them speak to me.

[ Letting her head fall back onto the head rest, she leers off at some other wall. ]

It doesn't matter, really.

Edited 2020-06-18 07:17 (UTC)

Honestly, the man wasn't worth it, to begin with.

[ He offers the slightest, driest bit of condolence while he shuffles through some papers on his desk. ]

You are better off forgetting the entire ordeal.

[ The effort doesn't go unnoticed, however small it may sound. She picks her head up to peek his way, and with a twinge of her lips, her scowl seems to subside just so. ]

I mean. Obviously.

[ Picking herself up, she sits forward to face him, fingers laced between her knees. ]

These things can be a little wearing, is all. Even for someone like me. [ Her brow furrows. ]

[ He hums slightly, understanding the loneliness that comes along with being a reaper. Somehow he'd managed to find a partner amidst it all, but he remembers quite clearly how depressed he'd been prior. ]

You believe in soulmates, correct?

[ Grell's eyes light up just so! ]

Of course.

Then you will find someone.

[ He finally takes a seat, brandishing his pen to complete a few forms for filing. ]

And I'm certain you will know when you do.

[ A corner of her mouth plucks up into something of a smile. ]

Oh, I hope you're right.

[ Leaning forward to fold her arms over the corner of his desk, she deflates to rest her head atop her wrists. ]

Truly, is it too much to ask for? A strapping man with unwavering confidence-- wouldn't hurt if he had a smartly solid cock, too.

[ Her final statement has him briefly looking up to sigh and shake his head at her. ]

Perhaps you should take the time to get to know the man before hopping in the sack.

[ That exasperation has her lips plucking into a lopsided grin. ]

I don't know, I think it's only fair to give them an idea of what they're in for.

[ Her gaze drifts wayward. ]

Mn, beside, if it were up to me, I would wish to be properly courted. By a-- sophisticated gentleman with a firm hand but deeply romantic heart! But girls of my caliber can't afford to be so picky, alas.

Edited 2020-06-18 08:40 (UTC)

It sounds reasonable, if nothing more. You simply need to know when to control yourself. You're going to scare off any suitors before they've spoken a word.

[ A final signature or two and he's shuffling the forms into a neat stack. ]

If you weren't aware, you come on absurdly strong.

[ Obviously she knows, but he feels it's worth pointing out, regardless. ]

I'm heading to Corrections to get these sorted out. Hopefully Christine can do so for me quickly enough. We've plans for dinner.

[ He makes to head out but pauses, turning back to his friend. There's a furrow to his brow and he looks as though there's something more he wants to say. ]

[ Sensing that he's preparing to leave his desk, Grell sits upright - and regards him with a sceptical cant of the head, accompanied by a brow quirked high. ]

Darling, if they can't handle the way I come on, they'll never survive me.

[ It's very brief until she settles into something resembling her normal off-kilter smile, though. She certainly knows. ]

You'll give her my regards, won't you? [ Ah, but then her smile becomes more forced! There's just something about that Christine that doesn't sit too well with her, after all. ] Mn, but-- was there something else, Will? You know you can talk to me.

[ He looks off into the distance for a moment before reconnecting with Grell's eyes. ]

I'm going to ask for her hand, tonight.

[ He knows he should have divulged this to his best friend sooner. He's certain he'll get an earful. ]

[ Just like that, Grell's on her feet, face alight! Ah, but she stops herself for the briefest moment to snatch away those papers and plop them onto the desk.

NOW she throws herself into his arms, arms about his neck. ]

Oh, Willllll! I'm so happy for youuu♥!

[ Holding him close, she takes a moment to wince. Hopefully, it isn't coming across disingenuous! She truly WANTS to be feel that way...

Pulling back, she looks over his features fondly. ]

That's an incredibly big step. [ And she'll swat his chest, the distaste setting into her features, at last. ] Shame on you for holding out on me.

[ Thankfully, he anticipated the dramatics and braces himself for impact. There's no reciprocation of the embrace, but he accepts it and what he reads as sincerity in her congratulation. ]

I have been oddly nervous about the decision. Perhaps simply because it's unusual for reapers to wed. But, we've been committed for years now. I can't see it any other way.

Well, to be damned with what anyone else might think.

[ Head lulling off to the side just so, she leaves her hands on his shoulders with a fond little squeeze. ]

It's a bold gesture, surely-- but if they would be a damn fool not to see the worth in that, from stoic old William T. Spears, you know!

[ That has his mouth drawing thin as he gives her a look that some could interpret as having been insulted. ]

I may not condone emotions in the work place, but that doesn't mean I'm incapable of having them, otherwise.

[ Those hands migrate to her cocked hips, shoulders back, as she flashes him a crooked smile. ]

My dearest Will, I should like to think that I'd know it best-- well, second to that lady of yours! Which, speaking of, you must be seeing, if you've any hope of making that reservation.

[ Retrieving the stack she'd stripped him of previously, she pushes the papers against his chest, rights a piece of hair behind his ear, and pats his chest as though to send him off. ]

But if you've the time after, we can comb through the detail of your proposal plans after. I'm just dying to hear them.

[ That frown turns into a slight scrunching of his nose and he pulls his face back from her hand. ]

Stop fussing over me.

[ Though she just fixed his hair, he feels the need to do so himself. But, once satisfied, he turns to head up a floor to Corrections. He won't say it aloud, but there's always a small part of him that's grateful for his subordinates making errors on their reports. Visiting his partner to correct the mistakes allows him a brief reprieve.

With the paperwork in order, perhaps in record time, William is free to spend the evening as he'd hoped. Diner, a bit of dancing, wine and talk of anything but work. It's just what he needed after the stress of the day.

But, then the moment comes where he fishes around the inner pocket of his suit jacket. Suddenly, he's feeling as though there are butterflies in his stomach, something he can't say he's ever experienced before. He brushes it off, convincing himself there was nothing to be nervous about, and turning to her, takes a steadying breath before setting one knee to the ground.

It's not long after that he finds himself outside the door to Grell's flat, knocking quieter than he ever has. ]

[ It's nothing short of a miracle that Grell actually hears it - though, at first, she isn't certain if her mind is playing tricks on her. It's an awfully quiet tap, quite nearly drowned out by the opera that booms from her sitting room.

Setting her glass upon the counter, she cuts the record's play, before tentatively checking the door. It's swung open wide, revealing the redhead in a lacy little number, smelling of wine and rose perfume. ]

--Will?

[ With a blink, she looks him over. ]

I'd think you should be celebrating in the privacy of your bedchamber about now--

[ Unless... Ah. Darn, she's got just enough alcohol in her not to have thought that through properly before she spoke. With an apologetic grimace, she hooks an arm into William's to tug him inside and close the door after them. ]

Come in. Come in, then.

[ William's thankful he doesn't have to spell it out for Grell. He takes up a space on the sitting room's sofa. The crease in his brow somehow lingers between sadness and confusion. ]

Am I a fool for thinking she felt the same?