thedispatch | (no subject)

[ 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?

[ Grell sees him to the sofa, but before she joins him, she goes to fetch a clean glass for William. And another bottle to join the one half-empty of the coffee table. Something tells her they're going to need it. ]

Is it the idea of marriage? Or has she found herself discontent with your relationship?

[ She's plopped down next to him before she pours a very generous amount of wine for William, nearly pushing it into his hands without suggestion. ]

[ He takes the glass without hesitation and drinks a healthy amount. ]

Apparently, she had been contemplating ending our romantic relationship for some time.

[ With a knit of the brow, Grell frowns deeply. ]

So she leads you on, then?! That damned wretch--

[ Now, it's her turn to take a swig! Even still, she finds herself huffing into her glass, once she's swallowed it down.

Waving her hand whilst she navigates through her frustration, it inevitably ends up planted on William's forearm, holding onto his sleeve imploringly. ]

She is the fool, you know that, don't you?

I'm not certain I can bring myself to agree.

[ Already, he's slipping back into the state he'd been in before meeting Christine. All business at work, which did well to hide the deep depression that hung over him while alone in his flat afterwards. This next sip is hardly as enthusiastic as the first. ]

If that's the case, you'll be forced to listen to me say so, until you'll find yourself capable of getting it through your head.

[ It's as though she can physically see the man hollowing out his chest. Feeling as though she must do something to snap him out of it, she quite suddenly is up on her feet. ]

But, first, I'll need you to remove your jacket and tie. Do away with the waistcoat, as well. You look much too stuffy to be in my flat this late is the evening.

[ Setting down her glass, she's off to rummage for something or other in one of her dressers - but she's going to peek over her shoulder at him, and if he hasn't complied yet, she'll straighten herself up with a demanding clap of the hands. ]

Come now, I'm serious!!

[ The sadness halts only to be replaced with sincere confusion. He looks down to his outfit, then back at her. ]

My jacket I can understand, and perhaps the waistcoat. But why my tie?

[ He ignores the clap at first, not one to be bossed around, but gets up at his own pace to, at least, do away with the jacket. ]

[ Finding what she was looking for, Grell gives a declarative croon! But before she goes showing it off, she pointedly closes the drawer she'd been looking through, a wrist on her hip. ]

Are you really going to tell me that keeping your tie on just near the middle of the night is conducive to your relaxation?