thedispatch | (no subject)

(no subject)

[ It's happening once again - her life, flashing before her eyes.

The shock that gripped her chest, as the demon grasped her face, muttering against her lips that it would erase the pain of her pathetic existence. Meeting William's gaze with excitement as they threw themselves into the throes of battle. Launching herself at him when he'd announced that they would be investigating a case together. Waking up that morning in a cold bed, before pulling herself out of it to piece herself together.

Hundreds of other beginnings like it, contrasting the liveliness she threw into her days, the unusual occurrences that came with her occupation, and the way her heart twists around that one special man. A time of fiery passion, bloodshed, lust - so brief, less than a thousand days of bliss, before reality tore the blanket from her eyes. Thirty-six-thousand like the ones that proceeded them. Love. Meeting William. Rage. Being "reborn," they said. Throwing herself into the ocean from cliffs high above.....

Her body relaxes as it all fades away. It's nearly bliss-- until the beast tears her scythe from her hands to plunge through her chest. Its laugh is wretched, gravely, as it steps on her shoulder to remove the blade and brandish against William.

It slowly walks back, giving the man the unspoken option to pursue it for battle, or approach his colleague. ]

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[ Features easing into a sympathetic little smile, she heaves a little sigh, too. ]

Sorry, you've probably been forced to talk about this all day.

[ Which, she's hoping, will lead them back to the topic, so he'll vent a bit more! ]

Yes. I hardly got anything else done.

[ Gonna take a frustrated bite of his dinner. Why didn't he go get some coffee? Or gin. ]

Hm. I doubt we're given much leniency around here, either. Doesn't seem like an especially forgiving environment. Poor Will.

[ Uh-oh. Seems like someone had dropped the nickname! ]

[ The only response she gets is a glare over the sandwich. ]

[ Her lips part with an amused scoff! ]

What?

My name is William, not Will.

[ He already knows it's pointless to argue, though. ]

[ She frowns, then! ]

Why don't you like it?

It's unprofessional.

[ Now, A LOOK. ]

I thought we were friends.

We are. But you are also my subordinate. You don't get a pass simply because we have a relationship outside of the office.

[ Maybe that's the wrong phrasing. ]

[ Taking a breath, she then pauses to close her mouth, and the more she thinks on it, she raises a brow! ]

[ Shit. ]

That isn't what I meant.

[ A very sceptical HUM. ]

You know, it seems you've had quite the day, so I wasn't going to bring it up, but-- well, to hell with that, I suppose.

[ She folds her hands on top of the body of the chainsaw. ]

Every time you've been brought up in conversation, I've heard some very interesting things.

[ A deep frown spans his forehead. ]

Who has been speaking of me? And about what?

[ A roll of the eyes, now that she's thinking about it. ]

Perhaps every person I've spoken to. I have a feeling you know what they've been teasing about.

[ Slowly, she's starting to act like her old self. This doesn't bode well. ]

If it's about me being outwardly concerned about your well being, then yes, that isn't something many, if any, of them have seen.

[ A slow hum of affirmation. ]

And...?

And what? We're they all mocking me for expressing emotion when I don't condone it in the work place?

[ Is it too late to wish Grell was still unconscious? ]

[ With a knit to her brow, she huffs! ]

No, William. No one was mocking you.

[ She plants her cheek into an open palm, already fed up, clearly! ]

Apparently, we must have some sort of dubious relations going on, and with the way you've been approaching the subject--

[ She gives him the most scolding frown. ]

This is a terrible way to dump someone, if that's what this is!

Dubious relations?

[ Oh he is going to glare at every person he comes across from now on. No one is safe. ]

We are not an item. Nor have we even been.

[ Lips pursed to the side just so, she's going to stare him down for the truth!! ]

I want to believe you, but you'd also said that we were merely colleagues, when you introduced yourself this morning.

[ He can stare right back! ]

And I admitted to being friends, but there is nothing more to our relationship than that.

[ A hum. ]

How is it that we're giving off such an impression, then?

[ Huff. ]

Because you constantly hang off of me and threaten any woman who dares look in my direction. But that does not mean we are an item.

Edited 2020-08-24 06:50 (UTC)

[ Grell's expression relaxes with a blink of realisation. ]

Oh. It's-- me, then.

[ From the little he's given away, that does add up.

An unrequited love... and after the accusations she's just made, that's-- rather embarrassing. Her cheeks flush hot! ]