thedispatch | (no subject)

(no subject)

[ Graduating from the reaper academy was nothing to brag about. Sure you gained some skills and were granted permission to customize your glasses and scythe, but beyond that, all that was in the newly trained reapers' future was tedious, unavoidable work encased within long nights of depression and regret. Unlike mortal graduations that were followed by celebration, reapers were informed of how they came to be, what was expected of them, should they wish to redeem themselves, and then shown their personal cinematic records. Forced to relive the pain of their mortal lives. To say it's a traumatic experience is a vast understatement.

William stands alone in his newly assigned, permanent flat. It's barely furnished, with just the essentials, no life or personality to be seen. All that's playing through his mind is his record. A horrific thing to rewatch, certainly, but somehow it was made more painful by a fear that had been newly established. He's suddenly feeling sick from the thoughts and has to exit the apartment to collect himself. Glancing up, he sees a brief flicker of bright red at the end of the hall, and before he can stop himself he's following after it. ]

Grell Sutcliffe?

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[ Pushing herself up on her arms, she peers down from her place, perched over him. ]

You were sleeping soundly, weren't you? The sound of those alarms, I don't know if I'll ever be able to ignore them.

Well, it is something you will have to get used to. I doubt any boss of ours will be lenient in regards to tardiness.

[ Still, he doesn't sound all to pleased about having to get up either. ]

[ A scoff of a chuckle, as she settles back over him. ]

What's the worst that would happen? They'd fire me?

They could assign you some menial job, janitorial perhaps. And if you step too far out of line, I believe execution is the final punishment.

[ He reaches over to pat around for his glasses. ]

[ A disgruntled little growl - but she easily reaches out to pluck up his glasses, and slip them onto the bridge of his nose. ]

I suppose I wouldn't wish to exit this production, now that things have finally started to become interesting.

[ Shifting to roll off of him, she runs a hand along his jaw before she goes! ]

[ He blinks as he slowly regains his vision. It this glasses bit going to be a thing between them? ]

You find me interesting?

[ Standing from the bed, she shamelessly stretches her arms up and behind her head, back arching with it-- nude and all. ]

After all that I'd said, you still didn't think as much?

[ He sits up, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. Grell is given a look over as she stretches. ]

Perhaps I simply don't find it so, myself.

[ Peeking back at him, over her shoulder, she grins. She turns rather gracefully, to saunter in nearer. Cupping his face, her thumbs brush along his cheeks, just under the frames of his glasses. ]

My darling, that much was obvious.

[ He gives a heavy sigh at her words. ]

Perhaps you'll be able to bring my confidence up.

That won't be the only thing of yours that I'll get up~♡

[ Chuckling against his lips, she presses a kiss to them.

And then, she pushes her hands through his hair, before stepping back and offering them out for William to take. ]

Come, I'll wash your back for you.

[ Over the next few weeks their schedules had been fairly regular. Learning the ropes, so to speak, followed a specific timeline so the two reapers had a good amount of time off together. Sometimes William would tag along behind Grell, not so much wanting to discuss what they'd learned that day, but rather to forget about it. She made for quite a good distraction, after all, and was overly enthusiastic about tutoring him on other subjects.

However, it was when they were given their own solo assignments in the field that things started to change. Schedule differences made seeing one another alone near impossible. More often than not, William would return home straight after his shift, not bothering to find out when Grell might be off to occupy his mind. Instead merely burying himself beneath the sheets and trying to get some amount of sleep before he was expected to take more lives. He could feel the depression creeping back on him with each reaping, and the mere idea of an intimate night with his friend made him more mentally tired than it probably would have physically.

Today is much the same. Overtime, a heavy sigh as he finally clocked off for the night, then straight to bed. ]

[ Perhaps, what William didn't know, is that Grell would wait for him. Though she'd never admit it, she'd always be around for the end of his shift, occupying the common area with a book, or something other to keep her busy. Of course, she was just looking for him to find her.

Annoyance became sadness, became anger, and she was quite keen to deny herself any sadness, so she fumed hotter as the days passed. At the end of a week, she found herself at his door. ]

William.

[ He's likely disregarded the first few knocks - and even if he hasn't, and considers taking his time, she's sure he'll assume there's to be destruction, if he continues to ignore her while knowing exactly who is on the other side of his door. ]

Edited 2020-12-07 04:03 (UTC)

[ In actuality, William had been expecting Grell to come knocking far sooner. Though finally hearing her yell from outside his door hardly brings relief. Instead, an annoyed frown graces his features as he uncovers his head from the blankets. Grell may very well have been about to beat down his door by the time he opens it. ]

What?

[ He sounds exhausted and looks it even more so. ]

[ Giving him a good look-over, she notes the demeanor, but that doesn't stop her from huffing! ]

What? What do you think?

I'm not in the mood.

[ He attempts a cold stare but doesn't succeed well enough. ]

[ It is that failure of an attempt that leads her to sneering. ]

You damn coward.

[ If he's not careful, she'll step inside to grab him by the shirt! ]

If you came here simply to yell at me, then get through with it. I'd like to return to bed.

[ While his icy expression may have failed, he's showing no fear in standing up to her inevitable rage. ]

[ Of course, that only makes her angrier! She tosses him aside with a growl. ]

This couldve been done and over with, but you haven't the balls to approach me yourself.

[ And crouching over him, she leans in closer to speak to his face. ]

And I'm not leaving until you tell me why you've been avoiding me.

[ Even as she perches over him, he shows little more than irritation. ]

I have not been avoiding you. I'm simply not in the mood to be around anyone.

With no warning, for a solid week?

[ She'd been looking down her nose at him, as she does with most, but now she's lowered her chin to leer over her glasses. It isn't that she's trying the intimidate him, but she's thoroughly pissed-- because she actually cares! ]

Honestly, would you have even gave me my time if I had said something?

[ He's certain she wouldn't be capable. ]

I'll reiterate what I've said since we began this relationship. I have no experience with this, nor have I ever been the subject of someone's affections.

[ Hissing through her teeth, her hands tighten]

What's that have to do with anything? You wouldn't know unless you'd given me the chance, now, don't you think?

[ He reaches around her arm to adjust his new, customized frames. ]

You are aware now and you're still here.

Because that's hardly an explanation, William.

[ Her voice becomes fairly mocking! ]

You've never been in a relationship before, you poor thing! Of course, you're right, do continue to ignore me for no foreseeable reason!

Edited 2020-12-07 06:43 (UTC)