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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[ A growl of frustration rolls from her throat, bearing her weight into him, mouth bear his, pining. ]

Tell me what it is that we should do, then. We had been doing plenty else, I'd thought. I was enjoying your company - expressing that in every way I could-- again, so I'd thought.

I don't know. It's nothing you're doing wrong. I enjoy my time with you, but I go home afterwards and fall back into the same hole I've been in since I was a child. I want that to change, but it seems my mind won't allow it.

[ His expression softens to one more akin to exasperation. He's at a loss. ]

[ Brow knitting, her gaze lowers. Visibly, she's mulling through his words. ]

Then don't leave me.

[ Raising her eyes to meet his, her confidence falters. She's so rarely honest with her emotions, and she's been treading uncharted territory when she's around William. Her hands ease against his chest. ]

Keep me in your thoughts always, as you are in mine. [ Her eyes search his face, perhaps fearful of his rejection. ] I know your sadness, and I feel for you just the same.

You always think of me?

[ He has to know it's true, for someone with her personality, but it's still something he can't fully believe. He's never felt like anyone wanted to keep him in their thoughts. ]

[ A blink! ]

Of course. As I've said, I really do feel for you, Will. Do-- you ever think of me?

Yes.

[ There's an odd pang of guilt that rings in his chest. ]

I suppose that's when I should have come to see you.

[ Her shoulders ease just so, hands idly smoothing down his collar, which she's wrinkled terribly. ]

Come see me, then. You'll never be unwelcome.

[ He nods, his features settling as his anxiety lessens. ]

That is a comfort, simply hearing it.

[ She dashes her knuckles across his cheek with a hum. ]

Don't leave me lonely and heartbroken.

I doubt you will let me, if today is any indication.

[ He closes his eyes briefly at her touch, exhaling a breath he didn't realise he was holding until now. ]

Quite right.

[ And if he will let her, she'll press a kiss to his lips, lingering for but a moment. ]

If you thought that was a fit, next time should be a cataclysm.

I will have to keep my word for the sake of all London.

[ he returns her kiss with another. ]

[ Unfortunately, he would not keep his word, and London would surely suffer; however, William couldn't shoulder the blame alone. Grell, after all, is legitimately insane.

There's been more than a century of turmoil between them. More often than not, they've been cold over hot, and she's felt as though she's been at the center of a long winter storm for some time now!

Even so, she loves him, so when she's prepared to be swept away by her whims to follow another, she wishes he would give her reason not to.

Grell has yet to begin her shift, and shockingly, she's early to clock in! Less surprisingly, she's seated herself against William's desk. Waiting on him, she's taken to fixing her makeup, keen on looking her best! ]

[ William immediately pauses in the doorway when he sees Grell there, a confused and rather suspicious frown on his face. He checks his watch, briefly wondering if he'd accidentally come in late. But of course he hasn't. That can only mean Grell wants something from him. ]

Why are you here already? You're not scheduled until ten.

[ Hearing him, she's already sat herself up straighter, pocketing her mirror and brushing her hands through her hair! ]

Right, I haven't clocked myself in yet, or anything of the sort. It's been some time since I've seen you, is all.

Yes, well if you cared to do your job properly, you would note how busy we have been.

[ He automatically reprimands her while he approaches to place his briefcase beside his desk. He then makes to remove his coat, leaving her side to hang it on the provided coat rack. With an irritated huff, he continues on. ]

I've worked overtime nearly every day this month, what with that serial killer running around London, needlessly adding to the scheduled death list.

Edited 2020-12-09 16:54 (UTC)

I do know. They've occurred in my sector, after all!

[ And yet, she doesn't seem put off by his demeanor. Quite the opposite; she's adjusting her collar with a bat of the lashes, as soon as he looks her way! ]

Fascinating cases, really. I almost don't mind the extra work.

[ Something causes her excitement to still, even so. She turns her face away with a sigh, before glancing back William's way. ]

Though, I have been missing you.

Honestly, you would enjoy something of that sort.

[ He sighs with a shake of his head. Though her last statement gets him to briefly pause while preparing his desk for the work day. ]

I am headed to the tea room if you would like to speak of this there.

[ With a sultry little quirk of her brow, she cup her cheek with a purr! Indeed, she DOES enjoy it-- but, more importantly, William hasn't outright rejected her. That immediately sobers her.

Onto her feet, she moves to his side, slipping her arms about his arm. ]

It would be a pleasure.

[ In truth, the only reason he's willing to discuss this now is that he's not set to clock on for his shift for another 15 mins. Hopefully, whatever it is doesn't take more time than that.

William fills the electric kettle, setting it aside to boil while he fetches his mug. Then there's the decision of what tea to have. The cupboard is well stocked with quite the variety so he's still pondering his choices when he adresses her again. ]

I know we haven't been partnered together for some time now, but with Collections lacking so severely in agents, it's simply not possible.

[ Grell is rather anxious about the conversion at hand, perhaps obvious by her complete lack of interest in tea. She leans back against the counter, watching him move about. ]

I'm not speaking of partnering, Will. Not in that sense, anyway.

If you're referring to our personal time together, the same issue applies.

[ He pulls a particular box from the cabinet, opting for his usual. ]

[ A huff of a sigh! ]

You know I'd do whatever it takes to spend time with you, but time isn't the issue, is it?

[ At the thought of living this afterlife for an eternity, William's face takes on a tinge of sadness, something Grell probably hasn't seen in decades. But it's gone quick enough that he could deny it was ever there. ]

What is it then?

[ Grell's brow faintly knits, at that. She reaches out to cup his jaw, eyes scanning his features - a silent acknowledgement that she'd noticed. That she'd always notice. ]

You tell me.