Secret Santa!

[dead_serious]

[ Every year, the reapers of the London branch held the more modern tradition of a secret Santa event. The branch tended to separate into smaller groups, mainly based around what departments were near one another in the office buildings, if only to give more diversity to just who your partner could possibly be. Forms were handed out to everyone interested in participating, consisting of simple questions that could help your partner figure out the perfect gift.

Not being the particularly festive type, William always declined, saying there was far too much work to be done to waste his limited free time shopping for gifts. But inevitably, Alan always persuaded him, usually with the promise of freshly baked cookies. With a huff, William would fill out yet another form and add it to the pile.

This year, when Grell comes into work on Christmas Eve, there is a large box sitting upon her desk, wrapped in shimmering red paper and topped with a glittered gold bow. With no name tag indicating who it is from, it can only be assumed her secret Santa had placed it there before she arrived to work. Inside is an array of, surprisingly well chosen, self pampering products, wonderfully fit for a woman with a fine taste for the indulgent. A book of sonnets tied with a small, but well crafted bow lays beside it. And to top it all off, two tickets to a night of fine theatre at the beautiful Canterbury Music Hall.

Certainly, the simplistic questionnaire couldn't have pinpointed her interests so well, what with inquiries about favourite foods and colours. The last was painfully obvious for her even without the form! So such a lavish - and expensive! - gift could have only come from someone who knew her quite well, and had the funds to pay for it all! Now the question was simply...who? ]

Comments

[dead_serious]

[ William's not so dense as to think Grell wouldn't get upset. But he keeps from reprimanding her, for now. ]

She's become somewhat of a counselor for me.

[untodeath]

How lovely.

[ A huff! ]

And, remind me, you’ve decided to spend the holiday with me, instead of Ms. Jezebel, because she told you to?

[dead_serious]

No. That was my decision.

[ He gives her a warning look. ]

I have been able to understand and accept some parts of myself and the dynamic between us since we began speaking. I chose this time for us to spend together so I could finally open up to you.

[untodeath]

[ Grell looks away with a relenting, albeit still huffy sigh. ]

I just wish you could have spoken to me in such a way, is all.

[dead_serious]

That is what I am trying to do now.

[ He huffs right back, getting frustrated, himself. ]

[untodeath]

[ That comes with a look! ]

You know what I mean, darling. Without assistance, perhaps a century sooner?

[ But she shakes her head, leaning in to rest at William’s shoulder. ]

Can you blame me for being a little jealous?

[dead_serious]

It isn't so simple as you're insinuating.

[ But he doesn't shove her away, instead settling his arm around her shoulder and holding her close. ]

If so, I would have done so long ago.

[untodeath]

[ Being held near by William... it’s an unusual sensation. Why, it may even be making her a bit emotional! ]

So, tell me... Why?

[dead_serious]

I didn't quite realise what had been keeping me emotionally distant from you until I began speaking with her. I knew I wanted you near, and, as you've made exceptionally clear over the years, I knew you harboured intimate affections towards me.

[ He clears his throat, for once, actually feeling outwardly nervous. It's an odd sensation for him. ]

She helped me understand what was holding that barrier up.

[untodeath]

[ Grell listens, eyes following William’s as he speaks, her own wide with anticipation. The arm she’s slinked around his grips at his sleeve imploringly! ]

And that is ...?

[ Come on, don’t leave her hanging like that...! ]

[dead_serious]

I have been nervous.

[ Well it's more than that, but he takes a moment to think his words through. ]

You are so quick to flip your opinions on someone when they suddenly don't fit your ideals. A lot of what I wear to work, what I show you, is a shield.

I am still morbidly depressed. My self image is one filled with disgust and loathing. I am a lot weaker than I put on.

[ He swallows. ]

I did't want to lose you by telling you, Grell. Ironically, you are one of the only things keeping my sanity intact.

[untodeath]

[ While she visibly doesn’t approve of his thoughts on her character, Grell’s expression eases as he explains himself. In fact, she might appear the slightest bit empathetic, by the end.

Looking down at her hands about his arm, she really must take a moment to absorb it all. ]

Yes, well, I suppose I am, too. Weaker than I let on, that is... [ She mutters, as it’s a horrifically difficult thing to admit. ] I might’ve known, to an extent. The thing is, you’re different, and I’m not certain that you could do anything that would disappoint me... you know?

[dead_serious]

I suppose we all must be.

[ Considering how they got here, he can only assume most reapers put on a smile just to make it through the day.

The last bit, though... Jezibelle had suggested that might be the case with Grell's feelings towards William. But he'd just shook his head, denying any chance that could be the case. After all, she'd fallen for him after he'd displayed his strength and fearlessness to her all those years ago. That was what she loved about him. He frowns at being proven wrong. ]

Why is that?

[untodeath]

I’m in love with you.

[ And the look she gives him confirms that this should be obvious information. ]

[dead_serious]

[ That has William's brow furrowing further, mouth pulled a bit to the side, appearing more perplexed than frustrated. ]

You don't know this other side of me. How can you be certain you'll stand for it?

[untodeath]

You’re right, I don’t know for certain. Even so, we’ve known one another long enough that I’m confident you couldn’t have faked all of it. In fact, when I initially took interest in you, I don’t think you would’ve cared to, one way or the other.

[ A quirked brow, to challenge that look of skepticism! ]

[dead_serious]

I suppose that's true to an extent. However, that was before we were made aware of our pasts.

[ Sigh with a sigh he tales Grell's other hand off his shirt and holds it gently. ]

If I let my guard down, will you stay beside me?

[untodeath]

[ Her brows burrow at his stubbornness, shoulders swaying with a huff. That particular aspect of personality went unaffected, apparently!

But she doesn’t have room to say so, now that he’s holding her hand, as he is - earnestly asking her to stay. ]

I’d sooner die - for good - than leave you, Will.

[ Goodness, her heart is fluttering up into her throat, and al she can do is swallow it back! ]

[dead_serious]

[ Here is the ultimate test for her words: A small upturn at the corners of William's mouth. It's the first he's smiled in a long time, and certainly the first she'll have ever seen. ]

Good. I am happy to hear as much.

[ Not only is there the smile, but he seems to have physically relaxed, sboulders un tensing as he settles back into the couch cushions. ]

[untodeath]

[ Drawing a breath, Grell turns to him fully, hands cupping the other’s face. The shock is clear on her features - which quickly turns to delight! ]

What a handsome sight that is. Although—- [ And her expression shifts once more, this time, into a stern frown. ] That should have been your opportunity to kiss me.

[dead_serious]

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

Honestly, you have waited a century, what is a few moments more?

[untodeath]

[ A mighty huff! Fine, she’ll just kiss him, instead - leaning in with a tilt of the head, lips parted ever so slightly to embrace his. It’s hungry to share his love, but with the slightest bit of apprehension, nervous to ruin the moment she’s waited so very long for. ]

[dead_serious]

[ There's nothing to ruin. William made his mind up to finally come forward with her, and he's not someone to make a decision just to turn on it. With a tilt of his own head, he's reciprocating the kiss, even parting his lips to take things a bit further! ]

[untodeath]

[ That leaves Grell crooning softly, before following suit. Soon, she’ll crawl into his lap, gathering the blankets up as she wraps her arms over his shoulders. For once, she isn’t behaving lewdly, but rather, embracing him wholly whilst losing herself in the expression of their affection, pent up over decades past! ]

[dead_serious]

[ Always pushing her aside when she'd cling to him, it feels so different to now suddenly accept it. It's relaxing, relieving, right.

He slinks his arms around her middle, pulling her body flush against his. Soon enough, his lips have left hers, moving along her jaw, down her neck, across her collarbone. She smells wonderful, something he'd noted in the past but tried to shoo away before he thought too much on it. ]