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

[untodeath]

[ Grell’s head lulls back gently, a quivering sigh pouring from her lips. Her hands explore along his shoulders and up his neck, raking into his neatly styled locks. ]

This... is nothing like I’ve felt before, William... A passion that sears me through, and... envelops me in a warmth, the most— comforting sensation...

[dead_serious]

[ Pausing in his kisses, he rests his cheek against her chest, humming pleasantly at the feeling of her nails along his scalp. To think he'd ever allow grell to mess up his hair! ]

You sound surprised.

[untodeath]

[ Grell shifts to peek down at him with an amused breath. ]

That’s because I am. I’ve— never really known what it is to be loved, I think. To feel at home with someone.

[dead_serious]

[ William lets out a heavy sigh. His life was quite the opposite, but it makes him wonder which is worse, having it and it being taken away or never experiencing it at all. ]

From this moment on, I want to give that to you.

[untodeath]

[ The weighted sigh certainly leaves her curious... but, for now, she will soothingly run her hands through his hair, and place a kiss atop his head, in their wake. She hums contently. ]

There won’t be a single moment that passes in which I won’t treasure it, I can promise you that.

[dead_serious]

[ William finally staightens up, admiring the pleased look her eyes have taken on. ]

You're getting quite a lot of unexpected gifts from me this Christmas.

[untodeath]

[ With a quiet croon, now, her arms shift to cup his face, a thumb tracing along his cheek. ]

Yes, I fear that mine pale in comparison! [ Yet, she grins. ] Yet, the night is young, and there are a few ways that I may make it up to you.

[dead_serious]

[ William could make a pretty safe assumption on what most, if not all, of those ways might involve. He narrows his eyes at her, knowing he doesn't have to bother asking. She's sure to tell him. ]

I rather like the flask you gave me earlier.

[untodeath]

[ Grell can’t hide it, she’s very pleased to hear that. Her eyes light up. ]

I’d ask if you were serious, but have I ever known you to be anything but?

[dead_serious]

I have no reason to lie to you about such a thing. Especially after opening up about far more important things.

[ His hands squeeze at her hips before circling fully around her waist to pull her in close. ]

[untodeath]

[ With a purring croon, she nuzzles in as close as she may. ]

Yes, that might be the only thing you ever were capable of lying about, wasn’t it? Now, you needn’t worry about it~

[ She kisses at the corner of his mouth. ]

[dead_serious]

I was not lying.

[ He gives a heavy huff against her lingering lips. ]

I simply did not understand how I felt.

[untodeath]

[ Chucking, she kisses him again - this time, further inward on the edge of his lips. ]

Hmmm, if that’s how you want to put it.

[ And another, closer to the center! ]

[dead_serious]

[ No reciprocation, just glares! ]

[untodeath]

[ All giggles, she finally takes his lips in a kiss fully, cupping his face once more. It’s playful, but above all, loving. ]

You know I merely tease. You’re the only man that I’ll ever wholly trust.

[dead_serious]

[ Once she pulls back to speak, she'll get a smack upside the head. Can't let her think she'll get away with things now that they're dating! ]

Aside from the teasing, I am glad to hear as much.

[untodeath]

[ Though she should have expected it, the move actually catches her by surprise - and, appropriately, she yelps!

Holding the side of her head, she draws a breath through her teeth, lips curled into a saucy little grin. ]

So I see~♥

[dead_serious]

[ That grin gets a shake of his head. ]

Honestly, how are you ever going to keep yourself together, now that you have both my cold and warm affections?

[untodeath]

[ That gets the slightest cant of a brow! ]

Perhaps I won't have to.

[ Hands finding his neck, they're surprisingly gentle as they trace down its length and along his shoulders. ]

[dead_serious]

Hm.

[ His arms remain around her, thumb brushing idly along the small of her back. ]

Tell me then, what are hoping for tonight?

[untodeath]

[ The question issues a contemplative hum, her eyes drinking in the details of his face. In turn, her hands idly knead at his shoulders all the while, nice and slow. ]

Everything I've pined for this past century. All the ways that I could love you.

[ Her gaze flickers to meet his with a lopsided smile. ]

Alas, we haven't enough time in one night alone. I'd be content enough to experience what you want to make me feel tonight.

[ She'll lean in to place another brief kiss on his lips, which brings another quiet, blissful little sigh. Just kissing him as she wishes. ]

[dead_serious]

You already feel happy, loved. That was what I wanted the moment I handed you your gift.

I suppose that means we can sleep for the night.

[ She's teased him for as long as he can remember. Its time for him to learn to dish it out, as well! ]

[untodeath]

[ The lady’s eyes soften a touch— until William says the latter. She gives him THE LOOK, though it’s but a moment before her expression quickly cycles through contemplation, realization, and finally, wickedly amused.

Yes, she’s suspected that he’s flirted with her this way in the past, but he’s never made so clear. Certainly, he wasn’t teasing about it. She loves it. ]

I see. I had no idea that you could find yourself this easily satisfied to do right by your love!

[dead_serious]

If you would like to convince me otherwise, I may be open to staying up a bit longer.

[ He punctuates his statement by sliding his hands further down and cupping her ass. ]

[untodeath]

[ That, too, surprises her! But it leaves her running her teeth over her bottom lip with a croon. ]

I most certainly could try.

[ Those words are purred against his lips, Grell having leaned in and nuzzled the tip of her nose against his just so. Ass rocked back into his palms, she takes him in a heated kiss, not dissimilar to before - but certainly hungry, in a different sort of fashion. ]