The next afterlife

[dead_serious]

[ In hindsight, it was obvious. Reapers worked tirelessly, for centuries, trying to reach that one final goal - to be forgiven. For most, the feat of learning the value of life was impossible. The depression that lingered with them after they took their own lives was only compounded by their roles as death gods. So many joyous lives cut short, the lucky mortal's record almost mocking the unfortunate reapers as they watched the panels flip past their eyes. Most would forget they even had a chance to be forgiven, drowning in the enteral job set before them.

But, on rare occurrences, a reaper would find themselves before a jury, summoned away from their desks overflowing with paperwork on scheduled deaths. That is where William stands now. And perhaps even more surprising, is the other who stands beside him - Grell Sutcliffe. William had hardly believed himself capable of forgiveness, but the redhead...she'd looked at the mortal realm and laughed, hardly caring (and often finding it amusing) if she was the listed cause of death for some of those unfortunate people. How she is here, as well, is beyond him.

The committee has decided the both of you have come to an understanding on how valuable life truly is.

The woman at the centre of the row of judges addresses them both. William's brow creases, but he refrains from asking the obvious question of why, lest he ruin their chances at eternal peace.

Now that that matter is dealt with, we will move on to assessing your sins as a mortal.

William's expression quickly shifts to honest surprise, his eyes widening and blinking in confusion. The term 'forgiven' had been a misnomer since the beginning. How had he been so naive to think all their wrong doings while they'd been alive would be waved off as if they'd meant nothing? Swallowing heavily, he gives a brief side glance to Grell. For the first time, in this afterlife, he is scared. ]

Comments

[dead_serious]

[ There's been far too much stress placed on them today, and he'd prefer the company of someone he knows he can trust in this new world. They've got to stick together and all that.

Sitting, William goes to remove his shoes and sock, only to finally notice he'd been without them all along. Instead his feet and lower legs are a deep blue color. And though he's, thankfully, not sporting long talons on his toes as his fingers are, they seem to be far more suited to walking around barefoot. Thick skin with a somewhat unpleasant texture. He pulls a face, putting his foot back down. ]

I don't believe I've ever felt innsecure in my appearance until now.

[untodeath]

[ With a blink, Grell turns to address him. She knows a thing or two about feeling a disconnect between herself and her body, so she feels an unusual pang of empathy.

Shoulders rising and falling with a sigh, a smile settles on her features. ]

While I still consider them a perk… [ She’s crawling over the bed, to join him at its opposite end. ] I didn’t fall for your good looks .

[dead_serious]

Seems there truly is no way to rid myself of you.

[ Which he knew, of course. And for once, he appears pleased with the notion.

He pulls his legs up onto the bed, shifting back to nestle himself into the mound of pillows. Grell's already on the prowl (quite literally!) so William can easily pull her in to lay beside him. ]

[untodeath]

[ Following a delightedly excited exclamation, Grell nestles nearer. ]

Considering that Hell couldn’t think to part us, you truly are stuck with me now❤️. [ And now that she’s gotten cozy, she’s purring quite loudly! ]

[dead_serious]

[ One brow quirks up as her purring grows louder. Despite it and it's absurdity, he slinks an arm around her shoulder. ]

Honestly, if I start cooing in my sleep, keep that information to yourself. I'd rather not know.

[untodeath]

[ That actually makes her laugh! ]

Ah, I’ll harbor all of your darkest secrets, then. What did I tell you? We might as well have gotten married.

[dead_serious]

We're not getting married.

[ Still stubborn, even in Hell. ]

I believe you know the rest of my dark secrets now, anyway.

[untodeath]

That’s exactly what I was saying. [ She taps the tip of his nose! ] Just as you know mine. Speaking of which…

[ There’s a brief pause of clear hesitation. Speaking about her past is inevitable, but that doesn’t make it any easier to address. What could she possibly say, with any worth, about what she saw on William’s record, either? She sighs. ]

Before all else, I want you to know that I don’t think any less of you, for what happened, William.

[dead_serious]

[ William blinks a few times before batting her hand away. That's the one move she always catches him off guard with and he hates that! ]

I don't regret any of it. Nor do I judge you for your own choices.

[untodeath]

[ With a chuckle, she pushes herself up on an elbow, so that she may lean over to give him a kiss. ]

Thank you.

[dead_serious]

[ He takes the kiss, responding with one of his own. ]

Interesting to note that we were both bastard children.

[untodeath]

[ Grell melts into the kiss a bit, ears drooping as she hums with pleasure. She still looks smitten, even when he pulls away. ]

Our families did well to make us feel as though we weren’t meant for their world, didn’t they?

[dead_serious]

I was fortunate enough not to care much what they thought of me. Exceptionally indifferent in regards to most things, really. I suppose that's changed a bit.

[ To think he'd been even more emotionless! ]

[untodeath]

[ With a vague hum of agreement, she props a hand under her chin. ]

I imagine that it must have been a defense mechanism, really. Your father was a dreadful to you.

[dead_serious]

Perhaps. I imagine he must be somewhere in this rhelm, as well.

[ He thinks back on her own reel. ]

There is no excuse with how yours was, either. Our poor mothers.

[untodeath]

They deserved so much better.

[ A wistful sigh! ]

Some years after we passed our exams, I had sought out my father’s file. He suffered for weeks in the hospital, and died from infection. I suppose I’m satisfied enough with that, I don’t know that I would bother trying to find him here. I might enjoy roughing up yours, though.

[dead_serious]

If we should happen upon him, I suppose I could turn a blind eye.

[ William's free hand has found it's way to Grell's waist. Those new curves of hers are certainly appealing. ]

[untodeath]

[ She chuckles against his lips, while stealing another brief kiss. ]

You do know how to spoil me❤️.

[dead_serious]

It helps knowing that I will no longer have to clean up the mess.

[ He kisses back, his arm slinking around her back to pull her closer. ]

Honestly, I'm surprised you're not exploring this new body of yours.

[untodeath]

[ At this rate, she might as well sling a leg over his hips and straddle him. ]

I had every intention to, but got a little sidetracked… I don’t suppose you would like to help? [ Sitting back, her hand trails down the front of his torso. The softness of his tuft of feathers is quite the contrast to his firm musculature. ]

[dead_serious]

[ Perched as she is, her new dress is already hiked up quite a bit. He runs his hands up her thighs, helping the hem slide up even further. ]

Honestly, you would be in your own separate room if I didn't already have the intention to.

[untodeath]

You'd take advantage of a girl like that?

[ While that surely isn't the only reason he's decided to room with her, the idea of their relationship being cheapened to sex is so strangely enticing.

Tongue darting out to wet her lips, she watches his hands while gathering her hair over her shoulder, leaving the zipper open to access. ]

You'll be my first, now, you know.

[dead_serious]

You're speaking as if you wouldn't fully enjoy it.

[ His hands abandon her thighs, moving to that zipper to carefully pull it down. With the wider opening, he's able to slide the top portion of the dress over her shoulders, down her arms and chest, finally exposing her new breasts. He regards them with intrigue, cupping one as his eyes flick back up to hers. ]

Good. You've been many of my firsts, it's about time I was yours.

[untodeath]

[ Her chest rises and falls with a sweetened sigh. It isn't as though that dress did much to cover her, but the air is still cold, and his hands delightfully warm. ]

I wouldn't have it any other way. [ She's already working at the clasps of his vest, which has her leaning in closer, into his grasp. ]

[dead_serious]

[ Interrupting her progress on his shirt, his slinks his free arm around her waist, pulling her down further. Her lips are taken in a kiss, hand still kneading at her breast. When he pauses for a breath, his fingers give a teasing pinch to her nipple, hoping to illicit a sound. ]