thenearshore | And I've got my mind.

And I've got my mind.

Who: Grell and William
When: October 6th
Where: Temple of Ma'at
What: There are apologies to be made.

text;

I'm outside. Come meet me?

[ The points of Grell's teeth press into her bottom lip, as she taps 'Send'.

Yes, she's feeling a tad anxious; she'd made a grievous mistake last night, and hasn't any idea how to make up for it. It isn't often that she regrets her actions - far more rare, is for her to bother addressing it at all.

This is William, however. More specifically, this concerns how she'd just thrown away the opportunity to taste success after a century-long pursuit of his affections. At the time, it made perfect sense to her, but now...

Now, she stands outside the entrance to his temple, waiting. Intruding would not do her any favors, at the moment, and she wouldn't care to bother with his shinki, either. Not while she has so much on her mind, and must command herself to focus. ]

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[ William had zero faith that ignoring her text would bring him peace and quiet. That was a near impossibility. But that knowledge doesn't stop the irritated sigh that can probably be heard by Grell as she slowly nears the study where he sits. Setting his book aside, he adjusts his glasses before stepping out into the dimly lit hall. ]

Then you should have waited for my reply.

[ Hearing him, her pace quicken toward the direction of his voice-- and she stumbles just so, once he actually steps out to greet her. She wasn't expecting it, and part of her still doesn't know how to address him right now.

Fortunately, it's without thinking that she closes the distance between them, reaching up to take his face in her hands. It's very clear that she wants to kiss him, but for obvious reasons, she hesitates.]

You're right to be angry. I was a fool.

Do not touch me.

[ The contact only lasts but a moment. Gripping firmly at both of Grell's wrists, William removes them from his face, shoving her back in the process. ]

Yet, apparently, you wished to make me look like a fool instead.

[ Grell catches herself with a wavering breath. She knows that she ought to enjoy this, but she's also found herself minding what William thinks of her, as of late... Her heart is pounding in her ears, chest tightened with this torn excitement. ]

No. I panicked, Will. I had intentions to meet with that man from the network-- it wasn't a real date; I panicked.

[ Hands tightened around the hem of her coat, the redhead can't manage to make eye contact anymore. Admitting shame so openly is hitting her harder than she'd anticipated - visibly, she's saddened. ]

How was I to believe that you harbored genuine interest for me?

[ William eyes Grell suspiciously. The way she's behaving is far from normal for her. Showing such weakness, emotionally; it's almost a glimpse into what she claimed she'd been like in her previous life. And although Grell has always said she is a wonderful actress, William can't believe she would deceive him like that. ]

Do not make the mistake of thinking I was looking to jump into an intimate relationship with you. That is a long way ahead of us, if we can manage to even make it that far.

[ He can't expect that is what she wanted to hear from him, in this moment, but he feels he must be entirely clear this time. ]

I am simply looking to learn from the mistakes I've made that brought me to this point. And if anyone has suffered the most from my anger and neglect, it is you.

[ Grell's brows furrow. While William had only asked to spend time together, she still feels mislead. What of the jealousy at seeing another person? Bringing up her feelings for him?

At least the anger makes her feel much more comfortable with herself. ]

So, as you can see, the only one I've made out to be a fool is me.

[ With a shake of the head, she scoffs. ]

You say it isn't pity, but it isn't interest. What, then?

[ In all honestly, the jealousy aspect hadn't occurred to him. It's not an emotion he's used to feeling and thus he interpreted it as Grell purposefully mocking him. ]

Can I not be interested in forming a closer friendship with you? I would think, if something more is to come of it, that would be the first step. You should be well aware that I am not as open, emotionally, as you are. This is not a simple thing for me to do, but I am willing, and interested in putting in the effort.

[ At hearing that, the redhead's features ease just so, her hands uncurl, and her gaze lowers. Sharply, she nods - even if her lips are drawn thin with embarrassment. ]

I see.

[ Swallowing down her pride, she pushes her shoulder back and flips her hair, standing taller, with a sniff. ]

I often forget that, despite knowing one another for so long, we weren't particularly close. I'm easily disillusioned, as you well know.

[ She can do this. It's the reason she came, after all. ]

I'm-- sorry.

Edited 2018-01-29 23:16 (UTC)

[ Glancing to the side, his own brows furrow slightly. ]

You are right, it is odd hearing one of us apologize.

[ Grell had said it when he'd done so, and now he understands fully why she'd thought that.

With a tired sigh, he looks back to her. ]

Then, I will ask you again. Would you like to spend some time together?

[ The observation has a smile plucking at the corners of her mouth - and when William asks her once more, it simply overtakes her. ]

I want nothing more.

[ Grell is altogether compelled to launch herself at the man and latch onto him. It is with every ounce of restraint that she, instead, extends her arms out to him demandingly, with rosy cheeks. ]

[ If William was one to roll his eyes, he would. Instead, she will be getting that look. The one William specifically reserves for her. But, this time, instead of walking away from her, he gives her a short nod. Permission for her to cling if she wishes to. ]

[ With a bounce of glee, and a suppressed squeal to match, she rushes forward! Grell's arms slip around his torso, as she nuzzles into his shoulder with the most satisfied sigh. ]

I don't know what you've done to me, Will.

Or what I've done to myself.

[ There will undoubtedly be moments where he regrets this decision he's made. But, as he's stated, there is a lot of progress to be made, both for their own healing and their complicated relationship.

They've willingly embraced a few times now, since arriving to the far shore, but the previous had been a result of past memories resurfacing. This one is significantly different, and William has to admit, at least to himself - surly not aloud - that it's fairly nice. Again, perhaps because Grell had the decency to ask, and he willingly accepted.

Though his movements are still rather stiff, he places his arms loosely around Grell's upper back. ]

Do you have something in mind you would like to do? It is still fairly early.

[ It wouldn't be William, if he hadn't any dry comments to make - and it positively delights her.

Moreso, Grell can feel his arms settling at her back. Rather than tightening her grip about him, she surprisingly finds herself relaxing to lean against him. ]

Mn, I am perfectly happy with this, at present.

[ Pleased with the fact that she didn't fall back into suggesting lewd things, as usual, William gives a short hum of agreement. ]

I was in the middle of reading, if you would like to stay and sit with me.

[ Sitting with him while he reads... As in, cuddling?

God bless. ]

--That sounds delightful.

[ Enough so that she quite nearly purrs! Stepping back, hands trailing down his arms, she'll tug him along as she returns him to the reading room. ]

[ The heavens must really be favoring Grell today, as the chair William had been reading in is the perfect cuddling chair. Overly cushioned and just large enough that two people could make themselves quite cozy in it together.

Unfortunately, William is not plopping himself down into it, and is, instead, taking his book to move towards the larger couch across from it. The lighting isn't as good there, but there's far more room there. ]

[ Grell sees her opportunity, and she takes it! Plopping down into that chair, her hold slips down into his hand, to gently tug him along. ]

Oh, here would be just fine.

[ And to demonstrate, she scoots over with a shining grin. ]

There is hardly enough room there for us both.

[ Though, even as he's saying it, he knows that is precisely why Grell wants to sit there instead of the couch. ]

[ That response come with a bat of her lashes! ]

Sure there is! More than enough for you to read and keep me occupied.

[ And William's well aware that saying no to this will pretty much just negate everything they agreed to a few minutes ago. So with a sigh, he takes a seat next to Grell, shoving her over slightly with his hip so as to get comfortable. ]

[ She only giggles, tilting her hips to better accommodate him - but, of course, that leaves her to lean into him, instead. Resting against his shoulder, she'll slip an arm behind the small of his back. ]

Is that alright?

I suppose so.

[ He's honestly surprised she didn't just sit in his lap or drape her legs across his. Perhaps she's slowly understanding what William is more likely to feel comfortable with.

He shifts slightly, but ultimately relaxes into the cushions. ]

Mm, good.

[ Now Grell can fully relax, a content sigh escaping the redhead with the ease of her body.

For now, she's content with resting her knees against his, legs casually crossed at the ankles-- but surely, with time, that would change. Still-- baby steps.]

[ With her seemingly content, William reopens his book to where the ornate bookmark was tucked within the pages. He's a decent ways through the novel, showing that he's been enjoying it, so far.

He reads in silence, aside from a faint noise that sounds almost like amusement escaping him every so often. ]

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