And I've got my mind.

[untodeath]

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. ]

Comments

[untodeath]

[ 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.

[death_glare]

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.

[untodeath]

[ 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.

[death_glare]

[ 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.

[untodeath]

[ 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. ]

[death_glare]

[ 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. ]

[untodeath]

[ 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. ]

[death_glare]

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. ]

[untodeath]

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

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

[death_glare]

[ 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. ]

[untodeath]

[ 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?

[death_glare]

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. ]

[untodeath]

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.]

[death_glare]

[ 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. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell's surprised to hear any sort of positive response from him at all. It's most often a sigh, sometimes a grumble-- but this, it's endearing, too.

His intrigue inspires her to scan the pages, as well. Meanwhile, she slips her feet out of her heels to fold on the cushioned seat, legs now resting at his thigh. Her fingers lace together to rest at his hip. ]

[death_glare]

[ Her movement gets him to pause midway down the current page, but she settles again quickly enough. Though now interrupted, he marks his place in the book, quietly closing it to hold out to her. ]

I believe you would find this one interesting.

[untodeath]

[ Grell raises her head to shoot him a look of confusion-- that is, until she reads the title.

Regretfully, she must slip her arms free to accept the book, but she certainly can't resist. ]

No, you've been reading this?

[ There's delight in her eyes as she looks it over, turning it to read it excerpt on the back. Already, she's snerking. ]

My, if only they knew.

[death_glare]

The title alone intrigued me. I am almost tempted to locate this author and correct her.

[ Because goodness knows he would show no hesitance in informing her on how the entire ordeal went down. ]

I am nearly finished with it, if you would like to borrow it afterwards.

[untodeath]

I somehow don't think that would make it to print.

[ Amusement is on her breath, as she leans in to replace the book in his hands. ]

I would be delighted to; should be intriguing to discover what stories people have dreamt up, after all these years. To say the least.

[death_glare]

It could. We inspired other novels, after all.

[ He accepts the book, glancing over the cover, once more. Though rather than continue reading, he calmly replaces it to where it was sitting on the side table earlier. ]

I will let you know when I have finished, then.

[untodeath]

[ Ah, fondness shows in her eyes, smile warming. Grell can recall those days clearer than most, despite being so far behind them. ]

Oh, I stand corrected!

[ With her eyes following William's movements, she cants her head curiously as he sets that book aside. He had wanted to read together, after all-- so what could he possibly have planned, instead?

Raising her hand to trace over his collar, the redheaded reaper peeks up over her glasses at him, a brow quirked in question. ]

[death_glare]

[ The wandering hand doesn't get far before William's snatched it by the wrist. Wordlessly, he moves it away from his neck, instead allowing it to rest in his lap. Then, releasing his firm grip, he lays his own hand calmly atop it as to keep it in its place.

Eyes drifting shut, William takes a few moment before he speaks again. ]

Honestly, I never thought I would be able to feel this calm around you.

[untodeath]

[ Grell had become so comfortable that his objection catches her quite off guard. With a sharp intake of breath, color touches her cheeks once more - and when his hold becomes gentle, she can feel her heartbeat becoming erratic in her chest.

It's a quiet moment, as she listens to him speak, eyes on their hands. She carefully turns her palm to cup William's, fingertips drawing along his with a feather-light touch. ]

Understandable. I tend to have the opposite effect.

[death_glare]

Do not go ruining it.

[ He expects it will happen, eventually. And to be honest, he would almost be concerned if it didn't. But this quiet time together is more than welcome after a century of headaches.

For once, William's hands aren't hidden beneath black leather gloves, and his skin is surprisingly smooth for such a coarse man. If he's not careful, he may just drift off to sleep in this rare moment. ]

[untodeath]

[ It's with a chuckle that she resigns, head tilting to nestle against William's neck. And, while she may behave herself in that regard, Grell still dares to lace her fingers between his. Hopefully, her darling date won't mind that.

A happy sigh escapes her, as she too closes her eyes. If they were to stay like this, a little cat nap wouldn't be so bad. ]

Come now, haven't I been a good girl?