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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[ 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. ]

[ 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. ]

[ 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.

[ 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.

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.

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.

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.

Edited 2018-01-31 08:27 (UTC)

[ 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. ]

[ 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.

[ 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.

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. ]

[ 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?

[ William's eyes open just enough to watch Grell's fingers slip in between his own. He shakes his head slightly at her persistence, and though he doesn't grip back, he allows her to do so, if she wishes. At least she isn't letting that hand wander, or attempting to leave love bites along his neck while she's nestled so close. ]

You have been a good something. Surprisingly enough.

[ It isn't as though Grell hasn't been tempted - but despite her foul tongue, she is quite selective about touching! Touching shoulders is nice, embracing is inevitable when excited; however, infiltrating his personal bubble has probably been the worst of it, until now.

To William's words, the redhead tuts her tongue, but all in good humor. ]

It surely hasn't been easy; glad my efforts haven't gone unnoticed!

Why you couldn't put in the same effort back in London still begs to be answered.

[ And he's certain, if they ever return there, that this peaceful moment will be the last. Right now, he's willing to allow it to last as long as possible. ]

Hm~?

[ Well, that will have her stirring a bit, eyes blinking awake as she ponders the question through. ]

Well. Back in London, I wasn't quite as content, I suppose!

[ After saying it aloud, she hums in affirmation. ]

I'm a goddess, now, with an entire temple to myself! People worship me for what I do... It's been a strange sort of responsibility, but I hadn't wanted to ruin it all and lose it... And you have been here with me, besides! First, as my shinki, which was dreamy-- and yet, despite how fun that was, it's... even better this way.

[ Softly, she squeezes his hand. ]

Infinitely better.

I would rather not think about what it was like to be your shinki. Thankfully, I don't recall even a moment of it.

[ Insulting? Yes. But it's also William's way of saying he much prefers how things are now. ]

Perhaps they will keep us here, then.

[ He'll try not to get too hopeful, as that never seems to help in getting him what he'd like. For now, he'll simply ease further into the plush chair. He's grown so content with this moment, that he doesn't even notice his own thumb rubbing almost soothingly against the back of Grell's hand. ]

[ It wouldn't be like him, if his statements weren't, at least, mildly offensive. Grell takes delight in that familiarity, nuzzling her cheek into his collar with a giggle. ]

Oh, fair enough! I wouldn't want to make you blush.

[ --Ah, but then he's reciprocating her affections. Even if in such a small way, it is entirely unexpected. Tremendously impactful. Grell finds herself turning her face to hide into his neck, cheeks hot, and her smile embarrassingly genuine. ]

[ A short clearing of his throat and his free hand easily finds its way to his glasses. ]

Why would I blush-- No, never mind. I don't want to know.

[ And he's certainly not doing so now, what with Grell's warm face buried against his bare neck, and all. It's got his shoulders stiffening to protect the sensitive area. ]

Alright, I think that's far enough, right now.

[ Well, there was that one time that William wrestled her down in lingerie-- but they don't have to get into that. It's better to leave him guessing, right?

But with him stiffening up like that, Grell forces herself to pull back a bit with an indignant little huff. Instead, she'll raise her unoccupied hand to lay beneath her cheek, and give herself something else to hide behind! ]

I wasn't going to do anything.

[ William just gives her a look that says he doesn't believe that claim for a moment. ]

Honestly, it has been so long that you can't expect me not to tense up.

[ Though with her pulling back, he allows his shoulders to relax, once more. His eyes drift off to the side, as his brow uncreases as well. It's still a wonder to him that he's considering opening himself up so much again. ]

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