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

[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?

[death_glare]

[ 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.

[untodeath]

[ 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!

[death_glare]

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. ]

[untodeath]

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.

[death_glare]

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. ]

[untodeath]

[ 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. ]

[death_glare]

[ 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.

[untodeath]

[ 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.

[death_glare]

[ 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. ]

[untodeath]

[ That IS quite an honest statement, and one that has her peering up to meet his gaze. With a forefinger draped over the bridge of her nose in some lackluster attempt to hide her deliriously happy face, she flutters her lashes. ]

It would be unusual if you didn't, Will. Still, I can't help but react, myself! Try not to analyse so much, mn?

[death_glare]

Another thing I suppose I have to work on.

[ A brief sigh and his gaze returns to her. ]

What else would you like to do together? We hardly know anything about each other's interests. Not that mine are exceptionally intriguing.

[untodeath]

[ Humming in understanding, she feels safe enough to prop that hand beneath her chin, now! Offering William her undivided attention, even if her fingertips are fondly circling over his knuckles, as they speak. ]

We could go to the cinema. See a movie, and then share drinks over dinner.... Window shop a bit, afterwards?

[ A breathy chuckle has her shaking her head. ]

My interests aren't too surprising, I'll bet.

[death_glare]

Certainly not the shopping one.

[ He's experienced that one before and was surprised at how pleased he was with the modern attire they'd found for him. ]

All three sound enjoyable if you are free this evening. Or we could meet for lunch tomorrow. I noticed a few European cafes were listed on one of those...apps, I believe they are called?

[untodeath]

For you, I think I could manage to free my schedule.

[ Why, she won't even feel the need to change, or touch up her makeup... Grell showed up to his temple looking absolutely flawless today - as if he couldn't possibly turn her away with a beat down face and a gorgeous blouse. (He has, and would again.) ]

I would be delighted to have you choose the place, darling.

[death_glare]

I should hope so after all the fuss you've made this past century.

[ William lifts his free hand to check the time. Somehow, even more time had passed than he realized, since she'd arrived at his temple. ]

Lunch then. Perhaps a French bistro.

[ Most likely, she won't be pleased with having to wait an extra day, but starting earlier would give them more time to do other activities afterwards. ]

[untodeath]

And don't you forget it.

[ The wink she gives William is probably lost on him, when he busies himself with checking the time - and it has the redhead puffing her cheeks with a pout. ]

Ah, well... I suppose that grants us more time here, tonight... [ Grell says, curling her fingers into his shirt just so! She's entirely expecting him to kick her out, at this point, but a girl's gotta try! ]

[death_glare]

As if you would allow me to.

[ Point proven by him looking down to where her hand has nested itself in his shirt. And while he doesn't quite kick her out, he does push himself up from the chair, escaping her grasp, for the time being. ]

You do not sound particularly pleased with my decision.

[untodeath]

[ When he moves to stand, Grell gasps and whines all the way. She's especially hesitant to let his hand go, extending her arm to hold on until the last possible second.

Flopping across the empty space he once occupied, she drapes over the armrest to briefly mourn her loss. ]

Isn't that a good thing, Will? I've so enjoyed our time together, I don't want it to end! [ The redheaded reaper's voice is muffled into the seat, before she picks herself up, pushing back her hair with a sweep of her arm. ] And would you blame me?

[death_glare]

[ William has to give a good yank of his arm to finally get Grell to give up on her grasp. And used to the dramatics by now, he pays more attention to smoothing out his clothes from where they'd wrinkled and bunched up slightly. ]

Well, we are certainly not having another sleep over.