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 hum of understanding, Grell wraps her arms more comfortably about his arm, holding it to her chest with the most content sigh. ]

Mm, no rush.

[ Briefly, she rests her chin on William's shoulder, so that she may give him a playful bat of the lashes. She would be a fool, not to take advantage of the opportunity to freely tease and flirt! It's a date, after all! ]

[death_glare]

[ Without even having to glance down at her, he already knows the look she's giving him. And it gains her its usual reply of William's brow furrowing and head slightly shaking. It's amazing how little they know about one another, personally, but how easily they recognize each others habits and quirks. ]

It's a wonder you can see anything with those false lashes on.

[untodeath]

Oh, trust me, I can see.

[ Grell could admit that she knows of William's cues because she's been forced to admire him at a distance for so long - but what would be his excuse? It's a mystery. ]

I couldn't miss how handsome you are, especially at close proximity.

[death_glare]

Which you are lucky to be in, right now.

[ Best to get a warning out before Grell inevitably pushes her luck too much. Still, he's making no effort to distance himself from her, at present. Perhaps he's equally enjoying the moment? Though if asked, he'd be likely to blame the crisp fall air for forcing him to tolerate Grell's clinging, if only for the bit of added warmth. ]

[untodeath]

I am, undoubtedly! The luckiest girl in the world.

[ With a wiggle of her shoulders, she's giving William's arm a fond squeeze! And, being so swept up in her excitement, the redhead leans in a bit closer. ]

I don't know what's made you change your mind, but I am thankful for it.

[ And, when leaning in, she presses a kiss to his cheek, light and fleeting! Who would she be, if she didn't push her luck? ]

[death_glare]

[ The answer to that is something William's still trying to process, himself. And he'd ponder it more now, if the sudden kiss didn't pull his thoughts back to the present. ]

Alright, that's enough. We have arrived, anyway.

[ And now's when he'll pull his arm free of her tight grip, if only so he can hold the door to the quaint cafe open for them. Of course, the staff seems to pay no mind to them until they find their own seat towards the rear of the room. It's only then that one of the waiters gives them a perplexed look, their sudden presence taking him off guard. Obviously embarrassed at his lack of attention to his guests, he offers an apology before providing them with menus and a list of the day's specials. ]

[untodeath]

[ Despite his attempt to shut her down, William then goes and does something gentlemanly. Even if she were inclined to, how could she be upset about that!

Lacing her fingers behind her, she passes through with a chuckle. ]

Why, thank you, sir.

[ And once settled into her seat across from him, Grell can't resist soaking in the ambience. Head propped atop a hand, as she appreciates the quaint decor, the gentle illumination of sunlight, and simply the fact that she's here with William. It seems that she barely even notices the waiter, until there's a menu set in front of her.

Eventually, she decides on a light salad and refreshing drink, to start. ]

Quite pleasant so far, don't you think?

[death_glare]

[ Gentlemanly as it may have been, it was more an automated act. One he barely realizes he did until Grell thanks him. His response to not letting the door shut behind him in Grell's face, as he's most likely done in the past, is a simple, distracted adjustment to his frames.

Once seated, William's own focus is on the menu. It's a nice change from the Japanese cuisine to see dishes he's more accustomed to. A coffee and croque monsieur are ordered before the waiter excuses himself and William's gaze refocuses on Grell. ]

Surprisingly tolerable.

[ Referring to Grell more, as the mood in the cafe is certainly an appealing one. Relaxing, yet refreshing. ]

[untodeath]

[ That one is easy enough to catch. Exhaling, an amused grin plucks at her lips. ]

You've been saying that more and more, lately. Although, I confess... it still surprises me, too.

[ Gaze lowering to the open menu in her hands, Grell isn't so much focusing on the words, so much as she is deflecting. ]

[death_glare]

Only because you've been behaving yourself more and more.

[ He's quiet for a moment, as Grell's gaze drifts downwards to the menu and away from him. She's already ordered, so the action is another surprising one.

Without warning, William snatches the menu from her hands, setting it aside with his own. ]

I have something I need to ask you.

[untodeath]

[ That certainly earns Grell's attention. With a furrow of her brows, she can't quite decide if she's surprised, indignant, or curious.

Really, it's a bit of all three. ]

What? Well-- what is it?

[ More like, what did she do now? That's her first thought, anyway. ]

[death_glare]

[ If William was one to be amused by things, the worried look Grell gives him would have done so. But since he's not, he gets straight to it. ]

You have explained to me what it was that initiated your attraction towards me. Of which I can somewhat understand, given your character. However, what I do not understand is why I've remained at the forefront of those affections.

You claim it is because I stood up to you without any fear. Yet since then, there have been many men who have done the same. The Phantomhive brat's demon being the most obvious example. But after speaking with those you attacked on the night of the harvest moon, I noted at least two others who gave no care to your aggressiveness or wellbeing and even matched you in strength and skill.

I have zero doubt you would end their lives if given the chance, regardless of any physical attraction. Why am I an exception?

[untodeath]

... Wow. Alright.

[ William's getting straight to the point, today, isn't he? They haven't even made it to the portion of their date where they're both a bit inebriated.

Folding her hands, the points of her teeth graze her glossed bottom lip, as she mulls that over a moment. ]

Those men don't mean anything to me, William. Fun distractions - a game to ease a restless soul, certainly - but I wouldn't harbour any interest in them, otherwise.

[ There's a cant to Grell's head, as she regards the man sitting across from her. ]

But, with you, it's different. It's true-- you're handsome, undaunted by intimidation methods, and even downright cruel; however, you're also the only person that seems to give me what I need, when I need it. I tend to be more focused around you. You keep me from wandering too far off course, and when I do manage to slip away, you're the one to pull me back. Even if I may hate it, at the time.

[death_glare]

[ With each reason she gives, William's gaze drifts further away from hers. As if he's taking each statement into honest consideration, reflecting on their past encounters. It's making far more sense than he ever expected her answer would. ]

Then I have been showing a sense of caring towards you this entire time. And you have recognized it as such. Even with all the anger and neglect shadowing it.

[ He sounds both surprised and relieved at the idea. ]

[untodeath]

I always found it a bit cute, to be honest.

[ That has something of a smile settling into her features. ]

And that's just it. Even if I should have hated it, I never actually did, because it was you! Likewise, you seem to hate having these emotions roused out of you, but you rather need it, too...

[ Inhaling, Grell carelessly shrugs her shoulders. ]

You were there since the beginning, besides. Makes it feel as though it wasn't an accident, you know?

[death_glare]

Soulmates, I believed you called it last time.

[ He still doesn't really believe in such a thing. But perhaps they did meet for a reason. Perhaps the gods of the afterlife actually wanted them to learn something. ]

And yes, it is rather irritating to have you see all of this. It is certainly not something I ever intended to share with anyone.

[ Speaking of which, that's a lot of emotion for the short time they've been out together. Better reel himself in with a huff. ]

[untodeath]

[ Too late, William! She extends a hand to rest over his, thumb brushing along the back of his palm, and there's nothing but fondness in her eyes. ]

I'm glad that you did.

[death_glare]

Yes, well. I suppose you are correct. It needed to be done. I just never realized...or wanted to admit it.

[ There's a slight shift to his hand. It's not as forward as Grell's was last night, where she fully took his hand within her's. But he does manage to interlace a few of their fingers in a loose grip. ]

[untodeath]

[ Somehow, that sways her even more. A touch so light, subdued - and entirely of William's own accord, most importantly - just feels more honest, pure. Now, she never would have expected to desire such a thing, but experiencing it is entirely a different matter.

With a healthy flush to her cheeks, Grell finds herself beaming.

Unfortunately, this is precisely when the waiter returns with their drinks, and while the redhead has no intention of breaking contact, she feels almost certain that William shall. Shoulders falling with a faint sigh, she merely acknowledges the server with a nod. ]

[death_glare]

[ See, that's the issue when you place your hand on his dominant one. So he does let go, despite the contact being so brief. And, with he largest question now off his chest and answered, he busies his hands with stirring some sugar into the black coffee. ]

I will admit, though, it is nice to see you genuinely happy. At least, it seems you are.

[untodeath]

[ Grell, too, finds herself stirring her drink. It's some sort of iced passion fruit tea. Tea over ice seems like some sort of abomination, but the server recommended it, and she's heard it's actually quite good. ]

Oh-- I don't know. I think I might just be, actually. [ Peering up at him, she has an amused little quirk to her smile. ] You could tell when I wasn't before, hn?

[death_glare]

[ She'll get a glare in return. He doesn't like it when you tease him, Grell. ]

It isn't as though you ever attempted to hide anything with that exaggerated personality of yours.

Which is precisely my point. You're not squealing and throwing yourself at me, as you always have.

[untodeath]

Well, now, I'm confused. Wouldn't such expressions of endearment suggest happiness?

[ Oh, now she's just propping her chin upon a hand, admiring his handsomely grumpy face! She'll multitask, too, raising the straw to her lips so that she may test a sip of her tea. ]

--Oh, this is tasty. You should try it!

[death_glare]

When you act that way, it comes across as overcompensating. Acting absurdly happy over a shred of attention, when it's fairly obvious you would have wanted more.

At least now you are calm with your reactions. It feels more as if you are truly content in this moment, as opposed to grasping desperately at my attention, as if that's all there will ever be of it. I couldn't imagine you were honestly happy with how our interactions were before, but I think that must be changing. If anything, the calmer smile you have on seems to say so, and--

[ He's cut off by a sudden drink shoved in his direction. Pulling back, he frowns down at the straw dancing in front of his lips. ]

Were you even paying attention to anything I was saying?

[untodeath]

[ Grell drops the straw back into her drink, head lulling to the side as she breathes an amused sigh. ]

I wasn't ignoring you. I mean, it was all well and fun to get those reactions out of you, too, but. [ Lips quirking, her brows press whilst her gaze wonders. It's time for her to seriously consider it, it seems. ] I suppose that would explain quite a bit of what I do, wouldn't it? Relations can be a terribly confusing thing...

[ With something of a wry smile, the redhead's lids fall as she shrugs her shoulders. ]

What I do know, is you have me questioning everything I had thought I enjoyed, and what it is that I actually want. Getting closer like this, I really do find myself-- happy, yes! I also want more! It's intimidating.