thenearshore | And I've got my mind.

[ That gets him to straighten up in his chair, conveniently placing a decent amount more distance between them. ]

It is not my fault your self control is severely lacking.

Oh, but I think it is!

[ Sure, she may want that kiss pretty damn bad, but Grell still enjoys making him clam up like that. Immensely, if her grin has anything to say about it. ]

It certainly isn't my fault that everything about you is just so--

[ This is where she'd typically insert some profane innuendo, but you know what? Why not surprise him more. ]

Wonderfully enchanting. [ Except, now she's chuckling at herself. ]

[ Really, he should be glad she kept her word choices PG.

He's about to open his mouth to protest her claims, and probably earn back those innuendos in return, when their food is placed before them. Really, this waiter likes to interrupt at very inopportune moments. ]

[ Hopefully, the waiter doesn't catch how Grell's eyes quite nearly roll to the back of her skull. At least she waits until he's excused himself to shake her head with a snerk, resigning to pick up her fork and dig into the pile of greens on her plate. ]

Well, anyway, now that I've answered your questions, I think it fair to ask one of my own-- hm?

[ He may not see Grell's reaction, but he certainly gets an iconic glare from William. One that stops him before he's even able to ask if they need anything else right now. Once gone, William gives a short huff, tucking his napkin into his lap before his attention turns towards his sandwich.

Though before he takes a bite, he looks up to Grell quizzically. ]

And what would that be?

What was it that prompted you to change your mind?

[ Tolling her wrist to vaguely gesture between herself and William, Grell leans in to take a bite of her salad - but not without attentively returning her gaze to man before her. ]

[ He probably could have guessed this was the question she'd ask, if given a moment to ponder it. ]

All of our interactions here have lead up to it. Ones I don't think we ever would have had the opportunity to experience, back in London.

[ He pauses, as if to sample his sandwich, but instead returns it to the plate and brushes the crumbs from his hands with his napkin. Serious topics need his full attention. ]

Do not make the mistake of thinking you've suddenly won my heart. You should be well aware, by this point, that it is not a simple thing to do. Even Christine had a hard time of it.

[ He pauses again, wondering if it was bad to have even said her name in this moment. ]

Though, I do think the persistence you both share in that regard may be part of it. Humorously enough, it's the only trait you share with her. But apparently, it's a significant one to me.

Until now, I merely regretted every choice I'd made that led me to this afterlife, putting no effort into changing any of it. Mainly because I didn't feel I deserved to be happy again. Your persistence in gaining my affections, despite my mistreatment of you only fed that thought process more.

Until I realized that it was because you had that faith in me that I couldn't see in myself, and that Christine had given up hope on. I do not want to be miserable or lonely anymore. And for once, I feel that it's okay for me to want happiness for myself.

[ Well. Grell had thought that things had been going amazingly well, so it's with some surprise that William should feel the need to knock her down a peg or two. Only some, mind.

What truly sours the mood is mentioning Christine, indeed. It has the redhead setting her fork aside with a tick of her brow, having lost her appetite. ]

You shan't ever lose that from me, because I'm not her.

[ Settling her hands in her lap, she pauses to take a deep breath through her nostrils, quite clearly annoyed, but attempting to pull it together. ]

I understand, that is a part of your life that will always be with you, but perhaps you should reconsider comparing your life now, to what it was then, in order to begin grasping at happiness.

[ Easing the tension in her jaw, she finds his gaze - turning her annoyance to determination. ]

I'll always fight for you, William. You needn't worry about that.

[ He'd known the moment he mentioned her that Grell's interpretation of his words was destined to sour. With a sigh and a brief closing of his eyes, he replies. ]

You asked me what changed my mind and I answered you as honestly as I could have. How am I to learn anything and move on if I don't consider what it was in my past that was holding me back?

I am well aware that the two of you are entirely different people. And I believe that's necessary for me to move on. I am not looking for you to be a stand in and mimic everything that I adored about her. That wouldn't help either of us.

I want you to be yourself, Grell. [ The usage of her first name, for the first time, should only add to the seriousness of his words. ] Even all the things about you that irritate me. And I want to accept you for that, just as you've done for me. If that leads to something intimate between us, I am fine with that. But, I do not want to push something so significant into being simply to quell some thirst either of us may have.

What has happened between us thus far has begun to bring that happiness to me. Yes, it is slow going, but I am not looking to back away.

[ Why does he have to do that? Annoy her, fuel her, and then assuage any doubts she had so meaningfully? It all just makes her want to climb over that table and into his lap, may his reservations be damned!

Again, she can feel a bit of colour rising to her cheeks. ]

That a promise, Will? All of it.

[ God, he's handsome. Would he hate her if she just stole a little kiss? Probably, so she really shouldn't. It just makes her want to more, though - and she's most definitely pining at him across the table, now. ]

Honestly, have I ever been one to lie? Yes, it is a promise.

[ How quickly Grell's mood fluctuates is something William still can't quite explain. But he's grown used to it by this point, enough so that he can easily note how much effort she's putting in to hold back.

Once more, he picks up his sandwich - now substantially cooled from the time they've spent in serious conversation. Before he takes a bite, however, he indicates Grell's own plate with a nod of his head. ]

Eat. Then we can walk around the plaza - ease this absurd tension that always seems to build up between us.

[ Once reassured, a smile twinges at the edges of Grell's mouth. It's easy enough to shrug off his disbelief, with that feeling still settling down into her chest. Why, she may even be able to finish that salad, now!

Yet, before she can manage to take her second bite, she simply can't resist-- ]

Absurd isn't the proper descriptor, I'd say.

[ William has to pause mid-chew at Grell's comment. His brow creases, curiously, and he finishes his bite to inquire. ]

What then?

[ Ah, William never makes it easy for himself, does he? And that just earns the most charmingly wicked smile from Grell. ]

Sexual, Will. It's sexual tension.

[ It feels good to get that out of her system! Now, she can enjoy her meal. ]

[ There's a sudden, sharp kick to Grell's leg from under the table. ]

What did I just get through telling you? Nothing like that is happening this evening.

[ Not only does Grell yelp, she also is so caught offguard that she jolts with a start, effectively bashing the knee of that same leg into the underside of the table.

Breath hisses between her teeth, as reaches beneath to grasp at her thigh. ]

The desire is still there, hence the tension-- and this certainly isn't helping!

[ And apparently either William doesn't learn or he's frustrated enough, himself, that he thinks Grell should suffer more. Because as soon as she's done speaking, her second leg gets an equally hard kick. ]

Put that self control you've learned to good use, then.

[ And he'll return to his sandwich. ]

[ With a wince, Grell's lips press, as she gives a pained hum - not without sweetened tones. ]

You tease.

[ With a coy little smirk, she extends that leg out to hook a foot behind his, and simply let their legs entangle for a bit extra touch. ]

[ This is where he'll lean back in his chair and glower at what's going on under the table. Though, the more he fusses trying to free his legs from Grell's ensnarement, the more she seems to be holding fast to him. Finally he gives in, if only because paying attention to his meal, instead, will end this situation faster. ]

[ Of course, Grell is delighted with the entire scenario, unable to refrain from giggling as they play this ridiculous game. Once victorious, she beams at him from across the table, batting her lashes - and legs now entirely threaded about his.

And, as such, she finally sets totaking that second bite of salad. ]

How I am able to put up with you is a wonder.

[ Maybe he should have gotten some wine with his meal. He feels he'd going to need something by the time this night is up.

But the longer they sit, finally enjoying their meals, the more William seems to forget there was even a scuffle under the table to begin with. His legs have now settled and even make room for Grell's to stay with them when he shifts in his seat.

By the time he's finished with his sandwich, it's almost as if any bickering that had gone on between them was simply imagined. For now, that is. ]

[ Surprisingly, that manages to keep Grell content enough that she behaves for the remainder of their meal. Idle talk is minimal, as she's too busy stuffing her mouth - which doesn't take too long. Perhaps she should have opted for a more substantial meal, but she's likely to be snacking later, anyway.

She's humming merrily, as she sips the last of her tea. ]

Did you want anything else before we go, darling?

[ Because she catches sight of their server, which she will be waving down for the check, otherwise! ]

I am content, for now. It was fairly good, despite having cooled off substantially before I was able to begin eating.

[ But that earlier conversation was one that needed to happen. So a cold sandwich is hardly something worth complaining about.

The waiter, finally noticing Grell attempting to get his attention, warily approaches the table. Seems he'd like to keep away from bickering couples as much as possible. But with the two of them seemingly calmed, he gladly provides them with the bill. Of which William promptly takes, paying and leaving the boy a slightly smaller tip than perhaps he normally would have. ]

Ready, then?

[ The gesture of paying the bill doesn't go unnoticed. Grell reaches out to briefly take his hand in a grateful squeeze, lashes fluttering. ]

I am. Let's go explore.

[ Slipping away to stand, she resituates he jacket and fluffs her hair while waiting on William to follow suit. Immediately, then, she hooks an arm about his! All to eager to lead him outside, as sitting for too long tends to leave her restless. (Unless distracted with him, apparently.) ]

[ There is, of course, a sigh that accompanies Grell's need to cling to him the moment she's able. But it's hardly as irritated as it would have sounded, should they have still been in their normal lives, back in London.

Once out in the plaza again, William glances around, noting the various signs hanging outside the stores that line it. Some of the shop names are a bit vague, not really indicating what objects they might sell, but he supposes that's the point of "exploring". ]

Perhaps we should start on that side and circle around.

[ If he were to fancy a guess, those ones sound like they may be clothing boutiques. And if none of them look enticing, he's pretty certain he spots an ice cream parlor at the end of the block they could go to. ]

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