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]

[ Excluding all the cheek kisses he's received from Grell over the past century, this is the first one he's willingly accepted since awaking in the afterlife. And despite not being one to actively desire such intimacy, he's surprised by just how satisfying it is to, once more, have another so close.

Perhaps he'd needed this all along.

His hand shifts back, caressing the back of Grell's neck and finding a few loose strands of hair to intertwine with. What he'd intended to be a simple kiss has obviously progressed slightly further, as he doesn't hesitate in adding a third, perhaps deeper kiss. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell exhales a sweetened sigh between their parted mouths, while hungrily accepting the advancement - encouraging it, even, as she'll just barely tease along his lip with a dash of her tongue. The hand she keeps at his back idly massages up his spine, and the other, playing along the stretch of his neck.

Her heart beats in her ears, drowning out her thoughts. All she wants to do, right here and now, is experience this moment, and commit every detail to memory. Later, she can hyperventilate over it all she likes. ]

[death_glare]

[ There's the briefest hum at the feel of Grell's fingers upon his neck, apparently a sensitive spot for him. It even causes him to lean into the touch, the new angle allowing their tongues to meet. This must be the gentlest he's ever been towards the redhead - nothing forced, each kiss just blending into the next as if they'd always been lovers.

And when they finally part, William lingers just near enough that it could continue, should they wish it to. ]

Will that keep you quiet for some time?

[untodeath]

On the contrary... [ She mutters, breathy. ] My mind is reeling. My heart sings. Nothing about me is quiet.

[ Grell shifts her hold to fondly brush her thumb along his jaw, as she regards him, eyes misty. Right now, she's happy. Genuinely happy. The most she can ever recall. ]

[death_glare]

As if it was ever any different.

[ He assumes she must be enjoying the intimate moment they've trapped themselves in, but perhaps he doesn't realize just how happy he's made her. She's always spoke in such dramatic phrases, after all.

But finally, he pulls away, keeping himself propped up while he carefully removes his frames with the hand that had been teasing at Grell's neck. They're set gingerly on the nightstand before he nestles himself back into the plush bedding. ]

I hope you will, at least, allow me some sleep tonight.

[untodeath]

[ Ah, but it's short-lived. Grell can feel her heart sink ever so slightly, as William pulls away.

Nibbling at her bottom lip to keep herself from frowning, she shifts to sit herself up. Slipping her glasses chain free from her hair, she'll fold her frames to set beside the other's. ]

No. This is different.

[ It's with an airy sigh that she settles down at his side once more. She silent searches the fuzzy details of his face for but a moment, before she dares to close the distance between them - not to kiss him, this time, but instead touch her forehead to his with a gentle nuzzle of their noses. ]

I promise you, it is.

[death_glare]

Simply because I am reciprocating?

[ The question emphasized by his lack of drawing away from the intimate and, rather unexpected touch of their noses. And even more so when he calmly returns his hand to where it'd been moments before he'd taken that first kiss. ]

[untodeath]

Partly.

[ Grell notes that her heartbeat quickens, when he holds her like that. ]

It's because you reciprocate that I'm filled with such-- joy. Such that's making me question if I'd known what that meant, before now. Because I love you. Genuinely love you.

[death_glare]

I can't say I will ever fully understand why you do.

[ To him, it's a foolish decision. But Grell seems to be committed to it, no matter what direction his actions or emotions towards her take. ]

Nor can I reciprocate those feelings, at this moment. But, I will admit that I'm glad I could bring some form of happiness to you. I hope I won't fail at that again.

[untodeath]

What bittersweet words...

[ That William doesn't see the worth in himself in which she does. That he doesn't love her, but is open to change. Such reminders twist her heart in sorrow and hope alike.

Grell's brow creases as she draws a breath, stroking her knuckles along his cheek. ]

Let us take things as they come, mn? [ But now, she will steal a fleeting kiss. ]

[death_glare]

[ He will accept the kiss, short and sweet as it may be. ]

I think that would be best for both of us.

[ And for now, that means pulling Grell further into his arms. They wrap fully around her, one resting around her shoulders, while the other slides around her waist, the warm skin of his forearm trailing along her back as it moves. ]

[untodeath]

[ Having William hold her in such a way, Grell can feel her blood running hot in her veins. It's all nearly too much for her to take, but she wouldn't dare stop now.

Keeping her arms comfortably folded at his chest, she slips a knee between his, entwining their legs. With her head comfortably resting atop his arm, she's at liberty to nuzzle his neck now, instead. The tip of her nose plays along his jaw, lips ghosting over his sensitive skin. ]

Undoubetdly.

[death_glare]

[ Such a calm moment between them. William would have never imagined it possible. But being amidst it, he can't say it isn't a welcome change. Though tomorrow they will surely be back to their usual bickering, he's content to stay locked in this embrace while it lasts.

A sigh escapes him as his eyes drift shut. He could very well fall asleep, limbs entangled with Grell's, if she'll let him. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell's mouth lingers at his throat, entirely tempted to allow him anything but the sleep he desires - and yet, he sighs so contently. If behaving herself, this once, could provide him a fraction of the happiness that she feels in his arms, then perhaps... Perhaps it's the least she could do.

This isn't like her. She's going soft, she thinks. ]

Goodnight, my love.

[ A faint whisper between them, as she presses a single kiss to William's skin. The redhead then nestles her face into the crook of his shoulder. Relaxes, but does not sleep; not for a while yet. Not until the day's events have run through her head once more, and she's had a proper opportunity to wonder. To analyse, hope, fret, and cast doubt.

Still, she wakes bright and early. Not only by force of habit, but a consequence of periodic manic tendencies. What a lucky man William is! ]

Darling~♥

[ Delicately rolling her body into his, Grell coaxes him back against the pillows, so that she may freely comb her fingers through his hair, and nuzzle him awake. If that doesn't immediately prove successful, she will pepper his mouth his soft kisses. Then, gradually across his cheeks, and down beneath his chin. ]

[death_glare]

[ Just as he had the first time he'd awoken beside Grell, William's groggy mind takes a few moments to process the events that are unfolding. Last time, he'd awoken to see Grell perched above him. This time, all he sees is her bright red hair as she trails kisses along his chin.

If he hadn't invited her into his bed, hadn't initiated this with that first, gentle kiss, she would have undoubtedly been pushed off and to the floor by now. Instead, he merely gives her hair an uncharacteristically gentle tug. ]

Stop. I'm awake.

[untodeath]

[ Gentle as it may be, the tug manages to earn a purring sort of hum. ]

There's my handsome man.

[ Grell's hands move to cup his jaw, thumbs brushing over his cheeks, as a fond smile touches her features. Even without his glasses, at this close distance, William should be able to discern that much. ]

But must I stop?

[death_glare]

[ It's almost instinctual for him to respond with 'I'm not your man.' But, he catches himself. Though he hasn't agreed to a mutually exclusive relationship with her, it would be hard to argue that she hasn't won him over in some regard. ]

I could always force you to, but I think that would only encourage you more.

[untodeath]

That does sound fun. Perhaps we can reach a compromise, hn?

[ It's with a chuckle that Grell's eyes close, once she leans in to boop the tip of her nose to William's. ]

[death_glare]

[ William blinks. The intimate gesture of their noses touching was not what he expected when Grell had moved closer. ]

Honestly, I am not certain I want to know what your suggestion would be.

[untodeath]

I think you should stop me, once you've become uncomfortable, considering that you aren't entirely honest about your wants and desires.

[ With a swing of her hips, she's on top of him, then - and simply that; bodies touching, her fingers tracing over William's chest through his shirt. ]

[death_glare]

[ William takes a moment to think over the last part of Grell's statement, all while feeling around the night stand for his spectacles. Locating them, he slips them on his face before answering. ]

It isn't that I am uncomfortable with your advances. Most times I shove you aside simply because you are being an annoyance and keeping me from what I need to accomplish. Or what you should be getting done.

[ She climbs atop him, and he allows her to sit there, perched in his lap, as he continues. ]

I don't have nearly as much responsibility here, nor are we coworkers. This interaction between us is entirely new, even if it may seem the same from your perspective. I now have time to try to understand where you're coming from. Which is difficult for me. Because, I don't fully understand what I need.

[ His thumb idly brushes against the side of Grell's knee, before he realizes and pulls it back. ]

If you'd like me to be honest. [ A pause. ] I'm nervous.

[untodeath]

[ Grell's brow ticks with some surprise, but she listens. Hums with understanding. All the while, her palms press into his chest, fingers working - massaging up to his shoulders, and down his arms. ]

Nervous, is it? Why, darling?

[death_glare]

Because I don't believe I deserve any of this. That you're making a grave mistake by latching onto me. And now I've gone and encouraged that behavior.

[ He hardly even acknowledges the gentle massage Grell's graciously giving him, even though he should find it relaxing. Instead, his brow creases and he rubs his thumb and forefinger anxiously along his forehead.]

[untodeath]

[ Grell's features soften as she'll hear him out, but it's when she shifts to cup his face, instead, that her brow furrows with seriousness. ]

That's my decision to make - and I could not disagree more.

[ Leaning on closer, she'll gaze into his eyes, taking on all the sorrow and self-loathing he feels. She recognizes it well, after all; it isn't unfamiliar to her. ]

I'll tell you a secret, William; I've been insulted, disregarded... lead on, disowned, and beaten... there is not one thing you could do that might break me, because I've been built stronger than that.

[ Only then does a smile begin to pluck at her lips. ]

And you've already given me more than I ever could have hoped for.

[death_glare]

You give me far too much credit.

Nothing would change for you, then? Even if I closed myself off again? Went back to how you previously knew me?

[ He already knows the answer, as Grell's stated it many times now. But one downfall they both have is their stubbornness. ]

I can't promise you it won't happen.