closed psl.

[untodeath]

[ Word travels fast around the office. By the time Grell had returned from her shift to submit the appropriate paperwork, a secretary had already asked her if she'd been by to check on Mister Spears.

Now, she had known that he had been sent on an investigative mission with Ronald earlier that day, so she immediately assumed the worst. Demanding to know where to find them sent her bolting off to the lower levels. The new recruits were smart enough to dash out of the way - and some of them even directed her to the appropriate department; the optometrist's office, where she found William sulking in the lobby.

The poor man was without his glasses, but aside from a scuffed cheek and some healing bruises, appeared to be in one piece. It was his pride that seemed wounded, as the very air about him seemed heavy. ]

Oh, Will.

[ Heaving a sigh of relief, she sinks down into the chair beside him. Though knowing fully well that he won't like it, she won't be kept from fussing over him; reaching out to gingerly dash back some of his hair left mussed by his scuffle, while taking a good look at his wounds. ]

What did I tell you about taking care of your glasses, mm?

Comments

[death_glare]

[ William glances blindly around the room, as if trying to think of what he could possibly do to occupy himself until then. He's at a loss and shrugs his shoulders with a sigh. ]

Put some music on, I suppose. There's not much else I can do.

[untodeath]

[ Grell hums with some sympathy. ]

I could run a bath for you, if you'd like. I even packed some oils!

[ Stacking their dishes, she takes them to the sink to give a good rinse. ]

Unless your prefer to save that for the evening.

[ That would ideal, actually - but William in the bath would be so difficult to resist... ]

Might have to agree to share the sink with me, though!

[death_glare]

I'm certain I can run a bath for myself. It isn't as though I wear my glasses in the shower, when I bathe.

[ Though, he wears them right up until the point he's under the water, and then they are immediately on his face again the moment he's done. So it's more a case of giving Grell too much leeway with getting close to him. ]

[untodeath]

[ Pouting, she's drying her hands as she turns to face him - softly huffing through her nostrils. ]

Well, alright then. Just don't go about hurting yourself.

[ Leaning into the counter beside him, she smiles. William's stubbornness is to be expected, so it won't sunk her spirits so easily! ]

What's your favorite music?

[death_glare]

I am not going to hurt myself.

[ Softly huffing to himself as she leans closer to him. ]

If you cared to take notice, I managed perfectly fine while you were gone.

[ Yet, he is still asking her to stay over...better to move the topic on. ]

I will admit, I still favour the composers from our time period.

[untodeath]

[ Cared to take notice... So pouty! Such a thing just makes her giggle, really. ]

Mn, it was a fine time. The classical era.

[ Taking his arm, Grell encourages him up! ]

Let me guess, you're a Mozart man?

[death_glare]

[ Batting her hand away from his arm, he proves he's fine to stand on his own, only fumbling slightly while moving his feet away from the legs of the stool. ]

One of my favorite composers, yes. Odd to think how old his works are considered now.

[untodeath]

[ With a tick of the tongue, Grell's hands relocate to her hips. ]

A century will do that, you know! Everything has changed. Music, medicine, fashion...

[ Letting him trail behind her, then, she makes way for the record player once more. Picking up the sleeves to shift through, she hums in passing - one of Mozart's pieces, in fact. ]

Ah, here's a good one.

[ Once she's set it to play, the record begins with Concerto No 21. Clasping her hands together, she closes her eyes with a satisfied hum. ]

Will-- [ The thought's just flashed through her mind, but what is she if not spontaneous? Turning to him, she's already chuckling. ] Before I go, would you do me the honor of a dance~?

[death_glare]

Even more so when you consider what advances we have in the reaper realm.

[ William pauses in his feeling along the arm of the love seat to turn towards the sound of Grell's voice. He takes his time to answer - perhaps contemplating whether he should grant her wish as a thank you, or perhaps hesitant that he'll be rubbish at leading a dance in his state. ]

You haven't a great deal of time to return from your lunch hour. Unless you fancy staying overtime.

[untodeath]

[ That delay means that she may have a chance! She's positively grinning. ]

Oh, come now. It will just be for the first few moments, mn? It will be fun.

[death_glare]

[ With an exasperated sigh, he steps away from the seat, holding his hand outward for her to take. He's certain he's going to regret giving her all this leeway once this whole ordeal is done with. ]

Fine. A few moments.

[untodeath]

[ With a suppressed squeal of happiness, Grell hops in place to out of her system before accepting the hand offered to her. Stepping in close, she gently rests a hand at his shoulder - and, best yet, he won't be able to see precisely how much she's admiring him at close proximity! ]

Ready♥?

[death_glare]

We'll see how well I've retained my lessons in formal dance.

[ It's been ages, after all. He places his own free hand at her waist, gripping firmly enough to keep her in place should she try to inch too close. Falling in step with the rhythm of the music almost comes naturally as he leads Grell in a slow circle about the living area. The only falter in their movements is when the coffee table decides it wants to interrupt! William gives a surprised grunt, unintentionally pulling Grell closer in his attempt to keep from falling. ]

[untodeath]

[ Having been so in the moment, Grell hadn't thought much of it; simply, she assumed that William would move accordingly! Just as he pulls her closer for leverage, she takes a firm hold of his hand-- and is left pressed against his chest, blushing profusely!

Shifting her hand to settle behind his neck, she steps back, but only to shift them away from the table and resume their dancing - before he has the chance to push her away and end it! ]

It's alright, darling. Why don't you close your eyes, mm? Envision your space.

[death_glare]

[ Having regained his balance, William notes where his arm had slipped fully around Grell's middle and quickly corrects its placement. ]

I know the layout of my flat.

[ He has to defend himself somehow, while keeping up that stubbornness he's so well known for. Still, he lets his eyes fall closed, and pausing for a moment longer, realigns their steps to the music's pacing. ]

[untodeath]

Of course you do, darling.

[ Straightening her posture, she prepares to follow his lead - and how proud she is, to see him gracefully maneuvering without relying on his eyes! What a perfect opportunity to train. Even more perfect, she'll have the chance to hold his hand, admire his face without reserve, and revel in this moment. Always, she's fancied the idea of sharing a dance with him. ]

What do you know, you can do quite well without your sight.

[death_glare]

Perhaps I don't need you to spend the night, after all.

[ Or at least, no sight seems to work better than blurred vision. Before he realizes, the song's come to an end and he's gracefully avoided bumping into any other furniture. It was a longer dance than he'd intended. Pulling away, he reopens his eyes to a red blur that's still quite close to him. ]

Now, go. You're nearly late.

[untodeath]

[ Grell HUFFS, but she's quite sure that William will be expecting her, anyway. Since he hasn't let go just yet, that's enough to give her hope.

From his shoulder, her hand shifts to gently tap his cheek. ]

May I?

[death_glare]

[ His eyes scan the blur before him, locking on the brilliant green that stands out against the deep reds. They settle there for a long moment before he releases his grasp on her hand and hip. ]

Yes. You may.

[untodeath]

[ That long pause give Grell's heart cause to skip a beat, and when his eyes find hers, she's certain that she has lost the ability to breathe!

Cheeks coloring, her freed hand presses to William's chest - and she leans in, with a press of her lips against his cheek. Unlike those chipper little pecks that she's stolen in the past, it too lingers for just a moment. ]

I'll see you after work.

[death_glare]

[ The eye contact is broken when he feels the heavy press of her hand against his chest and looks down to it. The distraction allows for the most genuine look of surprise when her lips then touch his cheek. He quickly catches himself, brow furrowing, though he can't expect she would have missed it. He has only himself to blame, having thought her question was related to her actually staying the night. That tap on the cheek makes a lot more sense now. And she can probably tell that he'd misunderstood.

He clears his throat, opting to give a final command over arguing about the kiss. ]

Bring dessert with dinner.

[untodeath]

[ Seeing William confused only leaves HER confused. With stepping back, Grell regards him with a tilt of her head! It takes some time for her mind to backtrack and put together the pieces - though when she does, her lips part with a silent, OH, of realization! But then, it actually clicks into place; that was what had him pause so meaningfully.

Is... is there romance brewing? Oh, God, her cheeks color! ]

Y--yes, alright! Byeee♥!

[ And then, she's gone.

Several hours would pass until she'd come around again. Following the end of her shift, she stopped by a nice little restaurant to place their order. From there, it was off to her place to gather an extra set of clothing and unmentionables-- along with a considerably nicer set of nighties, just in case, you know. ]

Will♥, I'm back~

[death_glare]

[ Lightly feeling his way down the hall, he stops once he enters the kitchen. The aroma coming from whatever she's chosen for dinner is quite pleasing, and since he hasn't had anything since lunch, he's eager to find out what she's brought. ]

Have things fallen apart without me there, yet?

[ One would think he was joking, if they didn't know him well enough. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell's left her personal bag on the living room seat, specifically so they could get straight to dinner. She's had no more than a third cup of coffee, herself!

Setting out their food, the aroma opens up and become much more prevalent! There's half an herbal roasted chicken for them to share, accompanied by buttery mashed potatoes and dinner roles. Dessert is tiramisu. ]

I spent the rest of my day on the field, but I'm fairly confident that I didn't sense any fires upon clocking out. [ She chuckles. ] Fairly confident that the analysis division has begun a pool on it, though.

[death_glare]

[ He's not sure if that's good to hear or not, but he resigns to sighing as he carefully takes one of the chairs. ]

Chicken? [ He can pick out the scent, now that it's before him. ] It smells wonderful. Though, I can't imagine you have much of a budget left over if you dine out so often.