Grell can be more understanding than we think.


The reaper couple arrived at the Ice Fox Skating Rink. It seemed to be closed for the night. "I know it's closed, but I have a key from the owner, she's a good friend," Grell said before taking a keyring out of her pocket.

"Grelly! Where have you been?" a female voice with a Celtic accent came from behind. They turned around and saw a woman who appeared to be in her early 30s walking toward them. She was fair-skinned with a tattoo of the Dara knot on her neck. Her straight chestnut hair was in a short bob. She wore an ivy-green mock-neck, khaki cargo pants, and matching green sneakers. She came in to embrace Grell.

The red-headed reaper returned the hug. "Bridget! I wasn't expecting to see the were-fox this evening," she said before ruffling the shorter woman's hair.

Were-fox?

William looked at the pair in surprise. "Sutclif, you did not inform the department that a creature of the were category resided in this part of the city, did you?" he asked in a stern manner, already knowing the answer.

"Oh, you must Wiliam. You have not been fibbing these past decades. He is cute, in a serious no-nonsense style. Not my type, but to each their own," she stated before nudging Grell playfully.

"We were just going to do a private skate. Hope that's okay," Grell explained.

Bridget nodded. "Grelly, you know my rules when you do this. Don't leave a mess, and no getting steamy on ice after last time," she said with a sly smile directed at Wil.

He cocked his brow in a curious manner. "Why would the ice get hot? Should the air conditioner not be in operation?" he asked.

Grell and the rink owner giggled to each other. "I'll explain later. You have plenty of men's size 7, correct?" she asked before opening the door.

Her friend nodded. "And if after you need to get skates sharpened just leave them in my office, they are sharp enough to use as a death scythe."

Grell gave her another hug before she left. After going in, she could tell something was on Wil's mind. "I know she should be in the creature population records, but she's not exactly supposed to be here," she explained. She could see the judgment in his eyes. She let a sigh before switching on the lights. "I promised her wouldn't tell her past to anyone. So, just trust me when I say she's a good person. She has really been there for me during these past decades," she tried to stay calm.

Wonder what she means by that.

William grunted in frustration. "Fine, I will not inform the department about her, but if she starts killing anyone not on the to-die list, I will have no choice but to bring her," he said before going to get his skates. He saw her smile gratefully when she jumped over the rental desk, and for some reason, he felt his heartbeat for a moment.

"I know, but you don't need to worry about her. I promise," she told him before bringing a box of black size 7 skates out and placing them on the counter. William didn't take them, he couldn't tell if she noticed that he was nervous. She gestured to the box in a playful manner. "Well?"

I need to come clean with her

"I can't skate," he sighed. He watched her blink in surprise. He pinched the brim of his nose under his specs. "There are quite a few areas in physicality I excel at, but when it is an activity like ice skating, I have the balance of a newborn fawn. I am afraid I cannot join out there," he explained with his head hung in shame. 'Wonder how she will blow this out of proportion?'

"Then you can just sit on the bench near the rink and watch my dazzling dance," she said before putting the skates away.

He was astonished. "You are not going to mock me for this?"

"Why would I do that? Wil Darling, as reapers we can be amazing at physical feats, but we do have our limits, and that should be understandable. Between you and me, I can't throw to save my afterlife," she said before hopping over the desk again and headed to the bench closest to the ice. William smiled as he watched her lace up her skates. He asked himself: why does he always think of the worst about her? Beneath the somewhat insane and flirtatious behavior she shows from time to time, she is pleasant to be around. She rose from the bench with a bit of wobble and headed straight to the ice. "Be prepared to be amazed by a red-headed beauty," she said before doing a quick spin.

I think I already am.


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