On the House
Hi! @albicocca011 thank you for your request <3 and hopefully this hits the spots you were hoping for! I was debating between waiter and bartender before settling on bartender! I also hope I was able to convey oblivious William and Ronald increasingly making their relationship more blatant!
I also apologies if it's a bit rusty, still trying to find my writing voice again!
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“It’s been a long while since we’ve done this.”
Ronald tilts his head backwards to look William in the eyes, staring incredulously at his partner. William’s own attention is scanning the names of the bottles behind the bar. Ronald himself is resting casually with his back to the bar, elbows resting on the bar top while he twists the seat of his stool from side to side. “And who’s fault is that?” Though there’s no actual malice with the question. It’s more of a tease because they both know the answer.
“My apologies that I must work.” William replies in that snarky, dry tone that actually has little real bite to it. Ronald just grins.
Finally, William turns his attention to Ronald, rubbing his hand over Ronald’s arm, “truthfully, I’m grateful we’re able to spend tonight together. It really has been a long while since we’ve had any time to ourselves.”
Ronald does agree with that and it isn’t like they haven’t tried. Either it was work, other plans or outright exhaustion keeping them apart. Sure, once in a while Ronald could convince William to stay the night or vice versa but those nights were so far and few between that it barely felt like they happened at all. “Honestly, me too.” Ronald agrees, his grin turning to a more genuine smile as he rotates his stool to face William fully, taking William’s hand on his arm. “You’re hot when you’re all boss-like but you’re even hotter when you’re all boyfriend-like.”
William raises an eyebrow. “I believe it’s a little early to be flattering me so blatantly.”
Ronald chuckles, “c’mon Will! I’m bein’ honest! What’s wrong with that?”
William upturns his hand, curling his fingers around Ronald’s. “I suppose there’s nothing wrong with it. I’m still…unused to flattery being so genuine.”
“Which is why I won’t stop.”
William makes no comment to that, instead slipping his hand free and scanning the bottles again. “I can’t say drinking is an expertise of mine, however. What would you recommend?”
Ronald spins around to the bar, “hm, nothin’ too hard, yeah?”
“That would be appreciated.”
“Then…could go with a basic cider? Oo! Or a wine spritzer! Fits your class act.” He nudges William’s shoulder with his own, leaning heavily onto the other man, “sex on the beach?” He winks.
William rolls his eyes, shoving Ronald back into his seat. “I should have expected such idiocy sooner or later.”
Ronald snorts with his grin returning, leaning closer again, “yeah, you shoulda.”
“There a problem here? This lad bothering you?”
Both of them swap attention to the bartender. He’s a tall, muscular fellow with brown hair; a real handsome type and of course his question is directed to William who shakes his head whilst waving his hand. “No, he’s not bothering me. We’re here together. He’s my companion.”
Companion? Clearly, the bartender took the word to mean purely friendship as well as his demeanour changes quickly, placing his palms on the countertop to lean on his arms, offering William a real charming smile. “Glad you’re not being bothered then. So what can I get you?”
William sighs, “that’s the problem I’m afraid. I don’t drink very often and I haven’t a clue what modern alcohol would fit my tastes.”
“Modern?” He leans back up, “you’re an old fashioned kinda guy?”
“He is.” Ronald interrupts. “And he’ll take a wine spritzer.”
“I can order for myself Knox.” William reprimands him. “And you’re the expert here. What do you recommend? I’m not overly fond of hard alcohol.”
“There’s always the classic gin and tonic.” The bartender suggests. “But, if you hear me out, try an old fashioned since you’re an old fashioned type of guy.”
“I don’t think that’s the kinda drink he’s lookin’ for.” Ronald cuts in again.
William nods. “I must agree.”
The bartender chuckles. “Then a gin and tonic it is.” He finally properly addresses Ronald. “And you?”
“Yeah, I’ll have the same thing.”
“Two gin and tonics coming up then.”
It takes little time for the bartender to make their drinks and once he’s off to take care of other patrons, Ronald immediately asks, “companion?!”
William swirls his drink in the tumbler, appearing confused by the indiscretion of Ronald’s voice “Yes?”
“Com. Panion, Will. That’s the word you use to describe us?”
“You are my companion. My life companion and considering our lives as reapers do not end, that is not a word I’d use lightly.”
Ronald groans, covering his face with his hand. “C’mon Will! You’re killing me!” He drops his hand, “you coulda said partner, y’know. That sounds more, y’know, like we’re datin’.”
William ponders, sips his drink, then nods, conceding Ronald did have a point. “Ah.” He says after he swallows. “I suppose it would. I apologise Ronald. You know romance is still a rather foreign concept to me, especially when we really hardly have the time to be anything more then superior and subordinate. I’d overheard Humphries refer to himself and Slingby as companions and I believed it carried another meaning beyond friendship.”
“Because they were tryin’ to be subtle! Even if they’re as subtle a Grell is.” Ronald adds as an after thought.
“Then I apologise again.” William insists, clearly trying to convey that he really meant nothing by his choice of words and Ronald could never really be mad. Despite how long they’d actually been dating, years at this point, this relationship was still a learning curve for William and it was a curve Ronald was willing to help William navigate. Instead, Ronald just offers a smile, squeezing William’s hand.
After a few more minutes of it just being them, the bartender returns and Ronald once again notices how he’s facing only William. “So, how’re the drinks.”
“Refreshing.” William replies. “A gin and tonic was certainly the way to go, thank you.”
“Of course! I know how to take care of my friends.” He winks, Ronald’s hand tightening around his tumbler. “So, I’ve got to ask. Are you a lawyer or something? You’re dressed pretty damn smart to be in a pub like this at this time of night.”
True. William, as expected, remains in his three-piece suit while everyone around them, Ronald included, is dressed down into something more casual. “A lawyer? Hm. I suppose in some sense, but no. We are Grim Reapers.”
Ronald slaps his forehead and shakes his head while the bartender flicks his eyes down and up over William’s suit. “A Grim Reaper? Like…a mortician?”
“Yep.” Ronald cuts in a third time. “Morticians.”
The bartender nods, eyes alight with amusement, “fascinating! You know, when I was younger, I thought I could stomach working with bodies, even had plans to work for forensics but as I got older, I couldn’t even handle horror movies!” He chuckles. “So I opted for something more social and I’d say, I’m pretty good at it.” He takes William’s empty glass, “another?”
William looks at his watch. “I suppose another wouldn’t hurt.”
“And put the drinks on my tab.” Ronald says, shoving his glass toward the bartender indicating for a refill as well. “My treat for him.” He puts his hand back on William’s.
“Can do.” He says, once again more to William then Ronald.
Again, once the drinks are made, the bartender tends to other patrons but Ronald continues to glare. “Is there a reason why you’re clutching my hand so tightly?” William asks, looking down at said hand.
Ronald instantly releases him, “my bad.”
“Is something wrong?”
Ronald downs half his drink in one go. “No. I’m good.” He forces a smile. “So, I was thinkin’, why don’t you come back to mine after we’re done here?”
William clearly doesn’t believe Ronald but he doesn’t push. Instead, he considers Ronald’s offer. “I’m not sure that would be the best idea. I’ll have to go in early tomorrow to catch up on the work I’m skipping tonight.”
“You don’t have to stay the night!” He insists, “even if I’d prefer that. Just, stay for a bit? Some evening tea? A snog on the couch?”
“Evening tea does sound nice…”
Ronald smirks. “Just the tea?”
“Oh I’m sure you’ll manage to convince me to indulge as well.”
True. William’s even admitted that Ronald’s the only person he allows himself to really relax with. “Hey, you have a great time!”
“I suppose that’s also true.” He offers Ronald a small, brief smile that means more to Ronald then any kiss or declaration of partnership. He’d spent so long trying to find William’s smile and knowing he’s probably the only one that can pull a genuine one from William is his greatest achievement.
The bartender returns quicker then last time, a fact that isn’t lost on Ronald. Nor is it lost on him that he’s been more occupied with them then anyone else at the bar. “so, feel like it’d be rude not to ask your name.” He scans William again, “if I had to guess, it’s something sophisticated.”
“My name is William T. Spears.” William answers as he does each time he’s introduced himself.
The bartender whistles, “pretty formal about introductions huh?” He chuckles. “What’s the T stand for?”
“That is private information.”
“Ooo a secret hey? That’s okay, I’m good at prying lips apart.” He winks; Ronald grinds his teeth while William remained infuriatingly passive. “Call me John.”
“A pleasure to meet you then, John.” William nods.
“I gotta say, I like your mannerisms. Really makes for some good conversation.”
“I speak the same way my father had.”
“Then you must have grown up pretty well off, hey?”
“I’m afraid the monetary value my human self had is not up for discussion.”
John blinks. “Human…self?”
“Just how he refers to the him when he’s not workin’.” Ronald answers.
“Ah I get it. You take your job pretty seriously then, eh?”
“I must, else a demon could easily snatch away the souls we’re meant to collect.”
Ronald takes a moment to breathe in deep before breathing out through his nose. “Not even gonna try explaining that one.”
John just laughs it off. “You’re real interesting, you know that? Well William, I’ve never seen you here before. Are you new or have I just been blind?”
“Ronald frequents this place more then I do. I’ve only been here once before and that was to retrieve him.” William gestures to Ronald.
“Makes sense then because I know I would have remembered a guy like you.”
“Everyone usually does.” Says Ronald.
“Not entirely.” William contradicts. “I’ve been told I’m rather boring all things considered.”
“Boring? Listen to what you’ve been saying! I’m sure under this stiff exterior of yours is a real genuine guy.”
William quirks an eyebrow. “You believe so?”
“Of course! Look at you! All the mysterious, genuine men I’ve known all have your sort of stiffness.” He puts on hand on the counter top to lean on, gesturing with his other hand, “as I see it, you’ve got to really get to know someone before trying to get to the nitty gritty, yeah? Those are the kinds of people you have to treasure. To really make it known you’re not the type to just run if things get hard.”
William cants his head, Ronald freezing for a moment as William seems too interested in the conversation. “I believe it’s hard to find genuine people nowadays. Everyone seems obsessed with themselves rather than what trying to make real connections.”
“I’ve noticed that too! Me though? I’m not that kinda guy. I like looking for the real people to make those real connections and you’re striking me as the same.”
` “He’s got a real connection.” Ronald says, putting his hand on William’s arm. “Me.”
“Well, I’m sure but I think maybe he’d want someone older. Someone who’d really understand.” He winks and excuses himself as he departs to take a drink order from another patron giving Ronald time to process how all this flirting has gone over William’s head. He hates that it reminded him of when he tried asking William out the first time and how oblivious he was that it was an actual date. He assumed it was something along the lines of co-workers getting dinner together until Ronald tried to seal the end of said date with a small peck to William’s cheek and the man recoiled like he was struck. “He’s rather friendly, isn’t he?” William comments, finishing off his drink.
“Yeah. Friendly.”
William waves a dismissive hand. “You’re overreacting.”
Ronald doesn’t get to protest much more when John returns again, this time with a drink that’s familiar to Ronald while William looks cautiously at it when it’s slid over to him. “I know you said no hard drinks, but this is a classic.”
“What is it?” William asks, picking it up.
“A sex on the beach.” John says, crossing his arms on the countertop to lean on them. “It’s not overly strong and it’s sweet and fruity. I think you’d like it.”
“We also didn’t order it.” Ronald says, throwing his arm around William’s shoulders. “So, no thanks.”
“it’s on the house.” He replies, only briefly flicking his eyes toward Ronald.
“That won’t be necessary.” William objects. “If anything, put this on my own tab.”
“Nonsense.” John assures, reaching over to squeeze William’s hand.
William retracts his hand with a twitch of his eyebrow, Ronald’s own arm growing tighter around William’s shoulders. “Well, I suppose a sip won’t hurt then.” William examines the sunset coloured drink before daring to take a small sip. “It’s…not awful.” He admits. “But it’s not to my taste.” He adds, setting the drink aside.
“I guess like its name.” John chuckles. “Not awful but not to my tastes either.”
“Mmhm. I’m sure.”
“Sorry, sorry.” He rubs the back of his neck, “been a long time since I’ve talked to someone as handsome as you.”
“I’m sure if you saw all the other options in dispatch, I would be at the bottom of the list.” William assures. “I’m rather plain.”
“Now that’s just not true! I’m sure of it.”
“He’s really bein’ modest.” Says Ronald, grabbing the back of William’s bicep. “He’s one of the more handsome guys we got.”
William glances at Ronald, “that’s a blatant li—”
“Truth.” Ronald cuts him off with a forced smile. “Blatant truth.” He stands up and wraps his arms around William’s chest from behind, resting his chin on William’s shoulder. “He just doesn’t have the ego like the rest of us.” He narrows his eyes at John. “By the way, I’m gonna make this clear. I’m his partner. Not just his companion, but his partner.” He turns William’s head and kisses him to prove his point. William freezes for only a second before his eyelids flutter shut and he returns the lip-lock.
When Ronald breaks the kiss, John raises his hands in surrender. “Okay, okay. I get it. I didn’t mean to step on anyone’s toes here.”
“That would be my doing as well.” William says once he’s cleared his throat, a bright pink high on his cheeks, “for I didn’t realise what exactly you were implying.”
“Yeah, well, maybe one day I’ll get lucky like that partner of yours.”
“Yeah. Maybe.” Ronald agrees just to be polite before paying for their drinks, satisfied as he and William take their leave for the evening. “So, had fun?” Ronald grins.
“I suppose I did.” William admits, looking up to the evening sky. “Though I’d be more content with some evening tea.”
“Then come back to mine and I’ll make it.” He takes William’s hand, holding it warmly as they begin the walk to Ronald’s. “Buuut I gotta ask.”
“Hm?”
There’s a pause before he asks, lifting William’s hand to run his finger over the older man’s knuckles, “you called me your lifetime companion.”
“I did.”
Ronald looks up at him. “And you meant that?”
William stops them to cup Ronald’s cheeks, holding Ronald’s face gently. For the second time that night, Ronald sees William’s genuine smile as his eyes soften, his guard completely and fully down. He’s the one that’s kissed this time, a far sweeter and softer kiss then before; Ronald melts into it, his hands clamping over William’s, keeping them pressed there. While it might not have been the answer he was expecting, it was an even better answer then he could have asked for.
