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!
________________________________________
βItβs been a long while since weβve done this.β
Ronald tilts his head backwards to look William in the eyes, staring incredulously at his partner. Williamβs 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. βAnd whoβs fault is that?β Though thereβs no actual malice with the question. Itβs more of a tease because they both know the answer.
βMy apologies that I must work.β 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 Ronaldβs arm, βtruthfully, Iβm grateful weβre able to spend tonight together. It really has been a long while since weβve had any time to ourselves.β
Ronald does agree with that and it isnβt like they havenβt 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. βHonestly, me too.β Ronald agrees, his grin turning to a more genuine smile as he rotates his stool to face William fully, taking Williamβs hand on his arm. βYouβre hot when youβre all boss-like but youβre even hotter when youβre all boyfriend-like.β
William raises an eyebrow. βI believe itβs a little early to be flattering me so blatantly.β
Ronald chuckles, βcβmon Will! Iβm beinβ honest! Whatβs wrong with that?β
William upturns his hand, curling his fingers around Ronaldβs. βI suppose thereβs nothing wrong with it. Iβm stillβ¦unused to flattery being so genuine.β
βWhich is why I wonβt stop.β
William makes no comment to that, instead slipping his hand free and scanning the bottles again. βI canβt say drinking is an expertise of mine, however. What would you recommend?β
Ronald spins around to the bar, βhm, nothinβ too hard, yeah?β
βThat would be appreciated.β
βThenβ¦could go with a basic cider? Oo! Or a wine spritzer! Fits your class act.β He nudges Williamβs shoulder with his own, leaning heavily onto the other man, βsex on the beach?β He winks.
William rolls his eyes, shoving Ronald back into his seat. βI should have expected such idiocy sooner or later.β
Ronald snorts with his grin returning, leaning closer again, βyeah, you shoulda.β
βThere a problem here? This lad bothering you?β
Both of them swap attention to the bartender. Heβs 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. βNo, heβs not bothering me. Weβre here together. Heβs my companion.β
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. βGlad youβre not being bothered then. So what can I get you?β
William sighs, βthatβs the problem Iβm afraid. I donβt drink very often and I havenβt a clue what modern alcohol would fit my tastes.β
βModern?β He leans back up, βyouβre an old fashioned kinda guy?β
βHe is.β Ronald interrupts. βAnd heβll take a wine spritzer.β
βI can order for myself Knox.β William reprimands him. βAnd youβre the expert here. What do you recommend? Iβm not overly fond of hard alcohol.β
βThereβs always the classic gin and tonic.β The bartender suggests. βBut, if you hear me out, try an old fashioned since youβre an old fashioned type of guy.β
βI donβt think thatβs the kinda drink heβs lookinβ for.β Ronald cuts in again.
William nods. βI must agree.β
The bartender chuckles. βThen a gin and tonic it is.β He finally properly addresses Ronald. βAnd you?β
βYeah, Iβll have the same thing.β
βTwo gin and tonics coming up then.β
It takes little time for the bartender to make their drinks and once heβs off to take care of other patrons, Ronald immediately asks, βcompanion?!β
William swirls his drink in the tumbler, appearing confused by the indiscretion of Ronaldβs voice βYes?β
βCom. Panion, Will. Thatβs the word you use to describe us?β
βYou are my companion. My life companion and considering our lives as reapers do not end, that is not a word Iβd use lightly.β
Ronald groans, covering his face with his hand. βCβmon Will! Youβre killing me!β He drops his hand, βyou coulda said partner, yβknow. That sounds more, yβknow, like weβre datinβ.β
William ponders, sips his drink, then nods, conceding Ronald did have a point. βAh.β He says after he swallows. βI 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. Iβd overheard Humphries refer to himself and Slingby as companions and I believed it carried another meaning beyond friendship.β
βBecause they were tryinβ to be subtle! Even if theyβre as subtle a Grell is.β Ronald adds as an after thought.
βThen I apologise again.β 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 theyβd 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 Williamβs hand.
After a few more minutes of it just being them, the bartender returns and Ronald once again notices how heβs facing only William. βSo, howβre the drinks.β
βRefreshing.β William replies. βA gin and tonic was certainly the way to go, thank you.β
βOf course! I know how to take care of my friends.β He winks, Ronaldβs hand tightening around his tumbler. βSo, Iβve got to ask. Are you a lawyer or something? Youβre dressed pretty damn smart to be in a pub like this at this time of night.β
True. William, as expected, remains in his three-piece suit while everyone around them, Ronald included, is dressed down into something more casual. βA lawyer? Hm. I suppose in some sense, but no. We are Grim Reapers.β
Ronald slaps his forehead and shakes his head while the bartender flicks his eyes down and up over Williamβs suit. βA Grim Reaper? Likeβ¦a mortician?β
βYep.β Ronald cuts in a third time. βMorticians.β
The bartender nods, eyes alight with amusement, βfascinating! 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 couldnβt even handle horror movies!β He chuckles. βSo I opted for something more social and Iβd say, Iβm pretty good at it.β He takes Williamβs empty glass, βanother?β
William looks at his watch. βI suppose another wouldnβt hurt.β
βAnd put the drinks on my tab.β Ronald says, shoving his glass toward the bartender indicating for a refill as well. βMy treat for him.β He puts his hand back on Williamβs.
βCan do.β 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. βIs there a reason why youβre clutching my hand so tightly?β William asks, looking down at said hand.
Ronald instantly releases him, βmy bad.β
βIs something wrong?β
Ronald downs half his drink in one go. βNo. Iβm good.β He forces a smile. βSo, I was thinkinβ, why donβt you come back to mine after weβre done here?β
William clearly doesnβt believe Ronald but he doesnβt push. Instead, he considers Ronaldβs offer. βIβm not sure that would be the best idea. Iβll have to go in early tomorrow to catch up on the work Iβm skipping tonight.β
βYou donβt have to stay the night!β He insists, βeven if Iβd prefer that. Just, stay for a bit? Some evening tea? A snog on the couch?β
βEvening tea does sound niceβ¦β
Ronald smirks. βJust the tea?β
βOh Iβm sure youβll manage to convince me to indulge as well.β
True. Williamβs even admitted that Ronaldβs the only person he allows himself to really relax with. βHey, you have a great time!β
βI suppose thatβs also true.β He offers Ronald a small, brief smile that means more to Ronald then any kiss or declaration of partnership. Heβd spent so long trying to find Williamβs smile and knowing heβs 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 isnβt lost on Ronald. Nor is it lost on him that heβs been more occupied with them then anyone else at the bar. βso, feel like itβd be rude not to ask your name.β He scans William again, βif I had to guess, itβs something sophisticated.β
βMy name is William T. Spears.β William answers as he does each time heβs introduced himself.
The bartender whistles, βpretty formal about introductions huh?β He chuckles. βWhatβs the T stand for?β
βThat is private information.β
βOoo a secret hey? Thatβs okay, Iβm good at prying lips apart.β He winks; Ronald grinds his teeth while William remained infuriatingly passive. βCall me John.β
βA pleasure to meet you then, John.β William nods.
βI gotta say, I like your mannerisms. Really makes for some good conversation.β
βI speak the same way my father had.β
βThen you must have grown up pretty well off, hey?β
βIβm afraid the monetary value my human self had is not up for discussion.β
John blinks. βHumanβ¦self?β
βJust how he refers to the him when heβs not workinβ.β Ronald answers.
βAh I get it. You take your job pretty seriously then, eh?β
βI must, else a demon could easily snatch away the souls weβre meant to collect.β
Ronald takes a moment to breathe in deep before breathing out through his nose. βNot even gonna try explaining that one.β
John just laughs it off. βYouβre real interesting, you know that? Well William, Iβve never seen you here before. Are you new or have I just been blind?β
βRonald frequents this place more then I do. Iβve only been here once before and that was to retrieve him.β William gestures to Ronald.
βMakes sense then because I know I would have remembered a guy like you.β
βEveryone usually does.β Says Ronald.
βNot entirely.β William contradicts. βIβve been told Iβm rather boring all things considered.β
βBoring? Listen to what youβve been saying! Iβm sure under this stiff exterior of yours is a real genuine guy.β
William quirks an eyebrow. βYou believe so?β
βOf course! Look at you! All the mysterious, genuine men Iβve known all have your sort of stiffness.β He puts on hand on the counter top to lean on, gesturing with his other hand, βas I see it, youβve 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 youβre not the type to just run if things get hard.β
William cants his head, Ronald freezing for a moment as William seems too interested in the conversation. βI believe itβs hard to find genuine people nowadays. Everyone seems obsessed with themselves rather than what trying to make real connections.β
βIβve noticed that too! Me though? Iβm not that kinda guy. I like looking for the real people to make those real connections and youβre striking me as the same.β
` βHeβs got a real connection.β Ronald says, putting his hand on Williamβs arm. βMe.β
βWell, Iβm sure but I think maybe heβd want someone older. Someone whoβd really understand.β 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 Williamβs 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 Williamβs cheek and the man recoiled like he was struck. βHeβs rather friendly, isnβt he?β William comments, finishing off his drink.
βYeah. Friendly.β
William waves a dismissive hand. βYouβre overreacting.β
Ronald doesnβt get to protest much more when John returns again, this time with a drink thatβs familiar to Ronald while William looks cautiously at it when itβs slid over to him. βI know you said no hard drinks, but this is a classic.β
βWhat is it?β William asks, picking it up.
βA sex on the beach.β John says, crossing his arms on the countertop to lean on them. βItβs not overly strong and itβs sweet and fruity. I think youβd like it.β
βWe also didnβt order it.β Ronald says, throwing his arm around Williamβs shoulders. βSo, no thanks.β
βitβs on the house.β He replies, only briefly flicking his eyes toward Ronald.
βThat wonβt be necessary.β William objects. βIf anything, put this on my own tab.β
βNonsense.β John assures, reaching over to squeeze Williamβs hand.Β
William retracts his hand with a twitch of his eyebrow, Ronaldβs own arm growing tighter around Williamβs shoulders. βWell, I suppose a sip wonβt hurt then.β William examines the sunset coloured drink before daring to take a small sip. βItβsβ¦not awful.β He admits. βBut itβs not to my taste.β He adds, setting the drink aside.
βI guess like its name.β John chuckles. βNot awful but not to my tastes either.β
βMmhm. Iβm sure.β
βSorry, sorry.β He rubs the back of his neck, βbeen a long time since Iβve talked to someone as handsome as you.β
βIβm sure if you saw all the other options in dispatch, I would be at the bottom of the list.β William assures. βIβm rather plain.β
βNow thatβs just not true! Iβm sure of it.β
βHeβs really beinβ modest.β Says Ronald, grabbing the back of Williamβs bicep. βHeβs one of the more handsome guys we got.β
William glances at Ronald, βthatβs a blatant liββ
βTruth.β Ronald cuts him off with a forced smile. βBlatant truth.β He stands up and wraps his arms around Williamβs chest from behind, resting his chin on Williamβs shoulder. βHe just doesnβt have the ego like the rest of us.β He narrows his eyes at John. βBy the way, Iβm gonna make this clear. Iβm his partner. Not just his companion, but his partner.β He turns Williamβs 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. βOkay, okay. I get it. I didnβt mean to step on anyoneβs toes here.β
βThat would be my doing as well.β William says once heβs cleared his throat, a bright pink high on his cheeks, βfor I didnβt realise what exactly you were implying.β
βYeah, well, maybe one day Iβll get lucky like that partner of yours.β
βYeah. Maybe.β Ronald agrees just to be polite before paying for their drinks, satisfied as he and William take their leave for the evening. βSo, had fun?β Ronald grins.
βI suppose I did.β William admits, looking up to the evening sky. βThough Iβd be more content with some evening tea.β
βThen come back to mine and Iβll make it.β He takes Williamβs hand, holding it warmly as they begin the walk to Ronaldβs. βBuuut I gotta ask.β
βHm?β
Thereβs a pause before he asks, lifting Williamβs hand to run his finger over the older manβs knuckles, βyou called me your lifetime companion.β
βI did.β
Ronald looks up at him. βAnd you meant that?β
William stops them to cup Ronaldβs cheeks, holding Ronaldβs face gently. For the second time that night, Ronald sees Williamβs genuine smile as his eyes soften, his guard completely and fully down. Heβs the one thatβs kissed this time, a far sweeter and softer kiss then before; Ronald melts into it, his hands clamping over Williamβs, 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.












