Work Text:
William eventually watches the rest of the party leave—the cat leaves his lap with the rest of them. Out of the office door, Henry steps, notices him, and waves.
William offers a half-hearted wave back, taking a glance at the photo as he reaches up for the stairwell to uneasily prop himself back upright. His steps are equally as unsteady as he makes his way down the rest of the stairs back toward the office door.
Henry meets him with a gentle hand on his shoulder. William avoids his gaze, but he knows that Henry’s eyes hold a mix of concern and judgment.
“Are you agreeing to this?” He asks.
The answer appears in William’s mind too quickly, but he favors it for one that would hopefully ease his partner’s worry—“Maybe. I’ve given it some thought…” He pulls a face—from the way Henry squeezes his shoulder, he’s sure he knows he’s lying, but won’t voice it.
He offers Henry a smile, and the other man lets go of his shoulder. “It’s not that serious,” he says.
Henry’s gaze as William meets it for once says You act like it is—“If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.” William bites his tongue.
Henry lets go of his shoulder. Before heading in the same direction of the other group, he acknowledges with little more than an uncertain, “Alright.”
“So you’ll do it.” Francis leans over the desk, arms folded.
“I will.” William sighs heavily. As the elf reaches for some papers and a pen, he interrupts him. “On one condition.”
Francis raises an eyebrow and sits back, arms crossed. He doesn’t look too terribly impressed, but William cannot be sure—it’s too hard to tell. “On a condition.” He waves a hand slightly. “Alright, flatter me.”
“I’ll work for you, I’ll do whatever your little whims desire of me, or whatnot. But you have to help me get him back.”
“Bring back your—” Francis stops—William feels a pressing presence inside his mind. “A resurrection.” His face relaxes. “I’m for certain you’re going to need help. I can’t do this myself, but—”
“That’s fine.” William deliberately speaks these bluntly. “Just help me. Then my answer to your question will be a yes.”