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]

[ Relieved that the kettle interjected, William steps away from the stove to let Grell continue. Plus he'd rather there not be the potential of scalding water being dumped on him. He clears his throat, making to move the conversation back to tea making. ]

Since you have measured the tea leaves correctly, you should be good from here on.

[untodeath]

--Really?

[ A wise move, really. The move additionally leaves Grell with less room for distraction!

With the kettle in one hand, she takes up the teapot on her way to the sink - and hesitates a moment, before pouring. ]

I am meant to rinse the leaves, aren't I?

[death_glare]

Of course you are.

[ The good teacher that he is, William's tone sounds as though it should be obvious. ]

And discard that portion immediately. I don't want you accidentally serving that, instead.

[untodeath]

Oh, please, William.

[ Such is why Grell just pours it directly into the sink. Well, in truth, it's laziness. She doesn't see the need for an additional step, when this seems so much easier.

Once that's done, she sets the teapot back on the counter to fill properly this time. ]

How long would you let it set?

[death_glare]

You should work quickly. It only needs a few seconds.

[ Crossing over to Grell's opposite side, William pats around the counter until his hand finds the sugar bowl. Somehow, he manages to drop two cubes into his mug without missing. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell gasps, realizing the main benefactor to why her tea has been going so terribly wrong this entire time.....

Hastily, she fills William's cup first, while he fetches the sugar. He's obviously got finer taste when it comes to proper tea, so she figures it better to serve his promptly!! ]

I'd thought that wretched book meant to allow the leaves to settle for a few seconds after rising... Goodness....

[death_glare]

You've been reading books on this?

[ He sounds genuinely interested that Grell was seeking to learn something regarding cooking. Though he still feels horrible for whomever was stuck being her neighbor. He has zero doubt that any practice would end in smoke filling the room. ]

[untodeath]

Well. A book. I'd been fairly pressed to learn...

[ She could lie about it, given his genuine interest, but that simply isn't her style.

In any case, she's looking at two cups of (theoretically) perfect tea that she's made herself! She takes a moment to clasp her hands with excitement, before going about adding her own sugar. ] ]

[death_glare]

What was so important for you to rush into learning?

[ He can't imagine. It isn't as though they have parties to host or family affairs to tend to, in this second life. He brings the new cup of tea to his mouth. It already has a more appealing scent to it and he takes care sipping as it's still very hot. The pleased hum that comes afterward should let Grell know just how well she's done. ]

[untodeath]

[ A sigh. Well, awkward though it may seem for her, William is unlikely to care. Might as well.

Though she might be stirring her tea a little too loudly, while muttering her answer. ]

I'd needed to pose as a butler.

[death_glare]

Ah. That incident.

[ There's slight irritation in his voice, presumably from recalling what he had to do to keep Grell from being expelled entirely. He's never brought up how much trouble he'd been in with upper management, or what he went through to keep her in Collections. ]

[untodeath]

[ Humming something of an affirmative, Grell peeks over the rim of her cup at him to gauge just how irritated he might be. That tone isn't unusual for him, but...

Taking a sip, she has to pull her mug back to take a second look at it. A hand to her lips, she swallows. ]

--I really did it...

[death_glare]

[ Mid second sip, William sets his own mug down. ]

Yes. It came out surprisingly good, this time. Thankfully.

[ What's also surprising is how long they've gone without Grell loudly proclaiming her love for him and throwing herself into his arms, or him, in turn, inflicting some form of physical pain upon her. It's a welcome change. Content, he returns the mug to his mouth. ]

[untodeath]

Thanks to you~♥

[ William may have been too hopeful too soon, because Grell is most certainly scooting around the counter to lean into him, chin on his shoulder.

At the very least, she isn't throwing herself at him while her has the hot beverage in hand! ]

[death_glare]

[ And there it is. Still, it's much tamer than usual, so William holds back from shoving her completely out of her chair. Instead, he simply shifts his shoulder so her head is no longer perched upon it. ]

You're welcome, I suppose.

[untodeath]

[ While she huffs a bit at that, she sees an opportunity - and lays a quick peck on his cheek, before rapidly scooting back over to her side! ]

[death_glare]

[ The impaired vision certainly helps her in this situation. Seems he really can't anticipate Grell's actions as well when he can't see her. So, he exhales sharply, ready to push her away, but she's already escaped to the other side. Frustrated, he instead gives her a sharp kick under the table! ]

Will you stop that.

[untodeath]

[ That, in turn, causes Grell to draw up her knee and smack it on the underside of the tabletop! Her yelp cuts into a groan, as she doubles over the table to hold her afflicted knee - and shin! ]

Ah-haaa, so cruel♥...

[ While there, she sees that her tea has splashed over the rim of her cup and onto the table, so she'll just lean over a bit further to take a sip, just in case it should happen again. ]

[death_glare]

[ There's a minute or so of silence between them as William attempts to ignore Grell's crooning and enjoy his tea, instead. Though eventually, it gets the better of him. ]

What exactly do you like so much about me hurting you?

[untodeath]

--Hm?

[ With a confused frown, Grell blinks. He'd never asked before, so she actually has to think on it a moment. ]

I suppose it's the fact that you so readily do so, when others are afraid of the repercussions. [ With a grin, the enthusiasm builds in her tone. ] You're so confident when you do, gaze becoming like swords of ice... It's dreadfully handsome.

[death_glare]

[ William just blinks at her as she "explains". As usual, Grell makes absolutely no sense to him. ]

For my own sake, I would be better off treating you kindly, then.

[ Though he's been fairly calm with her this evening, and she's still as clingy as ever. ]

[untodeath]

[ Even the insinuation makes Grells frown apparent in her tone - although, there is still a hint of playfulness there. ]

Do you believe yourself capable of such a thing?

[death_glare]

[ William huffs and attempts to defend himself. ]

I can be kind. Perhaps not with you, when you are constantly trying my patience.

[ Though, even in his claim, he's automatically talking down to her. ]

[untodeath]

[ Back to grinning, Grell has relaxed some, propping her chin atop one of her palms. ]

I wouldn't blame yourself too much, Will. I tend to have an irresistible way about me.

[death_glare]

Stop speaking as if I get the same sense of enjoyment out of our interactions. I would much prefer if you behaved yourself, all on your own, and I wasn't forced to make you.

Honestly. You are so frustrating that it's a wonder you haven't driven me from my position in Dispatch by now.

[ Yet, here he is. Putting up with Grell, despite all his complaining. ]