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]

That much I can make out, yes.

[ He doesn't state that he agrees with her, but the way his expression softens as he looks out across the water should tell her all she needs to know. It's a gaze that lasts quite a bit longer than she likely would have expected. It isn't until he hears her munching on her chips that he focuses on his own meal.

Just as Grell'd promised, the fish is wonderfully seasoned. And the chips, fried beautifully. He'll need to keep this place in mind, the next time he opts for an easy meal on the go. ]

[untodeath]

[ Since William won't notice, she rather shamelessly watches him. Seeing him content is such a rare thing. Not only that, his sleek almond eyes glitter with the colors of the sunset sky, twilight hanging over him - and, God, he's gorgeous. She's never opposed to the glasses, but without them, the angles of his face are unobstructed, and there's nothing about it that she does not appreciate.

But, she'd better make things a little less suspicious here. As it is, the food risks getting cold. ]

How do you like it?

[death_glare]

[ William takes his time chewing the rather large bite he'd taken.
There's even a bit of tarter sauce clinging to his lower lip, where he'd attempted his first bite and missed, just a bit. Who knew it was hard to locate your mouth when your vision was impaired? ]

Yes, it's very good. You should have recommended this before.

[untodeath]

[ Pressing a knuckle to her lips, Grell has to resist a laugh. ]

Well, we very rarely spoke on personal preferences, let alone hot food spots...

[ Okay, she can't let it be. ]

You have a little-- [ Gesturing won't do any good, so she reaches out. ] Ah, here, let me help... [ As long as he doesn't smack her away first, she'll carefully dash the pad of her thumb along his lip to remove the stray sauce. ]

[death_glare]

You could have brought it up, regardle--

[ William just blinks, mug of ale stopping mid lift. Not knowing the sauce was there, to begin with, he's unsure of why Grell just did that. Sure enough, his frown has returned. ]

What are you doing?

[ He doesn't smack her away, but he does give her a decent enough elbow to her side. ]

[untodeath]

You had a bit of sauce on your lip, silly.

[ Though her chuckle stops a bit short, when she's left with what to do with it. Might as well lick it off, right?

Absolutely. ]

[death_glare]

Then tell me, next time.

[ Oh, he has no doubt that that's exactly what she did. He can even hear the soft smack as she pulls her finger from her lips. To keep the thought out of his mind, he returns to his ale. Thank goodness for this, tonight. ]

[untodeath]

Next time!

[ Nothing to do about it now, other than enjoy the food. Grell's giving yet another content size, as she reaches to take a drink of her own ale while gazing at the scenery. William's unfortunately luck aside, it's been a wonderful evening. ]

Do you get to do this often, spending time with coworkers? I must admit, I only ever see you with work in your hands.

[death_glare]

I used to meet Humphries for drinks, every so often. Nothing much since. Even my time off the clock has become rather monotonous.

[ Reclaiming that calm demeanor, William's own gaze happens to mimic Grell's. ]

I will admit, this is a well needed change of pace. Despite not being able to see.

[untodeath]

--Ah.

[ Alan... She could be jealous, but, well. Not much left, there.

Smiling, she glances to William. ]

You know, it doesn't have to end here. [ Leaning over to close the distance between him, she lightly nudges his shoulder with her own. ] I know a few other holes in the wall, and London's always got something exciting playing. Plenty of things to spice things up.

[death_glare]

Even if I agreed, the chances of us having the same day off are minimal.

[ Granted, he hands out the assignments for Collections, but with so few agents remaining in the department, it's hard enough managing the work when all three are on the clock. ]

Though I just realized, I am going to need to take off until my glasses are fixed.

[untodeath]

[ Shoulders slumping with a sigh, Grell realizes he's right.

At least his latter thought brings some optimism back. ]

Small blessings, mn? You'll be sleeping in tomorrow! When's the last you've had the chance to say that?

[death_glare]

That does sound nice.

[ He'll try and focus on that vs. all the work that will be waiting for him. Maybe he'll even take a long bath and stay in PJs all day! ]

[untodeath]

Of course, we haven't had the chance to even look for your old frames... Not that they'd need to know, if we do find them.

[ Perhaps he'll even recognize that sly little grin in her tone. ]

[death_glare]

That would be highly unprofessional of me.

[ Though the idea is certainly tempting, as there's no reason to bring it up. Why would they believe he even has his old pair, anyway. He sips his ale, which is fairly good as well, before giving Grell a side eye. Of course he knows that tone of hers. ]

You seem rather keen on my having this day off, despite being scheduled, yourself.

[untodeath]

[ Grell breathes a chuckle, shoulders shrugging as she bites into a chip. ]

I know, but I'd like it for you. If it's too much to process that I worry for you, perhaps consider that a happier boss makes for happy employees.

[death_glare]

I am not sure one day off will keep me happy for long. Perhaps if my glasses took a weeks vacation worth of time to complete, I may come back in better spirits.

[untodeath]

It will only be a day, you think?

[ Though, perhaps it would be best not to explore that thought too much. Suggesting that he may need to cope without his glasses for an extended period of time is likely to stress him, more than anything.

With a hum, she pauses to take another sip of ale. ]

Regardless, I'd take advantage while I could.

[death_glare]

[ He's torn between wanting the time off and the consequences that with bring. There's a sharp exhale through his nose at Grell's usual use of innuendos. ]

Just as you've been doing since you found me in the optometrist's office, I take it?

[untodeath]

Oh! Well!

[ Help a man, and you're taking advantage! At least it brings Grell some laughter. ]

Yes, and I'll further that to check on you after work tomorrow, as well! I simply cant ne stopped.

[death_glare]

I expected as much, already.

[ Finishing off the last of his chips, he refocuses on the second piece of fish. He doesn't sound nearly as irritated at Grell taking care of him as he does on a normal basis. Perhaps he really is enjoying himself. ]

[untodeath]

So long as we're clear.

[ Grell is especially surprised by that, and she's just giddy over it! With one more breath of amusement, she also manages to finish off the last of her food. Idly, she folds up the used newspaper as she chews. At last, she swallows it down with another drink of ale. ]

I would insist on staying with you tomorrow, but I'm quite certain the heavens would begin busting at the seams if there were two of us on sick leave.

[death_glare]

How uncharacteristically professional of you.

[ William offers his own paper to Grell, as he wouldn't be able to locate the trash bin, on his own. ]

We would most likely return to find Knox panicking at his desk.

[untodeath]

[ Since William won't be able to see it, Grell blows a raspberry while briefly sticking her tongue in his direction. But she takes his paper, in any case, as she stands to toss them. ]

Could be a well deserved lesson, after being so neglectful this afternoon. Alas.

[ She calls over her shoulder, during the short walk. Once returned, she waits for him with hands resting on her hips. ]

Ready to go, darling?

[death_glare]

[ Ah yes, that boy really does need a reminder on the importance of reaper glasses. That, and properly wielding a scythe. William huffs, resisting the urge to move his hand towards his face. ]

Perhaps you should take off.

[ Nodding, William stands from the bench, and in an unexpected turn of events, holds his hand out for Grell to take. Granted, he's assuming she'll zip them both straight back to his flat. ]