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]

[ Ok, now she's getting a gloved hand pressed straight over her face as William shoves her back. ]

Stop.

[ William wipes at his cheek with the back of his other hand, as if it will undo her touch. ]

[untodeath]

[ The redhead fumbles, until she can get a hand on his wrist and pry herself away! She might HUFF, but inevitably settles back into another grin. His stubbornness is too absurdly adorable to be mad at for long! ]

Mn, it's getting rather late... I ought to sweep up that mess in your kitchen and head off. [ Standing, she flicks her hair over her shoulder. ] Though I hate to go, I'll look a wreck tomorrow if I don't get some proper rest.

[death_glare]

[ William hums thoughtfully, surprised by how quickly he was able to shoo her off. As Grell makes her way into the kitchen, William stays back, looking about his room as if unsure how he's going to accomplish the, seemingly, simple task of readying himself for bed. Being knowledgeable of where things are helps, of course, but he still feels rather foolish having to pat around in his dresser drawers, trying to identify his pajamas by touch alone. ]

[untodeath]

[ It doesn't Grell too long to do as she's promised. Of course, she doesn't do the most spectacular job of sweeping - but she's put in some effort, at least!

Dusting off her hands, she removes her gloves to tuck into her back pocket as she pokes her head back into the room. Considering that he hasn't locked her out, he must not have gotten himself around to dressing. ]

Getting to everything alright, my dear?

[death_glare]

Yes, yes.

[ Though he sounds pretty exasperated. He's found his pajama bottoms, at least, but the top seems to have evaded him. He's pulled nearly every garment from the drawer, setting them atop the dresser. It's there, though. Tucked between two other garments, it can be seen by the matching blue and white stripes. ]

[untodeath]

[ Allowing him a moment to prove himself leads to Grell humming with doubt. Seeing the bottoms, it's easy to pinpoint what he must be looking for. She approaches to reach over his shoulder, grabbing the striped shirt - and taking his hand, she presses it into his palm, for him to take.

Here you are.

[ Mouth working in place, she's almost nervous to leave him. With how stubborn he is, he might end up terribly turned around for hours, or hurting himself trying to find a snack. ]

Perhaps I should stay...

[death_glare]

[ There's a grumble at his failure to find the top before Grell has to assist him. He's not frustrated with her, for once, but it's easy enough for him to take on a stern voice when he speaks to her - years of experience have proven that. ]

You are not staying overnight.

[ Stubborn as ever. ]

[untodeath]

[ With a huff, Grell pointedly plants a hand on her hip. ]

Well, it isn't as though it would be easy for me, either. I don't have anything with me - my wash, skincare, makeup... [ Easing some, she pouts. ] But I'm concerned for you, damn it.

[death_glare]

[ William huffs right back. Apparently he doesn't like being only slightly more important than makeup! ]

If you are that concerned, you shouldn't be bothered with all of that beauty rubbish. It isn't as though you need it.

[untodeath]

[ Shoulders rising, she's prepared to sass him right back for calling it all rubbish - but, instead, she's left sputtering! Grell cups her hands over flushed cheeks, eyes sparkling. ]

Do-- you really mean that?

[death_glare]

[ William, too, expected her to argue right back. So when she's swooning, instead, he has to replay what he's said in his mind. The result is him getting slightly flustered in return. ]

...I meant because I can't even see you... [ He clears his throat. ] Besides, I don't believe I've ever seen you without your face dolled up. But, it honestly isn't something that I find important, either.

[ He frowns at his word choice again. Perhaps he did mean it that way and didn't realize it till it automatically came out of his mouth. ]

[untodeath]

... Oh.

[ Grell's shoulders sink, hands falling. With an angry pout, she looks away. Now, she's just confused. ]

I wasn't wearing makeup when we met-- but it isn't as though I'm wearing it just to see you, either!

[ Sure, she touches up when she knows she's going to run into him, but! If she made it sound as though that's why she'd started in the first place, that isn't right!!

Oh, now she's just embarrassed herself. ]

[death_glare]

Who else are you wearing it for?

[ Wow, that made him sound super jealous. Now he's just as embarrassed. ]

Never mind. Besides, if you really must do all your night time beauty treatments, there's nothing stopping you from popping back to your flat and collecting what you need.

[ Ok, now it sounds like he's actually inviting her to stay. ]

[untodeath]

[ Regarding William with widely blinking eyes, she isn't quite sure which of those points she should respond to first-- but, ultimately, if he wants her to stay, that's the most important of them. Surely. ]

Well, I... Fine, I can do that. [ Brushing a knuckle over one of her still-flushed cheeks, she sniffs. ] I trust you'll get on fine for half an hour or so?

[death_glare]

[ William opens his mouth to protest, but he's aware that he pretty much approved the sleep over without intending to. ]

Yes, fine.

[ Already all too aware of how helpless he's been, he relents with a heavy sigh. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell simply cant believe that William's stubborn streak had led to (apparently) urging her to stay, but she isn't about to bypass the opportunity! Reaching out, her fingers briefly wrap around his palm. ]

See you soon, darling.

[ When she returns, there's a tote sling over her shoulder. It's only enough to get her through the morning, but managing to bundle everything she might need took more focus than she had anticipated! One certainly falls into a routine over a century. ]

Will? [ Calling from the sitting area, she treads down the hall to check in on him. And find out where he will have her stay, which hopefully wont ne the couch! ]

[death_glare]

[ It most certainly is the couch. Or rather, the way-too-small-for-someone-to-sleep-on love seat. Having found success in putting on his pjs, William meets her in the hall. He's walking slowly, a pillow and blanket in hand, both of which he managed to find due to them being taken off his own bed. ]

Here.

[ He holds them out to her, and gestures back to the sitting room. ]

[untodeath]

[ Reflexively, Grell reaches out to take them - and immediately, she recognizes the navy bed set. As though to confirm, she leans over to peer past him, to his bed. ]

Won't you be a bit cold...? [ Then it clicks, he definitely is restricting her from the room! Cheeks puffing, she's frowning. ] And, surely, you can't expect me to fit on that thing out there!

[death_glare]

It is either that or the floor. I will allow you to make that decision for yourself.

[ Making sure Grell has the bedding in hand, he turns to feel his way back to the bedroom. How much help Grell will be by sleeping on the opposite side of the house is probably equal to her not even spending the night at all! ]

[untodeath]

How rude, to treat a guest - and a lady, no less - to the floor.

[ Hugging the supplied bedding to her chest, she sniffs indignantly. ]

In any case, being on the other side of your flat would defeat the entire purpose of being here.

[ Reaching out, she hooks her arm into William's elbow, guiding him back into the room. ]

[death_glare]

[ Ok, she's definitely right about that last part. ]

I could simply call out to you if I need something.

[ Though, he's already letting her walk him back into his bedroom. ]

[untodeath]

Oh? And when have you ever asked for help, mm?

[ Leading him to the bed, she urges him to sit. She then tosses the pillow back into place, following with laying the comforter back in place. ]

I've yet to get ready for bed, myself - you might be asleep by the time I've finished, anyway. [ Despite huffing, she's regarding him with a hand on her hip, while readjusting the strap of her bag upon her shoulder. ] Would you like me to put on a record, or something of the sort?

[death_glare]

[ His brow creases as he exhales sharply. He really can't deny that claim. ]

I may not have asked, but I am still accepting your help. I could have kicked you out long ago.

[ Begrudgingly, he shifts to slide his feet beneath the blankets. He almost feels like he's a small child again, being told to go to bed early because he's got a cold. ]

Choose something calming, if you must.

[untodeath]

Yes, yes. If only because I push you to it.

[ Seeing that he's settling down, she excuses herself to fiddle with the record player. Settling down her bag, she allows herself a moment to shift through the disks, ultimately picking something that she can enjoy as well; a classical composition, that while a tad melancholy, is sinuous and tranquil in quality.

It will hopefully be enough to entertain William's mind while he searches for slumber. ]

I'll be in the bathroom, then. If you should need anything, I trust you to give me a shout! Otherwise, I'll be forced to dress down here, alright~?

[death_glare]

Fine. Go do whatever it is you need to do in there.

[ He points towards the bathroom, shooing her off. Though apparently, he's content with her album selection. As she exits the room, he rolls to his side, shifting the pillows to fully support his head. The covers are practically pulled up to his nose and he settles into the bedding with a tired sigh. ]