private PSL

[death_glare]

[ If Grell had expected William to be oblivious to her activities, she was sorely mistaken. He'd come from his office multiple times that day, looking to have a word with her about proper office behaviour, timely submission of forms, and the coffee carafe from the break room, that she'd happily emptied but failed to refill. Each time, he'd been met with an empty desk, even though he'd seen her minutes before. And when questioned, Knox just brushed him off like it was no big deal - he'd finished his own work for the day and wasn't staying overtime, big plans for the evening and all that.

So, the next time William caught a glance of bright red slinking past the frosted windows of his office, he made an executive decision - quickly teleporting himself in the doorway of the office, appearing just before she attempted to leave... ]

And where are you sneaking off to this time?

Comments

[untodeath]

[ Meanwhile, Grell's also closing her eyes while enjoying her first drink of coffee. She sighs with joy. ]

Mm-hm.

[ Wait what. ]

Ah, packing? Right. Did you already manage yours?

[death_glare]

Mostly, yes. But I feel it's safe to assume you will have far more to bring along than I do.

[ Managing to hold the bottle upright with his left hand, he reaches out to break a piece off one of the scones he'd brought along. ]

Were you planning to wait longer before we leave? Because the longer we have her here, the more likely she is to get discovered.

[untodeath]

Mn, no. I'm just not nearly as talented with multitasking while I have the little dear, is all.

[ A faint sigh. ]

She was in no mood to go out and fetch a paper this morning, either. I'm afraid we don't have an estimate on the ticket fares yet.

[death_glare]

[ Though totally understanding on how kids can get in the way of seemingly simple tasks, it doesn't mean he isn't going to frown at her for failing to get something done. It's pretty much instant, by now. ]

You'll have plenty of time to now that I'm here.

[untodeath]

Yes♥.

[ Batting her eyes at him over the lip of her cup, she tired wiggles her shoulders with happiness. ]

After our lunch.

[death_glare]

[ He nudges the bag with the remaining treats towards her. ]

Then eat. We need the tickets or else we'll be forced to sneak aboard.

[untodeath]

[ Oh, she's all to eager to dig in, now that her mind has been satiated with coffee. With the working of her brow, she's clearly thinking all the while, though - and she speaks, albeit around a bite of pastry. ]

No, I wouldn't want to chance it, not with Rosalind.

[ A bit of a pout comes with that. ]

Would've been a bit sexy, though.

[death_glare]

Sexy?

[ The comment gets him to look up from where he was watching Rosalind suckle at the bottle. Apparently he doesn't see how such a thing could be sexy. ]

[untodeath]

Yes! Sexy!

[ Settling into one of the kitchen chairs beside him, she stretches out her back briefly, arms behind her head. ]

You know, two fugitives on the run! Becoming stowaways, making fun of sneaking around the ship. Makeshift love nests in the cargo~...

[ She could go on further. ]

[death_glare]

[ He still doesn't get it, but he does know that the last bit deserves a deep furrow of his brows. ]

We're getting tickets, then.

[untodeath]

[ Grell pointedly pouts at him, before easing back into her chair and popping more of that pastry into her mouth. ]

Couldn't very well do that with a baby, in any case. We'll need to assure that she's safe and warm.

[death_glare]

Of course. She is our first priority over anything else.

[ And he's gonna make sure of it, this time. Step one being to quit working so much. Check! ]

[untodeath]

Although...

[ Pausing to take a sip, the redhead peers at him over the rims of her glasses. ]

Will, while you know that there's no one else I'd rather do this with, I have to ask-- why? Why with me?

[death_glare]

Because I've obviously lost my mind.

[ Rosalind has finished her bottle and is shifting around in William's arms, begging to be burped. He motions to Grell to hand him the dish cloth so he can hold her over his shoulder and not muss up his nice shirt. ]

Though, ironically, you are also what keeps me sane, most of the time. I don't believe I'd fair well without you.

[untodeath]

[ Grell moves to hand him the cloth, but for just a moment, she falters. Her features soften, her cheeks flush. ]

Will... [ She hides an almost bashful smile behind her coffee cup, sipping down some of that excitement. Doesn't stop her from gripping at the fabric over her knees something fierce, though! ]

So-- what will you ask her to call you, then?

[death_glare]

[ Attempting to hide it or not, William's sure that she enjoyed hearing that. That question, though, he seems unsure of how to answer it. ]

Let us see what she comes up with on her own.

[untodeath]

[ Grell blinks, mouth quirking into a frown. He couldn't expect to get out of it that easily. ]

That wouldn't do at all. She'd only repeat what she hears me call you, then.

[ With a sigh, she plops one of her cheeks into an open palm. ]

It's going to be something that we need to discuss eventually, you know, because two good friends don't just decide to raise a child together.

[death_glare]

I certainly don't want her calling me 'darling'.

[ He's just nervous about the whole dad thing - whether or not he deserves it. Letting out a sigh, he sits Rosalind on his lap. She takes it as an invite to explore that half eaten scone by grabbing it and smacking it on the table. William snatches it from her before it makes it to her mouth, tho! ]

I assume you want her to call you Mum?

[untodeath]

[ Grell falls to silence for a moment, watching her. ]

I'm... not certain, actually. I wouldn't want her to be bullied for it.

[death_glare]

I will just have to teach her how to stand up to bullies.

[ He gives a Grell a look, obviously referring to they're first meeting, a century ago. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell is surprised to hear even those veiled words of comfort - but her shock gives way to adoration within seconds. ]

You're right, I'm being silly.

[ With a chuckle, she finishes off the rest of her coffee, cup set aside. ]

They wouldn't stand a chance.

[death_glare]

Do not go reaping other children because they tease her.

[ Best to give the order now. ]

School is a long way out, though. There is plenty to worry about before then.

[untodeath]

[ Swinging herself up to stand, she approaches the two of them, leaning down to cup Rosalind's cheeks in her hands. ]

Oh, I know. I'm sure schooling will be among the least of it.

[ Pressing a kiss to the girl's forehead, she follows up by slyly pecking William's cheek! ]

Alright, mummy's going out for a smidge to grab the paper!

[death_glare]

[ He should have seen that peck coming, but Rosalind's cheeks being squished had captured his attention. William gives Grell a warning look but quickly returns his attention to the child, who's squirming in his lap to watch as her new mummy exits.

When Grell returns, Rosalind will be quietly napping in her crib, while William sits in the living room, making notes on a lined pad in, what will no longer be, his work binder. ]

[untodeath]

[ Just about to declare that she's returned, Grell very fortunately has the sense to check if the child's down before doing so! With a wince, she reels herself back in, tiptoeing over as she removes her jacket. Draping it over the reading chair, she settles in beside William, paper laid out on the coffee table. ]

What have you busied yourself with, mn?