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

[death_glare]

I suppose. Though, I can't imagine I'm much different than what you're used to seeing.

[ Rosalind has taken to gumming at the ruffles of her dress. William makes to tug them free, but decides it would be best not to risk her getting upset. ]

[untodeath]

[ A corner of her mouth twitches into a smile as she shrugs. ]

You've been surprisingly kind. Not to say that I didn't know you had it in you.

[death_glare]

[ He hums, as if he hadn't quite realized. ]

Perhaps that goes along with your unexpected calmness. Or the fact that I am no longer your boss.

[ So relieving! ]

[untodeath]

[ That prompts a chuckle. ]

You had taken it very seriously, for having no foreseeable future for yourself there.

[death_glare]

It was a rhythm I simply fell back into.

[ Which he doesn't sound all too pleased about. ]

Once I find a job, I am going to need you to help keep me from doing so again.

[untodeath]

[ Humming, Grell nods. She recalls briefly having this conversation with him before. It seems safe to assume such is why he feels estranged from his ex-wife. ]

I feel that I may confidently say that I've had the best success at getting a rise out of you. [ Wink! ] Now that I've your request to go all out, you haven't got a chance.

[death_glare]

Do not make me regret that decision.

[ Even though he's warning her, he's quite aware of just how much he needs her. He takes a breath, wondering if he should even say what's on his mind. ]

I know I complain about it regularly, but your persistence is mainly what's kept me interested.

[ He shakes his head, clearing his throat before returning his attention to his food. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell gulps down her coffee with some difficult, at that. ]

--Interested, mn?

[ Yes, she's pointedly keeping her voice at a hushed level, lest she get too overexcited and default to excited croons. ]

If I may, just what is it that keeps us from... [ There's a vague gesture between the two of them! ]

[death_glare]

[ Sighing, William takes up his own coffee. ]

Nothing anymore, I suppose.

[untodeath]

[ Brows raised, Grell blinks. This would typically be the part where she'd throw herself at him, except she's meant to be playing a proper woman without a voice to scream in delight with - and, well, she'd never actually expected this to happen, especially like this, so she's a bit dumbfounded! Sitting back, she's really looking at William, as she seemingly considers her options before reacting for perhaps the first time in a hundred years. ]

I see. Well. [ With an indignant little sniff, she picks up her fork once more. ] Since you've been rather firm with moving at your own pace, I'll expect you to initiate our relationship with some more thoughtful than that. Or you'll need to accept when I begin to take things into my own hands, as it were.

[death_glare]

[ As aware as he is that Grell needs to put on her best act in this set of roles they've placed themselves in, he's somehow off put by how calm that reaction was! It earns an irritated huff. ]

Fine. Then you best be willing to continue waiting for that moment to come.

[untodeath]

[ She huffs right back! ]

I don't understand what you've been waiting for, Will. You've already decided to run away together so that you may raise a child with me-- [ She really struggles to maintain her composure here, voice kept hushed but clearly edged with aggravation. ] All I need is some validation beyond some-- half-hearted afterthought.

[death_glare]

Keep your voice down.

[ William catches sight of the waiter who's about to come over and check on them. He makes eye contact with the man, gesturing that they are fine and he need not come and ask. Once he's certain they're in the clear, he gives Grell a stern look. ]

This is not the place for that. Besides, I said nothing about having to wait long.

[untodeath]

Fine.

[ Closing her eyes, Grell sighs with annoyance while attempting to gather herself. ]

You know I'd wait, regardless. [ She mutters, rolling a grape across her plate. ] I've just never felt so-- altogether confident and confused.

[death_glare]

[ That statement of devotion gets William to quietly place his coffee cup down. He reaches over, pulling the fork from her hand and setting it aside. Then with a firm grip, he takes her hand in his own. ]

This evening. I would simply rather us be alone. [ He looks to their baby girl. ] Or, as alone as it's possible for us to be, now.

[untodeath]

[ She's visibly quite confused as to why he's preventing her from eating - or playing with her food, rather - until he takes her hand. Her features briefly soften, a flush kissing her cheeks. ]

Will... [ With a fond squeeze, excitement touches her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips. ] I'd like nothing more.

[death_glare]

Good. No more complaining for the rest of the day.

[ Which will probably be the longest day of Grell's afterlife!

After finishing his pancakes and eating a decent amount of his share of omelette, William finally relents, blotting his mouth with his napkin. Even if his face isn't super expressive, it's obvious he's pleased with their meal. ]

Have you had enough?

[untodeath]

[ Now, that's a highly unlikely feat, but that doesn't stop Grell from nodding as those in a daze, lashes batting. ]

--Hm? Oh. Oh, yes, that was more than, really...

[ With a wiggle of the shoulders, she'll just have to shake it off and get herself recentered! She has lipstick to reapply, and a baby to gather! Once she's up and has Rosalind in her arms, she's using her own napkin to clean around the baby's face a bit better. It's a nod to William once they're all set, then! ]

[death_glare]

[ William joins Grell in standing, pushing in their chairs before leading them out of the dining hall. ]

We can head topside. I have never seen the Atlantic from off shore.

[ Regardless of Grell's answer, he's already looking for the stairwell that leads up to the deck of the ship. ]

[untodeath]

Neither has this one.

[ Grell murmurs discreetly as she may, while settling Rosalind on her hip so that she can take William's arm. ]

It's a shame that she won't remember it. [ Fondly, she presses a kiss to the baby's temple. Unfortunately, she isn't able to speak so freely as they make their way to the deck, as they've many other passengers and staff to cross paths with -- but once they've arrived and are met with the cool sea breeze, she can't help but pause to close her eyes, taking in just how refreshing it is. ]

[death_glare]

[ As they reach the deck, William looks out over the calm water. ]

Ah, I suppose that wasn't entirely true. I have seen it once.

[ A slight bitterness to that statement. He had shown up to rescue her and Knox on their mission that one time. But he was hardly paying attention to the sights, then. Now, not only is it daylight out, but he has no assignments weighing him down. ]

We will have to show her again, when we get the chance.

[untodeath]

[ Grell shoots him a sidelong glance, amusement clear in her features. No matter how aggravated he is by the memory, she'd been thrilled to see him, at the time. ]

Yes, I want our child to see everything beautiful in this world. We can't allow her to live in one miserable city all her life-- [ She smiles brilliantly, as she walks Rosalind over to see the water. The little girl just squints against the air blowing in her face, confused about the sight before her. ] Although, from what I've heard, I think New York is a city of promise. Even so!

[death_glare]

I believe it is a good starting point. Expensive, but promising, yes.

[ William stays back, letting Grell take Rosalind closer to the ship's edge. It's such an odd sight, yet somehow he feels at peace - more relaxed and with a clearer mind than he can remember having in such a long time. He spots a grouping of unoccupied chairs, set up for passengers to relax in, and takes a seat, still watching the two. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell sends him off with a fond smile, taking note of where he's gone off to. She won't be too long, as she doesn't want Rosalind to become cold - but she makes sure that she has a chance to see the water lapping at the sides of the boat, and the birds gliding over the ocean's surface. It's the latter that the baby really enjoys, reaching out in wonder.

To avert Rosalind's attention, so that she isn't too upset at being taken away from her new friends, Grell scoops her up at arm's length, before swinging her back in against her hip with a twirls dancing her back toward her father sits, waiting. She swings the little girl out to plop onto William's lap, then. Rosalind giggles with glee, flopping back against the man's chest, little hands flapping against her lap. ]

[death_glare]

[ If Grell takes care to notice, there's the slightest fond look on William's face, the corners of his mouth threatening to lift upwards. ]

Seems she's amused by birds, as well.

[ William loosely holds her in place and her tiny hands quickly find his fingers, bringing one of them to her mouth. Her nibbling brings his frown back, rather quickly. ]

I believe she has a tooth coming through.