#disciplinary action? hmm i wonder what's his plan

[imblocking-you]

Payback post pt. 2

[octopus-punching-union]

Thoughts on second read of Obscuary chapter. (Roughly chronological this time)

Darkwick has a general medical center — so Mortkranken isn't the only medical care on campus, regardless of what Yuri might say

The Gala happens in August, which means the end of the school year is in August, which means there is basically no break between the school years. (Do they have breaks at Darkwick? If they do, are the ghouls allowed to leave? Probably not.)

Moby is barely even trying to hide that Darkwick sees Lyca primarily as a research subject (and MC as his "warden")

Darkwick doesn't trust Subaru anymore? MC asks if Subaru wouldn't be a better mentor, and Moby's like nope but doesn't explain

Kinda sus that the flashback repeats Haku's "have I ever lied to you" line

What is the "most severe form of disciplinary action"? In Hotarubi chapter, Lyca and Subaru imply that Darkwick planned to kill Lyca if he was, in fact, guilty of murder. Are they going around secretly executing people?

Haku's like "I'm well aware." Does he know someone who was punished this way? (I've been thinking for a while that he's the spy, but that his motivation is trying to protect someone, possibly Rui. I feel like this is another point in that direction.)

Aww, Lyca makes MC sit down when she gets upset remembering the anomaly that cursed her. What a sweetheart.

If the moon is always a crescent in Obscuary, does that mean Lyca doesn't have to worry about transforming if he stays there during the full moon?

...did Rui seriously get cursed by hitting on a Reaper?

Hmm is it just me, or does Subaru not look super thrilled when Lyca says that he's already made a new friend?

Lyca and Rui's reactions to MC saying that she wants to use the Gala to get help breaking her curse — Lyca looks upset (didn't know she was cursed), Rui smiles (proud of his curse twin being proactive)

Rui making Lyca actually work at the bar but telling MC to just relax

Why is Nicolas being so shady about other people (particularly MC) being at the bar?

Benkei only started working at the campus store recently and immediately arranged to start selling anomalous medicine. Maybe he was a former student?

Aww, Lyca takes afternoon naps.

Rui says that going to the basement to make liquor is "always a workout"... and that there are freaky looking plants writhing around down there..... and he wouldn't recommend it unless you're into that kind of thing......... are you keeping a tentacle monster in the basement, Rui???

Towa says that the tree is sick because she's not getting enough love. Possibly she is reacting to the overall tension on campus? Or maybe more people used to be able to see her, but something has happened and they can't? Maybe it's a response to the general students leaving Jabberwock? (Is her hill in Jabberwock or in its own area?)

On first read, I thought maybe Rui was previously in Ultio, since he knew about the prison. Now I think he was held in that prison at some point.

Towa says that Edward doesn't understand love... but he doesn't give a crap about the dog, he's only looking for it for Haru. (Towa loves Haru confirmed?)

Taiga remembers Ed, even though it's been a while since they've seen each other. Is his bad memory a recent thing, where he only has trouble remembering people he's recently met?

What does this mean? Taiga can (literally or figuratively?) see some kind of danger Ritsu is unaware of?

Lyca's twitchy ears. So cute...

Darkwick supposedly doesn't know much about MC's curse, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if they're letting it run its course just to study it. If MC wasn't useful as an inspector, she would probably be in a lab or a cell somewhere.

Back on the mission, after discovering that the Barometz is "friendly" — I wonder how much of the previous animosity between ghouls and inspectors was due to stuff like this. Trying to let a peaceful anomaly be.

In parts of the comic scene, Lyca looks like he's running on all fours. Cuuuuute

Earlier, Rui said that Ed was basically on house arrest. Towards the end of the chapter, Moby calls it a "self-imposed confinement". I don't really trust anything Moby says at this point...

Ed clearly knows more about anomalies than Darkwick does... so they're not asking him, or he's not complying, or they're not listening to him. Why is he at Darkwick anyway? I can't see what he's getting out of this. Is he being detained?

Rui's conversation at the end — honestly, I can see it. His comments about not liking hard work or not reaching out to help people — throughout the whole chapter, he only seems to enjoy helping MC. He's kinda irritated with Lyca and Ed for almost the entire chapter. All of the housework and stuff he does is because no one else will do it, and he literally can't sleep so he's probably bored out of his mind. He chose to start the bar, so he probably enjoys that... but maybe he started do it partly to have more people to talk to. I think the isolation is getting to him and he's starting to feel less "human", in a sense, and detached from society. I think he's starting to warm up to Lyca near the end, at least?

[bugsyfics]

Hello, dear! I wanted to compliment you on how organized your blog is with the navigation pinned so I don't have to go searching through the tags and I- well, it just makes my inner perfectionist super happy.

I was hoping I could give you a promt for everyone's favourite butler Sebastard (heh)? I've noticed that you've already written about a reader who was very desperate for the demon but what if it were the other way around?

Hmm. Ok. So. Here me out.

I see a lot of fanfics were Sebas gets the better of the protagonist character. I guess because they are supposed to be self inserts and relatable but screw that. What if we take that trope and flip it on to its head? Hmm? I wanna see someone take Sebastian's shit and throw it right back at him.

So the female (human) protagonist has a wit of iron, a tounge of steel, and a cunning that rivals even Ciel. She is flirtatious, sarcastic, salacious, and for whatever reason, completely immune to Sebastard's demonic charms. But is totally willing to taunt him about it. The scenario would be based around his perspective, his reaction and exploring the dynamic that kind of relationship would cause. Will they? Won't they? Tension so thick even Sebastian could not cut it with one of his butter knives.

The circumstances in which the protagonist enters Sebastian's life is entirely up to you. You can choose how sfw or nsfw, whichever will be the most fun for you. I am just here for a good game of cat and mouse.

And because Sebs needs to suffer.

Thank you, dear. And please be safe out there!

Hi, I really love this request! It’s such a good idea and like —yeah 💕. Hopefully this fits what you asked for and if not I’m totally willing to rewrite it lol. But anyway here’s your story for Seb! <33

Sebastian Michaelis x Reader

————•————•————•————•————•————•————•————

It was only meant to be a few days that she would be staying at the Phantomhive Manor. I asked the young master what was the point of this feckless arrangement, but of course I never received a definitive answer. According to the young master, Y/N was in urgent need of a temporary stay while she traveled throughout Europe. She’s meant to be in Bordeaux, France, if I’m not mistaken. While I am not one to outwardly question my young master’s decisions, I can not help feel like this woman isn’t here for the right reasons. Oh, how merely a snow storm can wreak so much havoc within a week. It’s been the fifth day of this lingering unsettlement I have felt; her invulnerable manner is excruciating to withstand. Whomever is in my presence is aware that I am the leading man, and those around me shall remain docile. Y/N refuses to take that hint and while at first I thought she was dense, I realized that in fact she is just stubborn as a mule.

“Good morning!” I hear Y/N’s voice behind me. I turn to face her reluctantly, unsure how this interaction will go. She stands with her arms crossed, pushing up her bosom in a way so naughty I almost forget my resentment. A foxy smile —no, cunning— creeps onto her daring lips, as she teases her tongue between her teeth. I feign from reacting, for it’s only been a minute. “Oh Lady Y/N, what a wonderful surprise,” I try to remain pleasant, with a smile.

Y/N approaches me, brushing past my arm, “I was speaking to Lord Phantomhive, sir.” She stops beside me and tilts her head quizzically, “What an untrue statement you made… I thought you never tell lies. Isn’t that right?” She whispers bitingly, then diverts her attention to the Young Master. Her face visibly softens and she carries on with her morning greetings.

The way she struts around is immaculate. She doesn’t carry herself with her head as if she’s needy or desperate, or with her feet as if she’s cowardly, she leads with her chest. It’s a sign of authority and comfortability. But why would she be comfortable in my presence? The presence of a demon?

“Y/N, the weather is still nasty. I see that you won’t able to leave for the next few days. Hopefully, that is okay with you,” says Young Master.

“It’s fine, my lord. I enjoy staying here, anyway. Thank you for showing me your hospitality —even on such short notice.”

They continue talking as I run about, making sure the other servants are not destroying the mansion with their half witted decisions.

“Sebastian, take Lady Y/N down to the laundry. She said her undergarments must have been mixed up with Mey-rin’s,” says Young Master, stopping me outside his study.

“Yes, my lord.”

The walk to the laundry room is silent, but Y/N’s presence is as loud as ever. I open the door and lead her into the room, pointing to the clothesline. I watch as she gets up on her toes to pull some undergarments down and I assume she needs help.

“Lady Y/N, do you need my assistance?”

“Did I ask for your assistance?” she quips.

“Well no, my lady. I am only offering my services,” I speak through gritted teeth.

“Hm, services… What kind do you offer? Are you some type of butler escort?” Y/N questions sarcastically.

Her attitude just won’t do. I think she needs to be reminded of her place. I pluck the undergarments from her hands and place them behind my back, towering over her. I sigh and glance down at Y/N, “Maybe someone should teach you how to act more ladylike ...I provide those services as well.”

She tilts her head slightly seemingly more interested in my words. It’s time to draw her further in.

“I am certainly not an escort, but I can be a mentor of sorts. Ordering you in the right direction and providing some disciplinary action to get you back on track. During the rest of your stay here I plan on instilling knowledge deep within you.”

Y/N smirks and bats her long lashes up at me. I would ravish her in a heartbeat, if I didn’t hold myself back. Her hands roam up my arms and to my shoulders as she leans in close, her sweet scent tickling at my nose.

“You are quite handsome... but you haven't proven to me that you are worth my time,” she shrugs and pulls away from me. “I do have to commend you on your tempting offer, however.”

This is unbelievable! Not once, have I ever encountered a human who has rejected my advances. This woman is built of steel and forged with fire. My tongue runs across my teeth, feeling a sharp prick and it draws blood. I have been so overwrought, my true form is starting to emerge.

I trap her against the stone wall displaying my vigor, hoping this will intimidate her. She laughs and reaches up to my face cupping my jaw firmly between her fingers. Pulling my face towards her, she speaks above my lips, her breath fanning lightly on my skin. “How does it feel knowing that I can torment you with only a simple quip? Your charms don’t enthrall me, love. Maybe I’ll give in if you try harder.”

She pushes past me to the door and points at the undergarments that are still in my grasp. “Keep those. Perhaps they’ll keep you thinking about me, sir.” Y/N winks and struts out, leaving me in utter awe. Darkness spills throughout the room and energy surrounds me as I exit my human form. Two can play this game, but only one will win, darling.

————•————•————•————•————•————•————•————

— bugs

[prorevenge]

Threaten my livelihood, don't be surprised when I come at you harder.

This happened a few years ago and it's somewhat lengthy but I'll try and keep it reasonable. TL;DR below.

It all started when I moved to Nevada with my dad because my parents had divorced relatively recently and he wanted me to stick around and help him with my younger siblings. He is the hardest working man I've ever met, and I didn't have anything really going on besides kind of roaming, so when he asked if I could move in with him and just kind of be there for my little brother and sister in exchange for room and board, I wasn't going to say no.

Anyway, we ended up moving to Nevada in our travels because he was in the mining field and there happened to be a mine there.

A little later on, he hooked me up with a job at the mine too. Nothing special, just working in the warehouse doing various duties. It paid well though and I was pretty strapped for cash so I was glad for it.

I actually enjoyed it for the first 2ish months.

Then SHE showed up.

She was a "southern girl" with a "hood" accent faker than a car salesman's smile. She had overstayed her medical leave for a personal injury and had been let go, and that's why I was hired, to replace her. Well it turned out that she had threatened to sue the mine for discriminating against her because she was a woman, unless they let her come back and continue working. The only reason I knew this is because she bragged about it to everyone there. Yeah, a real wonderful person right?

Fast forward to about a week after she had come back, and she started revealing how even MORE wonderful of a person she was. She came up to me while I was working on getting one of our regular shipments put together and just started laying into me as I was making sure everything on the packing slip was actually there. As she stood there making weird mouth noises she opened with "I don't know if it's because you're just stupid, or because your Mexican, but you obviously have no idea what you're doing, hun." (She was an artist at starting conversation) to which I replied "Excuse me, what did you just say?" She just looked at me with this smug expression for a second and then said "You heard what I said sweetie. Are you deaf too?" At this point I was having high school flashbacks because this is some shit I would expect to hear from your typical bully, so I just stood there and looked at her for a second before I chose to just not engage and turned around to continue what I was doing. This immediately set her off. "I don't know who you were in whatever shithole in Mexico you came from, but here I'm the boss, and you better not turn your fucking back to me while I'm speaking to you." (I'm not from Mexico by the way. I was born California, my dad is white, and my mom is Hispanic.) I just chuckled lightly as I continued my task and without turning around said "Hmm, it would seem as though I already have." From the sounds coming out of her mouth, I thought she was having a siezure behind me. She blurted out "You won't last long spic." and walked off. I just kept doing what I was doing and focused on my job and she didn't approach me for the rest of the day.

The next day I get called into the warehouse manager's office. The warehouse manager was a super nice lady who had always been respectful to me, and I was very respectful in return. She informed me that my coworker had filed a complaint about me, saying that I had been mistreating her, discriminating against her, called her names, actively went out of my way to put her in danger, and a so on and so forth. I'm not gonna lie, this got me very heated and frustrated, but I'm a professional in the workplace, so I kept my cool and laid out the actual situation to the manager, and every detail to my memory. She said that she appreciated that I was keeping my cool, and that she was going to send me to do some other projects while she looked into it for the next few days, but if my coworker's complaint was accurate, disciplinary actions up to termination would be carried out. I told her that I would expect nothing less, and looked forward to the results of the investigation.

Fast forward about two more weeks and I get called into the manager's office yet again. She told me that they performed a small investigation and found no evidence that I had done anything my special coworker had claimed, and furthermore, my other coworkers besides her, and even the temps, had nothing but praise for me. This of course not only fed my ego quite a bit, but further disproved my crazed coworker's complaint.

The next day, another one of my coworkers came up to me and told me that the special lady who had it out for me had been put on probation for falsely accusing me of those ridiculous things and for saying all those things to me that one day. This was pleasing on a level that I cannot describe. I was winning, and I'll I had to do was put the final nail in her coffin.

So I did.

Every once in a while we'd get a shipment of something that's too big for us to unload with our small forklifts we keep at the warehouse, so we have to get someone else on site to unload it with much bigger equipment, and that usually takes quite a long time. As in hours. I also happened to know the guy who delivers those items pretty well. He also hates the wonderful slur slinger who has been messing with me, because it turns out she's just likes being a cunt to everyone. This is where my plan starts coming to fruition. I asked the delivery driver if he would make a huge fuss and say that he doesn't have the time to wait for her to get another piece of equipment to unload his truck, and that he needs it done ASAP. He agreed without hesitation.

About a week later everything comes together. The delivery shows up, the slur slinger was working as the relief supervisor that day, and I was getting prepared for the final phase. The driver comes inside to talk to the person who is supposed to help him with his load, and I watched through the space in between the shelves I was cleaning. He did exactly what I asked. Now, lady who insisted on being such a bitch to me was very poor at handling any situation that isn't exactly how she wanted it to be, so she agreed to disregard procedure and unload the truck with the small equipment because she was panicking and needed to look like she had everything in control.

This was working out perfectly. I just needed to do one more thing.

My amazing coworker went outside to get ready to unload the truck, and I ran like the flash to the manager's office. I ran like a madman with a huge grin on my face and stopped right outside of the manager's office. I composed myself and knocked firmly on the door. A muffled "Come in!" comes from inside the office, so I open the door. She looks at me as if she's waiting for me to say something, so I do. "I need you to come look at this if you have a moment." She grabs her hard hat and says "Lead the way." I bring her all the way back to the warehouse and out to the yard, where I'm sure you all can guess what is happening right now. The dumb cunt is unsafely unloading the truck, with the wrong equipment. The manager looks shocked and says in the only breach of professionalism I've ever seen from her "Are you fucking kidding me?" She then runs to where the truck is being unloaded, waving her arms and yelling.

She fired her on the spot.

I went home that evening, had a beer with my dad, told him the whole story, and we laughed our asses off at how much of a dumbass that lady was.

I was laid off a couple months later because the mine went under at that time, but I thoroughly enjoyed my time working there, as it was the only time I've been able to pull off any revenge on a shitty coworker.

TL;DR Racist, lying, and completely insufferable coworker tries to get me fired and fails. I hatch a plan with a delivery driver and we actually get her fired.

(source) (story by PhillMahooters)

[shadow-wolfhawk]

VALENTINE (Grelliam Fic) by Shadow Wolfhawk Fandom: Black Butler (Kuroshitsuji) Pairing: Grelliam (Grelle Sutcliff/William T. Spears) Summary: One-shot for my “Slice of After-Life” series.  William attempts to cheer Grelle up after she gets dumped on Valentine’s Day.

Her pen dragged, slowly across the report in front of her.  Perhaps it was because of how disheartened she felt, that it seemed to move slower than usual.  The rest of the office had noticed the change in her mood over the last few days and those at the desks around her could see the tears she was trying to hide, not to mention the bruising.  She attempted to keep them covered, but wiping away her tears only removed more and more of her make-up.  Many were curious, few knew, and even fewer still tried to cheer her up to no avail.

Being dumped on Valentine’s day was harsh… even if your boyfriend was an abusive jerk.

From his desk, William T. Spears watched the crimson reaper through his office window.  Two nights ago, Grelle had come home to the apartment he shared with her, her faced smeared with tear-soaked make-up and sporting a bruise under her left eye. Two hours and a box of tissues later, he had gotten her calmed down enough to tell him what had happened. The next morning, a junior reaper had been brought before the Council with a broken nose and a split lip for disciplinary action on the charge of assaulting a superior.  Unfortunately, it had done nothing to brighten Grelle’s spirits.

Something had to be done to fix that.  Not only was it affecting her work, but his as well.  He would never admit it aloud but seeing Grelle Sutcliff genuinely heartbroken and in tears was greatly distracting to him.  One might even say that it hurt him.  She always brought so much life to the gloomy, mundane Dispatch with her exuberant personality that when she was hurting, it was felt all over the department.  As much as she annoyed and aggravated him in the past decades with her constant flirtations, her flamboyant attitude did put him in a good mood.  Not that anyone could tell via his usual stoic expression.

With a sigh, he put down his pen and leaned back in his chair.  What could he do?

‘Think, Spears – you’ve known her for nearly one hundred years and she’s been your flat mate since September.  There has to be something.’

His eyes wandered, absently over his desk and landed on the single photograph in the room.  A half-smile ghosted across his face as he looked at it.  Taken the previous October, it was a rare photo of him actually happy.

Grelle, along with William’s personal secretary, had planned a surprise birthday celebration for him.  How they had managed to keep it hidden from him, he still did not know.  Nothing had seemed out of the ordinary, yet when he had gotten home from work that evening, there they stood at the dining room table on which sat a small cake, a handful of gifts.  Even the cat and the hare were wearing tiny party hats as they played in the ribbons and confetti sprinkled on the table.

The photo captured him being hugged from either side while the three reapers laughed at the animals trying to filch his slice of cake.

William quickly glanced at the desktop day calendar Grelle had given him. That would do it!  His sharp mind working quickly, he went to the door and stepped out into the bullpen.

“Grelle Sutcliff,” he called, casually, schooling his features to his usually stern expression.  Grelle – along with several curious reapers – looked up at him.  He raised his hand and motioned her to come with him.  “With me, please.”

When she was half-way to his office, he stepped back inside and waited. A moment later, she entered. “Yes, William?”  No flinging herself at him.  No pressing against him, inappropriately.  No embarrassingly cute pet names or suggestive words for all the department to hear.  She was almost as solemn as him.  That had to stop right now.

“Close the door and have a seat.”  She did as directed and awaited his lecture.  “Sutcliff, why haven’t I received any of your reports, yet?”

“I’ll get them finished, Will,” she mumbled, not meeting his eyes as she wiped away another tear.  “I’m just a little distracted.”

William leaned back against his desk, arms folded over his chest.  “He’s not worth your tears, Grelle.”  She finally looked up at him.  “A man like that doesn’t deserve anyone’s consideration – especially yours.”

Grelle shook her head, dropping her face so it was hidden by the wild, ruby tresses.  “That’s not it, Will.  I’m mad at myself… f-for clinging to h-him.  E-eve-even though he – he…”  She dissolved into tears, burying her face in her hands.

William clenched his jaw.  It was taking all of his self-restraint to not reach out and hold her until her tears had passed.  With a sigh, he knelt before her and gently pulled her hands down.  Keeping his face calm and neutral, he said, “Why don’t you go home, Grelle.”  She looked at him, surprised.  “Your shift is nearly over anyway.  Go home and clean yourself up – you’re an absolute mess.  Just try to relax and we can talk when I get home, if you wish. For now, I want you to calm down.”

“B-but what about my reports?”

He was actually letting her go home early?  While she still had a pile of paperwork to do?  “They’ll be waiting for you when you come in day-after-tomorrow.”  Of course…

“The day after tomorrow?”

“Your request for time off was approved.  Use it to collect yourself.  I need you at your best – which you are decidedly not at the moment.” She nodded and took a calming breath. William helped her to stand and chanced a brief, but reassuring kiss to the side of her brow.  “Go home, Grelle.  I’ll see you when I get there.”  He looked, quickly over her shoulder to make sure no one saw.

She pressed herself against his chest, resting her head on his shoulder. “Thank you, Will.”

“Go on,” he murmured, gently nudging his forehead against hers.

She stepped back with a sniff, brushing away her tears.  He walked her to the door and opened it for her.  As she went back to her desk to gather her things, William shared a look with his secretary before asking her in.

“Is she alright?” was the young woman’s first question.

“She will be.  I need your help with something.  Quickly, before she leaves – can you make plans with Grelle that will keep her out of the apartment tomorrow?”

“I can try.  What’s going on?”

“Just go – I’ll explain in a moment.”

She went back out to her desk as Grelle walked by.  “Hey, Grelle, wait a second.”

The redhead stopped and looked at the younger brunette.  “What is it, Vera?”

“You heading out?”

“Will’s letting me go home early.”

“You going to be okay?”

“Maybe.  We’ll see what a soak in a hot bath does.”

She did not sound too convincing.  “The boss said that your day off got approved.  Any plans?”  Grelle shook her head.  “I was going to go out and get pampered tomorrow – you want to join me?  It’ll be a girl’s day out – my treat.”

Grelle seemed to perk up a bit – a good sign.  “what did you have in mind?”

“Hmm – a trip to the hairstylist, getting a manicure, maybe a facial, do a little shopping…  What do you say, honey?”

The redhead thought it over for a minute.  Her last manicure did get ruined and a facial sounded heavenly… “Alight. Sounds like fun.”

“Great!”  The brunette was looking forward to the impromptu outing, now.  “I’ll pick you up in the morning, okay?  You go home and take it easy.”

“Thank you, dear.”

The ladies hugged before Grelle left.  The younger went back into William’s office, closing the door behind her. Hands on her hips, she faced her boss.

“Alright, Spears,” she said in a tone that only she would dare address him with, “what are you up to?”

“I have a plan to cheer Grelle up – ”

“You gonna propose?”

He glared at her from his seat.  “Don’t start.”

“It would help,” she shrugged.

“Veronica.”  His fatherly tone made her smile.

“Only teasing, Uncle Will.  Sort of.” She sat down across from him. “So, what’s this big plan of yours?”

“I want to make tomorrow special for Grelle.  From the sounds of the plans you two just made, it seems to be off to a good start.”  He adjusted his glasses and lowered his voice.  “I doubt that I can get a reservation at her favorite restaurant on such short notice, but I can put together a dinner for the two of us at home.”

Vera fought to control her glee.  “Aww… that’s so sweet.  She would love that.”

“Hopefully.  I know she’s still rather raw after what that bastard did to her – I’m hoping this will help.”

“I’m sure it will,” she said, standing and walking around to give him a small hug from behind.  She rested her cheek against his temple.  “You know that you’re everything to her, right?  This would mean the world to her.”  He sighed and gave a small nod.  She kissed his crown and straightened up again.  “Anything else you need me for?”

“Actually, there is.  I need your help with one last thing, but it will wait until our shift ends.”

~ * ~

Grelle’s mood was certainly improved the next day.  A long soak in a hot bath with scented oils had calmed her nerves.  And sobbing her heart out to William over a cup of hot cocoa as she snuggled against him on the couch had done wonders to lighten her spirits.  Waking up with his arms wrapped around her on said couch the next morning did not hurt either.  She had lain there a bit longer, savoring the feeling and imagining that, for a moment, he actually returned her love.  She stole a kiss from the corner of his mouth before rising and getting ready for her day out with Vera.  William was awake and pouring himself a cup of coffee in the kitchen by the time she emerged from her bedroom.

Her long hair was loosely braided and draped over her left shoulder.  She was clad in an off-the-shoulders black blouse, with red silk at the collar and cuffs; a flowing red skirt that stopped half-way down her shins; and a pair of red, heeled open-toe sandals.  Cute, was the word William would have used to describe her look that morning. Not overly glamorous, like she normally liked to be, but just simple and plain cute.  No doubt that would change by the time she got back from this outing.

“You seem to be more yourself this morning, Sutcliff,” he said as she joined him.

“I’m feeling a bit better today,” she told him, getting a cup of coffee for herself.  “Thank you again for listen to me last night, Will.  It really did help.”

“I’m glad.  You know you can always come to me any time you need to talk, Grelle.  I may not be the best at offering advice, but at least I can listen while you vent.”

“Sometimes, that’s all a woman needs – for her man to just sit and listen.” She kissed his cheek.  “Yes, I know -  you’re not my man.”  She giggled. “So, what are you up to today?”

“A few appointments and errands.  Nothing exciting.”

“You can always join me and Vera.  I like the idea of you getting a manicure and facial, getting your hair done up all nice…”

“I’ll pass, thank you.”

Grelle chuckled.  “I don’t know – I think you might like it.”  He hid a soft growl as a chime sounded on her phone.  She went to retrieve it from the coffee table in the living room.  “Vera’s outside.  Sure you don’t want to join us?”

“Tell Vera I said ‘hello’.  I’ll see you when you get back.”

“Have a good day, darling,” she said, grabbing her keys and purse and blowing him a kiss as she walked out the door.

William shook his head.  Now he could get to work…

He set to cleaning the apartment before heading to London to buy ingredients for dinner.

~ * ~

Grelle was met by the most wonderful aroma when she stepped into the apartment that evening.  William was a far better cook than she and tonight’s meal smelled delicious.

William looked up from the center island in the kitchen and saw her standing near the door way, several shopping bags in tow.  He smiled at her, before looking back at the salads he was preparing.

“You seem like you had a good day,” he said, finishing them up and wiping his hands on the towel draped over his shoulder.

“It was wonderful, Will.  Wait until you see everything I bought.  There are even a few gifts for the babies.”  

William hid a grimace at her calling their pets their ‘babies’.  Oh well…  It was her day; he could give her that for one day at least.

“I hope you didn’t go too overboard -  they have enough toys as it is.”

“Oh, but I just couldn’t help myself!”

He sighed and set the towel on the counter top.  “Well, there’s still a few minutes before dinner is ready.  Why don’t you go put those in your room and come back out here?”

“Alight, darling,” she said, her shark-like teeth showing in a grin that he hadn’t seen in what seemed like forever.

When she returned, William motioned her to the living room, where he produced a large, red, box tied with red ribbon.  She could not hide her shock as he handed it to her.  She barely noticed him sitting beside her on the couch as she gently opened it and covered a gasp at the silken, red garment within.

“W-Will… this – this is gorgeous.”  Her voice was barely more than a whisper.

“I confess that I’m clueless when it comes to buying a gown, so I enlisted Vera’s knowledge on that front.”  She turned suddenly and took his face between her hands and, for a moment, William was afraid she would let her passionate side get carried away.  But she only placed a soft, lingering kiss on his cheek. He swallowed and cleared his throat. “Why – uh… why don’t you go try it on? I’m rather anxious to see how it looks.”

Grelle nodded.  “And I found the perfect pair of shoes today that will go wonderfully with it!  Oh, thank you so much, Will darling!”  She hugged him before darting off to her room.

William swiftly moved to his own room to clean up for dinner, before returning to set the table and lay out their meal.  He turned on the phonograph to play her favorite selection, as Grelle came in to find the lights low and him finishing the lighting of the candles on the table.  

“Will…”  A candle-lit dinner for two?  Was he serious?  She looked him over.  He was dressed as he normally would have been for work, but in place of his usual gray vest, he wore a vest of a gorgeous shade of purple and the red silk cravat she had given him at Christmas.  He looked so handsome – even more so than normal, if that was even possible.

William placed the spent match in the dish beside the candle holder and approached her.  “I know you didn’t get the Valentine’s that you deserve, and with today being your birthday, I thought I would make things a little extra special.  I know we’re not romantically involved, but there’s no reason why we can’t share such a special occasion like this.  We are friends and partners, after all.”

“Oh, Will…”  He took her smile to mean that she was alright with this turn of events and pulled her chair out for her at the table.  

Grelle had a fondness for Italian food and William had gone all out with a full course dinner.  They started with a simple salad before moving on to a delectable wedding soup. Normally, Grelle would have been satisfied with a plate of store-bought spaghetti and a jar of sauce, but William had gone through the trouble of making the pasta himself and stewing it in a homemade marinara and serving it alongside a lightly breaded veal cutlet.  She was not sure if it was the setting or the perfectly paired wine that was making her feel warm all over, but it did not matter in the slightest.  William was being the perfect gentleman, tonight – and for tonight, at least, he was all hers.

They talked lightly over their meal, Grelle telling him about her day with Vera and begging him for the hundredth or so time to teach her to cook like this.  After dinner, they shared another glass of wine, before William got up to check on the dessert he had baking in the oven.  Allowing it to cool on the counter, he then returned to Grelle and helped her up from her seat.  Guiding her to the space between the dining and living areas, he held her close as the phonograph switched over to a light, soothing melody.  Grelle’s smile never wavered as he let her drape her arms around his neck as his went around her waist, holding her gently as they swayed softly with the music.  

She lay her head against his shoulder, breathing his scent with a soft sigh. “This night has been perfect, Will,” she said, softly.  “Thank you, so much.”

He placed a soft kiss on her brow.  “You know I care about you, Grelle.  I know I have to be harsh with you at times, but I hope you remember that.” She nodded.  “Good.”  He kissed her forehead again.  “Are you ready for dessert?”

“Is it you?”

He could not help his chuckle.  “Grelle.”

“Worth a shot.”  She kissed his jaw and they went back to the table, where Will served the two personal sized cakes he had made – a mixture of Grelle’s two favorites, red velvet marbled with a dark chocolate, and a homemade vanilla ice cream on the side.  

Later, the two sat on the couch, sipping coffee and listening to the rain outside.  William had discarded his jacket and sat back against the corner of the sofa, his right arm resting across the back.  Grelle was snuggled against his side, her heels lying somewhere under the coffee table. She had let her hair down and had the crocheted throw around her shoulders.  Neither could remember speaking another word to each other that night until retiring to the rooms.

The department found Grelle back to her old self the following day, with the minor exception that all of her backed-up paperwork was completed and turned in before the end of the day.

 I think I’ll just end it here.  That turned out a little more romantic than I had initially started out to make it.  Oh, well…  This may end up being a chapter in my main fic – we’ll see. ^_^