sirenspull_logs | I've got my roots and you've got ties

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I've got my roots and you've got ties

Who: Alan Humphries & Eric Slingby & You [That is to say this is OTA]
Where: One of the local restaurants
When: Nov. 11th - Evening, pre-sirens
Summary: Eric finally takes Alan out on a date or something like it but with these two nothing ever really goes quite as planned.
Warnings: Odds are this is going to end up a mess of crazy shenanigans and embarrassment - I'll add in warnings as they come.

One would think that when making a date both parties would arrive on time or as close to the agreed time as possible. Indeed one would think but if you were Alan Humphries you would be wrong and glaring at the chair across from you - the emptiness of it mocking and somehow strangely; insanely personally offensive. He didn't even want to bother with trying to figure out that whole mess and what it might mean.

Instead, he glanced at his watch and ticked off another couple of minutes of waiting. In the back of his mind he was wondering why Eric was late. Odds are Eric went to the wrong restaurant or he got distracted and sidetracked. Sometimes he was pretty sure if it wasn't for him the other wouldn't be on time for anything.

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[ William pushes his third empty glass back at the bartender. He's finally starting to feel that warm, hazy sensation come over him. So rather than a simple 'yes' and then change of topic, William suddenly feels the need to elaborate on the current events for Ronald. ]

He kidnapped a teenage newcomer a few days ago, claiming he was our adopted child.

[ And with that, he very nearly chokes on his drink. Downing it now before he can and bracing at the feel of the alcohol hitting his throat in a sudden rush. ]

Blimey, I knew he was desperate but I didn't know he could get that desperate. Does he still have the kid?

No, I let him leave. And now there is this bed shaped like a racecar in our bedroom and...

[ Sigh and swig! ]

Honestly. He could at least wait until after the wedding to start thinking about adopting children.

Well, yeah. That's pretty much co--

[ Another pause. Wait, he didn't quite catch that last bit. ]

Wedding? You mean...

We already have three cats and a pigeon. That is enough to take care of, as it is. Not to mention a photo studio to manage.

[ Yes, he's still rambling. ]

How-how am I going to pay for a wedding? A Grell wedding, mind you. He's not easily satisfied, if you were unaware...somehow. Which is highly, highly unlikely.

[ Has he had enough yet? Nah. Better glance over to Ronald's glass with a frown. ]

What did the bartender give you? I think I need one of those, instead.

Blissfully unaware, really. Of.. The engagement, I mean.

[ Ever had the moment where you can just pinpoint someone's heart breaking? It shows for just the shortest millisecond, slipping past the small half smile he offers his boss before reaching over to give his boss' hand a light squeeze. ]

Just a double bourbon. Nothing too fancy.

[ And then he lets go and is silent a moment, as of considering something. ]

Could help if you'd like. It prolly wot be much but I'd wager if the two of us put what we have together, it'd help with the payment...

[ William frowns as Ronald's hand makes contact with his own. This whole opening up thing - this showing of emotions business - even after two years it was still a bit difficult for him. But he was trying. There was really no reason to hold back here, anyway. His job was no longer consuming his life.

So as Ronald's hand moves away, William's moves to meet it once more. It settles atop the other, patting briefly. ]

You are a good friend, Knox. I am glad you returned.

[ It's not the biggest of confessions, but for William, it could be considered as such. And Ronald could be damned sure it was the truth. Because, liquor or not, William never said anything he didn't mean. ]

[ And that right there perks him up quite well. It never occurred to him that William would have such notions. Hell, the fact his boss considered him a friend -- did he even have friends?

There's a small smile as he turns to grasp his hand again. ]

Good thing I came along when I did, eh? It'll be alright, sir, you'll see. Don't... don't worry about the small details and all. You'll think yourself into a corner and where'll we all be, eh?

Yes, I suppose one of us has to keep a straight mind.

[ Though, right now his is a little blurred from the alcohol, but that's fine. He's gotten a bit off his mind for the moment, regarding Grell and the wedding, so he doesn't pay much mind to the continued physical contact between his hand and Ronald's. Instead he just nurses his new glass of bourbon and allows Ronald to cling. ]

[ He'll clutch tight one last time, one last moment he figures and that's it. He's off Will cold turkey. There are other things to worry about right now.

So he pulls away abruptly and suddenly downs that bourbon in his hand, hissing from the sudden heat. ]

Always been you, sir. Mister Humphries has the thorns to deal with, Mister Slingby's almost as bad as I am and let's not get started on Mister Sutcliffe, eh?

[ A laugh as he stares into his now empty glass. Maybe it's the alcohol making him emotional. ]

S'why you're the boss.

Perhaps I am not as sane as I thought, then. Willingly putting up with you lot. Especially that thing.

[ And a laugh for that, shaking his head. ]

Thing, sir?

Though... You'd prolly be pretty barmy to put up with us every day. Don't rightly know how you manage it but you do.

I was referring to Grell.

[ Oh wait, he usually uses full names, right? Better correct himself with an adjustment of his glasses. ]

...Sutcliff. Grell Sutcliff.

[ He misses his glasses by a bit, instead mussing his hair slightly. ]

[ There's a sigh there and a shake of his head. Somehow, it doesn't surprise him that his boss doesn't know jack about relaxing. ]

Just clarification's sake and all.

[ His smile's a little half hearted as he reaches over just to smooth Will's hair down for himself, trying to put it back to what it was before pulling away again. ]

Y'know, sir... technically we're off the clock. Could prolly drop the formalities and all, eh?

[ Have a chuckle though. ]

Blimey, you're a mess when you've had a few shots...

I suppose. Just this once.

[ He finishes his current glass, but frowns at Ronald's final comment. ]

I am not. And we haven't had any shots yet. Honestly.

[ It's said loud enough so that the bartender can hear and, if he's decent at his job, bring them some. ]

Will, if it pleases you and all.

[ He knows he's pushing it with that but it didn't hurt to try. The alcohol's loosening his tongue and all. His head's going back down on the bartop though with a sigh. ]

To your engagement, then?

William works better for me, thank you.

[ William accepts the toast, raising his tiny shot glass before downing it's contents. He frowns shortly after, though, noting Ronald's drop in mood. ]

What is it?

Noted. No nicknames then.

[ His smirk is a small one as he straightens back up. ]

Right as rain, no worries. The last one I had prolly went down a bit too fast but no harm done. S'just... you lot have been busy while I wasn't around, eh?

Considering what the Core puts us through, it is practically unavoidable.

[ Half of what made William open up was all the little situations the Core's hijinks forced him into. ]

Even you'd crack under the pressure.

[ Another sigh. Situations out of his control and all, normally it's water rolling off a duck's back to him but maybe the alcohol's making him a little clingy. It's the thought of this Core that's been messing with his department, his family, his cause of feelings that may be a combination of nausea and warm fuzzies... well... it's downright worrying. ]

Haven't the slightest clue why it brought me back now of all times.

Honestly, what is Dispatch without its rookie?

[ Another little tidbit William normally would have kept to himself, but the alcohol's making him speak his mind even more than normal tonight. But, there can't be too much harm in letting your newest workers he's a valuable and welcome member of their team right? Perhaps William could stand to use that tactic on a normal basis. ]

[ And that in itself is enough for him to crack the barest semblance of a smile. ]

Better watch yourself, William. First calling me your friend and now, saying you lot would be nothing without me. Might end up stealing my heart away right from under my nose.

[ He'll just laugh it off, really. ]

[ Ronald's little comment has William's hand re-affixing itself to his glasses once more. ]

There is nothing wrong with me saying such things. You should be happy I am doing so, at all. Honestly.

Never said I wasn't.

[ There's that smile that's just all honest and well meaning and everything that lists him as the team's optimist again. ]

You prolly haven't the slightest idea just how hearing all that's making me feel.

[ It's the bourbon talking. ]

Good, I should hope. Otherwise, I can always take it back.

I've got my roots and you've got ties

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Yes hi guess who got inhaled by work? /sob

You've made my inner William proud!

I'm being a productive member of society. ;;; And I'm never late.

/highfives

Yay interchangeable accounts.

Always a handy thing

XD;; specially when I'm speed tagging to keep up with you lot

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/gets spit out by the corporate world again

/catches lovingly

;n;

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