(Disclaimer: I don't own any character.)

Day 1

Getting a summer job at a coffee shop was not exactly what Ronald Knox wanted, but at this point he'd do anything to not have to mow lawns for a living. If he had to do anything on a lawn, he'd prefer getting drunk.

Plus, this new job at the coffee shop doesn't look too bad.

"You'll do fine, Ronald." Alan comforted the blond in his ever-so-calming voice, "I've told you everything you need to know. I'm sure you are more than ready."

Ronald smiled nervously at the friendly owner of Fragrant Frames, "Weren't you nervous when you first opened this place?"

"Oh don't mention it, I barely slept for two full weeks. But Pops helped me a great deal. He likes you, I can tell."

Ronald joked, "If he really likes me, why won't he hire me to work in Reaper Tools instead?" He looked across the street at the tall office building that belonged to the garden tool manufacturing giant, "It's not like I'm asking a lot…"

"Pops is the most generous man I know." Alan said, "Without his support this coffee house wouldn't exist."

"Is that why you have a painting of him on the wall?" Ronald chuckled, pointing at the stern looking old man staring down at the empty tables.

Alan blushed, "Well, if you really want to work for him instead, a lot of our customers are his employees, I'm sure you can befriend someone who would appreciate your talent."

"I was just joking, Alan." Ronald gave his bashful boss a reassuring smile, "This job is a refreshing start for me. I wouldn't want it any other way." He wondered why he had the guts to call his employer by name on his first day. Maybe it was because Alan made him comfortable enough to do it, but either way, he was ready to embark his journey of standing behind a counter for 3 months straight.

A few minutes after Alan flipped the "OPEN" sign, the doorbell rang violently as their first customer of the day dashed in, "Alan dear, get me a-oh," the clicking red heels paused, "a new face."

Alan beamed at the sight of their guest, "Good morning, Grell. This Ronald, he's starting today. Ronald, meet my loyal customer and friend."

"Um, good morning, Miss, uh-"

"Sutcliff." Grell stared at him rather judgingly from behind her red frames, "But you can call me Grell." a toothy grin spread across her face, "A medium caffè mocha please, Ron."

Ronald's eyes had already lost focus in Grell's waterfall of crimson locks before he snapped back to reality, "Mocha, yes, I'm on it."

"Why, isn't he adorable?" while Ronald was busying himself with preparing the drink, Grell whispered to Alan, "And I see you have finally decided to hire someone. Tired of being single at last, m'dear?"

Alan's face instantly turned red like a traffic light, "Wh-what are you talking about! I'm not, Ronald is, um-"

"Oh of course I'm not implying that you want to hit on him! Brats like that are out of our league anyway." Grell giggled, "I'm just saying, it's nice to have him share some of your work. You deserve more time to yourself, y'know? It's already hard to find good men at this corner of London. If all you ever do is work then you'll die a lonely maiden and as your friend, I would hate to see that happen to you."

"Don't exaggerate, Grell. I'm doing fine." Alan retorted, still blushing slightly.

"Do you want me to hook you up with someone? You know I have exceptional taste in men."

"You aren't listening, are you, Grell?"

Pretending he heard none of that, Ronald turned to the pair and said, "Your mocha is ready, Miss Sut-I mean, Grell." he almost bit his tongue when he was met with Grell's naturally alluring gaze.

Grell accepted the drink with a cunning smile on her face, "Why so flustered, Ron? Is my aura warming you up?"

Alan almost burst into laughter but he maintained his composure before patting Ronald on the shoulder and slipped into the back, "I'll be in my office if you need me. Good luck."

Realizing that his captain had just abandoned him, Ronald blinked cluelessly before answering, "It's nice meeting you, Grell." That reply was so plain and awkward, he almost wanted to dig a hole on the floor and hide himself in it.

Grell winked at the boy, "Same here." However, the moment she finished her sentence, as if something was caught in the corner of her eye, she suddenly straightened up and dumped a note on the counter, "Whatever he orders, it's on me." before skipping to the corner of the coffee shop and hiding her face behind a leaflet on the table.

Baffled by her bizarre actions, Ronald looked up to find a suited man entering with a briefcase. His hair so meticulously groomed and his suit so sharp, Ronald wondered at first sight if he were a model of some sort.

"Espresso." his order was brief and his voice monotonic, but before he even reached for the wallet, Ronald stopped him.

"Sir, your drink has been paid for."

The bespectacled man stared at the youngster in confusion, "I'm sorry, I don't under-" somehow Ronald's unstable gaze gave away the secret and he turned around to find a redhead hastily hiding under the table.

Oops.

The man sighed as he walked towards Grell, "Honestly, this stunt never seems to get old for you, does it?"

Grell came out of her nonexistent hiding and sat straight, obviously flustered, "Not as long as it still works for you." she beamed brightly.

The man frowned, "You don't have to do this."

"You know, Will, there is a very easy way for you to put a stop to the cycle." she pulled a chair next to her, signaling him to sit down.

But the man remained standing, "I'm listening."

"You can just stop coming to this coffee place all together. There are other coffee houses around and you know this is the only one I go to." she explained before carefully sipping her still burning mocha.

The man adjusted his glasses, "Very well, Grell Sutcliff. Now I've asked this before but I will ask you again… How should I return the favour?"

Grell grinned ear to ear, "Buy me lunch, William."

William looked at her for a few more moments before nodding, "Fine, lunch it is. Now get your sketches together. The meeting begins in 15 minutes."

"Yessir." Grell let out a laugh and followed William to the door.

"Sir, your espresso!" Ronald called out when William's hand was on the door, "Don't forget your drink."

"Why, yes." William turned back to pick up his drink, "Thank you." before hitting the street with Grell.

Ronald realized that he forgot to get Grell any changes for the espresso when Alan reemerged, "Did Grell just leave? I heard noises."

"Yeah, with her boyfriend." Ronald answered rather mindlessly.

"Boyfriend?" Alan looked utterly stunned, "What is he like?"

"Nice suit, dark frames, metrosexual kind of guy."

"O you mean William?"

"Yes, William."

Alan chuckled, "Don't let them know you just said that." he warned softly, "They are not a couple."

"No kidding!" Ronald gasped, "I just assumed-"

Alan shook his head.

"Why, but Grell seemed awfully fond of him."

"That is a fact."

"But they are not dating?"

"Nope." Alan sighed.

"But…" Ronald seemed to have trouble wrapping his mind around what just took place before him, "She just bought him a drink and he agreed to take her to lunch and it all sounded like this is a regular occurrence to them."

"It is."

"So William does know what to expect when he comes here!"

"Yep."

"Yet he still comes here all the time despite his outward reluctance?"

Alan closed his eyes, trying to suppress a smile before answering meekly, "Yes, yes to all that."

T.B.C.