Prompts: 'Sweet' & 'William T. Spears'
A Funny Coincidence
As expected, the home of Director William T. Spears was a modernist, minimalist creation with every article placing function before form. It was no surprise the youngest Reaper to ever assume the mantle of Director of the London Division lived in surroundings as orderly as his demeanour belied. He even possessed shelving that housed nothing but his tea collection in identical black tins with scripted labels.
Promotion after promotion soon meant he became a frequent traveller and on each of his frequent travels he would pick up a tea recommended by the locals. Dealings with the Oriental Divisions led to his tea collection broadening with rice teas and green teas, but he mostly favoured the flavoured ones that required milk. He wasn't too fond of sweets unless they came in the form of tea.
The sweetest tea in his possession was bought in Paris during a summit, upon the insistence of his French counterpart. Crème Brûlée, a French dessert, rarely interested him but he discovered it rather delightful when the flavours were converted into a black tea topped with milk.
He found himself reaching for it to finish pleasant days when the office ran smoothly and Grell Sutcliff actually turned her paperwork in on time. Or whenever Grell behaved and caused minimal fuss, bidding him goodnight with a smile. Or whenever Grell Sutcliff and he played piano after hours in the empty Recreation Room. Or whenever Grell Sutcliff returned from a late retrieval and gifted him with pastries from Ladurée at Harrods. Or times like today, when he drove her home and she squeezed his hand, standing on tiptoe to kiss his cheek in gratitude after walking her to her door.
It was mildly startling to realize he only reached for the sweet tea whenever he thought of Grell. He poured himself a cup of crème brûlée and brushed it off as coincidence.
