Work Text:
Word spread quickly throughout the whole ship - Dr. Grace is an absolute menace today.
There’s plenty of speculation as to what’s causing the personality shift, some much more generous than others. He’s usually a much more affable guy, quick to share his candy or make a silly joke. Even when he’s in an off mood in the past it's just been him being quieter than usual, less responsive.
But today apparently no one in the lab can do anything right. He talks to world famous scientists as if they are unruly children, blows up at the most minor of mistakes, he’s being snippy and sarcastic and mean, and everyone is sick of it.
Ilyukhina doesn’t understand why no one is bringing this up to the one person best equipped to deal with this. Sure, the director has a delightfully commanding presence and stern demeanor, but what’s so scary about that? Doesn’t anyone else besides her want to see the ensuing show that will inevitably follow tattling on Grace?
Stratt is walking quickly, juggling two large coffees while typing one handed on her phone when Ilyukhina siddles up beside her. “Problem in lab, Director. We need you to handle.”
Stratt glances to the side. “The lab is Dr. Grace’s domain, surely he can see to whatever–”
Ilyukhina shakes her head, trying to be serious but unable to keep a devious little smile off of her face. “Dr. Grace is the problem. Being very rude and grumpy. Disobedient dog! Perhaps needs a…how do you say…muzzle!”
It’s not nearly as fun to say things like this to her as it would be to Grace. Her blue eyes don’t suddenly go wide, no flaming flush covers her pale skin, she doesn’t sputter or cough. But there’s something to be said for the subtle quirked eyebrow, the bare hint of smile, the conspiratorial soft hum of acknowledgement.
Stratt changes direction to head to the lab and Ilyukhnia hops along behind her, giddy as a schoolgirl.
Ilyukhina worried it might have been an inopportune moment to arrive, Grace perhaps having settled down or out on lunch or something, but she couldn’t have hoped for better.
When they walk in, he’s standing facing away from them, absolutely berating a seething man about what sounds like pipette usage. She has no idea if whatever he is saying is scientifically accurate, it probably is, but it doesn’t sound like anyone was at risk of blowing up the lab or this particular experiment is mission critical, so she’s certain this is another instance of Grace’s bad mood.
Stratt pushes her coffees against Ilyukhina’s chest for her to take, sighs, and walks confidently up behind him. She takes quick hold of his hair, tugs hard, and Grace yelps. The sound makes Ilyukhina laugh. He really does sound exactly like an unruly puppy getting picked up by his scruff.
The lab techs are wide eyed, she knows they won’t say anything directly to Grace about this, he might be the Director’s dog, but he’s still second in command over everyone else. But it won’t stop the gossip. And some money is going to be changing hands tonight, depending on whatever the terms of the latest betting pool are.
Stratt drags him by the hair over to Grace’s small work desk, saying something to him out of her earshot. Ilyukhina trots on after them, the lab techs probably want to as well, but she's the only one who they will possibly let get away with it. Quick as she tried to be though, she doesn’t hear any of the conversation until Grace has been pushed down into his chair.
He mutters a genuine enough sounding “Yes, sir, I’m sorry, sir,” but his arms are crossed and his expression is in a cute little pout. As much as Ilyukhina enjoys watching whatever she can catch of their little dynamic displays, she knows she’d be no good at wrangling Grace, she’d give in to those pouty eyes and pursed lips too often.
“Poor puppy,” she says, and Grace seems to just now notice she’s there, raising his eyebrows in a start. “Is he in trouble?” she asks, hopefully.
“Traitor!” he accuses her, clearly piecing together who tattled on him.
“He should probably be punished,” Ilyukhina suggests, ignoring him. His face is a beautiful mix of anger and embarrassment and he’s red all over. Stratt seems to be enjoying herself as well, but she looks more subdued about it.
“I’m already being punished,” Grace says petulantly. “That’s why–” he looks between them, then cuts himself off. He gets somehow even redder, and swivels his chair away from them both. As if he’s going to get out of this that easily.
Stratt just takes the back of the chair and swivels him right back around to face them both and he sinks down, holding his lab coat collar up to hide his face.
Ilyukhina can’t help but giggle. “Aww, what is his punish–, oh! Is the puppy frustrated? Have you made him wait too long? Poor boy.” She draws the vowels out with a very exaggerated tone of pity. She turns to Stratt, who’s doing a terrible job hiding her amusement. “You are so mean to your little puppy!” Ilyukhina is laying it on as thick as possible, embarrassing Grace so much she can practically feel the heat of his blush from here and he’s trying to burrow inside his coat, even pulling his t-shirt collar up over his nose. It’s adorable.
“We all have work to do,” Stratt says sternly. It’s Ilyukhina’s turn to pout at that, and Grace looks relieved, sitting up more normally and sighing. She looks at Grace, puts her fingertips under his chin and tilts his face up to look at her. “Will you be good?”
“Yes, sir,” he says quietly and sincerely, and Ilyukhina feels a surge of affection at the few moments of tenderness that follow. His head moves forward as she withdraws her fingers, trying to chase after the touch, and Stratt smooths her fingertips over his temple, gently ruffling the hair behind his ear.
Stratt then turns to Ilyukhina. “And will you be good?” she asks her, and Ilyukhina shrugs and throws her hands up.
“Can not make promise,” she chirps and even Grace huffs a little laugh.
Stratt looks contemplative for a few moments, just looking between them. It makes Ilyukhina intrigued and curious and appears to be making Grace something more akin to afraid. Maybe he’s familiar with the expression and it’s worried him before.
“My office at eight tonight,” she tells Grace.
“Yes, sir,” he says quickly.
Stratt quirks a quick smile at Ilyukhina. “You too,” she says.
Ilyukhina gasps in delight and Grace squeaks.
Stratt strolls away confidently and Grace and Ilyukhina share a glance. She walks over, scratches behind his ears and heaps on praise about what a good puppy he is until he looks less nervous and starts laughing.
“See you tonight!” she says excitedly, and she hears the clunk of Grace’s head falling forward and hitting his desk as she scampers off.