seraphic | owari no seraph

ripper | lacus

[Detective AU]
(a/n: trigger warnings for mentions of blood and gore)
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

"The Ripper?" You questioned as you pulled out a stool from underneath the counter.

Lacus pulled out his own stool and sat down next to you. He placed his chin in his hands and rested his elbows on the countertop. "That's what the people from the Underground call him."

You chuckled with complacence. "For a detective, you're indisputably comfy with the citizens of the Underground."

Lacus sighed and smacked his palm on the small silver bell lying on the countertop. Ding! It echoed in the stale air of the almost-empty pub. "Well, what better way to investigate your suspects than to mingle with them unnoticed?"

"What a deceitful bastard you are, Lacus Welt."

He winked at you. "I try my best."

A few moments later, the bartender, Ferid, walked out of the old-fashioned batwing doors that led to the kitchen. You noticed that he cut almost half of what used to be his long, snow white hair, and it was put up with clips in a style that resembled how Lacus would do his own purple hair.

"Is that meant to mock me, Ferid?" Your co-worker sighed.

Ferid flicked his bangs with contentment. "No. Not at all, Lacus, dear. Now what brings you and pretty (Name)-chan here?"

"We're here to gather some intel about a certain someone from the Underground," The purple-haired detective replied as he rummaged through his satchel.

Lacus dug out a manila folder and placed it in front of Ferid. The words CONFIDENTIAL: THE RIPPER were printed on the brown surface with red ink. "There. We need more information on that guy. And serve us up a Bloody Mary, will you?"

The snowy-haired bartender peeked inside the folder and shot Lacus a Chesire cat grin. "Oh, Lacus. You know far more about this outlaw more than I ever will."

You immediately flicked your head to Lacus. You saw him furrow his eyebrows in puzzlement. "What are you talking about?"

Ferid only chuckled as he went inside the kitchen once more, leaving the two of you confused. Just then, the bell to the front door of the pub chimed softly. Heavy footsteps creaked on the wooden floor and you noticed someone take the vacant seat to your right.

"I'm sorry I'm late," Mika, another co-worker, breathlessly apologized.

Lacus gave the blond a sympathetic smile. "Krul gave you a hard time in the main office again?"

Mika adjusted the suit he was wearing and sighed. "That bitch is a damn sadist, I tell you."

"Well, it seems like she's taken a liking to you. I honestly think you're one of her favorites, though," You sneered.

Mika groaned.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't informed of a third party coming along."

Ferid came out of the kitchen with two glasses of the crimson drink Lacus liked so much. But, you weren't much of a fan of alcohol, even if that particular drink was mostly made of juiced vegetables.

"Give the second Mary to Mika here, Ferid. I'm good with nothing," You informed him.

"As the lady wishes," Ferid hummed. "But, my, my, what a handsome blue-eyed boy you have here."

You saw Mika visibly stiffen when the bartender batted his eyelashes at him as he gave Mika his drink. You snickered.

"Ferid, this is Mika. Mika, Ferid," Lacus almost couldn't contain his own laughter as he introduced Mika to the flamboyant bartender.