Book of One-Sh!ts

[Vincent x The Undertaker] Wherefore art thou, Romeo?

Some things are forbidden to those who want them the most. Things like love, riches, or power. Things like knowledge. Things like emotions. Some things just do not exist to those that wish to have them. They are forbidden. They are the forbidden fruits that are the greatest temptations. People cannot know them, for they will not understand them.

The door closed in the familiar mortician's funeral home. He wasn't surprised to see the young boy standing there. However, what he was surprised to see was him standing there alone. The blue-haired boy never left his manor without the company of his butler. The Undertaker chuckled. To what did he owe this great pleasure? The little earl came to visit him. Was this his first errand?

"My, my, if it isn't the young Earl Phantomhive," The Undertaker smiled and rested his chin on his hand. Unfortunately, the earl was not in the mood to play games. He never was.

"Undertaker," the earl slammed his cane down on the floor, "enough with the foolishness. I'm here to talk business."

"Business? Without your butler? What business could you possibly have with me?" The Undertaker continued to grin. "Are you finally willing to let me build you a coffin?"

The young earl walked forward and slammed his hand down on the table. The table shook, as did everything on it, but The Undertaker wasn't phased by this action. He didn't even flinch. "Tell me the meaning of this photograph," he glared. The Undertaker could see the truth behind the glare. It was not one of animosity but one as a front to hide his curiosity. The young earl was awakening feelings within himself. Ah, the troubles of youth. He isn't that much different from his father after all.

"Is that not a picture of the late Earl Phantomhive? What could I possibly tell you that you don't already know?" The Undertaker refused to give in. He wasn't going to hand out free information. It mattered little to him how much the young earl wanted to know.

"Don't feign ignorance!" the young earl raised his voice, "I know you are the woman in this picture. Do not pretend otherwise! There isn't another individual with that kind of hair around! Tell me the meaning behind this photograph! I demand to know your relationship with my father!"

"You, 'demand to know' things that you cannot afford, young Earl Phantomhive," The Undertaker picked up the photograph and held it in his hands. He looked at it with nostalgia as the memories came back to him. Yes, he loved Vincent with all of his heart but a relationship between the two was futile. Vincent was betrothed. Vincent had no need for a damaged reaper. A forbidden love between star-crossed lovers could not bear fruit. That's the curse of those that collect the souls of the dead. So, he forbid it from ever happening in the first place.

"You don't understand," the young earl's voice cracked as he fell to his knees, "I need to know the relationship between you two," he began to shed unwanted tears as he knelt on the floor. The Undertaker got out of his chair and walked to the other side of the table. He knelt down in front of Ciel and looked him in the eyes.

"Am I the only person you can talk to about your mysterious feelings? That's amusing, is it not? Never in my long life did I expect you to come to me about problems of the heart. This is most amusing, young lord, most amusing indeed. Very well, sit down, have a cup of tea, I suppose I shall tell you the story of myself and Vincent Phantomhive."

The two sat down and sipped the warm tea that The Undertaker had taken the time to make. The Undertaker stared into his cup and formulated the sentences he needed to speak. "It's true, that we had a somewhat interesting relationship, your father and I, but I cannot think of where to begin. I suppose the easiest way to start any story is just to simply start it, wouldn't you agree?"