The Funtom Company

26: The |After| Company

Adrian sat at the desk of Vincent Phantomhive. He'd tried his best to take over the role. It was a lot of work being Vincent Phantomhive. But he didn't mind it. It kept his mind off of the fact that Vincent hadn't woken up from the incident. He was lying in a hospital bed somewhere in a deep sleep. The poison and the gunshot wound would be a lot for anyone to handle. The only good thing to come of this was the fact that Rachel definitely wouldn't be bothering them anymore. 

Adrian wanted to rest his head on the desk but a familiar face stood at the door. Lau. The last person he wanted to see right now. The Chinese man walked over and sat on Vincent's desk. "I see you've been keeping the place nice and tidy in Vincent's absence." 

"I don't want whatever you're selling," Adrian assured. 

"Oh? But I'm selling some quality things," Lau placed a bottle on Vincent's desk. Adrian stared at it. Whatever it was, it didn't look good. He should throw it out right after Lau left. 

"What is this?" Adrian picked it up to get a closer look. The label wasn't very helpful. So much for that. 

"It's a peace offering," Lau folded his hands. "We didn't exactly have the best introduction, now did we? So, I'm giving you this little present. It's a love potion, if you will. I'm sure Vincent could use some cheering up when he gets out of the hospital. If he gets out of the hospital."

"When he gets out of the hospital," Adrian frowned. 

"It's a shame my sharp shooter didn't get there in time," Lau sighed. "I can't help but feel this is somewhat my fault."

"Because it is your fault, bastard," Adrian grumbled. It wasn't Lau's fault, not really, but indirectly it could all be traced back to Lau. If he hadn't set that bomb, Vincent wouldn't have given him the footage, then he wouldn't have leaked it. Rachel would never have tried to kill Vincent twice.

"Oh? Upset about the whole leaking-the-picture-to-the-press thing? It wasn't my idea," Lau assured. 

"I don't care whose idea it was. You still did it. That's not what friends are for," Adrian sighed. "I apologize, I'm just a bit tense nowadays. You would be too." 

"I'm sure I would, if I had a lover, that is. But, I don't. I most certainly do not have any attachments like that."

"She doth protest too much, methinks," Adrian snickered. 

"Trust me," Lau paused. "I would never have an attachment so long as I have Trader's Enterprise. This life is too dangerous for love. Sex, though, is completely okay. Feel free to send me a text any time Vincent gets too boring." Adrian thought for sure Lau would've winked just then, that is, if his eyes weren't constantly closed. 

"I can assure you Vincent will never get boring."

"If you say so," Lau stood up. "Send me an invitation to the wedding, will you? I would love to take part in a threesome at least." Lau waved as he walked out the door. Such a strange man. Adrian would never understand him. Then again, he didn't have to. 

Adrian picked up the bottle and sniffed it. This didn't seem quite safe, so he shoved it into his pocket and forgot about it. Why should he use something just because it was a gift? Oh, wait, maybe he could tease Ciel with it. How far had he gone with Sebastian anyway? Did he confess yet? Maybe this would provide some inspiration. Adrian pushed the thought to the side. He had things to do. He could always throw it out. That was the original goal. But, now that Lau was gone he was tempted to use it...just to see how it worked. 

Wait. Sharpshooter? Lau got Rachel killed? No, Lau tried to stop Vincent from getting shot. Maybe he wasn't such a bad guy after all. Except, you know, he didn't actually stop Vincent from getting shot. Anyways. There hasn't been much in the news lately about the incident. Ciel seems to have shut down the whole Dollars thing and The Funtom Company, gang edition, for good. Victor stopped messing around with Dispatch Society, in fact he met a cute kid at school and has taken up the hobby of ice skating. So, that's fun. Adrian hadn't heard anything about Leic. Perhaps he was staying with Alois or something. Adrian's brother was being just as creepy as usual. Everything was back to normal. Minus the simple fact that Vincent was in the hospital and who knew when he would wake up. 

"This is so boring," Adrian sighed and plopped his head down on the desk. He liked it better when Vincent was going on about some random plan or being mysterious in that Vincent way of his. 

"I miss Vincent." 

"Well, that's good to hear," Vincent's voice said. Adrian jerked up and looked around. There wasn't anyone here. It must've been his imagination. Great. He was imagining things. He had a dream like this once. 

Thoughts poured into his mind. What if Vincent didn't wake up? What was he supposed to do then? The twins would be adults soon, they could look after themselves. But, Vincent wasn't supposed to leave him behind. That wasn't right. It wasn't how this story was supposed to end. 

"Should've went to Vegas," Adrian groaned. Why didn't he just go on vacation with Vincent to take him away from the whole Rachel scenario? Damnit. This whole thing wasn't even his fault but he felt so guilty about all of it. Maybe Vincent would've been better off hiring someone else that day way back when. Then he would've stayed with Rachel and none of this shit would've happened. 

"That's not quite true, you know?" a voice said. A man stood before him, someone he didn't recognize. He was tall, dark, and handsome with bushy brows. He looked a bit too serious. Adrian didn't like that about him. 

"Rachel was having the affair long before you met Vincent. They would've split up eventually regardless. She wasn't the one to like permanent relationships." Was Adrian seeing a ghost? He really must be tired. Who was this guy?

"My name is Diedrich," he introduced himself. "I'm here to give you a pep talk, of sorts, to make sure you really do as you said you would. I can't hand Vincent over to just anyone." 

"Who are you?" Adrian asked. 

"Well, I'm about to tell you that, aren't I?" Diedrich rolled his eyes. "Now, sit back, relax, close your eyes, and enjoy the sorrow filled tale."