Midnight Sparkle

Chapter 8

According to Wattpad stats there's uh... 1 over 45 year old man who's been reading all my storied but never engages with the author. So hello and thank you random reader :) 

Adrian and Sebastian lounge on Sebastian's couch drinking and watching the new season of  Stranger Things. The latter is redecorating since Adrian left and what used to be a fluffy grey seat is now cold dark leather. It's a hateful downgrade. Sebastian explains how he's turning Adrian's old bedroom into an 'office' so he can entertain clients here and is converting part of the living room into an actual office to monitor and grow the escort service. Better than getting a new roommate he might hate. 

"Aren' you worried about clients knowin' where you live though?!" Adrian whispers despite them being alone in the house. Sebastian smirks. 

"There've been a surge of violent crimes in the area recently - to protect the high class residents of these apartments a guard comes at night along with the buzzer system," he drawls, tired of explaining this. He's been asked the same question by lots of different people. 

"Still..." Adrian hums. He doesn't want Sebastian to be in any danger, anymore than the escort service already promises. There are so many risks associated in this business and he doesn't want creepy stalkers added to the list. "Be careful, a'ight?" 

"Yes, Adrian. I will be careful," 

Adrian jumps on Sebastian's lap, holding his hands and swishing back his hair. Forcing Sebastian to stare into his eyes he flashes him a hard, unmistakably Undertaker-esque stare. "Promise me," 

"I promise," Sebastian sighs. "You know The Undertaker thing doesn't work on me," he scoffs though his hands shudder slightly in his gloves and he's no longer so relaxed. 

"I wonder if dear Vincent's finished your bedroom yet," The Undertaker checks the time, the twins got out of school an hour ago. He stands before Sebastian and elegantly bows. "I bid you adieu, dear Sebastian," 

"Bye," he waves disinterestedly. Adrian whisks on his tophat and cloak. It billows behind him as he walks downstairs. 

When he arrives there are white vans parked near the doorway with logos on them advertising a painting and decorating firm. He imagined Vincent to hire uppity interior designers but it's nice to see e's employed a cheap, local business. Adrian approaches the staircase when just before he knocks on the front door it wings open violently. "Ah! - You startled me!" he pouts up at Vincent who's standing in the doorway. He's holding the twins' hands on either side of him. 

Adrian tries to enter the manor but Vincent pushes him back out the door. 

"No - no, it isn't ready yet!" he whirls Adrian around and they start towards a car waiting by the gate. "We're leaving, we can kill time at the arcade," 

"I -" Adrian catches Ciel's warning eyes from below. The 1000 yard stare is a clear warning: don't deny Vincent his arcade time. "...Alright. Le's go," 

*

Vincent sits furiously at the arcade machine. It's a solitaire machine on a screen and he's having a frustratingly unlucky night. As in a 10-0 lose streak. Having taken enough crap from this machine, he slams his hand on the pad, smashing it and scaring the shit out everyone in the bar. This includes Adrian, Ciel and Junior who sit around a small table exchanging concerned glances. An exasperated manager walks around the bar, yelling profanities at him. "That's it, you're banned mate - out," he starts manhandling Vincent to the door. Tentatively Adrian rises, Ciel and Junior shake their heads at him to remain at the table. 

"Oh come now, I'm sorry," Vincent whines. "It was a losing streak, you must understand," 

Vincent pulls a chequebook from his pocket and scribbles something out. Tearing off the page he hands it to the manager. The manager looks like he's going to pass out for half a brief second before his face falls to stone. "Sorry for troubling you," his eyes flash to the cheque. "Mr Phantomhive," before scuttling off behind the bar once again.