The House Master

Everything Ties Together

You get an extra long chapter to make go for lack of updates. Enjoy!

Adrian wakes up for school and throws his pillow at the alarm to shut it up before going downstairs to get breakfast.

"Adrian, you're up early," William and Vincent smile. They sit at the breakfast table eating Cornflakes, the most boring of all cereal.

"You know those things were invented to kill your sex drive, right?" Adrian frowns at their choice of cereal. He pours himself a bowl of Golden Oreo cereal and scowls at William's bowl. "How the fuck can you eat that without milk?"

"Milk in cereal is disgusting," William grimaces as Adrian pours his, shuddering slightly when he adds milk.

"And the reason I'm awake so early is so I can do some volunteer work at school," he giggles at the others' shocked faces. "Are you forgetting that I have a trial coming up for my little investigation of Phantomhive manor? I have to be a model student, don't you know?"

"What kind of volunteering can you do?" William asks. "Surely nothing to do with sports or community outreach?"

Adrian smirks, looking over at Vincent. "You know, right?"

"Baking," it's a guess, Vincent's brain isn't at full capacity yet. He's barely began drinking his coffee.

"Exactly," he winks. "I can only make biscuits, but that's enough to teach a class of Year 7s," 

"It will do well for your application to university," William assesses. Adrian rolls his eyes.

*

Arriving at school, Vincent is perturbed by Diedrich's absence. He hasn't texted, nor is he at first period. Sighing over his business assignment, he bounces his leg with nerves.

Meanwhile

A few minutes before classes begin, Adrian corners Diedrich at the side of the school. He drags him beyond the school gate and onto the back path. Diedrich struggles against Adrian and shouts for help, but he doesn't really fight. Vincent would never forgive him if he harmed Adrian.

Adrian pulls Diedrich under the bridge overlooking the river. Underneath the bridge is a small alcove just big enough for two people to stand a few feet apart. The darkness makes Adrian's eyes glow a strange fusion of the colours. Like light streaming through cathedral windows.

"Nice place to talk, wouldn't you say?" Adrian taps on his teeth with a long, black nail.

"What do you want?" Diedrich looks away, forcing irritation to replace the fear in his voice.

"Oh - I think you know, but maybe I overestimate you," his giggle is the same pitch as before, but is now sultry and drawn out. "I want you to tell me why you dislike me so much,"

Diedrich blinks in surprise and blushes in embarrassment, wishing his hair was long enough to cover some of his face. "I don't know what you-"

"Even Vincent has trouble lying to me," Adrian tilts his head back, staring down his nose at the taller boy.

Realising the hopelessness of lying, Diedrich acquiesces to tell the truth. "You're terrible for Vincent. I researched your family the first day we met - I know all about their dealings in the underworld! You're probably a criminal, just like them. I'm not letting you drag Vincent into that! I'm his best friend, it's my job to protect him,"