Love is a Three Letter Word [You]

IX

Vincent and Diedrich have been happily in a relationship for about a month and a half. He has been carefully observing and gathering more data to make the relationship last but an ominous feeling made him wary. Chlaus doesn't like Vincent. Vincent doesn't like that Diedrich spends so much time with his 'friends.' But, he doesn't complain. 

The simple matter of Aleister Chamber was also resolved. How? Well, by chopping him up into various 'pieces' and blending the fleshy parts. Unfortunately, Aleister wasn't an organ donor but that didn't matter. Vincent was more than willing to sell his better organs on the black market. The more decent sized bones he could deliver discreetly to various stray dogs. Finding small pieces of bone in a city of this size wouldn't be that alarming. Especially if it wasn't recognizable as human. The only thing that remained of Mr. Chamber was his skull. Dental records were a nuisance so Vincent decided to keep it as decor. Personal decor, of course, hidden away somewhere. 

The death of Aleister was caused by poison. Something simple inside a pumpkin muffin. Vincent wasn't a fan of stabbing. Bleeding out could be quite an issue without proper precautions. Plus, it looked painful and Vincent didn't want to be mean. He'd already accidentally starved Aleister on numerous occasions because he was more interested in Diedrich. But, now that big thorn in his side is gone. He felt like a very free man. 

"You never take me to your place," Diedrich realized. 

"I don't exactly have a good living arrangement. My neighbors are loud and rude and the actual apartment itself is in shambles," Vincent explained. "But, if you want to see it that badly, I don't mind showing you." 

"Maybe you should just move in with me," Diedrich mentioned offhandedly. He then realized what he said and covered his mouth with his hand. "Sorry, that just sort of..." 

"Do you mean it?" Vincent couldn't get his hopes up. 

"It would be moving a bit fast..." 

"Okay then," Vincent grabbed Diedrich's hand and led him in the direction of his own living arrangements. 

"This really is a bad neighborhood. How have you survived this long?" Diedrich had no idea how strong or skilled Vincent really was. Good. That made him all the more impressive. 

"Here we are," Vincent said once they reached outside his door. Claude was yelling at Hannah again in the next room over. Alois was covering his ears and sitting on the stairs. 

"Vincent?" he looked up, terrified. He then stood up and ran over to Vincent, nearly knocking him over with a hug. He clung to him, crying. Vincent patted his hair. 

"This is my neighbor's kid, Alois. Alois, this is Dee," he gestured to Diedrich. 

Alois took one glance at Diedrich and held Vincent closer. "Is he your boyfriend?" he asked, moving to Vincent's side to cling to his arm instead. 

"Yes, he is my boyfriend." 

"But I thought you said I could marry you when I grew up," Alois stared up at Vincent with tears still remaining in his eyes. Vincent had never said any such thing. He knew this. Alois knew this. But, Diedrich did not know this. 

"A lot can happen in the future, maybe you still have a chance," Diedrich shrugged. Excuse me? Vincent blinked. Either Diedrich was insecure and didn't want to think that far ahead for fear of being let down...or he really didn't think much of their current relationship. 

Alois frowned, clinging to Vincent's arm more. "I don't like him," he said. 

"You don't?" 

"No, you're pretty, like a jewel, and he..." Alois eyed him up and down. "Is fake. You should date me instead," Alois announced proudly.  

"You're fourteen," Vincent replied. "You're also shorter than me and I like people that are taller. It's easier to catch them off their guard," Vincent didn't intend to say that but he said it anyway. Hopefully Diedrich wasn't paying that much attention. 

"I'll get taller," Alois puffed out his cheeks. "And you're only like 6 years older than me so when I get older it won't be that bad." 

"We'll see," Vincent turned to face his door and a loud crash was heard in Alois's apartment. Alois flinched, clinging to Vincent tighter, fear on his face. He wasn't able to hold up his facade of being a bratty child. 

Vincent opened his door and gestured for Diedrich to go inside. It was nice and tidy, as usual, with nothing really sticking out. It looked more like Vincent hadn't been there in weeks. "Do you want to come inside too?" Vincent asked the blonde. He nodded and continued clinging to Vincent. 

"This isn't exactly what I expected but you're right, it is pretty rundown," Diedrich wandered around staring at things. Books. Yeah, he expected that. A specialty tea rack. He expected that too. What's with all of the knives though? That seems a bit...strange. 

Vincent eyed the area to make sure nothing out of the ordinary was poking out. He'd already disposed of most of Aleister's things but one could never be too careful. Alois tugged on his shirt sleeve and discreetly pointed to the watch on the windowsill. It wasn't Aleister's. Vincent had already disposed of that. But, it was certainly identical to the one Aleister had. Did someone break in and put that there? It wouldn't be hard considering the state of this place. But, it still made Vincent's blood boil. Diedrich was distracted, all he had to do was grab it somehow without bringing too much attention to himself. But, Diedrich had just made him the center of attention. 

"Why do you have so many knives?" Diedrich asked, staring at Vincent. 

"Different knives cut different things." Alois let go of Vincent so he could walk into the kitchen and distract Diedrich. Alois quietly moved towards the window and snatched the watch. "This knife," Vincent picked up one, "is very good for vegetables. But, this one," he picked up a different one, "is very nice for meat." 

"You haven't cooked anything in the entire time I've known you," Diedrich frowned. 

"I don't have a lot of money to go out and buy ingredients but I have made you breakfast from time to time, remember?" Vincent smiled, placing the knives back. "I enjoy cookbooks." You can learn a lot about how to butcher a body in a cookbook. Oh, and some of the recipes are nice too. 

"Really?"

"Really." 

"Alois, what the fuck are you doing in here?" the cursed Claude appeared at the door. 

"I invited him in," Vincent said. Diedrich blinked and the male was already out of the kitchen and by the door. That was fast. 

"Get out now," Claude pointed to the floor outside the door. Alois stared at the ground and reluctantly moved towards the door. Diedrich was clearly uncomfortable but wasn't going to say anything. This was why Vincent hadn't brought you here, if you remember, but no, Diedrich, you just aren't very smart about these things. 

Vincent grabbed Alois's shoulders and muttered by his ear, "Tell him you were here to steal the watch for him. I'm sure he will be pleased," he smiled at patted Alois on the head. "See you soon," he spoke up. "See you very soon," he glared at Claude.