Love is a Three Letter Word [You]

XVII

"Are you the man that fucked my brother?" a seemingly quiet woman stared directly into Vincent's eyes. There was a bit of anger lurking there. 

"You must be Lau's sister..." Vincent replied. She snatched his collar, breaking a button and gazing at his neck. 

"You're him." She removed her hand to lift it, fully prepared to slap Vincent but Lau appeared behind her and grabbed her wrist. 

"Ranran, you're making a scene," he gazed at the crowd in the cafe. 

"Let go," she growled, trying to break free. 

"No." 

"Let go," she struggled harder. "I'm going to kill him!" Lau picked her up and carried her outside. 

"I'm really sorry about this Vee!" he apologized and started running. No he wasn't. He wasn't sorry in the slightest. Lau was very pleased his strange plan had worked, somewhat. 

"I feel a bit guilty..." Vincent admitted. He stared down at his shirt that was one button less and sighed. 

"If you want to come upstairs, I have a sewing kit," Adrian offered, pointing up to the home above the market. Adrian? Inviting him into his home? What? Was that safe? Shouldn't he refuse? He should totally refuse. He needed to. For Adrian's own safety he shoul-

"Thank you," he accepted, following behind. Fuck. Fucking fuck fuck. No. Bad Vincent. But what kind of place did Adrian live in? Was it clean? Was he the messy type? He had so many questions. 

"Sorry it's so messy," Adrian walked in, looking under things and around things for his kit. "My brothers don't like to keep things where they belong. You know how there are clean freaks? Well they're the opposite. They see something perfect and want to destroy it." Adrian lost his train of thought. He found his kit finally. "Take off your shirt," he held out his hand. 

"Right," Vincent took off the apron first and then began unbuttoning his shirt. Adrian stared at him the entire time with his hand held out, waiting. Why was he gazing so intently? Was he looking for something? Vincent started to give the shirt to him but he moved his wrist in the wrong way and dropped it. Shit. Nice move. Good going. He leaned down to pick it up but that gaze of Adrian's never wavered. He didn't even move an inch. Odd, wasn't it? He seemed the type to want to apologize and pick up the shirt instead. Vincent ignored his confusion and gave Adrian the garment.

Adrian sat down on the couch, ignoring the clothes on top of it and started sewing. He used one of those spare buttons attached to the inside. "I know it's not really any of my business," he began, speaking a bit coldly, "but you probably shouldn't start anything up with Lau if you don't want to draw attention to yourself." He held out the shirt for Vincent. Oh fuck. Did he hear her earlier? Shit. It's not what you think. Vincent isn't interested in Lau. They didn't even do anything! Well, they did make-out a bit but it was just for the show of it... 

Vincent opened his mouth to set the record straight but a familiar voice rang out in his ears. He froze, feeling the arms of a ghost wrap around him. Did you really forget me so quickly? This is the perfect chance to push him away... Vincent grabbed the shirt and closed his mouth tightly. It was too soon. He should let this misunderstanding continue if he wanted to push any hope of a new relationship out the window. Just say something like 'You're right, it's none of your business.' 

You're a monster. You're not allowed to find love, Vincent. Did you really think anyone would love you? Murderer. Vincent tried to ignore the haunting presence and put his shirt back on. His wrist throbbed. Murderer. Murderer. Murderer. Was this the hand you used to kill Aleister? Vincent stared at his wrist. He killed him with poison. He didn't...it wasn't for sport...he just wanted to protec- Protection? Hah! You enjoyed it! Don't lie to yourself.

"Vee?" Adrian's voice snapped him back to the present. He raised his hands and took a step back. 

"Sorry," he apologized, not sure what he was apologizing for. 

"Are you okay? You look pale." 

"I'm..." Vincent felt an uncomfortable weight on his chest. He didn't know what the best move was and he was running out of time to make one. "Do you mind if I just step outside for a moment?" he pointed to the balcony. Adrian nodded. He smiled, a bit forced, and opened the door, breathing in the air and letting out a long sigh. Go away. Go away. Go away. Go awa- wait. Vincent looked at the view, taking it all in, and stared at the apartments across the road. This angle. With a set of binoculars, you could...

No. Of course not. Adrian wasn't the type for that. Vincent chuckled to himself and looked at all of the people walking on the sidewalk. Adrian wouldn't. He was nice. Vincent was the ugly one. Maybe not on the outside but definitely on the inside. He should tell Adrian the truth. Nice people deserve to know the truth. 

"Lau and I aren't in that sort of relationship," Vincent grabbed the railing and turned to Adrian. The wind blowing through his hair and his lips managing to smile a bit more realistically. "He isn't my type and besides, I'm not exactly ready to be in a serious relationship right now," he looked back to the sidewalk, moving his hair behind his ear. 

"Am I your type?" Adrian pointed to himself. Vincent turned his head abruptly, completely shocked. Was he blushing right now? Please, tell him he wasn't. Vincent looked at the ground, trying very hard to remain calm. What the fuck was he supposed to do now? He couldn't lie. Lying wasn't his style. But telling the truth would be very difficult. He just said he didn't want a relationship, damnit! 

"Am I your type?" Adrian stood in front of Vincent, grabbing the railing on both sides of him. Vincent tried to lean back but of course if he leaned too far, he'd fall over the railing and to his doom. Adrian stared him in the eyes, waiting for an answer. His face was so close. Don't look at his lips. Don't look at his lips. Don't you dare. Fuck. 

"You two seriously are never going to work when you're on the clock, are you?" Alan huffed, crossing his arms. Saved by the brother. Thank you so much. Vincent laughed and Adrian jumped out of his skin and moved back about ten feet or so. 

"Get back to work," he pointed to the stairs, frowning.