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[Following that whim, he tilts his head against Vincent's and lets the man stay there as long as he wants. Leaving himself to balance against hand, he lifts the other to stroke a line from the back of the Earl's neck down to a shoulder blade and leaves it there until Vincent wants to pull away.]

They're all good people. You've a lot of your mother in you, but they did well to help you as you grew. I've no doubt you helped them just as much. It's what you do, as little or well as I know you. If you had become anything other than what you are, I might find myself disappointed in you for your mother's sake.

[When Vincent pulls back, he separates himself without protest, even if a piece of himself doesn't want the air between them now more than anything.] I'll thank you for that, if for nothing else, then for your son's sake.

{The kindness Undertaker shows isn't at random or without meaning. Vincent finally understands that it stems from a bond they have shared since the beginning. He cherishes that bond even if Undertaker does not want the title that generally goes with it. Words can be misunderstood or lies; he will hold onto this feeling instead.}

I rely on others and they rely on me. I am not above anyone; we all have roles to play. {He had informed the twins of their place on the estate and what would be expected of them.} So you are not disappointed?

{He feels a spot of warmth in his chest and though he pulls back, his smile is more open and more honest.}

Should I tell him?

Edited 2017-12-05 05:36 (UTC)

[He leans back against his palms on the bedding, humming in thought.] No, no. I jest. I've never been disappointed in you and you've all the right in the world to dismiss that if I was. All I would ask of you is to let me be as I always have been to you. I will be no less.

[If he was ever disappointed in either of them, it was himself, but that feeling seems far from here now, farther and farther away the more brilliant Vincent's smile becomes.] Let me tell him, my lord. I won't leave that on your shoulders. He already knows I'm connected to your mother somehow. If I don't tell him, he will find out in time, but now that I've let the cat out of the bag with you, I may as well confess to him.

{His cheeks grow hot and he chuckles bashfully.} Why would I dismiss your opinion? I have held it in high-esteem for this long. {He grows solemn and thinks back on what Undertaker had done for him; for his son.} You are not far off the mark for being a father, though I am hardly one to judge.

{The choice is entirely right and Vincent presses a kiss to Undertaker's cheek.}

I will leave it to you. {Slipping off the bed at last, he pulls on his shoes and makes his way to the door.} Are you hungry?

[He shrugs, a simple enough gesture, and the blush on Vincent pulls at heartstrings.] That would be for you to decide. We've been civil enough all this time and I don't expect that to change, though if it makes you happy, we can both call ourselves terrible fathers and be at peace.

[Another jest. His grin softens when Vincent moves close and kisses his cheek, and he could have sworn his heart skipped a beat. It's enough of a change from what they normally do that the surprise takes him a moment to recover from.]

Me? I'm fine, thank you, but I'll be glad to join you for a cup of tea, if you don't mind. [Before he stands, he reaches back behind him for the brush, intent on putting it back on his way downstairs after the Earl.] And thank you again for helping me with this mess of hair on my head.

Oh I think now is the perfect opportunity to begin hating you! {He grins, his comment obviously meant as a jest.} How shall I punish you for being such a terrible father? I am too old for fits or tantrums and I can do as I like without permission... Perhaps the true punishment is in spending time with me at all?

{But he knows that isn't so. He has loved Undertaker for awhile and to have that love verified as the same sort he holds for his mother, well, that just makes him happy.}

I don't mind in the least. {He makes his way down the hall, humming.} I enjoyed the task, so you needn't thank me.

Is it, now? [This is more his element. Banter back and forth has been a love of his for ages, and the grin on him shifts more into his usual humor as he takes the brush back where it's been and... on a whim, he steps and is suddenly downstairs in the kitchen, for none other than to see the reaction from Vincent while he gets the cups down for them and tends to the kettle.]

Oh, whatever am I to do? My own child hates me and now I'm forced to be here with him night and day, looking for ways to free his own son from a terrible fate. I told myself I should have been a better father and now my son has become me, a terrible father himself, wanting to help me with the young Earl. My legacy is doomed!

{One minute Undertaker is there, behind him, and the next, he is...nowhere? No! Vincent tilts his head, amazed when he hears someone moving about in the kitchen below. He is quick to rush down the stairs and into said room, eyes wide.}

Is that a Grim Reaper trick? {A damn good one. He's jealous!} I do not think becoming you is the worst fate! We both know it can be far worse.

{His amazement does not leave him easily and he gives his head a shake.}

I suppose that explains why those men seemed to be there and then...not.

[Okay, so it had been a bit overboard. Really though, he'd wanted to tease. He could never quite get enough of it with Ciel and now that he had Vincent back to poke at, what was he to do? Vincent started it and that was his excuse.]

[Water in kettle, kettle on the stove, he sets the burner as if nothing had happened.] You could call it that. It's not anything I was able to do in life. Have I sufficiently impressed you enough to distract you from hating me? I can do it again, if that's not doing it for you.

{He fights a grin, bowing his head forward. His shoulders shake the slightest bit - it is difficult to contain laughter - but he is able to rein himself in and give Undertaker a quizzical expression.}

Do you truly think you can make up for everything by disappearing on me again?

{His smile this time is gentler and he opens one of the cabinets, pulling out cups and plates.}

If you do disappear, I will just have to find you.

[He makes a show of wincing, though the comment does put a flinch in his chest through his smile.] Ah! A harsh blow, as expected of milord! Your words are sharper than any blade. No wonder you're the Earl and I'm not!

[But there's a chuckle in him yet as he moves to wipe down the table, if for no other reason than to have something to do while he waits for the water to boil.] You could find me no matter where I go, I would bet, but I think we both know you wouldn't have to look far. I have a hard time getting away from you. Must be something from your mother. Was she part magnet, by any chance?

{He has a razor sharp tongue - like someone else (ahem) - and he has trouble holding his punches (mainly because he doesn't and that ends up being the recipient's problem). But though he points out the irony of Undertaker's jest, he does not sound or look the least bit angry.}

You know how to speak to the heart. The only reason you are not Earl is because you did not wish to be.

{He brings the plates and cups to the table, arranging them neatly.} Is it terribly silly that I still do not wish for you to leave?

{The comment has him smirking.} She never told you? She possessed a magnet that drew in those with supernatural abilities. I think you more than qualify!

[Rather than sit at the table, he folds his arms across the back of one chair and leans into it, putting it on two legs for the moment as he watches Vincent set the dishes. Why there are two sets here, he doesn't know. Does the Earl mean to feed him anyway or is he waiting for his young son?]

Goodness, no. Why would I want to be? All that attention on me all the time. I did mention I'm trying to hide from certain figures, didn't I?

[Joking aside, he never had been born into noble life and out of it, past what he had with Claudia, he would stay. One more reason their affair was kept secret and his distance from Vincent had to be what it was. Bad enough that a noblewoman had slept with someone not her husband.]

[Playfully, he bopped his forehead with his palm.] Now that explains it. But I don't find it silly that you want me to stay. I'd like to remain here, near you and your son, just as well.

{Tea usually includes a snack, does it not? Cookies or cakes - and a plate makes that less of a messy affair. As far as Ciel is concerned, Vincent will spend any time he can with him, but he is also doing his best to not push.}

I don't mind it. {The attention, that is.} I ignore the majority of it. Few opinions truly matter when you think about it. The rest is just noise.

{Except... He should have seen trouble coming. He wishes he could go back in time and see what he missed.}

The surname didn't tip you off? Phantomhive? {His eyes sparkle and he moves back into the kitchen to search for cookies or cake. Even sandwiches would be appropriate.} He would be very unhappy if you left. ...as would I.

[He'll let Vincent choose what he wants from the cabinets unhindered. The man knows his way around the kitchen well enough, and it's as much Vincent's as it is his anyway.]

Indeed. I've cared for little in the way of opinions for myself outside of my employment. [In the funeral home and with the Phantomhives just the same. His mannerisms said as much for him.]

Might have. I knew your mother in passing before she was married, but I supported her fiancee and knew well enough what I was getting myself into with that one. [In a way, he thought he owed the man some thanks. He was the one who introduced them, but that was long ago and Undertaker hadn't had good or ill feelings for the Earl beyond business acquaintance either way. He bows his head at that mention though, and sets the chair back down to go tend the kettle as it starts screaming at them.]

I might as well. My name is still on part of this place, if nothing else. To be honest with you though, it gets terribly lonely if I'm away from either of you. After everything we've been through here, it's become something of a habit.

Speaking of habit, your rest earlier during your nap. I've noticed your son has a difficult time sleeping without me near. If you've the same inclinations, I don't mind letting you use me as a sleep aid. Nothing wrong with it.

{He finally tracks down some sugar cookies and a small cake. With the aid of a larger plate, he makes a nice grouping of each for them to enjoy.}

Those who work with you the closest no longer have anything to say. {There is a certain beauty to that. He glances at Undertaker, paling.} Ah... Was there anything left of...us? I do not rightly know what became of me or Rachel after.

{He smiles faintly without much humor.} Mother held the financial reins, I assure you. Phantomhive is a far older and richer name. I took her surname for that reason - and for the fact that she was the one who prepared me to serve the Queen.

{Claudia had bent a few rules in her time, which is precisely why Vincent was so well-prepared to have a lot of strong-willed women in his life.}

Is that all? {He carries the plate to the table and purses his lips.} We can't have you lonely.

{Color congregates on his cheeks again and he turns away slightly.}

See to him. I...will adapt. {Surely he is strong enough? He likes to think so, but -} It was a very nice nap.

[With water in their cups, he sets the kettle on an oven mitt and lets it stay there, ready when they want more. Before he says anything else, rolling his thoughts around, he takes a tea bag and sets it in the cup to let it steep. The question throws him off a little, and had he not been so attached to the man, he wouldn't have hesitated to answer at all. His voice quiets for his response.]

There was a fire at the manor started long before anyone knew what had happened. Whoever did it wanted to cover their tracks. By the time word reached me, it had been put out, but... It was far too late. What went into your coffin and your wife's coffin was little more than fragments of bone.

[His back had been turned to Vincent when he set the kettle down and for it, he was more than glad. He continued to stand there, head lowering at the memory. There he was, informant to the Earl, one of his strongest allies, and even he hadn't known what was to happen. Eventually, he shook his head with a sigh and moved back to the table, to stand by his chair instead.]

Of course she did. Your father commanded much in his time, but they were more equals than he would admit. [He lifted his head to Vincent at mention that he shouldn't be lonely, head tilted in his curiosity and more than willing to take to the distraction.] Will you? You know your son said the same thing to me and it wasn't long after that I woke to find him trying to sleep, sitting against my bed.

[He didn't bother to elaborate on that, not yet, but the poor young Earl. Those had been rough times for him.] If you find yourself unable to sleep, I won't question you if you come to us. Keep you close to your son as well.

{A fire. So the bloodshed hadn't been enough. The perpetrators were - are? - scared of repercussions; of being caught. They are entirely right, of course. The Phantomhives have extensive ties - as Ciel would have known.

Vincent rests a hand on the table as an anchor.} I put you through too much. I do not think most Phantomhives live long lives, but... Thirty-four is... My mother lived for two years longer than I did.

{He looks up at Undertaker, lips in a grim line. Part of him wants to admit that the entire situation has upset him greatly. But that is giving his foes too much credit. Vincent has more pride than that and he sits down, leaning back in as casual of a manner as he can manage.}

You are too kind for your own good. How can anyone sleep if we are all piled on top of one another? {He sighs.} I want to be there for both of you, but that requires me getting back on my feet. I have a reason - a purpose - so I believe it can be done.

Edited 2017-12-06 02:35 (UTC)

[He watches Vincent sort his thoughts, wishing he could help, despite having left near everyone else to their own devices in his time, but Vincent is special to him. He always has been. There's no doubt in his mind that if he hadn't been what he is to the man, his dedication to the Phantomhive line would not have been nearly as involved as it was now.]

You've put me through nothing, milord. If anything, I failed you in that I didn't see your tragedy coming. I'd like you not to blame yourself for anything here what befalls me. We both know there isn't anything you could have done to prevent it.

[The look, while not lost on him, isn't acknowledged either. He takes his own seat and reaches for one of the cookies Vincent had set out a few moments before and shrugs.]

You might be surprised. Your boy has managed it time and time again. [One bite of that cookie later.] As I've said, you needn't do this alone. Your persistence is admirable, but I have my concerns that you'll stumble. Nothing against your character, of course, but this isn't anything that you've been prepared for at any point in your educated and sophisticated life. You were murdered, your wife stolen from you. For all we know, the Queen herself arranged it, but still, here we are.

{A father that doesn't wish to be called father. Vincent is blessed and he has two major reasons to not give into his grief and his guilt. Three, actually, if he counts his own nature. He has never been the sort to give in; if he sought a goal, he put all of his ambition into acquiring it. For now, his goal is to be strong again.}

None of my contacts warned me of it. Either they were paid off by those responsible or they did not know.

{He smiles weakly, leaning forward to claim a piece of cake.} He can manage anything he so desires. I just want him to be happy and healthy. Pushing himself to be an Earl and Watch-Dog might weaken him too much.

{And then there is another early demise for the Phantomhives.}

Stumbling is human. {His eyes widen and his throat feels suddenly dry.} What evidence is there against Her Majesty? Why would she wish to - ?

[That will forever tug at his guilt, having been what he was to the Earl and having missed all of it. It wasn't his fault alone, if he thought of it rationally, or even his fault at all, but it still bothered him. It always would. But he finished the cookie off in a second bite and was done with it.]

For their sake, when I return home, they had best pray that they were among those who did not know. It's still a mystery I've yet to unravel myself, but your son hasn't made much headway regarding it either. We've been searching each on our own terms.

[He won't bother to speak on it more. They're in no place here or now to do much about it, so why worry? There are more pressing matters to attend, such as what they're going to do about Ciel.] He has been doing well so far in that aspect, you'll be happy to hear. There is the demon who has been helping him along, unfortunately, but where we are now, he won't accept my help, and I'm in no position to offer him what he needs.

[But the thought of the Queen having been at fault. He grins widely and shrugs once more.] Oh, I don't know. I just don't like her, but I'd like a reason to see her reign end.

{The cake is picked at, but Vincent seems reluctant to eat. His nap has done wonders for him - and he feels much stronger - but with being more aware comes the crushing descent of regret, mostly. He knows there was nothing he could do for his family - being so ill informed - but he has no one else to blame but himself. If only he could execute those involved...those who knew and did not speak...

He wonders if that will even be enough.} You will get to the bottom of it. We simply need to be patient. I think you understand the frustration that the dead might feel, however. If I could become a vengeful spirit, I would!

I am proud of what he has done, but the presence of a demon frightens me. I have never met one and so this beast is entirely unknown to me. {And Sebastian has direct access to his little son - and his little son's soul.} His impudence enrages me.

{Yet, outwardly, Vincent remains calm in appearance.}

She has stretched her influence across the world. If her reign ends, it will be because of her death.

[He sees that picking. At this distance, if he had missed it, he'd be more concerned about himself than past regrets. Rather than calling it out, he watches it happen, fascinated with the way that Vincent prods at his snack.]

Wise words. Patience is much of it, and timing. The rest will reveal itself one way or another. For now, the demon is controlled, even if it isn't here. It's nothing to concern yourself with unless it ever does show its face, but they're little more than wolves starving in the wild.

[Calm as the Earl tries to remain, he knows the man's rage, knows his anger, and knows it's best not to trigger it. His smile changes, flashing a bit more of the anger in his own heart, but his words show anything but.] Easy, my lord. Easy. Your mind worries about one thing, and I can hardly blame you, but come back to the present. Stay with me here and now.

[Says he, as he can't help but take one more unnecessary snipe at Victoria.] Well... [He giggles. He can't help that either.] I am a grim reaper.

{It's a bad habit, but a nice distraction nonetheless. There is art to picking at food. If one does it right, ingredients separate and one can know the truth of their meal. Similar methods worked on people too.

Licking icing from his finger, he listens to Undertaker's voice. The man has a lulling effect on him and he gives a small smile.}

Hounds can hunt wolves. {Starving wolves might be more dangerous, but they are also weaker.} I will rest easy if you are able to kill it. You will be doing the work Rachel and I wish we could do.

{Seeing Undertaker's anger soothes him even more and he eats larger bites of the cake (though he never forgets his manners).}

I do like being here with you now. {His gaze warms at the giggle and he sips on his tea.} If you think it is best for her to be disposed of, I trust your judgement. I have no love for her; I merely did her bidding.

[One more cookie for him and he'll work on his tea, content that it's cooled enough now that he won't fry his taste buds after one sip.] When the time comes, I'll be all too delighted. I only hope you're there to witness it.

[No love lost there, none at all. Not for the demon and not for the Queen. But one would be harder to get rid of than the other, and that wasn't something lost on him either. No one would miss the demon, but the Queen? Half of England would be in arms over her loss, the living and the dead alike, and that was such a shame.]

She'll be harder to do away with, you know. Not that I mind. Her death will be simple. One movement in, one swipe, one movement out, but even that will take planning. As long as she doesn't try anything drastic with your son, I suppose I can permit her to breathe. But it is rather fun to see her outfoxed by a boy of fourteen.

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