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Alastor ruffled his damp hair with his towel as he walked in from the bathroom. He went over to the wardrobe and looked through it with a hum.
“Anything exciting to report?” he asked curiously as he chose his clothes for the evening. He glanced over at Vincent, who was perched by the window as he smoked. “Vincent?”
“Just a minute,” Vincent insisted as he took a drag and blew the smoke outside. “Pretty sure we’re about to see our suspect come up.” Alastor pulled on his pants and walked over to him, looking out the window as well. A sleek car pulled up and they saw the driver get out and go to the other side to open the door. Desiree, the suspect in question, stepped out in an elegant, ruby-red dress. She glanced up towards their window slightly. Alastor immediately wrapped his arms around Vincent’s waist and nuzzled into his shoulder. Desiree made her way into the club they were watching. Alastor pulled back and went over to finish getting dressed.
“I’m pretty sure she’s suspicious of this little love nest we have up here,” Alastor pointed out.
“It would help if you actually put in some effort to be more affectionate with me,” Vincent teased as he stamped out his cigarette in the ashtray on the windowsill. He ruffled his hair and went over to sit on the edge of the bed. “You have to sell it, Al. We’re supposed to be on a romantic getaway, aren’t we?”
“Why can’t we just…be like we always are?” Alastor suggested. “Why do we need to be so…publicly in love?”
“We’re two men who never get a chance to express our love publicly,” Vincent reminded. “This place is our chance to get away with doing all the things we have to save for when we’re in private.” Alastor groaned softly as he buttoned his shirt and sat down next to Vincent to put on his tie. Vincent rested his head on Alastor’s shoulder with a smile.
“I’m not the type of person who just throws themselves at their partner,” Alastor insisted. “This whole being all over each other in public is a bit much.” He kissed the top of Vincent’s head gently. “But I’ll try. For the sake of our case, I will try.”
“I’m okay with being the lead if that’s what you’d prefer,” Vincent offered as he patted Alastor’s thigh. “I can be the affectionate man while you be the shy one.” Alastor rolled his eyes at that. “Give me a few minutes, and then we can head over to that club for some innocent drinks and dancing.”
“How’s the little holiday going, boys?” Desiree hummed as she leaned against the bar by Vincent.
“Oh, it’s been great,” Vincent admitted as he leaned over and kissed Alastor’s cheek. “This place is amazing.”
“Mm, my club is always here to support those who want to express themselves in this cruel, dull world.” Desiree took a sip of her cocktail with a pleasant smile. She traced her hand over Vincent’s arm a little. Alastor bristled slightly as he held his charming smile. While he wasn’t overly affectionate in public, he didn’t like seeing others be that way towards Vincent. After all, Vincent was with him.
“I’ve been wondering about something,” Alastor admitted. “You see, we heard about this place from another couple, who was it again?” He looked at Vincent curiously. “Ah, Margie? Maggie? Martha! Martha and Anna, right?”
“O-oh, right,” Vincent said, perking up slightly. He wasn’t expecting to dive right into the case this evening. He had hoped to ease into things, build a rapport with this suspect.
“Ah, I remember them,” Desiree said with a nod. “Those two were set to get married if I remember right. They were gonna have this cute little engagement party in here. I haven’t seen them since they made the announcement.”
“Those poor things turned up dead last week,” Alastor explained. “All cut up and dumped in the swamp like nothing. We were just devastated when we found out. But we just wanted to see this place that they raved about, if only to honor their memory.”
“That’s sweet,” Desiree praised. “Poor girls. I can’t imagine who would ever do something like that to such sweethearts.”
“Someone must’ve been horribly jealous,” Alastor mused. “After all, they were so pretty. And they were the sweetest girls.”
“Dial it back,” Vincent whispered to him before kissing his cheek again.
“I must say, it almost feels like you think someone in my club might’ve done something to them,” Desiree said with a soft laugh. “Maybe you think I know something?”
“Oh, not at all,” Vincent reassured, waving it off. “We’re just concerned about them. And about the fact that whoever did it is just running around out there. I mean, what if they decide we’re next?” He leaned against Alastor a little, tugging at his arm. “Makes me glad I’m not all on my own.”
“Mm, I’ll protect you,” Alastor promised.
“Well, boys, why don’t you enjoy a drink on me?” Desiree suggested. “I have a few business matters to attend to upstairs. Excuse me.” She slipped away as they got two whiskeys for themselves.
“Are you out of your damn mind?” Vincent scolded gently. “We’re supposed to be working up to the interrogation part.”
“She was touching you,” Alastor pointed out as he took a drink.
“So, you’re going to fuck up the whole thing over jealousy that’s completely unfounded?” Vincent asked in disbelief. “Alastor, I’m yours. First and foremost. And we have to do this carefully. That woman is suspected of a lot more than just these two murders. The last thing I want is to be on her bad side.”
“Alright, alright,” Alastor said, letting out a breath. Vincent leaned up and pecked his lips a couple of times. “Am I doing alright with the other part?”
“You’re doing fine,” Vincent nodded. “Just dial back the detective part. We’ve got time to really get involved with things here. I want that woman to be putty.”
“Do you realize how attractive it is to see you get so invested in a case?” Alastor whispered. Vincent rolled his eyes and patted his back with a chuckle. “How do you want to approach this after all of that?”
“Concerned friends, like I said,” Vincent hummed. “Concerned and worried about a maniac that’s out there murdering couples.” He drank half of his whiskey and leaned against Alastor. “Come dance with me. And stay closer than usual to me when we dance in public. Couple. Romantic getaway.”
“I get it, I get it,” Alastor insisted. “Just keep your hands above the waist at least. I don’t care how much we can express ourselves here. You’re not getting to feel me up in front of other people.”