A Melody - MurderMedia Oneshot
Alastor hummed another one of his old-timey songs. Vince strained to listen, stiffening softly as he caught the tune.
To live it again is past all endeavour,
except when that tune clutches my heartâŚ
Artie Shaw was a staple in that kitchen. So many songs Vincent had heard over and over. And yet, he couldnât help but feel like he was listening to them for the first time when they were sung to him.
⌠What moments divine, what rapture serene.
He quietly put his drink down, turning ever so slowly to face tonightâs performance. Alastor was still humming, but perhaps heâd break into song. Oh, he loved when that happened. Sometimes heâd take his hand, and theyâd dance. Alastor seemed oblivious to his begging gaze, sleeves rolled up and hands deep in sudsy water. The vinyl Vincent had bought him spun merrily as Alastor brought out a kitchen knife, reaching with his other hand for the tea towel.
âVincent, dear, itâs rude to stare,â Alastorâs butter-smooth voice spread through him, leaving his mind uncomfortably blank.
âRight,â he managed a laugh. âJust curious if you were going to sit down with me soon.â Vincentâs posture and glance tore back to the rum on the table as he nervously realized he had let his guard down and been caught. Alastor chuckled softly as Vincentâs lips brushed the glass to gather more liquid courage. âWeâll have to see, wonât we?â He teased.
Vincent sat back, stirring the glass by rocking it in his hand. He cocked an eyebrow. âAre you inviting me to wash dishes and hum your old-timey music?â
Alastor had long turned his back to him, shaking his head at the thought. âHeavens, no,â He sighed. âYouâre a butterfingers. And Artie Shaw is timeless, not old.â
Vince fought a laugh. If thereâs one thing heâd learned quickly, it was that the o-word was taboo. Something he thought funny, considering the man was 17 years his senior.
âWell jeez, Al, let me help you with something!â Vincent made his move, placing his drink down and slowly approaching from behind. âYouâve been cleaning up from last night still,â he pointed over at a freshly cleaned knife sitting to be dried on a towel.
âI donât need any help, Vincent,â He looked at him curiously but there was some amusement in his expression. âMust you keep me from destroying our evidence?â
Vincent shook his head, certain that Alastor was messing with him. âYour shirt is still stained,â He said incredulously. âCan you at least let me handle laundry?â
Alastor inspected the small stain mentioned on his collar, smiling as if Vincent had understood some kind of joke.
âWell, I canât see how youâd mess that up,â He shrugged, drying his hands on another dish towel. âJust donât touch anything that isnât yours and donât go looking for trouble, now.â
âSure, Al,â Vincent smiled at the acceptance. âYou can trust me.â
âOh believe me, I know,â He blinked before walking to his room to change his shirt.