I own nothing and no one
Chapter Ten
"Darling!" Dorian exclaimed in a tone of great delight as he entered the parlor. He threw his arms around the other in a somewhat excessive display of affection. "What a pleasant surprise."
Iron Klaus glared; inwardly annoyed at the lack of impact it had on the English Lord. "Get off me you deviant," he muttered without heat. Years of exposure had given him a partial immunity to the art thief's antics.
The Earl of Gloria gave the general one final squeeze before releasing him. Optimism was one thing. Pressing his luck in regards to the volatile man was something else entirely. "So what brings you here my dear General?" he asked, moving to remove a pair of wine glasses from a nearby cupboard.
"You," the answer was short and to the point.
"Me?" Eroica echoed. A wide grin spread across his face. "Does this mean you are finally taking me up on my offer?" He questioned seductively.
"Nein!" Klaus snapped, the faintest of blushes blooming on his cheeks. He hadn't meant it like that.
Dorian sighed. "Pity," he murmured. Oh well, at least the NATO operative hadn't threatened to shot him this time. That meant he was making progress. The thief retrieved a vintage he knew Klaus was especially fond of and poured them both a night cup.
The thief handed one of the glasses to the other before sinking onto a nearby couch. He regarded Klaus through half closed eyes, well aware of the picture he presented. "So?" Dorian purred.
For a moment Klaus simply stared. It was moments like this he understood how so many could fall for the thief's charm. He quickly snapped out of it, gray eyes narrowing. "What are you up to Eroica?" the general demanded.
A blank expression passed over Dorian's face. Him? He wasn't up to anything. "Darling," the thief stated. "I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about."
"In the last week," Klaus said carefully as though speaking to a child. "You have cancelled seventeen business meetings, declined thirty-four party invitations, and have not eaten out once. You have also," he continued. "Discretely purchased equipment that can be used for a number of covert operations, including thievery." His features hardened. "So I ask again, what are you up to?"
The art thief smirked. "Why Klaus, I had no idea you kept such close tabs on me." It was flattering, in a way.
"Eroica," the raven-haired man growled warningly.
"Oh very well," Dorian said. "In all honesty," he paused. "I am not up to anything."
A skeptical look was thrown the platinum blonde's direction.
"Really Klaus," the thief huffed. "Would I lie to you?"
"Ja," the general replied immediately. "You would." It wasn't like Dorian hadn't done it before. Usually right before he took off with some priceless piece of art.
The Earl didn't seem at all bothered by the accusation. Casually the slender man took another sip of his wine. "Truthfully," he laughed. "I'm just watching a friend's son for him."
Klaus considered that for a moment. It was somewhat plausible, but still. "Why aren't you out showing the boy the town then?" He pointed out the one flaw in the English Lord's argument.
Inwardly Dorian groaned. What on earth had possessed him to fall for such an intelligent man? "It is not that simple," he said softly.
A pair of gray eyes narrowed. "Then explain it to me," he ordered.
"Now, now," the thief teased, fluttering his eyelashes. "You know better than most that a secret is only a secret if two people know it and one of them is dead." Despite Dorian's light-hearted demeanor, his eyes held an unusually serious gleam.
"This boy," Iron Klaus said at last, lighting up a cigarette. "He is in danger?"
"Only if someone finds out he is still alive."
"I see," the general whispered gaze distant. "And you are teaching him." It would only make since. The best way to protect someone was to enable them to protect themselves.
"Yes," Dorian admitted. "I am."
After a moment more Klaus nodded decisively, having come to a decision. "Then I will help." After all, someone had to teach this child the value of good intelligence. Not to mention a measure of decorum.
"You will," Dorian said shocked.
"Ja."
"Oh darling," the thief breathed, blue eyes sparkling. "I do love you."
Klaus just glared. "Do you want me to change my mind?"
Later that evening the general stood at attention as he examined his two latest charges. He didn't know their names, and frankly, he didn't want to. The NATO agent knew it was safer that way. Behind him a number of charts had been pinned to the wall.
This would be a challenge, Klaus realized. He had never taught anyone this young before, or anyone who was not military. Oh well, he thought. It could be worse. The two teenagers were quiet and attentive. Briefly he thought about what a pity it was that the pair was using their talents for such ignoble purposes.
Perhaps he could subvert them, the general considered. They were young enough to be swayed, and NATO could always use a few more good agents. Even if the pair chose to consult in the manner Eroica once had, it would still be a victory.
PTPTPTPTPT
Next will be the Huyu and Kaito's final exam
Both in manners and thievery, I have a couple ideas I can't wait to write.
Please review, and if you want to check out my pictures, go check out my recently created homepage. It is so much more organized than my journals were. Just click on the gallery link for Phantom of a Thief.