Alois was scared of planes.

It was a newer discovery of his. Really, it had only just occurred to him at this very moment, when he was being loaded onto the plane à la Hannibal Lecter.

Arms were bound in a straitjacket, mouth covered with a mask and legs and torso strapped to a handcart. It made him look much more mad than he really was. Truthfully, he was not mad. Maybe there were a few screws loose somewhere in that knotted-up brain of his, but not unscrewed enough that he could be considered one of the crazies.

Frankly, it was a bit insulting to be put in such a getup. For one, it wasn't even a flattering color- beige. Fucking beige. That was the color of trouble, he had come to realize. Fried food was usually beige, and as every good citizen of the world knows, eating too much of it could clog your arteries and kill you. Not to mention Ciel's trench coat had been beige on the night they had met, and look at what a grand situation he'd wound up in, thanks to that prick.

Then of course, there was the fit of it. It was far too tight, too constrictive around his body, which made him anxious. And when he was anxious, he'd usually shake his leg, twiddle his fingers, fix his hair, anything. But he couldn't move. If he couldn't move, couldn't fidget, he wouldn't be able to do anything. Which meant he'd have use his brain to entertain himself. And if his head made conversation with his soul for too long, he was sure he really would descend into madness.

Good god, another discovery! Alois' head spun, I'm also claustrophobic!

Well, alright, he had to rationalize with himself, he wore tight clothing and high heeled shoes, so surely he couldn't be claustrophobic simply because of that, right?

No, no, that would be absurd. That's not what makes me claustrophobic. It's just that this whole... ensemble. It's like a room in and of itself. It's too tight, it almost surrounds me entirely. Too tight, too tight.

Ah. He supposed that made sense. In that case, this plane ride had to end, and it had to end quickly.

Oh, but the engine hadn't even started. Of course it hadn't. It wouldn't for another half an hour. Thirty entire minutes. Why did they want to take their sweet time? Well, they had to clear and load the jet, make sure he was stable enough that he wouldn't fall over, check his straps to be sure he couldn't free himself, all that other shit that made Alois feel positively dreadful inside. His stomach churned and his breath grew increasingly more ragged as time went on.

"Hey, you," he shot the firmest whine he could at the guard adjusting the straps, "please, sir, put me to sleep. I don't want to be awake for the ride, I'm scared, please, just give me a pill or something."

The man almost looked at him, a cold deviance radiating from just above the bridge of his nose.

"Fine, yeah, yeah, I can see why that- might be an issue, but- maybe just loosen these straps a bit? Y'see I can't really breathe and I-"

The guard promptly turned on his heel and exited the jet. He would not have it. He would not allow it. His fate was sealed.

That was it, then. Alois was going to die on this plane. If not from the crash, then surely because of suffocation. Already he could feel his ribs breaking with every breath he took, the air beginning to feel like dust and smog inside his lungs. He wanted out. He wanted out. He wanted out.

Ciel entered the plane just then. He looked up from his boarding pass and was met with the most hideous sight he thought he'd ever seen. His nose crinkled in disgust, the ever present feeling of revolt setting in. It always seemed he'd find his best catch in a compromising position, be it submissive or downright embarrassing, but what would he classify this as?

A hyperventilating, shaking mess on a dolly sat in front of him. It was a long, svelte, grotesque looking thing, the way it moved so violently upon each tremor bringing a sick kind of joy to the detective's heart. The tip of the thing's nose blooming crimson as it flowed clear and ran down the thing's lip, its mouth was cracked and dry and abused by poignant teeth. Its silvery flaxen mop atop its head was mussed, and the locks and strands and knots shook along with the rest of its body. The eyes were hidden by the thick tresses and thank god they were, Ciel thought, because if he ever caught them staring he would not hesitate to make sure they never stared again. He hated them. He hated this display as a whole.

And yet he didn't. In spite of everything he was witnessing, the grueling task of taking care of this... thing, he couldn't help but think to himself,

How beautiful.

Yes, that was what this was. Simply divine, utterly captivating, beautiful. Alois could never be ugly, he decided, because it was not in his nature, and because it brought Ciel pleasure to look at him no matter what state he was in. It was not love, no, not even close. It was more so hatred than anything else. He hated him. He hated him so much that it was practically orgasmic to see him suffer like this. He was lovely when he was normal, and that was simply a matter of genetics. But when he was disgusting, when he was a wreck, when there was a possibility that he could pass out or die at any moment- that was when he was truly beautiful.

Ciel left his thought at that. If he continued, he was positive he would come to some unwieldily and false conclusion that would only aid in his anger, so he recognized it, made peace with it, and ceased. He strode into the jet and slammed his briefcase onto one of the chairs and marched to his capture.

The poor boy in the straps wept as Phantomhive got closer, still seizing tragically. He couldn't help it anymore, he was totally petrified. Ciel grimaced, the thing even more unsightly up close. He had to put an end to this behavior, otherwise his already cumbersome flight would be made even worse.

He gripped Alois by the throat and forced his head up, causing the towhead to gasp and lurch forward.

"Why are you shaking?"

"It's- not my fault, it's-"

"I know. Why are you shaking?"

"We're gonna crash," the blond rasped his reply hurriedly.

"We won't. Is that all?" Alois shook his head no. "What else?"

He swallowed, "My restraints, they're- too tight."

"Don't think about them then."

"You think it's that easy?" With that, Ciel pressed down on Alois' neck, just next to his Adam's Apple. His thumb struck his Vagus nerve, and the blond cried no more. He fell limp on his dolly with a yawn-like sigh, still and silent.

The bluenet stared at the body for a moment, awed at how quickly silence befell the plane before he gingerly pressed two fingers to the unconscious man's temple. There was a pulse, thank goodness. He grunted in relief.

"You could have been a bit less sexual about that, I think," a voice behind the detective chimed.

Ciel turned, surprised to find his good friend boarding the jet. "Sebastian," he raised his brows and let go of his game.

"A pressure point, sir? And the one in the neck, to ready it out?"

The other huffed. "He'll be fine. He was squirming like a loon. If I didn't stop him immediately, there would be no rest on this flight."

"I see. Though, for someone who supposedly regrets making love to that one," he gestured to the silent man, "your tactic was questionable."

"It shut him up then and there, I see no problem with it." Ciel folded his arms and swiveled away from his companion. "What're you doing here, anyway?"

"You can't possibly think they would really make you go to a new country with a dangerous fugitive alone. Elizabeth and I will be accompanying you to ensure that the process goes smoothly."

"Oh great. I need backup so they send two whole people. How resourceful," he remarked. "Wait, Elizabeth? She's head of the London branch, she shouldn't be coming."

"She was demoted. They found that her leadership skills were largely inadequate in such a position and she was given back her old post. Her father will be taking over as Chief of Police."

"I see," Ciel sighed and began to walk to his seat. He sat with a grunt and crossed his legs. "At any rate, when will Elizabeth arrive? I'm already dreading this trip enough, I don't want to have to wait any longer."

"She'll be taking a separate aircraft. Her father feared for her safety traveling alongside him, so special accommodations were made for her comfort," Sebastian explained coolly, his signature genteel smile consistently gracing his fine features.

He carefully set his bag in the overhead compartment- at his height he hardly needed to reach- and shut it, coming back down to rest next to his associate. He pulled a pair of spectacles out of his breast pocket and sat them atop his nose, a book he'd hidden in his coat now placed in front of him. Sudoku, of course. That was one of his favorite pastimes, the oddball he was.

Sebastian really was quite unusual, Ciel reminded himself. He was very attractive, as most people working in his department were. Tall, dark, and handsome was his perfect description, with his sharp jawline, silky hair, long face, and burgundy eyes. And yet, his outward appearance was one of the very things that made him so peculiar. There was never a hair out of place, never an imperfection on the skin, nor even a drop of sweat.

He always spoke with refined language that no one else was able to match in eloquence or execution, a diction unlike any other. Not to mention his attire, which was always the same color scheme- black, white, and black. It was almost as if he was incapable of wearing any other colors. The man's etiquette was something to strive after, although sometimes he was so gentlemanly that it was nearly frightening. He was just perfect, too perfect, and it was bemusing to those around him.

Ciel supposed that that was the reason they were friends. They got along because of how eerily similar they were and because of how they appeared to their colleagues. They had the same ticks, the same interests, the same parts. And that was why they would remain friends. Never anything more than that. They were too alike, their camaraderie was perfect as it was- just like the individuals involved. It would only be surreal and boring if they pursued a further relationship.

That, and neither man was interested in the other.

"What page are you on?" Ciel inquired, scooting closer to his compatriot.

"Sixty-seven out of one hundred. I'm onto the more difficult ones, so if you feel like helping I suggest you use your deductive skills to the best of your ability."

"Since when would I not? Show me the chart."

~oOo~

The flight lasted 11 hours and 25 minutes, during which Ciel had (almost proudly) done a variety of odd jobs.

Firstly, he had aided Sebastian in completing his Sudoku puzzles, much to his satisfaction and the other's chagrin. "I'll have to not only spend money on a new book now," the elder had lamented, "but American money that I don't yet have!"

After that he'd gotten up and moved around a bit, floundered about trying to get comfortable, and successfully managed to take a four hour nap. Then Alois woke up.

He was calmer from when Ciel had seen him last, and groggier too. Seeming to have gotten over his fear of planes, many of his nerves were relieved, but he was still upset over the tightness of his restraints.

Neither detective was particularly pleased with his whining, however, so Ciel took it upon himself to knock him out yet again.

After that, Sebastian had discovered that there was gin in the lower compartment to their right. And of course it was cold, making it the detective's favorite drink. He couldn't help but have a sip or two. Not enough to get tipsy, however. It would be extremely unprofessional if he showed up to work hungover, and Ciel really did not want to leave a bad taste in his new employer's mouth.

"Are they making you stay, too?" He had asked Sebastian as the man in black poured them drinks.

He chuckled under his breath, beginning to shut the bottle after he had poured Ciel's drink. "A part of me thinks that no matter my answer to that question, you'll be angry."

"Not true," the other countered, "I'm merely curious."

"Curiousity. Is that what you'd call it?" The bottle was set back on the shelf of the cabinet, door shutting behind it. "I think, perhaps, that you're just trying to have another reason to be mad about this."

"There is no deeper meaning, Sebastian, really. Just answer the question."

He sighed. "No, I am not being forced to stay."

"Honestly," Ciel groaned and fell back in his seat, "this has got to be the worst planning I've ever seen! Who in their right mind would think to send 'backup' for me- which I don't even need- but not have said 'backup' stay long enough to help me?!" Sebastian just sat ankle on knee, quietly sipping his beverage. He knew this was coming.

"And why should I sacrifice my life in London because of him? He's a horrible person, I caught him, he got the death penalty for his crimes. I should be receiving a marvelous paycheck and national praise, he should be flying out here alone! And yes, it is severely unjust that he got such a penalty, but his actions were despicable! He deserves to carry out a life sentence, but I certainly don't! If I-"

"As much I enjoy listening to your ranting," Sebastian's eyes were shut and you could almost see the white knuckle grip he had on his shot glass, "what's done is done, and there's nothing we can do to change it. Why not try to enjoy the circumstances? Think- you're going to a beautiful state in a new country to continue your detective work. You get state of the art living accommodations and a salary to rival that of the upper middle class. What's to complain about?"

"It's all too sudden. It's happening too fast and it's completely against my will. I never wanted to move to America, and I certainly didn't want to become a criminal's chauffeur. But here we are," Ciel exclaimed. He had folded his arms and legs to grumpily peer through the window at the clouds, sick of speaking about the subject.

Sebastian didn't argue with him, he knew Ciel better than that. If he tried to reel the conversation back, it would only end in a perversely ornery detective who sought to destroy everything in his path. Really, his temper was comparable to the likes of a toddler's. He hated to lose, and he hated being proven wrong or embarrassed. It was something that needed to change, but it likely never would happen. Sebastian was too good of a person to ever hurt his dear friend's feelings.

After the conversation had ended a brooding session began, and that lasted about an hour. The last hour and twenty-five minutes was just Ciel writing in his planner, trying to figure out the next week of his life. He had to cancel all of his appointments because he was in an entirely different country, find his address, move his furniture and personal belongings in if necessary, and find out all he could about his new job.

He had to admit, though he detested the idea of it, he was a bit enthralled about working in a prison. Sebastian did have a point, this was a new chapter in his life and it was time he started looking at it a bit more positively. Being around all those inmates would be majorly beneficial to him- he could learn criminal behavior firsthand, which would make his job all the more easier. He'd even gain more recognition if he was the best detective in America and the U.K... Perhaps this wouldn't be that bad after all.

As soon as he had that thought, the plane landed, and Ciel was the first one off. He rushed to claim his baggage and raced to arrivals, never stopping to see if Alois or Sebastian were behind him. This was his life now. He wouldn't slow down for anyone anymore.

Now where was that blasted sign? He could have sworn that Spears had said it would say "Aloysius"- or something of the sort anyway. Where was it? Was their flight early? Were they late? Could they really be so unprofessional as to change their sign the same day he was told what it would say? He searched around the crowded area, looking for something, anything that would reassure him that he wasn't stranded in Worcester.

All the time he spent worrying allowed for an agitated Sebastian, wheeling a stuporous Alois, to come through the terminal and catch up to the bluenet. He didn't need to hear either of them speak to know they were behind him- he could sense their presence, the tiny hairs on his back prickling and buzzing with the knowledge of their existence.

"I can't find them, Sebastian! I don't know where they could be, I've searched the whole place up and down! They're just not here, how fucking kind of them-"

"Please direct your attention to your immediate left," the raven-haired male interrupted eagerly. Ciel did as told, for he wasn't in the mood to deal with this situation anymore, and voila. There was a man holding their sign.

The detective suddenly felt very sheepish, and he shoved his hands in his coat pockets as his face turned beet red. "Oh," he turned away, pursing his lips and furrowing his brows.

The group started toward the man, making haste as it was currently 1:16 in the morning and they were all jet lagged beyond belief.

"Ah!" The man caught sight of them and waved his arm for them, beaming. He was a spritely fellow, young with auburn hair and a small mustache that matched. He wore a green coat and a similar shade on his cap, his pants black and shoes a leathery brown. "You must be Ciel. Oh, and that's Alois, isn't it...?" He was taken aback by the blond's horrifying appearance.

"Oh, please, I won't bite," he joked lightheartedly, a smidge of a smile showing through the bars on his mask. The man laughed nervously, but he seemed to collect himself. Alois' disposition was the opposite of what he had expected.

"I can't when I've got this mask on my face." Trancy's voice stayed the same, airy and kind, but there was a different intonation behind his words this time around, and it sent a chill down his victim's spine. He was afraid all over again.

"Right," he gulped. "Anyway, my name is Fred Abberline. I'm a detective over at Aloysius myself," he spoke more to Ciel, holding out his hand to shake with a grin on his charming face. Ciel did not shake his hand, he merely blinked uninterestedly.

"Mmhm. Will you be driving us tonight?" The bluenet pondered.

"Well, yes and no. I'll be taking Sebastian and Elizabeth to their hotel- once she shows up, anyway, but you'll be dropping Alois at the prison before you head home!"

"Excuse me?" Ciel's voice was laced with acetone, "I have to drive him?"

"Yes, did Will not explain that to you?" Abberline's face melted into one of confusion, his right brow raised. "Detectives from out of state drive their assigned partner to the prison upon arriving. It's an exercise that we feel helps build a connection between the two of you so that you can work better and more efficiently!"

There was a moment of silence after Abberline spoke. "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard," Alois chimed in, his lip curled in distaste.

"I have to put myself in danger for the sake of some 'connection-building exercise'? I don't think so." For once, Ciel and Alois seemed to agree on something. A truly amazing feat it was, and the two of them turned their heads to nod and acknowledge the other.

Abberline smiled apprehensively, rubbing the back of his neck because he really was not joking and he just wanted to get out of there because this was such an uncomfortable situation to be in. "I'm... sorry you feel that way. But that's the way it has to go," he pulled a set of keys out of his coat pocket and dropped them in Ciel's hand. "You're parked in the A-lot, row 63. It's about an hour and a half long drive, nothing too bad! I'll send you the directions to your place once you've successfully delivered Alois, alright?"

"What- no, no, not alright, I refuse to do this," Ciel protested, shoving the car keys back in Abberline's face. "You drive him."

"Ehehe... I really can't sir, please, this is just protocol..."

"Well, change the bloody protocol for once, because I'm not doing it." People were beginning to stare. As if they hadn't been already; two well dressed gentlemen carting around another man in a straitjacket and a mask was a queer sight to begin with, but now there was an argument happening between the strange group. It was only human nature that one would stare.

This was exactly why Sebastian never pressed further if he'd begun to get Ciel riled up. The man in black clapped his pissy companion on the shoulder and leaned down to whisper in his ear, "You're causing a scene, sir. Please, just take the keys and go."

The bluenet scoffed and looked around, not believing his friend's words at first. But sure enough, a billion pairs of eyes were on him, some moving to get through to the exit, some stopped to watch and contemplate. He breathed, taking in the scene in utter disbelief and reining himself back in. What was he doing? "I-" He lowered his eyes to the ground, ashamed of his behavior, "My apologies, sir. I let my temper get the best of me. I'll take Alois now and be on my way. Goodbye, Sebastian," he took hold of the dolly and began to wheel the blond away.

"I will see you in the morning, friend," Sebastian responded with his one-of-a-kind smile and turned his head to search for Elizabeth. Abberline, on the other hand, stood puzzled and shocked in the same awkward position for the next two minutes. He really could not believe what had just happened to him, and from someone he respected no less. He was already dreading seeing Ciel the next day.

~oOo~

The car was small. Ciel and Alois had hiked for at least twenty minutes to get to the parking spot, and the car was fucking small.

Now it was a nice car, there was no denying that. It was a white Porsche 911 Carrera, a very expensive model from a very expensive brand. The detective was honestly very surprised that they had gotten such a car, as it was rather attention grabbing when the whole purpose of the vehicle was to take it to and from work and to use it on stakeouts if necessary.

But this was a really nice car. And it was way too small to fit the both of them in their current states.

There was no way Alois could get inside if he was still on his dolly- hell, the thing wouldn't even fit in the trunk if they tried. They were both staring at the automobile for some time, hoping that maybe, by some miracle, if they stared at it long enough it would grow a few inches taller. That was the only plan they had at the moment, really. But, completely unpredictably, it didn't seem to be working.

The pair looked at each other knowingly, sharing the same thought that they simply had to undo all of Alois' restraints, as unnerving as that was. Ciel groaned and got to work, loosening all the straps around his hands, arms, feet and legs to free him. The blond didn't mind one bit, and as soon as he loosened the one around his waist he breathed out as largely as humanly possible.

"OhthankgodIcanbreathe," he expelled, eyes fluttering open and shut as he drew in a few more breaths. Freedom! He thought as he stood back up, beginning to stretch what he could. He leaned south to pop his back, then east and west to crack his hips, and then he did the same with his neck, creak-crick-cracking all over the place.

"Jesus," Ciel's face tightened, "you sound like a glow stick. C'mon, get in the car."

"Wait- aren't you forgetting something?" Alois exclaimed.

"No, I don't think so. What?" He turned to see the towhead's eyes widen in distress and anger, shaking his torso purposefully. Oh, right. The straitjacket. "What, you want that off too? No, you don't need that, you'll fit inside the car now anyway. Just get in."

Alois gave him the best possible glare, one filled with all the venom and ferocity he could possibly manage in one look.

"Fine, I'll take it off." And he did as such.

"And?" Alois still was not satisfied, placing his fists on his hips dramatically and raising his chin.

"The mask, too?"

"Do it!"

"Why? You'll fit, let's just go!"

"Get it off of me!"

"Ugh," Ciel groaned and ripped the mouthpiece off. "Better?!"

"Much," Alois grinned with satisfaction, hands now fiddling around with his jaw to pop it as he walked towards and into the car. Ciel stood with his mouth agape, squinted and irritated eyes watching him from behind.

"What the hell," the detective moaned to himself, marching for the right door of the vehicle before Alois got out of the left side and started walking to Ciel's side. "What are you doing now?!"

"It's America! The passenger seat is on the right instead of the left!"

"Then why did you go to the left first?!"

"I forgot!"

"Ugh!" Ciel stormed to the other side of the car and pulled the door open with all his might, stomping inside and slamming it shut. He buckled his seatbelt and adjusted the seat and threw his head on the center of the wheel, not hard enough to make the horn go off but hard enough to feel it on his forehead. Taking the moment to come to his senses and cool down, he took a deep breath in and out, in and out, in and out until he was calm.

Then he raised his head on his final exhale, opened his eyes, and turned the ignition. The car started with a lovely purr, one that Alois couldn't help but mimic.

"Really." Ciel remarked at his immaturity.

"What? I was just- trying to lighten the mood a bit," the blond pouted, crossing his arms and bringing his knees up to his chin. He sighed, "Just drive."

Ciel did as told.

They were on the road for about fifteen minutes when the detective noticed how silent the ride was. Neither of them had spoken a word to the other, Alois staring out the window while Ciel had kept his eyes on the road. Normally Phantomhive valued silence, but tonight in this Porsche it just felt alien for it to be so quiet. If this was really going to be a bonding experience for the both of them, they needed to have something to connect over. What better thing to strike up conversation in a car than music?

Ciel made sure the road was clear and straight before he reached over and pulled out his phone. There was a phone cord already inside the stereo system- which kind of explained why the prison had bought this car for Ciel, as it was now clear that it had been used and was therefore cheaper- so he just plugged his device into that and hit shuffle on his music. Maps by Maroon 5 began to play.

That caught Alois' attention, his head pricking up at the first few notes. He whipped his head around to look at the stereo, wanting to see the name of the song that was playing. "The hell is this shit," he scrunched up his nose in disgust.

"You don't know Maroon 5?" Ciel questioned, peering out the windshield and setting off his turn signal.

"No. They sound like shit, I hate this."

"Don't call Maroon 5 shit, I love Maroon 5!"

"Well then you like garbage music. I can't stand this, give me that," he started clawing for Ciel's phone and snatched it right out the little cupholder he'd set it in.

"Hey, put that back! Don't touch my phone!"

"Shh, I'm gonna put it back, I will. Just- lemme put on actual good music first." He started tapping away on the keyboard and entered something into the search bar, then pressed play on the first option that showed up.

[► Track 3: Volcano Girls- Veruca Salt]

Once the song had started, Alois had turned up the volume, turned off Ciel's phone and put it back, just as he said he would. He smiled and bit his lip, moving his head in time with the drums. When the guitars came in, he headbanged and started to lip-sync to the track, his leg now bouncing in time with the beat.

He continued this until the singer had stopped, and suddenly he started full out pumping his fist, doing something crazy with the other arm, whipping his hair around and dancing so erratically he was almost in Ciel's personal space.

"What the fuck is this? What are you doing?!"

"Veruca Salt, baby! Most underrated band of the nineties, they pumped out some straight bangers in their day!"

"They sound like a group of angsty teenage girls who want revenge on their maths teacher."

"That's because they are," Alois stopped dancing for just a moment to say that, then went right back to gyrating.

Needless to say, Ciel regretted his decision to turn on the music. "What're you even doing listening to music from the nineties, anyway? That was decades ago, no one listens to that shit anymore."

"Are you kidding? I regularly listen to shit way older than this! I'm much more of a seventies kinda guy, but the eighties are pretty great too! The nineties were..., in terms of rock n' roll, but Veruca's one of the better bands that came out of it!"

"The seventies?"

"Yup!"

"Oh good lord," Ciel rolled his eyes. It was going to be a long car trip.

And a long car trip it was. Alois played more of his rock music, and Ciel hated all of it. He liked classical music and he liked Maroon 5, that was it. There was no more room in his heart for any other genres or songs, just those select few. So when the blond had mentioned that he had an entire playlist of seventies and eighties music, one that was almost twelve hours long... Ciel drove a few miles above the speed limit.

They arrived at Aloysius Penitentiary around 3:28 in the morning, much to the dismay of Phantomhive.

"I'm going to be exhausted on my first day of work because of your fucking seventies music," he had chastised Alois as he was getting out of the car.

"Yeah, yeah, you can be mad at me later. Just go home for now and listen to your Maroon 5 or whatever," the blond had quipped as he walked away, heading towards two guards at the front gate. They were holding handcuffs, and they smacked them onto Alois' wrists as they guided him inside.

He had turned around to smile at the detective in his car, waving to the best of his ability in chains. "G'night, Ciel! Thank you for the ride to prison! See you in the morning!"

Ciel did not say goodnight back. He waved halfheartedly, watched the doors of the place shut behind him, pulled out his phone, and dialed Abberline.

"Hello?" The youthful voice on the other side of the phone answered right after the first ring.

"Hello, this is Ciel. Alois has been delivered to the prison. Will you please send me my address?"

"Oh! Wonderful, that's wonderful. Yes, I'll do that, just one moment," there was scrambling on the other line. "Okay, it's- do you have a pen?"

"I'm just putting it in my GPS."

"Ahh, okay, perfect. Alright, it's- 1894 North Macabre Drive. Did you get that okay?"

"Hold on... yeah, I've got it. Thank you, Abberline."

"For sure, Mr. Phantomhive. You have a good night now-"

"And? Um, before you go, I wanted to say that I'm not proud of the way I acted tonight. I was very rude to you and it was extremely uncalled for. I hope you can forgive me for this transgression."

"Oh. Oh, don't worry about it, sir, I understand. I appreciate that very much, thank you."

"Mm. Goodnight now."

"Goodnight."

And now he was in good standing once more.