Unsuspected Evil

Chapter 5: Mine

The barber stood there motionless, staring at the empty doorway his new rival had fled from, knuckles and nails tucked into the balls of his hands. He stood there in silent shock and frustration, internally annoyed with himself due to the fact he was distracted - distracted from his main aim: practising his sweet, murderous revenge.

Mr Todd clenched his jaw, glaring his eyes as he threw himself into his barber chair, palms flying up to his face to shield over his eyes. 'What the hell am I doing? I don't care about Mrs Lovett or who associates with her ... so why did I even bother saying anything to her new colleague?' He let out an incoherent half-sigh, half-growl as he slid his hands down his face, pulling his features as he did so. The said hands then clenched into bunches of his anarchic black locks. 'The man downstairs is distracting you. Perhaps getting rid of him will solve that problem? You may certainly have to wait it out, just as you are for the judge. A little appetiser before the entrée, won't harm anyone, will it? Apart from Mr Michaelis, of course.'

His lips curled into a mischievous smirk, clammy hands now gripping around the cold arms of his barber chair, his eyes widened in a surreal sadistic excitement. He wouldn't be able to get rid of the man in his usual way, he'd have to think of something else - Mrs Lovett would be sure to notice otherwise (given that she moved and chopped up any body that was found deceased on the bake-house floor - at least, that's what he thought, he never went down there).

The barber jolted upwards in his strange anticipation as hellish thoughts roamed around inside that skull of his, thinking up possibility after possibility on how he could kill his new enemy. His fingers fled to his holster by his side, where he drew out his faithful razor, swivelling it open in one masterful movement. He held it up to his eyes, blindly heading over to the window - the only thing he could see was his own reflected smirk staring back at him from the glistening silver of the razor in his callous hand. His eyes never tore away from his choice weapon, even when his left hand went to its usual place on the side of the window frame in order to hold himself up. Focusing so much on his favourite friend, he failed to notice the butler by a table in the courtyard down below, shooting a threatening look up at him, collecting more dirty plates whilst still managing to chat to a nearby customer. More movement was finally enough to gain Mr Todd's attention. The butler was now joined by Mrs Lovett, who was leaning over a table, humming to herself as she wiped the surface off with a sodden rag that was pressed onto the palm of her right hand. He lowered the razor, swishing it closed and finally returned it to its rightful place in one action. Oblivious to his rival's stare, he watched Mrs Lovett intently, not even deciding to stop or question himself on exactly why. He just found himself doing it.

Her posture was almost reminiscent of the scene that had occurred in his shop just moments before, and he swallowed, eyelids lowering as he looked her down - from the dark auburn ringlets to where the table obscured the bottom of her curvaceous middle. He liked this, the fact she was totally oblivious this time to his interested gaze gave him a thrill all the more. The butler next to her raised a brow at the barber's desire filled eyes and bit his lip to stop him from laughing - Sebastian thought the man was ridiculous. Was he having the woman on? The woman had feelings for him, he presumed that also meant ones of a desirable nature... and she had said the man was not interested in her one bit. Yet there he was, staring at her with such blatant... hunger. The couple's relationship was rather odd now the demon thought about it... they were certainly not friends... were they? Yet he had certainly barged in... on something... whatever that something was with them earlier. And the fact he'd been warned by the man certainly showed Sebastian that he perhaps was reluctant to approach the baker downstairs for whatever reason, though he did not fully understand why two humans who were without spouses should hide such emotions, especially if they were so perfect for one another (or at least, that was what Sebastian thought). Frowning, the butler sighed and lowered his head, clutching the pile of soiled plates with ease as he made his way towards the shop.

"Thanks, love," Mrs Lovett said hurriedly, still cleaning away. "Bein' a great 'elp you are." Sebastian paused mid-movement by the door and turned to face her with a smile, even though he knew she wouldn't turn to face him, "It is no trouble Miss Lovett. I am rather enjoying this evening. It certainly is therapeutic." She paused and let out a snort, glancing over at him with amusement in her eyes. "Therapeutic? Ha, that's a good 'un dearie, ain't 'eard that one before!" she gasped out, giving him a playful wink before rotating away from him to continue cleaning up the tables. As Sebastian entered the shop and the bell rang out, Mr Todd's attention peaked and he smirked, seeing that Mrs Lovett was alone...

He gulped, seeing her approach a cluttered table nearest to his window's view, so much so that his eyes had to look downwards to watch her. She leaned over again, in her trademark dress, that so obviously showed off the tops of her breasts in that tempting way, whether she was aware of it or not, Mr Todd didn't care. She had his attention, and he was far from even denying his craving for her now. He was distracted, something he hated, yet his attraction towards her had already overwritten his annoyance.

Blissfully daydreaming of the very barber who was spying on her, Mrs Lovett hummed away, under the the babble of the ignorant, chomping rows of customers behind her. One lace-gloved hand pressed against the tabletop as the other held the cloth and wiped in a circular motion. Every so often she leaned further and further forward in order to reach more dirt, until she was on her tip-toes and her lower waist was pushed against the side of the surface, causing the neck (if it was considered that) of the dress to yank downwards slightly, exposing more of the smooth, pale flesh of her cleavage that had previously been underneath the material. Upstairs, the barber's breath caught and he almost fell forwards with uneasiness, unfamiliar with the urges welling up within him. He grasped the other side of the window's frame for support, shaky, heavy breaths wheezing out of him. 'What the hell are you doing to me woman?!' he screamed internally, gritting his teeth together. 'Teasing me like this? You must know I'm watching, you must know that I cannot be distracted now, certainly not at a drastic time like this, not when I have to fulfill my vengeance... you ... must... know...' His thoughts trailed out of mind, when he found himself completely lost in her again, admiring the way her messy burgundy hair fell in curls, which hovered over the clear, pallid skin of her neck... that's certainly a neck he would never wish to cut open, it was already too beautiful to be tainted or abused with incisions and droplets of blood. The paleness was too pure for someone so... sinful. He suddenly smirked, glad that he was the only one who knew how deceiving her cheerful demeanour truly was. He still wasn't questioning why. He didn't feel the need to.

Mrs Lovett suddenly stopped her actions, yet still was bent over and laid over half of the table, letting out a gasp of exasperation, her cheeks flushed pink from being overheated, even though she was outside the mass of people behind her were still allowing the air to hold such immense heat. She closed her eyes and stretched her neck upwards, then backwards, opening her eyes with a heavy sigh. Her eyes were drawn to the barber in the window instantaneously, that very person who was looking right at her, much to her surprise. It took a moment for them both to register what was happening and it was Mrs Lovett who was the first to gasp and almost tumble over. He let out a shuddered exhale as his eyes widened in shock - she'd caught him looking. Why did he care? He could look wherever he damn wanted! His heart pounded as he snapped around and stormed over to his chair, scowl present as confusion washed over him. He slumped himself down, eyelids veiling his dark eyes as ragged breaths were pulled out of his lungs in stumbled streams.

Both hands clawed around the edges of the arms of his chair, his head flung backwards and hit the back of it, sending a surging pain to the bottom of his skull, not that he minded. Pain was welcome, seeing as it kept away those lustful feelings he'd had prior, not to mention the embarrassment of his accomplice seeing him utterly transfixed by her looks and actions. His eyelids squeezed in irritation when he heard the faint trudges of those familiar boots on his stairs. She was heading up to see him. Oh no, he hadn't expected that. His eyes flew open and he for once, had no idea what to do, what would he say? Certainly not that he perhaps, ever so slightly fancied her... yes, 'slightly'.

Before he knew it, Mrs Lovett had reached the top of the stairs, he could see her figure in the frosted panes of glass within his shop door. He swallowed the lump of apprehension in his throat, suddenly closing his eyes and gripping his fingers tighter around the arms of his chair. He clenched his jaw, hearing the click of the door opening and next the bell rang out. He barely heard any footsteps as then the door was closed quietly.

"Mr T." Mrs Lovett breathed, though he was not entirely sure why the woman was so quiet. He knew the woman wanted acknowledgement yet he gave her none.

"I saw y'lookin' at me."

He let out a quiet sigh, lifting his head away from the back of his chair. He could feel his face growing hot from his embarrassment and he swallowed again, his throat was going dry.

" 'M sorry Mrs Lovett," he whispered back, head lolling down so his chin almost pressed down into his chest. "It was inappropriate of me."

He'd hoped his words would make her leave.

They didn't.

Instead she smiled at him eagerly, quietly approaching him with hopeful brown eyes. Her hands clutched her arms, a habit of hers as she always wanted to feel like her hands were doing something.

She stood right in front of him, he cracked open his eyes a little, his downward gaze spying the bottom of her skirts over the floorboards. She noticed this, and cautiously reached a hand forward, lightly grasping his chin to tilt his head upwards. Her movements were still slow as she bent over slightly, face lowering to be directly before his gaze. "I don't know what's goin' on 'ere Mr T," she muttered, eyelids drooping downwards as she daringly stroked her ring and forefinger over his left cheek, little gasps escaping her at how smooth his skin was. "I don't think you know either, do ya, love?" He made no attempt to throw her off, which was not what she had expected. Instead, his eyes flicked open, meeting her own wide ones. He tried to empty his thoughts, but it was impossible. Her proximity and just the way she was looking at him, with such loyal adoration, it was too much for Sweeney Todd. How could she gaze at him like that, given the monster he was, given that he had been ogling her so wrongly from his slaughterhouse above. She had begun to fascinate him. He wondered why she wasn't angry at him, or hadn't just ignored him. He was beginning to become uncomfortable at how much time he was 'wasting' and started to fidget in the chair as he looked at her, trying to keep his emotions neutral, but his eyes gave his attraction to her away.

"I don't," he answered honestly, yet in his usual monotone. "Why are you here?"

She chuckled, a stray lock of hair falling from the pins that held the rest in place, framing one side of her face. "Oh don't gimme that Mr T. I'm sure we're past that now, ain't we?" she whispered, biting her lip as she smiled again. He found her little smile contagious, feeling the lazy muscles around the corners of his mouth twitch. He had almost smiled there. Yet he hadn't for so long that it was going to take a while until he could.

"We are?" he questioned, hard gaze softening as she leaned over so her face was so close to his own. He remained calm, he knew the woman was trying to embarrass him again, or perhaps just provoke a reaction. Maybe the butler had told her about his warning? He couldn't have that. He kept his cool.

The stray lock of hair by her cheek was beginning to annoy him, so he reached up and pushed it back, he even pinned it securely back in place. She let out a gasp, frozen as he swept his hand softly down the side of her face. Her features mashed in bewilderment and he internally smirked. If she was playing a game, so was he.

"Mrs Lovett," he said huskily, letting his fingertips linger beneath her bottom lip. "I daresay you've spent more time up here this evenin' than in your shop down below. Whatever will your customers think?" Her eyes faltered and then fluttered when she saw him smirk, brushing those fingertips over her bottom lip. She felt her knees going weak and stumbled forward slightly, to which he noticed and took advantage of her position. He quickly yanked her downwards so that she appeared to have fallen on top of him, their faces mere inches apart. They could each feel the other's breath upon their face, both of their hearts pounding away frantically in surprise and want.

"Miss Lovett!"

Sebastian's muffled call came from downstairs, causing Mrs Lovett to gasp and turn her head towards the door. She opened her mouth to answer but Sweeney managed to firmly push her head back to its previous place with the tip of his thumb.

"Mr T, I'd really better go now." she whispered, worriedly looking at Mr Todd, her body going limp at the notion that he wanted her to look at him.

He raised a brow, "What's the rush? He seemed to be an apt multi-tasker. Much like you."

"I know, but it's awful busy an' - "

He pulled her even closer, and she let out a little shriek, to which the smirk appeared again. A sadistic glint twinkled in his eyes as he raised his hands up further and took hold of her arms. He sat up slightly, and placed her hands on the warm skin of his neck. She opened her mouth to protest as her eyes shot back to look nervously at the door. "Hush, pet," he breathed, causing her to stare back at him in a daze. "Not t'worry." She looked confusedly at him, but internally she was doing somersaults. The rushed footsteps on the stairs outside made her gasp, if someone was to see her and Mr Todd in such a position what on earth would -

Sweeney's eyes shot to the door, which was just about to open, as soon as it did he raised both hands to the back of Mrs Lovett's head and pushed her into him, their eyes closing as soon as their mouths collided. His lips never stopped moving over hers, and before she knew she was reacting back to him, feeling faint because it was better than she had ever dreamed.

Not even the bell ringing out, or the door slamming made the two of them break away.

Sebastian stood there awkwardly once more, viewing the couple kissing one another intimately in a heated scene. It was suddenly apparent to him that he should have known what the two were doing up there, then again - he hadn't known to expect it, seeing as the two of them were so stubborn.

Mrs Lovett opened her eyes and broke away from Mr Todd, still gazing at him before seeing Sebastian in her peripheral vision.

"Oh!" she cried, feeling herself growing red as Sweeney tugged her back down to sit on his lap, his elbow bent as his hand rested on her neck.

"Please don't apologise..." the butler said in a small voice, scratching the back of his head. "It is I, once again in the wrong. I must apologise for the interruption."

His eyes laid upon the barber who was glaring back at him, black eyes hooded by dark eyelids.

Sebastian only just suppressed a gasp as he almost read what Sweeney was thinking...

'Mine.'