Claude and Frederich REUNITED FOR THE FIRST TIME, IN THIS EXCITING NEW EPISODE

With a heavy sigh, Frederich sank into a chair. He was so relieved that he had finished all the setting up. The shop was small and somewhat tight, but it was nice. Upstairs there were two bedrooms where his sister and he were living. In the back was a kitchen. The front part of the shop held just one large table, decorated with flowers. It looked almost like a fortune tellers shop, except much more barren. They didn't have much money for supplies yet.

He ran a hand throw Hayden as if hitting him.

"You could have helped." He teased with a serious face.

((I think I love you more, just for this title.))

Hayden rolled his eyes, staring at his nails.

"Excuse me? I am an artiste--moving things is for hired help."

At that exact moment, there was a loud, energetic knock at the door.

Frederich stretched out.

"Then at least open the door you lazy ass." He said while yawning.

Hayden flicked him on the ear, smiling.

"Sure thing, princess."

He began opening the door only to have it flung open into his face.

"Is Frederich here?!" shouted a youth who looked like he had just walked out of a Hot Topic; he wore tons of jewelry, a black belly shirt, and, oddly enough, a pair of normal-looking blue jeans. "I'm looking for someone named Frederich--spelled with a 'ch', not Fred, not Rick. My name is Claude."

Frederich, who had put his feet up onto the table and was reclining in his chair, stared.

"...who the hell are you and how do you know me?" He asked bluntly.

The boy's gay little jaw dropped.

"Oh...oh God, I don't know what to do..." He hid his blushing face with his hands. "I...hi~ You're just so..." He trailed off, sighing dreamily.

Frederich waved his hand impatiently.

"Are you going to answer me or just sit there and do...whatever it is you're doing?"

He bit his lip.

"Sorry...you're just so sexy. I was completely unprepared for this." He cleared his throat, extending a hand. "My name is Claude von Volfe--when I visited this town years ago, I got lost, but you helped me find my family again."

Frederich made no move to shake his hand.

"I have absolutely no idea who you are." He said, pleasant as ever. "Are you here on business or just a social visit? Because I'm running a business and you're bad for it."

"I'll buy anything if you'll talk to me," he said immediately. "I just...I wanted to talk to you. I've waited years for this."

Frederich rose an eyebrow, not about to let this opportunity pass by.

"How much will you pay?"

"...Can we have sex?" he asked. "Because that would raise the amount substantially."

Frederich stared at him, slightly disturbed now.

"...never mind, just get out." He decided.

He face-palmed.

"Augh, no, I didn't mean to say that out loud--I'll pay you for your time, really I will! I just want to talk...I've been looking for you for twelve years. Can't you spare a little bit of time?"

Frederich looked at the old clock on the wall and thought for about ten minutes.

"Fine, fine." He said eventually. "But you better be paying me well."

He nodded, tackling Frederich into a hug.

"I...I missed you, so much."

Frederich didn't hug him back. He just sort of sat there.

"I seriously don't know who you are." He said, killing the moment completely. Good job, you asshat >:I

He pouted.

"You don't even remember me a little? The little boy who got lost and told you his name was Claude? You took me to the diner where my parents were waiting." Claude smiled softly as the memories came back. "I gave you the plastic toy with my meal, and you gave me this." He pulled out his wallet and produced a bottlecap from it.

Frederich inspected it for a few minutes.

"Nothing." He said, handing it back.

"...Oh well," he sighed, pocketing his wallet. "I know this is awfully forward, but are you doing anything tonight?"

"Yes." He said immediately. "I'll be sleeping."

Unfortunately, with his straight face, it was impossible to tell he was joking. Or, actually, maybe he wasn't. Who even knows.

He grinned.

"Will you have dinner with me?"

"You're paying." He replied instantly. "And Hayden's coming with us."

"Who's Hayden?" he asked, scratching his head.

Frederich looked around.

"...where did he go?" He wondered absently.