Time To Start Over (again) (for like the fifth time)

Frederich liked to think he was a simple man. Perhaps he appeared to be at first, but an apathetic man who can see ghosts and solves paranormal mysteries tends to be a bit more complex than the average simpleton. Even so, he did not live in complex ways. He sustained on very plain, healthy foods and slept whenever he possibly could.

Now was not one of those lucky times he got to catch some shut eye. He sat at the table in front of the door. It was a simply sturdy dining table with chairs at either end. A black tablecloth covered it, and Frederich was skimming a book on the side facing the door. He barely looked up when someone new entered the store.

Claude adjusted his hoodie as he walked inside. A normal person would have done this out of nervousness; Claude did it because he felt cold, yet again. Cold enough that all the hoodies in the world couldn't relieve his chills.

No matter how cold he felt, he was not nervous. He walked right up to the man with the book and leaned against the table.

"You're Frederich, aren't you?" he asked, though it was hardly a question.

Frederich glanced up at him, an eyepatch covering one of his eyes. The other was a dark green.

"Who told you about me?" he wondered, pressing a bookmark to his book. He gently closed his book without looking, staring at the man in front of him. He didn't look impressed.

"You did--don't you remember me?" He forced a smile and leaned closer. "We're childhood friends."

Frederich responded by leaning the opposite way.

"I didn't have friends, and I still don't," he replied honestly. "Did you need something, or are you just here to be a bother?"

"I'm here because i've searched for you. It took years, but now my search is over." He smiled wider. "I've found the love of my life."

Frederich held up his hand.

"That's all you needed to say," he replied, looking back to his book and opening it up again. "You've wasted enough of my time. Goodbye."

He chuckled softly.

"I'm not leaving. I'm here to stay--I refuse to be parted with you. I've got w theory we're soulmates--well, more than a thoery, really." He flashed his pretty teeth and hoped it didn't look horribly fake.

"Yes, yes, I get it," Frederich looked back up at him. "I get your sort every now and again. Let me set the record straight, and tell your other weird friends the same thing. I'm asexual and aromantic. I will not ever be attracted to you, or anyone, whether sexually or otherwise. I guess your theory was wrong."

"I don't think so--my visions haven't been wrong yet." He looked around, still smiling vacantly. "I saw all of this, you know--my visions led me to you. I'm psychic, just like you, you see."

Frederich sighed. Obviously, this was not going to be simple. It hardly ever was, but sometimes he got lucky. It was the first time a man had ever come asking for him, though. At least it was more interesting because of that. Though, he wished Hayden were here to verbally berate him for being gay so he didn't have to get rid of him.

"Let's assume I believe you, then. Fine. First, prove you're a psychic. Then, tell me what you want from me and we'll see how humorous I'm feeling today. That will decide whether or not I call the police."

"The first part's easy enough." He twitched his fingers, and Frederich's book sliped out if his hand, hovering in the air. It did a few flips as Claude trailed his finger through the air, and then landed with a thump, open to the same page.

"Well? Do you believe your eyes?" He asked.

"Wow," said Frederich, not looking impressed in the least. "Next."

"I want to be with you," he said, clasping Frederich's hands. "I'm here to work for you, do anything you like--as long as you'll let me stay with you. My home is with you; my visions have told me so time and time again."

Frederich pulled his hands away.

"First rule, don't touch me," he said. "If you're going to stay here, you're going to follow my rules or leave."

"...As you wish," he replied, beaming. "Anything else you'd like?"

"You'll do as I say always, without exception, or you'll leave. Got it?" He asked, frowning.

"Yes, of course." He leaned closer. "You can start telling me what to do anytime.

"Though, maybe you should tell me where to put my bags, first."

Frederich shrugged.

"There's a guest room upstairs, but it's completely empty. You can use it I guess."

He slowly stood up.

"Oh...before I forget, don't mind Hayden."

"...Who's Hayden?" He asked, nervousness slipping into his voice. He tried to look calm, but the hand he rested on the table cleched into a fist.

Frederich's usual expression twisted into a small, cruel smile.

"You'll see."

"I suppose I will," he said slowly.

"So, what jobs donyou want me to do around here?" He fussed with his bags,unwilling to leave just yet.

"I'll figure it out later, in case you didn't notice, I was busy." He gestured to his book.

"I guess ai'll leave you to it, then." He awkwardly kissed Frederich's cheek.

Frederich froze.

"...what did I say about touching?"