Chapter 2: I Want Nobody But You

"Why are you standing up?" Stein scowled at him. 

"I should be the one asking. Wouldn't your master mind if you eavesdrop?" The captain retorted. 

"He wouldn't. No matter what it is, I can't let you hear it alone." Stein gritted his teeth. "You're being a meddlesome brute again, I am losing my patience with you."

They continued bickering as they walked past the many hallways and finally to the door of the telephone room. Once they reached it, they both shut their mouths and focused on listening to Franklin's voice, though they could not hear who was at the other side of the phone. 

"...Oh, an exhibition? Yes, yes..... I think I am free for that. I would also like to examine what the young geniuses had been up to this year." They heard 'Franklin's enthusiastic voice speaking in German.

There was a pause as he let the other person on the line speak, and then he said while chuckling. "Ah, I should have known! Herr Wagner, my prosthetic leg had been showcased for many years already, three times in a row! Wouldn't the students be tired of you talking about me already?"

Another pause, and 'Franklin's' tone suddenly changed. "Oh..... You went to present an actual beneficiary of my invention. Did you call out...."

"Ah, I see." 'Franklin' then smiled strangely. "So Mr. and Mrs. Fleury would be there. Oh, you have already sent them an invitation from America? Hmm..... Very well."

Stein narrowed his eyes, while scratching his leg. Who is this Mr. and Mrs. Fleury?

And more importantly.... What would their arrival mean for them? Because every time a new person was revealed to be connected in his creator's life...

The more he felt uneasy, like he would rather it was just the two of them again in London, forever. More people means more problems. He eyed the captain eavesdropping beside him as he thought this. As the saying goes....

Two is perfect for keeping each other company. Three is a crowd.

There can only be one by Franklin's side. Everyone else is a hindrance.

He was lost in these thoughts that he did not realize the door was already opened by 'Franklin', smiling brightly at him. "Oh, Stein! What are you doing here? Was something amiss?"

Stein blinked and realized that the Captain was no longer with him in eavesdropping over the telephone conversation, and must have not told him in purpose so he would get caught alone. He clenched his fist, but he had been meaning to talk to Franklin alone anyway.

"I overheard. I apologize, I was curious about what it was. And.... You know how much I despise that captain. I cannot stay in the same room with him for too long, especially with just the two of us."

"I see." 'Franklin' nodded. "Well, how much have you heard?"

He relayed everything, not daring to lie to his creator and lover, and also shared his own thoughts.

"Who is Mr. and Mrs. Fleury, Frank?" He asked with a hint of agitation. "They are Americans?"

"From New Orleans, yes. They are involved with the earliest renditions of my prosthetic leg." 'Franklin' explained. "There is a yearly exhibition in The Academy, and some students in their senior years will be presenting their work as well as other inventors all across Germany hoping to gain sponsors to support them, or merely to flaunt it to the common masses. It is quite a large and busy fair."

"When was the last time you have been in that fair?"

"Three years ago, also my last visit to Berlin before I moved to London." He said. "Three years ago, my prosthetic leg was shown to everyone along with Professor Schiller. It was the talk of the town for a long while, how truly astonishing the design was. No one can recreate how seamless it fits with the amputated leg, and how realistic it appeared and functions."

"Ohhh... I have seen some of the blueprints, but I have never seen a finished product myself." Stein was deeply interested. "Even then, I still could not understand how it could move so smoothly, it just said it has blue oil."

"Yes, that blue oil is the main secret to its ingenuity. It was Professor Schiller who supplied that blue oil." 'Franklin's' glasses shone a mysterious glint for a millisecond. "Anyway, I am still pondering on accepting the invitation. After all, I am tired of being the only person talked about. Attending parties is not my favorite thing to do on a Sunday."

"It's already happening this Sunday already?" Stein was surprised. "I.... Hmm..."

He hesitated, but his eagerness was already obvious. 'Franklin' chuckled and cupped his cheek. "What is it, Stein? I can tell there is something you want to ask of me. Better say it, do not be afraid."

"Uh..... You did say crowds make you uncomfortable so... Don't mind it. What we need to worry about is finding the heart and getting rid of that captain as soon as possible---"

"Ah, you wanted to attend the scientific exhibition, don't you?" 'Franklin' placed a finger to his lips. "Then say no more. We shall attend it this Sunday evening, and we must prepare the best clothes for you. Are you also planning to bring along your inventions for the people to have a look at how much of a genius my dear creation is?"

"F-Frank..... You really don't have to... For me...." Stein looked away, terribly flustered. Frank really knows him so well, and he is ever so generous with him. It never fails to make his already frail heart palpitate.

"Don't deny me of this opportunity to give you a bit of fun. All you ever do is mope in your own room when I'm not around anyway." 'Franklin' said. "Whatever my Stein wants, he shall receive. All you need is to ask, remember?"

"I-I see.... Thank you so much, Frank. I think I shall bring my Bird Wings.... But you must claim it as your work. I am just a servant, and we do not want to raise suspicion. "

"Mn." 'Franklin' nodded. "As for the captain.... Well, it would be rude not to invite him as well---"

An audible groan came out immediately from Stein. He was now pouting like children do, with his cheeks puffed up.

"Ah, don't frown like that, Stein. I don't really see why he troubles you so much. He is merely a passing cloud over our house, a minor hitch in our plans." He patted his head. 

"But I'd rather there is no cloud or hitch at all, Frank." Stein was not consoled one bit. "As days go by he will continue to become an even bigger menace the longer he stays."

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"Then try your best to ignore this menace. I am sure it will be easy to someone who has a strong will and civilized manner." 'Franklin' shrugged. "How about this? Tomorrow, we shall go shop for your suit to wear during the exhibition. A butler's wear won't do for you, that exhibition is a rich man's playground."

"But I am indeed you servant. I don't see anything wrong with my clothes at all."

"No, you must not introduce yourself as a servant. You are Stein Evans, a fellow colleague in the scientific field hailing from England. Even when I will claim to have something to do with your Bird Wings, I shall say that you are my assistant in it and we have created it together."

Being introduced as a colleague instead of servant.... It's not really the same as his impossible ideal to be introduced as a sweetheart, but if had made Stein's spirits soar higher, making him forget of his troubles when it comes to being possessive over his creator.

"I.... I shall look forward to how you will dress up Stein Evans the Scientist tomorrow then." He said with a smile, twiddling his butterfly hair tie with a bashful expression. 

"Heh, I shall dress him really well. Enough to make him the diamond among the rocks." 'Franklin' grinned back at him. "Come, our tea must have gone cold now. We shall take more of this when I return later from my search for your new heart."

When they have returned to the dining room, 'Franklin' had explained the situation while the captain just listens, sipping his tea. Stein was glaring at him the whole time for acting innocent and unaware like that when in truth, he already overheard of the conversation.

"Will there be many aristocrats in this party, doctor?" Was all he said once 'Franklin' was done. 

"Yes. And they are the type who are willing to spare some pocket change to fund scientific endeavors." 'Franklin' calmly drank his tea as well, knowing already what the captain was thinking.

"Then I shall join you both, if you don't mind." Captain Clerval grinned. "Perhaps I can find some funding for my expedition from other sources, and this exhibition will be a great opportunity."

"To swindle some people?"

"Swindle? I am a captain, not a swindler." Captain Clerval raised an eyebrow. "My profession is clean and just. Never questionable."

"Are you hinting at something, you crook?" Stein gritted his teeth and leaned forward like he could attack anytime, and he may have had if not for the master by his side.

"Stein, it's alright. Captain Clerval, you are free to scour more prospects. Just because we are keeping you doesn't mean you are only obliged to have dealings with us." 'Franklin' smiled fakely. "In fact, it might be for the best if you found a new sponsor even."

"Hah, I'd gladly take one if I was given."

There was much tension in the air between them, as passive hatred had become clear as crystal. But in their heads, the transmigrated men communicated:

(That's not true, don't go, Panda-laoshi! QAQ I'm just following the script! )

[I know, you dim-wit! I'm also following the script!]

(No hard feelings? Pinky swear?)

[The only thing that is hard for me is to tolerate your annoying behavior!]

The day goes on with 'Franklin' leaving once more as always to search for the heart, and Stein locking himself up in the bedroom, waiting, and the captain laying on the sofa reading random books, waiting. This is growing into a pattern for them ever since the Andres incident.

At night, 'Franklin' cooked the meal, they ate, and went to bed after cleaning up. 'Franklin' would always wash the dishes even when the two blondies offered to help out, and he would calmly reject them and tell them to go take their rest.

But this time, as 'Franklin' closed the door, Stein was waiting for him.....

Wearing a revealing nightgown that only reaches up to his thighs!

Zhe Chouhen:.....

(Sweet mother of sweet potatoes... This didn't happen in the original novel! What's going on!!!!???????)

'Franklin' blinked incessantly. "Stein.... What are you wearing?"

"I saw this in the closet. I think this is Lady Storitz'." He answered very calmly, though everywhere his skin is revealed was flush red. "Do you like it?"

"Stein, why are you so red...." He then took notice of the beautiful green bottle tucked in one of his arms. "Wait, where have you found that?"

"In the study. There is a section for his antique collections, and one of them is this wine." Stein drank from the bottle sloppily. "Ah..... Made from 1678. Goodness gracious, that is quite a long time, don't you think?"

"Stein, this is your first time drinking. You should stop now." Zhe Chouhen tried to get the bottle from him, but Stein only chuckled.

"Why? You haven't drank with me yet, I was waiting for you." Stein traced a finger over his chest. "Frank... I was so lonely without you. I keep thinking whenever you are not around that you might be with someone else."

"Someone else?" Zhe Chouhen frowned. (I'm your ML, why would I look for someone else?)

Stein's formerly warm face had gone cold, so cold that it could freeze your very own soul.

"The way you looked at that captain...... You think I wouldn't notice?"

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