New Chef

“Detlef!” Even though the intervening years since school have mellowed him, Lydon still eagerly throws himself into the older German’s arms, racing past the servant who had opened the door. “I’m sorry we haven’t visited in so long. There’s been a lot of business to attend to.” He makes a face at the thought of ‘business’. “Really, I thought Jerome would be doing more of it, but…anyway, it’s all settled now. Ivar and I are living in my parents’ manor, you simply must come and visit us.” Lydon had been fond of his parents, but…their deaths have been quite convenient, allowing him to pursue his interests more freely. At twenty-four, Lydon has become quite skilled at torturing and killing boys. Ivar, as always, seems born to sadism.

Detlef crushed Lydon in a great big hug. “Hello, young Lydon.” the older man smiled. He’d missed the boys visiting. “I’m glad you could make it. Roland is excited to see his new home. Is Ivar still at home?”

“Yes, thought someone should stay home. And I don’t think Jerome likes him very much, and I do so love to torment Jerome. I can’t wait to meet Roland, I was so happy when you said you had a chef!” Lydon reaches up to stroke the hair over Detlef’s temples. “You’re going grey, old chap. It looks quite distinguished.”

The big German man laughed. “My replacement chef is turning me grey. He has a few… peculiarities.”

Lydon raises an eyebrow. “So you wrote, but you were being terribly vague. What would you find peculiar?”

“He spent most of his youth in an asylum and seems to have come up with the idea that sex will solve everything. He’s keeping Roland –and the other servants- quite busy.” Detlef chuckled.

“I see…an asylum, you say?” Despite his own inclinations, Lydon is a little unsettled at the thought of sleeping in the house with a known madman. “Whatever for?”

“For killing and eating his sister.” he said with a smirk. “Only for the same sins we’ve committed, little Lydon.”

Visibly relieved, Lydon smiles back. “Ah. Well, there but for the grace of God, and all that. Is he straight, then?”

“I don’t have any female servants, so I don’t know if he is inclined towards women. However, he certainly seems to enjoy men.” Detlef wraps an arm around Lydon and leads him down to the kitchen. “Roland, Jess, this is Lydon.”

Roland – a great tall man with red hair- crosses the kitchen and offers Lydon a big hand. “It’s an honor to meet you!”

Tucked safely under Detlef’s arm, Lydon peers around the kitchen. Despite his old friend’s assurances, he’s still a little wary. Seeing the large man approaching, Lydon recognizes Detlef’s description of Roland, and eagerly takes the chef’s hand. “You must be Roland. I’m very pleased to meet you, as well. Detlef has nothing but the best to say about you, and I know how exacting his standards are for his game.” He eyes the short, pudgy blond behind Roland carefully. He’s never met a madman before!

Jess looked up from the contents of the bowl he was whisking briefly, meeting Lydon’s eyes, then going back to his work.

Roland was flushed with happiness, “I’m glad he’s given me such a glowing review! I only want to do the best that I can.” he turned and looked back at Jess. “Come say hello.” he encouraged.

“Hello Lydon.” Jess intoned, clearly disinterested.

“Hello, Jess.” Lydon says, rather awkwardly, before turning back to the enthusiastic Roland. “I’m only glad that he’s letting me steal you away from him. Now that everything is settled at home, Ivar and I have been lamenting our lack of a decent chef.” Ivar has killed several of them, in point of fact, but Lydon decides this is not the time to mention that fact.

Roland grinned. “I hope I’ll be up to both your standards.”

“Of course he will. And if it doesn’t work out, I’ll always take you back here.” Detlef said, looking at Lydon pointedly. He knew that it was likely that the failed chefs had died horrible deaths at the hands of Ivar.

Lydon flashes his most innocent expression, daintily examining his manicured nails. “Very good. I assumed I would stay the night. For old times’ sake.” Now Lydon’s innocent look takes on a decidedly flirtatious edge, pointed firmly at Detlef. “Ivar doesn’t mind, he just gets quite jealous if he’s around, you know. But…he’s safely at home.” Linking hands with Detlef, Lydon presses his body against the German’s side, quite casually.

Detlef laughed, squeezing Lydon firmly to his side. “Is that how it’s going to be?” he teased. “And I thought you’d be eager to get to know Roland.”