Hair of Gold [Part 3]

[esp_dragonv2]

Fandom: Noblesse
Summary: Frankenstein finds a place that may have the information that he needs. The only problem is how they get in...
Notes: Noir AU
Happy birthday, o-c-o-c-o! :D
Guess I'm working on this in parts and just jumping around rather than in full chronological order, haha.
Rating: G
Genre: General
Word count: 1,576
Total word count: 2,685
Status: Work in progress



Frankenstein was muttering as he scribbled something on Muzaka's pad when Muzaka returned to the office.

"Did you find somethin'?" Muzaka asked, shrugging off his jacket and hanging it up, putting his hat on top. It was a fifty-fifty chance that Frankenstein had, while the other half was Frankenstein had made a connection with the mountain of research he apparently kept in his head. Muzaka was starting to run out of paper because of it.

"I found a lead that points to the Kravei estate," Frankenstein said, not looking up from what he was doing, "but to get in... They're hosting a ball next week and this may be my best chance to gain access."

"So you want to sneak in?" Muzaka said, dropping into the chair across from Frankenstein, since his own chair was currently occupied.

"Hmph. While I may not have much in physical possessions anymore," Frankenstein said as he looked up, brushing his hair behind his ear, "my name still has enough pull that I was able to gain an invite."

Muzaka whistled. That was some influence Frankenstein had. Just a call and that was it? An invite was secured? "You don't think that was a little easy?"

Frankenstein frowned at him, tapping the end of the pen on the table. "What do you mean?"

He sighed. While Frankenstein was far smarter than him, he seemed to have tunnel vision about other things. "You're on the run, for a start. You think they'll just let in someone wanted by the police?"

At that, Frankenstein...smiled? "You'd be surprised how willing people are to look in the other direction, depending on how much social power they have."

Yeah, Muzaka was far too aware of that. "Even though these people might be connected with what happened to ya?"

Frankenstein's smile faltered.

Too tunnel visioned.

"Still." Frankenstein squared his shoulders, pursing his lips. "This may still be my only chance for answers.

Muzaka sighed, leaning back on his chair. "Fine." He couldn't doubt that. "Can you grab me a second invite?"

Frankenstein gazed at him, a small crease forming between his brows. "You're offering to come?"

Muzaka grinned at him. "That's what you employed me for, right?" Frankenstein had taken care of the information gathering side of it, so the least he could do was provide some muscle. "But...just how fancy is this ball, anyway?"

Frankenstein's eyes flicked him up and down, assessing him as an amused smile grew on his face. "Fancy."

Muzaka grimaced. "This is as fancy as I can get." Just a couple of well-used suits were all he could afford with the cases he got.

"I can help in that regard," Frankenstein said, the amused glint never leaving his eye. "That way I can repay you for teaching me how to blend in more around here."

Muzaka stared at him for a second, and then winced, realising what he'd just got himself into.

*
"It hasta be measured?" Wolfe grumbled as he held his arms out for the tailor.

"Of course," Frankenstein said, watching the proceedings. "A suit needs to fit and sit well." Or else it would be clear to everyone around them that it had just been bought from a shop shelf.

Frankenstein was seeing a new side of Wolfe because of this, and it was interesting to see how he acted when he was out of his element.

The tailor stepped back with a hum, and then nodded. "We should be ready soon, sir, if you could wait until then." He left, writing notes in his notebook.

Wolfe threw himself into the chair next to Frankenstein with a grunt, his legs stretched out in front of him, balanced just enough that he wouldn't slip off.

"Posture, Mr. Wolfe," Frankenstein murmured, watching him from the corner of his eyes.

He saw Wolfe still, and then sighed. Wolfe pulled himself up with a grimace. "Haven't sat like this in ages," he muttered.

"And your back will thank you for it if you continue to sit up straight."

Wolfe tsk'd, already beginning to slouch again. "Yer enjoying this." There was less accusation in his voice than there could have been.

Frankenstein smiled, still gazing around the shop, looking at the different designs around them. "And you didn't?" Wolfe had taught him how to dress down, to talk looser, and now the role was reversed. He had to admit, it was rather fun.

He heard Wolfe snort, and when he glanced from the corner of his eye, he could see Wolfe struggling to hide his smile.

*
"Is there a problem?" Frankenstein called out. Wolfe seemed to be taking an awfully long time in the dressing room to merely be changing into a suit.

"Learnin' how to put a tie on again," was the reply.

Hm. True, Wolfe barely ever had his top buttons done up, let alone wore a tie in the short time Frankenstein had known him. "Do you need help?"

"Nah." Wolfe slid the curtain back, and stepped out.

Oh my. The dark blue suit Frankenstein had chosen for him really did help to draw attention to Wolfe's hair.

"Well, I must say," Frankenstein said, unable to help the soft purr to his voice, "you do clean up rather well, Mr. Wolfe." They would need to do something about his hair, but simply tying it back could be enough.

"Why is there so many layers to this," Wolfe muttered as he pulled at his collar. "I can barely move."

"The ball will start in the evening, so it will be cooler then," Frankenstein said. "And the suit shouldn't be restrictive enough that you can't, say, dance in it."

Wolfe grimaced. "I can't do that either." He shook his head, looking down at himself. "Thought we weren't meant to be drawin' much attention to ourselves?"

Frankenstein laughed softly. "You won't stand out like that."

Wolfe frowned, stretching his arms in different directions. "You sure?"

Frankenstein stood up, and walked over. Wolfe dropped his arms, watching him, and stayed still when Frankenstein stepped into his space, adjusting his tie. "I trusted your judgement in your area of expertise, so please grant me the same courtesy in my area of expertise." He guided the knot so it rested against Wolfe's neck, and straightened his jacket.

"Fine." Frankenstein was close enough to see Wolfe swallow and then his shoulders relaxed. "Very well...?"

Frankenstein smiled at him. "Yes." Wolfe's accent still bled through, but it was a start.

*
"I hafta wear the suit as well?" Wolfe grimaced, running a hand over his hair, tugging at the ponytail.

"You need to learn how to dance in the suit, yes," Frankenstein said, turning the dial to find a radio station with useable music, since Wolfe didn't have any of his own vinyls to use or a turntable to play one. It wouldn't do if Wolfe had to learn twice over, both the dance moves and then how to move smoothly in the suit.

Frankenstein settled on one station and walked over to Wolfe, waving a finger to the beat. Wolfe followed his finger, frowning.

"Can you hear it?" Frankenstein asked. It was best to make sure now, than find out later.

Wolfe nodded. "Just move in time to the beat?"

"Essentially, yes." Frankenstein took Wolfe's hand in his, directing Wolfe's other hand to his hip. "I'll lead."

"Yeah, heh, I'll just follow ya."

*
"My, my, Mr. Wolfe," Frankenstein said, closing the gap between them again, as they span around the room, "you can't keep your dance partner at arm's length. People would think you don't want to be near me." And he knew Wolfe enough that was patently untrue.

He was close enough he had a clear view of how flushed Wolfe's cheeks were. "It's not-!" Wolfe swallowed, not looking at him, and then stumbled then next step, Frankenstein's hold on him keeping him upright.

Wolfe's hold on his hip was rather limp as well. "You were so confident with your hands before. What happened?"

"I knew what I was doin' before!" Wolfe said as he straightened.

The response made Frankenstein chuckle, leaning in close enough that their noses touched. "Relax, Mr. Wolfe. Focus on moving with me, than trying to predict where I'll go."

Wolfe was still stiff and Frankenstein closed the gap, kissing him.

Wolfe exhaled, his hand sliding to Frankenstein's back, drawing him even closer.

It was only for a minute or so, but Frankenstein felt the tension seep out from Wolfe's muscles.

He smiled when he drew his head back, Wolfe's breathing a little easier now. "Better?"

Wolfe didn't say anything for a few seconds, and then nodded. "Yeah."

"Then let's continue."

*
Frankenstein could hear Wolfe trying to keep his breathing steady as their taxi neared their destination. "You will be fine," he said.

"Not sure about that," Wolfe said, his eyes dancing from person to person as they passed them.

"Do you think you stand out now?" Frankenstein said, as the attire of their fellow ball goers became more clear.

Wolfe exhaled. "No," he admitted.

The taxi slowed to a stop, and while Frankenstein paid the driver, Wolfe stepped out first, his elbow out, ready for Frankenstein, just like they had practised.

Frankenstein left the taxi, placing his hand in the crook of Muzaka's elbow as they walked to the entrance.

Well then. Now to see what they could find.

---

Inspired by this conversation.