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The man's eyes darted rapidly around the room. It seemed like any other family home; framed pictures on the walls, bookshelves stuffed with both books and random items that didn't fit anywhere else and little things that showed off the personalities of the home's owners. Really the only thing out of place was him, the man tied up and gaged on a dining room chair. He panted heavily, trying his best to wriggle out the restraints or push the gag out of his mouth to no luck.
Out of nowhere, he heard someone unlocking the front door. As the door opened he began screaming, his muffled words begging the person walking into the room to free him. The man stared at him curiously. He was tall with dark hair and blue eyes framed with black glasses. He wore a black button up with a striped blue tie and dark blue jeans.
The other man slowly crossed the room, walking over to the kidnapped man. He reached up and pulled the gag from his mouth.
He inhaled deeply before pleading, "Please! You gotta help me! I- I was walking home when I felt a hit to my head and I woke up here! Please help!"
"Oh dear, that does sound like quite the predicament," he straightened up, walking over to the couch and placing down the bag which had been hanging over his shoulder.
The kidnapped man gaped at him, "Why are you being so casual about this!? I've been KIDNAPPED!!!"
"Yes, I can see that. Although I am a bit disappointed,"
"… what?"
"I told Remus to stop leaving our victims in the living room, they're meant to be on the basement, it makes too much of a mess up here and I can only buy so much bleach before it gets suspicious,"
"What the hell. Are- are you involved with this?"
"Did you assume I wasn't? This is my house, you watched me walk in, and you assumed I didn't know the goings on of my own home? Frankly that is quite stupid."
"B-but I-" he was cut off by loud footsteps thundering down the stairs.
"LOGAAAAAAAN!!!"
The man in the tie smiled and looked in the direction of the voice. The new person ran up to the person he assumed was named Logan and greeted him with a passionate kiss.
"Hello, Remus,"
"Hi! Did you like the present I left for you?" 'Remus' gestured over to the man who was still tied up.
"Oh, you left him there for me?"
"Of course! You've been working so hard lately that you deserve a treat!"
"That's sweet, thank you. However, I am quite tired. Would you mind doing it for me and I'll watch?"
"Sure!" Remus gave him a small kiss before walking over to the man on the chair, "How do you want me to do it, Logie?"
"Hmmmm," he contemplated for a bit before deciding, "Strangle him. I want to watch the life drain out of his eyes."
"Not as gory as I hoped but anything for you!"
Remus smiled as he raised his hand to the man's throat.
"No! Please! I'll do anything! I-I'll give you money! Work for you! Anything! Just don't-"
He was cut off when Remus began to squeeze his windpipe. He and Logan watched with glee as his face grew pale, his lips turned blue and eventually his eyes lost their life as he slumped over. Remus kept his hand there for a little longer to be sure he was absolutely dead before pulling away and embracing Logan with another kiss.
"Beautiful darling," Logan complimented.
"I'm gonna chop him up then start on dinner,"
"Leave dinner to me. Knowing you, you might try to sneak a bit of him into the food again,"
Remus laughed and began untying their victim, dragging him down to the basement to chop him up.
Once their food was beginning to cook, Logan sank into the couch, finally relaxing. He'd spent all day at the tech firm he worked at dealing with frustrating customers and prying co-workers eager to know everything about his life for office gossip. Usually murder would be a good way to relax after a long day like that but he was too tired and he could tell that man was not going to be satisfying to kill.
He pulled out his laptop and began working on his main job; his and his husband's murder business. They had a system where people could commission them to kill someone. Be it a rival, a cheating spouse or just wanting someone dead, they would provide (for a fee of course). While Logan did often indulge, Remus was the main murderer of their operation. Logan dealt with planning and receiving the requests. When they got requests he has to do a bit of research into the person asking as a few times they'd been reached out to by detectives investigating them. They'd never been caught so far.
As Logan opened his laptop, he saw that a new message had come through. He clicked on the message and read it:
'Hi,
I don't really know how to ask this but basically there's someone I want you to kill.
Thanks.'
Logan frowned slightly at the message. Usually his clients seemed more confident and detailed about what they wanted. He typed up a response then went to check on the food.
'Hello,
Provided you can supply more details such as who you want us to kill and some details about them then we can discuss further."
By the time he was back on the couch, he had a response.
'Sorry, I don't really know how this works.
His name is Virgil Storm. What else do you want to know?'
This person was clearly quite young and unsure of themself.
'I would like to know his age, general location, whether you have a preferred method of murder and any motives you have.'
'He's 16. Lives in Sanders' Town in Florida. I don't really know, probably something quick and easy. Do you really need a motive?'
'A motive isn't necessary, we just like to know. However I will have to cancel this interaction as we refuse to murder anyone under the age of eighteen, it is one of our policies. I apologise.'
'Sorry, that was a typo, he is 18.'
Logan was suspicious. He had a feeling the victim was under eighteen and was deeply curious what the motive was if the client wasn't giving it. Usually they were more than happy to vent about what the person did to them, it was rare someone refused. Just as he was contemplating, he heard the kitchen timer go off and he left to finish dinner. As he was finishing up, Remus walked in.
"Smells delicious!"
"Thank you,"
Remus frowned, "You alright? You seem tense."
Logan sighed, "We received a new commission, however there are a lot of details that are making me suspicious."
"You think it's the cops again?"
"No. The client seems young and a maybe a bit scared. They originally said the victim is sixteen but then I informed them that we don't do anyone under eighteen, they claimed that he was eighteen and that it was a typo. Furthermore, they didn't provide a motive which itself isn't suspicious but with the other pieces of evidence… I don't know,"
"Huh, can I read the messages?"
Logan nodded and gestured to his laptop, turning back to finish serving up their food.
When he joined Remus on the couch with their dinner, he had finished reading the exchange.
"You're right, it does feel weird. Do you reckon we could meet with them to discuss this and figure out what's going on?"
"Perhaps,"
Logan put his plate to the side and grabbed the laptop.
'I'm afraid there's a bit of a problem with this site. Would you be willing to meet us in person to discuss this and receive further details?'
It took their client a little while to reply but he eventually answered.
'Ok. Where?'
***
The next evening, Remus and Logan waited in their usual meet up spot for clients: an old, abandoned storage unit. They sat waiting in unit 14, a large concrete cube where they had told their client they'd be. Logan was on his laptop, checking the surveillance cameras to see if they had arrived. Remus was next to him, small gun hidden behind his back and more weapons in a bag beside him in case things went wrong.
Eventually Logan broke the silence, "They're here."
It only took a few minutes for them to hear quite footsteps echoing closer to them. They sat up, Logan putting his laptop away, and prepared to meet them.
They certainly weren't expecting a rough looking teenager in scrappy clothing to appear in front of them. He was fairly short with a pale, gaunt face and unwashed hair. His clothes were dirty and covered in patches and sloppy repair jobs and with his thin frame, he seemed to be drowning in them. He had dark circles under his green eyes which were darting around the room nervously.
"Umm, hi?" The boy approached them nervously, still keeping his distance.
"Hello, I assume you are who reached out to us and asked for our services?" Logan asked, his suspicion increasing even more.
"Uh, yeah,"
"How old are you?"
"Uh… 18,"
"I hope you understand that I can't believe that,"
He sighed, "Ugh, fine, I'm 16. But you didn't mention a policy about people under 18 being allowed to uh order your… services,"
"He's right, we don't," Remus commented before turning to the teen, "Because it's never happened before. Tell us, why do you want to kill this guy."
"I… you said that I don't need to give you a motive,"
"You are correct," Logan began, "However we are both becoming rather suspicious at this request so we would like to know before we decide if we can carry this out."
He was growing frustrated, "Ugh, look, I just," he dug around in his pocket and pulled out a bunch of notes, all amounting to around 50 dollars, "I know it's not much but I really need this done. I don't care how you do it just please… I can't…" tears seemed to be welling up in the boy's eyes.
Logan sighed as the pieces finally came together, "What's your name?"
He looked shocked at that and began stuttering, "uh… John, um… Johnson?"
Logan gave him a look.
"Ugh, fine it's… it's Virgil Storm,"
Remus' eyes widened, realising what was going on.
"Virgil," Logan spoke to him in a quite, calming tone, "Why do you want us to kill you?"
"Because…"
"Because?"
"Because it sucks!"
"What sucks?"
"Everything!" He began angrily pacing, "My whole life is awful! Ever since I was a kid my dad would beat me for the smallest things. Sometimes I hadn't even done anything and he'd just burst into my room and punch my till I passed out. And nobody believed me! Even when I showed them the marks he left. Then my mum just left. Just packed up and walked out of there leaving me to face his wrath all by myself. And it was even worse cause he was taking his anger at her leaving out on me.
"And it isn't just home that's awful, it's school too. I don't know why but it's seems like everyone there just hates me! Maybe they think I'm weird cause I'm obsessed with researching serial killers or something but I don't know why they would hate me for that. When it isn't my dad hitting me it's another kid beating me up behind the school while their friends hold me back. One time I…. one time I was in the bathroom and some people in the year above me came in. A couple of them held my arms while the leader he… he started groping me. And the worst part was that the principle walked in, saw him do it and only gave him a three-day suspension!
"And I tried talking to the school counsellor about it about you know what her advice is every time? Take a walk to clear your head. Have a nice bath. Do some colouring to take your mind off it. It. Fucking. Sucks. So I realised it was all hopeless. I tried doing it myself at first. I tried so many times and different ways but every time I couldn't do it. I was too scared. That's when I found you're site and I thought… maybe you could help me…"
By the end of his story, Virgil had tears streaking down his cheeks. Remus and Logan sat in stunned silence. They looked to each other, having a silent conversation before they stood and walked over to Virgil. He flinched when Remus raised a hand to pat him on the shoulder so Remus put his arm down sadly.
"Why don't you come with us?" Logan suggested.
"Huh?"
"You look like you need a warm shower and a decent meal,"
Virgil smiled sheepishly, "Dad didn't pay the water bill and people always steal my lunch."
They guided him to the car they had arrived in and Virgil climbed in the back.
As they set off, Remus remarked, "I'm surprised you aren't more cautious about hopping in a car with two known serial killers."
Virgil shrugged, "The worst you could do is kill me and I already want you to do that so…"
When they arrived at the house Virgil was surprised at how… normal it was. Definitely not the place you imagine when you think of a serial killers home. But he supposed that was to cover themselves in case they or investigated.
"The bathroom is upstairs and to the left. You can use any products you wish and we will leave some clean clothes outside the door for when you've finished and I'll have some food ready for you,"
"Th-thank you,"
Logan smiled, "It's no problem."
Virgil nervously went upstairs and Logan began to prepare dinner for the three of them. When Remus came back from putting away his weapons, Logan asked, "Remus, could you find some clothes that will fit him and put them outside the door?"
"On it,"
Eventually they heard the water shut off and a few minutes later they heard Virgil's footsteps coming down the stairs. His hair was wet and the clothes Remus picked out for him were big enough that the shirt swallowed him and he had to roll up the ankles of the sweatpants but he look much fresher and happier.
"Ah, just in time," Logan began serving up the food. He saw Virgil's mouth water at the sight and smell of fresh, hot food. They saw him actively restraining himself to not shove it down his mouth as fast as possible.
When most of the food was gone, Logan began speaking again, "So, Virgil, we were thinking about the best course of action going forward."
They saw Virgil swallow thickly, "Y-yeah?"
"Obviously we can't kill you cause it goes against are policy of killing minors," Remus continued and after a sharp look from Logan added, "and we don't think you should kill yourself."
Virgil deflated slightly at that.
"However," Logan started and Virgil perked up slightly, "We can kill all the people who made your life a figurative 'living hell'."
"You… you would do that? I don't have enough money to pay you for all that," Virgil trembled.
"We understand, we wouldn't be doing it for the money,"
"We do it cause it's fun!" Remus grinned, "And because they're all horrible people."
"I… I don't know what to say,"
"You don't have to say anything," Logan smiled.
Hope seemed to light up on Virgil's face for only a second before it dimmed and was replaced with worry, "If you kill my dad, where would I go? I don't know where my mother is or how to contact her but even if I did I don't think I'd want to stay with her. From what I've heard, the foster system is awful and I definitely don't want to be out on the streets."
Logan and Remus had another silent conversation.
"You could live with us?"
"I could what?!"
"You don't have to, of course, but we'd be willing to let you stay. You clearly don't have a problem with our line of work, we could protect you if things go wrong again and honestly… we like you, Virgil, you seem like a nice boy,"
"I…" Virgil couldn't come up with anything to say so instead he flung himself into Logan and Remus' arms and cried. They held him tenderly for as long as he needed.
***
It was a few weeks later as Virgil was coming home from school when he walked into the living room to see his father tied up and gaged on a chair. Upon seeing his son he began yelling and despite it all being muffled, Virgil knew exactly what he was saying.
"Surprise, Virgie! I got your dad and now I'm gonna kill him! Wanna help me?"
"Oh, um… I don't know if I'm ready to murder quite yet,"
"That's fine, more for me! Do you want to beat him up a little?"
He slowly approached the man who'd tortured him his whole life. The man he once thought was the scariest thing on earth was now immobile and pleading his own son for his life.
Remus watched with glee, expecting Virgil to start beating him to a pulp. Instead, he started yelling. He yelled insults, screamed every word he wished he could've when it mattered and swore at him until his throat was hoarse. Remus walked to him and pulled him into a hug, letting him cry on his shoulder.
"Don't worry, I won't make it quick or easy,"
Virgil sniffed, "Thanks."
Over the next few weeks, the same thing happened, first with his principle and then with the bully who'd assaulted him. It felt good to finally get justice. Of course, all his trauma and issues weren't solved instantly but it helped him start the healing process.
One night, shortly after they'd killed the last of Virgil's abusers, they got Virgil settled into bed and hung around by his door, watching him as he slept. After a while, they closed the door and made their way to their own bedroom.
"Remus, I've been thinking,"
"About what?"
"Adopting Virgil,"
It took all of Remus' will power to not scream 'HELL YEAH' and wake him up so instead he nodded enthusiastically.
"Excellent, I have the paper work already and I'm sure I'll be able to hack into the system and register it myself to avoid any invasive questions,"
"This way we can officially make him part of the family business. I'm sure he'll be a great killer,"
"As long as we don't force him into it, he should have a choice when he starts killing,"
"Of course,"
Remus was a little disappointed that Virgil didn't participate in the killing for a while (especially of the ones who'd hurt him) but Logan just kissed him on the cheek and assured him, "don't worry, he'll find it in him eventually." And he did, it would be many years until he did but at some point he would finally start killing and when that day came they renamed their business from 'Murder Husbands' to 'Murder Husbands and Son'.