[Dead!Fendrich AU]

[Co-Written by GorgingGeorge]

It was 12:30 Pm, Tippy Doreman was going his favorite thing, holding doors open for people.  Truly and simply, this was what he enjoyed most about life.  However, things were about to go south for the doorman when he was approached by two men.

"Ah Hello." He greeted about to open the door.  "You are Tippy Doreman, correct? We need to talk to you about your stepfather."

"Oh? Did something happen?" He asked.  "He better not be trying to sue me for existing..." He thought. "Well, we are unfortunately here to tell you he passed this morning."

Tippy tried not to seem happy about this, for he didn't want to seem connected to the passing of his stepfather.  You may be asking; Why would he be happy? Well, knowing the man he was neglected by, berated by, and ultimately abused by has died was like being freed from torture.

"I see... How tragic..."

"Though his death is your gain. He left his whole company to you." The other man said.  "Huh? His entire company?"

"Yes, since you are his only living descendant, by laws standing that is, you are his sole heir."

"Uh, what company are we talking about here?" Tippy asked, in truth he knew nothing about what Fendrich did as a legitimate job. All he knew was that he would order his gang of criminals to steal items from either the museum or from Sinclair to try and prove he founded the city.

"You don't know? It's nothing complicated, he would sell and market some soft drink brand called Vita Rush, he bought the rights to it some time before he passed away. Of course you just need to manage the sales and make sure the consumers like what they get."

Tippy just nodded, it would be a massive change from simply opening and closing doors for people exiting his apartment with the occasional conversation with those going through the doors. "Uh... Will I still have time for my actual job?"

"You'll handle it, if you need any assistance, you can always just contact Mary Sinclair, as she has nothing against you now that Fendrich has passed away."

"Well okay..." The doorman sighed. "I should get going to the tower."

As he left to the tower, he felt weird, and not in a good way. He was defiantly out of his comfort zone at this point. "Dammit, couldn't he have had some illegitimate child who could take this instead of me?" He thought as he approached.

As he entered, he noticed the that the criminals that Fendrich hired are still there. "Oh, uh, hello... UH, I think you heard about what happened to your boss."

"Yeah, we know that he passed, good riddance if you ask me. So that makes you our new boss, right?" Vito asked. "Uh, I suppose so." Tippy stated awkwardly. "Though I don't think I need people to steal for me. Uh..."

"Are you going to fire us then?" Hank asked. "No, no of course not, you still need to make money to support yourselves, I just... Uh... I don't really know what exactly you should be doing..." The doorman confessed.

"Well, Fendrich usually orders us to steal or to just cause some mayhem in the streets so we can act as a red herring for whatever plan he's got in store, one of the only female criminals, Big Betty explained. "Maybe since you used to be the Master Criminal two and a half years ago, we can do heists for you now?"

"Uh... I'm not sure I can do that; I gave up being the criminal alter ego after being busted out of jail. I only started stealing just so I could get that Mars door anyways." Tippy sighed. "I guess um... You could act as my assistants now? I'm not sure what else you can do."

The group of criminals could tell Tippy was going to need some assistance in getting used to his new role. "Well, on the business side of things, our boss would have this computer where he could oversea factory stuff going on via security cameras. But it was mostly so the workers wouldn't try forming a union, he was known for his bribery."

"Uh, so I see. I'll see what I can do I suppose. Uh, do I have to do the bribing thing?"

"I mean if you want to keep this business the way it is."

"What if I don't want to? I mean, if we increase funds towards the factory to pay them more, and y'know give them basic healthcare and such, that would be good, right?" Tippy asked, not really knowing.

"Well, I mean, I guess, though your profits or something might lessen... Or something, that's what the boss used to say. Just try to adjust to your surroundings more before you make any major decisions." Hank said, bringing him to the desk.

Seeing his step-father's things still on the desk made him feel queasy. Was he going to become like Fendrich? He would rather kill himself than to let that happen. But it's not like he could ask for help... Or could he.

He knew it was a bit of stretch, but maybe Harl could help him out a little.

"He still uses a rotary phone? Well I suppose it's better than nothing." Tippy thought. Picking up the receiver, Tippy dialed Harl's number from memory. "I hope he's in.."

Meanwhile in the junkyard, Harl was digging through some junk when he heard his cell phone ring. "Huh? Who could be calling me?" He thought as he opened up his flip phone. "Hello? Can I help whoever is calling?"

"Oh, hello Harl, it's me, Tippy."

"Tippy, hi! Wait, why are you calling me? Your break doesn't start for another hour."

"Well, there's been an umm... Well, it's hard to explain over the phone. Can you come to Fendrich Tower? You don't have to worry about... Him showing up. He's finally out of my life for good."

"Ah, alright I'll come as soon as I can." He said before hanging up. "He said I shouldn't worry but I'm still worried, I hope he didn't do anything drastic." He said to himself as he rode his bike to the tower.

Once he arrived, he noticed Tippy sitting in his stepfather's chair, looking anxious and very uncomfortable. "Tippy. Are you okay?"

"Ah! Oh, it's only you. Harl, something happened... But, in short, my stepfather died this morning and I inherited his company." Tippy explained. "OH, I see, I guess that's what you meant by him not being in your life now."

"Yes, but.... I don't know what I'm doing. I have no business experience, and I need help. I know you probably are really busy right now but... Is it possible if you can help me? Just a little."

"Well, I help out mostly with repairing things or if they need someone to listen to their issues. When it comes to business, I'm kind of out of my league, but I'll see what I can do!" Harl chirped. "First off we should probably make sure those factories your stepdad owned are following the basic safety regulations, otherwise they could be shut down just like that."

It didn't help Tippy's mental state much, hearing that at any moment he could lose everything from an irresponsible action. "He just makes this soda, so as long as the workers wear gloves, masks and hair nets we should be alright, right?"

"It should be, oh. It says here there's been a large amount of recalls due to ingredients expiring." Harl pointed out. "We should send someone to check on where we get the ingredients from and find a new source."

"Y... yeah... And um... It's going to lose some cash, but I'm sure it'll be made back with the sales, I think."

"Well as long everything goes well, you'll do great." Harl said. "Easier said than done... Why can't I be a good businessman without having to be corrupt." Tippy thought. "Thank you, Harl, I think I know what I need to do now. Thank you."

"Are you sure, you still look stressed-"

"I'm sure. I mean I just have to look at some graphs, yes? I'm sure I can do it." Tippy stated. "Well... If you're sure. Though... I feel like you need help... And I don't mean your business."

"Oh? What do you mean by that?" Tippy asked. "I mean I'm fine, I promise..."

He was not fine, but didn't want Harl to worry. After all, it's his own fault for getting this stressed. He could have just given the company to Sinclair, it's not like he wanted this. But he was already in too deep.

"God, how did Fendrich make it look so easy? Aside from making decisions only for his own gain, gah! I have to focus; all I need to do is check graphs and if it goes up it means everything is good. And if things go under, I could always just go back to my old job as a doorman, but then Vito and the others would be out of a job..." He thought. "Keep yourself together, Tippy! You can do this."

But having to live up to his stepfather's expectations wasn't his only worry. He loved his old job as a doorman, he enjoyed watching as people gossiped through the doors as they entered or exited. He got to see how the city changed from day to day, and he got to learn everything about everyone who lived within. Tippy left as soon as he was old enough so he wouldn't have to live his entire life in a penthouse, now he's forced back into that life.

"Do people even drink Vita Rush anymore? I only ever see it whenever Snake performs his usual heists. So I suppose it wouldn't be too big of a loss if production goes down a bit, I think that's how it works anyways." He thought. "Why did I just push Harl away like that?"

The handyman knew Tippy told him he was alright, but something in him told him to return sometime later with something to calm down his friend with. "I know he loves sugar cookies; I could bake him a batch and then help him with the business stuff. Maybe if this was door related stuff he was selling, he would enjoy it more."

That gave the handyman an idea. "Oh! He could sell doors! I mean, doors are quite popular, everyone needs them. Besides, he'd be something connected to something he enjoys! I see nothing wrong with this!" He thought as he went to draft a business plan.

Once it was ready, as well as a fresh batch of sugar cookies, he headed back to the building. As he reached the floor that was where Tippy's new office was, he was shocked at the state of it. Pens and papers on the ground, it was a mess.

"Tippy? Are you in? I brought cookies." He asked, but to no response. He was about to turn around when he heard soft sniffling under the desk. "Tippy...?"

The former doorman was laying on the ground, crying quietly, not wanting people to see him. "Hey, are you okay?" He asked placing the plate and business plan on the table, sitting on his knees besides him. "H... Harl...? Oh... You shouldn't have seen me like this..."

"Why not? You're in a lot of distress and it's clear you need someone to comfort you right now." Harl pointed out, helping Tippy up off the ground. "What happened? Your eyes are so red and puffy."

"I... I don't know what to do. Why do I even need to be part of this business? I want nothing to do with my stepfather and that includes after his death!" The doorman snapped, holding his legs close to his chest. "It's horrible, I can't even tell what these graphs even mean, for all I know things are going swimmingly without my involvement."

Harl helped him up, stroking his hair gently. "It's going to be alright, Tippy. I just had a thought, why don't you switch gears?"

"Huh?"

"As in, instead of Vita Rush, why not have a business involving doors?"

"Doors? I... I never thought about that."

"Yeah! And it doesn't even need to just be doors, the hinges too, which seems more of a useful business since doors don't break that often. So, after some googling I wrote my thoughts in this!" He said handing him the plan.

It was written in a way he understands, explaining how it would work. "I'm not much of a businessman myself, so sorry if it isn't 100 percent clear." Harl stated before feeling arms around him.

"Thank you, Harl. Honestly you're the only person who had tried to explain it to me." Tippy said before letting go. He looked at the cookies the handyman brought with him. "Um, is it okay if I have one of those?"

"Yes, I made them for you." Harl smiled as Tippy ate one. "Thank you Harl, I don't know how to repay you."

"I'm just happy to help." The handyman stated. "I know but you've done so much for me, it wouldn't be right to just let you not be compensated for your work."

Tippy didn't know what to say, Harl really was an angel in disguise sometimes. He was just glad that someone will be there to aid him as he started on his new job as a door businessman. First things first was to sell the rights to Vita Rush over to Sinclair, who was more than happy to take the soda business off his hands.

"Alright now, there are many different door types out there and each use a different type of wood and a different metal for the hinges and handles." Tippy said out loud as he looked over at the new door manufacturing facility. "All workers will be paid a lot higher than before and there will be better safety precautions, so I don't end up like him."

Harl held his shoulder. "You're going to be a way better boss, uh Tippy? You're blushing." He pointed out.

"Uh-gah! Uh, I think it's just me being so happy that you're here."

"Awe, that's nice." Harl said, not seeing it as more than a friendship response. In all honesty he was kinda not good at reading people romantically if they were pointing affection at him. He couldn't tell the signs of someone liking him, he just assumed people wanted to be good friends.

Tippy, on the other hand was just a denier of thinking he was loveable, especially after the mars door incident. But he couldn't shake what he felt toward the handyman. "So, what now? Your business is starting up, so it might take a while."

"Well, I'm not really sure. Though I was thinking, I don't really need all the space in that tower. Maybe I could let it be used for public use, give back to the community a bit. After all, its not like the rooms were being used for much when 'he' was alive anyway, so it's not they'd be missed."

"Yeah."

As the two stood near each other, Harl's hand still on the former doorman's shoulder, Tippy's blush only grew. "I'm not sure why I'm keeping this to myself still. I mean, Fendrich is dead so it's not like he could disown me. And if Harl doesn't like me, he doesn't. I need to be an adult about this." He thought before sighing.

"Harl... If it is alright to ask... Um... Do you have a preference?" The former doorman asked simply.

"Well, I like a room with the bed close to the window so I can open the curtains first thing in the morn-"

"Not for a room, I meant uh... Like, who do you like? Romantically speaking? Do you prefer men or women?" Tippy quickly corrected.

"Oh, that sort of preference. I actually have none, I have felt romantically towards men, women and nonbinary folk. Why do you ask?"

Then it finally hit him, Tippy wanting his help specifically instead of getting someone who was more well versed in the business world, their time up in space for so long. "Tippy, do you.. Do you like me? As in romantically?" He asked.

"I... I do... I really do. But I never had the guts to say it, how could I when he was still alive?" Tippy mumbled. "But if you don't like me back I-"

But before Tippy could finish his sentence, Harl pulled him into a bear hug.

"Oh, Tippy, I don't know what to say... I mean I've never been in a relationship before... Though, I do feel the same. Well, in a way." Harl explained. "In a way?"

"Well, I've grown a lot closer to you during the month we were in space together. I mean, you were holding me and the rest of the crew hostage but, I got to know you better." Harl said.

Tippy was curious, to say the least. How could he feel the same when he abducted him. "A... Are you sure? I mean I'm not that good looking so even if we didn't bond in the moment of me sabotaging the mars mission for a rock door I-"

"I'm sure. Tippy, look at me."

The doors salesman looked into the eyes of the handyman. "That isn't who you are now. You are different from then... You changed, in a good way, but still. You care about those around you now. Also, you are good looking, don't say you aren't." Harl stated, cupping Tippy's face with his hand.

Tippy blushed as his face was held. "Oh Harl.. You're the first person to ever call me good looking." He admitted. "You are so very attractive as well, with how soft and huggable you are."

The handyman blushed as he leaned forward closer to the blushing man. "Um, can we kiss?"

Tippy didn't need to be told twice, he softly kissed his new boyfriend. "You're so sweet."

"Aw, I'm just happy to help."