[A/N: Happy birthday to our favorite little earl! That's right, today is Ciel's birthday, right after Friday the 13th too! Well we all know how unlucky he is! As a present for his little lordship I have made a Christmas fan fiction! It is also a present for all of you. Enjoy~]
It was seven years ago on Christmas Eve that one Sebastian Michealis, business partner to the wealthy Ciel Phantomhive passed on into the light. It 'twas a dark and gloomy Christmas that day for all that adored the man who had been nothing short but the servant of the young lad, faithful and loyal always. For everyone, still, time went on and his spirit was not forgotten and the Christmas holidays still celebrated, if not more so for all the candles in the houses burned bright for the lost soul.
However year after year there was but one person who did not keep the holidays in his heart. Indeed he was as cold as the snow that lay upon the cobbled roads of the bustling, friendly town in London. Everyone in this town adored Christmas, all but he. He was young 13 at the most yet he talked the proper, firm, no business attitude of a grown man and his eyes, blue in color, showed no joy or child-like curiosity they were instead steely and anger filled. Small in stature with blue-black hair, a blue ring on his thumb and a gold one on the other hand, with an eye patch from an unfortunate incident he was a sight to behold.
Everyone moved out of his way never giving him a "good morning" or a "how do you do?" because they knew better. He was rude, miserly, cruel, and mal-tempered and hated all holidays but especially Christmas. All the good people knew that his father had a successful toy making business and his mother was a glorious hostess and seamstress but that was back then when Ciel used to smile like a real child and when he and his good family friend Sebastian were actually that; friends. On the day of the young boys' birthday, December the 14th, there was a fire and it destroyed not only the lovely abode but the loving couple of Rachael and Vincent Phantomhive.
Some say that this is why the young Earl is so distant during the holidays, others say it is because of the toys that are reminiscent of his father, some say it's the fact that he lost his only true friend and confident. There were many rumors all said behind his back but no one really cared the reason that he glared at carolers, hissed at presents, or glowered at trees all lit up. The townsfolk merely stepped out of his way and hoped he wouldn't tax them to death. The boy was fond of taxing-he was fond of money and saving it. He had rebuilt his estate within a matter of days and set up a business to which poured in the money but his office was just as barren and cold as he was and his sole employer, a kind hearted good-doer named Baldroy Jameson, was underpaid and underappreciated.
Today was another day on the eve of Christmas but to Ciel it was just an ordinary day that he wanted to get over with. Baldroy was looking over some papers while sneaking a peek at the clock on the wall. He was impatient to get home and spend the holidays with his family. The little time he had spent with this tyrant of a child consumed his hours and he never once got holidays off yet still despite the young business owner's attitude Baldroy could not find it in his pure heart to hate the man or speak bad of him. Outside the shivering office was the warm, inviting sound of carolers harmonizing together to make lovely melodies.
"What a racket they're making. It's disturbing my business. There should be a tax on singing."
"But sir, it's Christmas, the season of joy and hope."
"Christmas, bah humbug. More like a holiday where people who don't have enough money waste it on silly toys and candy. Nonsense, utter nonsense. Nothing but a bunch of drunken fools and greedy children. Did you know today I was hassled by a group of men who wanted money for their charity? Bah! Why should I give them my hard earned money? Send those bratty children in the workhouse or jail."
Baldroy gasped, covering his mouth in shock. Indeed he knew this boy he called boss was the worst of the worst when it came to Christmas cheer, however, he didn't figure him to be so cruel as to not give money to a charity for children! He himself was a child. Baldroy couldn't fathom it. Why, Ciel was an orphan, and these children were too. Had he no empathy or compassion? As Baldroy ran his fingers through his blonde hair he wondered if he should tempt fate and risk everything for a measly holiday off but not only that Baldroy would dare to ask for a paid holiday.
He gulped hard and looked upon the eye-patch wearing 13 year old snarling over letters of people pleading for tax breaks. 'Pathetic', he thought as he replied with a long angry list of reasons to deny them of said money, all of which concerned their bankruptcy being their fault. Baldroy stepped up to what most people called Satan's child and cleared his throat.
"Um…Sir, if it's not too much to ask…may I take my leave early sir…to spend the holidays with my family?"
Ciel glared up and almost snapped his pen in two halves before looking at the clock and sighing heavily. It was getting late anyways and Baldroy was a sloppy worker that constantly made mistakes. He was earnest and persistent but clumsy all the same. He was nothing like….'No, don't even think about it. Don't think about him,' he chided himself mentally.
"Very well but you must show up early in the morning tomorrow."
"Sir…that's Christmas day! Surely you understand I must be with my family on Christmas too!"
"Not another word, Jameson. I might even consider giving you pay for your time gone if you don't speak another word about that Christmas Humbug!"
Baldroy zipped his lips then nodded a thank you before rushing out the door. Anything was better than nothing. He guessed he would have to have a late night Christmas instead of an early one. How he wanted to see his children's faces in the morning and his wifes' loving smile as she made a warm meal but now he wouldn't be able to. As Ciel answered letters and counted his money a familiar face popped up. It was his Aunt, Angelina Duress but most called her Madam Red for her love of the color. This season and Valentine's Day were her favorites because one of the signature colors was red and today she sported a lovely silk dress with rose patterns adorning the bottom and a black shawl covering her thin shoulders.
"Nephew of mine, what are you doing locked up in this drab, dark place when you could be outside enjoying the festivities?"
"And what, freeze in the snow?! I'd rather have my legs sawed off."
"Ciel! How could you say such a thing? Come now, I know it's not your favorite time of the year but there's no use saying nonsense like that."
"You are the one who is spouting the nonsense madam! Every word that slithers out of your red lips is utter foolishness! Talks of Christmas pudding and lights! More money to spend! You're smarter than those blundering fools out there, so save your money and don't bother me with this Christmas humbug! Now, state your business then leave me."
Madam Red pouted her lower lip, caught between anger and hurt, feeling a sadness rise in her chest. This was her sisters' child, he had her eyes and long ago had her smile but he looked most like his father. She loved them both dearly and to have them swiped away so early in life was unfair. She opted to adopt the young lad but he wouldn't allow it. Said he didn't want any more hurt. Then he turned to ice and he locked away his heart and created this empire. He sits upon a throne of overly taxed skeletons and filthy, unloving money accusing those who are merry as fools. Madam Red thought it was because, to him, it was unfair that they should be so merry when he cannot be.
"I'm no fool, dear nephew, but I didn't come to quarrel. I came to invite you to my annual Christmas party. It will be so much fun! The whole clan will be there! There will be tea and-"
"Shut up!"
The whole room fell dead silent. Why even a grave yard in the dead of night would be livelier. Ciel gripped the paper he was reading firmly, about to rip it to shreds while glaring maliciously at his red-drenched aunt. Her amber eyes had widened considerably as she put her hand to her heart, feeling wounded. 'Tea…he served tea….he loved tea…Se-No, stop!'
"I don't want to hear any more about parties or Christmas! You can keep your rum cakes and presents to yourself. Celebrate the holidays on your own accord but damn it, leave me out of it! I want nothing more to do with your disgusting holidays! Christmas, bah humbug!"
Madam Red's face hardened as the words hit her like the millions of bags of money her nephew had. She frowned, hiding her tears as she placed the invitation on his desk anyways.
"Fine. Don't go. The invitation will still be open to you, either way nephew."
Before she left she gave him a glance as she walked out the door seeing him throw the invitation in the fire. You would think that would be the last straw but she loved her nephew too much and she had promised to look after him for her beloved sister. No matter what she would try every year to get him to enjoy the holidays. Ciel clocked out before locking the door feeling the cold wrap around him. The streets were dead but the houses that lined the streets were anything but. Lights glowed from the parlors of the homes and colorful decorations shined in the moons beams while the sounds of clinking glasses and laughing could be heard. All the while fruitcake, ham, and baking bread could be smelled for miles. These things would make any other person sick with holiday joy but for Ciel it just made him the normal sick.
He fiddled with his keys before opening the manor door, swearing he saw the shadow of some one. Someone with black hair….a tail coat….reddish eyes….He shook the thought out of his head. An elderly butler greeted him as Ciel made his way up the spiraling stair case. Another day another dollar or a hundred. He sat near the fire warming his hands and grumbling on about the noise the glee-filled Christmas lovers were making and as he started to drift into sleep he was unaware that that night he would be visited by not one but four spirits!
