03

White fields glided past the window of the carriage. The skeletal forms of trees covered with snow sprinkled the elsewise flawless white here and there.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

Uriel smiled contently. "A snowy landscape is like a new sheet of paper, it is perfect."

William who didn't say anything so far raised an eyebrow at his friend's remark.

"Yeah, perfectly cold."

He cuddled deeper into his coat.

Unfortunately the long way to Isaak's place wound through endless meadows, offering no shelter for the small vehicle. The frosty winds could be felt inside as outside.

"Say, why aren't you feeling cold?", William suspiciously demanded. He was shivering like mad, burried in a puddle of coat, multiple scarfs, hat and gloves. Yet Uriel didn't even bother to wear a single scarf.

"Oh, it surely is cold, young Master."

The young man's eyes stared accusingly from between layers of fabric. "I don't believe you. You're not even trying to cover your bare neck!"

Trying to befriend his master the older one smiled excusingly, musing: "Maybe I am more used to it. I spend most of the day within the chapel. As you know, churches aren't blessed with heating-systems."

Accepting the offered solution for the time being William leaned back. "Maybe."

Or maybe, he thought, this was some kind of angel-business. Could angels freeze? He didn't know.

He regarded the tall man before him, those familiar features. Not even four months had passed since he learned of his steward's true identity. He still wasn't used to it. He didn't even know how to call him anymore. Out of habit he sticked to Kevin, this being the name he was addressed by at school anyway. But now, when they were in private? Wouldn't it be more appropriate to call him by his real name? Then again he did not want to ask such an awkward question. Uriel who noticed the blonde's absentmindedness stayed quiet, enjoying the time he got to spend with his dearest friend. Losing himself in his own thoughts he pictured the upcoming weeks, a smile flashing over his lips. A suitable Christmas-party... He was ultimately happy for William. At last the boy would be able to enjoy these holy days with a family again.

By the time they passed the small town behind which lay the Morton-premises sun was almost set. When the carriage finally came to a stop in front of the main entrance it was dark.

"Greets, William!", Isaak shouted, stumbling out of the house to greet his guest. The two boys hurried inside, leaving Uriel to deal with the luggage.

As soon as he was embraced by the splendid warmth within the house Williams cheeks flushed rose.

"Geez, you couldn't believe how cold it got today! I'm sure we're far beneath zero.", he said while he entangled himself from his coat-scarf-mixture. "I can't wait to get warm." He sniffed. "What is this smell?"

What he did not notice was that Isaak started to nervously scratch his ear.

"Uhm, well~ They insisted to bake something traditional. Guess they're making gingerbread men or anything like that.", he stammered. "B-but come in first! Let's saddle down in the living-room and get warm feet."

Warm feet being all the reason he could possibly need William practically flew into named room. When they were seated and Uriel eventually joined them nearby the carmine Isaak began to shift uncomfortably on the couch.

"Say, would it be okay with the two of you to share a room? Our guest rooms are limited and ... and ..."

To prevent his friend from hyperventilating William cut him off, stating: "Guess I can live with that. Will there be so many of your relatives visiting for the feast?"

"Eeeeeeeeeh... Not exactly ..."

Irritated both, William and Uriel, blinked at Isaak.

Succumbing to his increasing flurry it broke out of him: "I'm so sorry, but he didn't leave me a chance he said he'd take my soul if I didn't invite him over and I didn't want to die!"

Precautiously folding his hands in a praying manner the redhead begged of William, who wasn't able to make sense of his 300km/h-blabbering, to forgive him. The truth dawning on him the blonde let out a heavy sigh. "Please don't tell me you let in one of them!" Even Uriel's gaze darkened considerably. "We'll have to celebrate with demons?"

Wanting to deescalate the situation Isaak attempted to say that it wouldn't ruin the festivities at all since he promised to behave when an overwhelmingly optimistic children's voice boomed in their ears: "Master! You've arrived!"

"Sean?!"

"Good evening, William-Senpai!" His fag flashed him a broad smile as he always did before tilting his head back over his shoulder, exclaiming: "Didn't I tell you I heard hooves?"

"M-hm."

Behind the tiny boy Sitri emerged, a lollipop in his mouth. Smiling sweetly at William he took out the pink ball to welcome him accurately, then busied himself with the raspberry-flavoured thing again. Losing no time Sean rounded on the blonde. "Would you like a lolli? I brought apple, coconut, orange, berry-mix... citrus, cake-pop, liquorice, banana, lemongrass..." He pulled out an army of differently coloured sticks, wherever from. Refusing the offered mass of sugar-orbs William took the opportunity to ask: "Why are you here, Sean?"

"At my home we do not celebrate Christmas. It's very lonely. So, when I heard that you'd be here and that Sitri would attend too I begged Isaak to let me come as well. We will be like a big family the next two weeks.", he explained while scanning his armful of treats for one to ravish.

"And why is Sitri here?"

William turned towards the demon, less than thrilled to have to endure him in his vacation.

"Same reason."

"Are you kidding me?!"

There was no way he'd believe that story. Since the day he stumbled upon the seal hidden in his home's basement there was always a demon following him everywhere for ominous reasons. He didn't buy Sitri's innocent looks! When William was just about to explode Sean suddenly gave a high pitched gasp and let his lot of sweets drop on the floor.

"Ne, William-senpai? I almost forgot! You must see something!"

Seizing his senior's hand with surprising strength he ran for the kitchen, dragging a puzzled William along. His chatter could be heard: "We've been making gingerbreadmen! We were just about to finish the decorations when you arrived." Thump. Supposedly the kitchen door fell shut behind the pair.

William and Sean gone Isaak was left in the living room together with Uriel and Sitri. Last stood seemingly unfazed by the door, crunching the remnants of a poor lollipop with his sharp teeth. At the other end of the room Uriel sat on the couch, his face stony. Isaak had never seen him like that. In an attempt to excuse once more he addressed the pastor in a low voice "Mister Cecil -" at which the angel bolted into a standing position, glaring murderous at the demon.

"What are you doing here?"

Not even flinching Sitri shrug his shoulders. "Enjoying time with my friends, I guess?"

"I'm not having any of it! You'll ruin Master's holiday!"

Slowly Sitri approached the carmine.

"Calm down, I merely want to have an eye on William. Besides, I'm still waiting for an answer." He snipped the lolli's now useless grip stick into the flames. "For the right answer."

In an instant Uriel was at his side, getting a firm grip on his white hair and pulling on it, forcing Sitri to fight for balance. "I warn you: If you try anything suspicious you'll burn to ashes!"

"Geez, a demon and an angel fighting in my own house~ How exciting!", Isaak glittered.

Distracted named demon as well as angel turned their heads and looked at the boy in bewilderment.

Without any comment Uriel let go of Sitri's hair, returning to the sofa. Curtly rubbing his face with his hands he took back his seat and sighed deeply. This would be very very very long two weeks. Before the silence building between the triple had a chance to become awkward, Sean burst into the room, carrying a plate laden with freshly baked goods, followed straight by William, carrying a second one.

"We're back~", he announced superfluous. "Let's eat!"

They placed their carriage on the wooden table. Positioning himself next to his Steward William noticed Uriel's distress. Worried he wanted to know: "He, is everything alright?" eyeing him closely.

Uriel made an effort to smile as if nothing happened and simply nodded reassuringly.

"Uncle will feel better when eating one of this!"

Sean shoved a gingerbredman in Uriel's mouth, causing him to cough.

Taking the specially shaped bakery out of his mouth he examined it, his eyes narrowing at the sight. One of his eyebrows raised he addressed Sean, who already conquered the seat next to Sitri: "Is this an angel?"

Something snake-like shimmered through the youngster's eyes. "U-hum~ And you just bit up the head." He smiled innocently. Still, Uriel got the hint all too clear.

"Maybe you'd prefer to eat one of mine?", the white-haired demon cut in, holding out a liquorice-covered manikin to him. William looked at it in confusion. "What is it supposed to look like?" "It's a demon, of course."

Shoving aside the offered treat Uriel harshly stated: "I definitely do not want to have that." Shrugging it off Sitri bit into the thing himself. While they were eating a decent conversation managed to unfold. The group talked about recipes, the weather, politics and last week's exams. Uriel stayed quiet, absentmindedly flipping the eatable miniature angel in his hands.

"You know, these look absolutely nothing like demons. They're just a black mess." he heard William scold.

Tugging at the angel-man's left wing until it broke loose Uriel muttered: "Maybe there's no difference at all." before stuffing the tiny wing into his mouth.

He guys =)

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