10

This got a little bit out of hand... Start to write some Christmas-action with those charas and you'll never get out of it _

I hope you have fun ^^

Metatron lay in the bed provided by Isaak for his guest. He had his arms folded behind his head and wiggled his feed. A broad smile played upon his lips. One day. Not even 24 hours parted him from his goal. He felt an overwhelming joy with each of his heartbeats.

Everything was set, the trap was prepared. His comrades knew their part. All he needed to do now was to wait until everything fell into place. Until then he was free to enjoy his free time.

His head fell to one side, watching the sun beginning its rise through the window. His smile widened. Time to begin the final act!

In a fluid motion he literally jumped out of bed, landing on his feet like an athlete, and drew a deep breath.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

William groaned. Sean's booming voice ripped him out of his sleep far too early for his taste. He squeezed his eyes tightly shut, blocking out the increasing light and covered his ears with his pillow. The boy hurried through the corridor with loud steps, exclaiming over and over again which day it was.

William pressed the pillow to his ears in a desperate attempt to block out the voice and go back to sleep.

But there was no helping it.

The door to his room flew open and Sean swept in, jumping directly onto his senpai's bed, grabbing his shoulders and shaking him awake.

"Master~! It's Christmas day! Get up! It's time to exchange presents!"

Poor William groaned. His butler, the second inhabitant of the room, stood by the window - his usual position during the night - plainly ignoring the farce. If Metatron wanted to play brat a little more he should have his will. At least it provided some distraction.

"MASTER!", the small boy insisted, getting off the bed and pulling at the covers. "Get up already!"

Uriel rolled his eyes. Overacting as usual. But then again ... If the being behind his back was a real child Uriel might have considered it cute behaviour. Maybe.

Having William stripped off the covers lacking the intended effect Sean tried snatching away the pillow the blonde still clamped. William knew that it was over and gave in with a loud sigh.

"Alright alright! Give me five minutes to dress."

"Yippie!", Sean jubilated and trampled out of the room.

William could hear the fading slump-noises and the slamming of another door. Looked like Sean was going to wake them all like that.

"Couldn't you shush him out?", he mumbled into the mattress.

Still Uriel heard it and answered: "I could." But he gave no indication as to why he did not. William growled. Sometimes Kevin was so ... htgsarjmbndjh! His humour wasn't funny at all.

The blonde adolescent sat up. He ran his fingers through his meddled hair and tried to blink away the sleepiness. His butler came over to him, flashing him a gentle smile. "Good morning, young Master."

"Morning.", William yawned.

"Five minutes are almost over!"

Sean ran past the open door towards the staircase.

Approximately ten minutes later all five assembled in the living room. William and Isaak still were half asleep. The others looked fresh and fit since they did not need to sleep.

Sean danced around the Christmas tree. Isaak had tried to convince the boy that they would breakfast first and then hand over their presents, but he had played he trump card. As Sean's eyes grew wet with lingering tears Isaak folded immediately. So they sat there, tired and yawning, with no caffeine to wake their senses.

"Okay then, let's begin.", Isaak said. "We're all here."

Of course Sean was the quickest to fetch his things. "I'm first!"

He hurried over to William, offering him a dark blue package adorned with billions of coloured ties. William took it and set off to undo the knots when suddenly silver scissors blocked his view.

"I assumed we'd need this.", Uriel, who was holding the item out for him, explained. With a court nod William took it and cut through the different strings, all time watched by Sean's expectant eyes. The package bore a porcelain cup of white and light blue.

"You can use this when we drink tea together.", the boy declared. "It's perfect for you, look!"

He pointed at the opposite side than the one William was currently admiring, causing him to turn it around. He found a comic-figure painted on it. It was practically a brain with legs and a stupid looking smiley-face giving a thumps-up. Beside it one could read 'Study hard, get an award'.

What a waste of material, William thought as he regarded it. This cup qualified for the best examples of bad taste he had ever seen. He looked up and into Sean's shining questioning eyes and faked a smile.

"Well ... thank you very much, Sean! It's ... unique."

Sean squeaked. "I'm so happy you like it! I have one for you, too!" He handed similar cartons to Sitri and Isaak.

Sitri's cup was rosé with a pink butterfly on it, Isaak's was a mint-green one featuring a clown. Almost simultaneously they read the advice on their cups aloud:

"Beautiful women get beautiful husbands." "You don't need to look good as long as you have humour."

Both stared at their gifts in silence, unsure what to make of it.

William addressed Sean: "You do know Sitri is male, do you?"

The boy answered with a hilarious sincerity: "Sure! But he looks like a girl."

"Can take the form of a handsome man or beautiful woman if the summoner wishes for it. Looks very much alike in both his male and female forms.", Isaak muttered a quote out of one of his demonology-books.

Sean tilted his head, looking quizzically at the redhead. William intervened: "He's talking about that costume-weirdness. Do not think of it, just ignore!"

The last thing he needed was his fag roaming the school grounds telling everyone that he and his best friend believed in unscientific nonsense. Or worse - Sean sharing Isaak's obsession.

"I'd still marry him."

There was a moment of silence as everyone's minds went blank for a second by the boy's statement. It was Uriel who reprimanded the child this time: "You cannot marry another man. The church doesn't allow homosexuality." He spoke those words with a sharpness that surprised William and Isaak who only knew the friendly version of Uriel so far.

Sean, however, wasn't affected at all. Light-heartedly as if speaking of the weather he mentioned: "It didn't always. There ones was an angel in charge of bodily love, lust and homosexuality. An Elohite if I recall it correctly? In service to Cupido?"

"He is a Grigori now.", the brunette man hissed.

Again William wondered about the weird things his charge knew. Maybe his family is deeply religious? He noticed Sitri stiffening and a thought stroke him: Had Sitri been the aforementioned angel?

He turned to Uriel: "You said this angel's name was Gregory?"

Sean shook his head. "No, he said he was a Grigori. It's a class of angels such as Cherub or Seraph. They were the angels with the closest proximity to humans. But they all fell a long time ago because God was angry with them. Some of them mated with humans. The conceived children were the reason for the great flood. To end their existence many humans had to die." A sad expression contorted his face for the briefest of moments. In an instant it was back to normal and he went on: "Angels nowadays tend to use the term 'Grigori' for the fallen ones in general. The angel we are talking about was born as Elohite. The Elohim are powerful angels of creation and in control of nature and emotions. Though not as powerful as the Cherubim or the Seraphim."

"Why do you know such stuff?" The question escaped William before he could help it. If William considered the familiarity with which the boy talked about angels and the unnatural extend of knowledge it heinously sounded like ...

"Sean? Do you know any angels?", he voiced his dread.

"All of them." The boy flashed him a radiant smile.

The retort extinguished William's fears. To him it seemed the dark haired boy got him wrong, his answer meaning that he was familiar with all their names and maybe religious background. Certainly, if he knew any personal, he'd have blurted it out directly. He couldn't know that Sean spoke the absolute truth.

"Nevertheless it is unnatural and unholy!", Uriel got back to the topic. There was no doubt to William that as an angel his butler was strictly preaching the one-man-one-female-rule. It was perfectly logical for him to be prudish. Still it was a child he was intimidating.

The blonde teenager placed a hand on his butler's shoulder, trying to calm him down. "Come on, Kevin, let it go. He's just a little boy. He's not talking seriously."

Sean summoned his most innocent children-smile and mused: "Maybe uncle is simply too old to change his dusty believes."

"Wha-" To say Uriel was exasperated would be an understatement. "Who do you call old?!"

"Well, definitely much older than me. Indeed you had been old already when I was born."

"YOU LITTLE -"

"Kevin!"

Now William was holding one of his steward's arms in a firm grip. Honestly, what did Sean think? Was that boy suicidal? Uriel looked like a cobra attempting to strike and the youngster grinned like this was all just a game. But of course he isn't aware of the danger, William realised, He can't know that Kevin could pulverize him within seconds. Not too long ago he himself had not known.

Fortunately the angel was quick to catch himself. He closed his eyes, breathed deeply twice, opened them and was again the calm entity William was familiar with. Sean watched him, mischief glinting in his eyes.

"It's even said that that angel was a child of Gabriel. That'd make the angel of desire and homosexuality one of the higher-ranking. The church cannot ignore that fact forever."

Uriel only bit his lip. He did not say anything. What could he have said anyways? To say that he fell due to his unholy ambitions would be a lie. To say that that angel was now where he belonged, a damn devil as he should have been from the start, would ruin his plans. He would not take the risk of Sitri abandoning their deal by insulting him.

William shot a glance towards Sitri and found him staring at the child in concern. He definitely had to ask him later if he was the subject of that discussion.

"Do I look that bad?", suddenly Isaak whined loudly, still brooding over his gift-cup.

Some assurances and encouraging pats on the shoulder later they managed to go on with their gift-round. Isaak was next in row to deliver his presents. Not wasting time he immediately passed William a small box containing a bronze amulet. Lifting it with two fingers he let it dangle in front of his eyes. Isaak gifts me jewellery? Am I a girl or what? Plus that's quite ugly jewellery. He looked at his friend, an eyebrow raised. Isaak's face enlightened and with glory he declared: "This is a talisman to protect you from evil! I thought since you always insist that you're unnerved by the pillars and such ... It contains mighty spells that drive even Satan away!"

When he was ended his cheeks shone red from agitation. His enthusiasm was mirrored by William's unbelieving demeanour. That was why he added an "I'm hundred percent sure it works!" causing William to throw the artefact at Sitri who caught it before it hit his face. He too glanced at the amulet. "This thing is really ugly.", he commented, then tossed it away.

"Hundred percent, heh?", William teased the red haired boy.

"He does feel appalled by it!", Isaak defended his present.

"Who wouldn't?" he got for an answer.

Sean almost cried with laughter and even Uriel had to supress a grin.

"Young master, you should thank your friend. I find the gift very considerate."

William sighed, but smiled. "Thanks, Isaak." Isaak returned his smile.

For Sean he had bought a pile of comics, which the boy happily filed through as soon as he laid hands on it, and to Sitri he handed a bag of muffins. After that he glanced shyly at Uriel. "I've got something for you as well, Mr. Cecil."

The man blinked in surprise when Isaak handed him a small package containing a leather-bound notebook. He opened it. The pages were filled with handwritten texts. While he read one the teenager explained: "It belonged to my grandmother. When she was young she wrote religious song texts as a hobby. Her dream was that someday her chants will be sung during mass but she never mustered the courage to actually propose them to a priest." His face glittered again. "And imagine just how cool it would be if a true angel sang a song of hers!"

Uriel couldn't help but smile.

Sean, his curiosity urging him to put aside his new lecture, peaked over the man's shoulder at the book. "There are no notes.", he noticed.

"Uhm, well, yeah ... I guess she wasn't good at compositing melodies?", Isaak said.

William joined in: "What use is a song text without melody?"

Isaak blushed, clearly ashamed he hadn't considered this, but little Sean sprung to his help: "My brother could have a look at it. He's a composer."

The boys stared at him. "You've got a brother who already has a job? How old is he?"

Sean considered their question for a moment before shrugging it of with a "Not as old as your butler." which made Uriel's face contort in annoyance again.

Next in row would have been Sitri, but he explained that demons were practically forbidden to celebrate Christmas and that he for that reason would not provide any gifts. So William took his turn now. According to etiquette he first dealt with his host. He pulled a paper out of his pocket and held it out for Isaak to take and read. Since he did not have much money to spend he took advantage of his friend's fondness for supernatural things and wrote a coupon in his most appropriate handwriting saying he may choose one of Solomon's pillars as his private servant for a day. As he had hoped Isaak was absolutely happy, immediately beginning to go through the many possibilities. After that he tended to Sean, giving him a heavy book of Latin vocabulary. He'd need it in upper classes and for William only a useful present was a good present. Now he looked at Kevin and became nervous. Till the last moment he had been clueless as to what to please his angel-butler with and found he didn't know anything about him. What he thought he knew was all related to the real Kevin Cecil, his favourite food, interests, family story. Now that he was aware of his Kevin not being Kevin Cecil he tried to rampage his brains for information but all he had was his gambling-fancy. And without question he could and would not support something as gambling. In an attempt to earn some information he paid the local library a visit. There was literature describing the archangel Uriel but it did not serve his purpose. Damn it, he even went to a church and asked the pastor what present would be best for an angel - one of the most embarrassing talks he had in his life and fruitless on top. Still he was without ideas and now here he sat, facing Kevin's always gentle face with bare hands.

"Oh, is it my turn now?", Uriel mistook William's intense glare. Before the blonde could correct him he already held the book in his hands. He read he title. Kevin hit the score perfectly as always. This book was very useful indeed. He bit his lower lip. What should he do? Apart from expressing his thanks?

When his silence endured too long Uriel asked worriedly: "Don't you like it?"

If only that was the case.

He had to confess that he wasn't familiar enough with the man who raised him to buy him a Christmas present. Was there a way to do it without hurting Kevin? Doubtful.

William opened his mouth to tell him the truth when unexpectedly Uriel laid a hand on his.

"It's alright, young master."

His voice was full of warmth and understanding, as if the angel had sensed his master's dilemma. Their eyes met. And William understood that it was really okay.

Half of the day was over. The group had made themselves comfortable in the living-room. While exchanging some small talk each busied himself with his presents. Sean read his comics, Isaak studied Solomon's lesser key to decide which demon he wanted to meet, Uriel flapped through the notebook Isaak gave him, William too read in his book and Sitri devoured the chanceless muffins.

After a while Sitri stood up and stretched. He then addressed William and Isaak: "I almost forgot: There's something in my room I wanted to show you two."

The white-haired demon turned and started towards his room. William and Isaak exchanged confused looks before they set aside their books and followed him. Uriel watched them go. Out of his eye's corner he glanced at Sean, who ignored them, all caught up in his read.

"What is it you want to show us?", Isaak enquired. Sitri just smiled cryptically.

When they reached the door to his room he opened it, stepped aside and implied a small bow.

"After you."

William raised an eyebrow but decided not to comment. Everybody seemed to behave a little strange around Christmas. I bet he got us some presents after all. Those demons never let an opportunity for a bribe slip, the blonde told himself, And he's hiding it from Kevin's eyes due to this demons-mustn't-celebrate-Christmas-rule.

He stepped through the door, Isaak behind him. But the sight he met was not the one of Morton house's guest-rooms. He found himself in hell. Immediately angry he turned on his heel to confront Sitri who stood behind them, smiling innocently.

The door back to the human realm had vanished.