"Merry Christmas!" Ciel slowly opened his eyes and found Yuri standing in her doorway. He blinked slowly.
"Christmas?"
"Yes, silly, it's Christmas day!" He blinked at her again and she only smiled before coming into the room. "Wake up, sleepy pants. We have so much to do. Plus, you invited all of Lady Elizabeth's family, not to mention your aunt." Ciel blinked at her.
"I thought I said the 26th?"
"Well, you must have made a mistake because they all responded and said they were coming today."
"But-"
"Me and Sebastian have everything done."
"Sebastian and I."
"What?"
"The correct grammar- no, nevermind. Thank you." Yuri smiled and smoothed down his hair, moving his fringe away from his eyes.
"It's alright. Do you want me to call Sebastian to get you dressed? You still have your presents to open."
"Presents?"
"The servants each got you something, and so did I. Sebastian too. And I know, despite how much you claim to hate Christmas, that you bought us presents too." Ciel' face heated in embarrassment. "Do you want to open them tonight?" Ciel nodded before sighing.
"I think you should call Sebastian now." It was silent.
"Done."
"But you didn't say-"
"My lord." Ciel nearly jumped out of his skin. He slowly looked back to Yuri, who just giggled and winked. She helped tie on his eyepatch and brush his hair before leaving the room to give him some privacy. She closed the door before heading back up to her room, gathering the present she'd left on her bed. Myrin entered their share room before tying a red bow to the end of Yuri's long plait.
"See, all festive!" Yuri smiled.
"Thank you, Meyrin."
"Do you want me to bring that down for you?" Meyrin asked, pointing to the small box in Yuri's hands.
"No, I've got it. He's gonna open his gifts tonight," Yuri said and Meyrin smiled.
"I'm glad you're here, we were never allowed celebrate Christmas before!" Yuri smiled and finished wrapped the silver bow around the navy box before she followed Meyrin down to the living room.
~o/0\o~
"Everyone should be here soon," Sebastian said.
"The dinner is on," Bard said.
"And the table is decorated and plated!" Yuri and Meyrin said together.
"And I brought in some of the flowers we have!" Sebastian nodded at the servants. The doorbell rang as Ciel appeared at the top of the stairs. He was wearing a dark suit with a red tie. Partially Christmas, yet still dark. I let Sebastian move to the door as the Midford family entered. Elizabeth shot into the room and attacked Ciel in a hug. The boy stumbled back as he tried to hold both himself and Elizabeth up.
"Ciel! Oh, it's so good to see you! And at Christmas too! I was so surprised when you invited us." Ciel blinked.
"Uh, well yes."
"Elizabeth, such a display is not fit for a lady. You'll trip or embarrass yourself," Lady Midford said. The servants all bowed as she looked Sebastian up and down. "Honestly, I expect you will eventually appear neat in front of us?"
"Yes, My Lady." She simply rolled her eyes.
"You have gotten a new maid, the handwriting on the invitation matches neither yours nor Sebastians."
"It was I, my lady. I wrote the letters under his lordship's orders." Lady Midford looked Yuri up and down.
"Yes, Elizabeth told me briefly about you." She droned off there and looked to her nephew. "Honestly, Ciel, I was beginning to wonder where you were. You haven't written in so long."
"Sorry, Aunt Francis. My job keeps me busy." His aunt nodded before she swept past the group, heading for the living room.
"Honestly Ciel, you need to redecorate, it's so dull in here." A vein in Ciel's forehead appeared but Yuri shook her head and mimicked breathing. Ciel followed her breathing before he shook his head.
"All in due time. There's no point decorating yet." Lady Midford sighed. She opened the door to the living room, where a tall Christmas tree stood. The decorations were neatly laid out, with a generous amount of presents under it. Yuri and Meyrin left to fetch the tea and to help with the Midford's presents. The two maids whispered the whole way down.
"Get a load of her!" Bard said as the two made it down. "I could hear her complaining from here."
"She does seem very grumpy, yes she does," Meyrin added, setting the cups and cakes down.
"Still, who is she?"
"You've all been here longer than me, why don't you know!"
"I think she's an aunt."
"Lady Midford is Lady Elizabeth's mother, and his lordships father's sister," Sebastian said, bopping up. Both Yuri and Meyrin jumped, dropped the china which was caught by Sebastian.
"So... they're related?" Finny asked
"It's unheard of for noble families to marry into non-noble families, so many marry first or second cousins to keep the bloodline pure," Sebastian explained. "It's especially important for the heir to be of noble birth.
"Is that not... slightly weird?"
"Do they not have that in Japan?" Bard asked.
"Maybe but I wasn't born in a high-class family. Plus, Japan's changed a lot too, so I'm not really sure." Yuri placed everything onto the tray, get ready to head upstairs again. Sebastian and Yuri re-entered the drawing-room as they began to serve tea. Elizabeth was talking in length about either a dress or a doll. Her brother soon interrupted her.
"Where did you find your new maid?" He asked. Yuri placed his cup in front of him as she knew this question was not directed to her.
"On a job," Ciel said, choosing his words carefully. Lady Midford continued to scan Yuri up and down as if she could read her whole life story. Edward was too busy glaring at Ciel to notice Yuri or his mother's newfound suspicion. Elizabeth was speaking a mile a minute, telling Ciel everything she could think of. He listened enough to understand what she was saying but was slowly losing focus. Yuri quietly excused herself to check on dinner and couldn't help but cringe at the awkward atmosphere. Maybe she shouldn't have planned this... As she made it down to the kitchen, she heard the servants laughter. She opened the door slowly to find her brother and the servants laughing at something. She shook her head at her brother's antics.
"I'm surprised you didn't come in through the front door," Yuri said.
"Call it a Christmas Miracle. You left so early today I didn't get a chance to say Meri Kurisumasu."
"Ah yes, tis the season."
"Do you not celebrate Christmas?" Meyrin asked.
"The Japanese celebrate new years eve more," Ryu explained. "And it's more of a time of happiness than a strict celebration. It's only really celebrated by the foreign."
"Having said that, our father was an english nobleman so our family celebrated Christmas," Yuri said, walking up and sitting beside her brother.
"We usually lounge in the house drink hot chocolate but alas, my sister abandoned me."
"Now who's the one who sounds like a nobleman," Yuri said, raising her eyebrow.
"The class system is in my blood." Yuri shoved her brother's arm, laughing at him.
"Hypocrite."
"I prefer the term 'selective morals'," he said. Yuri rolled her eyes again.
"Shut up, you bakayarô (asshole). urusai (shut up)," Ryu clutched his chest in mock offence.
"How rude! To your big brother too!"
"Wait, he's older?" Bard asked.
"Unfortunately."
"By two minutes." Yuri shook her head.
"He may be older, but he's also smarter." There was silence.
"With the way you phrased that, it sounded like-"
"As if I was gonna say I was smarter? Yeah no," Yuri said as Ryu laughed hysterically. "I'm smart in every way except in the mind."
"That sentence is just a little bit off." Yuri jumped at the sudden voice.
"I swear to god if you don't just stop popping up-" Sebastian only smiled. "And how was my sentence off?"
"The correct grammar would be 'I am smarter in every other way except intelligence'," Sebastian explained. Yuri nodded but didn't say anything.
"Oi, you try and learn a second language and tell me if you make mistakes," Ryu said.
"Don't make a scene. He didn't mean anything by it."
"It starts off with just a joke and then it turns ugly and you know it."
"It's not that deep." Yuri shot her brother a look. "Watashi wa jibun o mamoru koto ga dekiru (I can protect myself)." Ryu only huffed in response.
~o/0\o~
"Dinner is served." Yuri stayed quiet in the background, praying her brother would stay where she left him.
'Don't frown, my dear, it doesn't suit you.' Sebastian's voice flooded her mind. 'Are you upset at what I said?'
'Not really. I do wish you'd sometimes understand that english and Japanese are two very different languages but I know you have no bad intention when you correct me'
'Then what is it?' Yuri looked at the table of people sitting together and enjoying their meal. A family.
'I don't know. On some level, I miss Khun, but there's something else.'
'Like what?'
'Like I've abandoned my brother in some way.'
'How?'
'Like, in being here, with you, I've neglected him. But when I'm with him, I feel I've abandoned you.' Both their minds were silent for a moment. 'Both you and he want my absolute attention and I don't really have the stability for that.'
"Sebastian, can you get us some more gravy."
"I'll get it, my lord." With that, Yuri turned and was gone. Thankfully, she ran into her brother on the way out. He shrugged.
"Got bored sitting in your room." Yuri rolled her eyes.
"Anata wa meiwakuda (you are annoying)." To that, her brother only winked.
"So, when you are coming home?" Yuri stopped.
"What?"
"It's Christmas, so you're coming home. When?"
"Dōshite kon'na kanjina no? (Why are you like this?)" Yuri said, her voice quiet. Ryu gave her a puzzled look. "Naze watashi ga erabu no ka? (Why make me choose)"
"Watashi wa anata no otōtodesu (I'm your brother)." Yuri looked at him.
"Tameshite Miru to itta (You said you would try)"
"Kore wa shikō-chūdesu (This is trying-)"
"Kore wa mushiatsui (This is sulking)"
"Imōto ga 2 kagetsu mo shitte iru hito to issho ni inaku natte shimatta koto ni unzari shite sumimasen! Kanojo no ani, watashi no ue ni! (Well, sorry I'm sick of my sister disappearing away to be with someone she knows two months! Over me, her brother)," Ryu said loudly, almost shouting.
"Anata wa nokosa rete irukara to itte ikatteiru dakedesu (You're only mad because you're the one being left behind)." Yuri noticed the servants were standing at the kitchen door, ready to step in. "Anata ga wasurete itara, kyonen made, anata wa itsumo sugata o keshimashita (In case you forgot, up until last year, you always disappeared.)"
"That was-"
"-the exact same thing." They were both silent. "I don't want to fight-"
"You clearly do."
"No, I want you to get off your high horse and stop trying to force me to pick. I'm not picking."
"Why." Yuri sighed. It was long and broke in the middle.
"Because I'll be unhappy either way." And then, Yuri was turning on her heel and walking down to the kitchen, tears running down her face. Bard ran down after her, making sure to wrap his arms around her. "G-gravy."
"Oi, Meyrin, can you bring up more gravy for the young lord?" Meyrin nodded before leaving with the gravy.
"Why can't he just wish me well? Tell me he approves?"
"He's jealous. He's had you all to himself, he's been your brother, the main man in your life, now, all of sudden, you're slipping away."
"Yes, but he doesn't have to take it out on me."
"Yes, you're right about that." Yuri took a deep breath.
"He said he'd try, but he isn't."
"Maybe this is the only way he knows how." Bard smiled at the look on Yuri's face. "People change and adapt slowly and maybe this may be because of your sister's death." Yuri snorted.
"Sorry, but you sound so wise for a thirty-something-year-old."
"A thirty-five-year-old war veteran though," Bard said.
"You served in the war?"
"Yes." He said nothing else, so Yuri didn't ask. "We all fight our own battles."
"My grandparents used us in a cult." At Bard's sharp intake of breath, Yuri's eyes widened. "I didn't mean to say that aloud."
"It's okay. You're secret is safe with me."
"Secret?" Finny's voice reappeared.
"Not much of a secret if we tell you, is it? You can never keep your mouth shut," Bard said.
"That's not fair, I wanna know too!"
"I was saying that I think the young lord is enjoying having his family more than he lets on," Yuri said. Finny smiled brightly.
"I wonder will he like our gifts?"
"He will. Definitely."
~o/0\o~
It was nearly eight by the time the house was empty. After a nearly 30 minute goodbye from Lady Elizabeth, the Phantomhive staff were cleaning up. Ryu had left a few hours ago and no one dared mention it.
"I'm tired," Ciel announced. He yawned as Yuri gathered the servants in.
"We want to give you your presents my lord," Yuri said and Ciel perked up at the mention of presents. He grabbed the first one - Bard's - and found a book about the English Monarch and its long history.
"Oh! This is the one I wanted but it was gone." Bard beamed at Ciel's words. "Thank you, Bard." He pulled Meyrin's one up next. It was a medium-sized box and he pulled out a small knife.
"Why a knife?" Yuri asked.
"It opens envelopes."
"Do you not use your..." She trailed off. "what's the word?" She held up her hands. "Hands! Do you not use your hands?"
"Too messy," Ciel explained, admiring the letter opener. "These were both so beautiful, thank you."
"Wait till you see Finny's. He put a lot of effort into it." Ciel pulled out the final present - a small envelope. Inside were a bunch of short letters.
"It's everything you've done to help me, my lord! So you never forget how good of a person you are." Ciel was silent for a few moments before he cleared his throat.
"Thank you. All of you." The three beamed and Yuri smiled. "He, take my presents." The three ripped open their presents. Bard found a new apron and matching mitts, Meyrin found new sheets for her bed and finny new sheers for the garden.
"We love them!" They said in unison.
"They're not as personalised-"
"Thank you." Ciel nodded before yawning.
"I think you should go to bed, my lord," Yuri said. Ciel shook his head but yawned again. "No, I think its a good idea."
"But he didn't open-" Yuri shook her head.
"Tomorrow is a new day." Ciel remained seated for a moment before he nodded.
"Yes. I suppose it's that time. Goodnight."
"We'll clean up here, my lord. Goodnight."
~o/0\o~
"Where're my presents?" Yuri jumped.
"Ā, kamiyo (oh god)! Don't scare me like that!" Yuri said, hitting his arm. Sebastian laughed and grabbed her arm, leaning down and kissing her pout. She turned on her heel, ignoring him. He waited a few minutes. Eventually, Yuri handed over a small box with a silver bow on it. He grinned, opening it up. He opened the small black box before stopped. Two silver cufflinks sat, with his family crest on it.
"Yuri..."
"No, don't give me that look, they weren't that bad." Sebastian gave her the look. "Okay so they were bad but it's fine." Yuri took the bow and place in his bin. "Your room always looks so clean."
"Well, demons don't sleep."
"Yes, but if you're trying to pass as a human you should mess it a little bit. Like, instead of the sheets being pulled so incredibly tight, loosen them," Yuri suggested. "Make them crinkled, or maybe add clothes that aren't the uniform in your wardrobe."
"I've never needed to try and prove I'm human. The others don't come in here."
"Yes, but if you add more than just shirts into the wardrobe, I will have more selection to chose from." Sebastian's lips kicked up.
"So you want to steal my clothes?"
"Well, technically it'll be our clothes, considering, you know, we're bound together until we die." There was a hush over the room, and a slight feeling of tension hit the two of them. Sebastian opened his mouth but, as if sensing what he was about to say, Yuri shook her head. "That was an ill-placed joke, don't look into it." There was another silence.
"I would never force you to stay." Yuri opened her mouth but was silenced by Sebastian's face. "I want you to stay but because you want to, not because you have to." Yuri bent down.
"Hey, I was trying to make a joke and I can see it landed about as well as a bomb. Don't worry, I want to be here. I want to be here with you." Sebastian smiled. There was another silence, but the air was tranquil.
"Oh, your present. I almost forgot." Sebastian took a bag out from under his bed and handed it over. "The smaller one is for your birthday, and the larger one is for Christmas." Yuri opened the smaller one first. She pulled out a small heart-shaped necklace. "It was just something small and -"
"I love it. Thank you." Sebastian nodded and Yuri opened the second one. A grin took over her face as she slowly pulled out the long pants. "It has pockets!"
"And it has belts that attach to fit guns."
"Thank you."
"Your welcome." They both continued to smile at each other, Yuri wearing a big goofy grin, but she was so happy it was hard not to.
~o/0\o~
Yuri was quietly trying to make it to the kitchen for some water when she heard it. The muffled sniffles coming from Ciel's room. She knocked softly at the sniffling stopped.
"Ciel? Can I come in?" There was a small broken 'yes'. Yuri quietly opened the door and closed it again, making sure to be silent. She turned and noticed the red-eyed Ciel. "Oh no, my dear, what's wrong?" Yuri noticed the small box. "Did you not like it?" She has taken a risk, getting him the small bunny stuffed toy with a matching eyepatch.
"I... I-i," Ciel tried. "I love it." Yuri walked over to his side, taking out her handkerchief and wiping down his face.
"Why are you crying, Chīsame no yatsu (little one)?"
"I miss them."
"Your parents?" He nodded. Yuri opened her arms and he slowly slotted himself in.
"And I-i feel g-guilty."
"Why?"
"Because I f-feel like i'm b-betraying them." Yuri rubbed his back, helping him take deep breaths. "Because I feel like I'm replacing them. With you." Yuri tried not to let the catch of air in her throat show.
"Oh, no. They know you're not trying to replace them. I know that too. I can be that person in your life, you know I'm here for you." She wiped her face. "You're allowed to need help, Ciel, you're allowed. You can turn to me if you need someone like that in your life."
"I'll be a burden."
"You're a child, Ciel, your young, your not a burden." His blue eye looks into hers in complete shock. "Your allowed to be selfish and childish and want to stay in bed. Life hasn't been fair to you, so you know what, fuck that." Ciel giggled slightly and Yuri grinned. "There's that smile. Now, let's get you asleep."
"Okay, mom." Ciel joked.
"Don't use that tone on me, Young Man." Ciel smiled again. He settled down, staying in Yuri's arms. She brushed her fingers through his hair softly until his breathing evened out and he was officially asleep. She smiled again before closing her own eyes, falling asleep with warmth spreading throughout her.
~x~
Damn, I need an editor. But also, the effort. So. I'm aware Christmas is over, but I wanted to spend time with my family and not worry about trying to get this up on time. So, this is my (belated) Christmas present to all of you. Also, happy 2020.
Fairy OUT!