~ Written for the Tumblr 12 Days of Sebaciel event - Day 2: Deck the Halls! ~ I finished writing this two hours before midnight so technically I finished it on time! I plan to have another Christmas one-shot for this AU out soon and then hopefully I'll actually get to write Aquila's birth sometime in January!
"Ciel, Aquila is only two months old. I hardly think she's going to care about getting two dozen new toys..." Sebastian's amused voice rang out in the quiet shop they currently stood in. Tinsel, wreaths, and a wide array of multi-colour lights deocrated every space void of racks and tables containing pastel onesies, tiny coats, and a wide array of blocks, rattles, and stuffed animals. Christmas songs serenely floated through the speakers overhead, giving the cozy shop an all-around warmth.
In the older devil's arms napped their newborn daughter, her tiny wisps of unruly slate hair curling softly as she nuzzled closer to her father's chest. Sebastian's lips spread into a gentle smile as he nuzzled her temple and watched his husband pick up multiple stuffed toys and fluffy blankets. By this point, Aquila surely had more toys wrapped beneath the tree than he imagined Ciel himself having as a child, but he wouldn't make an attempt to stop him from buying more.
As much as he enjoyed teasing his mate for it, he too wanted to spoil their baby all he possibly could while she was so little, even if she wasn't at an age where she would remember it years later. Time, though endless for the immortal family, passed by so fast, and he wanted to give her everything she could possibly want at every stage of her life until she eventually stopped aging. Besides that, shopping helped Ciel get more into the festivities since he usually pushed decorating off on Sebastian. It also kept him from noticing the sheer amount of gifts already piling up beneath the tree from Sebastian. It was Aquila's first Christmas and he was going all out for it. That wasn't to say that he didn't have a fair share of boxes wrapped for Ciel too, they already sat alongside the gifts addressed to himself-though how Ciel managed to wrap them himself this year was beyond him. He suspected the boy may have had some help from Snake with the paper, but the cutely lopsided bows tied on each one were clearly made by the younger demon's own hands.
Despite his reluctance in previous decades, Ciel found that he truly enjoyed the holidays now. As ironic as it was for a demon to celebrate Christmas of all things, Sebastian had convinced him long ago that it was worth celebrating if only for the lights and human traditions, such as gift giving, small gatherings, and-most importantly-desserts. And now, he had an even bigger reason to celebrate: Aquila. He wanted her to grow up as he had for his first few years of life, held lovingly in her parents arms and surrounded by lights and presents. Except she would never be forced to part with her family as he had. She would grow up happy and safe, so very far from both the propriety and regality expected of him when he was young.
The thought had Ciel's eyebrows furrowing in a mixture of relief and sadness. He was glad to know that Aquila would never suffer such torment, but how strange it was that remnants of his own pain could cling for over a century... His brow smoothed when a warm hand came to rest betwixt his shoulders and he realized that he'd taken far longer than usual to respond to Sebastian's remark. Upon noticing the concerned expression his lover donned, he offered a small, apologetic curl of the lips. "Perhaps she won't now, but she'll be able to enjoy them when she's a bit older. They won't have these designs in a few months so I can't wait and buy them later, you know how these greedy mortals are when it comes to these things."
Sebastian wanted to comment on how Ciel used to be human himself and how he was doing the exact thing he accused them of at present, but chose not to, taking into consideration the hint of a frown tugging at his mouth only a few seconds ago. "I supppose you're right, beloved," He sighed fondly before stroking his cheek faintly. "Are you okay?" Ruby eyes met cerulean-heliotrope ones and though there was still a spark of hurt in his mate's eyes, it was dulling quickly. He would ask him about it later as he was sure that Ciel didn't wish to discuss it here.
"Yes, I'm fine. Just lost in thought for a moment," Ciel assured, drawn to the little bundle held protectively in Sebastian's arms. Unable to resist, he brushed the back of his forefinger across her tiny, plump cheek, chuckling when her nose scrunched up and she sought solace against her sire's bicep. He didn't miss Sebastian's grin. He stood on his tiptoes to reach Sebastian more easily and kissed his cheek with a renewed joy in his smile. "Come on, let's pay for all of this so we can go home. It's starting to snow and she doesn't need to be out in it."
He bent to capture Ciel's lips in a quick kiss before picking up a small, grey plush cat in his free hand. Ignoring Ciel's groan at the action, he laughed and nudged the other devil toward the counter at the front of the store. "Lead the way, darling."
By the time they made it back to their apartment, the light flurries outside their window had turned into heavy snow. It coated the ground in a generous sheet of white, sticking to the windowsill and the icicles hanging on the lampposts lining the street. Thankfully, their home was far warmer than the city ravaged by the winter storm.
Ciel sat against the headboard with Aquila held close, switching his gaze between his mate as he meticulously cut paper for the many gifts they had yet to wrap for their friends, and their daughter who enthusiastically suckled on the bottle offered to her. Their Christmas Eve party was a week away and there was so much left to do, but they had time. At least they had bought everything before the day of the event this time... "You know, Undertaker hasn't seen her since she was born. All of his attention will be on her at the party," The cat demon said, watching as the fifth present was set aside to be placed under the faux fir in their living room. "She's perfect," He whispered adoringly, still in disbelief that she was truly here with them after almost ten long months. In the end, all of the aches and pains were worth it to have her here in his arms.
Sebastian's eyes softened and he set aside the partially wrapped scarf he grasped, moving to settle beside his lover beneath the white lights balanced atop their headboard. They illuminated his fair skin and slate hair beautifully. He wrapped an arm around Ciel's waist and pulled him close while his other hand rose to rest over Ciel's on Aquila's back, pressing his lips against Ciel's right temple with a deep purr. "I figured just as much, she is his great-granddaughter after all... And indeed she is perfect. Just like her bearer..." He whispered, catching the bright blush painting Ciel's ivory cheeks.
They both cooed as violet eyes fluttered open with a quiet chirp from the little demon, and Ciel could only lean closer to Sebastian as he was unable to embrace him while feeding Aquila. "Bloody charmer," He joked, nuzzling into his beloved's chest. He was more than happy to delay the rest of their holiday preparations to relax here for awhile, and Sebastian obviously had no protests. And so they sat there in a peaceful silence, neither keeping track of the time as the sky darkened and snow continued to fall. The lights above them cast a serene glow over them as they remained nestled in each other's arms, Aquila dreaming quietly as her fathers watched over with all the love in the world.