Another day came to the Phantomhive household and all was well within it's walls. The family was together and happy again. At least, that's how it was until a certain event happened. As he did most mornings, Alois walked into the home office and eyed the jar on his desk shaped like a ceramic lion. As he approached it, he reached out and lifted the crown-shaped lid on its head and reached his hand inside, only to raise his brow as he grasped nothing.
"Ciel!" he called out, removing his hand. Folding his arms, Alois waited for the other to arrive for a few seconds before the Watchdog peeked inside. The bluenette looked as though he already knew what was the matter just by hearing Alois' tone.
"Yes, muffin?" Ciel sweetly answered, ducking his head into the doorway.
"We have a problem." his husband stated. "I distinctly remember this jar being at least halfway full when I left it last."
"Alright?"
"You are my primary suspect."
Gasping, Ciel put his hand against his chest, clutching at his figurative pearls. "Me? Why would you say that?"
"Because you're the only one in this house who can sit at someone else's desk and eat a jar of cookies." bluntly stated the menace. "And don't you suggest Luka. The office is locked always, and only you and Sebastian have access to it. It wasn't me, and I certainly know it wasn't Sebastian. Therefore..." Alois trailed off, gesturing at the bluenette, assuring him that he was done for.
"I'm sorry..."
"Stop eating my snacks. God damn… We've talked about this like, a million times, already."
Indeed, if there was one thing that got on Alois' nerves about his husband, it was his habit of eating other people's food. Even when scolded, his spouse would "forget" and do it again. Shaking his head, Alois let out a frustrated sigh.
"Listen, I don't want to divorce you over missing biscuits..." he began. "But you've got to stop it when I ask."
"I know. I did bad." Ciel shamefully admitted.
"Then quit it. It feels like I'm talking to a brick wall." grumbled the blonde. "A biscuit-guzzling wall."
"Sorry. We can go get you more, if you want." offered the bluenette. The moments afterward were quiet as his husband thought, but eventually, a smile graced the other's face.
"Alright." he conceded. "But you're buying."
"Sounds fair."
"And I'm getting the expensive kind."
"As you wish." the Watchdog dutifully replied before the two of them prepared to set off. They grabbed their coats and got into the car with a short shopping list of things they might as well pick up while they were out.
They had heard at some point that when one is married, going to the store can become a date, but didn't believe it until it happened. While Alois was still a bit miffed at his biscuits being stolen for the umpteenth time and while Ciel was still slightly afraid for his life, the two were a bit excited to be heading out after spending the past week inside. They had doted on each other and had been inseparable. It almost drove the other residents of the house mad to be constantly feeling they had been interrupting something whenever they needed to speak with one of the two. The words "I love you" were uttered enough times to make up for the month missed and then some, but didn't show any real signs of lessening anytime soon. Even Alois' quickness to forgive the bluenette was due to this need to be together in good spirits at last.
The two parked the car and paid the meter before walking down the street to the grocery store that had the particular snacks that the blonde sought. Exiting the car, they joined together with the blonde hanging off of the arm of the other while Ciel put his free hand over Alois' to keep him in place. Both stood up proudly and walked with confidence regardless of any looks they received. It was one of the perks of being a demon to not fear physical violence from homophobic humans.
As if oblivious to the occassional person watching them, they carried onward. Ciel maintained his strong gait with his chest out and shoulders back. A bright smile adorned his face, appearing odd to the random observer as it didn't match the rest of his overall image. The man was just pleased to be out with his spouse, who seemed equally content. However, there was a moment where his smile waned and he felt compelled to be serious.
"Ciel?" he called.
"Yes, love?" questioned the other, looking to his spouse.
"Listen… I'm… I'm sorry, for earlier..." the blonde state, watching his feet as their shoes scuffled against the concrete sidewalk.
"For what?"
"For getting mad earlier." Alois clarified, looking forward again. "I don't really have the right to be mad at you over something so little after what I've put you through..."
"Sure you do. You were upset and that's valid." spoke his husband. "It has nothing to do with what happened, which, by the way, still wasn't your fault."
"I know, but…" Pausing, the menace let out a sigh. "I still feel guilty."
"I'm sorry." Ciel said, causing the other to look at him with a confused expression. "I know I can't change the way you feel. Just know that I still have your back no matter what. Even through this. Alright?"
"Okay… Sorry..."
"No need to apologise. We're alright. You can be upset about things someone did that upsets you, even if it's me who did it."
"I know… I just..." Alois trailed off. His husband already knew what he was going to say and offered him a reassuring smile.
"I love you." the Watchdog said. The two of them stopped in front of the store and Ciel wasted no time in seizing the opportunity to kiss the top of the other's head. "Now, let's get this biscuit situation sorted."
"Alright." answered his spouse, finally cracking a smile once more. "What else did we need?"
"Well, I know we need shampoo..." Ciel began as he dug around in his pocket for the shopping list they made while the other grabbed a handbasket. "Luka wanted something called 'dinosaur cereal'?"
"It's cereal with little marshmallows shaped like dinosaurs and eggs." Alois stated.
"Your handwriting is impressive..." teased the other.
"Whatever… I heard that the shittier your handwriting, the smarter you are. It's cause your brain moves faster than your hand."
"Is that right?"
"Shut up and keep reading..."
"Well, sunglasses are on the list, so I assume that's for Revy." continued the bluenette as they slowly walked through the store. They both continued to ignore the annoyed shoppers who quickly darted around them in an indignant matter, as they were too busy in their own thoughts. "There's also socks for someone unspecified, and…"
Ciel squinted as he read the next item with a slight pink tint to his cheeks. Clearing his throat, he held the list up to the other's view, pointing to the next item on the list with his thumb. Blinking, Alois read what it was before promptly rolling his eyes.
"You can read it out loud, you wuss." scoffed the menace at his spouse's juvenile embarrassment.
"We're in public..."
"So? Nobody's listening. Big, bad, scary Watchdog is afraid of saying the word 'lube' out loud..." Alois took a moment to giggle to himself before adding: "How old are you again? I'm pretty sure that if you're embarrassed about buying lube and shit, it's not old enough to be using it."
"Alright, alright. I get it..." groaned the bluentte with a roll of his eye. "I want you to picture this for a second: imagine the poor person at checkout who has to see this face buying lube. It's a frightening picture."
"Well, your face is pretty red… and veins are popping out… and you look like you're in pain..."
"Jim..."
"I still think you're cute, babe." Alois reassured, nudging his husband's shoulder with his forehead, as his hands were full. One had the hand of the other Phantomhive in it, while the other carried the shopping basket. "Now, let's get to it!"
A/N: Continued in the next chapter because I didn't update yesterday and I wanted to give you SOMETHING today.
I'm sure you can find it in your hearts to forgive me.
Also it's 5 in the morning and it's too late for this shit. I wanna go to bed.
That's just how it is...
This was actually oddly hard to write in the very beginning? Usually, when it's that difficult, it means the whole chapter is going to be difficult, but it wasn't. Once I got to about the part where they were walking down the street, everything kinda fell into place. It was weird.
Hopefully, the next one comes easily.
Until the next chapter, my duckies~!
CHARACTER SHET
Question: "Sebastian have you ever heard of Hao Asakura?" by Tazmania
Sebastian: "No, I haven't. Are they some kind of celebrity? My apologies, but keeping up with such matters serves not use as a butler."
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Question: "Question for Integra: What would your reaction be to walking in on Ciel and Jim making out?" by BlazeingEcho
Integra: "Wonder why in blazes they aren't working."
