Shirou was down in the kitchen where he brewed the morning coffee and thought over the things that needed to be done between that moment and Christmas. The church helped out with many charities at this time of year such as clothes and food drives. It would become very busy soon and it was only the 10th. He felt a strange feeling at his feet and he looked down to find a small white dog in front of him on the floor, a pink bow with white polka dots on his neck. He looked up at Shirou with droopy eyes, his little tail swished back and forth behind him. The human raised his eyebrows at down at the furry creature in question. There was a giant cloud of pink smoke and Mephisto stood before him in a loose yutuka hung from his lithe frame. An annoyed look was placed upon the demons face.
"You pushed me out of the bed you jerk." He had his one hand balled at his hip and the other pointed at Shirou in an accusing manner. "And it hurt my butt." The old man looked at him over his cup of coffee.
"Then maybe I shouldn't wake to find you in the bed you pervy demon." He took another sip of his coffee as Mephisto pouted and turned away.
"That isn't what you used to say," he mumbled. A swift kick from behind sent the robed cladded man to the floor, a pair of pink boxer shorts with spots on them peaked out as he laid there. He could see Mephistos tail was hidden beneath the torso section of the yutuka, the tip of his tail looked well cared for. Shirou blushed as he realized he had been basically staring at the others butt for almost a full minute. He looked away as the demon stood up straightening out the wrinkles of his outfit, a pout upon his face. Shirou grumbled something about getting the boys up before he escaped from the kitchen to avoid explaining why his face was red. As he struggled to pull a half asleep Rin out of bed Yukio came over to him after he made his bed and tugged on his sleeve.
"Father what is that weird smell from downstairs?" he asked curiously. Shirou stood up and the smell hit his nose. He gave up on getting Rin up and ran down the stairs into the kitchen to find Mephisto at the stove making something that had purple steam coming up from it.
"What in the world are you making?" he nearly shouted. The demon slowly turned his head towards the priest, his eyes slightly wide.
"I thought it was obvious, it's oatmeal." The older looking man looked at what was in the pan. The sticky purple goo looked nothing like oatmeal but rather purple bugs. He crinkled up his nose.
"I hope you don't think you'll be feeding that to the kids, it just might kill them," he scolded. "And also put on some real clothes, you can't just walk around in your pjs all day!" Mephisto looked over at the exorcist who was still in a t-shirt and pj pants.
"Shirou, you have no room to talk. You are wearing these raggedy "bed clothes" when you could definitely be wearing something much better... Or even less clothes," he purred. Shirou started to sputter and become flustered.
"Just no to whatever you're cooking, and get changed. I still need to drag Rin out of bed." The speckled man half ran, half walked back up the stairs to the boys' room. Yukio was already dressed while Rin was still laid face down into his pillow. Shirou then got an idea. He grabbed Rin by the ankles and hoisted him up into the air. (A/N: When I think 10 years old in anime they're always smaller than what I would think a real 10 y/o would look like. Sorry for me babbling here.) The older twin gave a shout and started to flail around. The older man stretched his arms out so the young boys' fists didn't make contact with his torso.
"It's time for you to get up, you just can't lay in bed all day!" he said sternly. He young boy tried to look angry but ended up looking ridiculous since his hair was everywhere. "I'll only put you down if you get up and bathe." He said this in a playful matter. Rin clenched his hands and kept them at his side.
"No, now put me down!" As he struggled to get his son to do what he wanted Yukio was downstairs with Mephisto. The demon was still trying to cook food but with some instructions from the younger twin. The principle had changed his clothes before the youngster had come downstairs. He had on a pair of white pants and a nice collared dark purplish polo. It wasn't his usual choice of clothes but since he decided to take a vacation he might as well take it down a few notches. The youngest twin had taken some eggs from the fridge and was giving him instructions on what to do to make human edible scrambled eggs.
"You have to put stuff on the pan so it doesn't stick." He pointed at a cabinet which was too high up for him to reach so Mephisto went over and opened the cabinet door. There in the back of the cabinet was what they needed. Once all that was needed to make the scrambled eggs was scattered across the counter Yukio stood next to Mephisto on a chair to give instruction.
"Why is there so much preparation for such a small meal?" the demon inquired. The boy next to him looked up at the taller man.
"So it will taste good of course. Usually Rin is the one to cook but since father is having problems getting him up this morning we'll have to cook." The purple haired being stared down at this boy who is supposed to be an offspring of Satan, his little brother, but he couldn't see any of that there. He only saw happiness of having a loving family and it made him smile at the thought that it was Shirou that has raised him this way. He even saw some of Shirous personality from when he was younger in Rin. Even though the priest wasn't blood related to them and what the twins were went against what he believes in he still treats them like his flesh and blood. He then realized he had spaced out while on his train of thought and Yukio was staring at him in confusion. He quickly grabbed the butter and a couple eggs and cracked them into the pan. After about a half a minute of cooking he plopped some butter into the pan with the eggs, Yukio couching him on how to scramble them with the spatula. Sometime during the ordeal Shirou had finally gotten Rin out of bed, dressed, and down the stairs. Mephisto thought it was mostly because the smell of food was through the house. Once the eggs that he was currently cooking were finished he put them on a place and offered them to Rin as a peace offering. He looked up at Mephisto with those bright blue eyes before taking the plate and setting it on the table. He picked up the fork that had been placed at the table and stabbed at some of the eggs before he shoved it into his mouth. A few moments passed as he chewed the food and took another bite. A sigh left Shirous' lips from where he stood in the doorway.
"Boy, you're the reason my hair is starting to turn grey." He rubbed at the bridge of his nose, stress wrinkles etched into his forehead. There was a scrape against hard wood floor before he felt small arms wrap themselves around his body. He looked down to see Rin's face buried into his stomach.
"Sorry daddy…" he mumbled. Yukio also came over and hugged their father, a smile on his face. A smile stretched itself across Shirous face, his eyes glowing with love for his sons. All of a sudden a shadow covered everyone, and the feeling of another set of arms enveloped him. Mephisto was a good seven inches taller than he was so when the odd man pulled him into a tighter hug his chin rested on his shoulder. He heard the two little ones giggle.
"Daddy, you gotta give Mephy a hug too," Rin said in a muffled voice. A blush crept into his cheeks and the tips of his ears as Rin used his old nickname for the demon.
"Uh, ok." He brought his arms around the other man in front of him. Everyone was now mushed together in a giant hug, his arms going all the way around and crossing even with leaving a bit of room for the twins between them. "Mephisto do you ever actually eat real food? You're like a twig!" The man in question gave a chuckle and pulled away from the hug to face Shirou.
"Maybe you can fix that while I'm here to stay, nein?" With the close proximity Shirous face lit up bright red and then Mephisto did that wink and grin that had made any women (and some men) swoon in sight when they were younger, hell it probably still did since the bearded man didn't look a day over 26 at most. It was getting awkward for Shirou and Mephisto knew it.
"Ok, ok it's time for us to cook make breakfast for everyone else not just Rin!" He detangled himself from the group hug and hoped that his friend hadn't felt the heavy beating in his chest. Shirou started to cook more scrambled eggs while Rin and Yukio made toast. Eventually the other priests came out of their rooms to gather round for breakfast. Everyone sat down at the table, hands being spread out. Mephisto looked on both sides of him; Rin and Yukio looked at him expectantly with their hands palms up. He realized that there was going to be grace. He took their small hands into his and bowed his head with them. A smirk played on his face. It was weird to think that he, a demon of Gehenna, was saying grace before eating breakfast. Though hearing Shirou say the Lord's Prayer whose voice becomes deep and serious, a shiver going down his spine but the illusion ended once the prayer ended and everyone said amen. Everything became lively again as they passed milk, orange juice, sausage, and a plate of toast. It was rare for Mephisto to actually have a sit down meal especially even more rare for it to be with other people. He usually just sat in his office eating ramen by himself. Shirou stood up from his seat.
"Well, it's time that I get some things done! It's almost Christmas so I need to go speak with the local charities and such. Mephisto since you seem to be our long term guest would you mind helping with cleaning? And maybe hang out with the boys?" Shirou gave him a look that basically meant 'They're technically still your brothers even if they don't know it so be nice'.
"But of course! It would be rude of me to just come into your home and not help." Green eyes looked across the table with feigned innocence. It reality Mephisto had wanted to follow Shirou around and pester him since it everything still affected him the same way it did in their previous relationship. The head priest nodded his head and went to go get dressed so he could go out in the snow. There were cheers from both sides.
"Does this mean that we will get to play in the snow and make snow angels Mephy?" Rin's eyes were so big with excitement and a smile seemed to take up half his face. He chuckled. It really was funny the thought of demons making snow angels.
"I don't believe I have ever made a snow angel, so you're gonna have to show me." The dark haired boy gasped in surprise.
"You've never made a snow angel? But you're like old! You should have done it as a kid or something!" The tall man gave a huff in slight annoyance.
"I am not old! Do I look old to you?" All the other priests were snickering because Mephisto was throwing a fit over being told he was old. Yukio was giggling too since Rin's simple words had gotten the adult so upset. His cheeks were flushed and puffed out, his fists curled up at his sides.
"Mr Faust you l-look like Rin does w-when he throws a fit too!" Izumi barely got the words out between fits of laughter. Everyone was in fits of giggles at the principles expense.
"I'll show you who's old." He stomped over to the stairs and turned back to the twins. "This shall be war! Go get whatever clothes kids wear in the snow and be back quick!" If there was one thing he knew about the human winter season was snow ball fights since Shirou used to surprise attack him all the time. He'll show them and they won't think he was old anymore. He went into the room he was staying in and snapped his fingers. His white jacket and light pink scarf appeared. Once he was bundled up he went downstairs to find them already at the door. That's when Rin stuck his tongue out in a mocking manner.
"Whatever your planning we're gonna win cause you're old!" The childish manner which he says it gets Mephisto all ruffled up again.
"Don't taunt me boy I'll prove to you that I am well able to beat you at your silly games!" He gave a huff as he chased them out the door, his breath instantly turning into clouds. The two trouble makes ran off in different directions which Mephisto assumed they were trying to surprise him somehow. He crouched down and scooped up some snow while his ears stayed attuned to everything around him. He heard a rustle to his right, ducking right as the snow ball whizzed past. He threw his snow ball as he rolled across the ground. He saw it just go over Rin's head. He felt a hit on his back and cursed. Yukio had gotten him while he was distracted by Rin. He rolled over again and swept at the snow with his arm throwing the powdery layer on top to fly through the air. There was a war shout and Mephisto tried to get up quickly but a ball of fury tackled him back to the ground. They had both surrounded him throwing snow on him and into his jacket.
"Oh come on! It isn't fair there are two of you!" It was then that laughter could be heard. Rin and Yukio stopped the snow torture and ran to the gate.
"Dad!" they both shouted. They both hugged their father looking like one of those perfect families on TV. Shirou had the biggest smile on his face and it made Mephistos heart melt.
"You really got beaten by two almost 11 year old children? I would have thought with you being an exorcist you would at least be able to do that!" He gave another hearty laugh. "But at least you made sure my kids were bundled up so they don't get sick I have to give you credit for that." Mephisto snorted.
"They ganged up on me, it wasn't fair. I had to be gentle or I might have hurt one of them. And they called me old." He crossed his arms across his chest and pouted his cheeks red from cold and embarrassment. This really made Shirou laugh this time.
"And you let them bait you into getting angry about it therefore a distraction. It's a war strategy Mephisto you should have recognized it." The priest really was getting enjoyment out of teasing because the other got so childish about it. "Well we should all get inside because it's cold and you need to get changed I am not taking care of your sick butt." He corralled the boys through the front door as Mephisto followed. As the young ones ran upstairs to change Shirou was shouting through the house for them to not leave their clothes on the ground but to shove them in the dryer. He turned back to the soaked man behind him.
"I want to thank you for lookin' after them and even hanging out and playin' with them. They may not act like it but I'm sure they appreciated it." The small smile that Shirou was showing him had warmth spreading throughout his whole chest, the desire to just stand there all day and stare at that smile was strong. Shirou turned to go up the stairs and spoke again.
"Well, we should get you out of your wet clothes." Mephistos whole face lit up red and it wasn't the colds fault. The sexual innuendo that could be hidden within that one sentence caused his stomach to clench. He remembered that he was supposed to be following the other and forced his legs to take himself upset. He hoped against hope that his body wasn't going to betray him. He noticed going up the stairs that someone had mistletoe hung from one of the doorways. If Shirou had noticed it he didn't show a reaction. Mephisto had started to take off his scarf and unbuttoning his jacket. Shirou had always scolded him to not use his magic to do things when he was at the monastery but the demon used it anyway when the human exorcist wasn't around. He heard him sigh.
"Come here you're taking too long." The maroon eyed man slapped the others hands out of the way before he started to unbutton the jacket. He didn't put much hope in God being Satan's son and all but he was praying that somehow this emotional torture will end. So close but he couldn't do anything that wouldn't upset Shirou. But it was just so hard and not fair! When he wasn't paying attention his jacket had been taken off and thrown into the dryer. The internal battle was lost and he thought just screw it, if I mess up i'll fix it later. As the robed man was putting the settings into the dryer Mephisto took a deep breath and took a step forward.
"Shirou…" he said in just over a whisper. The other turned around at the sound of his name and the taller exorcist leaned forward and captured the priest's lips. Shirou didn't panic like Mephisto thought he was going to or push away so one hand slipped around his waist, the other to his left shoulder. The kiss was simple and gentle but he didn't care because he was kissing Shirou, HIS Shirou the one that he missed so much. His lips were soft and the scruffy part of his beard rubbed up against the demons face. There is a sweet taste of coffee and no longer like cigarettes since he had quit for the boys. He pulled him closer to his body, wanting to remember what it felt like to just have his warmth next to him, to feel his heart beat next to the demons own. Then a thought occurred 'air!' He had stopped his breathe in fear of breaking the perfect moment. He pulled away; both their faces had pink dusted across their skin. The kiss was so simple, not even that sexual but it had taken Mephistos breath away.
"I-I... uumm I s-should go ch-check on the b-boys." He basically ran down the stairs. The green eyed demon thought that what had transpired to be somewhat successful. Shirou hadn't exactly freaked out but he hadn't thrown him down on the bed and have his way with him either. The pounding of his heart could be heard in his ears. He let out the breath he had been holding and turned the dryer on that Shirou had forgotten ( or distracted more like it ) to start it before he went to his guest room and plopped face down on his bed.