AN: This chapter ended up being much longer than expected. Hopefully it will make up for the wait. Thanks as always!

Christmas Eve had finally come and James was elated as usual. He even happened to have the day and the day after off. When he found out Alastair did as well he quickly asked him, "You doing anything today?"

"Well I'll be at my family's place having dinner."

"Oh." James should have expected such an answer but he still was a little put off by how abruptly Alastair had said it. "Right, of course I should've known. Sorry, shouldn't have even asked and…uh…"

Before he could continue mumbling, Alastair asked, "What about Lily?"

"She's at her parents' house and she goes for Christmas Eve, spends the night, and then comes back and has Christmas dinner with me so I figured we could do something but honestly it's fine and you have family and I shouldn't just throw things at you and—"

"James, you're speaking in a run-on sentence."

"Right, yes."

They both stood there rather awkwardly until finally Alastair added, "You could come with me."

James perked up immediately. "Really? I mean, we don't have to, especially if it puts your family out of the way, and I don't know what I would bring or wear or—"

"James."

"Yes?"

"Shut up."

"Right yeah, sorry. When were you planning on leaving?"

"I have to stop by my flat first but then I was going to head over immediately afterwards. I'll pick you up at your apartment if you like."

"But what should I wear?"

"Just something comfortable."

"Are you sure? Because my comfortable is jeans and a t-shirt."

"Casual formal," Alastair corrected with a small groan.

Grinning, James replied, "Sounds great. See you in a few then."

They separated and Alastair quickly went through the motions at home, getting ready for the night. Part of him wasn't sure why he'd suggested such an idea yet he was a bit excited as well. Holidays weren't exactly a miserable time but they certainly weren't something he looked forward to. Perhaps this one would be more enjoyable.

When he picked up James, he noted that he had on the right attire but his colors were a bit off.

"Your colors don't match and they're to light for winter," Alastair said the moment the other got into the car.

"Looks fine to me."

"You do not put different shades of red together, not like that anyway. You need to—"

"Would you like me to change?"

"No! Just…ask someone for help next time."

"I didn't know my appearance was such a big deal," James replied curiously. "What, afraid your family won't like me?"

"I'm sure they'll love you immediately but the moment we're gone my mother is going to be commenting on every nicety that you did wrong from the way you dressed, to what words you used to describe some obscure drink, to how you stand, to how you comb your hair."

"So this is more of a 'help me I hate spending time with my family' than a pity party for me, right?"

"It's neither! My mother can just be…well…" Alastair trailed off and James noticed how his grip tightened on the steering wheel. "You'll understand once you meet her."

"I feel like I should jump out of the car and run."

"Don't worry, she's the only one I would avoid at all costs. Besides her there's my father. He's nice enough but not a large talker. My dad's sister and my mother's mom will probably be there as well. Then there is my younger sister and my elder brother but Kenton won't be here this Christmas. He's on tour right now."

"Wait, you have siblings!"

"Yes, why the huge shock?"

James shrugged. "You just seem like an only child. So your brother's name is Kenton. What about your sister? How old are they?"

"My brother is three years older. My sister was unplanned and therefore is considerably younger, only eight. Her name is Roxanne but she prefers Roxy. If you want to be in good graces with my mother, I suggest you call her Roxanne. If you're more worried about an eight year old kid and their feelings then you should go with Roxy instead."

"What's with the argument? It's just a nickname, not like she's trying to change it right?"

"No, but mother thinks it's to tomboyish and rough sounding where as Roxanne is more refined."

"It's a name," James stressed.

Letting out a small snort, Alastair replied, "I can already tell you'll get along great."

James rolled his eyes in response. "So what, do you hate your mother or not because one moment you sound like you're patronizing her and the next it's almost like you're defending her."

"It's complicate." Maybe he shouldn't have brought James along.

"People seem to say that a lot. I find it often means they just won't face the truth, something that's always much simpler," replied James. Before Alastair could contradict or completely understand what James was saying though he added, "So what's the rest of their names? It would be certainly awkward if I went in there and called your aunt 'Alastair's dad's sister'."

Alastair shook his head in response but quickly began listing off the names. The rest of the drive was mainly spent with James staring out the window while Alastair occasionally commented on the scenery.

They arrived at the estate after some time and James was more amused than shocked at seeing a man ready and waiting to take the car.

Alastair and the man did a polite exchange and then Alastair was walking ahead to the main doors.

"I feel like I should call that guy Alfred," James said with a grin.

"What?"

"You know, like with Batman."

"What are you on about?"

"I'll broaden your horizons later," mumbled James as the doors opened before either could even knock.

Though James noted that another staff member opened the door, a woman stood in the center. A moment of shock crossed her eyes but she masked it well and was quickly putting her arms around Alastair who responded rather stiffly to the entire affair.

"It's so lovely to see you Alastair. We've missed you greatly. I wish you would make it up to the estate more often."

"Work is rather hectic."

"You always say that! And who is this friend you brought."

"A colleague," Alastair supplied.

His mother gave a small nod. "That explains it then. I didn't think you had any friends."

James almost went bug-eyed at the utterly rude and harsh comment. She didn't even try to mask it with silliness. Instead it was blunt and a tone of cruelty had remained in her voice. Nevertheless, James stayed out of it and replied, "He likes to say colleague because it makes him feel more like a robot. I assure you, however, that I am a very dear friend."

Alastair's mother chuckled while Alastair shot him a glare that basically said 'you're a dick' but James noted how it disappeared once his mother's eyes went back to him. A rather plain mask seemed to slide over his face.

"So, what brings the dear friend then? I certainly don't mind but it would have been nice to know beforehand."

"You're always telling me that the holidays are for family and that people shouldn't be alone during this time. I simply wanted to spread the philosophy."

A very pitying look came over the mother's face and she went, "You're an orphan. Oh you poor dear."

Normally James just went with the pity, knowing that it came with the territory of having both parents killed, but what came out of the woman's mouth just seemed so fake. Like something she had practiced in the mirror a hundred times so that she'd be ready for every occasion. James still put on a smile though and replied, "It was a long time ago."

"Yes yes but still. Oh and what am I doing? Come in come in! The family is in the sitting room. Could you show him darling? I'll be just a moment."

She quickly left and Alastair automatically started walking, James following in his footsteps.

"Do you see what I mean now?" mumbled Alastair.

"Oh god yes." James would have gone on but a maid passed by and he quickly kept silent as they came to a room. Before he could even get a good look around though, he was noticing how Alastair was nearly knocked over by a rushing blur.

"You're here! I thought you wouldn't make it!" cried out a light voice.

"I simply had to pick up a friend," Alastair replied with mild annoyance and…was that actually adoration too?

James looked down as a smaller face looked up. "You must be Roxy. I'm James. It's very nice to meet you."

Roxy's eyes lit up at the name and a brilliant smile crossed her face. "It's nice to meet you to. Did brother invite you?"

"Yep," James responded as they moved further into the room. He noted that Alastair was being pulled over to one side by who was most likely the grandmother but he concentrated on Roxy who aptly waited for more. "I didn't have anything to do and he thought I should come. I hope that's alright."

"That's great! I can show someone else my moves then. Hi-yah!"

Her entire face was as bright as the Christmas tree in the corner as with explosive excitement she did a punch in the air. She had just done a kick when a screech went out, "Roxanne! What have I told you before!? You could have ripped your dress."

She crossed her arms and mumbled under her breath, "Then sew it. What's the point in something if you can't move in it anyways?"

"What was that?"

"Nothing mother."

"That's what I thought. So sorry about that," the mother replied easily enough. "Who's ready for a drink?"

James watched as everyone continued on like it was normal, no one saying anything in response. God he already wanted to yell something back at the bitch but he didn't want to cause trouble as well. Instead he did the second best thing and knelt beside Roxy who now had a rather sour look about her.

"You can show me your moves later, alright? You were really good," he whispered.

Immediately she was smiling again, causing James to produce a grin of his own. One quick glance and he swore he saw a small quirk from Alastair's lips as well but it was difficult to tell at the same time as the mask from before was back.

As James moved about, he couldn't really come up with complaints from the rest of the family. They were all polite and kind enough and though the father did speak little, James quickly found out he had a great sense of humour.

It was just the mother that put the edge to the whole evening and yet everyone moved around that awkwardness like water over a smoother surface. It was so usual and seemingly common yet it shouldn't have been.

Roxy was an utter delight as James eagerly listened to all her comments about school and her extracurricular actives that she did. She played the flute and the piano, had already started reading Shakespeare, and had also succeeded in fending off three bigger kids who had been beating on one of her friends. Overall she was a very interesting kid.

Dinner went in the same route but unlike before there was no way to avoid the mother. Nevertheless, James thought he did fairly well and all other family members seemed to enjoy themselves. Only Alastair kept the rather neutral look throughout the entire thing. He broke every once in a while, usually when Roxy said something or James annoyed him, but otherwise he stayed closed off.

And James noted it was different than how he acted at Kingsman. There he simply didn't care about appearing pleasant. Here it seemed like something was getting ready to burst through the calm exterior instead and yet no one else noticed it.

So very odd but James quickly stopped the thought as he was pulled back into another conversation.

Near the end of the entire affair, Alastair got pulled to the side right before he was getting ready to leave by his mother. She was turned so that her face wasn't readable to all other guests but Alastair's plain face slipped from neutral to slightly pained.

"You're only friends, correct?" Alastair's mother hissed softly.

"Of course. What else would we be?"

"I simply don't want another incident on my hands. It's bad enough that you wanted to work in a tailor shop of all places but I don't need you tarnishing this name anymore. And stop encouraging Roxanne with all that fighting nonsense. It's bad enough that you call her that ridiculous nickname."

"Would you rather her get beat up?"

The mother's arm lashed out in one swift movement and her nails dug through the cloths and into Alastair's skin. "Don't you ever talk to me like that. Would like an incident to happen in front of your friend."

Alastair didn't answer and she nodded approvingly.

"That's what I thought. Now remember to be here tomorrow promptly. I don't want you late."

Alastair gave a small nod in response and quickly went to leave. He gave Roxy a quick kiss on the forehead but other than that seemed to practically sprint out the door (without actually sprinting of course) and James quickly followed.

Only once in the car did James finally talk.

"Alright, Roxy is adorable, your father is a hoot, and your aunt and grandmother are wonderful but your mother—"

"James, please…"

"But the way she talked to you! And about you! And why didn't anyone do anything when she yelled at her own daughter? That was completely uncalled for. And what did she say to you before you left? You looked—"

"James! Believe me when I say that you being there actually helped considerably. I may not have shown it but you really did. But I can't…I can't talk to you about this, about her. Alright? I just can't do it right now."

Watching as Alastair silently seethed, James hand extended, hesitated, and then finally rested at the base of Alastair's neck and slowly he ran his fingers upward through the other's hair.

Alastair froze under the touch and cautiously asked, "What are you doing?"

"I had this teacher that would do this whenever a kid got upset. Usually soothed them down right away. I can stop if it's not helping though."

"It's not not helping."

James raised an eyebrow at that but kept moving his fingers up and down. He could hear Alastair's breathing slow and his shoulders ease ever so slightly.

"Better?" he asked.

"Honestly…yes. Sorry about that."

"No need to be. And no matter what happened I am extremely happy that I met little Roxy."

"I thought you two might get along. You remind me of her."

"I told her that she could show me more moves next time we met."

"Oh god! Just make sure that wherever you are there aren't any valuables about. She broke a fifteen thousand dollar vase last time."

James burst out laughing as Alastair only shook his head, exhausted from the entire affair. It was a good ten minutes before James finally stopped which just had Alastair rolling his eyes more but like the small touch from before, James' laughter somehow helped him to ease up and by the time he reached London again, he felt safe and normal once more.