A/N: Rare non-smut piece by myself~ Idea struck me a month or so ago during a conversation and I decided to turn it into a full fic, even if said fic turned out shorter than hoped.
Still, I hope you enjoy~
A Very Aeonian Christmas
Across the vast Universe, many worlds were enjoying Christmas or some variation of it. From Belobog to the Xianzhou Alliance to even the Herta Space Station, Christmas trees were erected, presents were shared, and dinners were had.
Christmas was universal, enjoyed by all – including by the Aeons themselves.
Within one cosy home in the deep cosmos Christmas music filled the air; elegant piano notes playing with the occasional infusion of saxophone to deepen its tone. The clattering of plates and merry hums of a woman joined them, working without a hint of strain as she drained a pot of Brussels sprouts before swiftly moving over and turning the roast potatoes over, manipulating the forks in each hand with a natural ease.
Xipe's pleasant expression didn't wane one bit, her musical hums continuing as the Aeon of Harmony cooked a festive dinner with all the trimmings, as was the norm with their yearly gatherings. It was a place to settle their differences, she felt, and good food went a long way in keeping the peace. Thus it was only natural that she would strive to maintain the harmony the house currently held, her very essence soothing conflict – enough that mortal humans would be compelled to be the best of friends despite just meeting.
Alas, that didn't work so well on other Aeons, but would could never fault her for trying.
Just a room away in the dining room Christmas music played on. A large dining table had been set up to host the myriad of 'family' members present, with a pristine white tablecloth set over it and accompanied by candles, the finest silverware and of course some Christmas crackers to pop. The pristine white and silver tones contrasted the cosy wooden interior of the room, the dark walls hosting a few shelves of items or pictures, usually of Xipe and her ever-growing 'family' of followers and fellow Aeons. A singular white bulb hung overhead, illuminating the room in full and glinting off of the wide window at the back of the room, showing off Xipe's personal garden.
Up until Tayzzyronth, Aeon of Propagation, slammed up against the glass like a bug on a windshield. A comparison only further reinforced when the glass refused to break and left Tayzzyronth bouncing up against the glass, the buzz of its multiple wings muted but faintly audible all the same as it tried to join those sat at the table.
''...should we let them in now?'' Nous intoned – its monotone voice layered and robotic, not unlike a text-to-speech device.
Sat across the table from the machine Nanook, Aeon of Destruction, scoffed and crossed his arms. ''Hmph. Leave them until they stops making that irritating noise.''
Situated just to Nanook's right Lan, Aeon of the Hunt, did not contribute words of his own – too busy glaring across the table to the woman sat right across from him. A beautiful woman with an eternal smile, six arms and a deathly-pale pallor, her skin split open in numerous places to reveal the red eyes in the void under her skin. Yaoshi, Aeon of Abundance.
An Aeon who was currently gazing up at Fuli, Aeon of Remembrance, with merriment. ''I insist, Fuli. You should really try the whole 'organic' thing, it's good for your health and better for the galactic ecosystems, you know?''
Fuli did not reply, the towering ice man instead silently plucking up a bottle of red wine, filling his glass to the brim, before then throwing it back as if to kill his ability to think, if only for this moment.
Nanook shook his head, sighing to himself as he debated just leaving, but he knew such a thing would bother Xipe. And bothering Xipe was more trouble than it was worth, ninety percent of the time. Just a few more hours of this and the night would be done, of that he was sure.
Opening his eyes he gazed down at the table – only to stiffen as he noticed something. The cranberry sauce was missing.
The sound of many mouths chewing and sucking under the table told as to why, and with a scowl fierce enough to make his Emanators tremble Nanook peered under the table – finding none other than Oroboros, Aeon of Voracity, currently using her many mouths to eat through the oversized jar of sauce. Sauce he quite liked.
Irritated Nanook glared across the table at the woman, who merely grinned back at him, daring him to start some shit. He was almost tempted to – if Xipe hadn't come by and deposited a fresh one on the table, laying a couple of plates down as she went. Nanook simmered down at that and reclined in his seat, the tension seeping from his frame, his molten gaze lowering as he peered under the table again. This time not at Oroboros, but at the Aeon of Nihility, IX.
Who presently took the form of a pool of purple-black goop. At least he'd agreed to be in a bowl instead of a seat, so he didn't goop all over the place.
Glancing over at Lan Nanook rolled his eyes, unsurprised to find the Aeon of the Hunt still glaring at Yaoshi. ''Can't keep your eyes off of her huh?''
Lan's eyeless mask turned to 'look' at him. ''Do not start.''
''Start what?'' Nanook smirked a little. ''You're the one looking like some lovesick human.''
Lan scoffed harshly, the centaur-like man shifting about – 'sitting' on his wheel-like hind legs. ''Your teasing is not amusing. Nor does it have any merit.''
''Sure, keep telling yourself that.'' Nanook remarked. ''It's not as if you're jealous she's fawning over Fuli.''
''Please do not be.'' Fuli added his two cents, voice distant and echoing by nature, yet retaining a hint of deepness.
''Mm? Perhaps you'd like to try my all-organic meals Nanook?'' Yaoshi smiled over at him, her numerous eyes focusing on him. ''I grew them myself out of Karot-3 and Saint Pâtes~''
Lan tensed. ''How did you...?! I swore I purged those planets millennia ago!''
Yaoshi smiled over at him, merry as ever. ''And I regrew them – so, how about it Nanook?''
''I'll pass.'' The Aeon of Destruction drawled, looking over to his left at Qlipoth; the giant stone-like guardian that was the Aeon of Preservation. ''He probably will though.''
''...I'll try some next time we meet up.'' The aforementioned Aeon reluctantly agreed.
Yaoshi made a noise of delight, her many eyes closing in an unnatural mimicry of smiling eyes. Only what looked endearing on a human face was very much not when those eyes covered Yaoshi's androgynous body.
Prompting Nanook to lean over to Lan. ''Your inamorata is a crazy one, hm?''
''We're not involved.'' Lan coldly fired back.
Fuli, currently in the process of refilling his glass with yet more wine, added his two cents; ''It is natural that the Hunt and the Abundance conflict, yet there is no reason to reject one's feelings,''
''Don't you start.'' Lan growled.
Fuli, wisely, stayed silent. Or maybe it was because he was drinking again. Curse of bearing witness to millions of memories at any given time, Nanook supposed.
'Can an Aeon get drunk I wonder? Or better yet, is it a good idea for one to be...'
Xipe chose that moment to return, a merry chime escaping her as she laid down more plates of food. Perhaps due to her nature as the embodiment of Harmony, everything was perfectly portioned and never overspilled; the meal a simple but attractive arranged one. Nanook hummed his appreciation as he eyed his own plate, the potatoes roasted to a crisp and speckled with herbs for flavour; his meal mostly potato and meats, as per his liking. Contrasting someone like Yaoshi who had mostly vegetables on hers, or Oroboros who had pretty much entirely meats, be they sausages wrapped in bacon, slices of chicken and turkey, or even chicken stock gravy.
Mindfully Nanook popped open the jar of cranberry sauce with a flick of his finger before the eternally-hungry Oroboros stole it again.
Xipe hummed as she carried out plates from the kitchen, peering over at the window. ''Should we let Tayzzyronth in now? It's unfair to keep them outside after all.''
''I'm sure they're fine.'' Qlipoth remarked, cutting into their parsnips and taking a bite. ''...mm. The honey glaze on these really comes through, Xipe, it's delicious.''
''Hmhm, thank you~'' Xipe tittered warmly. ''I'll just take Tayzzyronth's dinner out to them, I'm sure they're hungry after all.''
Tayzzyronth, still left outside, buzzed about with renewed excitement at the idea.
''Best do that before Oroboros steals it.'' Qlipoth added his two cents, staring scoldingly over at the aforementioned woman.
One who merely smiled back, amused as she retracted her mouths from her lower half.
''By the way, whatever happened to Akivili?'' Yaoshi inquired, looking about. ''Usually they're among the first of us to arrive.''
''Ah.'' Xipe stopped at the doorway to answer, ignoring Tayzzyronth who pitiably rubbed itself against the door, its meal so very close yet so far. ''Apparently his train was stolen by a red-haired woman, so he won't be able to make it in time, unfortunately.''
''Hmph. Serves the prick right.'' Nanook scoffed.
''You're just bitter he hit you with his train that one time.'' Lan pointed out with a huff.
''Says the one with a schoolgirl crush-''
''I will shove this fork somewhere you don't want it, Nanook.''
''Boys~'' Yaoshi waved her hands placatingly. ''No fighting over me~ There's plenty to go around~''
Lan pointed the fork her way. ''Don't start.''
Xipe just shook her head at the ongoing madness and ferried the plate out the back door at last, much to Tayzzyronth's delight – the chef soon joining her fellow Aeons for dinner.
Which of course was when Nous decided to switch tracks to Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You.
For even the Aeons, there was only three things eternal – death, taxes, and Mariah Carey.
[END]
A/N: Fun fact; when writing I thought Xipe had four arms. Turns out she doesn't, and I'm not sure why I thought she did.
Also thought Yaoshi had breasts and no horns, turns out they have a more androgynous appearance and horns. How I also missed this, I don't know, though personally I'm writing Yaoshi as feminine for future lewding purposes.
Random asides aside, hope you liked this little fic~