Summary: Even in the face of the Lostbelts, two new Servants to Novum Chaldea look at the Chaldean Master and decide to take matters into their own hands.

Note: This chapter is inspired by the feelings I had when playing through the NA Christmas 2021 event. Santa Nightingale and Saber Astolfo came into my life at a good time, and this is for them in keeping my morale up. Also a mention has to be given to hizentadhiro/Lucien again, since they helped me out with the initial idea drafting for this chapter. Thankie again, friend. Once more, this is for you. :)

The song for this chapter is a track simply titled Days of Slavery, unofficially known as Tuare's Theme, from Overlord 2. I found the feelings behind the song helped with delivering the mood I wanted to write. A quieter alternative that helped me finish this chapter? LittleJaynayCakes' English cover of Dreamcatcher from Magical Girl Raising Project.

Otherwise, please enjoy!

Day 32: Wellness & Mistletoe

"This will not do, Master."

It was concerning enough that Vy didn't even flinch at the sound of Nightingale's voice, instead raising her head from her tablet to slowly blink at the former Berserker. It was odd that, even though Nightingale herself didn't see herself as a Santa, her new role allowed her to look beyond the former Madness Enhancement that once consumed her thoughts to still come to the same conclusion.

Vy was not well. Vy was unhealthy. Even in the Wandering Sea, in her room that should've promised safety, Vy was not as she should've been.

"Nightingale—?" was all Vy said at first, blinking as Nightingale took one of her hands in both of her own to squeeze for a pulse. "What's… not doing?"

"You are, Master," Nightingale replied, barely able to hide the regret in her voice as she carefully felt around for Vy's pulse. Lub-dub, lub-dub. Good. At least her heart was in working order. "You are not doing well."

The careful smile Vy gave Nightingale as a reply did not help much. "I'm doing what I can, Nightingale…" left Vy's lips in a tired huff, her smile fading at the edges as Nightingale continued to hold her hand for inspection. "'Well' is a subjective term these days with the Lostbelts. And I… have to help everyone here be stronger for the next one…"

"That does not mean—" Nightingale felt the words die in her throat once her fingers grazed the first calluses on Vy's palm. The first time she met Vy, she was still a Berserker. She may not have listened to reason, but the Vy back then was brighter. Softer. Radiant. Less scarred. The Vy in front of her now— "To be well does not mean risking yourself like this."

Vy still blinked at Nightingale like she had heard something foreign. Like Nightingale was saying something wrong. "Isn't that… how life is here, though? Risking everything at every turn?"

Nightingale could see the point Vy was making, but that didn't make her heart any less heavy at hearing the words being said. "…Master," she admitted finally, shaking her head and kneeling down so that Vy wouldn't strain her eyes past her glasses to meet Nightingale's own while at sitting height, "rest is still crucial for your mental health."

"I… know that," Vy said slowly, barely bobbing her head up and down in a nod. "It's why I haven't… done an all-nighter… yet…" Any remaining thought was then caught off by Vy opening her mouth wide to yawn, barely covering it with the hand Nightingale wasn't holding as the smallest hint of moisture showed in the corners of her eyes. "I think that's… fine…"

How is this fine when you can barely stand on your own? When you can barely talk with me, Master?

Nonetheless, Nightingale closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The hand in hers, callused and all, was still as small as it was when they first met in America. Small, frail, yet oh so warm through Nightingale's gloves. Far too kind. Terribly so — to a fault, even. So fragile. "Vy."

Vy startled a little at the sound of her name, breaking past the fatigue in her gaze to look directly at Nightingale as the Santa Servant raised her head in return. "Nightingale…?"

Even if I am slightly different from my usual self… If anything more happens to you, after I have already answered your call to make up for my absence, I'll be…

"Please go take your daily nap if you haven't done so already. Your sleep is important for continued health."

In spite of the small "muu" that made up Vy's protest, Nightingale smiled. "That's my first request to you as your Servant and nurse, Master. We can soar through the night skies another time."

It was a promise.

"Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas, everyone!"

Jumping around Novum Chaldea wasn't an unfamiliar state of being for Astolfo, even in his new Saber Spirit Origin. It was liberating, being a cute bunny bringing cheer. With everything and everyone being on edge from the Lostbelts, the least he could do was just toss around confetti and be cute. Kinda. It was more than what he could usually do in his Rider Spirit Origin, anyways.

The tiny murmur of "'Stolfo…?" from the farthest room of the hallway didn't even faze him, because only one person called him that and he grinned mid-hop. Her daily nap was just about over by now, right…?

Eh, whatever!

"Master~!" Vy didn't even have the chance to let out a quiet "Eep" once Astolfo hopped over to her room to grab and hug her tight, lifting her up from her blanket burrito with a bright laugh once her arms hastily wound themselves around his neck. Had to take a page out of one of his fellow Rider's books, right? "Master, Master~! Merry Christmas!"

"M-Merry… Christmas?" Vy squeaked back, hanging on for what felt like dear life as loose locks of her long brown hair tickled Astolfo's nose. He could smell the laundry detergent of her baby blue pajamas as she clung to him through all the swaying, pink flushing her cheeks. "When did it become Christmas, 'Stolfo?"

Astolfo squeezed her waist for a few seconds more before putting her back onto the ground, smoothing down her blouse before it could hike up her waist any further to expose skin. Couldn't afford letting her get sick. "Just now, Master! We have festivities to get to!"

"Festivities, 'Stolfo…?" Vy blearily blinked at him once he finished his fretting, glasses falling crooked against the bridge of her nose as she stared up into his eyes. The last thing Astolfo expected was for Vy's fatigue to fade in favor of a completely deadpan voice of, "Please don't tell me something's going to explode."

"Why are you assuming something's going to explode?!" Astolfo cried out, indignancy cutting into his voice. "I'm not that bad, Master!"

"'Stolfo…" Vy raised a hand to gently pat the top of his head, avoiding the bunny ears along the way. "You're wearing a bunny maid outfit and it's Christmas."

"And?!"

"I've started to expect chaos with you, beloved friend, even with a different Spirit Origin," Vy finished with another kind headpat. "Good chaos, but chaos."

Astolfo pouted at her in return, reaching over to grab her shoulders for a light shake. "I try not to make so much chaos for you, Master! Even if my mind's blank, I want to do everything I can for you!"

"A-And that, I thank you for, friend," Vy giggled, lowering her hand from Astolfo's head to instead grab one of his. "But I'm guessing there's something you wanted to show me?"

"Ah," Astolfo said blankly, pausing mid-protest. "I did?"

"Why else would you jump around Novum Chaldea and grab me while I'm in my pajamas?" Vy pointed out with the same half amused, half exasperated face, gesturing with one hand towards the blue blouse and pants hugging her person. "Unless you just saw me and wanted to hug me too?"

"Mm…" Astolfo had to pull back and think about it for a moment, enough to rack his already empty brain for some kind of reason. Once Vy was giving him one of her standard looks, he gave up, grabbing her shoulders with one arm while pushing her forward and back to her room with the other. "I dunno! But I still have something for you, Master! Just get changed before I forget again!"

"What am I supposed to wear, 'Stolfo—"

"Just get your best dress, Vy!"

"…Eh?"

"'Stolfo, I know you said you wanted me to dress my best, but…" Vy still fidgeted in her lavender áo dài dress, the long skirt brushing her feet in her black flats as she trailed behind the new Saber. "I-I dunno how everyone's going to take this…"

"Nonsense, Master!" Astolfo blurted out in protest, giving Vy a dirty look before grinning. "In the clothes of your parents' home? You're more than cute! You're beautiful!" He proceeded to turn around on the heels of his boots, leaning into Vy's personal space with a larger grin. "All we need for you is bunny ears to—"

"And to that, I'll say 'next time'!" Vy squealed, hugging herself as she backed away from the excited Saber with a face. Her left hand tugged at one of her sleeves, exposing the bright red lotus Command Seals against her knuckles. "Wearing this is one thing, adding in bunny ears in front of all the Servants and Mash is another!"

"Awwww," Astolfo pretended to groan, but he still tugged Vy along by the hand, humming Jingle Bells under his breath. "Maybe next time! We still need to get you to the main attraction, Master!"

"What kind of main attraction are you talking about, 'Stolf—" Vy stopped once the Saber pulled her into the cafeteria, clamming up almost immediately at all the pairs of eyes turning in their direction. "Meep," was her last comment before she proceeded to duck behind Astolfo's back.

The cafeteria itself was, as expected, crowded with the many Servants and staff from Novum Chaldea alike. With Astolfo and Vy's joint arrival, it was like a switch had been turned on as the room felt brighter. Whistles echoed in the air, matching Marie letting out a happy gasp just as Diarmuid's eyes widened in joyous surprise from his seat across from her. Medea herself nodded approvingly with a smirk (was she directing it at Astolfo?) while the Berserker variant of Musashi beamed. And was that a camera flash in the background? Vy really wanted to hope that was Mash.

"Hey, Astolfo!" Achilles called out first from his place standing in front of the counter, having already put away his lunch tray to give his former Rider comrade an amused look. "What are you doing with the Princess?"

"Celebrating Christmas, that's what!" Astolfo cheered, tugging Vy out of his shadow before she could get another "Meep" in, pushing her forward with another jump. "Anyone got a long stick?"

"Wh-What do you mean by 'long stick', 'Stolfo…?" left Vy in a weak voice just as Skadi got up from her seat to float over and catch the Master in her arms as she stumbled forward. "Doesn't Christmas not involve sticks?"

"Not this one! I have something planned, Master!" Astolfo took only a second to run off in another direction to search for a stick, leaving Skadi to murmur a soft, "How odd," over Vy's head as the other Servants started to swarm the young Master.

"A Vietnamese áo dài?"

"You look gorgeous, Master! Lavender suits you!"

"Senpai, this is amazing!"

"Hey, where's Robin at—?"

Vy could feel her eyes start to swirl from all the incoming voices before Skadi's hand steadied her from behind. "Calm yourself, child," the Caster said softly, warmth leaking into her normally cool voice. "Take it one step at a time. You are still allowed to step out if you so wish." In a quieter tone, she then finished with, "You still look lovely."

Thankie, Skadi-san, was all Vy could muster in her thoughts, willing it to be passed through their bond before turning her head towards the first Servant she could see.

Arturia merely smiled back at her once she noticed Vy was meeting her in eye contact. Even in her imposing cape and crown, her gaze was still kind and warm — just in line with what Vy knew from her best Saber. Her gaze could even be called "affectionately proud," if Vy had to put an exact phrase to it. "You look beautiful, Princess," Arturia started cordially, reaching over to rest a gentle hand on Vy's shoulder, a thumb brushing off some dust that had settled there. "As much as it's a surprise to see you wearing something from your parents' homeland, did that new Saber put you up into wearing this?"

"H-He did," Vy flubbed from embarrassment, but still feeling the smile naturally form on her face as she raised a hand of her own to rest on Saber's to return the caring gesture. "Something about needing to wear my best for Christmas. 'To bring in the New Year with a bang,' I think." In spite of the heat starting to climb up the back of her neck, Vy giggled, shuffling on her flats as she said, "Merry Christmas, Art-san."

"Merry Christmas, Princess," Arturia replied with a brighter smile, squeezing Vy's hand with hers. "May this upcoming year be a good one."

"…A-Aye," was all Vy could say in response, blinking rapidly to prevent her eyes from misting up at the sincerity. Because really, who else but her best Saber would say that kind of thing? Arturia, whether she noticed the mistyness or not, said nothing, merely squeezing Vy's hand for a few seconds more before carefully withdrawing back into the crowd of Servants, letting Musashi come into Vy's personal space next with a happy squeal.

"Master, you are so gorgeous!" the Berserker squeed, extending her arms out before Vy could stop her to rest them underneath Vy's own. Vy didn't even get a chance to say another "Meep" once Musashi was carrying her up into the air with ease, swaying back and forth on her high heels through the Dining Hall as she laughed with all the joy she could muster. If not for all the Christmas decorations, Musashi's swimsuit would've fooled Vy into thinking it was summer again. "Just like a princess in this dress! Why couldn't I have seen this in Las Vegas — you would've won over all the Swimsuit Swordsmasters in a heartbeat, I'm sure!"

"S-Special occasion, Shii-chan, a-and wearing this in Las Vegas would've made things a lot hotter than it should've been," Vy stammered, unable to keep the flush back from her cheeks anymore as the room started feeling hot. Musashi swinging her around in a carry hug didn't really help the embarrassment, but it was still Shii-chan, so Vy couldn't be that upset about it. "Th-Thankie~?" But wait. Wait. Was — was Musashi starting to spin? The air was swirling in Vy's ears, hair was starting to stick to her face and neck, and she could've sworn one of her flats had fallen off with all the movement. Still, she wound her arms around Musashi's neck, loud laughter leaving her lips enough to match Musashi's own chuckles as they kept spinning. Vy wasn't even sure if she heard Skadi nearby sigh in time with EMIYA's quiet, "Careful there," as she squealed, "Sh-Shii-chaaaaaaan~! I love you toooooo~! But lemme down pleaseeeee~!"

"Awwwwww," Musashi mock groaned, but she still relented after a few more cycles, smoothing down the folds in Vy's dress as she lowered the Chaldean Master back to the ground. "You owe me cuddles later then, Master!"

"A-Ayeeeee…" was all Vy could say with that, head swirling enough to make her vision blurry as she stumbled back. "C-Cuddle session scheduled…?"

All it took was a few steps backwards from all the momentum for her head to nearly crash if not for suddenly finding herself landing against a familiar chest. A warm, protective chest. Vy blinked as mint and forest musk filled her nose, a corner of something green coming into the edges of her vision as a hand rested against her hair. "Hey, Berserker, easy with the little sparrow," a familiar deep voice called out from above her head, the hand on her hair patting it softly and smoothing away any tangles that came up from the previous spinning session. "She's the only human here aside from Mash and the other staff, so no rough-housing, even if it's Christmas!"

"Awwwww!" Musashi groaned again, easily taking the elbows Shiki and Ereshkigal decided to give towards both her sides. "Fineeeee!"

Heat started to climb up Vy's cheeks once the swirls left her head and she looked up into a warm green eye. Archer. Green. "…Big Robin?"

"…Hey there, little sparrow," Robin said with a wide smile, walking over to stand in front of her while raising his other hand to reveal her fallen flat in his palm. So it did come off with all the spinning. "You can't stay a princess without your other glass slipper, right?"

"Th-Thankie," Vy said softly with her own smile, raising both hands for Robin to gently drop the shoe into them before bending over to slip it back onto her bare foot. "I'll have to work on keeping both my slippers on before midnight, huh—"

All words were lost to her once she straightened her back and a single spring of leaves with white berries suddenly hung in front of her glasses. It didn't even take a second for Robin's eye to widen as well, and he glanced past the red ribbon keeping the spring together, gaze inevitably following the fishing line holding it up. "…Astolfo," he said in the barest semblance of a growl, his visible eyebrow twitching. "You didn't."

"I did!" Astolfo said with a happy jump over Vy's shoulder, startling a squeak out of Vy's lips as she stumbled forward into Robin's chest again, her nose bumping the collar of his tunic. Amazingly, the plant flying above their heads didn't do so much as rustle thanks to the newly minted Saber holding it up by fishing pole. Or stick. Either or. "Mistletoe on Christmas night means the couple standing underneath it has to kiss!"

Vy raised her head from Robin's tunic to look up into his eye, noticing the smallest flush starting to climb up his neck as he quickly met then avoided her gaze in rapid succession. His gloved hand was covering his mouth as an arm wound around her waist to keep her standing upright against him. Thanks to the lack of distance, Vy could feel the soft lub-dub, lub-dub of his heart underneath her fingers.

Oh.

"As Chaldea's newest Santa," Nightingale piped in suddenly from a corner of the Dining Hall, her parasol for once folded and not loaded with medicine-related bullets, "I can guarantee that the act of kissing relieves cortisol and promotes serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine, Master."

"Goddammit, Nightingale," Vy could vaguely hear from past Robin's fingers once she was looking up at him again. "Really?"

"Kiss the girl, kiss the girl!" someone shouted from the background. Was it Blackbeard? It sounded like Blackbeard. And was that Fionn trying to help him? What were they trying to get up to?

"Kiss the girl, Archer!" Achilles added with a loud whistle, grinning enough to put some of the other men in the area to shame, eyebrows wiggling suggestively. Oh, sheesh. "You did it in the Ooku already!"

"SHUT IT, RIDER!" Robin shouted past his hand again. "THAT WAS DIFFERENT!"

"Kiss the girl, Robin! You just gotta if you're a man!"

"Not you too, Billy!"

Vy glanced up at her best Archer, blinking owlishly as Robin continued to avert his eye from hers. She could feel a hand gently pushing at her shoulder from behind, and when looking over her shoulder, warm ruby red eyes stared back.

"…Sieg-kun?"

Sieg smiled wryly at hearing his name, shrugging his shoulders as Astolfo hugged him to his side, warmth clear in his touch in spite of how out-of-place he looked. "You should be with someone you love, Vy," he said in his usual quiet tone, nodding his head. "Rider — I mean, Saber — wanted to set this up for you."

After… After everything? The Lostbelts, Agartha? …Losing Dr. Roman too?

Then again, Sieg and Astolfo had been there since the near beginning, huh? No matter how much Vy looked, Sieg's eyes weren't lying to her. She knew he wasn't. Behind him and Astolfo, Vy could also see the other Servants start to cheer more sayings of "Kiss the girl! Kiss the girl!"

Vy turned her head back towards Robin in return, noting the dark flush of red trailing down what parts of his neck she could see past the No Face May King, and considered.

Who said the girl couldn't kiss the boy?

Vy reached into one of her pockets, pulled out a hand fan with her right hand to unfurl in front of the other Servants — exceptions being Astolfo, Sieg, Skadi, Arturia, and Nightingale — before standing up on her tiptoes and gently tugging on Robin's gloved hand with her left.

"Little sparrow—?" was all she heard before her lips pressed against his softly in a tiny kiss, the fan in her hand covering up as much as she could as she struggled to meet his height. It was embarrassing, sudden, and definitely out-there, but it was all she could think of.

"WOO!" Astolfo cheered loudly, jumping up in the air and taking Sieg with him as his rabbit ears flapped in time with the momentum. "BEST KISS EVER!"

"No one said the girl couldn't kiss her hero," Vy whispered against Robin's mouth as she pulled back in time with her folding back her fan, giggling once the crowd of Servants who missed out on the show started letting out various noises of disbelief and outrage. "And it's still honoring the tradition of mistletoe, right?"

The look Robin gave her through the fringe of his hair promised so many things. "…You really are something else, Vy," was the quiet response, and the arm around her waist squeezed as he leaned over to press his forehead to hers. The glint in his green eye conveyed warmth, care, and the same love Vy remembered from the original Chaldea. From before the Lostbelts. "Merry Christmas, little sparrow."

Some things haven't changed, huh…?

Vy beamed and stood up on her tiptoes again. "Merry Christmas, Big Robin."

It was a good end to a turbulent year.