AN: And finally, the last chapter! It's been an interesting experience and a lot of fun. Hope you had a lot of fun reading~! Oh, and I could not help but add a small little cameo of a certain someone in this chapter. I just could not help myself XD Hope you enjoy reading~

Chapter 28:

When Flavio awoke that morning, wrapped up warmly in Fafnir's strong arms, he realised something.

It was Christmas Eve.

He had totally lost track of time! Worse still, he still had not bought any gifts.

He felt so bad. After all the trouble he had caused, he still had not bought any Christmas presents for anyone. He had not had the time. Not really. But he still felt bad. And the shopping that day was sure to be horrendous.

He should at least try.

But with Fafnir's arms around him and the warm bed, he did not want to move. No stress. Complete comfort and contentment. The first time in two full weeks. Staying put and doing nothing was so enticing.

Still…as much as he would like to stay, someone was bound to come knocking at the door sooner or later.

Flavio wiggled a hand out from under the blankets and poked Fafnir lightly on the nose. "Fafnir."

Fafnir crinkled his nose in response and simply tightened his arms around him, pulling him close in order to nuzzle his nose into his hair.

"Fafnir, it's Christmas Eve. We should get up."

That earned him a grumble in protest and he could not help but chuckle to himself. Still not a morning person. After a few moments, Fafnir finally stirred enough to awaken and, in the process, loosened his arms around him a fraction. Enough for Flavio to wiggle himself into a sitting position.

Not for very long, though.

As soon as Fafnir was awake enough, he promptly pulled him back into his arms. And kissed him.

Falling to rest against Fafnir's chest, Flavio melted back into his arms easily, lulled back into the warmth and the comfort. He knew that Fafnir would entice him back into bed. Not that it was a hard thing to do. But he should at least try to make an effort to get up. To make an appearance. After all that had occurred yesterday, there were a few others who would like to see his face, surely.

Instead of attempting to detach himself from Fafnir's embrace, Flavio tilted his head to the side and allowed him to deepen the kiss. It was…needed, after all. By the both of them.

Fafnir folded one arm along the small of his back, pressing his body firmly against his, while he idly trailed his fingers of his other hand along Flavio's spine. The tracing was soft through the material of his clothing, but he felt every little touch, making him shiver.

In return, he touched the sides of Fafnir's face, his fingers threading through his hair as he tilted his head just that little bit more. To feel more of Fafnir's lips against his. To have him kiss him just that little bit deeper, just that little bit stronger.

He did not want the kiss to end. The moment was so warm, so comforting. But he was growing dizzy. Becoming a little too lost in the moment. It was growing far too intense.

As much as he did not want it to end, and he truly did not, there were sure to be others waiting for them.

They were quickly reaching a point where interruption would be far, far too awkward.

"F-Fafnir," Flavio murmured against his lips. "We can't. Others are probably waiting for us."

Fafnir pressed forward to purposely touch Flavio's lips in one last, lingering caress before he pulled back, eliciting a whine of disappointment from him. And a chuckle from Fafnir. He laid back onto the bed and Flavio rested against his chest in order to gather his senses, which was surprisingly difficult as Fafnir kept idly trailing his fingers along his spine.

"You're not making this easy for me," Flavio huffed as he finally found the energy to roll off of him and slipped out of bed.

Fafnir rolled onto his side and rested his head in his elbow. "Good."

Flavio picked up a shirt and threw it at him. "Wipe that satisfied smirk from your face and get up. I want to enjoy the day for once. It'll be nice being out and about, and not having to constantly look over my shoulder."

That was right. He could finally walk out of his room without having to peek out through the door first. Without having to look down at the floor in search of an unwanted gift. Walk through the inn, walk through the streets without wincing at every shadow, without having to second guess the actions of the strangers around him.

It was over. It was finally over.

He was free.

Finally free.

It was almost hard to believe. But it was real. The ordeal over as quickly as it had begun.

Flavio shook his head slightly. He did not want to dwell in those memories at the moment. He had better things to do, better things to think about. It was Christmas Eve, after all. An exciting, festive day. He was going to enjoy the day, see what the city of High Lagaard had to offer.

So, he quickly got dressed, readying himself for the day.

When he stepped out of the room, Fafnir right behind him, he made the point not to look down, not to search for any unwanted gift. He just stepped out into the hallway. Like a normal, rational person.

The hallway was not empty, however. Arianna had just stepped out of her own room. She looked over in their direction and her expression immediately brightened.

"Ah, good morning!" Arianna hurried over to him and took a hold of his hand. "Sir Flavio, how are you feeling?"

Flavio smiled at the considerate princess. "I'm fine now."

"Where's Bertrand, Hrothgar, and Chloe?" Fafnir asked.

"Sir Bertrand and Sir Hrothgar have returned to the Sidero estate," Arianna explained. "They wished to ensure that our enemies have been truly defeated. And perhaps learn more about that family. From their absence, it is safe to assume that the battle is well and truly over."

He truly hoped so.

"And Dame Chloe is setting the Christmas presents under the Christmas tree in the tearoom." Arianna chuckled to herself. "She's quite excited."

As much as she tried to act otherwise, Chloe was still young. Although, no matter how old someone was, Christmas was always an exciting and magical time of the year.

But, the gifts…

"I'm sorry, I wasn't able to get anyone anything," Flavio said, ashamed of himself. "I, well…"

"It's all right," Arianna said, gently patting the back of his hand. "Your safe return is all we could want."

Honestly, what did he do to deserve such a guild?

"Well, let's grab Chloe and see how High Lagaard celebrates Christmas," Fafnir said.

"Oh yes, I so look forward to it!"

With that, the three of them made their way down stairs, to the foyer of the inn. Where they, unsurprisingly, encountered Hana. With her motherly instincts, she immediately noticed their presences, despite them not making a single noise.

"Good morning, dearies!" she immediately crooned as she paddled over to them, and much like Arianna did, she took Flavio's hand in hers and gave it a motherly pat. "How are you feeling, dear?"

"I'm feeling much better," Flavio replied honestly.

"That is such a relief!" Hana said. "Chloe has been waiting for you."

Hm? Really?

Hana released her hold on his hand and half turned away from him. "Chloe, dear, Flavio is up and about!"

At first, there was silence. But after a moment, a pink-haired war magus finally toddled out of the tearoom. She clutched a wrapped gift against her chest as she made her way over to them.

"Here," she said as he offered the Christmas wrapped parcel to Flavio. "It's early, but you can have it."

Flavio was surprised, but retrieved the offering, nevertheless. "Are you sure?"

Chloe nodded and toyed with her glasses. "It's cold."

Huh?

With everyone urging him onwards, Flavio carefully unwrapped the gift, and soon realised that it revealed a blue and purple knitted piece of clothing.

Oh, it was a scarf! Did she make it? She must have caught on that he did not like the cold.

"Chloe, thank you," Flavio said as he lifted the scarf and draped it around his neck. The wool was soft and thick, so it was perfect in keeping out the cold.

"You like it?" Chloe asked shyly.

"It's perfect." His response made Chloe subtly happy.

Hana clapped her hands cheerfully. "And it's the perfect day! Go. Head on out and have fun. See the city under the magic of Christmas. And when you all return, I will have the most scrumptious Christmas dinner you have ever had!"

Hm, looked forward to it.

Fafnir slipped his arms around Flavio's shoulder, and with him by his side, they headed out of the inn, and out into the streets of High Lagaard.

As they walked together, idly chatting, gazing at the beautiful Christmas trees and decorations on every storefront and corner, Flavio noted that the world seemed…different. Somehow. The sun seemed brighter. The snow and winter breeze not as cold. Even the bustling crowds appeared to be more gracious than usual.

It was likely him simply appreciating the peace. Something he took for granted. After two weeks of being on edge, waiting for the next thing to worry about, to be troubled over.

Huh.

All that really happened, didn't it?

Was it his response to trauma?

"Oh, Dame Regina! It's good to see you!"

Flavio immediately stilled in his steps as a strange, unknown feeling washed over him. He looked to his left, his gaze falling upon the figure of a certain blonde-haired chef. Dressed warmly in a long winter coat and a clutching a shopping bag in her arms, he did not expect to see Regina out and about. She had only left hospital a couple of days ago. He figured she would still be resting in her family's care. Receiving burn injuries were no trifling matter.

And, well, in truth he was not entirely sure he was ready to speak with her after what he had learnt.

And from the look on her face, the quick, stoic glance in his direction before abruptly looking away, she had not expected to run into them, either.

Maybe Flavio should just stay in the background and let Arianna do the talking. Bringing up such a conversation on Christmas eve, of all days, would be all too awkward. He did not want to interfere with Arianna's relationship with the chef. Or the others, for that matter.

He still clutched onto Fafnir's arm to ensure that his protectiveness did not get the better of him.

"What brings you out in this winter cold?" Arianna asks innocently.

"Well, I'm going to cook Christmas dinner for grampa tonight," Regina answered. "Just needed to pick up a few things. It's been a few days since I've been in a kitchen. My family have been rather opposed to the idea, but Grampa is the only one has been urging me to get back on the horse, as it were."

Regina shifted the shopping bags in her arms, unintentionally revealing the white bandages that were still wrapped around her arms. Bandages that covered the burned injuries she received while trying to save the restaurant.

"I've decided to try again," Regina blurted out, her gaze flickering over toward Flavio for a fraction of a second before quickly darting back to Arianna. "With the restaurant, I mean. Grampa insists."

Arianna clapped her hands together in front of her. "Oh, that's wonderful news!"

"Y-yeah, my family aren't thrilled with my decision, though," Regina said.

He wondered if anyone told her of Schaffer's hatred of the Dubois family. Oddly, learning that himself had eased his own guilt of what happened. It was not entirely his fault. He was not entirely the cause. He was the reason, but Schaffer, in his own demented way, was just frothing at the mouth to cause harm to the Dubois family, and he just used him.

…No wonder 'Mandelson' knew so much about the gentry using and abusing others for their own benefit. He was nothing more than a puppet, used and abused by an unhinged psychopath. Schaffer was a man who plucked others from their own lives, from their families, without a concern or care, placed them under spells, made them dance to his whims and desires, and then killed them off when they were no longer of any use.

Had done so for years.

And gotten away with it.

Everything he said about Regina was everything that…bastard had done to others.

Still, a part of him was glad that the restaurant was to make a return. It had an interesting premise with Auspice's recipes and with the grimoire stone exchange program that they had created.

And knowing Flavio's inability to not stick his nose in, he would probably be of assistance once more. In truth, he did not mind acting as a host. He enjoyed the role. He truly did. Meeting and greeting others, speaking with him, bantering with them, recommending meals to the nice customers, and then goading the rowdy ones into trying some of the more colourful meals.

It was fun. Exhausting at times. But fun.

But should he return to the role, it would be under his terms.

"Hey, kid."

"It's good to see you're out enjoying the day."

Flavio immediately perked up and spun around. Where he came face to face with two very familiar protectors. "You're back! Is everything ok?"

Hrothgar smiled warmly at him. "Yes, everything is fine. It's over."

It was over…

Bertrand folded his arms across his chest and tilted his head to motion over his shoulder. "We ran into a couple of faces we thought you might like to see."

Confused, Flavio glanced behind Bertrand and his expression immediately brightened once more when two more explorers came into view. "Ah, Connolly and Grant!"

Dressed in regular clothes, duds that looked similar to those of a highlander, Grant rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I'm surprised you would want to see my ugly mug again."

Flavio shook his head. "Now that I better understand the situation, I know that everything is not your fault. Besides, even under Schaffer's control, you were still protective of me."

It helped that his eyes were an earthly brown, not that unnatural, vibrant emerald green. A green that had to be a sign, a side-effect of being under control of that bastard, Schaffer.

Grant lowered his arm to his side and smiled. "Ah, I'm glad that part of me was still able to come through."

Connolly appeared remarkably calmer compared to the last time they had crossed paths. In fact, he looked very different. His silver eyes were striking, the nook in his nose less notable, and his brown hair neater. He even had better colour to his cheeks. "I really need to thank you."

But Flavio shook his head again. "No. I'm sorry you had to go through all that you did. I wished someone had listened to you sooner. This nonsense could have been stopped ages ago."

It was truly a shame that the words of a noble were more important, regarded more highly than those of an explorer.

Fafnir turned his attention toward Bertrand. "Did you find anything interesting?"

"We found a few journals and tomes detailing that Schaffer guy's dedication and madness," Bertrand promptly replied, before a light frown appeared on his lips. "It's what we didn't find that's interesting."

That did not sound good. "What do you mean?"

"There was no one else there," Hrothgar was the one to answer with a bewildered shake of his head. "No other servant, nothing living. Not even a pet. Just graves. Like the one that held Wioleta."

A feeling of dread washed over Flavio, and he was certain that it showed in his face. "There are others?"

"Without Schaffer there to attend to them, they're harmless," Connolly promptly reassured. "It'll take the beginning and interference of a ritual to make them turn into that creature you dealt with."

Y-yeah, that was what happened with Wioleta. But, what about the searching of vessels? Like what Schaffer tried to do with him? What he did with Connolly's sister?

Hrothgar placed his hand upon Flavio's shoulder in an attempt to calm his inner turmoil. "Connolly here knows quite a bit of what Schaffer and the Sidero family has been up. With his help, we can ensure that nothing like it happens again."

"After Christmas," Bertrand added. "They're not going anywhere. I think we all deserve a bit of a vacation, hm?"

That was definitely true!

And he imagined that Connolly and Grant wanted to spend some time together, to catch up. To heal. To simply live after everything they had been through. And to properly mourn Siska's passing. She had become lost and forgotten in the whole chaos.

"Sounds good," Flavio replied. "It does ease the mind knowing all of that, though."

He was about to return to enjoying his day, to purposely and forcibly push aside any and all thoughts of his traumatic experience when he caught sight of someone. Someone he vaguely recognised. Someone dressed in a thick winter's coat. He almost looked like any other citizen of High Lagaard, busy doing last minute shopping.

But the orange hair and violet eyes reminded him of the grimoire stone. The one that still rested in his pocket. For just in case.

"Fafnir, wait. Just a moment."

Fafnir turned and arched a questioning eyebrow. "Hm?"

"Just a minute. I'll be right back."

He slipped from Fafnir's hold and smiled reassuringly to him before he broke out into a light jog. He wanted to catch up with the medic before he got too far away.

"Excuse me!"

The young man immediately paused in his steps and turned his violet-coloured eyes in his direction and recognition immediately flickered across his face. "Oh, Mr Flavio," he said as he turned in his direction. "I heard everything that had happened."

Flavio winced and rubbed the back of his neck. "A-ah, yeah. Gossip travels faster than an Ariadne Thread around here, doesn't it?"

The medic smiled politely. "Indeed it does. It is good to see you up and about."

Flavio lowered his arm to his side and looked at the other young man in earnest. "I really must thank you."

He received a blink and a look of confusion. "Me?"

"That grimoire stone you gave me. It helped me in ways you could not have imagined."

The young medic did not immediately reply to that. He tilted his head to the side questioningly, simply studying him for a moment. Slowly, a smile made its way to his lips and he simply nodded. "I see. Well, I'm glad it was useful to you. And that I was able to help in some small way."

Flavio regarded him with a small smile, too. "I'm sorry, I don't think I actually got your name."

He looked honestly surprised at that. "Oh, didn't I actually introduce myself? Well, my name is Lynus."

"Well, Mr Lynus, thank you for the grimoire stone."

Lynus chuckled. "It was my pleasure. I hope you have a Merry Christmas, Mr Flavio."

"You, too."

… … … … …

The sun had well and truly set, and the crowds have slowly started to dwindle. To make their ways home or chosen restaurants and inns to spend their Christmas evenings somewhere warm and cosy.

The day had been pleasant, peaceful. They had spent the day visiting the shops and stores around High Lagaard. They spent a few hours at the bar with Cass. They popped by to visit Abigail at her father's shop.

Absolutely nothing untoward happened. It was a wonderful day. And they were heading back to the inn, to get their bellies filled with the food that Hana promised them. After all the walking and chatting they had done that day, Flavio was looking forward to it.

"You guys go ahead," Fafnir suddenly instructed the others as he took Flavio by the hand. "I want to talk to Flavio in private for a moment."

"Tell Hana we wouldn't dare miss out on her dinner," Flavio added.

Arianna, unexpectedly, giggled into her hands. "Yes, of course. Let us go, everyone."

Tightening his hand around Flavio's, Fafnir tugged him to the right. "Come here. There's something I want to give you."

Hm? Give? Wait-a-minute, did Fafnir get him a gift? Not fair! Flavio did not have anything to give him in return.

Without another word, Fafnir led him toward the majestic Tree of Wishes.

It was truly beautiful at night, and mostly silent. With few people loitering about. Couples, it seemed. Cuddled together before the tree, admiring its beauty. Just enjoying each other's company.

Just like what he and Fafnir were to do, when Fafnir promptly pulled him into his arms.

"Fafnir, did you get me a gift?" Flavio asked with a pout. "You know I haven't got anything for you."

With an arm wrapped warmly around his back, Fafnir reached into the pocket of his coat. "This is different."

"How is this-?"

He was promptly silenced when Fafnir pulled out a small square box. It was a velvet blue box. A particular shaped object. One that could hold only one thing.

Flavio stared at Fafnir, wide-eyed and lips parted in an expression of surprise and shock. "Wh-what?"

Fafnir presented the small box to him. "I told you; this is just the first Christmas of many."

Tears welled up in Flavio's eyes. He swallowed thickly and with shaky hands, he received the gift. And slowly opened the lid. The need to shed tears returned but he pushed them back.

The ring was beautiful. Silver and gold, with a small diamond embedded within the two precious metals. It would fit perfectly upon his finger.

"This is…"

"After Ginnungagap, I vowed to myself that I would show you just how much you mean to me," Fafnir explained. "I'm not sure if I managed to do that, but I know that this will symbolise just how committed I am to you."

"Y-you…" Flavio was a loss for words. He could not speak.

So, he used his actions. He plucked the ring from the velvet box and hastily slipped it upon his ring finger. Just as he figured, it fitted him so perfectly. So naturally.

The weight on his finger felt so wonderful.

As they stood in front of that Christmas tree, Flavio framed Fafnir's face within his hands and kissed him on the lips. Words failed him, but he hoped his actions could convey some of his emotions. They could never hope to truly reveal just how much he loved this man. Nothing truly could. How completely and utterly he loved Fafnir. Heart and soul.

But he could try.

Flavio pulled back, only ever-so-slightly, his lips still brushing against Fafnir's. "I love you."

"I love you, too," Fafnir immediately replied, his arms tightening around him, never letting him go.

They had their entire lives together, after all.