closed

[somakemelaugh]

who: Undertaker, Ciel Phantomhive, Vincent Phantomhive
what: New house doings
when: Oct 30th
where: The new house
warnings: Possible cute... Yeah, lots of possible cute.



Maybe the last thing he had ever expected to do in this world was to find house to live in. Even in his own world, a funeral parlor and a small apartment room above it were all that he had to himself, and then circumstances took that from him as well. Now he had a room of his own, a full living room, proper kitchen, a bathroom and then some.

That he shared the whole of the thing with a boy of fourteen didn't bother him at all. Ciel would have his own room, his own bathroom. It astounded him that this was theirs now, in a world far from their own, and that he was well and truly happy with it.

They needed to get a few things, to be sure. The pots and pans that they had were good enough, the food they moved over would tide them for some time. They had blankets, but now no beds and no chairs or table. Still, he couldn't help a giddy chill that ran down his spine as he looked around the bare living room, gaze stopping on a cold fireplace. They had been here no more than a day, moving things back and forth and even he was a bit tired by now, but it already felt more like... home. Such a foreign concept, but he felt it.

With a sigh, he let himself down on his knees and then stretched out on his front over the carpeting. It's not a bed and he has no blanket, but for now he's comfortable and gravity pulling on his body, dragging him to the floor will have him drowsy and content in no time.

Comments

New house fussings!

[somakemelaugh]

Invitations!

[somakemelaugh]

[Sooner than later, Vincent will receive a message on his phone, however that comes across to alert the Earl. It simply reads this and and an address, with directions in case Vincent hasn't yet become that familiar with the area:]

We've a new location for you to come and visit us, not far if you don't mind a leisurely stroll.

[Enjoy that while you can. He hates sending texts, but he wants to give the man time enough to decide when and how he arrives without bothering him immediately with it.]

[earlofphantoms]

{How can he mind? He would be mad to ignore an invitation this grand! Vincent will send back a simple message; one that encapsulates what he feels rather...succinctly. He might not be the best at texting either.}

♥ ♥ ♥

[somakemelaugh]

[Did he really just get sent little cartoon hearts? How even does this get sent? He didn't know those could be a thing. Vincent what even are you you wizard.]

[earlofphantoms]

{Damn right. Three cartoon hearts. One isn't enough! Be in awe of his sorcery!

On another note, each heart could represent one of them. Oh no, is that cute?}

[somakemelaugh]

[He thought about that and it's odd to him. Shouldn't that be less one heart, then? Odd boy, Vincent.]

[earlofphantoms]

{No! There are three of them and so there are three hearts. It's very simple and not odd at all.}

Decorating and gifts!

[sweetlies]

Between shopping for new furniture for the house, new pillows, and other niceties, Ciel had been sent something by the Perimeter Guard. Opening it, he found something he hadn't quite expected.

He knew Jason was working at ensuring the teen had enough ammunition for his gun, he didn't know how he was planning on getting that to Ciel though so he assumed it was that. Opening the package though, a well-kept gold chain and charms had slipped out, the teen carefully grabbing at it so it wouldn't hit the ground and get marked up. This was the last thing he expected.

It was hard to keep it a secret. Even harder to shop for the perfect gift box to slip it into. At least, until they were out shopping for a few immediate needs, Ciel passed by a few Halloween-themed gift boxes shaped like coffins. As soon as he found one he thought Undertaker would like, he carefully paid for it and slipped the chain neatly into it once home. All he needed then was the right moment to give it to his housemate.

That moment came, thankfully, in the first couple days. They'd been decorating, preparing everything, and Undertaker had dozed off on the couch. With that, Ciel slipped to where he'd hidden the box and mourning chain and then set it on the pillow of Undertaker's new bed. He had even grabbed a few sweets from his store and set them around the gift very carefully so it would like nice.

And then continued around the house as if nothing was different.

[somakemelaugh]

He woke some time later, stretching about on the couch as if it troubled him to consider getting up and back on his feet again. Even after he was well awake, time was wasted tossing and turning until his stomach began to complain at him. Only then did he push himself upright with a groan and wander into the kitchen in search of something to calm the rumbling.

It was a small snack he took, just a fruit bar of some sort, wrapped in a foil packaging. He tore into it and went in search of his housemate. "Milord? Are you still here?"

[sweetlies]

Ciel had settled at the table with a cup of tea and a book, glancing up when Undertaker made his way into the kitchen and smiling, tucking a marker into his book and getting to his feet as he hears himself called for.

"I'm here." He took a few steps to the kitchen after him with a smile. "Did you sleep well?" At least he sounded awake enough, it gave him reason to believe he had. Waking up would hopefully be good as well.

[somakemelaugh]

He turned at the voice, a little surprised at himself that he'd missed the boy just sitting there. "Seems not. Didn't even see you there, milord." In turn, he offered a smile back and leaned a hip against a counter as he took a first bite of his snack.

"Looks like you got about as much done as I did while I was out. How's your book?" It was jest, of course. They'd both been working hard at making their new home more their own. What delighted him more, the fact that they had a couch and a table and a bed or that they had Halloween decorations about the place, was something he hadn't yet figured out. Ultimately he's was just happy to have anything there at all, including the roof over his head.

[sweetlies]

"You're still waking up." He smiled, bringing his tea with him to lean beside Undertaker. He glanced at the cup and then at Undertaker, still smiling. "The water should still be hot, I only made it a bit ago. I can fix you a cup."

There was nothing different, nothing to stand out. He'd absolutely gotten something done while he'd been sleeping, nothing that he expected but something.

"I wanted to wait for your input on some things. Saves tearing anything down after." Ciel glanced to his book, back again. "It's alright, I've certainly read worse books. This is one Jason recommended, The Outsiders."

[somakemelaugh]

Maybe he is still waking up, or maybe feeding his hunger has become more of a priority than he had imagined. Either way it was, he was awake now and aware and chewing on the strawberry goodie. The bite of its sweetness had his jaws clenching briefly in the best way and he hummed at it.

"No, thank you. I'll get one myself in a minute. Give me something else to do to come around." He took one more bite and looked around the room over the bar, into the living room where he had been napping, hopelessly trying to see what had changed, or what the boy had in mind at least. "You know I wouldn't mind what you do with the place. Half of it's yours anyway, but that's considerate of you."

One more bite had the snack finished and he stepped to a trash can that they'd set against a wall to toss the wrapper away before getting tea. "Mm. I've not heard of it. Might read it after you, but it'll wait."

ARRIVAL

[earlofphantoms]

Vincent arrived with a bang. Well, not literally, but close. Somehow he had procured some flowers - a whole bouquet of them - as a house-warming present. He approached the front door of the house and knocked, hiding the flowers behind his back.

Nerves were still a problem and he made himself breathe deep, settling his racing heart. "Ciel" had a great power over him and it stemmed from love. And regret. Who knew Vincent was capable of such deep feeling? Surely not Diedrich.

"I was invited?" he would smile, charming as ever, once the door was answered.

[somakemelaugh]

A knock on the door? He has a good idea of who it might be, since he only invited one person to come visit, but his housemate might have invited someone of his own considerations. It's not really a surprise either way when he sees Vincent standing there.

"You were, milord." He steps back and gestures for the Earl to come inside. "Please. Come enjoy yourself."

[earlofphantoms]

The flowers were brought out with a flourish. Vincent did not bow, but he did give Undertaker a bright smile in greeting.

"Easily done." he stepped inside and looked around, curious as to the decor the two had chosen. From the outside, the house made a sweet picture. It wasn't like the manor or Undertaker's shop.

"Why did you choose this one? It is an interesting choice for the both of you." and already he longed to stay. Vincent came to a pause not far from the front door, closing his eyes.

[somakemelaugh]

That was a pleasant surprise, though he could have seen the arm Vincent held behind him at first. He reached out to take the bouquet offered and brought the display closer to get a better look at them. "Oh, now these are lovely, milord. Thank you kindly."

Better for both of them that Vincent hadn't bowed. It would have been quite awkward. "I'm afraid we don't have a vase for them just yet, but I've got something that will do well enough." In one of the cabinets, he'd placed a pitcher that he used once upon a time for lemonade on a whim. Now, with a little water, it made a somewhat decent container to hold the flowers.

"Necessity, more than anything. It's nice and roomy without being overly so. Surprised me, your son actually wanted something a little smaller, after all he'd been used to back home, but I suppose it's not quite the same when you're the one caring for everything. But it's a little on the edge of everything, and we were both in agreement on that. We wanted somewhere quiet."

[earlofphantoms]

"It is customary to bring a gift to a house-warming. I could not find anything more suitable on such short notice." he stepped inside, immediately sensing the presence of his friend and his son. In a place so foreign, this was the first building that felt even remotely homey.

"They will thrive in any container, especially if you add some sugar to the water." he walked into the kitchen, peeking into cabinets and drawers.

Just to be nosy.

"Caring for a manor by yourself is an impossible task! He has a business to run and who wants to be cleaning during their free time?" he exited the kitchen to inspect the other rooms on the lower floor, "Solitude is a rare commodity. I like a lively house now and then, but silence is necessary for one's sanity."

[somakemelaugh]

"Hm. Sugar to the water, you say?" He wouldn't have been miffed if Vincent had come by with just himself and the clothes on his back. Having arrived there so recently, he didn't expect the man would bring anything at all, but he was an Earl and proper at that. It wasn't a surprise that Vincent had.

While the man went poking his nose about, giving the place an inspection, Undertaker found the cubed sugar he used for their tea and nudged the flowers aside in the pitcher enough to crush the cube and let its contents sprinkle into the water for them. "We'll see what it does, but whatever they do, that was thoughtful."

He licked his fingers and trailed after the Earl, taking his time with it. "Who would blame you? Your lives are both so busy and all. It's not at all like running a funeral home. Those are easy businesses to keep."

FATHER & SON

[earlofphantoms]

He sought him eagerly, nervously, holding Undertaker's offer in his heart. His son was not against him living in this house. His son did not hate him. Vincent had few weaknesses - he rarely showed caution or care - but he felt too much to simply hide it. Maybe that was okay. Maybe that was acceptable in this situation.

"Ciel." even as he said the name, he knew it was wrong. He wanted to call his son by his proper name; the name they had given him. But it was necessary to play along at times and so he did, approaching his son with a soft smile.

[sweetlies]

Ciel had settled down with one of his books only a bit before but he knew Undertaker had made the invitation, knew it had been accepted. So it was only a matter of time before Vincent came to find him.

His good eye moved up from the page of his book at the sound of 'his' name, years of habit making the name very much his own. He wasn't sure what to say though.

"Father?"

[earlofphantoms]

Ah, seeing the eyepatch caused a place deep in his chest to hurt. He wanted so very badly to smooth it back and assess the damage beneath. Yet Undertaker had warned him of that too. Oh how well prepared he should feel!

Words were useless. Sighing, he strode to his son's side and reverently kissed the top of his head.

"Is it true? Do you want me to stay?"

[sweetlies]

Thankfully, there was no pain, no real damage under the patch. Unless they counted the fact that the eye was blind now. Ciel had seen it as a worthy sacrifice though. And he'd managed to adjust to the diminished sight and lack of depth perception.

"Undertaker wouldn't lie about that." The teen answered simply, then carefully placed a marker in his book and setting it aside. And moved a little so Vincent could sit with him comfortably. "You're family, of course I'd want you close."

[earlofphantoms]

He wasted no time in claiming that seat, one arm wrapped around his son's shoulders. He was still so small; so petite. Vincent suspected that came from Rachel too. It didn't matter - the outer body was no clue to the iron will within.

And now he had a father to protect him too.

"I know." he answered simply, "I love you."

Not I love you, Ciel. His smile was tender and somehow stubbornly willful at the same time.

"I had tea with him earlier. He hasn't changed in the least." which raised more questions where Undertaker was concerned. Vincent had quite the stockpile of them!

"What do you do for fun?"

[sweetlies]

He did start at the sudden contact. Being touch was not something he really liked anymore. With Undertaker he had warmed into it, Jason and Jon still didn't really touch him. Neither did Beverly. With Vincent, he was sure he could warm into it again, he'd been held by his parents so often when he was younger.

It would just take a little adjusting.

"I... love you too." And he did. It was just hard to say. Love was something so pure, something he didn't really have a right to feel or express anymore. Or so he'd convinced himself in England.

He had to let himself be distracted from that though, reaching to take up the mystery novel he'd been engrossed in before Vincent had come in.

"I read, mostly. Ah, and Jason told me about movies so Undertaker and I watch a few. And no, he really hasn't changed." He wasn't as frightening for him anymore, for one, but he wouldn't say that.