riverviewlogs | A celebration of family, eh?

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A celebration of family, eh?

who: Ciel Phantomhive, Undertaker, Vincent Phantomhive, those invited to spend the holiday
what: Celebrating Hygge with cocoa by the fire
when: Second day (and on? maybe?)
where: Phantomhive/Undertaker house
warnings: None

He'd spent a late day in the store the day before, having several Bitter Rabbits customized to share at least a passing similarity to their recipients. And when they'd been finished, he carefully wrote out notes for each, boxed them, and set them out to be delivered the next morning. Two of them, he packed up to take home with him, to give to their new owners personally. They were in an unmarked box at least, easily covered up as something for work that he didn't want to leave.

He hoped the invitations would be accepted. At least in their own home, his father and Undertaker seemed at least a bit excited for Hygge. Even if it was something unique to this world.

Ciel also made sure the had plenty of ingredients for cocoa and plenty of marshmallows for it. His sweet tooth demanded as much. Anything else he was sure would be asked for. A shop wasn't too far away that they couldn't get anything needed or wanted. Or so he hoped.

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He had thought long and hard about what his little son deserved. All things considered, the best he could come up with was a taste of the home they had once shared. Packaged neatly in a box was a book of stories that he used to read to the twins, an especially soft blue blanket and a ring that one of the ballet patrons had helped him acquire. It was a simple design, but it had "Ciel's" true initials on it. His boy did not need to be anyone other than himself.

But those gifts could be enjoyed later. Vincent had other plans in mind. He found and caught up his now teenage son whilst he was in the kitchen. Grinning, he kissed his cheek.

"Will you spend some time with me?"

Feeling someone suddenly grabbing onto him without a high pitched squeal of 'CIEL' makes him panic for the briefest moment, muscles tensing. He was aware enough of his surroundings though that he knew there were no real dangers to him in Riverview. And this was his home. So he made himself relax, especially as he felt that kiss to his cheek and heard his fathers voice.

"That's what the holiday is for, isn't it?" So, yes, of course he would. It would be nice to spend some time with Undertaker and his father on his own before they started having guests over.

His grip was relaxed - gentle enough that Ciel could break free if he wanted to - but he couldn't help his enthusiasm. The smell of hot chocolate and cookies was a sweet reminder of Christmases in the past; Christmases where they could be a true family with no distance between them. Vincent longed to revive those days.

"You are entirely correct." he stroked back Ciel's hair, "Before anyone else arrives, will you have some hot chocolate with me?"

Breaking free wasn't on his mind, not after the panic passed and his mind caught up, recognizing who it was with him. And the warmth of the house, the sweet smells Vincent focused on, they all served to anchor Ciel down in the moment. In safety.

"I'm sure that could be arranged." He smiled, turning his head to face his father and then glancing to the box he'd left there in the kitchen since he gave Undertaker his own gift.

"I have something for you. For Hygge."

"Good." Vincent looked as pleased as he sounded, nearly beaming when Ciel turned to face him. He could see Rachel more and more in his son's features and it delighted him. He had no doubt that when this boy was fully grown, no one would be able to resist him. ~~Actually, that was probably already the case!~~

"I have something for you too." he nuzzled the top of Ciel's head, smiling softly, "Are you prepared to give it to me now or should we wait?"

He was absolutely growing into a beautiful young man but he'd learned that years ago after his parents death. And again more recently before being drawn in by the portal, with all the compliments paid to him by the Viscount of Druitt. It still disturbed and repulsed him but he never had anything resembling affection for the man either.

"Oh?" He couldn't help his look of surprise but then it was also nearly his birthday. Even if he'd made an effort the past few years of ignoring his birthday, his father never would.

"Now should be alright. Before we have company. I invited friends over."

How could he be anything but beautiful with his family genes? Vincent thought Rachel was absolutely stunning and, well, he wasn't bad looking either. Franny, too, was lovely and Claudia...

Well, Vincent took after her, so imagine a lady with dark hair, pale skin and dark eyes.

"It's that time of year, isn't it?" his features were slightly sad, "Let us wash away the bad memories with good ones."

He walked to the tray of hot chocolate and lifted up two mugs. Then he carried them to the table.

"I am so proud of you."

He really had hit the genetic lottery but it wasn't something he thought about. And he'd never cared either, he couldn't remember a time that he had. Even now, with his eye ruined, Ciel wouldn't have been too sure of his appearance.

"Ah- I guess it is." Assuming his father meant it was nearly his birthday. His and his brothers. "Just a couple weeks away."

A couple days less, really. His face shifted from a smile to a grimace, and then made himself smile again. If nothing else, his birthday made his father happy. And then he slipped around Vincent to pick up the box marked with an 'F' and joined him at the table.

"Proud? Why?"

Vincent was sure of his appearance for him. He could also help Ciel use it to his advantage. It might seem rather base, but physical charm could be as productive as emotional or verbal charm.

"I'm counting the days." he considered that day one of the most special in all the world. Any world. The first time he had laid eyes on his sons, he had felt shock and a fierce joy.

"You have grown into someone so capable." he walked a short distance away to grab the gift he had for Ciel. Gifts, rather, but all of them gave the same message.

"I don't think you understand that you are the best gift I could ever be given."

He was more sued to outwitting everyone else or having his butler strong-arm those he couldn't. Either or simply doing away with his obstacles. Charming them? He'd had enough of people that he didn't want to try that.

"I had to." Ciel made no comment on his father counting down the days. It was equal parts touching and disturbing, it was the day he had died, after all. The day the manor burned and only two people had truly survived.

And he definitely had trouble thinking of himself as a gift for anyone. Especially the best one. He'd always thought his brother better.

Pushing the thought aside though, Ciel took a seat at the table and pushed the box outward his father. He was welcome to open his first.

"I'm sorry." and though his apology was simple, it was entirely genuine. Vincent never meant for the burden of everything to fall on this son's shoulders. Tentatively, he laid a hand on Ciel's head, far more cautious than he had been with his embrace.

"Both of you used to be so excited for Christmas and your birthday." he focused on that part; not what became of him, of Rachel and everyone. Undertaker in particular was helping him shoulder those memories.

A father should never be biased, but he loved his boys for their differences. Ciel was a little too like him and this boy... He had his mother's heart.

Smiling faintly, he pulled the box closer and tilted his head.

"What have we here?" he was careful with the ties and any wrapping paper, enjoying the fact that his son had done so much for him.

His instinct was to say that he shouldn't be sorry. It was never anything anyone expected, it was so quickly done, so quietly, that the amount of planning behind it had to have taken months. Maybe years. He couldn't begin the guess. But the hand on his head stilled his thoughts and his tongue, the teen watching up at him.

"Everyone always made it exciting." Until that day. His father had probably been more focused on his mother and the twins being safe than much else. The fact that none of the servants had even been stared. Those empty-eyed stares...

"I tried to make the gifts special for each person." Inside the box, Vincent would find a soft, white, Bitter Rabbit. It wore a suit jacket and had browns eyes, with a little beauty mark just under its left eye.

The case would be solved back home; not here. Vincent had to leave the past in the past, unfortunately, unless Ciel needed him to speak of it or needed him to listen. The healing process for all of them would be long and arduous, but he much preferred it to being dead.

"Everyone was excited. Twins are not common and you two were each one of a kind." his eyes sparkled with happiness and he pulled off the top on the box, "What a handsome fellow!" he lifted the rabbit, his smile nearly accompanied by tears.

It took a lot to bring him to said emotional display - even death often failed - but this...

His boy had dreamed of manufacturing toys and treats and games. This rabbit was the perfect reminder that, in some small way, perhaps his son achieved his dream.

He couldn't blame them, he knew how rare twins were. In the years since the attack, Ciel hasn't met anyone else who was a twin or mentioned twins. And the cult had been so taken by them that they hadn't hesitated to purchase them.

"They're all as alike their owners as I could make them. Undertaker has one as well now. Jason, and Jon, and Doctor Crusher too." They might not be great, the lot of them, and the little bits that made most of them unique were bought since he lacked skill in sewing, but he'd tried his best.

"I'm glad you like him." More sickly children needed toys they could enjoy inside, treats to make them feel a little better when sick. And the general populace loved it all as well. He hoped to match that popularity here.

The rabbit was tucked against his chest, one of his arms wrapped around it snugly. He was already treasuring this gift and he blinked back small tears, his smile growing on his lips.

"You have a talent. I had a feeling you would be successful, but even profitable ventures struggle in the beginning." he rose from his chair, letting the rabbit hold his seat for him. Then he embraced Ciel again, resting their cheeks together.

"I love him. He will always remind me of you." and that made the stuffed bunny priceless, "Now it is your turn." Vincent picked up the second box and set it before his son.

It was nice to see it so appreciated, even if Vincent was a grown man. And he was, thankfully, getting well used to affection and hugs, that this one came with only a moment of hesitation before wrapping his arms around his father.

"I managed. I even obtained a Royal Warrant." His butler did really but it was for him and in Funtom's name. So it counted. At least, it did to him and he didn't want to share those details with his father. Not in the entirety.

"Isn't it a bit close to my birthday for gifts?" Even though he was terribly curious, only just resisting reaching out for the box.

"Did you? For what?" Vincent did not let go immediately, finding himself comforted by Ciel's proximity. Shouldn't it be the other way around? Yet his son had risen above what frightened him and he sought to lay it to rest permanently.

"No. Your birthday is another thing entirely. These gifts are given because they might be of use." he kissed his son's cheek and regained his seat. In the box, there was a soft, plush blue blanket, a book of Ciel's childhood fairytales and a smaller box which held a ring with Ciel's true initial engraved upon it.

Edited 2017-12-10 07:39 (UTC)

It probably should have been but it had been some time since he really needed comfort. And in the Quarantine, there hadn't been really anything that had upset him except for the nightmares.

"Ah, curry buns. I was expanding a bit. And it deprived a rival of it who had been committing a number of crimes throughout England so he'd have less competition for it."

Some thing did still frighten him but he, thankfully, had had father and Undertaker and a number of other people that thought to protect him.

For the moment though, he focused on the gift, only frowning for a moment at the thought of more gifts in the future. And only because of his birthday but he couldn't argue with his father over celebrating it.

the gifts in the box gave him pause. And then made him smile faintly. he book he could remember, it had been his favorite when he was younger. And the blanket would be nice when it was colder, especially with how sickly he'd always been. The ring did make him freeze for a moment though, thumb running lightly over his own initials. It had been a few years since he'd actually seen them.

His eyes glance to the two rings he already wears regularly. He probably shouldn't anymore, with his father there now, and he fact that he might risk a thief targeting him at some point.

"I..." What should he say? "Nobody else here knows my name." Except for him and Undertaker.

He blinked, not expecting that response. Curry...buns? How would one even go about baking - ? Furthermore, where did his little son learn how to bake?

"Your recipe?" he smiled, pleased, "Those who sully our fair home deserve to be deprived of all their livelihoods." and eventually their freedom - and maybe their lives.

Vincent was determined to celebrate Ciel's birthday. He felt it more necessary than ever. The light could chase the darkness into distant corners. Besides, he did not want his son blaming himself for what happened. It was not his fault.

"The name you use is your choice, but I do know you." he stroked over Ciel's hair, "The initials are not terribly obvious. They represent my love for you and my pride in who you have become. Nothing can change that; I am happy to be here with you." and Undertaker.

So many of his questions had been answered and Vincent finally felt some peace over his life. There was more sense to it and he trusted that this dear son of his would unravel the mystery of his murder. Then, he hoped, "Ciel" would live happily and demon free.

Edited 2017-12-12 11:18 (UTC)

Ciel understood the basics of the curry bun but actually making one? He'd never be able to get the right balance of ingredients for the curry. Not like Sebastian... or Agni.

"Ah- no. My butler, he came up with it. I didn't learn to cook anything until I came here and Undertaker moved into my apartment. He started teaching me." Vincent didn't want to know the instant meals his son had been surviving on until that point. No noble, no person should have to tolerate that for the time Ciel had.

He'd never really blamed himself for what happened, he was an intelligent boy, but he had been the only survivor besides Tanaka. And that the old man had survived still shocked him. That could have been because of how well-trained he was, as Vincent's majordomo, and the fact that the attackers had been distracted by the twins.

"I'm glad you're here too." He wasn't sure what to say about the initials but at least that ring would fit him better than the family crest or the blue diamond.

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A celebration of family, eh?

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