riverviewlogs | A celebration of family, eh?

Entry tags:

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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The hot cocoa invite he'd extended to the city, he had intended to make good on, and he's spent more than a little time, making sure they had enough for whoever might show up. Given his familiarity with the people around, he wasn't sure who all would take him up on his offer or if it would be taken up outside of his household at all, but what wasn't taken would be devoured by either him or the people living with him one way or another.

He's in the middle of the first batch of cocoa when Ciel returns home, and rather proud of the fact that their house now smells of chocolate. He's even humming to himself when the boy arrives, not in the middle of another discussion with Albert again.

"Ah, good evening, milord! Just in time."

The box with Undertaker's gift is held carefully, along with his fathers, each box marked so he wouldn't mistake them. And he wondered just how busy they'd be during the holiday as he watched Undertaker, smiling at the man and enjoying the scent of cocoa in the air.

"I could smell the chocolate." He smiled, slipping up the the counter and setting the boxed down. Perfectly innocent, the way he did it too, no markings except for a "U" on one and an "F" on the other.

His grin showed a little more teeth as he giggled and took a spoon for another stir of hot chocolate that he had finished, blended in a cup of steaming milk. The spoon was set aside on a paper towel and he set the cup on a saucer to offer to the boy, though the boxes on the counter took his attention.

"Oh? What might those be?"

Mm, Ciel would gladly accept the cup, wrapping both hand around it and inhaling the scent. Just taking a moment to enjoy it before lightly blowing at the steam, hoping it wouldn't take too long for it to cool. It smelled good enough that that he was already willing to burn himself.

"One is the Bitter Rabbit for father. The other is a surprise." There was a grin, full of mischief that might have been expected by then. "You did make cocoa already though, I suppose I could let you see. If you really want."

Steam meant hot, and it did smell good and had his own mouth watering, but he'd hoped Ciel would give it time to cool a little before he tried it out. While he waited, the boxes drew him away from the other cup of cocoa he had made for himself. One finger reached out to poke at the boxes gently.

"I think I do. Is it alive or dead?"

It was very tempting though, it smelled good and it was a treat he sometimes had to argue with Sebastian over. As he did with most treats that didn't come with a meal or tea. It was just another thing that made him happy to live with Undertaker.

"Neither." He was all smiles, watching the man, and just resisting propping his chin on his hands. And that smile turns more sweet than devious. "The one marked with a 'U' is for you, of course. Open it."

He turns a glance back at Ciel before taking the box indicated and looking it over. "Milord, you shouldn't have. Not for me." Say what Ciel would, he still didn't feel like family to the boy or to his father, but he wouldn't turn the gift down.

He looked it over once or twice, shook it lightly, then took a letter opener - those still existed in this world! - to the tape on it to spare his nails. "Whatever have you brought me?"

"I wanted to." He said on impulse, watching and waiting, holding his breath for a moment and hoping he'd like what was inside. Ciel had tried to think of everyone that had become important to him since he'd arrived, and Undertaker was one of the first. It seemed perfectly reasonable to him to make this one a little more special.

And inside was a soft, white, Bitter Rabbit, very much unlike others. It had bright green eyes sewn on it instead, a pale scar across its face, and a little black robe. There's also a thin gold chain sewn onto the robe around the bunnies waist.

"Do you... like him?"

[ Jon isn't going to decline an invitation. He kept to himself last month, a little rattled by Damian's departure. All the people he knew were gone and it's been harder and harder to keep his spirits up in a mostly empty house. Especially during this month, a month he'd usually spend with his parents. He feels oddly bereft and alone, but he fixes a sunny smile at Ciel as he comes in. ]

Hey Ciel!

[ He holds up a gift. A cool gift! Literally. It is an ice sculpture of a bunny. It may not last very long but it's unique and made by Jon himself. The details might be a bit patchy, but he also brought chocolates. ]

The awe on his face becomes clear as soon as he sees the bunny, even before he sees that it has been tailored to look more or less like him. "Aww, isn't this something?"

He sets the box aside and sits with the bunny in a chair at the table, looking it over, running fingers over the soft fur, the unique detailing. Funtom had always made the best of their products and this rabbit was no different, but that it had been made specially for him spoke volumes. "I love him. Thank you, milord."

As if to punctuate that, he giggles and hugs the bunny to himself, burying his face in on top of its head.

Seeing him hug the bunny seemed to trigger all of Ciel's muscles to relax, his held breath let out. Undertaker was probably the one he was most worried about. He was still learning about everyone else he'd made a bunny for but Undertaker remained something of an enigma.

"I'm so glad to hear that." And he was, Ciel smiling so gently a moment later and then taking his cocoa and sitting at the table with Undertaker. He wasn't quite sure what anyone would do with their Bitter Rabbits, looking like them (or as best Ciel could manage) but he hoped that at least seemed to mean as much to them as Undertaker's seemed to.

He thought nothing of being a little childish with his rabbit, the first toy he had had in centuries. The skulls and dead bodies and human anatomy cutaway dolls didn't count. "Aren't you just the sorriest thing?" he all but crooned to the little plush when he finally released it from his embrace. One nail ran down the length of the scar over its face almost affectionately.

"Look at this! Who hurt you, lad? Who?" He hugged the bunny close again, petting its ears as he cradled it like a child. "Don't you cry. I'll keep you safe. This won't happen again, no it won't!" Then he made a show of kissing the top of its fuzzy head. "But, oh my, I can't go about calling you Undertaker. Goodness knows people will get us confused!"

At last, he turned back to Ciel. "Does he have a name, milord?"

It was a sight Ciel couldn't help but laugh softly at. It wasn't often he saw Undertaker so... free, he supposed. And that made him feel warm inside, but he supposed that was just part of having family. Even if they weren't, really.

That was a good question though. And nothing he'd really ever given thought to. Even back home, every version was just called 'Bitter Rabbit' and they let it go at that. He was sure most people just gave them names themselves after they bought them.

"No. Ah, I guess I didn't think of names. I'm sure you'll think of something nice for him though."

[Good thing Ciel invited him then. And when he lets Jon into the house, he looks much more at ease than in his first couple months. He even smiles more easily.]

Jon, I'm glad you came.

[The ice bunny definitely earns a smile but it won't be able to stay with them near the fireplace. He doesn't want to see it 'die' too soon.]

I hope you liked your Bitter Rabbit.

[ Jon nods, pleased Ciel seems to like it. ]

I did! Did you make it yourself?

He hummed in thought, looking back to the rabbit in his arms again, and smoothed a hand down over its ears. "Maybe I'll name him Bill. Doesn't seem to match, but it does have a ring to it. Bill the Bitter Rabbit."

Then, just to tease a little more, he put the plush in front of his face and took a paw in each hand and made one wave. He adjusted his voice, making it higher pitched as he pretended to speak for the bunny. "'ello! My name is Bill. I've not been the best rabbit of the bunch, but thank'ee kindly for making me and giving me a home!"

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?"

[He gestures for Jon to follow him into the kitchen and over to the table they'd set up there. It would have a slightly longer life in there, he thinks.]

Mostly. A few members of my staff at the store helped me. I've never sewn before so I mostly sewed on the accessories. [So... actually not a lot of work was done himself.]

Almost immediately, Ciel rose his hands to covers his mouth and stifle his laughter. He knew Undertaker liked his laughter but he was still getting used to laughing, it was a little tiring sometimes because of that. Once he got his laughter under control and to levels closer to soft chuckles, he smiled and watched the bunny.

"I think Bill is a wonderful name. And a great rabbit." He really was glad Undertaker took to the gift so well. "I think he suits you, Undertaker."

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.

[ Jon sets his backpack down as he looks around. ]

Yeah, neither have I. My dad does all the sewing. He's used to it.

So who works with you here?

Jason made his way to the Phantomhive house once he was off work and had had time to shower and dry his hair. Again, making sure he changed into one of his few nicer looking suits. This one of black with a red shirt, his hair was getting shaggy again, which despite being slicked back managed to let a bit of his bangs escape and they curled the way it had when he was a boy. He always tried to look his best when going to the Phantomhive house. At least this time when he arrived the Mustang didn't sound as bad, but the door was still popping.

Knocking on the door with another box under his arm. Three gifts inside, one for Ciel, one for Undertaker, and a bottle of nicer wine for Vincent, as he didn't know the man well. He figured he should at least try.

The sounds of that laugh thrilled him. He hadn't expected it to get such a reaction, but now that it had, he tucked that little tidbit away for future use. His grin spread without bounds and he giggled right along with the boy, settling the rabbit on the table beside him, one hand smoothing down the robe he'd been placed in.

"If it gets that out of you, I'll call him that. He certainly is something. Thank you kindly, milord. I'll keep him as one of my treasures."

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?"

He couldn't stop his smile half so well as he tried with his laughter but it did drop away for a moment, just a moment, at Undertaker's words. Just as quickly though, he was smiling again. This time it was much softer, and he stared at the table.

"One of your treasures? Really?"

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A celebration of family, eh?

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