Work Text:
Christmas had come again to Chaldea.
Decorations lit the halls, presents passed from Servant to Servant in preparation for Christmas Day, and everyone was preparing to feast and be merry.
Which was why Martha and Tarrasque were cooking full-steam ahead in a converted storage room to keep up with demand. After years of taking on more and more Servants, even forgetting the ones with the worst appetites, the regular kitchen couldn’t cope with the demand for festive food.
Not that Martha minded. A busy home life had prepared her for large meals at short notice, and Tarrasque’s voluntary transformation into a mobile kitchen had made the relocation almost instant.
A full tray of mince pies slid into the wood-fired oven slung over the dragon’s side, Martha’s gloved hands pulling back and setting about the next task as she spoke.
“Okay, they’re in Tarrasque. Remind me to get them out in six carols time would you?”
“Got it, boss.” The dragon growled as his voice began humming festive tunes to measure the time the pies had to bake. Kitchen supplies as well as space were in short supply, and they both agreed this method was more Christmas-y and worked just as well. So it stayed.
Martha heard the door slide open just as she began to prepare the first turkey, hands barely stopping as she addressed the visitor.
“Merry Christmas! Take a seat and I’ll be with you in a moment to take your order. Don’t worry about the workload, I’ll be sure to have it done in time for tomorrow whatever it is.”
Whoever had come in didn’t reply, footsteps echoing around the room and mingling with Tarrasque’s humming as they drew closer.
“You are the one chosen as this year’s ‘Santa’, correct?”
Martha began to turn around at that. If this was about a gift, her role as Santa required her to listen and do whatever she could. The food prep could wait a few minutes whilst she took one more Christmas request.
“Yes, that’s me.” Martha beamed as she finished turning. “What can Santa help you with this Christmas then?”
The masked girl in front of her paused as Martha crouched down, blue lines glowing across a metal faceplate and armoured body as the Servant shuffled about a little. The Christmas Saint had to suppress her big sister instincts at the display of shyness. This Servant was probably unfamiliar with Christmas and the process of asking Santa for whatever they wanted. Patience was paramount.
“The one known as Santa grants wishes for the holiday of ‘Christmas’, correct?” The short figure spoke.
Martha nodded, smile fading to a less dazzling intensity as she waited for the visitor to continue. Patience. Even with a mask on and asking about something clearly important to her, the girl still seemed unsure of how to say more.
“Ummm…” she started to say. “Can Santa make me taller?”
“Merry Christmas, Senpai!” “Merry Christmas, Mash!”
Ritsuka bowed in time with Mash’s greeting, caught just outside her room as she left to go help out with the Christmas preparations by the usual energetic junior. Mash raised her head first, hands holding out a small wrapped parcel as she did so.
“I look forward to the coming year with you, Senpai. Sorry it’s smaller this year, but I still wanted to give you something to thank you for your hard work.”
Ritsuka found herself chuckling a little at Mash’s earnestness. This was her sixth Christmas and she still took it as seriously as her very first one back in Chaldea. Who couldn’t find that kind of cute?
“Sorry I don’t have your present on me, Mash. I promise I’ll have it ready for you by tomorrow.”
“Oh no it’s fine!” Mash raised her hands in protest. “I was just passing by and thought I’d give it to you since I caught you heading out.”
Mash’s gaze drifted past her closest friend as Ritsuka fumbled at her mental Christmas list for everyone, trying to remember what she’d gotten for her this year, thought discarded as the other girl’s face lit up in greeting. “Karna!”
Ritsuka turned, the tall black-clad form of Karna coming into view as he emerged from a nearby room. The previous year’s Santa waving as Mash called out to him before jogging over, his trade-mark punching bag replaced with a bulging sack of Christmas letters.
“Yo, Chal-Deluxe. Special delivery for you, Ritsuka. Santa Martha told me to pass it on the moment I managed to find you.”
“Yo, Chal-Deluxe.” Ritsuka replied on instinct. “Did Martha not get a chance to ask me something important earlier then?” The red-haired girl frowned. She hoped she hadn’t missed anything the new Santa might need. The last thing anyone needed was for this year’s Christmas to be the first that ended in a disaster.
Karna fished an envelope out of his coat as Ritsuka continued pondering, shaking his head in denial as he held it out to her.
“She didn’t say it was from her, or whom it was from. She just said to pass it to you ASAP.”
Ritsuka felt the frown drop from her face as she took the plain looking envelope, replacing disappointment with a look of confusion. Now that was unexpected.
“I’ve still got cards to deliver, even as a former Santa, so I need to head off. Merry Christmas, Ritsuka.”
“Ah, I’ll help then Karna. Good luck with whatever is it Senpai!” And with that Ritsuka was left alone as the festive duo jogged down the corridor to deliveries yet undone.
The Chaldean Master stood there for a few moments, pondering the letter before shaking her head and slitting it open. Simple white paper sliding out of the fold, the border artfully wreathed in holly with elegant, clear blue letters written on it.
My Dearest Ritsuka
My Christmas gift to you will wait in the grand festive hall at midnight tonight.
Please dress regally.
M
Ritsuka could feel her heart beating faster each time she re-read the letter. She knew who it was from by the signature alone. And a midnight rendezvous on Christmas eve? A private gift for her? If it wouldn’t ruin the romantic night ahead she could’ve found the letter’s author and kissed her right then and there.
Deep breaths, Ritsuka, deep breaths. You have to clear your to-do list and get ready for tonight. Focus.
Tucking the letter into her pocket, Ritsuka felt herself practically flying down the corridor. There was no way she would risk being unable to answer the invitation. None at all.
Novum Chaldea sat silent and still, the hallways completely empty at this late an hour. Everyone always agreed to be in bed in order to let that year’s Santa finish up their work for the big day tomorrow.
Ritsuka felt a bit guilty breaking the years long tradition as she crept towards the grand hall, royal-looking Halloween mystic code sparkling as stray remnants of light caught the crown. Santa Martha had approved the invitation though, and since this was a Christmas gift of sorts that made it fine to do this. Right?
Ritsuka shook her head as she neared her destination. Now was not the time to doubt. She would have come either way, so better to get on with it.
The door to the grand hall slid open as she approached, revealing the vast architectural space beyond. The previous Chaldea’s version had been put together by the Caster Servants for huge celebrations as Chaldea had grown and the cafeteria stopped being a viable option for mass gatherings. And after the situation had stabilised at the Wandering Sea, a new one had been setup with Sion’s approval, recreated down to the last fixture. But Ritsuka had never seen it like this.
Every lamp in the hall stood dark and the ornate chandelier hung empty over the intricately patterned dance floor. Only a faint silvery light shone down from the ceiling, illuminating the stairway and lighting a path towards the very centre of the floor.
Ritsuka found herself gazing up in awe as she descended the grand sweeping staircase, craning her neck to try and see where the light was coming from. Her efforts only cut short as the corner of her eye caught a figure shifting at the far end of the hall, far away but recognisable enough by their elaborate outfit.
“Amadeus? What are you doing here?”
The musician turned, waving in greeting as Ritsuka halted at the base of the stairs.
“Merry Christmas, Ritsuka! I had a heartfelt request given to me for a performance tonight. And since it is the season of giving, I felt obliged to help out with the perfect melody I happened to have composed at the time.” Amadeus paused a second as he turned around, seemingly content he’d said his piece even as his muttering drifted over the silent space. “Besides, Marie would have my head if she found out I’d said no.”
Ritsuka did her best to suppress a sigh. Six years of world saving adventure and Amadeus Mozart still hadn’t changed a bit.
“Ritsuka.”
The Chaldean Master froze at the soft voice behind her, the name hanging in the air between the pair as they stood there waiting. Ah, there she was.
It would have been a lie to say that the height difference didn’t bother Ritsuka. Sitting together, lying next to each other, everything was fine then. But it felt strange having to bend down to wrap their arms around each other’s necks, to kiss, to do what other couples did so easily.
Finding Melusine’s eyes looking into her eyes as she turned to face her was the last thing Ritsuka had expected tonight.
A moment of smug triumph flashed across the fairy knight’s lips as Ritsuka stood there, mouth agape as she took in the view of her lover’s silver-lit dress. Melusine’s soft gloved hand reaching for Ritsuka’s bare fingers and twining them together, gently bringing soft flesh to her lips and kissing it before her voice broke the silence again.
“May I dance with you tonight, my lady?”
Ritsuka couldn’t stop herself from blushing. This was unfair, it was too perfect, too sudden. Merlin or someone had to be behind this.
But she found she didn’t care. The moment was too beautiful.
“Of course, my loyal knight. Though it has been some time since I last danced.”
Melusine’s hand pulled Ritsuka closer as she spoke, their arms wrapping together in a model of perfect chivalry.
“I have practice taking the lead. Follow my steps, and we shall take it slowly together. If it pleases you.”
Ritsuka could only nod dumbly as Melusine led her along the silvery path to the centre of the dance floor. Reflexively she let the knight guide her hands into the right positions, her body seeming to keep up whilst her mind struggled to process the scenario unfolding before her.
And then the music started.
Looking back on it, Ritsuka had to admit that Amadeus Mozart had excelled himself that night. Whatever Melusine had asked for, he had delivered, and the Chaldean Master could feel its beauty lingering in her body for weeks afterwards. A gentle start that soothed the body, a keening middle that set your heart on fire, and a serene ending that left her soul at peace.
It left her feeling guilty she hadn’t paid attention to any of it when he played it that night.
Ritsuka felt her body moving in a gentle waltz, Melusine holding her close as she led the dance.
Step, step, turn. Step, turn, step.
Their eyes locked together as tightly as their arms around each other’s waists, fingers loose yet firmly twined together as their bodies moved.
Turn, step, pause. Step, pause, turn.
An idyllic blur of movement and music and romance all unfolding in the space of a few minutes.
And then the music stopped.
Ritsuka blinked. Melusine was looking down at her, breathing harder after the dance with a cool smile on her lips. Behind the knight’s head spread a sky of pale-white stars, the source of the gentle light illuminating the hall and their moment together.
“Was the dance to your satisfaction, Ritsuka?”
That broke the red-haired girl out of her stupor. Wrapping her arms around her fairy knight’s neck, she pulled herself up face to face with her love. Gazing into her serene blue eyes as she whispered her response just a hair’s breadth from her lips.
“Yeah. Yeah, every moment. Thank you so, so much, Melusine.”
And then Ritsuka felt the sweet taste of the fairy’s lips as a distant clock struck twelve, the peals ringing dim but true within the space of the empty hall.
And so the day of Christmas began.
The clang of bells blared around the bedroom, dragging Ritsuka from sleep as she fumbled around for the alarm. She appreciated the festive touches from Mash, but she’d just gotten to the best part of the dream.
Hand slamming onto the chiming clock at last, the Chaldean Master slumped back into bed. Lying still a few moments and savouring the memory of the dance as she traced fingers across her lips. She’d have to ask around and see who Melusine had asked to give her such a wonderful dream for Christmas.
Ritsuka felt a gentle squeeze on her stomach as she crossed out potential culprits from her mental list, the soft feeling halting her thoughts as a rustling sound followed. And then a voice whispered in her ear, audibly groggy like her but still soft and warm to hear.
“Good morning, Ritsuka. Merry Christmas.”
The Chaldean Master fought the urge to roll over to check it was really Melusine. It wasn’t hard. She was too busy trying not to cry from happiness at the familiar body pressing against her back. That last night hadn’t been a dream.
“Merry Christmas, Melusine.”
It took Ritsuka a few minutes to compose herself and begin processing the explanation she’d just heard. And a few more blinks and eye-rubs before she could fully take in the sight before her.
Melusine was still as tall a she’d been last night. In the full light of morning, even a little taller than Ritsuka.
“Martha managed to do this as your Christmas gift?”
“Of course. I just finished saying so, didn’t I? The art she used is beyond me though, so I can’t really say more I’m afraid.”
Ritsuka made a note to thank the latest Santa profusely later. She’d outdone her predecessors by a mile. The plans to do so were cut short though, as a black thought snuck into Ritsuka’s mind.
“Aw crap, I’m sorry Melusine. I forgot to get you a present. It’s been so busy lately with the Lostbelts, and I meant to get you something, but stuff kept happening like it always does at this time of year and it constantly slipped my mind.”
The Chaldean Master couldn’t help bowing her head a little in disappointment, kicking herself for forgetting something so important. It felt devastating that she’d forgotten, this was their first Christmas together.
But barely a second passed before she felt her fairy knight take her hand and gently press her forehead against it, the image of a charming prince even dressed in a baggy t-shirt she’d borrowed and slept in.
“Then give me the gift of your time. You know how I feel when you’re away.” Melusine leant in close, holding Ritsuka firmly by her shoulders as she spoke. “I always want to see your face, twenty-four hours a day. Just give me that and I’ll be beyond happy.”
Ritsuka couldn’t stop herself blushing. Her knight was so effortlessly gallant and ready to soothe her worries.
“Yeah. If that’s what you want, it’s yours. I almost can’t wait to spend the whole day with you by my side.”
“Nor can I, Ritsuka. My love.”
Melusine leaned in closer as she finished speaking, her lips pressing against Ritsuka’s in a tender kiss. The two of them savoured the meeting's warmth, the feeling of their lips against each other and the feeling of the kiss as it ended.
Their second kiss of Christmas Day.