Aunt and Uncle

When the cooking lady turned up later that morning at her regular time to prepare breakfast for Solis and Noir, she was extremely dismayed to find Noir already in the kitchen and cooking enthusiastically.

It wasn't that she didn't like Noir – she actually adored this bright young boy who had brought sunshine and luck into Boss Solis's life. Not only had he cured Boss Solis's legs when everyone had given up hope, but he had also brought a smile to Boss Solis's impassive face, and she could see how much the two young men cherished each other. It made her very happy. Boss Solis had been alone for so long – and she had always thought that he deserved better than that messy family of his! With the appearance of Noir, Boss Solis became so much happier and content – so, naturally, she was quite pleased to have the boy in the house.

Also, it was nice to have a young one showing an interest in the kitchen and willing to learn from her. Her own children were all office workers, and none of them showed the slightest interest in cooking at all!

However, she still had a grievance against Noir. This pest of a boy who appeared from nowhere and took over her kitchen every once in a while – who didn't even know what a food processor was when he'd turned up a few months ago – this kid was a much better cook than her – she who had been cooking for over forty years!

Well, if asked honestly, she would have to say that her grievance was mixed with pride – after all, she was the one taught the boy how to use every single appliance in the kitchen!

And she, too, just like every other staff member who had a chance to sample Noir's cooking, very much looked forward to chance of being treated to more of his strange but absolutely delicious dishes!

No wonder Boss Solis often made puppy dog eyes at his fiancé and asked him to cook!

Still…

Noir brightened as soon as he saw the cooking lady.

"Auntie Fiona!" he cried happily. "You're just here in time! I need your beautiful crepes, please!"

The cooking lady brightened immediately. "What are you making?" she asked curiously, looking at the huge piles of various kinds of dishes on the kitchen counter.

"A couple of…guests…dropped in," Noir told her, wondering what he should refer to Anthem and Melody as – they'd always been his elders, but he couldn't randomly call them his aunt and uncle, could he?

"Special guests?" the cooking lady asked.

Noir smiled. "Very special," he said. "They're with Solis now. I haven't seen them in a while and they wanted to eat my cooking again, so I made a few things. There should be enough for everyone – but I'm still missing crepes and beverages and a fruit salad…oh, and some fresh cream…"

The cooking lady pushed Noir out of the kitchen. "You go and chat with your friends, young man," she said firmly. "I'll finish up here quickly and you can bring them to the table in ten minutes."

Noir grinned at her. "Thank you, Auntie Fiona!" he said cheerfully and went off.

The cooking lady shook her head fondly. It was impossible not to adore this child, she thought, once again thanking the heavens that they sent this young man to take care of Boss Solis.

Noir went out to the garden again and found that Butler Hans had already served some fresh orange juice to Anthem and Melody, who had now assumed fully solid human forms, and were happily chatting with Solis.

"Young Master Noir, I served some juice to your aunt and uncle," Butler Hans said as soon as he spotted Noir. "They mentioned that you were personally preparing breakfast for them, so I didn't disturb you in the main kitchen."

Noir felt a warm feeling gush through his heart upon learning that Anthem and Melody had introduced themselves as his uncle and aunt, and decided that he would treat them even better from now on. Not as well as he treated Solis, naturally, but much better than he treated other people, for sure. After all, besides Solis, weren't Anthem and Melody the closest people to the two of them?

"Thank you, Butler Hans!" Noir said gratefully. "I'm finished with cooking. The main dishes for breakfast are already done, and Auntie Fiona is finishing up with her special crepes and beverages and a fruit salad and whatever else she thinks fit – she told me to bring them around in ten minutes or so."

"Excellent," Butler Hans said. "Then I shall see if I can make myself useful in setting up the table. Is there anything specific you would like me to keep in mind, Young Master Noir?" he asked as an afterthought.

Noir tapped his chin and shook his head. "Nothing special. Just the medicinal tea I made for Solis as usual – to be served to him before he starts eating, and the temperature should be lukewarm, as always," he said.

"Certainly, Young Master Noir," Butler Hans said warmly, and went into the house.

Noir made his way to where his "aunt and uncle" were chatting with Solis and took a seat next to his fiancé.

Solis took Noir's hand and almost absently, kissed the back of his hand. "Done cooking?" he asked softly.

Noir nodded with a big grin. "Breakfast will be served in ten minutes," he announced.

"Oh, good," Anthem said. "I haven't eaten for many years," he murmured.

"Weren't you asleep for most of it?" Melody challenged. "Besides, I haven't, either."

The two of them bickered for a while, and Noir watched them with a fond expression and a bright smile on his face. He'd missed them almost as much as he'd missed his Master.

And while Noir was absorbed in watching the two sword spirits he considered his family, Solis watched his fiancé and his joy at reuniting with his old friends, just as absorbed.