Archive of Our Own ^beta

She had timed it just so. In a way where all was but a hushed and slow morning at Chaldea, a rare time of quiet where the ship and its residents were still on the verge of waking up. But to those who do, and are out and about, breakfast was already ready.

He normally does not eat for there is truly no need, but the occasional hot drink and bread served certainly was welcome.

Dantes- Monte Cristo was invited just for that. To simply spend a couple of moments with Servants that consisted mostly of the elder men and just a few women summoned by his accomplice.

He softly sighed, bringing his cup of coffee to his lips as Napoleon laughed, albeit subdued more than usual in consideration for a pleasant morning, after heartily slapping Moriarty’s poor back when a joke was made.

While he himself listened with half an ear, there was just no way to follow through with the nonsensical chatter and idle conversations made around this large, conjoined table and in the area. Of course, some were chatting, but quite a few like the elder martial arts master from China and a Swiss marksman had simply opted to observe and relax.

There was no point to all this. But, he must admit, there is some sort of entertainment to be found in this little corner of Chaldea even to this day.

However, it was also because of his inattention to the group, his slight disinterest and thus had let his guard down–

Did he feel a familiar pair of arms wrap around his neck.

“So sleepy…” Ritsuka—His accomplice tiredly whined against his temple, snuggling up to him from behind as if he were like one of her plush toys.

He won’t admit it outright, but her sudden touch and affection had been more than welcome, his heart having lurched from surprise and joy.

“Heh. A consequence of our activity last night,” The corners of his lips twitched into a small amused smile, his reply bearing an equally hushed tone. “Despite my warnings.”

She does not reply to him but instead, takes the cup in front of him and tries taking a sip.

The Avenger did not need to see her face fully to know that she stuck her tongue out and scrunched her nose from the plain bitterness of his brew. As always, she can’t fully handle the taste.

“Mm…Thought you’d definitely add sugar this time around…” Ritsuka hummed after letting go of him, moving to the chair beside him to sit on it, “Considering your- nh- Spirit… Origin...” There was no helping the yawn she let out in between her words.

Monte Cristo reaches out to the sugar packet and small pot of milk placed nearby, his voice far more hushed, “Don’t be mistaken. My flames of vengeance still burn with darkness as black as night even with such drastic changes.”

But he tears open the sugar for her and adds just a bit of the milk to ease the bitterness of the coffee. The latter may not be as good as the one he himself prepares just for her, but it should be enough.

“Thanks.”

…Even though his Master gave him a soft smile with her grateful words, he had just noticed how she still sported messy bed hair along with his white dress shirt she wore atop her camisole and silk shorts.

He couldn’t help but click his tongue at the sight. Is this because of laziness? Or she simply just didn’t care for other people’s opinions since she had just woken up? And even though she loved using his shirt, she shouldn’t use such baggy clothing that served to hinder her movements. (...Even though it was cute…)

“...Good grief.” The Avenger quietly sighed as he tried to smoothen her hair just a bit while she herself leaned against his arm closest to hers and rested her head, savoring the warmth the coffee provided… as well as his own body, feeling her snuggle up to him.

While she sipped on the drink that was previously his, the man carded his fingers through her hair, making sure there were no tangles and knots stuck in between her locks. For Ritsuka, she had simply basked in the attention, looking very much like a satisfied cat.

“You should fix that shirt a bit,” Monte Cristo murmured quietly against the top of her head, cupping her cheek tenderly, “Or do you want me to do it for you as well?”

“Mnn...mhm..” was her groggy reply and sluggish nod… but they stayed like that for a few moments; just to let his mind catch up to the present.

He pursed his lips, closed his eyes, and took in a breath, praying quietly that the Abbe may help him in his moment of need before exhaling silently.

…Ritsuka should not captivate him like this so early at the break of dawn, following after him early in the morning, getting out of her room fresh out of bed, seeking to be with him as if he was the only thing in her sleep-hazed mind… without even tending to herself before going out…

Really, his star… can be a little too much.

With his free hand, the man reaches up to close the button-up by bringing it closer to her center, taking care to be gentle so as not to jostle her too much.

“...You’re acting like a dad again…” She mumbles against her cup as she closes her eyes as if to drift back asleep.

“...I beg to differ,” The Avenger let out an amused huff, replying in a low voice, “As I’m simply nothing more than your familiar.” The corners of his lips quirked up just a little again, leaning his head a little to the side, to be the one to tease her just a bit this time.

“Wah- H-Heavy–” With the little grunt she lets out, he eases completely as she as well pulls away. 

And when they looked at each other, it was her in his gaze alone, which he saw that he was the only one reflected as well in those amber jewels.

“So? You best wake up completely now, my languid accomplice.” He smiled, equal parts fond and amused, “Or you’ll miss getting those daily rewards from your kouhai.”

“...Ehh…don’t wanna...”

It was evident that she was pouty, especially as he’s forced her out of her comfortable position, something he must admit was an unplanned loss to him as well. Unexpected… the feeling was.

“I remember that those strange teas will expire soon.” He raised an elegant brow at her, still sticking to her side, remaining where he was for as long as she leaned against him, “Aren’t those precious resources you must constantly look out for?”

But Ritsuka froze, and finally saw reason in his words, now resolved to get up from her seat with a sigh.

“Ah, fine. It’s sweet that you also keep track of those for me. But let’s meet up later at my room, okay?” Yet the beginnings of a grin pulled on the edges of her mouth, and she leans forward, pressing a chaste kiss against his cheek before pulling back-

A teasing smile spread across her lips that paired nicely with her bright eyes, “Papa~ ♡”

What the–

Monte Cristo completely chokes on air, but he manages to catch himself and cough into a fist, giving her a nasty glare which was easily betrayed by the heavy flush on his face. “I’ve told you again, Ritsuka. It was simply a role I had to undertake back when I had been inside you.”

Then, she sweetly smiled, her next words tantamount to a lethal strike to his heart, “Even though you could have easily made it that you’re my oji-sama?”

—He quickly drew in a sharp breath.

Again, it took everything within the Avenger not to pull her down by the wrist and kiss her roughly as punishment. And he had opted simply to click his tongue next and glare, as if he was truly dealing with a naughty daughter.

“Alright, alright, I’ll go now. See you later, Count!” With a wave and a cheerful goodbye, Monte Cristo was unable to keep himself from sighing with some frustration…perhaps tinged with a little fondness. Just a little. Only a little, as he’s definitely still able to be resistant to his Master unlike his other Spirit Origin.

…His accomplice has always been unpredictable, after all. 

More so if she looked at her most innocent, most sleepy, or even sometimes absentminded… she’d always be more awake than it seemed. Truly, this mischievous side of her still remains the same. A side of her where he should have seen it coming.

But then, he hears a loud, intentional cough .

Realization struck him like lightning.

—People.

He was surrounded by people- Servants — he was still in the cafeteria, and not in her room –

Jaw clenched tight, and a glare that could kill on the spot, the Avenger meets his colleagues’ gazes of varying and mixed emotions head on.

(Nearly all of them bearing completely shock, some of them already scrambling to leave, bearing shame and embarrassment in their faces—)

“Is there a problem ?” Monte Cristo asks, as if his very blade was already at their necks, poised to slice and burn them before anyone in the room could blink. Not that some of them are phased, of course.

The awkward atmosphere with a tension so thick you could cut it easily with a knife was broken after what felt like an eternity when Yan Qing of all Servants whispered, having suddenly taken up Ritsuka’s previous spot without even a rustle to alert him of his presence.

“Hey, uh, Count? You do realize how you and Master sounded like right now? how you two also looked like just now?”

He clenched his jaw further at that. He does not need any more reminders, thank you very much .

Even without the Avenger looking, the Assassin was amused in a way that he was struggling to contain his laughter, “Pfft- heh- I… know we played house and dancing games and whatnot with her and the other Child Servants to the point that she was sweaty and exhausted, but I think the‘daddy~’ thing might want to make you prepare for a ton of tortu- err, interrogations. Sooo good luck, Monte Cristo!”

And just like that, the outlaw disappeared on him in the next second, leaving the Avenger alone to fend for himself, knowing that any explanations for each of his suggestive words and actions earlier wouldn’t guarantee trust in an instant.

Well, at least, his accomplice was able to start the day earlier than usual.

…And that he wouldn’t be the one washing that coffee cup.