#anyway HAPPY SOLSTICE TO ELLIE AND AMBROSE

[echo-goes-mmm]

Ambrose and Elliot #23

Masterpost

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Warnings: implied past non-con

Ambrose was up earlier than him, and the entire downstairs smelled like cinnamon and sugar.

“Good morning, love. Help me with this? Go on, have a taste.” He gestured to a bowl on the counter. Elliot grabbed a spoon and tasted it. It was amazing, warm caramel and nutmeg swirled together.

“Alright?” Elliot nodded, licking his lips, and Ambrose laughed at him a little. But he didn’t mind. Master Ambrose had a kind laugh, not like others he heard.

“Would you mind making more flowers after you’ve had breakfast? I’ve got my hands full with pies at the moment.”

“I don’t mind.”

Elliot grabbed the basket of fabric scraps and got to work as he ate. 

He tied the flowers with twine, making roses the best he could. Elliot couldn’t remember making flowers for the solstice before, but his hands somehow knew what to do.

That couldn’t be right. He’d never been allowed to join until this year, but that didn’t sound right either.

At some point he’d done this before, but when? 

He munched on his apple and finished the string of roses.

“Thanks, love.”

He helped Master Ambrose hang them up above the doorway. 

“The party starts at seven. Plenty of time for people to get supper before coming,” he explained as they hauled up a cask of wine. “And plenty of time to have some fun before midnight.”

“What’s at midnight?”

“Bedtime,” winked Master. “I’ll be too tipsy to be up longer than that.”

Elliot wasn’t sure what Ambrose was like when he was drunk, but it couldn’t be worse than his old master and his friends.

After the decorations were made, there were cookies to be baked. Gingerbread, soft butter cookies, chewy chocolate chip, jam-filled, and even a chocolate thumbprint cookie with silky ganache. The ganache ones were his favorite.

And after the cookies were cool and the oven aired out, there were breads to be cut, cheeses to slice, and fruit to wash.

Elliot and Ambrose ate the leftover cookie dough and crusted bread and small uneven bits of cheese and fruit. It was work, but simple, easy work, and Master Ambrose didn’t mind if he messed up on purpose for a bit more cheese and sweets.

Seven came faster than he expected, but he was excited for it. Or was it fear? Both, maybe.

___________________

The party was going well. It was an open invitation of course; he wouldn’t exclude anyone from showing up. At least not explicitly. 

James was still banned, but there were more cheerful things to do than think about spoiled brats.

Ambrose looked over to see Elliot. He was chatting with Katie, or rather she was chatting with him, and there was a genuine smile on his face.

He took a sip of wine. Good.

The drinking games went well, but Elliot refrained from alcohol and sipped on water instead. Fair enough. The boy even won two games, and Ambrose was pleased to see him having such a good time.

Ambrose tapped his fingers, his mind going a bit fuzzy. He didn’t care much for getting drunk, but the softness of a glass or two of wine was pleasant enough.

And he wanted some liquid courage anyway; the party was winding down and soon he would give Ellie his present.

He wasn’t quite sure what to get him at first. Elliot was a reserved man, and even a taste of caramel was the best thing in the world to him.

He was hard to buy for. What to get for a man who loved everything and never spoke about wanting?

Ambrose thought about the gift he wrapped up. It seemed fitting weeks ago, but now he wasn’t sure.

He glanced at the grandfather clock. An old solstice present from J- no that wasn’t important- eleven o’clock.

Might as well make it now.

He went upstairs and got the box from his shelf.

“Ellie,” he called. “I, um, got you something.”

Elliot’s eyes lit up and he offered him the box.

“For me?”

“Uh huh.”

Elliot carefully pulled the ribbon, and painstakingly unfolded the paper so it didn’t tear. He opened the lid, and he smiled wider than Ambrose had ever seen.

He lifted the bear out of the box.

___________________

Master had gotten him a present. He sort of already knew he had, but seeing the box really made it sink in.

The bear was perfect, soft and plump with stuffing, shiny black button eyes and brown fur. There was even a scarlet ribbon around its neck.

“Do you like it?”

“I love him,” he whispered. He hugged it tight, and it was just right. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” 

“Oh!” He ran upstairs, put the bear carefully in his bed, and grabbed the two packages.

___________________

Elliot had gotten him two gifts. A kettle and a teapot, both of which he needed but never took the time to buy. 

Ellie was so thoughtful. He teared up a little; Ambrose blamed the wine.

It was eleven-thirty, and everyone was gone to their own homes.

“We’ll clean up tomorrow,” he said. “I’m too tired to worry about it now.”

The door opened, and Ambrose turned. But instead of someone he recognized, it was a stranger. Clearly a traveler. 

“I’m looking for a room,” he said. 

“Of course. Name please?” Ambrose pulled out the record book from behind the counter. “And how many nights?”

“Horneswood. Two nights. And I’ve already eaten, no need to trouble yourself.”

“Very well.” Ambrose noted down the stay, and took the payment. “This way, if you please.”

___________________

Elliot ducked into the kitchen. It was only a glance, but he knew that man.

Knew him as well as Master Ambrose’s kind hand, knew him as well as his old master’s whip. Elliot knew him; his whole body knew him.

Mr. Horneswood, one of his old master’s friends.

And he was staying for two nights.

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