#caine was meant to be a nutcracker | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

funnybreadd · 1 year ago

Text

The Nutcracker

(Cross post from Ao3 here's the link)

-Chapter One- Season Greetings

Holidays were a wonderful time of year for everyone, who sang carols in the streets, and gave gifts to one another, as they spent time with their family. Abel's household was no different, a mansion living on the cross of Main Street and Circus Street. As a little boy with snow white hair in a bob-cut ran up the stairs and through the corridors, until he reached a room with a sign in cursive letters that read, 'Pomni.' Quickly rushing in, without a knock.

Light filled the room, warm colors illuminating Pomni, her brunette hair turning caramel. Tossing and turning in her sleep, grumbling, from the sound of her door, creaking open, before slamming shut. The white haired boy climbed onto her king-sized bed, jumping on it "Pomni, Pomni!" The little boy exclaimed, crawling over the maroon covers to shake his sister awake.

"What?" Pomni grumbled, as she tossed to her side, facing towards open curtains, turning her vision red.

"It's Christmas eve!" The boy excitedly cheered, still shaking the brunette so hard and fast she'd get brain damage. Pomni didn't really care for the holidays, trying to block him out, before she couldn't take it. "You know what that means?" He was so giddy about it, still bouncing on her bed, anticipating her answer.

Pomni had finally gotten up, rubbing her eyes, and stretching. "So what Bubble?" She yawned, still half asleep, not very interested in the one-sided conversation. Bubble seemed somewhat disappointed, before reiling himself up again.

"That means father's coming home!" Of course. Her first Christmas. Well the first with the Abel's at least. Pomni wasn't really a Christmas person, and with the fact that she was bouncing her from home to home who didn't see her as a family member and more of a paycheck didn't really help either.

Her new family was wealthy, well organized with a single father, Caine Abel, who took 2 orphans under his wing, to try to fake living a normal happy life for his image and maybe even fantasy of a family. At least that's how Pomni saw it.

"We can't miss his train." Bubble acted like it was the end of the world if they didn't greet him at his stop. He was always away with work, coming home only on rare occasions. Pomni had even forgotten what he looked like, what color were his eyes, or his hair. She didn't even know what he did for work. Was he a doctor, a journalist, a puppeteer? What job would have him away for so long and make so much money?

"Doesn't it still not come for a couple hours?" Pomni shot bullets through the little boy's excitement. The white-haired boy stopped his jumping, cheeks puffed out, lips in a pout.

"So?"

"Soooo, let me sleep in." The brunette deadpanned, going back to snuggling back under her covers. Hoping this would drive him off to go bother someone else.

"Buuuuut, we have to eat, get ready, and drive there." Bubble stated as a matter-of-fact, listing off the things they needed to do first. She hated when Bubble was right, often rubbing it in her face later. Getting up once she groaned as her younger adopted brother, beamed with Pomni finally coming along with his plans.

Bubble dragged her out of bed, by the arm, as the brunette nearly fell out of her bed with how hard he was pulling. "AAAHH!-" She squeaked out before shuffling Pomni out of her room, barely giving her time to wake up. Through the long corridors, covered in portraits of old people long since passed, that Pomni always found creepy, as if hundreds of eyes of smudged paintings were watching her.

Rushing down the stairs, the brunette could keep up, with this little girl's enthusiasm, nearly tripping her on several steps. "Bubble, watch out!" Pomni screeched at a halt, at a maid with a tray of breakfast clearly meant for them. This made Bubble in her mismatched socks slide forward to nearly fall face first into the maid, if it weren't for her still having hold on her older sister. The maid jumped, anticipating the young madame to slam into her.

"Sorry about that, Agatha." Pomni Quickly apologized, ripping her arm from Bubble's grasp, making him stumble forward just a bit, scratching the back of her head, a wry smile plastered on her face. Agatha seemed to settle down, taking in a sigh of relief, the tray and food still in tack.

"It's quite alright Miss Pomni." The ginger-haired maid softly smiled, before a curious expression took hold. "Pardon me for my intrusion but, what are you doing up so early?"

The brunette laughed awkwardly. "Well-"

"It's because father's coming home!" The white-haired boy jumped, while emanating with enthusiasm. Agatha giggled at Bubble's joy. "Ooo, is that breakfast?" He stood on his tippy toes to see the tray. There were two plates both having had two eggs, Sunny Side up, with stripes of bacon resembling a smile, and cut up 2 triangle cut pieces of toast slathered in butter and jam, acting as eyebrows, alongside with one holiday themed cup of inky black coffee.

Pomni didn't know much about her new younger brother, but what she did know was that Bubble was just as his name applied. A joyful, bubbly personality with a love for anything edible, sometimes not even not edible, hearing stories of when Bubble was little-er, chewing on anything like a puppy teething from servants cooing over the 9 year old, behind his back. Very-very easily distracted.

"Sure is." Agatha hummed, nodding her head. "I was about to bring it to you both. But how about we eat in the dining room?" Bubble nodded her head in agreement, while Pomni was a bit more hesitant. The dining table was long and meant for a bundle of people all lined up chairs that seemed almost cartoonist. It felt lonely sitting there, so many chairs empty, made the giant rectangular room even more lonely, nothing but the sound of chewing to keep you company.

"Can you eat with us?" Of course Bubble would ask Agatha to eat with them. She was always the most motherly of the servants, often taking care of him, like treating wounds, reading and or singing him to sleep, long before Pomni arrived, hearing about them through from the white-haired boy gushing about her; it was no wonder with no mother figure Bubble would cling to her. The maid hummed in agreement, leaning down to her as best she could without dropping the food.

The trio walked through the seemingly endless halls. She had always forgotten how big this house was. Tons of empty guest rooms, storage rooms, and other sorts of 'activity rooms'- as Caine would call them, each room decorated with a hobby in mind. There was one for music, one for sewing, even one for cooking; 'anything for you to adjust to your new life here' he said to Pomni the first day she arrived.

They arrived at the large dining room, it was imitating as ever. A long dark smoothed out wooden table that stretched out the long room, hundreds of dark coral red chairs with the same type of wood lining, small gold buttons in patterns. A giant chandelier, of jewels and tinted glass that hung above right in the middle of it. None lit candelabras spaced in a neat line. The cherry on top was the frigid air of winter making it feel more empty.

Pomni took in a breath, as soft footsteps echoed followed by the silent steps of Bubble through the room, the clatter of the plates being set down the edge of the table. Agatha gestured for her to come over, after sliding a chair open for the 9 year old and her. The brunette took a steps forward towards the chair, sitting down. She looked at her breakfast and the once smiley face of bacon slices was gone now replaced a straight face, resembling her mood at the moment.

"Where's yours?" Bubble questioned the ginger, already an egg stuffed in his mouth, yolk smudged on his chin, earning a slight giggle from the freckled woman.

She thought Bubble's concerns were sweet. "That's sweet honey, but I already ate." Agatha explained, leaving the little boy looking betrayed due to her previous saying that she'd eat with them. Licking her thumb, before wiping the runny yolk away.

Pomni envied their relationship, that they were so close; she hadn't been that close with anyone since the incident. Stirring the yolk with a fork, bursting its bubble, she really didn't feel hungry. The frown on her bacon seemed more clear. "Is something wrong?" Pomni looked up at the two side by side.

"No, just still waking up." She partially lied. It was technically true, she was still tired, but her stomach was turned upside down. As the saying would go 'fake till you make it,' Pomni took a sip of her coffee. She never did like bitter things, and mixed without sour attitude made it taste worse, but she bit her tongue and swallowed it down. Taking a bite of her toast to try and drown out the bitterness; it did help somewhat, the sweet strawberry jelly along with the smooth soft butter melted her taste buds.

It was too quiet, Agatha and Pomni noticing, while Bubble was too indulged in his food. "So what do you think Master Caine will bring this year?" She broke the silence, with a simple question. Excited the white-haired boy, trying hurrying up the pace of chewing to talk. That distracted not only Bubble but Pomni too. She assumed something exotic from across the world, or something priceless that would cost a fortune at some fancy auction. By the way of how eccentric he talked she figured it would be something definitely weird.

Forcing herself to stomach the remaining breakfast and slurping down the coffee. Pomni regretted drinking the coffee last, the harsh flavor stinging her tongue. While Agatha and Bubble talked about what he would bring back, from some more shaped plushies he'd call gloinks to red spaghetti legged and armed monkeys. She remembered seeing those 'gloinks' around everywhere, never in the same place, seemingly moving in the night, but was just Bubble pranking her, trying to scare his new sibling.

"How about we get ready for Master Caine's arrival?" The maid suggested, Bubble was already out of his chair at the idea, half way out the door. She supposed she was obligated to see him; the man she would have to call him 'father' more often until she turned 18. Walking through the entrance to the room, leaning on the frame. Agatha collected the plates and cup back on the tray, heading to the kitchen, before joining them alongside another female servant. Walking the two back through the hallways and stairways. Until the split on the second floor, Pomni's being on the fourth.

The other maid, Abigail, opened her door for Pomni. Her room was barely decorated besides from her bed, a chest at the end of it Collecting dust inside, a dresser with a mirror next to a stool on the other side of the room. A brush and some fancy well known makeup brand on top of it. 2 giant oak closets right besides the dresser filled with primary colors and various shades of different blues, reds, and yellows simple dresses, with a keyhole on the right one for some reason. Finally two side bed tables touching the top of her bed.

Pomni sat on the stool a dull navy blue satin cushion beneath her, as Abigail went through the left closet. Flipping through dresses, while Pomni tried to imagine what was the last she saw Caine. Then it clicked, he had only seen him once in the 2 months she had stayed there, when giving a personal tour of the comically large house. It felt like it took hours to explain and explore each room. The maid finally chose a beige yellow dress, sugar cookie yellow and white trimming of ruffles at the sleeves and rim at the dress.

The dark-skinned woman unbuttoned Pomni's baby blue night gown. It felt warm, fingers un-clipping the small white buttons sometimes brushing against her pale skin, before the cold hit her body being only her panties and bra. Abigail slid on the dress, falling to her knees, it felt silky smooth in the fabric. The maid tapped her chin as she thought for final touches, before she moved on with hair and makeup. Finally she got it, satin white gloves, and slip on brown shoes.

Next was her makeup, which retaliating easy. She clipped Pomni's hair back with bobby pins, before doing simple highlighter, contour, and blush that was a little too pink. Finally was her hair; which the maid couldn't much with how short it was, only able to brush through it, but still attempted to do even the smallest bun. Abigail seemed satisfied with her work, as Pomni starred in the mirror, her blue and red eyes staring back at her. Pomni was also satisfied in her look, slightly smiling to herself.

Bubble's rampaging footsteps of clacking soles, getting louder, as muffled sounds for her to 'slow down' from Agatha. Reaching around the hallway, once he saw Pomni, waving at her. Dressed in the same loafers as she had. Taupe coat blazer, mahogany pants, cuffed at his ankles, a white buttoned up undershirt, and his hair well groomed for once. "Pomni, hurry up," He called to her, seemingly not tired from running all those stairs. "Agatha said there's only an hour before father's train arrives!" He was right, even with an hour left, it was still a long while before they reached there.

"Coming!" She called, in a light jog following behind Bubble, after grabbing her dark coat, sliding it on as she followed.

. . .

The streets were full of bustling people, buying gifts, giving them, families reuniting, and just general work, not getting the day off for Christmas. Small shops, boutiques, and tall buildings squashed together, all covered in Christmas decorations. Frost caked everything, nooks and crannies stuffed with snow. The cobblestone sidewalks, full of cracks, that Bubble purposely stepped on each one, even if it slowed them down; after being the one who told them to hurry.

"Be careful." Pomni warned him, Bubble hopping from crack to crack on the icy path. Bubble didn't seem to acknowledge her though, still taking purposely footsteps on the cracks in his reach. "Are you sure we couldn't just take the car?" The brunette asked Agatha; who Bubble just insisted to come with, claiming 'she's family enough.'

"The walk isn't too far, and it's nice to get our minds healthy." Agatha's hand gripped tightly around the nine year old, also aware of the danger of him slipping. "Besides, we're already halfway there." It was true, it would just take more time to go back and get the car, and Pomni wanted to get this over with. I mean she didn't hate him by all means, she had only meant him once after all.

Pomni took in a sigh, cold air feeling her lungs, causing her to slightly shudder. She took the maid's hand tighter, so as not to get lost in the sea of people, pushing and shoving. Pomni with her short build, and being 15 could only see people's chest, muted colors of scarves, and coats. It was surprising Bubble hadn't bumped into anyone while walking, eyes trained on the ground.

They would soon come to the train station, where Pomni would reunite with temporary family. She semni lost in thought, trying to remember what Caine looked like. How fair was his skin, or how well brushed his hair was, the color of it. She didn't remember much but what she did remember was a red suit that oddly stuck out to her. Pomni thinks it was the shade of red he was wearing-being a wonderful shade of red, like burgundy but lighter, and pink more akin to pink-red.

Before she knew it, Pomni had heard the sounds of nosey trains, halting to a stop, as people got on and off. Through the vast sea of people, Bubble poking their head in every which way direction, looking for the man. But being as tall as he was, barely able to see past people's stomach, no matter how hard he tried, even getting on his tippy toes, or leaning his body away from Agatha, to the small crack of free space weren't occupying. Pomni was also curious, despite having mixed feelings.

"There's my little superstars!" A man left the train, briefcase in tow. He looked somewhat akin to the man she imagined in her head. A slim figure-almost boney like Pomni- Auburn hair, that was very messy; even though his mustache was finely brushed, covered by a black top hat with the same Pomni had remembered ribbon earlier. He was more tanner than Pomni and Bubble, but not by much. The same rose tailcoat he had worn when first meeting Pomni, with black and white accents. Black leggings that didn't seem to end, blending in with his socks. Black dress shoes, and a black bow tie. One blue eye and green eye.

He stood in a small opening, setting down his briefcase, opening his arms, anticipating an embrace. Bubble ripped out of the ginger's hand, so fast she got whiplash. "Father, Father!" He chanted, running towards him for a hug. Caine quickly scooped Bubble up, embracing him tightly. Pomni held the maid's hand tighter, another thing about him was his look, that threw her off. He looked like a crazed man in business attire, bulging eyes, a crooked toothy grin, his hair washed but the bird nests of hair didn't really help.

Bubble and his father had their moment, before the man turned her attention to Pomni, expecting for her to run up and hug him like her little brother did. She found it rude to just stare. She didn't know what to say or do. It was rude to stay silent and stare like he was some mystery of the world. But Pomni couldn't find the right words to address him, tripping over her tongue. "Hello, father." She spoke begrudgingly, with an uncertainty.

"Greetings my dear Pomni." He seemed not to acknowledge the awkwardness. Letting go of Bubble, he expected some sort of hug, even kneeling down to her level, arms open. Agatha nudged her forward, Pomni's hands were clammy, as she clenched her fists. Slowly making her way to her now father. Pomni wrapped an arm around him, forcing a smile. Thinking of what to say, it would be too impolite to just call him Caine, but she wasn't close enough to call him father.

"It's nice to see you again."

"It's nice to see you too." The silence was deafening, both embraced in each not sure really of what to do next. Caine broke the silence with a sudden springing up, giving Pomni whiplash with the sudden change of movement, nearly tearing her arm off, being wrapped around his shoulder. "Now it's been awhile, how about we take a walk around town?"

"I can't wait to tell you about everything!" Bubble enthusiastically said, emphasizing the 'everything.' His dark eyes are full of joy, you'd only get from a child. Caine patted him on his head, ruffling his once combed hair. They started walking, talking about things while Caine was away, Pomni timidly following behind.

Just great.

#funnybunny #jax x pomni #pomni x jax #what am i doing #tadc caine #tadc bubble #human au #the nutcracker #the amazing digital circus #tadc #tadc pomni #I'm not used to Tumblr #forgive me #ao3 #ao3 fanfic #cross posted on ao3

34 notes · View notes