(Modern AU feat. 2nd Floor Butlers)
*Mainly Boschi x Aruji since Iām being self-indulgent rn lol. Also in this AU, Iām making it possible for Aruji to bring the butlers into their world and back, so yeah ^^
Our story begins when the second-floor butlers of the Devilās Palace insisted on accompanying their Master to a furniture store in their world called āIKEAā. Their Master wished to look around for furniture and decor to add to their room, and also gifts to get their butlers as a token for all of their work protecting their world from Angels and other dangers.
What the butlers didnāt know was that their Arujisama also had another idea that they wanted to try while thereā¦
-IKEA Parking Lot, Morning-
(The second-floor butlers and I made it to IKEA just after breakfast back at the Manor.)
(Perhaps was also time to share my idea while I tried to find gifts for them here, as we made our way toward the entrance.)
Haures: Hmm? Arujisama? Is something on your mind?
(My sudden reaction had the other butlers stop and look over in my direction, curiously.)
(Yet Haures leaned closer to me and spoke in a low enough voice, since saying āArujisamaā in such a public place would raise some questions from the people around us. Kind of brings back memories of the āBlack Tea Partyā.)
Boschi: Oi! What are you two whispering about over there?
Fennesz: Now, now Boschiā¦
Ammon: I mean, if itās about our Master, Iād like to know too.
Aruji: I want to play hide and seek here!
Boschi: Oh? Hide and seek? In here?
Haures: But weāre here to accompany Aruji- *ahem* I mean (Name) while they do their shopping.
Fennessz: Well surely we can do both. After all, Iām curious to try this as well.
Boschi: Why not? No need to be so strict Hauresā¦
Ammon: Come on Haures~ We canāt refuse them, can we? Besides, I wanna play with (Name) too.
Haures: *sighs* Of course notā¦ Alright then (Name), weāll play.
Aruji: Itāll be fun, I promise.
(Once we were inside the building, I pulled out my phone to set a timer for exactly 1 minute, then handed it to them.)
Fennesz: (Name), are you sure about this? What if something happens and we canāt contact you?
Aruji: Iāll be careful. Now letās start!
(I started the timer and made my getaway, looking for a perfect hiding place.)
-IKEA, Wardrobes & Storage-
(I managed to find a hiding spot inside one of the wardrobes and had to keep as quiet as possible. However, I also was still pondering on gifts for the butlers during my adrenaline rush to find my perfect hiding spot.)
(Thatās also not mentioning the thoughts of other people finding me here while the butlers worked themselves into a frenzy while playing this game.)
(Still, I couldnāt help but be proud of my spot-)
(I was caught off guard by Boschi, who casually opened the closet doors with a smug expression.)
Aruji: B-Boschi- How did you even find me?
Boschi: Heh, it was pretty easy actuallyā¦ I was just walking by when I noticed yaā¦
(His words and face made me feel a little embarrassed, so I turned my head away all flusteredā¦)
Boschi: Hehā¦ Alright, my turn.
(I looked up at Boschi when-)
(I was immediately caught off guard by a shark plushie that Boschi threw at my face. Shaking my head from the sudden action, I took time to look down at the plush shark I held onto. I certainly could admit how adorable it was. Its blue colour even kind of reminded me of Boschi.)
(Waitā¦ Where DID Boschi go?...)
(Holding onto the shark plushie, I searched all over for Boschi, going back and forth between the different sections of the store. I couldnāt even find where Haures, Fennesz and Ammon were. I didnāt have my phone on me since I gave it to themā¦)
(My distress didnāt go unnoticed by the people around me. Is this how the butlers feel when trying to protect me?)
(I turned around to see an older couple looking at me as they were waiting in line at the restaurant.)
Man: Are you looking for someone?
Aruji: Y-Yes, I amā¦ Heās myā¦
(Did I dare tell them that Boschi was technically one of my butlers? That might only raise more questionsā¦)
Aruji: ā¦ Heās myā¦ partner.
(The older couple looked at each other in contemplation before refocusing on me. Meanwhile, my mind was racing. Why did I say Boschi was my partner?!)
(Though, saying it aloud did give me a lighter feeling in my chestā¦ A sense of pride and security evenā¦)
Woman: I see. Well unfortunately we havenāt seen him around. But we can surely let you know if we see him for youā¦
(I nodded to the couple and carried on my way, but not without glancing at the menu above. It certainly feels like a long time since we got here and I was a bit hungry from my desperate seekingā¦)
(Surely a small break couldnāt hurt-)
???: āPartnersā, huh?
(I suddenly felt arms wrapped around me from behind and their breath tickling my ear. But I recognize that voice. I glance up and seeā¦)
(Boschi, once again looking at me with a smug face. But I could also sense some relief and regret in his eyes, perhaps from thinking he truly lost meā¦)
(I quickly turned around, holding onto Boschi tightly, my face pressed into his chest. Taken by surprise himself, Boschi slowly reciprocated the motion and held me tight.)
Boschi: (Name)... Iām sorry. I didnāt mean to make you worry for meā¦
(I shook my head. I never liked making the butlers believe that I was worrying them. They already have a lot to bear.)
Aruji: N-no, itās okayā¦ Iām just glad that we found each other again.
Boschi: ā¦ Iām glad too, my āpartnerā.
(Boschiās smug expression made me remember what just happened earlier, saying he was my partner so casually, despite our statuses. My face felt hot as I hid it behind my shark plush, unsure of how else to react.)
Boschi: Hmm, you still have that plushie, huh?
(I peeked over the plush to look into Boschiās eyes, nodding.)
Aruji: He reminds me of youā¦
Boschi: Hmmā¦? You think Iām a shark?
(I couldnāt help but smile shyly)
Aruji: I just think that youāre both cute~
Aruji: Youāre also both blue, see?
(I held up the shark plushie to Boschi, proving my point.)
Aruji: And I can hug both of you too~
(Boschi looked at the shark plushie for a bit, then snatched it from my hands.)
(Confused, I tried to take it back from him, but he held it up above me, just out of reach.)
Boschi: Now you only have one to hug~
(Boschi then took off and I went after him.)
(I managed to chase after and keep up with Boschi towards the bedroom area of IKEA. Only to get pinned under him on top of one of the beds.)
(Looking into each otherās eyes, we couldnāt help but laugh. Despite some of the dayās hiccups, it was still a lot of fun playing hide and seek in an IKEA with the butlers. Perhaps next time, we can do this again.)
Boschi: Hmm? Something on your mind (Name)?
Aruji: Just imagining coming back here with you.
(I nodded as Boschi smiled. I then had an idea, flinging a pillow at Boschiās head. We ended up having a bit of a pillow fight after that and also made a small pillow fort.)
Boschi: *yawns* This has been a good dayā¦
Aruji: Are you tired Boschi?...
Boschi: Yeah, itās been a long day. But itās been a great one with you.
(I smiled, before letting Boschi cuddle closer to me and I stroked his hair as he drifted off. Not too long after, so did Iā¦)
It was now IKEAās closing time and Haures and Ammon managed to find Boschi and their Master fast asleep and in each otherās embrace within a pillow fort, along with a blue shark plush.
Haures: Here they areā¦ Oi Boschi, get up. We need to go now.
Ammon: Boschi~ Itās time to go home~
Haures: *sighs* Itās no use, Ammon. Theyāre both fast asleepā¦ Come on, give me a hand.
With some effort, Haures managed to carry Boschi and their Master out of the store while Ammon handled the lil shark plush. Fennesz was in their car waiting for them, watching as Haures and Ammon helped to buckle the sleepy butler and Master in. Ammon even manages to place the shark plush in Arujiās arms.
The car ride back home was mainly quiet, as the three awake butlers occasionally glanced at their sleeping group members, unconsciously leaning into each other as they rode along.
Even if their Master didnāt manage to find the decor or gifts they wanted to get, as long as they had more fun trips like this, there was always another opportunity to get it done.
