[#012] Healer's Charm (Original Universe)

[badass_tiger]

Theme Prompt: Meet the Parents
Title: Healer's Charm
Fandom: Original Universe
Rating/Warnings: G
Bonus: Yes
Word Count: 908
Summary: Introducing Cecilia to his family was probably one of the only things that had really tested cool and collected Gareth's nerves. Part of my Misfits & Co/In Pursuit of an Angel canon.

'You're more nervous than I am,' Cecilia said.

'I don't know how my family will receive you,' Gareth said, staring out of the moving car with a frown.

'Why would they not accept me? Because I'm not from a mafia family?'

'That is par for the course, Cece. I'm worried about how they will treat you.'

'That's alright. I'm tough, you know.'

'I know.' But he didn't stop worrying.

Gareth had moved out of the family home when he took over his father's business for convenience, but it was the house he would have to move into someday or another. For now, Matilde, his mother, and Alexander, the previous head of the Sieghart family, continued to live there with Gareth's great-uncle Charles.

Matilde greeted them in the foyer when they arrived. The first head of the Sieghart family had filled his home with servants, but the second head, Alexander’s uncle and Charles' husband, had not. Alexander had never bothered to return them, so it fell to his wife to meet guests at the door.

'Ah, Gareth,' she said. 'Home again at last. Perhaps someday after you marry, you'll want to return for good.' Gareth only kissed her in answer. She turned a warm smile on Cecilia. 'Welcome, my dear. I'm so pleased you've come to meet us at last.'

'Thank you for having me,’ Cecilia said, returning the smile shyly.

The family were waiting in one of the many luxurious living rooms of the manor. Only Alexander and Charles made up the party alongside Matilde, but they were such great men, Cecilia felt humbled that they stood up when they entered.

‘Glad to see you, son,’ Alexander said, grinning broadly as he clapped Gareth’s shoulder. ‘And with a girl, too. I was afraid this day would never come.’

‘I’m glad I’ve made you free to fear other matters now,’ Gareth said, and Alexander laughed.

‘Good evening, my lady,’ he said to Cecilia, taking her hand warmly. She blushed.

‘I’m only a Miss, Signor.’

‘And I’m less a Signor than Gareth is. I spent most of my childhood in England, you know. I’m glad that you’re here to return Charles and I to our roots.’

‘I’m Welsh,’ she said, and then blinked in surprise. ‘Oh, Gareth never said you lived in England.’

‘Yes, when Romano decided that I of his nephews would be his heir, he also decided to raise me in England. Charles had been pining to go for a long time, I heard. But Gareth himself has only been a few times, on holiday and business. He met you on one of those visits, I heard.’ He stepped back and Charles shook her hand. Even in his old age, Charles stood tall and refined. His smile was more polite than friendly.

‘One of them, yes.’ They all sat down, Cecilia sticking close to Gareth. As a healer, she was trained to always appear steady and confident, but she was glad that Gareth knew her better than to think that she felt as much just then. He took her hand and squeezed it reassuringly.

‘I’m proud of Gareth for continuing an old Sieghart tradition that I was forced to break,’ Alexander said.

‘What Sieghart tradition is this?’ Charles said, raising an eyebrow.

‘Why, that of marrying our assistants, of course.’

Matilde laughed. Charles glared at his adopted son, but then Cecilia realised that the look was really rather affectionate, and the tension within her evaporated almost entirely.

‘Once does not a tradition make, Alexander. Or almost twice, even,’ Charles said.

‘We’ll see if it skips the next generation and comes back before we make our conclusions.’ Alexander grinned at Cecilia.

‘Did you meet Signor Romano when you were in his employ?’ she asked Charles.

‘Something like that. I met Ensio Sieghart when I came to Italy on a school exchange trip, and he promised me a position under him when I graduated. Romano … noticed me.’

‘How wonderful.’ She smiled and leaned in to Gareth’s warmth. ‘Why were you so worried earlier, Gareth? I feel quite comfortable. You made me worry more than I had to.’

‘My family is a little strange. Father never acts like a family head and he loves to tease. I didn’t know if you would approve, Cece.’

‘”Cece”?’ Alexander said, looking at Cecilia. ‘Is he talking to you?’

‘Is something wrong, Father?’ Gareth said coldly.

‘You’re a healer, aren’t you?’ Alexander went on without answering him.

‘I am,’ Cecilia replied.

‘Not a snake charmer, perhaps?’

‘I could put a snake to sleep if you wanted me to treat it.’

‘Oh I see. I was just wondering what spell you’d my son under.’

‘Perhaps it is an innate magic within me.’

‘I think it’s beginning to work on me too.’

‘I know what you mean,’ Charles said. ‘Or perhaps it is the old wounds within us that she is healing.’

Cecilia was surprised. Charles had been leaning back in his chair, surveying the scene with a detached air, but through her bond magic, she could feel the sincerity in his words. It made her curious about him. She thought she would enjoy talking to him about Romano, and the things that they apparently had in common.

‘If I have any old wounds, they were all because of the times Father tried to scare me as a child,’ Gareth said.

‘That’s alright, Gareth,’ Cecilia said, kissing his cheek. ‘I’m here to kiss your wounds better.’

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