Not So Wicked (HoratioxSomeWittyName)

The sun was just beginning to rise over the peaceful little country of Bayern, it was a green land, full of forests, rolling hills and lakes. The sun shone brightly on the pure, white walls of the castle in the capitol city, awashing them in a pink glow.
A mile outside the city, tucked in a little valley was a grand estate that had once been owned by the late Lady Emmalynn. It was now in the care of her second husband, Lord Sutton.
The morning bells began to toll in the city, their sound reaching all the way to the estate while the sun sneaked through a hole in the curtains of the attic window.
The attic was used as a bedroom for the mansion's caretaker. Said caretaker groaned at the sound of the bells, burrowing deeper into his bed, his head under the pillow. He didn't want to get up yet! Just one day he'd like to sleep in. But oh no, his Lordship would never allow that. And apparently, he lived to serve.
Taking one more moment to enjoy the comfort of his bed, the young man got up, shivering as his bare feet touched the cold floor. He walked over to his mother's old vanity that he'd managed to sneak up here under his stepfather's nose. Stripping off his nightshirt, he poured a pitcher of water into the porcelain bowl and cleaned himself. He hung his nightshirt on a hook and moved over to the worn little dresser, though he didn't really need it, he only had a few outfits, all patched and no more than rags. He kept a few of his parents old clothes in the dresser. He sighed at his meager choices before going with his favorites, black breeches that ended at his knee and dark blue tunic. He didn't have any shoes.
The boy wandered back over to the vanity, picking up his mother's hairbrush and running it through his hair. He looked in the mirror, taking in the untamed pink hair and tired, purple eyes, the spitting image of his mother. He shook his head before the tears could come and tied a black bandana over his hair before leaving the small bedroom and going down the stairs to begin his day.
First was opening the blinds and double-checking the rooms his family frequented to make sure they were clean. Then he had to make breakfast and be ready to serve it when his stepfather called.
Of course they got to sleep in.

Lelouch awake in the morning, not as early as his step-brother but earlier than his parent and brother. Dressing himself in black leggings, a white shirt, and a thick black over coat he sighed sitting down besides the dim fire place. In hand he had a large piece of paper and some charcoal, he was an artist but in the light of his father he was going to be someone higher up. The white hair male leaned against the brick frame of the fireplace as he watched the flames dance, his hand busy as he tried drawing the flames in womanly form dancing around a wild fire.
A soft purring sound came from underneath the lad’s bed, smiling he laid down and snapped his fingers, a black cat appeared. Purring she came closer to the lad and licked his fingers, she was friendly stray that he often took care. He had a hole underneath his bed and just never bothered to inform his father, besides if he did that how would his friend come on cold winter nights or the wet rainy days? Opening the drapes Lelouch sighed heavily, if anything his father wanted him to be asleep still. Or at least stay away from Blair, his father hated the boy. Lelouch never understood why but either way he was taught to treat him as dirty. Most of the time he simply stood quite, he would tease him but it was always when he brother did. Sometimes he could be as cruel as his older brother and father usually after he was beaten by his loving parent or if his brother decided to sleep in the same chamber as him.

Yes, over the years from childhood he had grown bitter and found it easier to unleash it on Blair, often times it happened without warning. He tried to keep it under control and actually kept away from his step-brother to protect Blair from … from himself.


His door creaked open and a shaggy head of blond hair popped into the room. His stomach sank seeing his big brother; it would be one of those mornings.

Breakfast was noisy was usual. Brother laughing and making fun of Blair, father yelling at the lad and telling how worthless he was, Lelouch trying to keep his calm from morning’s earlier events.
“Lelouch!”
“Erm?”
“Didn’t you hear me? I asked you if you thought Blair looked like a pile of rags thrown onto some dyed rat.”
“Oh … erm yes.” His reply was barely above a whisper. Blood boiling, he felt angry and just wanted to go off on the path again and caught from poor animal to beat. Better than releasing that rage on Blair.

The 'pile of rags' in question was currently in the kitchen, cleaning the dishes from breakfast. He scrubbed at the pots, pretending they were his stepfather's face. Blair worthless? Ugh, he'd heard the insult a million times but it was the one that annoyed him the most. Where would they be if he left hmm? They'd have to hire a servant, no free housekeeping anymore. He fed them and made sure the house didn't fall down around them, so who was calling who worthless?
He grimaced and stopped his vigorous scrubbing before he broke the poor dish. He set the china aside to dry before drying his hands and moving on to the next chore, taking care of the animals. They lived close enough to town that Blair could buy eggs and milk in the market so they didn't have a need for chickens or a cow. But they did have a stable and each family member had their own horse, even Blair still had the pretty black mare he'd learned to ride on as a child. She was getting old and he didn't get the chance to ride anymore but she was a good horse and an even better listener.
The pink-haired boy smiled as he fed the horses and brushed them while they ate, whispering to them all his complaints and his dreams that made him never want to leave his bed.

After breakfast Lelouch rushed out of the door and started to the path, James shrugged and didn't understand why his loving little brother just ran off. Always seemed to do that after breakfast. Their father went to his study to work out the money, he seemed to have more and more always every passing month.

Kicking rocks and throwing sticks at the trees Lelouch felt his heart thumping and could feel the blood rushing to his ears. It took awhile for him to calm down, once he did through he found he was at the village. He must have gotten side track or something. Sighing he explored around the place, stopping by every shop Blair would stop at and making the payment for everything Blair would get when he came to the village on his next trip. He did this sometimes and the merchants took it. If Blair ever asked they were told to just say "An admire paid for everything," and Lelouch paid a bit extra so his step-brother could get something fresh to eat on his way home. Just as a way to say sorry, even if he didn't know who it was from.

Stopping in the town square he stood watching the children run away and play. His father had married Lady Emmalynn when Lelouch was around six or so, he use to play with Blair and treated him like they were blood brothers. His father of course had always been cruel to the step-brother. He wished at times that his father had been ill and died instead of his late step-mother. By the early afternoon Lelouch started his way back to the estate and took a hidden route he found when he was younger. He didn't know if Blair knew it but so far it seemed pretty safe to just go down by himself. Under his arm he had a supplies for painting and drawing, soon he'd go to the cottage behind the home and stay there for the day. Maybe even try to make James from making a bigger mess well Blair was working outside.

By the time Lelouch had returned, Blair was in the garden, pulling up weeds and watering his beloved vegetables and herbs. If Blair had a choice at profession, it would without doubt be a chef, he loved making delicious meals, even if he received no praise. His specialty though were desserts. When he was feeling particularly down, he'd make himself some cinnamon bread and if he ever felt generous, he knew all his stepfamily's favorites and would leave the treats on the dining room for them to find. It was mostly because he enjoyed it, not to make his family happy, though James had a habit of bursting in and demanding his favorite cake when Blair had a list of chores the length of his arm. He'd gone to bed past midnight many times because of his stepbrother.
At least Lelouch could be nice sometimes. Yes, he was often just as nasty as his family, but his moments of kindness when Blair was so used to getting none, always ended up being the best parts of his days. The younger male spotted the man in question and waved to him before going back to pruning his pumpkins.

Lelouch had an apple in his mouth and the supplies in hand started to fumble in his arms. He really should have bought a basket to carrying all of these things. Looking up he smiled and waved back since they were alone in the fields. Blair was gardening again, Lelouch saw that clearly. Grabbing a bucket he sat his supplies down on the ground and filled the bucket with some fresh spring water from the pump; he could probably use it to he water his plants or could have a drink from it, there was small cup that was attached to it. Walking over Lelouch sat the bucket down beside Blair, there was nothing said and he just gave him a smile. He seemed to be in a better mood now since he was gone for a few hours. Going back to get his supplies he started to the cottage to put them away. On his way he could see his brother through the window of the home, he was spreading the ashes again all over the kitchen floor. Groaning he shook his head, looked like his brother was in one of those moods.

Having everything in order Lelouch returned to the house silently. James was no where in sight, so grabbing a broom he started to quickly sweep as much soot as he could back into the fire place. Half way done Lelouch sighed softly looking at the other half of the floor when he heard a dry chuckle.
"Oh son, now what are you doing?"
"Father ... I .. I made a mess and thought I should clean it. Blair did clean everything in here and it seemed unfair to make him do it once again wh-" feeling his cheek sting and the echo of his father's hand against slapping his cheek. Holding his cheek Lelouch sighed and shook his head "I'm not a servant ... that is Blair." he said repeating the phase his father had to actually make him repeat.
"Correct. Now go to your studies, you won't become a wealth merchant if you're cleaning and painting. Only the men who eat dirt do such things." he muttered before leaving the room. Yelling to Blair to hurry with his chores to get started on the next list.

Watching father leave Lelouch grind his teeth and quickly cleaned up the other half of the room as well as he could before going to his classroom where upon entering his tutor greeted him. The day's lesson was long and a bore. His brother did not help, he was part of the reason for making the lesson longer.

Blair nodded his silent thanks for the bucket of water, drinking a little and splashing some over his warm dirt-covered face. He didn't know why he bothered bathing, he always ended up covered in dirt, soot, dust and sweat anyway. At least he matched his clothes...
As he finished up in the garden, he could just sense James had made some mess again. Rarely a day went by that the older boy didn't make his life Hell so it was a safe assumption to make. He sighed, washing dirt and fertilizer from his hands before heading back into the house, the nearest door being the kitchen.
Purple eyes widened, he could see traces of ashes in the corners and between the flagstones but a majority of what had obviously been a disaster, had been swept up. Who?...Lelouch was the only one who could have. Blair smiled softly for the first time in months.
He kept smiling as he got the mop and wiped up the last bit of ashes. He smiled and hummed as he swept the foyer and polished the stairs. Then it was time to make dinner, his stepfather had requested (more like ordered) they have chicken and boiled potatoes and carrots. So that was a no to making Lelouch his favorite as a thank you. He'd think of something. In the meantime, he had his work cut out for him if he was going to make this meal delicious.
His brothers were still with their tutor when dinner was ready so Blair decided to have fun while he waited. He baked. It wasn't Lelouch's favorite treat, he didn't have time to make that, but the white-haired male had always seemed to enjoy his almond cookies. He hoped his stepbrother would realize it was a thank you gift.
His stepfather rang the dinner bell and Blair got to work setting the table, placing a dish of the cookies near Lelouch's plate.

As dusk arrived the tutor left the boys saying he would return next week, they only had one lesson per week. As they started down the long hall way Lelouch sighed in annoyance as his brother presided to tilt the paintings and tip over the cases of flowers. He walked behind his brother and would now and again fix the paintings and turn the vases up right. Looking down the hall he could see his father waiting for them. Being escorted down the steps and into the dining room Lelouch noticed the cookies and smiled softly to Blair. It was an actual smile, not some fake he learned to do.
Sitting down for dinner James sighed and looked at Blair “Didn’t I tell you already you stupid boy, my plate goes between father and Lelouch at dinner! I swear can’t you learn anything?” he growled. Father just smiled watching his eldest taking charge well Lelouch took the time to set up the dinner placement “properly”. Sitting down the family did a quick prayer and began to eat in front of Blair, it was the usual thing. Nothing new. No word of thanks or an act of kindness to the hard worker. James made demands to just watch Blair hurry to complete them, “Get me more wine,” “New silverware this is no longer needed,” “More chicken,” and “Look out the window you rags.” Lelouch kept his head low and simply ate. He enjoyed every meal and he saw the talent Blair had for cooking and baking. He finished his dinner rather quickly that night and started to eat the almond cookies.

“These are quite well-made Blair,” Lelouch said through having to keep his eyes to the plate and waving his hand to shoo him away from them.
“They are? I always thought they were too dry.” James smirked. Shaking his head Lelouch smiled to his brother
“No, this time he made them quite moist. It is a good change.” He replied as a way to defend his younger brother without his father actually caughting onto the compliment.

Later that evening Lelouch was dressed in his night shirt, he sat beside the fire and was drawing again. His door was firmly shut and the bell above it held still. Running his fingers through his hair he stared down the lines on the paper, they formed a woman figure. Kind eyes and a lovely smiled stared back at him. He smiled sadly and sighed; maybe he would able to give this picture to Blair if James didn’t find it first and burn it. James always loved torturing both boys but was just kinder to his blood brother.

Blair went through dinner emotionlessly, imagining he was somewhere wonderful and letting James' demands and insults just slide off his back. He took small victories against James though, slipping an herb into his wine glass that would give him indigestion, licking the new silverware before he brought it out of the kitchen, James never seemed to notice and Blair would watch him, trying not to smile.
Purple eyes widened when Lelouch spoke, he looked at the floor, letting his hair cover his pink face as he whispered a small thank you. His blush persisted until dinner was over. He got compliments so rarely, it made his body warm with pleasure.
After doing the dishes and last minute cleaning up, it was time to bring his stepfather his bedtime tea. The lord always had a cup of tea after dinner and it had to be just right. Boiling hot, no sugar, a touch of lemon. He set the kettle and two cups on a tray before making his way towards his family's rooms.
He knocked on his stepfather's door, waiting for the stiff 'Come in' before he entered the chamber. Lord Sutton was in bed, reading a book.
"Your tea milord," Blair set the steaming cup on the bedside table and watched in apprehension as the man took a sip of it.
"Passable," he sneered and waved the servant away. Blair bit his lip and hurried from the room, "Goodnight milord," he shut the door behind him. The pink-haired boy sighed and made his way past James' room to the room at the end of the hall, knocking tentatively, "Lelouch, would you like some tea?" he called out. Sometimes his stepbrother had the same habit as his father, but he knew the older male would usually forget to ask for it. Blair never did anything like this for James, who he'd never seen drink tea anyway.

Cleaning the edges of the hair Lelouch smiled softly as the figure of his step-mother came onto the page. He rarely drew her, father usually ripped it up if he saw it if James wasn’t the first to see. He had been asked why he drew her so much; the truth was he just didn’t want to forget the kind face. He saw every day in Blair and he knew that one day it would fade and he would become like his father. A cruel, no-hearted, man. He already had most of his habits; he just needed his red eyes to be darker than they were. The knock grabbed his attention and he held his breath waiting for the blond locks to peek into the room when he heard the tame voice of Blair. Standing up Lelouch opened the door and smiled down at his brother “Yes, I must have forgot to ask again.” He said. His hands were dirty and there was evidence of him drawing but the smudge marks on his chin and forehead.

Watching Blair walk off the older male looked back to his room, he would like some company tonight “Blair,” he called as he caught up with him “Bring a cup for yourself as well … father has put me in charge of listing your chores and I want to give them to you early.” Lelouch said making an excuse. Normally the list was given to Blair late on purpose so he wouldn’t have any free time or be in a rush to finish everything.

Washing his hands and leaving his door ajar Lelouch grabbed his notepad and started writing down the chores for Blair, it wasn’t a lie since he was given the task of being Blair’s watcher. Guess it was supposed to make him power mad but he was still indifferent to power. Of course that would change if he was anything like his old man.

A low purr came from under his bed and the friend return laying on Lelouch’s bed “Funny, well okay than mad ‘am. Stay on my bed—I warn through, I might kick you off in slumber.” He joked with the cat.


James stood in the kitchen and looked around for some fruit, grabbing a ripe apple he sighed softly bit into it. He needed to know what else he could do tonight, his brother no doubt would refuse him once again and he didn't feel like fighting with him, Blair was too boring, Father was well father, and he couldn't think clearly. Looking outside he smiled "Wonder how that old horse rides." he asked himself and started out to the stables.