After months of waiting, Finny finally got the answer he wanted. The large delighted smile that had spread across his face was something you fondly remembered, happy to have come to the conclusion that yes, you did like the gardener. The caring, sweet nature of the gardener was what had won you over and now that there was no conflict happening, there had been no need to wait on answering the question Finny had asked in the shed all those months ago. Only a month had passed since the two of you had officially started seeing each other and the moments shared were blissful, not to mention it was always cute seeing how flustered Finny would still get.
Knocking on the door to your room was what had awoken you that morning and blearily, you shifted in the bed wanting nothing more to do than sleep. The faint rays of the morning sun shone in through the thin curtains that lined the windows, casting a white shade into the room which were the colors of the curtains themselves. Tiredly, you blinked your eyes opened as the knocking continued and with a small groan you shifted so that the covers were off to swing out of the bed.
A soft yawn was released as you padded over to the door, the knocking continuing despite the person having been at it for the past moment. "I'm coming," you softly exclaimed, stretching for a moment just as you reached the door and with a slight delay due to how tired you were, you soon opened the door to greet the person on the other side.
"Good morning. Oh! Mey-Rin."
Seeing the clumsy maid before you was something that was least expected. She would occasionally come to wake you up in the morning, but most of times it was usually Finny, the gardener seeming to take it upon himself to come in the morning to wake you up. As much as you protested that he didn't need to do this, he was adamant, saying that he enjoyed being able to see you so early in the morning and being able to be the one to wake you.
"Seems that you were expecting someone else," the maid humored, giving you an all to knowing smile, one that held every bit of her amusement and making you sheepishly smile in response.
"Morning Mey-Rin." You greeted the clumsy maid, the sheepish smile turning into a normal one and you opened the door further allowing her to enter inside. "Let me get dress before we go to do our duties."
With that said, you closed the door behind once she had entered the room and you watched as she headed over to sit on the edge of the bed. With another small yawn and a stretch, you headed over to the small bathroom that was to the left, one that you shared with Mey-Rin as her bedroom was on the other side.
"Didn't you hear? The young master was nice enough to give us the day off."
Mey-Rin's voice was heard from where she was in the room and hearing this surprised you as this was the first that you had heard of this.
"What?"
Having finished changing, you headed out from the bathroom, gaze focusing on where Mey-Rin was sitting on the bed.
"We have the day off?"
Mey-Rin nodded her head in reply, standing up from where she sat to fully address you. In doing so, you noticed that she wasn't wearing her usual maid uniform and had instead chosen to wear a simple dress that paired well with her cherry red hair. It was only likely that she had placed the casual dress on due to having the day off.
"The young master and Sebastian decided to head to the townhouse in London. He left us to watch over the manor and also said that we could have the day off," she explained.
"He and Sebastian already left?" You were surprised to hear this; usually Ciel would inform you if he was planning on leaving the manor any time soon so it was odd that he had said of no such thing. Not to mention that he would usually bring you with him whenever he would go to the main city.
"The two of them left this morning," Mey-Rin answered with a small nod of her head watching while you continued to ponder the fact that Ciel had left you at the manor with the others. "From what he said it sounds like the two of them will be back next week."
"Huh, well at least we have the day off." Coming back from the surprise, you gave Mey-Rin a smile as you stretched once again from where you stood. "It's been a while since we've had a break so this will be nice. Wait, you could have just let me sleep in," you proclaimed, turning to give Mey-Rin a sharp look, one that didn't faze her as she lightly laughed.
"I did," she said gesturing to the clock that rested on the nightstand next to your bed and you turned to gaze at it only to become sheepish upon reading that it was 10:24.
"Oh."
Mey-Rin simply laughed at this, giving you a small smile before gesturing for you to follow and seeing that there was nothing left in the room, you followed her as she opened it and together, the two of you headed out into hallway and you closed the door behind.
"Where Tanaka and the others?"
You curiously asked her as the two of you began walking down the hallway, there seeming to be no specific location that the two of you were heading to. It seemed to be a relatively peaceful day so far. None of the usual hectic nature was happening and you figured that things would be calm, something that you were looking forward to as it was different from the chaotic events that had happened just a few months.
"Tanaka's left the manor for a few hours. He said that he had to buy a few things at a nearby store," she explained as the two of you walked down the hallway, heading past Ciel's study room which was clearly empty for the day. "Finny and Baldroy are somewhere around here in the manor. We were actually planning on having a picnic today. Like the one we had all those months ago."
"A picnic? That sounds really nice actually."
"Exactly! And its such a nice weather out!" Mey-Rin lightly laughed at this, a small smile tugging at her lips as she slightly turned her head to look at you. "We still have to make the sandwiches though and gather the blankets and basket."
"I don't mind helping you with that," you stated, seeing that there would be no harm in doing so especially as there wasn't anything else to do for the day now that there were no duties to do. It would help to keep you busy and you found it fun being able to spend time with the clumsy maid. "I've learned a few recipes from Soma too. I'll have you and the others dying for the spices that I'll be putting in them," you humored with a light laugh remembering the time Soma had come over and the two of you had made sandwiches together.
Mey-Rin simply laughed. "I'll be looking forward to it."
Footsteps soon sounded from down the hallway, coming closer with each passing second and the two of you could only give each other a glance curious as to who it was. With what Mey-Rin had said earlier, it was certain that it was either Finny or Baldroy and you couldn't help but hope that it was the first person that had crossed your mind.
"(Y/N)!"
The enthusiastic call of your name confirmed that it was Finny and you watched as the gardener came from around the corner, Bard accompanying the younger boy.
"Good morning!" You cheerfully greeted the two of them as they came to a stop in front of Mey-Rin and you; a surprise look was on Bard's face clearly not having expected to run into the two of you anytime soon. Just like Mey-Rin, the two of them wore casual clothes, Bard having chosen to wear a white shirt with brown pants while Finny was wearing a cream top with brown shorts. It was clear that they had know that all of you had the day off, clearly having heard it from either Sebastian or Ciel.
"Good morning!" Finny merrily replied, coming over to stand at your side with a delighted smile on his face while Baldroy naturally gravitated over to where Mey-Rin was.
"We were actually just on our way over to meet the two of you," Bard spoke up in saying, his words gaining the attention of both Mey-Rin and you and Finny nodded his head in agreement. "Since we have the Manor to ourselves why not throw a grand picnic. Let's go all out," he bemusedly laughed seeming excited for the rest of the plan and although you sighed, you couldn't help the smile that grew on your face.
"Why not," you laughed, happily agreeing with the cook and delighted expressions crossed each of the others faces as Mey-Rin and Finny lightly cheered. "It's not like Ciel is here to say anything."
"Alright! Then we'll make this the best of picnics we've ever had!" Mey-Rin triumphantly declared, clenching her fist in sheer determination and earning a few laughs from the others and you. "(Y/N) and Finny, the two of you go collect the blankets and the baskets. Bard and I will begin preparing the food. When the two of you are done come help us."
"Yes ma'am!" Finny and you exclaimed in unison before giving each other a glance and laughing in amusement.
"Alright! Bard let's go!" The maid demanded of the cook, the two of them exchanging an amused smile with each other. After making sure that Finny and you were set, the two of them gave a small wave of their hands before walking down the hallway, hand in hand towards the kitchen.
"We'll be sure to head there once we're done!" You called out to both the cook and the maid, watching as they disappeared down the hallway and seeing this, you turned to face Finny.
"From what I remember the blankets are in one of the closest in the manner and the baskets are in the pantry so we can just get it when we go to the kitchen to help the others," Finny said, seeming bashful now that the two of you were alone and a small smile crossed onto your face at this.
"Then what are we waiting for," you humored, giving the gardener a smile, one that he returned and he seemed to visibly relax after this.
Giving each other amused looks, the two of you quickly headed down the hall on the search to find the blankets. The manor was fairly quiet and it was nice to enjoy this moment with Finny at your side. A small yawn left you upon making the way down the hallway, Finny quickly noticing this and he turned to face you as he walked.
"How did you sleep?" He asked curiously, the hints of worriedness evident in his gaze.
Seeing his worried nature made a small feeling of happiness run through you. It was nice to have someone constantly worry about you, not to mention always make sure that you were alright.
"Don't worry Finny. I slept pretty fine. Actually, I ended up sleeping for a lot longer than I thought I would," you sheepishly said still feeling slightly bad that Mey-Rin had to come wake you up for the morning.
"I'm glad." He seemed to sigh in relief, that concerned expression on his face slowly fading away. "Sorry if it seems like I worry to much," he suddenly said, his soft words making you curiously turn to face the gardener. "After what had happened to you those months prior, I can't help not to worry. After you came back, you kept having nightmares and I didn't know what to do..." He trailed off, a clouded expression crossing his face as he thought back to those months.
Seeing him like this, you couldn't help but feel guilty for once again making him and the others worry about you so much after you had returned to the Phantomhive manor. Earnestly, you reached out and grabbed onto his hand, the sudden action surprising the blonde hair boy and he quickly turned to look at you. "Thanks for worrying about me so much back then Finny. If you and the others had never stayed by my side I don't know where I would be."
A bashful look crossed Finny's face upon hearing your words and he glanced to the side, his cheeks taking on the hues of pink, however, you still felt the way his hand had increased its grip of your own.
A smile came to your face upon feeling this, happy to have the gardener at your side.
"Let's go find that blanket before we keep the others waiting any longer," you declared, once again capturing the attention of Finny who turned back to look at you, the pink slowly fading on his cheeks.
"Right!"
"Wait, you do know which closet the blankets are in right?" You nervously asked, your eyes running along the doors that littered the sides of the hallway the two of you was currently in.
Finny quickly stopped, making you halt at his side and look up at him, the sheepishly nervous look on his face answering the question that you had just asked.
"I think Mey-Rin is the only one that knows," he responded, his nervous gaze turning to focus on your own and a silence had fallen over the both of you clearly at a loss on what to currently do.
"Guess we'll just have to look through every single one," you bemusedly suggested, a mischievous smile crossing onto your face, one that was copied by the gardener. "I'll be the first to find them!" With a laugh, you pulled your hand out from the grasp of Finny and quickly racing down the hallway, the loud footsteps of Finny soon being heard after.
"Not if I find them first!"
Thankfully it didn't take to long to find the closet that held the blankets, probably no less than twenty minutes, and now that the two of you had the blankets, you began your way to the kitchen where Mey-Rin and Bard was. Both Finny and you made it to the kitchen in less than ten minutes and at the door, you lightly knocked on it to let the others know that the two of you was there.
"What took so long?"
That was the first words Bard had said the moment Finny and you had stepped into the kitchen, a disgruntled almost annoyed tone being heard in his words. Sheepishly, Finny and you gave each other a look before holding up the blankets that was in your hands.
"We didn't know which closet they were in so it took a while to find them," you answered, stepping further into the large room and examining the island that the two of them was standing behind. Several baskets had been placed to the side, each of them opened clearly making it east to place anything inside. On the counter itself laid several ingredients that both Bard and Mey-Rin had been working with to make the sandwiches and any other snacks and your gaze focused on a platter of snack wraps that was off to the side.
Bard simply shook his head while Mey-Rin lightly laughed from where she was putting together another sandwich. "Well since the two of you are here take these baskets out to the back and start setting up the area."
"Yes sir!" Both Finny and you chorused together, giving each other amused looks.
Finny handed the blankets he was carrying over to you, taking it upon himself to carry the two baskets that had been pushed to the edge of the counter, already full with small delicacies that the two of them had packed.
"Don't take to long to find a place. We're about done so we'll be heading out there shortly," Bard stated and Finny and you nodded your heads in understanding.
"Don't worry. We won't take too long," Finny replied, giving the cook a small smile and with a wave, the two of you headed out of the kitchen not without noting the deep murmuring of Bard's voice and the reassuring words of Mey-Rin.
"Let's quickly find an area once we're outside. I don't want to make Bard anymore upset." You lightly laughed at this, remembering the mild irritated face of the cook and you readjusted the blankets that you were holding.
"I actually have an idea in mind," Finny stated.
"Really? Where?"
He turned to give you a smile, the baskets swinging from his hands as the two of you headed toward the door that would lead to the back acres of the manor. "It's just a bit further in the back. Near the willow tree," he responded.
You thought to the willow tree silently agreeing that it would be a good place to have a picnic. The two of you headed out of the manor, stepping out into the vast courtyard, the warm air of the summer weather washing over your skin. It truly was a good day to be having a picnic.
Loud barking could be heard from the right startlingly you and you slightly turned to find Pluto running towards Finny and you. The large demon hound was dashing at a happy frenzy, his towering fast approach throwing you off, however, Finny stepped in front of the two causing the demon hound to come to a sudden stop.
"Pluto!" The gardener exclaimed, happy like you to see that energetic hound.
The collar that Ash had placed on him was long gone preventing him from being used, something that was reassuring. He was back to his energetic nature as if the incident from months prior had never happened.
Happily you rubbed the snout of the hound, Pluto seeming to enjoy the touch and he pulled back, his tail wagging in a frenzied motion.
"Come have a picnic with us Pluto!" Finny merrily exclaimed, rubbing Pluto who was happy at this before indicating the demon hound to follow after him as he began to make his way into the courtyard. Pluto happily followed after the two of you as Finny lead his way over to where the willow tree was, the large tree casting shade onto the grass that was below it.
Upon approaching the willow, you noted that there was a new garden bed close to the tree and inside, rows and rows of blue roses sprouted out, the rich color of each one amazing you.
"Did you plant those?" You astonishingly asked, pointing over to the flowers and Finny followed the direction his own gaze landing on the roses. "They're so beautiful."
"Oh those! I did! I'm glad that they haven't died yet," he said in relief.
"You always ended up bringing those to me," you stated, laughing a bit in remembrance.
"It's sort of the reason why I planted them," the gardener bashfully said as he scratched his right cheek. "I'm glad to hear that you like them."
You gave him a smile as the two of you headed over to the willow tree and after finding a good spot, you kneeled down, fluffing the blankets so that they were laid out beneath the willow tree. The moment that you had done this, Finny kneeled down at your side, placing the baskets down on top of the red and black sheets.
With nothing to do, you pushed the baskets to the side before sprawling out on the blankets, the soft fabric rubbing against your skin and you laid on your back enjoying the cool shade that was projected from the willow tree. Its long leafy tendril swayed above your head and in between each, soft clouds drifted across the ocean blue sky.
Heavy shifting was heard and soon Pluto laid down on the edge of the blankets, the demon hound closing his eyes as he basked in the warm rays of the sun. Soon enough, Finny settled down at your side, however, he simply remained sitting as opposed to laying down. He crossed his legs and seeing that he had done this, you shifted so that your head was lying on his thigh and although he blushed, he didn't move away.
"Seems like we're the ones who's having to wait." You lightly laughed, stretching a bit from where you laid on his lap and your gaze traveled from the back door of the manor to look up into the sea-green eyes of Finny.
There was a light, happy look in the gardener's eyes as he gazed down at you. "I don't mind," he blithely said, leaning forward and unconsciously he began to stroke your hair, the soothing feeling making you close your eyes and relax further against the comfortable figure of Finny. "Just being here with Pluto and you is enough for me."
An earnest smile slipped onto your lips and happily, you opened your eyes, gazing up at Finny to see that he shared the same one as you did.
"Same for me."