As the day crept by slowly Sebastian found himself often distracted, thoughts of the plum haired butler clouding his mind. The day was rather leisurely, much to the demon's annoyance. Usually he enjoyed the days that his master found himself too preoccupied with lessons to request much of him. That would supply him with ample enough time to complete both his duties and to clean up any mess the servants made with time left over to obsess over a cat or two that managed to wander to the Phantomhive Estate. But this day he merely craved nightfall, as he had been for the past several days. Nothing seemed to grab his interest except the spider demon, which only managed to both annoy and fascinate him. To think that one individual could consume another's thoughts was amusing. Sebastian figured that he would find it even more amusing if he hadn't been the one experiencing said thoughts. Despite the fact that he did in fact love harvest positive feelings for the other, he also had a contract to complete. He mustn't allow himself to lack in his duties.
Meanwhile Claude found himself in a similar situation, although the subject that was consuming his mind was not entirely Sebastian. No, this time there was something troubling him. It was not his master, no. If anything he had been rather calm that day. Instead what worried him was the letter he had received. At first glance he had deemed it to be nothing more than mail fit for his master, which is until a familiar gold stamp caught the sun's rays, causing him to stiffen slightly. Upon further examination he noticed that it was not normal human mail. Instead it was demonic mail addressed to him.
The stamp sealing the white envelope was all too familiar to the spider demon, his golden eyes settling on it with disdain. On the stamp was a pattern similar to his contract marking with a gold spider placed on the middle, giving the illusion that it was not a marking but instead a spider's web. His first instinct was to discard the paper, but not for the first time he allowed his curiosity to get the better of him.
Temporarily abandoning the rest of the mail meant for his master, Claude slipped into his room and adjusted his glasses before opening the envelope, only half surprised to find a familiar, formal handwriting lining a folded piece of paper. He scanned the paper, not taken aback in the slightest to find what the paper read.
With an irritated snap the letter caught fire and within moments turned to ash. Claude was quite used to receiving letters such as this, although this time it appeared as though the matter was unavoidable. He would have to finally face this, which he had been dreading for quite a bit of time now. Perhaps if he managed to convince Sebastian to tag along it would make it somewhat more bearable, although he doubted anything could make visiting his parents manageable.

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Now, several hours later, the black of night finally pierced the sun's heated light and darkness settled upon England, leaving the demons with time to play. Free from their masters for several hours the Phantomhive butler could already be seen making his way to the forest. While meeting at the dead of night was not what many would consider as being romantic, any hell dwelling creature would beg to differ. Night was the time that both human and reaper life was asleep, which allowed demon's time to roam as they pleased. There was no time more romantic than night in a demon's eyes, making their time together all the better. Their time together was what humans would refer to as dates, although they would never refer to their meet ups as that. They were so much more than that.
Sebastian was the first to arrive at the forked tree located in the middle of the forest that night, which slightly surprised him. Checking his pocket watch he found that he was a bit early, perhaps that was why his mate had not yet arrived. Perhaps the spider's young master was being troublesome again; Sebastian didn't put that past him. It was painfully clear that the brat desired nothing more than to gain Claude's love, which would forever escape his grasp.
After waiting twenty minutes, Sebastian became a bit antsy, wondering what on earth would make the other demon so late. Had he forgotten? No, that was highly unlikely. The raven demon was just about to press closer to the Trancy estate when a familiar shape came towards him from the direction of the Trancy manor. Even through the thick layer of darkness that loomed over the figure Sebastian could tell it was Claude. Silver rimmed glasses glinted in the dull moonlight and golden eyes shone, reminding the raven demon vaguely of a cat. He certainly was lovely enough to play the part of such a beloved creature.
"I was beginning to think you weren't going to show." Sebastian smiled, watching as the other made his way over to him, silently thankful that he didn't have to search for his lover within the confines of the manor of which he lived.
"When have I ever failed to show?" Claude leered, a coy smile tugging at his lips as he stopped just short of the smaller demon.
"You're late, how unlike a butler." Sebastian teased, smirking slightly. Even though they were mated it seemed as though the two's tendency to taunt one another had not quite faded away, which was all for the better. It kept their relationship amusing, even though it had only just begun.
"I apologize, I was preoccupied and lost track of time." Claude's smile flickered slightly, a new emotion playing on his face. This waver in expression was not missed by Sebastian.
"Is there something the matter, Claude?" The raven demon felt strong arms wrap around his waist as he was pulled closer to his mate.
"Actually, that is what I wished to speak to you about." The spider demon confessed, gazing into the other demon's eyes.
"What is that exactly?"
Sebastian, new to the other actually expressing emotions, was puzzled by his sudden change in attitude. Had something occurred that he was unaware of and if so, how severe of an occurrence was it?
"I received an interesting piece of mail today. It was from my parents."
"Your parents?" Sebastian repeated, slightly shocked.
Claude nodded, enjoying the feeling of the other against his chest and in his arms. He had never much cared for his parents. They were harsh, as most demons were and had gained complete obedience from their children at an early age. A refusal of any kind was met with a cruel punishment, cruel enough to make it so even after all these years they still held their children in the palm of their hands.
"You are aware of the spider's ranking in hell, correct?"
Sebastian nodded in response. It had been quite a bit of time since he had last visited hell, although if memory served the spiders were an upper class group; considered the lord of hell's right hand man. They were an extremely strict bunch that was known to ensnare their prey without mercy. They even went as far as to kill a disobedient child if they so felt like it. Needless to say they were not a favored class by the majority of demons, especially the lower classes.
"Well, seeing as I am of spider blood and the eldest son of my father and mother I am expected to be of respectful stature, which includes having a mate of similar status."
Sebastian remained silent, waiting for the other to continue.
"Of the late they have been pressing that matter strongly. They wish for me to visit them to meet a demoness they determined to be worthy for me."
Seeing the look on the raven demon's face Claude nuzzled the top of his head.
"Do not fear, I already informed them of you and…. They wish to meet you..."
The black haired man blinked in slight surprise. He certainly did not see that coming.
"I am aware that this is quite a bit to ask of you so soon in our relationship, but I see no other way around the matter."
Pressing a gentle kiss to Claude's lips Sebastian smiled. He understood that the situation was out of Claude's hands and although it may not be completely comfortable to him the raven demon found no way to refuse his lover's request. If that is what he wished, then so be it. He would comply.
"If that is what it takes to ensure you remain mine and mine alone, I shall meet your parents."
Claude figured he looked as relieved as he felt, leaning in to hug his love he stopped only once a strange scent caught his nose. Giving his mate a questioning look he cocked his head slightly to the side.
"What on earth is that smell? It smells like dog."
Sebastian looked flustered at the question and sighed, leaning against the other's chest.
"Pluto, the demon hound that takes residence at my master's estate, followed me every time I stepped outside. Even to the point that he tackled me in a hug. I despise mutts…"
Claude couldn't help but snicker at the look of utter disgust on the raven demon's face. Although Claude had never particular paid the dog any attention, he was aware that the mutt had taken a liking to the butler. Demon hounds always tended to favor one particular demon and grow fiercely protective of them. Having had a demon hound once before he was well accustomed to what that act meant. Pluto must have smelt the spider demon on his master, causing him to follow the raven demon even closer than peruse. This thought only proved to amuse Claude further. He felt the dog as no threat, only as an obstacle of sorts.
Smirking slightly, Claude captured the other's lips in a loving kiss.
"The mutt needs to know what is and isn't his and his to protect. You are mine and therefore I shall protect you with my life for eternity."