"Ciel, honestly, look around you." Magnus said as he followed his friend down the street, he motioned to the darkened sky and the full moon surrounded by stars above them. He took hold of Ciel's arm.
"Have you ever seen such a beautiful scene, they shine so brilliantly." Ciel smiled faintly.
"It's nice, but I've seen better, yes."
"Have you?" Magnus pressed.
"Many years ago, I was lying in a field looking up at the sky. I never thought shooting stars could be so incredible, so perfect." Magnus nodded slowly.
"Your mate took you there?"
"Yes. Sebastian's always been the romantic type. He's-"
"Are you still in love with him?"
"Why does it matter to you, I've been telling you I'm not-"
"I know."
"There will always be love for Sebastian, he's done so much for me, he's my children's father, he's always there even now after everything I've put him through. How can I not love him?" Ciel once again began walking. "If you only knew the lengths he had gone for me."
"I see. I suppose this means...no matter what I do, there is no chance?" Ciel stopped once more, turning to him.
"I like you, you've been a good friend to me in the short time I've been here. I just don't look at you the same way. I'd still like to be friends if you're all right with it." Ciel said gently.
"I would dearly love to be more, but given the choice of having you completely out of my life... I choose friendship. It'll be difficult for a while I suppose."
"There's someone out there for you, that's going to want to give you that family and spend forever with you, you'll find them."
"You're right. Thank you." Magnus said.
"I think we should get home now, I've got a long day tomorrow.'" The former Earl said.
"Yes, I understand. Can I walk you back?"
"If you want to I wouldn't mind the company." The demons continued down the empty street.
"He's lucky." Magnus said breaking their silence. "Your mate, he was very fortunate to have had that chance with you, I mean."
"I'd have to disagree. Sebastian is amazing, I was the lucky one. I think maybe I loved him a bit too much, I never actually could say no when it came to certain things. If I had been able to, this life may have been different. I might be at home now." Ciel explained.
"It must have been a beautiful life when you have that kind of love. You speak so highly of him. His royal blood meant nothing to you, you fell in love without a second thought is social status."
"It didn't matter to me, I could search the world and never find a better father for my children, someone who could love me so unconditionally. I just wish he didn't hurt so much." Ciel admitted.
The demons stopped in front of a two story house which in Magnus' opinion was far from being a potential residence for a Prince of any sort.
"This is your home?"
"Temporarily. I'll be leaving by next week, I still have a lot to see on this side of things."
"Of course. Do you plan to return here one day?"
"Maybe. Could be a while. Thank you for walking with me." Ciel turned to the door.
"Must be lonely, having that building to yourself after all those years spent with your family." Ciel stopped. It was true, he dreaded returning to the emptiness that allowed his mind to wander back to his past.
"If you want, I could stay for a while, give you some company."
"If you're clear about what I explained to you before, you can come in and have a drink." Magnus smiled warmly and followed Ciel inside.
"Please my son, try your best to focus. Clearly you still feel the loss of your Mae, but you must be prepared for your coronation. Ciel has made it clear that he has no plan to return to time has come to move on." The devil growled.
"I'm afraid I don't know how, Father. I know I must, yet my heart has not healed."
"This could have been avoided you know." Mordred crossed his arms. "I hope you learned your lesson, Bastian. Never bond with your dinner, it can only end-"
"With me snapping you like a twig if you say another word!"
"Temper brother dear, don't blame me for the choice made by that thing you called a mate. I told you no good would come of it."
"And you are wrong. Ciel gave me a family and many years of happiness. Not that I need to explain myself to a nuisance like you. When I am King, you Mordred, will be the first thing to go."
"Empty threats, that's all they are. Mother and father-"
"Cannot protect you all your life. Do keep that in mind." Sebastian glared at his brother. Mordred smirked.
"Is that what you think, I hide behind our parents?"
"If not for them, I would have killed you ages ago, you seem to think you can get away with anything. You must understand, when mother and father step down, they can no longer shield you. I assure you, you will be held accountable for your actions."
"Sebastian, I may no longer rule, however your mother and I will always be your family. As such, I ask that you keep your dear mother in your thoughts." The king said stepping between his sons.
"Of course, I shall think of Mother, I shall have to find a way to send my apologizes after I kill Mordred. He's more than earned it and I'm certain mother will forgive me one day, after all, look what he's gotten away with."
"Sometimes in life and in the role of King, it pays to take the higher road my son. Do not lower yourself to your brother's level
"I would never" Sebastian cried. " I wouldn't dream of attacking his mate and infant son oh that's right, you don't have a mate or a child. " Sebastian taunted.
"You have no mate either, have you forgotten?" Mordred fired back.
"At least Ciel still contacts me, yours is who knows where." Mordred shrugged.
"She served her purpose. If it hadn't been for you sticking your bloody nose in my business-"
"If you knew how to behave yourself, no one would have intervened in the first place."
"And if you hadn't been so hell bent on taking what is rightfully mine, we wouldn't be here now. You have the nerve to stand in Father's place after tainting our bloodline just so you could-" Sebastian's fist suddenly collided with Mordred's face forcing the older demon to the floor.
Sebastian stood over his brother, his eyes glowing a dangerous crimson.
"Say one more word and I swear I will end you." He growled. Mordred turned his head, spitting out several drops of blood onto the floor.
"You think you can win do you?" He challenged pulling Sebastian down. The king sighed, lowering himself onto his chair waiting the fight drag on.
"What is going on here?" Ann cried suddenly. She took a step forward only to be stopped by her mate.
"Let them be, Rhiannon. Nothing you or I do will be enough to calm the storm that has been building all these years, it will always come right back to this. Sometimes siblings must fight. Perhaps this will be what our sons need to work out their aggression." The king said holding Ann close. He knew there would be many more fights between them but hoped the severity would decrease in time.