Sebastian made his way through the crowd, he did his best to avoid giving any sign of inviting conversation. His only goal at the moment was finding Ciel.
Ciel, please be here, you cannot simply appear before me and vanish moments later. He thought scanning the room once more.
"If you are looking for Mama, he's over near the drinks with Cousin Alois and a brown haired demon. I know he'll be happy to see you." Evian said from behind him. Sebastian turned.
"Thank you, Evian." He said starting toward his destination.
"Dad?" Evian called, the king stopped.
"Yes?"
"You have nothing to worry about. Mama gave you the truth of it on the telephone when last the two of you spoke. Please try not to be too unhappy." Sebastian nodded. He crossed the room, passing the nobles who were now chatting quietly as the soft music played, he walked between the dancing couples, allowing memories to flood his mind.
Ciel sipped from his glass while talking to Lizzy, the two smiled. Sebastian straightened his suit and walked over to his mate, kneeled on the floor.
"Pardon the interruption, but I was hoping to borrow my beautiful mate for a short time. As it's our wedding day, I-"
"Anniversary, we're already married, it was just a vowel renewal." The former earl pointed out.
"Technically speaking, yes. However we agreed this day would be a new beginning. Therefore, I hereby declare it our wedding day." The blonde girl grinned.
'Of course, I'll go play with Angelina and Kathryn. I'll see you both later. " the older demon waited for her to leave before taking Ciel's hand.
"All right, what's going on?" Ciel asked while he was being pulled gently from his chair and into his Mate's strong arms.
"This is quite a special occasion, our eldest children are with my parents, Lady Elizabeth is caring for the youngest two, which leaves just us." The former Butler leaned forward, catching Ciel's lips with his own, holding his mate close, deepening the kiss.
"Dance with me?" He whispered when they pulled away.
"You know I can't dance to save my life." Ciel replied.
"Darling, that is exactly why you have me." He kissed him once again.
"To dance or save my life?"
"Why choose when you can have it all?"
"It's a bit awkward dancing when your partner is too-"
"You can stand on my feet if you like, it would give you some height and all you will need to do is stand there and be your beautiful self." Ciel sighed.
"Please my love, I rarely ask this of you. I shall make it up to you later."
"Fine." Ciel said. " but I'll hold you to it."
"I certainly hope so." Sebastian led Ciel to the dance floor, to Sebastian's delight, his request turned into nearly an entire evening spent dancing and holding each other. Both so lost in each other that nothing else existed around them.
He was pulled from his thought when Ciel was finally in view ahead of him. The former Prince stood between Alois and his guests, all three chatting cheerfully.
"You're joking." Alois' voice reached Sebastian's ears.
"I'm not. I really did." Ciel insisted with a smirk.
"Sorry I missed it, sounds like it was fun." The blonde demon sipped from his glass.
"Then if you can believe it, he had the entire bar going." The brown haired demon chuckled. Sebastian hesitated only a moment, taking in the sight, his Ciel had found happiness.
"Ciel." He called finally, approaching the group. Instantly the guest's eyes widened with fear as he knelt on the floor, his eyes cast downward. Ciel and Alois remained standing.
"He's an odd fellow." Sebastian commented briefly glancing at the kneeling demon.
"I'm aware of our customs and how to behave with royalty, however I've never actually witnessed such a frightened response."
"Be nice, this is Magnus." Ciel explained. "He's a good friend." Sebastian shook his head.
"Stand up." The king ordered, Magnus obeyed instantly. Before saying anything else, Sebastian embraced Ciel.
"I've missed you." He said holding him close. "Welcome back, I'm happy to see you managed to come."
"Of course I'm here, you asked me to be. We said we'd always be together for big events. It was a good excuse to come home for a bit."
"Darling, you hardly need an excuse, this will always be your home, as such you need no other reason to be here. Tell me, how long will you be staying?"
"I don't know really. I thought I'd spend sometime catching up with our family while Magnus has a look around London." Sebastian released Ciel at last.
"Would you mind having a quick word?" He continued.
"Not at all." He turned to Alois. "Maybe Magnus would like to meet Naveen." He suggested.
"I'm sure I can find him. He was talking to Nora and Cayden somewhere over by the door." Alois gestured in the direction, leading Magnus away.
"Quickly, Mordred is around here somewhere and you know how he gets. He's got a new potential mate as well which will only complicate matters." Sebastian ushered Ciel out into the hall and into the passage that would lead to their castle basement.
"No one is there at the moment." Sebastian said. "We'll be able to talk privately." Once they entered the medieval structure, they made their way to the parlor where Sebastian pulled the door closed behind him. He removed the crown from his head, placing it on the chair beside him. Both demons sat down across from each other.
"What did you want to talk about?" The former earl asked.
"I'd love to hear of your adventures, what have you been up to since last we saw each other?"
"I'd hardly call it an adventure, but it was hard at first. I'd gotten so used to you being there with me and then you weren't and I was on my own. I ended up in a place called Seattle where I met a demon who had been living as a human. There's quite a few interesting things over there. Long story short and you already know this bit, I found my way to New York where I met Jonathan, Magnus and Gray."
"I see, you didn't explore the locations?"
"A little. I was mostly on a train. Beautiful scenery, lots of trees and rivers. But it's good to be back. I did have a good time after I got over being alone, that was the worst of it. I never stayed long in one place, thought there was just too much to see. Turns out that the cities and towns look similar to each other no matter where you are."
"I'm sorry, Ciel."
"You've nothing to be sorry for. I should actually be thanking you for giving me the chance to see what the world's really like, you've given me so much freedom and you were well within your rights to deny me this. Our agreement from before, long ago, I was supposed to be yours and-"
"You are not my prisoner, I won't force you into anything, I have always promised you that. I stand by my vow." Sebastian said solemnly.
"How have you been getting on?" Sebastian sighed.
"A bit better now that you're here. I've been keeping busy with Father. The children have been visiting more often. they still haven't gotten used to you not being here to greet them. The staff miss you of course. They're also helpful when feedings are needed. Vincent and Kathryn find it difficult to find contracts lately." Ciel bowed his head.
"What sort of mother am I, instead of helping my children, I'm being selfish."
"You're not. You're a brilliant mother. They're old enough now that they can take from other sources." Sebastian comforted. "There comes a time when little ones grow and parents have time for themselves, it's normal."
"I know, I just miss it sometimes."
"It's only natural. If you want, you and your friend can stay here so you can visit with them and your family."
"Thank you. Do you mind if I take my jacket off it's a bit warm in here."
"Of course not, I want you to be comfortable." Ciel removed his blue jacket, placing it on the arm of his chair.
"How is your family?"
"Beth's off to university, she's studying to be a doctor and from there she hopes to become a healer for our kind. Mother misses her 're all extremely proud of her." Ciel nodded.
"It sounds like you have good reason to be."
"Yes. Mother and father are looking forward to retirement. They will remain in their castle." Silence passed between the pair. Both gazing absentmindedly at the fireplace.
"I know I've said it before but, I miss you so." The older demon slid off hi chair and knelt down before Ciel, who rested his palm on Sebastian's cheek.
"I miss you too. We can't go back to the way-" Sebastian pressed his lips to Ciel's.
"We could if you wanted to. For a while at least, allow me to hold you again." The king requested. When you leave me, my world shatters. I need to have you near me, until you decide to go."
"I told you last time we could never do it again, it's not fair to either of us. It only leads to con-" Ciel held Sebastian tighter while he found himself being nuzzled. He relaxed in the older demon's arms.
Sebastian stood up carefully.
"Allow me to show you to your room." He said.
"Are you sure you have the room with the children staying here?"
"Of course, you'll stay in our room, I have no need for sleep." Sebastian smirked suddenly, catching sight of Ciel's white shirt.
"What?" Ciel demanded.
"It's just that you seem to have a slight problem with the buttons on your collar." The younger demon tilted his head slightly.
"No matter, I shall help you with it upstairs." Sebastian said as he carried Ciel up the steps and into the bedroom.