Finny sighed as he placed the large vase of white roses on the dinning table. He turned to Mey-Rin and Bard.

"Do you think the young master's okay?" The gardener asked softly.

"Course he is,Finny, he's the young master,he can handle himself,Sebastian taught him how to get by." Bard replied ,not bothering to look up from his work.

"I know,but he hasn't visited in a while. I miss him."

" we all do,but it's best for him to do what he thinks he needs. " Mey-Rin added, wiping the rest of the table.

"It's just that when Sebastian brought us here,I thought we'd all be able to stay together and then -"

"Not like he just left us, Maybe he's just busy,it's a big world out there,mate." Silence fell over them as they carried out their tasks. The Phantomhive staff couldn't help but notice that the castle felt quite empty following the Michaelis children's departure and even more so with the announcement shortly after that Ciel would be leaving them.

"Just like before, when it was just us in the master's house." Finny said at last, this time he found himself being pulled into a tight embrace.

"Don't worry,we've still got Mr. Sebastian and Cynna and Tanaka, the young master asked you to care for Pluto so you wouldn't-" Mey-Rin sniffled, unable to finish.

"Pull it together you two. We got work to do." Bard reminded them. the sound of hurried footsteps coming down the hall startled the staff into cleaning again.

The door was thrown open and Cynna stepped in, the frantic butler gazed around the room before his eyes rested on the trio.

"You three, have you seen Master Sebastian at all today?"

" no sir. " they replied in unison.

"Damn it!" He cried. " he was supposed to be hosting the noble families this evening. His father is beside himself. I've already searched the grounds. He left the crown on an armchair of all places and vanished. You would think he would learn responsibility by now. If he returns, please send him to the devil's castle at once. "

"Yes,Sir." The trio bowed , watching Cynna turn and leave them once again.

"It's not like him to do something like this, should we go have a look?" Mey-rin asked in concern.

" it probably wouldn't hurt. He's all right, probably lost track of time or something that's how he's been since the young master left. You should know that by now. " Bard said leading the staff into the hall.

"Finny, you stay with Pluto in case he shows up,We'll have a look in town."

" But-" Funny had no time to protest as his friends were soon out of sight.

The soft, cool breeze brushed gently over Ciel as he looked up into the night sky,stars danced above him as he sighed.

"Do you know what my problem is?" He asked.

"Tell me, I may be able to help." Sebastian offered , the older demon lay beside his former mate.

"I'm stuck. I'm somewhere between being a selfish prat and knowing where I should be. Then-then there's this middle ground. The freedom I feel like I need and when you showed up on the bridge,I realized something."

" what was that dearest? "

"I don't know how to leave you,not completely. It's been you and me for a long time,so long that I don't know if I'd ever get used to it. I -I still love you,Sebastian."

" and I love you. Demons have a certain understanding or tradition of you like, as far as mates and their place. perhaps we should start our own. You are free to go wherever you please,whenever your heart so desires it,but remember the road that will always bring you home,where I will always be there to greet you with open arms. "

"Would you even still want me there after everything?"

" if I didn't, I would not be here now. Nothing would make me happier than to have you eternally at my side. " Sebastian reached out,holding Ciel's hand. The ring now rested in it's rightful place.

"Whatever you decide,I want you to know that my family is everything to me,regardless of whether or not we are bonded,you are the mother of my children and therefore you are part of my family.I want you to come to me should you need anything at all."

" you've always been good to me,Sebastian. I know I keep saying that but it's true. "

"It's in my heart to do such things for you. You gave up your brothers and sisters , to be here with me. I waited quite a long time for you to come along, I will wait forever if you need me to." He rested his forehead against the younger demon 's. "Have you eaten recently?"

"It wasn't that long ago." Ciel replied.

"I see. Would you perhaps...accept a dinner invitation for tonight, followed by a walk through the vineyard, you remember Titus, don't you?"

"I do. He gave us that bottle of wine for our anniversary that year we came here together."

" Yes. Would you join me? "Ciel was about to reply when Sebastian began to nuzzle him lovingly.

" Sebastian -"

"Yes dear one?"

" you shouldn't -"

" I apologize, it's hard to break the habit. "

"I just don't want you to get ahead of yourself, I mean if I-"Sebastian rose to his feet, offering Ciel a clawed hand. The human form now gone, Ciel smiled

" please my love, I've chased away the butler and now just the two of us remain,just as you like it. " Ciel allowed Sebastian to pull him up.

"All right, I suppose I could accept the invitation...from an old friend."

" wonderful. Shall we go? "Ciel nodded, finding himself being lifted into the strong arms.

" Sebastian -"

"For old times my dear..little dog."

" Damn demon. " Ciel murmured, resting his head against Sebastian. The older demon began to move forward,enjoying the feeling of holding his Ciel close to him once again.

"Are you sure I'm not keeping you from anything important?" The former earl questioned.

"Nothing at all." Sebastian continued on his way. He decided they would take the long way around,revisit their favorite places and see the changes that had taken place. He knew Ciel wouldn't object to the tour, after all a promise had been made and both demons intended to keep it.