Ciel sipped from his glass as he watched Sebastian and Evian playing on the couch, the father and son had been playing video games all morning. The other children gathered in front of the television to watch.
"You know, it took Sebastian forever to learn the controls to this game, I just hope Evian doesn't decide he wants to change it on him." Ciel said to Alois who grinned.
"That would be too funny, If Lenora ever gets into video games I'd feel bad for Naveen." The blonde demon replied.
"You should've been here last night, his father tried to play with Vincent, it was one of those fighting games and of course Vincent won. Sebastian's father was actually shocked.
"That's hilarious." Alois laughed.
"It really was,Ann had to take him home, I've never seen anything like it in my life." Ciel smirked.
"Isn't he a bit old for that?"
"only by a few million years." Both boys chuckled.
"Are you making fun of my father yet again?" Sebastian called over his shoulder.
"I'm just saying that he's a bit old, which he is."
"You two are never going to get along if you keep that up. I would appreciate it if you would make some effort."
"I do, I moved in right above your parents,I invite them to birthdays, holidays and we've told them they're always welcome here. I talk to him,what more would you like me to do?"
"Ciel, my dearest love, we moved into this castle because it was better for you and you were going to have Vincent and Rachel." Sebastian reminded him.
"Yes, but the whole reason they gave it to us was so we could be closer and they could see the children."
"They gave it to us because they love you and your first few minutes here you were in love with the scenery and the castle itself.." The older demon corrected.
"Either way they benefit from us being here too." Alois shook his head.
"I win, Mama, I win dad did not!" Evian cried excitedly.
Ciel and Alois clapped for the child.
"Good job Evian, you did very well." Ciel praised causing the young demon to grin and show his fangs.
"You are truly your mother's son, I've only ever lost to him and now you." Sebastian sighed putting down the controller. The children gathered around their father and put their little arms around him.
"It's okay Dad, you don't have to win all the time." Rowan said.
"Brother Rowan is right, we love you even if you do not win because you are our daddy and we love you so much!" Rachel added.
"I think you are still good if you do not win at games because you still love us. I am proud of you anyway." Evian smiled at Sebastian and patted his shoulder.
"Dadyee, Dadyee!" Angelina and Kathryn clapped their tiny hands and bounced up and down.
"Thank you Children, I'm touched by your words and encouragement,I love you all very much."
"Even when we win?" Evian asked.
"Whether or not you win, I will always be proud of you and love you."
"Daddy, you make our tiny baby hearts so happy!" Rachel said resting a hand over her heart. Alois smiled.
"They're so sweet." He said.
"Yes, Rachel's a tiny version of Elizabeth and the boys like caring for their sisters and so it leads me to wonder how that happened. They're ready something." Ciel replied.
"Mama, you should play with dad, you can play the fighting game and see who is best,but please do not worry,we will love you and dad no matter what!" Evian vowed.
"Yes, that is good, Daddy and mommy playing a game will be silly, and then Alois and Mommy can play. Oh please,please play with Daddy." Rachel pleaded.
"I don't think so, I'm not really into those games."
"Come now Ciel, you want to see the children happy don't you?" Sebastian smirked.
"Yes, but I don't -"
"Let's make it interesting, if you play and win, I will agree to take you and our children on that holiday to Italy and we can travel the waterways just as you wanted."
"If you win what do you want?" Ciel asked.
"As always you will do one thing I ask without the option to refuse." Ciel moved closer and took the controller as the children cheered and Evian started the game.
After picking their fighters, the game began and both demons allowed a few moments to figure out how to use them before starting.
"Ready?' Ciel asked.
"quite. You may have the first move." Ciel moved his character forward, meeting Sebastian in the middle of the battlefield.
He pressed the button and the fighter delivered a sharp kick to its opponent sending Sebastian backwards.
"Not bad for your first try Ciel, let's see what happens if I press these." Sebastian held down two buttons at once and his character repeatedly hit Ciel's,forcing his health to deplete rapidly. The children gasped in horror.
"What's the matter?" Alois asked.
"D-Daddy is hitting my mommy, that is not nice at all. Bad daddy,you are not allowed to hit my mommy." Rachel sobbed.
"Rachel, it's only a game, he's not hurting me at all." Ciel explained.
"But you are the strange man and daddy is the puppy man and he is-"
"It's just a game He's not really fighting me."
"I would never, ever hurt your mother, fighting games have pretend characters to fight with,look closely, does it look like your mother?" Sebastian asked gently. Rachel moved closer and shook her head.
"Your mother is simply controlling the figure you see there, likewise he is not hurting me dear heart" Rachel rubbed the tears from her eyes.
"Do you promise Daddy, do you promise it does not hurt my mommy?"
"I'm not hurt, see I'm alright, I'm just playing with - damn it Sebastian!" Ciel cried as his character fell to the ground and the game ended.
"Victory is mine at last." Sebastian declared.
"I was explaining something to our daughter, I demand a rematch!"
"Of course Ciel,anything you like but I insist that you give me my request first."
"What request exactly?" Sebastian kissed him softly.
"Come with me to Italy, just you,the children and myself."
"But I thought that's what -"
"This is my request, you cannot refuse."
"Well then what choice do I have?"
"excellent,we leave in a week."
"That soon?" Ciel asked in surprise.
"My love, I've been planning this trip for a month, Italy has a special place in our hearts does it not?" Ciel recalled their first visit to Italy together to watch the shooting stars in the field. He couldn't forget what happened there that night.
"The stars should be putting on a show for us, it only comes around once every two hundred years, it would be a shame to miss it. Especially with the wonderful memories we shared, and this time our little ones will be joining us,not to mention the magnificent sights and sounds."
"It's a beautiful place, alright Sebastian, you win we'll go." The children cheered.
"Can Mama Bunny come too?" Evian asked.
"And Lovey?"
"But Tiger wants to go too!"
"And panda!"
"Certainly children they can join us."
"As long as we don't come back with any surprises." Ciel said. Sebastian kissed him again
"I can't promise that Ciel, but I can promise to make the trip memorable."
"You always do." The older demon nuzzled Ciel.
"Oh look brothers and sisters, mommy loves daddy and daddy is cuddling my mommy, it means daddy love him, isn't it happy?"Rachel grinned.
"Yes, this will be so happy, mama will remember happy things and I will see the pretty stars. That is where I was born right mama?' Ciel blushed.
"No, you were born in the house we let Alois and Naveen live in." Evian tilted his head.
"But it is a happy place for you and when I wanted to see you, I saw you and Dad in a happy field and then you were holding me. I do not understand it."
"You don't need to." Ciel told him. Alois laughed as he caught on.
"Shut up Alois." Ciel growled. Alois was about to reply when Sebastian's phone rang.
"This is my father, I wish he wouldn't call from his castle, it's mostly static, honestly,he lives just down passed the basement, he could just come up or send someone. Please excuse me." He stood up and exited the room.
"Could be worse Ciel, he could have seen -"
"Quiet!" Evian tugged on Alois ' sleeve.
"It is your turn to play fighting with Mama." The child announced.
"Will you please?"Vincent asked.
"Alright, I'll play" Alois agreed taking the controller.
"Good, I'm going to enjoy this,prepare to lose Trancy, I'm going to show you what happens when you laugh at things you shouldn't."
"You're absolutely mad, I play these games with Naveen. If you win, I'll kneel down and apologize to you right here." Alois said.
"Want to get it out of the way before we start?"
"You wish, I'm really good at games like this, I'll beat you in less than five minutes."
"Not even in your dreams Alois." Ciel pressed start and the game began.