Mommy, I miss Daddy." Rachel sobbed later that evening.
"so do I, but he'll come home soon." Ciel soothed.
"promise?"
"I wish I could."
"does daddy still love us?" she sniffled as she looked into her mother's eyes."
"of course he does."
"Promise?"
"That I can promise, yes."
"Mommy, will Alois cry forever?"
"No. Eventually, he won't cry anymore, well, not for this reason."
" I feel sad for him too, Naveen is away with Daddy and he does not have babies to hug him and love him like you."
"But he has you and your brothers to hug him and make him feel better."
"I love cousin Alois mommy, may I hug him?"
"A bit later, right now he needs some alone time."
"Okay mommy, can I give you hugs?" She reached out for Ciel who couldn't deny her request and held her.
"Yes Rachel, I love you very much."
"I love you very much too mommy, when Daddy comes home can we hug him too?"
"I think he would like that. Your father likes when the four of you hug him."
"He is a good daddy."
"Yes he is."
"Young Master?" Tanaka called from the door.
"Come in." Ciel invited.
"I won't be a bother, I just wanted you to know that I've always considered you part of my family, as such, if there's anything at all I can do, please ask."
"Thank you. Would you mind keeping watch on the children, I want to check on Alois."
"Certainly."
"Rachel, would you like to give Tanaka a hug?"
"Yes." Ciel gave the child to the old man and made his way to the guest Room and found the door opened.
Alois sobbed on the bed,
"How do you do it, you haven't been upset since we were with Ann."
"I have children, I can't let myself show how badly I hurt all the time. Just because you don't see it, that doesn't mean It's not there."
"I feel so...lost and I just don't know what to do."
"Honestly, there isn't much we can do. When you're ready, if you like, the children are going to make art projects for Sebastian when he comes home. You can sit with us."
"Thank you." Ciel patted his shoulder.
"They'll be alright. Naveen is very brave, and he does love you. He's going to come back."
"You really think so?"
"Of course." Alois wiped his tears on his sleeve.
"Maybe if I'm not alone, if I come too I can take my mind off of it."
"We would like for you to join us." Alois stood up and smiled sadly following Ciel out of the room.
It was dark by the time the king's army arrived at what was to be their camp. Sebastian looked up at the sky, his thoughts on his family. On a normal day, Ciel would be saying goodnight to their children, maybe telling them a story, he knew there would be no sleep tonight.
"Cousin Sebastian, are you alright?"
"I suppose so, and you Naveen, how are you?" The young demon sighed.
"I'm not doing well cousin, I think of my precious one and how upset he was. I hope he will be alright, I couldn't live without him, if ever he-"
"Alois will have our family, Hannah and Luca. They will keep him safe."Sebastian said.
"I worry more for my Alois than for myself."
"That is what it is to be a mate Naveen. To put them before yourself, to love them above all else."
"Like you and Ciel, until I met Alois, I could only wish to know what true love means. He is my everything cousin." Sebastian smiled.
"Then you have chosen your one true mate correctly. My Ciel and I have been through so much, I have done things to him that I deeply regret, yet he has forgiven me, made my life meaningful, he has given me beautiful children and an eternal love that cannot be broken. I am greatly indebted to him."
"Do you think we will see them again?" Naveen's normally sparkling emerald eyes were full of pain and worry.
"Of course we will, it is just a matter of when. As soon as this war is over, I fully intend to hold my family close and never let them go."
"Before or after cousin Ciel strangles you into unconsciousness?" Naveen chuckled.
"Both." Sebastian said with a smile.
"If you aren't careful Michaelis, he just might do it." Claude said from behind them. The cousins turned.
"What are you doing here Claude, I didn't realize my father was drafting insects for his army."
"First of all, spiders are not insects, second I'm here by choice. I was hoping that since you and I are on the same side, we could call a truce."
"With the demon that stole my mate, put my eldest son in danger, nearly killed my twins before they were born, you are lucky you still live, there is no reason good enough for me to even consider-"
"That's unfortunate, you see, I am here for a specific reason and-"
"I have heard enough." Sebastian said coldly. Claude didn't reply, he walked away silently.
"Well, then my dear Naveen, what is it you are looking forward to after this?"
"Holding my precious Alois, telling him how much I love him, maybe starting a family one day. I want very much to be a father, I know it will not replace the one we lost but maybe my Alois will allow it. I know how much pain it caused him, I do not push the issue. Tell me, how did you get cousin Ciel to want to be a mother?"
"I didn't, it was in him to have that sort of feeling but he didn't realize it until just before he gave birth to Evian. After that, he found that being a mother brought him joy. It does not work the same way for everyone. If it is meant to happen dear cousin, it will. Though I commend you for being so patient with your mate."
"My Alois has been through far too much already, I could never force him into something, for I love him dearly."
"I know you do Naveen, he knows as well."
"Sebastian." A deep voice called from behind.
"Deimos, I didn't expect to see you here."
"Orders from the king, Fen and Ao are here too. Sorry to see you here though. Your mate and children must be taking it hard, I'm sorry my friend but you're father is a cold hearted fool for separating you."
"Ciel had an even worse opinion."
"I'm sure he did. Tell you what, we're about to go join in the fun, you two should come along, just over by the barracks."
"Cousin Sebastian, what do you think?"
"Well, it could take our minds off of our pain. If you would like to go, we shall.". Naveen stood up semi-reluctantly, he knew Alois would not leave his thoughts as he began to walk away, Sebastian however stayed a moment longer and once again turned his attention to the sky.
"Goodnight my beautiful Ciel, though I cannot be with you tonight, my heart is by your side, and you as well as our children are in my thoughts. I hope that the separation becomes easier for you and that you know just how much I love you all." He said before following his cousin.
Back at the castle, unknown to Sebastian, Ciel gazed into the night sky missing his mate.
"Remember your promise Sebastian, we're waiting for you, be safe. Return to me, I love you so very much, everyday without you will be painful, but I will still be a mother for our children, this I promised you. All I want is to have you here."
"Master Ciel?" Cynna called quietly.
"What?"
"Miss Rachel is most upset, it seems Master Rowan took one of her dolls and will not return it."
"Alright, I don't know what's gotten into that boy today." Ciel shook his head and went inside with the butler, he followed the sound of his daughter sobbing. Ciel knew it would be difficult without Sebastian but he had a feeling it was only the beginning.