"I'm so happy that you were able to visit dears,"Ann said lovingly, she took a sip from her teacup.
"I'm pleased to see you are feeling better Ciel. My mate and I were worried about you." She continued, setting the cup back on the table.
"Thank you." Ciel said quietly, he glanced over at Sebastian who was trying not to show his pain.
Ciel reached out and took his hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. The older demon turned to him and smiled faintly.
"The two of you are so loving, it warms my heart to see how much you two mean to each other. But I must say that you have been very quiet today, I find myself growing concerned, tell me dear ones, is everything alright?" Ann's voice was filled with concern.
"All is well Mother, there is nothing to concern yourself with." Sebastian replied. Ann stared at them in silence for a long moment.
"As long as you are sure, but do keep in mind that I will always be here for you both should you need to speak to someone about anything at all. I love you both."
"And we love you Mother, thank you. We'll be just fine."Sebastian assured her.
"Of course you will. You are your father's son after all" A long silence followed until Ann was unable to handle the stillness any longer.
"Well, Sebastian, your cousins are visiting this week and I'd love to have you introduce Ciel to them, Naveen and Victor, those two look up to you. Naveen wants to be just like you, isn't that just darling?"
Ann chuckled softly.
"If Aunt Lavina is joining them, I'd rather not subject my Ciel to the visit, even her own father had enough of her. Grandmother had to practically beg him to-"
"That's enough. She won't be coming, just the boys. You shouldn't speak of your Aunt that way Sebastian, regardless of the past, she is my sister and your Aunt, our family. She may be a bit...what's the word I'm looking for?" Ann tilted her head slightly in thought.
"She a bloody nightmare, even for me."Sebastian said raising his cup and sipping his tea.
"She's really that bad?" Ciel asked curiously. Sebastian scoffed.
"Aunt Lavina is like three Mordreds, and everyone who has ever irritated you to the point you just wanted to pick up the nearest object and beat them with it all in one. She's arrogant and rude. Honestly I have no idea how Naveen and Victor managed to turn out the way they did with a dragon for a mother."
"Sebastian Caleb Michaelis, that's enough!" Ann said sternly. Ciel turned his head to hide the amused grin.
"What do you find so amusing about my name?"Sebastian asked.
"Nothing. I'm just surprised that's all." Sebastian shook his head.
"Honestly, do I make fun of your name, after all is Ciel not a female name primarily?" Sebastian smirked.
"That's not going to bother me, I very much like my name."
"since you know mine now, what is your middle name?"The older demon asked.
"If you think you're going to make fun of it, I advise you not to, it's Vincent."
"Of course, how could I not have guessed, it is tradition for humans to give their sons their father's name. I wouldn't think of disrespecting you family Ciel. I love you far too much and I've nothing to say about your parents, they truly must have been wonderful people, you reflect that, the way you never lost your love for your family. You may have been angry and hurt but you were always there for your cousin when she needed you. You have an excellent sense of responsibility and I cannot deny that you amaze me." Sebastian leaned closer to his former master and began to nuzzle him gently,
"After all that, the two of you are still just as loving, I have never witnessed such a thing." Ann said in awe.
"It is just one of many games we play. Though my Ciel was actually amused by my full name. He knows I could never say or do anything to hurt him. He is far too precious to me."
"Lovely, what a wonderful bond I see. The two of you will be amazing parents one day." Both Sebastian and Ciel lowered their heads and Ciel tightened his grip on Sebastian's hand once again.
"Have I said something wrong?"Ann asked, her smile fading.
"I'm afraid you've touched on a subject that is very difficult to speak of. I didn't want to upset you by bringing it to your attention today. I'm not certain I can speak of it at the moment."Sebastian said quietly. Ann bowed her head.
"Please forgive me, I had no idea that my comment could hurt you so terribly."
"No Mother, you have nothing to apologize for. You had no way of knowing but I suppose no time is really the right time for this sort of announcement. Mother, I'm afraid that Ciel and I can never have a child." He turned his head in an effort to hide the pain, Ciel moved closer, leaning into his mate.
Tears formed in Ann's eyes.
"I-I'm truly sorry." She sobbed.
"I must apologize to you, you were looking forward to having grandchildren and I cannot give you that opportunity. Please forgive my failure." Ciel too felt tears forming, to see Sebastian so upset was painful for him, and Ann's sadness only added to his guilt.
"Sebastian, I appreciate you trying to protect me, but I can't let you this time." Ciel said before the Queen could reply.
"It's my fault Ann, not his. I can't ask him to shield me from this. I'm the reason he won't be a father."
"Ciel-"
"It's alright Sebastian, you've protected me enough." Ann stood from her chair and embraced her son and Ciel.
"It will be alright, I love you both very much. I would have loved to have grandchildren, but I understand, I cannot hold it against you."
"we love you too Ann." The three demons would stay that way for a long moment before Ann released them and sat back down, wiping away her tears.
"Well, let's find a lighter topic for the moment shall we dear ones?"
"It's best I think." Sebastian agreed. Ciel sat silently, he didn't feel much like talking, the pain in his heart was nearly unbearable. He couldn't trust himself to speak. How could he have hurt Sebastian so much, how could Sebastian love him, how could he look into Sebastian's eyes after what had happened for eternity? these questions tortured Ciel. So many thoughts were still running through his mind.
You deserve so much more. I know what you told me, but it doesn't make this easier. I wish you would realize I want you to have your family, I can see you being a great father, you should be with someone that doesn't mind having a baby, why are you torturing yourself by trying to hold onto someone like me? Why can't you give yourself the chance to have everything? Ciel thought sadly. He would remain silent for the duration of the visit and the long ride back to the estate he shared with Sebastian.
"Welcome home masters." Cynna greeted, Ciel didn't seem to hear him, instead, he walked wordlessly to the stairs and made his way to the bedroom. He quietly closed and locked the door. He knew Sebastian could easily break it down if he wanted to, but The older demon also know that when Ciel locked the door, it was a sign that he needed some time alone and would respect it.
Ciel laid down on his side of the bed, pulling the covers over his head and curling up on his side. He was unaware that Sebastian was now standing outside the door. He reached out as if to try to open it before pulling his hand back.
You've locked the door haven't you love, please don't shut me out, I know you re hurting, I wish you would let me in Ciel, I want so much to help you, I will not lose you. Sebastian decided to give his mate some time to himself and talk with him later, but if he couldn't get him to talk about, he would have no choice but to enlist Alois to help him. Ciel was too precious to Sebastian to allow him to sink into this state. Sebastian refused to let Ciel drown in the pain he was feeling no matter what it took, he would show Ciel how much he was loved.