Ciel sat in the silent room, beside him Sebastian faced the stunned servants, his eyes glowing red.
The Earl bowed his head knowing that his life would be changed yet again by the decisions of the four people he had grown to care for, even if he didn't often show it. Thw silence seemed to go on forever.
"I knew it!" Bard said suddenly, startling everyone in the room. Sebastian and Ciel both looked at him curiously.
"You knew?" Sebastian questioned skeptically.
"Well, didn't know what exactly but I was fairly sure you aren't human. No one's that bloody perfect." The demon butler shook his head in amusement.
"Well, now that the knowledge is out there for you all, I would like to offer a choice. You can leave this house and begin your own lives, You will of course be given enough money to start you off, or you can stay here, keep the secret within these walls and keep your current positions. I know It's a lot to take in, you don't need to answer tonight. I think one week should give you plenty of time to think about your decision.
"'S'no choice to be made for me." Bard said "I'm in."
Ciel couldn't believe it, after all they had just heard, It was hard to believe anyone would want that life.
"I won't leave the young Master, our family." Finny smiled, Ciel returned it.
"Of course I'm not going anywhere, I'll be the Phantomhive maid for as long as you'll have me, yes I will." Mey-Rin held up her duster, grinning.
It was Tanaka's turn now, he sat quietly. All eyes turned to him.
"Frankly, I am... Disappointed that you would hide something like this from me. Even more so your young son. He probably could have been a lot better off had you been honest from the start. I'm sure it would have made all the difference in the world for him. All this time, for him to believe he had lost everything, and here you were in front of him. A boy needs a father more than a butler." The man said sternly, the demon bowed his head, he knew Tanaka was right.
Bard and Finny snickered quietly.
"Only Tanaka has the ability to shame a demon and fearlessly stand his ground." Sebastian shot them an irritated glare and the pair fell silent.
"That being said, young Master, words cannot express the sadness in my heart for what you've been through. Most of which you went through alone. I am truly sorry. I do not wish to add to your suffering, I've known you since the day you were born, helped care for you, loved you , I cannot now after all this time turn my back on you. I will remain here." Ciel smiled happily.
"I would ask one thing of you master Ciel, your father loves you dearly. He went about it the wrong way but everything he's done was to protect you. From your first day of life, he's wanted you to be happy and healthy. Don't judge him too harshly. You need each other now. Try to ve patient, I know he is doing the best he can." Sebastian felt a rush of gratitude to the man as Ciel nodded.
The young Earl stood up beside Sebastian who knelt to eye level.
"Ciel, what happened today, I never thought of you as any sort of disappointment, you are far from it. If ever I gave you such an impression, made you feel unloved, that fault lies with me. I never wanted you to think that, and no one is fearless, no matter how much it seems that way. Even I have fears."
"You're afraid of something?"
"Yes. I am terrified of losing you Ciel. That is the reason I push you so much. So that you have every opportunity to survive. I know I am not the best father, not even close. If you could give me time to learn how to approach our situation, you and I could teach each other. Help me to understand what you need from me so that I may give it."
Ciel through his arms around the older demon's neck as tears flowed from his eyes.
"I need you, I want my father not a damn butler." Sebastian held him close, allowing his son to rest his head on his shoulder.
"Then, you shall have him Ciel. Let us start again, it will take time, and there will be many occasions in which we will be angry at each other, but always know that you are precious to me and I will love you eternally, my son."
"I love you too."
"That's so sweet, yes, a father's love for his child" Mey-Rin sniffled
"So t-touching, the young master, together with his father. I'm so glad we get to be part of this." Finny sobbed happily. Bard burst into tears.
"Wish my father loved me that much!"
"Oh Bard!" Finny and Mey-Rin said sympathetically patting him on the shoulder.
"Ho ho ho." Tanaka added approvingly.
"Well, let us all go into the dinning room and enjoy dinner together, to celebrate our family, after we eat, I've made German chocolate cake, with a chocolate filling." He released the boy as everyone made their way to the dinning room leaving father and son to walk together.
Ciel leaned into Sebastian's side as he walked.
"Do you recall the way you used to arrive at the dinner table love?" Sebastian smiled.
"You used to carry me, and-"
"That's right, what happened on the way to the table?"
"No, don't aren't I a little too old for-" he laughed as Sebastian lifted him up and began to tickle him as he walked. He stopped in the hallway. The smile still bright on the boy's face.
"Terribly sorry dear one, old times sake you know."