Ciel stood out in the yard staring up at night sky. He was so deep in thought that he didn't notice his father had joined him.
"Ciel, what are you doing out here, I sent you to bed two hours ago." Sebastian said kneeling down beside his son.
"Ciel?" He said again having not gotten a response.
"What?" The older demon sighed.
"What on Earth are you doing out here, it is past bedtime, you have lessons in the morning and I do not want to fight you to wake up."
"I was just thinking."
"About what?"
"I wonder what It's like up there, I know I'll never see it. Everyone says how wonderful It's supposed to be, but then if It's such an amazing place, why did she leave ro be here?"
"Because your mother loves you very much. Her Heaven is a place on Earth so long as you remain here."
"Sebastian?"
"Yes?"
"What happens when a halfling d-"
"Enough questions for tonight." Sebastian said quickly.
"Does it scare you that much?"
"Ciel, my precious son, the very worst that can happen to a parent is to lose a child. Too much has happened to our family to allow me to answer such questions."
"They really are beautiful, the stars and the moon, especially a full moon." Ciel commented.
"Yes, you have always enjoyed them. Once or twice when you were very small, you pretended to be on the moon. Such an imagination you had. "
"I remember that on warm evenings, you would take us to a small hill in the country and we would set out a blanket and look up at the stars together, sometimes Tanaka even joined us." Sebastian smiled.
"Yes. You would get so excited because they were 'dancing' for you. We would lie there on that blanket, the three of us, until you fell asleep. Then we would take you home."
"I would wake up while you were carrying me to bed, so you would lay me down in your arms like a baby and rock me gently while mum stroked my hair. You would both whisper "good night little angel, It's time to sleep, we love you with all our hearts."
"I didn't think you remembered us saying that."
"Before you found me, that's how I got through the night. I would repeat that to myself as a comfort and pretend you were both there with Me and that I wasn't alone." Sebastian felt a tug at his heart.
"You poor boy." He pulled Ciel into a hug. The boy didn't fight it, instead he returned it, placing his head on his father's shoulder.
"Forgive me, you never should have gone through that. If I had found you sooner-"
"You came, that's what matters. You could have just left me, but you took me away from there."
"Of course I did. How could I not, I love you more than anything in this world. No one will ever hurt you again,not as long as I live."
"I know. You would never let them. I will always be safe with you."
"That's right my dear one. All you ever need to do is call my name and I will be there." Ciel snuggled in close to Sebastian's body, as a scared child would cling to their parent. Sebastian stood up, taking Ciel with him.
"Now it is late my angel, dreamland awaits to carry you off until morning."
"I'm not tired, not really. Just sad."
"Well then, I must remedy that, would you like to have a piece of cake and some warm milk?"
"Yes." Sebastian carried his son inside and to the dinning room table.
"It will only take a moment." Sebastian said, disappearing into the kitchen. Ciel sighed, the terrible memories plagued his mind. He rarely got a break from them at night, when it was quiet and he was alone in bed, he had time to allow his mind to wander, and it almost always went back to that.
"Young Master, are you okay?" Finny asked rubbing his eyes with one hand and in the other, he held a glass of water.
"I suppose I'm as okay as I can ever be. You're up late."
"Just came to get a glass of water. Mr. Sebastian was kind enough to get it for me just now. He seems like a great caretaker. Wish I had a father to love me the way he loves you."
"I am very fortunate yes. He's an extraordinary father. He carries a lot of pain and guilt with him. I'm afraid I'm rather hard on him. I honestly don't know how he does it. I'd have given up on myself ages ago."
"He could never do that, you mean too much to him. Mr. Sebastian knows you don't mean those things. That's what happens when you love someone. We could never do that to you either. You're very good to us, we love you."
"After everything I've said and did?"
"Of course. We could never stop loving you, just like a real family. We'll always look after you, you don't have to worry any more." The gardener yawned.
"Sorry, long day in the garden, beautiful day, but long."
"Yes I imagine so, Sebastian didn't need to fix it today. Well done" Finny smiled.
"Thank You young master."
"Go and rest now, tomorrow is another day."
"Yes young master, goodnight."
"Night Finny." Ciel replied as Sebastian brought him his snack.
"There you are Ciel. After you've finished, it is time for bed."
"Alright. Will you stay with me tonight?"
" if that is what you wish yes." Ciel didn't take long to finish his snack and when everything was bglgone, he allowed Sebastian to carry him to bed and tuck him in.
"Good night my little one." Sebastian whispered as he kissed his son's forehead.
"Night Sebastian, I love you."
"I love you too Ciel, I will see you tomorrow."