Unforeseen Consequences (Lovely Thyme and HaliBug)

[HaliBug]

"You're such a little bookworm," Vincent commented with a chuckle. He sat beside Sebastian, pulling the demon close to continue warming his mate. The two relaxed together, and while Vincent wasn’t happy that they hadn't found anything so far in the books, he was confident that they would eventually.

"You gave up quite a bit to have a family," Vincent mentioned. "I had the choice to have a family and worked for years to do it. I feel like I didn't give you much of a choice." After all, Ciel had just suddenly become Sebastian's son as well, Callen joining soon after. Sebastian did get to choose with Bart, but by then they already had two and a little one on the way. "But if you want to be treated like a precious jewel, I will make sure to do so."

The two relaxed for some time, Vincent continuing to keep Sebastian close. Vincent heard footsteps approaching, though was surprised when it was Bart that he sensed.

"I'm sorry, am I interrupting?" Bart asked. He was still wearing his robe, holding the book Vincent had given him a week ago.

"Not at all; were you wanting to use the library?" Vincent asked, not moving from where he sat.

"I was just practicing my reading again…" Bart trailed off. Vincent raised an eyebrow; Bart hadn't wanted Sebastian or Ciel to know that he had been learning how to read, so no one had said anything. But Bart didn't seem to mind if Sebastian found out any longer.

"Any progress?" Vincent asked.

"I can read the whole book, but it's a bit…slow," Bart answered.

[Lovely Thyme]

Sebastian shook his head quickly when Vincent mentioned he didn't have much choice in gaining a family. He could have decided not to be Ciel's mother and then none of this would have happened. Sebastian didn't regret his choice at all, even if it had been made sooner than expected. The smaller demon lifted his head to rub his nose against Vincent's and said, "I only miss the excitement of it all. Back then, I enjoyed the attention, but I was always looking for someone who actually wanted to have me. I wouldn't settle for any less than perfect. I needed someone to work hard to show me that they wanted a life with me and could provide for me. I've found you now and I'm not going to let you go...Though I wouldn't mind being treated like a precious jewel again."

It was understandable why Sebastian was missing the excitement of the unknown and the uncertain. While Vincent left often enough on business, Sebastian was always inside with Ciel because of their youngest child's illness. Sebastian loved being a mother to all of their children, but it was slowly driving him mad to stay inside the stuffy manor without anyone to talk to but his kids when Vincent traveled about. He hoped Claude could help. Seeing his old friend would surely bring some excitement for a little while at least.

Sebastian tilted his head when Bart came in and told them that he had been practicing his reading. At first, he simply assumed that Vincent had assigned the teen a large book with complicated business language for his studies, but he had a feeling that wasn't true when he saw the children's book in Bart's grasp. He tried to hide his surprise when it was finally revealed to him that Bart must have never learned to read. Well, he had apparently learned during his stay at the manor but still. Not wanting the child to feel bad, Sebastian did what he does best and encouraged their child by giving them comfort. He moved apart from Vincent and patted the spot in between them.

"Come and read to me, my love. My books are much too boring. I would rather listen to you." The tone wasn't patronizing, but it was a gentle coo. Sebastian always had it in his voice when speaking to his children though it was much more prominent when he spoke to the younger ones. As he watched Bart move, Sebastian turned to give Vincent a look. He wanted his mate to explain when they were in private again. The confession had him thinking about their own secrets that they were keeping from their newest son. If Bart could tell him the truth, he could tell Bart the truth.

[HaliBug]

Bart perked up a bit when Sebastian asked him to read to him, sitting between his parents. He opened up the book and began to read aloud. It wasn’t perfect and it was obvious that Bart was still learning to read, but he knew it would take practice and his parents wouldn't judge him. If they hadn't returned him to the orphanage yet, Bart had a feeling they wouldn't.

By the time Bart finished reading his book, Vincent could hear the pitter patter upstairs that alerted him that one or both of his other sons were awake. He sighed; Vincent did not think Callen or Ciel were going to be happy about their mother leaving for the day.

"I'll be back," Vincent spoke, leaving the library for the nursery. He walked in to discover that Ciel was busily emptying the drawers with his nappies in them. Vincent raised an eyebrow. "Just what are you doing, Ciel?"

"I go potty," Ciel told Vincent. "I don't need nappies anymore. I'm a big boy!" Vincent chuckled a bit, lifting Ciel into his arms. It was obvious that Ciel had picked up on things he had said before.

"Ciel, you don't need to empty your nappy drawer. You still need them for night-time anyway." There was no sense in arguing with his youngest, who would surely argue him to death. "Come, let's go to the library to see your mummy and leave your brother to sleep," Vincent said. He didn’t want to wake Callen if he could help it, and carried Ciel to the library. "Guess who was just trying to get rid of his nappies without telling us?"

[Lovely Thyme]

{Just wanted to make sure you got my message}

Sebastian wrapped an arm around Bart as soon as the young man sat down next to him. He hoped he wasn't making Bart nervous by watching so closely or smiling so largely, but he couldn't help it. This was a large accomplishment for his son, and he was ecstatic that he was able to see it.

Even though it took longer than usual, the book was still over quickly because of its size. Not able to help himself, Sebastian kissed Bart's cheek and hugged the teen close. He put his mouth by his oldest son's ear and whispered proudly, "You did amazing, darling. Never doubt that we think highly of you no matter what. I want to get to know you, faults and all, and I want you to know me the same."

Vincent leaving gave Sebastian the best opportunity to spill some things to Bart without an audience so that the teen could soak everything in. He only let him know the basics much like what they had told Callen. They were not human which came with exceptional powers, one of them giving Sebastian the ability to produce milk for the younger boys. He would let Bart process that information before giving him more. Sebastian thought it might be better to let Vincent explain the rest anyways. Who better to tell Bart the Phantomhive's history than Earl Phantomhive himself?

He had finished up just as Ciel and Vincent came in and flashed Vincent a nervous look. The ex butler hoped Bart didn't become too upset with the news. If Bart wanted to return to the orphanage after learning that his family was odd, they wouldn't force him to stay, but everyone would be heartbroken.

"Hmm. Were you trying to tell us to get you out of those nappies as soon as possible because you're a big boy now?"

[HaliBug]

{Sorry, I didn't see it until you said something about it}

Bart's eyes widened when Sebastian explained that they were not human. He had thought the Phantomhives were strange, but he never would have guessed that they weren't human. Likely due to the fact that he didn't think there was anything other than humans. In the end, Bart sat in silence, contemplating what that meant for him. What about Ciel and Callen? Were they also not human?

"I'm a big boy, now," Ciel announced to Sebastian when the demon asked about him trying to get rid of his nappies. "I went potty all by myself, like Cally and Bart!"

"Yes, you did," Vincent replied with a chuckle. "But you need to go potty a few more times before you get out of nappies." Ciel pouted.

[Lovely Thyme]

"Don't worry, love. You'll be out of them completely tomorrow if you make it through today. Just keep telling us when you have to go potty." Sebastian didn't ask Vincent if it would be alright for Ciel to get out of nappies the next day, but he figured Vincent wouldn't mind
He was usually trusted with making decisions like that for the children anyways. The demon looked over at Bart in concern before standing and taking Ciel from Vincent.

"I'm going to give the boys their milk. Vincent, I told Bart some things...Could you try and get him talking? If he asks questions, I told him that we would be happy to answer them truthfully." With a small kiss, he left Vincent in the library to get Callen awake and feed the boys. The sooner their children were taken care of, the sooner Vincent could do to Sebastian as he planned, and the sooner Sebastian could see his friend.

Callen whined as he was lifted, thinking his father was there to push him to the potty like usual. He quickly perked up when Sebastian cooed a good morning to him. Callen was always happy to see his mother, even in the morning. He cooed back, "Good morning, Mummy. Is it time for breakfast?"

Sebastian chuckled and placed himself in the rocking chair in the nursery with a boy on each leg. He nodded as he shrugged his sleeves off of his shoulders to free his chest for his sons. Callen grinned up at his mother before closing his eyes and suckling happily. He loved waking up to a morning feeding session.

[HaliBug]

"I will, mummy," Ciel answered happily, happy that things were going his way. Vincent didn't mind the lack of permission asked about this simply because he had wanted Ciel to get out of nappies for some time and was relieved that things were moving along for his youngest son. Besides, Sebastian didn't need any guidance in making decisions for their children; he always did what was best for them.

"Alright, we'll see you soon," Vincent replied before Sebastian whisked Ciel away back to the nursery. Vincent looked Bart up and down, who still seemed to be in shock. "Do you have any questions? What exactly did Sebastian tell you?"

"He told me…" Bart trailed off. "He told me you aren't human."

"He's right," Vincent answered. "We're demons. Well, not all of us."

"Are Callen and Ciel demons too?" Bart asked. The question had been weighing on his mind ever since Sebastian told him that they weren't human. He didn’t know entirely what being a demon even meant. Were they after his soul?

"Callen is, Ciel isn't," Vincent replied. "You see, three years ago, my wife and I were murdered. I don't know everything about what happened to Callen and Ciel, but from what Ciel told me, they were both taken, sold, and were treated horribly. Ciel and Callen were both ten-years old back then. Callen was killed by their buyers and Ciel made a contract with a demon. With Sebastian." Vincent explained how they had become who they were and gotten to be where they were now. Bart was tense throughout the explanation, but began to calm when Vincent finished with, "We do not want to hurt you or anything. We genuinely care for you as our son and want a family. But if you wanted to go back to the orphanage, we would understand."

"I…" Bart trailed off. He already knew what he wanted. "I want to stay. Even if you're demons…you're nicer to me than any other family has been."

"I'm glad," Vincent spoke with a smirk, pulling his son close.

"Breakfast time!" Ciel cheered when Callen asked if it was time for breakfast. When Sebastian removed his shirt, Ciel quickly latched onto his mother. When he had finished feeding, Ciel focused his attention on Sebastian's tummy, placing his hands on it once again, mesmerized by the baby. "Morning, baby."

[Lovely Thyme]

Callen continued to feed even when Ciel had stopped. He planned on making his milk his breakfast except for a few pieces of fruit, and it always took him longer to get full since he was bigger. The little boy even fell into a light doze as he suckled, his lips slowing down but never stopping.

"I'm sure the baby would be saying good morning back if they could, my sweet. Are you all full or are you going to want breakfast as well?" Sebastian asked. He shivered a little as Ciel's cold fingers touched his warm skin and decided to dress the child a little warmer than usual around his upper body. They always needed to play it safe with Ciel.

As soon as Callen was done feeding, Sebastian had both of the boys take a potty break before putting them in the tub together. Callen went through phases of loving and hating bath times with Ciel, and Sebastian was thankful that Callen decided to like it that morning. It made washing them much easier because of the distraction the twins provided each other. After the bath, Sebastian managed to dress them easily on his own. He had tons of practice, after all. They all moved to the dining room once Sebastian was dressed and ready himself with the 'help' of his children.