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Chapter Text

December 

“Philanthropist and renown CEO of the beloved toy company “Funtom” Vincent Phantomhive Parishes in house fire”

“Funtom Fire: Police insist on no foul Play”

“Crime spikes after Funtom Manor fire” 

The news played on every news station and was plastered on the front page of every national newspaper, though it didn't do much to stop the buzzing of everyday life of the commonwealth. Most people were in the middle of their Christmas shopping or losing themselves in the holiday stress to care about the death of some rich man and his family. All the public knew was that he occasionally donated to charities and did his best to provide the best quality toys for children but there was nothing more, Vincent Phantomhive was too much a private man to gain the parasocial sympathy of his customers. 

At least that was true for the rest of the nation, for in his hometown, his death came with looming uncertainty for both the businesses that paid for his “protection” and those linked to him California's underground Mafia. It was unclear whether  the fire was accidental or if someone was paid to burn the manor and everyone in it. No one came forward to claim the crime, there had been no word of anyone wanting to kill  The Phantomhives. The underground was rattled, unsure as to what would happen to the territories and markets run by “The watchdog”. Many looked to neighboring territories, the southern hills, watched over by Sebastian Michaelis or the northern towns run by Claude Faustus, but neither of them seemed to know what to do next, nor did they have any interest. With no one looking over the territory and the police force paying the bare minimum of attention, many smaller factions and wannabe gangsters ran amok in the absence of the Watchdog. Slowly from that point forward The Watchdog’s empire began slowly decaying, his associates began offering their services to other Dons that ran territories in other parts of town, some completely disappeared.

The funeral was held privately by the families living relatives. There were no paparazzi allowed and guests that weren't already authorized by the late Watchdog’s sister were coldly turned away. As she closed the door to the cathedral, so did she shut the door on her brother's empire.  His toy company was taken over by his CFO and life went on as usual. While his name trended on social media sites with “Rip” tweets and picture posts from his celebrity friends sending their condolences, it wasn't long before Vincent Phantomhive was just another rich man “taken far  too soon”…

—-------------------------------------

April  

Cool wind raced through his hair as the skateboard  sent him down the street. Ciel ,a boy of thirteen, grinned at the acceleration. It made him feel free and the beautiful sight of the trees passing over him when he looked up made it all the more better. Today was a perfect day to go out and ride. The sun was shining high without  a cloud in the sky,  the climate at cool temperature. It made everything seem peaceful and quiet. Then again, that was not surprising for northern California in April. But No matter how often he’d experience the serenity, he still enjoyed every moment of it. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath of the fresh air before looking forward at the road.

In front of him, was his sister-by-bond, Doll, a taller brunette with skills far superior than his on the board. She moved her feet to add speed to her board, then handled a steady speed  as she turned her head back to look at Ciel “Hey you’re getting pretty good, smile you haven't fallen all day”  she chuckled.

He grimaced at the nickname, which was meant to be more ironic than truth, he rarely ever did. It only took one moment of genuine laughter for the name to stick. 

Side by side, they cruised up the isolated road that led into the circular driveway of the Michaelis Residence. It was their home, and it was by no means humble, modeled in a French renaissance architectural style; the manor was big enough to house a total of eleven people and still had rooms to spare. 

At the front door, stood their elder with a soft smile. Ciel knew him as Joker Taylor and while he was youthful ,a man only in his early thirties, he was Doll’s legal father. He pulled his orange hair back in a bun, and waited for the two to reach him. “Princess, I've got some news,” he said. 

“What happened?” Doll replied, riding circles around Ciel.

“I just got off the phone, Sebastian is on his way back” 

A second later Ciel heard a thud and watched Dolls skateboard roll away from her. He turned and saw her on the ground with the brightest smile. “He's coming back!? What time will he get here!?”

“In a few hours. Now, hustle inside. Breakfast is almost ready and it's your guy’s turn to set the table!” Joker turned to head back inside, but stopped at the door. He looked at Ciel “Doll, make sure he takes a shower. It'll be his first meeting. We need to make a good impression” he smirked and went inside.

Doll looked at him “you heard him, stinky” she playfully slapped his shoulder and ran to catch her board.

As they were told, they set the table. One of the chores that Ciel felt proficient enough in. He never did chores before getting a seat at this table, he grew up wealthy after all. Though these people were just a well off, they were an odd bunch, there were no servants in the manor. Everyone took care of something in the home, chores were rotated amongst the residents. “This is our home, therefore we take care of it” was the only explanation Ciel got when he questioned it. 

The house ate together at the same time every morning. He had only been living there for four months, but as long as he could remember, the chair at the head of the table was always empty. To the right, always sat Joker, across from him was Molly, a woman, aged the same as Joker, who acted like a mother to the kids of the house (Her word was law as far as the kids were concerned) to her left was Dagger, chirpy guy only a few years younger than the former.  The youngest of the adults, Meyrin and the oldest, Bardroy, who sometimes, was just called “uncle”

Then were the kids of the household,  Doll was one of three sixteen year olds along with Finny and Snake. Then a five year old named Sieglinde and finally the newest adoptee, Ciel. Well, technically, Ciel hadn’t been formally adopted yet. They had to wait for the head of the house to return home for that decision to be made. All of the kids had the habit of calling each other brother and sister even though Snake and Doll Had a different father than Finny and Sieglinde. And it didn't take long before Ciel was brought into that trope.

After breakfast, the duo finished the rest of their duties: helping out with the dishes, cleaning their room, Ciel showered all before going out for a second round on their boards. The boy's mind began to wonder. He had heard talk of “Sebastian” before, seen pictures of him around the home, but never talked to him, knew next to nothing besides that he's scary when he's mad and  he's the one who signed the papers for Finny and Sieglinde. Speaking of which, he only now realized he wasn't wearing anything that would create a stunning first impression. For months all he wore was Finnys hand me downs, which was partially his fault. He never wanted to go clothes shopping when his host offered, now he was starting to regret it. His hair had grown to his shoulders and he hardly made any effort to keep it from tangling. At least he was clean. 

“Do you think he’ll like me?” he had to raise his voice, Doll was too far ahead. 

She whipped her broad to him trying to keep up with his speed, she shrugged “Dunno. he's a bit of a hardass. He might want to keep an eye on you for a bit but he's great though dont worry”  

Ciel bit his lip, it wasn't the answer he hoped for. He figured it would be hard to get an outsiders opinion from her unlike the other kids, from what he had been told she had been with the group since she was a toddler unlike the others who only were taken in a few years back.  They watched her grow up. The group loved all the kids; they never shied away from that, but Doll was the closest thing to a legitimate first born child. Her nickname was “the princess'' after all. 

She continued “Molly said Joker only told him you were here a couple days ag-” she looked behind them, and an SUV was driving up the road. The two made way for the car. Ciel was more startled by Doll's beaming smile than he was at the car that suddenly appeared behind him. It didn't take a genius to figure out that Sebastian was home. 

“Oh shit..” his heart started to race, it was time. Doll bolted up the road, Ciel slowly peddled with one foot on his board, he hoped he'd have more time to mentally prepare, but now there he stood walking timidly from a far as Doll caught up to the car and a man sharply clad in black stepped out of the back seat. He was tall, maybe even taller than Joker. Dark aviator sunglasses adorned his face so Ciel couldn't too make out any features. 

Once upon a time, Ciel was taught to look people in the eye, to give handshakes with strength, to keep his head up and carry himself with the diplomacy and confidence of an adult, but after everything, all he wanted to do in the presence of adults was to run away. He stood and watched how Sebastian walked, how he talked to Joker as they greeted, how the driver pretty much bowed to him. Everything about the man radiated power. Sebastian's demeanor changed when Doll launched herself onto him for a hug, he spun her before putting her back on the ground,  he looked past her, right at Ciel. The boy's blood ran cold, he froze. Didn't know whether he should walk up or wait to be called upon. 

Thankfully, he didn't wait long, Doll went to get him and pretty much pushed him closer to Sebastian. The man in question didn't move from his spot. Joker moved around Sebastian and pulled Ciel closer to him, Ciel instinctively pressed himself against Joker's back . “This here is ‘smile’ Given name: Ciel,our new boy.” 

Sebastian took off his glasses and Ciel was able to see his full face for the first time. The sun shone directly down on to him, rays made the men's dark brown eyes shine with a maroon hue. He studied the boy, looked him up from head to toe and glanced up at Joker. In his panic Ciel automatically assumed Sebastian wasn't pleased or that he did something wrong. 

“Stand up straight, Ciel let me look at you” Sebastian spoke, his tone stern yet lighthearted. 

Sheepishly, the boy did as he was told he let go of his pillar and stood forward. He kept his head down and looked at sebastians shoes, pristine, and hardly touched by the filth of the ground. 

“He's a bit shy” Joker patted Ciel on the shoulders in an attempt to comfort him.

“So it would seem” Sebastian stepped forward and cupped Ciel’s chin. He forced the boy to look up at him. Ciel instinctively flinched and shut his eyes tightly almost waiting for a punch, but when nothing came he opened his eyes to Sebastian studying his face as if trying to find something familiar in him. Ciel felt himself shrinking.

“You're scaring him!” Doll chucked and pushed Sebastian back and pulled Ciel into a hug. Sebastian though his hands up in defeat at the princess “I was making sure he's not a spy!” he quipped and calmly made his way into the manor without another word. 

Though, Ciel did not catch the joke.

—-

The rest of the day passed by slowly and awkwardly for Ciel. He had spent the entire time trying to avoid contact with Sebastian. The manor had thrown a party. The night was filled with music, laughter, food and games. He should be having fun, but Ciel felt out of place. He watched from one of the staircases. It was hard to celebrate the homecoming of someone you've never met, especially if you didn't leave a good impression on said person. He played around with Dan, one of Snake’s serpents that roamed freely around the home and giggled that the reptile slithered from his arms up and around the back of his neck and back down his sides. 

Once the serpent left him Ciel propped his arm up on his knee and rested his chin on his hand. He took out his phone to check the time. 7:34 It was too early to go to bed, but he didn't want to join the others; he felt that his presence alone might stir some tension. He sighed ”guess I'll go read a book then” he muttered. when he started making his way into the library.

He turned around the corner to the empty hall and walked to the last door, straight down was the library. His hand was hovering over the door knob and he heard his name being called.  He nearly jumped from the fright.

“What are you doing, my boy?” Sebastian leaned against the wall on the opposite side of the hall. “The library is my office, didn't anyone tell you?” 

Ciel held his breath and started to panic ‘he already thinks I'm a damn spy what t he fuck am I supposed to say’  he though and  shook his head “Joker told me I could read the book in the library” his heart started racing when Sebastian started stepping closer 

”and I didn't want to disturb your party” 

Closer. 

“N-nobody told me this was your office!” 

Closer still. 

“I'm not a spy I promise! I swear!” 

By Now Ciel found himself pressed up against the library’s door and hyperventilating as Sebastian towered over him. “You seemed stressed, Ciel. Have a drink” Sebastian said, raising a beer bottle in front of the teen. 

Ciel’s eyes darted from Sebastian to the bottle the back at Sebastian before he slowly reached up for the bottle but then Sebastian moved away. “I didn't mean alcohol. You're thirteen for goodness sake. Come and join us in the family room and Bard will make you a mocktail.”  he said before turning around and walking away. 

It took a moment before Ciel found the courage to push himself off of the door and follow his new leader “Dagger tells me you're good at darts. How about we play a round?” He asked. “We're family now from the looks of it. We might as well start getting used to each other” 

Ciel sighed confused by Sebastian change of demeanor, he didn't seem to hate him, contrary to when he had met him a few hours before.”yeah...okay”

—-

Lights out.

After the festivities, the clean up and chores were left to be tomorrow's issue. Mostly everyone was back in their rooms except  Sebastian who took it upon himself to do the kids’ bed check for his first night back and his three mains: Joker, Molly and Dagger patiently waited for him  in his office. Joker sat melted into his seat covering his smile as Sebastian approached and closed the door. Since he arrived there hadn't been time for any sort of private chat. He was far too busy with the party and catching up with his family. “The crow” clad in black didn't even make it to his desk. He just stood in the silence. They knew what he was going to say. He saw it in Dagger's play- innocent  grin, in Molly’s avoidant gaze  and Joker made no effort to look natural. 

“THAT KID IS SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD!” Sebastian let out!

Joker snorted and revealed in the shock Sebastian expertly masked throughout the day. 

“All you told me was that there was a new boy! You failed to mention it was Vincent Phantomhive’s boy!” Sebastian strutted up to the irishman. 

Joker threw his hands in front of him defensively “surprise!”

“How did you even find him? where?!”

“Alright! But sit down! Have a drink. We thought it best that we don't publicly announce that we took in a boy who supposedly perished in a fire four months ago!” Joker spun around his chair as Sebastian took his seat across from him. His attitude changed after his humor was satisfied. “Do you remember Kelvin? We loaned him a pretty hefty sum a while back…”

“Of course.”

“Well, we got a tip off he used it in a human trafficking circuit involving, exclusively, kids to be sacrificed in demonic worshiping rituals…he used that money to buy Ciel”

Sebastian's eyes widened “and you didn't think to tell me any of this”

“Well you were away! And we took care of it. Kelvin and that entire cult is dead. We burned down the place they met up at.. We threw some tips to the police and let them take care of the rest of the kids there. But Ciel …was the only one with mob ties. Call it a hunch but I don’t  think Vincent was the type of guy to sell his only son”

“He wasn't. You think the fire was foul play?”

“Of course it was. Ciel confirmed it. He was attacked while inside the manor on the same night of the fire. But Ciel doesn't remember a fire.”  

The two stared at each other. Sebastian sat back and sighed. “Does Madam Red know?” 

Joker shook his head.

“Level with me! Is there any chance I could convince you guys that keeping him is a bad idea?”

“Nope” Molly blurted out and even Dagger shook his head.

“we have to keep him, Sebastian…" Joker raised himself and leaned over the table “You own it to Vincent”

“We owe it to Ciel!” Molly stood up “It's because of our damn money that the poor boy went through hell! you weren't there when we went in. He was about to be sacrificed, poor kid was beaten half to death when we got to him. It took him over a month in the hospital to recover...physically that is. He's still traumatized.” 

The leader knew he was outnumbered, he weighed the options. Ciel was no ordinary kid, he was an heir to an  entire empire and if it was indeed foul play there was still a possibility that there were some people who wanted the kid dead and that would only bring problems for the rest of his family.

“We’ll have to give him a new name, new paperwork, birth certificate, medical records, maybe even change his appearance. He must be completely stripped from his old life”

Joker smiled “Okay well” he took out a coin from his pocket “will he take my name or yours?”

“Heads”

“Tails”

The coin was tossed.

Michaelis.

“Congratulations, Boss, it's a boy!” Dagger raised his drink.

Sebastian smirked. “Now onto more lighthearted topics, why is he sharing a bed with Doll?”

Chapter Text

---In the morning---

 The sun shined through the blinds with rays bright enough to wake up Ciel. His head laid on Doll’s back while she slept face down. When he decided to use her as a pillow he had no idea. Probably after he passed out after another episode, he guessed. As always he felt bad for waking Doll up  because his nightmares were enough to make him scream himself awake. He groaned and rolled onto his back, embarrassed. He turned to the digital clock on the bed side table, 6:54 am. He stared at those green numbers, contemplating on whether or not it was worth getting up. Nobody in the house was up except maybe Bard. He stared up at the ceiling and felt himself drift back into sleep.

Not even a minute into his slumber  Sebastian kicked in the door. He burst in and blew an air horn into the room. The obnoxiously loud sound filled the room and Ciel jumped when he woke up, falling off of the bed in the process. “UP! You two! You're getting new bed room arrangements. ‘Cause this.” He pointed both of them on the bed. “I don’t like this now, hurry up and get down stairs.” he said then walked away. 

Ciel rubbed his face and he got back on the bed and found that Doll was still sound asleep. She groaned and she stretched out her arms and legs “what’d he say?” she muttered.

“Did you not just hear the damn air horn?!” 

“Mm after years of waking up to that it stops bothering you.” she pulled the cover over her face.

The boy frowned “he said something about changing room arrangements”

Doll then bolted from the bed and ran out the door so fast Ciel that found himself confused for a second before he ran behind his Doll. They ran down one of the twin staircases and burst through the dining room and  into the kitchen “why you moving my room” she shouted. 

Sebastian was in the middle of eating a spoonful of cereal when the two came;  he completely ignored her when he turned his back to her to look at Bard. The cook chuckled “Told you she wouldn’t be happy about it”  

Sebastian shrugged “and I told you I wasn’t happy about her sharing her bed with a boy”

Ciel fidgeted and took a step back “we’ll when you put it that way” he muttered to himself.

“He’s just a little kid, what's he going to do?!” Doll replied. 

“He’s thirteen he’s not “little” and who knows I might change my mind later on. For now I need to keep an eye on him. You might have gotten to know him but I met him yesterday. To put it lightly: I don’t trust him just yet”

The teens stayed quiet. Doll groaned she didn’t want Ciel to stay on Sebastian's radar too long. It’d be better if she just complied “Okay so what are the new room assignments?” 

“Joker told me that you have trouble sleeping alone so I’m moving you in with Seiglinde and since Snake needs more room because of all his pets I’m moving him into your room. Finny stays in the room he’s in.” 

“Kay What about Ciel?”

“For the time being he’ll bunk with me in my room”

The boy stiffened and pushed past Doll and hovered over the kitchen island. “Wait what!” he screeched when he saw Sebastian stand up straight and raise an eyebrow, Ciel took a step back.

“Problem?” 

The boy stuttered “N-no I just… can’t i just bunk with Finny o-or sn-”

“It will only be a couple weeks at most. I told you I need to watch you and later if I deem you ok then i’ll let you share with one of the others. Now if you’ll excuse me I got to go check on Sieglinde and wake up the others. Help Bard set up the table would you?” he moved around the island and left. Silence settled in the kitchen,Ciel let out an exasperated sigh.

 —In the afternoon —

Doll jogged stairs,  skateboard in hand and turned into the family room to find Ciel drawing on the carpet with Sieglinde and Sebastian watching tv on the sofa with Molly. “I’m off to gymnastics”

“You sure you don’t want me to drop you off” Molly asked. 

“Nah, I'll just take the bus. I want to ride around town!”

Sebastian looked behind him and brought his watch in front of him  “be back before 9 alright. Call me if it gets too dark out.”

With a thumbs up, Doll dashed out.  She rode down the street. It would be about a thirty to forty five minutes bus ride to get into No man’s land and with her given curfew she had roughly an hour and a half to freeload around, maybe she could get something to eat before she headed back.

No man’s land, that's what everyone in the underground called the downtown area,  it's a peace treaty, it  served as a place where no gang could make a name for themselves, it was where all the markets, all the stores were and it was a place that everyone should have access to and all underground empires adhered to this rule. The treaty was to preserve the beautiful peaceful center and so everyone could enjoy it. Doll skated down the bike lane careful to not hit any oncoming cars or anything else. 

As she moved down she watched her surroundings and noticed three hooded figures watching her from a coffee shop nearby. Doll kept her head forward and pretended she didn't notice anything. She hoped it was nothing.

She turned a corner and stopped in front of the Funtom toy store. They had her favorite treats. She walked inside and looked over the plethora of candy selections they had, all the different flavors of lollipops, chocolate and taffy. If she could carry it all she’d buy it all. After much debate she decided on caramel, and strawberry lollies and milk and almond chocolate for Ciel.

 The store also sold a collection of toys, stuffed animals mostly. ‘Maybe I should get something for Sieglinde’ she thought. She walked down the aisles to see if there was anything that her youngest family member would like. She smiled as picked up the ‘Bitter Rabbit’ doll and made her way to  the cashier.  

For a moment she looked up and out the window while her items were swiped. Her heart raced when she saw the same three guys in hoodies standing across the street. Their hoods were up and with heads down it was impossible to see their faces. Doll eyes them closely they weren't moving or anything. Her attention was brought back to the counter when the cashier called her to pay. She gave the money, grabbed her change and her bag of sweets and walked out. 

She looked at the three guys as she lowered her skateboard.  Again she gave them the benefit of the doubt and let them off, trying to avoid confrontation in No man's land. For a few streets she was able to ride without issue. With the three stalkers Doll wanted nothing more than to cross the threshold to Sebastian's territory where she’d be safe.

When she turned a corner she froze. The board was still moving,her involuntary jerked back sent the board forward and landed hard on her back. Her skating skills were the least of her problems, for when she raised her head from the ground the same three hooded guys were in front of her. This time walking towards her. Being on lower eye level she looked up at them and could clearly see their faces. She sucked in a breath and pushed herself off the ground. She started running, no, sprinting the opposite direction- she knew them and it wasn't going to be fun if they caught up to her. Quickly grabbing the merchandise and her board she turned a corner.

Pretty soon she was gasping for air as she ran down the streets. She looked back,they were pursuing her and rapidly catching up to her. The hoods had fallen off of their heads giving her a view of their purple hair. Doll ran faster, oh how she cursed the people around who were just standing and watching the entire affair. But then again the  four of them were wearing hoodies and baggy pants. No one even bats an eye for ruffian looking teenagers. No one even tried

to help, and she didn't have the time to call anyone at home. Doll knew she was on her own this time. 

They were gaining on her, now she was desperate she turned at random corners left right, right left she didn't even know where she was going anymore but they did not stop chasing after her. 

Right. 

“SHIT!”

She turned into an alleyway, a dead end. Not Far in front of her was a fence. Right then and she made the snap decision to climb it ,but the board dragged her down in an instant she discarded it to the side.She jumped and successfully latched onto the fence she started to climb and half her body was on the other side when her leg was pulled down. ‘Fuck!’

She refused to let go of the fence. She kicked ,but the three pulled  on here. One on each leg while the third was tugging on her hoodies. Doll gritted her teeth, growling as her kept on arm over the fence. Tragedy struck when the one tugging her sweater stopped and let go only to land a swift and clean punch on her stomach. The sudden pain caused her to cough out and let go. There was no time to recover. The guys dropped her and her body hit the concrete at full force. 

Doll hit her head hard enough for her vision to be temporarily hazy and for her hearing to be temporarily Impaired. She groaned and felt herself being pulled up by her hood followed by the feeling of her collar choking her. 

One of them pulled her up and pushed her against the brick wall only to punch her stomach again.

again. 

And again. Each punch was stronger than its predecessor.

By The fourth Doll had coughed up blood. Her attacker stepped back and watched her fall on her knees, her arms covering her belly then the attack changed. The second one came in and kicked her on her side. She winced and whimpered as he started kicking her again. The other two joined in only kicking her stomach, one her back and the last on her head. She cried in pain while trying to maintain her fetal position. Her arms covered her face and side of her head and in return her hands got some damage as well. “Ahh STOP IT”  she screamed and one foot hit her nose. She shivered and her hand came to cover her nose and eye. 

They took a step back. Finally giving her time to breathe. She didn't move from her position for a minute, nothing ,but subtle choked sobs could be heard. Doll rolled on to her back and she could feel herself weakening. She panted on the ground. She didn't even have the energy to get on her feet. 

Just when she thought they were done. The three showed a last bit of their violent and cruel nature. Two of them gripped her arms and pinned her against the wall again. The third began throwing punches at her face, coloring her skin in red and purple. And with one final powerful blow to the side of the head they let her drop. She hit the ground, her body shook from the pain  she didn't dare to move. Her vision started flashing and going black with what she could see from slightly lifting her head as the three were walking away.  In the tossing and turning her phone must have fallen out for it was a few feet away from you she only hoped that it wasn’t drained of battery. She tried to reach for it but one of the trio looked at her movement and got to the phone first and chucked it on the brick wall he picked it up and repeated the process until the Mobile shattered. 

Doll didn't even have the energy to whine when she just watched. The same guy walked to her and crouched down “Tell the Crow our boss says ’welcome home “ he spoke. Then got up and joined the other two.

“You guys are assholes” she breathed. 

“It's nothing personal I promise” the second said 

Then the last “I'm so sorry, Doll” 

Those were the last words  Doll managed to hear before her vision was overtaken by darkness.

Upon walking up she found that it was night time. The alleyway was dark except for a few streetlights. The place was colder now with it being night and all. She lifted her head and the small movement racked her body in pain. Every muscle ached, her head was pounding ,she wanted to collapse again, maybe wait for someone to help her. But deep down she knew she wasn't safe, and needed to get home NOW. Using sheer will power she raised herself off the ground, she  hissed through the discomfort and slowly brought her watch up in front of her, it was then did she realize that her eye was swollen shut. She could barely make out the time. 

9:38. “Crap Sebastian’s going to finish me off.”  she started limping towards her shattered phone, praying that it still had some life left in it to make a call. Nope. She pocketed the cell and picked up her skateboard that had been tossed to the side along with what she bought at the toy shop. Whatever strength she had would have to be used to steer the board, it was going to be torture, but she had no other choice. At this point it would be another hour before she was home.

_____ 

“I’m going to kick her ass!” Sebastian yelled, his voice echoed through the halls of the mansion. Finny and Ciel were in the kitchen sneaking in some sweets with Bard when the master of the house stomped in “where’s Doll!?”

Finny shrugged and shook his head. He and Ciel took a step back onto  Bard  “She won’t answer the phone!” 

“Sebastian, calm down, she’ll be back!” Joker  said as he walked in, Molly following behind. 

“Yes! And when she does I'm locking her in her room and she's never coming out again!. She was supposed to be here at nine at the latest, Joker, it’s almost eleven!” 

That was when they heard the sound of the front door opening and closing. Sebastian pushed himself off of the table he was leaning over and marched down the corridor to the entryway. He ignored Joker's pleas telling him to calm down, but he didn’t listen. He was furious and prepared to scold her. 

Or at least that was his original plan. For when he set eyes on Doll his face was drained of all color. He completely froze, his jaw dropped and eyes widened when he saw the home’s precious princess beaten and battered, bloodied and bruised beyond belief. A swollen eye, a cut on her cheekbone, a split lip. His eyes drifted down her hands covered in purple. She looked tired, her face was covered in dirt mixed in with dried blood. Except for two clean streaks that ran down her cheeks. 

 He saw her close the door right as Molly and Joker came up behind him he heard Molly gasp. Joker became frantic asking  what happened. She gave them a weak smile. “So-sorry I'm late. I would have called but...” she took out her phone in pieces “the battery” she tried to be sarcastic. She tried her hardest to laugh at her own joke, but her chuckles quickly turned into sobs. Molly pushed past Sebastian and rushed to hold their precious princess Molly couldn’t help but cry as well while she held the teen..

“Finny, get the first aid kit!” Joker ran into the kitchen. Sebastian was still in shock; he followed the girls into the kitchen. 

The two boys got their second scare of the night when they saw Doll. Nobody asked a question, they all just went into action. Finny practically ripped the kit open, Bard pulled up a chair so Doll then opened the freezer to grab a pack of ice and gently pressed it against her eyes. Molly and Finny dampened a few  wash cloths and began to  wash her face. Doll winced when the fabric touched her cuts. She was still hiccuping against her sobs. 

Ciel tried his best to help by trying to clean her hands, but then raised himself and  hugged her, she embraced him tightly. Molly and Finny stepped back for a second, letting them have their space for a second.

Bard and Joker were standing next to Sebastian. All of them furious yet remained calm. Bard ruffled his hair in frustration. Joker's fist was shaking but his facial expression remained blank. Sebastian had his arms crossed over his chest, breathing heavily through his nose all wanted to know was who did he have to kill for this.

When Ciel and Doll released each other and pulled away, Doll had seemed to calm down. But now she looked tired. Finny and Molly continued cleaning and Doll stayed still most of the time. Until she looked up and looked straight at Sebastian with her voice now sore from crying she said.“By the way, Sebs...Claude says welcome back”  

It was as if air was sucked out of the room. Ciel noticed the adults stiffened, their faces spoke thousand words. He hadn't known Sebastian long, but the look of stoic fury he had sent a chill down his spine. The patriarch said nothing as his family looked at him. Sebastian simply took a deep breath and nodded, quietly making his way to his office. Molly stood up “Ciel keep her company tonight” she said softly cupping his cheek, she gave him her rag  before following Sebastian as well. The kids didn't see the adults for the rest of the night. 

Ciel and Doll slept in the same room for the last time.They laid side by side staring at the dark ceiling. “Did you know him?” He asked “The guy that jumped you?” 

Doll scoffed and tried to sit up but the pain in her abdomen made it too difficult “nevermind I'll just lay down. It wasn't one, three guys jumped me and yeah I knew ‘em”

Ciel's eyes widened.  He let Doll continue “Timber, Thompson, And Canterbury Annafellows...they're triplets identical in every way. My guess Claude and he told them to jump me when I got to town” 

“This Claude? He's Sebastian's rival or something?” 

 She looked at him solemnly “yeah, I guess he is” after a pause she looked up the ceiling again. “He used to be a family, dude…” Ciel sat up, he was about to say something but noticed Doll’s eyes getting glossy. “He's technically our uncle, but he turned his back on everyone when my grandma named Sebastian as her successor…”

“Holy shit…”

“Now he runs the north side”

Ciel laid back down.There was a long silence between them. This family was a lot bigger than he expected, and a lot messier. Granted he knew only a portion of its history since he’d been here. The family Matriarch,Victoria lived in Vegas and had a quirk for adopting more than a few kids across her life: Sebastian, Joker, Molly, Dagger were the only ones Ciel knew personally, there was still an Uncle named Agni  in Vegas that he’d never met, now this Claude, who he never wanted to meet.

It got so quiet that the frogs outside made themselves known in a rather dramatic song. The two found it amusing, and It lightened the mood a bit, they giggled then Ciel suddenly remembered, “Oh my god Sebastian is gonna be my dad!’  Doll turned to him.  “I don't want to share a room with him, he might slit My throat while I sleep!”  

Doll blinked then laughed.

“I don’t have to call him dad right?”

“No dude. You think I call Joker ‘dad’? Jeez”  she tried her best to assure him “it's just because you need to stay hidden, you need a new name” They talked for a while longer until their eyelids became too heavy and the white noise of the wildlife outside carried them off to sleep.

Chapter Text

—In the Morning–

It wasn't often that the group ate breakfast separately. Only the kids sat at the table the morning after Doll’s attack. For some of the adults to do some errands elsewhere. With Joker in at the passenger side and Baldroy in the back seat, Sebastian drove his black Bentley up the driveway on the hillside that led to a private property. Before long they stopped in front of a gated entrance. They Ignored the two guards that stood at each end of the gate and lowered his side’s  window at the radio Intercom. 

“State your name and business” a voice came through the radio. 

“Sebastian Michaelis, I'm here to talk to Claude.” he said. For a second there was no response and Sebastian rolled his eyes and raised his window shut as well as Joker’s. They both rested their head against their fist with arms propped on the car door and watched as the two guards got an order from their earpiece. They nodded to each other and raised their guns and fired at the car in front of them.

Luckily, Sebastian had his car fixed; it was bulletproof. Not to mention they all wore vests just in case something went wrong. They were in enemy territory after all,  they had to be cautious. When the shower of bullets stopped. They waited a bit and the gate slowly opened up. “Asshole is making me pay for a new paint job” he muttered. They drove up to the mansions the North's sides Don  With guards raiding the place as if their presence was expected. They stopped in front of the doors. They got out of the car smugly smiling at every guard who eyed them down. 

“Into the spider’s web” Bard said as they walked inside the mansion. The house was fairly similar to theirs in style though it was half its size and had a color scheme with dark red wallpaper with golden web designs on it. As dramatic as the color was it did nothing to help the home, it felt lifeless. Even the maids that walked around seemed stuck on autopilot. Sebastian led the way up the grand staircase and turned left where he knew Claude’s office was. Right before he got to the door. A woman came out styling purple hair and a proper suit. “Sebastian, may I ask why you’re here?” she narrowed her eyes.

“Hannah, It’s so nice to see you after so long.” he extended his arms as if to hug her, but she ignored the gesture, he put his hands down and adjusted his suit “well I’m here to talk to your ... boss...lover-whatever the fuck he is to you...about an incident that occurred at No Man’s Land. Your three boys jumped Doll last night according to what she said they told her it was on Claude’s orders”

Hannah tensed up, crossed her arms over her chest “How do you know your girl isn’t lying?”

“I doubt that she can give herself such severe injuries” 

“So what do you want retribution? Whatever you paid to fix her I’ll write you a check”

“Oh, I want retribution alright, but I don't need money”

She took a breath through her nose “he's waiting for you” then  pushed past him and left the three men behind.

Sebastian tried to hold back a smile. It was obvious, Hannah didn't know what happened the night before, but she knew what would happen next. He moved down the hallway and turned at the second door at the left side. He took a breath mentally told himself to keep calm. Then he opened it and walked inside. 

At the other side of the room sat Claude Faustus at his desk. The very sight of him makes Sebastian's stomach churn. The golden eyed man stood up and with an open palm pointed to a single chair across from him. “It's nice to see you, Sebby. Come sit down, would you like something to drink?” 

Sebastian scoffed “No, we don't plan on staying here long” he took his seat, so did Claude.

“Okay to what do I owe this pleasure?” 

The Crow cocked his head “my ‘Welcome back gift. I didn’t like it” he growled.

“Oh well that’s a shame”

“She was attacked while in town. That’s neither of our territories. Why did you order it?” 

Claude just sat back on his chair. “It was just a bit of mischief is all. The boy just needed to let off some steam so I gave them a target." He shrugged “Come on, Sebastian, it was just a sparring session. A few bruises and scratches here and there. Nothing more”

“A FEW?!” Joker almost pounced, he would’ve attacked Claude if Bard hadn’t pushed him back. “She lost consciousness, Claude! MY KID!”

“Calm down Taylor after all you are a guest in my home. Anyway it’s not like I can punish them for following orders. Which also included, warning her it would happen at school. If she didn't let you know then it is no longer my fault” Claude smirked.  

Sebastian’s eyes narrowed “so you won’t about the brutes then?” When Claude shook his head, he stood up. And walked towards the door, his two companions following behind. 

“Condolences for the princess.  Maybe quit slacking, actually teach her to fight back” was all they heard before the door closed behind him. Joker was livid, he wanted to kick and punch everything and everyone around him he put his hands on his waist and paced a bit Sebastian only eyed him “what now!?” His voices echoed down the halls. Louder enough to surprise Joker himself. 

“Now we leave. I doubt the triplets are here so our business here is done” 

They saw themselves out and into their car and drove away without any interference. Sebastian drove down the hill exiting the line of sight of the guards and exiting enemy territory. Which was bad luck, or karma, for three teenagers who were walking side by side too busy in their own accord to notice the black Bentley. Sebastian slowed down and stopped,watching as Timber, Thompson and Canterbury slowly approached . Sebastian smirked, “What should we do, Joker?” 

 “They hurt one, we hurt two” 

Sebastian smirked “ You spared one more than I would’ve” he reached over to Joker's side to the glove compartment and took out a wad of cash he kept for emergencies. He separated a couple thousand dollars  “An arm and a leg alright?” He said coldly. The other two nodded. Then he took out a piece of paper and wrote a message and combined it with the money.

The triplets walked beside the Bentley and stopped when Sebastian honked the car's horn and rolled down the windows. The boys stopped and looked at Sebastian and audible gasp was heard from the middle one. Sebastian could see the boy's distress, it was the most obvious but the others stood tall with blank expressions trying their damndest  to be confident.  Sebastian looked at all three of them and picked his messenger, the one he’d mercy. “Thompson, step forward” 

The middle one was hesitant, but  walked until he was about a foot away from the driver's door. Sebastian then took the money and flicked it at the boy. “for Madam Red” 

That was when Bard and Joker moved, before the triples could comprehend what was happening. Joker pushed his body out of the window and sat on the sil. Bard moved towards his window. Both of them pulled out a gun and shot once. Two loud “bangs” could be heard. 

What followed were the blood curdling screams of Timber and Canterbury Annafellows. Timber with a bullet wound on his shoulder, Canterbury on his leg. Like Sebastian, Joker and Baldroy had perfect aim.

Thompson's eyes widened at the sight of his brother's hurt. It was as if he himself felt their pain. His blood started to boil and began breathing heavily in rage. All fear left him, leaving fury behind. He gritted his teeth and moved to attack Sebastian. “you Bastar-” he wanted to scream, but he wasn't fast enough for when he got close, Sebastian had already had a gun to his head. Thompson stopped, still enraged and let tears fall while he heard the wailing cries of his brothers. 

Sebastian held a blank, unreadable expression. Using the barrel of the gun he played with the two purple strands of hair that fell at the middle in perfect symmetry. Then he tapped the boy's forehead. The boy flinched when he felt the metal “touch my girl again and i’ll kill you”  Sebastian warned.

“It was an order” Thompson hissed through his teeth. “I tried to warn her”

“I know, But Claude is your Godfather. you are one of the few people who could have easily said no” he pulled his finger off the trigger and brought the gun down, he pushed the boy away “you might to stop the bleeding” he said then stepped on the accelerator, driving away and leaving the boys to their misery.

Thompson watched the car drive off his chest heaving he pocketed the money and ran to his brothers kneeling down between Timber who was hissing and writhing in pain and Canterbury who held his leg screaming and crying. He panicked; he couldn't think straight between the cries and his hazed mind. Thompson had no idea what to do. Timber sat up leaning on his good arm he took off his leather jacket then his bloodied t-shirt he held it up to Thompson and told him to rip it up so they’d have something to stop the bleeding on his shoulder. Thompson snapped out of his shock and nodded. He did as he was told and then tied a knot around his brother’s wounded shoulder. Timber winched and his body arched at the excruciating sensation. 

The knot was tight enough and the two went to help Canterbury and repeated the process on his leg  with the rest of the ripped shirt. Thompson stood up from the ground and took out his phone to make a call. Now hyperventilating he became jumpy waiting for an answer. Finally she picked up and he cleared his throat “Mom! Come... down the hill… please!” he said in between heavy breaths

“Thompson, darling what’s wrong” she said. 

“...seb… Sebastian he had Tim…-he had timber and Canterbury shot!. HE HAD THEM SHOT  mommy please hurry....”he sobbed 

He heard his mother gasp saying no in a broken voice  “i’m going to call an ambulance right down” His mother's voice trailed off as if someone had taken the phone then he heard the low voice of his Godfather “Thompson, I’ll call Angelina to come! Calm down. We need to get your brothers into the house” 

It took all his self control and all of his strength he had to not cuss out Claude it was his fault his brothers were in this mess. He opposed those wretched orders since he got them, but he went along with it now the Crow sought his revenge. Without saying another word he hung up and then knelt back down and put Canterbury’s arm around his neck and lifted him up. “He could get up to the manor! He yelled to Timber who struggled, but managed to lift himself up. They staggered up halfway up the hill when a black truck came down. One of the guard’s cars. The car stopped in front and the guards hurried to get the triplet in the car.

Timber and Canterbury were carried  into the house and into the living room and each of them were laid upon a sofa. Thompson ran in still panicking and soon was joined by Claude and Hannah. The woman was hysterical, in tears she first ran to her wounded sons. caressing their skin and ruffling their hair ever so gently. She sobbed and yelled for the servants to get her bandages so she could replace the shirt.

Thompson watched from afar, scared for his brothers and furious at Claude, at Sebastian and at himself.  Had he said no to the stupid orders none of this would have happened. That was when he felt a tight grip on his shoulder. Claude stood behind him “He let you go unharmed?” 

 “I was the messenger” The boy growled and shoved away Claude’s hand he slapped the money Sebastian gave him against the man’s chest “He said it was for the treatment” He said then ran the other way  to go into his room. 

Claude looked over his shoulder at his godson leaving and then looked at the money, there was a piece of paper stashed in the middle of it all. He took it out. It was just a message Sebastian left “my condolences” Claude couldn't help but smirk even as the screaming of his godsons overtook the halls of his household.

-----

The car was silent for most of the drive, nothing the the sounds of the road could be heard mixed with the occasional shifting of the leather seat. Joker rested his head on the car door. Sebastian looked over at his companions. “Regrets? Remorse? Thoughts?” 

“Do you really think I could've said no?” 

“Of course they could have, what, you think Claude would just put them  in danger like that”

“What I’m just saying, we used to live with Claude. I wouldn't put it past him”

“So you do have regrets”

“Of Course I don't. This was for my Doll, but we did just shoot two teenagers”

“Two teenagers with a body count, Joker. They are trained hit men!”

“Then there's a chance Claude could strike again,” said Bard.

“He won’t. He knows if he does anything like this again. I will personally kill three of his best”

After a moment, Joker gave up his stance. He shrugged and turned back to look at the road. The scales were balanced once again. Sebastian took a breath of relief, he could now focus on more current matters,like his new kid. The boy was frail, broken and just barely started his climb up to recovery. He was sure he left a frightful impression on the boy, which might not have been his intention, but did make things harder. The fact that he changed their rooms probably didn't help either. “Tell me about the boy? You guys know him better than I do”

Joker brought his head up ”Cece?  He’s an introverted little guy. He likes to spend a lot of time in the library reading or watching tv most mystery stuff, ya’ know Sherlock Holmes and the like”

“A bit of a picky eater, took me a bit to prepare something he was able to keep down” Bard muttered

The irishman laughed “by that standard, we were all picky eaters…uhh let’s see he’s very attached to Doll,  is very protective of little Sieglinde, and he doesn’t like to go out much, except to ride around on the skateboards”

Sebastian hummed “is that why he dresses like half a homeless man” Sebastian quipped.

“HA! Those are me and Finny’s clothes he wears. Buy me better clothes if you think that…we gave him a switchblade once he carries it everywhere if that tell you anything”

“That he might try to slash me if I get to close”

“Well, you did scare him”

“I suppose that’s true… how about his schooling”

“We haven't enrolled him yet, but I'm sure he’ll pass the entrance exam easily, he's a smart kid. Just a little jittery”

–At night–

For the time in his life, Ciel had to calm himself before tucking himself into bed. With the book he was reading in hand. He walked into the spacious bedroom to find a queen sized bed on one side and then a twin sized bed with a small bedside table pushed against the corner on the opposite wall.

Ciel looked around,he felt like he was in a video game quick time event, any wrong step and he'd be dead. The room was empty so Sebastian wasn’t in bed yet. His plan was to be asleep by the time Sebastian entered the room to avoid conversation and an awkward encounter. Ciel ran into the room and jumped onto his bed, he put the book on the table and quickly wrapped himself with the comforter. With his back turned to the doorway it was simple to pretend he was asleep. And perfect timing, Sebastian walked into the room and closed the door. For a moment Ciel’s vision was pitch black while he adjusted to the darkness he didn’t dare to move when he felt the clear presence that loomed over him as he pretended to sleep.

Shifting only slightly, he took out his switchblade and slowly moved to tuck it under the pillow for easier access...just in case. 

That night he had another episode where he relived the night he lost  his home. He ran down the hall, fear overwhelmed him. The usual. His voice echoed as he yelled for someone to help but everyone was dead, he heard screams and gunshots, but didn’t go near the sounds. It wasn’t long before he found his parent’s room where he saw his mother and father lying on their bed, lifeless. That’s where he heard bells. Loud, shrieking bells the sound got louder and more frantic, just like him. Ciel covered his ears, but that was no help; he could still hear the unholy wailing of those copper bells. This was different. New. He shut his eyes and sank to his knees. The sound wrapped around him like a million hands. The loud chimes threatened to make his ears bleed. He screamed.

His eyes snapped open and kicked the covers and looked around until he realized he was awake. Then he cried, but Doll wasn’t there to comfort him that time. He took deep breaths in between sobs and clutched on to the comfortable.  

He wiped his eyes with his sleeve when he realized a light was turned on at the opposite side of the room.  It Illuminated Sebastian as he sat upright against the headboard of his bed. He had glasses on, part of his hair tucked in behind his ear, completely focused on the book in his hands. “Have some warm milk with honey. I left it on the table” he said, never looking up from the book.

With a deep breath Ciel looked over, there was indeed a tea cup and saucer with steaming cup of warm milk. The boy took a sip, it was good.  “What was the dream about?” Sebastian asked 

Ciel looked over and shook his head “I-I don’t know I don't remember they sorta leave me as soon as I wake up”

“Hmm.. you don't remember anything at all?”

The boy sat up straight and recalled his dream, most of it was a blur except for that sound.” I uh.. Bells? I kept hearing bells. They kept ringing and getting louder”

“Figures”

“huh“

Sebastian looked up from the book and shut it. He stood up from his bed and walked to the boy. The book was thrown on Ciel’s bed and Ciel noticed it was his book, the book he brought with him. “Stop reading Edgar Allen Poe before you go to bed”. Ciel gaped for a moment then turned to the book, he opened  it to his bookmarked page “The Bells” Ciel made the most unamused face. The damn poem he read managed to seep into his subconscious and transferred into his dreams, scared him enough to make him scream himself awake. “I’m so done,” he whispered to himself.

Sebastian heard the comment and chuckled “why, smile”

Ciel closed the book and threw it off the bed “because I read that and my brain did a thing that nearly scared me to death that’s why!” he spat. His elder smirked. Ciel huffed and laid down on the bed when an idea popped into his head. He looked up at Sebastian  “how do you do it?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Be like…fearless, scary”

“You think I'm scary?”

“Yes! Like I don't know you just…feel scary. and I'm…just a coward. Teach me how to be feared like you” he stood up “like teach me more about what you do”

Sebastian crossed his arms “you're not a coward, you're traumatized and I don’t train any of my kids”

“But I'm not your kid-” he snapped just as quickly as he shut himself up “I - mean-I… My father ran things in the criminal underworld ,a job he was eventually going to pass down to me. I know things. I can be of use,  I can do the collection fees, but if you train me, I can help out Joker or Molly when they go out on jobs“

Sebastian sat down next to him “I was friends with your father” he finally confessed.

Ciel knitted his eyebrows, confused, he was pretty sure he’d never met or seen Sebastian before the day he came home.

“I went to your baptism and christening. You were very little back then so I’m not surprised that you don't remember me. The majority of my friendship with Vincent had to do with us moderating the criminal underground so we tried to never be seen in public that often. We  met up briefly, never went to each other's home, we never had a relationship with each other's children. but , behind closed doors, we were very close…Point is, I'm well aware of the career path that was paved for you, but I will not follow that. So you can forget about it all. You want to be brave, we'll start slow, like actually leaving the house. Tomorrow I'm going to take you into town and we're going to get you  new clothes. That way you can stop wearing Joker’s hand-me-downs”

Ciel gripped his shirt, looking at the ‘Led zeppelin’ logo printed on it. He groaned ,even his nightshirt was Joker’s, he hardly listened  to that band. He nodded.

He walked past Ciel and searched the boy's pillow until his hands found what they were looking for: the switchblade he studied the knife: New, expensive, custom made, the blade in graves with the name ‘Smile’ “Did you want to cut me or something?” 

The boy stiffened “N-no I just I-I  carry that everywhere Joker gave it to me” he stuttered. 

“I know he told me, but you won't be needing it with me I promise you” he threw the blade back on the pillow “now try and go back to sleep” Without another word they went back onto their beds. “I'll be right here, should you need anything”

As Sebastian read his book, Ciel finished the rest of his drink, never admitting how comforting it was and never mentioning how it was his preferred method to avoid nightmares.

Chapter Text

—In the Morning—

A week had passed, Ciel sat beside Finny, they talked normally and even Doll seemed to be back to her usual self. Most of her scratches were faint lines and her bruises had started changing color. The kids talked amongst themselves. Sieglinde often tried to catch Ciel’s  attention with random facts about the books she read, and as the conversations flowed, Ciel couldn't help but listen into the happenings on the other side of the table. The adults were preoccupied talking amongst themselves. Bard and others asked about some business thing and then Molly started pleading  for them not to talk about it at the table, which they ended up agreeing with.

They fidgeted, now realizing that they hadn't eaten anything on their plate. “You're right, Beast” Joker cleared his throat “so what's the plan for today?” he beamed, changing his entire mood.

“Well I have to take Ciel to Nina, she should be done with his clothes by now, then i’ll drop him off and come get you” Sebastian spoke.

And naturally, the boy tuned in at the sound of his name.

“Me? Why?” Joker asked.

“Agni called. Apparently there's been some movement. He believes he found some remnants of the Angels group hiding out. He was followed on his trip to India and back” 

Joker reclined on his chair “Angels? why would the-”

“Guys?” Molly sighed. The two men looked at each other and nodded. Sebastian cleared his throat “Those are my plans, what about the rest of you?” he finally addressed the rest of the table. And so the conversation moved on as the kids said how they were going to spend the rest of the day. While they listened, as they smiled and engaged with the kids, Ciel could tell that the head of the table was tense. When breakfast ended, most of the house went about their business, most of the adults went to work, and the kids were sent off to school. Ciel was left at the bottom of the staircase, lost in his battle against a computer on ‘Super Smash Brothers” while he waited for Sebastian.  His eyes were focused on his game, but his ears were eavesdropping into Joker and Sebastian’s conversation. No reason in particular, just curiosity. 

“Why would there be any remnants of the Angels group, both Angela and Ash are dead you a-and..” Joker took a deep breath, hesitant to continue “and Vincent killed them there’s no one paying them why would they still be around?”

Ciel tensed up from hearing his father’s name, but quickly composed himself. Though, he lost his battle.

“I’m sure it’s nothing, but we can’t be too careful. I’ll see you when I get back” Sebastian said. The squeaking of his heels and the footsteps grew louder. Ciel stood up as Sebastian emerged from the corridor “Ready to go?” he asked. Ciel nodded.

For most of the drive, Ciel played the DS to keep his mind off of the fact that he was in the outside world. Sebastian had taken him out multiple times over the course of the week, but he still felt anxious going out. The thought of some stranger coming up to him, drugging him and dragging him God knows where was something that plagued his mind every time he went further than his home’s boundaries. but he had to admit, he felt safer with Sebastian. 

 Over the past week Ciel was practically glued to Sebastian's shadow following him wherever he was allowed. First, he was taken to buy new clothes, custom made for him, which landed him in the hands of Nina Hopkins, an eccentric clothing designer who instantly took a liking to the boy, asking on multiple occasions if Ciel was willing to model her spring and summer collections. She was  instantly rejected. Then, there were smaller errands like grocery shopping or picking up the other kids from school, taking Doll to gymnastics,getting a haircut etc.

Even at home, Ciel sat and read at the  library while Sebastian worked alone. Sometimes there would be house guests that came to talk to him. Sebastian only had to look at him, and that meant he had to leave. It bothered him and most of the time he wanted to stay, but he was not about to defy ‘the Crow’ in front of company. 

But that didn't stop him putting his ear against the door. Most talks ranged from standard company meetings of Sebastian’s wineries to people asking to have someone done away with. He kept quiet and pretended to be listening to music as he read when the company left the library. All he gathered from the conversation was how sought after Sebastian's services were.  How respected and revered he was.

 Just like his father once was.

—--

The shopping was done, much to Ciel’s relief. With enough bags to tire him dangling from his forearms and elbows, the boy trudged to the car. The trunk was opened with the press of a button and Ciel dropped all the bags inside. The weight dragging him down with it. He pulled himself up and walked around to see Sebastian crouched down beside the car door,checking out a large scratch. “Someone hit us.” He slid his finger along the mark.

“At least it’s fixable,” Ciel shrugged. For a moment he looked up and saw a man walking towards them, then looked around, there were no cars parked next to them. In fact, the entire line of slots was empty except for the Bentley. The teen looked back at the man still marching their way. The brute was tall, and wore a suit that looked like security, but it was still enough to give Ciel a bit of a fright, he took a small step back as the stranger continued to approach. The Stranger paid him no mind, he was only looking at Sebastian. 

Sebastian was still looking over the scuff on the car when Ciel lightly tapped his shoulder. He looked up to see the boy’s stern expression and his attention straight ahead. Still crouching he turned his body around. He only caught a glimpse of the man, the second he turned the man reached at the inside pocket and pulled out a revolver. 

Time seemed to stop for Ciel when the gun was pulled out and pointed at Sebastian. The assailant cocked the gun. Ciel had no time to think.  Whether it was protective instinct or just an adrenaline fueled act, he didn’t know but Ciel pushed Sebastian to the ground and away from the line of fire The bang of the shot echoed through the empty garage. He fell on top of Sebastian.

While their opponent reloaded, Sebastian was able to sit up  to pull out his own gun and fired two shots. Once in the neck the second right in between his eyes. The assailant dropped instantly. It wasn’t until after did he realize Ciel was spread out over his lap, face down. His other arm was trapped between the boy's middle and the ground. He heard subtle whimpers coming from Ciel. He pulled out his arm and his eyes widened. Blood covered his hand. He immediately rolled the boy over  “shit!” he hissed through his teeth. Ciel had been hit. 

The boy opened his eyes, a bit relieved to see Sebastian was alive. He turned his head and saw the man dead on the ground. Another relief. He saw Sebastian's petrified look; he looked paler than usual. He was confused until he looked down at his body, his blue hoodie and white shirt stained in red. It didn't take long for him to realize it was his. That was when he felt the excruciating pain. He arched his body and tried to hold back a scream. He started breathing heavily, panic began to set in. his hands moved to cover the wound. The touch itself sent a fiery sensation through his body.

“Don’t move!” Sebastian ordered and picked up Ciel and laid him down in the back seat. He  looked back on the bloodied mess that he was going to leave behind and looked around to see if there were any security cameras. None. Then he took out his phone and snapped a picture of his attacker just in case any of his contacts recognized him. Then ran back to the car and drove away. The sound of skidding tires echoed. 

Red lights were the least of the crows' concerns, he drove like a lunatic swerving from lane to lane, earning him more than a few honks and curses from other drivers, but he didn't care if one of his kids was in between life and death. His hands fidgets against the steering wheel, now painted in red. He took out his phone again and dialed a number and panted as he waited for the phone on the other side to be picked up. For a moment he looked behind him to check on Ciel and saw that boy’s eyes closed. He felt his heart stop “WAKE UP!” he yelled and the boy’s eyelids fluttered open, not fully, but enough. “Keep your eyes open okay!”

“Sebastian?” the woman picked up!

 He turned his eyes back onto the road. “Madam! How far away from my house are you?!”

“Uh not far about a ten minute driv-”

“Get to the house now!”

“Ugh, Sebastian, It’s my day off just to go to a hospital!”

“ ANGELINA PLEASE ONE OF MY KIDS WAS SHOT IT’S JUST A GRAZE BUT HE NEEDS TREATMENT! WHATEVER WE USUALLY PAY, I'LL PAY YOU TRIPLE JUST GET TO THE HOUSE!”

“What is happening? I just patched up two of the Annafellows, now one of yours?”

“JUST GET TO THE HOUSE!”

“FINE! I’ll be there in ten”

Sebastian hung up and dialed joker right after “you’re about to be reunited with your aunt, Ciel” he muttered to himself “I just wished it was under different circumstances-JOKER”

“Seb, what’s wrong?”

“Ciel was shot! Angelina is on her way”

“Wh-what happened!”

“attempt on me, but he got caught in the crossfire! Do as I say get a guest bedroom ready!”

With a click of a button he tossed his phone aside. After a few minutes of speeding and breaking various road laws he saw his driveway Coming into view. Joker was already at the front door with a worried look. The car came to a halt and Sebastian bolted out of the car, opened the back seat and carefully pulled Ciel into his arms. He carried him into the house, Joker covered his mouth in shock "oh- Fuck!" His hand shook at the sight of one of his kids bleeding out front of him

"He'll be even worse if he doesn't get treated quickly"

"she'll have a heart attack, why did you call Angelina!?" Joker screamed.

"WHO ELSE WAS I SUPPOSED TO CALL?"

"I DON'T KNOW OKAY! It's just she lost her nephew and now you bring him back to her and he's on the brink of dea- fuck! LOOK AT OUR BOY! YEAH NICE GOING SEBASTIAN TAKE THE FATHER OF THE YEAR AWARD!"

“JUST SHUT UP-SHUT UP AND OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR"

Joker walked in front to guide him to the guest bedroom" it's the bedroom next to Sieglinde's, and Sebastian made his way inside. That was when he saw Angelina Durless, The mob's personal doctor, as she walked  through the open door, in her striking red suit armed with her doctor's bag, the sound of her clicking heels could be heard and even Sebastian's heart dropped. Joker ran to her and tried to stop her. 

She just took off her glasses and continued on. She knew the house well enough in her visits “Seb said one of the boys was hit. I can work with Finny you might need a vet if its Snake’’

Joker swallowed down the backhand at his kid and stopped her “neither, this one is new” they were a corner away. “Before you go in! I have to warn you. You will not like what behind that door”

“What? you mean like a kid with a bullet wound?! Yes, of course i'm not gonna like it, but then again i’ve been seeing alot of that this week”

The man's jaw dropped, speechless “I-i”

Before Joker could answer, Sebastian practically ripped the door open, his sleeves rolled up and dripping with blood. "Alright he's about to pass out you need to get on with it." he panted. "Madam, I truly am sorry" he pressed his hand together, praying for her forgiveness. Reluctantly the two men made way for Angelina to pass. Joker groaned, grimacing as she entered the room then walked away.

Angelina only had to take one step into the room to freeze. She dropped her equipment bag on the floor, her breath began to hitch. Her first thought was that she was hallucinating when she saw her nephew she thought had died months before. He was alive, but gravely injured. Half the bed covered in blood, he held Sebastian's coat against his side. She snapped a look at Sebastian as if asking for his confirmation. When he nodded, tears formed in her eyes. "Heal him, Madam" he said, handing her the bag. "Please"

Hatred for the man was all she felt. Even so she took her equipment and walked to the side of the bed. Ciel was breathing, but just barely.. He was trying his best to keep his eyes open, but it was clear that his mind wasn't registering much. Angelina pressed the back of her hand onto his forehead "get water and a damp towel." Sebastian did as he was told and left the room. She wiped away her tears and began going to work. 'He's just another patient' she took a pair of scissors from her bag and cut the boy's shirt open. She brought out a bottle of hydrogen peroxide cloth to clean around the wound then carefully moved the jacket away. Ciel was so weak it was easy to move him . Blood started seeping out of the gash. She turned him over on his side and with a syringe she cleaned out the inside of the cut. The boy screamed in pain and Angelina held him down. She held a bandage to his side and waited for him to calm down.

Sebastian came back with the water and draped the damp towel over Ciel's forehead. "hold him down while I give him morphine and stitch him up." she ordered. Sebastian sat down on the bed and brought Ciel up on his lap making it easier for him to hold the boy. Ciel grabbed Sebastian's clothes, whimpering from the pain.  Angelina took out a needle, a dose of morphine to suppress the pain. Then grabbed the boy's hand to give him the dose.

Once Ciel was numb to the sensation,his writhing had subsided. Angelina could continue to work. She took out her supplies for stitching and threaded the needle  "He's lost a lot of blood, but he should be fine once I finish"

Ciel was still away but his vision was blurry. The boy tried his best not to fall asleep. He looked up and saw Sebastian he lifted his arm up to catch his leader's attention "I'm tired"  Ciel whispered.

Sebastian ruffled his hair "you're fine you can sleep if you like" and he did.

—--

Now stitched and bandaged Ciel slept in the guest bedroom Sebastian removed all the bloodied bedding and clothing and replaced them. Then met up with Joker in the kitchen who was drinking  a glass of gin "it's not even five o'clock you know?"

"I'm sure Dionysus would be proud of me ,how is he?"

Sebastian crossed his arms "he'll be fine, but he won't be able to walk for a few days he'll have to stay in bed"  he sighed Joker rested his head on the table. 

“He’s a strong kid...”

After a drink with his right hand, Sebastian returned to the room. Madam Red sat beside the bed watching over Ciel. She paid no mind to him as he walked in.  She took a deep breath "how long have you had him?"

"...fiveish months"

"FIVE!" she snapped a cold stare at him.

"We have reason to believe the fire that took Vincent and Rachel was premeditated. We thought it best not to keep him hidden for the time being” raised his hands defensively "let talk outside so we don't wake him" to say Sebastian felt bad was an understatement. He was disgusted with himself for bringing Ciel to her in this matter. He felt guilty putting Ciel in the state he scratched the back of his head, following the woman out and closing the door behind him.

"How could you let this happen!" She pulled on his collar roughly.

He wasn’t sure how to answer  without sounding like he was just making up excuses .He dropped his head in shame. The words felt like daggers. First Doll and now the boy. "I'm sorry, Angelina."

"You come back and all you do is put your kids in danger. Just like Claude you can't even protect yo-"

"Hey! I'm nothing like Claude.” He hissed “I don't put mine in the front lines like that bastard does.  i'll gladly give my life up for them and i would've today if Ciel didn't jump in front of me first  " His chest heaving as leaned back against the wall.

Angelina was taken aback "Ciel jumped in to save you?"

"Yes. it was an assassination attempt on me he was no interest on him"

"And the assailant"

"Dead."

"good."

“I am Trying!”

“Then try harder!”

In that moment of silence tensions between them began to die down. Madam red looked to the ground as if she was thinking and Sebastian knew exactly what was going through her head. "You can visit whenever you want, but you're not taking him"

"He's my nephew I have more right to him than you do"

"He's part of my family now. He's no longer a Phantomhive."

She took a deep breath to compose herself, tired desperately to find compassion "Sebastian, I know you loved Vincent as I did, but I won't let you keep Ciel as your personal mourning jewel.”

“That's a low blow even for you Angelina! For you to insinuate that i'm just using him-”

“He's not safe here!”

“Oh, so was he safer in the Phantomhive manor, you know, the one that was set on fire to kill Vincent and your sister! Was he safer there, will he be safer with you! You, unaffiliated, with patients from all over!  Cartel, Yakuza, triads, Cosa Nostra, Spiders! You think he’ll be safer with you?”

“Alright! What about Francis?! She can take him!”

“I am not going to bring him to her in this condition! She doesn’t even know he’s alive”

“He can not stay here!” 

“So worried are you? I've never heard of you trying to take Ciel away from Vincent!  Or tried to take any of my other kids away. Not once have you tried to get the triplets away from Hannah or what about James and luka!”

“Alright stop -!”

“So suddenly do you want to protect all the kids from the mob!” 

“He’s my blood! my sisters child, Sebastian”

“He’s my child now. He is not some mourning jewel. My family wants him here, I want him here.” 

It was a lost battle, Angelina knew it and it not only meant having to fight Sebastian on it but also his entire crew. She wanted Ciel with her, even though she couldn't provide half of what Sebastian could.  She rubbed her temples. A  mixture of emotions stirred inside her. Rage, sadness, happiness to know Ciel was fine. Tears poured again, Sebastian pulled her into a hug “how about we ask him what he wants to do” he said and for the time being that satisfied her.

There was a bit of explaining to be done, as all the adults came back home they all were briefed. There were exchanges of screams mostly by Molly at Sebastian, some arguments over what was to be done in retaliation and the like. All of them fighting over taking the first watch of their baby boy. Then the kids were brought home. All of them rushed to Ciels bedside and refused to leave even after being scolded. Snake and Doll sat on the lazyboy in the corner, finny rested his head on the beside of his new little brother, even Sieglinde was laid beside him. None of them planned to leave. Not even when called for dinner.

 Angelina watched the chaos unfold and quiet down. Constantly had to reassure everyone that he was going to live. She was fed and even was offered a place to sleep for the night. She brought the kids their dinner when it became impossible to get them out of Ciel's room. It became undoubtedly clear how loved Ciel was despite his short stay. Her heart broke. Even though she was still going to ask Ciel like Sebastian suggested, she was pretty sure she already knew the answer. 

—At Night—

It was definitely past their bedtime. No matter It was pretty clear that they were not going to school the next day.  Finny and Doll rustled awake at the sound of Ciel's groans. Finny raised his head, Ciel was waking up and the big brother leaned closer, and combed his hand through Ciel's hair. “You're finally awake” 

Ciel looked around the room almost as if unaware of where he was. Still in a state of delirium "Thirsty..." he managed to say. His voice was weak and shot.

Doll nodded, stood up and ran out the door. Going straight for the kitchen. She slowed down so she wouldn't alarm anyone since at this time a night some were still awake. She walked into the kitchen where Sebastian and Madam Red were standing around the island talking. They stopped as soon as they saw Doll. The girl stood at her place and she was sure Sebastian would ask why she was still awake. So she simply said "he wants water"

Automatically Madam Red rushed past Doll and Sebastian turned to the basin, filling up a glass of water before following the woman. It took a bit but they managed to convince the rest of the kids to leave the room, at least while Angelina and Sebastian checked on him.

Ciel was still in the middle of waking up, in the dark he heard a commotion, Finny's voice, Sieglinde’s, he felt the bed dip, and he opened his eyes, he was tired of being asleep, he wanted to move. 

Only to bend over and cover his sides because of the pain that suddenly hit him. He whimpered. when he looked up his eyes went wide. For the first time in months he laid eyes on his beloved aunt. "Aunt An..." he whispered,.

The woman was  finally able to properly embrace her nephew, she wasted no time in running to pull him close. He wrapped his arms around her, forgetting all about the pain and his thirst. He hid his face in the crook of her neck in an attempt to hide his cries. Though he could do nothing to hide the uncontrollable sobs of joy that came out of him. Angelina pulled back and kissed the top of his head and wiped away his tears. She smiled at him silently saying "everything is alright '' He smiled back. “All though i'm not too happy, about just now finding out about your whereabouts''

“I’m sorry” He sniffled.

“Why didn’t you come find me?”

“They said it wasn't safe yet. That we would visit you later”

“Have they been treating you well?”

“Yes, very well! Its been fun here, weird but fun?’

“Weird?”

“They make me do chores” 

She laughed “Yes you were a spoiled little boy before all this weren't you?” 

A soft chuckle left Sebastian before another silence settled, Angelina didn't want to ask Ciel questions about the past half a year Ciel was still tired enough that he could fall back asleep at any moment. Both of them were at a loss for words. Sebastian stepped forward " there's something we want to ask you, Ciel... your aunt wants to take you with her"

The boy's jaw dropped and he turned to his aunt "y-you're letting me go?" he asked, in a broken voice  turning back to Sebastian. He didn't want to leave as much as he loved his aunt. He's made a new life, gained a new family. He had responsibilities now as a member, as a brother. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No and no, your aunt wants to take you, but I want you to stay. So we thought it best to ask you what you want to do. Do you want to stay or leave?"

"I want to stay!" Ciel answered, a little too fast. He sat up again and reached out to hold Angelina's hand; he was certain his decision might hurt her. He got closer and rested his head on her shoulder. "I can't leave... I..I have a little sister now. I can't leave her"

"Yeah…I know" Angelina wiped away a tear, she had prepared for it already.  She took a break through her nose. Although I desperately wanted to take him with her. To see him everyday after she thought she'd lost him. He had lived with the group for five months. He'd grown attached. And they obviously loved him. She remembered Sebastian's frantic voice on the phone, noticed how Joker was drinking to calm his nerves as if Ciel was his own child, how Molly almost fought with her leader to watch over him, Baldroy baking a chocolate cake knowing that Ciel's favorite, Finny and the rest of them sitting at his side for hours, and how unnervingly quiet the house seemed.  "you're right, you're an older brother now you can't leave...promise me you'll look after him" she looked up at Sebastian.

"Of course, Madam"

She narrowed her eyes “Promise me you’ll try harder”

“I promise” He spoke with strict determination. 

Chapter Text

With everyone in bed the house was silent enough to hear a pin drop. Sebastian sat with Joker at the dining table researching and going through old records they had. For the past three days they attempted to find information on the man that tried to kill him. Who was he? Who he worked for?  Using the pictures Sebastian managed to get after the assassination attempt they noticed a tattoo of two black wings on the back of the man's ear, reminiscent of the crest the Angels group once used. Though they weren't sure if he actually was working for the Angels or it was just a coincidence.

At Well past two in the morning, They downed their third cup of coffee and even though that wasn't doing much to help, Joker's eyelids began to feel heavy and he could hardly concentrate on his typing. His computer screen became a blur and each word became a meaningless string of characters. "Call it a night, Taylor. Go to bed." Sebastian spoke.

The irishman snapped his attention up. It took longer than it should have to register the man's words making it clear that protesting was foolish. He needed sleep. Joker stretched out his arms above his head and arched against his chair, nodding in agreement "Alright" closing his laptop Joker went upstairs to his bedroom.

Now alone Sebastian continued his work typing away and pulling up various files on Angela Blanc and Ash Landers "Even from beyond the grave you two manage to taunt me" he murmured to himself. He knew they were somehow involved. He tapped his fingertips on the table when he heard the sound of the door opening and the squeaking of a turning wheel. The baby was awake. Another door opened and closed. Sebastian could only assume that Sieglinde had woken up to go to the bathroom. He'd have to check on her in a bit.

The minutes passed, Sebastian looked over to the hallway towards the girls' room and the bathroom 'she's been in there a long time' he thought before standing up from his chair.

The bathroom was empty. Sebastian frowned then went into the girl's room. Upon entering the light of the hallway illuminated  Doll's side of the room. She laid in her bed face down with an arm and a leg over the edge of the bed. Sebastian peered into the room to find the second bed, Sieglinde's, empty. Her wheelchair was missing as well. He went into protective dad mode for a second before realizing there was nothing to worry about. The girl was still in the house and was out of danger. Closing the door he walked over to check on Ciel.

Sebastian was careful to open the door as quietly as possible. Just as the light illuminated Doll it shined on the bed and sure enough Ciel was sleeping soundly, Sieglinde curled up next to him. Ciel was resting on his unwounded side, one arm being used as a pillow by Sieglinde and the other arm rested on top of the girl. "How cute," Sebastian hummed. As amusing as the sight might have been, he didn't want Sieglinde to form a habit of waking up in the middle of the night to sleep with someone. He entered and walked to the girl's bedside.

Ciel wasn't in as deep of a sleep as he would have liked to be. Any disturbance could wake him up and the annoying, subtle pain that still lingered on his side wasn't making it better. Through his eyelids he could sense the light shining on him. For a moment he ignored it, but fluttered his eyes open. His vision is blurry and unadjusted to the light as it was all he saw was a dark, silhouetted figure looming over him and his little sister. The figure reached for Sieglinde and suddenly Ciel was wide awake. He moved back, pulling the girl with him with his arm closest to the pillow and reached for his switchblade, flicked it open and pointed it at the figure.

A sharp pain spasmed down his sides, but he didn't care. His free arm cradling a still sleeping child. He held her protectively closer to his chest. This figure was quick to grab the hand that held the blade. He went into a panic. The boy was about to scream when his vision adjusted and the light shined on Sebastian's facial features. "Calm down it's just me"

Ciel stayed still panting as calmed down from the scare he just got "I could have killed you" he sneered.

"No,you could have not" he said in a condescending tone. He opened Ciel's palm and took the knife away. "You could have hurt the baby though" the boy pursed his lips and gently stroked Sieglinde's hair. "Come now, give her to me so I can put her in her room"

"No-She can stay here, I don't mind."

"You need to rest not spend all night watching over her"

Ciel opened his mouth to protest again, but before he said anything, Sieglinde began shifting in his arm. She clinged on to the boy and her arm was draped over Ciel's side, unknowingly hitting Ciel's healing wound. Ciel winced and slowly tried to move her arm. The bed dipped as Sebastian then knelt down on the bed and pulled the sleeping child off of Ciel. He pouted, but let her get carried away.

The man held her, her head resting upon his shoulder and her tiny arms wrapped around his neck. Without another word Ciel was left alone again. He laid down on his back. Breathing heavily through his nose as the surges of pain passed.

In the other room, Sebastian tucked Sieglinde into her bed and lifted the covers over her. At that point she stirred awake blinking at the sudden light coming from the hallway. She recognized Sebastian instantly. Confused as to why he was there she turned her head to the side in search of her older brother, but know one was around. "Where's Cece?"

"He's sleeping in his own bed" he whispered.

"I want to go with him" she sat up and pulled the comforter off, but Sebastian wouldn't let her "Sieglinde, he's very hurt and needs to sleep you can go see him tomorrow"

"But he doesn't like sleeping alone; he gets scared!" she pouted.

He gave her a warm smile and pulled the covers over her again "I promise I'll protect him in your place."  He pinched her cheeks. She huffed, still unsatisfied with not being able to sleep with Ciel, but didn't protest any further. She laid down and snuggled under the blanket. With that Sebastian patted her on the head and left the room.

Back with Ciel, The bedside lamp was now turned on and Ciel laid on the side closest to the light Sebastian went to him he loomed over him until Ciel noticed and opened his eyes. When he did he  looked up "you're still afraid to sleep alone?" Sebastian asked. The teen didn't respond, instead he avoided making eye contact and rolled over, embarrassed to admit that he was. Sebastian rolled his eyes and pulled him back around "Stop it you can't lay on your wounded side. There now rest up. I'll leave the light on if you want". 

Sebastian retrieved his arm, but his arm was suddenly grabbed by Ciel "wait!" he pulled on the sleeves, he still averted his gaze. "Stay here... just until I fall asleep. Please."

Looking down, the don wondered how this boy that wasn't afraid to jump in front of a bullet and who pulled a knife on him to protect Sieglinde was still afraid of being on his own. It didn't matter. He still obliged and sat down next to Ciel waiting for him settle back into the bed "i'll be right right here all night if you need me to be"

Ciel only nodded and closed his eyes.

———

"DOLL! FINNIAN! SHUT THE HELL UP AND SIT DOWN!"

Few days later the Morning started out more hectic than usual. Having to send out his cook and his two bests to do a job for the night Sebastian was left to tend to breakfast ordeals and the kids, which would have been an easy task had not been for everyone's hyperactive and frankly, foul mood. Two of his kids were acting like five years olds running around the house, screaming. Doll was pissed at Finny because he accidentally broke…something, Sebastian didn't know and frankly he didn't care,  and now they were chasing each other around the house. "Going on seventeen my ass!" he hissed. The rest of the house was asleep or out.

With his phone pressed between his shoulder and ear he spoke to Angelina. With his left arm he carried a sobbing Sieglinde who had accidentally fallen off of her wheelchair giving Sebastian no choice but to console her. With his right hand he stirred a pan of scrambled eggs.

"Rough morning?" Angelina asked sarcastically.

"Rough? Nah we're fine" he responded with an equally sarcastic tone.

"How is he?"

"He can't walk long distances but he's recovering his strength. He has more energy and he's sleeping less. So I'd say he's good" he said and his free hand moved all over the place. Using a towel to wipe the countertop, grabbing a plate from the cabinet and turning down the heat. He moved around the kitchen island and then grabbed Finny's ear as he ran past him and pulled him aside getting a silent cry from the boy. "Stay here" he said in an almost threatening whisper and looked at Doll pointed at the dining table as a silent order to sit down.

Frightened, The two did as they were told, instantly. Then the front door opened and Joker, Molly and Bard entered. Going straight to the kitchen. Molly heard Finny and Doll yelling at each other only to see Doll at the table, Finny sitting on top of the island pressing his hand against his ear and the baby of the house crying in Sebastian's arms. The man in question looked too distracted by the food he was cooking and the phone call to notice they had returned.

Joker and Bard sighed while Molly made a hand gesture that said "what the fuck?" Her and Bard made their way to Sebastian while Joker solved the conflict between Finny and Doll. Bard patted Sebastian on the back to get his attention then reached for the pan to finish breakfast. As tired as he was he knew his boss needed an extra hand at the moment.

Sebastian nearly jumped and dropped his phone when he saw Bard he turned sound and saw Molly he let out a breath of relief seeing. They were back ,alive for one, and they could help  "What happened?" she asked, as she wiped a tear from her cheek.

"She fell off her chair and she's overreacting a bit" he quirked. She rolled her eyes and reached to take a hold of her. Sebastian gently passed her on. Molly rubbed the girl's back until her cries subsided. Now able to talk peace he leaned against the wall to finish his call.

"I'm a bit busy today. If I'm lucky I'll be able to visit him tonight or maybe tomorrow morning I need to check Ciel for his asthma. I forgot to check when I was there" said Angelina.

"He has asthma?"

"Yeah he was more or less cured the last time I saw him but you know after the fire and all that I want to see if it returned maybe ask Joker if he's had any scares or anything."

He nodded, taking a mental note to keep an eye out for that. "Alright. By the way I'm thinking of getting him something as a little thank you do you know what he’d like” 

The woman stayed silent for a moment, thinking "why don't you get him a dog. He like dogs.."

"A dog! The fuck would I do that for?! " he said a little too loud. He looked up and noticed Molly covering Sieglinde's ears and shook her head at him disapprovingly. His eyes widened in realization and the mouthed 'sorry' another note to not swear in front of Sieglinde 

"Yeah maybe even one of those emotional support They have dogs that are trained specially for post traumatic stress. Plus I'm sure Doll would want one after what happen with Pluto"

He groaned "can't I just get him a cat, does he like cats?"  Earning a chuckle from Bard who was piecing parts for the conversation together. Like everyone in the house he knew Sebastian's feelings towards cats and dogs "....he's allergic. Great"

For the most part breakfast was quiet, everyone was tense or tired. Joker, Molly and Bard planned on sleeping after the meal was done. Their fatigue left  no energy to even start a conversation. There was nothing serious going on, but the silence was suffocating to the four kids at the table as if it were a sin to speak.

The sound of the creaking floorboards made Doll, Snake, and Finny look up from their food. From around the corner Ciel hobbled in. His body bent forward just a bit to lessen the pain in his abdomen. "Hey look who's up and about!" Joker exclaimed, happy  to see Ciel strong enough to walk, but Sebastian and Molly dropped their silverware and stood up. She held on to the boy's arm to keep him on his feet "what are you doing you shouldn't be out of bed" she said.

"I'm hungry" Ciel wined.

"I could have brought you food you can't put this much strain on your body especially with your wound...look at you, You didn't even bother to put in a shirt"

The teen shot a glare to his elder which he was glad that Sebastian didn't see and huffed "I'm tired of laying around. I've been in that bed for the past week."

"And you'll stay in bed for days to come. I can't have you getting hurt again. Or your aunt will have my head" he muttered in the last part. Reluctantly Ciel complied and groaned as he turned around. "You can eat here for now then you go back to the room" Sebastian sighed and ruffled Ciel's hair.

—-

"I can't believe you're actually doing this" Joker walked behind Sebastian into an animal shelter, giggling as they made their way to the dog area.

"Shut up!" Sebastian growled. It had been two weeks since Ciel's injury and the man had yet to properly thank him for saving his life and after  Madam Red's suggestion, Sebastian made the tough choice to bring his most hated creature into his house as a reward. "It's the least I can do" they entered the room filled with crates and the overwhelming sound of barks and whines filled the air. Dogs large and small jumped and scratched at the sight of the two strangers. Sebastian threw his head back, disgusted but dragged himself in. Joker on the other hand ran to the cages and knelt down to play with the animals. "Any one will do then so pick one?"

Joker stopped "what? Nah you can't just pick one some might be too big some might be violent remember we got a five year old in the house."

"You weren't saying that when you brought the last one. If I remember correctly Pluto was a stray you guys brought him in"

"He was a puppy though." Joker looked around, in the back of the room where the puppies were, one in particular, caught his eye. A small pup lying on his stomach quietly at the back corner of his cage. He wasn't as enthusiastic as his companions. Every dog in the room was desperately trying to get adopted, trying to get noticed by anyone who entered, but this one seemed like he didn't care.

Joker crouched down in front of the fence and puts his hand through one of the openings, snapping his fingers to get attention. The pup brought his head up but he didn't move from his spot. "Come on, buddy" he called. After a few more calls the pup obeyed and slowly approached .

He stopped right before he made contact with the hand. Joker could see the pup was smart, eyeing him down to see if it was safe. He was cautious. Even Sebastian noticed this and knelt down beside his friend. Joker opened his palm, part of him expecting the pup to snap at him or run away. Instead the puppy cocked his head to the side and patted forward. He leaned in and laid his head on top of Joker's palm. The man smiled and scratched the brown hair on the pup's chin. With his other hand Joker petted the black hair that covered most of the body.

The puppy seemed to like the attention, closing his eyes and pressing himself against the hand. He never yelped or barked or anything. "I want this one." Joker said.

"Well he's not for you, but he's quiet enough we can take him" Sebastian groaned before standing up and walking away leaving Joker to play with the little thing.

After the paperwork was filled out they were able to adopt the two month old doberman. Without a name so Ciel could name it as he wishes it was going to be his dog after all. They drove to a store to grab the essentials for taking care of a dog: food, a collar, and a few toys. Joker let the puppy sit on lap on the way home against Sebastian's wishes to leave him in the carrier, in the trunk.”hey since he's a doberman maybe he can be our guard dog" Joker said, getting completely ignored. The puppy stuck his head out the window, sticking his tongue out enjoying the fresh air. "I hope we don't have to repeat what happen with pluto."

Sebastian frowned."As long as he stays away from me we should be fine and stop bringing up Pluto. At least this one stays still. I like him a lot better than that hound."

"Feeling a bit guilty are we? it was your fault we had to give him up" Joker poked at Sebastian face playfully, Sebastian clicked his tongue and swatted him away. "Fuck off"

Once at the house Joker let the puppy walk for a bit. He jumped and ran around his feet Sebastian went ahead and opened the door. He stood at the entrance. "CIEL TO THE FRONT DOOR" he yelled.

In Finny’s room  the five kids sat around the television set playing a round of Mario kart when they heard the menacing shout. The remotes fell from their hand and all of  them, Finny, Doll, Snake, and Sieglinde all turned to Ciel who sat at a table reading. He stood up straight, startled and looked at his siblings and then back at the door "Shit, man what did you do?" Doll asked. He shook his head and  shrugged. He swallowed hard before standing up making his way out. The other followed behind.

"QUIT YELLING! YOU'RE GONNA SCARE HIM!'' He heard Molly shout as he made his way through the family room. The main entrance was in sight and so was Sebastian. He seemed annoyed. Ciel's anxiety increased, his mind desperately tried  to figure out what he did. He stopped at the door frame of the room and stayed still, keeping some distance between him and Sebastian.

"We got you something" Sebastian brought his voice down to a reasonable volume. And in came Joker with a new puppy in his arms. The pup was put on the ground and began running around in circles for the first time since they got him. He barked excitedly as he looked around the house. Ciel's  eyes widened, he fell to his knees and called the puppy to him. His mood changed from fear to joy in an instant.

The pup happily obeyed running to the boy then rolled onto his back so Ciel could scratch his belly "hi, boy" he cooed then looked back at Sebastian with a smile on his face "he's mine?"

That was the first time Sebastian had seen Ciel smile. Genuinely smile. It was as if the boy was glowing. He was so used to seeing him scared or with a resting glare that the new sight stunned him. Suddenly having a dog around didn't seem so bad and he knew the other kids would react the same way. He nodded and left them to join Bard and Joker in the kitchen. He looked back for a second then turned to the two men "he smiled" he could barely believe it himself.

Joker chuckled "he lights up the world doesn't he?" Sebastian nodded.

"Why do you think the Doll nicknamed him 'smile'?" Bard added.

Suddenly the sound of the other kids meeting the creature filled the house "a puppy!" Finny and Sieglinde squealed. Snake as always stayed silent and Doll ran into the kitchen "is he ours?" she asked, unable to contain her excitement. When Joker confirmed yes. She went back "Ciel keep him away from Seb! " she told him, loud enough to get a message across.

Sebastian rolled his eyes  "You're still salty about that mut!?!"

"YES!"

"Okay" he said and brushed her off, deciding not to push the subject further.

Chapter Text

Lights out. Everyone was in bed and asleep. Except Doll and Finny. These babies made the mistake of mixing a cup of  coffee with some leftover cake Bard had baked. Now About an hour after Molly had told them to go to bed they lived down their sugar rush together watching rerun cartoons in the darkness of the living room.

“So is Thompson still bothering you at school?" Finny asked 

She tossed her head back “he just keeps leaving notes in my locker”

“What do they say?”

“Same shit every time ‘im sorry im sorry! Ill do anything to make it up to you’ he leaves in some chocolates every once in a while”

“You know? I could just beat him up”

“Nah, Its fine actually it’s kinda funny-”

Thud

The abrupt sound came from the outside; it was faint but audible enough. The two whipped their bodies around to the front door in the direction of the sound, Finny stood up. Doll turned off the T.v . They stayed as still as statues hoping that it was just their minds were just playing tricks on them, but then another sound came through. This time they heard moving gravel. 

The blond stepped forward, his palm began to sweat,  "Doll, go get the baby and wake up my dad I'm going to check outside"

He took a step forward but Doll grabbed his arm and pulled him back. "Wait, no you don't know who’s out there" she pleaded for him to stay put, but he was determined to investigate.

"I'll be fine just go"

The gravel moved again. 

"Go now!Go get Sieglinde!"

Doll ran to her room,  she pushed the door open and tried to remain calm to not scare Sieglinde awake. A window in the middle of the back wall overlooking the left side of the house. She took a deep breath and went to Sieglinde's bedside. She stroked her hair and lightly patted her shoulder. The child woke up blinking for her vision to adjust. "Doll?"

"Hey," Doll smiled. "come here we're gonna go to sleep somewhere else it's too cold here okay?"

"Mmkay" Sieglinde rubbed her eyes. Doll lowered herself to take a hold of her little sister. The little one rested her head on Doll's shoulder and slowly began to drift back asleep. It gave Doll the cover she needed to hide her panicked expression. She looked around the room, checked  if there was anything she'd need. She grabbed a pair of headphones just in case the need to muffle any noise for Sieglinde.

She looked out the window for a second and saw the bushes on the other side of the garden move. There wasn't any wind at this time of year. She took a hesitant step closer to the window, her arms started to tremble when she saw the silhouette of a man behind the bush. The man had his back turned to the house and Doll got out of the room before they got noticed..

Doll held the girl close to her as she dashed up the stairs and down the hall to Joker’s room. She barged in, the man stirred awake “intruders outside” she said and ran out to wake Sebastian next, both him and Ciel slept soundly. “Seb…seb…bASTIAN! Wake up!!” she slapped him until he roused.

“Why are you up this late?” he hissed.  

“There’s people outside and so is Finny!!” which was enough to get him up and even wake up the boy on the other side of the room. 

Ciel sat up and rubbed his eyes, annoyed that his slumber was disturbed.  King was on the floor growling towards the window beside the boy's bed. Sebastian took the hint and moved, practically jumping out of the bed and across the room. He grabbed Ciel and pulled him onto the floor as a bullet flew through the window. Glass shattered on the bed and onto the floor. Some even managed to cut Sebastian as he shielded the boy 

Still half awake and stunned, Ciel couldn’t really react; he did have the time. He turned his head and Mey-Rin was at the door frame with her rifle in hand. On the other side of the room Doll crouched down using the bed as cover. Sieglinde  in her arms. Mey-rin took her shot, and seconds later he heard something fall from the trees. 

Sebastian pulled him up and pushed him out into the hall before he grabbed the girls. Joker ran to Snake’s room to wake him up, and dragged him out of bed before. Ciel pressed himself against the wall  he looked at Bard, his gun is hand. “Who- who are they?”

“I dunno, kiddo, we usually never do”  He tried his best to keep himself calm against the thunderous heart beat. Bard instantly took notice and got to eye level “hey we are fine, boy breathe.” He combed his hand through the boy's hair.  Even as Bard tried to talk him though calming exercising. It did little to help his spiral.  In the background he could hear Sebastian screaming about Finny’s whereabouts. This was an attack on the manor. An attack on his home. His family. Once again.  As he stood pressed up against the wall with his uncle in front of him  he heard Sebastian give out orders to the rest of the household. He ordered some to check the forest, another order to Doll, something about the backyard and Something about the wine cellar. When he pulled Bard away to give him his order  Everything started to drown out. Ciel clutched his shirt, his chest felt tight. King looked up at him and nudged at his feet as if he was trying to get him to move.

At that moment Sebastian forced him out of his daze “You're going to follow Doll and stay hidden alright?” 

Sebastian pushed him towards his siblings but Ciel felt his heart sink. pulled on his elder’s wrist “No Please Don’t go please! you stay hidden too!” he screamed, as full panic set in 

 Ciel took heavy breaths calm himself ,Sebastian pulled him close “I have to go get Fin And i'll come back to get you okay we are going to make it out of this” in the end, Doll had to pull Ciel back away from Sebastian to get him to follow.

Most of the adults went to their marks. It was eerily  quiet outside, with only footstep and the occasional whisper to be heard. While Doll led the little ones to the wine cellar, Snake was given a secondary order, to drop some of his vipers onto the property; most of the serpents  were used to the main residents, not intruders. After his detour he met up with Bard who was gathered supplies he kept hidden deep in the  kitchen cabinets. The door and stairs down to the cellar was behind the kitchen and patio door. Snake was on his way down when the glass doors of the patio exploded. A  cloud of fire smoked up into the air before dissipating. Debris from the outside and parts of the broken wall made their way inside. Someone threw a makeshift bomb at the house. In the blast,  Finny came flying through.

The power of it all was enough to send Finny into the kitchen. Even when he hit the ground he slid across the floor. Snake covered his face from the debris, coughing at the dust that came from it.

"FINNY!" Snake turned to Bard who was kneeling over the unconscious boy, he was covered in dust, cuts and half his shirt was burned to shreds from the explosion "come on, buddy wake up"  Bard choked on his words he desperately tried to wake him up by shaking him. Bard lowered his head pressing his ear against Finny's chest. There was a heartbeat. He raised his head up again "come on Finnian! WAKE UP!"  He slapped the boy, With a jolt Finny snapped his eyes open. He sat up and coughed to get the dust out of his lungs. He looked around and saw Snake standing over him, a panicked look spread on his face. Then turned to see Bard by his side. Then was instantly pulled into a tight embrace "good you're okay" Bard whispered.

When he pulled away Finny blinked, confused he looked around then his eyes handed in the giant hole in the wall. He remembered. "Oh Bard there's people! Intruders. We gotta go back outside. Did Doll tell Sebastian!?" The blond jumped back up and almost ran out but Bard pulled him back  and Snake got in Finny's way ready to block him.

Even though Snake knew if Finny ran into him with the strength he possessed he'd probably break a few of Snake's bones. Luckily Finny stopped before that happened.

"Huh! let go Bard I got to back out there!" he pulled his arm but bard had a tight grip on his wrist.

"You've done enough, Finny! Follow Snake and join the others!"

"But-"

"Do you want your little brother and sister to get hurt?!!"

Finny gritted his teeth and reluctantly obeyed; he ran with the snake to the cellar leaving Bard to defend the house. It was his new job to stop anyone from getting the house. They ran down the stairs taking heavy breaths. They pushed the door open just as quickly as they slammed it shut and the two boys pressed their backs against the door. Finny bent over resting his hands on his knees.

"YOU'RE OKAY!" Sieglinde yelled happily. Finny looked up as the baby of the house wiggled  in Ciel's arms. She extended her arms forward trying to reach  for him and Ciel was trying his best to stop her from falling over. The sight brought a smile to the two teens. Finny went over to take a hold of his little sister making sure not to put too much pressure into the hug and then pulled Ciel in as well.

"I'm glad you guys are okay. What happened up there?" Ciel asked.

"Molotov I think? Or it might have been fireworks. Everyone's fine except the patio wall" Finny answered.

A sigh of relief left Ciel "how long do you think we'll be here?"

"Who knows it can take them anywhere from ten minutes to five hours to get rid of everyone" Doll came out the closet on the other side of the room, carrying a bat with her. "I couldn't find any of the spare guns I know Joker keeps around here. Found a bat though" she grinned.

After about fifteen endless minutes of gunshots and screaming, the kids sat against one of the walls wondering who had the upper hand in the fight outside. Sieglinde sat in between Snake's legs as she played with  King and the others were starting to drift back asleep when things took a turn for the worst,both King and Snake poked their heads up. King started barking at the doors that led to the outside of the house. The cellar was built in a supposed basement area.

Snake swallowed "there's people coming from over there. Intruders"

They all stood up. Alert. All of them tried their hardest to not freak out. They all looked at the baby in Snake's arms. She was the most important one. The only important one. King started barking louder  " They are getting closer"

"Finny get Sieglinde into that closet, get King in there too" Ciel ordered,he  ignored his fear and he and Snake ran to the doors in an attempt to keep it closed. The wine cellar was not  large, there were a couple of tables and seats, but there was little to no room to hide, the closet wasn't big enough to house all of them. Finny sat Sieglinde on the ground along with King, the girl was confused, but kept quiet, as Doll put on the noise canceling headset and pulled it to her phone so she could at the very least be distracted. Finny gave her a kiss on the forehead before the shut the door and barricaded it with one of the tables. 

The wooden basement doors were banged on, they started rustling. Ciel and Snake pulled them downwards to stop them from opening "Finny help us out!!" Ciel yelled but it was too late before Finny could get to his brothers the door were being yanked up the was a gunshot and a bullet hole went through the wood right in between Ciel and Snake's head  They screamed and they dropped down to the floor. The doors were thrown open and four of the intruders jumped in. Three of them holding guns one of them holding a knife. One of them was easily three times their size with muscles to spare. The oldest  had a scar across his face, another was scrawny and tried to stay behind his behemoth of a companion. The last was just an average looking thug.

They circled around, Ciel was pulled up by Snake. The kids stood still as the men looked around “four kids right?” the small one asked.

“That's what they said. Two boys and two girls” the one with the scar  said, he looked at Ciel cautiously. “We just gotta kill them and go” he raised his shotgun at Snake. Doll swung at the gun and dropped it, the gun went off and hit the wall, Ciel and snake both dropped to the ground. Finny jumped on the behemoth and used all his strength to pull him back, and he did almost effortlessly he dragged and a man triple his size to the ground, 

The scrawny dude was armed with a knife and tried to help the behemoth by trying to stab Finny, he managed to get some slashes in. 

Scarface stood enraged after being disarmed, Doll swang again at his head, but he dodged it and took a hold of the bat, he pulled it out her hand  he gave it to the scrawny dude , and then pushed doll on to the wall choked her as he repeatedly banged her head against the concrete wall. 

There was still one more with a gun, he tried to point it at Ciel but Snake jumped in and grabbed the hand with the pistol. Snake pushed the hand up to redirect the gun  anywhere but at his siblings, he kicked at his opponent  and twisted the wrist until the gun fell. Snake kicked it underneath the table where Ciel had crawled under amidst all the mayhem. Frozen as he watched. Watched his siblings fight for survival, for his survival while he did nothing. He brought his knees to his chest as if that did anything to protect him. He saw Snake get overtaken and be pushed to the ground, he was punched again and again. As it became harder to defend himself.  On the other side Doll was still struggling, clawing against her attacker’s hands, racing against her own unconsciousness. His throat went dry when he saw the scrawny dude manage to hand a hit on Finny’s head, the boy’s might gave out and immediately dropped on to his back the behemoth and his partner took their chance and continued to attack Finny. 

A blinding rage took over any fear he once felt at the sight of finny on the ground. Was he dead? Is my brother dead? He thought.  He wanted to scream, but nothing came out.  Without thinking Ciel took a hold of the gun that was beside him and pointed it at the behemoth, he pulled the trigger, with his eyes drilled into his victims head and pulled the trigger. 

The shot echoed through the tiny room, he only hoped Sieglinde didn't hear. The behemoth stopped and fell beside Finny. The scrawny dude tried to get his partner up. Everyone else in the room froze, shocked by the display of this little boy killing their tank. Scarface dropped Doll. And right then. Finny moved. Ciel dropped his gun, realization crept up on him. Finny slowly raised himself. Most of them, including Ciel, had the same thought.

 He should be dead, right? That was far too much head trauma for one person to take. But there he was standing tall with a glazed look.

Scarface and the one attacking Snake stood back, shocked and scared, Doll crawled to the shotgun and shot Snakes' attacker at his knee, it was as much as she could manage in her state. Finny moved faster and grabbed the scrawny dude beside him. Ciel only managed to see so much before Snake ran to him, pulled him back and covered his eyes. All he heard after was screams, clothes being torn, slams against the walls and overhead on the table. Some of the glass bottles shattered then it all fell silent. Nothing but Finny’s heavily breathing “get the table cloths and cover it all” he told Doll. There were some whimpering and Doll said “is there some rope, maybe they can use him so something”

“You're all freaks!” the man croaked. 

“Be quiet” Doll said, and then he heard another hit. The guy fell silent. After a moment  in Snake’s arms, Snake removed his hand and while they tried as much as they could to cover the bloody mess, it was still unavoidably crystal clear. Finny stood holding himself against the table, in pain as some blood still dripped from the gash on his head. The bodies were covered by the thin sheets which were already soaked red, there was blood everywhere, on the walls, the bottles, on him, Ciel swallowed. Finny sat down against one of the tables legs. Ciel crawled out and took the switchblade on the ground and began cutting strips of fabric. He wrapped a ‘bandage’ around Finny’s forehead tightly and pulled him under the table with him, the only semblance of safety he could provide. Doll took hold of the shotgun and made sure it was loaded. Her and Snake sat on top of the table.

The boy was tired, trying desperately to forget the pain. His golden locks drenched in his own blood and others, Ciel tried his best to clean him. “Are you even human?” Ciel blurted out.

Finny was surprised by the question and honestly kinda hurt, Doll however laughed. Finny gave a sheepish smile “I mean… yes?”

“You should be dead, it looked like you died” Ciel almost cried.

“I'm stronger than most. I'm human, just not a regular one.”

“You should just tell him, he's part of the family now.” Doll said.

Finny nodded, taking a moment to collect his thoughts “I wasn't conceived regularly. I'm like a test tube baby.  An organization called the Aurora society, they do experiments on humans, right and I was part of one of them. They called us the gladiators, they gave us foods and injections to make us stronger and they’d make us fight a lot, we were a lot stronger than regular people. Technically my birth name is just  subject 12” he turned his head and on the back of his neck Ciel could clearly see a tattoo ‘s-012’ “Snake was part of another experiment having to do with animals, to see if they could mix human and animal dna”

“How did you get out?”

“Sebastian and them, they were sent in I think and they destroyed the entire lab, the doctors umm…tried to get rid of us before anyone found out but, me and Snake and Sieglinde managed to get out, dad took us in”

“Even Sieglinde!!"? Is that why she's in a wheelchair”

Finny nodded “ yeah she actually was the daughter of one of the doctors and he hurt her so she would stay inside. Sebastian took her too, she was very tiny back then. Cute like this'' he cupped his hands closer together, and even Ciel managed to smile. “Don't worry Sebastian and the others  taught me how to work around my strength, I won't hurt you, and I won't let anything happen to you.” he patted Ciel's head. “Also thank you for shooting him”

“I have to figure out a way to explain that to my uncle.” Doll hung her head over the edge on the table to look at them “he's not gonna be happy you had to kill someone”

Snake hopped off the table “I'm gonna check on Sieglinde, make sure she's okay”  Snake said he took Doll’s bat and they granted his request,they  pretty much locked him in. with the table outside the door. Finny and Ciel took their place under the table while the door sat atop it, as guard with the shotgun in her hands. 

They sat there for maybe an hour, with the adrenaline fading  and soreness they all felt it was getting harder to stay awake, Ciel rested his head against Finny's shoulder it wasn't till the door to the outside rattled again, Doll shot up and  knelt on the table her shotgun pointed at the door, determined to shoot any threat, Finny dashed to his feet, fists already clenched and at the ready. Ciel pressed himself against the door and took hold of the gun once more and pointed it, as Sieglinde and Snake's last line of defense.

The basement doors flew open and Joker and Sebastian dropped  in followed by Bard and Molly. The three looked at the kids and studied the scene. All of them were mortified by the fact that they let four guys slip past them. Molly covered her mouth as she looked down at the bloody mess. Doll still had her shotgun pointed “is it over?”

Sebastian nodded, Ciel huffed and dropped his arms.  noticed that his family all locked a mess,  like white sheets Sebastian’s  once white tank top was now red. Doll chucked, and let herself relax, “i'm going sleep” she laid down on the table. Finny also let himself fall, and sat down on the floor Sebastian followed him down as he pulled Finny into a tight hug. He looked the boy over ,moved his hair around, inspected his  injuries all while he asked different variations of ‘are you okay’. Finny was bleeding but kept a smile for his dad.  Ciel was also dragged out of the table into the embrace. 

 Joker did the same to Doll, she was just beyond exhausted. “Where's Snake? And Sieglinde?” Joker asked as he caressed Doll’s hair, he took notice of the marks on her neck taking form.

“Hes inside with her” 

“You did good, Princess” 

She gave wary smile “ no I didn't, Finny got hurt, and Ciel had to shoot one of them cause I was too weak”

They all heard it. Sebastian pulled away to look at Ciel's  pale scared look. The boy still had the gun in his hand. Ciel looked at Sebastian, feared for the worst, that he was in trouble “i’m-im sorry I had to” he begged.

Sebastian hugged him tighter  “sh- its okay! I know you had to, I'm sorry you're fine”

“This wasn't supposed to happen, princess don’t beat yourself up for it” Joker said, he kissed  her forehead.

“The guy in the corner, he's still alive” she said “we kept him alive for you guys”

While they were all outside fighting, it was information be damned, they killed every single one but the kids left them a lead, Sebastian felt pride swell within him. Molly helped Doll to her feet and wrapped her arms around her, never wanting to let her go. Sebastian  flipped over the table so that some of the mess was hidden behind it before he opened the door only slightly.  And behind the door was Snake sat against the wall, asleep, Sieglinde resting on top of his chest, also asleep. If he were a religious man he would have thanked whatever God a thousand times over, all of his kids were alive, hurt, maybe, but alive.

Joker stepped forward and took  hold of the bat still in Snakes hand, as soon as it moved, Snake shot up awake, he clutched onto Sieglinde and swung the bat, Joker caught his hand and Sebastian dodged backwards “WOAH BUDDY!”

Snake blinked a couple times, to fully process who he was looking at. He looked at Joker, and then the baby “Oh shit, I fell asleep” he looked startled. 

“Yeah no worries, boy everyone is alright'' Sebastian said and picked up his daughter carefully to not wake her up, thankfully, she was a very deep sleeper. All while Joker helped up his son. Dagger and Meyrin finally joined in. “holy shit!” Dagger yelled. “Who was watching this part?”

Bard rubbed his head “after the blast I had to help out outside. Im so sorry”

“Sorry! Look at them! Our kids could’ve died”

“Stop it!” Sebastian commanded “they are  alive that's all that matters and they did a pretty good job holding their own! If you wanna pin the blame on someone, put it on me."He got closer to Dagger." They also left us a lead, which is more than I can say for the rest of us”  he said. 

“Oh…shit” Dagger replied, a bit impressed. 

“Take Sieglinde, Mey-rin, watch over her for a bit. Bard, take my sons and patch them up. Dagger and Molly watch over Snake and  Doll, Joker and I will take care of everything here”

One by one they left the cellar until Sebastian was left alone with Joker. Joker took the bat and his new found privacy and let out his frustrations by smashing the table from which he had to pick his daughter up from. He also had a few hits for the corpses around the floor. Though his brother felt the same way, someone had to keep their composure, Sebastian was left to simmer in his rage.

Once he was tired out, Joker tossed the bat on the ground and he took a breath "You think it was Claude?" he asked calmly, as if he didn't just completely lose his mind. 

 Sebastian scoffed. "No he would've left a message or he would've been here" 

"Then who?"

Sebastian shook his head no "don't know?"

"How many enemies do we have besides The Spider"

"Do you want me to list alphabetically, in order of how we got them?'' Sebastian snickered.

Joker sighed "They're traumatized, Seb.  Ciel took his first kill and he's thirteen"

"I know…If he’s anything like his dad he’ll be fine”

“Yeah, but he takes after Rachel more than Vincent.” 

They walked to the one strung up, his knee was shattered and for a moment Sebastian wondered if the bastard had died of blood loss, Joker backed handed him a bit to wake him up The intruder blinked , when he recognized the two men he  looked like was about to piss himself Sebastian and Joker grabbed his arms and pinned him to the ground the both pointed their guns at him. The man started screaming "Wait! please don't kill me!" he pleaded.

"You nearly killed my kids, why should I let you go?" Joker asked nonchalantly.

"I'm sorry! They were orders I'm sorry"

Sebastian stood up pressed his foot against the man's throat."Orders from?"

"Please don't kill me, I'm begging you!"

"Who sent you?!" he pressed his foot harder and the man coughed.

"Brandle! Cedric Brandle! That's who"

"Hmm don't know him, what else?"

"He's one of the new leaders of the Angels group. Angel Blanc chose him just in case she or Landers were murdered; their group could still carry on!" The man coughed and pleaded to not be killed, a pathetic sight really. "That's all I know! Please Have mercy!"

Sebastian let out a growl and took his foot of the man's neck only to pick up the already bloody bat and take his turn to unburden himself of his frustration. He brought it down again and again breaking his victims legs first, he ignored every cry and plea. Joker stepped back, Sebastian continued to beat even though there was no sound coming from the man anymore. It wasn't until the bat itself broke in two did he stop.

“That almost hit me, dumbass!!”

"My bad" he walked around for a bit  with his hands on his hips. "Now we find out where Brandle lives."

"And how many other backups Ash and Angela have"

After a moment of utter silence they made their way up the stairs. The kitchen was destroyed, the front and back yards a mess and covered in corpses. They were all exhausted, but only the five kids of the house were going to sleep. It was routine to stay up the night of an attack just in case there was an aftershock and others came to cause more trouble. Tomorrow Sebastian would take the kids to a safe house and then call some of his allies to come and help clean up the bloody mess. Two days from tonight the house would be covered with guards employed by the family,  but tonight they stayed up.

In one room Molly watched over as  Doll slept, In another, Joker sat at Snake's bedside. In Mey-rin's room, she and Bard treated Finny's wounds and patched him up. 

And finally, in the Master bedroom, Sebastian sat on Ciel's bed gazing out the window, with a gun in his hand. Ciel and Seiglinde slept on his bed that night with King by their side. 

—-

In between the county lines were miles of quiet, wide open rolling hills where a cabin could easily be mistaken for an ordinary barn. It was in the middle of nowhere, but it was safe. While the kids slept, Sebastian had prepared their bags and at the break of dawn, he put them in the car to this undisclosed location. In the time they were there, the rest of the family worked on the manor; rebuilding the broken wall, cleaning up the red mess, and fixing the broken windows. It would be another week before Ciel, Doll Finny, Snake, and Sieglinde could return. They already spent a week and a half at the cabin.

Everyday one of the adults would come by the cabin to check up on the five. They'd bring them food, movies and books to keep them entertained. The barren plains provided freedom to run and for King to exercise,but the cabin was just a cabin, a humble two bedroom, with old appliances and a respectable kitchen. With the two rooms were only two twin sized beds that could do with some replacement. They kids would take turns sleeping on one of the beds, while the rest slept on the floor or on the couch. Seiglinde got the other bed all to herself. As uncomfortable as the sleeping arrangements were, none of them complained. It wasn't like that was their first time sleeping on a floor. At least they had a roof.

Each morning would start off with groaning in pain from a stiff back and then a light breakfast. Today cereal was on the menu. Doll was up first and took it upon herself to serve the bowls for her and her younger siblings. Snake woke up and went straight to the bathroom, Finny went to wake up Sieglinde.

The youngest boy was the last to even sit up. Ciel's mood dropped dramatically after the break in at the manor. He didn't have the motivation to get up in the Morning. The memory of his first kill was still fresh in his mind. He blankly stared at the ground then Snake stood In front of him extending out a hand to help him up on his feet.

Breakfast went on quietly save for the T.v that was playing in the background. Seiglinde sat on Ciel's lap as she requested, she too noticed the boy's solemn mood and wanted to comfort him. To Ciel, she was the only thing that kept him from going insane after what happened. He looked down at her and thought about what Sebastian said. If hadn't done what he did Sieglinde might not have lived through that night. He rested his chin atop her head, just like Doll does to him.

Without a varied selection of channels, the news provided some white noise while the kids ate.  "Last night, corporate leader Cedric Brandle was found tortured and hanged at his home in the valley. Most of his land in flames." The four oldest whipped their heads in the direction of the television, they held their breath as they listened. "Authorities believed that this incident might be a part of mafia violence. As in the search through the ruins they found evidence that Brandle had ties with the Angels Group, a gang that mysteriously disappeared two years ago"

"Holy shit..." Doll whispered

"That settled the score." Ciel said, quietly eating a spoonful of his lucky charms.

Finny and Snake blinked; they didn't know what to think. They all knew that it was their family's doing. They all heard talk of Cedric the morning after the attack. Doll knew it was going to be brutal and messy but she wasn't expecting them to set his entire property ablaze.

Snake quickly grabbed the remote and changed it to another channel where Sesame Street was playing before Seiglinde started asking questions. They all continued on with breakfast. As usual.

That was when King ran to the door and wagged his tail anxiously waiting, indicating someone was coming. Sebastian walked in with Dagger trotting behind. "Good you're all huddled up" he walked to them, setting a stack of papers in front of Ciel "for school" he said with a smile.

The boy reached for the papers. It had everything from brochures to student handbooks and maps "you will have to take an entrance exam to see in what classes and what house you'll be put into. I had to pull some strings and call in a few favors so do your best and pass."

Ciel was confident that he was going to pass. He had been homeschooled for most of his life but he always had an advanced education. Unfortunately, The school exam was pushed to the back of his head, to him it wasn't important. He slumped back on his chair and tossed the papers back into the table. "Houses?"

Finny beamed up “yeah! We get sorted into classes and that will determine what classes we take”

“Besides regular math, science and english. Red houses take classes on leadership, politics, business, and the like. Purple house, they take electives like music and arts, the theater kids essentially!

“That's my house” Snake said.

“Blue house is just a bunch of nerds! They do history and shit; have most of the advanced placement classes stem and all! And green house is sports and training! That's me and finny's house!”

In all honesty, Ciel was not excited, not in the slightest. He never had any incentive to go to a school with other kids. While his siblings tried to get him excited as they told him all of the cool features of  Weston Private school, it did not seem all that fascinating. 

Sebastian stayed at the cabin for a bit to fill out some of the paperwork  and watch over the kids. The t.v was still playing in the background, the crow smirked when the Brandle's story was being talked about. The cabin was quiet since Dagger was outside with the kids. Ciel walked in, sweaty and tired from running with King.

He made his way to the fridge to get a cold bottle of water. "What are you doing?" He asked.

"Filling out your information, you're going to need an alias." Sebastian replied.

Ciel bent over the back side of the couch, looking over Sebastian's shoulder "why? Robin? Really?"

"I was over hearing Joker and Dagger talk about the Batman comics and the name  just came to me. And because Unlike, the others you're are supposed to be dead"

"Oh" Ciel swallowed.

Sebastian continued on filling out the papers when he stopped and sighed"You know the circumstances in which your parents died right? Your father especially."

"Yeah. That fire wasn't an accident"  he replied quietly.

Sebastian nodded. "Someone took everything your father had. If word got out that you, the heir, are alive...you might have both: a target on your back and a price on your head" He tapped Ciel head with the pen. " So I'm giving you an alias."

"Okay" he said and watched the news go on for a bit. News coverage about taxes and cops and crimes. "Hey, Sebastian?"

"Hmm "

"What's your front?"

"What do you mean what's my front?"

"Well, The Underground  isn't really legal. My dad had a front so he'd have something to tell the cops whenever they asked where all his money came from. He had The Funtom company as his front, but he was also selling guns in the underground."

 "if you really want to know, wine. That's my front. We produced and sell wine"

Ciel nodded and seemed to be satisfied with the conversation, Though Sebastian had one last thing to ask " how are you?" 

The boy shrugged  "I'm fine?"

Sebastian narrowed his eyes " You don't have to lie. Taking a life is not easy to get over. It wasn't easy for Joker, for Dagger, for Molly. It wasn't easy for me either.” he muttered that last part. 

“It was easy for Finny…” Ciel sank further into the sofa.

“Finny is…Different. Did he tell you anything about how we got him”

“Yeah.”

“He was raised to kill, He is numb to it and he can kill without a second thought. Something we are trying to correct little by little, he's empathic and kind, but he can turn that off at any moment. You were not raised like Fin, all that negativity, anxiety, guilt even is a normal human reaction”

Ciel stayed silent for a moment. It was obvious he wasn't okay. Sebastian and the others might have been numb to bloodshed, but he wasn't."I killed someone... there's blood on hands; a stain that will never come off. The image of him hitting the ground, the-the blood running all over the ground it still plays in my head, like a broken record" Ciel took a deep breath, feeling a lump in his throat get bigger. "I killed him"

"I know, I'm sorry it should have never happened. I fucked up there. Just remembered he would have killed you, and Finny, Doll, snake and Sieglinde. What's worth more to you. Their life? Or his?" Sebastian asked. He got a small nod for a response. “The house is almost done, I think it's about time you move out of my room, but you can stay if you aren’t feeling up for it yet ”

“You don't like sharing a room with me?”

“I don't like sharing a room with your dog.”

“Ha!”

“Do you want your own room or do you want to share with one of the others ””

Ciel thought about it. The nightmares had dwindled for sure, but some nights were better than others. He was still petrified, but after his new ‘accomplishment’ it almost felt embarrassing to be scared to sleep alone.  “I think I wanna try having my own room again”

Chapter Text

Summer vacation came and went. On most occasions,  the family would take a vacation somewhere abroad. Sometimes England, sometimes Germany, or even India. Unfortunately, Ciel did not have a passport and therefore could not fly. So this year they opted for a road trip to Disneyland and later to Vegas. The trip was a blur, after all it was overshadowed by misfortune over the last six months. They stayed at the home manor of the family matriarch, Victoria. She was an older woman and only had a brief meeting with Ciel where she embraced him and recognized him as her newest grandson. She expressed her condolences for his birth family, and it turns out she was once friends with his birth grandmother. There was a lot more conversation to be had, Ciel had questions about her and his new house but alas, Victoria was a very busy woman and only stayed at the family estate for a couple days before she left on business elsewhere.

 After those first few days, whoever, Ciel wanted nothing more than to stay in his provided room. While his siblings and uncles went on to the strip and watched shows, he stayed by the pool. He read, and reread all the books he brought with him and studied for his Weston entrance exam. The practice test has standard aptitude questions math, English, science, history, a small essay portion, then a personality questionnaire. 

Based on the house attributes, it would be easy to manipulate the answers to get his desired placement. Most of his household were already placing bets on which house he'd be sorted in. so far no one had money on the Green Lion Athletics.  When they returned home, Ciel took his test and As they all predicted, he passed with flying colors, and was placed in Sapphire Owl Academics. Only  Sebastian and Doll won the bet. He got his uniforms, maps, schedules and lists of extracurricular clubs he could eventually join.

 One day he was studying, the next he stood in front of a gothic style chapel that was the main entrance of Weston collage. He looked at his siblings, all of them accustomed to the environment, all in uniform and in dresscode. The boys  had their hair combed back and the girls had their hair tied in a bun. Even his hair was slicked back, freshly dyed black to further solidify his alias. 

Finny nudged him “we're all in the highschool campus so we get to have lunch together!”

Oh yeah, the school was a Kindergarten through 12th grade  institution. With a property large enough to have two full campuses One had the elementary and middle school students and the largest campus was the highschool. The size was daunting to say the least, Ciel nodded and walked forward. Doll broke away from the rest to take Sieglinde to her campus and by one they all took different turns to get to their classes. 
—---

After Doll dropped off Sieglinde  she had five minutes to run to the other side of the school to the high school campus then run to the second floor of the eastern building.
Out of breath and tired from running up the flights of stairs she made it to her first period chemistry class on time. when she took a seat at the nearest open dest which was in the front row. "I made it. I made it" she breathed out. She rested her head on the table. 

There was a tap at  her side "sit up in my class please I'm not going to ask you again." A man in a suit and glasses said monotonously. He went to the front of the class. Doll eyed him 
and groaned. She had the class of William T. spears. The most hardass teacher in all of Weston.

"Furthermore, the breaking of any rule will not be tolerated. Any defiance or unacceptable behavior will be sent to the principal's office with questions asked and I'd rather not do any extra work by having to punish you so it is in our best interest that you follow the rules."

His students nodded "alright now I'll call roll"  he brought out the roster. Mr. Spears sighed "Good lord, it had to be" be muttered and read out the first three names "Canterbury, Timber and Thompson Annafellows"

Doll sat up straight and froze too scared to  turn around and she prayed to god she was in a nightmare. Timber laughed "it's nice to you too, Mr. Spears"

"Can't say the same for you boys I hoped that you three wouldn't be put in my class again, but it seems my employers are doing this to spite me"

'COME ON' Doll subconsciously yelled. Out of all the people are her classmates. She lucked out last year by not having a single class with any of them, but not this year! Mr. Spears began reading off the Names on his list "Doll Taylor" he said.

 She timidly raised her hand. When the teacher moved on she slowly turned back to look at the triplets. They sat in the back row side by side. Timber was in a purple house and Canterbury in green and  Thompson in blue.

They attentively listened to Mr. Spears go over the detailed syllabus with their heads facing the board. Two of them seemed to be avoiding her gaze. Thompson on the other hand, looked back at her giving her a sympathetic look. The hour passed and when the bell rang the students started to shuffle out.  Doll draped her backpack over her and waited for the triplets to be out of the room so she could walk out. "Taylor. Come here" she heard Spears say. The room was empty by now and Doll made her way to the teacher.

 "Yes sir?"

"Tell Sebastian he owes me money."

Her eyebrows furrowed "Mmm okay? Is that all?"

"No. I know about your...clan's feud with Faustus. I'm going to keep you as far away from the Annafellows as much as I possibly can. I want you guys on opposite sides of the room at all times. I'd hate to have blood stains on my floors. Understood?" He adjusted his glasses and went back to his class plans.

As surprised and confused as she was, she made sure to hide it well "Yes sir that works all too well for me I also don't want any issues" she said, backing away slowly.

"Alright now go or you'll be late for your next class" he waved her off and she took off.

As soon as she got out the door and turned a corner to the hall her arm was pulled  back. She gasped and turned around and was about to start throwing punches "wait, Doll calm down please!"

She took a step back. It was Thompson. his brothers weren't with him, but still she got scared. She ignored him and tried to walk to her next class but he pursued her. He ran past her and blocked her "please hear me out!"

"Dawg, get out of my way!"

"Doll please, we're in the same class now" he continued to walk backwards as she walked forward. “I just want us to be civil”

“Just stay away from me and my siblings! That's all I want” She shoved passed him. They would both be late if they stayed any longer. 

—--

For the  most part his first experience in a regular school environment was… different. Ciel absolutely despised  the icebreaker activities he was forced to do in some of his classes, but on the other hand, the reading lists of his literature class were interesting enough. However, the most unpleasant moment was  during his third period physical education class he learned . This was the only class that was separated and reserved for a specific house. Meaning Ciel's PE class would consist of all Sapphire owl students. At the beginning of roll call Ciel heard the name 'Thompson Annafellows' and flinched. He glared daggers at the back of the boy's head, It's not like he could do much to defend Doll’s honor here. At least now he had a face attached to the name. They purposefully avoided each other during that period's ice breaker.

Aside from that, nothing much of interest happened, he had lunch with his siblings and went on to his other classes, now he only had one more to get to, Math. Ciel managed to get himself to his class, he sat on the last row, he didn't want any attention, just wanted to get through the day as quickly as possible .Class began, the teacher gave his greetings and then  called attendance.

"James Macken" 

"Here!" A blonde boy in a Red house uniform raised his hand high. Ciel instinctively jumped because of the sudden burst of energy that his classmate gave -we was right next to him-. The blond put his hand down and leaned back on his chair.

“Do you want to be called ‘James’ or ‘Jim’?”

“Jim’s fine.”

The teacher continued "Robin Michaelis"

Ciel silently quietly raised his hand.

"Are you related to Finnian, Robin?"

The boy nodded "he's my older brother"

"He was in my class last year and he was a delight! " the teacher smiled and went on with the roll.

Only an hour left to go. Ciel snuggled back into his seat and slouched, twirling and pencil in between his fingers. "Holy shit you have black hair?" Ciel turned his head to James who was looking right at him curiously. 

“Yeah…”

“So what are you actually one of Sebastian’s bastards? or  did he find you in a trash can like the rest of them?”

Ciel knitted his eyebrows, he was both shocked,  appalled…maybe even a bit impressed by his classmates' audacity. “I- um…excuse you?”

“Who’s your mom?”

“None of your business.”

With a humph James turned his attention to the syllabus on his desk and looked over it. "Whatever, just tell your daddy to stay away from my family before I slash his throat" he said so matter -of -factly that Ciel wasn't sure whether to laugh or just start throwing punches. He stared at James for a second, opted for not getting into a fight on the first day, which could ruin finny’s good reputation. They said nothing for the rest of the class. The syllabus was looked over, an easy homework assignment was given and now students began shuffling out the door. Sporting the same glare, Ciel walked right behind James.

Right outside was Doll waiting for him to get out along with Finny and Snake. James strutted right to them and Ciel got ready to pounce. Doll rolled her eyes and let her head fall back in annoyance. "Doll, I see you're all healed" James said almost mockingly

"Yep I see dumb's leg and dumber's arm are all healed as well"  she replied.

By then James didn't reply, obviously fed up and then walked away giving a final death stare to Ciel. "You guys know him?"

Doll nodded and pulled Ciel under her arm as they made their way through the halls "that’s  Jim. he's the cousin of the annafellows and works for Claude"  she  groaned. "This schools infected with spiders"

Ciel blinked " He's a kid"

"Yeah…..Claude is not like Sebastian. Jim is actually trained to kill almost as good as Mey-rin with a rifle”

“Cap!”

“I said almost, auntie is way better still!”
Ciel swallowed for a moment glad that he never attacked the kid. They left their campus and marched to the elementary school campus to pick up Sieglinde at the kindergarten area.  The playground was enclosed within a wooden fence to keep the youngsters from running out and getting lost. The place was filled with kids jumping and running around the play structure, but it didn't take them very long to find a girl in the wheelchair.

Off to the side was a sandbox where Sieglinde was at. Her chair was parked off to the side as she played in the sand with a little boy with brown hair. They laughed and continued to dig and build castles. Ciel smiled at the sight of his little sister happily playing. He looked up to the rest of his flock but they weren't as pleased. They all looked rather annoyed. Doll was running her fingers through her hair "this place really is infested with spiders"  she muttered, her irritation growing.

She jumped the wooden fence and went to Sieglinde, Finny and Snake followed her lead. Ciel had to unlock the fence to get in. Doll swiftly picked up Sieglinde off of the sand. The younger girl let out a squeal when she was pulled up. The boy looked at the teens but said nothing "you're leaving, Sully?" The boy asked.

Sieglinde didn't have time to respond before she knew she was being carried out of the playground. Doll held her in her arms while Snake pushed the wheelchair and the other two boys followed "that was my friend, Luka! He's in my class" she exclaimed.

"Great" Doll said bitterly "let's go home mmkay?"

"Wait hold on, I wanna say goodbye to him" she pouted.

"No, let's go...." she slowed down and stopped before getting to the gate of the fence. A man clad in black was about to enter. Doll moved to the side to make way  and held  Sieglinde closer to her. Finny pulled Ciel behind as the man walked through the playground. Ciel took a moment to look at Doll. She had her gaze fixed on the ground. Snake looked uncomfortable and Finny was determined to keep him out of sight.

"Doll!" A voice called from outside the play area. It was Sebastian and called them over. They made haste, and Ciel was rushed out. Doll put a pouty Sieglinde back in her chair and she turned back to Sebastian “let me go back to see Luka!”

but before anyone could give him a proper answer a low voice called for Sebastian. Ciel saw the man who walked past them a second ago holding Sieglinde's new friend in his arms. He saw Sebastian roll his eyes before he turned around.

Sebastian sighed and put his hands on Doll and Ciel's shoulders "what do you want?"

The man looked offended for a second. "Luka just wanted to say goodbye to his little friend. Is that so bad?" Luka let go of the man and ran to Sieglinde to give her a hug. Then the man got closer. "and I guess I can be the newest addition to your flock"  he looked down at Ciel.

The boy felt Finny pull him back a bit  "Robin, I think it was. James told me you were in his class" 

“Oh. great” said Ciel

“Well that's all I guess. I pray that you all have a successful school year, I hope to see you all at the homecoming game, Canterbury will be back on the field this season”

“Oh I'm so glad he's fine, that was a nasty injury I heard he got.” Sebastian responded. 

“Quite. But he's made a full recovery thankfully”

Ciel felt tense,  By this point he was fully confident this was Claude faustus. The same commanding presence Sebastian had, though it was a lot more sinister. This was the man who sent three people to jump Doll, this was the one who trains his kids to be assassins.  He watched Sebastian give a cheeky smile “well we better be off. Have a wonderful day” then turned around, pushing all of them in front of him. 

And that was the end of that. They got to the car and Sieglinde was secured in, the rest of them seemed like they had completely forgotten the  interaction already. Sebastian made no effort to explain, to even introduce him properly.  Ciel looked back and wondered what the next year would bring him. He has already been threatened once. 

“You'd be surprised,” Doll spoke, snapping him out of his trance. 

“What?”

“How many kids linked to the mob go to school here?” she looked out the window with him “There's higher security here, and even some of the staff  are part of some underground organizations. Some kids spend their entire school careers  not realizing they are sitting next to a syndicate kid, or even a trained assassin like James.”

All and all, an interesting start to the school year.

Chapter Text

"Maybe we should just take the bus?" 

The five were at the front of the school as they waited for Joker to pick them up. Finny and Snake were laying on the grass trying to stay awake. Ciel and Sieglinde were playing a game of chess on Ciel's travel size kit, and Doll kept checking her phone "Joker said he'd come, if he doesn't show in ten minutes we're taking the bus."

Silence settled upon them until a low subtle rumble was heard. They all turned to the flushed five year-old. Ciel chuckled, "are you hungry?"

"Yes," Sieglinde said sheepishly.

"I think the gym is still open. I'll go buy some chips for the vending machine" Ciel announced "don't cheat" he told Sieglinde and ran back into campus.

Few students were still around at this time. Almost everyone had gone home save for the sports teams and extra curricular clubs going on. Most of his siblings had something going on besides classes. Doll had her gymnastics, Snake sometimes spent some afternoons at an art club and even mentioned he wanted to try a music club this year. Finny had track and field. Ciel thought about joining the chess club; he was pretty adept at the game or even  the Shakespeare society; he loved reading his plays. It was still early in the year so there was still time to choose. 

He entered the gym halls and went straight to the vending machines, he bought a few drink and bags of chips. Carrying everything in his small hands proved too difficult so he used his school coat as a sort of makeshift bag. He was about to leave when the sound of clashing metal stopped him. He knew that sound well and it peaked his interest. With his 'bag' in hand he opened the doors to the court area of the gymnasium.

Just as he thought it was a fencing team. In awe, Ciel watched the two fight as if it were an elaborate dance. He loved the sport. It had been a while since he fought when he was a kid he was trained in the art but after the incident he didn't get back into it. 

There near the wall was the equipment that wasn't being used,extra swords and masks. His excitement increased and Ciel couldn't help but play with them. He put on the mask and took a hold of the sabre. Getting familiarized with the feel of hilt once again.He got into fighting stance one arm bent behind his back, perfect posture and the blade upright in front of him. There was a lot of things he used to do in his youth that he'd like to get back into. Fencing was one of them.

"Your form is pretty good"

The voice came from behind him and Ciel jumped. The coach stood behind him, a blonde woman wearing the green house emblems on her uniform. She  arms crossed. "You fence?"

Ciel looked down at the sword in his hands and then back at the coach "uh.. yes."

"Are you any good?"

"Very good" he replied just as fast as he regretted it. He remembered he hadn't practiced in months.

The coach furrowed her eyebrows "that sure are you?" He looked back at her team. "Tell you what, show me what you got and if I'm impressed and I won't write you up for playing with the equipment."

Anything to get him out of trouble. Ciel agreed. The coach gestured to the team and he followed. It was at this moment he realized he never took off his mask. Few of the coach's team also had their masks on so he did feel like a total outcast. "Beth on the mat," said the coach behind him.

"Oh no, are you trying to kill him?" One of the players called out.

She  shushed the students and guided Ciel on the mat. His opponent stepped up as well; they had their mask on as well so Ciel couldn't see their face.

One touch wins and any part of the body could be hit. The coach called out to start the fight and the swords clashed, Ciel stepping back as  Beth moved forward. Ciel trusted forward and to hit Beth's arm but they blocked it. The swords clashed again and again. They both were quick and had cat-like reflexes, never letting an attack go by. This went on for a couple of minutes and then Ciel jumped and stabbed at his opponent, but he missed. Beth took the opportunity and thrusted their sword at the boy and Ciel moved back. He tripped over his own feet and fell back giving Beth an easy touch. He was panting his hands pressed flat on the mat he watched bethe turn around and step off the mat, and took off her mask.

His blood ran cold as he stared at the face of his own relative. Beth to him was Elizabeth, or Lizzy, his own cousin. Mask still on, he stood up and stepped off the mat keeping his back towards her. The plan was to say thank you and leave, if that made him look like a sore loser then so be it. He had to get out of here. The swords were dropped, but before he could make his way to the door coach Diaz stopped him "it's customary to take off our mask and shake hands with your opponent after a match. It shows good sportsmanship."

Colorful words were going through Ciel's head. He could just make a run for it but what good would that do? Lizzy and Ciel stepped on the mat again, Lizzy extending her arm for a hand shake. Ciel slowly and reluctantly took off his mask.

He saw his cousin's face drain off all color. She gasped. He made no sound, he said nothing as he shook her hand. He gave her a saddened look when both their hands dropped, he could see tears beginning to well up in her eyes. "What's your name, boy?"

The voice made him advert his gaze and make his way to the coach. He shook her hand. "Robin" 

"Well, Robin, you lasted a while against my best. What year are you in?"

"9th"

"Impressive. Tell you what our next session is next Thursday after school, right here. If you want to join then come on by"

He was about to answer and decline the offer. Being around Lizzy might blow his cover.  Speaking of which, the boy was having a hard time pretending he didn't know Lizzy. "Smile!"

The team, coach and Ciel turned to the door. Joker was standing at the doorway holding his 'bag' of food he was supposed to take to his siblings. He made a hand gesture telling him to come along. "That's my queue. I gotta go I'll think about it, coach" he gave her the mask he still carried, gave one last look at somber look at Lizzy and ran to Joker.

"You fence, kiddo?" Joker put an arm around Ciel.

"Used to"

"If you want to join, go ahead, we'll go to your tournaments."

Ciel gave him a half smile and reached for a bag of chips, but Joker held the bag out of reach. "Hey!"

"Nope. we’ve got food at home"

So he didn't exactly tell Sebastian or the rest of his family about his encounter with blood relatives. He was going to refuse to join the fencing club and that was the end of that. He figured if he only realized she was around at the club then it would be easy to avoid her at school. Simple, But  after that fateful day started noticing Lizzy everywhere; in the lunchroom, before school, after school, in the halls every time he laid eyes on her he'd turn his attention away. The closest he got to her, he was going down some of the stairs to go to the lunch room. He was laughing along with his siblings and Lizzy just so happened to be walking up the same stairs she eyed him with the same shocked and hurt expression she had on the mat. Ciel pretended not to notice even though they made eye contact. 'Red house uniform...interesting' he thought as he walked past her.

This whole ordeal went on for a few days until that Friday. Ciel and his siblings were all sitting around a cafeteria table. From across the room Ciel knew Lizzy was watching him and it killed him. He told his siblings he needed to use the bathroom and speed walked out of the cafeteria and into the nearest school building.

As he expected Lizzy followed him and would probably enter the boy's bathroom with him if need be. He turned into an empty hallway picking up the pace but he knew he wasn't going to get away. "CIEL" her voice echoed. He stopped and sighed. With hesitation he turned to face her.

She stepped closer to him. She seemed tired, her eyes were puffy yet no tears were shed. His mouth went dry "is-is it really you?" She asked in a weak voice.

They were inches apart, for the first time in half a year. Ciel swallowed and gave a slight nod. He could tell she was attempting to maintain composure, taking deep breaths and wiping her tears away as they formed "why did you say your name was Robin?"

"It's an alias, no one knows I'm alive and my adoptive father wants to keep it that way"

"Why...why didn't you come back with me,my mother, they all think you're dead!"

He instantly shushed her, grabbed her and pulled her into the bathroom "you didn't tell them yet! Please tell me you haven't!"

"FOR THE PAST THREE DAYS I THOUGHT I WAS GOING INSANE OF COURSE I DIDN'T TELL THEM"

He shushed her again and took a breath "good because I don't want you to tell them-" he was interrupted by a good hand to the cheek

She slapped him. A hand strong enough that he slammed into the wall and stared at her wide eyed "you pretend to be dead for God knows how long and then you ask me to help you stay dead. We're still suffering, Ciel! Over you uncle Vincent and aunt Rachel! Grandpa pretty much went insane!"

 Still pressed up against the wall as it if was going let him though into freedom he mustered all the bass in his voice he could "I'm sorry but I can't go back I have a family now"

"What are you talking about? we're your family!"

"Listen to me! I have a new life, parents, uncles and aunts, siblings! .I can't leave please try to understand!"

She stared at him as if he were a stranger now she let her tears free fall "so that's it you just replaced us just like that. For months on end my mother spent nights crying along with my dad. Edward wouldn't talk for weeks after the fire. I cried myself asleep because I'd never get to see you again, but okay you have a new family now so it doesn't matter"

"I- I no that's not..." Ciel stuttered he struggled in finding something to say he felt horrible suddenly he couldn't find a single reason why not to go back "I'm sorry, things happened after the fire and in that I met them, they took care of me I can't just walk out on them"

She crossed her arms over her chest and wiped her face, she was furious at him.

"Promise you won't tell anyone?...we can hang out at school"

She huffed and wiped a tear away with her thumb"...I promise." She whispered.

They stared at each other. Ciel didn't know whether to go for a hug or to just walk away; he felt like either option would get him a second slap.

"Lizzy!? Are you here? I swear I heard your voice" some one cooed as they walked into the boys bathroom.

Ciel clenched his fist and pulled Lizzy away from the boy that walked in "jim?"

The blond's smug smile was wiped as soon as he saw Lizzy upset and in tears. His eyes drifted from her to Ciel. His face twisted In anger "the fuck did you do to her?" he grabbed Ciel by his collar and pushed against one of the walls.

Ciel struggled and tried to push his opponent away "get off of me! mind your business!"

"Yes it is my business you little bastard she's my best friend! you hurt her, I fuck your ass up!"

"Alois! Stop it please!" Lizzy pulled him off begging for him to release Ciel, but before she could succeed, Ciel managed to push James on to the ground. Ciel lunged at him and fell on top of the other boy and began to throw punches.

James covered his face, blocking Ciel's hits. In retaliation he landed a punch on Ciel's nose, the younger boy grunted curses as he got off the ground. He covered his  face and ran over to one of the sinks. Blood began to flow from his nostrils to his hand and onto the sink.

James stood up and Lizzy pulled his arm back. He quickly turned to her "are you okay? Why were you crying? Did he do something?"

"I'm fine, please just stop, he's my relative. We’re just talking"

Ciel groaned and wiped the blood off of his face. He was ready for round two. He focused on James and was about to attack but Lizzy got in the way and pressed both her hands on his chest blocking him then pushed him back "you too, stop it!" 

"He's related to you, Liz?"

"Yes, he is"

"His fucking flock shot Timber and Canterbury how can you be related to him!"

"-THEY GOT SHOT BECAUSE THEY NEARLY BEAT MY SISTER TO DEATH,FUCK YOU!" Ciel pushed against Lizzy but she still held him back.

"Oh boo hoo she got a black eye she lived" they continued to yell insults at each other until Lizzy shut her eyes and shook her head. She was getting fed up with both of them.

"STOP IT!" She screamed.

Both boys stepped back and Lizzy was finally able to take a breath and looked at Ciel "what did you have to do with the triplets getting shot?"

Both boys relayed their version of events from the perspective of each of their houses  Lizzy had to walk away and lean against the wall to think. It was a lot to take in all at once. First her cousin was alive and now it turns out that he's in a gang that rivals that of her best friend's. She tossed her head back. "You got adopted by the crow!!”

“Yeah”

“YOU LEFT THAT PART OUT!”

“I'M SORRY!!!”

“So am I. I'm friends with the triplets so I sympathize more with them. I don't know your …siblings!” 

"HA!"

"ELIZABETH!"

"HOWEVER...Robin... is still my family and I can't  cut ties with him just because you're my friend, Alois"

"I thought your name was James?"

"Shut up before a break a lot more than your nose"

Lizzy huffed "I won't ask you to be friends, but to leave all of this feud you two have at home when you're with me"

"But-"

"-I don't care! You're my friend and I love you, you're my cousin and I love you too! I want to spend time with you two -"

"Wait, cousin? " Alois asked, a bit shocked himself. His demeanor changed completely, he looked at Robin like a deer in headlights “don't tell me he's vin- hes Vincent’s kid?”

Ciel swung for a second round which Lizzy had to break up but almost pulling locks out of each of their heads Lizzy tightened a grip on Alois' hair  and the boy pulled back in pain

“How did you know my Father!!”

“Lizzy is my best friend, dipshit. Plus I knew him and I Know your grandfather!“ 

“He won’t say a word, right!!” She pulled on James’ Hair. 

“AHH- okay I won’t”

The sapphire almost swung again until Lizzy pulled on his locks as well "Okay so we're are agreed you'll both be nice to each other while I'm around"

Neither of them answered right away, they just scowled and glared at each other for a moment. They both cared for Lizzy and they both still wanted to be in her life. They both understood. Alois was the first on to click his tongue and say "fine"

"Alright, see you at the fencing club,Lizzy " Ciel grabbed himself some paper to clean his bloody nose. He leaned in to hug and give Lizzy a peck on the forehead then walked out. Lizzy and Alois Waited a bit before leaving the bathroom as well.

At the cafeteria Ciel went back to the table where his siblings were. "The hell?" Doll exclaimed When she saw the blood.

"I got a nose bleed, I think it stopped though" he sat down and went back to eating his lunch as if nothing happened. Then he realized all three of his siblings were staring at him, all of them having smug smiles plastered on their faces "what?"

"I can't believe it, you already have a girlfriend." Doll laughed.

"WHAT?!"

"Don't lie. The blonde I've been seeing her a lot recently and you two have been staring at each other all lunch"

"And when you left to go to the bathroom it didn't take long for her to follow you" Finny added.

"She came back the same time as you too" Snake said.

"Uh..I um she's not my girlfriend! please don't say that"

" liar should I invite her over I'd like to meet her" the girl put her arm around Ciel's shoulder.

"Stop it! She's not my girlfriend " He shoved her away he looked to the side, avoiding their looks "she's my cousin"

"...What"

"Yeah my blood related cousin."

The stayed silent, Finny took another sip of his drink "I'm awkward now"

When they went home, again he didn't tell anyone about his encounter with Lizzy. Ciel avoided most of the adults in the house for a while until he noticed that the bridge of his nose and half of his eye started to bruise. And so he decided to cover it up. He snuck into Molly's room and found her makeup drawer. He dabbed a bit of concealer on the purple bits,  it was just the color he needed to hide.

He would've gotten away with it, had Molly not walked in when he was halfway done. They stared at each other for a second. He cursed and scratched his head. Molly glared at him as she walked to him. She cupped his chin forcing him to look up at her "I want a name"

"I don't have one. Beast, I promise it was an accident." he tried to pull away.

"Don't give me that! Who did it?"

"No one please  I'm fine really"

"Not a big deal for you, but a big deal for me now tell me before I get Sebastian involved" she threatened. Sebastian was going to get involved anyway.

"Jim. James Macken please don't tell Him, we worked it out already it was just a friendly row. I promise" sadly for Ciel, Molly only heard the name and then walked straight to the office he grabbed her arm and then pulled her back before she could enter "please don't tell Sebastian" he pleaded.

"Don't tell me what?" Sebastian came up from behind Ciel. The boy froze and since he had his back turned to Sebastian he decided to walk forward Down the hall, but Molly caught him before he could do that and turned him around so he'd face Sebastian and joker.

"You got into a fight!" Sebastian yelled.

"Did you win?" Joker asked.

"dude!" Molly growled at him and Sebastian gave him a scowl then pushed him away.

“It's no big deal” the boy pleaded. 

“ you know who it was? James”

“No wait! We have it all resolved, I promise!” Ciel jumped because he watched Sebastian’s eyebrows furrow, but he still looked at Molly. 

“Our James? So what do you think he was sent?”

“I don’t know,” Molly replied. “But if you don’t do anything I'm taking Meyrin and we’re going over there to kick the shit out of Hannah.”

“Oh, my God! Wait!” Ciel groaned and overwhelmed about how hast it all go away from him he yelled “MY COUSIN GOES TO WESTON!”

They finally stopped and looked at him. The boy looked at the ground to avoid yelling at their faces “my cousin Lizzy goes to weston, she saw me and got really mad at me for faking my death. She was crying and Jim is apparently her best friend so he heard us arguing, saw her crying and assumed I did something so he punched me. We fought and then we came to an agreement. It had nothing to do with Doll and the triplets it was personal”

There was a beat of silence, he shifted his weight from one foot to another, he expected  to be reprimanded for raising his voice. Instead Molly sounded annoyed, but not with him “you still haven't told Francis?”

“I’ll tell her soon, he’s still getting adjusted,” Sebastian replied. 

“What? are you waiting for her to find out the way Angelina did?” Joker asked.

“That's not funny.”

“I’m not laughing” 

Sebastian lifted the boy's face to better examine the bruise. “It’s starting to swell a bit, okay, what was this agreement?”

“That we don’t fight around her…that we don’t fight at all”

“Did Jim find out about who you were?”

“Oh…no he didn’t” he lied. It was a split second decision of which he didn’t feel entirely in control of. If they knew Jim absolutely caught him, it would complicate things. Tensions were already high even with this minuscule fight. “As far as he knows i'm just an old friend of Lizzy’s who just so happened to be part of a rival family”

“Alright. That's good. We are good, we have nothing to worry about” Sebastian said, mostly to Molly.

“And by all accounts, our secret is safe with Lizzy ”

Chapter Text

Despite all of Molly's worrying, nothing much happened between Ciel and Jim in the days that followed, it was almost eerily peaceful. Jim ignored him for the majority of their class together. Before the bathroom incident Jim would have a snarky remark or two throughout their math class, but now, Jim hardly even looked at him. Ciel even tried to strike up conversation while they worked “did you tell Claude about me?”

“Shut the fuck up” was the only response.

Unfortunately their rift made it harder for Ciel to hang out with Elizabeth. During lunch time he sat with his sibling and on occasion he sat with other classmates he always saw Jim with his arm around Lizzy as they got their lunches. She usually sat with him and the triplets which further annoyed him. From a distance he watched her rub dirt off of Canterbury’s face or  wrap her arms around Timber so casually that Ciel wondered exactly how much she knew of their after school ‘extracurriculars’.

For today though, he pushed his feelings aside.  There was another thing plaguing him "A mile?" Ciel shut his gym locker, it was P.E and most of the students were finished with their change out and were headed outside. 

Next to him stood McMillan, one of his newly formed friends, he nodded "yep, according to Joanne,  we're running a mile." Mcmillain was a boy in his same year. A kind and chirpy individual he ended up sharing a couple classes with and they quickly stirred up a friendship through their shared interests of video games and literature. Due to their lack of physical excellence they stuck together during their physical education. They finished tying their shoes and walked out of the locker room awkwardly moving past a group of upperclassmen, they got to the track and field And to their dismay, the rumor was true. Their PE instructor informed his class that they were going to run a mile. Four laps around the track. 

Whines and groans sounded throughout the field then the instructor explained the standards: for boys and girls 12-13 of age the passing grade was running the mile under 12 minutes, 14-16: 10 minutes. 17-19: 9 minutes. It was a running assignment so it was required that the students ran a minimum of two laps while jogging before walking. The class was divided into two groups: the running group and those that recorded the time. After the first group was done the groups were switched. 

Ciel was in the second running group. For now he sat on the bleachers with a stopwatch in his hand watching over McMillan run.  The last kid crossed the finish line. McMillan's time ended up at 13:22. "I already knew I wasn't gonna make it," the boy said. Most of the class took their time, blue house didn't have the best reputation with sports. 

"Yeah well I'm not even gonna try. After the two laps I'm done" Ciel passed the stop watch over to his partner. 

At the start line Ciel looked around and he already knew he was going to be the last one to finish. There some upperclassmen, in the mix was Thompson Annafellows, but he paid no mind to him and just focused on getting the damn assignment over with. 

The instructor blew the whistle and the group of twelve started their run. 

~

For Thompson a mile was nothing more than a light jog. He had to run miles every day with his godfather when he trained him and his brothers. Thompson knew he could run it in five minutes if he really tried. At the two and a half minute mark he had lapped most of his classmates. He took  pride in being the fastest. At the beginning of his fourth lap and the beginning of the third lap for most of the others, he slowed down giving himself a break; he'd get a passing score no doubt  so there was no reason to rush.   

In front of him was Robin. Out of respect for Doll he never talked to him. He tried to never get paired with him and constantly tried to avoid the spiteful stares the boy tried to hide. Robin  was tired as most of them were, but while the rest of the class was walking, Robin  seemed to have a hard time moving forward, he stumbled and stopped often. Thompson approached him, curious as to what was wrong.  

The boy  began coughing uncontrollably and he stopped all together in the middle of the track resting his hand on his knees. When he stopped coughing he breathed heavily as if he was completely out of breath. Thompson got concerned and decided to get closer. He tapped his shoulder “you okay?”

The boy was already flushed, he tried to cover his coughs in his elbow, he shook his head. Only when he realized who it was did he pushed Thompson away with the small amount of strength he had. His coughing increased to the point of labored breathing. They had stopped completely and even some of their classmates started slowing down. Then Robin collapsed, barely able to keep himself up. 

The entire class stopped and rushed around McMillan and the instructor knelt down next to them "what happened?" The teacher asked. 

"I don't know he just fell, " Thompson replied. 

They tried calling out for Robin and he still couldn't  respond. His cough wouldn't let him . McMillan looked at his state and panicked "I think he's having an asthma attack!" 

"Get him his inhaler then!" Thompson yelled 

“ Don’t …have one ....I'm… fine” Robin groaned. Again he attempted to get up only to vomit on to the track. 

“Alright, I'm taking him to the nurses,” Thompson said. He picked up Robin with little effort, and ran off the track. It helped that the kid was tiny. He wouldn't stop coughing, all Thompson hoped was that he wouldn't pass out in his arms. Robin clutched onto his shirt probably in anger since he felt nails digging into his shoulder. On the way there he regrettably ran passed Doll as she exited the bathroom. They only shared a glance before she saw her little brother in a pitiful state in Thompson's arms. 

“Oi wait” she dashed to his side “what happened. Why is he like that? what did you do to him?” she said, almost accusing him.

”I didn't do anything,” he hissed. They slowed down to a walk as they approached the nurses office. Robin still in his fits “He won't stop coughing and collapsed on the track. Open the door” he ordered. Thompson  barged into the nurses. He laid the boy down on the bed and caught his breath to explain the situation and just as quickly he was told to wait. The nurse pushed Thompson back into the hall and closed the door, he  only caught a glimpse of the slightly conscious boy staring back at him. He looked back at Doll. she cautiously eyed him down “he's gonna be fine” he reassured her.

“He's of no concern to you. Why did you help him?”

“Should I have just left him out there?”

She didn't reply.

“If that's what you want.  I won't touch him if it happens again…”  he walked past her. 

“...Thank you.” she said softly almost as if she didn't want him to hear.

 He did.
—----

When Sebastian got to the school, Ciel was functional, but was now asleep. The nurse told him that he was able to stabilize the boy with some essential oils and so Ciel got to go home early that day. But made a mandatory visit to his aunt’s.

Since he left before lunch, Doll, Finny and Snake ate alone in total silence even though Ciel wasn't in critical danger they still worried for their younger brother. Finny barely ate and just played around with his food. None of them made a sound. 

Then a blonde sat down next to them baring a bright smile. "Hello"

Doll's eyes shifted from her brothers to the girl "hello?"

"You're Robin’s siblings, right? I'm Elizabeth,his cousin. You can call me Lizzy though" she shook their hands. They introduced themselves  "It's nice to meet you!" She beamed "anyway I was going to ask him something but I can't find him. I thought maybe you guys knew"

"Sorry you caught him too late" said Doll 

"He got his asthma back and had to go home early" Finny stated.

Lizzy was suddenly startled "oh god was it bad!? Is he okay?" 

"He's fine, but they told him to go home"  

Lizzy sighed in relief. She had witnessed Ciel's fits first hand. She was the one who first discovered  he had the illness. She felt scared and began screaming for help when he didn't stop coughing. To hear that the problem had returned was worrisome. She raised from the table "I'll let you guys eat in peace. It was nice to finally meet you" 

"Nah-what? come sit we're technically related now" Doll waved at her to return. 

"Any other day I would but I promised to sit with Thompson today he's kinda anxious right now" 

Snake rolled his eyes but Doll didn't react much. "Why anxious?" 

Lizzy hesitated to answer, chewing her bottom lip trying to think of a reasonable story but she came up with nothing " He's alone right now Claude sent Timber and Canterbury…out?  So you know he's kinda on edge ." 

They Understood perfectly. They weren't part of Sebastian's group officially but they all knew the stress that came with every mission that was given. They felt anxiety anytime Dagger or Molly went out to collect information, or when Sebastian is on a business trip out of town, or even when Joker stays out an hour too late. Finny softened a bit. "What about Jim?" he asked.

" he's in detention" she shrugged, it was a common occurrence. 

After a moment of silence, Doll tapped her finger against the table, thinking her next move might start a fight with her brothers. "Bring him over here" 

Finny nearly screamed and Snake choked on his food, now he was coughing uncontrollably. “What are you doing!” Finny  leaned over the table.

"I'm just inviting him over- Snake are you okay"  

Snake finally got a hold of himself and stopped coughing and took a drink of water. "Invite him. Here?" 

"Yes" she smiled "go bring him over, Lizzy" 

The girl raised an eyebrow and she too felt skeptical  "Are you sure? I know about the uh-fight" 

"Yes I'm sure now go get him" the eldest said and then Lizzy went the opposite way. 

A  few moments later Lizzy came back dragging Thompson by the wrist. He resisted pulling against her grasp and they got to the table and Lizzy sat next Snake leaving an empty seat next to Doll. 

Thompson stood awkwardly next to the table and contemplated just walking away from the  piercing death stares he was getting from the two other boys. "Are you going to sit?" Doll asked

Was there another option? He clutched his back pack strap and then dropped it back to the floor. He was about to sit next to Doll but then Snake stood up and pulled him away, shoved him next to Finny. Thompson was more than okay with getting his seat forcibly switched.

"Why is he here?" Finny hissed. 

"Because he's the one who carried our baby brother all the way to the nurses office this morning. He helped save him." 

They all looked at Thompson. The boy in question looked like a deer in headlights. "He's earned it"

Lizzy threw her arms around Thompson "thank you!!!" 

"Did you really?"Snake asked and then got a nod in return Thompson had his arms around Lizzy now. He was used to her hugs. 

Finny groaned "I'm still mad at you, but thanks I guess"

"I'm still sorry about that. I truly am!"  Thompson blunted out, startling Finny a bit. At this point Thompson realized that he not only had to apologize to Doll, but to her entire family as well. He begged forgiveness. 

"Oh yeah and what do the other two musketeers have to say?" 

Thompson pursed his lips "they are another story, they are more than okay having had paid with their limbs"  he let his head bang on the table. "I'm really sorry" 

"I forgive you."  Doll voice was stern, serious and sincere. 

Thompson brought his head up "you do?"

"You do?" The other boys asked.

"Just you,  I haven't seen Timber or Canterbury come asking for my forgiveness...speaking of those two where are they?" 

"On they're on their way to LA" 

"That far! Jesus, why didn't you go?" 

"Believe it or not, Claude still cares about our studies. I was ordered to stay and take notes...and to look out for my cousins. Speaking of my cousin where the hell is that little fucker" he turned to Lizzy, who rolled her eyes and simply said "detention" 

"How long are Timber and Canterbury going to be gone?" Finny asked. 

"They'll come back in a couple of days" 

Snake huffed "if you know they'll be back, why are you worried?" 

"Because there's always a chance something might go wrong.” he rubbed his face. 

"It'll be okay, Thompson" Lizzy rubbed his back.

By then Even Finny gave him a gentle pat on the back for comfort. There was an awkward silence, a vain sense of hatred and an anger they were all  tired of fueling. Finny let out a defeated sigh and took a bite of his food.  "You can sit with us until they come back," he said. All of them turned to him stunned by his sudden change of heart. 

"Really?" Thompson questioned. 

"Doll forgave you and you did save my brother." Finny shrugged "like she said, you earned it"
–
Even though he had given his entire household a scare, Ciel still had to go to school the next morning. It was scary to know his asthma had returned, but his aunt made sure to get him an inhaler (s) for him. He tried to fake an attack a couple of times to get out of going to school but Sebastian threw an inhaler at him and then said "let's go" 

For the next couple days Ciel kept getting  comments from some of his classmates asking him if he's okay or if he's dying. In all honesty that was mortifying. Red-faced Ciel grumbled "I'm fine" whenever someone asked anything. It earned him a couple of sad looks and some teasing here and there. Some took it too far and now, barely a month into the school year he had found that he had a problem with a boy from the Scarlet fox house, Maurice Cole. A blonde, sophomore, known to be the prettiest and pettiest boys of the highschool campus. Ciel wasn't exactly sure what the kid had against him but it didn't matter.During his free period, Ciel did his best to avoid the scarlet fox he tried to find a secluded place. He didn't have any of his siblings to defend him. He walked  past the science classrooms for a moment he looked to the side and saw something that intrigued him. 

In an empty classroom stood Jim with another kid Ciel didn't recognize. They exchanged some papers around before the unknown kid gave Jim a large sum of cash. Ciel smirked to himself. Not that he was planning on black mailing his nemeses, but he'll admit that having something over Jim pleased him.  Ciel moved to the side of the doorway waiting for Jim to be alone. When his companion left he entered the room.

Jim had his back to the door and didn't notice Ciel enter, he was too busy counting the money he just got. "hello!" Ciel yelled. The boy  jumped and dropped his stack of cash. The sapphire owl was quick to pick up the money and with a smug face started fanning himself with the cash in front of the blonde. 

"Give that back, Ciel" he  growled.

"I'm sorry, Jim, you can't call me that yet we're not friends"

"Ciel! Robin I don't care just give it back" he reached forward but Ciel stepped back keeping the money out of his reach.

"I wonder what this is about. It's an awful lot of money. Drugs?" Ciel faked a gasped "are selling drugs? On school grounds?"

"It's not drugs you idiot now give it back" 

Ciel responded with a chuckle and began counting the money in his hands fifty, seventy, one hundred, he was right it was a lot of money. He was half way through the stack when he felt the paper of one of the bills and his smile disappeared, now curious "interesting" he muttered. 

Even Jim noticed his change in demeanor "what?"

" Give me a second" He separated the bill and put it on a nearby desk and then went on counting what was left of the cash, he stopped and felt the paper of two more hundred dollar bills and separated them. Then he gave the stack to its owner. The blond raised an eyebrow, confused as to why Ciel was suddenly so serious.

Ciel took a hold of the three separated bills and felt the paper, dragging his thumb against the surface. He chewed his bottom lip  "Where did you get this?" he asked.

"They're bets. These are my winnings" he answered. "Why?"

"Because these three" Ciel held the bills up "are fake. You've been ripped off two hundred and fifty bucks" 

"What?!" How do you know?" Jim took the bills and looked at them then at his stack. Then back at Ciel "are you lying to me?" 

“Sorting money was one of the few jobs my father let me do. I can spot a fake by touch alone”
  But Jim wasn't convinced "Every dollar weighs exactly a gram if it's less then it's not real" Ciel said walking to the back out the classroom to get a scale. The perks of being in a science room. The boy set it on one of the desks and Jim put the supposed fake on the balance. The boys hunched over the scale and watched the numbers change until they stopped '0.789' 

Jim stood up straight and ran his fingers through his hair, his brows raised "do you know who was it?" Ciel asked. 

"I don’t know but if i had to guess It would be Maurice Cole his pay was 250" 

“Ah shit”

"I'm guessing you met him?”

“I'm hiding from him right now! He's been a dick to me for the past week, I hardly know him”

Jim eyed him up and down “yeah, that tracks”

“What do you mean”

“He hates anyone he thinks is prettier than him”
 

Ciel straightened his posture and adjusted his clothes, unsure if he should be flattered or not. He cleared his throat and changed the subject "So What was the bet for?"

"Just school sports, but a lot of people here are rich here so sometimes you get a lot of money" 

" you already have money" 

"My uncle has money I don’t. this is my income”

"Does Lizzy know about all this?" 

"No don't tell her she’ll mad at me" 

"Fair enough...how involved are you with my cousin?"

“I'm gay if that what you're worried about”

“No! I mean…doesn't she know Claude? -Wait you're gay? ”

“Yes and no I go through great lengths to keep her away from my uncle for the same reasons I never told him Sebastian’s new kid also happens to be well you know… "

Ciel began picking up the rest of the money and unconsciously started checking the bills for any more false ones. “I appreciate you keeping Lizzy away from all that.”

“Yeah well you're not the only one who cares about her…”

“Does your boss know about your passive income?”

“ You ask too many questions.”

Ciel flushed “I'm just curious. I was raised to question and learn everything and I thought I was doing a good job of it but. When I got adopted I found out I didn't know jack shit .All I knew was my dads territory and now I'm in a school with kids of other mobs and factions I didn't even know existed…  I lost my title as heir But still… I kept the habits”

“...you could still be named heir”

 He scoffed “I’m Sebastian’s youngest boy, second youngest child”

“So? I'm the second youngest and I'm the heir. Sebastian is Victoria's second youngest and he's head of his family”

“See this is what I mean! You know a lot more about my family. I just found out about you because we have the same math class! I don’t know anything”

“It's better that way. The only reason I know it's because Claude put a gun in my hands the moment I figured out what hand eye coordination was. Be grateful you're so oblivious”

Ciel huffed, he wanted to say more and ask more but before he could the aggravating voice of Maurice Cole entered the room “OH there you are, Robin! “

Ciel turned around alarmed. Maurice Cole stood at the door frame. Jim couldn't be bothered.  “Where you been i've been looking everywhere for you”

“The twinks with me, Cole, fuck off”  Jim said. Ciel glared at him.

“I don't remember talking to you, Macken,” Maurice walked up to Ciel, who put up his hands defensively and was ready to jump on the table as a means to escape. Jim turned around and put his arm around Maurice  and pulled him close.

“Hey I'm gonna pretend we're on the same level, let's talk prettiest boy to the actual prettiest boy in Weston” he pointed to himself. “Let's face it only one of us needs makeup to look beautiful”

“Wh- make-”

“YOU leave Robin alone for the rest of the school year and I won't…beat you a bloody pulp”

“This has nothing to do with you”

“It does actually because as it turns out! You've been scamming me in your bets”

“No, I haven't quit lying!”

“ Yes you have now i'm willing to let this go, after all it's only about two hundred you owe me that's practically nothing. But only if you swear to leave the poor bastard alone”

Maurice gritted his teeth, he knew the was no way he could beat Jim in a fight. he rolled his eyes and shoved Jim away before he left and Ciel was able to breath again “Can you stop calling me a bastard”

Jim chuckled “a thank you would suffice but hey you think you can check my shit just it case it happens again, we can split some of the earnings”

“You're asking me to hang out?!”

“Why not! That way you don’t have to be hiding for an entire period”

“Well won't our patriarchs get mad that we are hanging out”

“Who says they gotta find out? Claude literally thinks I have no friends, and if your dad asks just say that you're hanging out with your friend Alois”

“Is that your alias?”

“Of sorts, just don't call me that around of adults okay”

And so Ciel made a new friend much like his siblings did he figured it would be the first step in gaining the knowledge  that Sebastian had forbade him from learning.  At the courtyard near some steps, Thompson and Doll sat exchanging answers for their math homework. "What did you get for five?" Doll asked. 

"X= 7"

"I got x=38 what the fuck?" Doll looked at Thompson's work and the boy snorted, letting out a laugh "how were you that far off?" 

"I'm not good at math alright!" She started copying down the answers. 

"Oh right you're in green house aren't you?" He snickered. 

"Shut up" Doll quirked and threw the notebook back at Thompson. "Where do timber and Canterbury think you are right now?" 

"7-11. I told them I was leaving campus. I spend lunch with them so they won't miss me" 

"What would they do if they found out you're here with me" 

"Tell Claude, probably, which would get me shot" 

Doll was taken back and frowned "really?" 

Thompson stopped writing and thought about it  for a moment "maybe not shot but I’d rather not have him find out." He said it with no fear, so nonchalantly that it honestly concerned Doll.

"Then why are you risking it?" 

"Because I like you I think you're cool. And I like spending time with you..." his voice trailed off, regretting everything he's saying as the words came out of his mouth. He tried to play it cool and friendly" a-and you know... Finny and Snake and Robin and Sieglinde Is a little cutie I saw her when I picked up Luka"

"Aww stop!!! you gonna make me blush" she slapped his shoulder. An awkward silence settled and they both looked down at their notebooks, pretending to continue working, but in reality they both were attempting to hide their reddened faces. "Aside from the time where You ate lunch with us, I think free period is the only time I don't ever see you with your brothers"

"Yeah we're pretty close, but outside of school  we go our separate ways. "

That was hard to believe Doll raised an eyebrow "Liar?" 

"No, really. If Claude doesn't need us for a mission we go off into different parts of town. Sometimes I leave town for a couple of hours" 

"Where do you go?"

"Do you wanna come? I can show you" 

"Nah man I can't go anywhere without my brothers those are the rules"

"But you were out alone the day...that...happened..." he stopped mid-sentence in realization "that's why the rule was created-"

"Yeah!" She scowled at him. Before her encounter with the triplets they could leave the house alone and no one would bat an eye, but Sebastian made the rule that none of the kids could go out alone. They could only go out if they were accompanied by one of their siblings. 

"Gotcha... well they can come too. It's not like I was asking you on a date. I would've taken you somewhere a lot nicer if I was." Yet another blush stalked them. "So you wanna go?"

"I'll asked them if they wan-"

"WHERE ARE WE GOING?!" Finny crept up behind Thompson and slapped him on the shoulders. Not even Doll noticed him; they both flinched. 

"Jesus- Finny!"Thompson breathed out. Placing his hand over his heart, Doll laughed.

"Thompson wants to take us to a super secret place, ain't that right" she stated as Finny sat down beside her. 

"Cool, I'd like to go!" 

"Yeah just tell Snake and Robin and I don't know if the little one will come," Thompson said.

"No, she'll stay at the house."  Doll replied.

"We'll have to lie to Sebastian. I don't think he knows that we're hanging out with him." Finny frowned at the thought of lying.  "Oh yeah that's right" Doll scratched her head. 

"If it's too much trouble we don't have to we can just continue our secret meets at school" 

"Well we don't really go out much I think it could be fun" the blond lit up. "Where are we going?" 

"Let's call it my secret hideout"

Chapter Text

Since the incident on the track, Ciel refused to thank Thompson. He didn't see reason to. If he had not carried him, someone else would have. At least that was his sentiment and one he confidently thought his siblings shared, but much to his surprise, they  all seemed to be fine with Annafellows all of the sudden! Sure he also started a friendship with ‘Alois’ but at least they had common ground. To add insult to injury,  he was now being dragged into a hangout with the same boy he had been purposely avoiding since the beginning of the school year. Doll came in to tell him he was going -didn’t even bother to ask if he wanted to go- and in the background he heard Finny ask for permission that  was granted pretty easily since all of them were together. "If anything feels out of place, call me immediately"  was all their patriarch said, though after the events of the break in, Ciel felt pretty safe knowing his siblings were with him. 

With skateboards in hand, they made their way into town, and headed back to their school campus. Ciel whined "I was supposed to play games with McMillan and Joanne today!" As if he hadn’t been playing with his two classmates every night. 

"Shhh, we're just gonna hang out with Tommy for a bit!" Doll said as she pulled him close and ruffled his hair. 

"Tommy?! You've got  a nickname for him now?” He screamed and turned to the two other boys "are you two okay with this!!" 

The blonde shrugged, and picked the skateboard off the ground  "he’s actually pretty cool once you get to know him." 

"Besides you hang out with Jim Macken, and Sieglinde with Luka" Snake said as he walked past them. No one was on his side. 

"Luka hasn't tried to kill Sieglinde and me and Jim just get along for my cousin And-and-the teacher probably made him carry me. It means nothing!" He shrieked and followed his elders to an SUV parked outside the school where Thompson sat in the driver's seat. 

With a bored expression Ciel made his way to Thompson who looked out his window and smiled "hey, Robin you came!" 

"I'll kill you if you touch her again" Ciel said monotonously and walked to the back of the car where he aggressively threw his board in the trunk, only to be scolded by Finny. 

Thompson took a deep breath and nodded, getting a bit of deja vu  "will do.." he muttered. The passenger door opened and Doll hopped in "he doesn't like me…" 

Doll snorted and shook her head "no he doesn't" 

"I'll win him over...I hope" 

Then Finny, Ciel and Snake got in the back seat, Ciel got stuck in the middle. For most of the drive the four oldest talked about school, their classmates, teachers and homework. Ciel listened to their conversations involuntarily. They never talked about their families except for the occasional mention of Timber or Canterbury or when Finny told Thompson that Sebastian had set a curfew and they had to be back by nine. Aside from that, they kept the topic to school and themselves. Despite his attitude, Thompson had tried to get him involved multiple times during the drive, but Ciel felt too dragged along to contribute it was as if he was third wheeling for all of them. The only reason he was there in the first place was because of Sebastian’s  ‘take your little brother/ sister  with you’  rule. Maybe if Alois was there it would have been less of a drag. They'd have the bets to talk about.

He zoned out until Thompson drove into a rural area. The place was beat up and old. The roads were cracked and filled with patches until the concrete was replaced by dirt and gravel. The buildings and stores all around were covered in graffiti and were threatening to collapse on themselves.  Ciel wanted to take out his phone and dial Sebastian right away, but none of his siblings were even remotely affected by the unsightly area. They took another turn and were headed further into the  ghost town until he they got to a row of old warehouses. It was still beaten up but was a bit more presentable then all that surrounded it. It still had its windows and an escape route in their entirety. The bricks on the place seemed sturdy, but were still decorated in spray paint. It had a parking lot that was just as barren to match settings and that's where Thompson parked. 

With a smile on his face, Thompson hopped out of the car and ran to Dolls side to open the door for her  whilst everyone got out. "What is this place?" Doll asked. It wasn’t exactly an enthusiastic question. It was clear they were all waiting for a punchline or something. They weren’t exactly sure what to say. But Annafellows was thrilled. 

"This is my casa ala- Tommy!" he stretched his arms out and walked to the front door where chains were Thompson’s method of security. He unlocked it and ushered everyone inside. Ciel stood at the door frame and refused to enter before the lights were turned on. With the flip of a switch fluorescent  and string lights  illuminated  the warehouse. As industrial as the inside looked  with broken brick wall, concrete floors and a metal loft  and staircase, it was still lived in. Furnished with a couple clearly thrifted couches and tables without a matching theme. An old television set hooked up to  a couple game consoles. In the far corner were the bare bones of what would be considered a kitchen if it wasn’t just a stove and refrigerator. The only thing that looked new was a pool table that sat alone. 

Thompson skipped around showing his humble place with all his pride. He picked up various pieces of clothing that he had lying around in an attempt to tidy up for his guests. The rest of them seemed rather intrigued by the place. “Dude seriously what is this place?” Doll grinned, taking the whole scene in. 

"This is my safe haven" Thompson  wrapped his arm around her shoulder and Snakes, guiding them to the table before skipping back to the kitchen. “Would you care for a drink? I've got soda, juice…alcohol if you’re feeling rebellious” Finny followed him to the fridge pondering on what to get.

"The fuck you need a safe house for?" Ciel raised an eyebrow, sounding a bit more judgmental than he had originally intended. 

“To get away from my Godfather, why else?” Thompson nodded "both my brothers have their own place, I don’t know where" Thompson handed them their drinks.

Seems like yet another one of their group was  keeping secrets from Claude. Ciel looked around and relaxed the muscles that had been tensed in preparation to flee if needed. While he didn't entirely trust Annafellows or even Alois for that matter, there was an instinctual safety that came in knowing that they aren't entirely on their leaders side, they had their own agendas.

“If Claude doesn't need us we can pretty much do anything we want. He gives just enough of a fuck to have control over us, but the rest of the time we are on our own."  he rolled the 8-ball in aimless circle under his hand. "This is more of a home for me than that spider web of a mansion. It's mine" still looking down he smirked. This was his place and he loved it. “Broken floors and all." 

“And no one knows about it?” Doll asked.

“Just Jim, no one else” 

“Why bring us then?”

“Well… in truth it's because I want friends… I have some people at school, but none that can relate to or at least understand the situation I am in. You all are being raised in it, shit me and Doll lived in the same house when everyone was still  in Vegas” 

They all looked at Doll,Even Finny and Snake  were rattled by the revelation. Doll shrugged.  “what? It was before we got any of you” she defended.

“We used to be friends before the fallout… I guess I also wanted to reconnect”

Suddenly Ciel was gripped into the talk. “What caused the fallout?” He asked.

“Oh…uh”Thompson stumbled on one hand he was making the youngest member was finally making conversation with him. On the other hand he might not like his answer. The only answer he knew. “Sebastian was named heir” 

“No!” Doll interjected in immediate defense “no! It wasn’t that he was named heir, it was because Claude’s tried to kill Sebastian”

“Well yeah and why did he do that? Because Sebastian was named heir” Thompson matched her tone.

“Oh he was never going to be named and everyone knew it” 

“Not everyone apparently, Cause he was pretty much given every authority!” 

“And who told you that? He had as much responsibilities as Joker and them” 

They began talking over each other, the three boys listening intently surprised and a little lost. Ciel was enthralled. He kept his gaze on the table top but took in every word, trying to piece together a  cohesive story. Keeping  Thompson around didn’t seem like a bad idea anymore. Though he needed to find some way to approach the topic without descending into any arguments. Doll and Thompson weren’t fighting at the moment, but the wrong comment could turn the tides of the conversation. Ciel took the triangle and set up the pool table for a new game. It made enough sound to get the two to stop talking about their own recollections. “Alright shut up!”  he ordered, picking up a pool stick and and handing another  to Thompson “how about you tell us why the hell you were living at my grandmother's house” 

As he held the stick Thompson took a breath and collected his thoughts before he broke the formation, thus commencing a new game. “From what I’ve been told…Claude was friends with my uncle Joseph, he’s Jim and Luka’s dad. Through him he knew my aunt Emma and her sister -My mom- They became friends and Claude got particularly close with my mom after my dad got cold feet. Claude  ended up helping her take care of us.  When we were about two years old he thought it better to move us in with him in Vegas. A year later was when Sebastian and the others were adopted and a short while after he was named”

“Wait no Sebastian was adopted way before that.” Finny protested. He was faced with Doll’s disapproving look. “He was raised by grandma Vic, Right?” 

“No Sebastian was like …seventeen when we were all brought it.” Doll said. She was very young then. Her memory of those times were spots at best. Vague blobs of images and noises. All she really had to go off of was what she overheard in conversations in later years. Just like Thompson. “All I've been told is  After my uncle Agni rejected the title, Grandma knew that she wasn’t going to name Claude so he had someone find her candidates that she could train to be successor.” 

“Really?” Anafellows stood still, he passed his stick on to Finny, giving Doll his full attention. 

“Wonder why?” Ciel muttered sarcastically. 

“She didn’t like Claude’s leadership, I guess… she just didn’t trust him to be head of family. A family friend found Sebastian and the rest of us and they took us in. All of my grandmother's children are raised around crime life but Molly, Dagger, Joker and Sebastian were the ones who were specifically adopted to be trained in taking over the family business.”

“ My mom thought  it was   because Claude didn’t  get along with Vinny so in order to avoid conflicts outside of the house she decided not to give him the south.”

Doll face paled and clutched the pole for a moment her eyes darted to Ciel and back at Thompson “I-I guess that too.” she pondered for a second “yeah wait!…that makes sense  He was always getting into fights with him” 

“Mmmhmm I was usually in the room when It happened,” Thompson sighed.

“So he was disinherited…how did he end up as head of the north?” Snake asked.

“ Well that's the other side of the story.” Thompson scratched his head a little apprehensive to continue but he did anyway “When my uncle passed my aunt was left with all of the responsibilities underground, the tea company and all. Jim was his heir but he was only seven, Luka was on the way. My aunt was very stressed about everything and Claude convinced her to give him all power so all she had to do was take care of her babies. Claude had helped out my uncle in his business and they were friends so it was an easy choice. When my aunt passed he took guardianship over my cousins and the rest is …what it is now.”

“You guys should have just stayed in Vegas. Grandma loved you guys” Doll pouted.

“ no,  Victoria  loved you, Doll. She never saw us as anything more than just the guests her son kept.” 

“Comn on you are  over exaggerating  she never was cruel to you.” 

“You’re right, she wasn’t but she also never cared much. She was more like a polite landlady if anything. She never recognized us as family members or even friends  even though her son was practically raising us. But the moment you came in she was enamored. You got worshiped and showered with gifts. We only got gifts on our birthday and Christmas. You had something new in your room almost every other day. You were her granddaughter the moment Joker signed the papers”

“She still gets spoiled- ow!” muttered Snake before we got a hard pinch on his arm. 

“W-Well I wanted you guys to stay and so did uncle!” 

“I wanted to stay too! but we had no choice; everything we had was because of Claude, so we had to follow him. After the fallout he  forbade us from talking to anyone associated with Victoria unless he ordered it”

“Oh…”the girl pressed her face on the side of her stick, her cheeks flushed, feeling a bit of embarrassment at her own naivety. She had always assumed that her and the triplets were equal in the eyes of her family. To have it blatantly told that she got special as if it was an insult was eye opening and Snake’s comment only made it worse. 

The mood had been completely brought down by the history lesson, even if  it did bring most of them to a level of understanding. Even Ciel felt heavy as he hit the cue ball. By this point the game had minimized to just him and Finny pushing any ball into a basket, they weren't even sure who was stripes or solids. “Let's start over” Ciel took the triangle. 

With a simple nod of approval, Thompson helped Ciel set up a new game, and properly  split  into teams. Doll Finny and Thompson vs Snake and Ciel. Snake was the one to hit first. A couple rounds of silence followed. None of them wanted to follow up on the previous conversation. The youngest was usually very at peace in silence, but this was awkward. He looked around the warehouse as he waited for his turn “You pay rent here or what?” He asked.

“Nah I own the place. I had a bit of pocket money” Thompson answered.

“Let me guess, not your Godfather's money?”

“Heh, how'd you know?

“Jim. You’re also part of the bookmakers at school huh?”

“Nope, that's my cousin's business. I’m a thief. For shits and giggles I get myself into parties of rich assholes and steal their stuff. If I don't steal cash then I steal items and sell them in town and around school" The inning ended and Thompson got ready to shoot again. 

"You make money like that?" 

"More than you would think." 

Doll took the stick away from Thompson and got into position to play "maybe you should take us to one of these fancy parties." She leaned closer to him. 

"I'm sure that would get me killed. I was lucky enough to leave unharmed the last time I met Sebastian." 

"Bringing us here would have gotten you killed." Ciel said smugly. 

“I can still call him and let him know where we're at” Finny joked. Thompson didn’t find it funny though.

"But as long  as he doesn't know...you're fine"

He let out a cautious chuckle "I'd rather not be your introduction to crime life"

Four pairs of blank, unamused eyes stared back at him. Thompson had crossed from underestimation into ignorance. Ciel blinked “I guarantee you..you are not our introduction”

“That's different, your dad  keeps his business and his kids completely separate! Plus I can't keep an eye on all of you while I'm working. If I have back up maybe.” It’s not like they were robbing a bank.

“Maybe?”

  “...maybe.” He winced. “Who do you have in mind?”

“ Alois Trancy.” 

For the first time since they’ve met Ciel and Thompson found common ground. Jim didn’t give out his alias to just anyone, only those he trusted most. The older boy eyed him, surprised and rather delighted. “You know Alois?” Ciel nodded. “That could work…if you get him to agree”

——

Alois was the perfect and only candidate though Thompson mentioned that he had already invited him to some parties and Alois was always uninterested. But Ciel was determined. During free period, they sat inside an empty music room counting the week's earnings for the volleyball and baseball games. Alois was mostly occupied counting and while Ciel checked. He not so subtly stashed a couple bills, and like he predicted, his companion was quick to notice. “Put that shit back!”

“I will, as long as your agree to something”

“Very funny put it back!”

He was sitting by a window and without a second thought, Ciel tossed a hundred dollars outside. 

“WH- HEY! you know I can beat you up right!?”

“Touch me and I'll tell Lizzy!”

Alois sat down as soon as he stood up “okay-What do you want?”

“We hung out at Thompson's warehouse last night.”

“HE TOOK YOU TO THE WAREHOUSE?! SINCE WHEN DO YOU HANG -!”

“I’ll tell you everything but wait- he told us about his parties and he refused to take us to one unless he had back up. I want you to go!”

“No, it's too much work. Besides you don't you need money!”

Another hundred dollars went out the window. “You're right I don't, but If you don't go ill show the principal what you've been doing!”

“Please!  you’ll pass out before you get there”

With that comment Ciel hovered his hand with the rest of the cash out of the window, it was particularly windy on this day, Alois flinched “dude!” 

“Come with us! Tommy said we can split the earnings”

“But it's so wack!!!” Alois whined, really it was more of a plea. 

Ciel loosened his grip again.

“FINE! I ‘LL GO!” 

Ciel smiled as he retracted his arm “Good, now I won't be bored during the car ride” 

“If you ever get shot by a sniper, I want you to know it was me…why do you even want to go anyway”

“It’ll be like my formal introduction to the life my father led” he continued to check the cash, he heard Alois sigh and slump back on his chair. 

Alois felt dragged along for a grand total of about two minutes before clocking in and running down plans with Thompson, fully on board. Days before the party, he exchanged information with the rest of them to get everyone  the right clothes and such. He was hired to take care of the guests after all. By the time opening night came around, he was fully acquainted not just  with Ciel but with his siblings as well. (even gave them permission to call him by his alias) 

As the sun started going down, six kids were getting ready for a night out. Thompson and Finny adjusted their suits in front of a mirror while Alois helped Ciel tie his bow tie. Snake sat on the couch playing a video game and Doll sat beside him putting on makeup. She contoured her face to make it seemed like she was older than just like Finny and Alois had done. Thompson even drew some subtle frown lines here and there to add age. Nothing too dramatic but just enough to pass for adults.

"Alois, you know how it's going down?" Thompson yelled. 

The blond gave him a thumbs up "yeah! I take Finny and Snake and we go in as waiters. Later if we get the chance we change in one of the bathrooms and join the party " he confirmed. "Then we pick as much as we can."

"I'm going as an invited guest. Doll will be my partner. Robin will be our kid."  That part was Alois’ idea.

"Ugh-kill me" Ciel whined. “You couldn't come up with anything else?”

Alois snickered “this is my revenge. Next party you can go as a waiter.”

“So there will be a next party?”

“Shuddup… alright ties done” he jokingly slapped Ciel across the face. “You look cute!”

Thompson clapped his hand together"Alright! Are we ready?" 

"Remember, we need to be back by ten. Sebastian is out tonight he said he'll be back by midnight, but Molly wants us back before then." Finny said, giving the final pass to slick back his hair. 

"Don't worry we'll have you guys home by 9:55" 

Doll stood up and looked towards the rest of the guys "how do I look?" 

Snake, Finny and Alois raised their thumbs up. It was Ciel who was confused. He raised his eyebrows "Like a girl!" he exclaimed. Alois looked up at Thompson who was clearly looking at Doll, but was speechless, mouth handling slightly open. Alois reached up and closed his mouth with a chucked, snapping his cousin out of his trance.  "You look really nice" Thompson cleared his throat "let's get going"

With an hour drive ahead they decided to order some food. They stopped by a McDonald’s as requested by the driver. Most of the parties only have small plates and bite size snacks that didn’t taste all that good. They did receive a couple odd looks from the workers at seeing a bunch of elegantly dressed kids ordering a few McDoubles. Like the first car ride, Finny, Snake, Doll and Thompson talked about anything and everything. School and life. This time Ciel did engage more, but was mostly preoccupied talking Alois they were able to converse within themselves and even called Lizzy at one point "you two are hanging out?!" She asked ,well, screamed. 

"Isn't that what you wanted?" Ciel retorted. 

"Yeah well.. yeah, but..but-WHAT? HOW COME I WASN'T INVITED!" 

"Don't worry we're not gonna kill each other and it's more like a business meeting" 

"If one of you kills the other I'll kill the survivor! Oh my mom is calling me I gotta go" Then she hung up.  And the two boys let out a light-hearted chuckle.

Soon the estate came into view with cars lining up to enter. The place had escorts and valets. It was hard to tell whether the party was inside or outside because of how many people there were. Lots of guests were still arriving; it was still early at six pm. Thompson didn't drive all the way to the valets yet. Making sure he was a far enough distance from the manor, he dropped off Alois, Finny and Snake. They were going in through the back. With them dressed like they were in servitude, it wouldn't be hard for them to sneak in. 

Thompson pulled up to the valets in front of the house. One of the workers opened the door for Doll, another opened the door for Ciel while Thompson got out himself tossing the keys over to the young man who realistically was only a couple years older than he was.  He walked around the front of the car and joined his pretend wife and son. Doll looped her arm with Thompson's. Ciel followed behind grimacing at his fake parents. 

They got to the front door where a guard stood "your invitation, sir" he asked and Thompson pulled the envelope out of his suit inside pocket.

Upon inspection the guard looked at them "Welcome, Mr. Hemingway"

With a charming smile and a head bow, Thompson pulled Ciel and Doll closer to him and entered the mansion. The place was crowded and noisy; filled with music, small talk and laughter. People mingling, some playing games, others drinking. Doll and Ciel were in awe as they walked around. They got to the main ballroom immediately Ciel spotted Alois sporting the waiters uniform whilst carrying a tray of drinks high above his head as he walked. 

He took out his phone and snapped a picture. What else was he supposed to do? 

"I have a whole album of stupid disguises he's worn. I'll show it to you later." Thompson ruffled his hair.

"Jamie! I'm so glad you could make it!" A man came from the crowd. Thompson opened his arm and hugged him, pulling away with a handshake. "I didn't think you were going to come with your business all the way in Chicago" 

"Of course I wouldn't miss this for the world. Congratulations on ten years, John!"

"Thank you, thank you! I see you didn't come alone and here I thought you were quite the bachelor." 

"No way" Thompson brought his arm around Doll's waist feeling a bit flushed,  but doing amazing at not showing it "this here is my lovely wife, Charlotte." 

Right then Ciel wiggled his way in between the two. Thompson cleared his throat "and this here is my step-son Edgar." Ciel groaned and got a slap on the back from both his 'parents'.

 They continued to chat with the head of the manor as well as with a few other people. Doll played her part well by getting into the conversations and joking around, Naturally taking a page out of Molly's book by making up stories on the spot that relate to the topics all while simultaneously imitating Joker's charisma. Ciel did nothing, but smile and watch everyone, Especially Thompson. He paid close attention to his 'dad's' hands. When someone would come up to him and he'd shake hands. The handshake would linger for a few seconds as they exchanged a few greeting words. Thompson made eye contact with whomever he was in front of him. While their attention was on 'Jamie', Thompson was unhooking their watch and pulling it away to put it in his pocket when the handshake ended.

The pickpocket didn't end there, at the goodbye Thompson took a hold of the collars and complimented his victim and then opened it as if to inspect the material. Then took a step back to look at the man's outfit, pretending to care about the  suit then went forward for a farewell hug. When he pulled back he'd brush the man's shoulder to divert his attention and in those two second's Thompson took his wallet. The victim walks away not knowing he was robbed. With a smile 'Jamie' turns around and pulls his astounded son closer to him to hide his face. 

Again, and again Ciel watched Thompson do this to other party guests in similar fashions but with a different script. Ciel turned his attention to Alois who was carrying an empty tray and on his way to refill it. He walked and then 'accidentally' tripped someone. The man immediately turned around and Alois put on an innocent, resentful face and started to apologize. While the bystander stopped to watch, Thompson started reaching into purses, pulling out cash and wallets.. Alois returned to the kitchen soon after his scene, the party went on as if  nothing happened. Sometimes the robbery was something as simple as taking diamond encrusted astray anything they deemed valuable and small enough to take.

Every once in a while, Alois or Finny or Snake would walk past him with a tray. Alois was the only one who would give him a drink. His older brothers would move the tray away when he tried to reach for the glass. The three often passed by Thompson and as he picked or dropped off a glass. where he'd also drop off some of the stolen goods to keep himself light. Doll had a glass in her hand and was getting bold as well. Thompson would whisper a few words into her ear and then she would reach into someone's pocket and pull something, anything from there: a pen, a handkerchief, a wallet. Then she'd put it back in its place or pretend that she'd found it on the floor and return it to the owner. All of this, just for practice. 

After a couple of minutes of unsupervised bored time, Ciel walked away from his pretend family, and started to explore the party. The manor had picked up  in energy since most of the guests were here. The majority of them had had a couple drinks already so the volume of the room increased. It was far too loud. He wanted to find a quiet place to relax, but he also wanted to work. All his siblings had a part to play.  He hadn't done anything. He wandered around across the floor,  eventually ending up in front of a dart board where two businessmen stood with a small audience around them.. He downed his drink and placed the empty glass on a nearby table where there just so happened to be a couple darts left alone. The game went on for a bit and then saw that the players weren't that good, at least  compared to him and Dagger. Laughs and groans sounded throughout the crowd and then the players exchanged money. They were betting. Ciel smirked and took a risk. He took a dart, shuffled through the crowd and till he was facing the board. Few members in the audience looked at him and giggled, others were confused as to why a little kid was there with a dart in hand especially when the board was so far away. 

Ciel ignored them all and focused on his aim. He pulled back the dart and shot it at the board. Hitting the bullseye. The crowd around him went silent for a second before announcing their astonishment. In their inebriation, everything was exciting. They went up to him and gave him more darts so he could do it again. Someone even told him "I'll give you fifty dollars if you make the middle circle on command." and so he did. When Ciel went to get his money earned the man shook his hand as he gave Ciel the money and since he was a fast learner, unhooked the man's watch during the shake and then took it when he pulled away, hiding the watch in his small fist. No one batted an eye because all he saw in the boy's hand was fifty dollars.

A couple hours of dutiful hard work did call for some breaks. Doll and Thompson strayed away from thievery and danced for a bit.  Thompson twirled the girl and taught her a few moves even if it was to the beat of 80’s rock. When they got tired, they stopped and moved to one of the walls giggling and catching her breath Doll looked at her 'husband' and said "do you know where I could find a bathroom I've been holding it in for a while"

Thompson laughed "I think there's one at the end of the right hall over here. Hurry up we gotta go soon if you wanna get to your curfew" he said. 

With a nod, Doll went on her own. As she walked kept a smile on her face and made no sound or emotion when on the way to the bathroom she spotted Dagger. 

Her stomach dropped when they locked eyes for a single second just as they walked past each other. She just knew Dagger turned around and attempted to reach for her, but she continued walking forward and never looking back. It wasn't until she heard someone call Dagger over and start a conversation with him did she start speed walking. She mouthed some colorful language and then when she spotted Snake and Finny in their waiter outfits and pulled them with her into the empty hall. 

"What happened?" Finny asked when he saw her panicking.

"We gotta go. now!" She panted.

"why?"

"Dagger is here!" She tangled her hand into her hair, looking around making sure no one was around. 

The two tensed up, Snake had to set his tray on the ground His eyes went wide in realization "then that means-"

"-Sebastian is here too. That's why we gotta go!”

At Thompson's end he stood against the wall and was going to go to the hall and wait for Doll there when his fake name was called "Jamie, there is one I want you to meet." When he turned around he saw the man of the house with another person. A person Thompson wished to never see again. Thompson stiffened in fear while the man introduced his friend "this here is Sebastian Michaelis an old friend and my biggest competitor this side of the wine industry. Sebastian, this is Jamie Hemingway he's a young investor from the midwest hes help with a couple of things here and there. I like to get his name around y’know help him out"

"wine! you own a wine company I can't believe I forgot of course you'd be here" Thompson chucked. He swallowed the scream in his throat and extended his hand for a shake as it is customary. Sebastian was not too happy to see him either; he narrowed his eyes at the boy, but shook his hand, applying more pressure than was actually necessary. 

The boy felt his hand be crushed and hid the pain with a smile "Jamie. it's nice to meet you."

"Sebastian. The pleasure is all mine" he squeezed the boy's hand hard enough to make him take a breath and then let go. 

Thompson opened and closed his fist a couple of times to help the discomfort he felt in his hands and turned to the man of the house. The boy fidgeted in his place, wanting to run away. Sebastian was staring him down. He cursed himself for forgetting that Sebastian owned a wine company and that there was a chance he'd be here suddenly a roar of cheers sounded for the other side of the room and it caught their attention "what's going on there?"

"don't you know? your son is over there dominating darts"

"my son?...MY SON! oh!" he looked at Sebastian suddenly remembering who his 'son' was "that's where he is. Actually I'm so sorry my friend, I have to go. I have to go get the boy and put him to bed and our hotel is a long drive away you know how it is." Thompson excused himself 

"no worries, Jamie I appreciate you stopping by" he gave one last hug to the man of the house and gave a small head bow to Sebastian before  he ran into the sea of people.  He through the crowd and grabbed Ciel and ran. Drawing a few odd looks from the people on the way he spotted Alois and pulled him away too running into the hallway where Doll was.

"oh god I'm an idiot!" Thompson let go of the two younger boys.

"yeah!" Doll yelled.

"Okay, but could you tell me why you pulled me away from a game?" Ciel brushed himself off.

"Sebastian is here!" Doll and Thompson told him simultaneously. 

“John decided it be a good idea to introduce me to him!"

"I'm pretty sure  Dagger saw me. I don't think he recognized me, but-"

"well we gotta get out of here!" Ciel shrieked.

Thompson peered around the corner and looked for Sebastian. He found him and saw he was talking with Dagger and they walked closer to the front door. "aw shit he's looking for me" he began to sweat all his fears actually came to fruition.

"We need a distraction and then we can move to the front of the house and leave," Ciel said.

"Ok but what!”  Alois asked.

That was when Finny took a deep breath "we have to cause a distraction " the blond said, picking up his tray full of drinks and walked past Thompson to rejoin the party."i'll see you guys back home just run when you get the chance. Just say that some friends invited me to a party" Thompson tried to pull him back but Finny pulled his hand away. In shock, they all watched jaw dropped and looked out to the party. Finny walked straight to Sebastian, who was oblivious to the fact that his own son was a waiter. Finny took one final look to his squad and they were all frantically waving their hands in, calling him back, but he just smiled and walked forward. Sebastian and Dagger had their backs to him and didn't see him coming.

Finny knew the thorough scolding and grounding that awaited him, yet he walked straight and looked to the side so it looked like bumped into Sebastian by accident. The tray of drink tumbled over. Some falling on the ground and shattering others spilling over Sebastian's suit. The party went quiet and all looked to the scene.

His squad watched mouths agape Thompson had his hands resting on his head "this is our chance" Snake said, snapping them all out of their trance. They ran trying not to attract too much attention to themselves. Thompson, Doll and Ciel walking out of the front door. Snake and Alois making their way into the kitchen to walk out back.

Sebastian was a little preoccupied to notice them walking out; wiping wine and champagne off of him. Finny made the plan on his own. He was going to make himself the scapegoat. He silently prayed whilst on the ground before lifting himself up " oh sir I'm- I'm so sorry I didn't see where I was going" he babbled on then raised his head to have Sebastian look at his face. He saw Sebastian's face turn from surprise from the accident to confusion to rage.  Finny pretended to be shocked and scared,though the scared part was real. 

Then the man of the house approached "you insolent boy! clean this up at once. Sebastian, I am so sorry."

As Finny crouched back down to do what the man said, Sebastian grabbed his arm and pulled him back up "It's quite alright, John in fact I should be apologizing. This boy is my son" his gaze shifted from John back to Finny and the boy pulled the tray to cover his face.

"Your son? He's a waiter? What's he doing here?"

"It appears he's being funny. Again, I apologize, my friend. I must retire and I'll take him with me if you'll excuse me" Sebastian bowed his head and squeezed Finny's arm and roughly pulled him to the door.

 Anyone who was outside would have heard the tire screech  of Thompson's car as  the five remaining kids sped off. They changed in the car, patting themselves on the back for having the good sense to keep their clothes in  the car instead of at the warehouse. Having a leisurely costume change was no longer an option. "That was way too close!" Thompson said.

"no shit! how did you not know Sebastian owned a wine company!" Ciel threw his dress shirt over the seat.

"I did know I forgot! I didn't think he would show up!"

“His vineyard is like twenty minutes away from here!!!” 

“Ok but we drove ALL THE WAY HERE and none of you was like ‘oh yeah Sebastian and Dagger are out tonight at a party!? I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE AT FAULT HERE!”

"he saw you Tommy! Does he think we were there with uncle! what if he tells Claude!" Alois kicked the back of Thompson's seat, he was the one helping Doll out of the intricacies of her dress.

"I DON'T KNOW, AL!"

Doll was trying her best to pull up her jeans when she got a call from Dagger. The car went silent at the ring "oh fuck" she muttered. She was frozen, unsure if she should answer or not. She looked at Snake who was just as wide-eyed and at a loss as she was. The phone was ringing for too long now, Snake pulled her arm and pressed the answer button and pressed the phone to her ear before any of them could make a sound. “yo!”

"Hey, princess," Dagger said. "so, we had a pretty weird night and we're on our way back you guys back home?"

"No not yet, we're actually on the bus going  back… why?"

"No reason, hey by the way, where's Fin?"

"with a few friends he met up with some from school when we were at the skate park and they invited him to a party. We didn't want to go so we just let them. He said he'd return when we did. Why?."

"Huh, okay. quick question and this is going to sound weird, but do you own any red dresses?

"I don't even think I have dresses. why?"

"...no reason alright see you at home"

"okay bye"

She hung up and inhaled deeply, the car was silent throughout the call. They were all holding their breaths "he did see me! We gotta go! Tommy we gotta get home now"

They all left their party outfits and everything they stole in the car and Thompson dropped Snake, Ciel and Doll a couple blocks away from the hill that had their house. Then they ran as fast as they possibly could. They would have earned a passing grade in sports if they put this much effort.  They only stopped to walk when they were at the gates, seemingly calm as they walked in greeted their family. Molly welcomed them back, asked them how their day was and such , but they couldn't hide the obvious fact. "you're missing a body "

"he's with a few friends from school -" Doll was cut of by the sound of Sebastian's Bentley driving up. "...he should be here soon."

And then they ran up the stairs before the others walked him. They only caught a glimpse of Sebastian pulling Finny out of the car by his ear. Before they made it to the safety of Snake's room. 

----

After four hard strikes, Sebastian put his belt down on the table and turned back to the boy  standing by. Finny winced in pain and rubbed his arm and leg.

"you leave your siblings. Then show up at a party an hour away from here as a waiter and then you make a mess. Leaving me in a bad position because my own son is acting like some commoner" He yelled "and then I have to leave at a very bad time too!" he got at eye level with the boy "you are not to leave your siblings without my permission you understand me?"

"yessir" Finny said, softly.

"good. Now give me your phone. I'm taking it for a week along with your computer and your switch and for that week you're on lockdown. You are to come back here after school and while the others  go out you stay here!"

"Yes" the boy nodded. His game console hurt the most.

"alright go!"

Finny wasted no time in handing over his phone and dashing away. Sebastian sighed and sat with his own siblings.

Once the footsteps subsided and the boy was gone Molly frowned "Did you have to be so rough with him?". 

"Yes I did. The party wasn't around the corner. I don't care how old he is, he needs to ask first. " She only rolled her eyes

 "Aside from that.." Joker sat up straight "what happened at that party?"

"I saw Thompson Anafellows, or Canterbury, or Timber it doesn't matter it was one of Hannah's boys" he rubbed his forehead "he was using an alias I don't know why or why he was there"

"He wasn't with the other two? Claude usually sends all three of them at once?" Beast asked.

"no, he was alone. He seemed very surprised to see me. By the sound of it he wasn't expecting me to be there, but he was up to something. He had a quote-unquote son. I didn't get to see him but it was obvious he wasn't there alone. If the whole thing with Finny hadn't happened I would have investigated further"

"should we let Hannah know?" Dagger asked “if making appearances in socialite parties like that…”  and Sebastian shook his head. "It didn't seem like he was doing anything against me. like I said, he almost shit himself when he saw me. I think we can let it be for now. I will look into John’s history, I was sure  that he didn't have any connections to the underground but now i'm not entirely positive ”

What they didn't know is that Finny was still nearby and listened to the whole conversation before silently tiptoed up the staircases, Ciel and Snake were at the top looking down at him. They navigated Snake’s room around all of the serpents that slithered around. Ciel dove over as many as he could onto the bed next to Doll. She was on the phone with Thompson "Sebastian isn't going to tell Claude he saw Tommy " Finny said as he closed the door. From the other side of the line they could hear Thompson scream in victory and then Alois laugh. "I can't go out with you guys for a week I'm on lock down"

"Then we just won't go out," Doll shrugged.

"Okay but next time we do this" Ciel pulled the phone closer to him "DO YOUR RESEARCH!"

"Next time?!" Thompson replied there was a hint of reluctance in his voice  "okay next time It won’t happen again. By the way, Robin, did you take watches?"

"...yes" a smirk tugged at the boy's lips. 

"That's my boy!I'll take guys into town and we'll turn these into cash and all that"

"Alright"

" See you guys at school" with that Thompson hung up and they all went down stairs to the living area to sell the illusion of a normal night. Talked with Mey- rin and Dagger and pretended to be surprised when he they told the tale of  how they caught Finny. Doll even apologized for letting him go and promised to never do it again. Sebastian didn't fault her so she got off the hook. Which only made her feel more guilty about finding out she did get a bit special treatment. 

All things considered, their heist was a success. There was a minor slip up that could have had disastrous consequences, but thanks to a  heroic sacrifice, they got out alive. Ciel laid in bed and stared at the ceiling, a smile plastered on his face and couldn't seem to get it off. The party experience was overall fun. Sure, they panicked and he was sure he earned a white hair or two in the ride back, but the excitement of almost getting caught was thrilling. Even now hours after it all settled down his heart raced thinking back. There was definitely going to be a next time. There had to be. As he settled in trying his best to fall asleep,  his phone chimed. 

A message notifying him that Alois had added him to a group chat entitled  “Queen Victoria's  family refugees” along with Thompson, Snake and Doll. 

Thompson was the first one in chat

Tom: LOL!

Doll:  don't do my grandma like that, how dare you!!”

Alois: LMAO! I’ll add finny when he gets his phone back.

Robin: We have to think of a new name cus absolutely not. 

Snake: hi 🐍

Chapter Text

Following the excitement of the festivities,came a peaceful, quiet morning to go with the cloudless blue sky. As is expected on a saturday morning, most kids slept in. CIel was no exception; he roused to the sound of King's movements around the room and the smell of breakfast coming through his window,  Bard decided to cook breakfast on the flat top grill this morning. It would have been a perfect morning if he didn't have an annoying pulsing against his temples. The sun was far too bright and his stomach was less than agreeable. Lazily he reached his comforter and draped it over himself. He reached for his phone to check his notifications. A couple messages from Mcmillain, some from Lizzy and a couple dozen from the newly formed group chat.

There were some pictures sent of before and during the party and mostly reminiscing. Ciel was the last one to bless the morning to his friends. A couple minutes after he got a call from Alois and answered with a not so enthusiastic groan.

Alois snicked “how’s your head?”

“It hurts…how’d you know?”

“Cause you were drinking last night had a feeling it was your first time”

“Oh, is that what this is?”

“Probably, just make sure you have some meds around”

“Okay” thus ending the conversation. Though he was glad to know the root cause of his woes he wasn't happy to realize it was of his own provocation. Regardless, chores and the day had to go on and like every morning his first task was to let King out. The poor pup was anxiously waiting for his master. Whining and hopping by the bedroom door. As soon as there was a wide enough opening, King trotted out. Ciel would have followed him but as soon as he walked out he was immediately graced with music blasting from both downstairs and Molly’s room. It made his headache even more painful.  As soon as the pup left he went back inside and  hopped back into bed. It was much quieter under the covers.

It would be half past noon when he would be woken up again, by Sebastian who let himself in with a full plate of food that was due for a reheat if it was ever going to be eaten. Ciel's head still hurt but the pounding had subsided significantly. “Rise and shine, sleeping beauty” Sebastian said.

“mmmmmmm..no” Ciel  turned over and lowered his comforter  to peek at his elder.  He still didn’t want to get up. 

 Sebastian placed his lunch on the bedside table “Doll said you had a headache, how are you feeling?”

Alois must have told them.  “A little better. My stomach still hurts”

 Sebastian sat down beside him and touched the back of his hand to the boys forehead, to his relief there was no fever “That's a shame I was hoping we could go out in town, just the two of us”

“Where?”

“Wherever you want to go. Finny likes to go to the lakes, Sieglinde likes to go to aquariums or something of the sort. Whatever your interests are, I'm sure we can find something to do.”

 Hell of a moment to ask for quality time. Granted the last time he got time with his new guardian was when took a bullet to the ribs, but he didn’t want to pass on the opportunity. Slowly, the boy sat up and thought about it. His favorite pastimes were games and reading. There was a time that going to the theater was something he looked forward to, but there was no news of plays happening. There was one thing he  missed from his old life. “I liked going hunting.”

“Heh- I don’t think you being around guns is a good idea.”

“I mean, I was a pretty good shot” he pleaded a case, but Sebastian would not be swayed. 

“Well in any case we don’t have any hunting gear, the best I can do is paintball”

“Like…against you?” 

“You scared?”

“No! I just don’t think it’ll be fair!” He finally managed to get himself out on the covers and got on his knees and pulled on Sebastian's sleeve “come on I’m fine now can’t we go to like a shooting range? I’ll put on the ear muffs too so it’s not too loud” 

“No, you haven’t even held a gun since the break in you don’t know how you’ll react” 

“But you’ll be there with me, right? if something does happen you can get me out and then we’ll go paintballing”  he was practically jumping on the bed. It would  be in spite of himself but if he had to do puppy dog eyes to get Sebastian to agree then he’d absolutely stoop that low.  

Sebastian huffed, reluctantly he agreed but it wouldn’t be until tomorrow. Ciel smiled and laid back down on the bed, refusing to get up once more. “Thank you!” 

“Mmh,but you better eat something,” 

He spent the rest of his day laying on his bed, picking at his lunch while he watched  a couple movies. Even Finny and  Snake joined  to watch with him. And he shared all the messages and photos with the punished one. In the evening,  his illness ‘miraculously’ went away and he was able to join the table for dinner, he could hardly stand to wait for the next morning. 

So excited he was that he was amongst the first ones to be up and about.  Blue and purple shifted to pink and reds as the sun started peeking over far mountains in the horizon. Ciel was just waiting to hear a single door open before he hopped out of bed. He got himself dressed and even cleaned his room just in case his mess was a means to cancel or delay the outing. He was just itching to be able to hold a gun again and see his aim held up  against an underworld boss. 

Waking up before the sun turned out to be not the best idea, He wasn’t entirely sure when it happened but a little after breakfast and before the YouTube video he started watching ended, he dozed off into a blissful sleep, right there on the living room couch. He blinked realizing it was much brighter than when he was last conscious and leaped to his feet. Seiglinde and Mey- rin were the only ones around. So he promptly went looking for his guardian only to find him in his office.He stood at the door wiping the last bit of his nap away. He said nothing he didn't need to, the antsy bounces he did was more than enough to get the message across, he was ready to go. With an amused smile, Sebastian cleared his things and got up to grab his coat. 

The weather was agreeable enough. There was a cool breeze to fight out the remaining hot rays of the summer sun. Ciel wasn't particularly fond of autumn; the days started off cold and boiled in the afternoon. The coat that was without question in the morning would  soon lose its use and he'd end up carrying it around for the rest of the day, but today was cool enough. 

Sebastian took them to a housed range, instead of a free field. It wasn't like he was disappointed, but he was used to fields and trees when he went hunting. As he was ushered inside he saw that it was mostly empty, only one other person behind the soundproof glass. Ciel looked over at the man, his stance and how hypervigilant he was with the firearm in his hand. All while Sebastian got paperwork ready which took longer than he wanted, but finally after much signing and a couple of safety courses, he was finally standing in front of the barrier in a lane. Sebastian put the safety headset on his neck. 

Though he was familiar with some guns, Sebastian  painstaking explained the different parts of the handgun. Ciel held the gun as Sebastian cautiously retreated. The tool was heavier than the one he held the night of the break in.  He lifted it up and involuntarily his hand started to shake. He steadied himself and took a deep breath before pulling the trigger. 

Nothing happened. He heard a low chuckle from behind him “the safety is on”

Ciel scowled and looked over the gun to flip the switch, muttering several curses as he felt his ears heat up. “And you also forgot to cover your ears” Sebastian properly placed the ear muffs over his head. A few more curses. 

Again he raised his hand with the gun pointed at the target and shot. Even with the cover the sound was loud and echoed through the lane. The kick back was a lot stronger than thought, for a moment he was worried that one of the shots would have him letting go. He spread his stance trying to find a better way to cement himself. He aimed with one eye close and shot again. 

Sebastian came up behind him and straightened his posture, neck position, arms. With a less playful attitude. “Both eyes open, Ciel” “arms straight” “bend your knees a little”  he ordered after every shot until the magazine was finished. With every passing bullet Ciel’s heart raced, he could see the target sheet fly as it was hit. Once the gun clicked empty the target sheet was pulled forward. Ciel frowned at his results; there was a couple on the paper but not on the target. There was one whole inside the outer circle, but not much to be impressed with.

“Not bad,” Sebastian said, nodding. A pitiful display at trying to find something nice to say  “there's room for improvement but a good start”

“Please do not hurt yourself trying to compliment me” he reloaded the gun and left it on the counter, resetting everything for Sebastian’s turn. 

“I’m only joking” he gave Ciel his target sheet “ Last time you shot something You were pumped full of adrenaline with a much larger and much closer target. This is new.” he took his stance and the gun. It was much more relaxed yet effortlessly more confident. He shot the first few shots with a single hand, but then remembered he was being watched, so he switched to a more ‘proper stance’. Most of his shots were well within the bullseye.

After a few more rounds, Ciel still was far from satisfied with his results, his last sheet had about three holes within the outer circle and he was willing to take whatever win he had. After departing from the range they stopped by a fast food place to have their own dinner instead at the house. He looked at the window. The last time he had gone out on his own with Sebastian was after he came home almost half a year ago and that didn't end too well. He smiled and  looked at his elder “should we wager on which one of us will get shot at this time?”

Sebastian stifled a laugh, to not reward Ciel’s morbid joke “I will make no such wager. Besides, you weren't the target last time you're not even in the running”

Ciel chuckled. After another moment of silence, Sebastian asked him how school was, there wasn't anything to hide, but there was nothing of particular interest, he got high marks on his latest tests, but  not much of note. He wished to tell him about his new friends group, though he knew Sebastian was the last person who should find out. Still, wanted to share his excitement with his…father. Oh right, Sebastian was only his father on paper. His actual dad was no longer here.

He shook off the uncomforting thoughts of his past away as they crept up on him and decided to keep the conversation going. He mentioned his friends, Mcmillain and Joanne were the most notable but of course there were others, but he wasn't sure how he should talk about them. “Um so…James Macken”

“Is he bothering you again?”

“No- no It’s just I was wondering, would you be angry if…I were to be friends with him?” He chose his words carefully.

Sebastian leaned back, he thought about his answer looking elsewhere until he was ready to give his response. Ciel anxiously watched the man drum his fingertips on the table  “I have no reason to be angry” For half a second the boys heart fluttered with excitement, until Sebastian continued “However, I do have reason to be concerned. I have no Ill will towards him, but he is still trained.”

“What if he had no choice to be as such” he asked.

“I care very little. I am well aware of his circumstances. Still, should he be ordered to hurt one of you, he’ll do so even if he didn't want to.”

 “So I can’t hang out with him?”

“No”

“But what about Sieglinde and Luka. They are friends ”

“I'm sure i’ll have to cut those ties eventually, Claude will no doubt lead Luka down the same path he did with his older brother”

Ciel tightened his jaw, a slight sadness at being forbidden from being with his friends. At least publicly. Yet another thing he wished to share, but had to hide beneath the bed. He nodded and took a bite of his fry. 

“Ciel, have you been hanging out with him?” 

He shook his head “he is just always around when I talk to Lizzy. He’s been cool so far” 

Sebastian noticed the significant drop in mood and sighed “I wish things were different.” he tried to sound as sympathetic as possible. “If his mother were still alive, maybe they would’ve been, but as things stand now I am not willing to take any chances.” 

It was to be expected. 

With one on lockdown they refused to go out in solidarity. School, home, eating homework, sleep all a mundane routine that proved to be more difficult than expected. Doll burned to  go back to the warehouse, Ciel wanted another heist. For now the group chats provided some solace in their time apart. 

Halfway through the school week and and only days away from freedom, Students shuffled into their classes, some ran across the campus, some were still tucking away at their lockers. Ciel had world history as his first block, a relatively interesting subject enough to keep his attention so the hour didn’t feel so dragged on. He opened his binder and got himself settled as the morning announcements blared through the speaker. Greetings as usual, some encouraging limerick about some scholar, it was all normal until “and student authorities have been in search of vice principal Agares. He is currently considered missing and they are in need of any information as to his whereabouts. We encourage you to contact local authorities if you know or have seen anything.”

His class of freshmen erupted into murmurs and conversations with their peers. When was the last time he saw the vice principal? Probably when school started. The teacher quieted them down to hear the rest of the day's announcement though it was overshadowed by the concerning news. He felt his phone vibrate in his pants. Discreetly,  he took it out and hid it under the cover of his text book. 

Tom: He's dead. 

Alois: 100% he’s dead. 

Doll : don’t say that maybe he’s actually just missing?

Alois: nah he probably pissed someone off, he used to hang around the mob kids

Ciel furrowed his eyebrows and wanted to press further but his sneak tactics proved to be worthless “Robin, you with us, buddy? Or do I need to take your phone?” His teacher called out to him. He snapped his gaze back to the board swiftly dropping his phone back into his bag. “Sorry, mister”

‘You’d be surprised how many kids linked to the mob go here.’ A phrase that would  periodically pop into his mind as it wandered off in class. Weston was by all accounts normal. The friends he’d made were ordinary, the upperclassman were acolytes to the rules and made sure everyone followed accordingly. It was not grounds to be linked to any mafia.  Granted he had nothing to compare it to since up until that point he only had private tutors, but nothing out of sorts happened on the outside. He still hadn’t met any other syndicate kid besides the triples and the Macken's and he was starting to wonder if he ever would. 

He went on with his classes until his free period which was spent with Alois. They liked to sit on the bleachers overlooking the field and the student body from up high. As he corrected Alois’  homework Ciel brought up what the Doll once said to him. 

“Yep, that's why the security is tight but there's no cameras. Some of the staff are affiliated” Alois laid back.

“Like who?”

“Uhh, The senior  year  AP  history teacher, Ms. Sacha is one, Tommy’s English teacher William Spears and the office lady Ms. Sutcliff  are actually part of the same group. They are called The reapers. They are like a clean up crew. Alot of gangs and mobs will call them when they need to get rid of a body or ‘clean’ a scene. They also know which kid belongs to what group it’s best not to mess with them”

“And the headmaster hires them?”

“well, Theres is a rumor that the headmaster is affiliated as well the school makes a fortune by enrolling mob kids and that they prefer to have mob kids than just random rich kids”

“So its pay to win, essentially ”

“Those that paid to win usually drop out within the year. It's easy to tell which kids have parents that paid for them to bypass the entrance exam. They usually get put into the wrong house and their schedule isn't catered to them. you took an entrance exam didn't you?”

“Yeah, but Sebastian said he had to pull strings to get it”

“That just means he asked one of the reapers to put you on the list to take the test, but you still had to study for it. You got in by your own merit. That's the difference between the rich and the mob. The rich will throw a couple thousand dollars at the school to bypass their kid, only for them to fail. The mob will not only pay in full but most give a pretty penny in donations. Take my family  Claude pays fifteen thousand for tuition per kid per year, that is about seventy five k plus a five thousand dollar donation just because this is the institution that educates us. Total sum of one hundred thousand that Claude gives the school every year”

“Jeez”

“Yeah and my uncle is kinda stingy. Your new daddy is known to be one of the school top donators”

“Do you know how much?”

“Nope, but it's a LOT  more than my uncle gives. More mobsters more money, in turn mobster become alumni and bring their kids, cycle continues…” 

“Are you friends with some of the other mob kids?”

“Oh no. A lot of us know each other but try to keep away from each other. Rival groups and shit y'know. We keep to ourselves and try not to ruin each others businesses.”

“Hard to imagine. Everyone here is always so…square.

“Well yeah we can’t exactly be open about it” Alois smiled then turned to the field. “See that the one on the field” he pointed to a boy in a redhouse uniform “that’s Derrick arden. He's what they call a savant; he excelled at things in his house and every other. He's captain of the debate team, has starred as a lead in a school play, won a scholastic decathlon, and was named mvp on the varsity team. Model student. Handsome too, right?”

“Yeah, sure” 

“He's a total prick! but that’s besides the point  he runs a high stakes poker ring here and you know who was also apart of that ring, freaking Agares” Ciel eyes widened, Alois continued “that’s why me and Tommy thinks he’s dead” 

“Y-you think Arden killed him?!” 

 “he is MY prime suspect. Then again Agares liked to hang around syndicate kids. He was in the poker games, he was in my bets, and bought alcohol for a lot of us. He really wanted to get into life though us, but he really want a part of anything you know what I’m saying?  My guess is that he got in way too deep and got himself hurt” 

“I mean, he’s still considered missing”

“That’s because they haven't found any evidence of anything! him leaving? his dying?  say it was someone with enough money or with connections like me or Arden, all they have to do is call a reaper and I guarantee they aren't finding shit. Period. I give till the end of the year. If they don't find anything. He’s dead. He will fade away without any of the shady shit coming to light and Derrick Arden, whether he did it or not, will continue to be seen as a model student. A square as you might call it. The mob thrives while hidden in plain sight”

“You talk about it like it’s normal! Like it excites you.” He side eyed him, Alois frowned.

“It is normal for me, besides you can’t act so disgusted you when your siblings  enjoy criminal life a lot more than you like to admit”

“Wh-“ Roses bloomed on Ciel’s cheeks and shut his mouth, so it was noticeable. Without a suitable excuse or defense Ciel huffed and watched over the fields. Students laughed as they mingled or practiced their sport of choice. Most oblivious to the dangers that hid in the shadows of the looming Weston building, which now seemed darker than when he first enrolled. 

 The rest of Finny’s incarceration passed slowly and Ciel began to wonder how exactly he spent five months confined to the walls of his home without the need to go out. The day after release date (they waited a day to not seem impatient) they dashed out of the house to meet up with Thompson who was already waiting for them by the school parking lot. 

“Al’s not coming?” Doll asked when the car started moving.

“He said he might meet us at the warehouse later, he's dealing with something at the moment.” Tommy replied.

Ciel tried to stop himself from pouting. Before making their way to the warehouse they passed a pawn shop that only Thompson was familiar with. It was hidden enough and had nothing special to its outside. They wore hoods, Ciel and Snake opted to wear face masks. The shop looked more like a thrift shop than a pawn shop with vintage and new trinkets hanging from the ceilings. Virtually every inch of the shop was covered anything and  everything from old furniture to baskets filled with baseball bats. Glass cases containing an ensemble of cameras, shoes, and comics on display.  There was only a narrow pathway from the door to the front desk. Where a hardy older gentleman sat.  Grey beard to match his tied up hair. A scared up hand held up a cigar as he read his magazine.  The smoke engulfed him like morning fog. Ciel was rather grateful he chose to wear a mask. When the clerk looked up his sullen stare quickly switched to a joyful welcoming smile “Tommy!” He greeted them in a soft tone. “Been a minute! I thought I finally got caught! Nearly started to look for your name in the papers” 

“If I did you would have been my phone call” Thompson smiled back “I just I had things to do y'know” 

“Hmm as always. You got a little crew going on now?” he eyed them.

“They helped me out during the last party Doll, Fin, Snake and the little one, Robin even took some treasures of his own.”  He turned to them “this guy is Gill, whatever I take from parties he takes, breaks apart, buys or sells.”

 Gill had a soft smile looking at the rest of the kids, but looked a Thompson cautiously, as if he wanted to scold him, but couldnt “Ay- you're a bad influence, Tom.” 

“They wanted to come!” Thompson raised his hands defensively. 

“yeah-right okay well lets see what youve got then?”

Thompson brought out a drawstring pouch with everything they stole, all in all it  was about seven watches, two necklaces, a few pairs of earrings, a gold pen but Thompson pulled that back opting to keep it for himself and a couple of designer leather wallets. Gil brought out his box of tools. A loupe to inspect the authenticity of the diamonds. He checked the density of anything gold.  Doll stood by Thompson blatantly wrapping her arms around his head as she leaned against his back. Snake and Finny became intrigued by the shop's plethora of merchandise.  Ciel rested his arms and chin on the glass counter he watched closely at what Gill was doing. Gill took notice. “Which one did you swipe, bub?” 

 Ciel eyes widened in excitement  He pointed to steel digital watch. Gill held it up to the light “ahhh” he looked it over “hate to break it to you, but this is a regular old Casio. Most they are worth is a  hundred bones if you’re lucky” he handed it to the boy. Ciel shoulders slumped as he took it, disappointed “I can give you thirty for it, unless you want to keep if as a sort souvenir to remember your first heist” 

He glared at Thompson when he heard him chuckle. He looked it over. It simplicity gave it a tame vintage look, he draped it over his wrist. The straps would have to be adjusted, which Gill gladly did. “hey win some lose some. A Lot of commonwealths go to socialite parties for bragging rights ” Thompson gave him a pat of encouragement. Ciel kept the watch. 

As Gill continued to look over the pieces and calculate the prices, Thompson made conversation. “How’s your second location coming along?”

“Nah- I decided not to. The west is a mess! the hooligans keep growing in numbers every day is a shit show, cops can’t keep i’d be paying more loss prevention and repairs more than anything”

“Damn. why not pay the protection fees?”

Gill scoffed “some protection. Put aside that the bastards are charging twice as much as the watchdog did and  you'll still get robbed anyway. Its just not worth it” 

“The protection fees are still active in the west?” Ciel asked, shocked. Although he couldn't see them directly he knew that even his siblings has to look at  them. 

Both men looked at him, Gill suddenly felt uncomfortable to turn the conversation to him  he looked at Thompson and he gave him the go  ahead “They are mob kids they understand”

“Well… the last man who ran the protection fees, passed away in his absence, new gangs started rising up. The west used to be a single territory and it still technically is, its just broken apart into smaller groups.” 

Ciel was at a loss for words, he had to hide his distress “oh…I have a friend from the west. I didn’t know all that was going on” he lied and kept to himself as Gill and Thompson continued their conversation that casually drifted into the next topic. His father’s territory was taken over already. He didn't even get a chance to stake his claim. He walked back to join Finny who put his arm around him, trying to give him comfort without drawing too much attention or concern. Ciel leaned his head against his older brother. 

“Alright Tommy, you want me to save it or give it cash?” 

“This was a team effort. I gotta split it with them.”

“Cash it is”

Gill charged a thirteen percent sevince fee and they were left with the hefty some of twenty two thousand dollars and some change that was going to be split between the six mostly thanks to a  single diamond drop earring. Soon they were on their merry way. In the car they each got their cut and even though they were by all standards considered wealthy most of them had never held wads of thousands of dollars in their hands. “It was not the best run i've had but something is something” 

“You know we cannot take this back home?” Finny  said. They were all in agreement.

 Ciel leaned over the car's center console “Can we keep it at the warehouse? You won't steal it right?”

“Of course just choose a hiding spot over there I won’t touch it” Thompson replied.

I’m the mellow moments of the afternoon when they resided in their new found hangout spot. Snake and Ciel sat on the floor finishing their homework.  The only ones who didnt wait till the last minute to finish their assignments. Their background music provided by the light strumming of guitar strings that echoed through the mostly empty chamber. Thompson sat on the couch with a guitar playing a loop of various songs he knew. At a corner Finny and Doll attempted to land tricks on their skateboards. Ciel would have joined if he hadn't already seen them take half a dozen falls that even left Finny stranded on the cold floor for a couple seconds. He was content with just watching them until Doll landed a single ollie. 

The door rattled,  Doll gasped and Ciel stood up quickly when Alois stumbled in, It looked like he had just gotten out of a lost battle. His eye was swollen and bruised, the boy held a wad of napkins to his nose to stop the bleeding.  Alois scowled. “You didn’t tell me they’d still be here!”

Thompson signed and reclined back on the couch “I told you we were going to Gill’s today” as if he wasn't phased to see his kin in such a state. Ciel's eyes widened, he had fought Alois and had heard enough about his skills so, to  see him disheveled and battered was jarring. Alois stormed in straight to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of beer. He slammed the door shut. Doll looked at Thompson “dude your cousin just came in jacked up and you're just gonna sit there?”

“He’s fine” the boy brushed her off. Doll was taken aback. Sure she knew that his household were run differently, but the indifference something else, not even a second glance when one of their own come by bleeding “This isnt the first time he’s come here looking like that and I doubt it will be the last.”

With an irritated groan Doll  took the initiative to look over Alois's wounds, they didn't require any serious attention. It was mostly bruises and scratches but still she took the time to run up to the loft and get the cardboard box full of first aid supplies that was kept around. She cleaned the scrapes against Alois’ constant movement and  kept her grip tight enough to clean and bandage the knuckles. 

With a pout, Alois mumbled a simple “thank you” 

While he watched, Ciel couldn’t explain why of all things he felt anger, more than concern a lot more than confusion. He was livid. He swallowed every reprimand he wanted to yell. “Who did it?” 

“None of your business…” Alois finished his first bottle and went for another, but Finny was quick to snatch the bottle away.  Alois had just enough fight to try and reach for the bottle again but gave in immediately when Finny pull it out of reach.

Ciel was more and than aware of the spider’s abilities and he was certain that no one, not even an upperclassman would be able to land a punch on them let alone leave them like this. So this couldnt be the work of another student. And there hadnt been any news of him being sent out on any kind of mission. “How stupid could you be to let yourself  get beat up like that?”

“I could still kick the shit out of you!”

“Yes I know! That's why I want to know who bested you?! Now I feel even more shitty cause I  can get beat up by someone you got there ass handed to them so well”

Thompson chuckled to himself , which Doll hit him upside the head for. He calmed down and rubbed where he had been hit  “I thought we agreed not to talk about the happening of our houses?” 

Ciels eyebrows furrowed together he looked at alois. “Claude did this? Why?!”

“I picked a fight” Alois shrugged. 

“That's no reason! Ive picked plenty of fights with all my uncles theyve never left me looking like that” Doll screamed.

“Well…fuck me I guess?” Alois walked away and plopped down on the couch next to his cousin. “Claude took Luka to a shooting range, to get him familiarized already”

Snake sat up “well maybe… it was bonding?”

How cute. Alois actually smiled at the innocent comment, more than anything he wished it actually applied to him. “That's just not how my family works. Claude is about to start Luka’s training to be the next footsoldier.” 

A shiver ran down Ciel’s spine, Sebastian was right. Though he didn’t expect it to be so soon.

“Luka…is six” Finny stated as if it meant anything.

“Around the same age we all started our training…but I plan on taking him away. All the money I earn from the bets at school is for us to leave town”

There was a wave of confusion. The Crows nest fell speechless, unsure of whether or not it was all a joke or not. Thompson didn’t react at all, Ciel took that as a sign that he was well aware of the plan. Doll lightly slapped Alois’ shoulder “come on man, what are you saying?” 

“What you heard, I’m running away with Luka” 

Finny rested on his forearms between the two spiders “where are you planning to go?” 

“I don’t know yet…Oregon, Arizona maybe cross country, just as long as I get far away from Claude” 

“You know that means deserting your family, right” Ciel marched in front of his friend “you’re heir, you have immense power over Claude and you can’t use it to keep your brother safe”

“Man, fuck my pow- that doesn’t mean shit. All my ‘power’ will come one I become head of family, and that won’t happen until Claude croaks! Luka would already have heads under his belt. And that’s if his inst under someone else’s” 

 “You can’t  be this stupid, if you get caught-”” 

“I won’t, because on the last day of school, Jim Macken will die. Body mangled or burned or broken beyond recognition and in the chaos, Alois Trancy will take Luka away, why do you think I built the fucking alias”

Ciel eyes widened,  His siblings just as shocked. 

“We’ve been coming up with this plan for a minute” Thompson said. 

“Are you going too?” Snake asked.

“No, I have to stay here for intel purposes and for my mother, but I’ve also been saving a bit of my money for him” 

“This is nuts” Doll walked off to the fridge. 

Alois had taken his eyes off Ciel either hoping for a bit of understanding, something besides the judgment. “What would you do  if it were Seiglinde”

Although it was a cheap shot, It was hard to deny that he wouldn’t do anything to protect his sister, he almost died doing just that.  His expression softened. And looked down a the floor, mind racing through countless possibilities and outcomes. He made a mental list of everything that would be needed  to survive on one’s own. Basic needs like housing food, paperwork. Mature as they might act at parties, they were still minors. There would be a road block at every step. Ciel began pacing mechanically started pacing. He chewed on his thumbnail. This was a near impossible feat unless they were ready for anything. “How much money do you have saved up?” 

“Not enough” Alois swallowed the lump in his throat. 

Ciel nodded “you can have my share of the money” 

“Mm?”

“We continue going to parties, we split it, I give you my share. I don’t need it and if its going to help you leave with Luka. You can have it”

“I don’t want your pity money” 

“It’s not pity, it’s insurance. You go ahead a get yourself killed if you like but you can’t drag Luka down with you. If you’re actually doing this, it can’t fail…beside I might ask for your help at some point you never know”

Snake perked up and sheepishly raised his hand “I don’t need mine either if you want it” 

“Mine too” said Finny “we get an allowance already”

“If I start taking you all to parties, then whatever you guys take we can save everything to raise Luka elsewhere” Thompson spoke 

“For starters, we need more parties to go to”  he looked at Thompson, leaned back, easily the calmest of the bunch. 

“Ive got one invitation,  if push comes to shove, we can always sneak into some” 

The  next party was on a school night, giving Doll, Finny, Snake and Ciel an earlier curfew but they didn't have to stay the whole night. Thompson gave Ciel the invitation, offering to do more research on it. To avoid a repeat of the last slip up. He took it to the only person in his circle that might be able to help, Lizzy. He had no doubt on his own tech abilities, but as long as he knew her, she was always the one who dug deeper than the top screen, her phones were always jailbroken and fixed to her liking, same with her video games. She claimed it was because of the water tight security systems in her home. While her family was shrouded in mystery to the public,  privacy was nonexistent within the immediate family. Cameras and tracking around the home made it impossible for her to move without her mother knowing. But secrecy was necessary especially when you're friends with those affiliated. 

For her own sanity and for the security of her friendships , she learned her way around technology. 

Ciel met up with her in the library, she wrote away at her notebook copying down paragraphs from her science book. “Hey, do you still know how to hack into stuff?”

“Oh god what did Alois do now?” she looked up at him, a clear tiredness on her features. It amused Ciel, he wondered what events warnented that reaction. 

“Nothing!  I just need to  find out everything I can about this party"

Instandly her eyes widened, she glowed with excitement, he almost wagered they would get a volume warning “ a party? Can I come!?” she whisper- screamed. “Can I come?

 He motioned her to calm down “ sh! no you can’t come” 

“WHY!?”

“Do your little teck thing and ill tell you but you can't tell anybody” 

“Okay but can you give me something to go off of” she said, Ciel gave her the letter and as she opened her laptop to look up the name of the host, the boy told her about their expedition and everything that happened at the first party, the night she called. She seemed pleased to know him and Alois were hanging out but after all the talk and the minor heart attack they got she wasn't too keen on going anymore  “You should totally send me pictures of the costumes, do you have a deadline?”

"Next Tuesday; the morning of the party"

“Okay I’m sure I can get it done before then” she nodded, her eyes locked on the screen. He looked over her shoulder, to a page of a party planner's website, that she got from a simple watermark on the invitation. Given that they were on school grounds, Weston's internet access was restrictive. Only a handful of websites were allowed access through its Wifi, but Lizzy’s computer didn’t seem to have that problem. He left her to her task.

What he thought would take a couple days at the very least, took mere hours. Ciel got a couple of emails showing the guests list amongst other information about the party. Thompson and Ciel briefly looked it over and made a copy so they would each have a list. Elizabeth made sure to have names of guests each with a picture, description of their business and possible ties to Sebastian’s wine company. A thorough report even down to the names caterers and entertainment. She could have been the party’s planner for all they knew. 

They checked every name and every picture to make sure they didn’t recognized anyone. It was a job for most of them. Thompson had to check if there was anyone he knew from other parties. With their different position in the family they all had different perspectives;  different people they knew. Alois as the Spiders' heir, Finny and Doll as the eldest children of Sebastian and Joker respectively and Ciel as The watchdog’s only son. Just because one of them was unfamiliar with a face did not mean the others were as well. 

Once the list was checked twice, the day of the party arrived, this time Ciel and Doll dressed up as waiters and staff along with snake and Alois while Finny went in as Thompson's guest or in this particular act, his cousin.  Thompson taught Finny some sleight of hand tricks and the staff had their sneaky fingers into purses and pockets and even the food they were supposed to be serving. 

No one batted an eye and before the party reached its peak the kids were already out and driving back, holding hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars in gold, bills, jewelry and watches. The night went on without a single complication.

With a little more than an hour before they had to return home they stayed at the hideout. The stolen goods on the pool table and the six were sitting around the couch playing a round of poker betting nothing quarters and small bills. There was a couple boxes of finished pizza lying around, and they had abandoned the formal attire. Thompson blasted music through a portable speaker and not a single word was spoken. That single hour of laziness became the highlight of the night. They were supposed to be slaughtering each other, but the only slaughter that happened that night was when Thompson showed his hand revealing a full house, winning the pot of about 7 dollars. 

From then on parties became a part of  their routine. Thompson would get invited or get access to parties, but now Lizzy  would look into said parties. What kind of party was it,  who was most likely to attend,  and how dangerous it was and how not to get caught. One  night Ciel was going to suggest that she teach him her skill so that she could stop helping them. She pulled out a list of parties that were happening in the area and farther. He stood mouth agape and when he offered to take her job, she shook her head and pushed her research further into his hand. “This is fun for me” was her only excuse. The same criminal blood ran through her veins. An instinctive  inclination to the unlawful. So the next time they came back, Ciel and Alois brought her a souvenir. Gold bracelets and diamond earrings.

In every hiest  Ciel was the one that thought of an endless supply of back up plans and facades; stories and white lies that would get them off the hook should something go wrong. 

He came up with stories for each “character". They were all kids and sometimes, make up was not enough to fool others; they just had to pick a lie.

“This is my aunties catering business, I help out every once in a while”

“Oh this counts as my community service credits for school”

“Thanks I just have a baby face I guess”

To think, they were once  at each other's throats when school started. Now Ciel sat beside Thompson and Finny talking aimlessly about video games as they played Diddy Kong Racing on a Nintendo 64 they acquired at one of the pawn shops they visited. Behind them was Snake on the couch unmoving  as he was being sandwiched by Alois and Doll using him as a pillow. Doll resting her head on his shoulder, Alois on his lap. If he was in any way uncomfortable, he didn’t show it as he draped his arm protectively over Alois’ body, making sure he didn't fall. 

Chapter Text

Days turned to weeks in the blink of an eye.  The  arrival of autumn came with an abundance of pleasantries. A new school quarter, a new sports season,  the anticipation for the end of year holidays, and for The Crow’s nest,  a new freedom was bestowed upon them. By virtue of an exemplary batch of  report cards, they no longer needed the accompaniment of each other to leave the house. Tensions between the rival families had subsided dramatically, enough to allow such privileges. 

Little did they need it, they would all eventually end up in the same place. 

To go with the harvest season, it also happened to be on the cusp of Seiglinde’s birthday. or rather, her chosen birthday. Since she was adopted, they had little to no information on her and so one was chosen. There was a celebration planned for the girl and it had already made its way into the conversations most of the south. The party had been in preparation for weeks. The venue had been rented out months in advance. Everything seemed ready except…Ciel was the only one who had yet to get a gift. All of his family had already bought and strategically hid their gifts all around the home. He procrastinated and was quickly running out of time. 

Thankfully, Like an angel sent from the heavens to spare him,  Alois mentioned that Luka also wanted to buy a gift for Sieglinde  and offered to take him to the mall. They made plans to go shopping after the final bell with Lizzy as their chaperone. It was a moderate walk from the Weston campus, and with most of his siblings at their own extracurriculars he managed to convince Joker to let him go with his cousin. Jim Macken was never mentioned.

 He didn’t need to be.

Elizabeth was excited to finally hang out with the two of them outside of school. Between their excursions and the restrictions,  they rarely could spare a moment for the three of them (four including Luka) “so has Tommy asked out Doll yet?” She asked. 

“Yes! finally! I had to hear his simping for a month!” Alois blurted out.

Elizabeth laughed “I think it’s cute! A forbidden romance, forced to keep quiet” 

“I think it’s dumb, but Doll’s happy so I guess It’s fine” Ciel said. It was yet another secret that they had to keep and make up lies for. 

She huffed and turned to the youngest “what do you wanna get Seiglinde, Luka?”

“A dress or-or Pokémon cards!” Luka beamed. “She keeps taking my Eevees” 

The mall was buzzing with students from different schools gathered to their after class hangouts. They hopped from store to store, even going into those that had nothing to do with their main mission. Somehow they found themselves holding an assembly of snacks ranging from pretzel bites to cups of ice cream. It wasn’t until Luka started getting impatient, did they finally wander to a dress shop. Ciel still hadn’t bought a gift. 

 Luka went straight to the dresses and Lizzy went for the shoes. She picked up a pair of pink and white slippers with low heels and showed them to her boys "look these are adorable!" She squeaked.

"Shoes?" Alois questioned.

"My sister can't walk she's in wheelchair" 

"Yes isn’t That's kinda insensitive" 

Elizabeth glared at them "she can still look cute in them, you ignorant French fries!" 

The youngest was on a mission scouting through all the racks of shirts, skirts and dresses. None of them particularly impressed Luka, nor the rest of them. From a few racks away Ciel noticed that Alois wasn’t just looking at girls' clothes, but boys as well. Drawing various pieces and holding it closer to his little brother's back  to see it was the right size. Elizabeth stood next to him, she also kept an eye on Alois, “get a bigger size or he’ll grow out of it” she said, and Alois nodded. 

Maybe he should start looking for supplies for the move as well. A moment later Lizzy turned to him. “So… you’ve been okay?”

He raised an eyebrow "Yeah why wouldn't I be?" 

"Well, it’s almost been a year…“ she paused.” I’m just making sure you're not having a hard time" She didn’t look at him, she just mindlessly shifted through the clothes. So was he, he wasn’t even sure if he was actually looking at any of the pieces. 

"I'm fine, Lizzy.“ he said, coldly.

"I haven’t set foot back in the west, mom said it’s too dangerous now.” She got no response. Just the shriek of the metal hanger slammed against another. “You know you should visit us at the house.” 

“I can’t” 

“It would do you good to be with us during the anniversary. I mean, I know you have your new family, but you have us too. I can only gaslight Edward so much-” 

“-The anniversary” he scoffed “you know, It’s also my fucking birthday did you forget that?” 

“No of course not, but- “ she stammered, panicked that she picked the wrong choice of words.

"But what? I said I'm okay! Do you need me to say it in French or latin or something I'm fucking fine" he raised his voice.

 Lizzy instantly reached for his sleeve "hey, calm down I'm just worried about you"

 He pursed his lips "I don't need you to worry about me!”

“We got one!!” Luka ran up to Ciel to show him his dress of choice. A long sleeve dark green dress, with ribbon and lace adornments. Ciel took a breath and gave the boy a weak smile and a nod of approval. 

“It's really cute, Luka” Lizzy said with a smile.

"Did something happen?" Alois asked, he was more concerned with the tension between the two.

"Nope" Ciel spat and pulled away from Lizzy "let's go pay I still need to find something." he ignored the look Lizzy and Alois gave to each other and they made their way to the checkout line, Luka was none the wiser as he skipped around them excitedly since his mission was complete. 

From clothing stores to games stores(in which Ciel and Alois got hopelessly sidetracked again) they continued their trip at the bookstore. Ciel was excited as soon as  he entered, getting hit with his own stroke of genius. He ran to the metaphysical and medicinal sections. 

All the while Alois took it upon himself to lighten the mood after it was mysteriously dropped. Without fail,  he’d shove his phone screen into their faces every five minutes to show them various videos and images he found funny. It started with scoffs then giggles and not long after did he earn an actual laugh from Ciel.

There was a choice book in his hands, one on old wives tales and healing practices that predated modern practices. Alois looked over his shoulder “she’s in kindergarten I can’t even read th-how do you pronounce that?” 

Ciel smiled “I don’t know. She's into medicine stuff and fantasy. Everyone else already bought her the kids science shit”

“You know there’s an entire kids section with fantasy books” Lizzy pointed to the brightly decorated area of the store. 

“But that might be too easy for her.” Ciel brushed him off.

“who cares they are still more entertaining than that!” Alois stared at Ciel annoyed face “get your little sister ’captain underpants’ before I hit you ” 

“No!” Ciel  paused “we are a ”magic tree house” household thank you very much”

Alois snorted. 

It was then that Ciel got a text from Molly letting him know that she was on her way to pick him up. It was time to return home. To avoid suspicion the kids parted ways. Alois and Luka went outside to wait for their Uber ride. While Ciel and Lizzy stayed behind to pay. Though it seemed like everything was alright, Ciel grew weary that Lizzy would try to bring up another conversation about his past. She didn’t, much to his surprise. But it wasn't enough to quell his anxiety. The elephant in the room wasn’t being ignored, it was glaring at him. Poking at the back of his head with daggers. 

Outside the mall they could see Molly walking up to them. “Hey, you must be Lizzy?”

“Yes, Miss Molly. Thank you for the ride” she said politely.

“No problem. You guys can go in the car, Sebastian’s still in there I just need to pick up an order real quick” Molly pointed to the car and made her way inside. 

No suspicion, even though Alois was meters away. Ciel hopped into the car and Lizzy followed suit. Technically this was the first time Lizzy and Sebastian met so she put on a bright smile and polite voice and introduced herself. Even made small talk with him that eventually led to a full conversation. Ciel  was too preoccupied with watching over his friend. Luka was making a fuss, he was visibly upset and Alois pulled him close and whispered something in his ear, which seemed to calm the tantrum down, but didn’t stop Luka from scrunching up his face to make sure the world knew his woes. 

 Molly came back out with her order then Luka called  to her. She hadn't noticed him (or James) before, she halted and knelt down as Luka ran to her. Instinctively, Ciel  whipped his head around to look at Lizzy, she was already wide eyed watching as well.  Molly was smiling and even brushed the side of Luka's hair as he struggled to get his words across  while throwing a tantrum.  Alois never moved closer but watched  over them. It was the first time he ever saw him uncomfortable, anxious, fidgeting, a false strength in his complexion.

They heard nothing, they just watched intently as Molly exchanged some words with Alois before she made her way back to the car.  Lizzy and Ciel got to their seats and put on their seatbelts, Sebastian was far too preoccupied checking his email to notice how silent or how fast they moved into their positions.

“I thought you were only going to pick up food?” Sebastian hummed when Molly hopped into the passenger’s seat.

“I did, shaggy, here take your breadsticks!”

“Did you get my drink?”

She signed and passed him his drink. On the drive,  Molly  got curious and looked into the bag. She gasped in adoration when she held up the dress . “Ohh this is so cute! She’ll love it! look!” 

The cousins also gasped because of course, it was their first time they'd seen the dress.

“Where’d you get that?” Sebastian asked. 

“Luka was there he gave it to me to give to Siggy”

Sieglinde's father was not amused, Sebastian looked at the dress and grimaced, Molly chucked. “What does he need to be buying her things for? He doesn't need to be buying her anything” Sebastian said.

“Shut up, it's  her birthday!”

“Ugh”

“He was so sad. Said that he’s not allowed to go to the party”

“hey I called Hannah, told her if she wanted to bring him, she could.” Sebastian defended himself.

“Hannah? answered YOUR call?”

“...I left her a voicemail”

“Uh-huh” 

Lizzy glanced up. Molly folded the dress back and stowed it away. “James is the spitting image of Emma.” she said softly, but Sebastian didn’t reply. She turned to Lizzy “you're friends with the Mackens aren't you?

 “Yes ma’am” Lizzy replied.

“Did you ever meet their parents?”

“Unfortunately no, I only started hanging out with Jim last year. I've only seen pictures of them, you're right though he looks like her”

“I know!!” With that Lizzy began yet another conversation with Molly that lasted until she was dropped, a few blocks away from her home, at her request. Ciel sat quietly twiddling his thumbs, occasionally checking his phone for messages of the group chat or to make sure Alois had made it home okay. 

A few days later they were back to work. Finny had a track meet after school so they had to wait for him, shortening the time they had for the excursion. They had found a fancy food and wine festival and Thompson thought it could prove to be entertaining enough for the night. They all bought tickets, hoping to steal thrice as much as they spent.  It wouldn’t be long now. 

“So what dumpster did you get fished out of?” Ciel looked up from his homework at Thompson. He laid the couch, a sleeping Doll on top of him. The warehouse had been quiet and tranquil for a better part of an hour to let her  and Snake–who was on the bed in the upstairs loft–sleep. “Respectfully,” Thompson added. 

The Spiders had a way with words. Ciel found it amusing,  remembering how Alois asked him the same thing in a similar fashion. “Pardon?”

“How did they get you? They just decided to adopt a new kid? were left on the doorstep? Did your mom claim to be Sebastian's babymama?” a childish smile appeared for that last one.

Alois chucked beside him “apparently, that has happened a couple times”

On any other occasion, Doll or Finny would answer for him and save him the trouble of talking. They were the first ones to start the improvisation prompt that he’d  follow with the grace of a pathological liar, but  this time he was alone. He couldn't tell Thompson about the Phantomhive part, but he hadn't thought up a story for his alias. He looked back down at his homework and started on his next math problem “um. I was…in a cult” he said almost thoughtlessly.

“A CULT? No way- you grew up in a cult!? Which one? Shen-yun?” Thompson's eyes widened, a type of  wonder that bordered dangerously close to morbid curiosity. If Doll wasn't on his chest, he probably would have jumped up. 

“DO I LOOK- nevermind” Ciel gave an irritated groan. Of course jokes were going to be made. 

“Okay okay! my fault. What was it?”

Did it matter? “I don’t know. It wasn't like those Waco or Jim Jones, I was only there a month”

Ciel grumbled 

“ah, so you didn’t grow up in it? So your parents got into it?” 

“My parents were killed” He blurted out so fast that he could only regret saying it. 

From his periphery he saw Alois turn to him. Up until that point he must have thought that the story was nothing but a lie. Ciel hadn't told him much else. His eyes locked on Thompson, the childlike wonder completely wiped off. There was a silence that he cursed himself for putting there and now it was his job to fill it. Out of all the times for honesty to win. Why now? Why couldn’t he come up with a softer story? “After I lost them I was taken by the cult  and um-they kept me there until the day of my sacrifice”

Thompson paused and let out an uncomfortable chuckle "sacrifice?"

“I gonna be killed in hope to summon…a demon I think” 

“Oh so No, not like Waco or Jim Jones but  Charles Manson? Devil worshippers” 

“I guess” Ciel shrugged. He ignored the looks the spiders gave each other and focused on the scribbles on his paper. 

“God, Dude, that's some bohemian grove shit. And you said a month?” The eldest might not have noticed it but he unconsciously held the Doll closer, enough to make her readjust her body a bit. Ciel had no idea what Thompson was thinking. He probably had seen the worst spaces occupied by adults, violence and depravity being a syndicate kid and all.  His eyes had seen far more than any seventeen year old should, but  even knowing all of that, Ciel  was sure that whatever crossed that boy's mind was nothing compared to what actually happened.  

“I've no idea how my family found me,but I'm glad they did. They destroyed that camp and kept me” he continued with his work, reluctant to look up at anyone. A persistent, infernal shame that he felt whenever he recalled that part of his life. Recent. An open wound that had yet to scab. 

‘If I were to guess,” Thompson continued, and Ciel closed his eyes wishing the subject would be dropped “it was probably your uncle Agni? Have you met him yet?”

Ciel shook his head. “He was on a trip when we went to Vegas, But he’s not part of all the family business”

“Oh no- He is. He just gave up his title, but he still uses Victoria's money.” Thompson shifted to get more comfortable. There was a bit of irritation in his eyes as soon as he mentioned Agni. “he has his own business, I guess you could call it. He looks into human trafficking routes and intercepts them to rescue the victims. That's why he's all over the place.”

surprised, Ciel looked back up. “This is the first I've heard of that” 

“ It's very hush hush, but you should know. Agni is known to be deadlier than Sebastian. He leaves no witnesses, nothing left of the trafficking route. Eradicates everything” 

“He sometimes asks his brothers to help in his missions, Claude never accepts.” Alois mentioned.

“Yeah, for all that work he does, rehoming and saving motherfuckers he sure turns a blind eye when his little brother is the perpetrator”  Thompson hissed with more anger than the sarcasm he originally intended. 

One look at Alois told him he also shared the sentiment. “He always tries to contact us but I never answer…but I guess he’s…a good guy” he said mainly to convince Ciel.

“Mmh” Thompson huffed “but if we are right, best believe there’s not a single trace of that cult left” 

As morbid as it sounded, it did bring him a bit of comfort. He said nothing more but gave his elder an assured nod. Of course he had his doubts, the only assumptions he had about his uncle was that he was a kind man who left the life of crime due to his religion. His household did nothing but honor him. And if Thompson was right to be the reason why he got out, then he’d have to honor him as well. 

Finally, Finny pulled the doors open, drenched in sweat from his track meet, but keeping a bright smile that lit up the room. It was time. Finny ran to the bathroom to clean up while Thompson woke up Doll and Ciel went to wake up Snake

While the event had a dress code it was less extravagant than most of their other costumes. Ciel opted for a nice blue dress shirt with a vest and tie. His brothers wore simple dress shirts. Doll decided on pants and a blouse as well. The spiders wore suits. Doll and Alois were putting on the finishing touches of their outfit when Thompson got a phone call. 

A call that took a lot longer than expected. 

“Alright. O-okay alright I got it. I was just joking,uncle I'm sorry” Thompson pinched the bridge of his nose, he had already paced the perimeter of the pool table about three times. 

From a far Ciel looked over, resting on the arm of the couch, itching to leave. He has already been in a foul mood, constantly revisiting the conversation with Lizzy,  and the delay wasn’t helping. Alois sat on the arm right next to him. Alois watched Thompson solemnly, a look similar to the one he had when Luka was talking to Molly. 

“What about school? Finals are coming up and- okay.” he sighed “alright. Bye” he stared at the phone for a couple seconds as if it were the thing that offended him. Then grabbed a pool ball and threw it against the wall with all the force he could muster. It was enough to chip at the concrete. The impact echoed through the warehouse. Ciel flinched. 

Cautiously Doll walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. He leaned on the table “I have to run a couple errands, Claude’s sending me across state lines  for a couple weeks?” he said.

“Weeks?”

“I ‘might’ come sooner if all goes well. He’s sending me alone” 

“I told you and you didn’t believe me,” Alois said, taking off his tie. 

“No, I believed you! I was just hoping something would happen to change plans” 

“You're  gonna be okay  though, right?” Finny asked. 

There was a pause, a lot longer than any of them would have liked. Ciel turned his body around and his look emphasized the question. The initial disappointment of the night changes shifted when his friend's safety was called into question. Thompson was silent as if he was looking for the answer himself. “I’ll be fine”  he assured. “Do you guys want the keys while I’m gone?”

“No! Why should we come here if you’re not” Doll hugged him tighter. 

“I’ll take’em. with you gone the house will become that much more unbearable.” Alois reached for them.

The sun rays shone through the windows. It illuminated the warehouse in a warm golden tint. They decided to cancel the excursion and stay in for the rest of the night. They played games, Thompson even started teaching Snake and Finny some guitar chords. Until he retired  to spend the rest of the time with Doll on the loft. She was particularly upset by his departure.

 Ciel went to find Alois outside.  Alois sat on the fire escape, smoking. He climbed up, smelling something a lot different than what Bard and Sebastian smoked. He settled himself and Alois blew out a puff away from him then offered it to him. Against his better judgement Ciel took it in his two fingers and looked at the stub a quarter of the size of a regular cigarette. He wasn't sure how Alois got his hands on it, nor was he sure if he wanted to find out “how do I do it?”

“Just like-  I don't know, just breathe in through it and just hold it in for a sec. Just a tiny breath”

He did it.

And started coughing uncontrollably

“I SAID A TINY BREATH”  Alois began slapping him on the back to help him regain composure, though he was also laughing when he received the bud back. 

Once controlled and red faced by both the stress and embarrassment, Ciel slumped over the railing “am I high now?”

“Heh no- I mean that wouldn't do much for me, but I don't know for you. If anything you’ll just feel a bit relaxed.” Ciel had offered to lead excursions since Snake knew how to drive, but Alois opposed it. They needed the whole crew there. Or at least they ‘wanted’ the whole crew there.  As much as Ciel knew it was probably the best  this meant he'd be without his best form of distraction. The excursions were no longer something he did for fun, it was his own form of therapy. There was a moment of acknowledgement when Alois looked at him with pity when he went against the idea. 

“What’s wrong?” He asked “don’t tell me you actually wanted to go to that posh-ass place”

“No! I mean, yeah but I’m just worried about Tommy is all” 

“Mmmno.” Alois shook his head “You’ve had that look for a bit. Is it about that fight you had with Liz? Or is there another reason you wanted to go?”

“Why didn't you tell me about what's going on in the west?” Ciel said blatantly and without warning. 

Alois raised his eyebrows and choked on a deep inhale “Woah, okay, um…hold on”  he took a moment to cough up the rest of his lungs before speaking again “run that by me again.” 

“Why didn’t you tell me about what’s going on in my dads territory. I had to find out when Gill was talking to Tommy.  You probably knew, so why didn’t you tell me?” 

“Man, I thought you were salty you missed the drama club deadline. Is that what this is about?”  He scowled and rubbed his temple. Irritated. 

“Why?!” 

He gave Alois a beat to try and come up with answers. “I don’t know” Alois responded “I thought you didn't want to know, I guess. It's your past. Ain't it? Isn’t that  why you changed your name and everything? To let go-“ 

“I didn’t change my name. It’s an alias” 

“well, yeah technically, but pretty soon more people are gonna know you as Robin than Ciel” 

“But- the west- This is different”

“Is it?” Alois let a condescending chuckle slip by him. 

“Yes! All that was left for me I should be running it! It’s mine”

“That's not how this shit works, Ciel”

“Then how ?” 

“Listen, dons die, bosses, heads of families. That happens all the time, but if there isn't an heir or a group to continue the group will die out. That's what happened to  Vinny’s empire. His businesses were left defenseless and were targeted. Many tried to keep it as is, but people can only fight for a dead king for so long. The mess only started with the fire. All a territory could do after their head dies is hope that the next boss that takes over has  the best intentions. Birthright can only take you so far you need strength, resources, control.”

“Then help me take it over!” Ciel held Alois by his shoulders “ you're trained we are already outsmarting people!”

“What?! No-Are you listening to yourself”

“ We haven't had a single excursion fail!”

“And if one ever does, the most that will happen is we get arrested and our daddies will come and bail us out. An ankle monitor for you and me But if anything goes wrong out there. The best case is a quick death with a gunshot.” he began yelling “do you even know what’s going on over there? Have you ever gone back to the west?! since you’re accusing me of shit. What have YOU done for your father’s territory?!” 

Nothing.  He had not gone back since the fire. He had asked to go back, but neither Sebastian nor Joker ever offered.  He sat back on his ankles and all flames of fury were put out by a single question “I’m mad…” Ciel whispered. “I didn’t even get to try” 

Alois took a breath through his nose and rubbed the bridge of it with his thumb, trying to find patience for Ciel when he had none left for the day. “yeah, I know” For a couple minutes they watched the sun go over the horizon, making way for the night. They’d have to go home soon. Thompson would have to leave too. “Just enjoy your sister's party.” Alois began “Enjoy your new name. Sebastian is one of the most powerful men in the west coast. And hey if you play your cards right Sebastian could name you as his heir.”

“I don’t want the south” 

Alois rolled his eyes. “Well shit there’s a lot we don’t want, there's nothing we can do about it! You at least got a chance! Why can’t you be content with your new life?”

It wasn’t like he didn’t want to, but the past was starting to claw at the door he kept shut under lock and key, he could hear the rumbling, the bangs and cracks on its wood. “I don’t think I should ”

“ Whatever “ Alois blew out his last puff of smoke before he put it out. 

“Where did you even get that?”

“Birthday present from someone at school”

“Oh... When was your birthday?”

Alois hesitated. Twirling about the empty paper in his hands “It’s Today, actually. Guy Fawks night” 

Ciel's eyes widened, and Alois shrugged it off. He wasn't excited. He replied without so much as a smile. They had been together the entire day and nothing, no one mentioned it. Alois didn’t say a word about it. Ciel mentally combed throughout the day wondering if there were any clues that he had missed. A tinge of embarrassment bloomed in his chest for making a scene about himself, noticeably  putting unnecessary pressure on his friend and on the night his cousin was told to go out into danger.  He sheepishly took out his wallet and pulled out a hundred dollars bill “congrats on surviving another year” 

Alois scoffed but took his gift in the end.