Contracts are made to be broken...

[nofakes]

The truth is on the horizon. I've been patiently sleeping and now, finally, I can be awake. My brother will understand me and -

Even if he doesn't -

I will protect him. I don't need anyone else.

Comments

[sweetlies]

I'll understand, will I? After your grand reappearance and superior attitude.

[nofakes]

Of course you will because we belong together. [He smiles at the description.] Am I not supposed to take control of my house?

[sweetlies]

It's mine now, really. And even if I do turn it over, I have other places to place claim on that you can't.

[nofakes]

You sound like you are challenging me, brother. I'm not sure what I did to deserve that.

[sweetlies]

Considering your method of return and sullying my name to those few I surround myself with, do you really expect otherwise?

[nofakes]

Why do you need them? If they are not loyal, they can find positions elsewhere or be silenced.

[sweetlies]

What exactly gave you the impression they aren't loyal? Or that you could so easily silence a Phantomhive servant? Especially one I chose.

[nofakes]

If they decide to stand against me, they're not loyal. We represent the Phantomhives now and if they choose to operate under that title, they need to swear their loyalty to both of us.

Your other friends weren't hard to silence.

[sweetlies]

They are loyal to me. And that is the reason they entered into my service.

You had no right. You attacked the Prince of Bengal and his servant. This amounts to an attack on me, brother. Or did you not consider that? Prince Soma and Agni would have had had no reason to react poorly towards you as they never knew about you. It was cold-blooded murder. And unbecoming a nobleman.

[nofakes]

You as Ciel Phantomhive? [His voice lilts, giving the impression that he doesn't think very much of his brother's accomplishments under his name.]

He was a stranger in my house. The last time we had intruders, we ended up in cages. I was protecting the home and myself.

[sweetlies]

The name doesn't matter to them half so much as the actions of the individual. I gave them lives, freedom, purpose, and a home. What have you given them but confusion? [At the moment, he doesn't care.]

In my house and undoubtedly showed no signs of hostility considering he and Agni have seen me, and cared for me, when I've been ill and know rain could exacerbate my condition.

[nofakes]

Your actions won't amount to much when you lack a title. I will need to staff the house with servants loyal to me. [Well if it's going to be that way...]

It isn't your house, technically. [He can throw his weight around too, brother.] Has your condition improved?

[sweetlies]

If the title reverts to you. The Queen has final say in that matter. [He's not giving up his servants to his brother.]

It is because I'm the currently established Lord of the Phantomhive estate. [He crosses his arms. Very smooth.] It has. I've had only one attack in four years, back in England.

[somakemelaugh]

[He wants to laugh. Really, he does. But he doesn't, and that, perhaps, is the scariest part of all.]

As you should.

[nofakes]

I wondered where you had been. [He extends a hand, smiling.] I haven't given up on him.

[somakemelaugh]

[He sees that hand and reaches to take it, briefly.] Here and there, milord. You know how it is. Never a quiet moment around these parts. There'll be even fewer opportunities for that once you work things out with your brother, I suppose.

[nofakes]

[His fingers curl, gripping for a moment.] I expect the opposite. Once he is settled with his toys, everything will go back to how it should be.

[somakemelaugh]

[Once that hold separates, he'll take to a chair and settle there, tired of the standing thing already.] Whatever the outcome, I hope it works itself out quickly. I've been eager to get back to something of a normal life with the two of you up to no good behind the public view.

[nofakes]

[In opposition, he is happy to stand; he is happy being mobile period. Having a body is nice.]

You've been loyal to us and I promise you will be rewarded. [Undertaker will just have to deal with a small peck on the cheek. Ciel is a lot more confident and mischievous than his poor twin.]

[somakemelaugh]

[Ciel can stand all he likes. It's a nice change from being on his back for so long on soft bedding, he'll guess. The kiss to his cheek does surprise him, though on the outside he'll not show it. Really, he hadn't thought this twin would be affectionate toward... anyone but his sibling and parents. He seemed so much like his father.] Please, milord. I haven't done what I did in hopes for reward. That it succeeded is reward enough for me. What happens now is up to you.

[nofakes]

[But he owes Undertaker. A little affection won't go amiss and not only because he knows it will bother his twin.]

What happens now should be obvious. I will handle all affairs of business and royal decrees. This is how it should have been. Now my brother can go back to being himself.

[somakemelaugh]

[He stays neutral, letting the boy do as he will.] Should is an interesting word. Having spent the last four years holding everything together, I wonder if he'll pass the mantle over so easily. We'll have to see what happens next.

[nofakes]

[Ciel pours himself a drink from a crystal decanter.] He has been behaving as I would have; that is all. He no longer needs to operate out of his comfort zone. I am alive, after all.

Thanks to you.

[somakemelaugh]

[He shrugs a shoulder, ignoring the thanks.] Indeed, he is, and what a feat it was. I hardly expected to find him back in my parlor again, alive and... more or less well, what with that demon following him. In truth, I didn't know which of you it was that I'd found and which of you was still alive. You were so much easier to tell apart before everything went so wrong.

[nofakes]

The demon is a problem. [He finally sits down, his movements careful. He values his body far more than he did before.] You should have seen how shocked he was to see me!