Narrator's POV

Soon enough, the sun began to set and the nobles gathered in the dining room for dinner.

Frances, being a stickler for tradition, always had the servants prepare a four course meal.

So, once everyone was seated, they were served two soups: rhubarb soup for the ladies and Mulligatawny Soup for the gentlemen —since it was traditional that light soups were for women while dark soup was for men.

It was a bit sad as they looked at Lizzy's bowl which was practically just broth served with snippets (croutons) while nearly everyone else had a hearty soup.

At Phantomhive Manor, at least in the past few years, they never unnecessarily gendered meals.

But Aunt Frances made sure it stayed that way, even though she was eating that broth too.

The second course was Devonshire squab pie —which oddly enough, traditionally had no pigeon in it, being a dish of mutton and apples.

Everyone was served that, and it was delicious.

The third course, dessert, was trifle —with only enough brandy and sherry to taste, not intoxicate.

And the fourth and final course was a cheese platter as well as liquor for the adults.

This course was always the most relaxed as formality tapered just a tiny bit and everyone could relax.

"Seeing that you have returned to us, safe and sound, I am reminded that you are close to the age of maturity." Frances said, breaking the silence, "Perhaps you and Elizabeth's wedding can begin planning?"

"I would like nothing more than to marry Elizabeth soon, but I do have concerns for my health. I am still recovering from my coma and I continue to find myself at the mercy of my fainting spells." Ciel explained, tactfully denying, "Though, once my health is fully returned, I would be overjoyed to begin the preparations."

Edward frowned, staring at Ciel.

The older boy hated that his sister would eventually marry Ciel and he was simultaneously mad that Ciel had just semi-rejected her.

Ciel stared back, sapphire eyes glaring into emerald, daring him to challenge him.

In that moment, Edward wondered to himself how no one suspected Astre was not really Ciel when Ciel had such an obvious evil streak.

***

That night, as the twins lied in bed together, they were talking softly as they settled in for the night.

"Do you remember when we were little, I think we were seven or eight at the time," Ciel began, fiddling with his hands, "but we were playing house together and you were the Mum and I was the Dad."

Astre nodded, he and Ciel had frequently played house together and Lizzy would join them when she came to visit.

"But on that occasion, we got bored of playing it like we usually did. So, I suggested we copy what mother and father did and kiss." Ciel continued

The younger twin's mismatched eyes widened as the memory of that day returned to him.

He had forgotten that that had occurred, that his first kiss had been shared with his twin.

Astre's face flushed pink, "W-What about that, Ciel?"

Ciel smiled and stroked Astre's face, "I love you, Astre, so much."

"I love you too." The younger twin replied, a heavy blush on his cheeks

Before Astre could say anything else, Ciel pulled his chin towards him and pressed their lips together.

Unlike their first kiss all those years ago where they merely pecked lips, this time the kiss lasted a few moments and actually involved movement of the lips.

It felt like they kissed for an eternity, but it was only a few seconds.

When they separated, Astre stared at his brother in shock.

"W-What was that?" Astre stuttered, shocked

Ciel blushed, "I love you love you, starshine, I want to be in a romantic relationship with you."

"B-But what about Lizzy?" The younger twin asked, trying to process this revelation piece by piece

The older twin held his brother's hands, "She knows and she wants it too. We both want to be with you, all three of us in a relationship."

"B-But we are brothers?!" Astre whimpered

"So? Lizzy is our cousin and I am still marrying her. Why put barriers in front of love when everyone wants it? Please give us a chance, we just want to love you." Ciel pleaded, stroking Astre's palm

Astre was conflicted, part of him society would shun them at best and kill them at worst if they were discovered —though, if that happened, Undertaker would just revive them and take them somewhere new, if the authorities managed to get past him to take them away first— if he accepted Ciel's offer, but his heart craved it.

He had never realized it until now, until it was presented to him, that he loved Ciel more than a brother should.

And here Ciel was, baring his heart to him, begging to love him.

"Y-You promise Lizzy wants this?" Astre asked

The older blunette nodded, "Yes, we talked about it in the garden earlier. We want you as much as we want each other."

The living twin gulped and looked into his undead brother's sapphire eyes, "Then I accept."

Ciel beamed with joy, smiling brightly, "I promise you will not regret it, Astre! We will take such good care of you and love you so!"

The nearly identical boys' lips met again as the course of their lives changed drastically once more...