Midnight Sparkle

Chapter 14

⚠️!WARNING - NSFW!⚠️

The panel hearing is today, in an hour in fact. And until then, Vincent takes his family to a candy shop. Why? Because he has 2 children who are going to be stuck in a stuffy courtroom for 2 house to appease. And Adrian is just a big child so the candy store is a great way to have an easy life with all of them. The place is split between the actual shop part and a small café section at the back. "Thank you for agreeing to sit with my sons during the hearing, Madame Red," Vincent thanks politely, sipping the strong Earl Grey from his coffee cup. Adrian nurses a hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows along with Junior. Ciel's hot chocolate doesn't have any cream or marshmallows.

"Not a problem! You two will behave for your aunt, won't you boys?" she asks the twins.

"Yes Aunt Red," Ciel agrees. He has a cream moustache on his lip which Vincent wipes off with a napkin.

"Yup," agrees Junior, taking the last few drops of his hot chocolate. "Adrian, come decide what sweeties to get for during the case!"

He grabs Adrian's hand and drags him sway from the table, Ciel following. They stand before dispensaries of different sweets, each Phantomhive child carrying a little pre-made cup to fill. There are so many flavours and colours, they don't know where to begin! "What should we get?" Ciel asks. Adrian runs his eyes over the names of the sweets, things like 'Atomic Gobstoppers' and 'Luxury Fudge'.

"I'm a chocolate person myself, Junior, I know you like cake most... why don't you just order a cake from the counter?" he can eat a cake quietly without disturbing the courtroom.

"Good idea!" the younger twin agrees, running to the counter to order a double slice of the most delightful angel cake decorated with strawberries. Adrian chews on his lip. Ciel will be trickier to shop for - he loves sweets but not to the extent his brother does, and his tastes don't really have a 'theme' either.

"What aboiut gummies?" Adrian finally suggests, another quiet sweet. He just wants to get this day the Hell over with. Vincent is getting impatient too, staring at him with that cold, clear gaze of his. The order of 'hurry up' is communicated clearly, and Adrian is sure it isn't just his axiety talking.

"Luxury fudge sounds luxurious," Ciel finally decides, filling his bag. Adrian pays the opulent price - £12 for a cake and a bag of fudge... that's criminal - and returns to Vincent swiftly.

"Come now, we'll be late," Vincent goes to take Ciel's hand, but he bats it away.

"I want to hold hands with Adrian!" Ciel grabs his hand.

"Me too!" Junior takes the other.

"Alright," Vincent chuckles. "Just don't ruin your Sunday bests,"

The twins are dressed in their best clothes, matching blue sailor suits with pleated hems. With no hand to hold onto, Vincent simply hangs off Adrian's neck all the way to the court, chatting and laughing with his boyfriend as they go. Trying to keep the mood light, and succeeding.

They arrive at the court and Adrian sits in the back row by Sebastian. The twins are taken by theirv Aunt to the front with Vincent. Finally, the judge calls for Sebastian's case and Sebastian, Adrian and Vincent approach the docks. The procurator fiscal eyes the case with scrutinous judgement. The judge looks over his bench.

"Sebastian Michaelis is accused of using his home as a brothel on the night of March 31st 2019. We have the testimonies of 2 people confirming this. Ash and Angelina, who claimed to be clients the night they attacked Sebastian in his home. However, due to the nature of the event, these statements will be dismissed as evidence,"