A/N:New story! This one is finished and is undergoing edits. Updates will be slow due to work and life generally leaching the energy from me, lol, but they'll get there! Please read the warning. I will update warnings as I continue to edit as well. This story is also posted on AO3 (link in my profile) Enjoy the story! ^^
Warnings: Experimentation on vampires, consensual and non-consensual, vampires turning humans without their consent, violence and blood.
Disclaimer: I don't own Kuroshitsuji or it's characters
1.
The night thrummed with life. Lights pulsed and flashed throughout the building, sending the beams darting across numerous faces that danced and swayed to the beat of music on the floor. The mass amount of people within the small space made the air stifling and the thin smoke that seemed to cling to the open air only increased the tightening feeling. It gave the lights a hazy appearance and Ciel waved a hand in front of his face, trying to see through the dimmed building. Before him, the crowds on the dance floor surged as the music changed to a deep, thrumming tune. Like a wave, it rolled across those on the floor and the club goers responded in turn, bodies gyrating and swaying to the beat.
Ciel rubbed at his temples and sat back down on the soft bench in the corner of the club. He couldn't find Alois in the throng of people even before the songs changed. Finding him now would prove next to impossible. Although Ciel had no doubt that if he did find Alois, he would find him with Claude.
And if anyone could get them to leave before dawn, it was Claude.
"Excuse me, Sir," a server said, pulling Ciel's attention from the dance floor. He turned to look at the man with raised eyebrows. The man placed a drink before him and gestured to a figure a few tables down. "Compliments of the young lady."
"Ah," Ciel started and eyed the dual colored drink. The red and white colors swirled together, like mixing storm clouds, and his eyes flickered up to the woman in question. "I can't accept this. I favor the other side," he said, knowing that the woman could hear his answer despite the noise in the building.
Disappointment washed over her features but she nodded briefly before turning back to her companions. Even through the haze in the room, Ciel could see a stretch of inked skin across the curve of her neck and he hummed as the server picked up the drink.
"Apologies, Sir," he said and walked away with glass in hand.
Ciel watched him go and absently wiped at the ring of condensation that the drink left on the table. He smeared the water around before wiping the tips of his fingertips off so he could dig out his phone from his pocket.
A quick look at it showed the time as one in the morning and Ciel fought back a yawn. Thankfully, it was Friday night and he could sleep in tomorrow morning, but his body itched for the soft mattress in his apartment.
He started to type out a message to Alois, hoping that it would get his friends attention. If they left now, they could get back to the apartment before one-thirty and Ciel could be in bed after the fastest shower in history. The only thing stopping them now depended on Alois picking up his phone. That and the upcoming sunrise, which Ciel hoped to beat by several hours.
Blue eyes darted up as loud shouts pierced even the deafening roar of music that filled the building. It cut through the noise with ease and from his spot; Ciel could just make out the faint struggle near the entranceway. The voices grew louder and it took Ciel a moment to realize that someone turned the music down, and the crowd turned to watch the fight as well.
Without the music, Ciel could easily hear the words that now seemed loud against the hush of the room. "- you're not allowed in here, Sir. It's forbidden now that you've-."
"I just need to see one person," came the sharp retort.
"They don't want to see you," someone else answered and the figures at the doorway vanished from sight, their words trailing faintly through the air like the smoke that clouded the room. "-fallen so far and into disgrace-"
The door slammed shut and instantly, hushed tones filled the air. They hissed like snakes and Ciel watched as the women in the few booths over talked to each other behind their hands. Eyes flashed and abruptly, a woman with red hair jumped to her feet. She weaved her way through the crowd, hand covering the back of her shoulder. Her fingers splayed slightly and through the small gaps, thin lines of a tattoo peered through them.
A hand slammed down on the table, making Ciel jump and he tore his eyes away from where the woman vanished into the crowds. Heart pounding, Ciel gazed up into the amber eyes of Claude, and his hand tightened around his phone.
"We're going, now," Claude said, his voice tense to Ciel's ears.
"That was fast," he said. "I didn't expect you to respond to the text I sent that quickly."
Claude snorted and pulled his hand away from the table. "Let's go."
Ciel grumbled as he stood up and slipped the phone into his pocket. "Sorry, I didn't think you'd get this pissed just because I wanted to leave," he grumbled and trailed Claude. Alois walked next to him, eyes darting between Claude and Ciel, and Ciel could see the confusion etched across his face. "What?" he snapped, feeling agitated at the look.
Alois scratched his cheek. "Do you know why he's so edgy?" he asked. "One moment he was fine when we were out there dancing. The next, he's dragging me across the club and demanding that we leave now."
"He's your boyfriend," Ciel complained. "Maybe it's because the sun is about to rise in a few hours and he gets cranky."
"He's never been like this before though," Alois said with a shake of his head. Golden locks swished about his face, the tips dyed a light blue to match his eyes for the night. "And we've stayed out later before without problem."
"Perhaps he's hungry?" Ciel questioned as they finally stepped outside. The hot summer air felt just as disgusting as the air inside the club and Ciel grimaced as the humidity threatened to suffocate him.
Alois shook his head again. "He ate before we left." Absently, his hand brushed the inside of his thigh. "And he only started acting agitated right before the music dimmed."
Ciel hummed. "That's because I sent you a text message asking if we could leave soon," he said. "I'm sure Claude didn't like me cutting into his time with you."
Blond eyebrows furrowed. "But I never received a text from you, Ciel," he said.
Ciel frowned and pulled out his phone, quickly pulling up the chat history between Alois and himself. "But I know I did," he said and looked down at the screen. His message still sat in the text box, cursor blinking and waiting for Ciel to hit send. "I never sent it," he said almost to himself.
"But if you didn't send it, then how did Claude know that you wanted to leave?" Alois asked and looked up at the back of his boyfriend as they continued to walk down the sidewalk. "He's good, but not that good."
Ciel didn't say anything as they rounded a corner. His thoughts raced too fast for him to keep up and he worried his lower lip as he looked over his shoulder at the direction they just came from. Something spooked Claude into making them leave. That alone scared Ciel.
If something scared Claude of all people, then Ciel never wanted to face that terror.
.:|Under These City Streets|:.
The emptiness of the refrigerator stared at Ciel and he stared back at it, feeling annoyance creep into his chest. "Alois," he growled under his breath and slammed the door shut in frustration. Clearly, his roommate didn't bother to go to the grocery store earlier in the day despite promises to do so. A quick look at the clock showed it was six and Ciel weighed his options about going grocery shopping so late at night.
After the club incident three weeks ago, Claude banned both him and Alois from leaving the apartment once the sun went down unless he was with them. It proved Ciel's theory right, that something scared Claude. As to what though, Ciel didn't have the faintest idea.
Outside, the sun cast deep oranges and purples across the sky while it burned low on the horizon. Technically, the sun hadn't set just yet and Ciel could make it to the sandwich shop just down the street before it finished setting. Alternatively, he could listen to Claude and wait for him to wake up and escort them to dinner.
Ciel scoffed at the idea and stalked towards the door, grabbing his keys and wallet as he went. He wasn't about to play the part of helpless child just because Claude felt paranoid about something that had more than likely passed by now.
The door shut behind him and he strode down the sidewalk with a small skip in his step, enjoying the feeling that came from disobeying Claude and the cool night air. The beginnings of autumn slowly crept towards them and already, Ciel could see the leaves starting to turn colors. Soon, they would fall to the earth and leave the branches bare for all to see. Ciel only hoped it wouldn't get cold too soon. He enjoyed the autumn for the moderate temperatures and liked the changing of the leaves.
Ahead, he could see the sandwich shop and Ciel's stomach growled at the sight of it. Without hesitation, he entered the restaurant and got into the long line. The scent of fresh bread only made his stomach growl even louder and Ciel rocked back and forth impatiently on his heels.
His phone vibrated in his pocket as the line crept forward and Ciel pulled it out, noting the message from Alois. 'Claude just woke up and said he's on his way over in a bit.'
Ciel rolled his eyes. He found it hard to believe that Claude hadn't moved in with them yet or that Alois hadn't moved in with him yet. They spent almost every minute together when they could and Ciel never saw two people so affectionate with each other. It made his stomach churn with disgust and another feeling that Ciel didn't like to dwell on.
Jealousy.
He knew the feeling all too well after watching Alois date Claude for over three years now. The sickening puppy love only grew stronger and deeper as time passed, and with it, so too did Ciel's growing desire to find someone for himself. However, Ciel had no idea where to start and he doubted he could find someone like Claude. He blanched at the thought and hurried to correct himself. He doubted he could find someone in the same category as Claude. The same breed. He didn't even know where to look or go about that, and Claude remained closed up tightly on the subject.
Despite the ever-present knowledge of their existence, Claude's kind proved notoriously difficult to find when they didn't want attention drawn to themselves. Ciel only thought he could pick out the ones who fell into the same category, but he had no way to prove his theory correct.
Annoyed at himself for dwelling on the subject for so long, Ciel sighed and answered the message. 'You forgot to get the groceries this afternoon.'
He tucked the phone away as the line moved and Ciel found himself next in line. He gave his favorite order and paid for it, getting a number in return. Ciel thanked the cashier and wandered to the front window so he could wait. Outside, the sun was just a sliver on the horizon, making Ciel wince.
Knowing his luck, he would have to stay at the restaurant until Claude came to pick him up.
Ciel groaned and took a seat, watching the traffic pass on the street just beyond the glass. Several people walked by and Ciel ignored his phone as it danced in his pocket. No doubt, Alois noticed his absence in the apartment by now and knowing Ciel's luck, already tattled on him to Claude. Better to ignore the lecture now and enjoy the last minutes of freedom he had before Claude started breathing down his neck for leaving the apartment despite his so called 'orders'.
Instead, he watched as a person wearing a black jacket staggered by the building; hood up and covering his head. The man collapsed into one of the chairs on the veranda, almost directly in front of Ciel. Shoulders heaved as the man seemed to gasp for breath and Ciel quickly turned away from the window, worried that the stranger would notice him watching.
He stood up when someone called his number and hurried over to get his food. The sun had set, leaving the night cast in darkness and Ciel weighed his options as he thanked the server for his food. On one hand, he could chance the short walk home. On the other, he could eat in and wait until Claude came to pick him up. Both options left Ciel dealing with a pissed Claude and he didn't fancy either of them. Muttering under his breath, Ciel strode to the door with determined steps. The sun just set and the night had yet to breathe life onto its followers. He could make it home before the creatures of the night stirred and roamed about in the darkness.
Ciel pushed open the door and stepped outside, feeling the cool air surround him. He inhaled it and then let it out with a soft gust before walking back towards the apartment. He took no more than four steps when a hand shot out and wrapped around his upper arm, pulling him back towards the man who sat in front of the window.
"Please," the man rasped before Ciel could say anything and blue eyes flicked down to the hand holding him. "Please help me."
Ciel's eyebrows furrowed and his gaze trailed from the hand down to the man's arms, noting that the sleeves on the opposite arm bunched up just around the crease of his elbow. And there, sitting innocently on the table next to his arm, was a long, thin needle filled with something dark.
Ciel took a stumbling step backwards, but not far enough that he broke out of the man's grasp. He could feel the fingers tightening briefly before they grew slack and Ciel's breath fell faster. Just his luck that he would catch the attention of someone looking for their next hit. Although judging by the man's appearance, Ciel could easily get away before things could escalate. He wasn't that weak.
"Let go," Ciel hissed and jerked his arm out of the man's grip. "And go find someone else to help you with your drug addiction."
"I'm not," the man started and he lifted his head up, eyes piercing Ciel's from the depths of his hood. "I'm not an addict."
Ciel scoffed. "Denial is the first stage of admitting you have an addiction," he said.
The man shook his head. "Please," he repeated and reached for Ciel again. He grasped the fabric of Ciel's jacket weakly, hand trembling and voice threatening to crack. Through it all, his eyes held Ciel's, slowly threatening to draw him in and drawn him in the depths of darkness that seemed to fill his hood.
A rough hand fell on Ciel's shoulder and tore him away from the man violently. Ciel stumbled back, nearly toppling over and losing his dinner. He managed to get his feet under him and looked about wildly, searching for the new assailant. His eyes instantly focused on Claude, the man standing firmly between Ciel and the person sitting in the chair.
"Leave him be," Claude snarled, teeth and eyes flashing.
"I meant no harm," the man whispered.
A low growl ripped through Claude's chest, making the hairs on Ciel's arm stand on end. "If I ever see you near him again," he said and let the threat dangle in the air between him. The man looked away and Claude took the chance to spit at his feet. "Filthy low life," he hissed and reached back to grasp Ciel's shoulder.
Without so much as a warning, Ciel found himself being frog marched down the sidewalk underneath the glowing streetlights. Thick silence settled itself over them and Ciel didn't bother to argue with Claude, let alone try to apologize. Claude wouldn't justify his actions right now and any tongue-lashing would happen at the apartment. They mounted the steps to the apartment complex and Claude shoved Ciel into the apartment the moment the door opened. Once inside, Ciel jerked his arm free and stalked into the kitchen, Claude hot on his heels.
"What the hell were you thinking?" Claude snapped.
"I was thinking that I was hungry and wanted food since your boyfriend didn't go grocery shopping like he said he would," Ciel shouted back. "I wasn't going to sit here and wait for you to escort me around like I'm some sort of maiden."
Claude ran a hand through his hair. "You could've fooled me," he said. "It certainly didn't look that way when I found you. If I didn't show up when I had," he trailed off, unable to continue.
Ciel clicked his tongue. "That man wasn't a threat. He could barely hold onto me, let alone chase me down when I left. My life wasn't in any danger." He sniffed. "I was fine on my own."
Amber eyes flickered with emotions. They raced too fast for Ciel to follow and he could only name a few before the rest escaped his grasp. However, for all that Ciel saw, he felt as though none of them reflected upon him. Claude's eyes didn't look at him, choosing instead to gaze out in the direction of the sandwich shop.
He jerked back as Claude's eyes swung back towards him and a finger shoved itself in his face. Ciel scowled. "Stay away from that man, Ciel," Claude said sternly. "He's nothing but trouble."
"You know him?"
"I know his kind," Claude answered curtly, leaving Ciel's question relatively unanswered. "Eat your dinner. I'll get the groceries while you eat."
He turned on his heel and swept gracefully out of the kitchen, leaving Ciel alone with his bag of dinner. Ciel blew out a frustrated breath and tossed the bag onto the table in disgust. Further in the apartment, a door closed, signaling Claude going to see Alois, and Ciel sat down heavily.
With jerky and annoyed motions, Ciel pulled the bag closer to him and dug around for his sandwich. The scene from before played on an endless loop before his eyes and Ciel took a large bite. Even now, Ciel could feel the man's weak grip around his arm and the fine tremor that shook long, thin fingers. Dark circles marred under the man's eyes and Ciel though he looked a bit on the thin side.
But all in all, he couldn't see what threat the man posed and in the end, Ciel simply chalked it up to Claude's paranoia. With how Claude acted the past few weeks, Ciel wouldn't put it past him.
Ciel shook his head and took another bite, trying to banish the memory from his mind. Nevertheless, try as he might, the images refused to leave his mind and by the time Ciel finished his dinner, he found himself haunted by the burning desire in the man's dark, crimson eyes.
.:|Under These City Streets|:.
"Ciel," Alois started and Ciel strained to hear his friend over the pulsing music. "Are you still mad at Claude for what happened last week?"
Ciel gazed at Alois over the lip of his drink; Shirley Temple courtesy of Alois since his friend dragged him to the club tonight, and took a slow sip. "Why do you ask?" he questioned after he lowered the glass.
Alois fidgeted on the plush bench cushions. "Because you just have that look on your face whenever he's around and you really didn't want to come out to the club tonight," he said. "Plus you seem frustrated right now."
"I wasn't in the mood to hit the clubs tonight, Alois," Ciel said and placed the drink on the table. "Work was long and rough, and I expected to stay at the apartment. However, Claude wanted to come here, and where Claude goes, so do you. And by extension, I somehow end up along for the ride."
"I just wanted you to have some fun as well," Alois said softly, his voice almost drowned out amongst the music and chatter. "I know you haven't been in the best of moods this week with Claude after last week. And I figured a chance to leave the apartment would help some."
Ciel rubbed at his face. "I feel like I'm a dog on a leash," he groaned. "Claude won't let me or you for that matter, out of his sight after that incident last week. Which, as I keep telling him, could've happened any time of the day. I'm just getting fed up with all this."
Alois looked sympathetic. "I'm sure Claude knows what he's doing and it's all for the best. Plus, I doubt it can last much longer. It's already been what, a month since he banned us from going out at night?"
"Far too long in my opinion," Ciel grumbled and took a long drink from his glass. "And he still hasn't told us why."
"It's for a good reason, I bet," Alois tried.
"I'm sure," Ciel said and scowled into his drink. He pushed it away with a frown. "So why was Claude so adamant that we come to the club tonight?"
A shrug of the shoulders. "I'm not sure. Cabin fever perhaps?" Alois said. "We haven't left the apartment in a while when he's awake, so I think he just wanted to get out for a bit. We won't stay long though if you're feeling tired."
Ciel grunted, feeling guilty that he would force Alois and Claude back home before they wanted to return. "Its fine," he said lowly and reached for his drink, tossing the rest back in several long gulps. "I'm going to go to the bathroom. Have fun with Claude."
He didn't mean to sound so bitter, but the tone came despite his intent and Ciel hurried away from the table before Alois could comment on it. After spending the whole week stuck with Claude and Alois together, and watching them interact with each other, Ciel needed space of his own. If Alois hadn't begged him to come out tonight, Ciel would've stayed at home compared to spending his time here.
He sighed and weaved his way through the crowd, determined to put some space between himself and Alois. To his right, the dancefloor teamed with life and Ciel watched as the mass amount of bodies twined around each other as the music breathed life into everyone. A part of him itched to joined the crowd and lose himself to the beat, but the exhaustion that seeped deep into his bones yearned for a soft bed.
Ciel moved around the floor and towards the bathroom to clear his mind. The inside of the bathroom smelled of urine and sex, making Ciel's nose wrinkle as he moved over to the closest sink. He nodded to the other person in the bathroom as they left, the door swinging shut behind him. Alone, the bathroom proved oddly quiet compared to the deep base just on the other side of the door. He soaked in the silence as he finished splashing water on his face and Ciel watched as the water droplets dripped down his cheeks.
He blotted them away a moment later and dried his hands off, feeling slightly better. The club scene rushed over him as he stepped outside the bathroom; the pulsing lights and thumping music threatened to swallow him whole. Ciel skirted around a group of people standing near the wall, hearing brief snippets of their conversation that meant nothing to him.
He veered to the left, choosing to step outside to get some fresh air before returning to their table. He still felt jittery and the cool air would clear his head and give him a few moments to focus his thoughts lest Ciel say something in frustration.
The crisp air nipped at his nose and Ciel exhaled deeply, searching for his breath in the night air. It didn't fog before him, showing that autumn still wasn't on them just yet and Ciel shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. Overhead, the moon gleamed brightly and cast its light onto the streets.
Ciel sighed and leaned against the wall of the building, ignoring the ever present dumpster adjacent to where he stood. Thankfully, it wasn't windy and it sat far enough down that he couldn't smell the trash. Another sigh and Ciel tipped his head back, letting it rest against the brick as he closed his eyes. He could feel the tension easing from his shoulders and his frustration ebbing away.
A rustling sound near the entrance of the alley way had his eyes snapping open and Ciel's head jerked towards the sound. He watched as a figure stumbled into the narrow space, a hand outstretched and pressed against the wall for balance.
The instinct to run grasped Ciel and he backed up quickly towards the door, the action only serving to draw the figures attention. Their head shot up and Ciel found himself frozen as familiar crimson eyes bore into his eyes. The man looked away the next second with a laugh as he slid down the wall.
"Ah, it's just you. I thought you were someone else."
"Are you stalking me?" Ciel asked, unable to help himself. Running into the man for the second time like this felt like more than a coincidence and Ciel couldn't help but wonder if Claude's fears were justified.
The man though, shook his head. "I have no reason to stalk you," he said and reached into his pocket, withdrawing another long needle. "You're of no use to me, honestly."
Ciel bristled at the comment. He didn't like anyone calling him useless and he eyed the needle with disgust. "I suppose the only thing you need is that needle," he said bitterly.
"Pretty much," the man answered and pulled the cover off with his teeth. He flicked it away and brought the tip of the needle to his skin. It pierced the skin easily and crimson eyes darted up to look at him. "If you don't like it, look away."
A low growl escaped Ciel's throat and his hand reacted before his mind processed the action. With a fast movement, he reached out and slapped the needle away, sending it flying out of the man's fingers and tumbling to the ground. The fragile glass shattered and the contents spilled out on the filthy concrete.
Surprise twisted the man's features, his hand still frozen in the act of injecting the drug into his system. Ciel though, could hardly bring himself to care. After watching his brother struggle and lose against his battle with drugs, Ciel had a strong aversion to any forms of the material. Even taking medicine sent his stomach churning in reminder.
"I needed that," the man spoke.
"Bull," Ciel spat. "Those drugs will kill you."
The surprise melted away, replaced with amusement. "You think drugs were in that needle?" the man asked, his eyes dancing with laughter.
Ciel scoffed. "Of course there were drugs in there. What else would be in there?" he asked and turned his attention to the liquid that puddled around the broken glass. His eyebrows furrowed and Ciel stared at the puddle in confusion, the bright red color reflecting the moon's light. "Is that?" he started and turned back to look at the man.
"Blood?" the man finished and stood up on shaky legs. He pressed his hands back against the wall to brace himself, a smirk overtaking his lips. "It is."
Ciel's lips parted as the man drew himself up to full height and even in the night, he could see that the man stood taller than he did. His eyes darted to the pool of blood and then back to the person standing before him, only one word on his lips.
"Vampire," he breathed, hardly believing that he managed to stumble across the elusive creature of the night.
While everyone knew they existed and held high positions of power and wealth, they also proved increasingly difficult to find. They hid themselves well in society, blending in and never causing reason for a second look. Vampires only revealed themselves to the ones they saw fit and even then, they kept those numbers at a minimum.
"So you're familiar with my kind," the vampire said.
"I am," Ciel said simply, knowing not to elaborate. Vampires kept to their respected groups and didn't like to mingle with those they deemed their enemies. If this vampire wasn't on good terms with Claude, things wouldn't end well for Ciel.
The vampire chuckled. "You're a smart one. I see whoever you know taught you well," he said and kicked the shards of glass away. They disappeared down a storm drain with a soft tinkling sound. "But I won't hurt you. As I said before, you don't have anything I need and hurting you would only cause me more trouble."
Ciel's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?" he asked, heart racing against his chest. He never knew of a vampire who needed to inject blood into them via needle. It seemed strange and he couldn't help but wonder why.
A small shrug of the shoulders and he turned his face to the side. "It's a bit complicated," the vampire answered with a wary smile.
"Try me."
"I'd rather not."
Ciel scowled. "And why not?" he demanded.
The vampire hummed lightly and leaned against the wall, his eyes flickering over Ciel's shoulder to look at the door. "Well, it's rather simple actually," he commented lightly. "You know Claude."
"Claude?" Ciel repeated and suddenly remembered the night they first met. Claude practically tore them apart and threatened to kill the vampire standing before him. It only made sense that the man knew who Ciel's vampire connection was. Even if Claude was Alois's boyfriend and not his. Thank goodness. "What does Claude have to do with anything?"
"Everything," the vampire breathed as the door burst open behind Ciel.
Ciel startled and turned around quickly, just in time to see Claude practically fly out from the building. His usual amber eyes burned with a pink tint to them and Ciel winced as Claude's hand grasped his shoulder tightly. He pushed Ciel out of the way, almost tossing him against the wall with his strength.
"Michaelis," Claude snarled. "I thought I smelled your foul scent."
"Faustus," the vampire answered softly.
Claude growled. "What are you doing here? You know you're not welcome here anymore."
Michaelis faltered and Ciel watched as hopefulness briefly washed across his face. "I had hoped," he started and went to move forward, but froze at the deep snarl that ripped from Claude's chest. The previous hope quickly drained from his face and Ciel couldn't help but feel his heart ache at the expression. The vampire looked so distraught and helpless.
"You will get nothing from me," Claude answered and glanced over his shoulder as more people appeared at the door. His eyes narrowed at them before he turned his attention back to the vampire. "You and I are no longer friends."
"But I," Michaelis began.
"Enough!" someone in the doorway snapped. Ciel turned to look at the entrance to the club, surprised to see that so many people had gathered in such a short period of time. "You lost your right to be here, Sebastian. The punishment for stepping foot in this territory could come at the cost of your life. You knew that and willingly risked the chance. You alone are responsible for your actions. Claude."
Claude nodded, his features stern and his eyes hard. "Understood," he said stiffly.
Sebastian turned desperate eyes to Claude. "Claude, please," he tried, voice pleading.
Claude snarled, mouth opening wide as he lunged at Sebastian. Even from a distance, Ciel could see the long canine teeth that protruded from Claude's gums. They dipped down in an arch, looking more like snake fangs than something that belonged in a human's mouth.
Then again, Claude wasn't truly human.
The loud and violent sounding growls that left Claude filled the alleyway, and sent goosebumps racing across Ciel's skin. He never heard Claude sound so vicious before and he pressed himself up against the wall even more to avoid detection. The last thing he wanted was to somehow fall into the fight or cross paths with either male as they danced around each other.
To Ciel's right, the other vampires crowded near the doorway - because honestly, they couldn't be anything else but vampires - all jeering and goading Claude on, encouraging him to rip Sebastian limb from limb. And the way Claude and Sebastian fought - their actions like that of wild animals; violent, deadly, and instinctive - the words had an impact. Blood already covered the dirty concrete in random splatters, more from Sebastian's wounds than vice versa, and Sebastian appeared to struggle against Claude.
He watched as Sebastian feebly dodged an attack and dropped to a knee, looking up at Claude from the ground. His lips pulled back in a snarl of his own and Ciel's heart pounded against his chest as his eyes widened in shock. Above Sebastian, Claude didn't even pause as his arm came down in a large swinging arch aimed at Sebastian's head.
Sebastian surged forward and up from the ground, teeth still bared in an attack that looked as though he aimed for Claude's neck. The action made Claude pull back suddenly and before Ciel could even comprehend what happened, Sebastian vanished from the alleyway.
His eyes frantically searched the dimly lit narrow space, trying to find the vampire but unable to discern the shadows from each other. Frustrated, Ciel turned to Claude, hoping that the other vampire knew where Sebastian vanished to, but even Claude looked confused and lost.
"Find him," someone demanded from the doorway. "He's weak now and couldn't have gone far."
Several vampires disappeared into the night, slipping through the darkness like shadows and Ciel shivered at the ease in which they moved through the night. It reminded him that even though Claude only looked innocent when he was around them, he was anything but. Alois played a dangerous game, dating Claude, but Claude seemed to know how to handle himself around Alois and treated him well.
But after watching Claude fight tonight, Ciel knew he wouldn't forget that underneath the loving exterior that Claude showed to Alois lurked a cold blooded killer.
A vampire stepped out of the doorway and made her way to Claude. "I see we have no doubts in where your loyalty lies," she commented lightly and clapped him on the shoulder. "Michaelis knows never to show his face here again. The club is ours now."
Claude scoffed. "It's yours now," he corrected and knocked her hand aside. "I'm no one's pet right now. I'm flying solo for a while."
"Of course," the female cooed. "The loss you experienced was a difficult one and will take time to come to terms. However, should you ever find yourself looking for a family; you know my offer still stands."
"Thanks," Claude said gruffly.
The woman smirked and turned on her heel, going back inside the club. A second after she left, Alois came running outside to take her place. "Ciel," he called and nearly slammed into Ciel in his attempt to reach his side. "Are you all right?"
Ciel nodded. "I'm fine," he said. "Nothing happened to me."
"What did happen?" Alois asked, looking between Ciel and Claude.
"An unwanted guest appeared on the club's doorstep," Claude answered and wiped at his mouth, teeth back to their normal length and his eyes their crisp amber color once more. A small smudge of blood stained a patch of pale skin near his mouth and Ciel couldn't tear his eyes away from it. "And this is exactly why I didn't want you roaming around at night unattended."
Ciel ignored the dig at him. "That was the same person from last week," he said. "Why didn't you tell me he was a vampire as well?"
Claude stiffened. "Because he's no one. He's just a weak vampire who has a habit of causing trouble," he said. "I told you to stay away from him."
"It's not like I purposely went searching for him," Ciel protested. "He just happened to be there when I stepped out to get some air. Besides, if he's just a weak vampire and overall worthless, I don't see how he's so dangerous."
"He is," Claude said quickly. "He's a dangerous vampire, Ciel."
Ciel crossed his arms across his chest. "That's not what you just said, Claude," he pointed out and held the vampire's gaze. "And he can't be that dangerous if you beat him so easily in a fight. By extension, wouldn't that make you the more dangerous one?"
Claude ran an agitated hand through his hair. "I'm not going to argue this with you, Ciel," he bit out. "I'm telling you this for your own good. Stay away from Sebastian Michaelis. He's a dangerous vampire."
Ciel didn't argue back, choosing instead to mull the words over in his mind. Seemingly satisfied that he understood the situation, Claude stalked past him. "Claude," he started just as the vampire reached the door. "Why didn't Sebastian have any fangs?"
"He didn't have fangs?" Alois questioned next to him. "I thought all vampires had fangs. That's how they eat, right, Claude?"
"It's a complicated matter," Claude said stiffly. "And I told you not to concern yourself with the likes of him. Just drop the subject."
He disappeared into the club, the shadows swallowing him whole and Alois shifted uneasily. "We should probably go back inside and get ready to leave. Claude's not in a good mood now."
Ciel snorted, hardly caring about Claude's mood. His mind buzzed with too many other things and worrying about a moody vampire was the least thing he wanted to think about. Instead, his thoughts drifted back to Sebastian as he entered the warm club and his mind continued to replay one specific scene from the fight.
Sebastian crouched down on a knee, snarling up at Claude without a single trace of vampire like fangs in his mouth.