Chapter 2: Morning Light
Sebastian accepted everything his master discharged before straightening himself, throwing back his head, letting his eyes close and licking his lips as he savoured the taste. He couldn't say that he was completely satisfied, but it was close. He could feel the last few drops continue down his throat to his stomach where they were quickly absorbed of their energy. Yes, it was close enough.
But it wasn't the real thing.
This essence was nothing but a taste of the meal in the middle of cooking. It couldn't compare to the finished dish he was waiting for: Ciel Phantomhive's soul.
Sebastian looked at the boy before him from the edge of his eye. Ciel lay still, trying to gather his breath and wits, his earlier-scrunched-up face now relaxed as he experienced the high of his first release. His eyes remained shut and soon his euphoria melted into fatigue; the tiredness was a given, not only caused by this but the events prior to it as well.
The demon removed himself off the bed, and once again assumed the role of the dutiful butler. He retrieved the nightshirt from the closet and left the room silently to fetch a basin of water and a clean towel. He began heading towards the stoves to heat the water with but stopped and stared at the basin he carried. He really didn't have time for this. So instead he made his way back to his master's chamber, container filled warmed water and two fresh towels draped across his arm. His master wouldn't mind that he used his powers on a trivial task such as heating water, would he? No of course not. In any matter, Ciel would not have noticed for on his arrival Sebastian found his master asleep, oblivious to the world around him.
With an expressionless face, he knelt beside his master and set about getting him clean. He dipped one cloth in the clear liquid, wrung it slightly and gently dabbed the boy's skin, on his chest, neck, arms and legs. His master did not stir at all. His pulse and breathing had almost regulated, his chest now rising and falling rhythmically.
Sebastian continued on to his face, pushing back the sweat-matted hair out of the way. His lips were slightly parted and his long eyelashes rested delicately on his cheeks. The demon couldn't help but noticed how innocent Ciel looked when he slept, and how he actually looked his age.
Sleep. It was such an underappreciated treasure among mortals, and something that eluded a restless creature such as himself.
But as he watched this human, this enigma of a child, resting so peacefully... Ah, he was becoming too sentimental after being in the human realm for so long. Or perhaps he was feeling the after-effects of his 'snacking'.
Whatever it was, he pushed those thoughts away for a moment as he continued to clean his master. Sebastian had to gently pull him to a sitting position as he wiped his back. He used the other towel to dry him off and reached for the white night shirt Ciel used as night clothes.
He sat on the edge of the bed behind the boy while he unfolded the material, resulting in Ciel's head lolling back to rest on Sebastian's shoulder. The butler did nothing more than slip the shirt over his head and pry his arms through its holes.
With that completed, he eased Ciel gently onto the pillows. He fluffed them before making sure the boy was adequately covered with the duvet. He then walked to the windows and drew the curtains before returning once again to his master's bedside.
Sebastian glanced at the sleeping figure one last time before turning towards the doors, basin and cloth in one hand and candelabra the other. As he closed the doors behind him, with the slightest puff, he blew out the candles, immersing the room into darkness.
It was bright.
The sunlight woke Ciel up before anything else, his eyelids unable to filter all of it as it broke in through the windows.
He groaned as he turned away, placing an arm over his eyes.
He heard a soothing voice call out to him, but he was too groggy to decipher the words that were spoken. Funny, he had never felt this tired in a while; it was like every muscle in his body was sore as he tried finally tensing and relaxing them to wake him up.
Even stranger that, despite the soreness, he felt more rested than he had in a long time. Must have had a good dream, he mused to himself.
...
"..Se-he-bas...unnh..."
...
Wait.
What?
Ciel's eyes shot open even with their heaviness at the remembrance of that voice, his own voice. He lay frozen where was trying very hard to recall what he saw just now. His mind began to panic and his hands clenched the sheets. Had something happen to him?
His grogginess almost disappeared in that instance of recollection. It was coming back to him: the touching, the kissing, the... Ciel blushed as those thoughts now flooded his consciousness in random torrents, incoherent as there were parts missing in between. Through his embarrassment Ciel willed himself to remember anything important, and retraced his steps mentally. Alright, he had come home and he was here on his bed, and with him was…
"Young master?" inquired the voice of his butler.
His butler...!
The boy sat up suddenly and found himself unable to move from that position.
No. No, no no! What happened last night? The cog wheels of his mind churned frantically trying to think of answers, but he didn't like the conclusion that came. Did that even really happen?
He cautiously turned towards Sebastian, standing by the window. Ciel had to squint until his eyes adjusted to the sheer glare from outside that shone around the shadowed figure.
"I am sorry to wake you," Sebastian spoke in a steady voice, returning the silver watch to his waistcoat pocket, "but it is well into the morning, young master. You should not oversleep anymore than you have."
The boy blinked again at his butler: he seemed so calm, as if it was just another morning, as if nothing had happened the night before.
'The night before...'
Damn, those accursed visions returned again, of their skin touching, of his butler's face so close to his... Ciel felt the heat creep up his face and averted his gaze to the sheets.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Sebastian move to the small dinner cart laden with tea crockery and an assortment of little biscuits.
"For today, a strong Assam blend brewed with a hint of lemon. The brew is a sample sent by Marksons and Co., who had consulted you earlier of their proposed venture," his butler spoke as he poured the steamy dark tea from its pot to a dainty cup with a matching pattern of green and yellow. He added not two, but three teaspoons of sugar to it before stirring it without the slightest sound. Placing it on a saucer with a light biscuit in the side, he offered it to his master. "I hope the taste is to your liking. It was brewed strong as to help wake you up."
The boy stared at the cup incredulously for what seemed like a while before accepting it with shaky hands. He brought to his lips, blowing slightly on it before taking a precautionary sip. The tea was robust yet refreshing. As he swallowed, he felt how really parched he was and involuntarily took another gulp of the scalding tea.
"Are you alright, young master?" the butler asked.
"Young master..." The sultry voice of last night's Sebastian replayed in Ciel's head and brought another blush to his face.
'Do not think about it, do NOT think about it!'
But why? Why was his butler acting so differently, or rather acting no different? Had not last night happened? Were the events his imagination?
That last thought hung on his mind for a while: had he really just imagined everything...?
Not but a few hours ago, as he made preparations for the day, Sebastian had his own questions as well; namely, how was the Phantomhive going to react?
The answer was quite unexpected to say the least.
Ciel had woken up with a start and remained quiet, though he seemed to have many questions he wanted to ask. His mismatched eyes had widened and stared, but he said nothing. His master's gaze would dart from him to the covers or to the bedpost, avoiding eye contact. The teacup in his hand rattled in-between taking sips, but he gripped it as if it was the last cup he shall ever receive.
Sebastian should have been taking this seriously, but oddly enough, he found his reactions much too entertaining.
He leaned in towards the bed and held out a hand for the empty cup, with a "Pardon me" to get the boy's attention.
Ciel startled to turn and find his butler so close to him so suddenly and become even more flustered as he watched intently those gloved hands take the saucer and cup from his.
Sebastian stifled his smirk as he watched his master and ventured out to repeat his earlier question: "My lord, are you feeling alright?"
It earned a startled jump from the boy who looked fleetingly at him. "Y-yes, I'm fine," he managed out in a hoarse voice.
"Are you sure? You seemed troubled."
The colour on his face deepened. "No, nothing is wrong. I just"-he cleared his throat "- had a strange d-dream is all..." he said dismissively, but as if trying to convince himself as well.
Sebastian blinked.
Dream?
Ah, I see. What a convenient explanation, young master. Sebastian couldn't help but feel the smallest bit disappointed at not being able to see his master's true reaction, but this had the possibility of working out as well.
"Oh? Must have been quite a dream for you to remember even when you awaken." The demon had to drain all amusement from his tone in order to not arouse suspicion.
He watched intently as his master changed colours yet again.
"Might I enquire what it was about?" he asked politely as he put the tea things away.
Ciel's eyes widened as if he had just uttered blasphemy. "It was more like a nightmare, actually," he muttered under his breath. "And I rather not recall any of it."
Sebastian doubted if the boy truly believed what he was saying, but as he looked down to the used teacup, he saw that that lone biscuit had been untouched. My, the master was really flustered, wasn't he, if he had forgotten his sweets? Perhaps he should leave things as they are, then. If this was the state Ciel was in when he thought it a dream, what would it be like when he found out the truth?
It was all a dream.
That was the conclusion Ciel had finally come to, rather made himself accept, for he could not remember any details other than…t-those.
Arggh! Why was this so frustrating? Why couldn't he remember anything useful?
Ciel had looked down; finding himself dressed as he usually would when sleeping. His body felt no different either other than the soreness from oversleeping, so is it possible...? His butler gave not the slightest indication of anything suspicious, neither in affirmation or denial. So was it a hallucination? Is it possible that he...?
'What kind of "dream" was that?!' Ciel had shouted in his head. To...fantasize about 'that' and with his butler of all people! He wasn't even human. And all those things they did- Don't think about it!
'No, Ciel, Do not be ridiculous,' he tried reasoning to himself. 'A dream. This was probably something that happens once and once only; it will pass. If it was a dream then you are safe. Nobody knows anything and never will. Just act like nothing is wrong...'
And now, he glanced at Sebastian once more, but he turned away immediately unable to hold even the slightest gaze for long. But just how was he going to do that?
"Sebastian?" Ciel asked stoically when he worked up enough courage. "Did anything..."he swallowed "... happen...yesterday?" His body tensed in anticipation of an answer.
"Yes, quite a lot happened, my lord," the butler answered without missing a beat, throwing the boy off balance with his bluntness. "Cannot you remember?"
A part of him wanted to respond sarcastically as he might usually, but now was not the time. "W-what," he was almost scared to ask "exactly...?"
"We ran an 'errand' for Her Majesty at the pier," said Sebastian, using the closest euphemism suitable enough for the bloody task they had accomplished for the Queen. "And we returned to the manor."
Ciel absorbed the words. "And nothing else happened last night?"
"No, my lord. Nothing of particular interest."
Another straightforward answer: nothing at all. The demon was forbidden from lying, so it must be the truth, shouldn't it?
And with that, Ciel was put at ease; at least however much at ease he could feel now knowing that it was all his imaginings and not the fault of the demon.
He saw Sebastian pull out his pocket watch once more to look at the time. "Pardon me for being rude, but it is time you got out of bed."
The boy nodded and scooted off, deciding to leave this matter with the crinkled covers on the bed and not think anymore of it. With that thought, he let his butler to assist him prepare for the day.
Ciel was glad when Sebastian finally closed the door behind him as he left the study. With a sigh, he leaned back into his chair, relieved that he was now by himself for the first time that entire morning.
He had thought that he could force himself to forget the dream. He had never been more wrong.
As his butler was getting him dressed, his mind was plagued by the image of those hands and what they could be capable of. He couldn't look into his face without imagining those lips on his skin. He couldn't stand still as his clothes were changed without getting the most indecent thoughts of-
Pull yourself together!
Straightening himself in his chair and coming closer to his desk, Ciel brought his attention to the work he had to do in hopes it would distract him.
Ciel had given strict orders for no one to disturb him and asked that his midday meal be served later as well so his isolation could be lengthened. Unfortunately for him, it was a Sunday and not many matters needed his settling. No letters had arrived, no guests or tutors either.
He had written to Her Majesty, conveying that his end of the task was completed last night, and thus with the sealing for the wax with his insignia-bearing ring, concluded his business for the day.
Ciel looked at the clock and seeing that it was only a quarter past eleven, he decided to work on the upcoming line of toys for the company he ran anonymously, Funtom.
He was so immersed in it that when a knock sounded at his door, he saw the time was now almost two.
"Enter."
"Excuse the intrusion, young master" said Sebastian as he bowed slightly, "but I thought I should inform you of the arrival of Lady Midford."
"Elizabeth?" his master asked, confused. She was the person he was least expecting.
Ciel made his way downstairs to the entrance hall, his butler following behind, wondering at the sudden visitation. One thing after another...
"Ciel!" the young girl squealed as she saw him approach her. Excitedly, she practically ran towards him to clasp his hands in hers.
"Elizabeth..."Ciel began before being stopped by her pout.
"Ciiiiel, I've told you before: call me Lizzie," she complained but with lightness in tone.
"Yes. Lizzie. This is unexpected," he started, noticing that they were still holding hands.
The blonde girl's smiled returned again at this. "That's because I wanted to surprise you! Are you surprised?"
"Y-yes actually, I am."
"The family are visiting a relative further north, but your estate was en route [no, it wasn't, actually], so I asked if we could make a slight detour because... I thought it would be nice to see you." A light pink blush immediately dusted the already-freckled bridge of her nose as if she was embarrassed by her confession.
Ciel, though still believing all this was unnecessary, could help but smiling. "It's good to see you, too, Lizzie," he said with a gentle squeeze of her hand. It was quite soft and the slightest bit fleshier than his, he noted.
Elizabeth's blush spread a little further and said nothing, leaving the two in silence for a moment until Sebastian cleared his throat discretely behind them.
"Milady, would you care for a cup of tea?" he asked politely with a slight bow.
"Oh, thank you, Sebastian," Elizabeth replied, releasing their hands, remembering that there were others in the room with them. "But there is no need to trouble you. Mama is still waiting in the coach outside (Papa and Edward are arriving later, you see). I just wanted to come in and quickly say 'hello'! Ah, I remember, I also wanted to give Ciel this. Paula?" She said turning back to the brown-haired woman who accompanied her. Ciel took the opportunity to give a nod in his butler's direction as permission for dismissal for now.
Elizabeth thrust colourfully-wrapped parcel towards him. "For you."
"Oh-um. Thank you," he said plainly.
"Open it," she beamed, her eagerness apparent in her wide green eyes that stared into Ciel's solitary one
Ciel did so, removing the paper carefully without tearing it, and took out a piece of silk cloth.
"It's a..." he began, not sure exactly what it was.
"It's cravat!" Lizzie finished happily. "I wanted to give this to you later, but I thought now was as good a time as any."
Ciel regarded the navy-blue cloth with elegant floral patterns in a brilliant shimmering shade of blue, almost the exact shade of his right iris and the blue diamond ring on his thumb.
"I know that perhaps it's old-fashioned, but is it not the prettiest pattern? Truthfully, I wanted to get something cuter, perhaps in pink or orange, but I thought this was more to your taste."
It wasn't, but was closer than one in pink or orange.
"Yes, it's very nice. Thank you, Eliz-Lizzie."
"Well?" She looked at his expectedly. "Do not you want to try it on?"
"Um..."
"Here, let me tie it for you!" Lizzie took the cloth from his hands, oblivious to Ciel's reluctance. "Now hold still."
He did, hiding his exasperation, standing perfectly so as she undid the soft black tie he already wore, she murmuring about how he should try wearing cuter clothes once in a while. As she stood closer to him, he was once again reminded of Lizzie's height, and turned away slightly embarrassed.
"Oh?" His proclaimed fiancée stopped as she adjusted the high collar of his as she was adjusted the length of each side. "Ciel, what happened to your neck?" She asked worriedly.
"Come again?" His ears focused on what she was saying once more.
"There is this nasty-looking bruise on it," replied Elizabeth pointing to the base of his neck.
"A bruise?"
"At least, that is what I think it is. Paula, what do you think?"
"Oh my! That is quite wound, milady." The handmaid stated, not helping the situation much.
"Did you knock yourself anywhere?" asked the blonde girl, concern very evident.
"No, I don't think so. Not recently at least," answered Ciel, feeling as if he was having a consultation with a physician. He was completely unscathed during the brawl last night, was not he?
"Have you been spending more time outdoors since the weather is warming? Could it be an insect bite then?"
"A bite...?"
Ciel's eyes blinked before they widened as images flashed through his mind, of someone, that same 'someone' from this morning's visions, kissing and nibbling on his neck at the same point his fiancée now prodded. The blush, his nemesis, returned once again to cover his face, as the barrage of thoughts continued their attack on his countenance.
"What's wrong, Ciel?" Lizzie's voice cut through.
"N-nothing," he said hurriedly, trying to regain composure.
"Maybe a soothing salve is in order," offered Paula once again, though no one seemed to pay her any mind.
"Does the wound still hurt?"
The boy shook his head, and gave no indication that he wanted to continue this topic. Fortunately Elizabeth was quicker to notice it this time.
"Alright," said she quietly before finishing the tie. "I'll it loosely so it won't hurt."
Her fingers worked nimbly, folding and knotting the cloth with all the experience of tying bows on unwilling participants. Finished, Lizzie smoothed down the front of his shirt timidly and took a step back to admire her work. "There! I knew it would look good on you! Now if only the rest of your outfit would match it..."
Ciel saw the danger that was approaching as he watched her thinking about new costume ideas for him.
They were interrupted by the arrival of a footman. "E-excuse me, milady," he bowed deeply in apology, "but the Marchioness is enquiring as to how much longer your visit would-"
"Oh, I forgot about Mama!" she exclaimed, causing the nervous chap to jump. "I'm sorry that I have to leave so suddenly." She sounded comparatively cheerless all of a sudden.
"Not to worry yourself. We might meet again sooner than you think, Lizzie," consoled Ciel, earning a smile from the girl. "And thank you for the lovely gift." He took her hand and gracefully bowed to place a slight peck on her fingers, earning another blush from the innocent.
He walked her out, her servants following, and returned her wave as the stagecoach pulled away from the front of the building. When it was a good distance away, he let the smile fall and re-entered the manor house.
His butler closed the doors behind him as Ciel walked briskly the large mirror that hung on the back wall near the stairs. Once there, he pulled off the ridiculous bow and opened the collar of his shirt. Tilting his head at an angle his one good eye came to focus instantly on the bruise on his neck. It reddish-purple colour stood out greatly against his pale skin.
He stared at, shakily bringing up a hand to tentatively touching it to make sure it was real.
The hand that held the fabric fisted tightly. His eye flickered to the image of his butler that emerged in the mirror behind his. With a heated glare he turned to face him. He wanted to speak but remembered the other servants of the household.
Ciel's jaw clenched with a sort of rage, and he ground out just two sentences: "To the study. Now."
Ciel walked briskly, his poise almost nonexistent as he felt the anger boil his body. His butler followed behind, not having said a word since the Lady Midford's departure.
The boy threw open the doors and walked to the centre of the room. Sebastian without a command locked the doors behind him and turned to face his master. Ciel closed the gap between them the instant he did so.
Smack!
The sound resonated on the walls as Ciel slapped Sebastian as hard as he could across the left side of his face.
Ciel stepped back and waited for the butler to face him once more. As he brought his hand back to his side, he felt the sting in his hand and balled it into a fist, feeling his skin stretch taut over his knuckles.
Sebastian's face betrayed no emotion, not even confusion at the sudden outburst. Instead he stood as he was waiting for the boy to do or say something.
The Phantomhive inhaled deep and swallowed before continuing. "It was not a 'dream', was it?"
Sebastian said nothing, but his silence itself gave Ciel all the confirmation he needed.
"You lied to me, you bastard," he spat out, colour rising in his face from exertion and the sheer embarrassment of it all. "You swore that you would never lie to me and—"
"And I never did," Sebastian concluded, speaking for the first time.
Ciel glowered at him. "You told me that nothing happened last night. I asked you a question and your answer was a lie!" he was raising his voice now.
"I stand by my argument, I did not speak falsely. When you asked me if anything occurred 'last night', I responded truthfully for it was well passed the midnight hour; it was 'this morning', rather."
The boy's eyes widened at that reasoning. Ciel's urge to slap him again was unbearable, and despite his anger, he still wanted answers. "How dare you do such a thing? You think that it is not a lie based on a technicality? Do you have any idea how... mortifying all of this is? How sordid, how- how..." his speech was faltering now as the emotions overtook his features; his face was reddish though his knuckles white, his shoulders shook slightly and his jaw quivered and clenched.
"That is saying something, isn't it?"Sebastian retorted, a sinister smirk on his lips, "Especially given your responses during—"
"Be quiet! Don't say it!"
"A little loud, are we not? You were last night as well..."
"Stop..."
"...calling out my name, of all things, with that lovely voice of yours," Sebastian started stepping towards the boy, who in kind took a step back with every step forward by the other.
What scared Ciel more than the advances was the look in his butler's eyes, those red orbs that seemed to burn with a flame, burn their gaze deep into his.
Ciel gasped when his back hit the front of his desk allowing the demon to close in on him, and giving him no room to escape. He flinched as his butler's arms flanked his body, keeping their hands on the table and trapping the boy left, right and centre.
"Oh? What happened to that vehement passion you displayed but a moment ago?" he teased seductively.
His voice sent shivers down Ciel's body, but he forced himself to maintain eye contact in an attempt to keep whatever pride he had left; breaking it now would be a sign of weakness.
"You repeatedly tell me to be honest, but you yourself hypocritical. Why not admit it," said Sebastian, leaning closer to the boy's ear, "you enjoyed what happened then..."
Ciel had no response to that.
"... and a part of you wants more."
The boy decided that he could no longer keep silent. Was he not Ciel Phantomhive? Was he not this demon's master? He struggled against the confines of Sebastian's arms and chest, squirming desperately. "You know...ugh- nothing about what I feel."
This effort was useless, as Sebastian caught the boy's arm and turned him around and embraced him from behind, bringing their bodies closer than before.
"Ah, but I do," said his butler. "Since you so wish me to be truthful, I shall; I can sense it in the air, your 'feelings', like an intoxicating perfume." To emphasize this, he nuzzled the back of Ciel's neck, earning another shudder. "I can tell from its taste that you want more. In fact," he inhaled deeply, "I get a faint scent coming from you right now."
Ciel's mind was too preoccupied for words as it focused on the body behind his. He could feel Sebastian's chest on his back, his heat seeping through the fabric of their clothes. "Don't touch me."
But he heeded not those words as his hands wrapped around the boy's waist, travelling up and down his torso. His left hand made its way to the back of Ciel's head and grabbed a fistful of his hair. The boy grimaced as his head was gently pulled back and forced to look upwards. "I have to say, young master, you are quite lewd, showing off your lust like this. It makes it hard for me to hold back."
"You've –ngh- been holding back?" Ciel mocked at the irony of those words.
"Since last night, actually," Sebastian replied frankly. "It was a shame that we could not finish the 'game' that we started."
"Finish?" the boy's eyes widened and his tone was that of shock and fear. "You mean... there is more...?"
Sebastian answered only with a smirk that put his master more at edge. Despite his mind equal or greater to that of an adult, he was still a child it seemed. Somehow the butler felt the slightest excitement at the prospect of being the one to crush what little ounce of purity, of innocence the master had left, to stain it blacker than night.
Without warning, Sebastian crashed his lips onto his master's, building the kiss up from gentle to passionate in an instant. Ciel was unable to resist and his words couldn't get further than a simple "Mmmph"- the shock erased all thoughts rebelling; nothing filled his mind but this.
That feeling from last night returned again and Ciel could feel his defences slipping while his body wanted to respond. Sebastian must have felt it as well for his grip lessened. He was reminded of his struggle when his butler's tongue passed in between his lips, and willed himself to escape but he was powerless to act on anything.
Because the tiredness that he felt last night was not present within him today, Ciel's senses were more sensitive to the touches and caresses. In the daylight he could see the other with such clarity; it made him feel more self-conscious. However he found himself now involuntarily clinging to the lapels of his butler's jacket, almost as if he would fall if he didn't. There was no chance of that since Sebastian's hands firmly held Ciel's body close to him. He felt his defences slipping...
No... Don't give up ... Ciel summoned whatever resolve he had left to take a stand.
He waited a moment before firmly biting down on the corner of Sebastian's lip. His butler took his time to respond, slowly pulling his injured mouth away and releasing his hold. Ciel immediately retreated a few steps away to face his again and eyed the cut he had caused. As he watched drops of blood appear, he was now aware of the demon's blood on his tongue as well, urging him to spit out it and the saliva from the foreign tongue. He wiped his lips vigorously with the back of his hand while giving a deathly glare to Sebastian.
His butler stood where he was and Ciel waited not for another action before heading towards the doors. Slamming them heavily he left the room, walking quickly towards the master bedroom, where upon entering he slammed them as well, placing the lock, and proceed to the adjoining washroom in search of water with which to rinse out his mouth.
The sound of doors being forcefully closed and opened even penetrated the thick walls of the study where the manor's butler stood motionless for a moment.
Sebastian brought up a hand to touch his lips and glanced at the blood that seeped red into the tips his white gloves.
Everything was going to be more difficult now.
Those same lips that trickled down blood now pulled into a smile as he corrected himself-
Everything was going to be more entertaining now.
A/N: Ah, how I love Ciel and Sebastian x3
