Sebastian rode home with a smile on his face and slept that night peacefully, thinking nothing of Sarah Jenson. That all changed when he arrived at school the next day, decked out in his usual Gothic garments. There was police tape surrounding the football field and the cops were shooing away gawking students while EMTs put Sarah's corpse in a body bag. With an alarmed, shocked motion, Sebastian jumped off his motorcycle and ran through the small gathering of students. "What the Hell happened here?!" he asked frantically, his eyes showing concern.
"Well, son, a young girl was killed here last night. Sarah Jenson. We think it was an animal…" The officer lied. Sebastian could tell because of his tone and stance. The man really thought that it was a killer. A modern Jack The Ripper. The mysterious person who had caused the disappearances of other girls at this particular high school.
Sebastian looked at the police man in horror. "Oh, God, no…This…this can't be happening…" The officer eased the teen down on the sidewalk to sit and let his emotions out. There were a few girls sitting near him that were crying. But no tears came to Sebastian's eyes. He simply sat there, playing a role in front of the crowd. Looking distraught. He ignored the officer as he bellowed to the flocking students:
"Go to your classes now, kids! There's nothing to see here! Make sure that you all start going home before sundown so you can be safe!" Sebastian took a deep breath, and stood on slightly shaking legs. The girls stood as well, and the small gathering of teens departed from the area.
Ciel spent the rest of the night continuously thinking about what he had just witnessed. "I-I can't believe it…..a demon" He didn't sleep at all that night , he spent the night researching demons and demonic signs until the sun rose from the horizon. He yawned as he put on his clothes along with his usual hoodie and grabbed a granola bar before running out of his house and towards school.
What he saw was exactly what he expected, ambulances and police cars all around the football field along with tons of girls -probably that girl's friends- crying hysterically along with Sebastian who was sitting there just staring off in shock. heh…he's a good actor He watched as one of the police officers told them to go inside. He sighed and quickly melted into the crowd, unaware of the dark figure walking towards him.
Sebastian saw that boy again, and broke away from the crowd of mourners to catch up to him. "Phantomhive," He said, walking close behind the younger male. Sebastian was still curious about him, and now that Sarah was out of the way, he could get closer to Phantomhive. He wouldn't worry about getting another girl for at least a few days. "Are you alright from yesterday? I do hope you're not hurt," Sebastian said, his voice eased as if it were any normal day. He felt that there was no reason to act sad in front of the other boy, it wasn't as if he was interested in Sebastian's behavior. He wasn't even sure if Phantomhive knew he had been dating Sarah. Besides, it didn't matter. Sebastian would've forgotten to keep up the act around Phantomhive anyways. It was something enticing about his soul that just made Sebastian seem to forget about everything else. He didn't bother walking beside the younger teen, but instead followed behind him like a menacing shadow. But, he couldn't help it. He wasn't trying to seem like he wanted to devour the boy that very second, it was simply because of his nature that he would probably seem creepy in that way.
Ciel snapped his head up at the sound of the demon's voice and quickly made sure his hood was covering his head before turning to face him, "Uh y-yeah, thank for stopping them…" he mumbled as they walked into the school. He looked around nervously as flashbacks of the other night came back. "You seem pretty calm for someone who just lost his girlfriend" he smirked under his hood. Ciel was about to say something else when some jock walked past and made sure to shove the teen with his shoulder. "Ah!" the hooded teen gasped as he was pushed forward, accidentally revealing his mouth from under his hood to the demon.
Sebastian caught the other boy's shoulders automatically, despite the shock that he actually did know that Sarah was Sebastian's girlfriend. It had been a mistake to let down his guard around him. He saw the younger teen's mouth, his lips a soft, round pink. It almost looked feminine. It was definitely attractive. Startled by his own thoughts, Sebastian let go of Phantomhive's shoulders. "Oh, yes, about that…well, I'm very unhappy. I'm trying my best not to show it. I have to be strong for my friends and help them get through this, you understand. It's all very hard, hearing this news now. But , I figure that I should try to be calm and help her friends. That's what Sarah would want." The bell for the beginning of school rang loudly in the halls of murmuring mourners.
The teen tensed when he felt Sebastian's hand on his shoulders and quickly looked away while pulling his hood down more. He did his best not to laugh at what the older teen had said about Sarah, "Yeah….suppose she would" he mumbled and felt a sense of relief when he heard the bell ring, "I gotta head to class…bye" he said before going off to find his locker. I can't believe he's a demon….how could I have not seen it?! He stopped by his locker and grabbed his Literature book before heading to his class and taking his usual seat in the back.
Sebastian sighed and said nothing in reply to the hooded teen. Instead, he simply walked toward his first class and tiredly sat in the front seat. The one next to him was empty, and served as a grim reminder for the rest of the class the loss that they had endured. It only reminded Sebastian of dinner. The teacher up front adjusted his square glasses on his narrow nose and spoke rather loudly, "As you all know, Sarah Jenson, a dear friend of ours, passed away last night. The police gave each teacher explicit instructions to tell you all at the beginning of class that there will be a curfew at sunset, and any teen seen outside past that time will be taken home immediately, for their own safety. Also, we all think it's important that if any of you have plans, everyone goes out in pairs or groups. It would be easier to fight off whoever is committing these heinous crimes. The other teachers and I even recommend that you sleep over with your friends so that you can come to school together and go home together as well. We don't want anyone alone to become the next victim." The teacher couldn't help but steal a glance toward Ciel. Neither could Sebastian. "I'll give you kids a few minutes to discuss this among yourselves," He said, "I'm going to the faculty room to get your tests from last week." And with that, the teacher exited the room, leaving the teens moving seats and talking to each other in sad, dark tones. Sebastian continued to stare at the younger teen from the corner of his eye.
Ciel rolled his eyes under his hood as the teacher looked at him and waited until he left then quickly took out his book by Edgar Allen Poe and started reading once again. He turned the page and smirked as he saw his favorite poem, The Raven he pulled his knees into his chair and began reading to himself;
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door -
Only this, and nothing more.'
The more Sebastian stared at the younger teen, the more irritated he became. Why was he always alone? What did he really look like beneath that hood? What was he trying to hide? and the most important question of all- how could Sebastian get Phantomhive to trust him? Before he could think more of it, the teacher returned with the papers and the rest of the class went on as usual. The day was long and boring, like any other, but when he least expected it, Sebastian caught himself looking for Phantomhive, and sometimes staring when he did catch sight of him. What had made the demon take interest in him? His soul? The mystery of his hidden face? The odd way he felt around the younger teen? The demon was determined to find out. But, to do that, he'd have to get to know the boy. When lunch finally rolled around, Sebastian got a tray of food, barely anything, and instead of sitting at the center table with his usual group of friends, a big group that had dwindled down to about ten since the last few weeks, Sebastian carefully scanned the area for anyone wearing a black hood. His curiosity for the boy in the hood was beginning to eat away at him.
The teen sighed when he saw the teacher come in the room and put away his book, I was hoping to read that whole poem with no distractions….maybe during lunch He mumbled something under his hood as he was handed a worksheet. He quickly finished it as usual and set it aside as he waited for everyone else to finish aand soon became lost in thought about his current discovery. So now that I know the truth about him what should I do?….go to the police? Yeah right as if they would believe that….a priest? heh I don't even go to church man…this will be hard… before he knew it the bell had rung for lunch and everyone was filing out of the room, he quickly took his stuff and headed towards the cafateria. After getting his lunch, Ciel walked over to an empty table and took a seat. He quickly got out his book and went to the page he was on. "Now maybe I can read this whole thing in peace" he sighed and looked down at the book;
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door -
Only this, and nothing more.'
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow; - vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow - sorrow for the lost Lenore -
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Lenore -
Nameless here for evermore.
And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me - filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
`'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door -
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door; -
This it is, and nothing more,'
No…No…There! Sebastian had finally caught sight of him, reading a book. He was sitting alone, as expected. The demon quickly made his way through the cluster of students over to the near-empty table and leisurely took a seat beside the hooded figure. He glanced down at the other teen's book, mentally nodding in approval. Edgar Allen Poe, a good choice. Sebastian rested his elbows on the table and laced his fingers together, careful not to disturb the concealer he used every day to hide his demonic seal, which was only a dull, gray color. It would become a certain brighter color once a contract was made, his parents told him. But he wouldn't bother with that for two more centuries, at least. Sebastian was more than willing to wait for Phantomhive to finish the poem before they spoke. He had a lot of questions and plenty of time to ask them. He quietly rested his chin on his fingers and watched the other read. Well, watched his hood.
Faint murmers and whispers of shock broke Ciel from his concentration on the poem. He looked over and saw that it was because Sebastian was sitting right next to him and seemed to be staring straight at him, a shiver quickly ran down his spine, What the hell could he want….does he know that I saw him on the field?! He tightened his grip on the book before gently closing it. He's going to kill me, I just know it The teen gulped softly before turning his hooded head to Sebastian, "What do you want?" he asked as calmly as he could.
Sebastian hesitated a moment before speaking. "I want to hang out with you." He said. It was the first plausible excuse he could come up with. "There's a killer around here, and I know you're always alone. I'd like to make sure that you're safe….I'll even make sure that those other guys don't mess with you ever again, if you want." Sebastian was slowly attaining a bit of protectiveness over the other teenager. The thought of bullies beating the poor kid up really began to irritate Sebastian. But the only way to protect him was to be around him a lot. "I'd also like to be your friend, if that's alright." He took his chin off his fingertips and let his black nailed hands rest on the table as he waited for his answer.
Shocked gasps filled the room of people who had been listening to the conversation and it sounded to Ciel as if someone fainted. The teen made a small tsk and pulled at the long sleeves of the hoodie, Is that the best he could come up with? "No thanks" he replied, causing more gasps to erupt "I'm fine being alone….it's nothing truly new to me" an almost sad tone seemed to appear in the younger teen's voice as he spoke.
It was at that moment that Sebastian had become very irritated. Not with Phantomhive, but with the annoying humans who were eavesdropping. The demon fought the urge to scare everyone out of the room. But, he was more patient than some would give him credit for. He ignored the onlookers and looked at the teen next to him with a soft gaze. "I'm sorry about that. May I at least know your first name?" That was one question that held no trace of a lie. He sincerely wanted to know who the hooded teen really was, just as another person. Not as food. Though the demon couldn't for the life of him figure out why. Most of the room had gone quiet, expecting the other boy to answer. Sebastian clenched his fists in irritation and glanced over at the people in the immediate vicinity with an icy glare, causing most of them to return to eating or whatever conversations they were having previously.
"My name…?" The teen looked down for a moment. He had always been known as either 'Phantomhive' or 'Freak' by everyone so he had stopped saying his real name years ago -not that anyone cared enough to ask for it-. Just the thought of saying it was strange. "It's…C-" "SEBASTIAN!" Heels clacked loudly as a redhead came over and wrapped his arms around Sebastian's neck, "What are you doing talking to this piece of filth?" the redhead asked while sneering at Ciel, "You might catch some strange disease if you stay near him! Come on let's take you back to where you belong my darling~!"
"God damn it," Sebastian muttered. As if he wasn't on his last nerve already, this idiot had to show up. "Go away, Grell. And how many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me your 'Darling'?!" Grell ignored Sebastian and pulled him from his chair, trying to pull him back to the center table. The other students seemed to be enjoying the scene. That was the last straw. Sebastian whipped around to face Grell and gave him a cold, deadly stare. "I will talk to whomever I want whenever I want. If you have the ignorant idea that you can control my actions, then you are sadly mistaken."
He heard more whispers in the cafeteria, like "Wow, he's so independent" and "What a badass" and "You think they're gonna fight?" Sebastian shot the same look to everyone else, apart from the one in the hood, stunning them to silence. He felt like he would explode with irritation at that very moment, so instead of returning to his seat, Sebastian walked past Grell and left the cafeteria. He walked with tense steps to the library and made his way to the very back, where no one cared to go. He leaned against the side of a bookshelf and slid down until he was sitting on the carpeted floor. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, finally able to calm down once he was away from everyone.
Grell sighed as he watched Sebastian leave before turning and giving Ciel a cold stare as he walked towards him and pulled him up by the neck of his hoodie "Listen here you pathetic freak, I don't want you going anywhere near my beloved Sebby, got that?! He's far to busy to waste his time with trash like you" All of the students were gathering to watch, "You're nothing you know that?! And you'll never be anything, that's why you hide your ugly face right? Cause you're ashamed of how pathetic you look" Grell gave Ciel a quick punch to the gut, causing the hooded teen to fall to the ground and started kicking him. Some of the students cheered Grell on while the others went off to tell their friends about what was happening to the child.
"Sebastian! Sebastian!" A boy from his homeroom class called through the library, ignoring the "ssh"ing from the librarians. Sebastian sighed.
"What do you want?"
"Grell's beating up that guy you were talking to!" He shouted.
Immediately, Sebastian stood and came into view of the boy, following him back to the cafeteria. The demon's stance stiffened with anger as he watched what Grell was doing. Without hesitation, Sebastian walked over to him from behind and pulled him back by his hair. Once he was away from the hooded lump on the floor, Sebastian reeled his fist back, then sucker punched Grell's face, breaking his glasses. The boy fell on the floor with a yelp and a bloody nose, which was now obviously broken. He was lucky; Sebastian was holding back. Sebastian bent down and picked Grell up by the front of his red shirt and glared at him with fiery, hateful eyes. "If you ever hurt him again, I swear I'll kick your ass so hard it'll send you down to Hell, and you better hope that Lucifer doesn't laugh at you and send you back up. Because then, I'll do worse." he growled to the redhead, then looked around at all the others. "That goes for all of you too!" he shouted. Sebastian didn't wait for Grell to respond. He dropped the dazed boy to the ground and then silently stepped over to Phantomhive. The popular teenager knelt down and put the lonesome one's arm around his shoulders, helping him up on his feet. He also grabbed Phantomhive's book for him before he helped him out of the cafeteria. He made sure the other teen's hood was down as they walked passed the shocked students. They disgusted him. "I'm going to take you to the nurse's office, alright?" he said softly as he brought Phantomhive down the empty hallway.
The teen was surprised when the kicking suddenly stopped. He looked up some to see familiar combat boots Sebastian He shivered at the tone Sebastian had as he viciously threatened everyone in the cafeteria before throwing Grell to the ground and walking over towards his book he had dropped and then towards him. He flinched slightly when he felt Sebastian pull him up and help him limp out of the room. He shook his sore head when the demon said he was going to the nurse, "There's no need, i'll be fine" he insisted as they limped down the hall, "Thank you for stopping him…but why did you do it?" he asked curiously, "You've probably put your reputation here at stake…" he sighed underneath his hood.
Sebastian stopped walking and looked over at Phantomhive's hood. He didn't really think about why he had acted the way he did, it just sort of seemed like instinct. "I did it because…Because I was keeping my word. I said I would protect you, so I did. And in all honesty, I could care less about my reputation now. Every person in there is simply disgusting. I wouldn't want to waste my time with them. Besides, it'll be nice to get some peace and quiet after being crowded for so long." The demon smiled softly and continued to walk down the hall. "Whether you like it or not, I'm taking you to the nurse. There was no point in saving you from that bastard if I didn't make sure you didn't have any broken bones or internal bleeding." They made it to the door of the nurse's office and Sebastian knocked with the back of his hand, keeping a hold of Phantomhive's book.
Ciel smiled softly underneath his hood "Thank you…..Sebastian…" The door opened to show a rather chubby woman in a nurse's outfit. "Oh my, come on in" the nurse said when she saw how beaten up he looked. She sat him down on the large counter and looked sweetly at him, "Who was it this time dear?" she asked softly "Grell…" he mumbled as the nurse got out the first aid kit "I see," she sighed and looked over to Sebastian, "I'm going to have to ask you to leave dear," she said, knowing she'd have to remove Ciel's hood.
When Sebastian heard the younger teen say his name in gratitude, his cheeks went from pale to a light pink. The woman distracted him before he could think about it too much. "Oh…Yes ma'am, I'll go. I'll wait in the hall for you, Phantomhive." He set the book on the counter beside the other boy and left the room, closing the door behind him. Sebastian leaned against the lockers of the deserted hallway and ran a hand through his raven hair. Today has been crazier than expected, he thought to himself. Sebastian pondered what he would do about his food supply, now. Unless he could regain his high status, he'd have to lurk in ally ways or something cliche like that and take his victims off the street. But there was the hooded one…No, not yet…he thought. Sebastian was becoming even more intrigued by Phantomhive. Every moment he spent with the boy, he seemed to learn something new. Sebastian felt differently around him than he did with the others. For the first time in his life, Sebastian felt like he could be himself. Of course, he couldn't reveal that he was a demon, but he just felt like he didn't have to put up the 'rich and popular snob' act in front of him. It was a nice, addicting feeling. He shook his head of the odd thoughts and continued to wait in silence for the other teen to return.
The nurse closed the door behind Sebastian and walked back to the teen, "Now then dear," she smiled and carefully removed his hood "Ah! Even when bruised you're still as cute as ever!" she said happily before taking out some rubbing alchohol and a cotten ball. "This will sting a bit" She said before pressing the cotton ball on one of his cuts, "Ahhgh!" he yelped loudly as he felt the sting. "I'm sorry dear" the nurse said and carefully continued cleaning even though the teen continued to yelp in pain. She soon finished bandaging him up and put his hood back up. "Be safe dear" she said, "Thank you" he said as he fixed the hood and walked out the door. He was surprised to see the demon was still waiting for him "You stayed?" he asked as he finished fixing the hood.
"Of course. I always keep my word." Sebastian said to him. "I hope you're okay…But I don't think you should go to class. I don't want you to encounter anyone else who might hurt you today." he said in a concerned voice. He looked away from Phantomhive as his cheeks changed from their pale shade again. "By the way, I never got to hear what your name was," he said, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Thanks….but I'll be fine..really, I'm use to it….." he smiled softly under his hood. There was something strange about the demon, for some reason the hooded teen actually felt safe around him. Perhaps he isn't as bad as I thought… He tugged at his sleeves once again as the two stood there awkwardly "…..Ciel…" he mumbled quietly.
Sebastian smiled as soon as he heard it. "Ciel Phantomhive. It really flows. I like it." The older teen shoved his hands in his pockets as he looked at the younger. "Are you sure you really want to go to class? I won't stop you, if that's what you want. But I was hoping we could talk some more, in private." He took one hand out of his pocket and pointed one black fingernail upward. "On the roof, if that would be alright."
Ciel blushed when the older teen complimented the name "Th-thanks…" he said as a soft blush formed on his hidden features. Ciel thought for a moment before finally nodding his head. "I suppose that will be fine" he said to the demon. I need to tell him…after all he promised not to let me get hurt He followed Sebastian down the hall and up a few flights of stairs until the two finally made their way up to the large roof. The gusts of wind felt good to Ciel and he took a moment to take a deep breath before looking over at Sebastian "So what did you want to talk about?"
Sebastian leaned on the edge of the roof and looked out over the school grounds. The surrounding trees were becoming brown and lifeless. Clouds covered the sky, hiding the sun as a gentle breeze blew. "I want to talk about you. I have a few questions." The demon turned and sat on the edge, with his back to the world as he stared at Ciel. "Why is it that you're alone all the time? And why do you wear a hood every day?" Sebastian crossed his arms. "That's a very dangerous way to live, Ciel. If you died, no one would be able to identify you at the morgue. Well, your parents, yes, but no one here, if that was the case." Sebastian sounded to himself almost like a scolding mother.
The hooded teen sighed softly as he heard the questions. He walked over and sat next to Sebastian. "I'm alone because that's the way it was meant to be….I was born to end up alone in the world." He tugged his hood down even more, "As for the hood, I do it mainly to shield myself from to idiots here, that and…." He remembered what Grell said to him "….I am rather ashamed of what's underneath it" He looked up and laughed softly "No they wouldn't they've been dead for years, all that time i've been alone to fend for myself. No one would notice nor care if I vanished." He turned his head towards Sebastian. "But that will not stop me from moving forward, if I spent the day wallowing in self pity then I might as well be dead with them."
Sebastian felt a pang of sadness for the boy next to him. But at the same time, he felt impressed. "It's good that you try to move forward, even though they're gone. But you are wrong about one thing. No human was ever born to be alone." Sebastian looked off into the distance, remembering something he learned some time ago. "In Japan, there is an old legend about something known as the red string of fate. An invisible red string is tied to your pinkie finger on one end, and at the other end it's attached to someone else's. It is said that the other person is the one you're destined to be with forever. Your soul mate. The string can get tangled, knotted, pulled…but it will never break." He smiled over at Ciel. "So you shouldn't worry about being alone. One day, someone will come along and like whatever they find under that hood of yours."
Ciel smiled softly as he heard the legend and let his hands rest on the edge of the roof, not knowing how close his hand was to Sebastian's. "Heh…you think so…? But does one know when they've found their soulmate, what if they just walk past them without so much as a second glance?" he sighed at his own question and looked away for a moment, taking in the calmimg breeze and the soft caw of what sounded like a raven. Quoth the raven, Nevermore Ciel closed his eyes for a moment before turning his head back to the demon sitting casually next to him, "Sebastian….you promised you wouldn't let anything or anyone hurt me no matter what…right?" he asked hesitantly. He bit his lip nervously as he awaited his answer.
Sebastian had been pondering the idea of never realizing a human's soul mate was right under their nose when he heard Ciel's other question. He sounded almost like he was afraid. He looked at Ciel's hood, waiting a moment before speaking. "Yes, that's right. Is there someone else bothering you?" he asked, becoming a bit worried. His hand moved a bit with his concerned emotions, and it lightly brushed against Ciel's.
"Somewhat…." He took a deep breath before looking back at Sebastian. I need to tell him..only then will I be able to know if I can trust him or not "Sebastian…..I…" he hesitated for a moment before gulping softly and gritting his teeth "I-I know what you are….." He confessed slowly as the cawing of the raven started up again. "I was at the football field last night, I saw what you did…to Sarah…." he looked up at the demon, "But I won't tell anyone, I promise."
Sebastian stiffened and looked away. He knew? Why hadn't he done anything? Why wasn't he running away, like he should? I have to do something…This isn't right…Sebastian stared off at the ravens in some nearby trees, thinking. Finally, unable to think of any excuses, he looked back at Ciel's hood. He had said he wouldn't tell anyone, and it seemed like he had no reason to do so anyways…If he did, he would've told anyone who would listen to him by now. "I see." Sebastian said simply. "And what's stopping you from telling the entire school? Aren't you afraid, now that you know the truth? Or is it because of your fear that you promise not to tell?" His voice changed from its carefree tone to a darker, more menacing one. He didn't want to scare Ciel, but he did want him to know that he was being deadly serious at that moment. The ravens were silent.
"Nothing, it's just not my secret to tell." He said calmly, "But no, i'm not afraid nor is it a promise from fear." He looked over at Sebastian and smirked, "Believe it or not Sebastian, not all humans are pathetic cowards that act without thinking. I promised on my own free will. I will admit that I was rather shocked at first, but not anymore" he shrugged "Now i'm simply impressed that you've been able to keep such a secret for so long" He looked away for a moment before speaking once again, "I'm not one to make promises I don't intend to keep, so I will not tell anyone,. you can trust me."