Incentives – Chapter 2
"Then, I'll see you tomorrow, Ciel-kun!"
He stared at her retreating back, feeling himself doomed. He threw a glare at the paper bag as if it was its fault all along that he had agreed to date her. What the heck? Couldn't he at least have found a prettier girl if he was going to get one anyway?
The rumbling in his stomach area called for attention again. Making sure that no one was watching, he opened the container. Instantly, the sweet smell of bakery, sugar and vanilla extract filled the air.
Oh, how he loved cakes!
With greedy eyes he examined the miniature tart in front of him. Then, he nodded to himself. It looked like several heart-shaped strawberry tarts. He scoffed at the slightly strange image of love, pink and hearts next to hell and demons, but dug in nonetheless.
It had been way too long since he had something as simple as tarts. The taste of course could not compare to Sebastian's baking, nor the decoration for that matter, but who can beat his favourite butler? Not even in hell could someone make something as satisfying as he. Ciel chuckled to himself. Though, he had to admit this treat came dangerously close. It made a suitable snack.
At least she brought his bags and jacket from the classroom with her. Ciel sighed, he had secretly hoped his butler would walk him home, but it seemed like yet again failed hope, as he peared at the entrance through the trees. He looked at his bag leaning against the tombstone quite skeptically before pulling it over his shoulder.
Before, he would never carry his own bags. Sebastian was good for such purposes. But since he came here, posing as a "normal" student, he was expected to carry his own stuff. Luckily his demon powers helped him carry most of the weight anyway, but he swore that he would make Sebastian pay for those discomforts.
Despite knowing that the other was waiting for him at his new manor, he was sure that he didn't want to return in a hurry. There was night or day in the demon world. There was essentially only night, and there was no need for sleep. He had all time in the world.
Besides, seeing his servant would only make his blood pulse faster, in more than one way. That wasn't what he needed right now. There was only so much disappointment the boy could take.
The moment he had re-entered the dusky forest on his way 'home', the sound of his stomach gave another grunt. His head quickly turned around, looking for any unwanted audiences. When he didn't find any, he let out a deep sigh and frowned.
It looked like the tarts didn't do one bit to ease his hunger.
Why was he so hungry all the time anyway? He couldn't recall the last time, his butler had not constantly satisfied his appetite with brilliantly cooked dishes.
There was a second reason why he didn't exactly want to go back that badly. Though, he did like the closeness of Sebastian's presence, he was absolutely aghast at their living quarters.
Of course it was huge. And of course it was well-tended with flower gardens and all, but he couldn't for his life fathom Sebastian's choice in décor!
Back at Phantomhive manor, everything was of course to his taste, as it was rebuilt from past memories, but this place had been created from scratch. A trusting master as Ciel was, he had left all furnishing to his capable servant. He should have know that all his servants were idiots in one way or another.
The first sign that he was close, was the cawing of several hundred ravens. Well, that was alright. He had seen the other's true form more than once. Nevertheless the rasping sounds still caused him tension. He felt on edge the instant one of the winged creatures landed on his left shoulder. Their calls were creepy alright, but he secretly adored their feathers, softly tickling his ear.
No, the first sign didn't bother him too much. The second on the other hand completed the ominous feeling to annoyance.
When he came into 50m radius of the estate, the loud meowing and glowing stares of several thousand cats that made themself known. Ciel furrowed his brows in a grimace. What the heck?
They were following him indiscreetly either with their eyes or literally. Moreover, they had two tails, and were larger than the ones he was used to. They looked positively demonic. He couldn't believe that Sebastian managed to find more cats than crows, when he was somewhat of a crow himself! How does that add up? With all his smarts and genius he could not figure it out.
When he reached the last three steps to the main entrance, the doors opened from the inside. Their eerie creaking was much more welcomed than the constant scratching at his feet.
"Welcome back, young master."
"Sebastian, make me something to eat. I'm hungry."
And so his heart started beating erratically. Careful not to let any emotions slip, Ciel swiftly passed through. In a split second the weight of the bag was lifted from him and the crow set off to its nest in one of the towers.
"I understand."
As soon as his jacket was taken off him, he walked into his study as quickly as possible. The symptoms were getting really bad. Even though the other demons gloved fingers barely touched his shoulders, when taken his coat, heat had immediately flushed into his head. Not only that, his mind had already leapt into that cursed juvenile corrupted area of his brain (the one connected with the idea of undressing…)
Only his large office chair could give him comfort now. It used to be way too big for his small frame, but that was in the past. Now his almost outgrown limbs snugly fit into onto the cushions. His feet stood firmly on the carpet. He always like the his reflection in the mirror, the image of an almost grown man.
He tried to cool his flushed face by burying them in his still cool hands. Didn't work.
Taking a deep breath, he grabbed the nearest paper on his already paper filled desk. Maybe that could distract him. When he said goodbye to his mortal life, he had thought he waved his paperwork goodbye as well. Apparently that wasn't so.
He stared at the question on the paper in front of him. There it was again. That accursed problem he had been trying to solve for half a year now. He wasn't stupid. He grasped all the concepts and formulas Sebastian threw at him, no matter how complicated. Magic involved a lot more memorizing new words and concepts than solving problems critically as in business decisions. But this one problem involved all of them together. He had to create his own crest.
He had cursed the day Sebastian came to him and told him that every other demon was given theirs when they were born, except Ciel. That was one thing he had to figure out himself because he was under 'special circumstance'. By law Sebastian held responsibility for him, but he couldn't help him with this. It was essential. And impossible to solve! There were just so many risks, obligations and rules, they made his head swim.
Sullenly, he pushed the file away from him, and grabbed one of his homework folders. Another set of formulas to solve.
"Would it kill the demon to give me less homework?" he mumbled to himself.
"Young master, it is very important that you recognize the importance of learning about our way of life." The smooth voice sighed dramatically. He could sense the smirk without looking.
Ciel sat back, waiting for the butler to clear the space in front of him from paper and set down the usual silver tray. When that didn't happen after several minutes, he looked up at the other, at the risk of having another heart failure.
Even in a pensive mood, he was looking stunning. His servant didn't seem to be focused on the task at hand, but rather in his own thoughts. Finally, a spur of hesitation grazed his unmovable features. That was extraordinarily rare. Ciel couldn't remember the last time that ever happened.
"Young master, there is something I need to tell you, regarding your new inamorata, I would advise you to keep your distance."
There was a moment of silence.
All kinds of emotions wavered through Ciel, some of embarrassment at having been found out, some of astonishment, some of admiration, annoyance, but mostly of pain. While the face devoid of feelings taxed his heart, a cringing physical pain had suddenly attacked his abdomen.
His head hit the top of his desk hard, causing further throbbing, but the feeling of someone holding his stomach and squeezing it hard was incomparable.
Not even the seething heat radiating through his body due to his worried servants touch could help against the invisible force crushing his flesh. He clutched his stomach, trying to force away the paroxysm, as he clenched his teeth.
He felt how something moved in the back of his throat before he coughed and found his hands covered in red liquid.
It was the last he saw before his body went limp.
*I converted 'bocchan' to 'young master', which should be the same :)*
わり、ね。I had what you would call exams
But now I finally uploaded this! I really like the dramatic effect in the end! I do have to say it's my first time writing something so … physical? I'm more the dreamy/thought-based type I guess. Next chapter will be up next week, I believe! Do give me time to write it, cuz this was born from the spur of a moment! I haven't typed ANY next chapters
Thanks for reading this far!
Please leave a comment, I think poor Ciel needs your support 3