Smut is coming next chapter. For the time being have some more fluff!

Chapter song: In the Name of Love - Bebe Rexha & Martin Garrix


Over the course of the ride back to the manor, Ciel had become listless. Tossing, turning, and waking before nodding off again all while his forehead burned dully. His muddled mind didn't allow for the peace he so fervently longed for, plaguing him with clouded thoughts and memories he couldn't quite place. Nonsensical words were muttered against a sable-clothed leg, frustrated groans sounding each time a bump in the path jolted him, aggravating him when he finally got somewhat comfortable and causing more disquiet within his confused mind. In those instances, Sebastian shushed the fatigued omega quietly; petting his cheek appeasingly and easing him with his warm scent whenever his wrist drifted passed the boy's face. Even in his state, Ciel never would have allowed such an action had he been fully conscious. Unfortunately, his temporary content was broken when they arrived home and Sebastian had no choice but to wake him. He would hardly be forgiven if he allowed the servants to see him carrying him when he appears so feeble, "Young master, wake up. We are back at the manor." Ciel blinked groggily, lips pointing downwards into a deep scowl when he noticed his position, Sebastian was quick to explain, "You fell asleep and would have made your muscles sore if you stayed leaning the way you originally were. I apologize for not asking your permission to shift you beforehand." A sigh was released shortly after a sharp intake of breath when Ciel pulled himself up from the cushioned benches, fingers twitching as he pushed against the need to grasp at his stomach when a stab of pain shot through it, "It's fine this once, Sebastian..."

The servants were waiting to greet them in the entrance hall as always, going back to their chores as soon as the pair ascended the stairs and made their way into the maze of halls on the second floor. Ciel, having already been freed from his previous sleep-induced haze, broke the silence when they reached the last stair, "I will be in the study, I have some paperwork to do as well as the case to mull over. Bring me some tea, won't you?" Sebastian knew better than to suggest that the stubborn male rested instead, he had no desire to spark tension between them even when he was growing antsy. Ciel needed rest, sustenance, and comfort, not more work and sleeplessness; hadn't he put himself through enough today? That aside, he probably wouldn't be able focus on it very well for much longer anyways. "Of course, my lord, I shall prepare it right away. But before you start on any of that, might we have a small chat? There is still something I would like to discuss with you." Ciel's face all but screamed of the dread that was swirling within; he already knew exactly what that 'chat' would be about. "Very well, I shall await your return." With a bow and a withheld breath of relief, Sebastian took his leave, astonished at his master's lack of argument - he had expected that request to be accepted begrudgingly if at all.

His mind was elsewhere as he prepared the Earl Grey with practiced movements, no thought put into his actions as he boiled water and allowed the tea to steep. He knew this routine all too well, could do it with his eyes closed or even in his sleep - if he ever desired to take part in such a human ritual. Honey was drizzled in place of sugar at the bottom of the delicate porcelain cup, adding a sweetness it would have otherwise lacked along with a more soothing taste. What was he to do to help his lord? It was a difficult situation he found himself in. After spending so long relying solely on suppressants, this season would be just as harsh, if not more so, than his very first one had been. If his fever rose too high or he refused water, it could be dangerous to him physically. He found his way to the door of Ciel's study without considering his steps or the halls he took, rapping his knuckles against the mahogany almost mechanically. He entered as soon as permission was given and his darkened crimson eyes took no time at all to lock onto Ciel's lithe frame as he stood beside the window, staring up into the swaying branches of topaz-leaved trees and thick storm clouds that rolled over the hills as if they were created from a heavy, suffocating smoke. "Your tea is ready, master." The fine China was set atop a cherry wood desk, still steaming and waiting to be sipped. Hesitantly, Ciel turned his back to the stormy skies and sat down with a breathy sigh, his energy levels low as he leant his chin against his knuckles and brought the warm drink to his lips, content to savor its flavour for a short while before he was obligated to speak, "What did you wish to talk about, Sebastian?" His shoulders dropped in something akin to defeat, eyepatch abandoned on the edge of the desk and his eyes cast towards the copper tinted liquid that swished around within the white and mint cup. Sebastian was careful with his words and soft in tone, hyper-aware of anything that could possibly set off the smaller male, whether it be his volume or his words, "It is about your heat... Young master, what do you plan to do? I wish to help you in any way I can, but you have yet to tell me how I can do that."

His weary gaze met the demon's own, hesitant and sullen as they reflected the grey sky and fading light of day. It was as if the final remnants of light remaining within those haunted eyes were fading, snuffed out by his own existence, the one he was becoming increasingly unsure of as days wore on. What was he to do? If he was to live this life for years to come, still searching endlessly, obsessively, for the targets of his vengeful wrath, then he had to find some other option. The pain he could take, the throbbing in his veins, the insatiable lust, and the clenching ache in abdomen were nothing compared to the mental torment he himself had chosen to endure by turning away offers of mates and overusing the suppressants that were meant to split his duration of suffering in half. Loneliness and longing tugged at his heart as he continued to stare at Sebastian, trying to think of the answer to the question he had been asking himself since early morning. He didn't want to appear weak, he wasn't weak! But he didn't want to be harsh either when all Sebastian was doing was genuinely offering his aid in any way needed. He had no desire to drive away this man, this demon, this alpha. He was all he had left, if he was to leave, he would have no one else. No one to serve him, no one to protect him, no one to rely on. No one to care for. He had been here beside him for almost half of his life, even when he chose to treat him as if he were nothing, all to make himself feel more powerful. Time and time again Sebastian had offered his help and he had responded in fury, wanting to be strong even when it hurt to do so. He had tried to shun his own feelings, forcing anger to manifest in their place for so many years, but now all pretenses were slipping away and he could no longer deny it; he was in love with his demon. He couldn't face him at the moment though. Contract or no contract, he wasn't worthy of this man's presence after everything he had put him through, and staring into those concerned eyes made him realize that. Biting down on his bottom lip, he dug his elbows into his desk roughly, head dropping into his hands immediately as he finally allowed his facade to slip away. Curling in on himself, the boy took a shuddering breath, eyelids squeezing shut tightly as his fingers tugged weakly at the strands of hair dusting over the pale digits. Still he didn't answer, he was unable to. How foolish he must look, shaken up over something that for others was practically nothing at all. He didn't notice he was trembling, couldn't feel the clear liquid falling down his cheeks and chin - too quickly for him to catch had he been aware of their existence in the first place. He wouldn't acknowledge the choked breaths forcing their way from his throat or the need to cling to something, to anything. His distraught thoughts went unbroken by the fingers now cupping his shoulders tenderly and the troubled voice speaking to him, asking what was wrong and how he could fix it, if it was something he had done. Only when he felt his palms delicately pried from his face and the chair disappearing beneath him did he register that he was now being held and all but smothered in the stifling stench of concern and a vanilla and brown sugar reminiscent aroma as Sebastian attempted to console him. A deep purr rumbled against him from the alpha's chest, a constant sound that was nothing short of being its own form of white noise; calming like ocean waves crashing onto shore. All reservations were tossed aside, both too trapped in the moment to give a damn about formalities or roles.

"Oh, young master, I am so very sorry... I would give you the suppressants if I could, I swear, but your body cannot tolerate them anymore." A vague nod against his shoulder was the only response the butler received to let him know that the younger male had heard and understood the weight behind his words. No spike of anger struck the room, alerting Sebastian to the lack of annoyance from his master. He knew his reasons and didn't blame him. Some small piece of the demon was satisfied to know that fact, though he had no time to focus on that now as he nuzzled against Ciel's hair, offering a greater source of his scent when his neck was left brushing against the boy's nose. "It will be okay. I will give you cool water and baths, if you will allow it. Bring you heaps of blankets, pillows, anything you would like for a nest, stand guard outside of your door to keep you safe, and whatever else will make this easier for you, okay?" While his words and offerings were appreciated, the only sound that met his ears was a particularly loud weep. The bleakness of the atmosphere was crushing, so much so that even Sebastian could feel a modicum of the heaviness it brought about within his own heart - one he had never known could beat and bleed as it did in that moment. He was unsure of how long he stood there cradling the distressed omega in his arms, it could have been minutes or it could have been hours, but either way, he didn't mind the passing of time. He would continue to hold him for as long as it took. Despite the circumstances, it felt nice to hold him again after going for so long without. The body clinging to him was too hot and the tears soaking into his collar gave him a lasting pang of sorrow, but the way those hands gripped his coat and the steel blue brushed beneath his chin brought to life an entirely new sensation. It wasn't lust; it wasn't hunger, but perhaps... Fondness? Adoration? Love? He did not know what to call the strange emotion, but it was overpowering. He held the omega more securely, his own cheek smoothing over the top of his head without that having been his original intention. He wouldn't do anything without being asked first, but such a small amount of scenting would do no harm. Sobs gradually faded beneath the tender gesture, responding in kind once he had caught enough breath to stop violently quaking each time he exhaled. The room fell into utter silence, quiet hiccups and the rumbling of distant thunder outside the only things keeping away the low buzzing that often accompanied the hush. He said nothing, waiting patiently until the time at which Ciel would be ready to speak or demand to be set down. The prior came first, but the solemn tone did take him off guard if just a small portion, his words even more so, "Sebastian, I am tired of being alone..."

"Does that mean you plan to find a mate? Please excuse me for saying so, but it may be too late for that this season. It is much too close already for you to go searching for anyone unless you already have someone in mind?" A dissatisfied growl was withheld. He despised the image of his master with another, the very thought was enough to make him shudder with possessive rage - aimed not at his master but the omega's future partner. However, it was not his choice. None of it was and he would never pretend otherwise. "I do have someone in mind but..." Ciel hesitated, teeth scraping across his lip, leaving it cracked and raw - one nip away from being bloodied. Was this truly what he wanted? Yes, it was; he had known that for a while. But he found it hard to get the words passed his lips. He would be rejected. Who would want a mate like him? Small, fragile, broken... He took a shallow breath, refusing to once again shed the tears pooling beneath his lashes. These haywire emotions were half the reason heats were so hellish. With a tilted head and a confused frown, the demon regarded the earl closely after placing him back down upon the chair he had earlier occupied, "But what?"

"But it is not someone outside of this manor," he inhaled deeply, preparing himself for the words of dismissal he was sure would follow after his confession and plea, and spoke the question that had been present in his mind for the last six months before he lost his nerve to the fear wound snugly around his mind and heart, "Sebastian.. Please help me through my heat." Sebastian was frozen in place. Surely he didn't mean...? No, there was no way. But who else was in the manor? The only other alpha was Baldroy and he already had Mey-Rin as a mate. And while Finnian and Snake were betas, they were mates as well. "I am afraid I don't understand, young master. I had already planned to help you." Ciel shook his head, fingering the stiff inner-edge of his morning coat, "No, not like that. I meant stay with me the entire time, not just nearby." The raven-haired devil knew he had to tread lightly, lest he upset his master again or confuse the boy's fluctuating hormones for genuine want, "Master... I would be honored to spend your heat with you; I would love nothing more, in fact. But I need you to show me that you are sure, that this isn't just your heat talking. And you must also understand that if we do this, I will be unable to keep myself from marking and bonding you."

"I know that. Before I asked, I had already come to terms with the fact that if I chose this there would be no going back, and I'm okay with that. I swear to you, as of now I am still of sound mind. I know what will happen and I will accept all of it, so long as you are the one with me."

"Then I will be with you the entire time," a slight grin tugged at the immortal being's lips, not missed by the blue-eyed male as he held their gaze, "Now, how about I run you a bath? What little paperwork you have left to complete is of no great importance, and if I may be so bold as to say so, I can see that you're already feeling unwell." Standing from his chair, Ciel answered his query with a slight stretch of the arms and a final glance to the neat stack of papers, "Yes, that sounds rather nice. Lead the way."

Following the black-clothed man into the bathroom, he watched through fatigued eyes as his butler set to work, filling the bath with hot water and then cooling it off, adding oils, petals, various other things he couldn't quite place at the speed in which the other's hands were moving. The water was toyed with until it turned into a nearly solid shade of pearl, a vague pink overlaying it from the bleeding petals floating upon it. A golden glow soon shone off of the water as candles were lit and merlot roses were laid beside them with care. It was rather extravagant in Ciel's mind, but flattering all the same how much effort he went to to make him feel cherished. The room was becoming increasingly humid from the heat rising off of the water, but somehow he still felt chilled, enough so that goosebumps began to rise on his prickling skin. "When we finish here, would you light the fireplace in my room? It's cold." A concerned flash of emotion was visible before an ungloved hand was laid across his forehead. "The bath with warm you sufficiently. Normally, I would comply without question, but I'm afraid that you may change your mind about the fire by then. You feel chilled, but your skin is too hot because of your fever. It isn't very bad right now so you may stay in the bath for as long as you're comfortable with and if you feel this way afterwards, I will warm your bedroom. Just rest there for awhile first, okay? I'll be here for you whenever you need me," Sebastian assured, stroking a coral flushed cheek with the back of his hand, the gesture far too faint to be considered anything less than caring, belying his demonic nature in favour of his alpha one.

The brush of knuckles against his face faded as he was stripped of his clothes, an encouraging smile offered when his head dropped, eyes trained on the floor insecurely by no more than pure instinct. It wasn't the first time he had reacted in this way, the elevated hormones made him hyper aware of every flaw no matter how small. Every scar or scrape he had received from past torments or the times when their missions became too dangerous were on display for all to see and he didn't like it. Sebastian on the other hand, saw every healed wound left by past injuries as a testament to his strength. His chin was tilted up so he now faced cherry orbs, full of nothing but sincerity, "You are absolutely stunning and don't you dare believe otherwise. These marks make you who you are, and I could never see them as anything less than beautiful." All fabric was pulled away and dropped to the floor without a care, all of the alpha's focus on his master as he encased him in his arms.

Sanguine and pure white rose petals floated serenely atop milk-hued water, giving off a light and airy scent, meeting and entwining with the subtle hint of vanilla drifting from the flames kissing the candles they sat upon where they burned beside the clawed-feet of the bath. Ciel was deposited into the heated water slowly, his muscles relaxing as soon as they came into contact with the white tinted liquid. The added oils had given it a smooth, almost silky feel, making it far more luxurious than the usual water he bathed in. Ciel couldn't understand why it calmed him so; the sweet miasma the floral mixtures produced was soothing, as was the warmth sinking into his chilled yet burning flesh from the expertly crafted bath. But perhaps it wasn't those things that helped his eyes to close despite the uncomfortable tingling on his fair skin and the quiver settling deep within the core of his exhausted body - causing him to shake faintly as he dealt with the aftermath and stress of the earlier internal war between his head and his heart. No, as nice as those things were, it was the bare hands stroking over his small shoulders that truly eased his anguish. "My lord, did you hear me?" Sebastian asked when he received no acknowledgement to his prior words. Eyes of azure and heliotrope opened a sliver, irises glazed before he shook off the dazed state he had let himself fall into for a short time, voice strained as he reached out, "Sebastian, don't call me that, not right now..." His outstretched hand was enclosed in a larger one, squeezed tenderly before being brought to the demon's lips, "I apologize. What would you prefer that I call you?" The omega's eyelids slipped shut again, a silent breath passing his lips as he leaned into the curve of the porcelain, hand unmoving from Sebastian's. The butler didn't mind the constant contact in the slightest; he welcomed it with a pleased hum. Any worries he had residing in his mind before were wiped away by the proof of desire for his presence, and he greatly enjoyed the peaceful aura surrounding Ciel as he laid in the bath he had created with his own two hands. It brought him a sense of pride he never knew he could feel. Ciel wasn't currently anxious or listless like he usually was, he was idle in the best of ways, and it was because of his actions. He had accepted him and had been accepted in return. It felt right, like a piece of him had been missing until now. "By my name or anything else you would like, just nothing so formal." An understanding settled with Sebastian as he allowed the main light in the room to distinguish, making way for the comforting darkness only broken apart into flickering shadows by the orange and yellow glow reflecting off of the smooth surface of the bathtub. 'Young master' and 'my lord' felt too impersonal, too forced. Their future bond wasn't meant to be founded on such stiff and false grounds; it was to be buried into the very depths of their hearts by mutual trust, respect, even love. "As you wish, my dearest Ciel." The blush on the younger's cheeks flamed brighter upon hearing at the term of endearment, but he said nothing else on it. He liked it; it was nice to be thought of as something more. More than a master; more than an omega. More. He wanted more. More touch; more affection. "Sebastian, won't you join me?"

"If that is what you'd like, then of course I will," A smile spread across the raven's lips, fond in a way Ciel had never seen before. No malicious intention, no games, no teasing; it was a sincere gesture. Curling his legs close to his chest to help lessen the sudden surge of pain ranging from his stomach to his thighs, Ciel bit back a groan as he waited for it to abate, distracting himself by turning to face Sebastian. His charcoal waistcoat was unbuttoned and left near his previously discarded tailcoat, pristine shirt soon to follow after slipping down his shoulders at a speed that could easily be considered sensual. The seconds it took for him to remove each layer of clothing gave the omega a mere fraction of the time he desired to stare at the alpha's form as each patch of skin was revealed. Lean muscles made up the man's body, shapely but not overly so. He was in no way frail like his own kind nor was he burly like most alphas, but he was certainly more defined than a beta as well. In fact, his build was not entirely unlike a sculpture he had seen nearly a decade prior of Saint Michael. How amusing. The longest strand of those soot locks barely kissed his collarbone, drawing the younger's attention a few inches up to the column of his neck. In a few hours, would that snow white skin hold his mark? Sebastian smirked. 'Do you like what you see, master?' he wanted to ask, but stopped himself immediately when a sour scent spiked from the bath, the nectarous aroma morphing into a significantly more negative one as Ciel unexpectedly doubled over with a weak whimper, teeth grit as he pressed his face into his knees. His earlier self-indulgent joy when giving his intended a small show by undressing more languidly than necessary was forgotten instantly as he dropped to his knees on the bathroom tile, the icy marble not bothering him in the slightest as he laid a hand on the bluenette's high back, "What is it? What's wrong..?" Ciel swallowed thickly and took a deep breath, shaking his head to signal that he needed a moment. With worry still present in his eyes, the alpha massaged the smooth skin beneath his palm, waiting patiently for his master to speak up. The brush and rub of fingers relaxed the sore muscles beneath them and Ciel slumped beneath the hand, looking over his shoulder at the demon seconds after, "S-Sorry... It hurts sometimes as it gets closer." Sebastian sighed, a softer scent now rolling off of him in heady waves; like cinnamon and brown sugar. Ciel's eyes drooped in response, hesitantly tilting his head to lean his cheek against the shoulder of his future mate, "Please get in?"

No further urging was needed to encourage Sebastian to shed the last strips of clothing, completely bearing himself before stepping over the lip of the bath and sitting opposite of Ciel. The young man fell silent again, staring at Sebastian with a wordless yearning in his eyes that the other couldn't quite place. He wanted something and was pushing back against himself when he thought to act on it, but what was it he needed? The demon studied him, ruby irises drinking in every inch of the boy's body and mannerisms. He really was a lovely creature. Eyes brighter than sapphires and deeper than the very depths of the sea, holding all hopes, desires, and memories within them, telling tales and truths his rosy lips refused to speak. His posture was stiff though, jaw and shoulders rigid as if he was desperately fighting to keep himself from moving. His fingers too weren't as steady as they usually were, that could easily be chalked up to his heat, but the way they twitched was as if he was trying to reach out even as his arms remained still. And then the pieces of the puzzle clicked into place; he wanted to be held, he just didn't know how to ask and currently lacked the confidence to make the first move. "Ciel, come here please?" He said softly, opening his arms in invitation - one Ciel wasted no time in accepting. That warm little body was soon cradled against his chest, but that wasn't enough. He may have been flush against his front, but he was still too far - they needed to be touching fully. The devil picked him up before resettling him on his lap, leaning back against the bathtub once he was happy with the new position. Looking an equal part surprised as he was relieved, Ciel nuzzled into Sebastian's neck, nose pressed to his scent gland where he inhaled eagerly, a purr felt more than heard vibrating from his chest and throat. He didn't feel like himself, his own body and mind were betraying him alongside his rising fever, but this helped. The skin to skin contact washed away his inner hurt just as the water washed away the sweat from his flesh, both leaving him lighter than he had felt in a long while. He had questions, he wanted to know what it was that Sebastian had to gain by claiming him as a mate, why he would want someone such as himself or the burden of not only caring for him physically but emotionally as well. He kept those worries to himself though - he was too tired to speak unless required to.

Fingers gingerly stroked his nape as he relaxed against Sebastian, a warm cloth meeting his back soon after. The light fabric rubbed small circles between his shoulders, releasing the tension residing there as bubbles built up and were rinsed away from the satiny skin by a cupped hand before the tranquil movements continued, this time on his stomach. The rumbling still emitting from the small chest brought a smile to Sebastian's face, intensifying it enough that it could now be heard, "How lovely." A dark blush rose to already pink cheeks, slate locks bouncing back and forth when the smaller shook his head in denial. "Don't do that, love. Whether you think so or not, you are. I especially adore that little purr of yours," the alpha cooed, rubbing his cheek against the shiny tresses, setting aside the cloth once he deemed the boy sufficiently clean. Ciel said nothing to the given compliment, but reveled in the affection he was given. The demon's scent was left clinging to his head even when he raised it, marking what was his with a brush of the jaw. He peeked from where he had buried his head against the other's shoulder, collecting a single red petal from the water. He ran his thumb over the vague lines born into the flower, the velvety texture almost as nice as that of the lips on his forehead and the digits massaging his sore hips. When the water grew cold and Sebastian noticed a slight shivering from the body atop his, he lifted the omega from the bath, taking extra care to remain gentle as he dried all remaining water droplets from his intended's slight frame.

Ciel had been silent for the last fifteen minutes of the bath, leading Sebastian to worry as he caught the distant look reflecting in those tired eyes. "Is everything okay?" he questioned quietly as to not spook the boy, pulling a nightshirt over his shoulders and beginning to button it as he awaited his answer. "M'fine, just thinking" Ciel murmured, shifting uncomfortably. All of a sudden it felt too hot; like someone had left all of the windows open on a scorching summer day and then lit the fireplaces as well. The clothing certainly didn't help; it felt like it was sticking to his skin, trapping the overwhelming heat against him and keeping away what little coolness could be felt. Too bad he hadn't taken an ice bath instead... He whined when Sebastian turned away, tugging the fabric away from his neck as he leaned against the wall, trying his best to focus in spite of the spinning sensation filling his head, "S-Sebastian." Ruby orbs were wide when Sebastian saw him heavily relying on the wall for support, thin legs as shaky as those of a newborn faun who hadn't yet found its balance. Faster than one could blink, he was by his side to steady him, checking his temperature with a frown, "It's going up, I'm afraid. How about we get you somewhere more comfortable, hm?" Disoriented as he was, it took all the strength the mortal possessed to nod and wrap his arms around the neck of the man lifting him from the ground. "Too hot," he whispered, fingers scrambling to undo his shirt buttons before the door to his bedroom was in sight. Sebastian didn't comment on his actions; as improper as they would normally seem, he wasn't in full control at the moment and since none of the servants were to be upstairs for the week, no harm was done. "I know, it will be okay though. I'll bring you some water to help cool you off while you settle in." They both knew that wouldn't help ease the fever or any affects that went alongside it, but it would soothe him for a few minutes at the least and stave off the dehydration that all too often became an issue during heats. When the door to his master's bedroom was pushed open and then shut behind them, Sebastian set him on the mattress with a kiss on the nose, "I shall return in a moment."

Sebastian expected to make this part simple. He would collect a glass of water as well as a bowl of it with a cloth to lie across his forehead, and then collect the most lush blankets and pillows owned to bring back to the room upstairs. But it seemed that even the ten short minutes it took for him to walk back through the door was too long for Ciel. The whiff of salt in the air was a dead giveaway when it came to revealing the mortal's panic. The bed appeared much too large with so little space occupied by the master of the house, curled into a tight ball as he shook like a leaf, fingers futilely grasping at the sheets. The nesting materials were abandoned at the foot of the bed and the water discarded on the nightstand when the alpha approached the quivering figure cautiously. When he was met with no resistance apart from the other male burrowing deeper beneath the covers, he sat on the edge of the bed and combed his fingers through damp hair, heart clenching when he was met with a loud sob. He was at a loss. Instinct demanded that he comfort the teary-eyed omega, but he wasn't entirely sure how to when he didn't know the cause of his sadness. "Beloved, whatever is the matter? Are you hurting?" The raspy baritone taking over a usually smooth one was a big enough difference to catch Sebastian off guard for a moment and he tugged the blankets closer around the boy, hoping to make him feel more secure until his suspicions were confirmed and he could wrap his arms around him without fear of upsetting him more. With a past such as his, he couldn't risk setting him off at a time like this. "You left me! You told me you wouldn't leave me..." A soft croon reverberated from his throat as he leaned forward to press his lips to the back of his head, eyes softening, "Shh... I'm here now. I'm so sorry for leaving, but I needed to get these things to help you. I won't go anywhere without you again, okay?" Slender fingers pawed at a feather pillow, blindly searching for something just out of reach, whimpering loudly when he failed to find it. Sebastian, having seen the reaching hand, placed his over it protectively, surprised at the strong grip catching it mere seconds later as Ciel refused to let go in fear that if he did, the object of his affections would slip away without his knowledge. "It's alright. I have you, I'll keep you safe." He sat beside him without complaint, reassuring him that he would remain in that position for as long as needed, but when half an hour passed without much improvement on the omega's part, he realized his mistake. His presence may have been Ciel's main source of comfort, but that didn't mean he didn't need others as well. For example: A nest. "Dearest, may I let go of you? I promise, I won't leave, I just need to get something a few steps away." Puffy eyes and a wobbling lip came into view, a quiet noise giving him permission to move though he was watched intensely for the time in which their hands remained parted.

He expected the mildly elevated heartbeat to slow once they were touching again, but as soon as the mass of fluff came into view, all tears were forgotten - despite proof of them still valiantly clinging to his lashes - and a scowl firmly in place. The change was certainly unexpected, but he didn't focus too much energy on it. It wasn't uncommon for moods to shift quickly in the middle of either ruts or heats and since his master was prone to becoming irritated on a normal day, it wasn't an expression he didn't commonly see. It was a mystery however, why he seemed bothered by such a tiny gesture as picking up a pile of blankets. "What are you doing?" His voice remained unsteady as he stared distastefully at the items he held. And while his cheeks were still wet from the droplets continuing to lazily trickle down them, within his eyes were filled with a stubborn determination. "Before you turn me down or cast them aside, please at least give them a chance. You've never properly nested before and you might find that you like it if you try?" The suggestion only made the younger grow more conflicted and shake his head quickly, leaving no room for argument or negotiation. He had given into his feelings, allowed his demon to share mating season with him, even gave him permission to mark and bond him, but this is where he drew the line. He couldn't let what little pride that still held strong in this intimate setting slip away. Maybe it didn't matter to Sebastian, but it mattered to him. He needed to prove that he was more than this, that he could manage on his own and without the same comforts others refused to go without. "I don't want to. I have no need for such trivial things like others of my kind." He had no intention of being snappy, but wanted to get his point across. He was stronger than this. What he wanted was of no value when his future mate's opinion of him came into play. He wouldn't ruin this before it had even started. The bitter turn he took when speaking of himself further grew Sebastian's frown. Why did he think so lowly of himself? He had shown time and time again that he was capable of doing anything he set his mind to, and that he could withstand more weight upon his shoulders than the most powerful alphas. Yet, he became so defensive when faced with his nature, the piece of him that in no way truly defined who he really is. "Ciel, by denying yourself of your baser needs, you're endangering your health as well as your mentality. I can't change what you are and neither can you, but you can make it easier on yourself. You don't have to do anything else, but I beg you, just let yourself have this; it doesn't make you any less strong than you are now and I will see you as no less for it."

"It isn't affecting me. I have you here any ways so why would I need it?"

"Because with me by your side, that doesn't change the fact that you're uneasy. You can hardly keep still without fidgeting or shivering as if you have a chill," The words uttered without judgment were accompanied by one of the thinner blankets being placed within his reach. "The choice is yours, but it would make you feel better." A thoughtful silence settled over them, both sorting through their respectful thoughts before a rattled sigh filled the hush. "I will try it, but on one condition."

"And what is that?"

"I want you to help me build it."