The next morning I can't even look at Sebastian straight. He hasn't tried to sabotage me or anything. He hasn't even spoken to me since last night. Things were awkward and everyone in the household was beginning to notice.
When I serve Ceil his breakfast he speaks to me, "Did you and Sebastian get in a fight last night? There hasn't been any shenanigans this morning and the atmosphere when you two are the same room is tense. Fighting like an old couple before even admitting your feelings, what a shame." He doesn't look at me when he talks but he still smirks like he can tell I'm blushing.
"Y-yes, what a shame, my young master, " I say. It is all I can manage to think of as a response before rushing into the kitchen.
While I'm cleaning the pots and pans Sebastian's words ring in my mind, "I can have feelings for you if I want." He had said it like he meant it but what did it mean exactly? Did he develope feelings for me over the past few years? How would that be possible, demons don't feel emotions like love. I am so confused.
After breakfast Ceil goes to his study and us servants are left to our chores. I decide to help Finnian in the garden for the time being.
I am distracted by some crows flying by, so beautiful. I stare at them, standing there, not helping Finni at all.
When Finnian accidentally uproots a tree I don't reprimand him. Without a word I replant a tree in its place and sweep away the mess. Finnian begins to look at me funny.
"Miss Gabby," he begins. "Today you nor Sebastian has yelled at me or anyone else for messing up. And you two haven't even pranked each other at all. Are you two feeling well?" Finnian noticed too, these damned servants, no matter how incapable, are smart.
I simply smile and nod, "We are fine Finni." I do not want to talk about it any further and the work in the gardens was done so I left to help Mey Rin with the laundry.
When I open the door to the washroom I am nearly swept away. Bubbles and water flow out the room, saturating my clothing. I frown and wring out my skirt. It has been a while since the washroom has been flooded.
"Mey Rin, are you okay?" I ask. She was absolutely soaked and shivering. I help her up off the damp floor,"What happened this time?"
She frowns, "I was distracted, yes I was. Trying to fogure out why things felt so wwird this morning. Accidentally put too much soap in" Mey Rin wrings out her skirt and looks at me apologetically. I'm not angry, just slightly annoyed that she noticed to and it caused her to mess up.
"Go change," I order. "Then come back and dry this place up." As she jogs out of the room I grab the clothes and set up the wash. As I put the last of the clothes in I feel someone walk up behind me. I turn to find myself face to face with Baldroy.
"Eh, what the hell happened here? Mey Rin trying to flood the manor again?" He laughs and scratches his head but then he realizes I'm not laughing and stops. "I'm sorry about last night," he starts again. "I didn't know you and Sebastian had a thing, always thought you hated each other."
I scrunch up my nose, "There is no 'thing' between that infernal bastard and I." I say it harsher than I mean to, making it sound like I truly hate him.
Baldroy laughs, "Well obviously he has feelings for you. Her was so angry I asked you to have dinner with me he was going to kill me." He gulps, "Did you see the way he looked at me? I swear his eyes glowed."
"You must've been imagining things," I say it quickly and sharply, making him look at me questionably. He raises an eyebrow and stares at me.
"You know something. And you know I was not seeing things." With those words he walks out the room. I start to laugh uncontrollably. They will find out we're demons. My shoulders shake dramatically and I probably look mad. They will find out our secret because of Sebastian messing up. What a hilarious thought.
I return to my quarters after finishing the laundry, my clothes are now mostly dry but I still feel a need to change out of the slightly damp uniform. I pull an nearly identical uniform from my wardrobe and begin to undress.
When I am only in my underwear someone comes barging into my room. All I see is black clothing before I can tell it is Sebastian. Out of all the times he could have chosen to talk to me he chose while I was changing my clothes. What a Sebastian like move to pull.
Before I can protest he steps into the room and closes the door behind him. He looks up at me and smiles, "Miss Gabrielle, what are you trying to do? Tease me?" He takes a seat on my bed and smiles smugly.
"What are you trying to do Sebastian? Piss me off?" I snap at him. He has quite some nerve to barge into my room, look at me undressed, then make a joke all after not talking to me all day. "What do you want?" I say to him, regaining my cool. I stopped getting dressed and gave him all my attention. I don't care if he sees me completely naked, he's seen plenty naked women before.
"Well I was coming to apologize for my behavior but," he starts. "Now I have another reason. But please, finish getting dressed." He looks away from me and waits for me to dressed.
As I finish getting dressed he stands up and tightens my uniform for me. He ties the knot then runs one hand down my hip and the other through my orange tabby colored hair. I begin to purr, I don't want him to touch me but somehow I still long for the feeling. I've never felt like this before, he's never touched me like this before. Usually his touches are hostile, shoving me or hitting me, but now he is gentle. He sits on my bed again and pulls me to sit on his lap. When his stroking ceases I remember the situation.
I stand up and glare at him. "What was that? You can't hate me then come and try to pull me into bed with you." I stare at him, expecting an answer in return but he just stares back.
He stands up afrer a moment and takes my face in his hand, forcing mw to look up at him. "Have I ever once said I hate you?" I think as hard as I can but I can't remember one time. He never said he hated me, I just assumed and tried to hate him back.
"...No," I don't want to admit it, it leaves space for feelings besides hatred. Maybe even love... I'm not sure I want love or if I'm even capable of feeling love.
He pinches my face harder, making me pucker my lips, "Then I don't hate you, my beautiful tabby cat." He presses his lips to mine. In that moment I remember all the times I've seen him cuddling cats. Maybe I should have thought if he liked cats he'd like me as well.
