Sorry for how long it has taken to upload this chapter, I have been totally snowed under by college work for my A levels these past few weeks. But it is finally here at least!
Thank you everyone for your lovely comments and support, it is much appreciated. Please continue to review! :)
Warning: Ends with the beginning to a sexual encounter (yes, the yaoi has finally arrived...)
Chapter Nine –
Claude was more worried than ever.
Not only had it been two days since Sebastian had phoned Hannah to tell her he would be returning to the mansion the next morning, he had never arrived. Also, the same night that Sebastian had phoned Hannah, Claude had sensed a demonic disturbance in the air ~ a demon had been newly contracted.
He was irritable with worry, and had a shorter temper than usual. Timber was taking extra care to steer well clear of him after all, he had not yet been forgive for attacking Sebastian in the kitchen that day.
Even Alois was being less irritating in an effort not to annoy his butler further, and it was a hard job! He wasn't used to biting his tongue for anyone's sake, let alone a servant's. Still, he sensed the death-imposing threat that his usually stoic butler possessed.
Had Sebastian had second thoughts about them? Did he no longer want him? If so, where had he gone? Where was he now? Did Ash have him again? Had he been kidnapped again? Or was it something even worse than that? Was he dead?
Claude walked into his maser's study as he had been called, wheeling a silver trolley into the room with an antique teapot rested on the top; a matching cup and saucer and a plate with a slice of chocolate Victoria sponge.
He wheeled the trolley over to the desk where his master was sprawled unattractively and reading a letter. He poured the Earl Grey tea and added the condiments of cream and sugar which his master was so fond of before setting the saucer down on the desk beside the blonde, followed by the cake and a gold plated fork.
He stepped back and waited to be dismissed, as any good butler should. When he wasn't, his already frayed temper began to turn to touch paper with a match tickling it.
"My Master is there anything else you require?" he asked stiffly.
Alois sighed heavily and looked at him with his ice blue eyes, "Prepare a carriage for us. We are going to the Phantomhive Estate."
Golden eyes widening a fraction, Claude turned to face his master fully, "The Phantomhive Estate?"
"Your mood has become intolerable, Claude." The blonde replied coolly, "You stalk the hallways like an animal and snarl at anyone who dares get in your way. So, I wrote to Earl Ciel Phantomhive and requested to see him as a matter of the upmost urgency. If something happening to Sebastian Michaelis after he left their household you should be able to find out about it when we arrive. Hannah will also be accompanying us."
He was, initially, taken aback by the courteousness his master was showing him but after a moment he realised it was more about stopping him being moody than actually helping. Regardless, he would take this opportunity with both hands and use it to get Sebastian back.
"Yes, your Highness." He bowed before disappearing in a twirl of his tail coat, hastening to prepare the carriage immediately.
Hannah was already waiting for him at the stables; two of their best horses were out of their stalls and in harnesses. The silver haired woman gave him a slight smile, pleased to see the murderous look was gone from his eyes.
Together they attached the horses to the black and gold carriage and gave them a quick brush down to make them look their best for the journey across London. Claude opened the doors and swept the floor inside the carriage, wiping the seats down and drying them again before he patted the curtains clear of dust and deemed it ready for use.
Stepping back he watched as Hannah climbed up into the driver's seat, "I will take the carriage around to the front of the Estate." She informed him before gently pulling the reigns and trotting off towards her destination.
It wasn't long before Claude was clambering into the back of the carriage after his master and they were away, on their trip to the Phantomhive Estate. They travelled in utter silence, the threat of death lingered over Claude like a bad smell as his insufferable mood returned in the wake of anxiety and fidgetiness at the prospect of discovering what had happened to Sebastian.
Alois watched his butler curiously, he could detect that there was something going on between Claude and Sebastian from the way his precious butler had been behaving since his disappearance. The man was stoic, stiff and unemotional around him but since Sebastian had arrived and been commissioned to do his painting Claude had smiled more than he had ever seen him; his mood had lightened and he had seemed to be a totally different person. But now that Sebastian had disappeared and might be in danger, Claude had become a different person entirely, yet again, this person was moody; vicious and had a foul glare which sparked fear into the most sturdy of hearts.
Desperate to see him return to the light tempered and fun-looking man he had seen; Alois had decided to bite the bullet and go to see Ciel. He was fond of the young Earl Phantomhive even if they only ever argued when they saw each other; he liked playing games and Ciel was very receptive to his games. Like no one else he had ever met in fact.
If the young Earl knew something about where Sebastian might have gone then it would set them on the right track to locating him; it would give Claude something to focus on and maybe he would get to have some fun with Ciel at the same time!
As the horse hooves clacked over loose cobbles and the carriage swayed gently in retaliation to the different G-forces acting around them, Alois sighed heavily and sat forwards a little and glanced out of the window.
His eyes widened as he watched them approaching the Estate, it had been fully rebuilt to its former glory and none of the destruction which had been left after the fire was in sight, "Claude..." he breathed, "Look."
The golden eyed demonic butler sighed inwardly but leaned forwards and stuck his head out of the window, his eyes widened in response to what he saw. There was just no way a ruin could be rebuilt like that in such a short amount of time!
The gardens were perfect, the grass mown, the flowers in full bloom, the shrubs growing strong and tall and the bushes which lined the grounds were green and full of vitality.
A rose garden could be seen around the side of the magnificent mansion, unlike the Trancy rose garden all the roses in this one were pure white. Alois couldn't help but find that quite quaint.
The carriage pulled to a stop outside of the mansion; Claude stepped out first and lowered the iron steps for his master to use. He helped the blonde down and closed the door behind him, walking to the front of the vehicle with him and helping Hannah down like a gentleman.
The three headed up the small staircase towards the front door, the young Earl Trancy leading the way with his head held high.
The boy looked at Claude as a gesture, and the butler hastened to knock on the door on his behalf. He stopped, however, when the door opened before he could do as planned.
His eyes widened as he saw who had opened the door and his heart must have surely dropped out of his body because he could no longer feel it thumping in his chest.
Black hair, pale skin and bright amber eyes.
"My Master has been expecting you, Earl Trancy. Please come in." Sebastian stepped aside and let them into the mansion, taking Alois's hat and coat before his amber eyes fixed onto Claude's shocked face.
Sebastian closed the door again once all three people had entered and walked past Claude, "When I have seen to my Master, we may have a moment to talk in private." He told the other butler before he handed the Earl's hat and coat to Tanaka who had appeared to help him.
Claude could only stare, dumbstruck and lost, as Sebastian led them up the grand mahogany stairwell. He watched the man's black tail coat swish lightly behind him as he walked and swallowed heavily as concern flooded his senses.
The Phantomhive butler knocked at his Master's study door and opened it, "Young Master, Earl Trancy to see you."
"Let him in, Sebastian." The boy replied without looking up from his paperwork.
"Yes, My Lord." His eyes blew with pink as he bowed before stepping back out and gesturing for the blonde boy to head into the study, "Young Master?"
"Yes?"
"May I have a moment to discuss the recent events with Claude Faustus?"
"As long as it does not affect your other duties, then yes, but have Tanaka bring us some tea."
"Of course." He bowed and closed the door behind him.
Sebastian turned and offered a smile to the two servants following him before he led them back down towards the kitchens in silence. As he passed Tanaka he requested the tea as his Master had ordered and then continued into the kitchen area, "Can I get either of you a drink?" he asked.
"No thank you." They both replied.
He nodded and sat at the large square island counter in the middle of the room; he waved a gloved hand towards the other seats and watched as Claude and Hannah both sat down opposite him.
They were quiet for a few moments and Sebastian was beginning to think this had been a terrible idea. But suddenly, Claude broke the tense silence which had fallen.
"You... Said you would explain, Sebastian?" the Trancy butler murmured, not meeting the other's gaze; his golden eyes fixed firmly on the old oak counter top.
"Yes... I did." He replied, feeling a twinge in his gut as Claude refused to look at him, "The night I phoned Hannah there was another fire. It ravaged the Young Master's town house and we would have been killed had the smoke not woken Tanaka and I. The staircase was blocked and the only escape was from the third floor window, so I summoned my demonic powers and carried us down by using my wings to steady the fall. When we landed, the Young Master gave me no warning before he contracted me... He said to me 'there is no God' and I felt an echo of ancient power between us, he went on to say that he would contract me. His right eye was marked by a pentagram and I felt the burn of a tattoo on the back of my hand." He lifted his hand and pulled his glove off and showed the other two demons the black star which was printed into his skin.
Hannah sighed softly, "So you had no choice but to accept the contract?"
"I didn't even have a chance to process what he was saying to me. The next thing I knew, I was bound to him and him to me. He has sworn me never to leave his side, never to lie to him and to protect him in all things." He explained with a heavy breath, "Among the first things he ordered of me to do was the rebuilding of the Phantomhive mansion, restored exactly as it had been before it was burned down. It was no easy task however between Tanaka and the Young Master I was able to do it."
"For you to have been contracted it means you have recovered your full demonic power. This is a good thing!" Hannah smiled, "You may not remember everything but you have your full power back, you should be able to protect yourself better out of sheer instinct, and when your memories return you will be a formidable enemy to anyone."
"Haha I guess so, I hadn't really considered it like that... But when we escaped the town house it did feel different. The first time my wings appeared was when I was trapped in Ash's hideout and I wasn't certain that they would ever carry the weight of my body but the second time I was more certain. Not one hundred percent but... More confidant perhaps." The amber eyed male smiled.
Interrupting the happy occasion, Claude ran a hand through his hair and removed his glasses, resting them down on the counter as he rubbed his eyes, "And where does this leave your duty to finish the commission for my Master?"
Sebastian was initially surprised at the nature of the question; he had hoped Claude would be more worried about their relationship than a stupid painting. Feeling an aching tug in his chest, he looked down and put his glove back on, "I will complete it, of course, as soon as there is an appropriate time for both my Master and yours." He replied quietly.
"Very well, then I believe that is all there is to discuss. If it is all the same to you I would like to return to my Master, now." He said coldly, standing up and stepping away from the island as he slid his glasses back on.
Hannah looked between Claude and Sebastian for a long moment, seeing the anguish in the latter's expression while the former was resided to cut himself off from his treacherous emotions.
She shot to the door, slipping out of the room and holding it shut from the other side before Claude could get anywhere near her to escape, "You two need to talk!" she called through as she felt her fellow Trancy butler trying to twist the handle.
Bristling from the betrayal of his companion, Claude turned towards his amber eyed love; he faltered inwardly at the pained expression he wore as he looked back at him and felt guilty for his abruptness and his dismissal.
"It wasn't my choice Claude..." he whispered, "If I had it my way I would have returned to you the morning after I called, as I had promised. I couldn't have guessed or foretold the events which occurred, if I could have done that I would have left to be with you sooner, or I would have refused the contract as soon as I realised what was happening."
He sighed heavily, "I... I know it isn't your fault." He walked back over slowly as his former anger towards his love faded away all but entirely, "I'm sorry for acting so coldly towards you, I didn't mean what I said. You mean more to me than some ridiculous portrait Sebastian."
"I love you," licking his lips Sebastian looked up at him slowly, "After you protected me from those hunters and Ash kidnapping me... I know for certain that I do love you. And I will do everything in my power to complete this contract as soon as I can so I can return to your side properly."
He was shocked by the admission of course, neither of them had yet said those three little words, they hadn't had the opportunity. But he was pleased that Sebastian had said them, he felt the same and he knew it. However their current problems far outweighed the joy that his admittance brought him.
Walking closer still, Claude turned the chair that Sebastian was in so that the back was resting against the counter; he then slipped between the other demon's parted legs and pressed against him, leaning down and kissing him deeply, heatedly and passionately.
In seconds, hands and arms were wrapped around each other, fingers clasping at locks of hair and rumples in their garments anything to allow them to press closer together as though there wasn't a minute in the world to waste.
A strangled moan escaped Sebastian and his legs wound around Claude's yanking him closer still; he let out a groan from his throat as their groins rubbed together, the friction of their clothes sending pleasurable sparks through his body.
"S-Sebastian..." Claude prised his mouth away and rested his own forehead against the amber eyed male's forehead, "I know things will be difficult now, what with us both being contracted to different people but... I don't want us to fall apart because, I love you as well. Truly I have never before felt like this about another being, demonic; mortal or otherwise."
Blushing at the words spoken to him, Sebastian looked up into his golden eyes, "Claude..." a contented sigh left him and his eyes closed.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, just very happy." He replied with a small nod of his head.
Relaxing at his soft toned response, Claude simply stood and held the man closer to his body, peppering his forehead, cheeks, neck and ears with soft peck like kisses.
They stayed like this for a while before they both groaned, hearing a rumbled over head which sounded oddly like thunder. They looked at each other before coming to a mutual consensus, they detangled themselves and headed for the door, calling through to Hannah they were released from the kitchen and went back into the corridor.
"Are you both alright now?" she asked.
"Yes, thank you Hannah for you intervention." Sebastian smiled at her and chuckled at Claude's small glare.
She giggled and covered her mouth, "Anytime, I assure you."
The amber eyed butler looked up slightly as he heard the ring of a bell and sighed, checking which room it was coming from before he hastened down the corridor.
The Young Master desired his presence again, mostly likely to discuss the rain which was now hammering down against the walls and windows in retaliation to the thunder which had previously disrupted the silence of the building.
Glancing back, he looked at the two Trancy servants, "Are you coming?" he asked and smiled as they both followed after him.
"Sebastian." Ciel looked sharply at his butler who appeared overly happy with a cat like smile on his face, "A storm has brewed."
"Indeed." He replied.
"Look out of the window at the roads."
"Very well."
He walked behind the large desk and peered out of the window. He never ceased to be amazed by the British weather; a storm such as this could appear out of nowhere and last only a few minutes before passing again; on the other hand a storm like this could appear and last for several days... It was hard to keep track of.
At the current moment, large bullets of rain were pounding against the glass and the road out of the grounds was beginning to flood already. The sky was as black as the night and loud rumbling resonated like a marching band on parade, there was a sudden flash of lightening which temporarily illuminated the sky and the study before a boom shocked them, sounding like cannon fire; there was a howling, shrieking wind which screeched through the walls and bounced off the window panes.
Sebastian sighed and turned back to face his master, "It would seem most undignified to send Earl Trancy back to his estate in this weather, fatal in fact." He offered.
"That was what I was thinking." The young boy retorted before looking at the blonde seated across from him, "If you wish so, we will put you up here until the storm has passed and the flooding receded."
Alois pouted at the idea of not being able to return home, but then he considered the fun he could have winding Ciel up; he looked at Claude who was stood beside him, "What do you think Claude?"
"I think it is a good idea, to try to return to the mansion in this weather would be ridiculously dangerous for your safety." The butler replied, not missing the amusement in Sebastian's expression; the irony was not wasted on him as he considered how they had longed to spend more time together before Claude and Alois had to return home and the heavens had wept for them, weeping so hard that they had granted their wish.
"Very well," the blonde teen turned back to the other Earl, "I would like to accept your offer."
"Excellent." Ciel turned to his butler, "Ensure that adequate rooms are prepared for our guests, Sebastian."
"Yes, my Lord." His eyes glowed pink for a moment before he hastened from the room with a polite bow to their guests.
It took him a good forty minutes to prepare rooms; he didn't bother to prepare one for Claude as he intended to ask the demon to sleep in his room with him. In fact, after their mutual revelation in the kitchen, he intended to ask him to do a bit more than sleeping.
The mere idea brought a haughty blush to his pale cheeks and his pupils dilated slightly. He let out a shuddering breath and grinned to himself as his heart beat picked up, thumping in his chest like a bass drum.
He had to stop himself from skipping back to the room, forcing himself to walk calmly as he knocked on the door and opened it again, "The rooms are now prepared, Young Master. Shall I show our guests to their rooms?"
"Yes, please do Sebastian."
"Earl Trancy, Hannah, Claude... Please follow me and I shall take you to your rooms." He smiled warmly at each of them.
They were all slightly surprised when Alois didn't complain, secretly Claude had been expecting the teenager to demand not to be in a room too far from him, but when he simply nodded and grinned devilishly at Ciel he was shocked beyond measure.
Alois's borrowed room was opposite the Young Master's, Sebastian had done this so that the Trancy boy might be more infatuated with Ciel than Claude and already he could see the strings of his infamous plan pulling together. Alois clearly already had some interest in the Earl Phantomhive, which would prove helpful in keeping him away from his butler.
Hannah's room was just down the hall from Alois and Ciel, and again this had been purposefully done so that should Alois awake his first instinct would be to get the closest servant, which would be the busty maid rather than the stoic butler.
Dropping the other two off in the knowledge that Hannah would be able to get the blonde boy ready for bed, Sebastian and Claude were left alone, they walked side by side down the corridor in silence for several long moments before Sebastian finally spoke, "I was thinking you might share with me? If it is a problem then I can prepare a room for you..."
"I was hoping you would suggest sleeping in with you actually," Claude offered a sly smile, "Well, isn't this coincidence, us being stuck here in your humble abode?"
"Hmm, a most curious incident; I cannot for the life of me fathom how lucky we have been." He grinned.
"Indeed, I must for once offer my sincerest of thanks to whatever gods might be listening in."
"Tch, the gods are all good for nothings. Even I remember that much." Sebastian smirked as he stopped them in front of his bedchamber.
He unlocked the door and opened it, he ushered Claude inside; following behind him he closed and locked the door again pocketing the key.
Claude looked around the scarcely furnished room: there was a small wardrobe and a double bed which was dressed with a pale red sheet and darker burgundy blankets. He was surprised to see a black cat curled up at the bottom of the bed, sleeping soundly despite the hammering rain and howling wind which roared outside of the French opposite the bed.
"It isn't much, but I will be able to add a more personal touch when I collect my things from the Trancy estate." The amber eyed butler murmured as he lit an oil lamp, instantly illuminating the room better.
"Nonsense, it is very... Homely." Claude smiled before he swept over to him and took him into his arms, kissing him sweetly on the lips.
Captured in the kiss, Sebastian's arms soon looped up around Claude's broader shoulders and held him closer to his body, pressing into him for warmth and for contact.
Recalling his earlier plans, Sebastian felt a tug of anxiety in the pit of his stomach but brushed it aside in the knowledge that Claude would never purposefully hurt him in any way shape or form.
He parted their lips for a moment and breathed a little heavier, "C-Claude?"
"Yes, Sebastian?" he said between kisses he trailed down the other's pale neck.
"You remember I told you I was a virgin?"
"Of course," He settled his lips on his collar bone and sucked lightly at the skin which stretched over the bone, only satisfied when he left a dark patch on his alabaster skin, "What of it?"
He held his breath for a moment, letting out a small moan as his skin was sucked and nibbled lightly upon, "I would like you to be my first..." he said softly.
The golden eyed demon ceased his actions upon his perfect flesh and pulled back slowly, looking into his eyes, "What do you mean? So that we are clear and there is no room for misunderstanding."
His cheeks were crimson with embarrassment as he considered how to phrase his desires; he finally settled upon a decision and leaned in, brushing plump lips over the other's ear, "I wish for you to take my virginity, I wish for you to have your wicked way with me, make love with me... Whichever you think describes what I suggest the best."
"Hmm... All three sound good."
Sebastian gasped as he was suddenly picked up and carried to the bed; as he was thrown onto the mattress his secret pet cat growled in anger and stalked off into the wardrobe to find sleep once again.
Claude stalked towards him, making his heart skip a beat as heat shot right to his groin; he watched him and laid back, whining as the other butler crawled up over him slowly.
As their clothed hips pressed together, his skin felt as though it was on fire and he quivered against him, sliding his hands down his arms before removing his own gloves, followed by Claude's.
Clothes were discarded as they exchanged passionate, loving kisses, tongue twining and fighting in the same breath, their essences mixing and coiling together as they slowly bared themselves to each other's eyes.
Pulling back, Claude knelt up and slowly peeled away Sebastian's last article of clothing, he allowed for the man to blush before he silenced his embarrassed whine with a breath stealing kiss, "You are beautiful and perfect." He whispered.
And lie did he not, for Sebastian was truly magnificent were he not a demon Claude would have thought of him as an Angel for such beauty was often not found among their kind. They were a twisted and cruel race after all, and in some, if not most cases their appearances moulded to their personalities. Wicked and demented as they were.
But Sebastian was truly a perfect specimen; Claude momentarily felt self conscious, only hoping he would be enough for his love.
He was drawn from his thoughts as Sebastian ripped his underwear off in impatience and he was suddenly naked before him; he was humbled when he saw a lustful hunger in Sebastian's eyes as he was gazed at and his former uncertainty vanished in the wake of desire.
Finally pressing against him, the entirety of their nude bodies in close contact after so many teasing touched with material blocking their vision and touch.
Sebastian arched, his skin ablaze as he felt the masculinity of Claude's well kept body pressing and urging against his own. He blushed, more out of need than embarrassment for he was no longer concerned. He trusted Claude with his life, trusting him with his body was a little thing to ask in comparison.
"Sebastian..." the golden eyed man paused and looked down at him, "The Third Method of Demonic Attraction, when two demons fall in love with each other without outside interference..."
He whined, "Yes? I remember... Very romantic..." he shuddered at the sensations coursing throughout his body and keened for more attention from the other demon.
"Before we... Do this you must understand..." Claude groaned under his breath as it became increasingly more difficult to ignore his mate's nakedness beneath him, "... If we do this and make love, we will go into the first stages of Bonding, our souls will begin to entwine. I will begin to feel your emotions... Ngh, you will begin to feel mine. We will begin to... Ah, Sebastian stop that I'm trying to be serious..." he trembled as the other's fingertips continued to trail up the inside of his thigh towards his increasingly aware manhood, "It won't... Hnn, be complete... Until a Lord or Elder demon performs the ceremony to properly bind us together but... Once the first stage is done... Its normally very hard to... Break it again..."
"I don't want to break it." Sebastian protested breathlessly, as his fingers splayed across Claude's skin teasingly, "I want you."
The golden eyed demon groaned and closed his eyes for a moment, he knew he had to tell him everything, but it was becoming progressively more difficult to even think straight. For a damned virgin, Sebastian seemed well aware of how to arouse him, for which he was quite pleased and appreciated... But not when he was tryin to explain something to him. Giving up, Claude ended their talk with a heated kiss which warmed Sebastian right to his toes and made them curl slightly.
"Do you want this Sebastian?" he asked once more, his own golden eyes boring into Sebastian's amber once with lust and desire.
"For goodness sake..." Sebastian rolled them suddenly and straddled his lap, he rocked his own hips against Claude's a tore a moan from the other man, "Yes, I want this and I want you and everything that comes with both. So would you please hurry up and start already." He pouted; his voice exasperated and breathless with stimulation.
Chuckling at the adorable pout on the other's lips, Claude leaned up and stole another breathtaking kiss from him before he rolled them again an pinned Sebastian down playfully and smirked at him, "Yes, My Prince."
To be continued...
