A/N: Definitely stole some lines from the second Musical in this one. You get a virtual wink if you can find them. XD

Rubor is a Latin word that has several meanings, and I mean all of them when I use it. In the most literal sense, it means redness and is most often used to reference when someone is blushing. However, it also encompasses shame, modesty, and all that which causes blushing in addition to the capacity to blush.


Rubor

Ciel found himself wandering the gardens for the second time that evening. His eyes settled on the white roses he had ordered Sebastian to plant. They gleamed in the moonlight, twinkling as the night dew settled on their pure white petals. He reached out to pluck one from its home, but it retaliated, slicing Ciel's finger with a clean cut. A single drop of his blood fell onto a rose sitting lower in the patch, tainting its pure white beauty. He brought his finger to his mouth and licked his wound lightly.

"Why white roses, young master?" Sebastian had asked him back when Ciel had given the order.

Why indeed, Ciel thought. Back then, he had an answer in his mind he did not wish to give. They symbolized purity and innocence. These were virtues that had long since been lost to Ciel. He wanted them planted to serve as a reminder of what he had been, what he had lost. It was perhaps a bit depressing, masochistic even, but Ciel didn't want to forget. It would be so easy to let the past go. He had recovered his namesake, his manor, his pride. He fingered the ring that symbolized his dominance of the Phantomhive Household on his finger. As a child, it had been a larger burden to bear, one that could bearly fit on his thumb. But now he wore it proudly, able to carry its full weight, and it rested snugly on his right middle finger.

Ciel let his eyes roam over the expansive grounds, his majestic estate. With the exception of his parents and his innocence, he had reclaimed everything he had lost. He led a comfortable life, with a household of servants who were practically family, and with a perfect butler who provided every service and comfort he could ever think to ask for. How easy would it be to forget that he had ever suffered, that he had ever been subject to humanity's darkest desires. He could have let the memory of his parents fade away into oblivion. He could have donned a new name in a new age and run away from his duty. He could have left this legacy behind to pursue his own happiness, but he didn't. In order to stop himself, he had to be reminded. He looked at the blood-stained rose as if it were a mirror. There was no going back, and there was no running away. He needed to remember.

These white roses had served as a reminder of what he had been long ago. But tonight, Ciel thought they taunted him with an added symbolism. Tonight, they were not representative of his lost innocence, but Elizabeth's. He had snatched away her happiness, shown her the mark of his covenant with a demon, and taken away the happy ignorance she could have had. On top of that, his actions had put her in danger. He did not know what horrors she might be facing this night, or how terrified she must be.

He clenched his fists tight with anger and guilt. Looking to the sky for a reprieve, he instead found the moon dancing playfully behind the clouds, its crescent smile mocking him from above. Damn it. Hadn't Sebastian once said that he would even shoot down the moon if it laughed at him?

Sebastian...

The thought had barely crossed his mind when a cloud moved overhead, hiding the moon's light and casting a dark shadow on the land. He felt Sebastian's presence creep up behind him. He turned swiftly to see him standing there holding an unconscious Elizabeth in his arms.

"You need only call my name, my lord." Sebastian whispered. Ciel felt his heart give a leap. He had come, she was safe.

He rushed towards them, and cast a worried look at Elizabeth's face. She was sleeping soundly, her breath was even, but her face was troubled, and there was a small trickle of blood falling from her lips.

"Is she..."

"She's a little bruised, but none worse for wear." Sebastian's report of her condition was cold. Ciel's concern for this girl was irksome, but he tried his best not to show his disdain outright.

"Take her inside, immediately. I'll alert her parents."

Sebastian moved swiftly, existing solely to fulfill his master's orders, no matter how distasteful he found them to be. Ciel did not catch the bitterness in his expression, nor the coldness with which he spoke. Ciel was only relieved beyond words to have Elizabeth safe and sound to return to her family. Yes, this would not be a family torn apart with tragedy like his own. He too rushed inside and was headed for the dining hall where he had left the Marquis but was stopped by Tanaka, who stood in the doorway.

"The Marquis has drunk himself to sleep. I have placed him in the guest bedroom with the Marchioness. They will both very likely sleep through the night." Tanaka gave a small bow and smiled. "Sebastian has returned, I presume?"

"Elizabeth is safe. The matter is settled." Ciel relaxed some. The family's tearful reunion could wait until morning. He gave a sigh of relief. For the first time that evening, Ciel noticed his own tension and how exhausted he now was as a result.

"Perhaps it would be a good time for you to rest as well, my lord." Tanaka ushered him upstairs, escorting him part of the way.

When he reached the top of the stairs, Ciel turned. "Should any of them wake up..."

"It will be taken care of, my lord." Tanaka interrupted. "Please take your rest."

Ciel gave a grateful nod to Tanaka, then proceeded to his chamber. Once inside, he immediately cast off his jacket, tossing it carelessly to the floor. He kicked off his shoes in a similarly untidy fashion, making his way to the bed. Plopping down onto it, Ciel gave another sigh. His muscles felt tense all over, and he found that he wanted nothing more than to go to sleep as quickly as possible.

He was about to remove his shirt to dress into his nightgown when he heard a knock at the door. It was no doubt Sebastian.

"Enter."

Sebastian entered, closing the door gently behind him, then lifted a questioning brow at Ciel's jacket and shoes carelessly thrown about the floor. Deciding not to address those issues, he began to speak.

"Lady Elizabeth is sound asleep in the spare guest room, just down the hall from her parents."

Ciel nodded, unbuttoning his shirt as he listened to Sebastian.

"What of Spring-Heeled Jack?"

"Of course, I did away with him as well."

"What sort of creature was he?" Ciel sat with his hands on either side, having given up changing for the moment. He was curious to hear Sebastian's report. His shirt hung open, exposing his bare torso to the candlelight. Sebastian could not help running his eyes over him as he spoke.

"Nothing but a lower class demon. He had been attacking women around London because he was looking for someone to carry his cambion. He apparently thought Lady Elizabeth would be the perfect candidate, because she is fragile."

Ciel frowned in disgust. What a truly distasteful creature, he thought.

"I'm glad you got to her in time before he could do anything worse."

"Worse? My lord, aside from carrying her a little indelicately, he never laid a finger on the Lady."

Ciel stopped to consider what Sebastian said. "But she was bleeding, and her cheek was slightly bruised."

"I have to admit, I didn't think I hit her hard enough to draw blood." Ciel wheeled on Sebastian, feeling anger boiling up to his ears.

"You laid a hand on Elizabeth?" He hissed through his teeth. Ciel rose from the bed and darted towards Sebastian, grasping fistfuls of his collar and jacket. Though he was still shorter than Sebastian by about a head, he looked defiantly up into his eyes, seething. Ciel rarely felt the need to be violent, but he was a hair's breath away from landing a solid punch into Sebastian's face.

"She was being a hindrance." But Sebastian was unfazed by Ciel's anger. He made no motion to remove Ciel's hands nor to defend himself.

"I ordered you to-"

"You ordered me to get rid of Spring-Heeled Jack. She was trying to stop me, which made her an obstacle. And obstacles are always removed." He smirked, enjoying the irony of quoting Ciel's own words back to him.

"How dare y-"

"How dare I? You were the one who cast her aside out of your life. You made it seem as though she was no longer important to you. Then you turned around and panicked when she was taken, as though you still cared." Sebastian's patience was running thin. Humans were deceitful, hypocritical creatures, and many times, he forgot that his master could be exactly the same way.

"Of course I care!" Ciel shook Sebastian, his grip tightening. Sebastian's eyes flashed red at Ciel's words. "She is my cousin! She's family! Why would you-"

"You gave yourself to me." Sebastian interrupted, and for the first time, Ciel thought he head a bit of bitterness in his words. "You are not supposed to call anyone's name but my own, you are not supposed to desire anyone other than myself."

Suddenly Sebastian grabbed Ciel's wrists, forcing him to undo his grip, then pushed him backwards onto the bed, pinning his arms on either side of him. Although Ciel struggled with as much strength as he could muster, Sebastian was still a demon, and he was using his demonic strength to keep him down. The more he struggled, the more Sebastian's grip tightened. Ciel could feel his wrists bruising underneath that tight grasp.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"I am simply reclaiming what's mine." Sebastian began to trail kisses down Ciel's neck. They were rough, insistent, desperate.

"You-" Ciel's words were cut off abruptly when Sebastian sealed his mouth with his own. His tongue explored Ciel's mouth, demanding attention, and Ciel found he could not resist. Under the demon's touch he felt his anger fading rapidly to be replaced by fervid desire.

When they finally parted to allow for air to fill their lungs again, Ciel looked carefully into Sebastian's eyes. They were more than just their usual pools of desire. There was more. There was a hint of jealousy, and even pain. He wasn't sure demons could even feel such things.

"Sebastian..." he whispered. He wanted to reach out to him, to touch his cheek in reassurance. But reassurance of what, he wasn't sure. Unfortunately, Sebastian held his hands steadfast and resumed the hungry kisses over his bare torso.

"Sebastian, let me..." Ciel moaned, arching his back to get closer to him, but wanting to free his hands.

Sebastian bit roughly at his nipple, making Ciel cry out in slight pain. He was going to teach his master a lesson tonight.

Ciel could feel the malice in Sebastian's motions. He would see no trace of the gentle lover from the night before in his current state. His fingers tingled from the lack of circulation caused by Sebastian's vice-like grip. Sebastian bit at him all over. When he suckled in his neck, he let his teeth sink down just enough to avoid drawing blood. It was painful, but it was exhilarating. Despite the pain he was causing him, Ciel knew it was because of the depth of Sebastian's desire for him. This was how the demon truly felt.

Many times Ciel wondered about the facade of the perfect butler Sebastian always wore. What words from the demon could he trust? As a child he had been plagued by visions of his smile. How sincere were those lips, how much caring was truly reflected in those eyes? How much of it was a lie? When he held him tenderly, was he showing any real affection? Could demons even feel such things?

Sebastian closed Ciel's mouth with a searing kiss, exploring his mouth roughly. Ciel could not resist returning the passion. He could not deny this demon's lust, nor his own. He felt a tremendous heat pooling in his belly. His heart was racing. Sebastian pulled away from the kiss and roughly bit at Ciel's lower lip. This time, he bit down hard, and Ciel cried out. He felt blood trickling from his lip. Sebastian lapped at it hungrily. The seal of their covenant burned on both of their bodies. It was so elemental for the both of them to be bonded this way.

As Ciel saw Sebastian's eyes gleaming red with sin as he tasted Ciel's blood, Ciel knew this was not a lie. This was no farce. He wasn't sure about the demon's ability to feel love, but he knew the demon felt insatiable desire. He knew he delighted in pain. He knew that everything Sebastian was doing to him now was for his own sake, drawn from his own wishes, and not placating any wishes Ciel might have had. When Sebastian was gentle, Ciel doubted him with every fiber of his being. But when Sebastian was rough like this, when he was being savage, bestial, and sadistic, Ciel trusted that all of it was honest. The demon did truly want him. Ciel moved his hips at the thought, wanting more of Sebastian's touch, more of his abuse. He wanted to feel Sebastian's warmth against himself, grinding...

Sebastian smirked at Ciel's eager response. So his master liked it rough, did he?

He let go of Ciel's wrists at last to free his own hands. In one swift motion, he tore off Ciel's pants, making a mental note to buy a new pair for his master the next time they were in London. Ciel gasped at the sound of ripping fabric, and Sebastian gripped Ciel's penis tightly, almost too tightly. Ciel groaned into his touch, feeling the pressure send waves of heat down his abdomen.

With his hands free, Ciel reached out for Sebastian, grasping at his sleeves and whining at the touch of fabric on his skin. He clawed at the jacket, wanting to be rid of the troublesome barrier that kept their skins from touching. But Sebastian would have none of that. Tonight was not about Ciel's pleasure. He forcefully turned Ciel over onto his stomach on the bed, then slowly unzipped his pants.

Ciel's eyes widened, realizing what was to come. He wasn't at all ready, and they had only done it once.

"Se-Sebast-AHH!"

Ciel's feeble protest was quickly cut off as Sebastian thrust into him without warning, burying his full length deep inside.

"Ngh..!" Ciel bit down, wanting to avoid letting out cries of pain. It was too much too fast. His breath came in ragged gasps. He could feel blood trickling from his anus where the tissue had torn from the sudden invasion. He struggled to adjust to the heat inside him, but Sebastian gave him no time.

Immediately he was thrusting in and out of him mercilessly, giving no heed to Ciel's cries of pain. Ciel grasped fistfuls of the sheets, sweat pouring down his face from the stress. Sebastian tightly grasped both sides of Ciel's hips with his still-gloved hands, forcibly moving Ciel's body at the pace he wanted.

Leaning forward, his breath hot against Ciel's ear, he whispered,

"Nn... does it hurt... ah... my lord?"

His tone was all too pleased. Ciel could feel little pleasure from the closeness however, given the immense pain in his rear. He could give no response, only unintelligible groans and guttural moans, like an animal. Every little gasp and cry of pain was like music to Sebastian's ears. And given the sample of blood he had managed to indulge in earlier, Sebastian was in absolute ecstasy. Ciel was undoubtedly his. And he relished the feeling of the man writhing beneath him.

At long last, Ciel was starting to feel more pleasure than pain. He felt himself finally accommodating Sebastian's movements and feeling accustomed to having Sebastian's rather hefty length inside of him.

"Ahhn... Se-Sebastian..."

Ciel's voice sent Sebastian over the edge, and he quickly came, spilling his seed inside of Ciel and marking him inside as well as out. Panting heavily, he remained inside for a while after, trying to catch his breath. Ciel was struggling to breathe underneath him as well, but that was because he hadn't climaxed yet, and he was desperate for more stimuli.

Smirking, Sebastian slowly pulled out, making Ciel groan in disappointment.

"Sebastian... I need..."

Ciel remained on his hands and knees, wagging his rear in the air slightly, a silent request for Sebastian to stimulate him into his own orgasm as well. But Sebastian merely licked his lips and lay down lazily on the bed beside him.

"If you need something, my lord, I'm afraid you'll have to do it yourself." Ciel's eyes widened at once in shame, and he could feel a blush creeping to his cheeks. His whole body was on fire, and yet Sebastian refused to touch him.

Inviting Ciel to straddle his lap, Sebastian laid gentle hands on Ciel's hips. He would not give more pressure if he could help it.

"Come for me, Ciel..." he whispered.

His sultry voice sent shivers down Ciel's spine. Sebastian would only speak his name in these moments, only when it was appropriate. Ciel tried his best to hide his face beneath his hair, ashamed of how exposed he was.

"Don't be ashamed, Ciel..." Sebastian gave his hips a gentle squeeze.

Even though Ciel was on top, he felt everything but in control. Sebastian's eyes burned into him, and he felt as though his body was not his own. The swirling passions, the unquenchable fire... Some unseen force that was not his own lucid mind guided his hand towards his own erection, grasping it firmly. He gave it a few timid pumps and moaned aloud into his own hand.

"That's right, Ciel..."

Damn that demon. His voice was too sultry. Just hearing him say his name could have sent Ciel over the edge. Opening his eyes slightly, he saw Sebastian watching him intently. Although his entire body gave off the appearance of composure, his eyes were wanton. Ciel licked his lips hungrily. So Sebastian wanted a show, did he?

Ciel brought his free hand up to his lips and began to suck at his fingers voraciously. Sebastian raised a surprised eyebrow. His lord was taking the initiative. Ciel made sure to lick every inch of his fingers, opening his lips so that Sebastian could see how his pink tongue darted over and around his digits. Sebastian let out a sigh of pleasure, and Ciel smirked.

He removed his fingers from his lips and reached around, placing one of his fingers tenderly at his slightly sore entrance. Pushing in as gently as he could, the tissue was still raw from Sebastian's earlier fucking, he inserted his middle finger as deep inside himself as he could muster. His body gave a pleasant shudder, and Ciel slowly moved his finger in and out as he pumped his own erection.

Sebastian felt his mouth watering, and he licked his lips. He had never seen Ciel this... sexual. If he wasn't careful, he'd lose his control and just take Ciel again and again. Instead he kept his hands steady on Ciel's hips, gripping lightly and tried to keep his breathing even, which Ciel was making increasingly difficult.

"Haa... Haa... Ngh!"

Ciel inserted another finger and cried aloud. He was bucking his hips in time with his fingering and he pumped his length faster.

"Ahh... Seba-Sebastian!"

He could not stop the sounds of pleasure that escaped him. He had abandoned all sense of modesty and freely masturbated above Sebastian, calling his name repeatedly. Inserting a third finger, he brushed against his prostate and jumped in delight.

"Ohh.. Sebastian!"

Crying out his name, Ciel came, spilling his seed all over himself and Sebastian, who was still quite clothed. His milky white semen shone in the candelight in contrast to Sebastian's dark butler uniform. Ciel collapsed to Sebastian's side, breathing heavily. Sebastian chuckled lightly, and gingerly removed a glove with his teeth. Using his fingers, he dabbed a small amount of Ciel's cum onto it and brought it to his lips. Ciel blushed fiercely as Sebastian tasted him. Somehow, it was more embarrassing than masturbating had been.

"Do you know what you taste like, my lord?" Sebastian was teasing again. Ciel sought the comfort of his sheets, not wanting to look into Sebastian's eyes.

"...shut up."

Sebastian sat up, getting off the bed, and Ciel turned at the motion. It occurred to Ciel that he hadn't felt Sebastian's warmth at all tonight, and he missed it. He wanted him to stay. Seeing Ciel's unspoken request in his eyes, Sebastian gave a small bow and whispered,

"You are mine, Ciel. I am always by your side." He pulled the sheets up over Ciel to cover him and walked towards the door. When he placed his hand on the door handle, Ciel spoke out.

"Sebastian, you were jealous."

It wasn't a question. Sebastian stood still, his back to Ciel.

"I can understand that. And make no mistake, I know I am yours as you are mine."

Their seals burned.

"By the contract, we are bound." Sebastian whispered.

"We are bound by more than that."

Sebastian's eyes widened with shock, agape at the implications of Ciel's words. He turned to look at him. Ciel was sitting up in his bed, the sheets pooled in his lap. He was looking at Sebastian intently, his right eye glowing a deep purple in the darkness.

"My lord-" Sebastian began to speak, but Ciel interrupted.

"But make no mistake, if you ever lay a hand on Elizabeth again..."

"Understood, my lord." Sebastian gave a deep bow. It wasn't completely apologetic, but it was understanding. Sebastian had to admit, he had been slightly out of line. As a demon, he did not, could not fully comprehend the affections that existed between humans who were family. He had to understand that whatever emotion Ciel felt for Lady Elizabeth were different than what was shared between the two of them. But Ciel belonged to him. And that much was a fact.

"Sleep well, my lord." Sebastian closed the door softly behind him, making a mental note to make sure Mei Lin attended to Lady Elizabeth first thing in the morning.


A/N: Merry Christmas (Eve) everyone~ Hope you enjoy your holiday season, and thank you so much for supporting this story so far. Your reviews are all being read and are very much appreciated.