Sebastian prowled closer to Claude, holding the whirring chainsaw before him. Claude whispered something to the wolfhound who whimpered before scurrying off into the forest. He took off his glasses, polishing them before replacing them back on his nose.
"Go on, Sebastian. Slice me open. I think everyone here could benefit from viewing my Cinematic Record."
Sebastian raised an eyebrow, "You aren't afraid?"
Claude laughed, "Why the hell would I be afraid? This certainly won't kill me- you and I both know that killing a demon is no simple task. Besides, like I said, I believe you could benefit from my Record."
"I will not allow you to take his soul."
"Well? What are you waiting-"
The motion was almost fast to perceive. Claude coughed once and spat out black blood onto the forest floor. Wood chips flew through the air as Sebastian extracted the chainsaw from both the demon and the tree. He stood back, handing the weapon back to Grell. Sebastian picked up Ciel and brought him to the front of the group,
"Please watch this closely, my Ciel. This is what I'm protecting you from."
There was a burst of light from the demon's chest and what looked like old-fashioned film began to spill out. Ciel moved his eyepatch, both eyes widening at the wonder that was the Cinematic Record. It was like a movie in a two-dimensional space, a projection onto the air itself. Frames began to flash, and then it really became a movie, showing snippets of Claude's life.
Ciel glanced to his left to see the Undertaker frown, "Does anyone mind if I skip to the relevant bit?"
There was a chorus of 'no's and the film moved quickly, as if it was in fast forward, for about a minute, before regaining its original speed. Ciel turned back and watched, fascinated.
He knelt before the young master that he had served for so long. The time had come to make a decision. To consume... Or to not consume. He was so, so very hungry.
"Your Highness, the time has come to make a choice. I've done everything I can for you. I must now receive my reward."
The blond boy lounging on the couch stared back with horrified eyes.
"This is the contract."
"No! Absolutely not! I forbid it!" Alois exclaimed, his blue eyes beginning to water.
"You cannot continue to push this away. The fact still remains that I am so hungry."
Alois gripped Claude's shoulders, with fear and sorrow in his eyes. He looked into those honey colored eyes and saw nothing. Claude either didn't care or was holding his emotions back.
"What will you do?" Alois asked.
"I will devour your soul."
He leaned back onto the couch, "Really, Claude? After all we've been through, I'm nothing more than a meal?" Alois narrowed his eyes, "There has to be more. There must simply be another way."
He saw it, just for a moment, something flashed over Claude's face, like something he was holding out on.
"Tell me, Claude! Tell me!" he screamed, "It's an order!"
"Yes, your Highness." Claude paused for a moment and realized what the other option was, "You could become a demon as well."
Alois raised an eyebrow and said slowly, "Really? It's that simple?"
Claude nodded, feeling a bit reluctant. Was this really the best option?
"It will hurt, but then you will become like me."
"Hm..." pondered Alois, "To live a never ending life, with you." He smiled, "Go ahead then, Claude. Turn me."
The process was lengthy and he decided to begin immediately. He would give Alois what he wanted. It grew dark as he crouched over Alois. Black nails dug into the boy's cheek as he forced Alois's mouth open. No... He could hesitate no longer... Alois attempted to scream, looking up at him with watering blue eyes as his tongue was pierced, directly on the contract mark, bisected by two sharp fangs. It glowed, casting light on his face that illuminated his eyes that had turned into that shimmering, ruby demonic color. There it was, that slight shift that moved Alois into the perilous stage of half-life, between life and death. Claude retracted his fangs and stood up, leaving Alois on the couch. He paced the room, still caught in a quandary.
Why were these decisions so damn hard?
He was so hungry. The scent of Alois's soul permeated the room, a sweet mouthwatering scent. Oh, it would taste so... good.
Yet, the memories of the last... was it eight? years flooded his mind. He had been careful to never return Alois's affections or react in a way that would seem as if he cared. It was a strictly professional relationship, to him. Alois, certainly, did not feel the same way. If they were both demons, maybe he could give him that opportunity for... love.
Then it occurred to him. Why couldn't he sample a bit of Alois's soul? He didn't need all of it, right? He could do both.
Claude approached Alois once more. This time, he picked up the limp boy and carried him, moving their activities to Alois's room. He didn't see the triplets - that was a relief. The door closed with a click. Claude rested Alois carefully on the bed.
He slid off Alois's coat, tossing the mauve material to the ground without a care. Buttons popped and he slid off both his vest and undershirt in a swift motion, hunger catching up to him. The area around Alois's heart turned red, as he traced about it with a long talon. Golden light rose to meet his fingers and clung to his bare palm. The contract glowed brightly on the back of his hand.
He sat back, eyes wide at the soul that clung to his hand. This is what he had waited for. Incisors flashed and he took a small bite out of it.
It was divine.
Oh, he wanted to continue so badly, to finish every drop of that delicious soul before ripping open that small and fragile body and drinking, deep, deep, so very deep, draining him of all his blood and energy and life! To sate his hunger fully!
He held back which was so very difficult when that sweet, sweet taste still lingered in his mouth. His hand covered Alois's heart, returning his soul. A second kiss woke him up, sky blue eyes dyed crimson red.
And then something odd happened.
A mirror image of that past Alois, with those pretty blue eyes, split off and dissolved away as a shower of golden dust. He didn't understand. He had no knowledge of anything like this happening before.
He ignored it and turned his attention to the new demon Alois.
The movie ended.
Ciel found himself being held by Claude once more. He struggled, trying to get out of his grasp.
"Do you see now, Earl Phantomhive? I'm just trying to save him. Of course you wouldn't understand that." He hissed, "The only person you love is yourself."
"Get away from him, you bastard!" Sebastian snarled, and leapt for Claude. Ciel closed his eyes as he was turned around, chest pressed to chest with the other demon. He heard contact being made, in what seemed to be a kick to Sebastian's throat from the tensing of Claude's muscles to the gagging sound coming from the other demon.
Sebastian looked around at the Grim Reapers, "Help me stop him!" He spat, watching black blood stain the ground. The Undertaker shrugged.
"You aren't in a position to give us orders. I helped you already today. Sebastian, you need to save Ciel yourself." They began to walk off. Sebastian stared after them with wide eyes and turned back to his enemy.
Claude grinned and began to laugh hysterically, "They deserted you! I can't believe you thought the shinigami would actually help you!" He took a deep breath, "I do suppose they have an agenda with me still." Claude shrugged, "Perhaps it's just an act. However, you lose." He turned and began to walk off in the direction the dog had taken.
"No!" screamed Ciel, finally finding words to speak, "Stop! Put me down!" He beat on the demon's back, "Sebastian! Stop him!"
Sebastian ran towards them at an inhuman pace. Claude turned and smirked, forcing the demon to stop.
"Until we meet again."
They dissolved into a shower of spiders.
"N-no!" Sebastian's roar of anger bisected a tree, "Why? Why!" This was a trick again, he realized. He never actually had Ciel back. It was Claude's intention to continue his process, allowing Sebastian to have the knowledge of why. Why he needed to fix Alois. Which, obviously was a mistake that Claude had made himself.
He sighed and checked the contract link with Ciel. Nothing. Unsurprisingly, Claude had now taken measures to sever or cover that connection. It had been a trick from the start. His phone vibrated. Sebastian checked the time and then his location. It was approaching nearly eleven at night. This day had been rather long. He found that he was in a forest, about an hour outside of the city. The first thing that he needed to do was to get back home. From there, he would make a plan to rescue Ciel before anything was taken from him, like his soul.
The fluttering of feathers disrupted the quiet of the forest as a raven flew up from the spot where Sebastian had just been standing. There wasn't much time to waste, so he would hurry - as the crow flies.
They appeared before what he assumed was the car he had been kidnapped in. It was a small, sporty looking vehicle. Ciel noted that the dog was gone, replaced by a crimson-eyed version of what was once his best friend. He was placed on the trunk of the car and told to stay there while Claude found him some clothes.
He kicked his feet idly, thinking about his situation. Obviously, this was a sort of kidnapping. The problem was he couldn't really do anything about it. Without his cell or panic button, there was no way that he could get in touch with his security team or anyone else who might be able to assist him.
Oh well. Ciel resigned himself to his situation. Hopefully, he would be rescued at some point.
A pile of clothes was handed to him. Claude continued to stare at him, "Put these on."
Ciel frowned but decided not to argue with the demon. It certainly wasn't clothing that he was used to - it being flannel plaid pants and a simple button-up shirt. He slid on both pieces and was then escorted to the car.
"Sit in the middle seat. Typically, I would gag you, but since you seem to be cooperating, there's no need for that, is there?"
Ciel nodded slowly. As Claude started the car, Alois turned towards him with an unnerving grin, "I'm really quite thankful that you are going to help me, Ciel. It's rather confusing to be split in two, you know? It'll be nice to have all my memories back."
Ciel didn't respond. There wasn't much to say to that. You're welcome? Because I'm doing this of my own will? I definitely understand what's going on entirely?
The drive out of the forest was bumpy but they soon converged back onto the freeway, heading back to the city. The landscape passed by quickly in a blur of colors. Ciel listened to the two demons talking to each other as if he wasn't even in the car.
"How are you feeling, your Highness?"
"Okay, for now. I'm rather hungry though."
"How so?"
Alois giggled, "Oh, well, in several ways then. It'd be nice to have some prey. However, my human side is rather hungry as well."
"Would you like to stop for a snack or are you able to wait until breakfast tomorrow morning?"
"Hm…" he paused in thought, "I think I need to eat now."
"Of course. What would you like to consume?"
"Ah, I'd like to devour you."
"Perhaps later. What food would you like is what I meant."
"I know that. You're too serious." He pointed out the window at a fast food burger joint, "How about there? Just the drive-through would be fine. Home is still pretty far from here."
"As you wish."
Ciel yawned. This day had been rather long and he was getting quite sleepy. He started to drift into sleep, mismatched eyes closing. He was startled awake by a voice calling his name.
"Ciel… Ciel!"
"Huh?" he asked, suddenly awake, "What is it?"
"Do you want something to eat?" demanded Alois.
"Oh, um… Just a burger and fries?" He really didn't feel that hungry, but it had been a while since he last ate. The greasy aroma of fried food filled the car and Ciel was suddenly thankful for his decision. He devoured the burger as if it were his last meal. Which, considering the eccentricities of the duo who had kidnapped him, it just might become that.
"Um, thanks, I guess." He added, still wanting to be polite.
After the small meal, Ciel fell asleep for certain.
"Is he asleep?" Claude asked Alois.
The blond nodded, "Yup, he's out like a light. I don't blame him." He yawned, "I'm tired as well."
"Odd. You shouldn't feel tired while you're a demon."
Alois shrugged, "Yet, I'm exhausted. Strange, isn't it?"
"Indeed." Claude parked the car in a lot to the side of their apartment, "We're here. I'll take Ciel and meet you inside."
He opened the back door, watching Alois enter the building before he turned his attentions to Ciel. Claude untied the eyepatch and placed his hand over it, intending to prevent Sebastian from tracking Ciel's location by replacing Sebastian's sigil with his own. Ciel whimpered in his sleep, blood dripping from his tear ducts. Claude grinned, satisfied, and lifted the sleeping CEO out of the car, carrying him into the empty apartment.
"Where's he gonna stay?" Alois called from the bedroom they shared.
"The spare room, I should think."
"Isn't she coming tonight?"
"She is, but I believe they should be fine together. I think she'll leave him alone."
Claude opened the door to a well-furnished room. There was a low to the ground, black bed that he rested the sleeping CEO on. He pulled the covers over the sleeping male with some degree of care before leaving, turning off the lights to leave the room in darkness.
The water was hot and did not help at all with his state of exhaustion. Alois yawned, again and again, covering his mouth. Claude gave him an amused look, splashing him.
"It's been a while since I've seen you this tired."
Alois rubbed his eyes, "Hm, I suppose so. Ciel really tired me out this afternoon."
"Pardon?" Claude arched an eyebrow, "Tired you out how?"
He sank into the water, resting his feet on Claude's knees, "You know."
"Your Highness… Please tell me."
"Fine. Ciel and I fucked, which is why I'm tired."
Claude was dismayed.
A/N- Please follow, favorite, and review!
