Title: Heat
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Characters.
Warning: This story deals with gender bender and is slightly au, possibly even ooc for some of the characters.
Pairing: Claude x Sebastian
Chapter 12.
"I… I would rather have you than any other," Sebastian softly replied, gazing deeply into Claude's eyes. He blushed at the other's words of how he would not be let go if he allowed Claude to claim him, feeling a kiss to his forehead. "I like you the best out of everyone I know, Claude, and I honestly don't believe I'll find anyone else ever that I will feel even remotely the same for." He could not say it was love yet, though he knew what he felt was far deeper than merely liking Claude, but Sebastian knew very little of love or how it was supposed to feel.
Pleased to hear Sebastian's words, for Claude did understand why his mate looked so shy and uncertain, holding him a little tighter. "I never wanted anyone, until I saw you- really saw you for the first time," he murmured, nipping a little at Sebastian's neck with his teeth and sucking on it gently with his lips, hoping it would leave a mark at least for a few days. "Not the you that you show to the world, Sebastian, but the real you, what you keep hidden inside…"
Moaning softly as Claude sucked on his neck, Sebastian flushed a little more. "I can't show everyone this side, Claude; it would be too dangerous for me. With the way I look, I'm lucky that no one's pursued me before; acting the way I usually do keeps unwanted suitors away from me," he said quietly, feeling that Claude was entitled to some explanation of why he'd allowed others to only see the arrogant, haughty demon instead of what lay beneath the surface. At worst, they'd think him weak and try to kill him; at best, they'd capture him- or try to- and he'd wind up as a sex slave for a demon whose tastes ran to sadistic and violent. Neither idea was a pleasant thought.
Not liking that idea one bit, Claude paused on what he was doing, a flash of purple entering his eyes. "You shouldn't have to hide yourself, Sebastian, but I must confess I am glad that you do. If anyone but me knew, they'd want you as much as I do," he breathed into the perfectly shaped ear, inhaling his mate's scent. It was mostly back to normal, now, which was a good thing, but Claude's possessiveness towards Sebastian had not decreased, a definite indication that this meant much more than just a mating cycle to him. "And if anyone does try to pursue you, I'll handle them personally." It was a calmly stated fact; Claude would not share Sebastian with anyone else; even the idea enraged him down to the core of his very being.
Curled up against Claude, Sebastian watched him closely, seeing the power that had flared briefly within him. It was becoming more and more clear to him that Claude disliked the notion of anyone else wanting him; why else would he vow to deal with anyone else that tried to mate with him? "I don't want anyone else," he earnestly told his lover, sincerity in his red eyes. "But would you be happy with just me?"
Hearing the uncertainty, Claude chuckled softly, giving Sebastian a slight smirk. "You are more than enough for me, Sebastian," he assured his mate, leaning into him just enough to kiss him deeply. "I don't need or want anyone else, either…" Dropping his mouth to where his fading mark remained upon Sebastian's shoulder, his golden eyes watched to see if he was all right with this, his teeth grazing the skin gently.
Gasping at the feel of Claude's teeth, Sebastian watched him with wide eyes, though not protesting as they dragged across his bare skin. He didn't move as those sharp teeth bit down into his flesh, this time drawing blood, a whimper leaving him. It hurt but was bearable, feeling heated and swollen as a very familiar tongue lapped over it, cleaning it off for a few moments.
As if the taste of Sebastian's skin wasn't delicious enough, the elixir of his blood was potent, Claude realized almost immediately, drinking the sweet, tangy fluid down as he made a new mark upon his mate. This one would be permanent, requiring different steps to it than the temporary one had. Reluctantly, he cleaned off the bleeding with his tongue, before he used his own incisors to prick the sensitive muscle. His own blood did not taste nearly so divine, as he spread that the crimson liquid across the mark, showing clearly against that pale flesh.
Sebastian hissed a little; it burned as it sealed over, pain reflecting in his eyes as he breathed hard. Though he could not see it too easily, where the bite mark had been there was something else there now, a tattoo that shone the same shade as Claude's blood had been. As he was held closely, the marking now done and feeling both strange and weak, Sebastian lay limply against Claude, closing his eyes as he adjusted to it.
Cradling his mate, Claude soothed him with gentle touches, a little disoriented himself but not nearly so much as Sebastian. Their bond was forming, a mental tie that no other power could break, not unless one of them wanted it to be so. Claude could feel how shaky Sebastian felt, how difficult it was for him to move or think right now while he lay there. Mentally reaching out, the older demon brushed their minds together in silent reassurance.
With the permanent mark now in place, there was no way that he'd ever lose contact with Sebastian, not unless the other was to go to a different plane than him- and even then, he'd still feel him. More importantly, Claude would know if Sebastian needed him without his mate having to call to him to get his attention.
The invisible tie between them seemed to hum slightly, Sebastian mused, slowly growing used to the feel, opening his eyes finally. Not moving, he offered a shy smile, still blushing a little bit but enjoying the feel of their mental bond. He felt Claude's presence almost more than he saw him physically; before, Sebastian had been able to see traces of his aura, but now he could see it clearly, the level of power that his new mate possessed. His own was not that strong, confirming his suspicion that Claude was older than him, but considering everything that had happened, it was probably for the best.
Someone his own age or younger wouldn't have known what was going on with him so quickly when he went into heat; nor would they probably been so gentle, taking care not to hurt him more than was necessary, Sebastian knew. Seeing the warmth in Claude's eyes, he remained sprawled against him, not wanting to move until they absolutely had to.
Relaxed completely, Claude then remembered something important, deciding to mention it now before they both fell back asleep. He didn't know how Sebastian would take it, but he wasn't going to start their permanent bond off by lying to him; that wouldn't be fair or right to him. And he wanted to make sure that his mate knew that he was by no means ashamed of him, but he hadn't known how much of this Sebastian wanted Ciel to know.
"I almost forgot, Sebastian," he began softly. "Your Master is here, along with two of his servants. They arrived late yesterday, in the middle of the storm…" Claude brushed his knuckles over Sebastian's soft cheek, seeing the way his mate's eyes widened so considerably.
"He was looking for me," Sebastian said, knowing it was true. He had been gone so long that his Master had grown worried about him, though he wasn't sure which of his two servants that Ciel would have brought here. Considering that there was at least one demon here that his Master did know about, he figured Mey-Rin was most likely. "What did you tell him, Claude?"
Swallowing hard, Claude met Sebastian's gaze, still holding him close. "He knows about Timber and Canterbury, Sebastian; your fever was brought about by that alone and your contract weakened to the extent that Ciel Phantomhive noticed it was not right. Everyone here except for my Master knew what they'd done and now even he knows because Ciel does."
Mortified, Sebastian closed his eyes, misery in his face. "Did you have to tell him?" he questioned; it was going to be extremely hard for him to look his Master in the eyes anytime soon, knowing that he knew something that he didn't particularly want many to know. Even the idea itself was embarrassing, to know that Ciel knew he'd been sexually assaulted.
"Sebastian, he stormed into here accusing my Master of having me do something to you," Claude explained, though he paused at his own words. Technically, he had done something to Sebastian, though not nearly along the lines of what Ciel Phantomhive had been thinking. "Lord Phantomhive was very concerned for you and it showed no matter how much he tried to hide it. As such, I wished to alleviate some of his fears, along with his allegation of my Master, who hadn't even known you were here."
Seeing his mate's obvious shame, Claude held him a little tighter, stroking what soft skin he could in hopes of soothing him. "He was more outraged than anything, Sebastian; I have no doubt of that," he whispered, kissing his cheek. "His first concern was for you, though I have no doubt that he would enjoy participating in the punishment of those two who rightfully deserve it. Additionally, there is also the fact that they might follow you back to the Phantomhive manor and try again." Anger flashed briefly within his golden eyes. "I wanted to ensure your safety if we were separated for a while, though now I'll know if they try anything else…"
Feeling a little better, Sebastian nodded, relieved that at least he was not being blamed for what those two that had forced him into sexual contact had done. He paled a little; the idea of Timber coming after him again, with Canterbury in tow, was not a pleasant one. Even with all of his powers, he didn't fancy fighting two against one, knowing what would happen if he lost. His eyes closed briefly, a look of relief passing across his face. He was even gladder, now, that they had bonded; the anger his mate had shown and felt told him without words that Claude would come if they did come after him again.
Then, he thought of something else. "Do our Masters know about us, Claude?" he asked, not sure how he would feel if they did know, but wanting to know everything before he saw his Master again. His sex life was something he had certainly never discovered with Ciel, mostly because Ciel himself was a little young for it, though additionally, his Master had never asked him about it before.
"I didn't tell them anything about us, Sebastian," Claude admitted, still speaking quieter than usual. "I did not know if you would want them to know, but Ciel saw your wounds, especially with you resting here in my bed, feverish and sleeping. Do not misunderstand me, my dear; I am not at all ashamed of anything that we've done, but I did not want to say more than I had to, in case you wanted it kept a secret."
Blushing brightly at the endearment, Sebastian nodded silently, too moved to say a word. Once again, Claude had proved to him that he cared more about how Sebastian himself would feel if everyone knew- though honestly, the red-eyed demon hadn't even considered the idea of telling anyone. Sebastian could understand why he'd told about Timber and Canterbury- for his own protection- and, for the first time, he himself initiated a kiss.
Sitting up a little straighter, Sebastian tilted his head back and his face up, pressing his lips against Claude's tenderly, their bond humming between them both.
Upstairs in the room where Ciel was sleeping, the dark-haired teenager could not figure out why he was unable to pull the blankets back onto him. They had slipped during the night, but every time he tugged on them, they refused to budge, making him wonder. Opening his eyes, Ciel waited for them to adjust to the dim light of the fire- and turned a shade very close to crimson when he saw who was sleeping there just beside him. "Alois!" he cried out, regretting the loud sound almost instantly. As the other stirred, Ciel sat up, watching as Alois, too, peeked his eyes open and looked at him.
"Morning, Ciel," Alois chirped, leaning in and kissing Ciel on the cheek.
To be continued
