He awoke in something of a panic. Keeping his eyes closed, he relied on his other senses to tell him where he was. The first thing he noticed was the sharp scent of medicine. He shifted slightly and…
Hell if that wasn't a most unpleasant sensation!
He didn't mean to, but he gasped. He thought for a terrified moment that it might be his brand, but then he realized that the pain was coming from the wrong place. The energy around him seemed to shift, and he picked up a new scent. Lavender. His eyes flew open.
"I see My Lord has regained consciousness." Ciel wasn't sure how he came to the conclusion, seeing as the demon's face was as blank as ever, but he thought Sebastian might be slightly upset. He was a bit surprised, considering he couldn't have wished for better company.
"What's wrong?" He watched as something like shock flitted over his butler's face, before it returned its usual blankness.
"Nothing My Lord should concern himself with." Ciel blinked slowly at the reply, processing it until he realized that it irritated him.
"I order you to tell me." He demanded. The demon sighed, sitting gingerly on the edge of the bed. He looked quite displeased now.
"My Lord was in no condition to go into such a dangerous place. And, as he neglected to share this information with me, he now has a bullet-wound. Correct me if I'm mistaken, but this seems rather like the exact sort of thing he requested I prevent in our original contract. In this world, I believe the accurate term for my handling of the situation is 'failure.'" The words were clipped and bitter.
"It wasn't your fault." Ciel looked down as he spoke. "I caused so much trouble. I didn't mean it to happen that way, but still, I am very, very sorry."
And he was. But that wasn't the only emotion he was feeling. He had been the cause of Sebastian's distress. When he had been hurt, the butler had been worried about him. Ciel tried to tell himself that his mind was casting things in a falsely positive light, but he rather thought it would be odd to be so distraught over a meal, which left only one possibility.
The demon cared for him, and that made Ciel a good deal happier than he was willing to admit.
Stupid child is ruining everything! He can't even let me be properly pissed off at him without making me feel guilt-
Which I most assuredly do not feel. This must be intentional. He must be manipulating me. This is quite unusual. But it's still manageable. I won't fall victim to the charms of a mortal boy. I've lived through more centuries than he could read about in his entire lifetime.
Particularly since it's not fated to be very long.
The thought gave him pause. It was… mildly displeasing.
"What's that?" the sweet voice questioned, eyeing a spot on the Demon's shirt. Sebastian glanced at the spot before studying the boy's face.
"Blood." He replied, carefully. He watched the myriad of expressions that flitted across the small features, filing each away in his mind.
The boy looked troubled, but he only asked, "Yours?"
"Hardly." He could swear he saw the boy relax. And then immediately grow tense. His eyes fell closed and he let out the strangest sound.
Sebastian twitched.
Then he removed his left glove and cut the thumb precisely on one of his teeth. He held the bleeding digit to the boy's small mouth. "This will aid you in your healing." The boy pulled back to look at what was being offered. Then he looked his butler hesitantly.
"I'm not sure…"
"If I may say, Young Master, this does seem a rather odd place to draw the line."
Ciel glared at him. But he clenched his fists and licked tentatively at the cut. It tasted like blood should: coppery and sharp and rich. And it should have been repulsive, but it really wasn't. He sucked gently, unintentionally trying to close the wound over with his tongue.
He was feeling warmer than he thought was normal, and had begun to grow pleasantly dizzy. The room seemed to be getting brighter, and he could see things that he hadn't noticed before. He could hear things more clearly, could make out Sebastian's quiet breathing. He noted how it hitched as he bit down. And God, the lavender seemed to be coming from everywhere, overpowering the copper on his tongue and making him even more light-headed.
The demon carefully extracted his hand from where Ciel now held it, and he followed it desperately, twisting to regain the contact. He had forgotten about the pain in his side, but it was quick to remind him. And yet, it seemed almost imperative, tethering him to the world when every other sensation was trying to draw him away.
He fell back onto the bed, and everywhere the sheets brushed against him was suddenly very noticeable. Especially… He closed his eyes. The demon shifted closer to him, peering worriedly, and he felt it. He could feel his own blood pulsing through his entire body, mixing with the new substance, making him into something he couldn't understand. The hair resting on his forehead was driving him mad.
"What the hell is going on?" he panted, gazing imploringly at the man next to him.
So beautiful, all ivory and crimson and midnight and quiet, fine lines. Like a secret, just for me. Secrets aren't meant to be shared, and he's the most crucial one I have. It's so disrespectful of the world to keep distracting me when I should be here. With him. Alone.
"This is most peculiar." The demon observed. "I've never shared with one so… young. Though I'm sure the effects should fade soon." He placed his uncovered hand against the boy's flushed cheek. Ciel tried, somewhat unsuccessfully, to bite back a whimper. Sebastian looked even more perturbed. "I didn't intend it to be this difficult." He ran his fingers lightly down the child's arm.
If that's supposed to calm me, it's rather counterproductive. He shifted his arm away, and his butler frowned.
"Does it hurt?" he asked, sounding contrite. Ciel might have laughed if he was in any position, which he decidedly was not.
"Not exactly." He gasped. He watched the dawning comprehension, and would have found it comical, had he not been so preoccupied with how attractive it was. Then it was replaced by the familiar smirk. The demon straightened.
"Well, as long as the Young Master is enjoying himself-"
The child was impressively forceful as he dragged him back down.
"Haven't you said enough?" His voice was higher than usual.
"If you insist." He kissed the boy. It was the practical choice. He'd only injure himself further if he moved much more, and it looked like a serious possibility at the moment.
The kiss was a preventive measure. And if it was sweet and desperate, if he felt the small tongue tracing his bottom lip in the most endearing manner, if he could still taste his own blood in the other's mouth, he supposed it was a price he'd have to pay.
He pulled back after a while, letting the boy catch his breath. One small hand was still clutching at his dress shirt, and he seemed to be missing a button.
"I suppose you'll have to fix that." The boy mumbled apologetically, eyeing the spot where the button should be.
"I suppose. How are you feeling?" The child looked away, which did absolutely nothing to hide the pink tinge that was coloring his cheeks.
"Normal, I think. Thanks." He smiled. Sebastian moved to stand, but the hand in his shirt wasn't releasing him. He looked at the boy inquiringly. "Just," he paused and inhaled deeply, then stared directly into the demon's eyes, "One more?" His face was positively red now. He looked away again, and therefore missed the smirk.
When he bit down on his lip until copper flooded his mouth, it must have been an accident. At least, that's what he told himself as he leaned into the sapphire child once again.