Title: Heat

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Characters except for the unknown ones.

Warning: This story deals with gender bender and is slightly au, possibly even ooc for some of the characters. This chapter deals with the aftermath physical assault.

Pairing: Claude x Sebastian

Chapter 25.

Two pairs of eyes stared at Grell, though one set was noticeably weaker than the other. Undertaker stifled a soft snicker, not wanting to hurt the other Shinigami's feelings, but his response had been downright hilarious. Only Grell could take what Lucifer had said in such a way, but that side of him was what the older Grim Reaper found so appealing.

"Grell, I don't think he meant it that way," he finally said, when he was certain that he wouldn't give away the amusement he felt. "He literally wants to be taken to bed to rest, because he gave Sebastian some of his blood to heal him, if I'm not mistaken… Just how much did you give him, Luce?"

Lucifer blinked, trying to focus on what his old friend was asking him- something about Michaelis. "Hmm…" he began, his eyes closing once more as he yawned. He was actually too tired to bring a hand up to rub his eyes. "Two pints, I think…"

Shaking his head, Undertaker gave him a look that was half admonishment, half concern. "That's too much, even for you," he pointed out quietly, though he knew it would do no good. It was because it was for Sebastian that Lucifer had done it; his old friend was very attached to the young demon. He alone, of everyone here, knew why, save for Lucifer himself. The long-haired Shinigami just wished at times that Lucifer would place as much value on himself and his own life that he did for Sebastian.

"N-No one else could have g-given to him," Lucifer whispered back, letting his eyes close as he rested against his oldest friend; really, his only friend. The only one he trusted with everything that he kept secret from all others, especially the one surrounding Michaelis. It was almost time to tell him, though he was not certain of how Michaelis would take it.

Seeing how genuinely weary Lucifer was, Undertaker decided not to push him any further, instead looking over at Grell. "Will you help me get him settled, please?" he requested, easily holding the Demon Lord upright by himself now. "It won't take too long and then I can show you around this place, if you'd like?"

Grell nodded somewhat shyly, feeling a little puzzled as to the nature of the relationship between the two males next to him. Since he'd first seen the tall, admittedly beautiful demon with Undertaker, who was as striking to look at in his own unique way, he wasn't certain of just what it was. Sometimes they seemed like just friends but other times, they appeared to be so much more than that.

The two called each other by different names, first and foremost. Undertaker shortened Lucifer to Luce most of the time when speaking to the Demon Lord; it was obviously an affectionate nickname. Lucifer, in turn, always returned to Undertaker as Uriah, though where that came from, Grell had no idea. Even while he was here alone with them right now, he felt like an outsider, making him even more uncertain.

The servants here listened to Undertaker, too, which obviously meant that he'd been here before. Lucifer had been tending to Sebastian from the moment he'd brought them here, but he'd asked Undertaker to have the servants bring him what he'd needed. The servants had done as they were told, almost as if they were used to following Undertaker's instructions as well as Lucifer's orders.

And the final thing that Grell had picked up on was the fact that clearly, Undertaker knew where Lucifer's bedroom was. Lucifer had asked to be taken there and since the Demon Lord knew Grell hadn't been here before now, he'd obviously meant for it to be Undertaker who helped him there.

Grell really didn't know what to think anymore, pouting a tiny bit. Pushing his glasses up, he delicately bit his lower lip, holding it between his teeth for a few minutes. Had he paid attention to it, he would have noticed that Undertaker was staring at him when he did that, watching him closely as he ran the tip of his tongue across his top lip.

"Where to?" he finally questioned, his green eyes moving to look at the other Shinigami again. He was looking forward to the promised tour, since he'd never been inside a demon's estate before like this. Who knew when he'd get the opportunity to explore one ever again?

Shifting Lucifer into his arms easily, for he was lighter in weight than one might think, Undertaker led the way through the halls. He knew this place as well as his own home back in London; there was no chance at all of them getting lost, unless he wanted to do so. He made sure to keep his pace slow enough that the younger Grim Reaper didn't get left behind.

Grell's pout hadn't gone unnoticed by him, though Undertaker did feel a little funny about trying to flirt with the redhead while Lucifer was there. Even if Lucifer had taken the news calmly about him liking Grell, he was uncertain of how his old friend would react if he saw them flirting or even kissing. Then again, Undertaker mused, it could just be because he was concerned about Lucifer right now.

Two pints was not a small amount of blood; even for a demon lord like Lucifer, it was significant enough to exhaust him for several hours. The blood itself wouldn't be replenished for a few days, meaning that Lucifer was weakened now; if anything else happened, he wouldn't be of help for at least a day. Resting immediately might help Lucifer recover faster but this wasn't good.

Sometime later, Sebastian finally opened his eyes, stilling when he felt the warm embraced he was being held in. Blinking sleepily, he gazed with his crimson eyes at the demon that held him tightly, a smile appearing upon his face. He was so glad to see Claude again that he didn't even realize where they were at first, though he quickly noticed that once again, his clothing was gone.

He remembered the beating he'd been given, whip and all, a slight shudder running through him at the thought. Sebastian had really though he was going to die at Drake's hands, though he had no idea when Claude had found him or any of that. It was quite a puzzle to the demon, who stirred slightly, wincing as his back ached and then he stilled again.

Someone had obviously treated his wounds; they no longer hurt nearly as much as they had before. Adding in the fact that he'd lost all his clothes and he was really confused. He couldn't recall anything that had happened after losing consciousness; perhaps Claude would know.

"Claude?" Sebastian asked softly, hissing softly as what felt like stitches pulled when he raised his hand to touch his mate.

Claude fidgeted, his eyelids parting to see Sebastian gazing at him, smiling when he saw him awake once more. Leaning in, he kissed his mate tenderly, his large hand cupping the smaller demon's cheek. "I'm glad you're awake again, Sebastian," he told him seriously. His golden eyes were full of affection as he stole another kiss from his mate's sweet mouth again. "I was worried about you…"

Sebastian snuggled closer, moving carefully as Claude shifted his arms to hold him more. "What happened, Claude? I don't remember anything after I passed out while Drake was beating me?" He pressed his face against Claude's shoulder, gazing up into his eyes with confusion.

"Grell, Lord Phantomhive, and I set out together to rescue you," Claude explained, now understanding why Sebastian looked so puzzled. He was in an entirely different place than where he'd been before being rendered unconscious. "We were joined along the way by Undertaker and a demon lord named Lucifer."

"My Master showed up?" Sebastian paled a little, remembering how he'd been unwilling to return to the demon world when ordered to do so. "Is he angry with me?" He honestly hadn't known if Lucifer would interfere or not because he'd refused to return.

Shaking his head, Claude pressed his lips against his mate's forehead. "I don't think so; at least if he was, I don't think he is now. He dealt with Drake while I was trying to wake you. I had felt you dying and got here as fast as possible with Lucifer; the others followed behind us."

Sebastian shivered again, his eyes widening a tiny bit. "I thought he was going to kill me," he confessed, a few blood tears glittering in his eyes. "He was angry because I was bonded and had already mated so it was too late for what he wanted to do…"

"We got there in time, Sebastian," Claude murmured, holding him just a little tighter when he saw those tears. "Your master was livid and while I'm not entirely sure of what he did, it made Grell turn pale…"

"My Master's not that scary," Sebastian protested, giving Claude a pout when he looked at him. "He's always been very kind to me." Rubbing his cheek against the other's larger, bare shoulder, he gave him a tiny smile. "I'm very glad to be back with you, though; I missed…"

"And I missed you," Claude told Sebastian, completely meaning every word. "I was very worried when you were kidnapped like that, especially when the Shinigami said that there could be many demons after you, because you can carry a child. Female demons are rare these days; one like you hasn't been seen in quite a while…"

"The only one I want is you," Sebastian sincerely replied in a soft whisper. "I don't want anyone else, Claude; just you…" He carefully leaned in, kissing him softly, though also a bit shyly. "The others will just- just have to find someone else. I belong with you and I-I don't want that to be changed because of them…"

Claude nodded, holding his blushing mate as closely as he possibly could. Sebastian, when his cheeks were red like this, was totally and completely adorable. "I won't let anyone else have you," he whispered back. "Remember, I told you that I wouldn't share you with anyone else, Sebastian; you are mine…"

To be continued