Author's Note: I know that the anime lead you to believe that Tanaka shared a room with the other men, but I just couldn't accept that. He's been with that house for years and was the butler for Ciel's father. Of course he would have his own room. It's not like the Phantomhive house is overrunning with servants that need places to sleep. Also, I have no idea if he really is from Japan or if it's just a name, but we're going to operate on that assumption.
On another note, I have followers on Twitter. And I haven't even tweeted anything yet. I'm going to have to fix that, huh?
Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroshitsuji or any of it's characters. I only claim Serena and the demons that I introduce.
A Demon's Mate
Chapter Twenty
Years of being the Phantomhive butler had ingrained an early waking in Tanaka that carried even into his retirement. The man was surprised that he felt more rested than he had in years. He was even more surprised by the package that was resting on the nightstand next to his monocle.
The flat box was wrapped with plain paper that had been decorated with cherry blossoms. A shiny, green ribbon was wound around the package and tied with a simple bow. He opened it slowly, a part of him not wanting to rip the paper. When he finally lifted the top, he found a black and white sketch of a Japanese temple set with a backdrop of Mt. Fuji. Cherry blossom trees shown on the sides as though the viewer was looking through them to see the building.
There was a small SW in the bottom right corner.
Tanaka touched the drawing carefully, memories of his home country filling his mind.
**********************A Demon's Mate*********************
Sebastian walked into Bard and Finny's room to wake the men and saw two boxes on the nightstand. Both were always slow to wake and he spent a minute or two shaking each of them.
"Don't forget your gifts." The butler shook his head as he walked back out.
That woke them. Each grabbed for the boxes and saw the personalized wrapping paper. Bard's was filled with sketches of various kitchen utensils and Finny's had feathers all over the paper. The former soldier was the first to open his, excitement running through him. He let out a whistle at the beautiful woman smiling back at him.
She was dressed in modified soldier's uniform, saluting the viewer. Below her was the name, Betty Grable. He picked up the paper and another was underneath it. The woman was named Rita Hayworth. Each had a small SW in the bottom corner. A small note fell out of the box.
'I thought that you would appreciate these ladies.'
"Bard, look!"
Finny held up a picture of a flying bird. He held up another that showed the same bird in a forest, wings ready to take off. The younger man looked at them again.
"They're so pretty." Finny looked to the man. "What did you get?"
"Nothing!" Bard put the lid back on the box quickly. He didn't want to explain the sketches to the gardener that still carried a child's innocence and carefree attitude.
"Oh, come on."
"No! You don't need to see them."
******************A Demon's Mate******************
Sebastian's knock on Mei-Rin's door signaled the beginning of another day. The maid rubbed her eyes as she stretched. Turning to the side to get her glasses, she felt something else. A box rested on the nightstand with the book that she had been reading on top. She was slightly worried that someone had been in her room while she slept and she hadn't noticed.
The paper around the box was decorated with blooming flowers and a smile pushed away her suspicion. Lifting up the top, she was greeted with Sebastian's face. The sketch was a portrait of the butler from the chest up. He was looking out of the page with a gentle smile on his beautiful face. She picked it up and saw another paper below it with a short note written on it.
'If anyone finds this, I will deny all knowledge of it.'
She turned the page over, confused, and got an instant nosebleed. It was Sebastian again, only this time the butler was lying in bed, his clothes in disarray. His tie was gone and the black waistcoat was open. His shirt was partially unbuttoned and the man was pulling off one of his gloves with his teeth.
"Oh my!"
*******************A Demon's Mate******************
Snake woke from the sun warm on his face. His pets were already awake and coiled around a small package on the ground. Pulling it away, Emily used the arm to curl around his shoulders as he inspected the box. Drawn on the wrapping paper was a snake that looked to be wrapped around the box.
Inside was a picture of the manor. On the front steps stood all of its inhabitants. Ciel stood in front of the doors on the top step. Sebastian and Tanaka stood behind him. Sitting on the step below them were Serena and Mei-Rin. The maid was holding her favorite rifle and her glasses were on top of her head. The next step held Bard, with his ever-present cigarette, and Finny, holding a small bouquet of flowers, and himself, in the middle. On the ground and around the sconces at the doors were some of his snakes. In the bottom corner was a small SW.
'It's like a family portrait.'
****************A Demon's Mate************************
Serena snuck out of her room when she heard Sebastian's thoughts on making 'the Master's' morning tea. Since the kiss in the kitchen, when he was completely unguarded, she had been able to hear his surface thoughts. She headed down the hallway with the last box in her hands. At the double doors she looked both ways before slowly opening one of them.
The room was dark, the heavy curtains still drawn. She tip toed around the large bed. Ciel was still asleep on his back. His black hair was messy around his face, making him look younger. Her hand started to reach forward and brush some of his hair back, but stopped at the last minute. She didn't want to wake him.
'He looks so peaceful when he's asleep.'
She smiled and laid the box beside the Earl. Sneaking back out, Serena was almost to her own room when Mei-Rin came up behind her.
"Oh, Miss Serena. I can't thank you enough. I always wanted a picture of..." The red head grabbed the maid with a hand over her mouth.
"Hush!" Looking both ways, she pushed Mei-Rin into her room and shut the door behind them. "I told you that I would deny knowing that."
"Sorry." She smiled sheepishly. "But they were so real. Especially the second one."
Serena grabbed a towel from the bathroom when a trickle of blood came out of the maid's nose and she was lost in her fantasy. The red head laughed as the maid tried to compose herself after a moment.
"I thought that you would like that."
"Indeed." She took the cloth away and turned to the wardrobe. "Now, we have to get you dressed for the day."
"Aren't you supposed to have the day off, Mei-Rin?"
"Oh, I will after this. Sebastian is the only one that stays working on Christmas day and it's not appropriate for him to help you dress."
"How do you think that I got dressed while we were in London?"
"Oh!" Mei-Rin's nose started gushing and she rushed to grab the towel.
"I got into my underclothes alone, so it's not like he saw anything." She raised an eyebrow. "Besides, it's not like he was the one getting naked."
Both women giggled together.
****************A Demon's Mate*****************
Ciel woke to the smell of his favorite Earl Gray tea as the curtains were pulled back to let the morning sun shine in on him. There was a comfort to this routine, but something was off. There was a scent in the room that he didn't recognize, slightly flowery but not overpowering. Definitely a woman's perfume.
His hand moved to help him sit up and brushed against something on the sheet.
"Good morning, Master. Today, I have prepared an Earl Gray tea. For breakfast, we have a lightly poached salmon served with mint salad, as well as cranberry scones with clotted cream." The butler turned from the window with a smile and went to pull the blankets and sheets back.
"What is this?" The Earl picked up the box and looked at the paper that covered it. His name was written and below it was drawn the Phantomhive coat of arms.
"Ah, yes. Serena decided to give everyone a gift for Christmas. She snuck in here not long ago to leave that for you." Sebastian handed his Master his first cup of tea for the day. However, the teen was more interested in the box and set the cup aside without taking a sip. The demon hid his slight irritation that his work was ignored and went to pull out his Master's clothing.
"She got into my room?"
"She got into everyone's room." The butler came out of the wardrobe room holding a herring-bone suit.
"She's more sneaky than I would have thought." Ciel set the box aside and stood to allow Sebastian to change his clothing. He finally sipped the excellent tea as his butler put on his shoes, still staring at the box. His hand would frequently play with the red ribbon but pull back just as quickly.
"If there is nothing else, Master." The Earl shook his head, distracted by the box again. "I will await you in the breakfast room then."
He waited until the butler bowed and closed the door behind himself before picking up the box once more. Ciel was careful and slightly suspicious undoing all the careful wrapping. Lifting off the top, he was greeted with a detailed sketch. It showed the mansions residents, as well as others from Ciel's life standing on one side of a chess board. The Earl was standing in the king's space in full royal dress with crown. Next to him was Elizabeth dressed as a queen holding a set of twin swords at the ready. Only one of the rook spaces was occupied, by Serena herself, in the dress she arrived in and holding a crystal ball. One of the knights was Sebastian in his butler's uniform, table knives in hand, the other space was empty. One of the bishops was Lady Francis, standing in her hunting outfit. The pawns were Mei-Rin, Finny, Bardroy, Tanaka, Snake, Lau, Ran-Mao, Earl Grey and Charles Phipps. Each player was in a battle stance, staring at the other end of the board that was occupied by regular pieces. Off to the side were the three missing players. Vincent and Rachel Phantomhive sat with Madame Red as pieces that had been removed from the board.
His fingers gently traced the images of his parents before moving to his beloved aunt. Still loved even after trying to kill him. A part of him understood Madame Red's actions far more than she would have ever believed. Grief in itself was a kind of madness that was almost impossible to escape and he had experienced his own. She had embraced a reaper and a life of killing those who had so carelessly thrown away what she had wanted so badly. He had chosen a demon that would give him what he wanted in exchange for his very soul.
'We were not so different, Aunt Ann.'
He picked up the page to look closer when another underneath caught his attention. Instead of a drawing, it was a note.
'If anyone should find this, I will deny all knowledge of it. In fact, after you have ingrained it in your mind, I would suggest burning it.'
Beneath the note was written How to Defeat a Demon. He turned the page over while taking a sip of his cooling tea...and spit it across the room.
Sebastian was depicted, spread eagle on the ground, but was only recognizable by the pocket watch that lay beside him and a slight view of the butler's face. On top of the demon, sat a mountain of cats. There were big cats and little cats. Long haired cats and short haired cats. Cats of all colors and shades. The expression on Sebastian's face was blissful as he was crushed under all the furry animals. In the background, what looked to be a man was running away.
******************A Demon's Mate*******************
Serena came into the dining room with Mei-Rin to see the other servants still there, but dressed to go out. They all crowded around the red head as soon as she entered to thank her for their presents. Finny and Bard's voices blended together as Tanaka and Snake stood back. Finally, Sebastian swooped in to shoo them away.
"Miss Serena needs to sit for breakfast. And the rest of you need to get going if you're planning to be on time for the service." The butler guided Serena to her seat and set a plate in front of her. One of the cookies they had made the night before sat on the saucer of the fresh fruit cup.
"Service?"
"Yes, they go to church on Christmas Day."
The red head started to greet Ciel and noticed that the Earl was currently munching on one of the cookies. Nothing else on his plate had been touched yet. She laughed and he stopped nibbling on the chocolate portion.
"A part of me is not surprised that you went for the cookie first."
"I do wonder why Sebastian is serving cookies with breakfast." The Earl took another bite of his cookie.
"Because it's tradition." She smiled and took a bite of her own.
"You made them?"
"Well, Sebastian took over about halfway through."
"Ha, he pushed you out of the kitchen too." Bard exclaimed from his place beside the window.
"He did." She slid a glance to the demon. "I think he was worried about the mess that I was making."
"Not at all, my lady. I merely worried after your health. You did not seem to be doing well with the knives." He turned back to the other servants. "Speaking of which. There are cookies for you all as well in the kitchen. Miss Serena informed me that they are to be shared with everyone."
Everyone could see the look on Finny's face as he kept looking to the door leading to the kitchen. He obviously wanted to bolt and Bard wasn't far behind him. Ciel watched the two as he took another bite and swore he saw drool come from the gardener.
"Go on."
Sebastian pulled the cart out of the way as all that was left of the servants was a trail of dust leading to the kitchen. The only one left was Tanaka and even he was headed that way, at a more sedate pace. After a moment, Finny's head popped back out of the door.
"Do you want to come with us, Miss Serena?"
"That's alright. I think I'll stay here and keep the heathens company."
"If you're sure." The gardener held up one of her cookies. "Thank you for the cookies, Miss Serena. They're delicious."
Another was stuffed in his mouth, making the man look like a large chipmunk, as he turned away and shut the door behind him.
"Do you think he even tasted that or did he just inhale it?" Serena stared at the door for a moment.
"I'm certain that he just inhaled it. We normally keep Finny away from sweets, as they have a tendency to make him excitable." Sebastian leaned down to refill her teacup.
"Yeah, his personality leads me to believe that he would ride one hell of a sugar high." She turned to Ciel. "I'm surprised that you don't."
The Earl coughed and turned his attention to the rest of his breakfast without answering.
"I saw that massive container of sugar in the pantry and I think that it is all for you."
"To be honest, I do not believe that I have ever seen my Master affected by sugar."
"You've eaten far too much for far too long." She laughed as she brought her cookie up for a bite. "I should know. It doesn't affect me anymore either."
******************A Demon's Mate********************
After breakfast, Ciel escaped to his office while Serena opted to stay in the dining room. She had said that she wanted to finish her tea. He was certain it was because she wished to talk to the demon. At least one relationship seemed to be working. The letter from Elizabeth, he had found waiting when they returned from London, remained in the top drawer of his desk, still unopened. The Earl acknowledged that there was a part of him, a small part, that was afraid of what that missive contained.
Pulling it out, he flipped it over in his hand to look at the address written by his fiancé. His thumb traced the letters that were starting to fade with handling. The letter had been a constant weight on him since they returned to the manor and he had picked it up several times throughout the day before, only to put it back down and go on to another report.
Ciel opened the drawer again and pulled out the gift he had received from Serena. Before going to breakfast, he had stopped to secure it in his office. The second drawing he had burned as per her sound advice. There was a part of him that didn't want to think of the demon's face if he saw that particular rendering. He looked at Lizzy, standing so proud in the queen's space of his side of the board and back to the letter in his other hand.
'That space may be unoccupied as well soon.'
A knock pulled the Earl from his thoughts. He had put the letter away as Serena's head popped into the room.
"Hey, I was wondering what you doing?"
"Nothing as of yet. There haven't been any new reports delivered."
She shook her head as she came into the room and took a seat in front of his desk.
"Those lazy bastards. How dare they not want to work on Christmas?"
Ciel glared at her smiling face for a moment before looking down at the sketch on his desktop.
"I wanted to thank you. For the gift."
"Your welcome." The red head smiled. "To be honest, I wasn't sure if it would upset you or not."
"No, it's beautiful." His hands traced the lines that made up his parents once more. Realizing what he was doing, the Earl coughed into his hand. "You have a real talent for making an image on paper come to life."
"Thank you. I've always loved to draw and thankfully I was good at it." She looked to the open door before turning back and whispering, "Did you like the other one?"
To her amazement, Ciel actually laughed. It didn't take long for her to join him and that was how Sebastian found them. The demon stood in the doorway, shocked at the display. When the two noticed him, both tried to stop. Ciel coughed into his hand several times before he could resume his normal demeanor. Serena couldn't do it and snickered occasionally.
"What has brought this on?"
Both of them started laughing again as the demon stood confused.
*******************A Demon's Mate**********************
After lunch, the rest of the house had returned and were occupying themselves in the servants' rooms. Serena had managed to talk Ciel out of his office and into the billiards room where they were currently playing pool. What had started as a friendly game had quickly dissolved into a bet. If Ciel won, Serena would make him another batch of her cookies to keep all for himself. She reminded him that Sebastian was perfectly capable to make them whenever he wanted.
"But, I want you to make them." He had pointed the stick at her.
"You think that will keep me out of your hair for a while and you'll be able to sneak back into your office."
"This time I'll lock the door." The teen looked away, giving the impression that it wasn't the only reason that he wanted her to make him cookies.
"You are awful prickly today. Careful, I'm this close to being offended." She picked up a cue from where it hung on the wall. When she turned back, the Earl was shocked at her serious expression. "But if I win, I get an entire day."
"A day?"
"That's right. If you win, tomorrow I will stay in my room all day and leave you alone to brood to your heart's content. You'll only see me at meal times."
"Cookies."
"And I will make you a special batch of cookies." Serena leaned on her stick with a smirk. "But, if I win, you owe me a day. No paperwork, no meetings, no cases."
"And what are we supposed to do with this day?"
The red head thought for moment. She smiled and Ciel stopped that shiver that was building in his spine. "You're going to give me a personal tour of London."
She watched as he twitched at her terms. The red head could almost hear the wheels turning in his head as the Earl weighed his odds as well as the consequences.
"Deal."
That was an hour ago. The two had stayed point for point the entire game. It didn't help Ciel's concentration when Serena would jump onto the table and stretch to sink a particularly difficult ball. He blushed and fought off an itch in his hands to touch every time. It was only his natural aptitude for games and strategy that had kept him in the game this long. He found that Serena could be easily distracted by talking when she was taking her shot and used it to make up for his own misses. They were down to the last ball and each had missed once already because of the other's distraction tactics.
"Master."
Both jumped as Sebastian walked in, the Earl bumping the table enough to move the balls a little. They had been so caught up in the game that neither had heard the butler coming. Serena took the opportunity presented by the new arrangement on the table to sink the last ball. Ciel stared at the table in disbelief as the girl laughed.
"I win." Serena smirked at him.
The Earl rubbed his forehead as the weight of his defeat sunk in.
"What is it, Sebastian?"
"Lady Elizabeth is here to see you, Master."
"What?" The bet was instantly forgotten as he set his cue down across the table.
"Well, it looks like you'll get rid of me for the day anyway." Serena picked up his cue and set them both back in the wall rack. He vaguely nodded and walked out.
"I escorted her to the salon, Master." Sebastian bowed as the Earl passed him and followed behind.
"Very well. We'll have tea, Sebastian. I'm sure that she will be staying for a while."
******************A Demon's Mate****************
Elizabeth was dressed in the latest fashion, he assumed, as always. And, as always, she was beautiful. The blonde stood when he entered. Her hands were clasped together in front of her in an unusually nervous display. She didn't run at him like she normally would have. The same wall that had been there the night of Arden's ball was still as tall as ever, only this time, it seemed to be more thick as well.
"Elizabeth, what brings you here today?"
The lady sighed a little and looked away. "You didn't get my letter."
"I did, I haven't had an opportunity to read it as of yet."
"I wanted to visit you today." Elizabeth walked toward him, still unsure. "I knew that you wouldn't want to attend the church service, so I said that I would come in the afternoon."
"Thank you for informing me first, even though I didn't get to read it."
"There is also something that I wanted to talk to you about, Ciel." She looked down to her hands that were wringing her winter gloves.
"Why don't we sit?" He directed her to the two chairs in front of the roaring fireplace.
Elizabeth started to speak, but was interrupted by a knock on the door. Sebastian breezed in with a tea cart and a variety of snacks. The butler completely ignored the tension in the air as he poured a cup of tea for both of them. After accepting the cup and saucer, Ciel waved his demon away. The blonde took a sip of what she was certain was excellent tea, but in her nervousness it tasted like paste.
"You were saying."
She jumped, not ready. Finally, she set the cup down and took a deep breath.
"I want to stay here with you until New Years."
Ciel choked on the tea he had been drinking. After a minute of sputtering, he could finally breathe again.
"I'm sorry?"
"I want to stay here with you." Elizabeth stood and tried to walk off the nervous energy that had been making her fidget since she left her home. "You were right. You have changed and you're not the boy that I had grown up thinking that I would marry. After the Arden's ball I spent a lot of time trying to picture out life together. It was something that I could always see, but I can't see it anymore. I don't know where I fit in your life anymore. Or if I fit into your life at all."
"I understand." It was all he could say in that moment. There was nothing else. He had spent quite a lot of time pushing Elizabeth away from the danger that encompassed his life. Now, this was the fruition of all that time. Every time he looked at her, he could see his mother. Her smiling face, as well as the vacant look in her eyes when he tripped over her dead body. He had never wanted to put Lizzy in that position. This was his chance to make sure that same ending didn't happen.
"But, I still love you, Ciel. And to be honest, I can't see a future with anyone else either. That's why I want to stay here." She shook her head, a tear finding its way down her cheek. "I don't want to give you up, but you're right. I don't want to spend my life looking for someone that isn't there."
"Elizabeth, it's not proper for you to stay here with me." 'This is my chance. I'll get her to walk away and that nightmare will stop.'
"Serena is staying here." She dropped back into her seat to stare him in the eye.
"Serena is not a noblewoman with a reputation to protect."
"Your right, and that makes her acceptable as a lady's companion and escort." Green eyes blazed with determination. She had thought this out over and over. There was no argument that Ciel could use other than outright admitting that he didn't want her in his home.
"Does Aunt know about this?"
"Of course, I can't very well disappear for days at a time and not tell anyone. She's the one that suggested that Serena would be an acceptable chaperone."
Ciel sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Alright, Elizabeth. I'll have Sebastian prepare a room for you."
******************A Demon's Mate*****************
When Serena arrived for dinner that night, she was slightly surprised to see Lady Elizabeth sitting at the table. The blonde was also sitting in the chair that she normally occupied, to the Earl's right. Sebastian led her to the seat on Ciel's left. She didn't miss the discomfort on Elizabeth's face when she sat down. The trio was silent for a while, none of them knowing what to say.
"Elizabeth will be staying with us for the next few days." The Earl waved Sebastian to serve the meal. He was careful not to look at either of the women.
The butler was taken aback but quickly recovered. "That is highly improper, Master."
"Serena is old enough to be considered a chaperone." Lizzy smiled as she took a bite from the roasted ham she had been served.
The girl in question choked on the wine that she was drinking. Serena turned to Ciel. "Me!?"
"Yes." He answered carefully, looking at her trying to express some meaning. "My aunt believes that you are fine to be a chaperone for the duration of Lizzy's visit."
She stared at him while he continued to eat. After a moment, the red head noticed his own discomfort and figured that this wasn't his idea. Judging by the way the Earl had been staring at her during their little game, he was the most uncomfortable with this arrangement.
"I will have Mei-Rin prepare a room for Lady Elizabeth at once."
"Paula is with me. I don't feel right asking Mei-Rin to do something on her day off. My maid can handle it." The blonde smiled.
"Very well, my lady."
"Since I'll be staying as your fiancé, I'll take the Countess Suite." Green eyes bored into Serena, obviously catching the familiarity between Ciel and the older girl.
"I don't think so."
Ciel looked between the two of them, feeling to cat fight about to break out.
"I don't see how you have a say in what rooms I use. It's up to Ciel."
"You're the one that wanted me to be a chaperone. Don't those rooms share a door with the Earl's Suite?"
"I would never..." The Earl started but was waved off by Serena. She didn't take her eyes from Elizabeth.
"I don't care. You want me to be a chaperone, I will. There is no way that you both are staying in rooms with an adjoining door." Serena smiled to the lady and took another bite of her dinner. She didn't miss the glare that Elizabeth shot at her.
*********************A Demon's Mate********************
After dinner, Elizabeth declined tea in the salon with Serena and went to check on the progress of her rooms. Having nothing better to do, the red head decided to go to her own rooms until it was time for bed. Mei-Rin showed up soon after to help her bathe and dress for bed. The maid didn't seem to be put out at all to help on her day off and spent time telling Serena all about the service that she had missed. The local gossip kept Mei-Rin busy and allowed her to sink into her own thoughts while the maid brushed out her hair in front of the fire.
When Mei-Rin excused herself, Serena slipped out of the constricting nightgown and into another of the nightshirts that she had taken from Ciel. Sitting at the small table in her room, she thought about everything that had happened. There were too many questions. The red head looked at the mantle clock and figured that Ciel would still be awake and hiding in his office. She used the same technique to stay in the shadows as she tip toed down the corridor. It was a blessing that the servants had the day off as it kept Sebastian at chores longer and the hallways empty.
At the Earl's office door, she quickly opened it and slid inside.
"I was wondering when you would come." Ciel had his chair turned to stare out the window at the slowly falling snow that had started not long ago.
"What the hell is going on here?" Serena crossed her arms as she came across the room.
The Earl turned and jumped at her appearance. "Is that my nightshirt?"
"Yes?" She looked down with guilt. "Well, have you ever slept in one of those flannel nightgowns? It's like being strangled and roasted at the same time. Besides, I didn't think that you would miss one. You have plenty."
"That's not the point." He swallowed as he stared at her legs.
Serena raised an eyebrow and brought her hands up to the first button. "Do you want it back?"
"No, that's fine!" The teen's face was bright red as he held up a hand to stop her.
"That's what I thought," she said. "Now, why is Elizabeth staying here? And who decided that I was some old maid fit to play chaperone?"
Ciel's head dropped to his arms that were folded on the desk. "Elizabeth and my aunt decided that you were suitable as an escort."
The red head thought for a moment. "Yeah, I think that I'm still offended."
"She backed me into a corner. I didn't know what else to do."
Serena took pity on him and came around the desk. She put a hand on his back and felt him jump beneath her fingers before relaxing. The hand rubbed gentle circles, the same as she had done the night that he had cried in her arms.
"Alright. Let's take a moment to think."
"That's what I've been doing since I came in here." His voice was mumbled by his arms.
"That may be, but you're still in reactive mode instead of thinking proactively." She smiled when he finally looked up at her. "Who suggested that Elizabeth stay here?"
Ciel sat up with a deep breath. "She did."
"That was how she got you into a corner. It shocked you and put you on the defensive. You're used to being on the offensive."
He thought about what she said and realized that the red head was right. All thoughts flew out the window when she jumped up to sit on his desk. Serena wasn't paying attention as she tried to figure out why the blonde would practically invite herself to the manor.
"It had to be about that night you all talked at the Arden's." She mused.
"She said that she didn't know if she fit into my life." The Earl swallowed hard. "Could you not sit there?"
"Why?" She crossed her legs, making the shirt ride up farther.
"It's very distracting." He rubbed a hand over his face, carefully not looking at her.
"Distracting?"
"I know that killing me now would mean that Sebastian wouldn't get my soul, but I think that he wouldn't much care if he caught you sitting there like that. And I would rather see the end of my contract, despite the consequences."
"Good point." Serena hopped off the desk and went back to her chair.
"Anyway," Ciel stood and went to the sideboard. There was a bottle of scotch that was always kept there for meetings with business contacts and the amber liquid seemed rather inviting tonight. "I didn't think that Lizzy had it in her to be so...strategic."
"I have a feeling that there is a side of Elizabeth that she doesn't show you." She watched him pour a glass. "Someone recently told me that alcohol is a crutch that people use to not have to face reality."
"I would bet that I know who that was." He took a drink.
"Considering tonight, I would take a glass."
The teen smirked but poured another drink.
"Aren't you a little young for scotch, my lord?" She teased while taking the glass he held out.
"Were you not the one that told me that I should 'live it up'?"
"True." Serena drank deep from the glass. "She had to have this planned out. I bet that any argument that you could have come up with, she would have had an answer for."
"It did appear that way. I'm not used to seeing her like that."
"In the manga, it showed a conversation between Elizabeth and Madame Red. Your aunt told her that a lady should always appear weak and cute in front of her lord." She held the glass against her cheek as she tried to remember if there was anything else.
"Why would she think that I would rather she be annoying?"
"There was also a scene where you told Lizzy that you didn't want a strong wife."
Ciel gasped as that particular conversation came back to him. "I did. It was after Aunt Francis had beaten me mercilessly in a fencing lesson."
"I would bet that she's a lot stronger than you think and that she hides it well."
"I wanted to ask, why did you draw Lizzy with a pair of swords?"
"In the manga, Elizabeth is a master with swords. She took what you had said that day seriously and decided that she would never let you see that she was more like her mother than you would be comfortable with."
"Actually, that would make me feel better." He sat down in the chair opposite the red head and leaned his head back against it. His own glass dangled from his fingertips as he thought about the dreams he had experienced. Dreams of Lizzy's death in his burning home. "After the mansion burned, after I came back, I was worried about Elizabeth being my wife. I didn't want her to die like my mother."
"If the manga is right than she is more than capable of taking care of herself." Serena reached out a hand and laid it on his arm. "You should ask her about it."
He nodded absently and finished his drink.
****************A Demon's Mate**************
Serena went back to her room and tried to go to bed. For some reason, she just couldn't settle. Last night kept her thoughts occupied as she tried to sleep. After such a gentle kiss, Serena didn't know what to do. A raging blush, worse than when they were in bed, had come over her.
'It was so against what I have seen of him. He was...sweet. I didn't think that I would ever put Sebastian and sweet in the same sentence. He's been telling me this whole time, how important I was to him. But, that was the first time that I actually felt that I was.'
Giving up, she slid out of the bed and padded across the carpet. The door opened without a sound but closed with a small click. She looked up and down the hall. She had heard Ciel's door close a while ago, so the demon had to be somewhere else in the house. As she went down the hall, Serena check the rooms that she passed. Everything was exactly as it should have been. She was glad that her eyes had adjusted while she was trying to sleep as there were no candles lit on the second floor to light her way.
Serena didn't see the blonde head that peeked around the corner as she went down the stairs.
***********************A Demon's Mate********************
"So, this is where you've been."
Sebastian had already turned from the dishes he was putting away when his mate came into the kitchen.
"Yes. Why are you not in bed?" He picked up the next plate and dried it.
"I couldn't sleep." Serena watched him inspect the plate, front and back before setting it gently in the cabinet.
"Is there a problem?"
"No. I have a tendency to be an insomniac. It nothing unusual for me." She sighed and went to sit on the counter beside his workspace. Sebastian twitched a little at her choice of seat and the girl laughed. "It's driving you nuts, isn't it?"
"Counters are not for sitting." The demon grew serious. "Neither are desktops."
"Ah, Ciel told you that I came to visit him." She said a little sheepish.
"Yes, including that you were wearing that." He pointed to the shirt. The demon's displeasure was easy to see.
"I know that I shouldn't have done it. It's just so different here." Serena crossed her legs and held onto the edge of the counter with a sigh. "I thought that I could do it for a while. You know, that whole fake until you make it thing. But, the longer I'm here the more comfortable I get and then I kind of fell back into my normal behavior."
"You normally walk around in a man's shirt?"
"I walk around my apartment in a tank top and underwear." She teased. "Sebastian, things are going to change a lot by the time you get to the years that I'm alive. Everybody is not so...stuck up and proper. People dress completely different. The outfit I was wearing when I showed up here, I was going to see a play at a theater."
"Rules of proper behavior will never change."
The red head laughed. "Why did I know that you were going to say that?"
"It seems that Lady Elizabeth is out of bed as well. She is currently creeping toward the kitchen, looking for you." Red eyes flashed as he looked to the door.
"I have a feeling that this whole thing is more her worried about losing Ciel than whether they can live together or not. Arranged marriages are still a big thing here and I don't think that her family is going to cancel an engagement that has been in place since they were born over the whim of a teenage girl. No matter how much they love her."
"I believe you are right. Lady Elizabeth feels threatened by you. She can see how close you are to my Master." The demon smirked. "I would hazard a guess that Lady Francis informed her of your run in at the theater and that is why she agreed to this."
"Neither one of them is going to give up without a fight. I kind of admire that." She smiled but Sebastian said nothing. "Well, in the interest of avoiding a cat fight. We should make her feel a little better."
"How do you plan to do that?"
"Where is she now?"
"Lady Elizabeth is about to open the door."
The red head smiled sweetly and put her arms out. "Help me down."
Sebastian caught his mate's meaning and waited until he heard the slight creek of the swinging door to slide one hand under her knees and the other behind her back. Serena put her arms around his neck as he lifted her from the counter top. Both heard the young lady's gasp as he spun her around a little and held on longer than he needed too before setting Serena back on her feet. The red head held onto him after he set her down until she heard the soft whoosh of the door swinging back shut.
"Well, now that she's gone." The demon leaned down for a kiss. Serena bit her lip in anticipation before closing the last of the distance. It wasn't the sweet kiss that he gave her last night, but it wasn't demanding either. She thought this was the same kiss that her friends had described as 'just happy to be with you.'
"I need to finish this." He said after she let go.
"Yeah, you do. I have a feeling that I've grown used to sleeping with you and that's why I'm having an insomniac night."
"I will come up with you and finish this later."
"No, finish. I'm not ready to go to sleep anyway." Serena went to the table and sat down. It was still close enough for them to talk quietly while keeping her out of his way at the same time.
"Really?" The demon smirked but she glared at him a little. "If you are sure."
His voice was a purr and Serena had to shake her head to clear it. "That's not fair."
Sebastian didn't say anything as he went back to what he was doing. The two were content to be quiet for a little while. Serena watched as he went about the last chores in the kitchen. A part of her wanted to help but knew that would probably spark an argument. When he was finished, the demon slid back into his tailcoat and held out a hand to escort his mate back to her room. He held a branch of candles as they made their way to the second floor and the rooms that the red head was using.
"I would advise that you not wear such clothing around my Master again. It distresses us both."
Serena laughed as she climbed between the sheets and made room for Sebastian.
"Yeah, I already got that message." She cuddled around him and laid her head on his chest. "In Ciel's defense, he was more worried about your reaction than he was attracted to me. Besides, he needs some girl experience."
"Master was a little out of sorts when he mentioned it." Sebastian ran a hand through her hair as she settled.
"Oh, he was adorable. I don't think that I have ever seen that shade of red."
"He has buried himself in his work for so long and always had Lady Elizabeth. He has never really had to learn to flirt or accept it from a beautiful woman."
"Ciel doesn't have to put up with that when he does make the rare society appearance?" She leaned up on an elbow.
"Master knows that those women are after nothing but his status. It is easy to brush them off. He has never had to respond to friendly flirting." The demon's arm tightened around her. "It had better just be friendly."
She laughed and laid a gentle kiss against his lips. Serena took a moment to settle against him again. Her eyes closed easily with a yawn and sleep was right behind it. Sebastian's fingers ran over her back in lazy strokes as the red head slipped into the rest that she needed. The manor was silent, all of its occupants lost in their own dreams. His own eyes closed, content with his mate by his side and his prey safe down the hall.
His eyes shot back open to stare at the ceiling. 'She never answered me.'