The morning was bright and beautiful. Gentle sunlight and the sounds of lovebirds billowed through the gently fluttering curtains as the bride stared anxiously into the mirror.
Midnight blue hair was swept back and pinned by a delicate mesh veil. A gorgeously beaded, intricately designed off-the-shoulder mermaid gown draped a slender body, the train seeming to run on for eternity. Eager hands clutched at a perfectly crafted bouquet of white lilies and dark blue carnations as heterochromatic eyes fluttered closed. Deep, serene breathing, and then those passionate eyes bore into the soul of their reflection.
Five years later, and it was finally time for his special day to begin.
Erratic knocking sounded at the door before it swung open, revealing an ecstatic Mey-Rin. She looked stunning with her hair cascading down her back in fiery red curls, perfectly accentuating the dark blue, strapless midi dress that hugged every curve of her voluptuous body. She paused in the doorway to marvel at the bride, tears springing to her eyes at how absolutely ethereal he looked.
"Oh, Ciel . . . you look incredible," she sobbed, gently closing the door behind her. "I never imagined in a million years I'd be sharing in this day with you."
"And just what is that supposed to mean?" he replied, coyly peering over his shoulder at her. "Did you think I would never tie the knot? Or perhaps you thought you'd do it before me?"
"Oh stop it!" she giggled, rushing over to envelope him in a tight hug. They both laughed giddily before sighing and gazing in the mirror. "You have got to be the most beautiful bride I have ever seen. In person and fantasy."
"You must want something from me," he drawled, unable to keep his cheeks from flushing. "I don't look that great. I should have gone with the hair extensions like Lizzie said."
"I told you so, but you never listen to me," came a lyrical voice, and they both turned to the doorway to see Elizabeth standing there, wearing a dress matching Mey-Rin's, as her blonde locks coiled atop her head, complete with blue carnations. "I mean, for goodness sake, it's been thirteen years. You should know I have your best interests at heart by now?"
"Wow," Ciel and Mey-Rin said simultaneously.
"You are making that dress, Elizabeth," Mey-Rin gushed.
"Oh please. You're the one looking the part of mermaid princess," she replied, coming over to fix a stray curl. "You look wonderful, dear. And you," she said, turning to appreciate Ciel. "I wouldn't change a single thing about you right now."
Ciel heaved an emotional sigh, grabbing both of their hands. "I seriously can't thank you both enough for being here. I couldn't have done this without you."
"Oh, sure you could!" Elizabeth giggled, sitting on the bench beside him. "You're the calmest, non-bitchiest bride to ever exist."
"That's for sure," Mey-Rin agreed. "Bridezilla mode totally missed you."
"Thank goodness I'm a man, huh?" he joked. They all shared a laugh before sighing in bliss once more.
"Well . . . the moment of truth is almost here," Mey-Rin announced. Elizabeth nodded and stood to her feet.
"Take as long as you need. I'll be at the doors to signal the march," she said, both women rushing out. Ciel turned back to the mirror, preparing to take a few more breathing exercises, when the door opened abruptly, Elizabeth entering once more.
"I almost forgot. I had that thing taken care of," she grinned, rushing behind him and placing her arms around his shoulders.
Ciel inhaled deeply, tears coming to his eyes as she settled a necklace bearing the stone from the Phantomhive Family ring against his collarbone. She hesitated fastening the piece around his neck at his reaction.
"Are you okay with this?" she asked. "I can restore it back. The setting is still perfectly in tact if you have regrets."
" No . . . no," Ciel whispered, breathing rapidly a moment. "This is what I want. This is okay."
Elizabeth frowned with uncertainty a moment before slowly fastening it and letting the cold jewelry settle on him. She placed her hands on his shoulders as they both admired the gorgeous pendant.
"You did marvelous work. I actually love it," he said, reaching up to touch it. "It's much closer to my heart now."
Elizabeth smiled, kissing the crown of his head before silently exiting.
Ciel practiced his breathing exercises as he stared at the twinkling blue jewel. In a lot of ways, he felt incredibly guilty dismantling his generational heirloom this way. But a smaller, yet deeper part of him needed this. This was him moving on from that cold and isolated young man he used to be, leaving behind the prospect of solitude to open up to the idea of community, friendship, and most importantly - family; connections he was free to choose to commit his loyalty to.
Besides, he couldn't stand how ugly the ring made his hand look ever since the day Sebastian proposed and slipped a seven carat diamond on his marriage finger. He sighed happily as he touched the diamond on his right hand. He couldn't believe this was finally happening, but he knew he deserved this.
When he heard the door opening again, he laughed without looking up.
"What is it this time?" he droned playfully, his breath suspending when deft fingers suddenly brushed his veil aside to make way for scorching hot lips on the nape of his neck. Ciel shuddered as his eyes shot to the mirror, glowing crimson orbs staring mischievously back at him.
"You. look. exquisite in this dress," Sebastian growled in his ear, his hands smoothing around his waist to settle on his thighs. "I can't wait to rip it off with my teeth."
"Sebastian!" Ciel gasped, his face going up in flames as the demon rubbed his chest, raining kisses on his bare shoulders. "You can't see the bride before the ceremony! It's bad luck!"
"I'm bad luck personified, sweetheart," he hissed, spinning the bench around without disturbing Ciel in the slightest. "Please spare me the superstition. We both know you don't believe in that shit."
"Why is everyone cursing at me?" Ciel wondered, his voice catching as Sebastian gently yanked his hem up, exposing the length of his toned legs and his garter. "Sebastian, please-"
"As you wish," he replied, falling to his knees to kiss the flesh of his inner thigh. Ciel's breathing became ragged as he leaned back and gripped the edge of the vanity for dear life, parting his legs as Sebastian dragged his garter down to his knee before kissing him through his lace thong.
"That isn't what I meant," he gasped as Sebastian raised his legs just a bit higher. "Ohoho, you are sooo bad," he censured through gritted teeth, whimpering as Sebastian sucked at his burgeoning shaft through the material.
"Well, be mentally prepared for a lifetime of insatiability," Sebastian replied before dragging the lace to the side to take him into his greedy mouth.
Everyone stood at rapt attention as the wedding march began to play. Mey-Rin and Elizabeth stood excitedly to the right of the priest, clinging to their bouquets with happiness and anticipation. Bard and Finnian stood to the left, dressed impeccably in their tuxedos as they glowed with pride. Guests filled the church to the brim - some friends, some family, some former enemies putting their hatred aside to celebrate love. It was a truly surreal moment, but Sebastian wasn't thinking about any of it, his eyes fastened determinedly to the back of the church.
And then he appeared.
With Tanaka draped on his arm, Ciel looked like a heaven-sent angel, even with his face hidden. They descended down the aisle gracefully, Ciel beaming with excitement at all the faces he passed. Sebastian couldn't hide his smirk, or ignore the way his heart raced faster than it ever had in his entire existence. He was singlehandedly the luckiest man in the universe.
When they finally reached the alter, and Tanaka kissed Ciel's cheeks, Sebastian had to restrain himself. Ever since Ciel first said yes to his proposal, his hunger for him had grown exponentially. He wanted him in his arms every second of every day. He wanted to bathe in the light of that celestial smile long after eternity. It was terrifying, how crucial Ciel had become to him. He wondered if he felt the same?
When he removed Ciel's veil, and he leveled an innocent smile on him, he wanted to die right then and there.
"Friends and family, we are gathered here today . . ." the priest began, but Sebastian heard nothing else, saw nothing else, but Ciel.
'I love you', he mouthed to him, and Sebastian inhaled deeply. Ciel had said that a million times before, but this silent instance felt earth shattering.
"Have the two of you prepared vows?" the priest asked.
"Yes," Ciel said with a shaky voice, turning to retrieve his from Mey-Rin. He opened a lovely piece of parchment and began to read, but all Sebastian heard was the unintelligible singing of an angel.
"Incredibly moving and heartfelt," the priest praised. "And the groom?"
Without removing his eyes from Ciel, he was able to grab his vows from Bard. He opened the letter, and while staring deeply into Ciel's eyes, recited what he'd written down perfectly from memory. At least, he thought he was reciting something from memory, since his mouth seemed to be moving independently from his brain. All he could comprehend was the way Ciel's face transformed with shock, awe and love as he broke into a sob.
"W-wow," the priest stammered, dabbing his eyes. Sebastian glanced at him, then heard the gentle cries and sniffling of the rest of the church. After all these centuries, he still had all the prowess of a silver-tongued devil.
"M-may we p-please have the rings?" the priest continued as he tried and failed to stifle his emotions.
The ceremony continued in the traditional manner, with the two of them exchanging rings before he was finally encouraged to kiss his bride. To his surprise, Ciel practically jumped in his arms to seal their lips together, and Sebastian was overcome with intense, indescribable feelings. The taste of his sweet lips and salty tears mixed together was like an aphrodisiac he never wanted to stop drinking. Everyone clapped and cheered over the passionate moment, and he wouldn't have stopped if Ciel didn't break their kiss to pull him along.
They excitedly ran out of the church to their awaiting chariot. The guests rained rice, petals and praise on them as they descended the steps. A caterer near the door opened a cage, releasing two doves to freedom as Ciel paused to toss his bouquet. A gaggle of women gathered excitedly to catch the flowers, the lot of them groaning in disappointment when it was caught by a very tall man.
Dressed in a long tailcoat, bowler hat and dark specs, he stroked his handlebar mustache as he watched the happy newlyweds disappear into their carriage and take off to the reception. Some women complained of his interference as others batted their lashes in an attempt to flirt.
He ignored the lot of them as he ground his teeth and crushed the bouquet in his grasp, the blooms exploding and crumbling to dust before he coldly tossed them aside and headed away from the crowd, disappearing into the countryside.
