Sebastian rolled over with a silent yawn, his hand instinctively seeking the warmth of his beloved's skin. He was met with disappointment- and slight panic- to find the space beside him empty. He sprung upright, confusion soon entering his expression to discover that his side of the bed was also neatly made. That's when he heard his bride's voice drifting in from the living room.
He smiled bemusedly. Ciel was such a workaholic, it was proving to be impossible to surprise him with breakfast in bed. Usually such a feat was effortless for one helluva butler such as himself, but . . . he supposed he was settling into married life faster than he anticipated. Still, he didn't want to make that an excuse to start lacking in his responsibilities.
He flipped the crisp white sheets off his naked body and planted his feet on the warm tiles of their one bedroom suite at the Le Sirenuse of Amalfi Coast, Italy. Ciel had been over the moon to discover that he had put together this idyllic honeymoon weeks before it was ever discussed at their reception. They'd been here three days and had already experienced the breathtaking sights, the gourmet cuisine, and the most ultimate forms of relaxation this romantic country had to offer. Not to mention all the mind-blowing sex- Sebastian had stuck to his vow of insatiability, if nothing else.
Still, Ciel was stuck in his old ways, always plotting and striving towards the future. There wasn't a single doubt that he admired that about his beloved wife, but he wished they could live in the present with each other once in a while, especially now that they were supposed to be indulging themselves without any distraction from the outside world.
Tying on a fluffy white bathrobe, he strode barefoot to the immaculately designed living room, where, to his discontent, Ciel was sitting fully dressed on the luscious sofa. He was focused intently on a letter in his hand as he absentmindedly snacked on a croissant and sipped some tea. He glanced over to the door, where breakfast was waiting on a fancy silver trolley. He sighed to himself. Ciel was so wrapped up in business as usual, he had neglected to wake his own husband for breakfast.
I'll schedule an appointment two weeks from now, that way, the two of you can come down from the high of your honeymoon, and I can . . . mentally and emotionally prepare for this.
"Is your husband really okay with all of this?" Ciel murmured worriedly to himself, placing his tea cup down. "I'd hate to step on any toes . . ."
I know you're probably thinking if my husband is okay with this or not, but put those thoughts far from your mind. This is my decision, and I want to do this, no matter what. I cannot wait to begin the process of carrying your child once you're back from Italy. I'm excited, but also extremely nervous. I'm going to be a mother, too, you know?
"Good morning, beloved," Sebastian called from where he was leaning in the doorway, arms and ankles crossed. Ciel startled at his voice, his face lighting like the sun. It almost made him forget his earlier qualms.
"Good morning, Mr. Michaelis," Ciel said with a coy smile. It was a wonder his cock didn't shoot straight up and out of the modesty of his robe.
"Forgive my sour tone, but what could you possibly be up to three days into our honeymoon?" he growled, coming over to plant a lingering kiss on Ciel's lips. He grabbed him lightly by the throat and slipped him some tongue, earning him an eager whimper that almost had him tearing their clothes off to take him right there on the antique sofa.
"I received a letter from Lizzie," he said with a dreamy sigh as Sebastian kissed down his neck. "She's going to make an appointment for us to begin the process of IVF-"
"Eau d'Italie smells amazing on you," Sebastian growled against his flesh, rubbing his thumb against his cheek. "Your skin is soft as ever . . ."
"Sebastian, are you even listening?" Ciel whispered shyly. "If you're hungry, breakfast is right there."
"I'm looking at what I want for breakfast," he replied, stealing in for another kiss. Ciel could do nothing but giggle as he took the letter from his hand and discarded it on the table. In seconds, they were liberated of all clothing, and Sebastian took his time getting him as hot and bothered as possible.
"Sebastian," Ciel moaned, his body undulating against his mouth and hands. "I'm still sore from last night . . ."
"Don't worry, I just want to eat," he chuckled. "I still need to shower, and would love for my wife to give me a hand after I finish him off?"
"Sebas-" he started to say just before the lascivious demon swallowed him whole. His breath shuddered out of him, and he took a moment to relish his husband's tongue laving against his glans before his train of thought returned. "I'm sorry . . . you probably feel neglected since we've been here."
Sebastian offered a vague hum in response.
"It's just, Elizabeth and I . . . we're excited to begin this process, you know?" He gently cupped Sebastian's chin, impeding his actions so that they could share some eye contact. "Aren't you excited, Sebastian? You're going to become a father."
Sebastian's eyes flashed with unexpected trepidation. Of course he was excited to be a father . . . but he couldn't stop the echo of Ciel's voice mere weeks ago, warning of their past catching up to them and affecting his kin somehow. He suddenly sat up and pulled Ciel into his lap, hugging him tightly.
"Sebastian?" Ciel whispered, confused by this sudden show of affection.
"Your happiness is all I care about. It's all I exist for at this point," he murmured into his hair before pulling back and staring deep into his eyes. "If you're ready to start a family right this second, I'm ready to do everything and anything to be by your side, to defend and provide."
"Oh, Sebastian," Ciel sighed, wrapping his arms around his neck. "How is it possible that I fall even deeper in love with you every day?"
Sebastian just smiled, and Ciel tenderly kissed his lips before he picked him up and carried him off to their double whirlpool bathtub that overlooked the gorgeous sea.
He decided that their dream honeymoon ended way too soon.
By day five, he had finally convinced Ciel to put down the letter opener and quill to revel in the time they were sharing together instead. What a time that had turned out to be, too. But now, they were thrust back into the madness of Phantomhive Manor, and he was seconds away from snapping someone's neck.
The others kept insisting that he continue to relax now that he was home, but that was impossible with things exploding every five minutes. Not to mention, Ciel was more distant than ever- they hadn't shared so much as a chaste kiss since they'd returned, and it had been well over a couple of months. He was wound up with a plethora of negative emotions. Why were mortals ever so eager to get married?
"Would you like some tea?"
Sebastian looked up from his newspaper to see Mey-Rin standing sheepishly to the side, the sunlight glinting off her lenses as she held two cups and saucers in her hands. He silently went back to his paper and she approached slowly, setting his cup down and taking the seat across from him.
"Listen . . . not to mind your business-" she began, her voice freezing in her throat when he cut his eyes at her over the edge of the sports section. Still, she cleared her throat and brazenly continued. "I know you aren't happy with how things have turned out. For goodness sake, you're still wearing your uniform."
Sebastian glanced down at his signature butler garb and huffed, snapping the wrinkles out of the paper.
"This is a clear show of defiance. A cry for him to notice you," she said, causing him to tighten his hold on the delicate paper. "You're not a butler anymore, so you know Ciel hates to see you still dress this way."
"Is that so? Could have fooled me," he replied, glancing up at the windows of the manor. He could see right into Ciel's study, where he was sat dutifully at his desk with Bard and Finnian flanking him, fussing about one thing or the other in animated gestures.
"He hasn't lain eyes on me in weeks. I certainly don't feel like a husband, so I've merely reverted back to all I know."
"Don't be angry at Ciel . . . he's going through a stressful time, but he's doing this for you, too."
Sebastian slapped the paper closed and glared at Mey-Rin, forcing her to gather her thoughts quickly.
"W-when you're planning a family, it stops being about j-just you or just him, or just the two of you, even," she explained. "I know it feels like he's shut you out, but the truth is . . . he needs you more than ever, Sebastian. Don't abandon him in this critical time, because that child won't be just his. They'll be yours, too."
Sebastian inhaled sharply as the wool of blissful ignorance was whisked away from his eyes. As ditzy as she tended to be on a regular basis, Mey-Rin had probably never made more sense since he'd known her. Why was this so hard to hear? Then again, it wasn't easy to be told in no uncertain terms that you'd been a totally self-absorbed asshole for a month of your new marriage.
"Ciel seems really scared," she admitted, which softened his demeanor even more. "And who knows what it could be? Maybe he thinks the IVF won't be successful, and he'll let you down. Maybe he's having doubts about what kind of father he'll be? Only you can find out and be there for him, more than any of us could."
Sebastian silently stood, downed his tea in one shot and dutifully strode into the manor. He had promised to be there for Ciel, and he'd utterly failed to do so up until this point. But he was going to change that, even if it killed him.
When he burst into the study, all three men looked like deer caught in headlights. Before any of them could gather any thoughts, he snapped his fingers, and with an ice cold expression to Bard and Finnian, uttered the words: "Get out."
The two quickly made themselves scarce, and once the door was closed, Ciel heaved out a sigh. Sebastian's heart felt like it was grinding to dust to see the state of his beloved.
The bridal glow he had carried all the way up until the end of their honeymoon seemed to have long diminished. He was all dark bags, pale skin and slightly disheveled hair. Still, he managed a smile for him- even though he was wearing the clothes he'd grown to hate, and he wanted to kick himself for being such an idiot.
"Thank goodness you're here. I could barely focus on anything either of them were saying," he laughed dryly, combing his fingers through his hair before looking back at him. "Sebastian, is everything okay?" he asked, a small glimmer of love managing to shine through his dull eyes.
Sebastian went to his side, turning his chair toward him so that he could drop to his knees, resting his head in his lap.
"Ciel, my love . . . I'm a failure of a husband," he whispered, wrapping his arms around his waist and holding him tightly. "I haven't been here for you at all, and I just-"
"Sebastian, stop," Ciel gently chided, smoothing his hand over his raven hair. "Things are stressful for everyone. It's okay."
"It's not okay," he hissed, sitting up to look in his eyes. "All I've been thinking about this past month is how you haven't paid me any mind since we've been home, and here you are . . . slaving away alone to make sure everything is in order for our family. I've been a complete-"
"Don't say it," Ciel interrupted, pressing a finger to his lips. "The only thing that matters is that you've come to your senses, and that you're here now."
Sebastian stood and gently kissed Ciel's lips, which were slightly chapped. The whole time, he though Ciel was neglecting him, when he'd actually been neglecting himself.
"Whatever you're doing right now can wait," he said, lifting him from the chair. It broke his heart more and more to discover he was lighter to hold. "God, you're killing yourself for me . . ."
"Well . . . you've died plenty for me, haven't you?" Ciel smiled, bringing his face closer to kiss his cheek.
"I'll never let this happen to you again," he said, striding for the door. He was less than enthused to see the trio standing outside of it. "Go away," he growled.
"B-but, there's a letter," Mey-Rin stammered.
All it took was for Ciel to glimpse the wax seal for him to spring out of Sebastian's arms with renewed vigor. He snatched it from Men-Rin's hand and rushed back into the study for his letter opener.
"I could murder all three of you," Sebastian practically roared, making them all cower. They were saved from his wrath by a loud, seemingly distressed gasp from Ciel.
Sebastian spun around just in time to see the letter slip from Ciel's hand as he collapsed into his chair. His eyes shone with tears as his head sunk into his shaking hands.
"Ciel!" they all cried simultaneously, rushing in to surround his desk.
"What's going on?" Sebastian asked, his voice hoarse with worry. He quickly turned and picked up the letter, reading it but not registering any of the words. He turned his attention back to Ciel, desperate for answers as the letter shook violently in his hand.
Ciel slowly looked up at each and every one of them, his eyes finally landing on Sebastian as a tear slipped down his cheek. He inhaled a deep, shaky breath and gently touched Sebastian's gloved hands.
"S-Sebastian . . . Elizabeth is pregnant."
The room was deadly silent. Mouths were agape, and Sebastian just stared down at Ciel dumbfounded, barely registering his wife's hands on his cheeks, his heterochromatic eyes regaining their life and luster in mere seconds.
"We're going to be daddies!"
