Ciel watched the flames dance in the fireplace with a sigh. Upon terminating his contract with Sebastian, the young demon discovered that his life had immediately felt different.

"Ciel?" The former Earl turned to face the demon he had come to know as his butler.
Sebastian stood before him, holding a pair of empty wine glasses.
He set them on the end table and settled into the armchair.

"Is something bothering you?" the older demon questioned.

"It's completely daft," Ciel replied, "It feels so different now. In the last few hours since we ended our contract, I've felt like I've lost something. It's an odd feeling."

"It's the end of an era for us. You are leaving behind something you once knew for uncharted territory.
Maybe what you feel isn't so much loss as it is apprehension." Sebastian suggested. "Would it help you to know that calling you by name is quite an adjustment for me? You and I will work through it together."

"It does a bit. Where do we go from here?" Ciel asked.

"Anywhere you like. In the days ahead, you and I have much to talk about. There are things I will need to teach you about our culture and our customs. I would prefer it if you didn't hide away in the house.
We can't expect immediate results, I know. I want you to feel free to ask me anything. As a potential mate, I'm sure you're curious as to what you're stepping into." Sebastian replied.

"I have a lot, actually. What are the glasses for?" Ciel gestured to the objects on the table.

"Lesson number one," Sebastian stated, "It ties into our conversation a short time ago. You were concerned about meeting my needs. Souls sustain us, they are the main food source for our kind, but there is another way." The elder demon took hold of the glass closest to him.

"You're aware that a blood sacrifice is needed in summoning, but under the right circumstances, it can also feed us. When we take a mate, some demons decide they no longer want to focus on contracts. This is where the glasses come in. A sacrifice offered in love. The stronger the bond, the stronger the effects."

"A blood sacrifice?" Ciel asked, "Are we vampires now?" Sebastian chuckled softly.

"No. I could take you out and teach you what to search for in a contract if you prefer. Given what you and I went through, I doubt you'd be interested in such a thing, nor do I want that for you. I wish to spare you the trouble and provide for you here."

"Is there a ritual for this too?" Ciel moved forward in his chair.

"No. There are countless ways to give your offering. It's a matter of preference. I thought it best to start with a most gentle approach." Ciel watched his former butler remove his black jacket and roll up his sleeve, exposing his arm.

Sebastian raised his arm to his face, sinking his fangs into his wrist. He filled the glass, offering it to Ciel.

"That's it?" The young demon set the full glass aside.

"It's that simple, yes." Ciel removed his own black jacket, copying Sebastian's actions, watching the crimson liquid fill the container. He then gave it to the older demon.

Sebastian took the object gratefully.

"This may seem like a small gesture, but I assure you, it helps more than you think." He paused, taking a sip from his glass.
"Now, I suppose I should explain that some of our customs are similar to your human ways. Should you and I decide to move forward, there would be a ring and a ceremony. My father would-"

"You have a father?" Sebastian smirked at the tone of surprise coming from his former employer.

"Naturally. I also have a mother and two brothers, one older and one younger. My elder brother has two children and a mate of his own.
Out of curiosity, where did you think demons come from?" Ciel shrugged.

"How the hell am I supposed to know?" He replied. "I thought you were all a story made up to scare people right up to the moment you showed up. Did you change like I did?"

"Some do. Demons of that sort are a rare breed. I, like the vast majority, was born into this life. It isn't common practice to bring our work home with us. Speaking of family, mine will want to meet you at some point. I realize this is a lot to take in at one time. I don't intend to throw everything at you at once. It's a process, but we'll take our time getting through it."

"That's fair, I suppose. But you've always been more than fair with me." Ciel hesitated before taking a sip of his drink.
The sweet, metallic liquid had a soothing effect on the young demon.

"That's not too bad, actually," Ciel commented.

"You get used to it. That's also the way mothers feed their children." Sebastian explained.

"Demons are strange creatures." The former Earl shook his head.

"Yes, I suppose to someone who isn't a natural-born demon, We can be a bit odd. " Sebastian pointed out.

"Can we talk about your family sometime?"

"Of course. We will have an extensive conversation before I take you to meet them. I will never allow you to go into a situation blindly. Is there anything you wish to ask specifically?"

"If we're going to be married one day, wouldn't it be a good idea for me to know your real name?"Sebastian let out a heavy sigh.

"My name, you already know. If I seemed surprised when you offered it to me, it was because Sebastian is my given name. I've heard no one aside from my family use it for quite some time now."

"That might explain the look you gave me when you found out I named you after my dog."

"Honestly, of all the options available, a dog, Ciel, really?"

"All these years, and you're still on about where I got the name?" Ciel laughed. "Even after you just told me it's your real name, it still bothers you?"

"What if you found out your parents named you after a cat?" Ciel shrugged.

"I wouldn't much care where they got the name. Just so you know, the only reason I didn't like cats was my allergy to them. Not that it stopped you from keeping a pair of them in your room."

"You knew?" Ciel nodded.

"Your black and white one got out a couple of times while you were busy with the housework. She was quite the escape artist. I couldn't touch it, so I told Mey-Rin to put her back in your room. You made sure there wasn't any hair on your uniform, and I had no reason to be in your room, so I let it go. " Ciel confessed.

"Thank you," Sebastian replied sincerely. "You could have ordered me to send them away at any time."

"I know. I didn't because a part of me realized how difficult I could be on you. Demon or not, I could've been more patient with you."

"I don't entirely blame you. You went through more than anyone ever should. You were never as cold as you seemed."

"Neither were you." Ciel retorted. "At least not to me."

"That wasn't solely by contractual obligation. You became precious to me for other reasons as time went on. I learned the meaning of love."

"That's something we learned together then. There is something else I'd like to learn from you."

"What would that be?"

"That silverware thing you do. " Sebastian nodded.

"I don't see why not. It may be a good way to spend some quality time together. Would you like to try it when you've finished your drink?"

"Sounds like a plan." After finishing their meal, the pair stood from their chairs. Sebastian crossed the short distance to Ciel, pulling him into his arms.

"Shall we go?" He asked.

"I think so," Ciel said, resting his head against the demon's shoulder. Sebastian wasted no time carrying Ciel to the door and out of the house.

A/N Thank you all for your support of this story. I hope you enjoy it.