For a brief moment, it was as though she had every breath stolen from her, and with a choked cough, she felt her lungs beat back to life, her heart fluttering rapidly. At this Adrian let go, his arms shaking as they struggled to hold him up, his form that of a beaten dog; a man brought to his knees by the burden of pain.
She fell beside him, lifting his head to rest against her chest, holding him protectively, shielding him. "It's ok," she breathed, holding him close, "You're ok…"
At this he collapsed completely, falling limply to the floor. Astrid screeched, calling for Sebastian desperately.
"There is nothing that can be done."
"But he'll wake up won't he?! Tell me he'll wake up!"
"Please compose yourself, Miss Astrid. His body is simply reacting to the bonds of the contract."
"But why didn't I feel anything? I could have shouldered part of the burden, I-"
"The contract was created by you. Your burden comes afterwards. After all, you are now his complete and utter slave."
Her eyes were a bit moist as she looked from Sebastian to her lover, his face pale and drained. Sebastian's words seemed to drive straight through her. Yes, she was now his slave. But at this moment, there was nothing else she'd rather be. She took his hand in hers, squeezing it encouragingly.
"It is best we leave him be, Miss Astrid."
"I'm not leaving him." She said strongly.
"He will not wake up any time soon."
"Then I will wait." She looked at Sebastian with bold eyes, "Please understand."
Sebastian gave a light bow, a hand over his chest, "As to be expected, from a contract-bound demon." He said it almost with an approving smirk, and for whatever reason, it unsettled Astrid.
Sebastian left without saying much else, and Astrid was left alone with her thoughts. She swallowed, feeling a strange tingling on her chest. She scratched at it, trying to get rid of the sensation, but it only seemed to intensify. She felt uneasy about undoing her dress, at a moment like this, but she was starting to worry that maybe something had gone wrong. So she undid the first few buttons of her dress, gasping as she saw the mark that now claimed her chest.
She let out shaky breath after shaky breath, the reality of it all sinking in. She really was…
Of course she had known she was a demon. Or at least, partially a demon. And yes, bizarre things had been happening ever since her change. She had even morphed into a cat for godsakes, but for some reason this mark…this brand was what made it all real. Her hands began to tremble, as she traced the mark, her mouth dry and breaths uneven.
With numb fingers she reached over to Adrian, undoing the top of his shirt as well. Her fingers shook, before falling onto his skin. She bit her lip, calming down a bit after feeling the warmth of his flesh. His mark seemed more intricate, somehow. Carved deeply into his skin, the purple lines claiming the left side of his chest. She wondered if his tingled the way hers did. Or perhaps, his was more painful. She cringed at that, wishing he'd wake up soon. But he didn't seem to be in any imminent danger, so that calmed her down some. And once she let her human panic subside, she actually became rather collected.
He looked peaceful, despite the fact that he was on the floor, and had been in deep pain just a short while ago. That seemed to have subsided now, from the expression he carried. She couldn't help but smile, brushing his hair back and admiring his handsome features. He was fine now, his face perfectly calm.
Oh Adrian…
She did up his shirt along with her own, kissing the top of his forehead as she finished.
There was something strangely fulfilling about her current position. For the first time, she was the one taking care of him, rather than the other way around. She stroked his hand, smiling stupidly, chastising herself for feeling so much pride over something like this. Still, there was something within her that emphasized the importance of this task. It was as though there were two parts of her that were colliding, clashing their swords against each other. She knew that so long as they were within Phantomhive Manor they were perfectly safe. But there was another part that was so strong she couldn't leave his side even if she wanted to.
She chewed on her lip, her conflicting emotions making her stomach uneasy. She wondered if it was fine to leave him on the floor like this. She wanted to make sure he was comfortable of course, but she was also deathly afraid that if she moved him his face would contort with pain once again.
Never would she be able to forget that image.
It was enough to make her want to cry, the tears stinging the back of her eyes, like small threatening knives. She didn't want to think about it. She shut her eyes, both to erase the image and to keep the tears at bay. But soon Astrid realized that the tears would not fall even if she let them. Was this repression a result of her demon half? Blinking quickly before closing her eyes softly, her tears vanished, as though they'd never been there at all. She found it rather curious, but finally attributed it all to the confusion of her current situation.
The room was filled with nothing but Astrid's deep breaths, and Adrian's quiet ones. She brushed his cheek with the edge of her fingers, feeling the sudden urge to kiss him. But at that moment Adrian gasped, his free hand shooting up to grab hers, which still rested on his cheek. This, in turn, caused her to gasp, but she quickly recovered. "Adrian!"
"Thank god…" he exhaled, his chest heaving as though he had been running a long distance. He pressed her hand against his cheek before kissing it, and then giving the other a warm squeeze. "Your eyes are still…"
She bent down and kissed him sweetly on the lips, not letting him finish his sentence until she had pulled away.
"…brown."
"Why wouldn't they be?" she whispered, despite the fact that there was no real need to.
He brought her back in for another kiss, his hand now resting gingerly on the back of her head. His lips were pleasantly warm, and she felt her heart swell, all while beating a bit too quickly. She thought for sure he could hear it, if not feel it, the way her chest was crushed up against his. He hadn't held her like this since…
"Adrian," she breathed, "I'm here."
His hands framed her face, his thumbs brushing over her cheeks, as though he were trying to confirm the feel of her skin beneath his fingers.
It was terrifying, when he was serious like this. It only underscored the severity of the situation, and made her wonder if maybe she'd managed to overlook something. Was he still in pain? Or perhaps there was some unfinished role to fulfil in order to seal the contract. Astrid didn't know, but she wanted nothing more than to hear his playful whines while that sideways smile tugged at his lips.
She covered his large hands with her small ones, closing her eyes and kissing his palms. "Are you hurt?" she asked.
He shook his head, his thumbs still caressing her cheeks sweetly. "Astrid." His voice was deep, rumbling in his chest. It was almost enough to make her melt.
"Show me your mark."
Her heart stopped, her entire face going red.
"I-It looks just as yours does. And Sebastian's as well. Surely you've seen the mark of a demon before-"
"I want to see the mark of my demon." His eyes were sharp as he said so, like darkened emeralds.
She swallowed, suddenly feeling embarrassed. It should not have mattered, after all this time. Adrian had seen her body on quite a few occasions now, but the thought of having to undo the top of her dress in front of him seemed rather indecent.
"Adrian-"
"It's not on your hand, which is peculiar. Where is it, then?" he sounded worried.
She hesitated, not saying anything.
"Won't you show me?" he smirked, the smile she was so used to seeing appearing on his face once again.
She brought her hand up to her chest, "It's here," she told him, "Just as yours is. I don't find it so peculiar."
"Will you not show me?"
"We should get you rested-"
"Astrid."
She made the fatal mistake of glancing up, falling prey to those green eyes. "Yes?"
"This is an order: Show me your mark."
Her blood rushed, her mouth going dry, and she felt a strange sensation in her eyes, as though she could see the world ten million times more clearly. "Yes, Master."
The words tumbled out of her mouth as though of their own free will, Astrid completely unable to stop them. Her body was laced with a heavy sweat, her emotions fighting each other, but her embarrassment being no match for her Master's command.
Carefully she undid the top buttons, before pulling at the fabric, revealing her skin to him, displaying the purple star that now claimed her chest. She swallowed once more, the dryness in her throat finally subsiding.
Adrian sat up, albeit with a grimace and slight groan, despite the fact that he clenched his teeth to muffle the sound.
"You are in pain-"
He silenced her with a tender sush and then traced her mark with his finger, just as she had done to him moments ago. She shivered under his touch; whether it was out of habit or embarrassment she did not know, but her cheeks were pink just the same.
"Adrian-"
"This is nothing like Sebastian's." he murmured.
"W-What?"
He looked up at her, his face cracking into the smile that was more like him. "Heehee," he poked her cheek, "Every demon has a unique mark, dearest."
She relaxed at his words, indulging in the fact that his usual tone was returning. It made her want to kiss him all over again. "It looked similar to me though…"
He clicked his tongue, wagging his finger back in forth in disapproval. "Your star is enclosed in a single circle dearie," he traced it with his nail as he said so, "This deep purple band…" he giggled, "Your spikes here are a deep green. Ahh…" He lowered his head, giving her mark a quick kiss, "So beautifully shaded…"
She bit her lip, "Is it really all that?"
With a single hand, he undid his shirt as well, smirking at her and running a hand through his hair, "See for yourself, dearie."
He was right. It was intricate. Very different from Sebastian's, though she had only seen it briefly. But even she could tell they were not the same. The edges of her star were shaded in the same deep purple, but the center was an equally dark green. The colors nearly matched, but not quite.
"Then," she said, her hand on his chest, "That's it, then? We're really…"
He showed off his teeth, eyes once again hidden by his bangs, "That we are, dearest."
"But will she be able to stomach it?" Ciel was perfectly serious, as he folded the letter back up, returning it to the now-opened envelope.
"She should be able to, my lord."
"You sound confident, Sebastian."
"Miss Astrid is quite capable, Bocchan."
"She's still part human."
Sebastian smiled in reply, "As are you, Young Master."
"I relinquished my soul a long time ago." He spat out coldly, "She still has something left."
Sebastian cocked his head, "Young Master, if I may be so bold. It is perfectly natural for a child of your age to grow attached-"
"She is my head maid," he spoke with a stern loudness that filled the room, "To lose her would be troublesome at best. Especially when one considers her new advantages as a demon. It'd be a shame to forfeit such a power."
"Yes, my lord."
There was a long pause, as Ciel contemplated the matter over again. "Sebastian, see to it that her emotions remain subdued. I will decide later whether or not she is to accompany us."
Sebastian placed his hand on his chest and bowed, demonstrating his obedience.
"Is the Reaper still here?"
"Naturally."
"Send him away."
"Miss Astrid will go with him, Young Master."
"I'm well aware. They will need some time to adjust, and I will need time to think about this." Ciel explained, holding the letter as he stood up, then walked over to the fireplace and threw it in, watching the papers crinkle and curl as they browned. He looked back up, meeting Sebastian's gaze. "Well? Why are you still here?"
Sebastian excused himself, leaving his master alone in his study, and then made his way to the cellar once more. The Reaper should be awake by now, he supposed. As an immortal the contract wouldn't have such a strong effect on him. It really wouldn't take him much time to adjust, Sebastian thought. Miss Astrid, however, would be a different story.
He was actually rather curious as to how she would manage it all. She still had her human will, so to pair that up with the submission of a demon seemed difficult at best. If she fought his orders then the result could be rather painful.
That is, if the Reaper ordered her to do anything in the first place. He knew the chances of the Reaper ordering her to do something she'd resist were slim. But…there were exceptions to every rule.
This next job, for example. If Master Ciel decided to indeed enlist Miss Astrid to the task. The Reaper would forbid it. And the thought of that immortal's face twisted in rage made Sebastian smile.
He knocked politely on the cellar door, and was planning on opening it himself, but he heard the scurry of feet, the door opening at Astrid's hand. "Sebastian," she bowed her head respectfully, "Come in."
"Is he awake?"
She replied that he was.
"Demon." Adrian said rather coldly, from one of the various chairs scattered around the wine bottles.
"Reaper." Sebastian replied with a not-so-friendly smile on his face.
"Did the Young Master need anything?" Astrid inquired.
Adrian ground his teeth, irritated at the fact that his lover had two Masters.
"Yes," Sebastian began, "he wants this reaper off his property."
"But he's not-"
"Understood." Adrian said, standing up, making his way to Sebastian. "It's been done now, in any case."
Astrid had never noticed just how cold Adrian's voice became around Sebastian. It was unsettling, the way the sound made her hands itch. Without thinking, she reached out to him, grabbing the fabric of his sleeve. "I'll go talk to the Young Master. You're not fully recovered, it wouldn't do to-"
"Bocchan's orders are absolute, Miss Astrid. You are to go with him."
Her eyes widened, her hands dropping back down to her sides. "Am I being let go?" She thought her voice would have failed her, that it would have trembled, but instead it came out perfectly calm and steady.
"Not quite. But the Young Master recognizes your need to adjust, Miss Astrid."
"I'm fine," she insisted, "I-"
"He's right." Adrian interrupted.
"But-"
"You must learn to harmonize your duality. How will you aid the young lord on missions if you cannot keep your emotions at bay?" Sebastian countered.
Astrid bit her lip, swallowing hard, and then giving an affirmative nod. "Then, I will bid him my goodbye," she told Sebastian. Then, turning to Adrian, "I'll only be a moment." She excused herself, quickly rushing out of the room, her footsteps on the stairs heard by the men still in the cellar.
It did not take her long to reach the study, a million thoughts rushing through her head. She straightened her skirt, adjusting her hair before knocking on her Young Master's door, making sure she looked presentable. She heard his cold 'come in' and took that as her cue to open the door.
"Master Ciel." She bowed her head.
"You have one week."
"Yes, my lord."
"Do make the most of it. What follows will be less than pleasant."
"I'm well aware, my lord."
"Astrid."
She folded her hands in front of her, fighting the urge to nervously tug at her braid. "Yes?"
"It will be gruesome. There will be things you will not want to do. I need you to trust me, despite what that Reaper might say."
She knew that the road ahead would not be an easy one. But Master Ciel's leniency towards her was something she was not taking lightly. She owed him everything. "I always have, Young Master."
"Upon your return I expect you to have complete control over your emotions. You may still be human, but you are now also a demon, is that understood?"
"Yes, my lord." She answered simply out of habit, but the actual task seemed rather difficult in and of itself. She wasn't sure what was meant by it, but from the way Sebastian and Lord Phantomhive spoke of it, it seemed to be of grave importance. If she was planning on helping him complete missions, then she would need to separate her personal prejudices from the job at hand. If it was for her young master, then Astrid believed whole-heartedly that it would be something she could manage. All she had to do was learn to use her demonic instincts to her advantage. She just hoped a week would be enough time.
"Very well. I have already informed the others of your absence, and MeyRin has prepared your luggage. You are free to go."
Her eyes widened, rather surprised at how quickly everything was happening. Had he planned this in advance, prepared for this outcome all along? Still, she was grateful MeyRin was the one to pack her bag, and not Sebastian.
"I will not disappoint you, my lord." She insisted, determination heavy in her voice.
"I should hope not."
…
A carriage was arranged shortly after, and in a strange blur of moments that Astrid didn't quite remember, they arrived before the crooked sign that read UNDERTAKER in bold letters.
Astrid followed Adrian in, tugging her own luggage despite the fact that he had insisted otherwise. But for the time being, she was stronger than him, so she stubbornly managed it on her own. She looked around the shop, inhaling the strange but comforting aroma the room seemed to hold. Her senses felt sharper than usual, as the memories began to flood her mind. She had not been in here since that first day…
"Penny for your thoughts, love?"
"Oh." She blinked, the sound of the door closing behind her snapping her back to reality. She shook her head, tightening her hold around the strap of her small suitcase, "It's nothing. I just haven't been here in so long…" her voice trailed off awkwardly.
She didn't realize how close he had gotten, until his breath was on her lips. It was enough to make her drop her hold of the suitcase, letting it fall to the floor with a heavy thud.
"Tell me, dearest. What did you think of me that first day?"
Her heart raced, wishing there was just a tad bit more space between them, "I-I thought you were a bizarre old man." She blurted hesitantly.
He chuckled, running his hand through his hair, those emerald eyes shining at her. "And now?"
She blushed, "Must you ask?"
He linked his arm around her waist, bringing her up against his chest. It felt like it'd been an incredibly long time since she'd felt him do so.
"I want to hear it."
She stood on her tiptoes, wrapping one arm behind his neck, letting his hair tangle between her fingers, while her other hand cupped his cheek, her lips finally meeting his in a sweet kiss. "I love you." She breathed.
Without a wasted moment Adrian swept her off her feet, cradling her in his arms, much to her protest.
"Adrian!" she tugged at his shirt as he walked towards the door she knew led upstairs, "My bag-"
"Leave it." He growled, in a tone she had become all too familiar with. But they couldn't. Not today.
She struggled, trying to free herself from his grasp, reminding him that he was in pain up until just recently.
"It's passed." He told her, finally entering his room and kicking the door closed with his foot.
Her breath caught in her throat. It looked just as it had that first time. Very black and very grey, dark and with a strange atmosphere that promised excitement. It was that last bit that worried her. Not to mention Adrian's scent was quickly escalating into something that might make her own begin to flare out. The world rushed past her line of vision when Adrian pushed her down on the bed, hovering over her. Briefly, she wondered if she would ever be granted a solid look around the room, rather than this heated and blurry view that was hindered by lust.
He kissed her cheek, dragging his lips down to her neck, before they found their favorite spot on her neck, and began to suckle.
She moaned, her heart racing, but quickly tried to steady herself. "Adrian," she panted, "We can't. You need your rest."
He bit her flesh, "Don't test me, woman." His hands were already roaming her torso.
"Adrian." She said forcefully.
He looked up at her, those green eyes piercing her brown ones. He pecked her lips, a devilish smirk playing on his lips, "I could simply order you, dearest, heehee. What would you do then?"
Her own eyes sharpened. "You wouldn't."
He smiled, kissing her again, a bit more softly this time, tugging on her bottom lip. "How boring~" he whined.
She sat up, as he rolled off of her. "Try and sleep, Adrian. I'll bring up my bag and then I can prepare us dinner."
He giggled, "What a perfect little housewife~" he teased, his high pitched moans finding their way into his speech once more.
She kissed his forehead, getting off the bed. "You need your energy. You've been through too much because of me. The least you can let me do is help."
He caught her hand, bringing it to his lips to kiss the back of her palm. "Such a stubborn child," he mused, "Hehe it was my decision, love. Get it through that thick head of yours." He hummed, "But, if it is my treasure's wish, then," he kissed her hand again, "Please take care of me."
She smiled, taking the opportunity to kiss him quickly on the lips before heading towards the door, insisting she'd make him something delicious for dinner.
"Dearest~" he sang.
She turned to face him, her hand already pulling the door open.
"I will have my fill of you." He said it almost darkly.
She left the room without saying anything, almost positive the beating of her heart was loud enough to grant him a satisfactory response.
She didn't want to think about it, trying to focus her thoughts on fixing him dinner instead. But hard as she tried, Astrid knew one thing perfectly well: Adrian would stay true to his word.
A/N: Oh god. Long time haha. I hope you're all still interested in this . Thank you so much for all your lovely reviews and encouragements.
Andrea: Thank you so much!
fedame: I'm glad you think so! Sorry it takes me so long to update!
atashitoljh: Oh my gosh! You have no idea how happy I am that you like her! Don't worry, there's still quite a few chapters to go with this one.
Guest: Hehe, I think we're due for another lemon soon ;) Glad you're enjoying it!
anonymous: Eeeep thank you so much!