There was a calm stillness to the dark room, reaper and demon wrapped in each other's arms. Adrian ran his hands over Astrid's skin, leaving goosebumps under his touch.
"Are you cold?"
She glanced up at him, shivering under his touch as his knuckles brushed over her cheek. "No. I'm...warm." Her cheeks flushed as though to prove the fact.
"Darling," he rolled over her, the sheets tangling more, his weight pressed against her chest, his short pants present on her neck, "Would you think me selfish?"
She couldn't help but smile. How could she, she thought, when she felt the same way? She'd give herself again and again, if he so wished.
"No," she breathed, her own chest rising and falling in quickened breaths, "Not at all."
He cupped her cheeks in his hands, pulling them into breathless kiss after breathless kiss.
It felt like it had been a lifetime.
A lifetime since she'd felt his lips on her neck, pressing and licking and marking; a lifetime since her own hands had gotten lost in that long hair, fingers bumping into the thin braid he kept on his right side.
"Adrian,"
He silenced her, kissed her again, softer than before, gentler than before.
It wasn't a want, this time.
It was need.
Beautiful, slow, loving need.
His hands trailed up her sides, back down again, taking in every bit of already exposed flesh while he nipped at her neck. When it was slow like this, it felt so raw and real that it was almost frightening. Like this, he could see every inch of her, every mark and imperfection, and every embarrassing expression.
"Oh, dearest."
From the word alone she could already feel herself melting again, but in a different kind of way, her body reacting naturally to the husk in his voice, the desire that laced his tone. Her hands tugged at the grey hair, pulling him rather harshly to bring his lips up to hers once more. Because the truth was, at that moment, she needed to taste him.
It was, in a word, Adrian. Sugary but not, almost like a candied smoke, bitter and uninhibited.
"So sweet," he murmured, tracing her lips with his tongue. She smiled into the kiss, holding him tighter. "Adrian," she said, "What do I taste like?"
He brushed his bangs out of his face, the surprise in his eyes very much apparent. "Mm? Taste like? Hehe, like Astrid, of course."
She ran her hands through his hair, eyes gleaming, "Is that a good thing?" She murmured softly.
"My dear," he pecked her lips with tender patience, "It is the best of things."
She smiled at that, kissing him again. But the reaper cocked his head, looking at her curiously.
"Wh-What?" She stuttered.
He lowered his face to hers, a mischievous grin claiming his lips, "What do I taste like, dearie?"
She felt her blood rush strangely, in a way that had only happened once or twice before. "Like Adrian," she explained, "Of course."
He chuckled at that, plopping down and sighing happily next to her ear. "And," he whispered, in a tone deeper than usual, "Is that a good thing?"
She didn't bother to reply, instead turning her head so that she could indulge in his lips some more, and drown in his taste. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly, and then buried his face in her neck. "You seem calmer, now." He said.
His hair tickled her nose, but she was far too comfortable to complain. Being together like this, his strong hold reminding her that this was all real-that was all she could ask for. "I am." She replied, letting her eyes flutter closed.
Long nails trailed up her skin, sending shivers down her spine.
"That won't do, dearest." He said it darkly, without a hint of his usual playful nature. Her breathing hitched, "Won't it?"
Those emerald eyes shone brilliantly, sharp and still. "Tell me, love," he grinned, sparking tremors down her legs, "Shall I make your heart race?"
Her chest clenched, her hands tangling around his neck of their own accord, his lips beating hers to the kiss.
She whimpered, finding it to not be enough, not nearly enough, keeping hold of the back of his head, wrapping her legs around his, trying to get closer.
He chuckled deeply, grabbing one of her wrists and kissing her knuckles, "Have you run out of patience, love?"
She looked at him, eyes glazed, "Perhaps I have."
He hummed at that, lowering his head to kiss her once more, pushing past her lips, parting her teeth with his tongue, demanding entrance into her mouth. She allowed him gladly, her own tongue tangling with his, tracing over the underside of his lip which made him shiver. She giggled softly, unable to help herself.
"Cheater~" He accused.
"Is that not fair?"
He lowered his lips to her ear, purposely deepening his own voice, "Is it, dearest?"
She trembled in response, and it was now Undertaker's turn to chuckle, as he grabbed her by the waist, flipping them over.
She let out a sound of surprise, holding onto his shoulders as though her life depended on it.
"Sit up for me, dearest."
She groaned in complaint, grabbing the sheets and tossing them over both she and him. She buried her face in his neck, nibbling softly.
"Darling," he smiled, holding back his laughter, but only just slightly, "Surely now, you're no longer afraid?"
"It's embarrassing." She replied simply.
Adrian's eyes widened, his hands slipping over her back and under the covers, pulling them down as his fingers traced her spine.
"Embarrassing…" he said carefully, his other hand tracing patterns over her side, "Am I a stranger?"
"Of course not," she said, hugging him close, "But I much prefer this."
He flipped them over once more without warning, and Astrid noticeably yelped this time. "Adrian!"
He chuckled, reveling in her squeals.
"These soft lips," he whispered, pecking them, "And supple skin," he whined, kissing down her neck, sucking softly. "And this…" he hummed, tongue tracing the delicate pattern of her bond mark, "Is all mine, isn't it?"
Astrid's back arched slightly, small tremors rolling through her body in quick waves. "Th-That's…"
He nipped at the skin, her back arching higher, a breathless 'yes' parting her lips.
"Then, heehee," he said gently, kissing back up to her face, "There's no need to be embarrassed," he poked her cheek, "Is there?"
Her face reddened despite it all, the blood coloring her cheeks. Between the sheets she could feel him hardening against her thigh, her heart racing in anticipation.
His hair was falling over his face, his arms tensed as they held him above her, that crooked grin making her smile out of habit. And then she caught sight of his mark that mirrored her own. Without thinking, her hand reached up for it, tracing the shape.
This seemingly simple star. This single mark that now bound them together. And it was not just him, but she who had one as well. Somehow, it seemed to belong on his chest. As though he'd had it all along.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
She glanced up at him, his voice bringing her back to the present. But the star caught her gaze once more, her fingers still following the spikes. "It's certainly intricate."
His hands snaked around her back, his lips pressing right against the center of her star. He kissed her sweetly, before his teeth began digging into her flesh.
She screamed, her head tossing back, shaking hands leaving jagged lines of red down the Undertaker's arms.
He gave a contented sigh, licking the bond mark and then sucking hard. "Mmmm, dearest," he breathed, his eyes laced with lust, "Your laughter or your screams…" Adrian whined, grinding his hips against hers, "I can't decide!"
She would have laughed, if not for the moan that broke off her speech, his bare hot heat against her own want.
His scent was overwhelming, dripping with desire, low growls rumbling deep in his chest. She was drowning.
"One brand," he muttered, licking his lips, "Is not enough."
"Adri-"
She bit back a moan, her thoughts clashing together in pain and pleasure. She nearly swore he'd bitten hard enough to draw blood. And yet, it only seemed to connect them further, her blood in his mouth. Shaking hands trembled over his back, leaving shallow, cat like scratches over the raised skin.
It was always something that made her heart skip; the amount of scars her lover had. How many had been nearly fatal, she wondered.
His nimble hand cupped her sex, teasing her to no end. "Your thoughts are wan-der-ing~" He accused in a playful manner, though his eyes were sharp and threatening. Electric bolts shot through her, being locked under a gaze like that.
"Your scars," she began quietly, "You have so many."
He granted her two fingers, his expert hand curling against her most sensitive spot. Kissing down her body, his fingers moved slowly and sensually, doing nothing more than providing a temporary pleasure.
"Mmmm...haven't we mentioned those already?"
"Adrian-" Her voice failed in a disappointed sigh, Adrian having pulled his fingers away. He licked his hand greedily, flashing a smirk in her direction. "There's some of me mixed in, dearest. Would you like to see what we taste like?"
He didn't give her the chance to reply, instead pushing his tongue into her mouth. She moaned against him, his cum mingling with her own juices. Deliciously bittersweet.
Adrian softened the kiss, massaging her lips sweetly, before peppering his lips over her lashes, gently kissing down the sides of her face, stopping just at the edge of her jaw.
"I will cherish this body of yours," he breathed, "My darling demon."
She felt her heart swell, as Adrian lifted her against him, so that she slid comfortably into his lap. She gasped upon having him fill her up so fully, those green eyes sparkling in the dark room.
"Adrian," she breathed, wrapping her hands around him, her forehead resting against his shoulders. "I love you."
Adrian tugged at what could no longer be called a braid, pulling her from her hiding place and drowning her in a deep kiss. Breathless, he murmured that it was he who loved her. Astrid shook in his arms, losing all the strength in her legs.
"Do you feel me, dearest?"
Her body, face, everything grew hot. The room had long ago begun to smell like them, but here, in this moment, that scent became everything.
She nodded, in a way that wasn't really shy, despite the embarrassing warmth in her cheeks, in a way that could only happen when she was with him like this.
"I do," she breathed, brushing back his bangs though they weren't covering his face.
He pulsed against her walls, and her breathing hitched, Adrian granted a small whine of her voice.
"More," he drawled, his tongue gliding across her collarbone, his hands placed firmly on her back, "Let me hear more."
He thrusted softly, a shaky whimper parting Astrid's lips. She clung to him tightly with trembling arms. After already being so sensitive, he couldn't blame her for what happened next.
The tender laughter that rang in Adrian's ears nearly sent him tumbling down. So innocent and lively, with a hint of shyness, the way it always was.
Intoxicating, the way it always was.
He pushed them back down against the bed, her thighs over his as he leaned down, their bodies fully and wholly connected. Her chest rose in a sharpened gasp, her breasts brushing up against his chest. He let out a shaky sigh of his own, his lips desperately seeking to meet hers. "Dearest," he moaned, hands grabbing at any bit of skin he could.
Over and over again they fell, Astrid melting beneath her reaper, Adrian becoming a weakened man above his demon.
Again and again, more and more.
And then, for the second time that night, the room fell to a silent hush, the couple's soft pants and Astrid's quieted giggles warming the space.
Adrian let her rest against his arm, her small body curled up against his, her hand balled up in a fist on his chest.
He drew insignificant patterns into her arm, feeling his chest tighten and expand all at once, upon hearing his lover purr.
She truly was a cat.
But such a fragile thing, for a demon.
In all honesty, it wasn't something he was very knowledgeable about. But her transformations always looked so painful. He didn't want to admit, but it was something that perhaps Sebastian could give her more guidance with.
Of course, the thought alone made him want to dig his scythe through the demon's skull.
In any case, one way or another, he'd help her.
"Sleep well, love." He murmured, his lips brushing her forehead.
Astrid hummed in response, snuggling up just a little closer, already at dream's door.
"Today's dessert is an American peach cobbler, topped with vanilla bean ice cream."
"Not nearly as extravagant as usual." Ciel observed.
"If I recall correctly," Sebastian explained, cradling the tray under his arm, "The Young Master is quite the fan of peaches."
Ciel's lips were a flat, thin line. "I have no personal preference." He affirmed, taking a careful bite of the pastry.
"It's sweet." He said calmly, wiping his mouth elegantly with a napkin.
"Peaches are particularly so, this time of year." Sebastian informed with a smile.
"Have you returned with any names?" He said, taking another bite.
"I believe there is one that could be of service to us, Young Master."
Ciel held his hand out, pushing the dessert to the side.
Sebastian presented the file, the image of a beautiful young woman pinned at the top. Ciel flipped through the papers, skimming the information. "Sebastian. This can't be correct. Women like this don't have the luxury of coming and going as they please."
"If I may, my lord, she is very skilled in persuasion. Life has granted her certain...advantages."
Ciel glared at the curl of Sebastian's smile, glancing at the photo again, before spitting his harsh words. "You can't possibly mean-"
Sebastian merely continued to smile, cocking his head to the side. "Indeed, my lord."
Ciel dropped the file on the desk. "I refuse."
"It will be most beneficial to the case, Bocchan. She was on the inside and is therefore sure to have some information. It would be best to know as much as possible before sending Miss Astrid in."
"An abomination like that has no interest in such things. She'd only get in the way."
"Even still, she will know her way around the Inn." Sebastian countered.
Ciel looked from the beautiful but false face, to his butler. This was the last thing that he wanted. But making use of this woman-if one could call her that-could potentially be in his benefit.
"Do you truly have reason to believe she'll present us with an advantage?" The Earl said with a raised brow.
"I cannot lie." The butler returned humbly.
Ciel sighed. "Then," he said, folding his hands, "Bring her here. But for the length of her stay," he warned, his eyes narrowing, "I want that bitch on a leash."
Sebastian bowed, lowering his head, "Understood."
A/N: Hi everyone. As always, it's been quite a while. I just want to take this moment to thank everyone for their continued support ^^ Just seeing that follower count gives me so many feels I can't even begin to describe. I know this chapter was a bit shorter than usual, but the next one will more than make up for it. (Shit's about to go down lol) If you follow my tumblr, you might already know who this mystery woman is. Or if you've read my other stories and are super observant ;) Idk if anyone reads the main page, but I've been dealing with some serious writer's block lately, and again I just want to thank you all for being so patient about everything. You guys are super awesome! If you have time, reviews are always very much appreciated ^^
Gemma: Glad I could sink you into a new hell ;) Can't wait to see what you think of it once you've read the manga/seen the anime