Chapter Eight
"Oh my dear darling!" Angela gushed, pinching Ciel's face in between nimble hands. "Look how pale you've become…! You shouldn't let Sebastian take so much; you're starting to look like one of us."
Mirroring the pout Angela marred her own pretty face with, Ciel could feel his heart slowly sinking. He hadn't seen his reflection in weeks, and because he was now running on Sebastian's nightly schedule and eating sparingly, it shouldn't have been too much of a surprise that his appearance had changed accordingly.
"I do tell him so," he protested, shaking Angela's hands away. The vampire settled back with delicate poise, finally respecting his space. "He just can't control himself," he added, looking down at his hands, not telling the whole truth. He held back a blush as he thought of how he now willingly participated in Sebastian's feeding.
He couldn't pinpoint why or when everything changed. He hardly feared being bitten anymore; he even started to tell Sebastian to feed if he didn't every couple of days. Sebastian wasn't rough in handling him any longer, but rather he was gentle, even loving his in steps to make Ciel comfortable whenever his hunger peaked.
Angela rolled her violet eyes. "That's a fat lie," she scoffed. "He has some of the best control I've ever seen; and I'm two centuries older than him." She eyed him up and down for a moment, and then she slunk forward like a cat. "Though, I have to give him credit for not accidentally killing you yet; I certainly wouldn't have much control if you were my meal."
Before she could catch Ciel in her clutches there was a loud screeching noise with a faint flapping sound near the entrance that froze them both in their tracks. Ciel relaxed as the din ceased a beat later, knowing who had arrived.
Sebastian walked in a minute later, patting down his cloak and hair. He looked to be out of breath, but that was only because of his changing from a bat. When red eyes landed on Angela, Ciel feared that he'd snarl and threaten her to get away, but he seemed to come to his senses when the wild look disappeared.
Angela frowned again. "I didn't think you'd be back so soon…I was enjoying my time with Ciely-willy," she said, standing up as Sebastian approached.
The male vampire smirked. "You can't be serious in thinking that I'd leave you here for hours on end, would you?" He lightly pushed her away from Ciel, giving her a look that screamed "he's mine and not yours so what are you going to do about it?". "Just because I called on you doesn't mean that any of our past disputes have been amended."
Crossing her arms with a huff, Angela muttered, "Love you, too." Silence ensued, and it was obvious through the thick tension that Sebastian wanted her to leave. Eventually she threw her hands in the air, finding that it was already a battle that wouldn't be in her favor if she decided to fight. "Fine, fine, ruin the rest of my day." She started toward the entrance, pulling her coat more snugly around her hourglass frame. She turned to glance back at Ciel with a smile. "Remember Ciel; don't let him bully you, okay?"
Saying nothing in return, Ciel watched as she blew him a kiss and vanished into the dark of night.
Left in the relative silence and flickering candlelight, said quietness stretched on and with neither human nor vampire making a move, Ciel grew increasingly awkward feeling. He couldn't figure out what Sebastian was thinking now.
With a sigh, Sebastian broke the silence. Nearly a third of the night was over, and he was exhausted. He had gone to the markets and checked on his home that apparently was still under watch by church-goers. His back ached for his coffin, and the thought of sleeping another day in a hole of dirt seemed to worsen his pain.
Dragging his hand across his face with another sigh, Sebastian could sense blue eyes watching him, silently asking whether or not he'd keep the boy company for the remainder of the night. The thought of taking a quick dip in the hot springs before falling into his own trance of deep sleep was very tempting, and as Sebastian glanced at Ciel, an even better idea emerged.
So far Ciel hadn't questioned the absence of the chain; it was self-explanatory, or so he thought. Moving to said human, Sebastian offered him his hand. With a timid smile, Ciel took it.
No words were exchanged between them, but Sebastian knew Ciel was itching to inquire where he was leading him. He could feel the boy's pulse quicken with anticipation and perhaps a bit of fear as he held his hand firmly within his own.
Warm, moist air hit the pair. Ciel had been back here countless time before to bathe; odd enough as he was as a vampire, Sebastian did enjoy cleanliness, so it only came as natural to have Ciel bathe regularly. The boy didn't seem to mind, though he did act surprised by it the first time Sebastian had offered. He hadn't been expecting a vampire to care about personal hygiene.
However, as Sebastian neared the steaming water with Ciel in tow, he could almost taste the human's growing trepidation as he started to catch onto what he was planning. He smirked, some of his exhaustion ebbing away, being instead replaced with amusement. He let Ciel's hand go and lifted his shirt.
"I don't understand what it is with folks today, hiding their skin like it's a debauchery," he scoffed lightly, eyeing Ciel who was averting his own gaze as he exposed his pale skin. "Come now, strip."
As Ciel continued to hesitate, Sebastian rolled his eyes and shucked off his shoes, his hands going to the laces that held his trousers up. What he had said was true; skin was skin, no one was ever shot down by the heavens for bearing it. Somewhere along the timeline of history he had missed how extremely conservative people had become.
When Sebastian finished peeling the last of his clothes away, Ciel was downright blushing. His eyes were practically fused to the cave floor, and he had angled his body slightly away. Burgundy eyes rolled again as he walked up to the boy, catching his hand and bringing it to his lips to softly kiss.
"If I don't look, will you still join me?" he whispered, a faint touch of hope staining his voice.
Consumed by his bashfulness, Ciel didn't look back at the vampire, but he did manage to answer, "Why?"
Hardly perplexed, Sebastian replied, "Because I want you to."
But Ciel shook his head, silently expressing that Sebastian had misunderstood. "No," he clarified, "I mean why has it turned out like this? I've been wondering what caused everything to change between us. I…I was just your meal in the beginning, and now you're…"
"Ah," Sebastian murmured, not about to admit that he, too, was a little thrown by their alteration in relationship. He had never succumbed to such a fate with any of his meals before, and it was safe to say that none of his meals had ever turned sweet on him either. However, although he couldn't quite explain what had him treating Ciel like a person rather than food, he could explain Ciel's situation.
Draping an arm around the boy's waist, Sebastian pulled him to his chest, not missing the shiver of anxiety the action caused. Yet Ciel didn't try to break away, allowing him to enlighten.
"Do you recall when I said all humans desire love and attention – no matter the cost?" he asked, his other hand snaking up Ciel's chest, caressing the soft skin just underneath the fabric. Ciel nodded, exhaling a large sum of held breath. "And I'm certain you remember the torment you underwent at the markets, correct?"
"I don't think I could ever forget that," the boy replied somberly. "But I still don't understand."
Sebastian smirked despite himself, leaning closer to Ciel and tightening his embrace. "But of course; you're so young, how could you understand such complexities? I've had ample time to think through it all, always watching, learning."
Tension suddenly stiffened Ciel's shoulders and for a moment Sebastian thought he'd turn to confront him. He didn't, but rather he retorted with a low voice on the cusp of anger that made Sebastian's excitement stir, "I understand plenty of my own race, thank you."
"Do you recognize your arrogance?"
Slapping the hand that rested against his clavicle away and taking a step out of the embrace, Ciel merely said, "Shut up. Such a thing cannot be helped; you should know that if what you've said is true."
Not caring about Ciel's shyness to his blatancy, Sebastian reclaimed the boy's hand and turned the other to face him. The heavy blush only deepened, and Sebastian gently cupped his chin and tilted it up so that their eyes met, surprised blue to amused red.
"It may be hard to digest, but you're a smart boy," he said calmly, watching as Ciel became placid himself. "Your time in the markets and away from safety altered your perception of me." He let his thumb stroke the other's cheek, and he broke eye contact. "You knew your family couldn't save you, it was clear you were far from the human world. A trust couldn't be found in those two who had lost you, and I hardly think anyone else you've come in contact with came to mind. That left me."
Azure eyes looked away, Ciel's expression one of mild scoff. "And you say I'm arrogant."
"I only speak the truth."
"…"
The boy's stubbornness to openly say that he was right was endearing, and Sebastian managed to ease a smirk into a tender smile. He ran a hand up the boy's face to tangle lightly in his slate-grey hair. "Come now, don't deny that something transpired when I rescued you."
Ciel set his hand on top of Sebastian's, his eyes moving slowly back to connect with blood-red ones. "Who ever said I denied anything?" he quipped back with a small bite that made the vampire chuckle. The beginnings of a smile turned the corners of Ciel's lips.
Pulling the boy closer, Sebastian mindlessly started to tug at the other's clothes. Almost hesitantly, Ciel leaned against the vampire's chest. "Why did you unshackle me?" he asked quietly, lifting his arms to help Sebastian rid him of his thin shirt.
Leaning down, burgundy eyes drank in milky-white skin greedily, but he only allowed his tongue to trace the crook of the boy's neck. Ciel shivered against him, and he in turn kissed his temple. "To see whether you had changed. I had half a mind to think you'd run away."
"…would you have let me get away?"
Instead of answering, Sebastian claimed those delectably soft lips, indulging in the rosy expression presented before him. Pale hands roamed across shivering skin as their tongues danced erotically, sweet heat blossoming as their bodies arched against one another.
Ciel's head swam as confusing pleasure clouded his mind. He couldn't bring himself to stop what he was doing, and as they broke apart save a tusk of saliva connecting them, the boy realized that the vampire was right. He could deny everything all he wanted, but in the end, Ciel knew what had changed within himself. Somehow, somewhere along the line, he had become intoxicated by the sinful creature of the night.
Yet that didn't stop him from blushing as he was gently tugged forward by his hips, long fingers slyly tucking themselves into the waistband of his trousers. They reached the edge of the pool full of crystal-like water, and Sebastian took a backward step in. Red eyes smoldered at him, silently begging for his company. Hesitantly, Ciel gave the tiniest of nods.
With a smile, Sebastian drew his fingers away and continued to back into the steaming water until it reached his chest. He gave a sigh and settled against the rim of the pool, his eyes drooping almost lazily as he attempted to make Ciel feel less self-conscious.
Deciding to not draw anything out lest he turn tail and run at the last minute, Ciel glanced away and bit his lip as he shed away the last remains of his clothes. He was sure his face had grown shamefully red as the source of his embarrassment from the very beginning rested lightly against his stomach. He hurriedly dipped into the spring in order to hide himself.
Not a moment later, Sebastian had wrapped his arms around him, pulling him close so that their slick bodies touched deliciously and making Ciel gasp in embarrassment. He tilted Ciel's chin upward, his want of the boy only growing as blue eyes shined innocently, contrasting beautifully with the thoroughly flushed face. Contradicting his own nature, he slowly, gently captured the human's lips.
His eyes slipping close, Ciel couldn't help but fall victim to Sebastian's pleasurable attentions. On instinct, he kissed back, his hands tentatively reaching to grasp the vampire's shoulders. A leg under the water separated his own hidden limbs and he gasped breathlessly as Sebastian glided them to the edge of the pool until his back touched smooth rock. He curled with a whimper as the vampire continued shifting his knee gently against his most sensitive area, his lips nipping and kissing down his neck.
A tongue dragged along his skin and further down to suckle on a nipple as one of Sebastian's hands dropped to replace his knee. Ciel cried out as pleasure shot through his body, making him writhe wantonly and curl his arms around Sebastian's neck. He arched, swinging his head back as the vampire continued the dual ministrations, his breath becoming ragged as heat and pressure built up inside him.
Who was he to guess that a monstrous creature could elicit such sensations from him; draw out wholehearted cries of pure desire that echoed within the confined limestone? Ciel moaned audaciously as their bodies eventually rocked together in slick, hot heat, the beating of their live and dead hearts nearly in sync. He cried out and dug his nails into pale shoulder blades as Sebastian heightened their shared pleasure as he pierced his fangs into the juncture of Ciel's neck and sucked. Time seemed to stand still for the longest moment, shrouded in whiteness as both human and vampire released with overwhelming sensations.
Ciel panted as bloodied lips met his own in a lethargic kiss that further clouded his mind. He smiled as he leaned in closer to Sebastian, the vampire in turn shifting so that Ciel was positioned on Sebastian's lap in the warm water. An arm wrapped around his waist and a nose buried itself in his grey-slate hair.
…and so the bites turned into kisses, Ciel thought as he let himself begin to drift, comfortable in the embrace he once feared.
Time once again passed in a blur. To Ciel, it could have only been a couple hours to several days. Sebastian didn't leave as often as of late, and visitors to the small cave had become less. Ciel thought that perhaps Sebastian had given the others death threats if they were to dare intrude on his territory, but Ciel never asked.
His beliefs and curious questions had been thrown out the window as he allowed Sebastian to touch him in ways he never thought possible. After the first couple times, Ciel found himself apprehensive that he'd feel regret, but the sentiment never reared its ugly head. Instead, he indulged in the sensations that would flood his entire being as hands wandered along his pale body, touching him with such gentleness that sometimes he'd forget that Sebastian was truly a monster underneath his handsome and kind features.
"Do these cuts still hurt?" Sebastian asked him one night, their bodies curled against one another under a silk stained maroon that the vampire had "found" a couple nights ago. His fingers traced the mostly healed wounds the wicked elves had inflicted on him.
Catching long fingers and interlacing them with his own, Ciel tried to push away the frightful memories. "Sometimes," he admitted, becoming thoughtful. "What was the 'venom' they were talking about?" he asked, knowing quite well that Sebastian hadn't been there to hear, but he had enough assurance to think that the vampire would understand.
Sebastian drew him closer, savoring his heat. "Vampires carry venom through their bite. It's useful when we need to kill an adversary, and given a long period of time with a lot of venom, it can even turn a human," he explained. "They purified you so that you'd not be a danger to whoever would buy you." At his own words, his arms wrapped more securely around Ciel's middle.
Ciel nodded in understanding. He turned so that he was facing Sebastian and rested his head against the other's chest. Sighing, he asked, "When can I see my family?"
He hadn't entirely forgotten them. Though, he was pretty positive that they must think of him as dead by now, however much time had passed. The thought depressed him greatly as he pictured his family holding an entire funeral ceremony for him after their searches came up empty and losing hope of him returning safely. In many ways, Ciel could almost believe returning home would be an immoral action that'd cause more harm than good, but he supposed his case could be considered a miracle of sorts depending on how his family reacted.
Sebastian's silence was becoming painful, and Ciel looked up at him. Rubicund eyes flickered down to meet his sapphire. Their gazes held for a moment, and when Sebastian got up and started retreating to the back of the cave without a word, it was then that Ciel knew the vampire's response.
A/N: Ain't it bittersweet? No, seriously, this is the chapter I didn't want to overdo – right from the start I didn't plan to have a full-out smut scene, so that's why it's dulled down a bit (sorry, hope it's satisfying anyway). That and I'm worried this is where Ciel's turned OOC, even though the image of him in mind for this story has had the whole "damsel-in-distress" vibe. Thanks a gazillion and a half for reading, and please feel free to tell me what you think!
