In Your Arms, I Lay

By: sleepdeprivedsoul

A/N: I'm so shocked a lot of people are still reading this story even though I haven't updated in years! Special thanks to lilyoftheval5, ishala8, -w- easy enough (sorry, couldn't show his sarcastic wit much here), Kyprish Prophetess, BB, Petit Minet, Nightblue, The Beauty of Insanity (love your name), petitcuppycake, yi-chan, chu chu banato, Dark Angel of Fire Ice, LovelyDescet, she who steals souls, Koolneko22, Doctor Faustus, candice, Kalana Fox, TwilightTsuki, -Sayume-, l.o.l.l.i.a.t.e - d.a.r.k, ying9 (hope your sanity survived my years' absence), Her Majesty Lady Yumiko, FoolForThought, Starkmaddness, NekoPixelz, Rikkali (sorry Luce is taken already, much as I would love a love triangle), tenkage onna, Inukaru, Tisshu, pixi, miss-abarai (H-Hai! Here you go mam!), Miss Storyholic, Wasabi-sama, arienrhod, chidasvinta. So glad you guys enjoyed it and thanks for your comments! =) Btw, this is not edited yet. Sorry.

I especially enjoyed how people just couldn't get over Ciel being Sebby's mate. Hehehe! How I wish he really is so in the cannonverse. (sighs!) Sorry about the lack of appropriate quotation marks. I didn't realize when I posted it then. My real chapter 2 so have them in my computer! Thanks for pointing it out. Didn't want to give others false hope if I take it down and put the edited version up, thinking there's a new chapter already. Also, very sorry for the late update. It takes a while for inspiration to hit me enough to actually get something done instead of the half-assed chapters I originally made. Excuses, excuses I know. As for my other stories... (hides under a rock).

Standard Disclaimers Apply

Chapter 3

Incredulity did not even begin to describe what he felt at this moment. After that alarming scene in his bedroom hours ago, they were now converged in study, safely secluded from potential prying eyes and calmly sipping from slightly steaming teas. He would've found it greatly disturbing, how they could shift moods so easily if he wasn't already used to the spontaneous bursts of chaos that visited his life now and then. Still, it was quite a sight to see, the self-proclaimed King of Hell who just tried to kill him a couple minutes ago, lounging in one of his armchairs as if he were the master of the house and not the other way around! With difficulty, he squished the irritation he felt at that to focus on the matter at hand.

As soon as Sebastian regained his seat after taking his own cup of tea, he wasted no time in getting down to business and clarifying some interesting declarations.

"Sebastian. Explain."

Lucifer raised his brow in an elegant arch at the terse and commanding tone but remained silent, gazing at Sebastian and waiting for him to speak.

Sebastian appeared discomfited, the first time Ciel has seen him to be so. It wasn't anything overt. His movements were still graceful save from a minor languidness probably brought about by whatever illness has afflicted him. His eyes were sharp, steadily and unflinchingly meeting Lucifer's, his shoulders set, his chin not quite jutting out but tilted in a way to demonstrate resolve, as if he expected opposition from the other male. "It is as I have said, I have chosen Ciel as my intended."

Here he lifted the palm of his hand, the back of it facing Lucifer as he took off the glove that encased it with his teeth and showing off the mark of their contract. Ciel was tempted to express his confusion and resulting annoyance at his butler's words and actions, but a sharp look from Sebastian made him bite his tongue. Reluctantly, he raised his own arms to the back of his head to untie his eye patch and slowly blinked his right eye open, exposing its match. He gazed into bright crimson orbs, trying to decipher what the other man was thinking and conveying the silent message that after they got rid of their guest,they were going to have a very long talk. The other didn't so much as flinch, not that he expected him to. It's not like a human can pose much threat to a demon, he thought bitterly to himself, even though he was the supposed master. After all, his position is only a means to an end for Sebastian.

The sudden intake of breath from the other occupant of the room forced him to break his contact and to turn to the other man. However, the split second it took him to do so already gave the other enough time to compose himself. Instead, he was met with a curiously blank look and the softly spoken words, "I see."

Well, I don't, he wanted to scream but refrained himself from doing so, lest he appear childish and immature.

"I must confess my bewilderment over your choice of...mates," here he threw a disdainful look at Ciel, which made his hackles rise. He suddenly had the strong urge have Sebastian fetch him his rifle so he could shoot the bastard where it would sure hurt the most. Surely even demons would be affected when injured there? "However, I respect your choice."

Sebastian didn't miss the insult intended, and he stiffened unnaturally in his seat. "Of course. It is mine to make." Frost laced his words and it appeared as if the room was plunged under the ice cold waters of the arctic sea.

Surprisingly the other erupted into full blown laughter. And despairing it may be, it only seemed to add to the other's already ethereal beauty. It was unfair that demons with their black hearts and appetites for pain and suffering should appear so attractive.

"Alright. Fair enough. I guess I can't say anything without appearing to be a hypocrite considering my own love interest."

With those words, it's as if the tension was bled from the room. Sebastian relaxed significantly, going so far as to lean comfortable against the high back, amusement dancing in his eyes."And how is dear Micheal?"

"Still a pain in the ass. And I mean that literally, as well as figuratively."

Amazingly, they both broke into hearty laughter after that statement. As they continued on gossiping after some person of another, Ciel couldn't help but feel lost. What? Were they bosom buddies now or something?

Irritably, he rose to his feet and loudly proclaimed, "I'll be in my room."

He had to escape the madness of those two men. His mind simply could not keep up with their lunacy. Best he remove himself before he becomes affected as well. Before leaving, he paused on the threshold to send a warning glance to Sebastian, who only dipped his head in response. He left with a slam of the door.

Instantly, like a switch, the smiles fell from their faces. "Now then," ice blue eyes turned to regard Sebastian coldly. "I believe it is time for you to end this charade and fulfill your contract as you were supposed to, don't you agree?"

Sebastian wearily slumped into his seat, sinking more deeply into the cushions. It was as if their earlier brief conversation had drained what energy he had. "But he's still so young; merely 15 summers. I could wai-"

"No you can't and you know it!" Lucifer cut in abruptly. Then his expression softened. "With the way you're going, you won't even reach the end of spring."

He gave the other a rueful look. "I suppose you're right."

"Of course I am! I'm your older brother and I'm always right." He gave a haughty sniff. "Now, I expect you home in a week's time. No more. No less. We still need to present your little mate to society. After that, there's a the joining ceremony to plan. And then the mating. I won't have my brother keeling over just because it took him this long to court his intended."

Sebastian valiantly resisted the urge to roll his eyes, though he couldn't quite hide the exasperated look on his features. "Fine. Fine. We'll be there."

Lucifer narrowed his eyes in warning but refrained from further comment."Very well, I shall see you then." He stood up and walked briskly to the other end of the room. As he did so, shadows abruptly sprung up where there were none and swiftly moved up his form engulfing his whole body. Before completely disappearing from sight, Sebastian called out, "Luce,"

He then brought himself to his feet then bowed low. "Your Majesty, thank you for accepting my choice"

The other paused but did not turn to look back. "I hope you realize the difficulties you've brought upon yourself, little brother. They will not be pleased."