Damned with Love Chapter 2

"Sebastian…Sebastian…. SEBASTIAN!"

Sebastian was abruptly waking up from his dream, with somebody yelling at him vigorously. It seemed that his bath-time has been indefinitely prolonged by his mind screaming for sleep. So here he was, in the tub, the water cold, and Marin, his master yelling for him to wake up. What horrified him the most though, was the fact that all the bubbles that previously covered his nakedness, disappeared! " OF COURSE YOU IDIOT, YOU FELL ASLEEP!"

"Sebastian, are you okay? What were you thinking sleeping in the tub? You might catch a cold!" seriously? Is he concerned for health now?

"Master, I …I was bathing and…"

"You fell asleep, thank you for your explanation, but I think I figured that out already…" the man looked at him and frowned slightly. "Will you please cover yourself?"

"Wh-aaaaaaa" horror. Pure Horror. He rose from the tub and in less than a second he was dressed properly and undoing the pins holding his hair. Marin was a bit confused at the speed of the demon and watched as he prepared properly for the day.

Sebastian seemed to have forgotten that Marin was there, because he was taking his sweet time with his hair and arranging his clothes properly. His thought drifted back to the dream and how did he fall asleep like that. Maybe he should really give up on scented candles. Or anything that soothes him to the point of sleep. Yeah, totally out with the candles! Such a disgrace to be seen naked and asleep in the tub! Moreover, by the one that killed you and made you his butler. Nice, Sebastian. Way to go!

"Sebastian. What the hell was that about?"

"What?"

"The tub. Why the tub…"

"I felt like I couldn't rest properly so I decided to take a bath. It seems it worked, but my intention wasn't to be in such a situation. Excuse me."

"It's okay…as long as you are. It just happened that I went to the kitchen and the smell of the candles got me here."

"Wait…..what time is it?" asked the raven demon completely confused. He took out his pocket-watch and saw it. 6 a.m . …Nice, again, Sebastian. "Damn it! And I was sleeping so well!"

"You can continue doing so in a bed. If you feel better with water around, maybe we should purchase a water bed…" sarcastic as always.

"I can't sleep, I must prepare the things for today!"

"Sebastia-"

"I have to do the laundry and-"

"Sebastian-"

"I should start off with some tea-"

"Sebastian! Stop!" the demon stopped and looked at Marin, not understanding very well why…did he say something? "Sebastian…you needn't do anything. There is Claude… and Faust…" he continued somehow gentle, knowing it was a sensitive subject.

"Oh…right…and…and I who thought I am needed…" he gave a soft chuckle…"I completely forgot that I am…" he stopped as he felt an emptiness in his chest…"…I am useless…"

"No, you ain't! but you needn't worry for work because we have enough people."

"That means exactly that I am useless ." he said coldly. His eyes filled with a certain sadness.

"Sebastian. Go rest. I am sure it will do you good. Gaby still needs you for her dark business…"

"Really? Forgot precious Faust is there? Why don't you just tell me I am useless and let it fall?"

"I order you, go to sleep, relax for a few days…"

"What do you think I've been doing the last 5 months?" and with that he left, the order forcing him away to his bedroom, to sleep. As he got in his room, he found Claude very much awake looking at him worried.

"What?" he asked somewhat angry. Why did everybody look at him like that?

"Sebastian…you're…crying…" he whispered and the younger demon ignored him, moved to his bed and covered himself with the blanket, his back to Claude.

"No, I ain't." and before Claude said something more "And don't ask about it. I don't want to talk now. Go do some useful butler stuff for me, since I am useless and been ordered time off, even though my very existence in this house is off."

"What the Hell? What's gotten into you?" but he remained silent. For now, Claude understood that something bad happened that the demon won't talk about it. One sensitive spot for Sebastian was his position in this house. And Claude knew all too well that since his father appeared, Sebastian lost…well, his duties. This rendered him somewhat not necessary…

Claude got up and left. He knew that if the demon doesn't want, he won't talk…

"Where is Sebastian?" Gaby asked at breakfast, surprised not to find the raven demon there. It seemed so unusual for her, even though he seemed always so absent.

"There is this thing that happened. At six I woke up and went to the kitchen for some water and I felt the smell of vanilla candles. I went to the bathroom and found Sebastian asleep in the tub. It seemed he was dreaming, I woke him up and well, as I talked to him he started rambling about being late for chores and…"

"Damn, I knew it. He feels useless again?"

"Sorta…"

"We have to do something." Said Irina. "He's been like this for months now. I tried to talk him out of that state but seem it didn't work."

"I guess I will include him in my business again. Give him a thrill, a soul or two." And she looked up at Faust.

"I think I might be a bit at fault… I've been mean with him. Haven't realised he feels that way. I am willing to let some of my chores for him to do." Said Faust thinking about what happened lately.

Claude came from Hunter's room along with her. Her friends left and now she was really worried about Sebastian. After all, he helped her get together with Claude. Hunter said she'd go to talk to Sebastian after breakfast but as she set down at the table, down the stairs, the demon was pacing slowly, observing them all… as he finished descending the stairs, he stopped and looked at them patiently before he spoke, making sure he has all the attention. As all the eyes were on him, he proceeded.

"Will everybody please stop treating me like an imbecile and moreover a pitiful creature? Yes, I wanna work, I wanna be useful, but I don't like to be spoken of as if I am incapacitated. Treat me like that when I will be. I will go against the order of taking days off. I don't need them. I will work. Everything that I'm given."

"Fine, but for today, stay put." Said Marin

Gaby looked at the crow demon and smiled her wicked way and prepared to speak once there was silence.

"Well, if you are free today, would you care to join the table? Have some breakfast. I heard you stayed up late and woke up early."

"To join the table? It's highly inappropriate."

"It's an order, my dear Prince" Oh, no you don't. Gabyyyy, don't divulge the name! He sets himself at the table and starts picking something to eat as Claude comes near him and pours him a cup of tea. Sebastian feels all the way weird at the attention and an image flips rapidly before his eyes. An image of himself, standing at the table, near his Master, with a smile adorning his features as he is served by the same Claude, but no malice in that smile. He's also in more casual clothes.

Reality is brought back to him, or rather the other way around, by the sound of content chatting, set between the participants joined at the table. Today, no opera singer that resides in the manor came to breakfast, as the season has ended for the summer and they're all on their ways to home. A very productive season, and cast. Sebastian has witnessed the amazing group performing various renowned operas. He's been there from training to gala night. He felt the absence of the actors by the absence of his chores.

"So, what are the plans for today friends?" Gaby asked slyly. She had some sort of hunch something might happen.

"Well, I am with business in town. Hunter and Claude will come along." Said Marin, decidedly not implicating his girlfriend in whatever he was going to do.

"I have a mural to paint for a client. It will take me all day but it's worth it! It's such an amazing piece of art!' said Irina, very excited of her assignment. All the eyes drifted then to Sebastian who continued eating. He didn't think he was asked anything. He lifted his gaze to find six pairs of eyes waiting.

"Uhm…do I have to answer too?"

"Kind of…" said Claude giving him a "just say something" glare.

"I think I will prepare some cakes for tonight and probably help around…"

"Why don't you just go to the pool, swim, tan…."

"I don't see how I can get a tan but I think I could go for a swim…"

"One good question Sebastian…" said Gaby somehow worried. "You consider you have no liberties? I mean, you can do that whenever…Claude does it. And he never asks for permission, because in this house, everybody has liberties. For as long as I live I will guarantee those liberties."

He was at a loss. Did he consider that? He certainly never gave it a thought. Since the contract has been made, he hadn't questioned what he is allowed or not. He just set himself in this sort of work-trance where everything revolves around work and what a servant does. Never what his liberties are. He's been listening to music while working, though he considered himself rude by doing so and stopped after a while.

"Sebastian…" came a very long sigh from Hunter. Wow…that sucks. He feels pitied. Marin's expression though has changed dramatically. He seemed ashamed not to have explained the demon how it truly goes around the house.

"I know. Thank you for the meal. I will retire now. But I'll still bake some cakes." Don't seem too libertine; you are one hell of a butler!

He was almost done with the cakes! He was working alongside with Faust, who seemed to have softened. It seemed that Gaby tempered him somehow. He wasn't a bad man, exactly like Claude. Pretending to be the big bad wolf, but inside a very caring and gentle person.

"Ready with those cupcakes?" asked the older demon.

"Yes. I am taking them out now."

"You know, there is something weird in the air tonight."

"Really? Why do you say that?"

"There are fairies in the garden. They are dancing around in white dresses." Faust said a bit concerned. A bad sign it was not. But something was going to happen.

"From what Father told me, the fairies dancing are not a bad sign, quite the opposite. Perhaps good news?"

"I don't see how can something go well tonight."

"Why so gloomy. After all, not everything goes bad where there are devils."

"I beg to differ. Tonight, the Book of Enoch will reveal another premonition. It's full moon."

"Oh. Right…that might not go well. I guess it depends for who!" a bit too gleeful, Sebastian.

"Let's go. They have been gathering for 10 or so minutes." And he was proved right by Claude's appearance to take the cakes in the living room. They were all gathered there.

Yes, there was something about this evening. A tension, something very easy to miss, but also very obvious to feel. Secrecy? Was it the smell of secrecy that Sebastian could feel in such a mysterious manner? Irina seemed restless, and Marin a bit under the weather, 180 degrees to the way he's been in the morning and to the point he returned home. Sebastian wondered what could have changed in 60 minutes that resulted in that miserable face.

As everybody was enjoying their cakes and complimenting Sebastian, Irina asked of him to bring some champagne, as it would go nice with the cake. He didn't dwell on it and fetched a bottle immediately. He was pouring it in the glasses when he asked what was the occasion.

"And for what are we enjoying champagne? Did the young Lady succeed in her commission?"

"That is another matter. I and Marin are getting married!" he almost dropped his glass. Married? He was glad, but, so soon? Irina was ecstatic but Sebastian? Well, he had to be too. He was her butler. He's been asigned to her after he was resurrected and after he did other things too.

Not long after everybody cheered, Irina began stuffing peoples heads with the preparations for the wedding…. which was two months away. It seemed they spent the hour discussing things and Irina might have had some plans made beforehand… the date and place already set and ready.

Marin on the other hand was throwing Sebastian some strange glances. Sebastian's senses tingled as he felt a Sin. But couldn't decipher it. Very meaningful glances but he was too caught up in acting happy for Irina (though he was sick of this charade, he imagined with terror how will the next months look like) to find the power to see this Sin. Smelled familiar though. But one more announcement, might have given him an idea.

"And we won't have sex until we're married! We agreed that we would wait."

"What for? You're not a virgin anymore" every glance turned to the owner of that blunt remark. Of course, the award for the Bluntest Remark in a happy Scenario goes to Gaby. Though Sebastian had to admit she had a valid point.

"Well, yeah, but I think it's better that way."

"Your business, your problem…"

The rest of the night they discussed details and business. Claude offered Sebastian to join him and Hunter at a cards game and he decided to take up on that offer. After all, better stay away from Irina and her new problem.

All went down real smooth, to the point where Claude's teasing became a kissing session with Hunter, which he no longer wanted to witness. Better stay away from mated couples. On his way to his room, he met with Marin. Strangely, not dressed for night, even if Gaby and Irina retired. He also seemed in no mood for anything but killing someone. The sex thing must take its toll on him. They were even sleeping in different rooms again.

Marin asked Sebastian to stop but he didn't voice any other order. Sebastian asked him if he needed something but no answer made it's way to his ears. He went to his room and Sebastian continued where he left off. Something really didn't fit the profile.

What could be said about that night's events is that, something went, somewhere, wrong. For one week later, with all Irina's enthusiasm, things didn't go as smooth as planned for everybody. Gaby seemed concerned about that night's premonition from Enoch's Book, Claude was tense because Marin was tense, and Hunter had to endure the both of them being tense.

Sebastian on the other hand seemed fine until a very angry Marin came out of his room and called Sebastian in his bureau. Everyone thought that Sebastian was going to die again, given the amount of anger radiated by the vampire.

In Marin's bureau there was silence for a few good minutes. Sebastian was sitting in front of the desk and was waiting for Marin to speak. All he did was sit there and look at Sebastian with some sort of…shame?

"Master, what's wrong? He broke the silence. His nerves were already ruined.

"What I am going to ask of you now is not an order…but a favour." He said tapping his fingers on the desk.

"A favour?" what was that? A favour?

"You choose if you deny it or accept it."

"Speak your wish, Master" he felt a bit more safe and confident now…but he still was gulping. Favours were never a good thing. When he wasn't offering them moreover…

"I need you to sleep with me until I and Irina are getting married."

"You WHAT?" NO FACIAL CONTROL, VOICE CONTROL. He WHAT? Façade cracked, shock obvious, DON'T FAINT. What was that supposed to mean? Other than the obvious sexual interraction.

"I am asking you to sleep with me, I am going to offer you sexual gratification. I am not an egoistic bastard, I won't hurt you in any way."

"I…I have to think. Before I do anything. As it is a favour, I can decline it…" don't look like an idiot. Dignity. Be proud. He might beg, promising.

"It's eleven o'clock now. If you agree, come tonight in my room around twelve.

"I will consider…"

That shocked him. All day he thought about the indecent proposition. And more, about turning it down. Where his ass was directly implicated, it yelled danger. And trouble. But something in the needy figure of his Master made him consider it for a second. Sebastian knew all too well it took a lot of courage from him to ask such an outrageous thing. When Sebastian could very well go tell Irina her future husband wanted sex with him.

He would only be a toy, as Claude was, if he accepted. But he really wanted to see Marin begging. He also knew, if he were in his shoes, he would probably do the same.

At eleven, Sebastian finally took the decision and went to Marin's room, making sure he isn't seen by anyone. Reluctantly he marched and didn't even knock at the door.

As he stepped in the room, Marin rose from his bed and went to the slightly shorter male. He looked at him with a pitiful expression. Maybe thankful for the help but it was clear that Sebastian was reluctant about coming to him. On the other hand, Sebastian was trying his best to hide the shame he was feeling. A shame that burnt deep. He, the Mighty Prince Malphas, sex toy for no less than a vampire.

"Thank you Sebastian…I appreciate…"

"Let's get over with it. Do as you please with me…

TBC….