~{The Faustian Contract}~

[bluesakura]

"No...no...please!" The man fell onto his back, using his arms and legs to crawl back from the creature standing in front of him. A poisoned, curling smile spread across the creature's face as he raised his claws, bringing it down to bring five deep gashes into the man's face. "But you look so delicious...human....." The creature's lips lowered before the screams were shrouded in darkness.

 

A white gloved hand lifted the teapot onto the cart. "Young Master would surely enjoy this morning's breakfast...It's his favorite." He gently set another plate of food gently next to the cup and pushed it out the door. He glanced out the window and thought to himself. 'It looks beautiful outside, perhaps the Master would prefer to spend his activities today outdoors...' He pushed open the grand doors and walked to the windows before throwing them open and turning, a hand against his stomach as he bowed. "Good Morning, Young Master. Did you sleep well?"

[LadyLuck]

As he slept, dreams of that day flooded through Ciel's subconscious. The torture he had received on that altar, all eyes in the room on his bare body. His body twitched as it remembered being branded, and his eyes jumped open as he remembered his contract. He sat up in the large, four-post bed, heart racing. He had broken out in a cold sweat.

Ciel rested his hand on his heart in attempt to calm it, and mumbled underneath his breath, "Is it morning yet?". In the silent darkness of his room, he slid back under the expensive bedsheets and pulled them up to cover himself. As he settled into a comfortable sleeping position, his eyelashes came to rest upon his cheeks, and he fell into a deep sleep once more.

[bluesakura]

The taller male chuckled to himself and he pulled the covers down, gently leaning down to whisper in his ear. "Master, it is time to awaken." He raised his head, observing the soft features of the smaller male as he awoke. He had no control in such a matter, but he as a demon, would never admit to the attachment he had to this boy. He turned his back to the bed as the young man stirred, pouring a small cup of tea and mixing it just the way he knew he liked it. "Would you like to hear your schedule for today sir, or would you prefer to wait until later?"

[LadyLuck]

As Sebastian's voice echoed in his ear, Ciel stiffly awoke, stretching. As his eyes lazily blinked the remnants of sleep away, he watched as his most trustworthy butler poured his morning tea. Sebastian's tall, broad back, his hands which had carried Ciel many times, his face with the sly smile that pulled those cunning tricks. Ciel knew all of them, almost too well for his liking, but he knew the difference between Sebastian and himself.

One was human. The other was not.

As Sebastian inquired about the schedule, Ciel's eye twitched. There was another "ball" thing within the week, and that meant dancing-ugh. Might as well put off the unwanted for as long as possible. "Later." he said, swinging his legs out of bed and reaching for his ring.

[bluesakura]

He could hear the young male stir behind him and he continued to busy himself with the tea and breakfast. He turned on his heel, a gloved hand holding the tea out for him as he took the ring before Ciel could reach. "Please Master, allow me." He set down the porcelain cup and took the boy's hand in his, sliding the ring gently onto his finger, a smirk rising on the side of his lips. "Of course Master, we will discuss your schedule at your earliest convenience, though you shouldn't wait too terribly long. You have an appointment this morning. Shall I cancel it for you?" He slid the boy's slippers on for him.

[LadyLuck]

Ciel glared spitefully as the ring was taken from him, and as Sebastian slid it on his finger, he felt an odd sensation; a warm glow spread across his cheeks and another feeling in his stomach. As Sebastian reminded him of the appointment, Ciel remembered the book he'd been reading the night before; it was a cliff-hanger, and he wanted to finish. Plus, while he'd been reading in the library, the other servants and Sebastian had come in, and after a few minutes of din, they'd all settled down reading together, almost like...a family.

"Cancel it."

[bluesakura]

He raised his eyes to Ciel, slightly curious, though no hint of such emotion would ever show through. "Yes...of course Master. Though if I may say, this is a business deal. But if that is what you wish." He stood once more, bowing again. "Please enjoy your breakfast, young Master. I will return shortly to bathe and dress you for your day." He bowed again, his gloved hands on the outside handles of the bedroom door as he pulled them shut. He let a small smirk play along the side of his lips as he turned, seeking out the rest of the staff for their daily assignments.

[LadyLuck]

Ciel sat on his bed, stretching once more. He yawned, still not entirely awake.

"A business meeting?" Ciel said, thinking aloud. "With who? Hmm...Lau, maybe? Agh..."

He closed his eyes to meditate on the thought for a moment, but, fiddling with his ring as he did so, the only thought filling his mind was Sebastian-that cruel, icy grin, those cold red eyes...a shiver was sent up his spine as his cheeks flushed once more.

'I have GOT to stop thinking like this!!' he thought, opening his eyes and looking to his breakfast.

"Ah well. Time to eat."

[bluesakura]

Sebastian slowly approached the large doors again, having assigned the day's duties to each staff member accordingly. He lifted his clean gloved hand to slowly knock on the large wooden doors before pushing them open. "Pardon my intrusion, Master. Are you ready for your bath?" He had a towel neatly hanging on his arm, his other arm extended to point at the bathroom in the room thirty feet from them. "Would you prefer to bathe alone, young Master?" The demon let a sly smirk cross his lips, he had seen the young boy bare many a time, though for some reason, the idea enticed him.

[LadyLuck]

Ciel, somewhat startled by Sebastian's presence, felt another warm glow creeping along his cheeks once again. He didn't entirely understand why the feeling was becoming more and more familiar lately. He considered bathing alone for a moment as Sebastian enquired, but with the thought that it was a pain to do it himself, he replied "No thank you." Standing, he took a last sip of tea, and headed to the bathroom.

[bluesakura]

He once more bowed, his red eyes glowing softly as he watched the boy move to the bathroom. He knew what every inch of Ciel looked like, and as the boy disappeared behind the door frame, he let a sly smirk cross his lips. His ivory colored skin, so soft and young. Sebastian could feel the boy even now beneath his fingers, among other places. He placed the towel on the hook outside the door and proceeded to clean up the young boy's breakfast and tea. He didn't have time to dawdle, company should be arriving soon.

[LadyLuck]

As Ciel headed for the bathroom, he passed a window with its curtains drawn open. He paused for a moment to admire the scenery, and admitted to himself that, with the sun so bright, today couldn't possibly be bad. He was wrong in every sense, although he had no knowledge of it.

He walked on towards the bathroom, opening the door to allow himself in. He had taken no more than five steps in when his foot landed on a "thing", and, losing his balance, Ciel fell face-first to the ground. "Shit!!", he cursed, unpleased with his lack of balance. Looking back to see what he'd tripped on, he could see that, whatever it was, it was pink. A shiver ran up his spine as one single, ominous name came to mind.

"Elizabeth..."

[bluesakura]

His eyes rose to the door, he could smell the humans coming up the road. He quickly put on another pot of tea, his eyes rising to the ceiling where Ciel's room was. "Ah, young Master..." He brushed the front of his suit down and walked to the door, opening it the moment the doorbell rang and bowing. "Good Morning, Miss Elizabeth. How are you today?" The pink frilled dress quickly rushed in, her high pitched voice rang through the marbled floors and high ceilings. "Sebastian! Where is Ciel? My daaarling love?" Her big eyes blinked as Sebastian shut the door, able to hide his smirk of amusement well. "The young Master will be down shortly, Miss Elizabeth. Would you prefer tea or coffee?"

[LadyLuck]

Ciel, undressed and climbing into the bath, sighed as the thought of Sebastian not coming ran through his mind. The thought itself didn't worry him, rather, it was his body's disappointment. As he settled into the warm water, Ciel heard a high pitched voice ring throughout the rafters of the house. "Fuck!" he cursed aloud. Remembering the work he needed to do, Ciel realized that he needed her to clear out, at least until after the ball. At least this time he wouldn't have to worry about her seeing him in a dress...

[bluesakura]

He quickly seated the young mistress and kept her occupied with the rest of the staff. "Excuse me while I go check on the young master." He excused himself and slunk up the stairs, his hand pushing the doors open, steam rising from under the bathroom door. Sebastian smirked to himself, the image of the young boy naked in the bathtub, more enticing than he'd ever show. He opened the door, the steam from the bath rushing into his face, though he could see clearly. "Master...will you be requiring more time?" His red eyes glowed as they scanned the boy under the water.

[LadyLuck]

"Ah, Sebastian." Ciel said as his butler inquired. "I don't...well...if you could get my back for me."

The now familiar glow and heat spread across his cheeks and streamed through his veins. 'Damnit!' He thought, 'This feeling has to stop!!'

As Sebastian approached the tub, Ciel decided to enquire about the state of his "fiance". "Why is Elizabeth here?" he spoke aloud.

[bluesakura]

Sebastian bowed before seating himself on the edge, removing a single glove, his fingers gently turning the boy in the water, his red glowing eyes scanning the flawless skin on his back. He sank the cloth into the water and pulled it up, wringing out the excess water before gently pressing the cloth to his back, washing him as requested. "The young Miss requires your presence. For what reason, I am not sure. I apologize." He kept his eyes on the boy's smooth skin, knowing exactly how many times he had wanted his fingers and lips to explore that innocence. He stood, lifting the boy under his arms gently to let him stand, a sly smirk falling along his lips. "Master..."

[LadyLuck]

As Sebastian helped him stand, Ciel felt his heartbeat speed up, going faster, faster. The heat filled his cheeks and body, beginning to turn his stomach inside out. "Well, feed her and get her home then. She doesn't need to be here, she'll distract my work."

[bluesakura]

Sebastian allowed himself the pleasure of one more look at the boy from toe to head before bowing his head. "Of course, Master. Would you care to let the miss know whether you will attend the ball with her?" He kept his head down, awaiting the sound of his master's voice. "She is quite fond of you."

[LadyLuck]

Ciel's inner chibi self grumbled, loudly exclaiming in his own head that he "Only wants to go with Sebastian!!" Ciel mentally slapped his chibi self before saying "Hmph. Whatever she wants."

Ciel's inner chibi began to complain, whining that Elizabeth was the devil's minion that prevented the real feelings from being achieved. Inner chibi was slapped once again, but it didn't stop Ciel from considering his words. 'Real feelings, huh?'

[bluesakura]

He watched the smaller male with mild amusement. He could tell he was struggling within himself, and it entertained him. Humans are so easily moved by the simplest emotion. He wrapped the towel around Ciel, taking care to keep his hands half touching his skin a second longer than normal. "Don't worry Master, I will be there every step of the way, should you need me." He offered a hand to help the younger from the bathtub, his arms out. "Perhaps you should let the miss know, sir?"

[LadyLuck]

"Ehh..." Ciel wanted to put off telling Elizabeth for as long as possible-the less excited she was about something, the better that something tended to be. As Sebastian's hands lingered on his skin for a second too long, Ciel felt a shiver go up his spine. He was trying, damnit, but nothing seemed to be putting off this feeling! As Sebastian turned away, Ciel thought 'Sometimes you're so close to me, yet it feels like you're half a world away...What is this longing?'

[bluesakura]

The boy had grown unusually quiet, and even he recognized this. Sebastian raised his glowing eyes to the young boy, his brow gently creased with concern, standing straight. "Is everything alright, young Master?" Sebastian took a step closer and helped the boy step out from the bathtub. Sebastian's eyebrow raised as Ciel tripped slightly, falling into Sebastian who didn't hesitate to catch the boy in his arms with little effort. He could feel the boy freeze uncomfortably as he smirked, lowering his lips to the younger male's ear. "Please more careful, Master. You wouldn't want to hurt yourself." Sebastian remained at his ear, the light smell of the bath oils filling his sensitive demon nose. The boy smelled so sweet...

[LadyLuck]

As Ciel stood to get out of the bath, he slipped on the slippery surface and almost fell back, and if Sebastian hadn't been there, he would've easily hurt himself. However, Sebastian's slim hands caught him, wrapping around his nude body. Ciel stiffened, mind as frozen as his body. As Sebastian whispered in his ear, Ciel's mind went blank, normal thought processing abandoning him. In the odd state of confusion, he mumbled out a "Hmph.", pushed Sebastian away, and got out of the bath himself, extending his hand for a towel.

[bluesakura]

Sebastian let a smirk cross his lips, and he couldn't help but be amused by the boy's reaction. The Master was so adorable when he got agitated, it was one of the things that enticed Sebastian the most about Ciel. He gently slid away as Ciel moved to push him, bowing once more. "I shall meet you downstairs, so that you may entertain your guest, Master." Sebastian raised his head once more to glance at the boy's soft body, turning on his heel to walk out the door and back downstairs. His eyes darkened as the smirk widened on his lips, his hand gliding along the handrail as he walked downstairs.