Sebastian and Aurora were putting their discarded clothing back on at the lakeside. "We should go separately," Sebastian said, "this way no one will notice we snuck off together." Aurora nodded, "Right." She smiled at him, "We will be able to see each other again later, right?" Sebastian smiled and kissed her cheek. "Of course, mon ange."
Aurora smiled lovingly, "Which of us shall go back first?" Sebastian glanced over at her, "You should. Best they think you only left to bathe. I'll return not long after you, we will go to bed with everyone else, and once they are all asleep, we can go into the forest and have our time together."
His eyes flashed that demonic fuchsia, the colour he knew made his angelic lover weak in the knees.
Aurora nodded and moved to where he was sitting, leaning down to kiss him. When she pulled away from the soft kiss, she smiled lovingly, "I'll see you later."
He watched her leave before checking the perimeter of the camp ground, thoughts rushing through his demonic mind.
He pondered greatly on what could have happened to his lover in the time they were apart. He already knew she was still missing memories, despite recalling the more prominent events of their time together.
What vexed him the most was her failure to remember the engagement. What also plagued his mind, he knew not of what happened to the ring. He shut his eyes, pausing in his footsteps, just remembering the beautiful ring. a red diamond, a few silver blue tiny diamonds on either side, and a golden band engraved with a hidden message, one only for his beloved's eyes to read.
For eternity and evermore, my angel- my heart beats for you and you alone.
He remembered engraving the words himself. The demon let the wind blow over his figure. His raven black hair tousled in the late evening breeze. He would give anything for his angel to remember. He even briefly considered if he would surrender his current prey for her memory's complete restoration.
But then he decided against it. He would be no use to his love if he was weak, having been starved for centuries.
He returned back to the camp, finding Aurora sitting beside Mey-Rin, the two women curled under a blanket and in their night clothes while Bard told a scary story. Sebastian smirked at his lover, lowering his aura so she would not detect him.
"And they say, Jerry never found 'is hand!"
Sebastian put his hand on Aurora's shoulder just as Bard finished the story, making the blonde scream and grab Mey-Rin who also screamed. Sebastian chuckled, "You scare so easily." Aurora looked up and punched him in the arm. "That wasn't funny!" Sebastian chuckled, "Oh, I beg to differ."
He sat on the log behind where the two women sat huddled on the ground, backs against the log. His blonde lover shot him a glare and swatted his leg before leaning back, her hair just brushing against his leg. She leaned further into him as Bard started another story.
As the story went on, Sebastian noticed his blonde beauty moving closer to him. Her arms wrapped around his leg, squeezing only slightly as Bard's horror story continued. Ciel listened intently, snacking on a small bag of sweets.
Sebastian noticed Aurora moving a little closer to him, her eyes wide. He with held a smirk as he reached down and pulled her up to sit beside him. Aurora smiled and rested her head on his shoulder, looking up at him briefly through lidded silver eyes that flashed briefly with heavenly light.
He smiled and sat back, finding himself zoning out.
When Ciel retired an hour later, and Finny not long after, Bard grinned and reached into his bag pulling out two large bottles of wine. Sebastian frowned, and sat up straighter. "Where ever did you get that Bardroy?" Aurora smiled and looked up at him, "I gave him my share of the reserves, mon ami."
Sebastian frowned and watched the chef pour four tall glasses of wine. Bard and Mey-Rin drank and chattered away, and the demon began to wonder what he had done to endure such a cruel punishment. Aurora suddenly yawned and leaned on his shoulder, snuggling into him as if he were a warm blanket.
Ah yes, he recalled, I fell in love with her... This is the suffering for love...
He glanced down at his lover with a small smile that went unseen by the two humans.
Yes... Loving her, was absolutely worth this torture.
By the time morning came, Aurora was in her tent next to Mey-Rin, and Bard and Finny in another. It was just past dawn when the young master awoke, insisting that they be on their way. Sebastian glanced at the servants.
All sound asleep. They would be rather useless.
He walked over to Mey-Rin and Aurora's tent, picking up the blonde's boot and tossing it at her, the heel hitting her in the back of the head and making her wake. "Ow! What was that for?" She whined. Sebastian smiled slyly, "Good morning."
Aurora smirked and tossed the boot back at him. "You ass." Sebastian glanced down to ensure Mey-Rin was asleep before he leaned in to kiss the angel before him, smiling as she sighed into his mouth and relaxing against him. When he pulled away, he gave a small jerk of his head.
"Come. The master wishes to leave. And I need someone useful to help me pack the carts."
Aurora sighed and crawled out of the tent, shaking her head as he helped her to her feet. "You really can be annoying..." Sebastian pecked her cheek, "Come. Help me pack."
Aurora scoffed, bending down to pick up the pots and pans used for meals. "I swear to all that is holy, Sebastian Michaelis, you can be such a pain sometimes." Sebastian hummed, "A pain you say? Darling-"
"Oi! Are we almost ready to go yet?" Ciel demanded, crawling out of his tent.
Sebastian and Aurora shared a look and Aurora hummed to herself. "He asked you, not me..."
Sebastian purred softly, "I believe he asked us both, my dear."
Aurora leaned close, "Hmm. I suppose so."
She batted her lashes teasingly. "Ahimè, significa che ho così poco tempo con te, amore mio."
(T; Italian; Alas, It means I have such little time with you, my love.)
Sebastian could have resembled a dog drooling over a piece of meat. The angel was so close to him, her breath was hot against his face, and he bit his tongue, hard enough to draw blood.
She is being such a tease...
Hah...
How unladylike.
Sebastian smirked, and Aurora felt her thighs clench as the mischievous smile stretched across his lips.
Why does he have to be such a tease?
Surely it is not part of that butler aesthetic he speaks so highly of...
She sucked in a sharp breath as his face came near, so close that his face almost rested against hers.
His eyes have always had that lustful glow... Have they?
Her breathing changed. She is on the brink of cumming from a mere glimpse.
I want him so badly right now...
I want her.
"Oi! The two of you stop it this instant and let's go!"
The couple's minds snapped back to rapt attention and they jumped, bashing heads with startled yelps.
"Ow!"
"Sorry!"
"Apologies, my lady, I did not mean to."
"You are forgiven. It was an accident."
Ciel scoffed and walked away, leaving them to their own devices.
"You jerk!" Aurora hissed, once the boy was out of earshot. "You almost got us caught!"
Sebastian purred, "We should be thankful the young lord is young enough he does not recognize such obvious flirting."
Aurora hummed, "And whose fault is that?"
Sebastian growled under his breath, "Yours for being so fucking irresistible."
The blonde stilled for a moment, jaw slacked at that statement, while Sebastian merely leaned in, planting a quick kiss upon her neck. While the moment was truly a slight moment, Aurora felt the demon's breath hot against her skin as he had descended his mouth upon her, how his lips felt so buttery smooth and velvety soft as they came to rest upon her neck.
A small swipe of his tongue, pressed over her pulse, making it's sound louder.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
How loud could it be?
It drowned out all her other senses, making that one moment feel like eternity. She shut her eyes, envisioning a different scenario, with just them. Her hand coming up to come around his neck, pulling him down closer. She wanted to cry out, to give in and take him back into one of the tents.
But the moment ended after he gave a short nip to her skin, and he pulled away, smirking down at her flustered face.
"Come now, darling. Let us prepare to leave." He was chuckling as he left her side. Aurora bit back the whine of want.
Why does he have to be so... irritating?
"Aurora!" Ciel yelled, "Do you plan to stand there all day? Let's go!"
The blonde sighed, quick to tuck her hair over the small mark and turn to the boy with the sweetest smile she could muster. "Coming, my lord!"
They were on the road to Houndsworth in not much time at all. It was noon by the time they arrived in the small village. Aurora eyed the land suspiciously. "Something doesn't feel right here." She murmured quietly. Sebastian gave a small subtle nod. "I agree."
People with skinny dogs were scattered everywhere, and Aurora leaned closer to the demon, "I cannot imagine you are thrilled to be in the presence of so many dogs." Sebastian gave a deep sigh, drawing a small smile from his blonde companion. "I do not care for the creatures, You are quite right in that regard. I despise them so. As I have for many years."
Aurora sighed, "You never told me why you hate them. I find dogs to be rather cute."
Sebastian made a face, then murmured softly, for only her ears to hear.
"Nothing for you tonight... That is for certain..."
When they arrived at the Lord Barrymore's manor, Sebastian offered a hand to the angel, smirking a bit as she hopped down into his arms. Aurora looked up to thank him, stopping to look in awe at his face. More specifically, his eyes. He was staring at her. His vermillion hues on her, and her alone. It was another second before they split ways abruptly.
Sebastian was no stranger to the subtle blush on his angel's cheeks, he worried only that someone would discover their affair. What with how obvious they had been the past twelve hours. However, when the demon approached the manor, his eyes widened upon the sight of Angela Blanc.
This is not possible- she- he- they are dead! I slaughtered them myself!
Aurora looked at him confused, "Mon amoure? What is wrong?" Sebastian said nothing as Angela came over, a bright smile on her face.
She reeked of purity.
"Welcome to the Barrymore Castle! Right this way." Angela Blanc chirped happily. Sebastian's vermillion gaze wandered to his lover, and was concerned when he saw no recognition in her eyes. She does not recognize Angela? How can this be? Surely the memory wipe could not be taking effect once more?
His blonde just looked at him worriedly, "Sebastian? Are you sure you're alright?" Sebastian nodded, "Yes. Of course." Aurora frowned, "You are not... lying to me... are you?" Sebastian shook his head, "Of course not. I would never."
He grit his teeth.
But what is a lie?
Is it a lie to not tell you how many memories I fear that you are missing?
How I fear that your condition might be all to similar to random bouts of amnesia?
Dementia?
How am I to say your mind is not... your own mind?
The group entered into the Barrymore Castle, Sebastian frowned at the similarities it had to the tower he had once long ago shared with his beloved angel. A tower he had constructed himself. He suddenly felt something rush by him.
Snap!
He smelled blood.
Why did he smell blood?
Why did he smell her blood?
His burgundy crimson eyes snapped to where Aurora was standing, shielding Angela, and a long, tattered leather whip around her bare arm that was held over her face, and on her cheek, was a bright, angry red mark from where the whip had hit. Sebastian would have mauled the man if he were not contracted, not contracted and not on a metaphorical leash.
How did I miss that?
How did I not notice he was preparing to strike?
She is bleeding...
This cannot happen again.
When Ciel shot him a short (and slightly suspicious) look, the butler stepped forward immediately to pull the blonde beauty close to his chest, examining her wounds. Aurora blushed profusely, "Sebastian- I'm fi-" Sebastian cut her off, "You are bleeding. Come, let me tend to your wounds."
Aurora went to argue, but Ciel spoke up, "Let him help you Aurora. That is an order."
Aurora fell silent, then gave a small, barely noticeable nod. "Yes, my lord." Sebastian gently tugged her arm, encouraging her forward to the hall. The couple walked into a bathroom, where the butler had her sit down on a small stool while he knelt before her with a wash cloth, scolding her while he cleaned her wounds.
"What on earth were you thinking Angelica? Running in to take a lash from a whip for that- that filth?"
Aurora frowned, "What are you speaking of? Filth? She was such a sweet woman, helping us unpack." Sebastian narrowed his eyes, "Can you not smell it, my dear? How can you not smell that- that stench reeking of purity? It is driving me mad, Angelica!"
His blonde lover recoiled as he moved towards her, "You believe the maid to be... an angel? Malphas- how-" Sebastian gripped her arms, "Do you not remember?! Twas not long ago when we encountered her- him- that hermaphrodite!"
Aurora stared at him, "What ever are you speaking of?! Angela is simply-" Sebastian grabbed her roughly, stirring a gasp from her as he pulled her onto her feet, staring into her eyes, vermillion irises searching her own silver flecked blue for any hint of deceit.
He found none.
How could she not remember just mere weeks ago?
Sebastian narrowed his eyes, "Angelica. Love, what do you remember from before your memory was restored?" Aurora narrowed her eyes, "I remember Ash threw some dust at me and I blacked out."
Sebastian shook her and hissed, "Angela is Ash! Ash is a hermaphrodite!" Aurora laughed at him. "What?! Angela and Ash? One in the same? Malphas- my love, you surely jest. I have known Ash Landers since I was a fledgling, I grew up with him, Lucian, and Amara. Ash could not..." Sebastian stopped listening after that.
How she remembered not, he didn't know. He knew his young master and the servants did not remember, so he would not bother ask.
He could only stare at her with wide eyes, panic brewing within him that her memory was somewhat damaged. He feared he might wake one morning to only find she failed to recall his face. He was jolted to the present when his angel cupped his cheek, "Mon amour? Is something wrong? You look... pale." Sebastian shook his head, "No... No I am perfectly fine my dear." He pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek.
"I promise."
As the day came to a close, the servants of both Barrymore and Phantomhive were putting the finishing touches on the rooms, moving their luggage into their respective rooms. Sebastian returned to the hall briefly, to fetch a piece of his master's luggage only to find Aurora and Angela chattering away as they came out of Aurora's room.
"Oh Miss Magne! Might I say I adore your hair? It is like fine spider's silk!"
Sebastian bit back a shudder.
"Thank you- please, no formalities are necessary, Angela! Just Aurora will do fine!"
Sebastian watched as the two women laughed and walked his way. "Oh! Monsieur Michaelis!" Aurora said as she bumped into him. Sebastian narrowed his eyes at the two women. "What are you up to, Miss Magne? I thought you and Miss Blanc had finished unpacking hours ago? The other servants have already retired."
Aurora looked up at him, "Oh? I apologize, Angela was simply assisting me in arranging my vanity." Sebastian's brow twitched.
He always arranged Aurora's vanity.
His gaze fell onto Angela. "I believe your master requires you, Miss Blanc. Perhaps you best go assist him?" Angela gave a short bow of her head, "Of course, Mister Michaelis." She waved goodbye to Aurora and went off in search of her Master Barrymore.
Aurora frowned at the demon, "Why must you be so cruel to Angela? She has done nothing to you." Sebastian sighed, "Pay it no mind, my angel." His gaze hardened a bit. "How are your wounds from earlier? Shall I-" Aurora cut him off, "Malphas. You know they are only for show. I am perfectly fine. There is no true wound, my love." She kissed his jawline.
"You worry far too much."
Sebastian pulled her into her bedroom and shut the door behind them. "That may be, however-" Aurora cut him off. "Sebastian Michaelis, you are going to ruin us both if you keep fussing over me like a child."
Sebastian's eyes widened a bit. "Angelica- Aurora, you know that I would not ever jeopardize our positions." Aurora frowned, "You keep worrying over the tiniest things, mon cher. It is not like you. Please, talk to me. Tell me what bothers you?"
Sebastian watched her, and she sat him down on the edge of her bed. "Please? Won't you tell me what it is that hurts you so?" Her pleading gaze pierced the crimson orbs with a faint but fierce vermillion glow. The vermillion softened and he sighed.
"It is nothing, my dear. I promise."
What a lie that was.