Call Me "Master"

16| Call Me "Reunion"

Ciel walked through the woods. He had barely gotten any sleep. The sound of the hands moving on the watch kept him awake for most of the night. Even now, it was still spinning so quickly in his pocket. He breathed in the air. He looked at the rays of light as they shone between the leaves. He wasn't going anywhere specific. He just didn't want to be asked any questions by his father or The Undertaker.

The watch finally stopped and resumed ticking at a normal pace. Ciel breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't sure what the ticking meant or why the watch had started up again but it comforted him to know that it worked once more.

"Excuse me," a voice said from behind. Ciel turned to greet the individual. Most creatures of this forest avoided him when he walked. It was a blessing for him to be avoided. This was the first time someone or something had tried to approach him.

"Would you be so kind as to tell me..." when the two males made eye contact the stranger immediately knew. Ciel had not caught on at first. "Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bother you. Please, ignore me," he turned to leave.

Was it the voice? Was it the way he moved? The way he talked? The fact that his hair was a bit unruly (not to mention a bit long) and the only thing covering him was shadows that he'd created himself? Ciel wasn't sure what had given the demon away but he knew now that Sebastian was alive. So, the man in town was a premonition. He hadn't existed. Ciel was fine with that. In fact, this was much better in the end.

He reached out his hand and grabbed the not-so-stranger's arm. "You're alive?" Ciel's voice cracked.

"So it would seem," he replied.

"Then the curse..."

"It's gone," Sebastian lifted his hand as proof. "You broke it for me. That was very kind of you. However, my body had to reconstruct itself after that. The damage of the curse was great. Angels are naughty in that way. I woke up unsure of how long it had been. There was nothing but grass and some young trees in place of the manor."

"Three years," Ciel replied.

"Ah, three years?" Sebastian repeated and looked up at the sky. "I wasn't expecting to meet you so soon. I wanted to at least figure out my current circumstances first. But, it seems, that is too late now. Here we are, you and I. How have you been? Dreadful, I hope," Sebastian spoke as if time hadn't passed despite the fact that his statements alluded otherwise. They weren't friends that had stumbled upon each other in town catching up. Ciel didn't know if he should be maddened by the casualness of it all or relieved that Sebastian didn't seem concerned at all that his appearance had changed.

"Have you gotten married? Created a human family? Made a life for yourself?" Sebastian asked. He looked back at Ciel. "You've gotten taller. You look more mature now."

Ciel shook his head. He hugged the demon and sobbed into his chest. "I've been living a nightmare since then. I thought you were dead. I spent every moment thinking of you. There was no time to find another."

Sebastian patted Ciel's head. "You may look different but you haven't really changed, have you? You're still clinging and crying to me as you did before."

"You're better now, right?" Ciel looked up at Sebastian's face. "Can I be your servant again?"

"After all this time, you still wish to remain a servant?" Sebastian couldn't help but laugh.

"I lasted a week, didn't I? We had a promise, didn't we?"

"Boy," Sebastian paused for a moment, "ah, I can't really call you that anymore since you no longer look like a boy. Then, Ciel? In any case, it's been much longer than a mere seven days. Are you quite certain you want to go back to how it was?"

Ciel nodded.

"You don't want to be equals? Or, perhaps, have me serve you instead?" Sebastian tried to think of more suggestions. It was his job, as a demon, to make sure the human had thought of all the scenarios before making a contract.

"I will be content simply being owned by you. Although, it would be nice to own you too," Ciel thought about it. In the end, he just wanted to be by Sebastian's side. It didn't matter in what circumstances.

"If we make a contract, you will be stuck in this appearance as you will not age. You will not die until I have collected your soul. It will not matter how badly you are injured, death will not reach you. The longer the contract the faster your rate of healing gets. In the end, if I still do not collect your soul after an extended period of time, there is a possibility that you will be nothing like a human any longer," Sebastian continued listing the conditions of a contract with a demon. There were many different types of contracts demons could make. This one in particular was known as the 'deal between lovers.'

"I will ask you one final time, because of the formality of it," Sebastian pushed Ciel off of him. He took a step back and bowed ever so slightly before outstretching his hand to Ciel. "Are you certain you wish to become my servant for an eternity?"

Ciel grabbed his hand and smiled. "Yes." A symbol formed on Sebastian's hand and one in Ciel's eye. It was painful. Blood dripped down his face as if he was crying the red liquid. He refused to let his pain be known, even though it was excruciating.

"Eyes are the gateway to the soul," Sebastian said. "The strongest contract uses the eye to reveal the Faustian mark. It is painful, but not for long." Sebastian brought his hand up to Ciel's face and wiped away his blood with his thumb. "The gateway to your soul is me now." The demon removed his hand from Ciel's face so that he might see the mark. It was different from the mark of the curse Sebastian had before. Ciel thought it to be rather beautiful. He couldn't help but smile at the idea that such a mark was now on him too.

Ciel's right hand was scarred by the burning skin of his master the night he 'died.' His right eye is marked by the symbol created by his master. Ciel cared for both markings deeply. He would treasure them for as long as they both shall live.

The two walked hand in hand back to The Undertaker's manor. Sebastian desperately needed some clothes before the two could talk about what to do next. There was still a bit of awkwardness between them that wouldn't quite disappear instantly. Ciel didn't mind it. He knew it would be fine in the end.

"Master?"

"What is it?"

"I love you."

"Demons do not have the same emotional awareness that you humans have," Sebastian pondered for a moment. "But, if I had to use a word to explain whatever it is I feel towards you, I think love would be appropriate."

"What does that mean?"

"It means, I love you too."