As Time Goes On - A SebaCiel Story

Chapter 100: Extravagance

Sebastian's POV:

I've been watching him closely, very closely.

My Lord may have been a successful con-artist in life, but despite undeath he cannot conceal his emotions from me. I know that look. The war raging on in his mind as a depressive episode creeps into his consciousness.

I know what's happening.

And... I know he's controlling it well.

I don't want him to regress through letting him know that I see what he's been hiding from me, yet I know that if I leave it be, he will isolate himself emotionally.

"I didn't want you to be hurt-"

"You can't hurt me, Ciel. Especially when I am impressed by how you've handled your...symptoms."

"Impressed?" His eyebrows furrow, confusion in his eyes as the children's laughter sounds from the carriage behind us.

"Yes, impressed. You have controlled yourself well. Using your family to keep a brighter perspective. Your soul is no longer drenched in darkness, Ciel. That purity I always spoke of? It's untouchable."

"I-... I still have a soul?" He asks so innocently as my soft chuckles fill the air, those eyes reflecting the golden orb I see within. Inviolable. Incorruptible. Enrapturing. Burning with passion. So much more beautiful than I remember. No longer drowning in his inner demons.

"Of course you do Ciel, how else could you feel?" Smiling, he takes my hands in his. Lifting them to hold his cheeks. Simply adorable. "I know you've been handling yourself well but I must ask that you inform me the next time you feel low. I may be able to ease your pain as I have always done."

"I promise."
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My future husband's eyes light up as we take our first steps into the Manor. Finding white satin ribbons and bouquets of roses strewn across the picturesque entrance. My love's surrogate sister running to hold him in her arms, being as careful as she can with him.

"I've missed you all so much!" She exclaims, tears pooling in her eyes as her hands gently shift to his hidden bump.

"I missed you too!" Ciel bursts out, tears falling far too easily as his hormones take a nose dive into sadness, one that not even my hands resting on his shoulders could subside.

Lizzie, gently takes a step back, holding his hands in hers as calmly as possible. Her maturity shining through as she understands his struggle.

"I believe it's best if you two lovebirds head up to your room. Though, you'll have to say goodbye in the morning."

Ahhh, the typical human tradition of splitting the bride and groom-

Or in this case, the grooms, apart.

"Thank you, Lizzie."

She gives me a knowing nod as she let's us through, granting us access of the staircase we have sorely missed.

I can only dream of what tomorrow has in store for us as we make our way towards our bedroom, white silk garlands strewn on every surface in the manner. Never an inch out of place.

Our children run off to their bedrooms, leaving us to discover the white rose wreath hanging on our door.

"They're just as beautiful as the first day they sprouted all those years ago." My husband-to be remarks, caressing a delicate petal between gentle fingers.

"I'm glad to have had the privilege of growing them." I add, opening the door, only to find bouquets on every table. Towel swans left on our bed. Candles creating a warm glow, contrasting with the white and blue scheme of our bedroom.

"They've completely brightened everything in here. How did they pull this off?"

"I suspect that Lizzie may have bought some very high end decorators. People who would keep their mouth shut for hundreds of thousands of pounds."

"The budget must've been extortionate."

"Probably higher than the Queen's wedding."

"I wouldn't be surprised."

My love, enchanted by the decoration, wanders around the room like a child in a sweet shop.

"I can't believe this, Sebastian!"

"Neither can I, Ciel. Neither can I."