Chapter Text
Thump, thump, thump.
The sound echoed through flesh and bone and straight into Ciel's ear. He sighed as he snuggled further into Sebastian's chest, enthralled to hear the strong, rhythmic beat of the man's heart. It was like a muscular metronome, further proof that his lover was indeed alive and well. Inhaling deeply, he took in the musky smell of sweat and skin, the remnants proof of the intimate activities from earlier.
After leaving the gravesite, Sebastian and Ciel had walked hand in hand back to the Phantomhive manor. The atmosphere between them was oddly quiet and peaceful, the angel's own mind spinning theories of how the man had managed to be brought back from the dead and why. He glanced at him a few times only to receive a quick wink and sly smile, an unspoken promise that all things would be revealed in good time.
Back in the privacy of Ciel's room, he locked the door and Sebastian was immediately pushed into the shower. It didn't sit well with the angel that the man was covered from head to toe in dirt and mud and still in the very suit he had been laid to rest in. He also actually wanted a moment alone to attempt to begin processing everything. While the sound of hot water echoed from the bathroom, Ciel sat on the edge of his bed, thoughts running in a loop that he was not dreaming, that Sebastian was actually and truly here; alive and no longer a demon.
Slate locks shook back and forth as the angel tried desperately to understand how any of this was possible. He needed good explanation as people would certainly be asking questions about why Sebastian was walking around and not in his grave where they had left him. Persons like Lizzy, who would eventually have to be told the truth if she decided to follow in her mother's footsteps as Medical Examiner anyways or became any more serious with Dagger.
Others would have a simpler time understanding since they were already aware of Ciel and his legacy as the Demon Slayer. Mister Agni and Soma would be content and thankful for the wondrous blessing the Gods had bestowed upon Sebastian and Ciel. Aunt Angelina may be skeptical at first, but the angel was sure the woman would come around once she saw how her nephew was no longer in emotional turmoil over the loss of his first and only love. Alois would be tickled pink and would need no further information whatsoever; the spirit would accept this God's divine work and would be just thrilled to see his best friend happy once more.
Then there was the matter of Father Spears, who would not take this well in the slightest. The holy man did not deal well with surprises, especially ones that defied the laws of nature and spirituality. Still, the angel wondered if maybe seeing Sebastian alive would help alleviate some of the priest's guilt over having accidentally killed him in the battlefield, once he got over the initial shock, of course. So much to do and he had absolutely no clue how to approach any of it.
However, Ciel could not really bring himself to care that much about things like other people's feelings and apprehensions in this moment, not when behind the closed door just a few feet away was the person he loved most in the world; breathing and living. He could only be thankful and grateful for something so unbelievable to have happened and he wondered what he had done to deserve such a thing.
Finished, Sebastian stepped out into the bedroom with only a towel slung low around his hips, ebony strands dripping wet. Ciel looked up, seeing a smirk twitching at the edge of those playful lips. He sucked in a quick breath, instantly feeling desire coil in his stomach. Sebastian extended a hand and the angel more than happily accepted, bringing any type of discussion to a brief standstill as there were more important matters to contend with first.
Which is what led to their current state, both of them naked in the bed, sheets strewn about haphazardly, their bodies spent and carnal urges sated for now. Ciel was more than content to stay as they were, his smaller form resting between Sebastian's thighs as the angel lay upon the broad chest. Warm sunlight streamed in through the window, keeping the chilly air in the room at bay while they enjoyed each other lazily.
Long fingers stroked lightly through slate strands and Ciel hummed at the feeling, having missed this; just being with Sebastian. Curiously, he threaded their hands together, twisting them around to get a good look. The once dark tipped nails were now a healthy pink, resembling his own closely and the angel placed a light kiss to the index finger before nipping at it slightly.
"Ow." Sebastian murmured in feigned hurt. Ciel looked up, the bright blue eyes making the man chuckle. Pulling him further up his chest, he leaned down to quickly peck the plump mouth. "How would you like it if I did that to you?" He asked, earning an eye roll in response.
"Please, like you haven't done so much worse to me." Ciel teased, tapping Sebastian's lower lip with a small finger. "Besides, it's not like you have fangs anymore, so really what would be the point?" He reminded, taking the opportunity to push a finger into the man's mouth and staring at the very human looking white teeth. "Yep, not a single sharp incisor to be found." He snickered, sticking his tongue out playfully.
"Will you miss it?" Sebastian inquired softly, Ciel settling back down, burying his face into the crook of the man's neck. "The demon parts, I mean. Wings, fangs, talons," he counted off, gazing at the ceiling, an arm supporting his head from behind on the pillow. "The blinding speed, rapid healing, increased stamina?" He continued, voice taking on a nostalgic tone.
"Sounds like you miss it." He hummed, a low chuckle rumbling through Sebastian's chest at the observation. "No, I won't, but then again, it never really mattered one way or another to me." Ciel explained, drawing random patterns now into the skin of the firm pectoral. "I would have loved you even if you hadn't been a supernatural being. But I think being human is going to take some getting used to for you." Sebastian grumbled in agreement.
"Tell me, Sebastian." He asked softly, nibbling nervously on his lower lip. "What exactly happened?" Ciel was almost loathed to break the blissful peace they were currently experiencing, however, curiosity burned within his mind now. He needed to know just how Sebastian had been raised from the dead and brought back to him as human of all things. "After you died, where did you go?"
"Nowhere. Everywhere." He snorted, shrugging his shoulders. Crimson eyes narrowed and his brow furrowed in thought. "The last thing I remember is seeing your face, tears streaming down your cheeks, blood smeared across your forehead." Sebastian frowned and Ciel shivered at the disturbing memory. "And then nothing."
"It was like being sleep, but without the dreams." He explained slowly, trying to find the right words to describe something so intangible. "Then, out of nowhere, there was a light; small and very bright. It lit up the never-ending darkness and I guess you could say it woke me up." Ciel hummed, confused, but staying silent for the most part since he wanted to hear this.
"The light grew and grew, chasing away the shadows until there was nothing left, but blinding illumination." Glancing at Ciel, "it was so warm, like a blanket keeping me safe from any sort of harm." Sebastian sighed and continued. "It was then that I heard, well, not so much heard, but more like could understand what was going on." The angel's brows furrowed at the cryptic confession. "After that, I woke up."
Ciel pushed himself up, wanting to see Sebastian's face. The garnet orbs were serious and calm as they met with dark sapphire. They stared at one another for a minute, the angel trying to grasp what the man had been getting at, but failing. The only thing that he was sure of was that the light Sebastian spoke about was undoubtedly God's presence, however, that still didn't clarify the why's or how's in any of this.
"So, what did He say?" Ciel asked finally, a little annoyed on some level that Sebastian had managed to have direct contact with his Lord when he still had not had that privilege. One would think that being the Demon Slayer and sharing Michael's bloodline meant direct access to the higher powers that be, but sadly they would be wrong.
"He said . . ." Sebastian paused, mouth pressing into a thin line as he recalled the events. "That what I had given up for you, my life, my loyalty to Satan, denying my very existence surpassed the boundaries of love and spirituality. By doing so, I had allowed you to still battle the forces of Hell and therefore, humanity was in debt to me. In return for such selfless act, He would bestow upon me the greatest gift an infinite being could offer." He stopped, catching Ciel's wide impatient eyes and cocked an eyebrow. "A human soul."
"A soul?" The angel reiterated slowly, head tilting to the side as he mulled the answer over. It took a second, but everything suddenly made sense and Ciel's jaw dropped in awe. "A soul." He whispered quietly, Sebastian nodding. "You have a human soul now. That means you-"
"It means I have been given the same chance just like everyone else." He finished, Ciel exhaling loudly as he took in what this all meant. "I am human, just like every other person born of this earth." Sebastian finished gently, brushing a piece of loose slate hair behind the small ear. "Free will; God gifted his most precious creation, humans beings, this ability so that each individual could decide for themselves where they will spend eternity, not even the angels can boast such a claim." He hummed thoughtfully. "And now, so do I."
"When this body ages and my health withers away, I too will face judgment." Sebastian explained quietly, stroking the swell of Ciel's cheek softly. "It is up to me now what happens when I die instead of the everlasting nothingness promised to all demons. I have the opportunity based on my actions and decisions whether I go to Heaven or Hell." He grinned slyly, tapping the angel on the nose playfully and winked. "Let's hope I end up in the right place."
Ciel reached up and grabbed the man by both shoulders, forcing Sebastian to meet his determined gaze. "You had better not mess this up!" He commanded, cobalt burning with authority and fierce determination. "I am not going to Heaven without you and I sure as fuck am not planning on spending an eternity in Hell either." The angel hissed, making Sebastian laugh.
"Don't you worry. I have no desire to be separated from you like that ever again." He assured, gently gripping the thin wrists and pulling the small hands to rest on his chest. Garnet stared earnestly into blue, searching the ocean pools. "I clawed my way out of my own grave to come and find you again, didn't I?" He stated softly.
Ciel puffed out his cheeks and looked away; that had been his next question. He had wondered how Sebastian had managed such a feat of breaking from his coffin only to dig skyward through six feet of dirt. If he had still been a demon, such a thing would have been simple, but now as a human, it was nearly impossible.
"The storm." Sebastian offered, answering the unspoken questions as if they had been said aloud. Ciel glanced back and pursed his lips. "Think back, why do you think the heavens opened up like that? It was to soften the earth, making it possible to climb out." He paused to let the angel process the information. "And the tree? Those roots lost their purchase in the rain soaked ground, breaking my coffin and lifting it up, further aiding in my escape." Ciel sucked in a sharp breath, seeing now how everything was connected.
"And the tree's trunk being split in half, the strewn branches were there to give you something to pull yourself out with." The angel whispered in shock and awe. Sebastian grinned as he watched the comprehension spread across the beautiful face.
"He set it up perfectly so that I could return to you." Sebastian added, garnet eyes warm and soft as they gazed upon the angel. "Although, I think He went a little overboard in breaking my headstone." He pressed his lips together and frowned. "Miracle or not, that was a bit of a waste."
Ciel's mouth popped open, only to shut itself just as quickly. God had planned everything out to make sure that the man would be able to come back to him. He had resurrected his body, given him a mortal life and instilled one soul so that the former demon may have the same opportunity as the rest of the human race at achieving eternal bliss. Sebastian was right, this was nothing short of a true miracle.
The angel swallowed hard, feeling slightly guilty now for having doubted the deity and His actions before. However, anger and grief had fueled his heart and how was he supposed to know that something bigger was in the works? Silently, he asked for forgiveness for questioning his Lord and Savior, knowing that in the future he would not do that again.
"What are you thinking?" Sebastian inquired gently, a large hand wrapping around the small nape and pressing their foreheads together. "I'm sorry you had to go through all that; grieve and suffer again." He apologized, crimson orbs swimming with emotion. Sebastian licked his lips before placing a light kiss to the plump mouth, not giving Ciel a chance to argue. "I never wanted that. I just wanted you to stay alive." He admitted breathlessly.
"But a life for me is not worth living, if you are not there as well." The angel corrected, closing his eyes and sighing. They were a completely hopeless pair; one refusing to go on without the other and now it finally seemed like they would get the chance to stay together forever, even after death. "I'm not letting you get away from me again." He huffed, pushing back to level Sebastian with a firm look.
"Oh, I wouldn't have it any other way." The man hummed, an amused expression on his face. Ciel smiled in agreement and leaned in for another kiss.
He yelped in surprise as Sebastian pulled him forward, rolling on top of him and pinning the smaller body to the bed. He laughed as Ciel struggled playfully, the swell of the soft cheeks a dusty rose with excitement. Slowly, Sebastian lowered his head, nipping at the angel's lips and then giving them a gentle kiss.
"So, about this new soul of mine." He purred, nose tracing along Ciel's jawline and making its way to the hollow beneath his ear. "It seems that I am the innocent and pure one in this relationship now." Sebastian teased, nibbling on a fleshy earlobe and making the angel shiver. "Why don't we see just how much debauchery this immortal essence can handle, shall we?" He chuckled as Ciel nodded, moving back up to taste his lover's mouth once again and ending conversation.
Seconds, minutes, hours passed, Ciel and Sebastian not caring to keep count as time was no longer the pressing and terrifying issue for the ill-fated couple it once had been. Whether they lived a hundred years or just another day, they would see each other once more; they were sure of it. Their love would continue, past their earthly forms, onto another plane; the only thing awaiting them an eternity together
It was a beautiful truth. This angel and demon would never have to worry about being kept apart ever again and Ciel smiled at the revelation.
What you don't know won't hurt you
Maybe the lies are true
Try to remember, try to forget
Those yesterdays bleeding through
I'm already going
I'm already gone
There's a stranger in my place
You'll never find me
But I'll get along
Cause the angels know my face
You'll never see me coming
You'll never know my name
Try to remember, try to forget
But you'll never be the same
I could do anything
I could go anywhere
I could be anything
To anyone tonight
I could do anything
(just let me sleep for a little while)
I could go anywhere
(just wanna sleep for a little while)
I could be anything
(just let me sleep for a little while)
to anyone tonight
I'm already going
I'm already gone
There's a stranger in my place
You'll never find me
But I'll get along
Cause the angels know my face
What You Don't Know
by Jonatha Brooke
**********
Revelations Playlist
Bedroom Hymns by Florence + The Machine
Firestarter by Prodigy
Glory and Gore by Lorde
What You Don't Know by Jonatha Brooke
Anjelier by Mucc
The Antidote by St. Vincent
Itoshisa Wa by Dir En Grey
Prayer of Saint Francis by Sarah McLaughlin
Closer by Nine Inch Nails
Speak Up by POP ETC
Voiceless Screaming by X (Japan)
This is How I Disappear by My Chemical Romance
Guard You by Miyavi
Again by YUI
Flower by L'Arc-en-Ciel
Can You Feel My Heart by Bring Me The Horizon
Smoke by PVRIS
Where is My Mind? by Yoav
Amethyst by Yoshiki