Epilogue

Ciel sputtered, wiping his mouth with the back of his red and sticky hand. His pupils dilated in aggravation as he realized what a mess he had made. The damn animal's neck was in shreds now –again.

Sebastian chuckled somewhere behind him, taking delight in his failed attempt to make a clean kill. "Shut up," Ciel growled at the darkness.

Suddenly the elder vampire was beside him, long fingers picking at loose strands of tissue, as if inspecting Ciel's handiwork. Insult to injury, Ciel thought grumpily.

"I'm not strong enough to hold them down. They keep struggling," the younger admitted with a whine. He sat back on his arse to alleviate the pressure set on his heels. A hand cupped the side of his head, Sebastian's lips giving him a quick kiss on the temple.

"It takes time and practice," the red eyed creature assured, shifting so he could demonstrate better. "As I've said before, seizing the back of the neck is the most effective spot to slow your prey down."

Ciel huffed, batting Sebastian's fingers away from his neck. "I know that." The end of his sentence was left clipped as he pointedly became stubborn. Sebastian unfortunately picked up on the reason behind the pregnant pause. It was one thing to swallow his pride once, Ciel wasn't about to openly admit how weak he was a second time, no matter how painfully obvious.

Taking one of Ciel's hands, Sebastian cleaned the blood-covered digits with a teasing moan. The younger flinched, and just as Sebastian thought he'd receive the usual kiss, Ciel pushed him onto his back, mouth hovering enticingly over his outstretched neck.

Ciel loosely wrapped his partially washed hand around the elder's throat. "Perhaps I should practice on you," he whispered, and even though Sebastian couldn't clearly see the other's face, he could hear the smile that curved Ciel's lips.

As tempting as the moist breath spreading over his flesh was, Sebastian pushed the younger back, silently reveling in the annoyed look he received. Too many times had he indulged Ciel when he'd become frustrated hunting on his own. "That'd be cheating."

The younger scoffed. "I'm not going to drink from that mangled thing."

Knowing the avenue they'd venture down would eventually become a dead end with him submitting, Sebastian pushed Ciel from his lap and stood. He moved over to the animal, placing his foot on the belly and tugging on the creature's front leg until it detached with a gut-wrenching sound. It had only been ten years since he'd turned Ciel, and it was apparent by the way the other winced at his crude actions that the younger still had a long way from letting go of his human ways. Consuming blood included. Sebastian inwardly smirked when he sensed Ciel turn physically away from him as he dug his fingers into the animal's body, searching for its heart.

Dragging the organ free and satisfied that it weighed in his hand, Sebastian moved to the other, pulling Ciel around to face him. The boy's face wrinkled in distaste as he offered the bloody heart to drink. "Sebastian…"

Tapping the smaller on the nose and letting his finger trail down to tug on a pouting lower lip, said vampire brought the organ to Ciel's orifice, surprised when the other didn't shove him away. Rather, he clutched Sebastian's wrist, steadying the hand that would feed him. Adding a small amount of pressure, the red eyed vampire watched with interest as those already messy lips parted hesitantly, a pink tongue lifting up to catch the drops that fell. In the end Ciel grabbed the heart for himself and pressed it greedily to his fanged mouth, succumbing to his hunger and devouring the organ whole.

"Shall I wrap up the rest for later?" Sebastian half-teased as Ciel licked at his clawed fingers, red-rimmed eyes openly showing that he was still hungry. Other than feeding on the elder vampire, Ciel tended to starve himself, reluctant to truly give into his new nature. Yet tonight could undoubtedly be called progress, and Sebastian smiled.

Tinged blue eyes didn't meet his. "No need, I'm full," he lied. A couple moments passed in silence, and Sebastian glanced up at the moon overhead, calculating how much time they had left. His attention was brought back as arms snaked around his waist, pulling him close.

"Tired?" he questioned in turn, running a hand through grey-blue locks.

Although it was obvious, Ciel shook his head willfully, his bodyweight slumping against Sebastian's. The raven haired creature rolled his eyes with a kind smile. Without asking permission, he gracefully bent and gathered the boy from the ground, cradling him to his chest. Arms wrapped comfortably around his neck and Sebastian took the cue to start heading home.

It was when they were just at the edge of the woods that Sebastian stopped. Ciel stirred from his doze, his eyes rising to silently question the other. Sebastian said nothing but continued on, and it was then that Ciel picked up on the familiar scent.

Angela was waiting for them outside their home, an innocent smile curving her lips. Sebastian set Ciel on his feet, and the woman instantly came up to them, clasping Ciel's hands with her own. As usual, she completely invaded his space as she buried her nose in his hair, taking a deep breath.

"Mm," she sighed lightly. "You're losing your delicious scent every time I see you, dear," she commented a little sadly, giggling softly when the boy's face turned red. Mercifully, she let Ciel go, rather pleased not to be flung to the other side of the parish for once as she turned her attention to the boy's maker. "And you've become quite docile, yourself."

Sebastian offered a half-hearted grin, pulling Ciel back to him. "And what have you come to grace us with now, hm?"

The vampire in white huffed. "Here I thought you were starting to act nicely, but it appears I'm wrong. It's been what, three years since I was last able to visit?" She followed the pair into the surprisingly polished house. "What's all this?"

Ciel was the one to answer her. "Sebastian finally gave into some spring cleaning." He motioned to the refined floors and dusted cupboards. Odds and ends were carefully taken care of and shelved neatly, and the furniture was arranged appropriately. "The basement was getting a little boring." For a moment he held his breath, thinking the other would call him out on his still unbroken habit, but Sebastian remained silent.

"It's nice," Angela commented politely, sounding a little uninterested, as if the very concept of two vampires remaining in one place for so many years was still unspeakable. "Claude and his boy are heading to America, last I heard."

"Is that right?" Sebastian said, plopping heavily onto one of the floral sofas. "I wonder how they'll manage."

Angela shrugged. "It's not entirely impossible. More and more of us are traveling aboveground, even with the underground routes finally clearing up." The other vampire gave her a blank stare, as if he didn't have the slightest idea what she was speaking about. "Are you following me?"

"I could make a rather crude if not offending comment, but no, not really."

Sebastian watched with some satisfaction as Angela visibly fumed, wisely holding her tongue. In all honesty, he hadn't been keeping up with the underground society. For the past decade, most of his attention had been set on Ciel's gradual transformation. Besides, if anything major were to happen, he'd be smart enough to pay attention.

"Well, they are," the white-haired vampire continued, folding her arms indignantly across her chest. "I'm actually thinking of going over myself." Neither vampire had anything to say and she stomped her foot. "Won't either of you miss me?"

Silence seemed to be taking Sebastian's place when it came to slapping her silly. After the entire mess with Undertaker, she'd been under in a comatose state for nearly a year and a half. The two before her and Claude and his child had taken turns watching over her, and Angela knew she'd be indebted to all four for the rest of her eternal life. When she had woken, the childish grudge between her and Sebastian had all but disappeared; though, she had a good idea that was because Ciel had been turned.

But through her sporadic visits and enjoyment of teaching Ciel the essentials of being a creature of the night, she clearly saw the connection between the two. And although she didn't possess the full knowledge of why they didn't travel like the rest of her kind, Angela knew that they probably had a good reason for their odd behavior.

"Of course we'll miss you," Ciel finally answered, taking a seat next to his maker. Past the delicious outward scent, he looked tired and smelled of sweat and blood, but Angela could pick up on his contented aura. "However, you'll have to return soon. I want to nail the shape shifting bit."

Amethyst eyes glittered, and the eldest vampire repressed the urge to hug the youngest in glee. "Of course, Ciel. Just keep practicing and maybe Sebastian will become a better teacher while I'm gone," she said with a smirk, glancing over her shoulder through the window. Deciding that she wouldn't be a bother and ask to stay the day she started for the exit. "Well, I think I better be off. I'll see you two whenever, alright?"

Sebastian nodded with a kind smile as she slipped through the door. "Take care."

The half full moon loomed gloomily overhead as Sebastian followed Ciel through the brush, taking note of their rather slow pace. With a sinking feeling in his gut, he realized where his child was leading them.

He knew Ciel didn't regret his decision ten years ago. But from his own experience, he knew it was difficult to let the past go, and he had to give Ciel this small leeway every now and then. He couldn't keep Ciel locked up, deciding that he may as well let the boy deal with the sore yet healing wound now rather than later, where if left alone, it could eat him up in a disastrous way.

House lights eventually started to shine through the thickets, and the pair treaded cautiously alongside the road, crossing when necessary. When they were on the estate grounds Ciel stopped, and Sebastian instinctively took his hand, trying to block the numerous scents that carelessly surrounded the mansion.

"How long do you wish to wait them out?" he whispered softly, eyeing a hurrying maid who passed by a window, followed by another two. "It's very early."

The limp hand in his contracted, squeezing his with unexpected force. "I know, I just…" Ciel trailed off, and Sebastian didn't question. It was obvious enough. Ciel could sense his mother and father, and each and every servant that he had been close with. His hypersensitive ears probably could hear a few conversations if he listened carefully. Sebastian had a feeling they'd be here all night...

And they were. Not that Sebastian minded; Ciel needed his fill. He was just happy he no longer had to drag the younger away from sneaking inside the home. Gently tugging on Ciel's hand had him trailing the elder vampire without too much effort.

Sebastian had half a mind to stop and find something to drink, but Ciel's extended silence had him heading back to their home. He didn't bother with lounging in the upper part of the dwelling and he pulled them downstairs and behind the panel, closing it securely behind them. Lighting a candle took no effort, and once everything was set, he pulled Ciel into his arms. "If you want to –"

"I'm fine," the younger replied quickly, burying his face into the other's chest for comfort. "I'm not…sad."

Tracing small circles against Ciel's back, Sebastian took a couple steps back until they were sitting comfortably in his coffin. Of course, Ciel had had a breakdown once, very early after he'd been turned. But now the younger merely kept his emotions in check when it came to his family. Some nights he would look and listen fondly, quite happy for them, while others he'd become naturally sullen, probably longing to be with them. These emotions often flipped flopped, but Sebastian was certain Ciel held no regrets.

His hand had unconsciously ducked under the blue-eyed vampire's shirt, smoothing along the cool expanse of skin. Ciel shivered against him, shifting so that he properly straddled his maker. "Sebastian…" He in turn ran a hand alongside the raven's cheekbone, fingers tangling in ebony locks of hair.

Their lips met in a delicate kiss, neither in such a mood to drastically add more passion. Ciel merely licked at Sebastian's lips, his fangs elongating by themselves. His stomach gurgled, and the elder couldn't help but chuckle.

Pulling back his collar, Sebastian pressed the hand still stationed on the boy's back invitingly. "I can indulge you tonight, if you'd like."

Twin blue eyes glanced at him almost questioningly, but Ciel said nothing, not about to pass up an offer that was notably starting to become scarcer and scarcer when it came to strict feeding. He pressed his nose against the milky skin, inhaling the sweet scent before running his tongue against the familiar flesh, prepping it. Then in the cleanest way he could manage, he bit in.

Closing his eyes as a bit of pain mixed with the sensation of rushing blood, Sebastian held Ciel to him like a mother would a baby. He could tell the younger was keeping his hunger in check and not viciously digging in like he sometimes would. He let out the tiniest of moans as fangs retracted a little too fast for his liking, instantly being replaced with soft and supple lips that greedily started sucking. "Ciel…mm."

His hand inadvertently swiped over one of Ciel's still healing scars, and he ended up tracing it thoughtfully. He almost didn't notice the hand that cupped the un-bloodied side of his neck to outline his own unique wound. A tongue was now licking at his wounds, telling him Ciel had finished. The younger moved back before leaning forward and placing another soft kiss on his lips.

Eyes focused on his crucifix scar. "Do you loathe me giving you this?" Ciel asked quietly. "It's hardly faded since that day, you know."

Leaning forward and capturing the younger's lips in a long kiss, Sebastian maneuvered them so that Ciel lay on his back. Detaching with a small suck, the red-eyed creature gently settled himself down until he was lying atop his child. "Of course not," he admitted, letting his eyes close for a second time as Ciel's hand immediately laced into his hair, petting him soothingly. He curled an arm around the boy's waist, pulling him impossibly closer. "It's a reminder that I found you."

For a moment Sebastian wondered whether Ciel's question meant something deeper, but the boy's relaxed sigh chased his worries away. He settled more snugly against the younger, letting their faked breaths sync. The time must have passed faster than he first thought for his eyes were starting to slip close with a familiar, drowsy weight.

"Sebastian?"

Ciel's voice was clear and cut through any tiredness that was starting to overtake him. With an ounce of alarm, he asked back calmly, "Yes?" He noticed that the tiny hand that had been petting him had stopped.

"…I love you."

The unease scampered away as his dead heart started beating with happiness. Lifting himself and hovering over Ciel, he captured the boy's lips in a passionate kiss that could feed any vampire's hunger for months. Pulling back to see his child flushed with relieved pleasure, he pecked Ciel once, twice more before settling beside him, reaching over to grasp the coffin's lid and pulling it over them, shrouding them in comfortable darkness.

"I love you, too," he whispered, wrapping his arms around his lover and child. "Now sleep, there's another…feeding lesson tomorrow."

A/N: It's so mushiiieee. But it's good mushy, its epilogue mushy, satisfying, fangirling, "awww" mushy. And you know what? I was about to go all "now sleep, for dawn is breaking" for that last line and ruin it. Thank goodness I caught that, if you get what I'm referencing.

Anyway, as you can see, you guys wanted this so bad, and I couldn't deny you. You've all been wonderful to me and this story. I wish I could give you all sugary-filled treats ((flings out imaginary pocky)). Thank you again so much for following and supporting this fic of mine, hopefully I'll be churning out another one soon~!