Like my other stories, this was originally posted on Ao3. It will be 3-4 parts, and if I choose to add a fourth chapter it will be mpreg, but everything up until that won't involve mpreg. No smut in this chapter, just a bit of a backstory. Hope you like it!

Chapter songs: Hold Me Now - Red and Someone To Stay - Vancouver Sleep Clinic

The life of an omega is hardly ever a happy one. At least, that is what Ciel Phantomhive believed. Sebastian never understood why his master saw it to be such a horrible thing; all natures had their strengths and faults, making them equal. As an alpha, and a demon at that, it had never occurred to him to ask or discover what it was to be an omega in the human world. He was content to forego learning such things and continue on as he was; after all, he had no need for that information in the beginning. The only purpose humans served was entertainment and dinner, nothing more, nothing less. That was before he came to meet his master. As weak and fragile as the boy was upon their first meeting, Sebastian had thought for sure he would present as an alpha. For such a tiny thing to exert such power, there was simply no other option. He never faltered in keeping his chin held high and his back straight, eyes cold and calculating even in the face of the most dangerous or humiliating of situations. Never once did he back down from a fight nor did he lose his will or his pride, an action that always seemed to stun the demon into complete silence. Such a fiery soul, he often thought, Unbreakable despite all of the challenges he faces. Truly an alpha through and through. But he soon found out that things aren't always what they seem.

On a chilly night in late autumn, upon tucking the young Phantomhive into bed, he had been astonished to find the usually fair skin damp with perspiration and retaining a feverish blush. He had pushed it away as a mere illness in the beginning - it certainly wasn't uncommon for his master to be struck down by a virus that time of year - but learned as hours passed that this was from more than a sickness brought on from a few too many trips out into the rain and biting wind. The intoxicatingly-sweet scent wafting all the way from upstairs into the butler's small room tucked away in the servant's quarters was a great indication of that. The burning temperature emitting from the earl was no simple fever, it was a heat. Between his few fitful minutes of rest and the pained wail that broke the silence as soon as he awakened, Ciel had come to realize exactly what was happening, and he was nothappy.

Any protectiveness he had lacked for his lord was gone in seconds and he was left standing in front of the mahogany door to the master bedroom in less time than it would take one to blink. His shoulders were tense and his senses hyper-aware of every sound as he pushed open the door. He was on high alert despite knowing how foolish it was; the only other alpha at the estate was Baldroy, who had already taken Mey-Rin as a mate, and any who dared to prowl the grounds outside could have been dispersed with the mere flick of his wrist, but Sebastian wasn't taking any chances. Approaching writhing mess of sheets upon the bed, he reached to touch the bluenette's back as a gesture of comfort, but his attempt was hastily denied. Even with his mind muddled, Ciel was disgusted at the realization of what he was. He was meant to be an alpha! Strong, fearless, a guardian. Not one who needs to be guarded. On the brink of hysterics, he had recoiled from the gentle hand of the alpha, whining as it caused the flame burning in his stomach to further intensify. He desperately needed the affection and relief Sebastian silently offered, but refused to accept it. And so, to keep himself from giving into his wrongful desires, he ordered away the one being who could help him and hid himself away inside his room before the scorching desire completely consumed him, leaving quiet whimpers and pleas for an alpha as the only proof that he even still resided there.

Until a year into the contract, Sebastian didn't know how to care for a human at all as most previous contracts had lasted no longer than an hour. He had even less experience with caring for an omega, especially one in such a delicate situation. Forcing his way into Ciel's room with a pitcher of water and cool cloth proved to be counter-productive, sending him into a near panic with the sudden sound of a door clicking open and the heady scent of an alpha barging his way into the room, disturbing not only his attempt at rest but the almost-safe feeling he had created within his nest, haphazardly crafted with the sparce amount of pillows and blankets on his bed and the sheet covering it. But leaving him to his own devices for the week proved to be unwise as well. After his second heat, he had emerged from his bed looking nearly as malnourished and sleep-deprived as when he had first stepped out of that horrid cage. Dried slick still clung to his thighs and old tears to his cheeks, dark shadows looming beneath his entrancing jewel eyes and his lips faded and cracked from lack of hydration. Heats drain a dangerously large amount of energy and resources, the demon would read soon after, desperate to find a way to soothe the constant wails of anguish that echoed from his charge's bedroom every time he entered that taxing week. Not only did it greatly hurt him physically, but emotionally as well.

The bitter scent of shame and rejection would never fail to cling to him for days, sometimes more than a week after the initial end of his season. Mated or unmated, omegas were never meant to be alone. It is in every creature's nature to desire some form of physical contact, whether by the means of lust, romance, or simply a familial love. While alphas and betas certainly cannot escape from that need altogether, they don't rely on it nearly as much as omegas do. No matter how powerful or independent, there will always be a part of them that yearns for the comfort and serenity brought about by tender embraces and the security offered by a bond. Most would give in to the powerful urges to curl up in the warmth offered by another body, but not Ciel. He was too proud to give into his dynamic; he began to reject any offering of extra bedding and cushions before his heats, even going so far as to toss the ones he had aside after his first year. Though deep down, Ciel ended up wishing he had kept them. All alphas were shunned without a second thought and not once did he allow himself to cringe away from them in spite of the repugnant smell or aura a few he had dealt with carried. No fear was shown nor any mercy, for the world had shown him no mercy either, and he wouldn't be a slave to his basic instincts. Years ago, it would have made Sebastian shiver in excitement and thinly veiled delight, the thought of that tiny thing fighting tooth and nail against his nature, trying so earnestly to be seen as an alpha when his build and scent alone all but screamed what he truly was - though it appeared that the demon was the only one to notice that. But now the thought of it somehow pained him. It gnawed at him, how odd it was for a devil to feel things like worry or sorrow for a mortal. It did pique his intrigue though, how badly the boy wished to be an alpha. One day he finally decided to ask him why. "You clearly haven't been around humans enough if you don't already know... Omegas are treated horribly, seen as helpless and pathetic. Delicate bodies and fragile minds, with their only purpose being to help expand their alpha's bloodline. And an omega heir? Unheard of. If the only child of a noble family is an omega, the family estate will go to their child only if they marry before the passing of their parents. If they are still unwed, the closest alpha relative will inherit everything. The only reason I inherited is because I didn't present before the fire." His tone was cold, the explanation clearly one he didn't wish to give, but it did answer his previous inquiries of why he was so adamant about carrying spare scent blockers anytime they traveled.

As months passed, the alpha continued to search for new ways to alleviate the boy's pain until one afternoon, upon returning from London, he managed to procure a particular item he thought would ease his suffering until he found a mate or other means to care for him: suppressants. The thought of Ciel with any alpha other than himself left a foul taste on his tongue - his master belonged with him, no one else - but such things weren't for him to decide, no matter how he wished to be the one to caress and console that small, delicate form. The suppressants were meant to last for no more than three heats, keeping them at bay until time came for the body to right itself again by enduring the natural cycle that came about twice a year. The only issue was that Ciel refused to stop taking them. Despite his body's own protests in the form of migraines and overwhelming muscle aches, he wouldn't let nature take its course and chose to endure the throbbing pain his refusal brought about instead. Until Sebastian took it upon himself to dispose of the pills he had come to rely on. Never had he seen his master quite as furious as he was when he found out. Curses and insults echoed from one end of the manor to the next at a volume he could hardly expect from normally-weak lungs - had the servants been there at the time, he was almost certain each of them would have been cowering in the gardens. The air between them remained rigid for three weeks, perhaps even longer than that. But he was unwavering in his decision, refusing to give into his stubborn lord's demands when it would put his health at risk even more than spending a season alone. Even so, that didn't prevent him from worrying about him as the date drew closer.

From the moment Ciel woke that morning, Sebastian could feel the heat radiating off of his moonkissed skin in waves and see the sweat glistening upon his brow. His eyes, usually so calculating and fiery, were unfocused and glassy, their shine dulled from his obvious discomfort. Each movement was sluggish, like he could barely find the strength to raise each limb, and pink lips were bitten nearly to the point of bloodshed. His scent was already growing more pungent, reminiscent of honey and pear. Alluring. With a frown curling his thin lips downward, he removed his glove and raised a hand to his human's forehead, intending to check his temperature when his hand was slapped away, "Don't. I am fine." 'Oh master, why must you be so stubborn?' "My lord, if you are... unwell, it would be best to postpone our trip to London." Eyes of aquamarine and lavender narrowed dangerously and cherry lips curled into a scowl, though he faltered before regaining his emotionless facade after mere moments, something that would have been easily missed by the eyes of one containing a soul. "Must I repeat myself? I said, I'm fine. Now where is my tea?" Ah, of course, the demon sighed internally, having almost forgotten how bleak his human's mood became around this time... It would gradually lessen though, he mentally noted, his anger and obstinate ways fading away into a more submissive disposition. "I have it here, my lord," Sebastian offered the powder blue porcelain tea cup without further delay, setting the tray of food, that he knew would simply be pushed about the plate, on his lap. His appetite tended to wane as his anxiety increased and at the moment he all but reeked of trepidation, his stomach feeling like it was coiled into knots. The sour miasma filling the air felt to the demon as if it were burning his nose, bringing a powerful wave of protectiveness with it. Oh how he longed to nuzzle at that lovely neck and calm the underlying apprehension with a more soothing scent, one that smelt of home and safety.

Just as suspected, the meal was left untouched, no more than a single bite missing from one of the warm blueberry scones. Withholding a frown, the alpha helped the small omega don his clothing once the cup he grasped was void of all liquid. But as soon as he turned to retrieve the ebony overcoat meant to fall over the boy's sapphire suit, an exasperated groan sounded from behind him, "Be quick about it, Sebastian. We have too much to do to dally here any longer." His irritation, while meant to be seen as real, was nothing more than a mask, he was already being affected by his incoming heat; his thighs shifted uncomfortably though he tried to conceal it by tugging at the hem of his shorts and complaining of their fit. The soot-haired man didn't interrupt him even as he began to ramble without need, thinking it best for him to get his frustration out one way or another. At least this form of release would have no ill affect on his health. "These trousers are to be replaced first thing next week. Miss Hopkins didn't style them in the way she claimed she would, they feel too tight and the material is chaffing my skin." Despite her brash personality, Miss Nina Hopkins was the best tailor in all of London and always used the gentlest of fabrics offered for each form of clothing. Never once did she fail to match her colours in the most elegant of ways nor did she falter when creating designs. Both master and butler knew this, but it was the best excuse Ciel saw fit to give under the circumstances. Rather than calling out the younger male's obvious fib or that he greatly favoured that particular pair of shorts over others he owned, Sebastian simply bowed, "Of course, my lord. We will pay Miss Hopkins a visit very soon, but today we have other matters to see to." "I know that," Ciel's tone was clipped as he stood, glare aimed at the door instead of his fretting servant. If only he had the time, he would have wished for nothing more than to be resting in a dark and quiet room, surrounded by countless books and blankets, but the queen's demand was to be fulfilled immediately to avoid another article of death headlining the newspaper. And so he chose to not only continue his day as usual, but parade around the city as if his legs weren't already beginning to feel shaky and unstable, threatening to send him falling to his knees with any sudden movement... When he spoke again, his tone was softer than before, an almost apologetic expression forming on his noble features, drawing his eyebrows close together in a near-remorseful fashion, "Prepare the carriage. I'll be down when you've finished." Securing the last coat button in its rightful hole, the butler offered no more than a smile, attempting to avoid further disquieting his charge's already frayed nerves by saying anything that would lead back to his current predicament, "Yes, my lord."

The ride into London was uneventful, not necessarily tense but the silence wasn't entirely comfortable either. The faint aroma emitting from the scent glands below Ciel's ears and wrists was slowly but surely growing more powerful and both knew that by morning he would be disoriented and lost in the throes of heat. Without suppressants, without a mate, and without a clue on how to safely handle it alone. The space they sat, while impressive for a carriage, wasn't large enough to diffuse the redolent whiff of sweetness drifting through the area above them, and while it wasn't at it's full strength or close to it, the blockers he had hidden in his coat pockets did nothing to mute it where Sebastian was concerned. Even if he had bathed in them, the heightened senses of a demon would still notice nothing but the pure fragrance of the deliciously beautiful omega. But thankfully for both of them, other alphas would be none the wiser to the addicting change in the blue-eyed boy, with his condition not progressing quickly enough to wear through the blockers, and he would be spared from prying eyes and lusty glances as they trekked the rough streets of the city; that fact alone relieved some of the stiffness held in Sebastian's shoulders.

When the carriage slowed to a stop atop a hill just beside a hoof-worn bridge crossing the River Thames, it didn't register immediately with Ciel that they had arrived where they were meant to go. The large, gentle hand that suddenly rested on his shoulder caused him to startle but finally blink away the haze shrouding his vision, his responses dulled with the growing burn in his belly. The questioning look thrown his way was disregarded with a shake of the head, no words needed as he stepped down from the velvet seats and through the door being held for him, leaving them standing just one street across from the alley in which the latest murder they were meant to investigate had taken place in. With such a large body count continuing to grow with victims all stolen from life in a very gruesome manner, the queen had immediately called upon her watchdog for the extermination of the perpetrator. But it would be no easy feat this time around, for when mating season came around, all natural instincts were released, including the easily-set-off fear response that made omegas cower and freeze at the first sign of danger. Ciel hated how easily the sight of blood and the stench of rotting corpses would bother him and knew that soon enough, that familiar fight or flight feeling would again course through his body, but it was out of his control. He would have to fight against it until he could take no more, it was his role to play even if it left him feeling panicked and nauseous afterwards.

With his mind focused on the bleak reminders of the days to come, he was unaware of his distress becoming more and more pungent until Sebastian's arm was brushing against his with every step, leaving him a single pace behind the man as he tried his best to show that he would stand between the omega - his omega - and any threat that may reveal itself ahead. While his chest throbbed with the need to keen and cling to his protector, baring his neck as a way to show his appreciation, his more rational thoughts won out, prompting him to step back in front of Sebastian in a show of his own strength. He was no damsel in distress, not before, not ever, and today would not change that. Ignoring the displeased growl that rumbled behind him, he didn't turn back, nor did he show his gratitude for such an offer. "Sebastian, don't walk so close, you're hovering," Ciel lamented, his stride holding a greater purpose. Apart from seeing the maimed corpse so that they could be on their way more quickly, he was also determined to keep some space between them, though the demon was unable to place why. Was his presence truly that much of a burden? "You're suffocating me, stop it with the scent. I'm alright for now." For now. That is what continued to ring out in his head for the following, fleeting moments. However, he was left with no spare time to think on it for any longer when the light around them faded into an even more melancholy shade - shadows cast by the alley walls around them as they blocked out the white-grey mixture of darkening rain clouds. Scotland Yard stood by taking notes and pondering possible links and motives as they always did at the first appearance of a new murderer, surrounding the body in small groups as they discussed the information they had unraveled so far. The ones closest to the body stepped aside upon noticing the aristocrat's arrival, some offering a quick nod as a sign of respect for the now nineteen year old earl. He showed no sign of acknowledgement for the men in uniform as he stepped forward, eyes immediately drawn to the mess staining the ground they stood upon. He expected to see the dark sienna marks of dried blood, ghastly wounds, and a sickening stench to go along with the now-colourless flesh stretched across the victim's corpse, he always did; but when he saw the body, all composure was gone. On the inside at least.

It wasn't the worst he had seen - he had lived through worse than that, watched things far more grotesque unfold before his very eyes for a month straight and then some - and yet it was suddenly too much for him to bear. The frozen dermis was already beginning to rot and the vile reek of souring flesh lingered wall to wall, trapped in every crack and crevice, thickening the air and giving rise to the feeling of being trapped between the chipping, brick buildings despite the wide opening that served as an exit at the far end of the alley. A sizable gash painted the victim's throat in sticky shades of crimson and dull brown, blossoming out from the slit onto her bosom and shoulders like the most intricate, horrifying of watercolors or the dying petals of a spider lily. Eyes he assumed were once the exact shade of the Atlantic Ocean were rolled back and greyed in a lifeless fashion, their red and purple rims standing out from her ghostly blue-tinted skin like a storm cloud in an otherwise crystal clear sky. Upon the young woman's cheeks laid dried tears, raindrops, and spattered blood formed from another drag of the knife across her temple. Even the pale ivory of her gown was soaked with the same sanguine liquid that pooled from her stomach and beneath her limp form.

Ciel could feel that all too familiar dread and panic beginning to stir, soon to take control, giving rise to nausea and stiff limbs, and making him mind-numbingly aware of each click of hooves on the streets and every gust of wind that threatened to blow away the top hat he wore. It is in no way justified, he thought to himself, I deal with things such as this all the time! I have no reason to be afraid. Yet his thoughts- while rational - didn't clear away the overwhelming urge to run or drop to his knees, and it didn't relieve him of the tightness building in his throat. It seemed that without the slightest hint, save for a barely noticeable quiver running through his hands, Sebastian knew as soon as the blue-eyed boy did that something wasn't right. But Sebastian caught far more than just the unsteadiness of his fingers as they clutched painfully to the golden gilded handle of his cane.

The whiff of fear permeating the cool, autumn breeze was almost overpowering, invoking the urge to tug the little omega far away from the horrible sight, causing his head to spin and his chest to sting uncomfortably in sympathy. Unfitting for a demon, uncontrollable for an alpha. With the need to defend seeming so dire, it was more than difficult to keep his human guise in check, claws and fangs fighting valiantly to make themselves known in the current situation. Repressing the anger threatening to overtake him and flood the close space surrounding them, he bit back the growl already beginning to rumble in his throat. No one else noticed, or if they did, they said nothing of it, and continued to stare at the earl, awaiting his assessment of the case thus far. A single azure eye slid shut for the briefest moment, hardly longer than a usual blink but delayed enough for his ever-faithful servant to catch, and a minimally unsteady exhale released before his expression was once again a mask of utter indifference, "Did all seven bodies have the same markings?"

A master at lying for sure, Sebastian thought absently, watchful of each tiny muscle twitch and tilt of the head. Ciel struggled to keep his calm facade firmly in place more and more with each passing second - like a time bomb, unpredictable and with the risk of exploding at any given second. He was strong, much stronger than any other human Sebastian had the pleasure of meeting in the centuries he had spent roaming this realm, but this was pushing a limit. Sweat glistened on the sliver of skin visible between the slate locks elegantly curling just above the collar of his overcoat and his cheeks was growing darker shade by shade. Luckily, it was cold enough out that the arctic chill could easily be blamed for the crimson flush. While Mr. Abberline rambled on about the injuries dealt to the rest of the poor unfortunate souls who had been denied mercy by their cold-hearted killer, the demon took that as his chance to further study his contractor's deteriorating state of wellness. His eyes were becoming increasingly distant and clouded, and while the sound never slid through the paling lips, he could see the stiff set of his jaw and how shallow his breaths momentarily became as he without a doubt concealed a whimper. But he soon had much bigger things to fret over; he could smell him. No longer did only anxiety and panic fill the corners of every sensitive sense he possessed, now he also inhaled honeysuckle, davana, pear, clove, and gardenia even with the barest of breaths - his master's own unique scent that expanded and grew more potent with the coming of each season. The blockers that Ciel used to remember working so well were beginning to fail, no longer shielding him from the mortal alphas nearby if the subtle sniffing sounds from the investigator's were anything to go by. Abberline and his fellow beta were unaffected, but the other three men certainly weren't. They wouldn't have much longer to finish up and return to the manor with time left between arriving and the moment in which his first heat spasm hit, but at the very least, Sebastian had to get him away from the others and into the carriage before they realized who the enticing smell was excreting from. It would be the only way to protect him without potentially ruining the reputation he had worked so hard to build or exposing him to the sight of unnecessary bloodshed if any alphas tried to go after him, something that could send him into hiding for the entirety of the week - assuming he actually gave into the idea of a nest this time. Sebastian doubted he would.

When Abberline finished explaining the situation and the silence between the group and the pair became near-deafening in its intensity, Sebastian saw it as a perfect opportunity to excuse themselves; there was no need to linger now. "Master, I have made notes of all details known so far. Might I suggest we leave soon? If you wish to invest any of the places Mr. Abberline has mentioned today, we must leave soon or we will never make it there before the storm." It took Ciel longer than usual to register his butler's words, offering only a brief nod of acknowledgement before clearing his throat and blinking twice to fully regain his bearings, managing to squeeze in a jibe at the brunette man he had previously spoken to, "Yes, that would be best. I will be seeing you then, Mr. Underline." Brushing off the man's grudging reply, Sebastian offered a polite nod to the officers and placed a gentle hand between his master's shoulders once they were out of sight, guiding the boy away from the murder that mimicked spilt ink on parchment, splayed out as it was upon broken cobblestone, and to the safety of the carriage, guarding the door from other's prying eyes until the little omega was safely seated and he himself followed after him. As the wheels began to turn below them and the scenery rolled similar to that of a cinematic record, not once did claret eyes leave the cobalt one that focused almost lifelessly on the rings resting elegantly around thin digits. The demon knew it wasn't his place to say what he was about to, but felt it a necessary question under the circumstances. Ciel was always testing his own limits and occasionally Sebastian's patience too, this was downright reckless though. "My lord, why did you insist on going out today if you knew your heat would come so soon?"

Said male looked up, expression no longer as hard or confident as it had been earlier. He was tired. "Because I received a letter, I had no choice. When her majesty sends word, it's my duty to lay her concerns to rest by stopping whoever is to blame for the incidents that cause her distress as quickly as possible." Picking at the edge of his sable gloves, Ciel pulled away the offending pieces of fabric and cast them aside in favor of letting his overheated palms breathe, hitching up the sleeves of his coat afterwards to stop its material from rubbing uncomfortably against his wrists and disturbing the scent glands residing there. They were throbbing dully, silently begging for the oily essence from an alpha's own wrists to press against them, calming the aching need for closeness. His reticent gaze stayed aimed at the raven-haired alpha for an indeterminate amount of time, seemingly lost in thought as he released a heavy sigh, making the split-second decision to tilt his chin towards the empty space beside him, waiting for Sebastian to follow his silent order, the one he was too proud to speak aloud. Abandoning his original seat, he joined his master, surprised at how quickly the other's head fell limp against his shoulder, leaden eyelids barely keeping themselves fully open long enough to see the alpha perch beside him. Being so near to him now, Sebastian could see the quivering of his slight body, omegan instincts fighting hard against his own prideful mind for dominance, shaken from the amount of gore he was exposed to within the span of twenty minutes. His head was bent awkwardly, enough to give him a sore neck if left to rest in that position for too long, and so Sebastian took the liberty of picking him up and laying him across the merlot hued velveteen cushion. Ashen-blue hair spread across the servant's legs like liquid lace when he rested his head on the man's thigh, instinctively curling closer to the protective warmth offered by the larger body.

It wasn't proper to hold one's master in such a way, Sebastian knew that well, but it was for Ciel's own well-being as much as it was for the demon's sanity; the earl needed as much rest as he could manage to heal his troubled mind and give him the energy needed to make it through his mating cycle. Still, he couldn't bear to see him act this way, it pained him despite how ill-fitting it was for a hellspawn to be bothered by such trivial things as human emotions. Over the years he had grown overly fond of his charge; watched him turn from an adolescent with a mind matured far beyond his age to a dashing young man with enough cunning to outmatch even the most clever of detectives. Physically, he was highly vulnerable without his loyal servant by his side, but mentally, he was stronger than any other creature his butler had met in the long millennia in which he had existed. And perhaps that's why he was drawn to him, just as a moth to a flame or tidal waves to the moon. He watched through condensation fogged glass as rain fell like teardrops from the heavens, flooding the roads and drenching the few blossoms of winter to the point of shedding their petals beneath the unforgiving onslaught, without a care for the life they brought to the dreary landscape created by the approaching solstice. Just as his master had said many times before, the world truly was a cruel place.