"... but a Devil of a butler."

“Silence, heathen.” The king snapped, the tip of his scepter striking the ground with an authoritative boom. The princess, sitting next to his throne with her hands folded in her lap, flinched reflexively.

This wasn’t going to work. She never should have taken part in this. But the princess just wanted it to stop. The mistreatment. The war. The suffering of the people they were meant to protect.

Her own suffering.

“I deeply apologize, master.” Sebastian replied, bowing humbly. “I shall not make excuses for my poor behavior.” He supposed he could have tried harder not to scare her, but Adrian was right. It would probably have been impossible to bring her round in the time he had. 

“Though…” He began again, lips a mere inch from his servant’s throat, a hand cupping his cheek. “I suppose it is taxing, what with the constant war waged by that imbecile in the northern kingdom. Hopefully the little bird you picked up will fix that.”

Once Irving was dead and out of the way, his one and only heir would surely bring an end to this nonsensical violence. That was, after Sebastian taught her what she needed to know.

“I’m sure she will,” he replied smoothly. “I shall assure that they’re too busy looking for the ‘heathen’ who stole away their princess than to focus on the war…” If he distracted enough of the guards and soldiers, it would probably be easier on Adrian’s men who were fighting. Furthermore, when the king was dead, their princess would return… Maybe that would provide some sort of incentive. 

He sighed softly at Sebastian’s words, knowing he was quite right. Adrian hadn’t been resting, certainly not in the time the butler had been away.

“Then perhaps… I’ll indulge tonight…” He whispered, tugging Sebastian’s ear with his teeth before pulling back, leaning back in his seat and quickly finishing his drink.

“Come, Sebastian. Let’s retire…” Surely Sebastian would help the young king relax in his chamber.

A calm before the chaos they’d unleashed. The northern kingdom waking to the news that their princess had been abducted, a retreat of northern forces to aid the search, a frightened princess waking in an unfamiliar place after such an awful nightmare.

He merely replied with a simple, “Yes, Master,” before following him obediently up the palace steps. 

The next morning, the butler had waited a while before going in to bring the princess breakfast. He felt that she’d need her rest after all. When he entered and saw her however, he smiled and tried to appear less threatening than the night before. He was wearing a clean jacket and formal servants’ attire, rather than the callous black cloak he had been donning the previous night. 

“Wh-where am I?!” She demanded, her voice quivering despite her best efforts. “Why did you bring me here?!” Why was he serving her breakfast as though he’d done nothing wrong?!

She was no longer home, that was for certain, though she couldn’t figure out where she’d been taken. Surely they couldn’t have gotten out of the northern kingdom in a single night.

“Your highness, please do not fear,” the demon replied in a soothing voice. “We’ve made sure that you are safe, just like you requested of me.You are in the southern king’s palace, where he will take care of you until it is safe for you to return.” He tried to explain it as calmly as he could, so as not to cause her to stir up any further in an attempt to abide by his master’s orders. “You need not worry about your father any longer.”

After a moment, he carefully came forward and placed the tea tray on a table beside her bed, pouring a cup of tea. “Please try and eat something princess. I know it must be a shock for you, so I brought something for you to enjoy in bed. There is more being served in the main hall if you feel this is not enough.”

“I… I don’t understand… There simply… it can’t be…” Surely he must have been lying then, or else this really was some strange sorcery. 

“Wh-what do you mean safe? Wh-why am I here?!” She was shaking, clearly confused and frightened. She couldn’t comprehend any of what was going on.

Right when she thought she might just try to run past the man and seek out answers, a knock came out the door.

“If that is what the master suggests,” he sighed softly and picked up the tray of food once more, leaving the tea in case the Princess wanted some. “Thank you,” he continued to the maid, “Please see to it that the her highness is comfortable and arrives for breakfast promptly. You know where I am if you need a hand.”

Surely the Princess knew what that meant. Sebastian wanted this to go smoothly for his master’s sake, as much as hers.

She would be taught the skills needed to rule and would be cared for as if she were Adrian’s own heir, with the highest respect and greatest kindness. He had no intention of harming her, unlike her beast of a father. It was very strange to hear someone be so sympathetic to her situation. Strange in a wonderful, relieving way. Pepper already almost trusted the man, odd as it was.

Sebastian was, of course, called for, as Adrian had never once intended on excluding him. It was clear he just wanted to make Pepper as comfortable as possible, given the circumstances.

“And you that is why we have brought you here, my dear.” Adrian concluded as Sebastian entered the room. “Simply to help you grow and flourish so we may end this dreadful war. I’m sure you were very frightened coming here, a very regrettable thing that I do apologize for, but I assure you that Sebastian meant no harm. Is that not right?”

He merely wanted to scare everyone else APART from her.

“Silence, heathen.” The king snapped, the tip of his scepter striking the ground with an authoritative boom. The princess, sitting next to his throne with her hands folded in her lap, flinched reflexively.

This wasn’t going to work. She never should have taken part in this. But the princess just wanted it to stop. The mistreatment. The war. The suffering of the people they were meant to protect.

Her own suffering.

“I deeply apologize, master.” Sebastian replied, bowing humbly. “I shall not make excuses for my poor behavior.” He supposed he could have tried harder not to scare her, but Adrian was right. It would probably have been impossible to bring her round in the time he had. 

“Though…” He began again, lips a mere inch from his servant’s throat, a hand cupping his cheek. “I suppose it is taxing, what with the constant war waged by that imbecile in the northern kingdom. Hopefully the little bird you picked up will fix that.”

Once Irving was dead and out of the way, his one and only heir would surely bring an end to this nonsensical violence. That was, after Sebastian taught her what she needed to know.

“I’m sure she will,” he replied smoothly. “I shall assure that they’re too busy looking for the ‘heathen’ who stole away their princess than to focus on the war…” If he distracted enough of the guards and soldiers, it would probably be easier on Adrian’s men who were fighting. Furthermore, when the king was dead, their princess would return… Maybe that would provide some sort of incentive. 

He sighed softly at Sebastian’s words, knowing he was quite right. Adrian hadn’t been resting, certainly not in the time the butler had been away.

“Then perhaps… I’ll indulge tonight…” He whispered, tugging Sebastian’s ear with his teeth before pulling back, leaning back in his seat and quickly finishing his drink.

“Come, Sebastian. Let’s retire…” Surely Sebastian would help the young king relax in his chamber.

A calm before the chaos they’d unleashed. The northern kingdom waking to the news that their princess had been abducted, a retreat of northern forces to aid the search, a frightened princess waking in an unfamiliar place after such an awful nightmare.

He merely replied with a simple, “Yes, Master,” before following him obediently up the palace steps. 

The next morning, the butler had waited a while before going in to bring the princess breakfast. He felt that she’d need her rest after all. When he entered and saw her however, he smiled and tried to appear less threatening than the night before. He was wearing a clean jacket and formal servants’ attire, rather than the callous black cloak he had been donning the previous night. 

“Wh-where am I?!” She demanded, her voice quivering despite her best efforts. “Why did you bring me here?!” Why was he serving her breakfast as though he’d done nothing wrong?!

She was no longer home, that was for certain, though she couldn’t figure out where she’d been taken. Surely they couldn’t have gotten out of the northern kingdom in a single night.

“Your highness, please do not fear,” the demon replied in a soothing voice. “We’ve made sure that you are safe, just like you requested of me.You are in the southern king’s palace, where he will take care of you until it is safe for you to return.” He tried to explain it as calmly as he could, so as not to cause her to stir up any further in an attempt to abide by his master’s orders. “You need not worry about your father any longer.”

After a moment, he carefully came forward and placed the tea tray on a table beside her bed, pouring a cup of tea. “Please try and eat something princess. I know it must be a shock for you, so I brought something for you to enjoy in bed. There is more being served in the main hall if you feel this is not enough.”

“I… I don’t understand… There simply… it can’t be…” Surely he must have been lying then, or else this really was some strange sorcery. 

“Wh-what do you mean safe? Wh-why am I here?!” She was shaking, clearly confused and frightened. She couldn’t comprehend any of what was going on.

Right when she thought she might just try to run past the man and seek out answers, a knock came out the door.

"If that is what the master suggests," he sighed softly and picked up the tray of food once more, leaving the tea in case the Princess wanted some. "Thank you," he continued to the maid, "Please see to it that the her highness is comfortable and arrives for breakfast promptly. You know where I am if you need a hand."

Surely the Princess knew what that meant. Sebastian wanted this to go smoothly for his master's sake, as much as hers.

“Silence, heathen.” The king snapped, the tip of his scepter striking the ground with an authoritative boom. The princess, sitting next to his throne with her hands folded in her lap, flinched reflexively.

This wasn’t going to work. She never should have taken part in this. But the princess just wanted it to stop. The mistreatment. The war. The suffering of the people they were meant to protect.

Her own suffering.

“I deeply apologize, master.” Sebastian replied, bowing humbly. “I shall not make excuses for my poor behavior.” He supposed he could have tried harder not to scare her, but Adrian was right. It would probably have been impossible to bring her round in the time he had. 

“Though…” He began again, lips a mere inch from his servant’s throat, a hand cupping his cheek. “I suppose it is taxing, what with the constant war waged by that imbecile in the northern kingdom. Hopefully the little bird you picked up will fix that.”

Once Irving was dead and out of the way, his one and only heir would surely bring an end to this nonsensical violence. That was, after Sebastian taught her what she needed to know.

“I’m sure she will,” he replied smoothly. “I shall assure that they’re too busy looking for the ‘heathen’ who stole away their princess than to focus on the war…” If he distracted enough of the guards and soldiers, it would probably be easier on Adrian’s men who were fighting. Furthermore, when the king was dead, their princess would return… Maybe that would provide some sort of incentive. 

He sighed softly at Sebastian’s words, knowing he was quite right. Adrian hadn’t been resting, certainly not in the time the butler had been away.

“Then perhaps… I’ll indulge tonight…” He whispered, tugging Sebastian’s ear with his teeth before pulling back, leaning back in his seat and quickly finishing his drink.

“Come, Sebastian. Let’s retire…” Surely Sebastian would help the young king relax in his chamber.

A calm before the chaos they’d unleashed. The northern kingdom waking to the news that their princess had been abducted, a retreat of northern forces to aid the search, a frightened princess waking in an unfamiliar place after such an awful nightmare.

He merely replied with a simple, “Yes, Master,” before following him obediently up the palace steps. 

The next morning, the butler had waited a while before going in to bring the princess breakfast. He felt that she’d need her rest after all. When he entered and saw her however, he smiled and tried to appear less threatening than the night before. He was wearing a clean jacket and formal servants’ attire, rather than the callous black cloak he had been donning the previous night. 

“Wh-where am I?!” She demanded, her voice quivering despite her best efforts. “Why did you bring me here?!” Why was he serving her breakfast as though he’d done nothing wrong?!

She was no longer home, that was for certain, though she couldn’t figure out where she’d been taken. Surely they couldn’t have gotten out of the northern kingdom in a single night.

“Your highness, please do not fear,” the demon replied in a soothing voice. “We’ve made sure that you are safe, just like you requested of me.You are in the southern king’s palace, where he will take care of you until it is safe for you to return.” He tried to explain it as calmly as he could, so as not to cause her to stir up any further in an attempt to abide by his master’s orders. “You need not worry about your father any longer.”

After a moment, he carefully came forward and placed the tea tray on a table beside her bed, pouring a cup of tea. “Please try and eat something princess. I know it must be a shock for you, so I brought something for you to enjoy in bed. There is more being served in the main hall if you feel this is not enough.”

“Silence, heathen.” The king snapped, the tip of his scepter striking the ground with an authoritative boom. The princess, sitting next to his throne with her hands folded in her lap, flinched reflexively.

This wasn’t going to work. She never should have taken part in this. But the princess just wanted it to stop. The mistreatment. The war. The suffering of the people they were meant to protect.

Her own suffering.

“I deeply apologize, master.” Sebastian replied, bowing humbly. “I shall not make excuses for my poor behavior.” He supposed he could have tried harder not to scare her, but Adrian was right. It would probably have been impossible to bring her round in the time he had. 

“Though…” He began again, lips a mere inch from his servant’s throat, a hand cupping his cheek. “I suppose it is taxing, what with the constant war waged by that imbecile in the northern kingdom. Hopefully the little bird you picked up will fix that.”

Once Irving was dead and out of the way, his one and only heir would surely bring an end to this nonsensical violence. That was, after Sebastian taught her what she needed to know.

“I’m sure she will,” he replied smoothly. “I shall assure that they’re too busy looking for the ‘heathen’ who stole away their princess than to focus on the war…” If he distracted enough of the guards and soldiers, it would probably be easier on Adrian’s men who were fighting. Furthermore, when the king was dead, their princess would return… Maybe that would provide some sort of incentive. 

He sighed softly at Sebastian’s words, knowing he was quite right. Adrian hadn’t been resting, certainly not in the time the butler had been away.

“Then perhaps… I’ll indulge tonight…” He whispered, tugging Sebastian’s ear with his teeth before pulling back, leaning back in his seat and quickly finishing his drink.

“Come, Sebastian. Let’s retire…” Surely Sebastian would help the young king relax in his chamber.

A calm before the chaos they’d unleashed. The northern kingdom waking to the news that their princess had been abducted, a retreat of northern forces to aid the search, a frightened princess waking in an unfamiliar place after such an awful nightmare.

He merely replied with a simple, “Yes, Master,” before following him obediently up the palace steps. 

The next morning, the butler had waited a while before going in to bring the princess breakfast. He felt that she’d need her rest after all. When he entered and saw her however, he smiled and tried to appear less threatening than the night before. He was wearing a clean jacket and formal servants’ attire, rather than the callous black cloak he had been donning the previous night. 

“Silence, heathen.” The king snapped, the tip of his scepter striking the ground with an authoritative boom. The princess, sitting next to his throne with her hands folded in her lap, flinched reflexively.

This wasn’t going to work. She never should have taken part in this. But the princess just wanted it to stop. The mistreatment. The war. The suffering of the people they were meant to protect.

Her own suffering.

“I deeply apologize, master.” Sebastian replied, bowing humbly. “I shall not make excuses for my poor behavior.” He supposed he could have tried harder not to scare her, but Adrian was right. It would probably have been impossible to bring her round in the time he had. 

“Though…” He began again, lips a mere inch from his servant’s throat, a hand cupping his cheek. “I suppose it is taxing, what with the constant war waged by that imbecile in the northern kingdom. Hopefully the little bird you picked up will fix that.”

Once Irving was dead and out of the way, his one and only heir would surely bring an end to this nonsensical violence. That was, after Sebastian taught her what she needed to know.

“I’m sure she will,” he replied smoothly. “I shall assure that they’re too busy looking for the ‘heathen’ who stole away their princess than to focus on the war...” If he distracted enough of the guards and soldiers, it would probably be easier on Adrian’s men who were fighting. Furthermore, when the king was dead, their princess would return... Maybe that would provide some sort of incentive. 

“Silence, heathen.” The king snapped, the tip of his scepter striking the ground with an authoritative boom. The princess, sitting next to his throne with her hands folded in her lap, flinched reflexively.

This wasn’t going to work. She never should have taken part in this. But the princess just wanted it to stop. The mistreatment. The war. The suffering of the people they were meant to protect.

Her own suffering.

“I deeply apologize, master.” Sebastian replied, bowing humbly. “I shall not make excuses for my poor behavior.” He supposed he could have tried harder not to scare her, but Adrian was right. It would probably have been impossible to bring her round in the time he had. 

“Silence, heathen.” The king snapped, the tip of his scepter striking the ground with an authoritative boom. The princess, sitting next to his throne with her hands folded in her lap, flinched reflexively.

This wasn’t going to work. She never should have taken part in this. But the princess just wanted it to stop. The mistreatment. The war. The suffering of the people they were meant to protect.

Her own suffering.

His eyes darted toward the door as she screamed, sighing frustratedly. Of course… there goes wanting to keep things quiet. 

“I told you, child. I’m not going to hurt you,” Sebastian hissed, marching toward her. “This is what you wanted, me to save you from him! Come with me and you shall be able to go wherever you like, do what you want like you said.” He pushed his arm out toward her, in one last effort to try and win her trust peacefully. He didn’t want to upset her, but as well he had no time for messing around. 

“I n-never agreed to leave…!” She managed, her voice trembling and weak. “You never said anything about leaving….! Y-you never-!” The guard continued to bang at the door, which only served to heighten her sense of panic.

She didn’t want to continue on like this, but she couldn’t leave. He didn’t understand. She couldn’t go with him. 

She couldn’t leave this castle, even if she couldn’t bear to stay.

“Princess! Answer me, Princess!” The banging grew louder. The pressure more intense. The air thinner. 

The castle, on the other hand, burst with frenzied search not long after the two had left the town. It was too late, of course. Far too late. The young princess’s fate was sealed.

Little did she know it wasn’t nearly so intolerable as she had thought. Certainly, she would find it was much better than staying in that horrible castle with him.

But this realization would come later. Much later.

He never failed him.

“Back so soon, darling?” He asked, setting down his drink and leaning forward so that he could take the butler by the chin, gently propelling him to look upwards as he stroked his soft cheek. 

“I’m glad. I was starting to get bored..” A kiss on the cheek would have to suffice for the moment, it seemed. Adrian knew there was work to be done.

“Silence, heathen.” The king snapped, the tip of his scepter striking the ground with an authoritative boom. The princess, sitting next to his throne with her hands folded in her lap, flinched reflexively.

This wasn’t going to work. She never should have taken part in this. But the princess just wanted it to stop. The mistreatment. The war. The suffering of the people they were meant to protect.

Her own suffering.

His eyes darted toward the door as she screamed, sighing frustratedly. Of course… there goes wanting to keep things quiet. 

“I told you, child. I’m not going to hurt you,” Sebastian hissed, marching toward her. “This is what you wanted, me to save you from him! Come with me and you shall be able to go wherever you like, do what you want like you said.” He pushed his arm out toward her, in one last effort to try and win her trust peacefully. He didn’t want to upset her, but as well he had no time for messing around. 

“I n-never agreed to leave…!” She managed, her voice trembling and weak. “You never said anything about leaving….! Y-you never-!” The guard continued to bang at the door, which only served to heighten her sense of panic.

She didn’t want to continue on like this, but she couldn’t leave. He didn’t understand. She couldn’t go with him. 

She couldn’t leave this castle, even if she couldn’t bear to stay.

“Princess! Answer me, Princess!” The banging grew louder. The pressure more intense. The air thinner. 

The castle, on the other hand, burst with frenzied search not long after the two had left the town. It was too late, of course. Far too late. The young princess’s fate was sealed.

Little did she know it wasn’t nearly so intolerable as she had thought. Certainly, she would find it was much better than staying in that horrible castle with him.

But this realization would come later. Much later.

previous RP: http://pepper-green.tumblr.com/post/140352588756/mob-boss-pep-au-pepper-had-been-locked-away-for

Sebastian helped her into the carriage and then sat  opposite her, looking out the window as he watched the countryside go by. He had a small smile on his face - it was nice for him to be back in England again, as well as he was somewhat excited to see Pepper’s home. He had done his best to rest before they arrived, and was feeling a lot better, and his powers were soon rejuvenated. 

The demon was there in a moment as his name was called, though it took him almost a split second to recognise his new name again. When he saw her after rushing into the corridor however, he frowned and looked disapprovingly at her. “Master Green!” he frowned and took her arm carefully, in a firm grip that was still gentle with her but wouldn’t be argued with. 

Amelia tutted, but a sharp look from Pepper stopped her from pressing further. “You certainly haven’t changed.” She sighed heavily, before fixing the buttons on Pepper’s shirt. “I’ll get you your medicine and morning tea then, Miss. Would you be so kind as to help the master to Mr. Mortus’ room, Mr. Blake? It won’t do to argue with the master. She’s even more stubborn and unreasonable when she’s ill.”

Certainly that was no way to speak to one’s master, but Pepper said nothing of it. She merely glanced at Amelia as she left, before looking at Sebastian expectantly.

“Well then? Let’s be off.” 

Pepper’s words grew progressively quieter as she spoke, her energy quickly leaving her as she continued to walk. It was a relief when she reached Adrian’s room, her clammy hand grasping the knob and forcing the door open.

And there we was, a pitiful heap of bandages and pain. Pepper was struck by the severity of his state, yet somehow he looked much better than she’d expected. In fact, many of his visible bruises and lashes looked as though they’d had a week to heal. As strange as it was, Pepper suspected this was somehow Sebastian’s doing.

She glanced at the butler, before taking a seat next to her groggy friend.

“You look a right mess.” The blonde said flatly, a weak smile tugging at Adrian’s lips.

previous RP: http://pepper-green.tumblr.com/post/140352588756/mob-boss-pep-au-pepper-had-been-locked-away-for

Sebastian helped her into the carriage and then sat  opposite her, looking out the window as he watched the countryside go by. He had a small smile on his face - it was nice for him to be back in England again, as well as he was somewhat excited to see Pepper’s home. He had done his best to rest before they arrived, and was feeling a lot better, and his powers were soon rejuvenated. 

The demon was there in a moment as his name was called, though it took him almost a split second to recognise his new name again. When he saw her after rushing into the corridor however, he frowned and looked disapprovingly at her. “Master Green!” he frowned and took her arm carefully, in a firm grip that was still gentle with her but wouldn’t be argued with. 

Amelia tutted, but a sharp look from Pepper stopped her from pressing further. “You certainly haven’t changed.” She sighed heavily, before fixing the buttons on Pepper’s shirt. “I’ll get you your medicine and morning tea then, Miss. Would you be so kind as to help the master to Mr. Mortus’ room, Mr. Blake? It won’t do to argue with the master. She’s even more stubborn and unreasonable when she’s ill.”

Certainly that was no way to speak to one’s master, but Pepper said nothing of it. She merely glanced at Amelia as she left, before looking at Sebastian expectantly.

“Well then? Let’s be off.” 

previous RP: http://pepper-green.tumblr.com/post/140352588756/mob-boss-pep-au-pepper-had-been-locked-away-for

Sebastian helped her into the carriage and then sat  opposite her, looking out the window as he watched the countryside go by. He had a small smile on his face - it was nice for him to be back in England again, as well as he was somewhat excited to see Pepper’s home. He had done his best to rest before they arrived, and was feeling a lot better, and his powers were soon rejuvenated. 

The demon was there in a moment as his name was called, though it took him almost a split second to recognise his new name again. When he saw her after rushing into the corridor however, he frowned and looked disapprovingly at her. “Master Green!” he frowned and took her arm carefully, in a firm grip that was still gentle with her but wouldn’t be argued with. 

previous RP: http://pepper-green.tumblr.com/post/140352588756/mob-boss-pep-au-pepper-had-been-locked-away-for

Sebastian helped her into the carriage and then sat  opposite her, looking out the window as he watched the countryside go by. He had a small smile on his face - it was nice for him to be back in England again, as well as he was somewhat excited to see Pepper’s home. He had done his best to rest before they arrived, and was feeling a lot better, and his powers were soon rejuvenated. 

Sebastian flinched slightly as he felt the other’s hand touching his hair. After a moment of hesitation, he gently took hold of that poor shaking hand, and clasped it in his own as he stood up once more. 

“I’m a-alright…” Adrian managed, keeping his gaze on Sebastian. “S-so long as… you’re here, s-sweetheart.”

So long as Sebastian was there, Adrian would be alright. He wouldn’t have to do anything but think of the handsome butler. He could rest, unafraid, knowing that Sebastian was there for him.

“Please, inform me if you need anything else. Until then I shall remain by your side.” It was hard to imagine that, upon meeting this man a day earlier, Sebastian had been responsible for breaking his poor nose, and now he was carefully nursing him back to health. Oddly, he felt more human than he probably had ever done before. Nonetheless, he was safe, that was all that mattered…

Apart from trying to hide the story of the brutal massacre of what was surely over a hundred men, that would surely grace the papers later, from him… The butler wanted to stay like this, without Adrian realising what he really was. Surely when he did…

He would lose him…

It struck him now just how convinced he’d been of his own death. How close he’d come to actually dying. How vulnerable he’d felt. How alone.

And Sebastian had saved him. Of course it had been his angel. Adrian had never been so quickly taken with someone. Despite how he held himself, despite the darkness in his eyes, Sebastian really was a good person.

The man melted at the gentle kiss. He hasn’t quite expected it to be such an emotional experience, and yet, here he was. Tears pricked in the corners of his eyes, which fluttered shut for a moment. Just long enough so that he could weakly reciprocate the kiss.

And then he was looking up at an equally emotional Sebastian. Adrian felt a lump form in his throat, before he moved his head a bit, so that it was just touching the demon’s shoulder. He supposed this was as close to an embrace as he could manage.

Perhaps he was being too forward. He couldn’t remember the last time he was so gentle with another human being, or wanted so much for them to be comfortable. Besides, he knew cats at least liked having their fur stroked…? And Adrian seemed pleased when he had touched Sebastian’s hair before too. What a strange way for humans to show affection…

He shook his head slightly at Sebastian’s words, nor wanting him to leave. Not even for a moment.

There was still the matter of the cold though… Sebastian was sure that humans were ill adapt to cold environments, and when the other man was sick he didn’t want to let even the slightest drop in temperature threaten the poor man. What could he do to keep him warm, but not leave the bedside…?

“Mm..” Very much. He wanted nothing more. Just for Sebastian to stay with him. To hold him. To be reassured.

He was here. He was safe. He could rest.

He wouldn’t have to be alone and in pain. Perhaps the pain was inescapable, but he had company.

Why though? He had been as close before, even closer the night before… so why was Sebastian so careful around him. It seemed as if the other human was so delicate and precious to him that he he knew his own strength might be a danger. He was a heinous being, after all, he had killed more people than the other probably had ever even known… He was beginning to wonder what he had done to deserve meeting a being like this.

Adrian didn’t know what he had done to deserve meeting such an Angel. Sebastian had an almost inhuman perfection about him. He was strikingly handsome, diligent, astute, considerate, caring…

He simply must have fallen from heaven.

All of this went unspoken as Adrian drifted peacefully onto a much needed rest. And so it remained. Amelia cared for Pepper while Sebastian cared for Adrian.

Both were looking after their charges very… similarly.

As Pepper had instructed Sebastian to spend the day tending to Adrian, he wouldn’t see her until he came to check on and wake her the next morning. The curtains were closed, the room dark. Pepper’s bare shoulders were just peaking up past her duvet, a second form lay slumbering beside her, hair tousled every which way.

Needless to say, it was a long night. What he did not expect was what he saw in the morning, another servant in much the same position as he had been, but with his master...! Conflicted, he didn't know whether to wake them or not. After a few moments, he reasoned with himself that, with Pepper being ill, he could probably afford to let them have a few moments longer. The whole house must have been tired after the fiasco of the previous night...

I don’t often ask these things on here, but I’m running a survey on video gaming for a project in college that will help me get into university, into the Psychological and Societal impact of video games, and I’m looking for people to complete it! The length of the study varies depending on your answers, but won’t take longer than 10 minutes. 

You don’t have to be an avid gamer to complete the survey, nor know much about them or have any interest at all in fact. I’m just looking for participants. 

Please follow the below link to the Google Form, or if you don’t want to spend time completing the study, please reblog to spread publicity!

https://goo.gl/forms/sNoAF5oQDUxvUxNg2

“Hm?” Sebastian hummed, turning around and pausing slightly as he saw Adrian, holding up a mistletoe stem. 

“Adrian…?” he gasped in surprise, eyes slightly wide. No one had ever caught him under the mistletoe before, let alone purposely held it above his head. It was… flattering. 

Sebastian smiled and kissed him back, positively beaming. He’d never usually had time for Christmas. With all the religion and holiness surrounding it, he’d never really felt welcome, but having someone he cared about so much to share it with really made him happy. 

“Ah… Yes please, if you could,” he replied. “I know felines are confident creatures, but small ones still need protection. If only he wasn’t so busy… He wanted to spend so much more time with the little kitten, but he knew she was safe with Adrian. 

Now, as Adrian gently cradled Midnight in his arms, he felt something almost paternal stirring.

Adrian stood off to the side, a tiny kitten curled up in his arms. He smiled widely when he finally caught sight of Sebastian in the crowd, though the butler was intercepted by his master.

“You know, Sebastian, you never quite look so happy when you see me.” She was teasing, of course, though it was fun to pick on him.

Especially when she knew how much he cared for Adrian.

“Silence, heathen.” The king snapped, the tip of his scepter striking the ground with an authoritative boom. The princess, sitting next to his throne with her hands folded in her lap, flinched reflexively.

This wasn’t going to work. She never should have taken part in this. But the princess just wanted it to stop. The mistreatment. The war. The suffering of the people they were meant to protect.

Her own suffering.

His eyes darted toward the door as she screamed, sighing frustratedly. Of course… there goes wanting to keep things quiet. 

“I told you, child. I’m not going to hurt you,” Sebastian hissed, marching toward her. “This is what you wanted, me to save you from him! Come with me and you shall be able to go wherever you like, do what you want like you said.” He pushed his arm out toward her, in one last effort to try and win her trust peacefully. He didn’t want to upset her, but as well he had no time for messing around. 

“I n-never agreed to leave…!” She managed, her voice trembling and weak. “You never said anything about leaving….! Y-you never-!” The guard continued to bang at the door, which only served to heighten her sense of panic.

She didn’t want to continue on like this, but she couldn’t leave. He didn’t understand. She couldn’t go with him. 

She couldn’t leave this castle, even if she couldn’t bear to stay.

“Princess! Answer me, Princess!” The banging grew louder. The pressure more intense. The air thinner. 

“Silence, heathen.” The king snapped, the tip of his scepter striking the ground with an authoritative boom. The princess, sitting next to his throne with her hands folded in her lap, flinched reflexively.

This wasn’t going to work. She never should have taken part in this. But the princess just wanted it to stop. The mistreatment. The war. The suffering of the people they were meant to protect.

Her own suffering.

His eyes darted toward the door as she screamed, sighing frustratedly. Of course... there goes wanting to keep things quiet. 

“I told you, child. I’m not going to hurt you,” Sebastian hissed, marching toward her. “This is what you wanted, me to save you from him! Come with me and you shall be able to go wherever you like, do what you want like you said.” He pushed his arm out toward her, in one last effort to try and win her trust peacefully. He didn’t want to upset her, but as well he had no time for messing around. 

“Silence, heathen.” The king snapped, the tip of his scepter striking the ground with an authoritative boom. The princess, sitting next to his throne with her hands folded in her lap, flinched reflexively.

This wasn’t going to work. She never should have taken part in this. But the princess just wanted it to stop. The mistreatment. The war. The suffering of the people they were meant to protect.

Her own suffering.

“Wh…. what….?” She gasped, her voice quivering as she gaped at the man. 

This was not what she had agreed to. He had promised her he would make things better. That he would keep her father from marrying her off. That he wouldn’t let him hurt her again.

He had never said anything about taking her from her home. 

Irving banged his staff again, silencing the chatter in the room. He was red with anger. How dare some worthless common-blood threaten to take what was his.

“Come tomorrow, you will lose your head for your impertinence.” He snapped, armored knights dragging the servant away. 

Pepper was confined to her quarters that night. Her door was locked and guarded, the grounds crawling with armed men, ordered to kill anyone holding malicious intent towards the royal house.

Despite this, Pepper couldn’t sleep. She lay curled up in her bed, clutching the pendent round her neck (a keepsake from her mother) and shivering at the thought of some dark force stealing her from her home in the night and locking her away. Perhaps she was a prisoner now, but there was some security in this place. 

He waited until he was pretty sure the moon was up, not that there were any windows to see through, before beginning his work. It didn’t take long to break the chains around him and sit up in the middle of the cell.

His escape was quiet and simple. He could have slaughtered everyone he came across and left the cracks in the ground running with blood. But he thought it would leave the court more devastated if the event happened without anyone having any sort of inkling. Either that, or he was saving his true devastation for the king himself.

Part of her water to get one of the guards, but she quickly realized that would be silly. She was far too high up for anyone to climb. Indeed, once she timidly got out of bed and pulled back the curtains, she saw it was little more than a curious little crow. The young princess breathed a sigh, before taking some tea cookies from a nearby table and unlatching the window, setting a cookie down for the strikingly beautiful bird.

“You’re a lucky thing, aren’t you…? I bet you aren’t afraid of anything… and you can where you like….”

There was a profound sadness in Pepper’s eyes, her pale form almost ghostly in the moonlight, her golden hair rustling gently in the breeze. Her longing gaze left the bird and moved to the kingdom far bellow her.

“I don’t… know why you came to this cold, lonely place. It looks much better down there…”

“You have no idea,” the demon smiled. “You want cold and lonely? Try staying in the dungeon.”