hugtopia_logs | an end to the nightmares

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an end to the nightmares

♥ Who: Undertaker, Ciel, Will
♥ Where: Nearing the residential area
♥ When: Backdated to Sept 3
♥ What: Undertaker and Ciel run into Will on their way home from Ciel's sick leave
♥ Rating: PG?

The entire ordeal lasted far longer than Undertaker was comfortable with seeing, which was to say he could have done without seeing Ciel fall ill at all. It had been one thing to see the boy suffer under his asthma attack, but then he had been able to get his ward quickly to a place where he could be helped. Seeing Ciel growing transparent, of all things, was a new trick even for a grim reaper.

Not something he wished ever to see happen again, and though he was immensely grateful that it seemed to be over, he didn't like the possibility that it might come back. Unexpectedly, for no known reason.

That alone served as half of the fuel to his insistence that Ciel take everything easy for a while once the affliction cleared up, and to that end, he had gathered the young Earl up and against him and set about carrying him home. They were each more than a little used to his curious teleportation abilities, but after such a spell, Undertaker couldn't be sure putting Ciel through even something so brief as a quick step from the temple to home would go over well. They would need to work their way back into those methods of travel gradually.

For now, the long route it would be, but it was a nice enough day, everything considered. The breeze might even do Ciel good, and that's enough to content him to carry the teen all the way home.

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At first, he did try to insist that he could walk home. He'd worried Undertaker enough, he thinks, over the past month that expecting him to do so much for him seemed unfair. Once he's scooped up into his arms though, it's all he can do to just cuddle into the embrace and drape his arms around the reapers neck.

"You fret over me so much. What have I done to deserve someone as amazing as you?" He couldn't help himself. To him, Undertaker deserved all of his love and admiration. He'd done nothing but earn it too over the past few years.

Relief might have been it, he thought. What else could draw them together as it had? After so long of Astre's strange illness, gone almost as quickly as it had come, Undertaker couldn't help it.

It was selfish, in part, but after having lost so much, he could hardly pry himself away from the one thing in this world that meant anything to him. Astre, he knew, surely felt the same. So he carried the boy on, neither rushing nor taking his time, through the city and on to their apartment.

"What haven't you done, I should ask. How long have we been in the same worlds together now, milord? Just the two of us, more often than not?"

Arms still wrapped around his shoulders, Astre was content to stay tucked against him. It's safe and warm in his arms though there hasn't been a proper threat to Havenwell in almost a year. And, even then, they'd been sure to keep Astre out of the way of danger. They'd probably do the same next time it happened. And there was always a next time when it came to their lives all over this universe.

"Awhile now. Years." He said softly but then thought back, counting the years in his head. "Almost four years. I'll be eighteen soon, can you believe it?"

He'd just barely been pushing fourteen when they'd left England. Close enough that he couldn't be considered thirteen anymore, just a couple weeks difference.

"I wouldn't have it any other way though, you know. I've never been happier than I am with you."

Whatever else he does in this world or any other, he does to keep this boy safe and alive, and where at all possible, happy. Those smiles back in England, after everything fell apart in the span of a night, he never believed a one of them. It was all for the show, like Undertaker himself pulled on a day to day basis.

Not like here. Not like the last... "Four years? Has it really been that long?" He dips his head back, groaning. "My goodness. Eighteen already. I can hardly believe it. Whatever shall I get you for your birthday? We really must make this one special."

He gave the small frame in his arms a gentle squeeze, continuing on down the sidewalk.

It wasn't anything he'd had trouble with the past few years. He was happy, has been aside from a few incidents outside their control. Even then though, they managed to pick themselves up and find reasons to smile. And that was enough for him.

"Hm... We have a few months yet, so we can think about it." Then he laughed softly and grinned up at him. "Perhaps you could sing for my birthday? That would be a treat."

Eighteen and he's still easily carried in the reapers arms. He knew Undertaker was stronger than any normal human though, had seen plenty of evidence of that on the Campania and at Weston.

"I'm not set on anything specific though. Just as long as we're together."

He couldn't help a giggle at that, Astre still steady in his arms even with his laughter. Nothing so slight could knock the teen from his grasp, and he couldn't help his humor.

"If you like your ears to bleed so, milord, we could take a bit of red paint and make the image believable." With everything they had done to rebuild the bath house, it wouldn't be impossible, and red was hardly in short supply after their efforts. "No need to create a vision using the real thing. You've just gotten yourself over a spell."

He didn't believe, for even a moment, that Undertaker would drop him. His trust in the reaper was deep enough to dance on the edge of a cliff with no fear of death. And no fear at all. Grell could scare him, and Sebastian, but not Undertaker.

He couldn't help but laugh a bit, sneaking a kiss to his cheek. Now that would be a sight, the teens ears bleeding from something like singing. He couldn't believe Undertaker's voice was so bad though.

"I think I may be willing to take that risk, if only to hear you sing. Especially if it's something for my birthday, it'll only make it better."

Maybe his voice wasn't enough to cause actual bleeding, or so he hoped not, but he knew what talents he had and where he left wanting. But if it was a birthday request, he might be so willing to indulge.

"You sound so sure, and yet here you've never heard me in song before. Such confidence, milord. Should I be flattered or suspicious?"

One never could be sure with those Phantomhives.

It certainly wasn't awful enough to keep the teen from wanting to hear. He already loved the sound of the reapers voice, it soothed him on more than one occasion and kept him relaxed the entire month.

"I've heard you speak plenty so that gives me all the confidence I think I need."

His grin was positively smug, even in Undertaker's arms and being carried home from a month-long illness. Ciel had to take his chances somewhere.

"Oh, how romantic..... I hope I'm not interrupting anything?"

There was a playful lilt to Will's voice as he drew nearer, smile sly in spite of the tightness in his chest. It certainly looked dashing, didn't it? Undertaker carrying his dear little lord in his arms for a stroll across town, voices soft and intimate, cuddled safe and secure against a strong chest..... They were just begging to be teased, going on like this in public.

So that was what he should do, wasn't it? That was what he was supposed to do. People would expect it from him, so he graciously obliged. And yet--maybe it was just paranoia, with Cor's disappearance such a fresh wound. But while he wouldn't put it past Undertaker to sweep Astre off his feet for a bit of fun, it just didn't seem like Astre would want to be carried for long. So why.....?

Edited 2020-09-29 07:07 (UTC)

He hadn't known Will so very long, it felt like, even though they had lived in the same location for far longer. Still, something like this took him a little off guard, though the grin remained where it was and became all the more his typical mannerism. Not that he minded in the least.

Of course, he was eager to get Astre home and in somewhere familiar where the boy could settle in, but certainly not in bed again. After a month of the very same, he wouldn't dare ask the Earl to restrict himself in such a way. Not unless Astre wanted to.

"Oh, only if you like. We were only on our way home, and my lord here has had quite a trying month."

And Astre didn't know him terribly well in general but that was his own fault. He really needed to be more social. Especially, as Undertaker pointed out, the trying month he'd just endured. Something they could all, perhaps, remedy soon now that they've run into each other.

His cheeks took on a bright shade of red though, almost shaming cherries, and he tucked his face against Undertaker's chest. Only for a moment though, before realizing that would probably only prove the point. Not that he had any objections.

"You're not interrupting at all." His cheeks were still heated, even as he tried to calm himself down from his embarrassment. "Perhaps, if Undertaker doesn't object, you could join us for tea?"

"Ahahaha! There's no need to be embarrassed. I think it's sweet!" Will only grinned wider as Astre flustered. It was cute the way he tried to hide, wasn't it? Those two never failed to be charming together. Things couldn't be too bad at least, if he could still coax out a reaction like that, right?

Still though, he couldn't help but be concerned about the implications of Undertaker's words. "I'd be happy to, of course. But what kind of trying month do you mean?"

He had expected a little shyness from Astre upon mention of what they had, whatever it was. Even he himself wasn't certain. Now that it had been brought out in the open between someone other than just the two of them, the teen's reactions had his amusement. Undertaker couldn't help a giggle at it.

"Oh, nothing too serious, I assure you." Though, in truth, it had been more serious than Undertaker would admit, at least while he didn't know what was happening or when it might end, if it would end. "Milord just fell a little ill for a while, that's all."

But he was still eager to get the teen back home and to more familiar, more relaxing surroundings. He turned, paused, invited. "Let's do walk and talk, shall we? All the better to have us settled in and enjoying company with refreshments."

He couldn't help it, he hadn't exactly hidden his feelings for the reaper but he hadn't exactly advertised it either. At least, he didn't thinks so. Maybe he wasn't so careful as he'd thought.

It was worth it though to hear that giggle from Undertaker though and it drew a smile from him. And the fact that Will seemed delighted as well, helped. So he settles his head back against the reapers shoulder and watches Will, cheeks still a bit warm and pink.

"I had to spend some time in Rawna's temple." He wasn't sure how to explain that he'd been literally fading away. Or how many people were aware yet that it was an illness that could strike at them.

"Mm, I've been looking forward to going home all month." And he can't help but wonder, settled in Undertaker's arms, if having a guest meant he'll have a chance at helping with the tea.

"Let's~" Will fell in beside Undertaker; he couldn't exactly make poffins or anything on short notice, but as long as Undertaker was taking care of Astre, surely he could handle the prep work for them? Sure, he might be a guest in their home, but--

Those trivial thoughts stuttered to a halt at the explanation, even as vague as it was; Will's smile visibly faltered, as he gave Ciel a more careful look over. He seemed alright, at first glance..... If the priests had kept Astre for a month, then they probably had been careful about not releasing him too early. Still..... even if he is jumping to conclusions, hearing about what's almost certainly another case of the illness was worrisome.

"I'm glad to hear you're feeling better! Just don't overdo it, okay? You could relapse if you push too hard too fast, you know." He wouldn't outright tell Undertaker to hover, but..... well, his lord was clearly important to him, wasn't he? The man deserves the warning, if he's been at Astre's bedside all month.

Their journey continues easily with Will beside them, though by now they aren't too terribly far from the apartment. "This will be nice. It's been quite some time since we've entertained guests."

Not for their trying. They've been so used to being alone with each other for company at home, and everyone had been so concerned with their own issues and those in the city at large. But in his own thoughts, he doesn't miss the look on Will's face. His concern is a delight, but then, Will always has been a delight, for what he knows of the boy.

"We'll be sure he doesn't get up to too much trouble while he's recovering, won't we?"

Astre looked between then and then let out a half-hearted huff and pout. He was outnumbered and, really, he couldn't blame them for fretting. Undertaker, particularly, knew how delicate his health had always been when he was younger.

"With both of you conspiring now, I have no choice but to take it easy now, do I?" He was still pouting but his tone turned a bit teasing.

"Will I at least be allowed to help with the tea? I don't think I could stand being waited on after all this. So long as I take it easy, of course." He knows they could probably both sweep him up and deposit him on a couch or something.

"No choice at all~ I daresay Undertaker might even allow it, since you're catching on so very quickly. What do you think, has he earned it?"

Heh. Most people would think they earned the right to take it easy, not to help out, wouldn't they? Then again, most people haven't probably just come off of being confined to bedrest for an entire month..... At least turning it into a game might help to make it a little less frustrating?

A drawn out hum and a face most serious and thoughtful might fool one into thinking there is actually anything at all to think about regarding Astre's help.

"Mmm, I suppose he has. He was quite good about getting his rest in the temple, though I did nearly have to pin him down on one occasion."

Of course he'll let the Earl get a hand in on it. Maybe. Just one though, and not for very long. Having stayed near restricted to a bed for a month was bad enough, but he can't help but tease.

He couldn't tell if they were being serious about keeping him resting or if he was being teased. Or perhaps both. Undertaker, he knew, was always fond of teasing him. Will, he was still learning his place with him but already he's earned a few smiles from the teen.

"No choi-" Oh, he was absolutely being teased. Astre pouted still and stuck his tongue out at Will. Childish but effective from his place in Undertaker's arms.

"You'd both get stir-crazy too if you spent a month abed." He would never have been able to get away with Undertaker watching him and he knew it. And he wouldn't have been able to win if he had really been pinned down.

One more huff and he settled his head back on Undertaker's shoulder.

"Just the tea. If I try to do more, I..." He mumbled out a little complaint and then finished his thought. "-I'll resist complaining if one of you forces me to rest."

Resist but there was no promise that he'd succeed.

"It's true. Good thing I didn't, or you might be the one holding me back, hmmm~?" Will stuck his own tongue back out at him in return, equally childish; he may as well distract from that restlessness with a bit of petty squabbling, right?

Not that he'd expect Undertaker or Astre to be the ones hovering over him, if he did finally succumb to the vanishing illness. But with Cor gone, it would have to be..... Regis, probably? Verstael? Maybe Lance? Not an idea that he wants to let himself dwell on too much, honestly.

Better to focus on this potential juicy bit of gossip instead, and get Astre sulking and flustering even further. "My goodness. What did he do to earn getting pinned?"

"If it came to that, I'm sure we would. It isn't fun, but it was for the best." And he had only had Astre's health in mind when he'd done it. As much a relief as it had been to see the color return to the teen's body, it had been equally distressing to see him fade again, never knowing which way the pendulum would swing.

Astre's head came to rest on his shoulder and he gave the boy a glance, then looked back down the path to their apartment. In sight now, that was its own relief.

"Oh, the usual. Too much restlessness, as bedrest is wont to give. I could hardly blame him, but all the same."

"Is it so wrong to have wanted to sleep in my own bed rather than the temple?" He huffed, arms crossing slightly and a little awkwardly thanks to his position in Undertaker's arms. He quickly realized it was awkward though and wrapped his arms around his shoulders again.

"I'm sure I could have recovered just as well at home, I don't know why they had to insist I stay at the temple." Besides it realigning him to Rawna or whatever it was they had said. He honestly hadn't been paying full attention, more distracted by his fading away and refusing to leave Undertaker.

He was well now though. And thankfully almost home, as he turned his head and saw it himself. It drew and relieved sigh from him before he looked back to Will.

"And you're damn right we would, if it were you." If Astre recognized how hypocritical that was of him, he gave no signs or very pointedly ignored it.

It was something he was still getting better with, worrying about himself as well as those around him, instead of just everyone else.

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an end to the nightmares

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good time for Will?

yeeee

<3

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