There are times when "The Grim Side Manor" hotel is full of life, with all the residents and servants around. And then there's times in which it seems like the place is completely vacant.
It's those quiet times that Sanguine likes the most. Even though he's a butler there, he isn't very social. Hidden behind a mask that was stylized vaguely after an Ankole Longhorn skull and on top of that being a selective mute, who didn't speak to anyone but his master, he'd seem like the last person you'd want to serve you. However he's a polite and gentle man once you get past the intimidating first impression. The name wasn't his own, but the one his master gave him, just like the silk ribbon that's used to tie the butler's black hair, that was a gift from master too.
Sanguine is so grateful that they've met. He was a nobody before, but the master gave him a new life. A new purpose. And feelings that Sanguine didn't know he could ever be able to feel...
Master Samael. The noble owner of The Grim Side Manor. Tall, handsome, classy and somewhat mysterious. His black hair is covering the right side of the face, hiding the fact that his right eye is blind. The master looks strict at first glance, and sometimes he seems unapproachable, but he has a gentle, caring side that Sanguine knows very well.
Evening approached, and it was time to serve master's usual cup of tea. Sanguine takes the tray and heads to Samael's study room. He knocks, but there was no response. He knocks again, to no avail.
Master should be there at this time, like always, but maybe he had to leave for a moment. There's only one way to find out.
Balancing the tray in one hand, Sanguine pulls at the door handle and the door opens.
Strange...
Samael never leaves the door to his study open, when he's not around.
Sanguine peeks inside and sees Samael from the side, sitting in his armchair, motionless. Worried that something might've happened, he approaches quickly almost dropping the tray and holding his breath. But he sighs relieved, as it appeared that Samael just fell asleep, with a book in his lap.
The butler shakes his head, and puts the tray on the table. He looks at his sleeping master again, wondering if he should wake him up or just let him slumber.
The precious master. He looked so peaceful like that.
Poor Samael, he was staying up till late in the night for a week now, if Sanguine's not mistaken. He must be really exhausted. The butler nods to himself. He decided to let him sleep. He takes the book from master's lap carefully and puts on the table. Though he stopped for a moment before leaving to get a blanket.
He stared at that peaceful expression again.
At the vulnerable pose.
At the chest moving slowly with each breath.
Sanguine just noticed that the white shirt was unbuttoned around the chest, exposing the collar bones.
What a handsome sleeping prince he is.
Sanguine blushes. A thought crossed his mind.
Maybe, maybe just this one time, he could...
His heart started to beat faster at the scandalous thought, which made him feel little nervous. But this was a perfect opportunity, maybe one he will never get to experience again.
After hesitating for a moment longer, he finally makes up his mind. He moves closer, leaning carefully over Samael. He supports himself with placing one hand on the armchair, with the other he slides his mask up, just enough for his lips to be seen. His lips, and the burn marks around the mouth and on the cheeks, the scars from his past.
Closer...
He moves a few inches closer. He can smell the fragrance of Samael's cologne. It feels so seducing right now.
Closer...
Sanguine holds his breath as he places a soft kiss on Samaels lips. He shudders at the sensation, takes another breath through the nose, and puts slightly more pressure in the kiss. Once he breaks it he exhales, his breath trembling from excitement.
He did it.
He finally did it.
Sanguine can't remember when it started, but since some time he had that secret thought occupying his mind. A desire to be close to his master. In a way he was, but only as a mere servant. He wanted more. Not as a butler. And not as a friend, but something more intimate.
Sometimes the thoughts were unbearable to handle. He wished to show his love to Samael so badly. But he was terribly shy... and he's just a butler anyway, not even mentioning the other things that were in the way, to start this sort of a relationship.
But he'll cherish this moment. He moment only he knows about.
His little secret.
It was as far as he could go. And it will be as far he ever will.
Maybe that's for the best. His master deserves something better than an introverted servant of no significant lineage after all. Yes. Only a fool would try to force his way into beloved master's heart.
Lost in thoughts and frozen in that leaning pose, Sanguine didn't notice that Samaels hands were looming over him. With a swift movement they wrapped around his torso. Samael opened his eyes and pulled Sanguine closer, causing him to lose balance and land in the master's lap. It happened so fast, the poor servant just yelped, perplexed at what's going on.
"Sa-... Sama-..."
He stutteres, terrified, not able to move.
"I have noticed it..." Samael says calmly "...you were acting... strange around me lately."
A shiver runs down Sanguine's spine. He adjusts his mask back in place.
"I... I'm sorry, so very very sorry!" He says quickly, his voice breaking as if close to cry.
"Hush."
Samael's embrace got tighter. He moved his head closer to his servants ear.
"Sanguine..." he whispered "...do you desire me?"
The butler's heart skipped a beat. He froze. The time froze. He couldn't say a thing. What is this, Sanguine thought. What's with that question?
The slight pause felt like eternity.
"Just be honest..."
Samael says low, his fingers sliding up Sanguine's neck to the chin, tilting his head up slightly. He could feel it. He could tell how much his servant struggled inside.
You can't lie to this man, Sanguine thought. Not after you fell in his trap just now. The master knows. There's nothing to hide anymore.
"...I do... I love you..."
He finally said it, quietly, and ready for whatever happens. For any punishment for being this greedy. Reaching for something he wasn't allowed to have. He couldn't resist the temptation and now he has to pay for it. For crushing his master's trust.
"I'm sorry..." Sanguine apologizes, curling up, nearly breaking in tears. "I'm so sorry..."
"Shh... Sanguine. Don't be sorry."
Samael says calmly, smiling gentle. The smile of an angel that could melt a sinner's heart.
He leans and places a soft kiss on Sanguine's mask, on the forehead. Before Sanguine could react, Samael whispered again "I love you too."
The butler shuddered again, his feelings so mixed, so stirred, he couldn't comprehend them. He couldn't believe what he just heard. He wasn't able to grasp. How... how can Samael say that? He was prepared to be rejected. But he wasn't expecting this kind of response.
"R... really?" he asked sheepishly.
"Really."
Samael takes Sanguine's hand in his, and places on his own chest, sliding under the shirt, to where his heart was, for Sanguine to feel the beat. The warm beating of affection. Sanguine flushed red, he felt his cheeks becoming warmer. He was glad the mask is hiding his face right now, it was so embarassing.
But still... still something blocked him to accept it... he takes his hand back.
"...but... but I am... not... worthy..." he stammered.
"Nonsense." Samael said short.
"And... and..." he continues as if looking for more excuses "I'm... I'm a man! We... we can't..."
This is it. This is what worried him the most.
"So what? I don't mind being with a man."
Sanguine gasps. Again. A response he wasn't expecting to hear.
"...I didn't know... that... you..."
Samael just smiled and brushed the servant's hair.
"There are many things you don't know about me, Sanguine..." he responded. "And I do mean it. I want you... I truly do. And I will ask you once more: Do you desire me?"
Sanguine closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. With all the facts revealed, this time it was finally easier to accept.
He relaxes and nods.
"I do."
He doesn't hesitate anymore, he reaches with his arms and wraps them around Samael, resting the head carefully on his shoulder "I do, my master. My heart belongs to you."
"I'm glad." Samael smiles.
And as if reading each other's minds, Sanguine slides his mask up again to expose his mouth, and their lips meet once again.
Comments (7)
See all