Children's Games (a Sebaciel Fanfic)

Part 67

The ballroom was loud and Ciel paused before they went in, looking up at Sebastian pleadingly.

"Do we have to?" he whispered. "I don't want to do this..."

"Yes, kitten, I'm afraid we do." Sebastian placed a hand on Ciel's back and led him into the room, staying close by as Ciel mingled and made obligatory small talk. Each time someone reached out for him the bluenette took a step back, barely escaping wandering fingers. Sebastian took notice of his effort and smiled to himself, gazing at Ciel wantonly as Elizabeth dragged him away. He found an out of the way spot at the edge of the crowd where he could keep eyes on his Master and waited. After several minutes of watching the Earl desperately try to escape the clutches of his betrothed, he heard a familiar, unwelcome voice speak quietly from beside him.

"Well, well. It looks like your little Master made a few alterations to the uniform I had made especially for him." Sebastian turned to see Claude standing behind him, golden eyes fixed on Ciel. "It's a shame... it complimented his measurements perfectly."

"Faustus. Of course, it came from you. Had I known, I would have thrown it out." Sebastian smiled to himself, remembering the image of Ciel in the unaltered, licentious little dress. "Although, I suppose I should thank you... I have enjoyed it quite thoroughly." Claude frowned and shot Sebastian a dirty look. "It did fit him... perfectly." Claude clicked his tongue is disgust and cast his eyes back to Ciel, who had seen the two of them standing together, and now looked nervous.

"I can assume you've had him, then?" Sebastian grinned and nodded. Claude watched Ciel as he played the part, pretending to enjoy the conversation and attention, his sapphire eye flitting nervously towards him. Claude winked, smiling at him and Ciel looked away quickly, hands nervously straightening his dress, ensuring he golden eyed butler couldn't see anything more than absolutely necessary. "I must say, I am quite jealous, Michaelis." Sebastian sighed loudly and rolled his eyes.

"Shouldn't you be tending your own Master? Must we do this every time?" Claude smiled, licking his lips as he gazed at Ciel.

"You brought him here... and dressed as a lovely little maid no less? Tsk. You should know better. His Highness will be pleased to see him... I imagine they'll need a bit of time... and if you would be so inclined, I'd like to discuss a few... details... with you." Sebastian raised an eyebrow and had just started to speak when Ciel grabbed his hand, pulling him away from the conversation and out into the middle of the crowd where they couldn't be overheard.

"Sebastian..." Little hands held Sebastian's lapels, pulling him close as he whispered to him.

"Yes, my Lord?"

"They're here... if Alois sees me like this..." Sebastian smiled, nodding slightly.

"Claude has already seen you, Trancy will be shortly behind; he is looking for you."

"But..." Sebastian leaned down, whispering to him softly, eyes glanced to Claude as he did so. Claude glared at the two of them, waiting for Sebastian to return.

"Kitten, hush. You'll draw attention. Stay calm, and things will be just fine. Let me handle it." Ciel nodded and squeezed his fingers discretely. Sebastian smiled and nodded, ushering him back to the crowd, returning to Claude's side. "Details?"

"Yes. His Highness would like to offer you his gracious time, in exchange for yours."

"My time? Does your little fop really believe I would do such a thing when I have him?" Sebastian motioned to Ciel, who smiled sweetly at some partygoer and curtseyed, laughing afterwards. He glanced back to Sebastian and bit his lip, watching the two of them cautiously, obviously aware the two butlers were discussing him, and terribly concerned about it.

"Certainly, a change of pace never harmed anyone...." Claude straightened his glasses, citrine eyes following Ciel across the ballroom floor. Sebastian didn't reply, but a smile curled his lips. "And while I am certain your Master is a sweet little thing, there is something to be said for the pleasures an untamed Master can bring..." Raising an eyebrow, Sebastian cast a glance at him. Claude smiled in return and motioned across the crowd to Alois, who stood on his own, dressed as Claude's perfect little blonde twin.

"You think you can tempt me with a tiny version of you? Do you think I don't remember how you are? If memory serves me well..." Claude raised a hand, negating the pending insult.

"That is neither here, nor there, you would not be finding me in your bed."

"And you will not be finding my Master in yours." Sebastian glanced back at him, a condescending little smirk curling his lips. "He is mine, my reward. And you will never have him, no matter how you try."

"Oh, is that so? Are you so secure in the loyalty of your Master?" Nodding, Sebastian looked back to Ciel in the crowd.

"I am, yes."

"Only a fool places his trust in the hands of a human." Sebastian watched Ciel move across the floor, gazing at him affectionately, a half-smile curling his lips.

"Then perhaps I am a fool." The tone in Sebastian's voice made Claude look over at him curiously, eyebrow raised. He looked back out over the crowd, glancing to Alois, who was still bouncing around from group to group, laughing loudly.

"Would you care for a wager then?" Sebastian shook his head, still watching Ciel move about the crowd.

"You have nothing I want." He replied softly. Claude laughed quietly, leaning a little closer, lowering his voice.

"No? I believe you underestimate the worth of my Master..." Rolling his eyes, Sebastian looked over at Claude, scoffing quietly.

"Claude... there is no point in this. Ciel Phantomhive belongs to me, and me alone." Strangely calm, Sebastian looked back to the crowd, finding Ciel quickly. When the young Lord felt eyes upon him, he looked back at Sebastian and smiled, giving him a little curtsey before Elizabeth dragged him off to another group. "The worth of your Master is not the issue here... I have what I want. The only thing I want." A smile curled Sebastian's lips and Claude stared at him curiously, brow furrowed as he pieces began to fall into place.

"Michaelis..."

"Hmm?" He didn't look at Claude, only half paying attention to him as he watched Ciel, entranced by the bluenette's movement as he escaped from Elizabeth's grasp and straightened his skirts.

"Michaelis!" Claude raised his voice and Sebastian turned, looking irritated and a little surprised to be shouted at.

"What are you yelling about Faustus? I'm right here, there is no need to raise your voice..."

"Well, well. You've entered dangerous territory, my friend." Scoffing loudly, Sebastian shook his head, choosing to ignore the root of the comment.

"I am not your friend."

"Perhaps you'll wish you had been..." Sebastian shook his head again and looked back over the crowd, spotting Alois making his way towards Ciel. "It's going to kill you, you know." Claude glanced that way as well, but looked back to Sebastian quickly, golden eyes gleaming brightly in amusement.

"Don't be a fool." Sebastian grumbled, rolling his eyes.

"It's happening already. I can smell it on you." Sebastian lowered his voice, giving him a harsh look.

"Mind your own." He nodded towards their Masters; Alois holding Ciel's hands, bouncing in the most obscene way before wrapping his arms around Ciel. The young Earl shoved him away, straightening his dress, casting a nervous glance to Sebastian, all but begging for rescue. Sebastian took a step forward and Claude stopped him, a hand on his shoulder.

"Wait. Let them be." Sebastian raised an eyebrow and started to protest, but Claude whispered quietly to him. "How loyal is the little Master you have sacrificed so much for?" Sebastian rolled his eyes and crossed his arms across his chest, crimson eyes fixed on Ciel and Alois. He had half a mind to stop the interaction entirely, but a part of him wondered if his trust was as well placed as he imagined it to be. He allowed Claude to keep him there, the two of them standing side by side, each demon watching over his own little Master.