Ciel (18) x Sebastian

The night of Ciel's 18th birthday

"I hope you had one hell of an 18th birthday. Good night, my Lord." Sebastian handed Ciel his present and left the room with a bow.

Ciel opened the present to find a sterling silver rose encased in a beautiful glass ball. His face started burning. He clutched his chest. "What is this feeling? It must be l-lo-LOATHING HATRED?!"

Never mind that Ciel had waited anxiously for his butler's final present the whole day, or that this was his favorite flower, beautifully preserved. Of course the only feeling he could have for anyone, especially his butler, would be hatred.

~~~ The next Day ~~~

"Sebastian, stay in my sight, but keep your distance from me." Ciel continued in a commanding tone before Sebastian could move, "when you get too close, my pulse and temperature rise and I am aware of nothing but your presence. However, when you are gone it feels empty. The only logical explanation is that I have acquired a burning fury for you. Sebastian, I order you to figure out what you did and fix it, all without getting too close or far from me."

"All due respect young Master," Sebastian took a step back, knelt on one knee, and peered up into Ciel's face, "but are you sure that feeling is hate? Have you ever heard of love?"

"Don't insult me, you swine." Unbeknownst to Ciel, his face had tinted red.

"'Don't throw pearls before swine,' right? Your tone leaves me hoping for more."

"I could never understand your affection towards harsh words. Shall I punish you with a whip instead?" He glared at his butler triumphantly.

"I would endure anything my Master bid me to. A Phantomhive butler wouldn't be worth his salt if he couldn't do this much." He bowed his head, hiding a smirk.

Ciel growled and grabbed some conveniently placed chains, swiftly tying Sebastian up. That'll show him and his big mouth! He paced around him, trying not to show that he wasn't sure what to do next. Anything he could think of, he was sure Sebastian would like, and then he went down the rabbit hole... imagining all the things Sebastian would like.

"You know, Master, the only way to find out for sure whether it's love or hate is to kiss me."

"Don't be absurd, of course I'm sure that I hate you!" Ciel stomped out of the room and slammed the door without looking back.

Sebastian chuckled and immediately escaped the chains he was bound with. "I'll have him soon enough." He didn't have to see Ciel's face as he walked out to know he had been affected. He'd been by Ciel's side for years, after all.