The One Shots Of Everything

Butlers and Whispers

The strange taste of the tea bothered Ciel.  He looked up from the cup,  to see Sebastian chatting with one of Alois' maids,  Khaila. 

No,  I'm sure Sebastian did not make this tea.  It has such a weak flavor. 

Ciel narrowed his eyes when he saw Sebastian put on one of his more  seductive looks.

Whatever they were talking about,  it was obviously nothing professional.

Out of spite,  Ciel raised a hand,  indicating the need for his butler's presence.  Immediately,  Sebastian pulled away from the maid,  and with a graceful walk,  went to serve his master. 

"What is it,  bocchan?" he asked,  smilling down at Ciel.

Ciel glared at his cup, "Sebastian,  I'll have you know that we did not come here to have you dally with half of Alois' servants. Do not lose focus. "

Sebastian chuckled. Ciel's eyes snapped up to look at him, "What's so funny?"

Sebastian looked at his master appraisingly. "Bocchan, you must have noticed the fact that I am using the affections of that girl to gain access to the household. Let us not let our emotions run wild," he whispered as he leaned down, whispering in his ear.

Ciel flinched away from Sebastian's lips, and asked him, "What exactly does that girl mean to Alois?"

"She is Alois' personal chambermaid and also a friend. Khaila was one of the girls who helped him survive the torture he had to endure."

Ciel nodded, "All right. Then, report to me the information that you get, in the morning. I'll retire to my chambers."

He made a move to stand up but was then held down by an iron grip.

"What the-" he started to say but Sebastian cut him short.

"Do you need...assistance, bocchan?"

Ciel flung his hand back and glared at his butler.

"Don't think that just because I have let you serve me in well, odd ways, gives you reason to intimidate me."

Ciel stood up harshly and walked away from Sebastian, knowing full well that he couldn't be able to sleep well tonight.
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Ciel was right. He wasn't able to sleep and he kept tossing and turning in his bed.

Finally, giving up, he pulled himself out of the bed and strode towards the chair by the window. With a sigh, he plopped himself down and stared into the distance.

What exactly was Sebastian doing? Probably sleeping with Khaila, that maid was such a whore.

No, he shouldn't be thinking about that. It would only make it worse.

He was snapped from his reverie when the door to his room creaked open.

Well, speak of the devil.

"Bocchan, I see you are awake."

Sebastian was standing there, holding a candelebra and the soft glow of the candles adding an ethereal glow to his already magnificent set of features.

"I just couldn't sleep," Ciel said, turning to look out the window again. "Besides, what are you doing here? I thought I told you to report back to me in the morning."

He heard Sebastian sighed. "I could sense your uneasiness through the bond mark. I just came to check up on you."

Sebastian walked towards Ciel and sat down in the chair opposite him. "Bocchan, could you tell me the reason why you cannot sleep?" Sebastian leaned forward.

Ciel just shook his head, "It's nothing. I just can't help but think of how your investigation was going."

Sebastian smirked. "So you were thinking about me, bocchan."

Ciel looked up at him sharply, "Don't get any ideas, Sebastian."

Sebastian just leaned back against the chair and calmly looked at Ciel.

"Why have you still not accepted my offer?" He drummed his fingers against the table top.

"To become the mate of a demon? I don't think that is an easy decision. " Ciel turned to look at Sebastian. It was in fact, easy. He could still obtain his revenge and keep his soul, and he had no problems of being with Sebastian for the rest of his life. But, he was uncertain of how his days would be spent. What could he possibly do? Would he be kept down in hell ? Would he have to perform a few things necessary of a mate?

"I would never hurt you, bocchan. If that is what you are worried about," Sebastian said, relaxing into a more vulnerable face.

That. It was that, that bothered him.

Ciel laughed,"Am I supposed to believe the words of a demon?"

Sebastian narrowed his eyes. "You are supposed to believe in my words. Me, the person who has helped you through all of your foolishness."

But Ciel was already shaking his head, "You only did that because of the contract, not of pure will."

"Did you not think that I could cancel the contract? Remove that mark on your eye? I could, but since something has kept me from doing so, I did not. I also intend on finding out why." Sebastian countered.

"Being mated to me isn't exactly an easy thing, Sebastian. You of all people, should know that," Ciel said, covering his face with his hands. There was a pinkish tinge showing on his neck.

Sebastian just nodded his head. "Indeed, but that's not a problem for me. In fact, I find that your brattiness is part of your appeal."

"My brattiness?" Ciel said, a small chuckle escaping from his lips.

Sebastian smiled, "Don't try to deny that part, bocchan. You are a lot of things, but the one thing you cannot deny is you being such a spoiled brat." He turned to Ciel. "I don't know why you would sacrifice your soul for revenge on your parents' murderer, but even though I am not human, I understand that you are now having second thoughts of giving me your soul. I have decided to continue serving you but this time, it's free of charge, of course."

Ciel blinked, once, twice. "You're...not taking my soul?"

"No, I am not going to. I swear this."

Sebastian had expected Ciel to be confused, but instead he was wearing a look of outrage on him. Like Sebastian had betrayed him. "But why? Did you- did you find that Alois' soul is better, so now you're going to just set me aside?" Ciel said, standing up. There was a vulnerable glint in his eyes, and his fingers were tightly clutching unto the end of his shirt. He was holding something back, those words that were not meant  to be spoken.

Sebastian shook his head. "No, that's not what I mean. I don't want to take your soul not because its any less than that of Alois' but because it means more to me than anything else," he said, moving forward and grasping both of Ciel's hands, his thumbs caressing them in circles. Ciel did not move away or say anything; he just stood there, head bent low. Then, with a voice as soft as a whisper, he said, "We're leaving tomorrow, please prepare and inform Alois. I'm going to sleep." And finally, he stepped away; his hands now at his sides, and his soft footsteps like a foggy mirror to just how vulnerable he really was.