Teacups and Teapots (Kuroshitsuji/Black Butler) (Ciel x Sebastian)

Tenth Cup

Teacups and Teapots:

Chapter 10:

It was the last day that Ciel had to be present at Black Butler to supervise. Although he kept telling himself that it would be a relief to be away from the teashop even if it was making money, he knew that he was going to miss it.

He checked the thermometer in the fridge critically. It seems that his lectures about temperatures and the danger zone of bacteria had finally sunk in. Temperatures were not something he was personally fussy about, if temperatures were wrong, Black Butler would fail an environmental health inspection and the consequences of that were unpleasant.

"Is the temperature to your liking?" a voice asked from behind him. "It is below 5°C."

By now Ciel knew who always crept up behind him silently.

"Sebastian, what is the danger zone for bacteria?"

"If I get it wrong, does it mean that you will have to stay because we are all too incompetent to work without supervision?"

Ciel turned around and regarded him closely. Sebastian seemed unusually serious for a change.

"Of course not. I know that you know the correct answer. Even Grell knows it," Ciel answered after a moment of consideration. He was unwilling to give out any hints that he wanted to stay at the teashop.

"5°C to 63°C," the butler said, seeming reluctant to give the right answer. "Fridge temperatures should be 0-5°C. Are you sure you don't want to stay?"

Ciel allowed himself a moment to be impressed that he had schooled everyone so well before he gave his answer to the question.

"Why would I? I can finally get some proper work done with no distractions. There will be no more silly plots from my aunt either," he said happily.

"Are you sure that you won't get bored?"

The teenager took a step closer to Sebastian whose eyes followed his movement.

"Sebastian, is there something that I am supposed to be picking up on?"

"Ciel, I-"

The moment was broken by Bardroy and Finny entering the kitchen talking loudly. Bardroy paused on noticing them, making Ciel widen the distance between himself and Sebastian. He did not want to give his aunt anymore material or anyone else for that matter.

"Did we disturb anything?" Bardroy asked hesitantly.

"The young master was just testing me on bacterial growth. He seems to be worried that we won't survive without him. If you mess up your answers he might just stay," Sebastian informed the former chain smoker.

"We'll be fine," Finny grinned and a moment later his attitude changed. "...I think we might need you here after all."

Since Ciel had known them all for several weeks now he knew what Sebastian had done behind his back.

"Sebastian, stop leading Finnian. I know he is susceptible. You cannot convince me to stay."

He walked towards the door and something incongruous with the surrounding caught his eye and his gut instinct told him that his aunt was involved.

"Bardroy, why are you holding a red carrier bag? You haven't been in contact Aunt Ann, have you?"

Bardroy held out the bag and said what Ciel had been predicting he would say.

"We met your aunt outside. She told us to give it to you. She said you had to wear it or she will show Sebastian your baby photos," he said and baulked before continuing. "...She also said that the cat ears are optional."