Prologue: Paris at Night
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Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroshitsuji or its superawesome characters. Woe is me.
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Paris at night had always been a wondrous sight. With the Eiffel Tower glittering in the background, the city was alit with warm, romantic lights that seemed to cover the metropolis with a majestic glow. To families, it was the perfect night out to enjoy the scenery, albeit the bitter cold. To couples, it was the most opportune moment to enjoy each other's company while whispering sweet nothings to one another- some even daring enough to ask for their partner's hand in marriage. However, to one pastry chef, it was simply another boring night after a busy day in his bakery.
Sebastian Michaelis was a maître pâtissier like no other. He was able to concoct the sweetest and yet the most sinful of recipes. His sweets and cakes were always in high demand, despite outrageous prices. With his delectable pastries, Sebastian's bakery rose to fame in the shortest time possible. His success was unprecedented as he managed to churn one brilliant recipe after another. Children and adults alike adored the pastries. However, it was rather obvious that the women that entered his shop were not only interested in the strawberry shortcakes, but also the heavenly man that created such magical treats.
At the young age of twenty-two, Sebastian Michaelis was every woman's ideal man. He was tall, devilishly handsome and charismatic. The man was well endowed with a glib tongue and was thus able to charm the wits out of even the coldest of females. When he was young, he welcomed the pampering of these foxes who were only too eager to attend to his every need, sexual or not. However, after years of bedding every woman that crossed his path and one consecutive success after another, Sebastian Michaelis grew…bored.
There were no challenges in his life. Everything he attempted his hand at seemed to achieve perfect results. Studies? A degree at Oxford should suffice for a chef like himself. Money? He had enough to last a hundred lifetimes. Women? Needless to say.
The man sighed as he hugged the day's leftovers ( Chocolate Éclairs) to his chest, walking down an empty street away from the main roads. (Honestly though-- why were there even leftovers?) There was still sufficient light for him to see where he was going. Another couple of minutes of walking should bring him and his restless self back home where Duchess (his black cat) was surely waiting for him.
As he turned around the corner, Sebastian was just about to take one more step forward before his boot kicked something that was oddly soft and yet solid. He looked down and his crimson eyes widened in mild surprise.
A child, possibly no younger than eight years old had squashed himself into a ball, as if shielding himself from the night's cold winds. He was breathing softly, as if asleep. Sebastian was befuddled. This was not a place where one would usually find an abandoned child. Looking around to check if anyone else was around, he bent over to shake the thin body gently.
"You shouldn't be here boy. Where are your parents?"
The little body gave an audible groan as the boy finally began to lift his head from his self-made cocoon. Blue, aquamarine eyes flickered sleepily at the intruder's ruby owns. Sebastian could only stare at the boy's pretty face with disguised awe. Those blue eyes sent something shivering down his spine. It wasn't unpleasant, but nor was it welcomed.
Or was it?
The boy, who seemed to have finally awakened to his full senses, began to stare at the man right back. His gaze held confusion, caution but also curiosity. His gaze then shifted towards the brown bag that was huddled to the man's chest.
His eyes had a wordless plea.
Before he knew it, Sebastian dug his glove into the bag and offered the treat to the young boy. The blue-eyed doll accepted the treat without a second thought, devouring the treat in what seemed to be seconds.
Sebastian's eyes twitched in annoyance. If it was one thing that irritated a chef, it was when someone simply scoffed down his food without even savoring it's taste. But given the fact that the boy probably hadn't had anything to eat in ages, he shall forgive him.
He eyed the boy's apparel, barely able to restraint from frowning at the dirt-covered T-shirt and short pants. This boy obviously hadn't had any proper care for a long while. Was he an orphan? Or did he just escape from some sort of dramatic kidnapping scene?
Sebastian was pulled out of his thoughts when he felt a soft tug at his sleeves. The boy and somehow managed to inch closer to the man, clutching tightly at Sebastian's coat. The boy looked at him with a strong yet pleading gaze. There was only one message: Please. Don't leave me alone.
Sebastian sighed, his mouth curving upwards to his trademark smirk.
"What's your name boy?"
"Ciel. Ciel Phantomhive."
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A/N: More to come soon, I hope. I need to update my Gravi fic too _.