The distant sound of chatting. Dinging of glass cups and plates with some clinking of silverware. Soft music barely audible. Unfamiliar faces in a sea of people in seats or walking around. Outside this dismal cafe a storm was clashing. The rain poured down with soft pitter patters on the window, sometimes hitting harder, other times slowing down with the wind. The sky was dark and made everything seem grey and unrealistic, like a painting done in dark shades. Every so often a bright flash of lighting would break through the dark, followed quickly by a roaring thunder crashing down on the earth.
A bored expression and blue eyes that resembled the look of the weather outside, Ciel sat at his usual booth, staring out the window. On days like this, not very many people came by and the ones who did were often in a hurry to get out of the rain. He didn't pay attention to faces, mostly what they were doing. He liked to think about where they were going and what they may be doing.
He often came to this small cafe, so much so that the workers and the owner knew him well enough to call him by name. They knew what he liked, too, so he didn't have to speak when he walked in. He could take his seat and they would bring his usual tea to him. It was always strong black tea.
This was something he did almost every day. His normal routine consisted getting up, getting dressed, going to the cafe for a while, then heading to work. On the days he didn't work, he'd stay at the cafe for hours in silence, listening to the sounds around him and watching the people outside. This was one of those days. He was given the day off and so he'd gotten himself ready and headed to his normal home away from home.
No one ever bothered him, so he was comfortable sitting there. Every once in awhile one of the waiters or waitresses would come over to get him fresh tea, say a quick hello or comment on the weather, then leave again. It was peaceful, for the most part. It was relaxing to him.
Occasionally he'd bring a book to read to pass time. It helped, especially on days he didn't work. There had been more than one time he'd started a book and finished it in the time he sat at the cafe.
As he stared out the window, he was beginning to think he should have brought a book. Today was a slow day and he wanted something to pass time, but had nothing with him. All he could do was stare out the window and watch the rain and people.
At some point, a man had stopped for a moment, noticing how Ciel was staring blankly out. He barely paid notice to the guy, it happens from time to time and all he can do about it was look away from them. And that's what he did to this guy. It seemed to work. He continued on his path again and Ciel was able to sit and stare outside more.
"Excuse me," the voice of someone he didn't know spoke out to him. "Is anyone sitting with you?"
Taken from his thoughts, he was forced to tear his gaze from the outside world and look at the person. It was the man from outside just a moment before. Now that he was inside, Ciel was able to better see his features. He had dark black hair, almost an impossible shade, honey-red eyes, as well as a charming and kind smile. There was something about him that he thought he could almost trust.
He shook his head, not replying with words.
"Would you mind if I sat here?"
A moment of thought on that. He didn't know if wanted some stranger sitting with him. Although, it would be a nice change on how the day was going. In the end, he allowed the new man to sit across from him. As he sat down, he kept his eyes on Ciel and in turn, Ciel kept his eyes on him.
"I'm Sebastian." the man introduced, "Sebastian Michaelis."
"Ciel Phantomhive." was the reply he got from the quiet voice of a reclusive person.
For a moment, it seemed like Sebastian was contemplating how to respond and where it might get him or what might happen.
"That's a really nice name."
Ciel didn't have anything to say in return, so he gave a small nod to show thanks and looked out the window again, completely aware of eyes lingering on him. It was a disturbing feeling, but with the warm eyes of the stranger, it was also oddly comforting. He tried not to act different then he had been. He didn't want this guy to know that there was a pit of nervousness stuck in his stomach.
"I apologize if I intruded on something. I just noticed the sad look in your eyes and thought you might want someone to talk to."
It wasn't exactly a nice thing to say to someone, but Ciel knew it was true. He probably did have a constant sad expression or sad mood to his eyes. He chose not to look at Sebastian. He wondered if this stranger was determined to talk to him or if he would leave if nothing was said to him. He wasn't even sure which one he wanted.
"But," Sebastian started and out of the corner of his eye, Ciel could see a smile tugging at his lips, "Your eyes are rather lovely as well."
Now that was flirting. He took his eyes off the wet streets and looked back at Sebastian. It was like turning his sights from winter to spring. The dark outside looked cold and dead, but when he looked at this complete stranger, he could feel warmness wash over him, an alive sensation. In connecting eyes, he became overly aware of his heartbeat and where his hands were resting, even of how he was sitting. The noises around him seemed to go silent. There was something so familiar about this face he didn't recognize. He felt like maybe, in some way, he knew him.
A warm hand slid over his own. His heart skipped. A shiver ran down his spine and he found himself completely unable to turn his gaze away from the stranger across the table, with his smile and eyes that held a compassion he'd only seen in the eyes of people who deeply love another person.
He wasn't sure what to think about the situation, his mind seemed to go blank, a clean slate replacing what should have been thoughts to act in some way, no matter the way. He couldn't get his voice to work and his muscles were frozen.
"Ciel," there was familiarity in the way he spoke the name, there was something in his voice that could only be described as deep affection. "Would you go on a date with me?"
"No." his voice sounded for him. He didn't even have to think over it.
He was finally able to pull his hand away, leaning back in his seat and away from the stranger across from him. He had enough sense in him to deny a date request from someone he'd literally just met and who had been rather creepily flirting with him. Not enough charm in the world would get him to say yes to that.
But, there was still something in his heart that ached at the sight of disappointment on the man's face. He tried not to pay much attention to it as he got his wallet out, set the money to pay for his drinks on the table, put the wallet away, then stood.
"Sorry, I've got to go." he said quickly, turning and walking away, leaving the cafe completely.
He didn't even look back as he left the building and headed down the street to go back to his apartment. He was done interacting with people for the day. He'd just go back to his flat and find whatever to do. He'd probably end up reading and doing nothing else for the day.
The next morning came with an alarm in the ear as usual. He had to work today. He got up and got dressed his work uniform: scrubs that had different types of wild animals on them. Working as pediatrics nurse, he had to wear family friendly scrubs that wouldn't stress the kids out and didn't look like a prison uniform, he had a white long sleeved shirt on under it. His name tag was tucked in the front pocket of the shirt, he'd put it on when he actually had to be at work.
Getting on his pure white shoes, he grabbed his wallet and left the flat, locking it behind him. It was one of those days where he didn't have to be at the doctor's office he worked at for several hours still, so he was able to go to the cafe before work.
It was still a little rainy outside with light colored clouds lingering in the skies above. No rain really dropped onto the ground, none that came from the sky, at least. The water dripped from gutters and from roofs. There were puddles on the concrete below his feet and the chilled air caused a few bumps to pop up on his arms.
The warm sanctuary of the cafe was welcomed to him. The smells of coffee hitting his nose brilliantly. The workers here had seem him in his uniform many times, but he didn't think it actually hit them what he did. He waved to the owner, who seemed to be working that day, and took his normal seat at the booth.
It was rather peaceful both inside the cafe and out. there weren't very many people inside and only a few passersby came outside. The day seemed to give a bit more liveliness to those who stepped outside, but still kept a lot inside. The music overhead seemed louder today, as he was actually able to hear the songs.
When a barista brought him his tea, he gave her a quiet "thank you" and sipped on the warm liquid, the same familiar taste covering his mouth. He could feel the warmth of the tea slid down to his stomach, it was refreshing in its own way. In his thoughts, he could barely hear the bell ring to alert the workers of a new customer walking in.
He could hear a slightly familiar voice ask for a black coffee, but wasn't sure who it belonged to. This was answered in only a matter of a moment. The tall and familiar face of the man who'd talked to him the day before came striding over to the table.
"Mind if I sit with you again?" he asked.
At least he was polite.
"I can't stop you, can I?"
The man sat down across from him once again. What was his name again? Oh, it was Sebastian. An easy enough name to remember. It was the same name of his childhood dog, so he shouldn't have trouble remembering it.
"Still gloomy outside, huh?" Sebastian asked, obviously trying to make conversation. His eyes were focused outside the window, not at Ciel.
With a shrug, Ciel replied, "I don't mind this kind of weather. I actually kind of like it."
"I can see where some people would like it."
He could hear the song change over them.
"So here's another day, I spend away from you…"
It was vaguely familiar to him, but he wasn't sure where he'd hear it before. Probably at the office. He heard a lot of songs every day there. They always had it on the popular songs stations so that the kids would feel better and relax more. After all, studies showed that people are less stressed when listening to music than when they've taken anxiety pills.
A barista came over with Sebastian's coffee, setting it down and giving him a smile. Ciel watched her for a moment before letting his own eyes fall to the tea in front of him. He could feel Sebastian's eyes watching him.
"You're a nurse?" he asked after a silent moment.
There was something different today. The day before, he seemed to be almost impatient about seeing him and dating him, but he seemed to have realized his mistake and was being polite and getting to know him. It was nice.
"Yeah. A pediatrics nurse." Ciel replied.
"Oh? I didn't picture you as the children's type."
"...And I do want to show you I…"
"Yeah well, I'd prefer helping children who can handle more than whiny ass adults who think they know more than those with medical degrees." he paused and gave a small smirk, "But don't tell anyone I said that."
"Will run to you to you til I…"
A small chuckle is what he got in return.
"Can't stand on my own anymore I…"
In perfect time with the song, Sebastian spoke, "Cross my heart and hope to die."
It must have been coincidence, right? He really doubted that this man who seemed like he only listened to a certain kind of music, if any at all, would have heard this song enough to know the words. His smirk had sunk off his face and all he could do was sit silently and stare at the Sebastian.
"Something wrong?" Sebastian asked, the plastered on smile falling just a little bit, his eyes filling with the worry he was trying to hide.
Ciel couldn't say anything for a short moment before finally shaking his head and muttering. "No… No nothing."
His voice sounded a little skeptical, but he nodded and said, "Okay."
They sat there mostly silent for a little bit more. Every once in awhile Sebastian would say something to start up conversation, but Ciel would give a short reply and it would be over.
Almost losing track of the time, Ciel checked his phone and realized that he should be leaving.
"I'll pay for you." Sebastian said as he reached for his wallet. "Go on."
Hardly wanting to accept it, he hesitantly nodded and gave a quick goodbye, turning away.
"...Take me with you I start to miss you…"
Ciel paused at the door of the cafe, glancing back to the booth where Sebastian sat alone, sipping his coffee and paying no mind to the world around.
"Take me home I don't wanna be alone tonight…"
He could faintly hear the song disappear as he left the place, heading to the nearest bus stop, the one he took most days of the week to his job.