Roses for My Master:

Much later, Sebastian once again quietly entered his master's study, utterly unsurprised to see the little Phantomhive slumped over the desk and deeply asleep. With a fond smile and a shake of his head, Sebastian effortlessly picked Ciel up out of his chair. Holding his Bocchan close, the demon butler soundlessly navigated his way to Ciel's bedroom, gently depositing the sleeping boy atop the luxurious bedcovers. He carefully removed the Earl's shoes, before covering him with a blanket. He gazed at Ciel's face, relaxed and carefree in sleep, and couldn't help but gently stroke his fingers across his Bocchan's porcelain cheek. Beautiful.

Sebastian smiled, before gently placing an object on the pillow that supported the head of his beloved, and leaving the boy to his slumber.

Ciel woke slowly, trying to cling to oblivion for as long as possible. Opening his eyes a mere crack, he noticed a dark blob next to him. Rubbing his eyes and sitting up, he glanced over to find that the blob was in fact a rose. A pure black rose. The petals were dark as a raven's wing, yet when he touched them gently they were as delicate and alive as any other rose he had seen. There was no need to wonder where - or rather who - it came from, but he couldn't figure out why it had been left for him to find. Granted, roses are usually given as a sign of affection, but surely that could not be what Sebastian intended. He was a demon, Ciel wasn't even certain that he felt emotions, at least not in the same way a human would.

Letting out an exasperated sigh, he returned his attention to the rose. He stroked the petals softly one more time, before getting to his feet and stretching slightly. The Earl retrieved his shoes, and the rose, before setting off to his study once more. Once settled behind his desk, he placed the rose upon it, ensuring it wouldn't be crushed while he worked. Ciel inhaled slowly.

"Sebastian."

A second later his butler entered the study, bowing before the Earl. Ciel studied Sebastian's face, looking for some sign that might tell him why the demon had left a rose beside him, but found only the usual inscrutable smile that his butler so often wore.

"You called for me, Bocchan?"

Ciel studied his expression a moment longer, before giving a small nod. "Bring some tea, Sebastian. Don't take too long." He sniffed, reaching for the dreaded pile of papers stacked neatly on the desk, watching Sebastian from the corner of his eye. The demon bowed slightly, before his eyes fell upon the rose sitting on the desk. A small, soft smile spread across the butler's features, as his eyes glanced fondly towards his little Bocchan.

"Right away, Bocchan."

Ciel gazed after Sebastian as he left the study, his mind fixated upon his mysterious demon butler, and what he could possibly be attempting to achieve by the gift of a rose. Though Ciel had no experience with such matters, he had already established that a rose given in such a manner is usually a sign of romantic affection. But how would he find out if that is what Sebastian intended? How was he to know whether the gift was Sebastian showing that he cared for him, or whether it was some odd game the demon was playing? The way Sebastian smiled when he saw the rose implied that he meant the gift as a token of affection, and the way the demon looked at him reinforced that thought.

Ciel sighed, bending over his paperwork once again. He didn't understand why Sebastian would display this… courting behaviour. Especially not towards a boy, for as much as he asserted that he wasn't a child, physically he was small and practically girlish in stature. Ciel scowled, cursing his petite frame, and cursing Sebastian for making him so conscious of his appearance.

With a fresh scowl, Ciel practically attacked his paperwork, determined to focus on it as deeply as possible in the vain hope of willing himself into a coma. Before he could get too involved in mutilating the never-decreasing stack, Sebastian swept into the room with the tea trolley. The demon raised a brow in amusement as the scratching of Ciel's pen nearly tore through his hated paperwork, and began pouring the tea. Ciel abruptly stopped butchering the stack of paper, allowing himself to admire the curve of Sebastian's jaw, and avidly following the way his hair swept along his face as he moved. Sebastian's hellish eyes flicked up to meet Ciel's own, and he gifted the Earl with a soft smile as he set the cup and saucer on the desk.

"Your tea, Bocchan. I hope it is to your liking."

Ciel glanced down, seeing the vapour rising enticingly from the cup, before his eye was caught by the black rose petals scattered on the saucer, curling gently. He felt warmth bloom in his chest as he took the cup in hand and sipped at the sweet tea, allowing himself to hold Sebastian's gaze. As he returned the cup to its resting place, he decided a little boldness was in order, and did not toss a frown at the butler, as he usually would.

"It is indeed to my liking, Sebastian. In fact, I do believe today's teatime is more to my liking than any before it."

Sebastian's eyes widened almost imperceptibly in well-concealed surprise, his smile becoming warmer. He placed his hand to his breast, dipping into a bow as he appreciated the sight of Ciel's smooth face, for once without a thunderous scowl. He understood the tiny Earl completely. His Bocchan liked the gift of the rose, and the addition of the petals to his teatime. His affections were welcome. He felt a dark thrill of satisfaction, also understanding that his Bocchan wasn't about to make it easy for him. To win the heart of Ciel Phantomhive, he would need every ounce of charm and imagination he could muster. A spark of excitement flashed through him, and he couldn't hide the fondness in his expression.

"I shall endeavour to continue pleasing you to the best of my ability, Bocchan."

That night, Ciel relaxed in his bed, wondering what his demonic butler might do next. As he contemplated the ways Sebastian might attempt to capture his heart, he finally began to examine his own feelings. He would be lying, utterly and completely, if he denied that Sebastian was unfairly attractive. He would also be lying if he denied that he already held a certain fondness for him, no matter how irritating his innate smugness could be. He blinked in surprise as his mind took the image of Sebastian's lips curled into his usual smug grin and decided to make him consider how those lips might feel against his own.

His eyebrows shot to his hairline, considering just how Sebastian might react if Ciel suddenly kissed that smile of his. Would his smile widen, becoming even more insufferable? Would his face slacken in surprise, eyes widening to rival the moon in terms of size? Would the demon have a moment of hesitation, or would he respond immediately?

Ciel paused, a shiver running down his spine. And then, he wondered what the response might be. A soft, unhurried brushing of lips, the demon's thumb gently stroking his jaw? Or, would Sebastian come alive with passion, ripping off his gloves to thread his fingers through Ciel's hair, angling the Earl to his liking as he eased his no doubt wicked tongue into his master's mouth?

Ciel pressed a hand to his chest in surprise as his heart gave a particularly violent thump. Clearly it didn't matter which way his butler responded, his own body would respond just as ardently. A small smile crossed his face as he settled further into his bed, allowing sleep to blanket him.