My Lord, Shall We Dance?

There was a moment of confused restlessness as the orchestra wondered where the echoing command had come from, though they presumed the voice had been the young lord's. The old conductor was looking up to the ceiling with shimmering eyes and hands raised while muttering something about the angels having finally noticed his life's work. Outside on the balcony Ciel grew more flustered waiting for the music to start. It had been quite some time since he had last had such contact with the butler and he felt his back becoming strangely warm. After becoming a demon himself it was fairly unusual that Ciel needed to be physically carried by his butler to overcome obstacles. Play the music damn it, Ciel thought. Staring into the man's smouldering eyes was making him dizzy.

(Play while reading. Paste into google. First video link "Dreamcatcher")

watch?v=aUMj32O5glM

Finally the orchestra came to life. A dreamy slow waltz came floating up to the balcony and couples rushed to find their lovers below. The moon was bright and dazzling as the clouds above slowly drifted apart to light the balcony with its romantic haze. As Sebastian and Ciel began to step back and forth the streaks of light took turns illuminating their porcelain features.

Ciel's movements were much more graceful in his demonic state than in human form but he still found himself chanting one, two, three, in the back of his mind. One, two, three, one, two, three, one, two, three, one, two, three… and spin. He looked up at Sebastian's face while the butler was looking away. His expression was more gentle than usual. It was strange but enchanting. Sebastian turned his head and looked at Ciel through his long lashes, startling him.

"Yes, my lord?" Sebastian said in a low whisper, but Ciel pretended to not hear him and looked away. One, two, three, one, two, three, one, two, three... and spin. As the music grew more dynamic Sebastian began to spin him more. One, two, three, spin. One, two, three, spin. One, two, three, spin.

Ciel began to feel as if they had been spinning for hours, and as if they could continue spinning for eternity. He hadn't felt so at peace or swept away for as long as he could remember. What is this enchanting feeling? This is absurd, he thought, but he couldn't find the strength to refuse anymore. The swaying of their bodies and the rhythm of the strings had ensnared him body and mind.

Sebastian pulled Ciel closer so that their chests were pressing together. Ciel's mind fought for a moment but he felt his thoughts grow week as his cheek brushed Sebastian's. The young lord was no longer the boy he used to be. He stood tall beside Sebastian but was still half a foot shorter. It was much easier to dance with someone closer to your height. Ciel pulled back a little and looked into Sebastian's eyes. Have I forgotten that I was dancing with a man? With Sebastian? Or perhaps… Did I even care?

Sebastian's face was mere inches from Ciel's. It was the same face he saw first as he woke up every morning and the last face he saw as he closed his eyes every night for the past 6 years, but he couldn't look away.

"Sebastian "… Ciel whispered with a heavy feeling in his chest. It was so quiet but the demon heard it clearly. He looked back at the boy so seriously that Ciel could hardly speak. "Do… do you… hate me?" he said in an even smaller voice, but he stared at Sebastian steadily.

The butler's face grew surprised for a moment, then his eyes closed briefly, and then finally settled on a warm smile. Sebastian stopped dancing abruptly and Ciel fell into him. "Really… you…" Sebastian said with a slight smile to his voice. He leaned his head down and rested his forehead on the young lord's. He lifted his hand and cupped the side of Ciel's cheek.

Ciel was taken aback by his butler's actions and his mouth gaped open. "W-what are you?" he stammered.

"Why would you think I hate you?" Sebastian interupted.

Ciel was quiet for a moment before answering, " Because you couldn't have my human soul". His face was thoughtful, but not apologetic, it wasn't like Ciel to be. The moon shone between their faces, and only a small sliver of light passed between them.

Sebastian gave a cruel laugh. He pulled Ciel's face forward so that his lips were brushing his ears. "I'm still coming for your soul," he whispered. "However damned it may be".

BOOM.

Ciel jumped out of Sebastian's grasp. "The hell was that!?" Ciel cursed. His eyes snapped up to the sky and saw little twinkles of light falling amongst the stars. "Fireworks…?"

"Tch," Sebastian sighed. "You're early Bard…"

"BARD?" Ciel hissed. "You put Bard in charge of the explosives?"

Sebastian feigned innocence. "I'm sure it will be fine," he smiled nonchalantly, lifting his hands in a "whatever" pose.

The guests below heard the fireworks and began to flood the front yard and the balcony while cheering. Bard was in the field below with absolute bliss emanating from his smiling face as he yelled happy birthday across the yard before lighting more fireworks.

The young lord was as tensed and furious as a wet cat, and hurled insults at the demon man under his breath that only he could hear and clearly was ignoring. As he mumbled and grumbled the balcony filled up around him with those whom he knew well. Friends… or something. Lizi came up from behind the young lord and linked arms with him as Sebastian disappeared across the balcony.

"How pretty!" She cried happily.

Ciel relaxed a little and looked up at the fireworks that continued exploding before them. They were chaotic and noisy but somehow still enchanting. "I suppose you're right," Ciel murmured with a soft smile.

Lizi was surprised by his gentleness for a moment, but smiled to herself about how lucky she was today. Ciel could be so cold sometimes, but she liked to think that was his way of keeping her safe. She wondered what was on his mind.

"So this is what you were planning," Ciel laughed quietly. Lizi looked up at Ciel with a confused head tilt. In the shadows of the archway Sebastian was smiling mischievously. "I will make you mine soon… my lord".