A/N: Hello, lovely readers! I'm back at it again with a sinfully late update. Please forgive me. Things have turned around for the better in my personal life, but I'm still struggling with motivation and inspiration. My muse is certainly there, but the willpower is not. I'm actually forcing myself to write right now, but if that's what it takes not to leave you all in the dark, I'll do it!

Thank you to all my new followers, and everyone that's favorited and given praise! Your support means so much to me, and I'm going to try and make these last two chapters worth the long wait! I'm actually a little sad that this is ending, but . . . that just means a new beginning for some other story, right?! Anyways, I hope you enjoy and review! :D

Christmas morning had him feeling sick to his stomach. His limbs and back were cramped from having tossed and turned in the chair all night, and the hot chocolate ended up doing a number on his gut. He had dragged himself straight to his bed and swore he would stay there until the holiday passed. None of the begging and pleading of the others would convince him otherwise. Surprisingly, the only one who didn't push him to cooperate was Sebastian. Instead, he'd regarded him with understanding, tucked him away and promised to be at his beck and call the whole day.

He couldn't deny he felt a stab of guilt through all his admittedly overexaggerated nausea. Sebastian had even offered to cancel the whole dinner party, but Ciel couldn't allow for that. He insisted that he host the event, if only not to disappoint the people looking forward to it. He would stay out of the way and sleep off his illness; it was the least he could do for all the lengths the butler had taken to make this happen. Sebastian seemed reluctant, but wanting to make him happy, agreed to it. After all, he hated being doted on like some invalid. It was probably just a cold - nothing some hot soup and tea wouldn't take care of.

By the time the afternoon rolled around, Sebastian had guaranteed he was full of soup and tea. He was feeling a different type of sluggishness when he entered the room for the tenth time, a pristine and fluffy towel draped over his arm as he approached the bed.

"Come, young master," he called, removing the blankets and offering his hand. "I've drawn you a bath. Some soaking will alleviate your pains as we wash off whatever sick germs may have permeated you."

He frowned, beginning to tell him that he could wash himself. But the longer he stared into those patient wine colored eyes, the less he wanted to argue. With a silent huff, he took his gloved hand and carefully stepped into his slippers before allowing him to escort him to the bathroom. The hall was full of sensuous smells, and there was a low hum of activity that buzzed through the manor. They were diligently preparing for the guests to arrive, and he was suddenly struck with a fear of missing out.

"Are you really going to bathe me while you're cooking?" he asked casually as they reached the bathroom, Sebastian closing the door behind them.

"Bard is perfectly capable, young master. He's taken care of all of the dishes, without a bit of my assistance," he assured, to Ciel's mild surprise. He couldn't argue with those aromas, worthy of a five star restaurant's atmosphere. If Sebastian had faith, there was no reason he shouldn't. When the butler stood there, staring pointedly at his night shirt, he felt himself flushing deeply all of a sudden, adding to the steam the bath had created.

When he was younger, Sebastian would have already relinquished him of his clothing and situated him in the tub. He sometimes forgot he was a grown man who'd ordered Sebastian not to dress and undress him anymore. It was then he realized it probably was necessary to tell the demon he could bathe himself.

Before he could finish his internal debate, the butler was behind him, peeling the shirt from him himself. His skin flushed even deeper, and he opened his mouth to protest, but the man's gloved fingers brushing gently across his porcelain skin had his breath stuttering. He folded his arms over his hardening nipples, willing his heart to stop racing. Sebastian folded his shirt in a blur, placing it aside as he reached for Ciel's trousers.

"I can do that!" he blurted out, dodging away from his grasp. Sebastian stared at him with startled eyes, and Ciel gawked back like a deer in headlights. This was madness! Since when was he modest around his butler? They were both men, with body types that were no longer drastically different. Well, he would never have the musculature Sebastian sported so seamlessly, but he had nothing to be embarrassed of. Despite his sedentary lifestyle, he was quite proud of his lean, healthy limbs and slick abdomen.

Not to mention, his manhood wasn't lacking in the slightest. Just like that, it twitched in his pants, and his heart stopped.

"The bath is getting cold, young master," Sebastian announced, all traces of surprise leaving his expression as he stared with knowing eyes. That challenging look irked him, and he decided he didn't care if a massive erection sprung out of his boxers. He was actually dying to see what sort of reaction the demon would have to seeing his master's arousal for the first time.

Disappointment swamped him as he shucked his bottoms to reveal he was only at half mast and freaking out over nothing. The heat of humiliation radiated all throughout his body, and he didn't dare look at Sebastian as he held out a hand for the rest of his discarded clothes. He stormed his way to the tub and climbed in haphazardly, ignoring the water splashing over the sides, and the fact that he almost slipped and cracked his skull open. He settled low in the still delightfully hot water, submerging his whole body for a few minutes before coming up to Sebastian's amused face.

"Well, make yourself useful," he hissed, extending his arm expectantly. Sebastian chuckled, purposefully taking his time to shed his gloves and roll up his sleeves before grabbing the body wash and loofa and preparing to bathe the aristocrat. Ciel finally relaxed as he began scrubbing, really taking in the invigorating scent of eucalyptus and the soothing sensation of bath salts. Sebastian was silent as he tended to every piece of visible skin, gently exfoliating until he was spotless and glowing. Ciel had been preparing to lull off to sleep, when he felt the brush of the loofa across his chest. The prickly material across his sensitized nipples made him jump hard, but Sebastian didn't cease his movements.

"I can take care of this part," he said groggily, grabbing Sebastian's wrist. Still, the butler continued to scrub, both of them staring each other down.

"There's no need, young master. Please relax and focus on feeling better," he replied with a smile. But something about the warm glow in his eyes and way his baritone hit his ears sent him on edge. Panic quickly descended as his hand dipped into the water, coming up to wash the suds from his flesh. The demon's hypnotic gaze stayed locked on his, and that physical stirring he'd wanted to avoid came back full force.

"Sebastian," he ground out, attempting to sound threatening, but only sounding helpless.

"Does my presence make you uncomfortable?" he muttered lowly, the loofa rubbing gentle circles over his chest. Circles that deviated lower and lower, until his hand was submerged again. His body tensed as he felt himself surging to life in the water. Ciel grabbed his hand before it could reach his stomach, where they'd end up having intimate contact he wasn't mentally prepared for. Sebastian smiled wider; a smile that didn't reach his smoldering eyes. "There isn't a single thing I'm not capable of, my lord. You need only say a word, and-"

"I can take care of the rest myself!" he cried out, louder than he meant to. Sebastian immediately stood to his feet, dropping the loofa in the suds. The water seemed to turn ice cold without the fire he had been stoking in his shivering body.

"Call me when you've finished up, then," he said automatically, bowing and turning on his heel. When he was gone, Ciel released the breath he hadn't been aware was choking him, but no matter how many times he exhaled, he couldn't come down from the high he was stuck on.

In the end, he hadn't called Sebastian back.

He'd let the water out, rinsed the tub and toweled himself dry before trudging back to his room. He half expected for Sebastian to be waiting within, knowing the earl would be too stubborn to ask for help after that painstaking ordeal. When he arrived to find the room empty, he was relieved only a tiny bit. He felt alone and confused, and his body was still on fire. He needed Sebastian here. He needed Sebastian to stay far away. He just needed Sebastian, and he hated this!

As he sat at his vanity, completely naked save for his robe, he blow dried his hair in brooding silence. He'd never done it himself before, and so he was doing a horribly inefficient job. The water droplets were soaking into the silk, only causing his freshly moisturized skin to become damp again. But he refused to call for Sebastian. Turning the device off, he stormed to the door and prepared to find someone to assist him. He thanked the heavens when he opened the door to find Mey-Rin passing by with some hand towels, undoubtedly for the guest bathrooms. He silently snatched her into the room, despite her startled cry, and her subsequently dropping all the neatly folded cloth to the floor.

"L-lord Phantomhive?" she gasped, blushing as red as the beautiful cocktail dress she donned as she took in his state of indecency. Her hair was pinned in a intricately curled coiffure, and she wore a professional catering vest over her outfit. She looked much too fetching to be just the help.

"Help me dry my hair," he ordered in his usual spoiled manner. It was when she glanced over his shoulder, to see the formal outfit neatly laid out on his bed, did she understand his urgency. She lit up like a Christmas light, clapping her hands in excitement.

"You're coming to the party?!" she exclaimed. He simply looked off with reddened cheeks, and she squealed with delight. "Oh, of course I'll help you prepare!"

For the next half an hour, Mey-Rin dried and styled his hair, and helped put the finishing touches to his outfit, all while prattling on about the party and all who would be in attendance. He was too rattled about his current situation to hear any of it. The only reason he was making an appearance was to stake out Sebastian. Although he didn't want to spend a single second alone with him, he also didn't want the man out of his immediate sight. His dual colored eyes shimmered with determination as he moved to settle his signature eye patch over his right eye, but Mey-Rin stopped him.

"You're so handsome, my lord," she said with an unmistakable blush. "You don't need that."

He paused before turning to look in the mirror. Sebastian had taught him years ago how to suppress the appearance of the contract, so that now his eyes had the appearance of plain heterochromia. He wasn't sure why he still felt so self conscious about it, but decided to listen to her. Dressed in a forest green pinstripe tuxedo, black bow tie, and his fringe slicked black to show his face for once, he had to agree with her.

He turned to her with a devilish smile, offering the crook of his arm. Pretending to swoon, she took it gracefully, and they headed out the room. They stopped abruptly at the pile of towels on the floor, looking at each other and bursting into laughter, before she knelt to collect them. He helped her fold them back and bring them to where they needed to be. By the time they arrived to the foyer, guests were already flooding into the place. He stopped just within the doorway, still hidden from sight as he experienced cold feet.

"Lord Phantomhive?" Mey-Rin whispered, holding her hand out to him.

"I . . . I'm not ready to see them," he croaked, retracting further from her reach. He promptly backed into something solid, and from the hands that settled on his shoulders, it wasn't a wall.

"You should have told me you'd be attending after all," Sebastian's warm breath mumbled by his ear. The fire he'd been able to ignore this whole time roared to life as he sprung out of the butler's grasp. The devil had tided himself up as well, wearing a stylishly gilded suit and tie. His heart pounded with a shocking lust, the beat soaring into double time when he found Sebastian taking his attire in with the same regard.

"Uh . . . gentlemen?" Mey-Rin's uncertain voice broke the spell, and they all turned to watch Bard and Finnian flounder before the guests.

"W-welcome to the party," Finnian squeaked awkwardly under the gazes of some random blue-blooded ladies.

"Thank you . . . for . . . arriving . . . " Bard followed up, both men still as statues under everyone's bored stares.

Sebastian sucked in a sharp breath before sailing into the limelight, coming to their rescue. He greeted everyone with style and poise, taking coats and passing them to Bard and Finnian, who scrambled to put them away in an orderly fashion. Without another word, Mey-Rin joined the fray, and then Sebastian directed everyone to the ballroom. Ciel watched with anxious eyes, the guests that flooded in. People he never dreamed he'd see again, but filled his heart with a warmth he hadn't felt in a long time. He inhaled deeply as Bard, Mey-Rin and Finnian shuffled past into the ballroom, thankfully not detecting him. Soon after, he heard live music beginning to play, and he exhaled before straightening himself and heading into the room.

If he had been captivated by the decor before, it was nothing compared to how he felt now. The tables were set with the finest China, crystal and silverware, cleaned and polished like he couldn't believe. Not even the slightest chip or scratch was present, and he smiled with pride for Mey-Rin.

The centerpieces were home grown flower arrangements. The blooms were giant, vibrant and beautiful. Evidently, Finnian had been experimenting fertilization options to create flowers so monstrous in size, they almost looked fake.

In his immediate sight was a buffet table that seemed a football field long, laden with food that not only smelled phenomenal, but was presented with such care, he couldn't believe it was Bard's handiwork alone.

On the side of the room opposite the buffet were two more tables. The one nearest to him was overflowing with presents of all sizes. When he peered at the little gift tags, the presents were all addressed from one guest to another guest. Oddly, the sight made him happy, if not a little confused. As he moved along the table, still undetected by the party attendees, the next table was neatly lined with Phantomhive gift bags, one for each guest.

"It was Sebastian's idea," Mey-Rin suddenly said beside him, scaring the daylights out of him. "It was a bring two, get two deal. Bring two gifts - one for a guest, one for the host, and get two back - one from a guest, and one from the host. Isn't that just darling?"

"Wow . . . that's actually a great idea," he said in wonder. Why couldn't he have thought of that? Then he remembered her mentioning gifts for him. "Then, where's my presents?"

"Under the tree, silly," she said, taking his hand and dragging him there. He felt like a child again when they arrived to his mountain of presents beneath the tree. He glanced over to see Mey-Rin marveling at his bulging eyes and slacked jaw, and blushed in embarrassment. "You looked like the boy I used to know just now," she murmured warmly, throwing her arms around him suddenly. He turned awkwardly in her embrace to return the hug, feeling comforted by her lush breasts. "I'm so happy you're here, L-"

"CIEL PHANTOMHIVE?!" a woman suddenly shrieked behind them, causing the music to come to an abrupt stop. They stayed frozen in their embrace for a moment longer, before awkwardly turning to the gaping crowd. Everyone stared at them, their glasses of punch and spiked egg nog suspended in the air as if an apparition had passed through them collectively. He identified the voice that cried out as none other than his aunt, Francis Midford. He forced a smile as murmurs erupted among the crowd, and he was internally beginning to curse Sebastian.

The shrill, rapidly executed tones of a violin interrupted the noise, and all attention was turned to the band, where the devil himself was playing a dramatic piece. Once it was concluded, everyone began to clap, effectively distracted.

"Time for the waltz!" he announced, clapping his hands. Everyone rushed off to find a partner, completely forgetting the grand reveal, to Ciel's relief. Sebastian was by his side before he knew it, and Mey-Rin fled what was surely about to become a murder scene.

"I told you this was a terrible idea!" he hissed, further inflamed by the pompous smile on Sebastian's mug.

"Even so, the look that's been on your face since you first walked in here has been completely worth it," he drawled, causing him to flush. He had come to this blasted party to watch him, not the opposite! "There's nothing for you to fret about, young master. There's hallucinogens in the drinks, so no one knows what's real or not."

Ciel paled at that admission. His smile and happy-go-lucky demeanor made it hard to decipher whether he was joking or not. "You drugged my guests?!"

"CIEL!" more voices suddenly thundered near him, and he turned to be swarmed by familiar faces, including Soma, Agni, Lau and Ran Mao. He gave them startled smiles before turning back to Sebastian, who had disappeared without a trace.

This isn't over, damn you, he thought, his eyes quickly raking the crowd for sight of him, but to no avail. He was forced to interact with his old friends, having to make up some lame excuse as to why he faked his death and didn't let anyone in on 'the joke'.

Despite the initial mishap, the night wasn't going half as bad as he thought it would. After lots of dancing and catching up, everyone was good and famished. They made a line and was served by Mey-Rin, Bard, Finnian and even Sebastian himself. Ciel glared daggers into him, but he was fully submerged in his host character, charming ladies and gentlemen alike. It made his heart race, seeing the man smile like that. That indescribable fire still roared throughout him, but it was more intense the closer they were. He quickly ran off to have his seat, eyeing the champagne bucket on the table and wondering if that was drugged too.

There was no arranged seating, so everyone sat where they were comfortable. He wasn't sure why, but he was shocked when no one other than Elizabeth Midford took her seat beside him. He watched her cautiously as she set her plate and daintily descended into the seat beside him. She looked stunning in a pink ball gown, her hair styled in an impeccable braid and ringlets, adorned with pink marguerites. Her kind emerald eyes looked him over before she gave a radiant smile that would have illuminated his soul if he had one.

"You look very handsome tonight, Ciel Phantomhive," she addressed, her calm, silvery voice catching him off guard. The Lizzie of his past was so deeply ingrained in his memory, he couldn't imagine that she and the woman sitting before him now was one in the same, no matter how many years had passed.

"You're breathtaking yourself, Lizzie," he said, smiling at her surprised expression and subtle blush."Unless I'm not allowed to call you that anymore?"

"Not in the eyes of polite society, please," she giggled, patting his arm lightly. He didn't know what to say. He had been so anxious to see her, not knowing what she would say or do. Now that they were actually talking, her presence felt so natural, like no time had passed at all. But whether she was this new -and what the blue bloods would undoubtedly consider improved - Lizzie, or the one he knew since childhood, didn't matter. He'd missed her terribly all the same. They chatted for several moments about the party, the guests, current events, and everything that had transpired in her life since his supposed death. He was pleasantly surprised to discover she had married a few years back. To a Marquess, she added, but with no ill intent.

It seemed she had arrived to the party with him, by the way she glanced over her shoulder to a handsome gentleman at a nearby table. He raised his champagne glass with good will, and she smiled, completely besotted. He wasn't sure why, but he was incredibly happy for her. He was sure he must seem insane, extending his blessings towards his ex-fiancee and her new husband, but he didn't feel like he was losing out. In fact, it felt like a victory for everyone, since Lizzie ended up with someone who would truly make her happy.

"I won't ask why you did it," she suddenly said after taking a sip of her champagne. He looked at her in confusion as she smiled deviously at him. "The answer is very plain to see."

"Why I did what?" he asked, genuinely clueless as to what was happening.

"Why you faked your own death and hid away for over a decade," she giggled, causing his eyes to widen. There was no way in hell someone like Lizzie could possibly know the reason. When he didn't offer an immediate answer, she made an exasperated sound and set her champagne flute down noisily. "You're in love, Ciel!"

Ciel gasped louder than her exclamation, causing everyone in their area to turn towards them. He laughed coquettishly, willing them to turn away, before his entire face went up in flames. "Shut your mouth!" he hissed.

"Oh my God, it's true!" she laughed in delight, grabbing his hand. "This is wonderful! You know, as young as I was, I had my suspicions," she prattled on. "I used to think 'ugh, that's so gross and creepy', but then it made total sense! I mean, look at me. I'm beautiful, smart and hilarious, and there was just no pleasing you! Now I know why, and honestly, anyone who can make you happier than I can has my blessing!" Ciel stared at her as if she'd sprouted a thousand heads on the spot. "So, how did he propose to you?"

"HE?!" he cried out, causing the entire room to look at them. Elizabeth sent apologetic looks all around before pulling Ciel from his seat and into a private alcove away from prying eyes.

"Oh, calm down, you ninny," she whispered sharply, stabbing a finger into his chest. "Yes, he. You know? Sebastian?!" Before he could yell a second time, she covered his mouth. "Come on, Ciel. It's me! You can admit anything to me, and honestly, I don't care what you say, because I know what I'm talking about." He started to calm, and she removed her hand, but his face remained beet red. "Sheesh. I'm beginning to think he didn't propose at all. So, you guys aren't eloped right now?"

"Elizabeth, don't be silly. Sebastian and I would never-" he began to say, unable to force the rest of the words out. They would never what? Love each other? Get married? Have a family? Was that even what he wanted? Oh God, what did he really want with Sebastian?!

"Listen to me, Ciel Phantomhive," she chided, to his surprise. "Whatever you're about to say is rubbish, okay? Any man whose willing to stick by you as long as Sebastian has - including all the Hell you two have been through together - has to be utterly, madly in love with you." He opened his mouth, preparing to explain to her that that wasn't the context of their long lasting relationship, but she snapped her head back and forth, refusing to hear contrary. "I know how indomitable you can be, and if Sebastian hasn't made his move after all of these years, it's because he's waiting for you to give him the green light!"

"Elizabeth-" he began to say, being cut off when she grabbed his shoulders and shook him violently.

"You want to give him the green light, don't you?"

"I don't-"

"You're in love with Sebastian, aren't you?"

"I think-"

"You want to have his babies, right?!"

"That's not-"

"Then you have to go get your man! Don't take no for an answer! Go wrangle that horse, cowboy!" With that, she promptly smacked his cheek, whirled on her heel and stormed away. As he stared at her sashaying backside, his eyes wide with wonder and confusion, he found himself smiling in the dumbest fashion. There she was. The Lizzie he knew and loved. His heart was racing as he made his way back into the ballroom, just in time for the exchange of presents. Everyone rushed to the table to get their item and search for the people they intended it for. He just stood there, delighting at how everyone's face lit up when they received their present and the subsequent hugs they enveloped each other in. His heart felt so full, he felt tears well to his eyes. Damn, this was the best Christmas he'd ever had.

He caught Lizzie's eyes in the crowd again, and she made some none-to-subtle gestures with her head to somewhere on his left. When he turned to look, he inhaled sharply to find Sebastian leaning on a pillar a few feet away, watching him in that way that sent shivers down his spine. No . . . it wasn't the best Christmas ever yet.

Summoning all his courage, he took determined steps towards the butler, whose glowing red eyes never left his form.

"Well? What do you think of my present, young master?" he asked, motioning toward the scene. "Has your joy and wonder been restored?"

Ciel looked over at the crowd thoughtfully and smiled. "It's marvelous, Sebastian. Seeing everyone like this really stirs some passionate emotions within me. I can't thank you enough for all the trouble you went through for me, but . . ." he paused to look up at the demon, who looked stunned to hear a 'but'. "It's not what I wanted."

"What?" he gasped, his face transforming anxiously. It touched Ciel to see him this worked up so unexpectedly. "What is it you wanted? Tell me precisely. I can still make it happen, I swear to you."

"Okay," he said with a warm smile, grabbing Sebastian's lapels and pushing him further into the shadows, near a window where only the moonlight touched the place they were standing. "Here's the perfect spot."

"For what?" the demon rasped, his eyes glowing with perplexity.

"For a kiss," he whispered. Sebastian's eyes widened in shock, before he glanced up, spotting the deviously positioned mistletoe hanging over their heads. He suddenly chuckled and look back at the earl, the sound dying when he saw the desperation in his eyes, his parted lips, and the fact that he was standing on his toes to make it easier. Without another word, he grasped the aristocrat's chin, his eyes darkening as claimed his lips in a rather tame kiss. Ciel hadn't a moment to decide if he was disappointed or not, because the moment their lips separated, something passed between them that sent the fire into an uncontrollable inferno.

He could tell by the way Sebastian's eyes widened, that demonic glow becoming more vibrant, that he'd felt it, too.

"Sebastian," he whimpered, his body shuddering.

"As you wish, my lord," he growled. In a flurry of movement, he had Ciel cradled in his arms before he stealthily removed the both of them from the party, heading straight for Ciel's bedchamber.

A/N: Soooo? What did you think? I swear, I started writing this at like 2, and I'm just finishing. When I read back over it, it's gonna seem like nothing! Ugh! But I hope you all enjoyed! Some parts are corny, and I tried to be comical, and it probably came off as OOC, but I hope you don't mind. If you do, please say so! Review, people! I need to know your thoughts! Also, let me take the time now to ask: this has been lemon scented so far. The next and final chapter determines if that scent becomes actual flavor. I need five opinions, because then I have to change the rating and put warnings and all that good stuff. So, please participate, because I can't update without your vote! Thank you so much for reading, and for your support! See you soon! w