A/N: Next chapter! Thank you everyone for reading and for the lovely reviews! ^^ I hope everyone enjoys this chapter and the start of a new month! I'm really happy that it's starting to get warm here 8D
Many, many, many thanks to Kitty Gets Loose for reading through this story and giving me advice. And to Imperial Mint and Eien. Ni for encouraging me along the way ^^
Warnings: Language, ClaudexSebastian (kissing)
Disclaimer: I don't own Kuroshitsuji
As a rule: when you see a good move, look for a better one ~ Emanuel Lasker
A lone finger tapped on the wooden surface of the desk while blue eyes focused on the computer screen in front of him, ignoring the pile of homework that was stacked up beside him. It seemed irrelevant now, compared to the subject on the screen who held all of Ciel's attention. Wine red eyes stared back at him and Ciel was forced to scroll down before he found himself hard under the intense look.
It had been four days since Ciel had left San Antonio Sunday morning, after wishing Sebastian luck in the finals that night. It was disappointing that he couldn't stay to watch, but Ciel couldn't afford to slack off in school and with a heavy heart, had to leave. He could still hear Sebastian's pants and soft groans in his head the whole drive back and as soon as he arrived home, Ciel had gone straight to his room and indulged himself while the memory was still fresh.
After that, it had been a flurry of playing catch up with his homework. Something he could've had Alois do, but the older male didn't always get the highest marks in class. Ciel finished his work late Sunday night, checking the results of the roping class right before bed. Pride swelled up in his body as he read Sebastian's name at the top of the list; pointedly ignoring Claude's. The pride instantly vanished though, replaced by jealousy when Ciel remembered the promise that Claude had given Sebastian if they won.
It wasn't fair and more than anything, Ciel wished to be in Claude's shoes. He didn't care if it was Sebastian pounding into his ass or the other way around. He wanted everything Sebastian had to offer and Ciel didn't like sharing. The problem had only grown worse after another vivid dream the previous night, thus prompting Ciel's current search.
Google was a wonderful thing and after a quick search of 'Sebastian Michaelis', Ciel had found hundreds of pages about the man. The information had been pushed aside at first in favor of looking at the vast amount of pictures that were available and most of them went straight into a folder for his own personal use.
Now though, he was sorting through the vast amount of information that had popped up on the man. The first time Ciel had gone to the rodeo; the announcer had stated that Sebastian was from north Texas, which meant that he was at least within driving range. But where in the north, Ciel had no idea, but he figured that Sebastian would have a webpage for his ranch, since he probably sold his livestock during the year.
And sure enough, the first link available was one leading to Sebastian's website. Ciel held off on that though in favor of reading other articles about the man. Wikipedia, Ciel quickly found out, wasn't very helpful in providing Sebastian's background. Other than the fact that the man was an Aggie. Ciel snorted at that, of course Sebastian would've gone to his rival school. The rest of the page had simply talked about Sebastian's riding skills and what he competed in, nothing of importance.
Ciel had tucked the information away for later and moved back to Google's webpage, clicking on Sebastian's website. The words 'Stormy Sky Ranch' sprawled across the top of the page, followed by a picture of a large pasture with several horses grazing in the setting sun.
The picture though had changed after a few seconds, leaving Ciel to stare at an image of Sebastian and Belial, posing together for a quick shot. A blue ribbon fluttered from the horses head collar while Sebastian stared straight at the camera, making Ciel feel as though those eyes were staring straight through him.
It was intense and arousing at the same time, which was why Ciel had to scroll down until he was staring at the bottom of the screen. His eyes flickered to the side of the site, where the menu options were and he clicked on the 'About Us' section, hoping to find out more about Sebastian's ranch.
He was greeted with a picture of the front gate to the ranch, where Sebastian's brand had been welded into the front of the gate. White rocks were built into a wall around the gate, marking it as the main entrance while a neatly kept dirt road led up to the house in the far background. Black fences lined the inside of the property where more horses grazed and Ciel found himself nodding in approval. It was a well-designed ranch from what he could see so far and his appreciation of Sebastian grew. It was easy on the eyes and not too complex that it looked tacky.
Scrolling down, Ciel found the text that he was looking for and started to read. He wanted to know where in north Texas Sebastian lived. After all, the man took first place at the rodeo and Ciel wanted to congratulate him personally. And Sebastian had mentioned that he could come to the ranch so he could watch Sebastian ride.
A small voice told Ciel that Sebastian was probably teasing him but it was ignored as Ciel focused on the task before him. As dull as some of the information was, Ciel didn't skip over it. He needed to know everything about Sebastian, show him that Ciel was serious about what he wanted. In a way, it was like preparing for a job interview. He had to research his potential place of work and study them thoroughly so that he wasn't caught off guard with a question and made to look like an idiot.
Stormy Sky Ranch was a well-known ranch for raising black and blue roan horses, usually Quarter Horses, but they also produced several other breeds in the selected color. They also bred and raised cattle for the local 4-H chapter and other farms that needed the stock. And of course, the ranch was well known for its owners, who were nationally ranked riders.
Ciel hummed at the information and continued reading. He wasn't going to stop until he knew where the ranch was located. Homework could wait until the current task at hand was done. His eyes continued to read, taking in the information like a sponge, learning how the ranch had started and how it had grown into a successful business today.
All significant things for impressing Sebastian, but Ciel wanted more. His gaze stopped at the bottom of the page and he felt his lips curl up in a smirk. A map was situated at the very bottom of the page, showing exactly where the ranch could be found and Ciel couldn't help but chuckle lowly. This was what he had been looking for and he clicked on the map so he could figure out where in north Texas Sebastian was living.
He tapped his finger impatiently as the map loaded and glanced at the clock, noting the time. Alois would be home from work soon and Ciel wanted to finish his search before then. If Alois knew what he was planning, then the older male would whine and try to stop him; something Ciel didn't want to happen. Alois had already grown clingy around him and it was getting to be far more annoying than usual. So much so that Ciel had thrown a bowl at Alois's head to keep at bay.
Ciel scoffed at the thoughts and turned back to the map. It had finished loading and a little pinpoint marked the area where Stormy Sky Ranch was located. Ciel frowned slightly, tracing the route with his finger and wondered how long it would take to drive there. Texas was a big state and it could take several hours to get somewhere.
A quick search showed that it would take around three hours. A long drive but Ciel felt it would be worth it. If he left early in the morning, he could get there at a decent time during the day and still have plenty of time to talk with Sebastian before leaving again.
The area seemed to be mostly rural, which Ciel had expected, seeing as Sebastian's ranch was situated on a lot of land. It reminded Ciel of his family's summer home and he wiggled slightly in his seat, pleased that they had another thing in common with each other.
Out in the front of the apartment, the door opened and shut loudly, making Ciel jump. He quickly closed the bookmarked the page and closed the internet down before pulling his homework closer to him. Alois wouldn't be pleased to know that he was hunting down where Sebastian lived.
Ciel opened his textbook and stared down at the words, trying to take them in as he listened to the footsteps approaching his door. Alois was coming up to check on him, another new habit the older male had picked up since they came back from the rodeo. Ciel silently counted down until there was a knock at the door and Alois poked his head in.
"Good, you're working," Alois commented.
Ciel turned around and glared at the older male. "I don't need you to baby me, it's getting annoying." His hand tightened around the pencil he was holding. "And what if I was doing something private? You didn't bother to wait after you knocked, just walked right in."
Alois smirked. "Scared that I'd catch you jacking off to Sebastian's picture again?" He asked. "I heard you the other night, you practically screamed his name."
Blue eyes narrowed. "I did no such thing. The only way you would've known that I was doing something like that was if you were outside my door." Ciel frowned as Alois stiffened at the accusation and he stood up. "You were, weren't you?"
"You have no proof other than your own thoughts," Alois commented. "It's not my fault that you can't control your voice when you're pleasuring yourself."
It was a lie and they both knew it. Ciel knew that he had been quiet the other night; his face had been pushed into the pillow as he stroked himself, imagining that it was Sebastian behind him; taking him long and hard. But instead of allowing himself to become embarrassed by such a thing, Ciel smirked, ready to turn it into his favor.
"You're lying," he stated and shut the book he had just opened. "You know that I don't like it when you lie to me. Especially when you're trying to cover up the fact that you were sitting outside my door while I was masturbating. Did it arouse you?"
Alois looked away, scowling slightly. They both knew the truth and Alois could already tell that he was in trouble and Ciel was about to enforce his rule over Alois once more.
"Next Friday," Ciel started. "I'm going up to north Texas for some business. I want you to attend my morning classes, turn in my homework, and take notes for me. It's a large lecture class and everything is turned in before the teacher gets there, so you won't have a problem."
Alois frowned. "Why are you going all the way up there?" He asked confused. It seemed odd, as there was nothing in the northern part of the state that would interest Ciel.
Ciel brushed the comment aside. "That's none of your business," he stated. "You still owe me, especially for the work favor I had to do for you a few weeks ago. So I'm collecting on that now."
Pale blue eyes flashed but Alois held his tongue, knowing that he couldn't argue against Ciel. He had learned that there were something's he couldn't fight and Ciel's hold over him was one of them. It was frustrating but at the same time, it kept Ciel close and Alois knew that he could worm his way into Ciel's heart sooner or later.
"Fine," he said with a heavy sigh. "I'll go to your stupid classes."
Ciel smirked. "Of course you will," he answered and pushed Alois out of his room, closing the door behind him. It was late in the evening and time for dinner. It was better to eat out in the living room where he could keep an eye on Alois rather than stay cooped up in his room. After finding out that Alois had sat outside his room the other night, Ciel didn't trust him alone anymore.
It was creepy and very stalker-ish, in a way that gave Ciel the chills. And Alois wondered why Ciel didn't like him.
.:|As a Rule|:.
Ciel sighed as he tossed the last bag of food into his car for the long drive to Stormy Sky Ranch. The directions were already printed out and sat in the passenger seat, ready to lead him to Sebastian. The weather was still cool for March and Ciel shivered in the morning air before shutting the door to his car.
He glanced up as Alois approached him, backpack slung over his shoulder and a pout on his lips. "Are you going to spend your spring break up there?" He asked, looking at the suitcase that sat on the sidewalk.
"If I can, yes. If not, then I'll go home and see my parents. My mother misses me and my father wants to see how my fencing skills have improved since I joined the club," Ciel answered as he wheeled the bag to the trunk. "You're staying here, yes?"
Alois nodded. "Hannah wasn't allowed to see visitors since she's seeing her lawyers a lot these past few weeks." He shrugged slightly. "So I figured I'd stay here and work extra hours so I have some spending money."
Ciel grunted as slammed the trunk shut. "Sounds like a good plan. Make sure you don't destroy the apartment while I'm gone." He looked at Alois and gave him his most stern glare. "And don't you dare go into my room next week or I swear I'll make your life miserable."
"How will you know if I went in there?" Alois shot back, not wanting to tell Ciel that the younger male was already making his life miserable.
A smirk crossed Ciel's lips. "I have my ways," he said simply and moved around to the front of the car. He grabbed the thermos of tea he made that morning and waved Alois away. "You have class to get to," he stated and slid into the car.
Alois scowled but didn't answer, there was nothing else he could say that would make things better and for now, it was just easier to accept what had to be done. He gave a small wave to Ciel before turning around and heading off into the direction of the university.
As soon as he was gone, Ciel started the car and backed out of his parking spot. He sipped at his tea as he pulled out of the apartment complex and onto the road. In an hour or so, he would stop for breakfast since it was too early for him to eat right now. The tea was enough for now and would hold him over until he needed to stop.
The radio was turned on and Ciel hummed softly to the song that was playing as he moved onto the road that he needed. It seemed odd that two weeks ago, he was going in the other direction to see Sebastian. But this time, he was headed north, to visit Sebastian's ranch and get a better chance to know the older male. That would be better than just watching him in a competition.
All the articles on Sebastian were memorized and Ciel knew almost everything about Stormy Sky Ranch, including the brand that Sebastian used to mark his livestock. The only thing he didn't know was why Sebastian had chosen the name and brand that he had, but those were good conversation starters and Ciel had plenty of questions to ask.
He smirked as he turned onto the main road that would lead him to Sebastian. Nothing could go wrong this time, he had all the excuses and reasons to visit the man, and not even Claude was going to stop him.
.:|As a Rule|:.
Ciel pulled into a small gas station three hours later, the tires on his car kicking up dirt as he came to a stop. With a groan, he climbed out of the car, his legs protesting the movement after being stuck in the same position for so long. He felt disgusting and even though the directions indicated the ranch was just down the road, Ciel refused to let Sebastian see him like this.
He stumbled into the store, trying to force his legs to move properly and get circulation back in them. The smell of coffee assaulted his nose along with the scent of pastries, making Ciel's head turn to find out where the smell was coming from. He found them near the register and he drooled at the glazed sweets that called out to him.
Promising to come back, Ciel quickly found the bathroom and relieved himself. Feeling better, he washed his hands and then his face, scrubbing at it until he felt more awake and clean. He ran his fingers through his hair, brushing out the small tangles that had accumulated on the drive up, until he deemed himself presentable.
Once done, he moved back towards the register where the pastry's waited for them. He eyed them, stomach growling and demanding several of the sweets.
"You're new," someone said behind him.
Ciel spun around quickly, looking at the person behind him. A cheerful grin greeted him and Ciel blinked before nodding at the man. "I'm just stopping in to get something to eat," he answered.
The man cocked his head. "Oh? We're not exactly that easy to find on the map you know. You must have another reason for passing through."
"I'm going to meet someone," Ciel snapped, annoyed at the prying questions from the strange man. "Is there a problem with that?"
"Youngsters these days," the older man stated, shaking his head. "No respect at all. I remember a time when they were nothing but polite to those older than them. It was expected you know."
Ciel scowled. "We were also told not to talk to strangers," he snapped back. "Which you are. So if you'll excuse me."
A low chuckle left the man's mouth. "That's better. I was looking for that familiar personality. Quick and sharp, just like before. Glad to see your parents raised you right; very glad indeed." He reached around Ciel and opened the pastry door. "If you're going to see someone, you should bring them some of these. Everyone in town loves them."
"Forgive me if I don't take advice from someone I just happened to meet," Ciel answered, watching as the man shoved more pastries into a bag.
"Fine, allow me to introduce myself." A hand was held out. "I'm The Undertaker, the veterinarian for this town."
Ciel's eyebrow arched at the name but he didn't say anything. He supposed that a veterinarian could also be considered an undertaker, considering they had to put animals down. "Nice to meet you," Ciel answered and jumped slightly as a large bag of pastry's was shoved into his hands. "What are these for?"
"Your friend," The Undertaker answered. "The two on top are for him, but the rest are for you."
Ciel blinked. "I never said who I was going to see," he argued, feeling slightly disturbed that this man seemed to know his plans.
"Call it a guess," the older male answered. "And intuition. Now, off you go, before those go stale on you. And tell Sebastian that the colt's parents did their job and the colt is ready for his game. He'll understand."
A huff left Ciel as he was pushed away from the register and out the door. A small wave was given in his direction before the man vanished back inside the store, leaving Ciel alone to stand in the parking lot. For a moment, it was hard to believe that such a thing had just happened, but Ciel couldn't deny that it hadn't.
Pushing away the thoughts, Ciel padded back to his car and slipped inside. The smell of pasty's filled the car and Ciel dug through the bag, ignoring the top two. He bit into the flaky crust as he started the car and pulled out onto the road. The ranch was about ten minutes away and Ciel was more than anxious to get there now.
The pastry was gone by the time Ciel pulled up to the gate and he was relieved to find it open. He hadn't really planned on what to do if it was closed. Taking in a deep breath, he pulled through the gate and drove carefully down the dirt road, taking in the black horses that surrounded him on both sides of the car. Splashes of blue were present throughout the black coats and Ciel knew them to be the Blue Roans that Sebastian bred.
No one stopped him yet and by the time Ciel made it to the end of the road, his shoulders had relaxed and he felt as though his plan would work. The front of the house was quiet and Ciel grabbed his bag of pastries and walked up to the front door. His fingers curled around the bag tightly, knowing that they were going to be a peace offering in a way and now Ciel was glad that he hadn't shown up empty handed.
With a steady hand, Ciel knocked on the door, hoping that someone beside Claude was home. The man would kick him out in a heartbeat. The door swung open and Ciel was met with neither Claude or Sebastian, but instead someone who looked to be no older than him.
"Hi," he started cautiously, hoping that he was at the right place. "Is Sebastian Michaelis here?"
Bright blue eyes blinked at him before the male smiled. "Of course. He's working in his office right now but I can get him for you."
Ciel smiled. "That would be nice, thank you." He stepped back as the door was closed and he waited patiently outside. He hadn't expected to be let in, considering the male didn't know who he was, but once Sebastian saw him, he'd be invited in.
Minutes passed and Ciel shifted his weight, worry seeping into his mind as he waited longer. He hoped that they hadn't forgotten about him and he debated about knocking on the door again. With a scowl, he pushed the thoughts from his head, knowing that acting impatient now would only ruin his chances with Sebastian in the future.
His patience was rewarded when the door opened once more a few moments later and Ciel smiled up at Sebastian. He could see the crimson eyes widen in surprise briefly before Sebastian stepped outside and stood before him.
"Hello again, Ciel," he said lightly.
Ciel smirked. "Hello again to you too, Sebastian," he answered and held up the bag of pastry's. "I brought some food, I was told that you would like them. And that a colt's parents did their job and the colt is ready for your game? Something like that."
Sebastian gazed at Ciel, his eyes piercing and knowing as they seemed to search his soul. "Seems as though our patience has been rewarded then. And The Undertaker was correct, I do like his pastries," he stated with a smirk.
Ciel cocked his head to the side slightly, confused at how Sebastian was acting. He seemed happy to see him, yes, but he wasn't inviting him inside like Ciel had expected. "Shouldn't we go inside and eat these before they grow cold?" he asked, trying to subtly push Sebastian into letting him inside.
"Why are you here, Ciel?" Sebastian asked, ignoring the question.
"To congratulate you," Ciel answered. "I saw online that you won the roping competition and I wanted to tell you congratulations. I would've called, but I didn't have your number and I figured that it would be better to tell you in person anyway."
Sebastian nodded but didn't say anything, making Ciel shift uneasy. Perhaps he had read the signs wrong the last time he was at the rodeo. Sebastian hadn't made any comments or showed any signs that he wanted Ciel to stop, so why was he acting so differently now? Ciel wanted the teasing Sebastian that let him stay in the trailer and help with the morning chores. Where was that man?
"You should come inside before you catch a cold," Sebastian spoke suddenly. "It'd be a shame for you to have come all this way and not have any of these pastries; they're rather delicious."
Ciel's grin grew and he followed Sebastian inside the house happily, pleased that he had gotten his wish. The door shut behind him and the smell of leather filled his nose, making him inhale deeply. He trailed behind Sebastian until they reached the kitchen and the older man pulled out a chair for Ciel.
Thanking the man, Ceil sat down and watched as Sebastian grabbed two plates, setting on in front of Ciel before placing the other in front of himself. The pastries were split between them and Ciel happily bit into his, toes curling in delight at the sweet taste. "They're good," Ciel exclaimed, noting that Sebastian was still watching him curiously. "Do you not like them?"
Sebastian shook his head. "No. They're my favorite actual. But I'm still surprised to see you here, that's all." He bit into his own pastry and brushed off the flakes from his fingers. "How did you find my ranch?" He inquired once he had finished his bite.
Ciel shifted slightly. "It was rather easy, you're all over the internet," he answered, trying to phrase his answer so it didn't sound so stalker like. "I had wanted to thank you for letting me stay with you those two nights at the rodeo but I didn't have any way to contact you. So I had to turn to the internet."
Red eyes watched him curiously and Ciel resisted the urge to wiggle in his seat. Part of what he said had been the truth, but the rest of it was conjured on whim. Ciel had wanted to thank the man, but his excuse made it seem like he truly wanted to thank Sebastian and nothing more.
"You went out of your way, that's for sure," Sebastian answered, chuckling lightly. "How far did you have to drive to get here? It's not as though we're in a well-known area. Close to one, yes, but not many people come out this way."
Ciel shook his head. "It was only about three hours or so. I drive further to get home."
Sebastian hummed. "So you're a college student," he stated and smirked when Ciel nodded his head. "What college are you attending now?"
"University of Texas," Ciel answered, only slightly worried to how Sebastian would take such an answer. A&M and UT were rivals and that rivalry ran deep.
"A Longhorn, huh," Sebastian murmured and he waved a hand in the air. "I went to A&M, as I'm sure you know. But the University of Texas was also a school that I had looked at. Their business degree was something that had interested me, but I ended up in College Station. They had the animal programs that I was looking for and the business classes weren't too shabby either."
Ciel perked up. "You like business?" He asked. "I'm a business major myself. What classes did you end up taking?" He leaned forward excitedly, pleased that they had found another subject that they had in common.
Sebastian chuckled. "I took classes that would better my ranch financially. Running a ranch isn't just about the animals, you have to know how to run your own business too; something that most people tend to forget about."
Ciel nodded and bit into his pastry once more. "People always forget how much business relates to the simple things in their life." He dusted off his fingers and looked up at Sebastian. "So what made you decide to own and run a ranch?"
"My own reasons," Sebastian answered with a feline smile, his eyes dancing in amusement. Something else glittered deep within the crimson eyes and Ciel felt drawn toward them.
"You're secretive," he stated, pulling himself away from the trance Sebastian's eyes had lured him in.
Sebastian shrugged. "We all have our reasons for keeping things hidden from the public eye. Myself, I like having privacy. But the internet makes that hard nowadays."
Ciel winced. "Are you upset that I looked you up and came to see you?" He asked, dreading the answer. He wouldn't be able to stand it if Sebastian said yes. He would have to work twice as hard to get on the man's good side again.
"I'm not upset," Sebastian answered, making Ciel let out a sigh of relief. "Surprised yes, but not upset. Claude though, he will be upset when he sees you here. I'm already in trouble with him for letting you stay those two nights."
Ciel scoffed. "You're your own person, why does he have to say what you can and can't do?" he stated. "If you were my boyfriend, I wouldn't keep you on such a leash."
"No?" Sebastian asked, his lips curled up in a smirk. "If you were my boyfriend, then you wouldn't mind if I let some new male come sleep with me? One that I've met once and have him stay with me while you were gone? You wouldn't be mad at me?"
Well, when Sebastian put it that way. Ciel hesitated before nodding. "I would trust you; knowing that nothing would've happened between you and the person staying with you. Because that's how relationships work." He smirked. "But the next time we would be alone, I would remind you exactly who your boyfriend was."
Sebastian chuckled. "You're just as possessive as Claude," he stated and leaned back in his chair. "You two actually have a lot in common."
Ciel blanched. "That's gross; please don't compare me to him." Although, if Ciel had the same traits as Claude, then that meant that Ciel had a chance with Sebastian still. Or at least it seemed that way to Ciel.
The older male didn't say anything, just simply shook his head and took another bite of his pasty. Ciel mimicked him, popping the last piece into his mouth and letting the buttery flavor coat his tongue. He was comfortable with the silence between them. There was nothing awkward about it and that alone made Ciel happy.
"I'm guessing you're not scared of Claude," Sebastian finally spoke up, his eyes trained on Ciel.
Ciel shook his head. "Nope. I don't scare easy and I'm not some frail child that needs to be saved every time he steps outside the house."
Sebastian's eyes widened before he covered his mouth, snorting with laughter behind his hand. His eyes danced with mirth and Ciel wanted to ask what was so funny but held back, allowing Sebastian to have his laughter.
Finally, Sebastian's laughter died down and he cleared his throat. "I ask because he's coming up to the house now. And if he doesn't bother you, then there's no rush to get you out of the door."
Ciel spun around, looking in the direction of the door. "How do you know he's coming back?"
Sebastian nodded towards the bay window that overlooked back pastures. "The four-wheeler that we use to get around the ranch kicks up a lot of dirt on the roads. I can see it in the air." His eyes slid over to the clock on the wall. "And it's about time for lunch."
"Oh," Ciel slumped back in his seat. "I was expecting you to have some cool spidey sense that lets you know when he's coming."
Sebastian's lips twitched. "If only," he said as he stood up and moved into the kitchen. "Would you like something to drink? Tea, water, anything?"
"Tea would be nice," Ciel answered and watched as Sebastian moved around the kitchen, setting everything up to make tea. As the water boiled, the older male pulled out containers of food and went to work heating them up until the smell of lunch filled the house.
Sebastian hummed as he worked and Ciel found himself amused as his eyes watched Sebastian cook. It seemed odd that such a man as Sebastian found himself at ease in the kitchen. He seemed like the type of person who wouldn't step foot in the room but would be more at home in front of the grill.
The door opened, making Ciel jump slightly but he didn't bother to turn around. He already knew it would be Claude and he didn't want to miss a second of watching Sebastian. The man moved gracefully, almost like a dancer as he cooked and then moved to dish the stew into some bowls.
"You've got to be kidding me," Claude growled behind Ciel. "That's your car out there?"
Ciel glanced up at Claude as the man rounded in front of him. "Nope, I flew here with my magical retracting wings. That's someone else's car out there," he drawled. He sat back as a bowl was placed in front of him and another was set next to him.
"Eat," Sebastian stated and turned to look at Claude. "And be nice, he's just here to say congratulations on winning." He placed a kiss on Claude's cheek, trying to placate the man.
Claude scowled. "I will not be nice. This is stalking; they have laws against that you know." He sat down with a huff and glared at Ciel briefly before turning to look at Sebastian. "You're not eating?"
Sebastian shook his head. "Ciel brought some pastries, so I'm fine."
Both Claude and Ciel frowned. "That's not enough," Ciel stated. His own stomach was growling for the food that sat in front of him. While the pastries had been delicious, he wanted real food and the stew would hit the spot.
"How do you know I didn't eat before you arrived here?" Sebastian asked and poured a cup of tea for Ciel. It was set down in front of him and a glass of water was placed in front of Claude. He grunted as he was pulled down onto Claude's lap and squirmed until the older male nipped at his neck. A low moan left his throat and he settled down for a while.
"When are you leaving?" Claude asked, looking straight at Ciel. Neither male had touched their food yet and seemed more content to glare at each other.
"You two are idiots," Sebastian muttered and pulled away from Claude's grasp. He stood up and grabbed the plates that the pastries once sat on, taking them to the kitchen. They were set in the sink before the male vanished from the room, leaving Claude and Ciel to fend for themselves.
Ciel scowled. "He left because of you, you know," he stated and took a bit of the stew. He hummed at the taste as the meat nearly fell apart in his mouth.
"No. I think you have it the other way around," Claude snapped. "He left because of you. You keep trying to worm your way into his life and our relationship. Don't you think that's annoying him?"
"He wouldn't have let me stay here if it annoyed him so much," Ciel snarled. "Admit it. I'm making you worried because Sebastian is starting to realize how much better he'd be with me."
Claude scowled and shoved the spoon into his mouth. "You're leaving after this," he stated. "Once lunch is over, you can say goodbye to Sebastian and then go back from wherever you came from."
Ciel snorted. "I won't leave unless Sebastian asks me too."
Claude leaned forward and jabbed the spoon at Ciel. "Don't you have school or something?"
"I have someone taking care of that for me," Ciel stated. "But tomorrow starts spring break for me. I could stay here the whole week if I wanted."
The older male scowled deeply. "By someone, you mean the blond haired male that was with you the first time we met," he stated tensely. He growled low when Ciel nodded his head. "I thought as much. And I refuse to allow you to stay here that long. If I tell Sebastian that, he'll ask you to leave."
Ciel didn't say anything, choosing instead to glare at Claude as he ate another spoonful. Their eyes clashed and Ciel could see the hatred swirling within the golden depths of Claude's eyes. It was almost unnerving but Ciel was able to ignore it.
Thick silence settled in the kitchen, the only sound coming from the occasional clink of spoon against a bowl. Ciel couldn't understand what Sebastian saw in the man. He was a decent looking male, but his personality was a turn off. Ciel snorted; he would make a good match with Alois.
He watched as the man swallowed the last of his meal and stood up. "I want you gone by the time night falls today. When I get back, you better not be here or I'll call the police and tell them you were trespassing."
Ciel's lips twisted into a snarl. "It's not trespassing if Sebastian wants me to stay here," he snapped back.
Claude's bowl was set in the sink and he glared at Ciel. "Sebastian will tell you to go home. Because despite what you may think, he's my boyfriend, not yours." He turned away from Ciel, pushing down the urge to flick the younger male off as he left the room.
Ciel turned back to his bowl and picked up the cup of tea. "Not yet at least," he murmured into the liquid, bringing the cup up to his lips to hide his smirk.
.:|As a Rule|:.
Sebastian looked up from the computer as the doors to the office opened and Claude stormed in. He sighed and rubbed at his eyes. This wasn't what he needed right now but somehow Sebastian had figured Claude would come in to complain.
"Can this wait, Claude?" He asked. "The books aren't wanting to balance and I have to turn them in soon."
"The books can wait," Claude stated and moved closer to the desk. They had fucked on this desk almost a year ago, after a long heated argument that had led to one of the best nights of sex that Claude could remember. He shivered slightly and wondered if such a thing would happen again once Ciel left. Or even while the younger male was here. Nothing was wrong with Ciel listening to them go at it. Might even teach the brat a lesson.
Sebastian stood up and circled around the desk, his feet moving silently over the wood floor. "You're upset that Ciel is here," he said, stating the obvious. Furious golden eyes met his, giving Sebastian the confirmation he needed. "Why are you so annoyed with him? I think it's kind of cute."
"Cute?" Claude seethed. "He's trying to get in your pants and you keep letting him get closer and closer. You're not even stopping his advances."
"I do," Sebastian answered quickly. "As soon as he gets too close, I back away. You have nothing to worry about."
Claude snorted and pushed up his glasses. "Yet you call him cute."
Sebastian leaned back against the desk and stretched his legs out in front of him. "It is cute, I won't lie there," Sebastian said. "He tries so hard that it's cute and I can't help but pull him along. He's like a wounded bird and I'm the cat, playing with my prey before giving the killing blow." Sebastian's lips split into a cruel smile and his eyes flashed with dangerous humor.
Golden eyes widened slightly before a hint of lust filled them. "I forget about this side of yours that you like to keep hidden," he purred and leaned forward to trap Sebastian against the desk. "It arouses me greatly."
Sebastian chuckled. "I can tell. I see it in your eyes." He reached up to trail his fingers down Claude's face. "But there's anger there still. My affection to Ciel annoys you. Why? Do you feel threatened by him, or perhaps you're jealous that I'm focusing on him and not you?"
Claude bristled and slapped Sebastian's hand away, his eyes flashing with anger. "I have my reasons," he stated coolly. "Not as though you would care to know. You're too busy with your own fun to listen to me. Would you go as far as to fuck him?"
The younger male scowled. "That was low," he hissed. "You know that I wouldn't do that. Now tell me what the hell is bothering you so much."
"It took me over half a year to get as close to you as that brat is now," Claude snarled at last, his anger on the subject finally coming out.
Sebastian frowned and leaned forward to kiss the older male on the lips. "I only see him as a cute little brother who is fun to tease. You have nothing to worry about, Claude." He pulled the male closer, pressing his hips into Claude's and drawing a low moan from them both. "So long as we're together, you have nothing to worry about."
Fingers laced through Sebastian's hair and Claude smashed his lips against Sebastian's, making their teeth click together at the harshness of it. Tongues curled around each other and Sebastian grunted as he was pushed further into the desk, the edge digging into his back as Claude pressed further into him.
"Not now," Sebastian panted, tilting his head to the side, giving Claude access to his neck. He shivered as the older male's mouth trailed down the pale column, sucking and nipping at the skin. "Tonight. Tonight I will give you pleasure all night long," he purred.
.:|As a Rule|:.
Ciel grumbled as he pushed his spoon around the empty bowl. It had been a while since Claude left and Ciel wanted Sebastian back. He wasn't sure where either male had vanished to but that wasn't about to stop Ciel. The fool proof plan of trying to find the bathroom was always the best way to poke around someone's house.
With that thought in mind, Ciel stood up and headed off in the direction that Sebastian had vanished in. He passed by the front door and paused briefly to admire the large painting that hung in the archway at the end of the foyer. It was a picture of a beautiful black stallion trotting across a pasture, long tail floating behind him while his mane danced across his neck. It was a fine painting and Ciel wondered if the horse was one of Sebastian's first horses.
He shook his head and continued down the hallway, his ears picking up on voices. They were coming from a room at the end of the hallway and Ciel stopped at the corner. Sebastian's voice was the first to reach his ears, low and soothing. Claude's met his ears next, angry and demanding.
"He's not staying the whole week, Sebastian," Claude stated. "We're too busy this time of year and we're behind on work because of the rodeo. We don't have time to babysit a brat for a week."
"So you want me to kick him out after he came all this way?" Sebastian asked, a frown present in his voice.
Ciel could just see Claude nodding as he gave a curt 'yes'. "I don't care what you may think about him, just get rid of him. You're being unreasonable."
There was a small scuffle and Sebastian's angry voice reached Ciel's ears. "And you're insufferable. You don't have enough faith in me to believe that I won't cheat on you? That you have to toss a mere college student out because you believe that I'm going behind your back with him?"
Claude didn't answer but the resounding slap that sounded throughout the office spoke volumes. Ciel gapped slightly, surprised at the action and quickly trotted away from the room. He didn't want to be caught around the area after a fight. Claude would be sure to chew him out but for some reason, Ciel knew that Sebastian would protect him.
He lunged for his seat and once more stared at his empty bowl, ears straining for any noise that would hint at someone coming his way. But the house was quiet, leaving Ciel alone to his thoughts for the time. A small amount of pride puffed up inside him, knowing that Sebastian had stood up for him.
And Sebastian's arguing statement was similar to the conversation Ciel had had with the older male and it made Ciel smirk. If Sebastian was taking his advice and arguing against Claude then he still had a chance. He had his foot in the door right now and that was better than nothing. Slowly, Ciel would be able to force his way in until his whole body was past the door.
Hearing the small fight between the two gave Ciel hope. There were stress fractures in their relationship after all, and all it would take was the right amount of pushing before the wall fell down. Ciel smirked and he wondered just how hard he would have to push until it caved.
Footsteps reached his ears and Ciel pushed the thoughts away for now. He glanced up, watching as Claude stormed out of the house without a word to him. Ciel chuckled lowly, Sebastian must've put him in his place; served the bastard right.
Sebastian came into view a few moments later, looking calm but his eyes gave him away. Ciel could see the faint hints of anger stirring below the surface and it made him want to comfort the older male. But that would mean admitting that he had ease dropped on them.
"Everything okay?" He questioned instead, pulling the innocent card.
Sebastian nodded and moved around him to grab the empty dishes. "It's fine. Claude's just being hard headed, as usual." The dishes were placed in the sink and Sebastian turned the water on, letting them soak for the time being. "I'm sorry to say that he's rather adamant about having you leave by the time the sun sets."
Ciel looked at the clock. "That's still a few hours away. Do I have to leave now?" He asked and pouted slightly. "You said that I could watch you ride, since I missed seeing it last time."
It hadn't been the answer Sebastian was expecting and garnet eyes widened slightly. "When did I say such a thing?" He asked, trying to remember when he might've said something along those lines.
"At the rodeo," Ciel answered. "I was complaining that I couldn't watch you ride in the pleasure class and you said that I could always visit to watch you ride."
Sebastian frowned. "I was teasing you then, Ciel,' he stated. "I hadn't expected you to take the comment so seriously."
Ciel's face fell and he felt disappoint rush through him. Some part of his mind had supplied that Sebastian had been teasing him, but he hadn't wanted to accept such a thing. "Well, I guess I should get going then," he said lowly. "I've already burdened you by showing up unannounced, especially seeing as I wasn't supposed to be here in the first place."
It hurt more than Ciel wanted to admit as he turned away, knowing that there never had been a real invitation to come visit the ranch. He had hoped that Sebastian would welcome him with open arms and would be more excited to see him.
"Ciel," Sebastian called. "You don't have to leave now. I can show you around the ranch for an hour or so, but after that I'm afraid you'll have to leave. Claude is in a bad mood."
Ciel perked up. "That's okay. I'd like to see the ranch," he said happily. Something was better than nothing after all.
Sebastian nodded and gestured to the door. "Grab your coat, it's still cool outside." He vanished down the hall to grab his own and met Ciel by the door. Boots and jackets were pulled on and Sebastian held the door open for Ciel, letting the door shut once they were both out. "We'll visit the horses. I need to make my rounds with them and I have a feeling that you'll enjoy seeing them more than the cattle."
"Horses are good," Ciel answered and trotted alongside Sebastian. He pressed closer to the man as the wind blew, making him shiver slightly. "How'd you come up with the name for your ranch?" He inquired as they continued to walk. While the silence was comforting, Ciel wanted to show Sebastian that he was interested in the same subject and was curious about not just Sebastian but his way of life as well.
Sebastian hummed. "I like storms," he stated as they moved down the slopping hill. "And for some reason, blue has always been a favorite color of mine. But in a storm, that blue sky turns a darker color and is even more appealing to me. They remind me of angry blue eyes, flashing with fury at having been cheated out of something."
Ciel nodded. "So you just combined the two together. That's an interesting way to create a name; I like it." It was the truth and Ciel found himself wondering what Sebastian thought about his eyes. They were the same deep blue that Sebastian liked so much and he had been told that when he was angry, they grew darker and swirled with anger.
They came to a stop in front of the first pasture and Ciel instantly recognized the black horse as Belial. The animal snorted at them and trotted over, ears perked and head held high. "He wants a treat," Sebastian stated as Belial stopped in front of them. "I spoil him too much."
A white mint was pushed into Ciel's hand and Belial stretched his nose out over the fence, lips smacking together as he tried to grab the treat. "He really likes his treats," Ciel commented and held his hand out for the horse. Soft lips brushed over his hand and the whiskers tickled Ciel's palm, making him squirm slightly.
Sebastian chuckled and patted the horse on his neck before moving on. Belial snorted unhappily at them for leaving so soon and swished his tail in annoyance before turning his rump to them so he could continue to graze.
"You only raise black horses?" Ciel questioned as they came up on another paddock. A foal nursed from its mother and Ciel laughed lightly as the little fluffy tail swayed back and forth.
"Black and Blue Roan," Sebastian answered. "I prefer the darker colored horses to the lighter ones that most people prefer. And the Blue Roan matches the name of the ranch, another reason why I like to breed them."
Ciel looked at the foal and cocked his head. "But he's not black," he stated. "He's a light brown. What happens to him now?"
Sebastian opened the gate and let himself in, waving Ciel in as well. "The coat on a colt will change as they grow and mature. This coat will fall off as the months pass, revealing the bluish tint that the Blue Roan is known for."
The foal trotted away from them as they approached and Sebastian held his hand out for the mare to smell. Her ears flicked back and forth, trying to decide whether or not to let him any closer with her baby so close. Finally, she relaxed and went back to grazing, allowing them to approach more.
Ciel watched as the colt finally approached Sebastian. Tiny hooves darted across the ground as he took two steps toward him and another step back, making Sebastian shake his head. "He's playful," he commented as Sebastian walked back to him.
"He is, but soon we'll be able to touch him without having him act so skittish. He needs to get used to people handling him if he's to be sold," Sebastian said as they moved towards the gate once more. His eyes glanced back at the colt one last time and Ciel could see the pride that the older male had for his horses.
They continued along the path, looking at the horses on the right side until they had reached the front gate, Ciel asking questions and Sebastian answering patiently. While Ciel knew the answers to the questions he asked, he figured it was better if Sebastian didn't know that. The more he could ask and be interested about Sebastian's work, the better.
He didn't want to come across as a horny teenager who wanted nothing bet sex from Sebastian. Yes, he wanted the older male in that sense as well, but he also wanted a relationship. And Ciel had to make sure that Sebastian understood that. It wouldn't be good to have the label of whore by the man that Ciel wanted the most.
Ciel made sure to keep a good distance between them as they walked. One that didn't push the personal bubble but at the same, it wasn't so far that it seemed awkward. It was a normal distance between them, with Ciel drifting closer every now and then before moving back to a respectable distance before Sebastian would notice.
They made their way back up the other side of the road, stopping at each paddock for Ciel to admire the horses while Sebastian checked on them. It was easy to see the older male cared for them; the way he ran careful hands down their legs to check for any swelling or bumps and talked to them in quiet tones. It made Ciel wonder if Sebastian treated his lovers the same way. Soft touches and soothing tones.
He found himself laughing as Sebastian checked the teeth of an older mare and suddenly the image he had in his mind was ruined. Ciel wasn't so sure if he'd like to be treated like a horse, having his mouth checked suddenly. The gentle touches and words would be nice, but at the same time, he wanted the other side of Sebastian that was difficult to show around the animals in case they spooked.
And Ciel had no doubt that Sebastian had a wild side. He had witnessed it earlier when Sebastian had allowed Claude to suck him off while Ciel had still been in the trailer. And there was no questioning that Sebastian's job was also dangerous, meaning that there were times when Sebastian had to face the threat of injury.
"Do you ride bulls?" Ciel asked suddenly as Sebastian exited the paddock. Somehow Ciel could see the older male riding one and mastering the bull.
"On and off," Sebastian answered. "Back when I was in high school and a couple times in college. But not so much now."
Ciel pouted, slightly disappointed that Sebastian didn't ride them as much anymore, but he didn't say anything. It was Sebastian's choice and he had no right to argue it. He poked the man in the side slightly as Sebastian fell quiet. "You okay?" he asked.
"Just thinking," Sebastian stated and moved to the next pasture. He leaned against the railing and waited for Ciel to come stand next to him. Three horses grazed together, ignoring their presence in favor of cropping the grass. "Do you know what one of my pet peeves is?" he asked once Ciel was next to him.
Ciel stiffened slightly and shook his head. "When people ask you too many questions?" he joked, hoping that he hadn't upset Sebastian somehow.
The older male shook his head. "There's nothing I dislike more than false people," he said, eyes sliding to the side to look at Ciel. "You told me that you rode, but all the questions you've been asking make it seem like you don't have a clue about these animals."
"I did ride," Ciel protested. "Granted, I rode English but it's still riding nonetheless."
Sebastian frowned. "Then why ask questions that you already know the answer to? Can you not stand silence or was there some other reason?"
Ciel looked away. "I just wanted to talk with you. It's been a while since I rode and Alois is clueless on the subject. It's nice to be able to hold a conversation on a topic that you like."
"Then use that knowledge to engage in a proper conversation," Sebastian stated, his fingers curling around Ciel's chin and turning it up to look at him. "The more you ask simple questions, the more annoyed I get because I feel as though you're lying to me about yourself."
"I just…I didn't," Ciel stammered, trying to string his words together. He hadn't expected Sebastian to catch on to his plan and he cursed himself for underestimating the man. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to see you again."
Sebastian sighed softly. "Ciel, you know that I already have a boyfriend." His hand dropped from Ciel's face. "I can't give you what you want."
"Friends?" Ciel blurted out quickly. "If nothing else, than can we at least be friends?" He wasn't about to let this situation spin out of control. At the very least, he had to make sure he stayed in Sebastian's life. Once there, he could work his way in further. But if he was kicked out, then that door would remain shut for forever more.
The older male cocked his head as he mulled over the words. Finally, he nodded. "Friends. I see nothing wrong with that. Provided you stop this naïve horse act now and have a decent conversation with me up to your car about them."
Ciel nodded. "I can do that." He smiled slightly, looking happy and composed on the outside. But on the inside, he was seething. It seemed as though the relationship between Claude and Sebastian ran deeper than he first thought. He had taken two steps forward, but another one back for now. But he had time and would plan during spring break. Sebastian was still within his grasp and for now, Ciel would cling to the friendship that the man had offered until it was time to take it to the next level. And then, Sebastian would finally be his.