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Chapter 7

Where am I?

Ciel shot up from the bed and shook his head back and forth, blinking rapidly trying to get his eyes to adjust to the dark, the room creeping into focus one blink at a time. It was night out, and someone had turned off the lights in the room. Ciel relaxed at the realization that he was still in his dorm. The dream that had woken him up had him perplexed, and even though the dream affected him to such an extent, he could only remember tiny fragments.

He remembered feeling anxious and frightened as someone was holding him down. No, several people were holding him down. He felt a slight tremor rattle his body as the scattered images flashed through his mind and he closed his eyes in an attempt to calm himself down, feeling his body slowly beginning to relax with each deep breath.

He heard snoring coming from the other bed and glanced over to discover Finny's sleeping silhouette in the dark, tucked in by warm blankets. Ciel's mind was still muddled from the brute awakening and he tried to go over the day in his head in an attempt to figure out how he had ended up here.

They had been studying… And Finny had tried to convince him that he liked Alois. Oh god. Ciel cringed at the memory before he continued to reminisce. They had gone outside where they had picked up an injured Alois and brought him back to their dorm. And they had fallen asleep…

Ciel gasped and looked over to his side. Aside from him, the bed was empty. Alois was gone. Had he still been here when Finny had returned? Had he seen them sleeping beside each other?

My life sucks.

He couldn't believe that he had fallen asleep; he hadn't even been tired. He rubbed his eyes, slid of the bed and stood up on wobbly legs. Unsure of how late at night it was, Ciel grabbed his phone and checked the time. 11 PM. He had slept for seven hours. Ciel sighed deeply at his own carelessness and at the fact that he never would be able to fall asleep again. He scratched his head while muttering to himself and stumbled to the door. Thank god it's Saturday.

On the way to the bathroom the image of Alois' swollen eyes from the night before flashed through his mind. He had been crying in the bathroom. Why had he been crying? Did it have something to do with that Claude guy? He clenched his teeth as the thought made the anger want to resurface. With a deep breath, he quickly calmed himself down and got surprised when a sting of pity replaced the previous emotion. He found himself wishing that there was something he could do for Alois, something to make him feel better. This newfound compassion had him thoroughly confused to say the least.

He was heading back to his dorm when a thought suddenly hit him. He felt so bad for Alois, and for some weird reason that he couldn't explain he wanted to cheer him up, despite all that had happened between them over these past weeks. Somewhere deep inside he knew that there was a reason to why Alois acted the way he did, and he had a feeling that reason wasn't a good one. With that thought he decided to go against his very nature and help him out. Just this once.

By this point Ciel had realized that there was no escaping this boy. Whether they would end up as friends or not was irrelevant, Ciel was certain that Alois would be in his life in some way or another.

Friends. That would work, right?

He pondered on the idea for a while before giving up. This wasn't exactly Ciel's area of expertise, but he knew someone who might be able to help, and who might just be awake. He had been meaning to talk to his brother anyway, he had questions that needed answers. He dug his phone up from his pocket and began typing.

Ciel:
Are you up?

The answer came immediately.

Sebastian:
Yes

Ciel:
Can I come over? I can't sleep.

Sebastian:
I'll pick you up in 10

Ciel:
Sounds good

Ciel went back to the room and fiddled with his phone until Sebastian sent another text, telling him that he was waiting outside. Ciel grabbed his shoes and jacket and went to meet him.

Sebastian's black Honda was waiting on the curb and he walked up and opened the door on the passenger side. He sat down beside his brother and buckled up, inhaling the mixed scent of old car and air freshener. Sebastian glanced over to him as he drove off, as if he was waiting for Ciel to speak.

Ciel ignored his suspicious gaze and simply stated that he had had too much coffee, hoping that it would suffice as a satisfying answer as to why he couldn't fall asleep. Sebastian gave him an understanding nod and they rode in silence the rest of the way.

Sebastian parked the car and they went inside his apartment building and rode the elevator up to his floor. He unlocked the door and signaled for Ciel to step inside before he walked in after him.

"Do you want something to drink?" Sabastian asked after he had finished getting out of his jacket and shoes.

Ciel, who still stood in the hallway, looked up at his brother nonchalantly and answered, "Nah, I'm good."

Sebastian shrugged and went over to the kitchen to pour himself some water. He lived in an open plan apartment and therefor Ciel had no trouble hearing him when he asked, "So, what is the real reason you couldn't sleep?"

Ciel flinched and furrowed his brow. "What are you talking about?"

"You don't drink coffee," Sebastian stated while filling up a glass with ice-water, the ice cubes clinking softly against the see-through material.

Ciel mentally slapped himself. Of course he would pick up on that. He decided to be honest, at least to some extent. Actually, he didn't know why had felt the urge to lie in the first place; it wasn't like he hadn't fallen asleep during the day before.

"I fell asleep while I was studying and I just woke up." He looked away and scratched his head, trying to look casual. "I know it's irresponsible," he added.

Sebastian leaned back against the counter with the glass in his right hand, raising one eyebrow at his brother. "I've done it several times, Ciel. Don't worry about it. What do you want to do? Stream a movie? Bake a cake?" A small smile formed on his lips as he asked the last question.

Ciel laughed. Cake did sound good, but he went over to the TV and opened Netflix instead.

"Horror?" Ciel asked, glancing over the headrest of the black leather couch to meet his brother's gaze.

"Sounds great," Sebastian answered, still standing in the small kitchen while mindlessly checking his phone.

Ciel picked the movie Sinister, which had something to do with a demon and children if he remembered correctly. He was certain that Sebastian would love it and was just about to call on his brother when he suddenly felt something soft brush against his arm. Ciel flinched in surprise and looked down to find a furry little creature trying to catch his attention. He almost fell off the couch in utter shock.

"Sebastian!" he shouted in panic. "When did you get a cat? You know I'm allergic!"

Sebastian ignored his outburst and answered him in a calm tone. "Oh. I forgot to tell you. I picked her up from the animal shelter a week ago."

Ciel looked at the small cat with pure dislike and mock fear, leaning as far away from the animal as possible. "It's going to kill me."

"No, she's not. She just wants to say hello," Sebastian assured him in a delighted voice. "Say hello to Sutcliff."

"Sutcliff?" he questioned with raised eyebrows. "I won't touch that… thing." The cat crept closer and Ciel cringed.

"Oh stop," Sebastian chuckled. "Say hello to her or I'll make you watch a romantic comedy with Adam Sandler."

Ciel sighed in defeat and reached out and dragged his fingers hesitantly through the cat's tortoise-colored fur. Red and black hairs fell down onto his lap and he did his best to brush them off, disgust painted all over his face. The cat was purring loudly and she put her small paws on Ciel's thigh and started to knead. The motion was soothing and he felt his lips involuntarily form a small smile that he quickly replaced with an indifferent expression. "It is maybe… a little cute," he admitted.

"She's gorgeous," Sebastian smiled.

Sebastian walked over to the couch and sat down, picking up Sutcliff and placing her in his lap. She yawned and stretched out her front legs before curling up into a small, vibrating ball. Ciel pressed play and they watched the first half of the movie in silence, except for the occasional sneeze coming from Ciel.

"Hey, Sebastian?" Ciel finally asked, interrupting Sabastian's enchanted staring at the large screen.

"Mmm, what?" he mumbled, reluctantly turning his gaze to Ciel.

"Why did you tell Alois to stay away from me?" Ciel asked in a firm tone, hoping it would tell his older brother what he thought of the fact that he had gone behind his back and interfered with his social life.

Sebastian blinked at the unexpected question. "For the same reason I told you to stay away from him," he answered with a strict voice. "I don't want you associating with people like him."

"People like him? What's wrong with him?" His voice came out sounding harsh but he didn't care. He didn't like the fact that Sebastian thought that he had some kind of right to decide who he included in his life.

Sebastian sighed and rubbed his forehead in exasperation. "Stop arguing, Ciel. Just trust me on this."

"Why are you trying to control my life?" he barked, almost shouting and his face was flaming hot with sudden anger.

It was obvious that Sebastian's patience was wearing thin. "I'm trying to protect you!"

Ciel narrowed his eyes and muttered, "I can protect myself."

"I'm sure you believe that, but-"

"Sebastian, please. I want to decide for myself if he's a bad guy or not."

"Ciel, you-" Sebastian started but Ciel cut him off.

"I don't want to hear what you have to say. I'm eighteen years old and you can't tell me what to do. Stop trying to protect me," he appointed with a calmer expression.

Sebastian sighed in defeat and relaxed against the couch. "On one condition. Promise to tell me everything -and I mean everything- that you two do when you consort."

"What? Why?" Ciel burst out, wondering why Sebastian was being so weird about this.

"Just promise me, Ciel."

"Okay, I promise," Ciel sighed, looking away as he rolled his eyes but Sebastian didn't seem to notice.

"Why do you like him anyway? He's rude and self-absorbed."

"That's exactly why I like him. He's different," Ciel admitted to his own surprise, but as the words flew out he knew that they were true. He did like the fact that Alois was the complete opposite of the people he usually had around him.

"Hmmm... Okay then. Do you want a cupcake? I had a craving last night and I baked way too many," Sebastian suddenly asked, and had apparently let the issue go because he was now shooting a friendly smile at his younger brother.

Ciel let out a surprised laugh and accepted the offer.

When Sebastian returned with the pastries another idea popped into Ciel's mind. He had not yet asked Sebastian what he should do to cheer Alois up (not that he would admit that it was him he was cheering up), but it seemed like he wouldn't have to ask him after all.

He decided then and there that he would give Alois one of Sebastian's cupcakes. After all, the blonde seemed to enjoy giving away sweets with notes on them, so he would surely enjoy receiving the same treatment himself?

Back in his dorm the next day, Ciel went through his drawers in search of the note that Alois had left him the first time he had given him one of his gifts. He mentally praised himself for not throwing it away; the only problem was that he couldn't find the note with his dorm number anywhere.

Where did I put that frickin note?

He was planning to pull one of Alois' own tricks and place the pastry outside his door. He had put the cupcake in a small cardboard box and taped a note to it, just as Alois had done two times before. That had to be enough to at least make him smile, right?

His phone chimed and turned his attention away from the drawers of his bedside table.

Lizzy:
Can I come by? :*

Ciel replied quickly, worried that she might already be on her way.

Ciel:
Sure, but I'm not at my dorm right now. Come by in an hour.

He just lied to his girlfriend. Smooth.

Lizzy:
Ok babe!

Ciel sighed and threw the phone on the bed. He rummaged through the drawers one last time before expanding his search. He went over to the desk and skimmed through the papers and books that were scattered all over the small area. He opened the small drawer under the keyboard and found the note lying on the bottom. Phew.

He picked up the small box and walked out of the room. It took a while to find Alois' dorm, Ciel weren't that familiar with all the buildings yet. Eventually he found himself standing outside the wooden door with the numbers 212 painted on it.

For some reason he felt a little nervous, but he tried his best to ignore it. Ciel had trouble grasping the fact that he was actually doing this. He was actually doing a nice thing for a person who had been a pain in his ass for nearly two months. But he was sure that Alois needed something nice right now, even if he probably didn't deserve it.

He placed the box on the floor in front of the door. The small note that was taped to it only said one simple word.

Friends

Sorry, no Alois in this one. Ciel is changing though. Ever since he saw Alois get hurt he can't seem to dislike him as much as before and he actually went as far as offering him his friendship. Even if he doesn't know it or is willing to admit it, he kind of likes Alois and his rather wild personality, despite what has happened between them. He has been drawn to him ever since he saw him in that coffee shop and even though Alois has been bugging him, Ciel can't seem to dislike him as much as he might want to. I mean, Ciel is attracted to him and he does like that crazy side of Alois even though he annoys the hell out of him. And because of those things he finds himself doing something he never thought he would for a person he really wants to hate.

Just kind of a summary of what has happened so far/thoughts from me. Please tell me what you guys think!

Next chapter: More cuteness

See you all next Thursday!