Chapter Seven:

The morning comes far too early, and the professor stays curled around his young lover's body. When the young man stirs and eventually opens his eyes, Sebastian smiles.

"Good morning." Bleary blue orbs meet his as the boy turns, still keeping as close as he can, it seems.

"Good morning…" Cilian is secretly relieved that the professor is still lying beside him, though he won't say it. Instead, he tucks his head under the older man's chin, cheek against his chest.

Stroking fingers through soft, dark hair, Sebastian is once again reminded of his old master, the boy who he lived, and would die for. That boy was responsible for the form he'd taken, the name he'd kept for over a hundred years, the image he refused to change… That boy was his everything, even in death.

He'd taught at Oxford University for a time in the last decade, and when he was transferred to Harvard, he'd made arrangements for the Phantomhive tomb to be moved. Money was immaterial and irrelevant to him: he'd come into the Phantomhive estate after Ciel's death, and had also saved near all of his pay from when he worked as a butler. Now, he made an exorbitant amount of money teaching students about things he'd witnessed or caused.

He'd all but given up hope in seeing the type of life he'd had with Ciel ever again. Though the emotional connection was buried deep under a layer of damage and hurt, he knew that his master had loved him; as much as a wounded person with that much baggage could. Ciel was so young, and his life had been so horrific… Even as a demon, Sebastian had pitied him.

He's pulled back to reality now as Cilian presses an almost nervous kiss to the center of his chest, and he smiles. Slides a hand down the boy's back, sighing a little.

"I'll bring you to school with me. It's up to you where you go after that…" He chooses not to bring up the fact that he knows Cilian has nowhere to go… he's been staying in abandoned dorm rooms when they're available. Other than that, he's not sure where he's been staying. Cilian glances up and nods a bit, smile almost sad.

"Okay. Thank you." He moves to get out of the bed, then pauses, speaking softly. His words sound almost tentative, fearful. "Professor… Will this be the a… one time thing?"

Sebastian's brow furrows in response, and he sits up. "Please… at a time like this, call me Sebastian." He studies him, wondering if the boy wants it to be nothing more than a one night stand. "It doesn't have to be. It can be, if that's what you want it to be." He debates on elaborating, and chooses not to, for now. Cilian smiles a little in response to his words.

"I don't want it to be a one time thing. I like you."

Something in the professor's chest tightens, almost unbearably, and all he can do is nod. Ciel had never said anything like that to him, and it was something that he'd always wanted to hear. Perhaps he hadn't been aware of that desire until now, but having the soul he loved so dearly return to him - and want to stay with him – was overwhelming.

"Neither do I, Cilian. I happen to like you too." With a smile, he too slips out of bed, and heads for the shower.

After the two of them are dressed and ready, Sebastian makes Cilian a cup of tea and sets it on the countertop, then sets about gathering his lecture notes for the day. After the tea is gone and notes are organized, they leave the house and start driving toward the school. Sebastian considers bringing Cilian to the graveyard with him, but decides against that idea – what if some kind of revelation occurs? He's not really ready for something like that yet, and so, with a silent apology to his master, he continues to drive.

He drops Cilian at the University Centre, and then makes his way to his office, settling down to look over the thesis he said he'd read for his colleague. His mind is restless, though, and his heart is aching. He's not sure what to do with it, it's not as though it's something that's happened to him before. It's then that he realizes that he doesn't like what it feels like to be human, even remotely so…and it's in that moment that the thought hits him.

He's trapped. He feels trapped in a cycle, a never-ending circle of death and rebirth, and he doesn't think he could withstand losing his master again. When Ciel had passed away, he had felt more pain than any injury could ever cause – his life lost meaning. He had retained the name and image Ciel had given him to keep him alive in any way possible, and now he has him again – he won't let him go again. He refuses.

Author's note: Just to reiterate, I received a message or two in my Private Messaging inbox, one in particular about contacting me through msn. I don't mind being private messaged or added on msn live messenger, but I won't post my IM username here. If you do message me, please ensure that you have the private messaging feature ENABLED, or I won't be able to respond - it's stressful, having a message that you can't respond to.

Cilian Philips is also on Facebook now. Feel free to speak with him here: http:/ / www. facebook. com/#!/profile. php?id=100001938685818