After getting over the shock and going through countless hours of agonizing questions, two days passed. The young Earl once again tried to keep a distance from Sebastian, though he knew how it would probably end up again.
Ciel had hoped that the demon would do something on his own to approach him, but Sebastian just continued with his work as usual. With every hour that passed the Phantomhive seemed to get more and more in a foul mood. When it was the night of the party, Ciel dressed himself in his formal attire and ordered his butler to get the carriage ready.
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"This is just too bothersome. Why do I have to go all the way there just to hear a boring idea that I might not even agree to?" He complained, leaning his chin on his palm and looking out the window. Sebastian sighed. Once again his master had the most whining response to anything regarding his company's work. Even though the inhuman demon was the reason for the Phantomhive Company's sudden success even after the original founders, Ciel's parents, had died, the young Earl was as always ungrateful.
"Please bear with it for a little while, my Lord. Making a new business agreement could be very beneficial," he said smiling at his Master, though mildly annoyed. Ciel glanced at his butler before out the window, sighing.
"Fine, but at eleven o'clock you must come to me and tell me we have to go. Make up an excuse. Do it no matter what," he commanded as he started seeing their destination from out the window.
"Yes, my Lord," Sebastian said, putting a hand on his chest.
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When they finally arrived, Sebastian climbed down first and extended a hand to help his Master down. Ciel dreaded the feeling of uneasiness he would get just from the simple touch but took his hand anyway, climbing down. He avoided looking at him and held his chin up high, walking towards the entrance of the mansion.
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The room was filled with music and laughter, a lot of popular high society members that Ciel could recognize present. Everyone was dancing gracefully and drinking, each face decorated with wide smiles. The butler dressed in black from head to toe and the Phantomhive's expressionless face were in complete contrast with the rest of the crowd.
"Who is the person I'm supposed to meet?" Ciel asked, turning to his butler as they walked inside.
"Alfred Kristow. He's young but very successful, specializes in trades." Sebastian informed in a low voice. Ciel made a small nod.
"How am I supposed to know who it-"
"You must be Ciel Phantomhive." A man greeted Ciel with a smile. He had striking green eyes and shoulder length platinum going on silver hair and a pretty noble face.
Ciel turned back and looked at the young man that looked roughly a couple of years older than him.
"Yes, hello. Are you Mr. Kristow?" he said, putting on a small fake smile and extending his hand. The man shook it in response before pulling away, smiling.
"Yes, pleased to meet you. I apologize for not being able to meet you the other day; I've just been very busy. Also, it's better to discuss business in a lighter atmosphere than an office don't you think?" Mr. Kristow asked.
"Indeed. Then let's get to work shall we?" Ciel asked, trying to hide his impatience. The man smiled warmly.
"No rush, we have all night. Let's have something to drink first," he offered. Ciel held back a sour face. He just wanted to get this over with. He followed the slim and tall man towards a table that had a small decorative mountain of drinks and accepted the glass of champagne when he was offered. Sebastian was following a few steps behind, being the young Earl's shadow, as always.
"I'm really glad we are close to the same age. It's kind of hard talking business with people who talk to you like a kid." The man said, taking a sip from his champagne.
"From the looks of it you have succeeded nonetheless." Ciel said, taking a long sip of his drink and looking around at the busy room. The man's house was quite glorious, almost as big as his.
"Well thank you. The house is originally my wife's but it does take a lot to keep it running. You also are very successful. I was quite fascinated when hearing of your story," he said, smiling at him. Ciel was quite annoyed at how easily he was smiling. He faked a smile back, as was appropriate.
"My story?"
"Well yes. You are the reason the Phantomhive company is so successful. And in such a young age. You started even younger than me. It's quite intriguing when a beautiful nobleman like you not only is successful in appearance but in mind as well." The man said simply. Ciel blinked once. Beautiful? What was this?
"Thank you…so about work-"
"You are quite eager aren't you? If we are to be business partners then we ought to get to know each other more, don't you think?" the man interrupted, looking at him intently. Ciel didn't know exactly what to make of the man's look. He held back a scowl.
"I do apologize," he said, taking another sip of his drink. Mr. Kristow glanced at the silent butler a few steps behind the Phantomhive.
"Well if you want to talk about work, how about going somewhere a little more quiet? You can tell your servant to have a good time. I prefer talking about business only with people involved in it," he said, smirking slightly. Ciel could tell that man was not all about business. He was smirking in a mischievous way, his pretty face hinting a suggestive look. Ciel turned and looked at Sebastian.
"Certainly, thank you very much sir." Sebastian said before the young Earl could say anything, walking off. Ciel blinked slightly, feeling a stinging in his chest. If he could tell that the guy was flirting with him then Sebastian must have realized too. Didn't he care?
"Well then, shall we?" the man said, gesturing towards the balcony. Ciel finished his glass of champagne and took another glass from one of the waiters, following the man outside.
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"I think your trading idea sounds very reasonable. I'm going to do it." Ciel said after an hour of them talking about business and other matters, finishing his second glass of champagne.
"I'm glad you think so. I wouldn't want to disappoint you," the man said, smirking slightly. He leaned his back against the concrete fence of the balcony, looking at the young Earl intently. Ciel had been listening to him giving him hints and flattering words for the past hour about his appearance, his success and grace.
"I guess it's a deal then Mr. Kristow," the Phantomhive said, straightening up.
"Please, call me Alfred."
Ciel blinked when Kristow placed a hand under his chin, looking at him.
"Are you sure you should be touching me?" Ciel questioned with a cold look. But the man was not threatened, simply leaned his face closer to his.
"Well, I want to," he said before pulling back, glancing inside to check if anyone had seen them. Ciel arched an eyebrow slightly. He had never met a man that didn't hide this kind of intentions before. It was something that left him mildly shocked, especially since that man was a married nobleman.
"How about…we go to my carriage? To make the agreement final." The man said, leaning to Ciel's ear, whispering the words seductively. Ciel wanted to push him away. How dare he get so close to the Phantomhive. His mind flashed to Sebastian. Would he care? No, he wouldn't. He didn't even show any sign of interest when Kristow was flirting with him right in front of his eyes.
"Would your wife approve?" Ciel asked once the man pulled off. He laughed a bit.
"My darling wife and I have an agreement. She gets to do what she wants and I get to do what I want," he simply said, smirking. Ciel looked at the man's face. Undeniably attractive, with features as beautiful as a woman's. His marriage must have been one of the many marriages between the nobles that happened only for the sake of public image.
"Well then…let's go," he said, hiding any kind of nervousness from his voice. His face was collected, his face almost expressionless even though agreeing to the man's indecent proposal. Kristow grinned, showing his perfect teeth and simply walked towards the stairs that were connected to the balcony, walking down. The young Earl followed, his heart beating fast. He felt adrenaline rushing through him as he thought of what he was about to do.
The man walked over to a secluded place where some carriages were parked, making his way over to one and opening the door. Ciel glanced around. There was no one near, the mansion's loud music barely audible in the distance.
The silver haired man gestured inside the carriage, smirking at the young Earl. Ciel took a deep breath before getting inside. He wasn't sure what he was doing. What was he trying to prove?
Ciel sat down and watched him get inside, closing the door. He sat next to him and without saying anything else, pressed his lips against his. He held back a gasp from the quick progress of things.
Alfred's lips tasted different from what he was used to. Even though they were fine to the touch, he didn't want those lips pressed against his. He wanted Sebastian's. He didn't like it. But he still kissed back, his hands pressing down to the seat. He closed his eyes tightly when Alfred's tongue pressed against his lips and opened his mouth, wrapping his arms around him in an attempt to get more into it.
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"You are a good kisser, Ciel." Alfred said against his lips, breaking off an inch after a minute. Ciel held himself from arching an eyebrow. He wasn't even trying.
The man he only met a few hours ago leaned to the Phantomhive's neck, tugging the fabric that covered Ciel's neck and starting to kiss the skin. He closed his eyes and tilted his head, his mind screaming to stop. He didn't like it. Not one bit.
He yelped quietly when he felt the man's hand press against him. He felt like he was betraying Sebastian. But that was crazy. How could he betray him when they were not together? When the only one that was feeling anything was him?
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Meanwhile Sebastian was searching for his young Master, wondering where he went. He had lost him and the business man since they went out to the balcony.
"Where could young Master be?" he asked himself, looking around. He searched through the busy room filled with laugher, though highly doubting that his Master would be among those happy people. The Phantomhive would never socialize willingly or on his own. After he searched around the inside of the mansion, he walked outside to the balcony, looking at the stairs that led down. He walked down them and walked over to the place where all the carriages were parked, sensing that his master was there.
He searched through the carriages, hearing a few faint moans coming from one at the further back. He walked over, standing outside the door. After listening silently for a minute, he took out his pocket watch, looking at the time.
Suddenly he opened the door, looking inside. Kristow was on top of the young Earl, suit shirt unbuttoned, hand inside Ciel's trousers. When he saw the butler he yelped and jumped off Ciel, his eyes widening.
"What is this?!" Kristow asked angrily, instantly starting to redo his shirt. Ciel was frozen in his seat, his eye wide, looking at Sebastian.
"Do excuse me. It's eleven o'clock." Sebastian simply said, smiling.
"Learn your place you damn servant! He's not going to say anything is he?!" Alfred exclaimed, turning and looking at the young Earl, who blinked and looked at him. Snapping back to reality, Ciel sat up. He didn't say anything and simply walked out of the carriage, not looking at Sebastian.
"Answer me!" Alfred yelled, reaching a hand to grab Ciel's shoulder. Sebastian stopped him, holding his wrist before he had the chance to touch the young Earl. Kristow blinked, looking at the demon's cold eyes, snapping his hand back. He didn't say anything else and watched the butler and the Phantomhive walk off.
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Ciel had never felt so ashamed. He was shaking as the carriage got ready to go and sat inside, Sebastian following and sitting opposite him. He didn't dare to look at him; he didn't want to see how Sebastian would look back. What had he done? Why did he do it? He didn't even want the man to hold him so why did he let him?
He didn't want to speak, he still felt humiliated for not only doing what he did but from Sebastian actually catching him in the act. But after an hour of complete silence and with only the sounds the carriage made as it drove on the pavement being heard, he decided he had to speak.
"S-Sebastian…" he started, not knowing what to say. What could he say? Apologize? Ask for forgiveness?
"Yes, my Lord?" Sebastian asked, turning his cold stare to his Master. Ciel swallowed hard, looking away from the demon's eyes. It was probably just his imagination, but it seemed to him that the butler's look was colder than usual.
"I…" he trailed off, losing all determination to speak as soon as he looked at him.
"I apologize for interrupting you. But you had said to come to you at eleven o'clock did you not?" Sebastian questioned and Ciel blinked, looking at him. Interrupting? He was apologizing?
"Interrupting?"
"Yes. You seemed quite preoccupied." Sebastian said simply. Ciel blushed deeply and his eyebrows knitted together.
"Don't apologize! I didn't even want it!" Ciel blurted out, gripping his seat tightly.
"Why is young Master excusing himself? He's free to do whatever he wants." Sebastian said and Ciel actually felt his stomach physically hurt.
"Right…" he said quietly, looking down on his lap. What was he expecting? Sebastian didn't care. Simple as that.
But why could his heart swear that it wasn't that simple?
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The rest of the ride home was silent, Ciel trying his best to hold back tears. Sebastian's words hurt live knives. He didn't know if the demon was so cruel intentionally to hurt him or if that was just his nature.
He felt dirty. Even if he didn't go all the way with Alfred Kristow, he still felt like he was dirtied to the core. It was laughable. A person like him who was drenched in sin willingly since he was a kid, now felt like he needed to shed his skin clean from such an act. If Sebastian hadn't interrupted them, would he actually of had sex with that guy he didn't even know? All these feelings were topped with guilt and shame. Was Sebastian mad? Did he feel betrayed? Even if he said those hurtful words, was there a chance that he didn't mean them?
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The young Earl departed to his room right away, not feeling like eating any dinner. He couldn't eat right now even if he tried. His stomach felt like it was in painful knots.
Sebastian had followed him to get him ready for bed, as per usual. Ciel stood in the middle of his bedroom, completely still in a tensed pose, not knowing what to do. He half wanted Sebastian to leave him alone so he could stop his body from shaking so much that he was actually starting to feel sick. Yet he didn't want him to leave his side.
"I'll bring you some tea." Sebastian took the liberty to say after a couple of minutes of complete silence. He went to leave the Phantomhive's bedroom but Ciel rushed to him as he reached for the doorknob, grabbing a handful of his suit.
"Wait…Sebastian," he said quietly, unsure. Sebastian turned and looked down at him, his face cold and expressionless.
"What do y-"
Ciel reached up and slammed their lips together before the butler could say anything more. He felt as though if he didn't do something, things would change for the worse, and that petrified him. He kissed him deeply, his hands on both sides of his demon's face. Sebastian kissed back with force, making the younger man yelp as he pinned him to the wall. Ciel felt his body flushing from the intensity of the kiss, wrapping his arms around his shoulders.
Suddenly without any warning, Sebastian's hand reached up and wrapped around the young Earl's throat. Ciel gasped, his eyes snapping open and gripping Sebastian's hand instinctively and trying to get it off. He felt panic shoot through him. Was Sebastian going to kill him?
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Not to worry! Only a week till you find out! MUAHAHAHAHA! AHA.
Review or I will torture you MOAR!
Edit: Gah why do I ALWAYS forget to write something in the AN haha. Anyway, Kristow looks like the Viscount, only with the different characteristics that I wrote. Thanks!
Thank you so much CrazyAuna94 for the awesome suggestion. This chapter idea was hers and I really enjoyed writing it! *big super stadium applause!* See? Now everyone who suggested that Ciel gets it on with someone else gets what they want -sorta- hehe.
Yesterday while I was on DeviantArt I was looking through Kuroshitsuji submissions and stumbled across a pic of Ciel with longer hair and Sebby. So I clicked on it, intrigued, and I suddenly saw that in the AN it said that it was fanart for MY story! Thank you so much AmiNozomi!!! I posted the link to it in my profile so please check it out it's really cool! =D=D=D I would have said this in a more exciting way (I was actually jumping up and down about it yesterday) but I got a bad comment that put me in a foul mood, sorry XD. But whatever, I'm not going to repeat myself; you can check previous AN XD. I'll just stop posting the story where I keep getting bad comments because the last thing I need is feeling like shit haha
Anyway, credit check, fanart check. I think I said everything…OH! You can still tell me suggestions for extra chapters! I don't need suggestions for the basic storyline anymore because it's ending soon, thank you so much for all the great ideas!