A/N: -sniffs- Y'all are awesome, that's all I can say. Thank you so so much for all the reviews last chapter, I'm still stunned. I honestly can't say anything else other than thank you and I know I sound like a broken record that way, haha. Without further delay, I give you chapter eleven, and say thank you one more time :3
Warnings: Language
Disclaimer: I don't own Kuroshitsuji
It was late morning when Ciel finally woke, his abdominal muscles protesting even the smallest of movements. It was the only proof that The Undertaker had indeed punched him last night and that it wasn't a dream. The pain was too real and Ciel pressed his fingers against the sore area tenderly, wincing slightly. His mind was hazy and Ciel couldn't remember how he made it home. His car was sitting innocently in the driveway and Ciel remembered waking up in it a few hours ago, but how he got there was still a blur.
Ciel moaned and dropped his head back onto the pillow. It hurt to think and it hurt to move, but Ciel was a glutton for punishment. His mind raced, despite the pounding headache between his eyes and Ciel groaned softly. "Think," he whispered and looked for his phone so he could check the time.
It wasn't in its normal spot and Ciel reached over the edge of the bed, fingers searching for it. They bumped into the coarse material of his bag and curled around it. Small trickles of a memory seeped back into his mind and his fingers tightened against the bag before he pulled it up onto the bed.
The bag was opened slowly and Ciel dug around for his phone before his fingers finally grasped it. It was pulled out of the bag, his knuckles bumping into something hard along the way. The phone was pulled out and set to the side before Ciel reached down again to grab the plastic thing in his bag.
It was light and thin, and Ciel's eyebrows furrowed. He didn't remember packing anything like this the night before. The words 'a little parting gift for you, to show you what you really lost tonight' filtered through his waking conscience and Ciel brought the object up for inspection, realizing that it was a DVD.
His name was scrawled across it in messy handwriting and Ciel set it aside for later as he checked the messages on his phone. The DVD nagged on his mind the entire time, keeping Ciel from focusing until at last, he tossed the phone aside with a small scowl and picked up the DVD case once more.
The more he looked at it, the more memories started to bubble and surface in his mind until Ciel's eyes widened. Last night's events came crashing back down around him with the force of a sledgehammer. His body grew numb as he remembered the anger in Master's voice, the way the older male had struck him after calling him 'Claude,' and the words that had been shouted after that.
A sour taste filled Ciel's mouth and his eyes screwed shut as he remembered how he had acted last night. The way he had so willingly tossed aside Sebastian in his mind at the first belief that Master was Claude. How could he do something like that after everything Ciel had told himself that afternoon after his lunch with Claude?
There had been a hope there, a belief that Claude was different in the shadows than in the limelight and Ciel scoffed at himself. That didn't make any sense at all. Claude would never abandon the light for the shadows. Even if DIE was famous, it was a hidden famous and Claude wanted to be known worldwide.
Claude wouldn't change; Ciel was foolish to believe that. However, he had believed it and it had led to dire consequences in the end when Ciel had called Master by Claude's name. He had been blinded by desires that shouldn't have been there anymore and Ciel felt guilt press down on his shoulders. Everything he had promised himself had been tossed away in one foolhardy risk, a risk that hadn't paid off in the end.
DIE's boss was furious at him for that stunt and would never see him again. Perhaps the only good thing that had come from all this was that it had been a clean break. Ciel would never know who he was saying goodbye to by leaving Master and wouldn't have any regrets that way. He had his regrets now at how he had acted but that was different.
Still, Master's words continued to ring in his head, claiming that Claude had ruined his life and they confused him. It seemed as though that was the third life Claude had ruined. First Sebastian's, then Master's, and now, Ciel's. Questions burned in Ciel's mind though and he wanted to know what had happened between Claude and Master, but now, Ciel was more than hesitant at seeing Claude again.
"Sebastian," Ciel moaned softly and turned to look out the window. He was ashamed at his actions against Sebastian and the urge to call the man was strong. He grabbed his phone and sent a quick text to the older male, telling him good morning and that he was looking forward to seeing him this afternoon. After last night, Ciel just wanted to see the older male and never leave his side. Everything was clearer and better with Sebastian.
The phone was set to the side and Ciel sat up gingerly, wincing slightly at the movement. He moved over to the DVD player and popped the DVD into the slot. It spun inside the device as Ciel made his way back to the bed and sat down carefully. His curiosity was burning strongly and he wanted to know what The Undertaker had given him as farewell gift. The man's words had been confusing but Ciel had a feeling that the gift would answer his questions.
He picked up the remote and pressed the play button, listening to the DVD whirl around inside the player as the screen grew dark. His heart raced and Ciel shifted to lean against his pillows, his eyes alert as the first hint of light appeared on the television. Muffled voices met Ciel's ears and he easily recognized them as Master and The Undertaker.
The lens cap was removed from the camera, showing Ciel an office. Without prompting, Ciel knew it was the office he spent the past few months in during his sessions with Master. It was bigger than Ciel thought.
A figure moved across the screen, dark and almost hidden from view. "You know, I still think this is a bad idea," The Undertaker's voice filtered over the speakers. "I don't trust the brat, at all."
"You've told me that several times today, Undertaker," Master answered, his back to the camera. He was near the desk but Ciel still couldn't get a good view of him.
"I tell you because you don't listen. I'm older and more experienced in the world so I can tell you now that he won't change. Even if you want him to," the older male answered. "Your father started this company and ran it while raising you two. I've known you and watched you grow since you were twelve. I don't want to see you hurt."
Master shook his head and stepped away from the desk, holding a long, black blindfold. Painted nails ran over the fabric and Ciel cursed lowly. How could he forget that? Master had painted nails and Claude didn't. Just another thing that separated them and that Ciel had ignored. "I trust him," Master said and stepped further into the light, facing the doors so his back was to the camera.
Ciel's breath caught and he gripped the remote tighter in his hand. It couldn't be, he told himself and shook his head quickly. Just because the man had the same hairstyle as Sebastian didn't mean anything. Several people could style their hair that way. Besides, it was only a view of Master's back and the chances of that being Sebastian was slim.
The Undertaker sighed on the screen. "Yes, I know you trust him. You trust him enough to let him back into your life after he hurt you countless times before and now you're willing to tell him the biggest secret in your life. Some would call you nice and forgiving but I call you a sadist. Because you're willingly setting yourself up for pain when he betrays you again."
Swallowing harshly, Ciel found that his grip had tightened even more, to the point that the plastic was cracking slightly in his hand. It was set to the side and instead, Ciel grabbed a spare pillow from his bed. It was just a coincidence, nothing more. Ciel could've hurt someone several times in the past, it could be anyone.
Master chuckled. "Maybe I am. I'm sure that after spending so much time with you lot, your prevertedness has started to rub off on me."
The statement made The Undertaker laugh loudly. "I beg to differ. If anything, you are the one who has rubbed off on us. You come up with the scripts and we simply follow your orders. Everything we act out comes strictly from your mind." The man walked closer to Master, coming into view of the camera.
Master turned to look at him as he approached and Ciel felt a scream bubble up in his chest as Master's profile was revealed first and then his full facial features before The Undertaker took Master's face into his hands. "Don't say his name," Ciel whispered despite the urge to scream. "Don't say his fucking name!" If he didn't know the name, then there was a chance that it wasn't Sebastian.
"But we enjoy it, every last one of us. You have a brilliant mind, one that people could only dream of having and one that very few people know about," The Undertaker continued. "I know several of us would kill to be in the position Ciel is in right now. The brat doesn't know how lucky he is to have your attention, Sebastian."
Ciel's blood ran cold at the name that The Undertaker uttered and he shook his head quickly. "No," he moaned, despair coating his words. "No, no, no, please no," he begged.
He had been denying the facts since he first saw the man's face, and had further tried to pretend that it wasn't Sebastian. But Ciel knew, he knew that the other person on the screen was Sebastian and now the evidence was stacked against him. There was no denying it now, The Undertaker had even said his name.
Sebastian was the man behind DIE.
Sebastian was Master.
The knowledge came like a kick to the stomach to Ciel and he gasped for breath as The Undertaker vanished, leaving the room empty. The screen darkened for a moment before the office appeared once more, this time with Ciel on screen. He found that it was harder to breathe as Sebastian approached him on the screen and Ciel knew exactly what he was going to be watching.
He had the power to stop the DVD, to end his suffering now, but something kept Ciel from doing that. Whether it was the desire to see Sebastian again on film or something else, Ciel wasn't sure. But whatever the case, it kept him from shutting the DVD off. Instead, he watched as Sebastian approached him and circled around him as he talked.
Even on film, the words caressed and washed over Ciel, enveloping him in touch that had him trembling on the bed. He wanted to reach through the screen and pull Sebastian towards him, or at least knock some sense into himself. Knock any thoughts of Claude from his mind. "Stupid," Ciel muttered. "You were stupid, Ciel."
He knew that Sebastian could talk, that he wasn't mute by birth or by an accident but instead because of Claude. And even after knowing that, Ciel had still dismissed the logic that had been right there in front of him. Sebastian had black nail polish on his fingers and so did Master. They both worked at night and several times, Ciel would wake up at Sebastian's apartment after a session with Master.
The connections were right there in front of him and Ciel prided himself on being smart, able to see things and understand them more than other people did. But this time, Ciel had ignored what was right in front of him. He had allowed his lust for Claude to rule his mind and now he was paying for it. Paying for the fact that he listened to his libido over his mind.
Blue eyes turned back to the television and Ciel watched as Sebastian's fingers trailed up his arm on the screen, making him shiver. He could almost feel the touch on his arm now and Ciel's throat tightened even more. He couldn't tear his eyes away as the scene progressed before him and every touch that Sebastian gave him, every word spoken was burned into Ciel's mind.
And then, recognition dawned on the Ciel's face that played on the screen. Ciel's heart raced painfully against his chest, knowing that it was at that time that he believed it was Claude behind him. "Will you sing to me? I just, I want to test something." He muttered along with his double on screen, the words like ash in his mouth.
Ciel's breath came fast at the look on Sebastian's face, a look of surprise and a hint of wariness; and Ciel didn't blame him. The whole time, Ciel had been pushing Sebastian on, believing that it was Claude and asking for more, even though Ciel had originally said no touching. That rule had been shattered within moments of Ciel stepping into the room.
Fingers and lips had touched him, brushing over his body like a flame that warmed him and teased him with its flickering touch. And Ciel had let it happen without complaint. Because he had believed that it was Claude behind those touches.
But Sebastian's singing was different than Claude's was, Ciel could hear it now. Sebastian's voice was deeper and richer, it made gooseflesh race along Ciel's skin and he shivered on the bed. How could he have believed that this voice was Claude's? The two were vastly different and Ciel cursed himself for letting him think that they were the same.
He had heard the differences before but had chosen to ignore them, hoping that by doing so, he could convince himself that it was still Claude's voice. And it had worked but to what cost?
Ciel cringed and watched his face on the screen as it seemed to morph into something of pure bliss as he tilted his head back to look at Sebastian. His heart raced in his chest, thumping so quickly that it hurt and Ciel found that it was hard to breathe. He knew what was coming next, knew the word that would fall from his mouth, and had the power to stop it.
"Claude."
The words fell without Ciel stopping them and he knew that he couldn't; he wouldn't. And the entire time, Ciel kept his gaze locked on Sebastian's face.
His grip on the pillow grew tighter and Ciel gasped for breath as Sebastian jerked away from him as though Ciel had the bubonic plague. Sebastian's fingers shook and there was a fine tremble to his body as the silence stretched between them. Hurt, pain, and betrayal all flickered across Sebastian's face and with each one, Ciel felt all the more numb.
He couldn't tear his eyes away from Sebastian's face and he watched as the man struggled to find an answer to Ciel's question. "No," Ciel muttered as he watched the raw pain settle on Sebastian's face. "I didn't mean it. It's not what you think," he said, voice begging Sebastian to understand.
But already, Ciel was calling Claude's voice again; asking and pleading that for it to be Claude. Sour bile filled Ciel's mouth as he watched himself on screen, the way he reached for Sebastian and the way longing crept across his face. Disgust filled his body and Ciel's lips curled at the needy sounds coming from him mouth on the television. Why was it that Claude seemed to bring out the worst in him?
The slap that sounded on the screen made Ciel jump and his cheek throbbed at the memory of it. But that pain in his cheek was nothing compared to the ache that he settled in his chest. It seemed as though it was there to stay and with each passing moment, it only seemed to grow even more.
Ciel could barely bring himself to look at Sebastian's face and he had to choke back the emotions that threatened to overwhelm him. Sebastian's face was livid as he shouted at him, but pain was still present in crimson eyes. Eyes that were so open and vulnerable. They gave away every feeling that Sebastian was feeling and each one was like a stab into Ciel's chest.
He had caused the pain in those breathtaking eyes, had made despair wash across Sebastian's face, and had caused the tremor to appear in Sebastian's voice. A voice that had once been silent and seductive to him at the same time. A voice from a person that Ciel had come to need in his life more than he thought possible.
A person who was telling him goodbye.
The true weight of what Ciel had done suddenly crashed down around Ciel. It wasn't Master that wanted Ciel out his life, but instead Sebastian. Sebastian, the man who Ciel had spent most of his summer break with; slowly getting closer to him, falling for him, and…
Ciel curled in on himself as The Undertaker came into the office on screen. He didn't hear the words being exchanged and the only thing echoing in his ears were Sebastian's final words to him. 'This is goodbye, Ciel.'
"No," Ciel moaned aloud, the words muffled by the blankets on the bed. "No, no. Sebastian please. Please, Sebastian. Sebastian!" He screamed in despair. He couldn't lose the older male, he just couldn't.
There was a low chuckle on screen and Ciel slowly raised his head. The camera had been lifted up and was cradled in The Undertaker's hands, showing a grinning face. "You lose, Ciel Phantomhive, and you will never find him again."
Ciel's breath came fast as the screen went dark and the DVD ended, leaving him staring at the black screen. His reflection stared back and for the briefest moment, they looked at each other; blue eyes wide and filled with dread. Then, Ciel was off the bed in the blink of an eye. His legs tangled in the sheets and he crashed to the floor in a mess of blankets and limbs that created an unpleasant rug burn but it was brushed off.
With frustrated moves, Ciel freed himself from the cloth prison before searching for something to wear. None of his clothes was readily available on the floor and Ciel glanced down at his person, judging that the running shorts and simple t-shirt he had slept in the night before would be enough.
He ran for the door before sliding to a stop and doubling back to the bed to grab his phone. His heart plummeted when he realized that the text message he had sent earlier that morning had been returned with a message that it had been undeliverable. Ciel's fingers punched in Sebastian's number as he ran through the hallway and down the steps, his feet stomping loudly.
The device was brought to his ear as Ciel's sock covered feet slid across the wooden floor and Ciel scrambled around the corner. Keys and his wallet were grabbed from the bowl in the foyer as an annoying mechanical voice informed him that the number he was trying to reach had been disconnected.
"Don't, please Sebastian," Ciel gasped as he ran out the front door. It slammed shut behind him and Ciel only paused to lock it before climbing into his car. It started with a purr and within seconds, Ciel was racing down the street. His hands were tight around the steering wheel as he ran a red light and Ciel wondered what he would tell an officer if they pulled him over for his reckless driving.
'I'm sorry officer, but I just made the biggest mistake in my life to the person I care for more than I should and I need to apologize now before he wants me out of his life forever.'
Somehow, Ciel doubted they would let him off the hook with just that explanation alone but he didn't dwell on the thoughts for very long. He was quickly approaching the outskirts of town where Sebastian lived and his tires squealed as he turned into the parking lot. A small curse left Ciel's mouth as he fumbled for the door and could barely bring himself to lock it as he jogged to the sidewalk.
He pranced in place before bolting across the street at the first sign of an opening. Feet thumped up the steps and by the time Ciel made it to Sebastian's door, he was covered in sweat and could barely breathe. The key in his hand trembled and he fumbled for the keyhole before it finally slid in.
It wasn't until the key turned and the lock slipped from place that Ciel finally stopped and allowed himself to take in a breath. He could do this, he could apologize and beg for forgiveness. Because living without Sebastian…no. Ciel shook his head. He wouldn't allow that to happen.
The door was pushed open and heat washed over Ciel's body. The AC unit was off and the air was smoldering in the heat of the day. "Sebastian?" Ciel called, the apartment quiet and unsettling. It was clean, as was expected of Sebastian but it was the two boxes on the coffee table that had Ciel's heart pounding in his throat.
The chess set that Ciel had given Sebastian sat in the middle of the table, no doubt the pieces and board were placed neatly inside, seeing as the game they had been playing earlier that week was gone from the room. And on top of the chess box was the iPod box that Ciel had bought for the older male just a few days ago.
He walked towards the table and reached for the box, keeping his fingers from trembling. Ciel knew that Sebastian had already opened the box and had moved his songs over to the new device. He had seen the older male listening to the iPod while relaxing on the couch, foot tapping to the music playing.
The box was opened and Ciel gazed at the device that sat nestled in the packing. It was turned on and with numb fingers, Ciel started to scroll through the options. It was with a sinking heart that Ciel realized all the music that had been on there was gone, as were the few pictures Sebastian had uploaded.
Ciel dug around in his pockets for his phone and quickly searched for the number to the apartment before punching in the numbers. He paced the room, one hand holding his phone, the other holding the gift he bought for Sebastian. Finally, the line clicked and a cheerful voice greeted him. "Yes, hi, I was wondering if you have any open rooms right now. Preferably on the fourth floor with something in the middle of the building."
He waited patiently as the woman on the phone searched the records and he could hear her clicking on the computer in the background. Finally she found the list and started reading off the room numbers that were available. As Sebastian's room was listed, Ciel bit his lip to keep him from cursing on the phone. He thanked the woman and hung up before she could ask any more questions.
He looked around the room and Ciel stumbled into Sebastian's bedroom, hoping to find something. But the room was empty, minus the furniture that the apartment had supplied. All the drawers were cleaned out and the bed stripped. There was nothing there; not as though there had been much there to begin with.
The kitchen was cleaned out too and Ciel felt his legs shake as he dropped onto the couch again. There was nothing left. Not a note or a goodbye. Nothing.
Ciel sucked in a harsh breath and looked at the iPod in his hand. No. Sebastian had said goodbye, but in his own way. No note was needed, as Sebastian probably felt that it would be too personal considering it was the way they used to talk to each other. Instead, he said goodbye without words by leaving behind the two things that connected him with Ciel.
Despair raced through Ciel and his head rested in his hands. "I didn't mean it, Sebastian," he murmured in the silence of the room. But that was a lie. At the time, he had meant it. Ciel hadn't thought about Sebastian at all during that time. It had just been Claude. Always Claude.
The desires for Claude should've been gone earlier when Ciel started spending more time with Sebastian but they had stayed around. Now though, they had vanished. Just the thought of Claude touching him again was enough to make Ciel sick. Claude was the reason Sebastian was lost to Ciel now and Ciel didn't want anything to do with the man ever again. He had learned his lesson. It was just a shame that it had taken so long and the loss of Sebastian for him to realize it.
Claude.
Just because Sebastian had said goodbye to him didn't mean that Sebastian had said goodbye to other things. He still worked for Funtom and Ciel could find him there. And if that failed, Ciel could always ask Claude. The man was bound to know where Sebastian had vanished.
Ciel jumped to his feet and quickly scooped the boxes into his arms. He would find Sebastian and try to right the wrongs he had done. He would do what he needed to do to show Sebastian that he was sorry and hope that perhaps, third time was a charm. He barley remembered making it to his car, the boxes set carefully on the floor before Ciel pulled out of the parking lot.
It was a quick drive to the company and Ciel couldn't bring himself to care about how he looked as he parked and made his way inside. His father would have information on Sebastian that much Ciel was certain of. Vincent knew everything about everyone in the company, including Sebastian. Despite the current situation, Ciel felt a smirk curling on his lips. This was just like a game of chess and this time, Ciel was determined to win.
He jogged through the foyer, ignoring the strange looks sent his way as he made his way to the elevator. He knew what he looked like but Ciel didn't let it bother him. The up button was pushed harshly and Ciel waited impatiently for the doors to open. Once inside, the correct button was pushed and Ciel watched the numbers slowly climb up until he was on the right floor.
The doors opened, admitting him to the top floor and Ciel moved down the hallway to an office that he knew all too well. He was greeted by the secretary, who smiled at him and informed Ciel that his father was free, leaving Ciel to barge into the office without delay. A part of him hoped that Sebastian would already be in the office, discussing something with his father but Vincent was alone in his office.
"Please tell me you weren't running around town dressed like that," Vincent commented after the doors were shut. Ciel glared at him as he approached the desk while his father kept talking. "Because I know it's hot outside, but that's not exactly the best attire you own."
Ciel shook his head. "I'll go change after I find some answers and you're the only person I know who would have those answers. So please help me out."
Vincent sat up straighter in his chair. "Are you all right, Ciel?" He asked seriously, taking in Ciel's appearance for the first time. "You look as though someone just died."
"I feel like it," Ciel croaked and took a seat across from his father is. "Do you know where Sebastian is?"
A curious eyebrow arched slightly and Vincent laced his fingers together. "I received an urgent email from him this morning requesting time off. Sebastian said that something came up in his personal life that needed to be taken care of right away." Vincent shrugged slightly. "He's never asked for time off before and is always a hard worker so I didn't have any problems letting him take it. We're in a lull right now and there's no harm in it."
Ciel slumped into the plush chair. "How long will he be gone?" He asked weakly.
"A month was what he asked for, and yes, before you ask, I gave it to him," Vincent answered. "Now, let me ask a question of my own, why are you suddenly so interested in Sebastian?"
"He's gone!" Ciel blurted out. "I stopped by his apartment and he was gone, moved out and everything."
Vincent hummed. "Seems as though that's why he took the time off, to change apartments and get settled in. It's about time he moved, I've been telling him for years that we could get him a better place."
Ciel glanced up. "What?" He questioned. "You offered him a better place? I thought you didn't know he existed outside of when we need him."
A low chuckle left Vincent's mouth. "I could say the same to you. I didn't think you noticed him at all to be honest, so it was quite surprising to have you barge into my office asking about him." He stood up. "But yes, I see him often. And I have a good suspicion that he can still speak."
"You knew?" Ciel breathed.
Vincent waved a hand. "Of course I knew. My producer told me about Sebastian the night they met at one of Claude's gigs. Showed me a picture of him and everything. But he said that while Sebastian was talented he didn't want the fame that Claude sought and was willing to let his brother have it." Vincent glanced at Ciel. "When Claude brought Sebastian back and asked to give him a job, I had my suspicions something had happened between them. Claude is rather easy to read but Sebastian has always been the mystery."
Ciel groaned lowly. "I feel sick," he moaned. His own father knew about Sebastian and had tried to help while Ciel did nothing. "Why didn't you tell me this before?"
"I never had a reason to," Vincent answered. "You never showed interest in him and I figured the less people who knew, the better. Whatever was going on between him and Claude would only be made worse if more people knew.
Ciel stood up quickly and moved to the door. He needed to get out of the office and find the next person on his list to help. Sitting around wasn't going to help him find Sebastian and the older male already had a head start. Not only that, Sebastian wouldn't be back for a month, meaning the other man would have plenty of time to put space between them.
"Ciel, what's going on?" Vincent as he made his way to the door. "What happened that you suddenly care about Sebastian?"
Coming to a stop by the door, Ciel turned around and regarded his father carefully. "Because I made a terrible mistake and I may have just ruined the best thing that happened to me. And if I don't find Sebastian now and apologize, then he'll be lost to me forever!" Ciel finished and slammed the door shut behind him as he left the office.
Once outside the office, Ciel leaned against the door and closed his eyes, trying to think. His father had only been a small help and now it seemed that the next person he would have to ask would be Claude. The older male was the last person Ciel wanted to see right now but for the sake of getting Sebastian back, then he would have to talk to Claude.
Sucking in a deep breath, Ciel glanced at the secretary. "Do you know where Claude is?" He asked, hoping she would have his itinerary on hand.
"He's scheduled to be in recording today but that's not for another thirty minutes or so," she answered. "Would you like me to ring him for you?"
Ciel shook his head and pulled out his phone. "No thank you, I have his number. Thank you for your help," he said and pushed away from the door. Fingers punched in the numbers as Ciel walked down the hallway and brought the phone to his ear after hitting the talk button. It rang a few times before the line clicked.
"Hello little Phantomhive," Claude purred over the phone. "Have you thought about my offer?"
"I have," Ciel answered calmly.
"Then you know that if you want that offer to go through, you have to give me something first," Claude answered. "And you know what I want."
Ciel nodded. "I know what you want and I have the information on Sebastian that you're looking for. When can we meet?"
Claude chuckled lowly over the phone. "I can be in early if you would like to talk then. I'm supposed to be at the recording studio soon but I can get there early for you."
"That would be wonderful," Ciel stated before hanging up and stepping into the elevator that was waiting for him. He looked calm and collect on the outside as the elevator descended but his emotions warred inside. There was a small part of him, one that was greatly overshadowed by the pressing urge to find Sebastian, which seethed quietly.
Sebastian had tricked him, had lied and strung him along the whole time. He knew who Ciel was and never once bothered to stop seeing Ciel as Master when they started to get closer during the day. This was just as much Sebastian's fault as it was Ciel's.
But that part wasn't important right now. Right now, Ciel's main focus was finding Sebastian and trying to fix everything. He needed to find the older male who had seemingly vanished from the grid and Ciel didn't want to wait for a month for Sebastian to resurface again. The elevator stopped and Ciel stepped off before making his way to the studio, hoping that Claude would have the information he was looking for.
Minutes passed as Ciel waited until finally the door opened and Claude strolled into the room looking far too smug. "Please sit," Ciel said, gesturing to the chair across from him.
"I'm glad to see that you came through for me, Ciel," Claude answered as he sat down. Leaning forward, he rested his chin on his hands. "So tell me, what is it that my little brother does?"
Ciel's eyes narrowed. "No," he said coolly. "I refuse to tell you that."
Claude scowled. "We had a deal, Ciel," he stated.
"I know we did and it was a foolish deal on my part, one that I never should've agreed to." Ciel looked at Claude. "But I'm ending that now because I don't want to be a part of this anymore."
"What?" Claude seethed and stood up slowly. "Why would you do that?"
Ciel clicked his tongue and glared at the man. "Because I realized that you aren't the person I want," he stated and stood up as well. "This morning, Sebastian asked to take time off. I'm sure you were informed of his request due to your relationship with him."
Claude growled lowly. "I was informed an hour ago. I suppose even creatures unfit for society deserve some time off from their work." He crossed his arms across his chest. "Not that I'm happy with it mind you, but I can't do anything about it. My hands are tied."
Ciel nodded. "Of course. Do you happen to know where he went?" He frowned when Claude shook his head. "Do you know his number then? I keep getting the message that his phone has been disconnected."
The older male stiffened and he pulled out his phone, quickly punching in the buttons. He waited for a moment for the line to connect before lowering his phone. "He canceled his phone," he said weakly and for the first time since they started talking, Ciel could see a hint of fear in Claude's eyes. "He knows that he's not allowed to do that. I'll cut his job for this."
"You will do no such thing, Claude," Ciel spat. "Sebastian is no longer your concern and I will not let you keep ruling over his life like this. Now tell me, where is Sebastian?"
Claude hissed. "And who are you to say what I can and can't do to my own brother? He's my blood, not yours and last I checked, you didn't care for him anymore than I did. But now you're telling me to leave him alone? What's the matter, did you grow a heart suddenly?"
Ciel grunted and held Claude's gaze. "I did and I realized that Sebastian is a much better person than you. He has far better points and his personality is something that everyone wants in their significant other." He shook his head. "You, you're just a pretty face and a good voice. Your personality is nonexistent and I'm sorry that I never noticed that before."
Claude looked as though he had been slapped and his fingers curled into a fist. "A personality is all he will have," he spat. "You can't change how he looks or his lack of voice. He'll always be a loser, with or without a personality. It does nothing for him."
"I think it does," Ciel answered. "I enjoyed spending my time with him even though he couldn't talk and wasn't as attractive as other people. And if I remember correctly, the only reason he doesn't talk and doesn't dress nice is because you have a noose around his neck, so I would think that he does have something going for him."
"Then I will find him and make sure that those two attributes won't be a problem for good this time. They're easily destroyable," Claude snarled.
Ciel took a step forward and pushed his finger into Claude's face. "You will not lay a finger on him Claude Faustus or so help me, I will tell the media everything and you will never sing ever again. All the fame that you love so much and hold so dear will be gone and you will be left with nothing. And maybe, Sebastian will take the place that you left and be all the more successful."
"Why do you even care? He's no one!" Claude shouted. "He's just my stupid, idiotic brother who lives a pathetic life while watching everyone else. What is it about him that you would protect so strongly when he doesn't deserve it?" A crazed look filled Claude's eyes and he panted for breath as he waited for Ciel to answer.
"Because I think I love him," Ciel answered calmly and levelly, keeping his eyes on Claude. "And that, Claude, is something you will never get from me. From now on, our dealings will be strictly professional. Goodbye Claude." He brushed past Claude, aware of how tense and panicked the older male looked but couldn't bring himself to care.
His chest felt lighter, despite everything, at having admitted that. He knew he still had to find Sebastian and Ciel vowed that he would, but right now, those words carried him on. He knew they were true and Ciel only hoped that he would be able to tell them to Sebastian. And for the first time since everything started, Ciel knew exactly what he wanted. And he wanted Sebastian.