Author's Note: I wanted to take this opportunity to clarify something, this is both a Sebciel fic. and a Sebastian/Claude fic. I apologize for the confusion as I set up the couples. I hope now it makes more sense.

I'm glad that all of you have taken a great amount of interest in this story. Thank you to all of my reviewers, for those of you who reviewed anonymously I thank you as well and I'm glad to hear that I have sparked your interest to read more Sebastian/Claude fics.

Chapter 13: Sugar and Salt

The numbness that had spread through his chest had slowly faded, and the pain returned gradually. That ache from the nasty bites the crop had given Sebastian's skin had began to bubble to the surface. Oddly he had fallen asleep, yet he didn't have a single dream, rather he felt warm and safe. In fact, he was far too warm, heavy eyelids lifted as burgundy eyes to see a smooth white chest. His eyes widened with panic, he didn't remember a single thing after he had heard Angela was in the restaurant that night. A pair of arms was wrapped around him, they were soothing and seemed to hold him as though he were made of glass and the most important thing in the world. His fingers brushed the soft skin which covered the powerful muscles under it, it was warm, and he could smell the familiar scent of basil and rosemary. His eyes shifted up, a rather broad pair of shoulders, square chin, chiseled nose, almond eyes that were laced with thick lashes and narrow black eyebrows. His eyes widened, and he pushed himself away from the Head Chef. "Claude?" he stammered as he pushed against Claude's rock hard chest. "What the hell?" he shouted, he didn't remember going anywhere with Claude.

The Pậtissier shot up and looked around the room, he didn't recognize a single thing in it. None of it was his, he wasn't even in his apartment. "Where?" he whispered as he glanced around the room, he could see his clothes but the rest of it was nothing like he owned. The space was large and open, he could see the warm tones of brown and cream throughout the room and stared at the plum-colored sheets. He wasn't even dressed, he could see his wrappings were fresh and well done, "What?" he asked in confusion. He was about to slip out of bed when he heard a groan, "It's still early, go back to sleep," muttered Claude as a pair of tired golden eyes opened. They were even more powerful without glasses, his gaze fell on Sebastian, and he squinted a little. He reached to the side of his night stand blindly and picked up his glasses. "Where the hell am I Faustus?" Sebastian demanded, his eyes widened as he watched Claude sit up and stretch his arms over his head, he hummed as his powerful muscles flexed. He looked as though he was a cat.

"My apartment, I forgot to get your address from Soma," replied Claude as he looked at Sebastian and pushed his glasses further up his nose. Sebastian was silent, he knew Head Chefs made more than the Pậtissier however this apartment was worth three times even a Head Chef's salary. He looked around in confusion at the sleek furniture made of dark woods, the view it's self was to die for, it wasn't until now that he realized he had a view in a half of London, he could see the Themes and Hyde park. "Do you remember anything?" asked Claude as he slowly slipped out of the covers, Sebastian relaxed after seeing a pair of black sweatpants hugging the man's hips. Sebastian's stared at Claude and suddenly realized he was still in his boxers, "We didn't?" asked Sebastian curiously as he slipped a hand in his hair in confusion.

Claude had admitted to being gay, which did scare him and to wake up in his bed he honestly thought that he had slept with the Head Chef. "No, I like my partner wide awake and alert when I fuck. That and I don't pray on co workers, if you remember correctly," he stated, there was a note of irritation in his voice. The Pậtissier was quiet as he looked at Claude, it was impossible to tell how muscular he was under his coat, to see him without a shirt was a little overwhelming, "No," replied Sebastian, "What happened yesterday?" he asked.

Claude took a seat on the end of the bed and replied, "You passed out, I took you to the hospital where they gave you an IV and stitched up your wounds. After that since it was late and Ciel was closed for the evening I took you here." There was a pause, Sebastian had assumed the worst and yet Claude had simply helped him. Yet, there was one thing he couldn't understand, why Claude was the one who took him to the hospital. He was in charge of the kitchen; he should have sent someone else to do so. "Why did you take me and not someone else?" asked Sebastian slowly, he had to know just what the man was thinking. Claude was difficult to read, his face always said so little and yet his eyes spoke incessantly. The Head Chef was quiet as he attempted to fix his hair with his fingers, "Ah, well I was the one who caught you and saw the welts. I have a car, and it was far more suitable than the junk that the others drive to transport an injured and unconscious person," he commented.

As always logic and efficiency seemed to govern the chef, "I see, thank you," replied Sebastian as he slipped out from under the covers and rose. His chest ached again as he moved, without thinking a hiss left his lips, "Madame Red said you would hurt for a bit, she prescribed some pain-killer," Claude said smoothly as he walked over to his nightstand and pulled out a bottle. He took a look at the label and smiled, "Here, we will have to drop off the prescription at the pharmacy later," he replied as he handed Sebastian the bottle. The Pậtissier stared at the label and noticed that it was in fact in his name. He hummed after a moment as he shifted the bottle in his hands. "Thank you for the help," he said after a moment as he got up.

Claude stood there in confusion, "Micahelis, did you not understand what I just said, you should take it easy you have stitches," he said after a moment as he watched the young man slip into his sauté pants. Sebastian sighed as he reached for his soiled shirt and was about to put it on, "I know you're trying to be nice, however I have other things to attend to, like going to work," he stated coolly. He didn't like Claude seeing him like this and had no desire to stay with the man, he didn't mind that Claude was gay, however, he felt too vulnerable that it made him uncomfortable. "Ciel was informed you collapsed, if he finds out you are going to be working with those lacerations that were recently stitched he's going to be beyond pissed," Claude pointed out as Sebastian winced, it hurt more than he anticipated to put on his shirt.

"I don't give a damn, he can be angry with you, I'm going to work," he retorted as he continued to slip into his shirt. A large hand grabbed his wrist, and Sebastian paused, Claude was standing in front of him, his golden eyes had narrowed with anger. His black hair was still a mess, and he looked beyond annoyed, there was something dangerously familiar about the way those eyes were looking at him now. "You are injured, Ciel will be more than happy to fire you for negligence," he stated angrily. Sebastian yanked his arm, with a great deal of struggled he had managed to free himself from the Head Chef's grasp. "All the more reason to go to work," he stated, he didn't want to be deemed useless, he finally had a job and was more than happy to work injured if it meant getting Angela and her goons off his back.

"Who the beat you with the crop, Sebastian?" asked Claude out of the blue. There was silence, Sebastian didn't think Claude would be daring enough to ask such a question; he seemed more like the type to mind his own business. "What does it have to do with you?" asked Sebastian curtly, he wasn't going to be bullied, that was his personal life, and it had nothing to do with the Head Chef. He didn't want pity, he also didn't want to be taken advantage of. Pastries were the one thing he had, they had saved him on more than one occasion, he wasn't about to allow the arrogant Head Chef to take that away. "You were beaten! My job is to protect you!" shouted Claude as he grabbed Sebastian's arms, his hands squeezed Sebastian's biceps, they felt like iron fetters rather than hands. "No, your job is to maintain order in the kitchen and get the orders out on time. You have no right to question my personal life or involve yourself in that of the chefs under you!" snarled Sebastian as he attempted to break free. His chest screaming in protest as he twisted.

"That is what they say in school, however I have learned otherwise! Emotions cloud judgment and chef are emotional creatures like any other artist!" Claude shouted, his voice was even louder than before, "If I am to ensure that you all perform well then I must care for your emotions! That is my job as the Head Chef of Ciel!" Sebastian stared open-mouthed at the determined Head Chef before him, he didn't want anyone to know what god had punished him with that his life would always be filled with misfortune, and since the day he had climbed over the wall and into that garden. He would never be one of the fortunate, "Yes you are the Head Chef, and I am the Pậtissier! Leave me in peace! I don't want fucking pity, I never wanted it!" Sebastian spat as he twisted again, the stitches tugged at his skin, and he hissed in discomfort.

"You are injured, Madame Red said to make sure you took it easy and I have to care! If I don't who will?" Claude roared, "Who will care about you after you have abused yourself and allowed others to do the same?" he shouted. Sebastian froze, he could hear the rage in his voice, his grip tightened on Sebastian's arms, Claude was even angrier than before. "Who the hell beat you?" shouted Claude as he looked into Sebastian's eyes, he was unrelenting in his desire to know. He was so determined that for a moment Sebastian thought he saw something more than rage in the man's eyes, however it had flicked by far too quickly for him to understand what the emotion was. "Release me," he shouted as he pulled away, Claude's hands opened quickly as Sebastian stumbled backward.

His chest was tight as he panted, "I don't care, Faustus. We have a professional relationship, if that is a problem than you should resign. My affairs have nothing to do with you," Sebastian's tone was sharp as he spoke. He had to push Claude away, he did want someone to care, however Claude was too close to him. He didn't need Angela to take her wrath out on the Head Chef as well. "I'm leaving, I'll see you at work," his words were cold and detached as Sebastian turned on his heel and left the room, he had finally managed to get his shirt on and found his shoes conveniently near the door. "Sebastian, just tell me what happened," barked Claude as he went after the chef. A sigh left the Pậtissier as he tied his shoes, he knew Claude was persistent, however, this was ridiculous in his opinion. "No, Faustus. It has nothing to do with you," Sebastian hissed as he straightened up and continued toward the door. "Sebastian, let me help you," Claude pleaded as he attempted to run after the chef.

Sebastian's eyes narrowed, he had enough and quickly sprinted down the hallway toward the elevators, "No!" he shouted over his shoulder before rapidly hitting the call button for the lift. He knew he had no idea where he was in London, nor did he care, he simply had to get away from the man. The doors slid open and Sebastian quickly slipped inside, "Sebastian!" shouted Claude, as he sprinted down the hall after the chef, "Stop!" he called. The doors closed, and the lift began to move, he was finally away from Claude. He slowly walked to the back of the lift and leaned on the wall as it moved. His breathing finally evened out as he managed to somewhat recompose himself. Claude was a good man, but not someone who should be dragged into Sebastian's world. A world in which darkness was the only thing he knew and was ruled by pain. The sound of the lift reaching his floor startled Sebastian as he looked up to see the doors opening. He exited the metal box and continued through the lobby, his eyes widened as he looked at the marble floor and glass, it was beautiful. Claude was from another world, one which he would never be able to touch with clean hands. Sebastian paused as he looked at the wooden reception desk, "Sebastian!" called a familiar voice, the Pậtissier turned to see Claude exiting the stairwell. His was wearing of slippers, "Please stop! We need to talk!" he shouted. Sebastian turned and made a quick exit, he barely had enough money for a taxi however he had to get away.

His hand flew up as he called on of the black cabs, as soon as it came to a stop Sebastian leapt inside and swiftly stated, his address. Claude was standing outside and the driver asked, "Someone you know?" Sebastian shook his head and barked, "No, just go."

~~xXx~~

Ciel sighed as he entered his office, he was going to talk to Sebastian as soon as the chef came in, he didn't want this to hang in the air. He had to take care of it. He would get to punishing Claude soon enough, "Ciel, are we still playing out little game?" asked a familiar voice. Ciel chuckled and looked up at the blond bartender, "Yes, Alois, I'm making my move this morning," he replied. The bartender grinned as he took a seat on Ciel's desk, "Oh?" he asked. Ciel smiled broadly, his eyes fell on the pad he had written the number Sebastian owed on, he was going to buy him and force him to stay with him. A permanent binding on the chef, "Yes," he replied with a smug grin. Alois noticed how happy he was and commented, "Have fun and remember to use a condom," he teased as he leapt from Ciel's desk and left the office. Now all he had to do was wait for Sebastian to arrive.

He had instructed Soma to have Sebastian brought to his office that morning. There was a loud knock on his door and Ciel smiled, that had to be the chef, "Enter," he called. The door swung open, and he noticed a rather tired looking Pậtissier standing before him. Sebastian's hair was a mess as always, however he looked slightly pale and seemed to be hanging on to what little energy he had left. "Sit," Ciel said graciously as he watched the Pậtissier cautiously enter the office. Sebastian did as he was told and took a seat, "Soma said you needed to see me," he said after a moment.

Ciel nodded as he closed the door and returned to his desk, "How are you feeling, Alois told me you collapsed yesterday," he asked after a moment. Sebastian was quiet, "This doesn't affect your employment here, I just want to make sure you are alright," added Ciel after realizing that Sebastian was concerned about his job. It was only natural that he would be afraid of losing it after meeting with Angela. He had a feeling that the woman would hurt others around Sebastian and was serious about selling him. "I'm feeling better, just tired," he replied sheepishly. The bags under Sebastian's eyes had disappeared, however the Pậtissier still looked rather drained. "I see, is it because of Angela Blanc?" Ciel asked after a moment.

Sebastian's eyes widened and he twitched at the name, his head shot up as he asked, "You met her? What did she want?" Every word left his lips in a rush, the woman had done something sever to Sebastian, Ciel began to wonder just how much the woman had been tormenting the Pậtissier. He had a feeling she was the reason he hadn't been sleeping, "Yes I met with her, she came to me with a proposition, one that I'm still unsure of whether or not I will do it," he stated as he leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms. The tension in the room grew as Sebastian's eyes widened with fear, it was clear at that point that the man had been doing all he could to hide this secret from him. "She intends to sell your debt to someone else, she has several buyers lined up," Ciel commented and tilted his head to the side, "Who ever buys you will have be able to do with you as they please."

He watched the Pậtissier turn as white as the flower he used, his red eyes were locked on Ciel, even in a state of shock he looked beautiful. "She asked if I would like to buy your debt, if I do so I will not lose you as my Pậtissier. Where as if another buyer purchased you, I may not be able to keep you, which would inadvertently damage my profit," Ciel explained coolly. With each word he watched the Pậtissier tense up, he had Sebastian where he wanted him however there was this unusual feeling in his stomach. He felt as though he were going to be sick, it was knotting and twisting as he spoke. He had made these threats to other businessmen, yet never felt this sensation. "If I purchase you though, I will have to give her a rather large sum, which I may or may not regain in my profits," Ciel explained as he slowly got up and walked around to the front of the desk.

"The question seems to be, if you are worth that much," he commented as he paused before Sebastian and looked into his burgundy red eyes. They were filled with chaos as Sebastian began to wonder what his fate would be. It was then he made the final decision, "Please, Ciel. I will do whatever you ask," Sebastian whispered as he looked up at the slate haired owner. A smile spread across the young man's lips, Sebastian was submitting to him, even though he had already decided to save him. This made the deal even sweeter, the fact that Sebastian would do as he was told. "Anything?" asked Ciel as he leaned forward. The Pậtissier nodded, "Well then, I need a cook, you will move out of your excuse for an apartment and move in with me. Your job will be to cook for both myself and Lizzy," Ciel stated as he smiled darkly.

He was going to do everything possible to tie this man down, "My ability to cook a meal is limited, Claude," Sebastian began. Of course Sebastian would bring Claude into this, "If I wanted to eat five-star cuisine I would ask Claude to do it, I want yours," Ciel stated. Sebastian's lips closed and he simply nodded. "Good, now get back to work. You will be moved out of your pitiful apartment tomorrow and place in my home," Ciel explained. Sebastian simply nodded a little and left the office in silence. "I finally have you, perhaps this will be fun, after all Claude would hate this as much as you do," he whispered before turning to his desk and snatching his mobile from it. Now all that was left was to gather the cash and drop it off to the vindictive woman, cutting her out of the picture entirely.

~~xXx~~

Alois smiled, so the game was on, which meant he had a chance to make his crush jealous. He smiled as he slipped a pair of headphones on his head and turned the volume of his I-pod up before he started his usual cleaning routine. His hips swayed as he listened to the piece, he loved the bass as it pounded in his ears and the smooth Spanish voice which caressed his ears. "Muchacha kiss kiss bang ¿quién eres tú? Extraordinaria ya va, qué cool. Tus besos son como electicidad. Sólo te veo y no puedo esperar,(1)" Alois sang as he grabbed a broom and began to sweep behind the bar. There was something about the voice of a Spaniard which drove Alois nuts, that beautiful sound and the way which all of the worlds flowed from their lips.

His hips swung as he danced, sweeping along the way. He stopped sweeping and quickly did a tap section to the familiar section, his feet moved with ease, as he did the familiar flamenco steps he had learned. Once he had swept the floor he snatched a rag and tossed it in the air before catching it and doing a spin on the ball of his foot. The wood of the bar was smooth and gained a shine after he had run his rag over it with ease. "Beautiful," he breathed after the song ended, "Now for the inventory." He slipped his headphones off when he heard a familiar chuckle.

He was about to turn around when he saw a pair of familiar golden eyes staring at him in the reflection of a green bottle. "Claude!" Alois chirped as he turned around. The Head Chef was leaning on the counter and Alois' sky blue eyes narrowed, "Oi, get your elbows off my freshly polished counter!" he shouted as he smacked the man in the face with the dirty rag. "You know, you would be cuter if you weren't so obnoxious," commented Claude as he took the rag off his head. Alois had used a great deal of furniture polish on it and he grinned as he watched the man stick out his tongue in disgust. "Lay off the furniture polish, it's a bar not Saint Edward's Chair, Alois," he commented as he threw the rag back at the bartender.

The blond hummed and looked at him, "I want it to shine, besides what are you doing here?" he asked as he looked at Claude. He picked up a glass and began to run a rag over it, "Sebastian collapsed yesterday, yet when he woke he pushed me away," commented Claude. Alois' fingers paused, his blue eyes widened and he lowered the glass. He hadn't expected Claude to take him home, "What did you do to him?" he asked hesitantly. Claude ran a hand through his hair and sighed, "I took him to the hospital and brought him home, since Soma was gone by the time Madame Red was done. I undressed him to prevent his clothes from getting too messed up and tucked him in for the night," he paused as if he was trying to continue composing his thoughts. Alois listened quietly for him to continue. Part of him didn't want to hear more, however he couldn't ignore this, Ciel was making his move which meant it was time to make his own. "He woke in a haze and asked me to stay with him and yet when he woke up he was pissed and nearly ripped out his stitches," Claude replied.

Alois was about to say something when he caught the last part. "Wait, Sebastian has stitches?" he asked in a panic. Claude nodded and looked at him, "Yeah someone beat the shit out of him with a riding crop from what Durless could tell," he responded. Instantly Alois felt bad for the Pậtissier, he may not have liked him personally however no one should be subjected to that. He could remember how badly he had been beaten by his uncle. "I see," he said after a moment, it wasn't until now he realized Claude was acting more like a customer. "But what does it have to do with you? You offered him help, and he turned you away," Alois commented as he picked up a glass and went back to polishing. He held it up to the light and looked at his reflection in it. It sparkled in the light, and he smiled with satisfaction.

"I'm the Head Chef," replied Claude stubbornly. Alois looked at Claude and recognized that look, it was the same one he had, the look of unrequited love. "Claude, what if we made a deal," mentioned Alois as he placed the glass on the site and placed the rag over his shoulder. A smile swept across his lips as the Head Chef looked at him. "What would that be, Alois? I'm not interested in something stupid," he hissed. Alois chuckled as he leaned across the counter, his face was inches from Claude's, "You love him, and I love Ciel, if we work together we can both have what we want," Alois stated.

Claude's golden eyes held a spark and he stared at the bartender, "You mean make him jealous? He's single he wouldn't fall for something that hair brained," Claude stated as he pulled back and looked at the blond with irritation. Alois chuckled, if Ciel had his way he would chain Sebastian to the restaurant and never let him go, "Ciel is interested in him," Alois stated. There was silence as Claude looked at the blond, "He's straight," Claude stated with a note of disbelief. Alois hummed, it was only natural for Claude to think that since Ciel was to marry Elizabeth and slept with her every night. He knew Ciel was interested, however not in the way Claude was, Ciel loved to control people with power and talent. He seemed to feed off of them, "You know Ciel he wants to dominate them. To feed off of their creativity," Aloud commented with a smile. If he could get Claude to agree he might be able to play Ciel and get him to reciprocate his love. Aloud knew it was a long shot, but what better way to beat the king of games than to change the rules.

Claude looked at Aloud his expression was blank; he had no idea what he was thinking. "No, Ciel may be interested but Sebastian isn't," replied Claude. Claude was quiet, he didn't expect Claude to be loyal despite the fact that his love wasn't reciprocated. He hummed as he looked at the Head Chef, "My offer stands, if you're interested. I bet your pretty pent up. It's been awhile since you fucked you could use a release or two," commented Alois playfully as he leaned on the counter and licked the side of Claude's face. The Head Chef pulled away and shook his head, "No matter how desperate I am or will get, I would never do something like that with the likes of you," hissed Claude. Alois pouted playfully as he watched Claude march back into the kitchen, he knew the man would give in since Ciel was making his move. The young owner never moved unless he knew he could trap someone in a bond which was nearly unbreakable.

~~xXx~~

The air in the kitchen was filled with tension rather than the harmony between the sweetness of pastries and the exotic spices used in the entrées. Instead the two sides seemed to be at one another's throats, and the tension between the Pậtissier and Head Chef was palpable. Neither of them seemed to give into one another as they worked hard, "Order up!" called Sebastian sternly. His voice carried through the noise and the waiters scurried to do as the chef demanded. Grell stared in shock as Sebastian finished plating in record time. "2 Amalie and 1 Raspberry Tranche! I need an order of Macaroons too!" shouted Ronald over the hiss of oil in pans and the roar of ovens. "Yes!" called Sebastian as he went to work on assembling, as always his movements were swift precise and efficient. "Where the hell is that Lamb for table nine?" cursed Grell as he waited for the other end of the kitchen.

Sebastian added the streak to one of the plates and then the sprig of mint with the Macaroons, "Go!" he barked as Ronald snatched the plates. "He's quick tonight, you wouldn't know he collapsed last night," commented Ronald as he carried the plates past Grell. The red waiter looked at the pastry chef, there was an air of concentration that surrounded him, and he was lost in his work as he pulled a tray of Macaroons from the oven before prepping another tray of rough pastries. "Wow," whispered Grell in shock, "Is there a competition between the two I don't know about?" he asked as he watched Claude plate nine plates and have them sent out.

"Sutcliff, stop standing around and go!" Claude roared as he finished plating the lamb and went to check on a reduction that didn't seem to be acting right. Grell stared at the pair as they moved in opposite directions, "Yes," he replied as he walked back onto the floor. The customers seemed to noticed the renewed vigor in the Pậtissier, there were even more compliments for him than the first night. He just couldn't shake the feeling that something major had gone down between the two.

Perhaps a little competition between the two was needed to keep things fresh, he hummed as he collected the plates and carried them to the back. He preferred working the bar, however they were short staffed on the floor, which meant he couldn't' simply hang out as a bartender. Alois had been grinning all night, naturally Grell wondered why; he just didn't have the time to ask. The house was alive and as long as the floor was full Ciel would be happy, at least in theory, he still didn't understand how that man operated. He hummed as he greeted a new table, "Welcome to Ciel, I'll be your waiter for the evening. What can I start you off with?" he asked with a smile.

~~xXx~~

Sebastian's new burst of adrenaline and efficiency didn't go unnoticed, but there was also something else there, a thirst to prove his value. It was as though he were watching Sebastian the first week he had arrived. That drive to show Ciel he was well worth his keep. The night began to wind down as it always did at ten and he watched as the chefs began to clean their messes. The air had finally stilled and the tension released as Claude opened the windows, he could tell Sebastian was avoiding him, the Pậtissier made no motion to even acknowledge his existence. Perhaps the raven haired chef would never reciprocate his feelings. He wasn't even gay, or at least Sebastian hadn't admitted it. Not many were as open as he was when it came to his sexuality.

"Good night, Sebastian," Ronald said with a grin before waving to the rest of the chefs, as always William wasn't far behind. "In a rush?" asked the Pậtissier curiously as he looked at the two. It was no secret that the pair was dating, and Sebastian seemed comfortable around them. Claude sighed as he watched the man interact the the Head Waiter and Sommelier. "Yes, there is a wonderful bottle of dry red wine I've been meaning to open, and I believe tonight is just the night to do so," said William with a hint of happiness. Even off the job William was trying new bottles and experimenting with different combinations of flavor for the perfect harmony. It was admirable even to Claude, "Oh, sounds like you can't wait," Sebastian said with a grin, "I'm sure it will be there when you arrive, it's not like it can run away," he teased. The Sommelier chuckled and shook his head, "No it would probably stagger, I may have a chance then," he remarked.

Sebastian grinned and nodded as he waved goodnight to the pair, he sighed as he picked up one of his knives and began to wash it. He had to see what was going through the Pậtissier's head, wounds like that weren't something to play with, he needed someone to assist him. Claude's head hung as he attempted to summon what was left of his courage, this morning hurt. He didn't expect Sebastian to run out of the room and jump into a cab. The Pậtissier was so frightened he felt the need to run, it bothered Claude. "Perhaps Alois is right," he muttered as he dried the last of his knives and slipped it into the black bag.

Sebastian had finally finished cleaning his station and was packed up ready to go. Claude was about to call to him when the doors which lead to the floor opened. It was unusual he thought that everyone had left, he turned to see the last person he ever thought would enter the kitchen standing in the threshold, Ciel. "Ready to go?" the slate haired owner asked with a smile. Sebastian nodded and walked over to the young man, "Good, let's get something to eat, I'm famished," Ciel commented as he walked through the kitchen with Sebastian. Claude's lips parted as he stared at them. There was no way what Alois said was true, "After dinner I will show you the apartment," Ciel remarked as he left through the back door. The door swung closed, and he stood there unsure of what just happened.

His lips parted and he felt as though someone had forced all of the air out of his lungs. The muscular chef stumbled backward into the counter. "I told you he was interested," commented the soft voice of the bartender who had given him the warning. Claude bowed his head and drew a deep breath, "I didn't think it was possible," he whispered. A smile appeared on Alois' lips as he walked in front of the head chef and placed a hand on Claude's chest. "Now will you allow me to comfort you?" asked Alois softly, his eyes danced with mischief and sorrow. "Ciel is your unrequited love, isn't he?" asked Claude after a moment. The blond bartender looked slightly stunned, and his façade of happiness faded. Pain, that was what seemed to bring the pair together, "Yes," whispered Alois. The Head Chef hummed as he looked at Alois, he didn't know what to do. Ciel didn't take people back to his apartment unless he had one thing in mind. Elizabeth had left for Paris, which meant he was alone for the next two weeks. It was taking everything he had not break, he wanted desperately to run after them and prove himself wrong.

"I suppose we could lick our wounds," Claude whispered as he looked at the bartender, "to numb the pain." Alois stood on his toes as he laced his arms around Claude's neck and pressed his lips to the chef's. Claude had given up all his urge to resist as he felt Alois' soft tongue sweep over his bottom lip begging for entrance. He wasn't attracted to the blond, yet the urge to find someone to take all his pain was far too great for him to be selective. Claude slipped one of his large hands around Alois' waist and pushed him closer to him, his other hand slipped into the blonde's hair as he parted his lips. To become tangled in one another to simply forget the pain, wasn't ideal, but would have to work. Claude slipped his tongue into the bartender's mouth, earning a gasp from the young man as he caressed his tongue. He didn't taste like Sebastian would, he was bitter like the liquor he served. Alois moaned as their tongues tangled in a battle for dominance. Claude slowly pulled back and asked, "Yours or mine?"

Alois was flushed and his hair a mess, "Yours" he panted. Claude nodded as he grabbed his bag and left the kitchen for a night of empty sex.

Translation:

1.) "Mrs Kiss Kiss Bang, she's not a fool. Extraordinary and oh so cool, When I feel the touch of her sweet lips, I know this is a devil's kiss."

The lyrics are from "Muchacha Kiss Kiss Bang" by Alex Christensen

Lyric courtesy of The Diggiloo Thrush

Side note: The playlist is continuously updated so, if you are interested in any pieces used while writing this piece, or the song Alois is grooving to, feel free to check it out. The link is on my profile.