Hello Lovelies!

Sorry for the two day delay. I got a game in the mail and I kind of lost myself in the pixels haha.

This chapter was a bit challenging for me, but I think you'll all really like it. I'd like to thank all the people that recently favorited/followed this story and all the wonderful reviews I received for the last chapter! As always let me know what you think!

Toodles,

Majix

Hateful blue eyes watched the young Earl rejoin his demonic companion from just beyond the masses.

He'd hoped that the arrogant boy would fall from the rope, that the lifeline would snap his spine and he'd be paralyzed for life, but like all other areas of his life, Alois wasn't that lucky. Ciel Phantomhive, by the devil's will, would live to see another day and though the blonde was partially pleased by that, he was also disappointed.

After Claude's discovery that Phantomhive was the one who'd ordered the annihilation of his village and all those that inhabited it, Alois set out for revenge and though the hunt was sweet, it didn't replace what he'd lost. The blue eyed teen lusted for the bitter tang of his enemy's blood against his tongue, for the closure that it'd bring to his broken soul, but more than anything, he wanted it to be over.

The circus was messy, brimming with a close knit atmosphere that made the youth nostalgic. All the members of the traveling group knew one another, relied on each other to make their living and it remained, to Alois, a painful reminder as to what'd been stolen from him.

He didn't know what would happen to him after his contract with Claude was complete. He didn't know if he'd burn in the endless fires of Hell, or if he'd just cease to be, flickering out of existence like an extinguished flame, but anything was better than this.

The pain of continuing on grew with each passing second, making the boy's heart grow heavy, and Alois wanted more than anything for the end to come.

But it would not end today. Or tomorrow.

When the time came, it would all end with the death of a monster, a monster hiding behind the soft face of a boy.

Because Ciel Phantomhive wasn't a boy, not really. He was malevolence, an unyielding force built on a world of malicious intent. He was arrogance, a destroyer of lives that existed only to corrupt the world around him. Ciel Phantomhive was the worst of the human race, bound tightly behind skin and bone with the devil at his back, keeping his spine straight and his eyes wide.

"Your Highness."

Alois tore his eyes away from the origins of his agony, looking to his own demonic companion, a certain level of fondness softening his gaze, "What."

The golden eyed demon gave a low bow, "They will undoubtedly ask the boy to prove himself once again before introducing him to the rest of the circus. We should prepare, your Highness."

Pale pink lips thinned as Alois considered his demon's words, his eyes narrowing angrily at the thought of taking a single step away from the object of his hate. He was so close. Why did they have to follow a plan, why did they have to manipulate their way through the circus? Alois had a demon, and Phantomhive had a demon. It seemed easy enough to command that they fight, that Claude kill the other devil and give him Ciel, but that wasn't what they'd decided, or rather, what Claude had deemed best.

Alois clenched his jaw, gritting his teeth painfully as he turned his back to the Earl in disguise, falling into line beside his demon as they walked away from the growing crowd.

His time would come soon enough, and when it did, Alois wouldn't turn away. He'd stand above his enemy and drive the blade in deep, watching with rapt attention, watching the lights leave the eyes of the monster that'd taken everything from him.

Ciel stood uneasily in front of the growing crowd, watching the unexpected delight over his victory flutter across their oblivious faces, but unbeknownst to all, the soft faced boy with the blue hair had eyes only for Sebastian.

His butler looked pleased, going through the motions of congratulating his bravery and his success, but Ciel could see past the surface. He could see where the demon's smile was just a little too tight, where his expressive eyes fell flat with distaste rather than mischief. The teen didn't pretend to understand what had his butler so tense, so painstakingly up in arms behind the cool facade that only endless practice could bring, but he knew that whatever happened up above was the driving force to the change.

A sharp clap on his shoulder brought the boy away from the curiosity of his demon, making the teen grit his teeth as he narrowly avoided wretching himself away from Joker's careless bodily contact.

"Amazing, that was! 'ee thought for sure that you was gonna fall!"

The amused smile fell from his face as the redhead rubbed the back of his neck self consciously, "Unfort'nately.. we aren't in need of a knife thrower or a tightrope walker."

Joker cast a look behind him, staring at the two cast members that he'd just mentioned before turning back to the blue haired boy, "Is there anything else ye can manage?"

Pale pink lips pressed together in a thin line that Ciel hoped appeared more thoughtful than annoyed, "I'm overly flexable. I could pass as a contortionist."

The troupe leader shook his head, pointing to the gaggle of women that'd been previously hanging all over Sebastian, "Afraid we've got that covered too."

Ciel looked anxiously around the room, his stomach knotted with nervous frustration. He was not a boy of many talents that one would consider worthy of entertainment, his asthma helped ensure that, but he couldn't just walk away. He needed to be inducted into the circus group for their plan to work. He was more than aware that Sebastian could handle such things himself if the Earl was forced to remain on the sidelines, but Ciel wanted to be included in the fold. To do things for himself, to be intimately apart of the hunt.

"I'm an escape artist."

The words were out of his mouth before the blue haired male could think to consider them or the undoubtable complications they would cause, but they were not completely untrue he supposed.

In a way, he was an escape artist.

He'd escaped death more times than he could count, passed through the hands of countless kidnappers only to break free. Most times that was due to the devotion of his demon, but Ciel himself had a hand in some of his more daring escapes. Of course, that didn't necessarily mean that he was keen to be dropped to the bottom of a water tank bound in chains, but the words had already passed his lips; they couldn't be taken back and based on the overjoyed expression Joker was throwing his way, the teen was forced to assume that he'd have to roll with his claimed talent.

"Well! Ye're in luck! We don't h've one of those!" Joker ushered him just inside the tent, pointing at a seat before wandering off, mumbling something about rope.

Ciel approached the sturdy wood chair, running his fingers along its back. Definitely Oak. White Oak if he had to venture a guess. High quality. The teen dipped his head, looking past the stained surface, humming in near disappointment in the lack of knots or imperfections. He'd have to get out of whatever bonds the redhead strapped him down with the old fashioned way. It wouldn't work to tip or rock the chair, it was much to sturdy for that and would leave him with little more than a bruised ego.

Mismatched eyes ignored the few crew members that'd decided to tag along, avoiding the eyes of those that stared at him with unabashed curiosity as he studied his hands. Though his fingers weren't quite as long and dexterous as Sebastian's, they were still fairly thin, a decent length and dainty enough that they'd help with his task.

Ciel turned away from the growing crowd, his lips shifting downward in a look of distaste as he smoothly bit the corner of both his thumb nails, worrying the edge with his teeth, leaving a slightly sharp curve along the edge. It was crude, but he was positive that should work decently enough. All he needed was the smallest amount of slack, the tiniest leeway and he'd be able to free his wrists.

Of course, Joker could happen to return with something much thicker than rope, which would be exceedingly inconvenient, but the blue haired male was sure that Sebastian would handle the situation if it came right down to it.

After all, if the demon could prevent him from falling off a tightrope in midair, Ciel was positive that he'd be able to get a teenager out of a bind.

It was with caution, and the slightest hesitance, that Ciel took his seat, relaxing against the back as the redheaded troupe leader made his way back over to the small group, proudly holding up a couple loops of low grade rope. A pleased smirk captured the teen's lips as he caught sight of it.

He wouldn't be needing Sebastian's help after all.

In a move made by entirely to much experience, Ciel held his arms behind his back, wrists touching in a sort of criss cross as Joker looped the rough material around his wrists and partially up the length of his forearms, keeping his shoulders angled uncomfortably inward. Normally such a thing would've been fairly painful, but it paled in comparison to how some of his previous kidnappers had bound the teen in the past.

Joker offered him a wide grin before wrapping a plain black strip of cloth around his eyes, tying it loosely behind his head and stepping away, "Escape if you can!"

It was obvious that the redhead wasn't exactly experienced in the area of bondage or escape. The bonds were tight but the troupe leader hadn't put much effort into it, most likely because it was a try-out rather than a lack of faith in his skills but Ciel couldn't be sure. They'd underestimated him twice before so it really could be due to either option. Regardless, it helped him immensely.

The bindings holding his forearms close together was more for show than anything and as he began to squirm, testing the limitations of his movement, the Earl in disguise found himself immensely grateful that the redhead hadn't thought to bind his arms above the elbows. That would've made his task much more difficult, regardless of the rope's material and how thin his fingers were.

As it happens, there was a decent amount of slack to be gained merely by rotating his arms and pulling his wrists apart just the slightest amount. He'd been right in assuming that the rope was low quality. Even now, with his low muscle mass Ciel found himself able to stretch his bonds the slightest amount, giving him more room to work.

Amatures, all of them.

Ciel very nearly scoffed, his eyes fluttering closed behind the blindfold as he set to work, tilting his wrist down as far as possible, running the pad of his thumb along a space of the rope's length. It was easy to feel where the different sections had been twinned and braided together to allow for stronger usage but that'd work to his advantage.

A small smile captured his lips as the teen ran his seemingly chipped thumbnail along the faint seam of where two threads came together, using the rough snags he'd made to create tiny tears in the rope.

It was fairly slow going, but despite how little effort it was taking, Ciel still managed to put on a slight show for those that were watching; squirming in his seat, jerking his wrists occasionally, biting his lower lip as he made progress.

Normally he remained much more calm when he was trying to escape, carefully avoiding the suspicions of his captors, but a silent and still show would not do for this crowd.

Standing just behind the main group, Sebastian found himself smirking at the going-ons of his Master. The boy was absolutely delicious like this, bound and blindfolded, and though the demon would've preferred to see him tied up without the curious stares of others, he couldn't deny the appeal.

The black cloth sat beautifully across his eyes, the rope striking against his Master's silky soft skin and though the demon had seen such sights before, they never failed to bring out his inner predator. He appeared so helpless, small and weak, but the immortal knew that looks were often deceiving.

Ciel Phantomhive was anything but helpless.

Even from where he was standing, Sebastian could tell the exact moment that the blue haired youth created enough slack in his bonds to get free. It was times like these that the beast within wanted to snarl, to bind his lover impossibly tight, to make escape impossible, to preen before his Master as the boy struggled fruitlessly before his demon.

Behind the blindfold, Ciel began to feel the first threads of panic. The rope was doing just as he wanted, stretching and unwinding just as it should but the bound teen could feel the unearthly heat of Sebastian's eyes on him. He could practically feel the demon's lustful stare against his skin, lighter than a physical caress but there none the less and, to his horror, Ciel could feel himself beginning to respond.

The familiar stirrings of need coiled hot and heavy within, the need to escape, the need to submit to his immortal lover, the need to be touched and for the first time since his escape performance had begun, the Earl began to struggle in ernest, desperate to free himself before the truth of his desire became apparent to those watching.

Though the mortals surrounding them remained oblivious to the true nature of Ciel's struggles, Sebastian was not.

He could smell the thick, smothering scent of the boy's arousal. It sat hot and heavy in his nostrils, making the raven haired man's mouth water, but he stayed put, watching the teen struggle before finally ripping his hands free with a victorious growl.

From where he was, Sebastian could see the darkened skin where the ropes had dug in just a little to tight, the expanse of flesh that'd gotten the slightest friction burn when he recklessly pulled his arms free from his bonds. It was all simple, nothing new to the pair, but what Sebastian wasn't prepared for was his reaction.

The demon within howled, furious that someone other than himself left such a mark on Ciel. He could smell desire, growing arousal, the need to be taken, and these people shouldn't bare witness to it. That was for Sebastian alone, as was the boy. If he'd been any less controlled, any lesser demon, the silly mortals who stood gaping and applauding his boy would've been wiped from the Earth with little more than a thought.

But he wasn't a lesser demon. He was Raum, an immortal of power and influence, a being of myth and legend and he would control himself.

Sebastian clenched his jaw, swiftly reigning his emotions in, forcing his inner beast down with logic and suppressing control before allowing the calm expression of support to mask his features. He was once again Sebastian Michaelis, a man of unwavering self control and regardless of what the predator beneath his flesh demanded, he wouldn't be swayed again.

This was not a game without consequences, the demon knew. He couldn't afford to act like a scorned lover, jealous over any that let their eyes linger on what the demon claimed to be his. It wasn't the time or place for such things, and as the butler looked to his Master, catching the curious stare that was being directed his way, Sebastian knew that he couldn't slip again.

Ciel looked to him for infallibility, for unwavering security and it would not do to lose sight over his goal, their goals, over something as fleeting and meaningless as a fit of possessive nature.

Sebastian watched with narrowed eyes as the blonde knife thrower clapped a hand on his Master's shoulder, giving a friendly squeeze, his mouth parted in a smile, "Wonderful! I was under the impression that you jest, but I am glad it was not so!"

Ciel appeared to preen under the slight praise and the growing approval of those around him but Sebastian was not as naive as the commonwealth. He could see the growing discomfort just below the surface as the troupe leader continued to touch him as well as the boy's growing urge to slap the offending hand away from his person.

In truth, it was somewhat amusing to see the Earl so out of his element, forced to play the part of a runaway. While Ciel was often mistaken as a normal everyday child, he was usually quick to express his displeasure and correct those that dared to mock him. To see him play the role of normality was very nearly laughable. He managed it alright. To anybody else, the blue haired teen appeared as though he belonged among them, that he was happy to have been accepted, but Sebastian knew better. He could practically taste the boy's frustration, his ill will towards those that handled him freely, praising him for something so incredibly simple.

As the excitement over the teen's apparent talent died down, Dagger bounced in place, ruffling Ciel's hair affectionately with a grin, "So, I guess he passes, eh Joker?"

"Not yet!"

The redhead approached the teen with a look of concentration heavy on his features, his colorful gaze sweeping over the blue haired boy's face before lingering there, "There's something important 'ee be missing!"

Sebastian barely contained the smirk as he caught the subtle shift in the Earl's demeanor, the grit of his teeth as he imagined yet another ridiculous task that he'd be forced to endure.

"A great big smile!"

A look of genuinely startled surprise overcame Ciel's features, much to the amusement of the crowd around them. Sebastian raised an eyebrow in question at the underlying sense of panic that'd immediately engulfed the Earl.

Of course he'd often teased the boy about his inability to smile on cue, but the demon had never believed for a moment that it was actually the truth. He'd seen the Earl smile many times, though not usually in the company of others.

However, he supposed this was very different. These people were strangers, and they weren't asking for that coy little smile that the teen often flashed when he was excited or entertained.

They were asking for something real.

"What's the matter, Finnian? Don't look so surprised! Just smile!"

In front of the watchful eyes of those surrounding him, Ciel could feel the beginning grips of panic at his inability to preform. A tiny little fake smile wouldn't do this time, and as the boy stared up into Joker's expecting eyes, he knew that it'd have to be good.

So there, before an entire crowd of people, Ciel thought of Sebastian.

He thought of the exasperated look that the demon gave him when he caught the Earl being naughty, or the fond smile that captured his lips when Ciel was overly witty or clever. As the people around him waited, Ciel imagined his signature sigh of annoyance when the servants screwed up and the pleasure of their inside joke whenever the immortal referred to himself as 'one hell of a butler'. Ciel pictured the stumped look of shock when Sebastian discovered that the boy found the secret ingredient for curry before he did, and the hungry lustful look that he'd earned at the townhouse the night before. In the depth of his own mind, Ciel brought forth all the little things that he loved about his butler, all the subtle things Sebastian did to entertain or amuse him, and as he reached the end, the Earl imagined what it would be like to tell his demon that he loved him and have the immortal being return the sentiment wholeheartedly.

A blanket of warmth enveloped the teen's heart in a way he hadn't known since the death of his parents, and before a crowd of strangers, to Sebastian's surprise, Ciel flashed a beautifully dazzling smile, the light of his happiness and his love bringing his visible eye to life, the blue glassy surface glittering with untainted youth, an innocence so pure and so raw that the demon almost took a step back.

It was intoxicating, that smile, the depth that it held and as Sebastian stared at his lover, the demon knew that he'd been ruined for anybody else. Nobody would ever match the devastatingly brilliant nature of Ciel's soul, or his personality. For Sebastian, there would be no other that exceeded what he'd found in the boy before him, and as the immortal stood back among the crowd, he knew, without a doubt, that he was in trouble.