AN: Hey all! It's Akiru again. Sorry I didn't let you have Disgruntled Minion for long as planned, but due to a death in the family my vacation got cut short and I had to head home. I only got three days in Maine... but at least I got some blueberry pie and some lobster rolls. Although never got my whole lobster from a lobster pound. Made me cry. But there is always next summer.
But that aside, I'm back in Texas. ((although not enjoying the heat)) And today I get to pick up my babies from their doggy camp, so I'm in a rather good mood. lol. Especially seeing Alex in this chapter makes me miss them.
Boring real life stuff aside, we are getting closer to finale of this fic. Oh no! Some of you probably thought an end was never in sight. xD You'll be surprised to see one that has been building since the beginning almost. lol. But I'm not going to say any more on that. Just hope you enjoy this chapter!
I love you all so much! Thanks for reviewing last chapter and for all the support you have given us throughout this monster of a fic. You'll never know how much it means. -hugs-
Big thank you to EienNi and Disgruntled Minion for Betaing and helping with the edit.
Chapter Thirty-Five
By: Akiru chan and Disgruntled Minion
Sebastian balanced a tray of food on his hand as he walked down the hall, Alex prancing in front of him. The puppy would run ahead and sit at a random door, waiting for Sebastian to catch up before repeating the whole process over again.
She whined at him as they approached the correct door and Sebastian looked down at her. Big brown eyes gazed up at him and Sebastian shook his head. "Sit," he told her. There was a small moment of hesitation before the puppy sat down and Sebastian nodded. "Stay."
The door was opened and Sebastian checked to make sure that the puppy was still sitting before letting himself in. Alex squirmed, her paw lifting up as though to move but stilled at a look from Sebastian. With a small hum of content, Sebastian let the door shut in her face and continued into the bedroom.
"You're a cruel man," Ciel commented as he sat up in bed. It had been a few days since Ciel had gotten his stitches, and he was quickly learning the hard way that rest was indeed needed. He had already succeeded in tearing out two stitches and putting more strain on his arm than needed.
It was no surprise that Ciel had been confined to his room, and through some off the wall reasoning on Sebastian's part, Alex had been banned as well. Something about her claws tearing the stitches.
"One of these days she's going to get fed up with trying to win you over and turn her aim to making your life miserable. Then you're going to wish you had given little Alex some love and affection." Ciel could hear the puppy whining outside of the door, but she had yet to beg with insistent scratching. No doubt she was trying to follow Sebastian's command, hoping to please him.
"Would you rather stay in bed for another two weeks if she tears out more stitches?" Sebastian asked, setting the tray down on the book covered bed. "I'm sure she'll live, though; Finny will be glad to entertain her and on the positive side, she's handling training very well."
"She hasn't torn out any stitches," Ciel tried to defend as food was placed on his lap. It was only a sandwich and some chips, but it made his stomach growl. "Just do something with her, she's probably still sitting out there waiting."
Sebastian chuckled at the thought, imagining the puppy just sitting outside the door, waiting to be let in. He had to give Alex points though for not scratching at the door, but patience was a virtue.
Taking a seat on the bed, Sebastian pulled one of the books closer to him and scanned over the title. His nose wrinkled at it and he pushed the book away for a different one. Outside the door, Alex's whining stopped and Sebastian nodded his approval. "See, I didn't even have to do anything. She either went to sleep or trotted off to bother-"
He was cut off as the door flung open and Finny came bounding into the room with a handful of books, Alex quick on his heels. "I brought some more books for you, Ciel!" Finny said happily.
Ciel beamed at Sebastian as Alex jumped on the bed and he fed her a slice of turkey from his sandwich. "Poor Lexi girl, Sebastian's being mean to you again, isn't he," Ciel cooed and scratched her behind the ears. Finny set the book on the bed side table and Ciel ignored him for the moment in favor of the dog.
"She just looked so lonely outside," Finny commented. "I figured that she had been shut out by accident."
Sebastian shook his head. "No, she was out there on purpose, and you let her in." He picked up a book and carried it over to the desk where more papers were scattered across the surface. "Why don't you take her with you when you leave?"
"Sebastian doesn't know what he's talking about. She's fine here! Just look, she's already settled." Sure enough, Alex had curled herself up at Ciel's side as he finished off the last bit of his lunch. The plate was set aside and traded for a book on the table next to him. It was a book on medical procedures and Ciel figured knowing some basic first-aid would be more than a little useful.
A small sigh left Sebastian's mouth and he massaged his temples. "You two are insufferable." He turned back to his papers and shuffled them around until the one he needed was on top.
"But you love us," Ciel teased as he flipped open the book and thumbed through the pages. He got to a section about care and treatment for wounds similar to the one he currently had. A few lines were read, each paragraph making Ciel frown more and more as he read things he didn't quite like. With a huff, he snapped the book closed and picked up an autobiography from a previous family head; apparently by his great-great-grandfather or something.
Sebastian hummed and glanced down at the map that was spread out on the desk. "I love one of you; not so sure about the other one." A pencil marked areas of recent attacks, and Sebastian paused to look up at Finny. "Are you off today?"
Finny nodded. "I'm just helping Bard with something later on today and then I don't have anything else to do. I think I'm going to work in the gardens today; spring is coming up soon and the flowers need to be tended to."
"Should have guessed you would be the one to look after the landscaping." Another book was tossed aside and Ciel fell back on his pillow with a huff, upsetting Alex in the process. "At least you get to go outside. Being cooped up here is driving me crazy."
"You should take Alex for a walk then," Finny piped up. "Mr. Sebastian can hold her leash and you can walk with them. That way you get some fresh air and Alex won't pull on your shoulder."
Sebastian's head shot up. "Excuse me?"
Ciel was beaming once more, looking no less than delighted. "That sounds like a wonderful idea! You can come with us too, Finny, and show us what you've done with the flowers." He looked over to Sebastian who looked less than pleased which only made Ciel feel all the better. Even his arm was throbbing less.
"How about you hold her leash then, Finny," Sebastian stated. "I might accidentally let go."
Finny shook his head. "I should go help Bard get ready. Knowing him, he's still asleep and it'll be a while before he's really awake."
"Sebastian can walk Alex. He wouldn't let go." Ciel gave him a warning look. "Just like I wouldn't mistake Soot for a rat during target practice."
Finny hid his laughter while Sebastian glared at Ciel. "That's okay, I know some people who trade in the markets overseas; I hear dog is delicious."
"This past winter was awfully cold, I might just want a pair of black fur earmuffs," Ciel countered, hands going to protectively wrap around Alex. "Cat fur is the softest."
Shaking his head, Finny grabbed the empty tray from the bed and moved towards the door. "You two are funny. All those harsh words, but it's still obvious that you care for each other." He gave a small wave. "Have a good walk."
Ciel quickly deflated and shook his head, small laughs escaping him. "We're something else." Any outsider probably would have thought they hated each other, but trust Finny to see past their snarling and teeth baring.
Sebastian sighed and stood up from the desk. "Shall we?" he asked. It wasn't as though the walk would be horrible. They both could use some fresh air and Sebastian would enjoy walking around the gardens with Ciel. It was a place the younger male hadn't seen yet.
"Shall we what?" Ciel blinked up slightly confused. He had been seemingly joking and hadn't expected Sebastian to actually agree to a walk outside. Even now he was sure the older male was referring to something else.
"You don't want to go for a walk?" Sebastian asked, cocking his head to the side. "Not that there's anything wrong with wanting to stay in bed, of course."
With a wave of his hand, Ciel dismissed Sebastian's words. "I didn't mean it like that. I just didn't think you'd give into the idea," he admitted.
Sebastian smirked and moved over to the bed. He leaned down slightly so he was near Ciel's ear and nipped it lightly. "It lets me spoil you, so it doesn't bother me as much," he murmured.
Ciel tried to hide his smile but gave up when it seemed like it wasn't going anywhere. "Then help me up." His arms reached up to wrap around Sebastian's neck, Ciel's face pressing into the man's neck to place tender kisses along the skin.
Carefully, Sebastian lifted Ciel up and spun him around. "Grab your mutt," he teased and stepped back to grab their jackets. It was still a little cool outside, and the last thing Ciel needed was to catch a cold.
"Come on, Lexi," Ciel called the dog. She stood up, stretching like a cat, making her look even skinnier then she already was. Maturity had caused the puppy fat to melt away into sleek muscle and smooth, thin lines. Ciel grabbed for the leash that was already attached to the martingale. It was quickly slipped over the pup's head to rest just above her normal collar.
A jacket was handed to Ciel and he gladly took it, placing it over his shirt. Ciel debated if he actually wanted to get dressed, but didn't feel like getting out of his night pants and shirt when he would just be forced to get back into bed when they returned. "Ready?" Sebastian was already by the door, but Ciel felt the need to ask.
Sebastian nodded and grudgingly grabbed Alex's leash. Without a word, they moved down the halls and out to the back of the mansion where the garden was. Cool air nipped at Sebastian's face as they stepped outside and he shoved his hands into his pockets to keep them warm.
"They look much nicer in the spring when everything is blooming," he commented to Ciel. "Finny takes good care of them, surprisingly."
The spring wasn't far off now, and Ciel knew he could easily get Sebastian to come walking with him again. It would be a nice break from the chaotic life they led, and Ciel was still finding it hard to adjust. Living eighteen years of his life in relative peace was hard to lose, but he would not ask for it back. He loved his life now, and most importantly the people in it.
"Do you know what kind of flowers they are?" Ciel asked, eying some pansies that were still in bloom.
Humming, Sebastian pulled Alex back so she wasn't tugging too much on her leash. "I'm not too sure; flowers aren't my forte. They're colorful, that's all I know," Sebastian answered with a small grin. They circled around a corner and moved into the center of the garden, where topiary lined the walkways and a small fountain bubbled in the middle.
It surprised Ciel that something like this had been hidden on the grounds, and it had taken him this long before he had come to explore it. Everything was so pretty even with it being so early in the season. "Does Finny really take care of all of this? It's really quite impressive," he said as he moved to sit on the edge of the fountain.
"I'm sure Bard helps him with some things and we have others who cut the grass. But Finny takes care of the flowers and topiary." Sebastian let out a little more leash so Alex could sniff around. "It's his hobby, as mine is tattooing. We all need something small on the side to keep us sane at times."
"And what would you say my hobby is?" Ciel asked while he ran his hand through the water, splashing some up to hit Sebastian.
Sebastian shook his head, shaking the water off his hair. "Annoying me with your dog?" he asked teasingly.
"Try again." Another splash was aimed at Sebastian, Ciel laughing all the while. The water was cold on his hand, so Ciel could almost imagine what it must feel like being pelted in the face.
"Your artwork?" Sebastian asked, wiping the water off with his sleeve. Despite how cold it was, the water helped wake him up after being stuck inside the warm room all day. It was almost refreshing, so long as Ciel didn't splash him again.
Ciel hummed his agreement, splashing Sebastian once again as he found great joy in the lack of resistance. "Although I suppose I do have to agree that I love annoying you." He laughed and added one more splash in for good measure.
For a moment, Sebastian just stared at Ciel and blinked once, clearing the water away from his eyes. A small smirk settled on his face and he lunged for Ciel. "Come here," he growled playfully.
Not feeling safe, Ciel tried to evade Sebastian, the movement not fairing him too well. He pitched backwards and in a boom of water, Ciel fell right into the fountain. Water engulfed him and Ciel sputtered as he came up for air.
Sebastian halted his movements and cocked his head. "Well that wasn't what I was expecting to happen at all," he commented. "I suppose it's karma for splashing me with the water earlier."
Alex had even trotted over to see what the commotion was about, yapping and wagging her tail as Ciel cast a frown onto both of them. "What were you expecting to happen?" He asked as he tried to stand up; his clothes were already sopping wet.
"Maybe a nice little chase through the garden," Sebastian stated and leaned down to help Ciel stand up so he wouldn't tear anymore stitches. "A run would've felt good right about now."
An evil smirk spread itself across Ciel's face. "A run does sound good, but I have a better idea." He began to slowly advance towards Sebastian, an innocent look on his face that made Ciel appear all the more sinister.
Sebastian's eyebrow arched. "Oh?" he asked curiously and took a small step back. There was nothing innocent at all in that face and Sebastian's gut told him that he should probably run right about now.
"How about a nice big hug." Ciel arms were spread wide, droplets of water falling from his fingers and fabric. "I just want to show you just how much I love you." He advanced forward, trying to make up for every step back of Sebastian's with two of his own.
"As nice as that sounds, I think Alex needs to know how much you love her too," Sebastian stated, nodding his head slightly. With a small smirk, he scooped the puppy up and pushed her into Ciel's arms.
The dog squirmed and Ciel maneuvered her out of Sebastian's arms, holding Alex at arm length. "No, I think she already knows how much I love her. It's you who needs to be reminded." The devilish smile was back as Ciel placed Alex down on the ground as he continued his assault towards Sebastian. "Now come here."
Sebastian shook his head. "No, I don't think I will." He took one more step back and gave Ciel a wink before turning on his heel and sprinting for another path in the garden.
Ciel gave immediate chase, dropping Alex's leash as the puppy scampered after them barking her head off. Sebastian was fast, and Ciel knew that he would not be able to catch him just by trailing him alone. Not to mention Ciel had to keep his injured arm in mind, so a forceful and violent stop wouldn't be on his agenda. So that only left tricky maneuvering and underhanded measures. He continued to follow after Sebastian, a few yards behind, as Ciel began to concoct his plan.
Rounding a corner, Sebastian skirted around a sudden bush and ducked underneath an archway covered in ivy. He panted slightly, his heart beating fast and his mood light. A small smile was present on his face and his body was tense as he waited for Ciel to run by his hiding spot.
It took Ciel running a few more yards before he stopped and realized that Sebastian had given him the slip. He spun around and began to look around the large garden, trying to pick out a head of black among the greens and bright flowers. Coming up with nothing, Ciel turned to Alex who was sitting at his feet while she caught her breath. Smiling, Ciel knelt down and regarded the dog.
"Can you find Sebastian?" he asked, Alex cocking her head. "Find Sebastian, Lexi. Find Sebastian." Ciel pointed his finger out towards the greater expansion of garden and was pleased when the tiny greyhound sprinted off, looking every which way as she searched.
As time passed, Sebastian's body relaxed as a silence settled over the garden. It seemed as though Ciel had fallen too far behind and was way off track. He was about to step out from his hiding spot when a small jingle reached his ear.
A second later, Alex appeared in front of him and Sebastian glared at her as she barked loudly. Sighing softly, Sebastian shook his head and leaned back against the wall, waiting for Ciel to eventually find him.
The next moment Ciel appeared, looking quite proud. "Found you!" he declared with a pointed finger towards Sebastian. Alex bounded up to the older male, expecting some praise for being such a good girl and finding him.
Sebastian hummed. "That you did," he said. He reached out, his hand circling around Ciel's waist and pulling him closer. "I'll take that hug now."
Ciel gladly complied, falling down to his knees and encircling his arms around Sebastian's neck. His body was pressed close and with one more gleam of mischief, Ciel began to rub himself all over Sebastian, soaking him as much as he possibly could.
"Are you happy now?" Sebastian murmured and kissed Ciel's neck. He leaned his head back and took in Ciel's appearance. "We need to get you back inside before you catch a cold," he stated and gave Ciel a gentle push back.
"Very." Ciel pushed back, not yet ready to move from this spot. "What's the rush? You're keeping me warm enough as it is." He snuggled further into Sebastian's arms, Ciel's face pressing into the older man's neck as he breathed in the smell of sweat, earth, and water.
Sebastian chuckled. "This may be the case, but you can still catch a cold. But I suppose I can compromise." His arm tightened around Ciel's waist and with a small grunt, he lifted the younger male up. Legs wrapped around Sebastian's middle as Ciel gripped tighter, but didn't let go of him.
They walked through the garden, Alex on their heels, as Ciel clung closer to Sebastian so that he wouldn't fall. "We're going to make a scene," he voiced, although he didn't quite care what anyone might say as they moved through the mansion towards their room. Ciel carried a smirk on his face, somehow amused by the thought of heads turning as they walked by.
"If we make it that far," Sebastian commented. "You're quite heavy. And I mean that in a good way. Muscle weights a lot."
"Don't lie. You're calling me fat, aren't you," Ciel teased, pulling at the wisp of hairs at the base of Sebastian's neck. "Plus I know a big, strong, manly man like you can carry me." It sounded so unlike anything Ciel would ever say, making it all the funnier to hear fall from his mouth. The dusk air and the atmosphere around Ciel felt so calming that he could relax and break free from the shell he had found himself encased within.
Sebastian could only shake his head as he maneuvered the door open. The warm air in the mansion brushed over them and Sebastian shifted Ciel slightly. As much as he would've preferred to stay outside, Ciel was soaked and if the younger male was hoping to get an assignment soon, getting sick would only delay that. "Let's get you changed," he mused as they moved down the hall.
"And a hot bath?" Ciel requested, curious to see just how far he could push Sebastian's generosity. It had been a while since Ciel had taken pleasure out of soaking in a warm tub. Showers were always more convenient in his line of work; quick and effective.
"We have your wound to worry about first," Sebastian commented. "But I don't see any harm in a hot bath. It'll warm you up quickly and will loosen any tension in your body, especially your shoulder and arm."
Now that Sebastian mentioned it, Ciel could feel the tell tale signs of soreness and a deep ache coming from his injured arm. There wasn't the tearing burn of when he had ripped out a stitch, but Ciel knew that he had overworked the still healing muscle.
Ignoring the stares, Sebastian moved down the hallway to their room and somehow managed to get the door open without dropping Ciel. The thought was almost humorous and it made him chuckle as he kicked the door shut. The younger male was set down and Sebastian gestured at the wet clothes. "Go ahead and change. I'll run a bath for you."
The clothes came off one by one, being peeled from Ciel like a second skin. They were heavy due to water weight and fell to the floor with a wet splat. Cool air hit Ciel's damp body and he began to shake as chills raced along his nerves. His arms wrapped around him and Alex trotted over, licking at his leg. Nothing was said to the dog as he allowed the affection, but Ciel quickly ended it as he hurried himself to the bathroom and the warm water that awaited him.
"Is it ready?" He asked, seeing Sebastian knelt next to the bath, hand testing the water.
Sebastian nodded and held out his hand for Ciel to grab. Ciel's skin was cold and damp to the touch and Sebastian frowned as he helped the younger male sit in the warm water. He splashed some water on Ciel's back, letting the water warm up the pale body before him.
"Am I going to wash you too?" Sebastian questioned in a teasing voice.
"That would be nice. You wouldn't want me straining my arm." An amused look was passed between them and Ciel reclined himself into the tub. The warm water felt wonderful and for once his tired body could relax and enjoy this moment of peace. As of late, everything had been tranquil and Ciel knew it would be hard stepping out into the chaos once more. It would have to be done, and he would do it without blinking an eye; it's what he did, who he was.
Warm hands rubbed at Ciel's body, making sure that it was warming up in the water before Sebastian pulled away to grab the bottle of shampoo. It was an oddly familiar scene and Sebastian was slightly amused at how their roles had switched. Not too long ago, he had been the one injured and Ciel was taking care of him.
He paused in his work and blinked once before continuing again with careful movements. It was hard to believe how much time had passed since the day they had first met and how fast it had moved. Thinking back on it, Sebastian still had a few lessons left to teach Ciel, considering it was how this whole thing had started.
Sebastian's eyes lowered as he washed the shampoo out of Ciel's hair and he pressed a kiss to the back of Ciel's neck. "This weekend," he murmured. "I'll take you to go get your gun."
Ciel's head snapped around, nearly colliding with Sebastian's face. "Really?" he asked, excitement clearly present in his blue eyes. It had been far too long since Sebastian had first mentioned that he would present Ciel with his first gun, and the younger man had thought the day would never come.
Sebastian nodded and started to run a washcloth over Ciel's body, mindful of the still present injury. "Really. I see no reason to keep denying you one; you have well earned it." Tomorrow, Sebastian would talk with the Undertaker and arrange a trip to the Underworld. He already had a dealer in mind and was looking forward to seeing the new weapons that had been acquired since his last trip.
"Do you have a gun in mind?" Ciel asked as he leaned forward so that Sebastian could reach his back, which was quickly cleaned. He wasn't sure what sort of gun he should expect, but he trusted Sebastian to pick something that suited Ciel. A leg was propped out of the tub to be washed and Ciel reclined back once more as he allowed Sebastian to work.
"Something you're used to shooting would be a good base to start with," Sebastian answered. "While every gun is different and they all have their own personalities if you will, you want something that is familiar and reliable."
Ciel nodded, but paused as Sebastian began to clean his thighs. "I'm not naming it," he declared, wanting to lay down that rule. "Nor are you naming it either." A smile quirked upon his lips, but he hid it with some success.
Sebastian shrugged. "Up to you." The washcloth was set aside and Sebastian leaned back on his heels. "I think you're all clean. Let's get you out and dried off so you can go lay back down."
Without complaint Ciel stood and allowed Sebastian to dry him and lead him back out into the cold of the bedroom to get some clean clothes. Both Soot and Alex were curled on the bed, and Ciel pushed Sebastian off so that he could get his own clothes from the drawer, a pair of sweats and a shirt that must have been Sebastian's at one point.
"What time is it?" Sleep sounded good now, but Ciel didn't want to go to bed too early in the day.
"Three," Sebastian answered, picking up Soot from the bed and carrying her over to the desk. She mewed happily at him and kneaded his leg before curling up in a ball to sleep on his lap. He picked up working from the spot where he had stopped earlier and glanced over it while running a hand over Soot. "Do you have something on your mind?"
Ciel shook his head and turned towards the window. What he had taken for the approaching dusk seemed to be in actuality a coming storm. Dark black clouds rolled in, making everything hazy and dim. "It's going to rain," he said after a moment, feeling the effect of the dreary atmosphere.
Sebastian hummed. "I like the rain. More so thunderstorms if you want to be specific." He turned around in the chair after placing Soot on the desk. Scooting the chair forward, he grabbed Ciel around his waist and pulled him back to sit on his lap. "Want to know why?" he murmured, nipping Ciel's ear.
Knowing Sebastian, Ciel could venture a guess. "If you time it right, you can cover the sound of a gunshot with the clash of thunder. Is that why you like it?" The first flash of lightning brightened the room, and Ciel regarded Sebastian with a grin. "Or is it because you can practice your sinister laughter with the sullen ambiance?"
Sebastian blinked and cocked his head slightly; he hadn't even thought about the second reason. "Well, that is a good reason and one that I've used before. But no; there's another reason I like them." He listened as thunder rumbled across the clouds as the storm moved closer. Sebastian's head tilted closer to Ciel's and his voice dropped to a low whisper. "Thunderstorms make me horny."
A burst of laughter escaped Ciel and he eyed Sebastian with amused skepticism. "You're serious?" Thunderstorms were nice, Ciel had to agree. He loved curling up with a book and a cup of tea, or snuggle in bed, but he couldn't agree that they were arousing.
Nodding his head, Sebastian ran a hand down Ciel's back. "Just as thunder can drown out a gunshot, it can also cover up screams." He sucked on a small area of skin on Ciel's neck. "Do you know what it's like, to have sex out in the rain? The water hitting your skin while the air crackles around you from the lightning."
When it was put that way, and in Sebastian's husky tone, Ciel could understand the allure. The images Sebastian's words were putting into his head were making his body grow hot and aware of just how close Sebastian was, and of every bold touch. "I'm suddenly having the urge to get wet again," Ciel commented, hands coming up to thread amongst Sebastian's hair.
"I think you've been wet enough for today," Sebastian answered, reluctance heavy in his tone. As tempting as the idea was, he didn't want to take Ciel out again in the cold rain; not when he was so close to fully healing. "I'll take a rain check," he said, tilting Ciel's head back for a kiss.
"No pun intended?" Ciel chuckled and eagerly accepted the kiss, his tongue pushing through the seam of Sebastian's lips and sliding against a slick tongue. Their mouths opened as the kiss turned from simple to something much more. Ciel's hand slipped down to press against Sebastian's neck, pulling him closer.
Warmth passed between them and Sebastian delighted in the taste of the younger male. It was something he could never get enough of and Sebastian felt his body relaxing against Ciel's. The heated touches and soft murmurs that passed between them were enough to satisfy him until Ciel was healed.
They broke apart and Sebastian patted Ciel's thigh, making the younger male stand up. Without a word, they moved towards the bed and Sebastian watched as Ciel sat down, blue eyes calling him over with a simple look. Sebastian answered the call and soon their mouths were connected once more as they indulged in each other again.
Ciel leaned back on the bed, pulling Sebastian down with him. His hands were always travelers, keeping on the move until they slid into Sebastian's back pockets and grasped at his ass. Thighs parted and Ciel allowed Sebastian to settle between them, the man becoming a warm, living blanket. It was comfortable, laying there like that. Their tongues had retreated, the kisses turning into slow open mouthed teasing and nips.
Outside, lightning flashed once more, bringing light to the now darkened sky. The clouds were thick and heavy with rain as wind whipped the trees around. It had the promise of a good storm; one that was powerful and would last though the night. But the storm was ignored by Sebastian in favor of indulging himself in Ciel's taste. Storms would come again, but for now, this was all that Sebastian wanted to focus on.
"Are you ready yet?" Ciel swung his feet over the side of the bed and glanced through the crack in the bathroom door at Sebastian's reflection as he shaved. Already dressed and ready, Ciel was becoming impatient. Today was a big day after all.
Sebastian ignored the whining as he made one last pass of the blade before the razor was set on the counter. There was nothing worse than nicking the skin while shaving and Sebastian tried his best to avoid it. After drying off his face, he padded back out into the bedroom and flicked Ciel on the forehead. "Demanding little creature."
Chuckling while he stood, Ciel walked over to punch Sebastian lightly in the arm. "Oh shut up. I wouldn't be demanding if you didn't take so long." He grabbed his shoes and slipped them on, jogging to the door as he once more found himself waiting for Sebastian.
With a small sigh, Sebastian grabbed his keys and followed Ciel out of the room. There was no stopping the younger male today; Ciel was on a mission and wasn't going to stop until there was a new gun coming home with him at the end of the day. Sebastian mentally cried over the loss of his funds that was going into this present. He had been a couple hundred dollars off from purchasing his new sniper rifle that he had been craving.
Now though, the rifle of his dreams was further out of his reach and Sebastian would have to put in some extra hours at the parlor in order to make up for the lost income. He sulked as they climbed into the car and started it; he even had a name picked out for the rifle.
"So where are we going?" Ciel asked the moment they pulled out on the main road. All he knew at that point was that the Undertaker had set up an appointment to meet a man who could set them up with what they were looking for. The prospect of adventure made excitement flow through Ciel, and he knew little of what to expect from this outing. All he knew was that he would be coming home with a gun of his own, meaning one less gun he had to borrow from Sebastian.
"To a farm," Sebastian answered and turned onto a side road that was hidden from the main stream of traffic. Trees lined the area and Sebastian carefully avoided the potholes that littered the road. He kept watch for anything that could harm them, even though they were expected. This road was kept hidden for a reason and was hard enough to get to in the winter time.
"Old McDonald?" Ciel questioned sarcastically, suppressing the urge to call out animal sounds. A small 'moo' did slip past and he tried to cover it up with a cough, his smile giving him away in the end.
Sebastian chuckled. "Old McDonald indeed." He turned down another hidden road and watched as the first one vanished from sight within seconds. "We're almost here," he stated and slowed down as an old farmhouse came into view.
And as the large red barn came into view, Ciel thought that perhaps he wasn't too far off his mark. The barn looked like something out of some children's book, most appropriately Old McDonald. It didn't look like the place to find an illegal weapons dealer, which probably was the reason for the cliched storybook farm.
"This is really it?" Ciel had to confirm, still not sure if he could believe it.
Sebastian nodded. "It looks pretty convincing, doesn't it. But the moment we turned on that first road, they knew we were coming. They have sensors all over this road in case of unexpected visitors; gives them the chance to hide all their stock." The car came to a stop outside of the farmhouse and Sebastian turned off the car. "Ready?"
Something told Ciel that Sebastian wasn't referring to livestock. As he opened his door and stood from his seat, Ciel could feel his excitement and anxiety return. Gravel crunched beneath his feet and blue eyes looked around. The first new growth of spring was coming out in the trees, and the fields were a crisp green. Ciel was still finding it hard to believe he would find deadly weapons here.
Their doors slammed shut and Sebastian walked towards the house where two figures were already waiting for them on the patio. Sebastian waited until Ciel stood next to him and he glanced at him. "Don't be surprised when you first see them," he said with a small smile. "Looks can be deceiving."
Ciel just blinked, taking in the odd pair. They were nothing but smiles, waving at both Sebastian and Ciel as they got closer. It was tempting to think they were off their rocker, but Ciel knew that in their profession you met all sorts of people with different personalities.
"Sebastian," one of them called as they came closer. "It has been far too long. You haven't stopped by to see us in quite a while."
Sebastian inclined his head and grunted as he was pulled into a tight hug. "Yes, well, I've been busy and time wasn't on my side." He was let go and Sebastian gestured to Ciel. "Allow me to introduce Ciel, my partner. We're here to get him his first gun."
Before Ciel knew it, he was drawn into a hug; the man, about the same size as Sebastian, squeezed him tightly. Ciel was only able to get out a strained, "It's nice to meet you." He was dropped back down to the ground, not even realizing he had been picked up in the first place.
"We are very honored that you have come to us for your first weapon, Ciel." The man said. "My name is Agni; welcome to our place."
Ciel nodded his head and sent Sebastian an unsure glance. This man, Agni, seemed far too cheerful and it made Ciel a little less enthusiastic about going through this just to get his first gun. Unconsciously he shifted closer to Sebastian, and allowed his eyes to shift towards the male who remained on the steps. He looked to be the same age of Ciel, and continued to sport an unwavering smile.
"Do you have any thoughts about the weapon you'd like?" Agni asked and gestured for them to come into the house so they could talk in peace. "We have pistols, revolvers, rifles, and much more. Sebastian here buys all his rifles from us," he stated, a small hint of pride in his voice.
A look was cast to Sebastian as Ciel hoped for his input. He knew he didn't want a revolver; a pistol was more up his alley but he still waited for Sebastian's opinion. Ciel would never admit it, even though he knew Sebastian knew, but he valued Sebastian's opinions. After all, the older man had been dealing with weapons far longer than Ciel had; he still had a long ways to go.
The silence stretched on, and Ciel finally turned towards Sebastian and gave him an impatient look. "What do you think?" he asked.
Sebastian turned to look at Agni. "I was thinking something to be used more for offensive than defensive. He's used to the .9mil and has shot higher caliber before, but a .45 has more stopping power and is considered to be a more offensive gun than the .9mil."
Agni nodded. "And of course he can shoot different versions before settling on the gun he wishes. The .45 has a larger recoil due to the higher caliber and is typically bigger than the .9mil." He glanced at Ciel. "It's all about what you feel comfortable with."
Ciel nodded, surprising himself by understanding what they were talking about. They spoke quickly, but he kept up, head going back and forth like a tennis match. "Let's get started then," he said, feeling excited once more.
When they reached the front steps, the dark haired man who had been standing there bounded forward and shook Sebastian's hand, but only seemed to look at Ciel. In a flash, Ciel found himself in another hug.
"It's so good to meet you. Agni said we'd have visitors, but I didn't think it would be Sebastian and the little heir," the man said. "I'm Soma!" He put Ciel down, this time taking his hand to shake. It was a little over the top for a greeting but Ciel grinned, taking it all in stride.
Agni grinned and held open the door. "Let's go inside and I'll make us some tea while Ciel looks over what we have here at the house." They walked inside and Agni gestured to the living room so they could take a seat. "Feel free to look through what we have here, and I'll be right back."
Sebastian's gaze swept over the guns laid out on the table and his hand instantly reached for a .45. He brought it up to look at and tested the weight in his grip. Quality was never a problem with Agni and Soma; they had a good eye and only purchased the best guns on the market.
Ciel's hands were presented in front of Sebastian, asking for the gun in the male's hands. It was heavy and cold, but Ciel liked the comfortable weight. He looked it over, fingers trailing along the spine of the barrel. The gun was nice, but Ciel didn't want to settle just yet.
"What about that one?" Ciel pointed to another.
Sebastian exchanged the guns out and picked up the one Ciel had been pointing to. It was a Beretta .45 and Sebastian eyed the details of it. It was a little too large to carry as a concealed weapon, but in the field it would be fine.
"It's good," Sebastian answered and passed the gun off to Ciel so the younger male could feel the weight and check the sights.
It was quickly discarded like the other, and Ciel let his eyes travel across the table. There were so many weapons, some he knew he wouldn't need but wanted anyway. It was like being a kid in a toy store, with your parent promising a brand new toy.
"I like them all," he declared after a moment.
"I like his attitude, Sebastian," Agni stated as he walked back into the living room. "The energy of youth is limitless and is always growing."
Sebastian chuckled. "Sadly, he can't have them all. Perhaps we shall look over these a little more while we drink our tea and then head out?"
Agni nodded. "I don't think his appetite will be settled on these alone. But first, let us drink to new friends and better times ahead."
Ciel took the tea, finding it enjoyable even with the lack of sugar. The spices in it were sweet on their own and he nursed the cup as he continued to look over the guns. After awhile, he let out an exasperated sigh and turned towards Sebastian.
"How am I supposed to choose? They all look wonderful."
Sebastian grinned. "By shooting them of course. The gun that you may think you like the most might turn out to have an odd trigger, or you don't like the sights after you shoot it for a while."
Agni jumped to his feet and pulled Ciel off the couch. "Come, let's go see the rest and then go into the field so you may shoot."
"The rest?" Ciel questioned as he allowed Agni to pull him along, Soma in tow. He craned his neck around to see Sebastian following at a much slower pace, a smirk on his lips. The bastard was enjoying this.
"We have a lot more," Soma said as they neared the barn. "We only placed our new arrivals out on the table for you to see!"
The barn doors were opened and they stepped inside. Dim light filtered through the high windows and dust particles floated through the air from the hay. With a small wave of his hand, Agni gestured them over to a small ladder that led up to a loft. "Wait here please," he stated and climbed up the ladder.
Sebastian hummed softly to himself as a clank sounded from up above, followed by several other gears changing and catching on each other. "This is how they're able to keep their stock hidden," Sebastian murmured to Ciel. "Just because you find the hidden door that hides the switch doesn't mean you know what you're looking at. To police, it just looks like a broken chute, but on the side of that chute is a small hole that has to be pressed with a special rod."
There was a low groan before Agni appeared before them. "This way please."
Ciel followed Sebastian, he was in awe of the technicality that went behind the hiding of their stock. But he did not expect the vast amount of rifles that were presented to him. His jaw dropped and he was speechless.
Sebastian made an immediate beeline to one rifle in particular and picked it up carefully, examining the frame of the weapon. Behind him, he could hear Agni telling Ciel how this had once been an ammunition bunker during the war but he tuned them out in favor of becoming reunited with his dream rifle.
Soma and Agni rambled on, and Ciel could only nod and pretend that he was listening as his eyes trailed over the walls. There were rifles here, both antique and impressively advanced. It was amazing that all of this existed hidden away in a big red barn. The thought was laughable, and Ciel let a chuckle slip.
"Do you mind if I look?" Ciel asked as soon as he could slip in a word between the two talkative weapon's dealers. "I'm just excited to pick out my weapon," he said when a look of disappointment crossed Soma's face. Ciel excused himself and made his way over towards Sebastian, appreciating the splendid rifle that the man held in his hands.
"Pistols, Ciel," Sebastian reminded the younger male as he lifted up the rifle to look through the scope mounted on the top. A small sigh left Sebastian's mouth as the rifle was lowered and reluctantly set to the side. "Come on," he murmured and tugged Ciel off to the pistols.
Ciel pouted. "I just wanted to see what you were looking at." He allowed Sebastian to lead him over towards a wall that held more pistols to choose from than Ciel could ever hope for. There were even ones in different colors and some with intricate designs engraved into their barrels.
"Wow," was all Ciel could say in the end.
Sebastian gestured to the wall as Agni and Soma walked over to them. "Go ahead," he stated. "You have hundreds to choose from and all day to look."
Next to Sebastian, Agni grinned. "And once you pick one, we can go shooting. That's the best part."
"Yeah, but picking one is going to be hard." Ciel could already rule out the brightly colored guns, turning his nose up at a bright pink. He wanted something traditional and preferably a design that suited him best. When it came down to it, Ciel couldn't choose by look, not when the gun would be his livelihood. Ciel would have to find a gun that would become an efficient weapon.
Sebastian stayed silent as he watched Ciel pick up each gun and test its weight and other aspects of the weapon. It wasn't an easy task to settle on one and chances were high that even the one that Ciel picked at first wouldn't be the one he settled on. Things changed once the weapon was shot and looks could be deceiving.
Slowly, a stack of approved guns started to grow until about ten were sitting on the table. Sebastian looked over each new gun that was added to the stack, making sure that it was something that Ciel would be able to handle.
"Shall we try out these?" Agni asked, gesturing to the pile. "It may help give you an idea of what you're looking for."
"Sure," Ciel agreed, not wanting to make the pile too big. He could always come back for more so there were no worries about having to stick with what he had chosen so far. "What do you think of them?" He asked Sebastian as they followed Agni and Soma into another room.
Sebastian hummed softly. "They're good guns. I think that maybe one of them will be too bulky and you won't like it as much but other than that, I have nothing bad to say about them." He grabbed a set of headphones and earplugs, quickly putting them on to protect his hearing.
The next hour was spent shooting as Ciel divided up the guns into two piles, the yay's and the nay's. So far the nay's boasted the largest collection; Ciel seemed to be picky when it came to choosing. He was currently on his second to last gun, sighing as he shot the last of the loaded ammunition. It was thrown aside with the excuse that the recoil was too powerful.
"Perhaps we should stick with a .9mil?" Agni asked as the last gun was handed to Ciel. "It is something he's most familiar with."
Sebastian nodded and watched as Ciel brought up the gun to the correct height. It was silent in the area before a single shot was fired at the target and Sebastian turned his attention back to the pile of selected pistols. He sorted through them, figuring out what there was more of before comparing the stack to the reject pile.
"I'll be right back," he told Agni as Ciel shot off three more rounds.
"Where are you going?" Ciel tried to ask, but Sebastian was already leaving the room. He shrugged his shoulders and went back to shooting. This gun was more satisfactory and he handed it back to Agni to place in his 'yay' pile.
The reject pile was taken back to the main room by Soma and Agni looked over the remaining pile with Ciel. "It is said that you do not pick the gun, but rather, it picks you," Agni stated wisely.
Ciel just looked at Agni dully. What did the man expect? The gun to jump up and into Ciel's arms? Agni was surely no Mr. Miyagi, and the wise kung-fu sage thing wasn't befitting of him. "I think I'd prefer if I picked the gun," Ciel reassured.
Sebastian chuckled at Ciel as he entered the room again with a gun in hand. "How about this one?" he asked and passed it off to Ciel.
The gun was accepted, and Ciel weighed it in his hand. It was heavy, but not overly so. Just the right sort of comfort in his hands. The only thing left was to shoot it. "What is this one called?" he asked out of curiosity as he placed his eye protection and earphones back on.
"It's a Beretta," Sebastian answered and watched as Ciel effectively shot the weapon. It had been a hard choice between the Beretta and the Glock, but in the end, Sebastian had settled with the first choice on his mind. If this one didn't work out, then there was always his second pick to try.
A broad smile settled on Ciel's face. "I like it," he announced, quite pleased with the gun in his hands. It also helped that Sebastian had picked it out. "Can I get it?" Ciel's head snapped towards Sebastian like a pleading child wanting the biggest and sweetest thing in the bakery.
Sebastian shook his head. "Absolutely not. It's too expensive and now I'm not fully convinced that you're ready for your first gun," he stated. Ciel gawped at him and Sebastian smirked. "I'm teasing," he murmured and pressed a kiss to Ciel's temple.
Ciel backhanded him in the stomach lightly, but leaned into the kiss anyway. He was smirking, finding some humor in Sebastian's antics. "If I don't leave here with this gun, then you can walk home," Ciel teased, and returned the kiss to Sebastian's cheek.
"Of course," Sebastian answered and turned to Agni. Some small housekeeping items had to be taken care of first before Sebastian was ready to hand the gun over to Ciel. While Sebastian trusted Agni and Soma, there were times that it didn't hurt to make sure that all bases had been covered. "Do you have the history of this gun?" Sebastian asked Agni.
Agni nodded, understanding what Sebastian was asking. "When we purchased it, it was new and off the shelf. The serial numbers were never added to the gun, as our inside man set it aside for us." Agni gestured to the gun. "It hasn't been used in any outside shootings and has never left this bunker after we purchased it. It is one hundred percent clean."
Sebastian hummed. "Thank you, Agni. You truly are the best at what you do," he glanced at Ciel and then back at Agni. "We'll take the gun."
"Let me see it." Ciel took the gun from Sebastian's hand and shooed him off to go pay. He couldn't believe that this was to be his gun. Already he couldn't wait to get rid of the one pressing to his back and replace it with the one in his hand. This little beauty was going to be with him from this moment on. "Isn't she beautiful?" he asked Sebastian as he came to stand next to the man.
"She is," Sebastian answered as he passed over the large stack of bills to Agni. He mentally said goodbye to his rifle sitting innocently in a corner and promised it that he'd be back soon for her.
Ciel spun around and threw his arms around Sebastian's neck. "Thank you," he said, face looking serious. The look broke soon enough with a small smile and Ciel pecked a kiss to Sebastian's lips. The gun felt wonderful in his hands, and he couldn't express the extent of his gratitude. He would surely have to think of something to show Sebastian just how much he appreciated the gift.
"We also have something we'd like to give you," Agni stated and came forward. He held the case that the gun came in, along with some cleaning supplies. They were set on the table and Agni opened the case, showing what lay inside. "Your gun cannot be complete without its own silencer and is our gift to you."
A broad grin split Ciel's face. He couldn't believe he was getting all of this. "Thank you!" He said, feeling very grateful indeed. Ciel looked through everything and neatly packed away the gun into its case. It wouldn't do if he got it scratched before he got home. Eventually it would be impossible to keep the gun spotless, not with how often he would be forced to use it. It would soon be tainted by dirt, grime, and blood.
Agni smiled. "You are very welcome, Ciel," he said and led the way out of the bunker. Once everyone was out, the door slid shut and the barn had an air of innocence once more. "Will you stay for lunch, or will you be leaving?" he asked.
"Oh you must stay!" Soma chimed in. "Agni makes the best curry. You must try some."
It was a tempting offer but Ciel wasn't sure what Sebastian had on the schedule for the day. Not to mention all the shooting had begun to make his arm throb. Some of those recoils had not done him good. He turned to Sebastian, waiting to hear his answer.
"Perhaps another time," Sebastian said. "We have some other plans tonight and I'm sure Tanaka will want to see the gun as well."
Agni nodded. "I understand, but we look forward to you coming back again. We will prepare a grand feast for you."
"Thank you," Sebastian answered and inclined his head slightly. "We'll keep in touch."
Ciel nodded his head, giving his thanks as well. Both Agni and Soma took turns giving him hugs and Ciel was more than grateful to be back in the car, his gun on his lap. "Are they always like that?" He couldn't help but ask. They were nice enough men, but better to be taken in small doses.
"Usually," Sebastian said with a small chuckle. "Their cheerful attitude makes it hard to believe that they're weapon dealers; it's a good cover for them." The car moved back down the dirt road, bumping and jarring along the way as it traveled over small dips and potholes.
After a while, they emerged out on the main road and Sebastian headed back to the town. He needed to pick up some things in town and possibly stop by the parlor; he had noticed yesterday that some supplies were running low.
There was no telling where they were going; Ciel didn't have an idea. He contemplated asking, but decided that he didn't really care. It was already moving into March and Ciel was feeling the drain of school and upcoming mid-terms. The less he had to think and worry over the better. He allowed his mind to wander back to his gun and a childish smile slipped onto his face and he tried to hide it by looking out the window.
Town shops passed by quickly and Ciel watched them go by one by one. The jeweler, the pet store, an Internet cafe, a pawn shop, and a dozen other shops that Ciel had familiarized himself with flashed past his eyes. One shop stirred a funny feeling in Ciel's stomach; the jeweler reminded him of the ring he had discarded, giving it back to Sebastian when he had broken off their relationship. His finger still felt naked without it, but Ciel was not about to ask for it back. If Sebastian wanted to return it to him, then he would.
The car turned down a road and Sebastian's eyes darted to Ciel quickly before returning to the road. "Load your gun and put the silencer on," he ordered quietly.
Ciel didn't even blink an eye, doing it quickly and placing it under his shirt to lay against his back. The gun that had once sat there, a Glock, was placed in a rather large pocket on the inside of his jacket. There was no harm in having more than one gun on you. He wasn't sure what had prompted such a request but Ciel wasn't going to question it. Sebastian would tell him everything he needed to know, and when he needed to know it.
They sped up for a yellow light, making it through the intersection as it was turning red and Sebastian turned onto another road and then into a crowded parking lot. "There's a farmer's market going on now," he told Ciel brightly. "We could always use some fresh fruit."
Slamming the door shut, Sebastian moved away from the car with Ciel trailing next to him. A few moments later, they entered the crowded market and Sebastian looped an arm around Ciel's waist, pulling him closer. "We're being followed," he murmured. "Run when I say to."
The urge to look behind him was strong but Ciel kept his mind alert and clear, nodding his head in understanding. "Do you still want me to pick up some fruit?" Ciel asked sarcastically as their steps sped up and he awaited Sebastian's cue to run.
Sebastian chuckled. "What's so wrong with fresh fruit?" He stated. He gave Ciel's waist a small squeeze and drifted them closer to a more crowded section of the market where people were bunched around a stand. With little effort, they blended into the mass of people and Sebastian lowered his head. "Run," he stated and pushed the younger male forward.
Ciel took off, not looking behind him nor daring to stop to locate Sebastian as he lost him in the crowd. People shouted and cursed as he pushed by them, a watermelon splattering to the floor when Ciel knocked into a middle aged woman trying to carry it along with other purchases. She tried to grab Ciel to give him a piece of her mind, but Ciel brushed her off and kept on running.
The farmer's market was coming to an end, the crowds thinning out and leaving Ciel feeling exposed. He couldn't draw his gun here, not with so many people present as possible witnesses. Taking a chance, Ciel turned down a side alley and quickly hid in the doorway to a nameless building. His gun was pulled out, the one in his jacket and not the new one against his back. In a situation like this, Ciel wanted to rely on a gun he was familiar with, especially if the situation turned tricky.
Footsteps ran past the alley before the sound vanished completely. The man glanced around to make sure the path was clear before retreating back into the alley. With cautious steps, he entered the shadowed area and drew his gun. He wasn't one hundred percent sure, but he thought the brat had run into here.
There was a small movement near the end of it, and he jogged forward slowly. His gun was tucked into his jacket in case it was someone else and he continued to move down the alley. He passed by an archway without a second glance, focusing more on the movement behind a dumpster.
A shadow passed by where Ciel stood hidden within shadows and he caught the glint of a gun as the man tucked it away. There was no mistaking that this man was not anyone Ciel knew, and he quickly evened out his breathing as he made plans to strike. Ciel waited until the man had moved further down the alley. On quiet feet, Ciel moved forwards quickly, using the butt of his gun to smash at the back of the man's head.
The man fell to the ground and Ciel quickly flipped him over and disarmed him before he could clear his mind. After Ciel pocketed his newly acquired gun, he proceeded to pull the man back towards the shadowed doorway that Ciel had hidden in earlier. The man was propped up and a gun was placed to his temple as Ciel waited for the man to regain his senses from the hit.
Blinking slowly, the man woke with a groan and his eyes focused on Ciel. For a moment, he just stared at him until the feeling of cold metal pressed against his head made him jerk back. A low curse left his mouth. "Shit."
Green eyes flickered over Ciel, taking in his appearance before the man grunted. "Seems I underestimated you, you little shit."
Ciel could only smirk as he pressed the gun's tip harder into the man's head. "A mistake you'll unfortunately not have the chance to make again," he informed, looking quite pleased with the idea. "Although talking might prolong your life, so if you're wise you'll start explaining yourself."
"I have nothing to say to you. You might as well kill me now; you're wasting your time otherwise," the man snarled. "Cause even if you kill me, there will be others. We won't stop until it's back in our possession."
"It?" Ciel questioned, but the man seemed to be done talking. His eyes had closed in grim acceptance and Ciel cursed him as he ground the gun as hard as he could into the man's skull. The man groaned in pain, but refused to speak. "Dammit!" And Ciel shot, the gun making faint pop due to the silencer and being muffled by the man's head. Blood spurted on the wall and Ciel cringed when the blood splattered across his face and covered his hand and arm in the hot liquid. The now dead body fell to the ground, and Ciel stood to check the area, making sure that nothing was left to convict Ciel.
Taking his jacket off, Ciel cleaned the blood from him and wrapped his gun into it so that neither blood nor weapon could be seen. He'd have to work his way back through the farmer's market and find Sebastian. Ciel could only hope that the older man had had a similar success. Ciel was cautious as he rejoined the crowd, but no one paid much attention to him.
As Ciel passed by a stand selling gourds, a hand reached out and brushed lightly against his wrist. The younger male spun around quickly and Sebastian gave him a small smile while his eyes darted over Ciel's body, looking for any signs of injury. Finding none, he held up a bag full of gourds. "Look what I bought," he said happily.
"Those aren't fruit," Ciel commented, sending the gourds a sour look. He wasn't even sure if gourds were vegetables; squash maybe? There wasn't even a reason for Sebastian buying them and Ciel could only roll his eyes. At least the man seemed to be okay.
They made their way out of the farmer's market in silence and to the car that was waiting for them. Without a word, Sebastian ushered Ciel inside and nodded to Finny. They pulled away from the market and Sebastian set the bag in Ciel's lap. "Target practice for your new gun."
Ciel shook his head. "Didn't use it. I want to practice with it a little more before I rely on it," he explained and gave a small nod to Finny in hello.
Sebastian rolled his eyes. "I would hope that you didn't use it. That's what these are for." He nudged the bag. "Fruit is fun when you shoot it; they explode."
"Those aren't fruit!" Ciel insisted, looking quite upset over the matter. It was eerie how quickly he was now able to brush away having just killed a man, and he instantly sobered.
"What happened to you... After you lost me?" Ciel asked.
Sebastian glanced at Ciel. "I led the one that chased after me into the back part of the market where all the games were. I had him cornered and was about to question him when he shot himself." Sebastian frowned. "He looked over me and seemed to realize something before pulling the trigger. It was odd."
"He shot himself?" Ciel couldn't quite believe it, but his own target didn't seem to have much will to live either. He thought it over a bit longer, and then said, "They're looking for something."
"And they think we have it?" Sebastian questioned. "Or were we just in the wrong place at the wrong time." He highly doubted that, considering the last attack was specific to them.
Ciel shook his head. "The man that came after me specifically said that they wouldn't stop until they had it again. Although what 'it' may be remains a mystery." His brows scrunched in thought but Ciel couldn't think of anything that they had that would be worth going after.
Sebastian scowled. "This isn't helpful. It can be anything that they're after; information, something physical, or even a person." He ran a hand through his hair. This wasn't the type of thing they needed right now. Now more than ever, they'd have to make sure that Ciel was well protected.
"It could be a person. Would explain why the guy shot himself when he saw you." Ciel inclined his head towards Sebastian. "You weren't who he was looking for and to not risk getting captured by you and taken in for questioning, he merely shot himself," he reasoned. There wasn't much else to conclude from this. The event was strange in itself. "Whatever the case, they don't want us knowing what they are after. Meaning they don't think we know the importance of it."
"Which means we need to figure it out sooner rather than later," Sebastian stated and looked out the window as the mansion came into view. Tanaka wasn't going to like this news and would no doubt put everyone on alert for a potential attack.
"The thing that unnerves me the most is that we seem to be the prime target." Ciel slumped down in his seat, wiggling uncomfortably as his gun dug into his skin. Soon enough they would be back home and Ciel could fully relax. Perhaps he would even put Sebastian's gourds to use.
Sebastian nodded as the car came to a stop. "It doesn't sit well with me either. This is the second time that we've been targeted. If it happens again, Tanaka isn't going to let us out of the mansion until everything has been figured out." He climbed out and grabbed the bag from Ciel's lap.
Ciel didn't want that to happen. He still had two months of classes left and being cramped in the house would eventually drive him crazy. He pouted the whole way to the door, not looking forward to seeing Tanaka. The man would no doubt worry and Ciel didn't need that right now. His body still smelled slightly of blood, and a good bath sounded wonderful.
The doors to the study opened and Sebastian ushered Ciel in. Tanaka greeted them warmly, excitement shining in his eyes as they came closer. "Did you settle on a gun, Ciel?" he asked.
A hint of a smile passed over Ciel's lips as he remembered the good things of the day, but quickly shook it off as more pressing matters needed attention. "I did," he said quickly, leaving it at that. There would be other times when he could show it to Tanaka. "But that's not really important right now." Ciel looked over to Sebastian, once again falling back to allow him to give the report.
Tanaka frowned and his eyes turned serious. "What happened?" He asked, voice stern and set for business.
"We were followed coming back to the mansion," Sebastian answered. "We stopped at a farmer's market and drew them out that way; both targets were eliminated. However, it seems as though they were looking for something."
"Do they think the family has it, or just you two?" Tanaka stated, lacing his fingers together and resting his chin on them.
Ciel shrugged his shoulders. "It's hard to say, but whatever the case we seem to be getting the brunt of it." He frowned and huffed, not happy with the situation. There was no telling what Tanaka would enforce upon them to keep both Ciel and Sebastian safe. Ciel on his part wouldn't be too willing to play it safe.
The frown on Tanaka's face deepened. "This puts us in a troubling situation. I can't just pull you two from the field, but at the same time, I'd rather not risk your lives." He ran a hand over his face. "For now, continue as you normally do. I'll inform the family about the recent attacks and see if anyone else has been targeted. Sebastian." Tanaka's eyes slid to the side, coming to rest on Ciel.
"Understood, Sir," Sebastian said softly and inclined his head.
A disgruntled Ciel was pulled from the room, a mixture of pleased and annoyed. He understood the look Tanaka had given Sebastian, but as the same time he was happy that they weren't under house arrest. "I can take care of myself," Ciel said as soon as the office doors closed behind them.
Sebastian chuckled. "We know that. But there's nothing wrong with having another set of eyes watching you. You can't always see everything." They moved down the hallway and to their room for a much needed shower.
"Perhaps not, but I sure as hell can try," Ciel quipped and pushed his way into the room. Alex and Soot came jogging over to them, greeting the two with barks and meows. Ciel knelt down and stroked the two of them, laughing when Alex once again bounded over to Sebastian. She was persistent and stubborn for a dog, and was determined to win Sebastian over.
"I'm starting to see a familiar trait in her that's strangely close to her owner's," Sebastian commented and picked up Soot. "You're both persistent." He took a seat behind the desk and let Soot snuggle down in his lap. Careful eyes watched as Ciel tugged off his shirt slowly, being mindful of the injured area.
"And we both wormed our way into your heart," Ciel shot back and fell onto the bed with a huff, pillows tumbling off. "You'll be smitten with her; you probably already are. Just need to get past your denial." A good laugh was had at Sebastian's expense and Ciel called Alex over to curl against his chest.
Sebastian stood up and moved over to the bed with Soot. "Interesting that the same could be said for myself and Soot. If I recall correctly, you hated me when we first met." The bed dipped as Sebastian sat down and leaned over Ciel, pressing kisses to Ciel's bare chest.
Ciel made a face. "I think it was more your dick than your face that I hated." Memories that seemed to be of a time so long ago passed through Ciel's thoughts, and it never failed to amaze him how much he had changed. He had Sebastian to thank for that, for better and for worse.
The older male perked up. "So the rest of my body had a shot then," Sebastian mused with a small smirk. "Nice to know that despite all the harsh words and actions, there was a mutual attraction from the start."
"I wouldn't go that far," Ciel teased. "I just saw you as an attractive model for artistic purposes." Blue eyes gleamed with mirth and Ciel couldn't keep the tiny smirk from his face.
Sebastian's face fell into a mock pout. "I'm hurt," he feigned. "So all this time, you were just using me as a study tool?"
Ciel ignored Sebastian, knowing that the man would pout over the matter for the coming hours. It amused Ciel and he kept smirking like a devil as he continued to lay on the bed.
"Well fine," Sebastian huffed. "I'm not making meals for you anymore. Say goodbye to your free meal ticket."
"Meal ticket? Take away my food and I'll take away your source of sex," Ciel laughed, his tone playful. He didn't mean most of what he was saying and he honestly doubted that Sebastian was taking him seriously; or so he hoped.
Sebastian frowned and stood up from the bed. "You're so cruel," he stated and moved towards the dresser. He dug through the clothes until he found what he needed and moved back to the bed. "Shall I beg for your forgiveness with this?"
"The ring?" Ciel said, looking slightly shocked to see it. He never thought Sebastian would give it back, half convinced that the man had forgotten all about it. It wasn't as if Ciel deserved to have it back after how easily he had tossed it aside.
"Why not?" Sebastian questioned and held it out to Ciel. The blue ring glittered in the light and Sebastian watched the younger male cautiously, not sure what was running through his mind.
"I thought you forgot about it," Ciel admitted, not knowing what else to say.
Sebastian shook his head. The ring brought with it too many memories to forget about; both good and bad memories. The last time Sebastian had looked at the ring had been the time it was given back and it was something he didn't like to think about. "It's still yours, if you'll have it," he murmured.
Ciel wanted to take it back, he really did, but at the moment he didn't feel safe wearing it. Too many uncertain things were going on in his life and the last thing he wanted was to lose it. He smiled gently up at Sebastian and cupped both the ring and Sebastian's hand into his own. "I will have it, but not now," Ciel said. "I wouldn't forgive myself if I lost it on a mission or in another unexpected scuffle. Keep it safe for me?"
A small smile spread across Sebastian's lips. "I will," he said. He brought Ciel's hand up to his lips and pressed a soft kiss to the skin before standing up to put the ring away again. Once it was safely tucked away, he stretched out on the bed again and let out a content sigh.
Turning over, Ciel went to face Sebastian, bringing Alex with him. The puppy grumbled at being moved but quickly resettled herself against Sebastian. "Thank you," Ciel said, leaning forward to give Sebastian a quick kiss.
Once they parted, Sebastian huffed slightly at the dog resting between them and keeping him from fully pressing up against Ciel. Next time he would be sure to have Soot sleep between them and cuddle into Ciel's chest.
"Maybe if you gave her some attention she wouldn't seek it out so often from you," Ciel said after a moment. The situation was humorous and he had to keep himself from allowing her to stay there all night. It was hard to believe it was already late. Ciel hadn't even had the chance to try out his new gun.
Sebastian hummed but didn't say anything as his eyes closed. The adrenaline had already left his body already and it wouldn't take much before he drifted off to sleep. "Sleep," he finally murmured.
"Bossy," Ciel commented, trying to push Alex down so he could snuggle further into Sebastian's arms. Alex whined her discontent and laid herself in the crook of Sebastian's knees.
A small tick developed in Sebastian's eyebrow and his nails tapped against Alex's head but the puppy refused to move. With a grumble of discontent, Sebastian draped his arm over Ciel's side and tried his best to ignore the dog.
Ciel chuckled but said nothing more as he snuggled deeper into Sebastian, falling asleep with a smile of his face. Despite everything, it had been a good day.
to be continued...