He was cold. Even under an endless cocoon of blankets, with the fire banked up. Everything blurred and burned, and he was so cold. Someone was crying.

"...Lizzy?" Ciel said, weakly, opening his eyes. He could barely make her out in the gloom; though it must be daylight and the sun shone blindingly through the gaps in the thick drapes, touching her hair with gold.

"Oh, Ciel," she said, looking at him, leaning forward at the sound of his voice and pressing deliciously cool fingers to his clammy skin. If he had any energy at all he would push the blankets away, they were so hot, and yet it was all he could do to blink blearily up at her. Why is she crying? he thought.

"Don't… worry," he said. Her eyes were bloodshot and her nose was snotty; it was very unbecoming. That was his first thought. His second thought was that she should not waste her time worrying on him. No—Elizabeth was meant to be happy, and free; anything that infringed upon her nature in such a way ought to face a number of bullets.

Sadly, it always seemed to be him that made her cry.

Lizzy only redoubled her tears, and it was some time before he could get any coherent story out of her. Apparently he had been brought back to the manor late last night, soaked and shivering from the chill and coughing terribly, and the doctor had been sent for. Today, he was still as ill. She didn't say it, but he could tell how worried she was: he must really be in a bad state. He felt like it. He felt worn out, and his bones ached.

Ciel chuckled, but the chuckles turned to coughs, and it was some time later when he finally said… "I wonder if the angel knew this when it spoke to me? 'The rest of my natural life'—might be no more than a few days…"

Sleep was calling him again. He slipped away.

Someone was still crying. It was quite burdensome, really, all the weeping and wailing that was going on. Couldn't Sebastian throw them out…?

"Whatever happens, Ciel, I will stay by your side!" Something was jingling softly, and sparkling. Ciel opened his eyes to glare at the offending nuisance.

"Soma," he groaned. "What are you doing here?"

"You…" Soma stammered, his brown eyes widening. "You remember me?"

"Of course I do, don't be daft," Ciel said. His eyes watered and his fingers shook as he tried to reach out a hand. "Have you got any water?"

"Here, lord Ciel," a calm, quiet voice said, and Agni leaned forward, a cup in hand. He tilted it slightly toward Ciel's lips and he swallowed as it dribbled down his throat.

"Ciel, what happened?" Soma implored. "None of your servants would tell me a thing. Why were you out at night in the rain? What's been going on? And where is Sebastian?"

"Hush," Agni said urgently. "Don't burden Ciel will all these questions now."

"I was kidnapped," Ciel said. "It's a long story. Not very interesting…" he coughed again, and pulled his blankets up to his chin. "It's so warm in here," he complained.

The sun had gone down, he thought. And the morning light was streaming into his eyes.

Ciel shivered. He felt worse now than he had before. He began to suspect more than ever that this time, he might not make it.

Well. He had never expected to live long.

Someone was standing by his bed. At first, he seemed to be Alois, looking out with a frown somewhere Ciel's eyes couldn't follow, but as he moved closer Ciel realized that the person standing beside his bed was himself… gazing down at him with two startlingly blue eyes.

"Hello, brother," the phantom whispered.

"You're not real," Ciel whispered. He looked around, but no one else was in the room. The quiet had descended.

The lips, that were so like his own, quirked up. "Maybe not," he said. "But does that mean I can't say goodbye?"

Ciel couldn't answer, but the other him seemed to know everything he wanted to say, anyway; right past the careless dismissals down to the apology and longing deep within him. He leaned forward, disturbing not even the shadows, and Ciel thought he might have kissed him, once, on the forehead… but in another moment, even that mirage was gone.

He was alone.

The daylight dwindled, and the minutes blurred.

Sebastian was sitting by his bed.

"There you are," Ciel said, between coughs, as Sebastian took a cool wet cloth and pressed it to his forehead. "I've been waiting, you know."

"My apologies," Sebastian murmured. The night air was thick around him and everything was silent. "I was somewhat shocked by your decision," he admitted at last.

"It was the only way," Ciel said. "I had to get him out of my head."

"I understand," Sebastian replied. "I have never doubted the lengths you will go to."

The pocket-watch, attached to his coat by a shining chain, was ticking.

Seconds and perhaps hours passed. The hands chased each other around the white moon, trying to catch up with each other, waiting for midnight.

"Stay with me…" Ciel said. He could not get out the rest.

"Until the end," Sebastian said, quietly.

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