"How funny do you think the higher ups will think us hanging out at Notre Dame is?" questioned the blonde menace, holding hands with his beau as they exited the building. "Not one single Iscariot member? How does that even work?"

"Let's not talk about this now." Ciel said, leaning in. "It's best not to make ourselves conspicuous."

"Fine, fine. It's just weird. Like, we go someplace, and we don't get into a life-or-death battle?"

"I know, it's a really strange feeling." The Watchdog answered. "It's pleasant, but it feels like something's… off?"

"I've been feeling that way, too. Like, what do normal people do on trips?" Alois asked.

"They walk around and do things, and try to avoid conflict."

"They avoid it?"

"Humans are so strange."

The way that Ciel said this with such seriousness caused the menace to laugh. It was true that the duo weren't quite familiar with the way that more "ordinary" people would enjoy their vacation, but they were going to try. It was almost a relief that the possibility of Iscariot being here was present, as it gave them a much needed sense of danger. Still, they would try their best to keep things tame.

They had one last stop for the day, and that was the Eiffel tower. In fact, it was one of the last places that the duo would be visiting while still in Paris, as they had planned to visit other cities and towns as well. As cities were their comfort zone, the duo had figured that it was best to push beyond that, as any good traveler does. The tower, however, was very familiar to the bluenette, as he had lived in Paris before his return to London, and from the fact that he had quite the adventure at this exact location before while the Evil Noblemen were still in existence.

"Jim, you're supposed to get souvenirs afterwards." Playfully scolded the bluenette as his beau looked at useless knickknacks.

"I'm afraid I'll forget." Answered the menace. "I need to get something for Luka."

"Fine. Just be careful. Do you have anywhere to put it?"

"Good question…" said the blonde. "No…"

"So you'll have to carry it, then."

"Will you remind me to get something on the way back?"

"Of course." Ciel replied, reaching out to hold onto the other man's hand. With that, the two walked on, but the Phantomhive may in fact forget, as they were faced with the obscenity of the line in front of them.

Lines were everywhere in Paris, and they were almost maddening. Thus, the reason why they wouldn't be staying long. From the looks of things, they were going to be waiting around for hours and the bluenette wasn't sure if his feet could take it.

"Maybe we should just skip it…" suggested the menace. "It'll always be here, right? Maybe next trip."

The bluenette paused to think. He wanted to show his beau the monument, but by the time the line was absurd, and neither of them wanted to stand in it. In this case, the logical course of action any normal human being would make is to go back to the hotel. Fortunately, the demonic duo were neither normal, nor human.

"Well," he began. "We could sneak in."

"Sneak in?" echoed the blonde, looking at other with great amounts of skepticism. "How do you suggest we do that? The line starts here. The elevators are right there. The top is up there. Between all of those things, I don't think there's much opportunity to sneak up there without getting caught, spyboy."

"A man can dream, Jim." Ciel replied. "I guess waiting in line it is…"

"Can you not fathom getting into places without using questionable means, or something?"

"Well, I'm used to doing things the other way."

"You've been here before, haven't you? How did you get on then?"

"I rode the elevator with the queen." Answered the bluenette.

"Victoria?" Alois inquired further.

"The same." Ciel stated. "It was a really stressful time."

"How so?"

"I'm not sure if this is the right place to talk about it." The Phantomhive admitted. "I'm sorry."

"Then is going to the top of the tower really the best idea?" asked the menace, grabbing both of his spouse's hands. "If there's something bad associated with it, then we don't have to go."

"It's alright. Really, it's fine. I just want you to get to see it."

"You're more important, though." Shook Alois before looking determinedly into the bluenette's eye. "I know you. If you won't talk about it right away, it's something bad. There's no way I can go up there with you if it's like that!"

"Jim…" Ciel turned his eyebrows upward. "I'm not… I'm not going to lose it or anything. I promise."

"You're not just saying that are you?"

"I'm not." Confirmed the bluenette.

"Swear on your contract?"

"I promise."

"Okay…" Alois replied, still not appearing to be convinced in the slightest. "We can go, but on one condition."

"What's that?"

"You can't let go of my hand." The blonde dutifully instructed.

"I was going to do that anyway, though."

"Yes, but it calms you down, so you're not allowed to let go."

Ciel paused, surprised at the statement. It was true, though. Having contact with the blonde did calm him down and make him feel at ease. Alois made him feel secure and safe, so holding his hand would help him greatly. Yet it was still with great reluctance to express weakness over something so trivial.

"Very well, then." Answered the Watchdog. "I accept these terms."

It was hours before they were able to reach the elevator, and the first thirty-minutes or so were spent in silence until the two realised that this was silly, and began to small talk. They watched tourists pose in front of the tower, while others tried their best to round up their children. Small talk was rampant. They talked about articles they've read, some of which had gruesome murders as the subject, with almost unnatural calmness and fascination in a public place. English-speaking tourists who overheard them in the line shifted uncomfortably against the duo's knowledge. This is simply what happens when two supernatural and decently disturbed detectives, secret agents, and assassins start up a conversation in order to quell the boredom of standing in line for hours.

And that is how they spent the time, engaging in shenanigans and conversation while accidentally disturbing other guests, but no one complained. How could they? These men were discussing murder! That's just the way they are, and there is no real way around that.

The sun was setting by the time the duo finally made it to the elevator, and the duo excitedly stepped on with the blonde reaching down for Ciel's hand. It was much different than the Watchdog remembered, but it was the same basic idea. The main difference was the fact that there was no place to sit, so not only had they been standing for hours, they would have to keep standing, which disappointed the bluenette greatly.

His beau looked out the window with his free hand pressed against the glass, watching as the world below grew smaller and smaller before his very eyes. This was Alois favourite part of visiting the London Eye back home, but now he got to experience it in a brand new way, and his smile was infectious as it spread to the bluenette as well. Ciel stood next to him, holding his hand as they traveled upward, and while he watched the earth as well, he would sneak glances at the excited blonde as well, making the entire experience feel so surreal somehow.

This is where he saw her majesty, Queen Victoria, and spoke with her. Their surroundings were indeed more elegant and exclusive, but Ciel still experienced a bit of a chill. And it was further upwards, where he found out the truth about his duty as the Queen's Guard Dog—where he lost the last shred of patriotism that he even hinted at possessing. It was the ultimate betrayal of Ciel's trust, and now, as the elevator reached its destination and the two demons stepped off, the Watchdog felt a rush of nostalgia. It was combined with hurt and sadness, however.

The person who sent his life spiraling downward into despair, the one who caused him to suffer unimaginable torture for a ten-year-old child, and to disenfranchise the Phantomhive name, was the very person to employ the evil family. It was right here that Ciel discovered this truth. It was right here that Ciel realised that he must murder Queen Victoria. Despite the crowd and the modern additions to the tower, the feeling was fleetingly the same.

True to his word, he kept his grip on the blonde's hand, and it did help substantially to keep him tethered to reality. He followed Alois around in somewhat a daze as the blonde navigated them both through the crowd, trying to get his love away of the overwhelming sensation of being surrounded. Alois found them both a satisfactory spot where they could both look out before turning to his beau.

"You okay?" he questioned, looking to the other with concern. Ciel blinked for a moment before regaining the ability to respond.

"Yeah." The bluenette replied. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" Alois prodded further, reaching up to cup the other man's cheek. "We can leave if it's too much."

"It's not too much. Besides, it would be such a waste. We stood in line for hours. We should at least look around, first." Stated Ciel, carefully examining the other's face as the light of the setting sun illuminated his features. Brilliant yellows, reds, and oranges bounced off the skin of the menace and made his hair shine vibrantly. "Really, it's fine."

"Okay…" nodded the other, still not quite believing his beau. He kept a firm grip on his love's hand in order to maintain a close watch on his status, making sure that Ciel wasn't stressed. Once he was satisfied with this, he finally looked out over the observation deck, his face lighting up as he looked out at the city.

"Ciel, look!" he excitably instructed, pointing out with one hand and tugging on Ciel's with the other. "It's so beautiful!"

"Yeah… It is…" the bluenette wistfully replied, keeping his gaze fixed on the menace as he spoke with a sigh. He didn't even turn to face the scenery as he felt butterflies in his stomach at the sight of his husband's smile. As clichéd as it sounded, it really did feel as though he had fallen in love with Alois all over again.

The blonde's smile faded and he looked toward the Watchdog worriedly as Ciel wriggled his hand out of his grip. As he opened his mouth to speak, he found the bluenette wrapping his arms around his waist with a sigh, pulling Alois close and not letting go. Gently, Alois held back, causing the Watchdog to press his lips to his temple. Confusedly, the blonde blinked at Ciel's sudden affection as he wasn't quite sure what to make of it.

"Ciel?" he let out, turning his head slightly in hopes of looking at the bluenette's face. With another sigh, Ciel simply closed his eye and stayed put for a few moments before answering.

"I'm fine." The Watchdog said softly. "I'm just having feelings again."

"Feelings will do this sort of thing to a man." Nodded the menace, placing a small kiss to the side of his love's head. "So what are you feeling, if I may ask?"

There was a moment of silence while Ciel thought. He took the opportunity to squeeze the other man a little tighter and continue to breathe Alois' scent. This moment triggered something within Ciel, and he knew what, but it was difficult to put into words. There was happiness. There was relief. Somehow, there was closure, too. Pecking Alois' flaxen locks one last time, the Watchdog opened his eye again.

"Like we made it." He said, feeling the menace hold him tighter.


A/N: And now I have to ruin it with an A/N... I have a few announcements, though, and I need to make sure people see them.

First thing's first: DLTP will be having a slight change to the title. "Play" will be changed to "Prove" effective sometime in the next few days (so people see this.) The current title was always temporary, and I want to change it (to a shitty reference).

It's not really a big change, but I don't want anybody to be confused or anything while looking for "Devils Like To Play", and seeing "Devils Like To Prove" instead. Still "DLTP" in the end, though. Acronym's the same, but watch for that over the next few days.

Next piece of business is something fun. There's now a prequel~! I'm not going to update it as often in the long run, but that should still be fun.

It takes place during the war, and it's called "DLTD: Patriot Days", so look for it. There's already two chapters up.

That's all I got for the time being, so I'll be seeing you in the next chapter, duckies~!