Thank you for reading! I don't own any of Black Butler! Please let me know if you enjoy! Updates weekly!
—
A dark carriage clattered through London's grimy streets as water from the horses' hooves splashed along the curb.
Sebastian Michaelis sat at the reins, scowling at the gray morning.
A few bystanders recognized Sebastian as the Phantomhive butler, but none of them knew his purpose in the city on such a dismal day.
Finally, Sebastian's carriage came to a halt alongside a row of some of London's most luxurious shops.
Sebastian pulled his trench coat tightly around his neck and made sure that his top hat shielded most of his face.
Sebastian wasn't ashamed of his errand, far from it, but he was certain that if his master, Ciel, knew where he was and what he was doing…
Ciel would prefer him to be discreet.
—
Back at Phantomhive manor, Ciel looked out of her bedroom window and frowned.
How long had she been waiting now?
Sebastian…..
How long would he draw it out?
The world was shocked when Ciel had returned, years ago, from what everyone was certain had been her fate.
The bluenette claimed to have been rescued by her skilled yet mysterious butler.
The world would have been shocked further if they had realized that Ciel had never arranged to pay Sebastian with money…...but with her very life instead.
Ciel had both dreaded and dreamed of the day.
Without family, without joy, without a lingering purpose…...the world was not a happy place for Ciel Phantomhive.
Why not pay Sebastian what he asked for?
Ciel had served Queen Victoria loyally for over a decade, but all the while, England's first female Earl was silently pursuing her own interests.
While Ciel carried out secret missions for the Queen, Sebastian helped Ciel complete a mission of her own…..avenging the murder of her mother and father.
Ciel's personal mission had ended just yesterday, abruptly.
Without warning…..
Ciel had been certain that she still had more to do, more villains to seek out and hunt down.
But Ciel had been wrong.
There were no more.
The only thing left was for Sebastian to receive his payment.
Ciel still didn't know Sebastian's true motives.
Perhaps Sebastian was simply a sadistic killer and wanted Ciel to repay him in screams for all the years she had ordered him about.
Perhaps Sebastian would strangle her quickly and take her wealth after he placed her in her grave.
Although Sebastian had mentioned many times that he had no particular interest in money…..
Ciel sat down on her bed with a sigh.
Ciel didn't understand and part of her didn't care….
All Ciel wanted was to not have to stand around and wait any longer for her own execution.
—
Ring, ring~.
The shop door's bell chimed brightly as Sebastian walked inside.
A matronly, plump shop clerk came scurrying out of the back and quickly greeted Sebastian with a smile.
"Well, good morning, sir! Looking for anything particular today?" The shop clerk asked cheerily.
"Good morning." Sebastian replied in his smooth, cordial voice, giving the woman a polite nod. "Yes, I'm searching for something quite special…. Perhaps you can help me?"
The woman smiled and opened her arms wide, "You've made a wise choice! This is the finest lingerie shop in Britain, sir! There's many special things here~. What may I show you first?"
—
One o' clock….
Morning had drifted into afternoon and Ciel's stomach started growling as her lunchtime arrived.
The bluenette scowled, still sitting on her bed, waiting for Sebastian to come home and end her life.
Sebastian…,,
How dare he do this!
Was he really going to make her die hungry?!
Ciel was seething with rage when a sharp knock suddenly landed on her door.
"C-Come in." Ciel said, bravely trying to hide the tremble in her voice.
"Pardon me, master." Baldroy said as he entered the room with Ciel's lunch prepared on a silver tray. "Sebastian instructed me to bring this to you at one, if he didn't make it back in time."
Baldroy handed the tray to Ciel.
Ciel blinked.
A sandwich…..
Some crackers….
A small salad…
Cup of tea…
It was simple, but it was lunch and it would suffice.
But…..why?
"Where has Sebastian gone?" Ciel snapped at Baldroy.
Baldroy shrugged. "I don't know, I thought you sent him somewhere."
"No, I didn't." Ciel spat coldly.
"Sorry, master, I don't know where he is." Baldroy said as he walked towards the door. "Just let me know if you need anything, I guess…...maybe Sebastian will be back soon."
Baldroy closed the door and Ciel ate even though she found that her appetite had mostly vanished.
Had Sebastian changed his mind and just…..left?
Did….did he…..?
If Sebastian was gone, that meant that Ciel would crumble.
Ciel would never have made it so far without her loyal butler.
If Sebastian had abandoned her, then what was Ciel going to do?!
—
"No, this one is too rough, I'm afraid the recipient has very sensitive nipples." Sebastian said, musing over some bustier selections the store clerk had presented him with. "I believe the silk one is more suitable."
"Very well, sir, I'll pack the silk one up for you. You've got these pieces here, will there be anything else?" The clerk asked with a patient smile.
"I must say, I'm rather disappointed, this selection is quite bland for the finest lingerie shop in Britain…..perhaps you should send your designers to France more often." Sebastian said causally while he took out his wallet to pay.
The plump woman smirked at Sebastian, "France, you say? Actually, sir, we do sell a certain French import…..but I'm afraid we're not allowed to display it openly. Would you care to see it in a box?"
Sebastian nodded, "Certainly."
The woman walked all the way to the back of the store and came back carrying a very small but very ornate box, which she opened in front of Sebastian.
Sebastian reached a gloved hand out and moved the delicate tissue wrappings aside.
Sebastian cocked an eyebrow at what he saw.
"Ah….." Sebastian grinned. "Yes, I'll take this as well, it's just what I'm looking for~."
—
Ciel watched anxiously from her window as Sebastian's carriage pulled into the Phantomhive driveway later that afternoon.
The bluenette had never felt such a strange mixture of relief and dread.
Ciel swallowed thickly when a knock came at her door a few minutes later.
Ciel knew that this time, it wouldn't be Baldroy….
"Come in." Ciel called, steadying her voice, even though her heart pounded in her chest.
"Good afternoon, bocchan~." Sebastian smiled as he opened the door and walked into the room. "I trust that Baldroy served lunch?"
"He did." Ciel nodded, eyeing Sebastian warily.
Ciel's sapphire eyes curiously scanned over the various shooping bags that Sebastian held.
….Why did Sebastian have those?
Sebastian didn't shop.
Ciel jumped nervously when Sebastian stepped over and sat the bags in his arms down on her bed.
"What on earth is the matter, young master?" Sebastian blinked while Ciel stared at him with wild eyes.
"Oh, come off it!" Ciel roared. "I'm tired of waiting! Just get it over with already!"
"...What are you talking about?" Sebastian asked, furrowing his brow at Ciel in concern. "Are you feeling alright, young master?"
"Don't play games with me, Sebastian! Hurry up and kill me! Do it! I can't take it any longer!" Ciel shouted, trembling as she stood from the bed in an attempt to boldly face Sebastian.
"...Kill you?" Sebastian blinked. "When did I say I was going to kill you?"
Ciel made a noise of exasperation as she snarled, "Our contract is complete, Sebastian!"
"Of that, I am aware." Sebastian nodded.
"Y-You wagered for me, you won the prize!" Ciel sputtered. "So, what are you waiting for?!"
Sebastian gazed at Ciel for a long moment and as he did, Ciel watched while Sebastian's look of confusion melted into a wolfish grin.
Sebastian chuckled, "Bocchan, if you'll remember, I asked to devour you. I never said anything about killing you."
"Well, if you don't intend to murder me, then what does that mean?!" Ciel raged.
Sebastian smirked at Ciel while he purred, "After dinner tonight, bocchan...you'll find out~. Please be sure to wear what's in the bags. This evening's meal will be served here, in your room, promptly at seven. I'll prepare your favorite."
Ciel peeked into one of the bags and her porcelain face turned bright red.
"You expect me to wear this?!" Ciel asked, aghast.
Sebastian turned around and shrugged at Ciel. "You've expected me to put up with you for the last ten years, to walk beside you, to support you, to care for you….and now, even with my obligations resolved, I am still here, still by your side, still caring for you….is dressing in an outfit of my choosing that unreasonable?"
Ciel scowled.
Sebastian threw one more lingering glance at Ciel before he left, allowing Ciel to go and rummage through the bags.
As Sebastian walked down the long hallway, Sebastian mentally reviewed his plans for the dinner and evening ahead.
Sebastian would share dinner with his master that night, alone in her bedroom.
Sebastian would prepare the meal which would include boiled potatoes and asparagus, ham glazed in warm honey, and chocolate cake for dessert.
Ciel would be sitting across from Sebastian, the delicate curves of her body and her most intimate places put on a fabulous display by the new garments Sebastian had chosen for her.
Ciel would be wearing the import from France Sebastian had purchased from the lingerie shop…...
While he thought to himself, Sebastian licked his lips.
But Sebastian wasn't hungry for the food….
