((What do you guys think about there being alternate endings to this story? Not that I'm ending it right away, but the story could go two different ways, would you like to see that? It's likely that one would be a "If Sebastian came back" and the other would be a "if he didn't come back." Let Me Know In The Reviews, Please!))

((I decided not to actually go into details about Claude's minor goof in the last chapter—leaving dinner on the stove when you're talking to somebody in the other room isn't always a great idea after all—but, for the sake of entertainment, there'll be a flash-back to it later on! Just bare with me! For now, there's a small time-skip, but don't worry, Ciel and Claude will both be narrating the past week for you so you aren't confused!))

Ciel: Wait, both of us? Since when? I thought that was his job.

Claude: I convinced the Mun that it would be best to have both of our perspectives, being that we can be a bit.. opinionated on how things happened.

((In other words, Ciel: If you leave details out, I'm making damn sure Claude tells them all about it!))

Ciel: Wait, so why am I even doing this?

((Because Claude's a brat that would try to hide other details.))

Claude: Sir—

((Shut it, both of you, we're supposed to be telling a story here!))

Oh yeah, and I don't own them or Kuroshitsuji in any way. Obviously.

*Ciel's POV*

About a week had passed since Ciel Phantomhive had signed his soul away to a devil for the second time in his short life. The first few days were spent analyzing every detail of Sebastian's disappearance, trying to figure out what had really provoked him into leaving the Earl. He'd said to let it go… Had that been a farewell? Ciel still couldn't be sure. Actually, the young master wasn't sure of much of anything. It had almost seemed as though the demon wanted him to leave his hatred… but hadn't he once helped him fight for that very thing, not so long ago? It was an angels job to try to 'save' Ciel, not Sebastian's. None of it made any sense…

By the fourth day, Ciel had stopped trying to piece together the butler's leaving. It seemed that, by now, he wouldn't be coming back any time soon. Out of habit, he still gasped out Sebastian's given name when he was afraid or startled, but Claude had learned to listen for that, and would later softly remind him that dwelling on Sebastian Michaelis wasn't healthy for the Earl. It was through this strange week that Ciel slowly, day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, learned to trust Claude Faustus.

By the sixth day, the Queen's guard dog learned of something else. The fires in London had been successfully put out, though nobody was even hinting at how they'd managed it; his ties in the Criminal Underground successfully cut for the time being, Ciel had no way of digging up information… Unless he chose to send Claude out to fetch it, which he'd decidedly not done so far.

That seventh day seemed like a blessing and a curse, all in one. He'd survived a week without Sebastian, and that alone was something to put on the Earl's mental cork-board for a while. Claude had managed to tap into the young master's funds back at Phantomhive Manor, after hearing about the fires there; Ciel had gotten in contact with Mei-Rin, Finny, and Bard, instructing them to fix the place as soon as possible. He asked them briefly about Sebastian's whereabouts as well, but none of them seemed to know - they all said that they'd thought he was with the young master. Telling them not to worry, but that he wouldn't be home for a while, he'd then quickly bid the group goodbye. He wasn't sure how he'd survive in a house with those three—four, he always forgot Tanaka—and he didn't want to return to the Manor yet.

It was getting late when Ciel had finally hung up the phone, yawning as he settled into the couch cushions. There was a record-player that Claude had picked up from a store nearby; it's music was soft, only occasionally scratching over the thrifted record, lulling the boy into a relaxed state of mind for the first time all day.

*Claude's POV*

The first few days of their contract was surprisingly frustrating for Claude. The boy spent all his time obsessing over why, how, and when, Sebastian had decided to take his leave. It wasn't as though this had never happened to the child before, damn it! His parents had died too and he hadn't—

Oh, that's right, he had obsessed over it. He still sort of did, or at least Claude assumed that. They hadn't discussed what Ciel really wanted to achieve from this just yet; it hadn't been necessary. The whole thing was more than irritating for the demon, but he kept up a calm facade and let it pass.

And pass it did. A handful of days later, a tiny amount of time for a demon, and Ciel was pushing onward, trying to get in touch with the Queen, Scottland Yard, ,his Criminal associates, the Phantomhive servants (other than Sebastian - he'd seemed to have given up on that, at last), and anyone else that could possibly help him get back on his feet. The first three allies failed him miserably, but Ciel did manage to find the servants, instructing that they send his funds immediately; they received them shortly after, thanks to a few strings that Claude had pulled with the mailing system.

A day later, Ciel hadn't slept a wink in nearly forty-eight hours (despite the butler's consistent protests). Claude had just moved into the sitting room of the suite to try to convince the young master to get some rest when he saw that the boy was just barely awake on the couch. A smile graced his lips, for just a second, before contorting into a look of surprise when Ciel spoke—

"Claude," the child had mumbled, "Come here." Shrugging to himself, the butler made his way over to the couch and dropped to one knee to look at the tired Earl, adjusting his glasses as he opened his mouth to speak—He was successfully cut off when Ciel's eyes fluttered open and the boy muttered, "Get up off the bloody floor and sit with me, demon." Even in his exhaustion, he kept up his usual attitude; it was almost charming, actually.

Moving to sit on the couch next to the young lord, Claude was caught off guard for the third time in those short moments when Ciel moved closer to his side, resting his head against the demon's chest. "Master," the butler nearly gasped, "Are you alright?"

*Ciel's POV*

"I'm fine… just a little tired, that's all," Ciel sighed, the same lie he'd said countless times to the other servants—especially Sebastian, but he was determined not to think about the other demon right now. He wasn't sure what had come over him, but in his exhaustion, he found this strange desire to be close to somebody. Perhaps he had finally started to miss Lizzy - yes, that was a good excuse for the moment. "Claude…" he mumbled tiredly, arm draped over the butler's stomach as he rest his head on the other's chest, "Don't leave… that's an order."

*Claude's POV* (That was quick, I know)

Claude blinked not once, but twice, in confusion. The boy who had told him that he didn't want any sweetness between them was curled up against his chest, asking him ordering him not to leave! The whole thing made the demon's head hurt, so he decided to let it go… but not without a little selfishness along the way.

Gently, the butler wrapped one of his arms around the boy's shoulder to hold him. His other hand cupped the Earl's cheek as he tilted that sleepy face up and pressed their lips together. A low gasp of surprise, followed but words far too mumbled to hear, was the only response Claude's actions got. When he pulled away, Ciel was already fast asleep. Flashing a smirk, the demon purred, "You'll make one Hell of a feast, Lord Phantomhive."

((I don't know what my precious babies are doing, I'm sorry you guys! Reviews, I need'ta know what people think before I completely obliterate this story!))