"Young master, there is a letter for you."

"The Queen?" Ciel sat up in bed, his eyes alert.

"I'm afraid not, master," Sebastian answered. He pulled the letter out of his coat pocket and handed it to the boy.

Ciel opened it. He frowned.

"What does it say, master?"

"'Earl Phantomhive, I would like to inform you of my ball this Saturday night. It would be a pleasure to finally meet you. I hope you will attend. Alois Trancy.' Who is this Trancy?"

"I believe he is the son of the late Sir Trancy," Sebastian replied. "As the story goes, the young Trancy was thought to be dead for many years. They say that he suddenly appeared, claiming to be the son of Sir Trancy. The uncle demanded proof, and was invited into the estate. He found the manor exactly the way it was before the death of his brother."

"His age?" Ciel asked, yawning.

"I believe he is around the same age as you, master," Sebastian replied.

"Of course the brother would be suspicious," Ciel said. "A child popping up out of nowhere, claiming to be his brother's son..."

"That wasn't the only thing suspicious, master," Sebastian said.

Ciel frowned. "What else?"

A shadow passed over Sebastian's face, then vanished not a second later.

"The boy brought home a butler. A butler with yellow eyes."

Ciel's eyes widdened. "Yellow? That's not a natural eyecolor..."

"Indeed, it is not," Sebastian agreed.

"Then the butler must be..." Ciel looked up at Sebastian. "Inhuman?"

"I have never met the butler, but I do agree that someone with yellow eyes is clearly not human."

"Could he be a demon?"

"There is only one way to tell, master," Sebastian said. "I would have to meet him."

Ciel nodded. "I thought as much." He groaned and rubbed his eyes. "But do we have to go to the ball?"

Sebastian smiled softly. "At least this time you won't be wearing a dress, master."

Ciel snorted. "I think I'd rather wear the dress than be seen at a ball."

Sebastian chuckled. "You did make a lovely girl, master."

Ciel's face reddened. "What!?"

Sebastian smiled and shook his head. "Nothing, master. Nothing at all."

Ciel narrowed his eyes at the man. "You do know that I can order you to do anything, right?"

Sebastian leaned down, tilting his head. "Ah, but where would the fun be in that, Ciel?"

Ciel huffed. "Whatever." He yawned and stretched. He arched his back, spreading his legs invitingly. He looked up at Sebastian, his eyes sparkling. A coy smirk played on his lips.

"I'm cold, Sebastian," he said seductivly.

Sebastian raised an eyebrow. He crawled onto the bed, pulling off his gloves with his teeth. "Allow me to warm you up, master."

"I don't have to dance, do I?"

"I see no reason to," Sebastian answered, leading the boy to a nearby table.

"Good," Ciel said, sitting down beside Sebastian. "Do you even know what this boy looks like?"

"I haven't the faintest clue, master."

Ciel sighed. "Great. How are we supposed to know who Alois Trancy is if we don't even know what he looks like?"

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to thank you all for attending this ball tonight!"

Ciel raised his head, his eyes locking onto a blonde boy at the center of the room. The boy wore a purple tail coat, a green vest, and...

"What the Hell are those?" Ciel asked, disgust written all over his face.

Sebastian chuckled. "I believe those would be women's shorts, master."

Ciel huffed, affronted by such an attire. "And I thought my dress looked bad."

Sebastian laughed lightly. "There are rumors that the boy is rather...open...with his sexuality."

"What do you mean?"

"He is like us, master," Sebastian answered."

Ciel frowned, confused. "Like us?"

"He is a homosexual."

Ciel's eyes widdened. "I'm not gay!"

Sebastian looked down at the boy, tilting his head. "If you're not gay, then why do you insist on my company every night?"

Ciel blushed. "I've never really thought of it that way."

Sebastian smiled softly. "You have no interest in females, do you, master?"

"I find them highly annoying," Ciel mumbled.

"Are you attracted to them?"

"Not really, no..."

"Then you are in fact gay, master."

Ciel frowned, thinking this over. "I suppose that makes sense."

Ciel looked back to the boy. His eyes locked onto a tall, dark figure at his side. It was a man dressed in a dark navy butler outfit...

He had yellow eyes.

"That's him!" Ciel whispered to Sebastian. "The butler!"

Sebastian looked over at the man. His eyes narrowed, his lips tilting down. "I see..."

"Is he a demon, then?"

"I would have to be close in order to tell," Sebastian said slowly. "I cannot smell him from here."

"Smell?"

"Demons carry a strong aroma that humans cannot smell."

"Oh. That's...odd."

Sebastian smirked. "To you it would be, master. There is no other other way of us knowing if someone is a demon, I'm afraid. We only go by smell."

"The eyes wouldn't have anything to do with it?"

"Not all demons have unnatural eyes color," Sebastian explained. "Most can alter the color to fool humans into believing we are one of them. For example, I alter my eyes to look a dark brown, when they are actually a blood red."

"I thought they were violet..."

"When I'm angry or stalking a prey, my eyes do glow a dark violet," Sebastian said.

"Would his? If he's a demon, I mean?"

"I would think so," Sebastian said. "Although, every demon is different."

"Why doesn't he change his eyes?"

"He might not have the ability."

Ciel watched as the blonde boy pranced around the room, shaking hands and laughing with his guests.

"I don't like him," Ciel mumbled.

"You haven't even talked to him yet, master."

"I'd rather not speak to him at all." Just then, the blonde boy turned his head, his eyes locking onto Ciel.

Ciel groaned. "Damn it! What am I, unlucky?"

Sebastian chuckled softly. He stood, bowing to his master. "I shall go get you something to drink now, my lord. Do you think you can handle the boy?"

"I'll have to, won't I?"

Sebastian smiled and reached down. He slowly ran his fingers along the back of the boy's hand. "I'll make it up to you, master."

Ciel blushed and moved his hand away. "You better."

Sebastian smiled and turned, leaving Ciel alone at the table.

Alois Trancy closed in on the table, his smile growing. "Ciel Phantomhive! I'm so happy to finally meet you!"

Ciel took a deep breath and plastured on his best fake smile. "You must be Alois Trancy. It is a pleasure to meet you." He stood, shaking hands with the blonde.

Alois laughed cheerfully. He grabbed a chair and sat down close to Ciel.

Too close.

Ciel cleared his throat, scooting his chair a few inches away.

"Are you enjoying the ball, Ciel?"

"It's beats sitting at home," Ciel said sweetly.

Alois laughed, his hand falling onto Ciel's.

Ciel flinched.

"You're so funny, Ciel!" Alois beamed, his hand closing over Ciel's slowly. "I like you."

Ciel gritted his teeth, resisting the urge to slap the Hell out of this boy. "You seem rather...amusing yourself, Alois. May I ask you a...ah...personal question?"

"Anything," Alois replied, smiling.

"Why are you wearing women's shorts?"

Alois raised his eyebrows. "Why wouldn't I? They're comfortable, chic, and sexy!"

Ciel fought back his laughter. The boy honestly thought those wretched shorts were sexy?

"You don't like them?" Alois pouted, looking at Ciel with puppy-dog eyes.

Ciel smiled kindly. "I didn't say that. I was just asking why you were wearing them, that's all."

"So...you like them?"

"I think they're...very sexy."

Alois threw back his head and laughed cheerfully. Ciel clenched his fist below the table.

The blonde leaned in, pressing his lips against Ciel's ear.

"Would you like to see what I'm wearing underneath them, Ciel?"

Ciel's eyes widdened. What the Hell!?

"Your highness, it is rude to say such rash things to the young Phantomhive."

Ciel looked up. His heart skipped a beat.

The Trancy butler loomed over them, his eyes locked onto Ciel.

Ciel stared back into his eyes. They weren't yellow, really...They were golden. Liquid gold...

"I'm so sorry," Alois said quickly, letting go of Ciel's hand. "I wasn't thinking, Ciel. Please, forgive me."

Ciel blushed, breaking eye contact with the butler. He turned back towards the blonde. "Um...don't worry about it."

Alois smiled. "Are you sure?"

"Uh, yeah. It's fine, really."

"Ciel, I'd like you to meet my butler, Claude Faustus."

Ciel looked up at the butler, his face reddening. "H-hello." What is wrong with me!?

Claude looked down at him, an interest in his golden eyes.

"It is a pleasure to make your aquantence, Lord Phantomhive."

The man grabbed Ciel's hand, lifting it to his lips. He placed a soft kiss on the top, his lips curling into a smile.

Ciel felt his heart pick up speed.

Alois rolled his eyes. "Claude's such a smooth talker, isn't he?"

Ciel gulped. "I-I guess."

"That's what I love about him," Alois continued. "He may seem cold and distant on the outside, but on the inside he's a fierce romantic."

Ciel pulled his hand away, blushing. "Really?"

Claude smiled, his eyes sparkling. "I wouldn't say I'm romantic. I'm...passionate about the things I find interesting."

"How passionate?" The question slipped out before Ciel could stop it. He blushed and mentally kicked himself.

Claude smirked. "Let's just say...I would do almost anything to please."

Ciel's eyes widdened. O-oh.

"Is everything alright, master?"

Ciel blinked.

Sebastian bent down, placing a glass of wine in front of his master. His eyes locked onto Claude, never wavering.

"Is this your butler, Ciel?" Alois asked.

"I am," Sebastian answered.

"What's your name?"

"Sebastian Michaelis."

Claude's eyes narrowed.

Alois stood, stepping up to Sebastian. He leaned in, pressing his body against Sebastian's.

"You have beautiful eyes," Alois said seductivly.

Ciel cleared his throat loudly. "Please do not attempt to flirt with my butler," he growled.

Alois blinked, backing away. He looked from Sebastian to Ciel. He smiled slowly.

"So he's yours?"

"He's my butler, yes."

"Does he serve you, Ciel?"

"As I said, he is my butler. His job is to serve me. Only me."

Alois smirked. "I see...Is he any good?"

Ciel glared up at the blonde. He tilted his head, smirking as well. "He is the best. After all, he is one Hell of a butler."

And lover.

Alois laughed lightly. "My Claude is amazing, too. Claude, show him your tongue!"

Claude raised an eyebrow. "Your highness?"

"Show him your tongue," Alois hissed. "Now!"

Claude sighed and opened his mouth, sticking his tongue out. He bent it.

Ciel's eyes widdened. His face reddened. The tip of the man's tongue could touch the bottom of his chin!

"Bloody Hell," Ciel whispered. "That's...some trick."

Claude closed his mouth, smirking.

"See?" Alois laughed. "His tongue is brilliant!"

"Brilliant at what?" Ciel's eyes widdened. I did not just ask that!

Alois laughed. "At licking, of course!" He winked.

Ciel blushed and looked away. "Um..."

"Your highness, you are making the young Phantomhive uncomfortable," Claude said.

"Oops," Alois laughed. "Anyway! I should go talk to the other guests now. Don't leave without saying goodbye, Ciel!" Alois laughed cheerfully, spinning around. He pranced off to a circle of guests.

Claude bowed and followed after his master.

"What...the Hell just happened?" Ciel asked, blinking.

Sebastian sat down, his eyes still locked onto Claude. "It seems the Trancy butler is interested in you, master."

"Interested," Ciel repeated. "You mean...attracted?"

Sebastian narrowed his eyes. "Yes. Master, I'd like for you to sip your glass of wine very slowly."

Ciel looked at his glass, then back at Sebastian. "Why?"

"I don't want to have to leave your side again tonight."

Ciel blinked. "Wait...are you jealous?"

Sebastian cleared his throat, shifting in his seat. He looked down at the table. "There is nothing to be jealous of, master. That butler is filthy."

Ciel smiled, watching Sebastian closely. "You are jealous!"

"I'd like to point out that you are as well, master."

Ciel blushed. "Jealous? How am I jealous?"

Sebastian smirked. "When that child got a bit too close, you claimed me as yours, did you not?"

Ciel looked away quickly. "You are mine. My butler, I mean. I wouldn't want some tramp dirtying my servant."

Sebastian chuckled. He leaned in closer, whispering into the boy's ear. "Only you can dirty me, right?"

Ciel blushed and pulled away quickly. "S-shut up!"

"Master, it's getting late. We should be heading home now."

"Alright. Get the carrage."

Sebastian bowed and left the ballroom, leaving Ciel alone at the table once again.

Ciel sighed and took another sip of his wine.

"Young Phantomhive?"

Ciel blinked, looking up. He blushed. "Faustus?"

"My master has asked me to give you a tour of the gardens before you leave," Claude said.

"He isn't going to give me the tour himself?"

"My master is talking over a plan with a few nobelmen. He asked me to escourt you, seeing as the plan is rather important to this estate."

"Oh," Ciel said. He stood, draining the rest of his glass in one gulp. "A tour sounds good, I suppose. It will have to be a short one, though. My butler is drawing the carrage right now."

Claude nodded. "Perhaps a light stroll through the small garden, then. Follow me."

Claude turned on his heel. Ciel followed. Claude opened a door at the back of the ballroom, stepping outside into the cool night air.

"This is the smallest garden on the estate," Claude explained. "It may not look like much. My master has tried to make it as elegant as possible, given it's size."

"It's lovely, I guess," Ciel said. He looked around, his eyes noticing the different colored roses. "I'm not much of a plant person."

"Does the Phantohive manor not have a garden?"

"It does, but I never really care for it," Ciel answered. "My gardener sees to it."

Claude steered Ciel further into the Garden. He opened a small gate and led him into a gazebo.

"This is one of my master's favorite hiding places," Claude said, closing the gate behind Ciel. "He sits out here whenever he needs to clear his head. The bushes give him privacy."

Ciel walked around the gazebo, trying to see through the tall bushes. "You can't even see the gazebo for all these bushes."

"That's the point," Claude said. "My master may be a socialite, but even socialites need their alone time."

Ciel nodded. "Makes sense. So...right now, no one can see us?"

Claude smiled. "No one."

Ciel gulped. He didn't like this gazebo. He didn't like it at all.

"Can I see the rest of the garden?" Ciel turned. He gasped. Claude stood right in front of him, blocking the exist.

"Is something the matter, young Phantomhive?"

"You startled me," Ciel said, backing away.

"I appologize," Claude said slowly. He followed the boy, backing him even further into the corner. "This gazebo wasn't made to fit more than one person."

"I noticed," Ciel said. His back hit the side of the gazebo. Dead end.

"Are you cold, Phantomhive?"

"Huh?"

"You have goosebumps." Claude reached his hand out, running his fingers up the boy's arm.

Ciel gulped, pulling his arm away. "It's a b-bit chilly."

"Would you care for my coat?" Claude took off his coat slowly, throwing it onto the gazebo seat.

"I-I think we should head back inside," Ciel said quickly. "Sebastian might have the carrage ready now."

"My master will handle him," Claude said, leaning in closer. "He'll let your butler know you're taking a little tour before you leave."

"It's getting late," Ciel insisted. "I have a meeting tomorrow morning, I need to be in bed early."

"A few minutes wouldn't hurt, would it?" Claude whispered. He leaned down, pressing his lips against Ciel's ear. "I'd like to get to know you a little more, Ciel Phantomhive."

Ciel's eyes widdened. Oh, shit.

"We don't really have time for that now," Ciel said firmly. "But perhaps I could visit again?"

Claude chuckled. "Why waste such a beautiful night?"

Ciel gulped. "You could give me another tour next time?"

Claude shook his head. "I don't think so, young Phantomhive." He grabbed Ciel's chin, tilting it towards him. He leaned down, pressing his lips softly against the boy's.

Ciel's eyes widdened. His heart pounded. What the Hell do I do!?

Ciel pulled away, turning his head.

Claude chuckled and leaned down, latching onto the boy's neck.

Ciel gasped and shivered. He felt his cock twitch in interest. Oh, no. This is not good, not good!

"C-Claude, please," Ciel panted. "Stop."

"You don't want me to stop, do you, Phantomhive?" Claude reached down, his fingers unbuttoning the boy's trousers.

Ciel gulped, his body reacting to Claude's touch. "Yes, I do. Stop. Now."

Claude licked along the boy's ear. "No."

Ciel shivered again.

Claude pressed his body against Ciel's pinning him down. His tongue licked down the boy's neck.

"You taste delisious, Phantomhive. I wonder how your mouth would taste..." He tilted the boy's head, leaning in. He pressed his mouth against Ciel's again, pushing his tongue inside.

Ciel gasped. Then moaned. He felt his arms wrap around the man's neck, pulling him closer. He kissed the man hungrily. What the Hell am I doing!?

Claude pulled away, his eyes glowing a dark violet. "You are a good kisser, Phantomhive," he whispered. "Tell me...did Sebastian teach you?"

Sebastian...?

"Claude..."

"How far did you go, Phantomhive?" Claude unbuttoned the boy's shirt, leaning down to place soft kisses along his chest. "Did you let Sebastian touch you? Kiss you? Take you?"

Sebastian...

"Was he gentle, Phantomhive?" Claude flicked his tongue against the boy's nipple. Ciel gasped. "Did he worship your body, the way it needs to be worshipped?"

Sebastian.

"Was he slow and steady? Did he please you? Truly please you? Or were you still unsatisfied after he was through?"

Sebastian!

"Claude?" Ciel panted. Claude looked up, smiling.

"Yes?"

"Can you take off my eyepatch?" Ciel asked, licking his lips. "I want to see you clearly."

Claude smiled and reached behind Ciel's head. He grabbed the string and pulled, letting the eyepatch fall to the ground.

"Your contract," Claude whispered, looking into Ciel's eyes. "I admit, it is rather beautiful, but...I think my mark would suit you much better, don't you?" Claude held up his hand, showing Ciel his contract mark. "What do you think, Phantomhive?"

"I think..." Ciel said slowly. He clenched his fist at his side. "I think you should kiss me again, Claude."

Claude smiled. "Yes...your highness." Claude leaned in, pressing his lips to the boy's. Ciel opened his mouth, letting the man's tongue inside.

This is the last kiss you'll ever get from me, bastard!

Ciel bit down hard on the man's tongue. He swung his fist, slamming it into the man's stomach.

Claude gasped, ripping his mouth away. He doubled over, grabbing his stomach.

"Sebastian!" Ciel exclaimed. "Sebastian!"

Claude growled. He turned his head, spitting out blood. "That was a bad idea, brat," he hissed. He grabbed Ciel's hair, pulling it harshly.

Ciel yelped, his head forced back. Claude latched onto the boy's neck, biting down.

Ciel gasped, struggling. "Let go of me!"

"You were enjoying this, Phantomhive," Claude growled. "You can't deny it!"

"Now I understand what Alois meant when he said you were a smooth talker!"

Claude chuckled. "Did your Sebastian tell you about demons, Phantomhive? Every demon is different. For example, I have the ability to hipnotize and woo any human that I please."

"Yeah, I noticed!" Ciel growled. "Get off of me! Sebastian!"

Claude hissed and covered the boy's mouth with his hand. Ciel yelped and bit down on the hand, drawing blood.

Claude winced and pulled his hand away.

"I don't want this!" Ciel said firmly.

"You do, Phantomhive," Claude countered. "Don't try to lie! You want me, your body proves that! Why not just give in to pleasure, Ciel?"

"I'll never give in to you," Ciel growled. "The only man I want is Sebastian!"

"Your precious Sebastian isn't even a man! He's a demon!"

"I don't care!" Ciel exclaimed. He struggled in Claude's grip.

"Are you afraid of hurting him, Ciel?" Claude asked, smirking. "Is that why you won't give in? He's a demon, Ciel! The only thing he wants from you is your soul!"

"Oh, and you don't?"

Claude chuckled. "Good point, Ciel, good point. But that's not all I'm after. It's true, I want your soul. But I also want you. All of you. I am willing to stand by your side, to wait. I will only devour your soul when you see fit, and I would never do anything against your wishes."

"What you're doing now is against my wishes!"

"I am only doing this to make you see sense. How long do you think Sebastian will wait, hmm? He'll get hungry, Ciel. He'll get tired of waiting. He'll leave you for another contract, one that will take much less time than you."

Ciel felt his stomach clench.

"He can easily move on to another," Claude continued. "He'll leave you broken, and feel nothing. All you are is another meal."

Ciel closed his eyes, trying to fight away the emotions suddenly welling inside him. Tears leaked out of the corners of his eyes, rolling down his cheeks.

He's right.

"Why?" Claude whispered. "Why?"

"I love him!"

Claude laughed. "You love him? That's why you stay?"

"Yes," Ciel whimpered, his voice breaking. "I love him. And I know, I know that I'm nothing to him. But I don't care! I love him. I...I love him..."

"He doesn't love you, Ciel," Claude whispered. "He doesn't love you."

"I don't care," Ciel cried.

"Forget about him. Let me serve you, your highness."

"I am not your highness!" Ciel snapped. "I will never be your highness! Never!"

"I ask again, Ciel. How long will Sebastian wait?"

"I will wait forever, if that is what it takes."

Ciel gasped. Claude's eyes widdened. He let go of Ciel and turned around.

Sebastian jumped. His hand wrapped around Claude's neck, pinning him against the gazebo. He squeezed, choking the other demon.

"Forever," he repeated, his eyes glowing. "How dare you even try such a pathetic trick! How dare you lay your filthy hands on my master! You're nothing but a cruel, sadistic, lying bastard!

You know absolutely nothing about him. I have stood by his side for over three years. I have protected him with my very life. You think you could just take him away from me without a fight?"

"You can always find another."

"He is the only one I want," Sebastian whispered.

"Because you want to devour him?"

"No," Sebastian said firmly. "Because I want to love him."

Ciel's eyes widdened.

Sebastian let go, pulling away from Claude. He turned, grabbing Ciel. He picked him up and carried him to the carrage. He opened the door and set the boy down.

"Sebastian - "

Sebastian slammed the door. He climbed into the seat and took hold of the reigns.

Ciel closed his eyes, laying down on the seat. He hugged his knees to his chest, his mind replaying Claude's words.

You mean nothing to him.