Today is going to be different.
He can't put his finger on it but he knows it, he can even feel it in is bones. Today is not going to be like any other day; today is the day his life will change. Sebastian can't help but smile at this thought as he lies in bed, staring up at the ceiling.
If there was anything that Sebastian hates, it is monotony and consistency. Lately, this has been his life; it has been nothing but the same. The same people, the same food, the same conversations, the same routine, everything is the same. It bores him, makes things feel stagnate and he craves a change. He wishes for something to happen to him, anything that will wake him from this cloudy slumber of a life he has been sleep walking through.
And he feels that it will be today.
"Get up Michaelis." A voice snorts from the side.
"I am up." He groans slightly, draping his arm over his face, blocking out the light from the sun that pours in through the opened curtains.
"I mean get out of bed."
"I will in a minute, when I'm ready."
"Are you thinking again?" He asks, almost sarcastically. Sebastian rolls his head over towards him, staring at him through the gap in his arm. He spies him sitting at the desk on the opposite side of the room, underneath the open window.
"I know thinking might be a foreign concept to you Claude."
"Ha-ha, you're so funny." Claude retorts dryly as he turns around, resting his forearm on the back of his chair, adjusting his glasses as he stares at Sebastian. "What were you thinking about this time?"
"A feeling I have." Sebastian answers, bringing his arm from his face onto his chest.
"A feeling?"
"I feel like today is going to be different."
"This again." He sighs, "You get this feeling every other day and it always turns out the same. The stars are not aligned, you're not going to come up with a plan to stop global warming and you're not going to meet a mysterious stranger who's going to change your life."
"Well Claude, today is different."
"You are strange Michaelis, you know that?" Claude sighs as he turns back to his books.
"No more stranger than you." He shrugs.
"I'm not strange, I'm perfectly normal." He states flatly.
"For a Vulcan." Sebastian scoffs.
"For a what?" He questions in a clipped tone.
"See a perfectly normal person would get that reference." He sighs as he starts to sit up. Sebastian runs his hands through his hair. Yawning, he stretches out and rolls his head from side to side, his eyes land on the clock sitting on his bedside table. "Oh shit, we're going to be late."
"No, you're going to be late; I'm getting ready to go."
"You're not even going to wait for me?"
"Wake up on time and I'll think about it." He snorts, shoving some pieces of papers into a textbook and closing it.
Getting up from his chair, he takes the textbook, tucks it under his arm and goes over to his bed. Dropping the book, he bends over to the side and collects a black leather satchel from underneath. Sebastian watches him curiously as Claude carries out his daily routine.
It's something he doesn't envy because Claude is his opposite in almost every single way. Unlike Sebastian, Claude enjoys his habitual day-to-day activities; he's so standard that you could set your watch by him. This frustrates Sebastian, as he wants nothing more than to mess him up and create a little chaos in his mundane life.
"At least pass me a shirt." Sebastian requests with a wry smile, already knowing his request will be rebuffed.
"Get it yourself." He replies in the same dry tone and mannerism as he always does. Sebastian watches him as he leaves the room, shutting the door behind him.
"Well, I'd better get going." Sebastian mutters to himself.
…
Going to breakfast, Sebastian looks around to see the same familiar faces all sitting in the exact same places as they always do. Everything is perfectly ordinary and nothing but the same. Sighing to himself, he stands in line to choose something for breakfast. Never really feeling all that hungry first thing in the morning, he selects his usual, a small bowl of mixed fruit and two milk cartons. Taking his tray, he wanders through the mess hall as he thinks about who to sit with. Eyes scan the room as they land on Claude who is with other students from their dorm. Going over to them, he secretively slips the second carton of milk into his pocket before he sits his tray down on the table and takes a seat.
Picking at his bowl of fruit, Sebastian tries to attentively listen in on the various conversations that are happening around him but he finds it all to be the exact conversations they have every day. They talk about their A levels and classes, plans for the weekend and study sessions. All typical topics and so much so, that Sebastian has memorized all the words by heart. Perhaps Claude is right after all, he thinks, as nothing about today is shaping out to be any different than every other day.
After breakfast, some of the boys head towards their various classes whilst others have a free period to study in the library. The group split up and separates, heading off in various directions. Sebastian sticks with the group who are on their way to the library. He nods along to their chatter as he inputs a little comment here and there to confirm that he is actually listening. As they move on along the hallway past the chapel, Sebastian starts to slow down a little, not keeping the pace with the others. He drops back and sneaks away, letting them carry on without him. Looking from side to side to check if anyone sees him, he smiles to himself as he rounds a nearby corner, and quickly ducks behind it. Peering around it, he sees the group start to walk off into the distance.
Continuing on behind the chapel, he heads over to the bushes that are aligned along the sides. Crouching down, he pushes the foliage to the side to reveal a wooden panel. Sebastian slides the panel across and rests it against the wall. Looking in, he smiles brightly as two large glowing green eyes appear from shadows. It purrs sweetly as it approaches Sebastian, rubbing itself around the bottom of his legs.
"Well hello there beautiful." He greets the cat warmly as he rubs its ears. "I brought something for you." He says as he takes out the milk carton from his pocket. Reaching into the hole, he pulls a small blue bowl from the inside. Opening the milk carton, he pours the milk into the bowl and pushes it towards the cat, which starts to lap it up.
Sebastian runs his hands down the length of the cats' back right up to the length of its tail. As he does so, little black and calico kittens clumsily trip over each other as they come out into the sun. His eyes light up as they land on them.
"Oh, look at all of you." He smiles as he watches them playing around, batting each other and rolling around on their backs. "How did I not know you had kittens?" He coos as he wiggles his fingers over the belly of one of the calico colored kittens.
Hearing footsteps a little distance away, he immediately stops playing with them.
"Okay, you have to go back now." He whispers as he puts the bowl back into hole and the cat follows with her kittens in tow. Sebastian slides the piece of wood back over the hole and covers it with the foliage of the bush so it can't be seen.
Getting up, he dusts off his trousers and runs his hands through his hair. Turning on his heels, he walks down the back of the chapel and heads around the corner to go to the hallway leading to the library.
"Michaelis!" A voice calls out behind him, causing him to stop and whip around.
"Bluer." He nods his acknowledgement as he sees a young man in uniform with a dark blue waistcoat coming towards him.
Laurence Bluer, the prefect for the Sapphire Owl dorm stands in front of Sebastian with a slight frown on his brow. Pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, he folds his arms around his chest.
"Michaelis, what are you doing out here, I'm pretty sure you are meant to be in the library for study."
"I was headed there now."
"You know, I ought to write you up for this."
"But?"
"But of course I won't. We need you at practice this afternoon." He smiles.
"About that, I was thinking of quitting this year, to focus on my A levels."
"Oh no you can't, you and Faustus are the only ones with any athletic talent in this dorm, you have to stay." He begs. Sebastian bows his head slightly and smiles.
"All right but this is it, I'm not doing the cricket tournament in spring, so don't think of asking."
"I'm sure by then you'll change your mind." He suggests as he adjusts his glasses.
"We'll see." He shrugs. "Anyway, I'd better be off to the library now." Sebastian waves as he heads off.
"Next time I'll have to write you up!" Laurence shouts after him as Sebastian turns the corner.
Taking his time, he strolls through the corridor, especially as Sebastian is in no great rush to make his way to the library, despite Laurences' warning. Raising his face towards the sun, he feels the warmth of it on his skin as he stops for a moment, leaning against a nearby column. Breathing out through his mouth, he enjoys his momentary freedom.
Crossing one leg over the other, he sighs as he realizes that today really is just like every day. He woke up, had the same banter with Claude as he does every morning, had breakfast with the same people, played with his cat, and got reprimanded by Laurence, just as he always does.
Hanging his head, he knows that Claude is, as he always is, right. Today is not going to be different for Sebastian. As much as he hates routine, it is hard for him to figure out how his inconsistency became consistency but here it is. As part of his routine, Sebastian will go to the library, study, head to his other classes and then go off to the rowing club for practice.
All so very boring for the young man.
Suddenly, a door slams, reverberating through the corridor and hitting his ears, catching his attention. Sebastians' eyes slowly trail over to the sound and they land on a young student, standing against the wall with his arms folded around his chest. He watches as he fidgets, paying with his uniform and dropping his arms down to his side.
As he observes him, Sebastian can't help but stare, there is something about this boy that intrigued him. How, even though he has been sent outside, he still maintains a haughty demeanor and his look. Sebastian is completely captivated by his look, from his oddly colored hair, his slight and wispy stature to his eye patch; all of it makes him curious.
After a while of observing him, he sees his eye start to flutter as it begins to close and he sways back and forth, still leaning against the wall.
"Is he?" Sebastian mutters to himself as he cocks his head to the side, watching him. "Oh he is." He gasps as he starts to quickly walk over to him.
Stopping just in front of the boy, Sebastian waits for him to wake himself up but he doesn't, he just keeps rocking from side to side.
Maybe he's okay? He smiles as he thinks to himself, still monitoring him. Shrugging, he checks his watch and realizes that he better head down to the library. Turning to leave, Sebastian starts to move but before he has the chance to take one step, he hears the boy start to shift. Looking over his shoulder at him, he watches him begin to fall.
Twisting around and lunging forward, Sebastian wraps his arms around the boy, surrounding him as he catches him.
"Hey, be careful." He warns kindly as he holds him. Sebastian looks down to see a confused wide blue eye staring back at him. "You fell asleep standing up; I've never seen that before." He chuckles lightly.
"I'm sorry?" The boy utters as he tries to wiggle out of Sebastians' grip.
"You fell asleep and I caught you." He replies as he lets go of him. The boy dusts off his uniform jacket in an over exaggerated manor as he keeps his eye to the ground.
"Oh, well thank you-"
"Sebastian." He grins.
"What?"
"That's my name, if you're going to thank me for catching you, you should use my name, it's only polite." Sebastian smiles brightly as the boy furrows his brow into a scowl.
"I didn't ask you to help me." He snorts, stepping away from Sebastian.
Sebastian stands aside, folding his arms across his chest as he arches an eyebrow.
"Well if I didn't, you would have fallen." He reasons.
"Next time let me fall." The boy mutters, pressing his back against the wall.
The boys' ungrateful behavior takes Sebastian aback. Of course he doesn't expect any fanfare or accolades but Sebastian figures that a little politesse wouldn't go amiss, especially being a student of this school, where they believe that good manners are paramount in a proper gentleman.
"Wow, you have a lot of attitude for someone so small." He scoffs. The boys' head whips over to him sharply as he frowns.
"I'm not small." He begins to protest, "I'm-" He abruptly stops as his eye drifts over to the side, it widens as it lands on something. "Oh no." He breathes.
The boy pushes his back against the wall as he starts to side slide across it. Sebastian swears he can hear the frantic thumping of his heart beat as he watches his face flush and he becomes obviously nervous over something.
Side stepping along with him, Sebastian lowers his head to try and catch his attention.
"What's the matter with you?" He asks, following him closely.
"You have to go." The boy whispers, keeping his eye firmly to the side.
"What?"
"Just – never mind." He pushes himself off of the wall and starts to walk off briskly.
"Hey, wait!" Sebastian calls after him but it falls on deaf ears as he watches him quickly weave in and out of the other students who are just milling around. Shaking his head, Sebastian starts to leave in the opposite direction. "What a brat." He sighs, running his hand through his hair. As he walks down the corridor towards the library, he stops. "Damn it." He curses to himself as he turns back around to follow the young student.
There is something obviously wrong, Sebastian can't put his finger on it but he knows that there is. It is like a sixth sense to him, something he can feel deep inside of him, like a connection to the boy, even though they have only just met.
Sebastian briskly marches back through the quad to follow behind him but he is nowhere to be seen.
Where did he go? He wonders to himself.
Sebastian pauses for a moment; he tilts his head to the side as he listens out for something that catches his ear in the distance. As he turns his head towards the direction of the sound he sees him, hurtling towards him. He sprints past Sebastian, running as fast as he can through the courtyard. Frowning and looking around, he sees another boy, older and much larger chasing him.
I knew it. He smiles to himself as he starts to jog behind them, ensuring that he keeps a careful distance between the two so as not to be seen. Turning a corner, Sebastian watches as the boy trips over his undone shoelaces, causing him to stumble forward and collapse to the ground.
"Oh damn it." The young boy pants, drawing his right leg up, grabbing his ankle. The older student begins to slow down as he descends upon him.
"Got you now." He smiles smugly as he rolls his shoulders.
Sebastian slowly approaches them; he is as quiet as possible as he slips his hand into his pocket and watches the scenario unfold. He sees the young boy gasp as he screws his eye shut, emitting a soft, pleading whimper.
"I'm going to enjoy this." The older student chuckles as he balls his bloody fist tightly. He pulls is arm back and lowers himself before he readies to strike but Sebastian takes a step forward.
"You're going to want to stop right there." He states sternly.
He whips around, facing Sebastian who looks at him with a wry smile; he tilts his head to the side as he regards him suspiciously.
"Who are you?"
"Sebastian Michaelis, who are you?" He replies casually.
"I'm no one." He retorts smartly and Sebastian shrugs.
"Well no one, what were you planning on doing to this student?"
"None of your business."
"Ah well, you see, as he is a member of my dorm, it has become my business."
"You're from the Sapphire Owl dorm?" He chuckles, "Well I'm in the Green Lion dorm, so do you think someone like you can take me?"
"Do you want to find out?" Sebastian delivers with an arched brow.
The older student looks down at the young boy on the ground, and then back to Sebastian. He crosses his arms around his chest and snorts loudly.
"Fine, whatever. There's always next time." He grins to himself as he starts to walk past Sebastian, hitting him hard square in the shoulder, sending him back slightly. Holding his shoulder, Sebastian rolls it as he squeezes it tightly.
He is relieved that it didn't come to blows, although he did favor his odds in a fight. Despite his lean exterior, Sebastian is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to fighting, something that this particular student should be pleased to have never found out.
"Are you okay?" He asks, observing the young boy shake slightly as he watches the older student leave.
"I'm fine." He replies, still holding on to his ankle.
"That's good." Sebastian smiles, bending over and extending his hand to him. The boy looks at it but ignores the gesture. "Let me help you up." He offers as he slides his hand under the boys' elbow, tugging at him slightly.
He swats Sebastians' hand away as he recoils from his efforts.
"Don't touch me." He hisses at him like a feral cat.
"I'm just trying to help you." He insists.
"I don't want your help." He dismisses, holding onto his ankle tightly. "I don't need anyone's help."
Once again, Sebastian is taken aback as another attempt to assist has been rebuked. Why is this kid so unwilling to be helped? He wonders to himself as he examines the boy closely. From his red puffy cheeks, his out of breath panting to his ankle, it is clear that he is in no fit state to do anything by himself, despite his vociferous protests.
"You don't look like you can walk." Sebastian surmises.
"I can walk." The boy snips as he starts to stand, placing his weight on his ankle, he topples over again but Sebastian reaches out and catches him.
"Oh look, you can't walk." Sebastian says sarcastically as he holds him up. Large arms surround him as he feels how thin and small the boy actually is, especially as he feebly attempts to fight to free himself. Sighing, Sebastian only holds him closer to try and stabilize him.
"What is your problem? Let me go."
"What is yours? I'm just trying to help you."
"I don't-"
"I know, I know, you don't want my help but you're getting it anyway so just deal with it."
The boy stops struggling, exhales heavily, and then holds on to Sebastians' arms for balance. They look at each other for a moment and Sebastian smiles, causing the young boy to advert his eye. Sebastians' heart skips a beat as he sees the young boys' cheeks start to pink. Never has he ever felt this feeling before. His chest constricts but it doesn't hurt and his cheeks start to ache as his smile grows wider, is it because of him? He thinks.
"Um, thank you." He mumbles.
Sebastian leans over, wrapping his arm around the boy's waist and bringing his free arm up and over his own shoulder, draping it around his neck.
"Okay, let's get you back to the dorms. We have to ice that ankle."
"Ice it?"
"To keep the swelling down."
"Great." He sighs.
The sun beams down on them as they silently hobble on their way back through the courtyard towards the dorms. Sebastian is excited, he woke up this morning knowing today would be different and it is, this young boy he has draped over his shoulders is the catalyst he needed to change his life, he can feel it. It is instantaneous, like a rapid rush of blood to the head, hitting him hard and making him dizzy.
Sebastian feels good, he feels alive and ready to take on the world. This is something he has longed to feel, something he doesn't want to let go of if he can help it. Even though they have just met, this boy hypnotizes him, captivates him. He doesn't know why and at this point he doesn't care, he is just happy to be near him.
They move along the grassy knolls of the courtyard and Sebastians' mind races, he wants to ask him so many things, and let his intrigue get the better of him. He is desperate to know this boy, to tear him apart and dig around inside of him to know every little thing that makes him tick.
Although, without knowing anything about him, Sebastian already has a sense of him. He can tell that the boy is prideful, it's especially in the way he carries himself. Even though he his limping, he maintains a graceful and elegant demeanor, moving with such fluidity. It's topped off with the haughty expression he wears on his face, even when he is in such a vulnerable position.
Tossing his head to the side to shift a few stray strands of fringe from his forehead, his hair falls neatly into place, completing his look of effortless sophistication. Sebastians' hand itches to touch his hair, to run his fingers though it feeling the texture of the seemingly silky strands on his fingertips.
His skin looks so flawless, almost like a porcelain doll, the only mark of imperfection on him is the eye patch covering his right eye.
This is something that makes Sebastian curious, why is he wearing an eye patch? He wonders to himself as they trudge along. He is interested to know, however, being the very picture of an English gentleman, he is not about to ask. Instead he thinks of something else to say to break their silence.
"So, you're a first year?" He asks.
"Yes."
"How do you like Weston so far?"
"I like it just fine."
"Okay then." He falls silent again, thinking of anything to say in order to make things less awkward between them. As he thinks, Sebastians' eyes glance down to his shoes and notices that his laces are still undone. I would offer to tie them but, he stops himself mid thought as he realizes that if he were to attempt to help him with his shoes, the boy may respond with the typical amount of venom that he is becoming accustomed to. After a moment, Sebastian remembers that he doesn't even know his name. "What's your name?" He asks.
"Do you need to know that to help me?"
"No, I guess not but-"
"Then I'm not telling you."
"All right." He mutters. Although he's insolent and petulant Sebastian can't help but feel lightened by his presence. He isn't put off by his attitude; it only further sparks his interest in the boy.
"Ciel! There you are!" Alois shouts from across the courtyard. His eyes land on Ciels' limping leg and he drops his book bag, rushing over to them. "Ciel, oh my God, what happened?" He pants as he approaches them.
Sebastian stares at the blond curiously as Ciel hangs his head.
"I'm fine Alois, I just hurt my ankle." He mutters meekly.
"I'm helping him back to the dorm." Sebastian interjects. Popping his hip out and placing his hands on them, Alois eyes him up and down.
"And who are you?"
"Sebastian Michaelis, forth year student." He rests Ciel on his side, extending his hand out.
Sebastian watches as the blonds' eyes travel over to the other, looking at him for some kind of confirmation. He receives it with a subtle nod and he takes Sebastians' hand, shaking it firmly.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Alois Trancy, first year." Alois introduces himself with a broad smile on his face.
"Nice to meet you too."
"Yeah, in fact, Alois can help me from here." Ciel suggests as he tries to push himself away from Sebastian, causing him to fall into Alois.
"Are you sure, I can help, I don't mind." Sebastian offers.
"No thank you. We're fine." Ciel curtly brushes him off as he starts to stand upright.
"I got it from here but thank you." Alois smiles as he hoists Ciel up over his shoulder.
"Well, all right, if you're sure."
"We're sure." Ciel brusquely cuts him off.
Sebastian nods, "Well then, I'll see you around."
"Um, thank you again, Sebastian." Ciel smiles politely at him, causing Sebastian to smile back.
"Not a problem, Ciel." He grins, enjoying the feel of his name as it leaves his mouth.
Ciels' smile fades quickly and his mouth drops open to say something but Alois starts to usher him along. Sebastian stands for a moment, watching both of them leave with a wry smile on his lips.
"Michaelis, where have you been? I've been looking for you." Claude calls out as he strides over to him.
"I've been here."
"You're supposed to be in the library."
"I'm headed there now, we can go together."
"Very well." Claude nods as they start to make their way through the courtyard. Sebastian continues to wear a smile on his face as they carry on walking. "What are you smiling for?"
"Oh nothing, it's just that you were wrong today."
"What are you talking about?"
"I met someone today." He grins, "I met a mysterious stranger who's going to change my life."
"For the record Michaelis, I really don't care."
…
After the excitement of the morning, Sebastian feels completely deflated with how quickly his day falls back into its usual routine. He went to the library and read the same books, he went to class and had the same conversations as he always did and then he went to rowing club.
Still, no matter how mundane his day turned out to be, Sebastian finds himself constantly smiling. He can't help himself.
Sebastian can't rationalize it nor did he want to, he just knows that he has to see Ciel again.
The problem is: he knows next to nothing about him, only his first name and that he's in the same dorm. It may not be as easy as he hopes it will be to find him, especially as he's a first year and not really established within the school.
This little conundrum occupies his mind throughout rowing club practice; making it clear that Sebastian is off his game.
His hands keep slipping off the handles. He pushes forward when he should have pulled back, causing the blades of his oars to constantly collide into others whilst trying to complete a stroke and that's if he even hears the command from the cox at all.
After practice finally finishes, Sebastian sets about helping the rest of the crew dismantle the sculling boat and put things away.
"What's the matter with you Michaelis, you seem off." Laurence asks Sebastian as he unlatches an oar from the button of the oarlock, laying it down neatly beside the sculling boat.
"Yeah, sorry, I've been preoccupied." He sighs, laying another oar down.
"Well whatever it is, sort it out. We actually have a shot at not coming last this year and we can't have you all out of sorts." He chides lightly as he starts to walk off.
"Yeah." He agrees as he collects the oars and heads towards the shed. "Hey Laurence, wait up."
"What is it?" He asks as he stops letting Sebastian catch up with him.
"I need your help with something."
"What's that?"
"I need the last name of a student."
"That's easy enough, who?"
"This first year named Ciel, does that sound familiar?"
Laurence thinks to himself for moment and then nods.
"Ah yes, Phantomhive."
"Phantomhive." Sebastian repeats.
"Yes. You know, he almost didn't join Sapphire Owl."
"Oh?"
"He's an Earl, his family was quite well known and connected, so originally, he was admitted into Scarlet Fox."
"What happened?"
"He outscored the entry exam, so he was placed with us. He's only the second landed gentry we've ever had in our dormitory."
"I see."
"Anyway, why do you want to know about him?"
"No reason really, he twisted his ankle earlier and I helped him."
Sebastian knew that bullying was a serious allegation and didn't wish to raise an alarm without getting all the fact first.
"That's just what I would expect from you Michaelis, you truly embody what it is to be a Weston student." He smiles as he pats him on the back lightly.
"Thanks." He nods, "Hey, do you know what room he's in? I'd like to check up on him to make sure he's okay."
"I have a list back in the common room. Let's put this away and I'll get it for you." He offers.
They finish putting the boats away and then walk to the locker room.
Sebastian quickly showers and changes, putting his uniform on with a speed that impresses the others as they watch him. He pulls up his trousers, hurries through the buttons of his shirt, tucking in the tails and fastening the waistband. Popping his collar, he flings his tie around the back of his neck and starts to loop it around itself.
Laurence looks at him curiously as Sebastian slides the knot up to the base of his throat.
"What's the rush?"
"No rush, I just didn't want to keep you waiting."
"Well it seems that I am going to keep you waiting." He replies as he lays his shirt across his lap.
"It's all right, I can wait." He sits down on the nearby bench facing the lockers.
As he waits for Laurence to change, his mind starts to race.
How will he greet him when he sees him again? Will Ciel even be happy to see him? No, of course not, he'll be just as ornery as he was when they first met. If that is the case, then Sebastian knows he can't just drop by unannounced; he'll need an excuse to see him. With that thought in mind, Sebastian slams his hands down on his knees, coming up with a plan.
"Is everything all right?" Laurence inquires as he straightens out his tie.
"You know what, I'll just meet you in the common room, I just remembered, I have to get something."
"All right, see you there."
Grabbing his bag from the side, Sebastian gets up and heads off, almost sprinting to where he needs to go. Turning the corner sharply, he smiles as eyes land on the medical room. Going in, he looks around for things he might need for his brilliant idea.
His plan is simple; he will go check in on Ciels' ankle. With the boy being how he is, he probably didn't have it looked at by the nurse so it will need to be treated.
Sebastian takes a few cool packs, a gauze bandage and other things he thinks he may need to treat a possible sprain. Loading everything into his bag, he slings it over his shoulder as he leaves the room.
...
Second floor, room 314, down the hall and to the left.
That is the instruction Sebastian follows as he makes his way down the hall. His eye scans each door placard he passes as he tries to find room 314.
After a minute, he finally arrives outside of Ciels' room. Putting his bag down, he runs his hands through his hair and then straightens out his tie. Taking a moment to draw in a few deep breaths, he steadies himself just before he knocks on the door.
As it opens, he is greeted with a pair of glittering ice blue eyes.
"Oh, hello again." Alois smiles at him warmly. "It's Sebastian, isn't it?"
"Yes," He nods, "is Ciel in?"
"Who is it Alois?" Ciel calls out.
"It's Sebastian." Alois replies over his shoulder.
"Who?" Alois rolls his eyes at that response.
"You know, the guy you wouldn't stop bitching about all the way here."
"I don't want to see anyone." He whispers loudly. Sebastian sighs at that remark but he isn't at all surprised. He holds his bag out showing it to Alois.
"I brought some stuff for his ankle. I assume he hasn't gone to get it treated?"
"You assume correctly." He grins as he holds the door wide open. "Well, come in."
"Alois, no!" Ciel hisses but he ignores him as he allows Sebastian to come into the room.
"Thank you." Sebastian smiles as he comes in.
As he steps towards the middle of the room, his eyes land on Ciel who is sitting on the edge of the bed with his right leg tucked underneath him. Holding onto his ankle, he rocks back and forth slightly as he gingerly squeezes it.
"How did you find me here?" Ciel asks with an arched brow.
"I asked around."
"Are you serious?"
"I wanted to make sure you were okay."
"Well I am so you can go."
"No, he's not, he can barely walk." Alois interjects.
"Alois." Ciel exasperatedly sighs through gritted teeth as he shakes his head at him.
"Can you please look at his ankle?"
"Alois!" He yelps but Alois shrugs as he looks back at Ciel.
"I'm sorry but it's true."
"Look, I don't need any more of your help Sebastian." Ciel grumbles.
"That may be so but I wouldn't sleep unless I made sure you were okay."
"Well, I think I'm going to leave you two alone for a bit." Alois titters as he grabs his jacket from his bed. Ciels' head whips over to him as his eye narrows.
"Don't leave me here." He pleads, lowering his voice.
"Why not?"
"We don't know this guy."
"Just let him look at your ankle, it won't kill you."
"No but I might kill you."
"I'd like to see you try, gimpy." He giggles as he leaves the room, shutting the door behind him.
Ciels' gaze is still firmly on the door as Sebastian smiles, taking a step closer to him. Bending over, he reaches out to touch Ciels' ankle. Alarmed, Ciel instantly swats his hand away.
"Don't touch me."
"In order to help you, I need to have a look at it." He reasons. Ciel sighs loudly as he moves his leg out from under him. "Now lift your trouser leg and let me see your ankle."
Grumbling lowly to himself, Ciel does as instructed and Sebastian surveys the damage.
"You need to keep this elevated, scoot back." He motions for Ciel to sit back against the headboard. Taking the pillows from behind his back, Sebastian places them beside Ciel and he ever so gently raises Ciels' leg, putting the pillows underneath it.
Ciel watches him curiously as he hitches his trouser legs up and sits down by his foot, sliding the bag over to him. Sebastian digs around inside it, pulling out a cream colored gauze bandage. Leaning over, he slides the trouser leg up Ciels' calf and inspects the ankle closely.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm checking to see the swelling." He replies calmly.
"Oh."
Sebastian delicately lifts the foot and begins to wrap the bandage around it. Ciel winces and sucks in a sharp intake of breath through gritted teeth but he continues. He glances over to Ciel who is gripping the sheets tightly, flinching at his touch. Their eyes meet for a moment and Ciel looks away quickly. Sebastian smiles as he can see Ciels' cheeks start to rouge.
"Does it hurt?"
"A little." Ciel answers, still adverting his gaze.
"That's to be expected." He finishes, applying a little clip to fasten it down. Bending back over, he goes through the bag to pull out a cool pack. Scrunching it around to crush the crystals inside to make it cold, he lays it across Ciels' ankle and checks the time on his watch. "Okay, now leave this on for twenty minutes, then take it off for forty and repeat." He advises.
"O-okay." Ciel mumbles as he keeps his head turned away.
Sebastian cannot help but be charmed by this boy and everything about him makes him curious. From his regal and haughty demeanor and the fact that he simply refuses to be helped in any way, to the blush in his cheeks which shows his vulnerability, despite his attitude. Ciel intrigues him and also confuses him but all of these things make him want to know him.
"Well, I suppose I should go." He sighs. Ciels' eye slowly travels over to him. "Alois should be back soon and your ankle should be okay for tomorrow, it doesn't look so bad."
"How do you know?"
"I just do." He winks as Ciel blinks at him. "I want to be a doctor."
"Oh." Is all he replies.
"So," He hesitates, not really willing to leave just yet. "I guess I'll see you around then?"
"Probably not." Ciel says plainly.
"Why would you say that?"
"You're an upper classman, it's not as though we'll see each other in class."
"I guess you're right." He pauses. "Well then, if I'm not going to see you again, can I ask you a question?"
"You can ask." He replies smartly.
"What happened between you and that bloke from Green Lion? Why was he chasing you?"
"I don't wish to answer that."
"Does it happen often?"
"I'm not answering that either." Ciel quickly dismisses.
"I will take that as a yes then."
"You can take it however you wish."
"Why are you always so rude?"
"I'm not being rude." He snips.
"Yes you are, I haven't done anything to you, all I've been trying to do is help you."
"Well-"
"I know, I know, you didn't ask me to." Sebastian scoffs as he picks up his bag.
"No, that's not – that's not what I was going to say." Ciel mumbles as he chews on his bottom lip.
"Oh?"
"I wanted to, um, thank you."
"For what?"
"For stopping Arden, thank you." He pauses for a moment, "And for my ankle."
"Of course any time." Sebastian bows slightly. Coming back up he looks at his watch again and notes the time. "I guess I really should get going now. Take care Ciel."
"Good bye Sebastian."
Picking up his bag, Sebastian heads for the door. As he opens it, Alois appears.
"Going so soon?" He asks, passing by him and crossing the threshold.
"Yeah, I have to get back."
"Oh that's a shame. See you around maybe?" He wonders, Sebastian looks over to Ciel who folds his arms across his chest.
"Yeah, maybe." He nods.
"Okay, bye then." He practically sings as he shuts the door.
Sebastian lingers outside for a moment. What would he have to do to get Ciel in his life? He isn't sure about that, but he is sure of one thing, the boy is being bullied and what he walked in on wasn't a one off.
Sebastian knows that Ciel needs someone on his side, someone that can protect him. Sure he has Alois but how effective would he be against someone like Arden? He doesn't know – then it strikes him and with a new plan incubating in his mind and a knowing smile on his lips, he walks back to his room.