Excuses

Late summer turned into autumn, and the Phantomhives celebrated Michaelmas on the twenty-ninth of September with Elizabeth's family. It was a small gathering to welcome the new season, and everyone enjoyed themselves. The women talked about the fall fashion and other upcoming events while the men spoke of the latest politics and individual successes.

Ciel ultimately had made good negotiations with Japanese and American investors and he talked about the deals he had agreed to. If anything, he'd been swamped in paperwork for the last month and a half, but he hoped that by mid-October his products would be shipped out just in time for the Christmas holiday. His Uncle Alexis congratulated him, as did Edward, but after a while, they shifted to the topic of fencing, and Ciel found himself matching against them.

Halfway through, Elizabeth, her mother, and Edward's wife and young daughter came into the courtyard to watch the mock fights. Sebastian and the Middleford's butler had come as well and stood attentively, ready to fulfill any requests.

"Ciel's gotten better, hasn't he mother?" Elizabeth commented as her husband parried against her brother.

As strict as ever, Frances crossed her arms, watching the match. "Not by much," she replied wryly. Turning to Sebastian, she addressed the butler, "I assume he hasn't touched a foil since you've been under his management, hm?"

Smiling, Sebastian bowed his head. "Not that I've seen, my lady."

Frances smirked, watching as her son delivered various frontal attacks, all the while watching Ciel's hasty footwork. "I suspected as much."

In the end and to his own displeasure, Ciel lost, but let Edward comment on what he did wrong. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, the light sword hanging in the palm of his hand. Alexis laughed, saying something about refreshments.

"I think I'll change," Ciel said under his breath to Elizabeth who nodded in understanding. With a look at Sebastian, he led the way out to a spare room to change, the butler right behind him.

Stripping off his sweaty clothes, Ciel sighed, finally managing to catch his breath. He hadn't fenced in so long…was he really this out of shape? Nevertheless, he turned his attention to Sebastian, who was waiting dutifully with his spare change of clothes. Shirtless, he resisted the urge to start anything with the man, knowing that he was expected back.

"Lady Elizabeth's thinking about an All Hallows Eve masquerade ball, my lord," Sebastian said conversationally as he folded Ciel's clammy clothes.

Ciel said nothing, but dread at another large social gathering filled his gut. Running fingers through his hair until he deemed himself presentable, Ciel gave a quick huff before replying, "Is that so?"

Ciel nearly slammed his pen down, folding over his large desk. Papers for shipments and various contracts with American and Japanese transporting companies were scattered all across the dark wood. He rubbed at his temples, hoping to soothe this impossible headache.

He was currently finishing up the last minute documents that would expand his Funtom products overseas. All the calculations and signatures were starting to get to him, as well as the ever looming deadline in a couple days.

To add to the chaos, his father had called, saying that there was another case from the Queen, and he was to join the investigation, which started in three days, a day before the company's deadline. And to add onto that, Elizabeth was making most of the arrangements for that masquerade ball that would be in less than a week and a half.

He had tried to dissuade her, but it was a losing battle from day one. She had claimed that she had always wanted to host such a party, and had inevitably returned to her childish ways, ultimately ignoring all the work piled on his shoulders. However, after nearly an hour of dispute, Ciel had given up and just told her to go on with it. He just made her promise not to drag him into her planning, which she readily agreed to, only saying that she'd bother him when it came to the costumes.

To his relief, there was a polite knock on the door, and Ciel wondered what took Sebastian so long to arrive with the herbal tea he ordered for.

"I would have never thought you of all people would slack off work, my lord," the butler commented with a mischievous smile as he handed Ciel the warm drink. Ciel sat up from his slouched position and took the offered cup.

Glaring at the man, Ciel murmured before taking a sip, "Shut up."

Like always, Sebastian remained calm, probably a little too relaxed around him. "This is what, the third –"

"Forth."

"– fourth headache this week?" Sebastian corrected himself.

Ciel set the teacup down and leaned back in the chair, closing his eyes momentarily before reopening them to look wearily at his covered desk. "I'm just a little stressed is all," he excused, knowing that Sebastian had a good idea of what he was working on.

Sebastian stood attentively, but his eyes wandered over his desk, observing all the documents and contracts. "I'd say that you've mostly wrapped up your work with the Funtom Company, my lord."

"I still have two dozen phone calls to make."

Sebastian smirked. "Ever the optimist."

Ciel shot another halfhearted glare at his butler, but said nothing. However, Sebastian pressed, changing the subject. "Do you think this new case with Lord Phantomhive will go well?"

Rubbing at his eyes and taking a moment to pinch the bridge of his nose as his headache throbbed doubly, Ciel sighed. "It sounded simple enough. Foreign shop owners are being targeted. Three stores have already burned, and others have been threatened. There have only been two casualties." It probably just boiled down to some of England's extreme loyalists going overboard about the immigrants and their businesses. It happened often enough.

"So I must assume you'll be back for the Lady's ball?"

"You're not looking forward to it, are you?" He certainly wasn't, and Ciel had made certain Sebastian knew so.

"Not particularly," Sebastian said, and Ciel wondered when he had gotten so close. His headache receded a little. Something was up; something was behind those carefully chosen words.

Waving his hand, Ciel said tiredly, "I'm not in the mood for your mind games, Sebastian. Just come out with it." Sebastian smiled, and Ciel couldn't help but look at his lips. His butler took the initiative and leaned down to capture his mouth.

"It's to be a masquerade ball, is it not, my lord?" Sebastian nearly whispered, pulling back an inch or two, his hot breath ghosting over his master's face. Ciel pushed their lips together in another kiss, unable to resist the temptation before him.

"Yes and your point?"

Chuckling a little, Sebastian explained, "It is expected that elaborate costumes are to be worn to such gatherings. Being the host, your outfit would most definitely be scrutinized by your guests down to the very last detail."

"I didn't ask for knowledge that I already possess, Sebastian," Ciel said, his voice a mix between irritated and weary. Sebastian didn't immediately respond, and suddenly Ciel understood what he was getting at. "And if I were to 'lose' an accessory in the gardens…?"

Sebastian smiled knowingly. "I'd be more than happy to aid you in your search, my lord."

He had managed to finish all the paperwork and had made all the necessary phone calls successfully a day before the deadline. The shipments to America were secure, and he had contacted the CEOs of the companies that would be there to collect the products and have them safely transferred to their various establishments. He had also worked on an agreement with one of the train corporations that would transport his products across the country, and then be dispatched to Japan by yet another shipping company. At the end of the day, he had skipped three meals and had ultimately fallen asleep in his chair after the last document was signed and sealed.

As expected, when Ciel accompanied his father on the Queen's case, the outcome was what he had initially predicted. Through some paperwork and what large evidence that was left for them at the crime scenes of the burnt down buildings and one body, it really wasn't hard to figure out a lead. Again, Ciel made himself ask aloud probably one too many obvious questions that he already knew the answers to, just to appease his father.

"If anything, this case could've been left for the Scotland Yard to deal with," his father had commented on the carriage ride back.

"Perhaps the Queen's giving such easy cases to suit my inexperience," Ciel suggested, noticing the Phantomhive estate starting to peak just beyond the hill.

His father had nodded. When they had reached the manor, father and son went over the paperwork and report outlines that would be sent to the Queen. Ciel dined with his mother and father that night, and had left soon after dessert.

Now all that was left was…

"Oh, it's so good to see you after such a long time my Lord and Lady Phantomhive," was the usual gush from another noble. "When was it last? Your wedding? 'Tis been such a long time, we'll have to make a date soon!"

Ciel stood with Elizabeth as they greeted their guests. Elizabeth had sketched out costumes with their tailor last week, and the result was actually quite outstanding. They both wore black outfits; Ciel's accented by a bright blue, Elizabeth's outlined with a light green. The patterns suggested the theme of All Hallows Eve with small details of silver thread tracing spider webs and the buttons acting as bones. They each wore matching hats and masks that suggested they were creatures of the night.

When the last of their guests arrived, they cued the small orchestra to start and dance after elaborate dance followed. The champagne and cider flowed, and soon everyone was having a merry time under the black, orange, and yellow decorations. Hilarious games were played that involved blindfolds and apples and darts. Ciel managed to enjoy himself, watching some of his esteemed business partners embarrass themselves as they dunked their heads under the water in an effort to catch an apple with their mouths.

"And you thought this would be a horrible idea," Elizabeth chided him playfully, linking their arms. Her green eyes shone brightly through the black mask. "You've been smiling this whole time, you know."

Ciel nodded, making it a point to tap his finger atop Elizabeth's hand. She took the bait and looked down.

"Weren't you wearing a ring, dear?" she asked, and Ciel feigned confusion.

"I was, wasn't I?" he played, making the effort to hold his hand out as if he couldn't see properly. "It was black and silver, wasn't it?"

Thankfully, near the beginning of the ball, he had unintentionally gone out for some fresh air. "Perhaps you lost it when you went outside," Elizabeth thought aloud. "Should I send one of the servants to look for it?"

Shaking his head, Ciel briefly wondered how much champagne he had drunk. His speech wasn't slurred yet, but his head felt a little light. "No, I'll go look for it."

"By yourself? I wouldn't think that –" Elizabeth asked a little surprised.

"I'll take Sebastian with me," Ciel quickly amended, knowing that it was improper for one of the hosts to take off, but he quite honestly didn't care at this point. It wasn't like he really wanted to be here in the first place.

Elizabeth was silent for a moment too long and Ciel feared that she would send other servants to look in the dark for him. However, she suddenly smiled, as if mentioning Sebastian was the best idea ever.

"He did manage to find one of my hairpins a couple of weeks ago," she mused. "I hadn't seen it for months!" She laughed, and Ciel pecked her on the cheek in a way of thanks, and then she quickly attached to a couple passing friends.

Heading through the mansion and out on the back patio, Ciel spied Sebastian and gave him a look that said to follow. The butler was behind him in no time, and to make things seem like they weren't up to anything suspicious, he said aloud as he passed a couple servants, "…lost a ring outside earlier. You're to help me search for it, understand?"

Catching on, Sebastian kept up his pace behind his master, a hand over his heart. "Yes, my lord."

It was dark out, but the half moon and stars provided them with enough light to see where they were going, as well as conceal them. The night air was crisp but not terribly cold for late October as Ciel led them through the winding paths behind the hedges and fences, eventually leading them to the back of the grounds, where the willow trees and garden outbuilding stood. Before he could even turn around to face his butler once he stopped, Sebastian had him in his arms, pinning him against the shed.

Fingers digging into the back of Sebastian's black coat, Ciel pressed himself as close as possible to the man as his poofy necktie was pulled away and his jacket hastily unbuttoned. Warm lips and a hot tongue met his tingling skin, already blazing a trail from his collarbone and up his neck. Kisses were peppered along his jaw, and just as Ciel was sure lips would capture his own, Sebastian pulled back with a chuckle.

"Eager, my lord?" came the teasing question.

Already shamelessly panting, Ciel answered by slamming his mouth against Sebastian's, their teeth unexpectedly clashing. He felt satisfied when his butler just barely managed to swallow a moan. His hands went to work on the vest and dress shirt underneath.

He didn't get very far before Sebastian's own hands pushed his away in favor of undressing his master. A leg separated his own to rub against his already hard arousal, and Ciel felt his knees go weak. Somewhere in the midst of it all, he was lowered, his back now against the slightly wet grass. A chill surged up his spine as Sebastian pulled his shirt open, revealing his torso.

"Ah-!" Throwing back his head as Sebastian's mouth twisted around his nipples, hands running down his stomach, Ciel writhed under his butler. His blue eyes were clouded with lust, his face flushed pink. His head felt even lighter, but he paid it no mind as he felt hands pop a button and draw down a zipper. "Sebastian…!"

Back arching, Ciel didn't wonder whether or not there'd be grass stains on his clothes. All he could concentrate on was Sebastian's hot mouth and torturously amazing tongue. His hands clawed at the earth beneath him as he swallowed a moan he knew would be too loud, biting his lip with a suppressed groan as Sebastian brought him over the brink.

Sebastian didn't give him much time to recover before he was ensnared in another kiss. Their tongues twirled around one another, sending new sparks of arousal down Ciel's lethargic body.

"My lord? Sebastian?"

Freezing as they both recognized George's voice somewhere in the distance and yet too close for comfort, Ciel held his breath as Sebastian hastily went to work, buttoning his shirt and vest and wiping the spit from his mouth and smoothing down his hair. Silently, he motioned for Ciel to move further behind the outbuilding and into the shadows while he stood and moved to find the other servant.

"Ah, Sebastian! There you are," George said once he saw the butler standing behind a hedge. "Lady Elizabeth asked me to come and find you and the master, you've been a while. She said something about a ring?"

Ciel held his breath, wondering what Sebastian would say. He started to clumsily button his own shirt, disappointment flooding his system.

"Yes, the master lost a certain ring when he was out earlier for fresh air," Sebastian answered smoothly. "He asked me to aid him in finding it."

"In the dark?"

Sebastian didn't reply and the air seemed tense before the other servant asked, "So where is the master? Is he –" Ciel's fingers froze, and he shifted more into the shadows when he heard George starting to advance. His heart beat in his ears loudly. If they were found out-!

"The master seems to have had a bit too much to drink tonight," Sebastian stalled, stopping the servant in his tracks. "It would be most humiliating to him for you to seem in his current state."

There was silence, and Ciel cursed his butler over and over, knowing that he had to make some kind of sound. He coughed and sputtered and knew that his face must be beat red when he forced himself to weakly croak, "Sebas-tian…water, now…"

He suspected that Sebastian would come to aid him to play up on the act, but his butler did no such thing. Instead, George asked if he could be of any help, but Sebastian dismissed him, telling him not to say anything to Lady Elizabeth about her husband's discomfiting state and that he'd care for the master. Thankfully, the other servant didn't press, and when Sebastian came back to him, Ciel knew that the other man was gone.

"Is my poor master in need of some medicine?" Sebastian cooed as he circled arms around Ciel's waist, pulling him against his chest and into his lap. The butler sat back against the shed, but not before making sure it wouldn't rattle.

Despite the lips pressing against his neck and hands undoing the two buttons he had redone, Ciel blushed in embarrassment. "That's coming out of your paycheck," he threatened, but he was cut off from saying more when a hand delved into the front of his trousers.

His slacks somehow were dragged down his legs so that they encircled his ankles and bothersome shoes. Ciel noticed that during that time, Sebastian had pulled off his gloves and had undone his own trousers. Ciel moaned as his butler's arousal teasingly rubbed against the cleft of his ass.

"Sebas-mmn…" Ciel sucked on the two fingers that forced their way into his mouth, all the while pushing back on Sebastian's member, his heart rate accelerating as Sebastian finally let a moan escape his lips.

The digits slid out of his mouth, coated in saliva. Ciel unconsciously leaned back flush against Sebastian as said fingers reached to press against his entrance. With a cry of pleasure, he managed to press his lips to Sebastian's. All too soon he felt empty, but then hands were on his hips and slowly lowering him until he felt overfilled. Sebastian bit down on the juncture between his neck and shoulder and Ciel whimpered. Everything was still for a moment before Ciel adjusted. Then Sebastian started moving and helping Ciel to move with the set rhythm, pleasure shooting up both their spines.

"Ah-ah-Sebastian-!" Ciel cried out, some unclouded part of his mind hushing his voice just in case. He barely noticed as Sebastian bent them over, his hands fisting into the grass as his butler moved faster and faster with the new angle. He panted into the earth, his mind only thinking of the immense pleasure.

Suddenly the ecstasy increased tenfold and he shuddered violently with a low moan, slumping to the ground as wave after wave of bliss washed over him. Sebastian finished a few seconds after, and Ciel unexpectedly felt his butler's hot and satisfied breath against his ear and he shivered delightfully.

"Sebastian," he said sluggishly, but Ciel could tell that there was an exhausted smile on his lips right before the man pressed his lips against his own in a sweet kiss. He blinked a few times as sleep threatened to come, but he was able to stave it off while Sebastian moved to clean them up as best he could.

He was just able to tell that Sebastian had dressed himself up properly, but had only buttoned Ciel's dress shirt and trousers back up. He left his hair disheveled and his necktie to hang around his neck. He understood why Sebastian did this: he was supposed to appear drunk and unruly from bringing all the alcohol back up. He didn't understand why Sebastian waited for a few minutes before scooping him up into his arms.

Ciel knew well enough that Sebastian wouldn't bring him through the main room where the ball was taking place, so he didn't worry about his appearance as much as he was carried through the garden and through various rooms that led to the stairway. He didn't care that he was being carried as an eighteen year old, not even when George noticed them and followed them up to Ciel's bedroom with a cloth and a bowl of warm water.

"I've got everything from here, thank you George," Sebastian dismissed again the minute Ciel was situated on the bed. The servant left soundlessly and Ciel was quickly changed out of his costume, including the mask that had miraculously remained on his face. Sebastian cleaned him up properly with the supplies George had brought, and then dressed Ciel for bed. He tucked the covers in around his master and pushed back his bangs. "It's a good thing you're young, my lord."

The soft pillow felt nice against his heavy head. "Why's that?" he asked, his voice drowsy.

Sebastian smiled. "It makes the story of you becoming drunk actually believable." He made an amused face, and Ciel was about to prompt him before he added, "Though, I should hardly think Lady Elizabeth will be pleased."

Ciel appeared to glare at the man, but it only came out as a weary look. "I can hardly care about that right now, Sebastian." He motioned for his butler to come closer, and he lazily brushed his lips against Sebastian's, his eyes drooping dangerously before he drifted to sleep.

"Of course, my lord."

A/N: Fun chapter to write ^.^ Thank you for all the comments/favs/alerts! Feedback is greatly appreciated!