AN: Hello all I've returned yet again for another oneshot about our dearest Ciel and Sebastian. I'm starting to think I like to see Ciel suffer. If you've drawn this conclusion as well you're probably right. The poor thing. lol. This one took longer to churn out because I had wanted to for a long time and had to do it just right. Also, I wanted to re-watch my inspiration a few times to get the creative juices flowing. I don't know if their creative anymore since I seem to be taking all my idea for foreign films! Oh well! It seems my stories are getting more and more sad as we go along am I right?

Summary: This time we'll have to go back to the time of WWI, and transport ourselves to the beautiful french countryside. Lovely isn't it? Haha, enjoy the nice mental images because this thing was terribly sad; terrible I say. If i make you cry don't blame me, I was having difficulties not being depressed after re-reading this. I can't believe I wrote such an atrocity! All the quotes in between in here are one's I've pulled off the top of my head; save for the wire one. That one is one form my inspiration for this one; a french film called A Very Long Engagement. It had been a while since I'd watched it but I thought it would make a good premise for this oneshot without a doubt. Oh my, its so terribly sweet you'll want to shit bunnies. But then you'll want to cry. So enjoy it. lol.

WARNING: Yup the rating gotten bumped up for this chapter because there is some vague recollection of beautiful mansex (Ciel's older in this one so i'm not filing it under shota...technically), suggestiveness, and a fair amount of cursing. So if you'd rather not indulge in such things I suggest simply skipping that part or click the back button kindly. If this is just your cup of tea then please continue on your merry way and enjoy :3 Thank you!

Disclaimer: Nearly forgot this! whoops! Once again Ciel and Sebastian belong to Toboso, and any lines and ideas form A Very Long Engagement do not belong to me either.

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" There's this place in me where your finger tips still rest... your kisses still linger and your whispers softly echo... It's the place where a part of you will forever be a part of me."- Unknown

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"You're such a liar; I could never take you seriously even if I tried."

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Ciel hated that vile pocket watch.

He hated it with all of his pitiable being.

Even now as he clutched it in his hand he blamed it for every ounce of astringent misery it had brought upon him. Its silver ornamented exterior gleamed with mockery that was unparalleled in the young boy's single blue eye. His feeble fingers shook as he pried at the small locking mechanism that latched it shut; almost frantically. He felt mortified as he opened the objects elegant casing to reveal a numbered face that was stilled and lifeless. And tucked into the concave dip of its cover was folded yellowed paper, which seemed to be stained by time.

He didn't even want to touch it.

Dragging his pale finger over it briefly before cautiously removing it from its crevice; he felt his pulse burn with a mixture of miserable ache and anxiety.

He couldn't even open it before he felt his eyes burn with tears, his vision swirling into a runny blur, his world being washed away. He felt the white gauze that covered his right eye dampen and sag with the weight of his despair.

He didn't know anymore.

And if he didn't know, his world would come crumbling down upon itself in cruel demolition. Everything that had kept his life going, trudging forward in desperation; would be simply vanished.

Ciel felt his tears draw singeing paths across his pale cheeks; their miserable heat unbearable to him.

His hope against all hope had dissipated like smoke as soon as that watch reached his petite hands.

He just didn't know.

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"If he were dead, I would know."

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Ciel remembered the day he had met that cocky bastard with a vividness that was burned into his very existence.

And it was fairly appropriate as his existence was forever passionately consumed around him (around them) for the rest of Ciel's days.

Like all things that spilled forth from his lips; his first words had been ones etched with charade, and an air of charm that threatened to suffocate him like a drug.

But only in the most insultingly passionate way.

"Aren't you a bit young to be wandering the country-side like this by yourself?"

Ciel jumped, turning to see who had questioned him with such an impeding air. The man stood tall, at least much taller than he; with inky black hair that was so dark it failed to catch the bright afternoon sunlight that basked the many open fields. Rows after rows of grain, and corn, and sustenance; interwoven with the blemish of farmhouses that dotted the landscape. The path was dirt, and when you walked it you were sure to be covered in residue and dirt in matter of minutes; dust clouds kicking up with every scuff of his shoe against the gravel. The path was lined with limestone bricks, which formed small walls that were perfect for walking upon; testing your balance as you trudged along the barren road. This peculiar gentleman was leaned against one of these stone walls, smiling in a haughty manner that seemed to make him look like he was not from around here.

Not from around here at all.

Ciel was feeling a wretched annoyance as the man waited an answer; eyeing him like a diminutive child.

"I'm sixteen, you ass!"

"Oh? I'm sorry it's just you're so short," the man only cast him a sweet smile.

"Oh shut up will you?" he cast him a look of abhorrence, glaring from his single blue eye.

At this, as if his earlier insult had not been enough, he continued to ask even more offending questions.

"What is your name?"

Ciel refused to answer, turning away from the man and continuing his walk with conviction.

Much to his misfortune, the man simply followed; his footsteps making the familiar scuffing noise across the path that echoed his own.

"What happened to your right eye?"

Ciel was insulted. Beyond insulted that his stranger of a stranger was initiating a potential interrogation when all Ciel had wanted was to go for an afternoon walk.

"That's none of your business! Who are you anyway? What do you want?" he turned to face the stranger fully, his hands fisting as his annoyance escalated to into something similar to rage.

The stranger seemed slightly taken aback, but this was only brief as he approached the shorter boy who was now staring back at him with a livid glower. He simply grinned, and spoke once again.

"I just wanted to hear you speak again, although it'd probably be much nicer if your words were softer and kinder."

Ciel noticed the man's eyes seemed to glimmer with the color of brilliant red poppies in the sunlight. In the pit of his gut he felt a feeling foreign to him; something bubbling dangerously close to intrigue infused with significance.

"My name is Ciel."

Ciel turned again, walking further down the path, and questioning his own reason; as to why he was giving this stranger the time of day at all. His eyes drifted down to his black shoes that were now dusty and paled with debris from the shabby road.

He just felt it.

"I'm Sebastian Michaelis; it's a pleasure, Ciel."

He felt it deeper and stronger than he had ever felt anything in his life.

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"I hate you! I hate you so much because you consume every ounce of my being!"

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Sure enough, Sebastian had been a newcomer in the small countryside. Ciel remembered vividly his shock to find out that he helped run the nearby lighthouse along the shores; braving the immense heights to keep track of its welfare for the few fairing ships.

Every day Sebastian would come and visit Ciel, who now looked forward to their afternoon chats outside his small home; sitting at the small table outside in the balmy sunlight. Ciel's dearest aunt, Angelina, whose hair was such a vivacious red it seemed to burn her existence into one's memory almost as much as Sebastian's crimson eyes; always brought out lunch and iced tea with a soft smile and hello. Ciel's home was small and simple, built into the rolling hills. It was homely inside and out; with laundry hanging on the line and ivy creeping up the stone walls. They'd sit and talk the afternoon away; idly conversing on petty subjects that intrigued them.

As well, of course, about one another.

Every day Ciel found himself thinking more and more about Sebastian; and for a brief time he had a standoff with the older man, spurred on by his own frustration with himself over the matter. He'd ignore Sebastian when he could, refusing to acknowledge him, refusing to acknowledge the reality of his own ardor.

This lasted a whole of two days, before Ciel feverently apologized; reluctantly asking for Sebastian's forgiveness which he provided gladly with a small chuckle and a grin.

"Although your motives are beyond me, going even a single day without your company has become a feat which I would rather not attempt."

Once in a while, Ciel had his favorite reoccurring dream, which always involved him dangling from a precarious edge of the lighthouse that he knew Sebastian frequented for work when he was not visiting with Ciel. Sometimes he swore he could feel the breeze against his pale legs.

Undoubtedly each time Sebastian would retrieve him from the brink of his demise; with a gentle smile and a warm embrace Ciel would be salvaged from his nightmare.

Sometimes he swore he felt Sebastian's warm hands on his arms.

Although, Ciel figured the reality of it was far better.

Far better.

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Would you carry me? All the way to the top?"

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When Sebastian asked Ciel to accompany him to the top of the lighthouse he couldn't take a moment to enjoy the gesture because he felt so sure he would die.

Climbing up so high like that; with his feeble stature he was certain he'd plummet to his death far before he'd get a chance to ever enjoy the expansive and spectacular view with Sebastian. And he frowned as he agreed and looked up to Sebastian who was casting him such an inquiring look.

He bugged him about it relentlessly until Ciel couldn't take it anymore. Until he felt like he would throttle this man if he asked him about his nervous look, his anxious smile, or his look of dread.

"I'm afraid of heights you fool!"

Ciel felt bad after he yelled at Sebastian.

He always did.

Even the first day he had met the man he had felt compunction for being so course with him.

And just like he always did, he simply smiled and answered with kind words.

"Then I will carry you to the top on my back. You won't have to look down as we climb even once until were safe at the top where the balcony is sturdy and the view is so beautiful you won't have a second thought."

He didn't lie.

"Are we almost there yet?"

Ciel whimpered into the fabric of Sebastian's shirt as he gripped onto it for dear life; the material bunching under his tightly curled fingers, his legs hooked around Sebastian's waist.

"It's the last bit of stairs."

His face was planted firmly into Sebastian's back, and his single exposed eye was clamped shut. With every breath he drew in Sebastian's musky scent; a bit like rose and fresh cloves. Every step echoed in the hallowed interior of the tower; slowly bringing them closer to their destination. He could hear Sebastian's breathing, which was a bit labored because of the climb, making Ciel think things he willed himself to banish from his mind.

"Ciel, open your eyes."

Ciel's breath left him; swept up in the glowing landscape that enveloped his senses as his eyes opened slowly and cautiously.

It was so beautiful.

He was so beautiful.

Sebastian's face was lit in spectacular contrasts, his pale skin glowing in the light and his eyes shining gorgeous crimson.

"I told you I would carry you."

Ciel only nodded as he was set upon the stone ground, looking out across the opposite side out to the ocean where a single sea bird bobbed in the wind, flying against its current in vain. Ciel smirked at it briefly before turning to look at Sebastian who had moved to the other side of the glass surrounding the gigantic light in the center of the platform. He walked around the inside, smiling out at Ciel who followed him around the platform.

When Sebastian stopped Ciel stopped, stepping forward to the glass.

Sebastian watched his actions, curious as to what he would do.

Ciel brought his face up to the glass, watching as his breath clouded the surface in clouds of fog; he pressed his lips to the glass gently, the cold surface making his lips sting and tingle with chill.

Sebastian paused only a second, before mirroring his actions; pressing his own lips on the opposing side of the barrier with a smirk, feeling the similar bitter sensation of cold mixed with the warmth he felt radiating from Ciel through the glass.

The cold made Ciel's lips dry, and he didn't like the chilly sea winds.

He felt Sebastian's warm breath through the glass; his heart pattered eagerly against his ribcage, and he thought his breath had stopped.

If not for the heat that coursed through his pink cheeks he would have certainly thought himself dead.

The tenderness of the kiss was far beyond the smart of the icy glass.

Far beyond anything in this world.

And Ciel was sure he was all the way up in heaven.

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"Don't look at me like that. If you look at me like that I'll melt into a puddle of blissful mess."

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Ciel remembered the first time they made love together.

Perched in the darkness of the attic they played a small game by lamplight, tossing insults back and forth alongside mocking touches that left Ciel's skin tingling.

When Sebastian's lips had brushed against his neck, as Ciel tried desperately to win the round of Pick Up Sticks, he had had just about enough.

He took the burning lamp in hand and blew out its flame, Sebastian eyeing him curiously before his face disappeared into the darkness.

When Sebastian had finally dug a match out of his pocket and struck it to life along the small crate they used as a table, the light danced across Ciel's figure in a flurry of warm oranges and yellows; he was now missing his typical over coat, now clad only in the white dress shirt he normally wore.

Ciel blew out the match again.

Once again Sebastian lit a new match, lifting it up as it hissed and jumped to life again, casting shadows across Ciel's pale chest, which was now exposed in a small strip of glowing alabaster, his white shirt hanging loosely from his tiny shoulders.

Sebastian smirked.

Ciel blew out the match yet again.

By the time Sebastian had lit his next match, Ciel's white shirt was the only thing left on his person, and Sebastian was finally able light the lamp again.

The rest was a beautiful blur, a passion that was burned into his memory relentlessly.

Ciel remembered how every time Sebastian's hands grazed his skin; caressing the smooth flesh of his thigh, his face, his chest, it left a trail of burning need.

His hands were so warm, even against his heated flesh; and traced gentle patterns across him in swirling tendrils of compassion, a tenderness that made Ciel's pulse pound through his veins in a throbbing echo of every heated thrust.

When the tears came; of hurt mixed with pleasure, Sebastian's mouth reached Ciel's flushed cheeks and lapped up the trails of saltiness with temperate kisses.

Everything about Sebastian seemed to be amplified into a scale that Ciel found near unbearable; every indulgent look sending him into a new throe of bliss that made his back arch violently in ecstasy.

Ciel recalled that when they both came to their end, shuddering and shivering along one another; that Sebastian's flushed face was entirely ethereal.

Entirely unreal.

Sebastian's hand remained on Ciel's chest all night, gently clasped over his heart, which Ciel had been sure he'd feel throbbing delicately through his torso; sleeping quietly with his head just over his shoulder.

When Sebastian awoke, making motion to stir, Ciel held his hand in place, looking over his shoulder with a pleading look; his single sapphire eye glistening with an earnest request.

"Stay a little longer."

Before Ciel went to bed he often dreamt quietly of that evening; of that flurry of passionate circumstances; and it did not take long until he reached fulfillment with this thought of his raven-haired lover on his mind.

After Sebastian left, Ciel could no longer bare to think of him as he pleasured himself.

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"If the wire does not lead me to you, I will try again. If it breaks, I will hang myself with it."

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When the letter came in the mail Ciel was certain it was a bad joke.

A very bad joke.

In very bad taste.

That afternoon Sebastian visited earlier than normal, approaching as Ciel sat quietly at their table which was cluttered with paper; he was busy writing letters but paused and looked up to smile when he saw the tall man approach.

Angelina was hanging a few fluffy white linens on the line, and the breeze was just perfect to tousle them gently as they dried, making them dance like phantasms in the bright afternoon sunlight. When her eyes drifted to the letter in his hand, she stopped smiling and immediately flashed a momentary look to her nephew, who only cocked his head questioningly; still grinning his contented grin.

Sebastian didn't say anything until Ciel had finished reading the letter, which he had handed to him quietly and guardedly, as he sat across from him at the table; his face falling into a solemn look of apathy. When Ciel looked up to face him, Sebastian's eyes were hard garnet stones; colder than usual, and vastly troubled.

Ciel felt his eyes burn with tears he refused to shed; and the clasped his own hands together tightly to stop himself from making a fool of himself. It helped only briefly, before he was thrown into an embrace, and his salty tears soaked into the fabric of Sebastian's shirt, staining it with his anxiety, and his hatred for the war he never thought would happen to him. It wasn't supposed to happen to him.

Even though it wasn't supposed to happen.

It did.

And on the day that Sebastian had packed everything up, and changed into attire far too dull for his stature and frame, Ciel and Auntie Angelina stood by the car to say goodbye.

When Sebastian hugged Angelina she passed him a pack of cigarettes to which he kindly declined; all the same she insisted that they would help him make friends and thus he was inclined to accept her request with a chuckle and a grin.

Ciel didn't want to be here, he glared at the man who drove the decrepit old car as he sat and awaited Sebastian. He glared for all he was worth until he could no longer harbor any more loathing for the man and then he turned to face Sebastian again; who looked down at him with a sly look of disapproval.

Sebastian often told Ciel he had far too much zeal for such a small stature; and thus he came off as cantankerous, which he often did.

This time he only cast him a knowing smile, before making the slight lean downwards to plant a chaste kiss on his forehead; his hair had parted flawlessly for this, leaving a ideal place for Sebastian's lips.

Ciel disapproved of such a small token of affection for such a long departure and quickly threw his arms around Sebastian's neck, roughly pulling him into a tight embrace and steadily reaching upwards on his toes; His lips crashed against Sebastian's in a way that was painfully bruising, a way the seared the moment into his existence with a cruelty that made him ill. With a brutality that carved this moment into his being.

"If I do not return they will send you my silver pocket watch, and a letter explaining your worst nightmares."

Ciel glared up at him; angry that he could think of such a topic that seemed so incredulous; but more so angry cause the mere thought made him want to sob

"But this is irrelevant; because I will return without a doubt. We can continue our chats over Angelina's lunchtime tea, and climb to the top of the lighthouse, and we will climb to the top of the bell tower in the square. When it rings, we'll nearly go deaf and I'll carve our initials into the cold stone. I'll mark it where everyone can see, and in a way where no one will know; we'll be a romantic mystery left upon this world in messily scrawled stone."

"You're such a sap."

Sebastian only chuckled, placing another kiss on the top of Ciel's head. Ciel felt the tears beading at the corners of his vision, but harshly blinked them back and grinned.

"I promise I'll come back."

And with that Sebastian hopped into the car, with the strange man in military uniform and he drove around the bend, the car leaving a cloud of dust in its wake.

He lied.

Ciel never hated him for it though. And for the longest time now he had been absolutely certain he would return. He had heard of his death; it was written in plain black and white on the front of a paper. Something didn't seem right though.

Something urged Ciel onward against his Aunt's wishes, and he dove himself to his very last nerve in investigating, thoroughly interrogating survivors and widows. He even ventured into Paris to find a prostitute who had connections with a fellow solider who had accompanied Sebastian when he was thrown over the top. If Sebastian were truly dead Ciel would certainly feel it in a way no one else could, correct?

Sebastian was perhaps alive and avoiding hard labor by hiding away with a fellow man.

Sebastian perhaps had gone and started a new life with a new name somewhere in Germany; setting up residence with a nice old German house frau.

Of course when Ciel thought of this he always imagined that if it were true; Sebastian would only entertain fantasies about Ciel as he made his happy home with the German woman.

Ciel imagined her as tall and blonde with oversized breasts.

Following the few strings of hope, Ciel never ceased to believe that Sebastian would walk up the drive to have afternoon chats again.

Every thin string of optimism led to noting but more string.

Every time the string seemed to break it was tied together once again.

Until that watch arrived; the man brought it with a solemn face and a thick mustache. He drove up the gravel drive in the middle of the evening and made a ruckus on his noisy motorbike.

When Ciel looked out his window the man held out the pocket watch high above his head and yelled a greeting.

Ciel remembered looking down and catching the glint of silver in the night.

Ciel felt like dying.

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"Truly you are so stubborn; harboring such hope against all hopes. And yet, you are so admirable."

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When the man came inside and ate, he was more than happy, spilling his spirit about all he knew and how he had obtained the pocket watch from man in a hospital. A man who was a bit eccentric in his harboring of all the soldier's final wishes; their last letters to their loved ones, and their last tokens of remembrance. He kept them in a box and this man had delivered them to all of the widows and mothers left in the lonely world.

When Ciel felt so crushed he leant his head down on the table and closed his eyes the man spoke to him directly.

"Truly someone who should show so much fortitude as you should know when a cause is lost. Though your love is a passion that is unfamiliar to me; I envy and pity you with a feeling that it beyond all words."

He found that he hated this man.

He hated everyone and anyone.

He hated that pocket watch, which he grabbed from the man's hand abruptly casting him a livid glare and yelling before storming up to his quarters.

He heard Auntie Angelina apologize and try to call to him as he went.

And now he stood here, with a mountain of broken string, and that insufferable pocket watch which he reviled so much so; wishing only that he could hang himself with the strings of fate he had clasped onto so desperately.

Here he was, sniveling in a way that made him embarrassed to call himself a man, a man now of 18.

He ripped open the folded paper that had been tucked inside the watch and read it through distorted vision.

Ciel,

Against all odds I have made it this far; though odds are in my favor as I am returning to you soon. The cruelty of here makes everything about home seem so distant it is beyond me as to how they reside within the same world.

Still my thoughts are on your dear aunt, your pleasant home, and seeing you again from the top of the lighthouse where everything is so ethereal it is probably a threshold to heaven.

I don't suppose you've grown any taller.

Then again that is part of your charm now isn't it? That immense character in such a tiny package.

As I've been shot in the hand, whilst holding a cigarette too high over the trench, I've been court marshaled for reasons beyond me. I suppose they figure I did it on purpose; to which I must earnestly say would have been a splendid idea had it truly been my own. We get thrown over into No-Man's Land right up on the front this evening. Me and five other men who had just wnted t go home. ONe isn't much older than you, and he has a lovely finacee awaiting him.

I am happy to say to the others that after the execution I can go home so something as well; someone splendid to whom I can love until there is no more tomorrow. Remember that you are always in my thoughts; and I would give my other hand and fingers (since the first one has already been quite devastated) to be able to touch you again.

If I had said what I truly wanted to right there you would have undoubtedly found a way to slap me even from all the way there, so thus I shall never tell you. I shall never ever tell you about how I want to make love to you again and again in such a way that leaves you whimpering and begging for more.

No, I certainly could never tell you that.

I can almost feel your harsh words at this moment for saying such lewd things.

I'll be back soon and you can properly scold me for taking so long to return, and after you've yelled, and then apologized for yelling like you often do, we'll go to the top of the bell tower like I promised.

I'll carry you up just like with the lighthouse.

It'd be better if you got over your fear of heights.

But it's quite alright because I rather enjoy carrying you upon my back, now that I stop to think about it.

Yes, I will carry you all the way up.

We'll carve SMCP into existence forever at the dizzying top.

I'll see you soon.

Yours truly,

Sebastian.

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"I know, but I don't believe; and because of this my existence is lost to unbridled love."

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Oh my oh my. Im very happy with this one! Although i'm debating on it, the next one will probably be short.

But sweet!

Don't expect to much unless another diine bolt of inspiration strikes.

For once i'm thinking of doing a partially cannon one; back to Victorian England, Ciel the Earl, and Sebastian the demon.

Although I'd like to pull out of my downward spiral into depressing angsty stories I can't make any promise. The next one might be even more angsty so I'm sorry lol. I promise the light and happy fluff will come back eventually. lol.

Thanks for coming back again guys, this is always a real treat to pump out sotries and get those lovely reviews you al keep sending me :3 Kepe tehm coming and i'll keep these coming!

Before I finish up i'd like to give a nice shoutout to HatakeLuci, who has sent me the kindest and most trhough reviews i've ever recieved! Thank you for your support and I can make my promsie that I will continue this! ^^

Thanks again everyone!

-Staa'cy