Chapter 3

"Sebastian… Sebastian!"

Ciel Phantomhive sat with his feet propped up on his over-sized desk. He was looking anxiously at the closed door, waiting for it to open and for the tall demon dressed in black to come to his side.

Damnit, Sebastian… Where are you?!

The youth was about to bring words to his thoughts when the door creaked open, and his butler walked coolly into the room. Sebastian took one look at his Young Master's face and bowed deeply. This way he could pay his respects to the young Phantomhive and hide his smirk from him at the same time.

"Forgive my lateness, Young Master." Sebastian said simply as he straightened and walked over to where the teen sat. As he did this, Ciel quickly uncrossed his ankles and removed his feet from the desk, half ready to get to his feet and slap his servant for being late.

Sebastian shot another glance in the direction of his master, and had to resist the temptation to chuckle as stood behind Ciel so that he could open the curtains and let the sunlight into the room.

Ciel sat ridged in his chair and laced his fingers together as he glared down at the wooden desk.

"Where were you?" Ciel asked, narrowing his eyes adjusted his gaze to meet the taller man's. With the over sized desk between them now, Sebastian placed one hand over his chest and bowed like before

"I am sorry, Young Master." The tall butler dressed in black apologized again as he looked back down at Ciel. "But I had some business to attend to."

Ciel let out a snort of laughter. "Business? What Business? Your only job is to serve me." He turned his head to the side , letting his hair fall over his uncovered eye so that Sebastian could not see the worry and fear building up behind them.

"I am sorry." Sebastian whispered. Quickly, he changed the subject. "However, what did you require, Young Master?"

"Huh?" Ciel looked back at Sebastian, startled out of his thoughts.

"Oh. I'm tired of working for right now. Bring me some tea. It doesn't matter what kind."

"As you wish." Sebastian bowed for the third time and was about to step out into the hallway, when he was called back by the Earl.

"Wait."

Sebastian looked over his shoulder at the boy, who was now standing with his back to him, looking the window at the grounds below.

"Yes, Young Master? Is there anything else?" Sebastian asked, raising an eyebrow slightly.

"Tell me the real reason you were late. You're never late when I call you."

Sebastian hesitated, his mind flashing back to a short while ago with the young Gilbert Nightray. He could still feel the kiss that they had shared lingering on his lips. The sweetest spice...

"That's an order!" Ciel barked, looking over his shoulder at the man.

Sebastian knew that he could not lie, that this young boy of now fourteen was depending on his to be the only one in his life that told the absolute truth. "I am fascinated with this world, Yong Master. The way humans are… I find pleasure in watching them."

"So, you found yourself a toy?" Ciel sounded amused as he looked back towards the window again.

"It is as you say, Young Master."

Silence.

Then, Sebastian watched as Ciel turned to face him; their eyes met, and for a long moment, Ciel said nothing. He seemed to be studying Sebastian closely.

"Humans are foolish creatures. Seeing as you are what you are, they should not be worth your time."

"And yet, I still stand beside you." Sebastian said, eyes glinting. Ciel made a small noise of irritation deep in his throat. He closed his eye and turned back to the window. Brushing his fingers over the eye patch that hid the contract between him and the demon in butlers clothing that stood behind him from view.

"Just don't be late again." Ciel said in a low voice.

"Yes, my Lord."

The sun was now setting, casting an orange glow over the landscape that seemed to go on forever as the carriage followed the dirt road that would take the passenger though town and to the Nightray Manor.

Gilbert Nightray had not said a word since the scene back at the abandon building. Somehow, he could not remember when, he had come back through the thick cluster of trees and found his coach waiting for him. Gilbert had no idea how much time had passed; all he was able to do was stare glassy-eyes out the window. Everything: mind, body, soul, seemed to have gone numb. The only thing he could feel was the sweet, tingling sensation on his lips. Sebastian's kiss. Sebastian's touch. Sebastian's words.

Unconsciously, Gilbert raised a hand to place his fingers over his lips. He closed his eyes, leaned his head back and letting his arm fall limp at his side. The image of the tall man dressed head to toe in black swam into focus before his eyes. He closed them tighter, trying to rid himself the picture, but with no avail. The picture seemed to be branded on his mind for the rest of eternity.

"Gilbert." Sebastian's words were words that only he, Gilbert could hear. Gilbert opened his eyes slightly, and saw him sitting on the opposite side of the carriage, smirking. Golden eyes widened as Sebastian reached out a hand towards him. His red-brown eyes were sparkling, but still. The Nightray wanted to... To...

Gilbert did not know he was reaching for the hand until Sebastian's form went out of focus, and then disappeared.

"No, wait…" His voice was nothing more than a raspy whisper, and he grasped at the empty air. "Come back…"

There must have been a large rock somewhere along the path, because the carriage jostled and bounced, making its only passenger his head on the ceiling.

"Ouch!"

Then, somewhere inside him, something seemed to snap. Gilbert shook his head, trying to clear it of the fog it had been in for who knows how long now. He looked around the small space of the carriage as he rubbed the top of his head. Sighing, Gilbert adjusted himself so that he could lean out the window enough to see the driver.

"How much longer until we reach the house?" Gilbert asked the driver. The man turned to look over his shoulder.

"We should be there in little more than an hour." He said, cracking the whip to make the horses go faster.

Gilbert nodded, and then slumped back inside the carriage. He buried his face in his hands, taking deep breaths.

Sebastian…

Gilbert felt filthy. He wanted to rid himself of the events of that day, to rid himself of the memory of the strange and beautiful man who had kissed him. What had happened would never be revealed to anyone else. What he felt for the man would never be said aloud.

Gritting his teeth, Gilbert grabbed for his gun that was lying beside him. He ran his fingers along it, and looked to see the missing bullet that he had fired at Sebastian.

"I now know what you want of me," Gilbert whispered before closing his eyes and letting his thick black hair hide his face. "But I will never allow you to be satisfied."