A Different Side

It was the day of Lady Elizabeth's departure from England toward her new beginning in Germany. As Ciel had promised, he picked her up the day before and took her on a long boat ride. Just the two of them, well ignoring the fact that Sebastian was navigating the boat of course. He had seen her off, and just before she placed her foot on the walkway leading to its bow, she kissed him, dead on his rose petals. He had never received a gesture from a girl, let alone his betrothed. She stepped back and smiled at him. His cheeks bloomed and he smiled back. He kept picturing her smiling face while he enjoyed the ride back to the manor. Things weren't going to be the same without her bubbly antics and over-the-top emotion. He couldn't help but miss her. "It's funny," he thought to himself while his butler quietly sat across from him, "When she's home and isn't near me, I could care less what she's doing. As long as she's alright." The carriage road over a bump and the trip continued. "Though…now that I watch her get on that boat, and the thought of her not being where I can get to her quickly. I miss her much. Lizzie…" His butler noticed his silence and pushed to break it. "Is there anything specific you would like for your afternoon tea, my lord?" he spoke. Ciel remained quiet for a moment, not yet grasping the question he was being asked. "No," he answered, keeping his eyes away from him, "Anything you prepare is fine." Sebastian watched as the despair in his master's face became obvious. He accompanied him, and looked out at the passing scenery. Though his body screamed for him to take this opportunity and confess himself, he had begun to bury his feelings deep down and just accept what would never be.

The day before: Ceil had held Elizabeth's hand since the time she sat in the chariot. Though it was her sake as well as his, it was mostly because he didn't know how long it would be until he would touch her skin again. "It is a wonderful day for a picnic, Ciel," Elizabeth spoke, keeping her smile her face. "Yes, it is," he replied, not as enthusiastic as she was. Truthfully, he would rather be in his study, completing the paperwork that he had been weeks behind in. Yet, he did enjoy her smile. He had always enjoyed it. As they arrived closer to the bay, she let go of his hand and almost jumped out of her seat to get to the opening in the door. "Oh look, Ciel!" she spoke, with her head hanging out of the opening, "There is a family of ducks on the water." "Get back in here, Elizabeth, or you shall fall." She sat down and turned to him. "Oh, come on, Ciel," she said, "Aren't you happy?" He grabbed a hold of her hand again, and smiled as the carriage came to a standstill. "Yes, Lizzie. I am very happy."

Present: Ciel steps out of his carriage and goes into the manor, with his butler following close behind. "I shall get right away on the preparations on dinner and your evening tea, young master," he spoke to him, "Shall you been eating in your study today again?" "Yes," he answered while continuing up the steps, "Afterward, take the rest of the day off. I don't want to be bothered." Sebastian's eyes widened; he had never been asked to take the day off before. It seemed as if Lady Elizabeth's departure had truly gotten to the young master. The butler smiles and bows toward him, "Yes, my young lord". Ciel closed the study door behind him, went behind his desk and plopped on his chair. A stack of papers sat upon his desk, waiting for his overview and sign off. He looked down at them, and just couldn't get focused on the task at hand. "She was the only one left who truly cared," he said to himself, "Everyone else is gone, yet she always stayed loyal to me. And just like my parents and Aunt Anne, she's gone too." Though she had been alive and well when he had left her in the time before, he felt as if no matter where she was, he could not reach her. He was once again alone, to face the turmoil of his life and deal with the nightmares.

The day before: Sebastian fluffed out a picnic blanket in the middle of green grass, a few feet from the bay. She wanted to be as close as possible to the ducks where she wouldn't miss anything without being close to the water. Since this was her day, Ciel had labeled, it was placed where she wished. After the long ride, the two were famished and lunch was served. They sat under a shady tree and enjoyed the warm breeze. It was quiet, for no one had anything to say. Ciel bit into his sandwich as Elizabeth watched him. "Will you miss me, Ciel?" she asked. He swallowed his food and looked at her. "You'll be coming back soon so it isn't like you are going to the far end of the world." Her smile disappeared. He had returned back to his closed, intolerable self and she had had enough of it. "Why won't you be happy, Ciel?" she asked again. He looked into her green pools of life and thought about her words. "What are you saying?" he asked back. "I try my hardest to make you happy," she stated, "I smile for you. No matter how you feel, I smile for you. I try my hardest to understand your feelings, even you make fun of my silly ways. I know I can be emotional and childish at most, but I try my best to make you happy. And now, as you betrothed, I sit before, leaving you behind for my new beginning and you are not happy, even sitting here with me on this gorgeous day." He looked down at the quilt under them. "How can I be happy when you are leaving me here?" he asked, looking back at her.

Present: The earl, finally focused, spent most of his time in his room. He tried his best to remain that way, at least until dinner. Sebastian arrived to his door with the afternoon tea, a few moments late. "Young master," he spoke while walking in, "I'm here with the afternoon tea." "This isn't like you, Sebastian," he stated, "You've never been late before. What's wrong with you?" Sebastian smiled at him and looked down and began to pour his tea. "Nothing, my lord," he said, placing the tea cup in front of him, "I do get tired sometimes." "Then sit down." "No, I will be alright…" "Sit…down!" His voice sharped. He pulled out the chair from the other side of the desk and took a seat. "You seem very antsy," Sebastian pointed out, "Is something wrong?" "I just…" Ciel put down his tea cup and rubbed the ring that displayed on his thumb. "My life was changed that night on my birthday, three years ago. Yet, Elizabeth remained the same. It's almost as if I enjoyed her company." The butler smirked. "Maybe you did," he insisted while pushing his feelings down even further, "You may have even loved her the way she loved you." Ciel looked at him, his face unconvinced. He couldn't even speak on it. How did he know what love was? Elizabeth had been around him since he was young, so he assumed that was the way she was. "That will be all, Sebastian…" His demonic companion stood and bowed toward him. "Of course, my young master," he spoke, "Dinner shall be ready soon."

The day before: "Ciel…" His eyes began to water. She had never seen him like this; never seen him cry. He clutched up his fist and looked down at his knees. "You're the only one I have left…" "What about Sebastian?" He snapped his head up toward her, his deep blue eye puffed and his cheeks scarlet from his tears. "He is a butler!" Sebastian sat several feet away, watching the ducks swim in the pond. He granted them with privacy and stayed away. "He knows nothing of how it is to feel alone!" His voice broken from his emotion. His sensitiveness had taken over. Elizabeth smiled; the sun beginning to dim. She loved this side of him, even seeing him so torn apart. "Shall you dance with me, Ciel?" she asked as she wiped his eyes. He released the frustration from his hands, his face puzzled. "What?" "You always tell me that a lady shouldn't have her face a mess, especially one who he wishes to dance with." Her smile became full; she just wanted to make him happy. "Shall you dance with me?" He smiled, and sniffled. Then they giggled. "Yes, Lizzie." Their laughs got louder, over shadowing the pain. Even after her laughed had stopped, Ciel's continued. She watched as his tears of pain became rivers of joy. He didn't really know why he was laughing. He could just remember how upset she had gotten the week before, and how happy she was once she stepped through the door. For a moment, he was just happy. Even if it were just for a moment.

Present: "Checkmate." Ciel had been playing himself in chess for a while now. Dinner was brought up to him, and he enjoyed it alone. Though Sebastian had pushed back his feelings for the teen, he couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him. He had never been so vulnerable. "Humans," he thought to himself, "So fragile in their emotions. I find it repulsive." He smirked. Who was he kidding? He felt like Elizabeth whenever the teen was around. To watch him progress and overcome his struggles made him envious. He hadn't truly even cared about his soul, only his revenge. He ran his hand through his raven colored hair and checked his pocket watch. The day had passed them by and Ciel's sulking made it move faster. He walked into the study to see him, continuing his chess game. "It's time for bed, young master." "Play with me, Sebastian…" His words sent shivers through the demon's entire body. His sweet voice rang through him like bells. "What?" "Play a game of chess," Ciel repeated, "I need someone to play with." He checked his watch again and smiled. There was no need to fight him on his demand. It wasn't too late, and if this brought him from his funk, then he would accommodate him. "I would be honored, my lord," he spoke, while Ciel smirked as the demon takes his seat across from him.

The day before: The sun set and they had giggled all day. This was truly the only day that Ciel Phantomhive was at peace. He had just finished tickling her and lay back on the cloth, laughing himself. He held his hands on his stomach, staring at the orange and purple sky. "This was wonderful, Ciel," she spoke, as she sat up, "Thank you so much." Ciel raised himself. "I wish days could always be this easy," he thought, staring off onto the bay. The boat sat right in front of them. The time had passed them by and they had forgotten about it. "Where things could be simple again. Where I could enjoy being a child…" He smiled. "Sebastian…" he called out. The butler slowly walked over toward them. "Yes, young master." "We're ready for our boat ride now," he spoke. "Ciel, the sun has set already," Elizabeth contested. "I must agree," His companion added, "It is getting rather late. I think we should be getting Lady Elizabeth home." Ciel grabbed a hold of Elizabeth's hand. "Please, Lizzie," he pleaded, "This day makes me truly happy." Her face began to give off a joyous glow. "Really?" she asked, "Does this make you happy, Ciel?" He nodded his head and smiled. "Then, as your fiancée and future wife, I shall make you happy." She turned to look up to her older counterpart. "Sebastian, please take us down the bay," she stated, looking back into Ciel's visible eye. "It is what will make my husband happy."

Present: This game had gone on for what seemed like forever. I seemed as if young Phantomhive had finally met his match. He stared at the chess board, wondering on his next move, when finally he saw an opening. With one gesture, he delivered the final blow. "Checkmate." Sebastian double checked his call. "Very nice, young master," Sebastian spoke, "Your chess skills have grown wonderfully. You may become a champion." He looked up from the game to see Ciel smiling and looking out the window. He was truly enjoying himself. Sebastian loved the look on his face. His eye glowed in the candle light, with the moon accenting the shape of it. "Young master," he spoke, "Are you smiling?" He had never seen him like this, and he enjoyed it. "What?" his cheeks blushed as he turned toward him, "No. Must have been the angle of my face from over there." "I do believe it was a smile…" "Shut up, Sebastian." He lifted himself from his chair and headed toward the door. "Clean this up and meet me in my room. I'm ready for bed." Sebastian's smile never parted his face. He had no idea what made him smile so much the day before but he loved the way his smile looked on him.

After cleaning, the butler heads to his master's room to see him undressing. His skin and brand exposed. His palms got sweaty; his urges returned. He bit his fist, trying not to make a sound. He took in a deep breath and relaxed himself, and began to giggle to disguise his wants. "What are you doing, young master?" he asked as the young one turned toward him. "You were taking too long." He had taken off his eye patch and his eyes shined even more in the candle that was in his butler's hand. "Ciel…" "What are you staring at?" he asked. He got his thoughts together. "You, my lord," he answered while putting his night shirt on him, "You look so adorable putting on your clothes all by yourself." Crimson covered Ciel's face while he plopped down on his bed. "Oh, shut up." His demonic companion buttoned his shirt and took off his socks. The young one crawled under his comforter and yawned. "I shall leave you to your rest," his butler spoke while bowing to him. "Good night, young master." He blew out the candles and closed the door behind him. He formed a fist and bit into it. "Just when I thought I had this under control, he temps me. Yet, I shall do my best to reframe myself." Sebastian slides the pawn chess piece out of his sleeve and continues down the hallway. "For as his butler, and I will do anything to make him happy."