Chill to the bone

The first weeks of the new year have certainly been hectic ones for the Phantomhive estate. So many meetings and paperwork being pushed to ensure that the new year brings lots of revenue for the Funtom toy company. It had been a week since the scene in the kitchen and as demanded, Sebastian pretended it never happened and acted normal. Now that there was no need in hiding his feelings toward the young one, he smiled an easy smile and continued throughout his day. On this day, young Ciel Phantomhive and his demon butler would split up to cover more basis. Sebastian to go and smell the new scents for the Funtom perfume line while the head went to talk with one of the company managers about work conditions. "Are you sure I shouldn't go with you, my lord?" his butler asked, while putting his coat on his back. "Yes, it's fine," he reassured him, "I won't be in town long. I'll just meet you here in the manor." Sebastian smiled as the young one turned to him. He couldn't help but constantly feel those small arms wrapped around his waist. He stared into his deep blue eye, thinking of his ever longed words. "I love you, Sebastian…" Ciel noticed his lingering and began to blush. "What are you looking at?" He turned away from him, opening the door. "Nothing, my lord," he spoke while the young Earl walked in front of him out of his bedroom, "Just keeping a fresh picture in my head just in case something were to happen." Ciel continued down the hallway. "That's not funny."

His butler closed the doors to his carriage and off he was into the town of London. The ride was a bumpy one, for there was snow coming down, making it hard to see ahead for any rocks or obstacles. The young Earl sat in his coach alone, wishing he had asked his companion to come along. "I'm not used to being alone on these rides," he thought to himself, "I miss his smile, his charm, the wits he displays on end, not matter the subject." He watch the scenery pass him by while thinking of the one he longed for. Even though he had begun to accept these feelings, he had this pit in the middle of his throat. He had swallowed his pride, not allowing himself to become that vulnerable again, long enough to be embraced. He wondered if there were a way where he could be himself and change to love the demon at the same time. He couldn't handle two sets amount of emotions, let alone being two people. "I must try and maintain my image," he spoke to himself, "No matter the circumstance."

The ride had become even more unpleasant as the weather became harsher, not letting up once they arrived into the town. The young Earl stepped out of his carriage and was greeted by the factory manager. "Good afternoon, Lord Phantomhive," he spoke while approaching him, "I hope your ride was durable." "It was surprisingly domestic, due to the weather," he answered. "Then, I shall try my best and have this meeting brief, for there is a storm approaching." A harsh wind brushed past the young Earl as he stepped into the factory.

Inexpertly, today's meeting was longer than usual, with all the complaints about current conditions and forms for changes being put into effect. As they progressed to the manor, the weather became even harsher, as the snow and wind made it impossible to see the path ahead of them. "I didn't know it would get this bad," Ciel spoke to himself as he watched the weather dance outside his window. Suddenly, there was a large shake in the carriage, causing it to lose balance and capsize. Ciel bounced from his seat to the ceiling, back down again as the carriage rolled constantly. Finally, it stopped. The horse broke free from its bondage and ran through the woods. The driver had been thrown from the carriage as it began to turn and hit the ground several feet away, knocking him unconscious. With the coach still intact but upside down, Ciel struggled to crawl from it and look out beyond him. Reaching the snow surface below him, he stood and took a look around him. His head bloody from an injury, his wrist fractured; standing in the blizzard in excruciating pain. He squinted his eye, trying his best to make out where he was, but the snow that was blowing wildly made visuals hard to determine. His hands became numb from the cold, his skin chilled to the bone. He looked down at the white covered ground thinking of his options. "I'll have to stay in the carriage until help comes. It's too dangerous in this weather to travel."

Getting back on his knees and crawling into the opening, He tried his best to make himself settled at least until the storm let up. He shivered and shook, with the weather becoming unbearable. "This is hopeless," he spoke to himself while rubbing his wrist, "I'm going to die here in the snow." Being on the roof of the coach made things very difficult to manage with, as the material was thin and he felt the freezing snow below him. His head began to throb, and the sky dark. It seemed like hours as he watched the snow mock his situation outside. Ciel tried his best to bundle but with little material to work with, he was only entertaining a mere hope for salvation. The sky grew darker and the storm grew worse. The young one's head injury began to take effect while he waited to be rescued. He began to call Sebastian's name, hoping that he would find him. But after few failed attempts of reaching the demon, he gave up. "S-S-So cold…" His body heat was dropping and his headache set in. His eyes became heavy and he struggled to stay awake. The young one huddled in the corner, hoping that it would provide some relief. His condition becomes worse and as he fights his body for control, visions of his raven haired desire flashed in his mind. The way he held him, the way his lips felt; all the things he wished for so much. Why did he deny him? Because he was a noble? He deserved happiness and it seemed like Sebastian gave him just that. His fight for consciousness was being lost, and slowly, he drifts into silence. Before completely succumbing, the young Ciel parts his lips one more time, in hope that his butler would hear. "Sebastian…"

Ciel awakens in his bed, with a fire blazing and a bandage on his head and hand. His wrist had been placed back into proper position and he was slowly experiencing the effect. He slowly but surely tries his best to push himself up but the pain from his head injury takes over. "You shouldn't move, young master," spoke a voice. Ciel turns to see Sebastian ringing out a hand towel in hot water. "You have a pretty large gash on your head. It should be a few days before the headaches will stop." Ciel looks toward his fireplace and watches the flames. "I-Is this real?" he asks. Sebastian walks to him with a cup of hot herbal tea. "Shall I pinch you, young master?" "Ciel grins and accepts his tea. "No. I believe this is very real." Sebastian walks back into the corner to prepare his bandages as Ciel's grin becomes larger. He loved the sight of his raven haired savor. "Your horse had the carriage run over a bolder and keel over, throwing the driver. You should have called me sooner. Maybe it was a good idea to go along with you, seeing you always get into trouble…" "I did call…" Sebastian stops, feeling terrible he did not hear his master's beckon. He walks to his side with the medicine soaked bandage. "I apologize then, my lord," he spoke while attempting to change his head covering, "I was so caught in my task, I did not hear you. I wanted the new product to be perfect." Ciel flinches and groans as his butler cleans and redresses his wound. After it being completed, Sebastian stayed close to his master, staring into his purple and blue eyes. "I…I have finished, young master…" Ciel's face begins to bloom as a chill is sent through his body. "I-I'm cold." Sebastian smiles, stepping away from his master and heading to the fireplace. "Shall I produce more wood to the fire?" Ciel's heart began to beat faster and he closed his eyes and pictured how close they were. What it would've felt like to have his soft lips rock him to sleep. "Young master?" He remains in a daze for a moment, then turns to his butler. "N-No, that's alright," he answers, "I just want to sleep." Sebastian bows toward him and picks up the candle stick. "Then, I shall leave you to bed." The butler blows out the candle leaving only the fireplace to aluminate the light in the room. "Sebastian…" The young lord calls to him as he begins gathering the bandages. "…Sleep with me…" Sebastian stops, shocked as his request, his back remained turned away from him. "I don't think the fireplace will give me enough heat. I'd like you to lay in bed with me." Sebastian faces him, as a familiar warmth courses his body. "S-Sir…that is just the head injury talking…" "No," the young one countered, "It's an order." The warmth reaches Sebastian's waist as he hears the demand in his love's voice. His heart skips a beat as he retrains himself from pouncing and embracing the young master. He slowly smiles and bows toward him. "As you wish, my young lord." One by one, Sebastian removes his gloves, jacket and vest. His shoes and shirt are last to go; as he slowly climbs into bed with the young Earl.

Ciel's heart is racing while he watches Sebastian carry out his order. His butler moves closer toward him as he turns on his side and wraps his arms around him. Sebastian holds back his arousal as he snuggles and becomes very close to the young one. Ciel's voice crackle from embarrassment and nervousness. "Goodnight, S-Sebastian…" The demon shutters, hearing his name whispered from his young desire. He longs to turn him over and kiss his soft lips, sharing the warmth and lust that coursed through him. He takes in a deep breath and closes his eyes. His urges reaching its high as he feels his master's heart beat up close, knowing that he feels the same. "Goodnight, young master…"