"The distance is growing" Alois murmured quietly as he observed Sebastian who was serving Ciel.

Arran and Luke were outside for training but Ciel seemed to have a sorrowful look in her eyes. Sebastian's movements were robotic and stoic. Even the triplets standing by the door seemed to have a worried look in their eyes.

"Something is definitely wrong" Claude whispered as he bent to pour the soup in the bowl in front of Alois.

"They need someone to talk to. I'll take Sebastian, you take Ciel" Alois said and Claude gave a silent nod.

The door slid open and Luke came in dressed in his all black training robes. Arran followed after with a large smile on his face.

"I'm hungry!" Luke exclaimed.

Hannah chuckled and then began to serve him.

"How is Luke doing with his training?" Ciel asked Arran whose face seemed to light up.

"He's doing great. He has good instincts and he has the basics down. He just needs to learn how to apply them" Arran replied.

"I beat him today with this move I made up. I'll show you!" Luke kicked his leg up enthusiastically and rattled the plates on the table.

"How about you show us tomorrow during your training?" Ciel said ruffling Luke's hair.

"You're coming to watch tomorrow?" Arran asked looking happy at this arrangement.

"Sure, it will be interesting" Ciel replied.

She surreptitiously glanced at Sebastian at the corner of her eye and then smirked when she saw his eyes were narrowed on Arran's head. Alois wanted to bang his head against the table. This was silly.

After lunch, Alois made a beeline for the kitchens. Sebastian was busy cleaning and Alois sat down at the counter.

"Is there something you need?" Sebastian asked without looking at Alois.

"Yes, I need to know why you and Ciel aren't joined at the hip? You're usually like that" Alois replied.

"We are a couple and couples can have misunderstandings now and then. It doesn't mean you need to poke your nose into it, Trancy" Sebastian said.

"Is it because of Arran?" Alois smirked when Sebastian's shoulders stiffened. "Oh, did I touch a nerve?"

Sebastian whirled around and then sighed. He knew there was no point in fighting someone who was saying the truth.

"So you're feeling insecure about Ciel. You think she'll run away with Arran and leave you behind" Alois stated.

"Yes. I know this is ridiculous but I cannot help it"

"Sebastian, you need to trust Ciel. I trust Claude infinitely to remain faithful. I don't believe that he'll ever betray me. Ciel loves you and trusts you so you should do the same" Alois said.

"Maybe we should reveal our relationship to Arran" Sebastian said.

"That's the greatest idea you've had all day! Go and talk this out with Ciel" Alois said.

Sebastian chuckled at the blonde's enthusiasm and then left the kitchen.

Meanwhile, Claude walked into Ciel's study where she was busy reading documents.

"Claude, what's wrong? You never usually come in here" Ciel said putting down the documents.

"Lady Ciel, is there something wrong between you and Sebastian?" Claude asked.

Ciel's eyes immediately flooded with tears. Claude's eyes widened. He hadn't been expecting this. He was emotionally awkward and he didn't know how to deal with crying women.

"It just hurts that he doesn't trust me. I try and give him everything I've got but I don't have his trust" Ciel said wiping the tears away with her hand.

"Wouldn't it be better that you reveal your relationship with Arran so Sebastian wouldn't be that insecure about your relationship?" Claude asked.

"That is exactly what I was thinking" Sebastian said walking into the study.

"You were listening at the door?" Ciel asked.

Sebastian wrapped his arms around Ciel tightly. Claude took his leave and walked out.

"I'm sorry, I made you cry. I promised I would protect you but I hurt you" Sebastian said.

"Apology accepted. I'm sorry I hugged Arran. I made a mistake" Ciel said clutching onto Sebastian like a lifeline.

Sebastian used his hand to push Ciel's face up and then placed a kissed on her nose, making her giggle.

Arran paused for a moment when he saw Ciel's study door open. Usually if Ciel was working then she would shut the door. He looked into the room and then froze.

"I love you, Sebastian" Ciel said and then Sebastian kissed her.

Ciel's hands tightened on Sebastian's wool coat and Sebastian pressed her closer to him. Arran saw Sebastian's crimson eyes flash pink and then felt his eyes fill with tears. He began running away and Sebastian pulled away from Ciel to glance at the open door.

"What's wrong?" Ciel asked looking up at Sebastian.

"It appears we had an eavesdropper" Sebastian replied and Ciel's eyes widened.

"Was it Arran?" She asked and Sebastian nodded.

Ciel sighed and then laid her head against Sebastian's chest.

"It was better for everyone if he found out" Ciel commented and Sebastian nodded.

Arran ran all the way to the edge of the grounds. He sat down in his meditation pose but the images whirled through his head. His chest and stomach hurt as the tears flowed out of his eyes. He screamed as loud as he could and then collapsed against the grass. Everything went black.

"Alois! Alois!" Luke came running into Alois's study.

"What's wrong?" Alois asked and Luke panted.

"I can't find Arran. He was supposed to show up for training at five but it's already six. He's never late" Luke replied.

"Did you ask Hannah or the triplets?"

"I did, the triplets told me he was going to Ciel's study and they haven't seen him since then" Luke replied.

"What did Hannah say when you asked her?"

"She said he was running outside" Luke replied.

"Let's go look for him. We'll ask the triplets to help too" Alois took his brother's hand and led him outside.

"Thomas, Timber, Canterbury, let's go and look for Arran" Alois said.

They walked out and then began looking for Arran.

"Arran!" Luke shouted in the rapidly darkening grounds.

"Arran, mate if you can hear us, shout back!" Alois called out.

The lights outside switched on automatically and Alois blinked a couple of times to adjust his vision.

Arran's eyes opened and then he jolted up. The triplets stared at him with their eerie red eyes and he stood up.

"Did you guys find him?" Luke asked and he rushed to hug Arran.

"Mate you scared us. What were you doing out here?" Alois asked.

"I fell asleep" Arran said after Luke let go of him.

"Let's go in and eat dinner, then you can sleep if you're tired" Alois said and then turned to lead the way back to the manor.

They walked into the sitting room and found Ciel asleep next to the fire. Sebastian opene the linen cupboard and then brought out a warm blanket. He draped it over Ciel and she let out a small snore.

"You're not the only one who's tired, Arran" Alois commented as they left the sitting room and walked into the dining room where Hannah was setting the table. Arran frowned and then began attacking his steak with unnecessary force.

Ciel stirred as then smiled as she noticed Sebastian cleaning the bookshelves.

"It's time for dinner" Sebastian said quietly.

"I'm too comfortable" Ciel said.

She sat up and stretched. Sebastian bent to fold up the blanket and then pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"Go and eat. I'll be waiting for you in your room" he said.

Ciel nodded and then walked into the dining room. Alois cleared his throat suggestively which made Ciel blush. Arran's fist clenching did not go unnoticed by Claude, whose eyes narrowed.