AN: Hi you guys! So bc I suck at proofreading my writing, I am looking for a beta reader. Anyone up for the job? If so, just PM me! I would really appreciate it! :D

Anyways, here's the next chapter. As always, enjoy!~

Sebastian stared down at the file in front of him.

In this file, is Ciel's past. Sebastian thought.

Sebastian's never been more so nervous, or excited, about reading something like this in his life.

In most cases, he would be disinterested, who cares about what someone has or hasn't gone through? But as Ciel was with everything, the young boy was simply special.

Sebastian slowly, hesitantly, opened the file, and started with the first paper on top. He briefly skimmed it over. It was nothing of importance really, just the basics: Ciel's name, age, diagnosis.

He then started with the next paper. It was of the same value, nothing significant. Just a more detailed version of Ciel's diagnosis. As Sebastian flipped and read over each and every paper, he realized that none of them were what he wanted. Even though, yes, he appreciated the reasons behind Ciel's diagnosis, and the extent to the damage done to his eye, there wasn't anything about Ciel's past. Doctor Lee was right; they simply knew nothing about the "Phantomhive boy".

With a huff, Sebastian stuffed the file back in the cabinet. How was he going to find out anythingabout the young boy? He certainly couldn't just straight up ask him, that would result in nothing good he knew. He hoped that over time, Ciel would eventually tell him. But Ciel told nothing to his old doctor, so what made Sebastian any different?

Sebastian readjusted his clothes, and then exited his office. His schedule for today included therapy with a few of his patients… including Ciel. Over his time working at St. John 's, he had only one therapy session with Ciel so far. It was quite standard, just the usual introductions. Yet for this session, Sebastian was supposed to delve a bit deeper… however well that will go.

"So Ciel" Sebastian began, "How are you feeling today?"

"Fine." Ciel replied.

Sebastian noted Ciel's answer on his clipboard. "Have you had any trouble sleeping?"

"No." Ciel lied.

"No disturbances of any sort?"

Ciel shook his head.

Sebastian wrote down Ciel's reply. This session was more awkward then he intended it to be, quite formal…

"Have you had any suicidal thoughts as of recent?"

"No."

"Anything that could cause worry?"

"No."

The conversation continued like this, Sebastian asked, Ciel answered with an either yes or no. During the whole 50 minute session, Sebastian got nothing of importance from the boy. That he was disappointed to say.

"Okay, Ciel. That wraps up our session for the day. I will be taking my leave now."

"Mm"

Sebastian left the room with a sigh, he was hoping for more. And yet what he didn't know, Ciel secretly was too.

Sebastian knocked on Ciel's door, then entered his room with a "Just came to say goodnight Ciel. I'll see you tomorrow."

As he went to close the door behind him, he was interrupted by a soft "Wait."

Sebastian peeked his head back through the door. He was surprised to see Ciel, knitting his hands through the bed's fabric, face flushed a pretty pink.

"Yes?"

"You didn't finish the story…"

Sebastian simply smiled. He entered the room and sat down on the chair next to Ciel's bed.

"You're right. I didn't."

He picked up Pride and Prejudice that was still resting on Ciel's nightstand. They were nearly finished, and he was surprised that Ciel even wanted for Sebastian to read the ending. From the session earlier that day, Ciel just seemed so disinterested.

Sebastian found their place marker and began to read.

Sebastian loved to stop at the most crucial of moments, only to say "Would you like me to continue reading?" He loved to see Ciel's angry, and he admitted, quite adorable reaction.

"Yes continue! Don't just stop in the most important part!"

With a smirk, Sebastian continued, every once in a while glancing up to see Ciel's face.

The book hadn't taken him that long to finish. And when he did, he bent down to give a soft "goodnight kiss" to Ciel's forehead.

"Goodnight Ciel…" he whispered.

Ciel forehead tingled from the kiss, and he couldn't help but blush.

With that, he left the room… leaving Ciel a gooey ooey mess… of whatever it was he was feeling. He buried his face in the pillow and stifled a loud groan.

Am I seriously falling for that man? He thought.

Over the next couple of days, Sebastian was so busy that he barely had any time to use the bathroom, nevertheless bidding his patients goodnight. Though he missed Ciel, and Ciel secretly missed him, he was intent on making up for it.

The next day, Sebastian finally came back to say goodnight.

"It's me Ciel."

"I know." He replied.

Sebastian stepped into the room, and sat down at his usual spot.

"I'm sorry I haven't come in a while, I've been busy as of late."

"Mm" Ciel simply replied.

"But to make up for it, I've brought something."

Sebastian took Ciel's hands and gave him what was tucked in his arms.

Ciel ran his hands over the item, feeling every surface.

"It's a book." Ciel stated.

Sebastian took the book back from Ciel. "Indeed it is."

Ciel scowled. "Are you going to explain why you have it?"

Sebastian chuckled. "Oh surely you can guess why…"

"No." Ciel retorted.

"I'm going to read it to you. But this time, I'm not telling you the title."

Ciel frowned. "Why not?"

"Isn't it better that way?" Sebastian mused. "If you don't know the title, then you can't judge it…"

"I do that enough already." Ciel grumbled.

"But don't your audio books tell you the title?"

"They do, but that's not what I meant."

"Oh?"

With a shallow sigh, Ciel explained. "Put yourself in my position. I don't get to judge anyone by their appearances. As far as I know, you could be the living embodiment of hell." Ciel paused, and then continued

"I judge people by their voice, reactions, personality, insides. Not because I want to... but because I'm forced to. I will never experience 'love at first sight', I will never get to know the world around me again, I will never get to judge a book, or anyone for that matter, by their 'cover'."

Sebastian simply smiled in reply. He expected an answer of that sort…

"Well, Ciel. What did you think of me?"

Ciel tensed. "I don't know…"

"Oh you surely must..." Sebastian teased.

Ciel frowned. "Well…" he began slowly, "I guess your voice is attractive…"

Sebastian merely chuckled. Ciel's face turned red and he spat out "Oh shut up."

"No, No." Sebastian laughed "I only laughed because you're so…"

"So what?" Ciel interrupted angrily.

"Adorable." Sebastian purred right next to Ciel's ear.

Ciel squeaked and jumped back, gripping the bed frame tightly.

A smirk crept on Sebastian's lips. "Well Ciel… let's begin the story…"

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity…"

The next morning when Ciel woke up, he found something peculiar underneath his pillow. He reached his hand underneath the pillow and pulled out something that felt like one of his audio tapes.

"What's this?" Ciel asked aloud.

He ran his hand over the item, feeling its surface, and decided that it was a tape. He reached over to his nightstand, and grabbed his ear buds. After finding the spot to insert them, he cautiously pressed play, and waited for whatever was going to come next.

"Ciel."

Ciel immediately flinched at the voice. He knew just who it was…

"Dr. Michaelis" Ciel whispered.

"I want you to meet me somewhere tonight… I will be at room door by midnight."

After nothing more could be heard, Ciel stopped the tape.

Ciel could hardly believe it. First off, Dr. Michaelis had gone through the trouble of secretly putting a tape underneath his pillow. And then second off, he was inviting him to see him someplace in secret… Ciel knew that that wasn't "normal doctor" behavior.

Yet he couldn't help the growing color that painted his cheeks.

Why was he so different then the other patients? Was Dr. Michaelis doing this for everyone else? Could he be trusted?

All of these questions and more ran through Ciel's mind. Even though he was hesitant about meeting Dr. Michaelis on terms that strayed from strictly professional, he couldn't deny his attraction to the man. Above all else, he wanted to go on the meeting… but the rules he set for himself made that want confusing.

Ciel promised that day, 5 years ago, that he would never allow himself to grow close to another person. He knew that this resulted in only heartbreak and loss… but again, was he breaking his own rules? To never try to regain something that's been lost?

The whole day, Ciel was thinking about Sebastian's recording. And as the day weaned into night, he felt his heartbeat quicken, and he found himself unable to sleep. Each toll from the church bells, 9 rings, 10, 11… made Ciel jump.

He hadn't even realized that he was standing by his bedroom door when the church bells rang a clear, 12 times…

"Ciel?" A voice called out from the other side of the door.

Ciel flinched when he heard the voice. Instead of responding he just stood there, completely frozen.

"Ciel? It's me, Dr. Michaelis."

"I-I know…" Ciel murmured.

Silence was heard from the other side, until finally Sebastian spoke up. "You got my message right?"

"Yea."

"So… are you going with me?"

Ciel didn't move or say a word.

Should I? Ciel thought.

And despite the rules he set for himself, despite everything he promised he wouldn't do, he said "Yes."

Sebastian carefully opened the door, and reached for Ciel's hand. Ciel accepted Sebastian's own and greeted the touch warmly.

Even Sebastian wasn't sure why he was doing this. He was Ciel's doctor, and no matter how much he convinced himself saying "It's to help him" or "This is strictly for medical reasons." he knew it was something different. He would be lying to himself if he said he didn't feel attraction to the boy. It was pure, unrestrained desire, not professionally or as his doctor, but as something else… And Sebastian didn't even have the gut to admit it.

"Let's go Ciel…" Sebastian murmured, leading Ciel out of his bedroom… and past the point of no return.

AN: Thank you so much for reading! The update schedule isn't going to normally be like this haha. But since it's the weekend, I post a lot more. But I'll try to update every Wednesday and Sunday? Sound good? c:

Review for the next chapter~

Ily