A/N: Here you are, the next installment of BsR! Have you all gone back and reread Act 3? Because you should, since I fixed it and made it so much better! Things sure are heating up between Sebastian and Ciel, but let's not forget about Claude and sweet Alois. The chapter after next should be a bit more mainly focused on them. Anyway, I have some seriousness to discuss with you all. My mum is planning on having our net turned off, but when and for how long, I have not a clue. So, for now, I will try to update as much as possible, since I will be going on an unexpected, unwanted and questionably-lengthed hiatus.

Nikki (Nikki-j4eva), this is for you! I know it's a bit early, but this and the next few chapters are a special present for you! Happy birthday! May you spend the day fruitfully and enjoy all the birthdays to come. If it wasn't for you, who knows when I would have updated next? Thank you so very much for reading and enjoying this story, which I have put so much effort into for all readers to enjoy. I appreciate you greatly!

Warnings: Vulgar Language, angst, offensive slang/slurs.

Act VI

"And cut!" the Director called out, beaming at the actors currently inhabiting the set. "That was wonderful!"

Ciel tugged at the collar of his costume, irritation seeping onto his face. The blasted thing was itchy and perhaps a bit too tight. It showed off his svelte figure, and he was starting to wonder if he was being sexualised by the costume designers. From the corner of his eye, he caught Sebastian looking him up and down approvingly, with that hated smirk curling his lips. Well, he's definitely sexualizing me, the pervert, Ciel thought indignantly, turning his attention back to the Director.

"We're done for today, so head backstage and have your costumes removed."

Ciel sighed, slowly making his way offset, fingers toying with the bow around his neck. It wouldn't have killed the designers to make his costume a bit more comfortable, what with his sensitive skin kicking into overdrive and screaming at him to remove the offending fabric, right here and now. He tugged on the bow, loosening the knot, flinging it to the floor, forgotten. His fingers strugged with the numerous buttons, and a growl of frustration rose up.

"Would you like some assistance?" Sebastian purred in the shorter male's ear, causing a shiver to dance down his spine.

Ciel spun on one heel, in a hurry to get away from the sanguine-eyed male. His body wavered before tumbling backward, a tiny squeak leaving his throat as Sebastian caught his arm, spinning them around so that he landed on his back. His daintier counterpart let out an oof as he landed on top of the tall man, clutching tightly to the lapels of his tailcoat. He closed his eyes until the wave of dizziness brought on by spinning too fast dissipated.

Fingers sliding slowly through blae hair made him tremble slightly. Nimble digits quickly untied the knot of the eyepatch, letting it fall uselessly away. Royal blue eyes opened and met sanguine ones, and tension so thick you could cut it with a knife settled over them. Sebastian's large hand fell away from Ciel's hair, but not before brushing his bangs out of his face, coming to rest on the small of his back. His other hand still clutched lightly onto his slim wrist, thumb brushing against the translucent skin that covered his veins. He could feel Ciel's racing pulse beneath his fingers, and a tiny smirk curled his lips. The younger's breath hitched in his throat, and he sucked his bottom lip into his mouth, worrying it with his teeth.

"I think that eyepatch is messing up your balance," Sebastian practically purred, loving that he got to watch Ciel's reactions to his words up close.

"You idiot, that has nothing to do with my balance," he hissed, cheeks turning the loveliest shade of pink as a scowl curled his lips.

"You are naturally clumsy, then?"

His smirk grew as Ciel sputtered at the indignity, and felt the large hand of his offender brush down his spine and giving his rump a playful squeeze. Finally realising the predicament he was in, his sputtering died down and he began to squirm, tugging harshly on his wrist and smacking Sebastian in the face with his free hand.

"Unhand me, you foul beast!" He demanded, flailing even more as Sebastian's hold on him tightened.

"Is this how you thank your savior?" Sebastian said with a faux pout, lidding his eyes as he gazed up at his fuming counterpart.

Ciel snorted, glaring angrily down at the tall male. "As if. It wasn't as if I was falling to my death. You hardly saved me from anything. I'm not as frail as I look. Now stop groping me, pervert!"

Finally Sebastian relented, releasing his hold on Ciel. It surprised the shorter male, who just lay there for a moment with shock written on his features.

"Are you going to lay on top of me all day? You aren't as light as you look, you know."

A snarl was ripped from the younger's throat, and he slammed his fists down on the black haired male's chest, efficiently knocking the wind out of him before scrambling to his feet. As Sebastian gasped for air, Ciel placed one dainty booted foot at the junction between his legs, heel digging roughly into his balls.

"Keep this up, and I will crush them," he said, so calmly he could have been talking about the weather. With his hands on his hips and the haughty expression painted on his face, he looked like the avenging Earl that he was portraying. "Do you understand?" He asked pleasantly, a cruel smirk curling his lips. Sebastian merely raised a brow, as if he understood but couldn't quite bring himself to care. Grinding the heel of his boot into the sensitive flesh for good measure, he drew a pained gasp from the older's lips. "You will touch me only if I invite you to do so."

With that, he removed his foot and stormed off in the direction of his changing room. Sebastian lay there for a few moments, clutching at his family jewel's. Exhilaration and adrenaline coursed through him, recalling the previous display. If anything, that little power play only enamoured him more. If before he had been intrigued and turned on by Ciel, he was now obsessed. He wanted nothing more than to break him down, make him come crawling and begging to be fucked. Such a proud creature brought to his knees... the mere thought made heat pool in Sebastian's lower stomach. At all costs, he would have him; he had to have him.

"The more you deny me, the more I desire you," he murmured to himself, a faint smirk playing on his lips. He stood from the floor with questionable cleanliness, dusting off his costume, and stalked off in the opposite direction, to his own changing quarters.

"Ciel and Sebastian act extremely well together, don't you think, Claude?" Alois asked, sitting in a wooden chair, his feet not quite touching the ground. He kicked his legs back and forth, watching his best friend and the other head backstage to change.

"They certainly bring out each other's best qualities on stage, but it seems the opposite off," Claude replied with a frown.

Alois hummed in agreement, nodding his head. "The other day, when they had finished rehearsing, they got into a little tiff, though I'm not sure what about because I couldn't hear what they were saying. And, of course, Ciel tells me nothing." His lips formed a tiny pout as he cocked his head to the side.

"I don't think they could stay away from each other, even if they wanted. It's like they're undeniably drawn to each other." Claude paused and stroked the pouting blond's cheek. "And I'm not sure you can really say that he's refusing to tell you anything. It's that we've been spending a lot of time together."

"I know," Alois moaned pitifully. "Plus, he's been super busy." He sighed, shifting his weight in his seat. "I kind of wish we could start on the second season already. I mean, the Director is making us watch them act so that we might be able to better ourselves before our time comes. But it's taking so loooong."

Claude smiled at this, taking the small hand of his counterpart in his. "You complain so much, little dove."

Alois gave him a cheeky grin. "I read an article that said something about people who complain live longer. I figured I might put that theory to test." This drew a laugh from the plum-haired man, causing the younger's heart to flutter.

"Complain away then," he murmured, squeezing the soft hand before lacing their fingers.

With filming the pilot episode over and done with, Ciel felt he could finally breathe. They had all watched the final version of it, before being sent home to relax. The Director's parting words had been something along the lines of a job well done, and that they would all receive a call about the ratings, good or bad. He didn't really plan to abandon the production, no matter how atrocious the ratings for the first came out. He had sunk to much time, money, effort, and energy into it, and he would be damned if he didn't see it through. Ciel respected that about Henry; he had preserverence and determination.

Currently Ciel was lying face down on his bed, eyes closed and a frown that seemed to be becoming permanent on his lips. His mind trailed away from the pilot's airing and onto Sebastian. That bastard didn't seem to know when to quit. Even after he had nearly crushed the other's balls under his heel, he continued to pester the blae-haired boy. It was driving him crazy, and he almost regretted deciding to toy with him.

"Persistent bastard," he grumbled, voice muffled in his pillow. "I hope his dick rots off."

Rolling onto his back and staring up at his star-covered ceiling, a sigh fell from his lips. He hated Sebastian, but he hated more how inexplicably drawn to the older male he was. He told himself fiercely that he didn't want the attention of a pervert, but he kept coming back for more. It was sick, deplorable even, but he couldn't seem to help himself. He again tried to reason with himself; it was a game, and he loved games. He certainly hated to lose, and the only reason he kept subjecting himself to the behavior of the raven-haired male was because, if he backed down, he would lose. Losing was not an option.

Sebastian was also undeniably attractive, and Ciel would be lying to himself if he said that he wasn't turned on by him. Ciel was not one to lie, especially not to himself. He rolled onto his side and closed his eyes, deciding to continue on with this game. Perhaps something good will come of it. I could use him for my own pleasure. It wouldn't really be giving into him. One such as I could never have feelings for such a loathesome man.

The ring of his cellphone cut off his thoughts, and without opening his eyes he reached out to his bedside table. Blindly flailing it around, his fingers brushed against the sleek phone, and he took it in his grasp. Hitting the answer button, he brought it up to his ear.

"Ciel! Finally. I've been texting you since I got home." The sound of Alois' cheerful voice made a smile tug at the corners of his lips. "I've been wanting to talk to you."

"Alois, it's nearly 2 in the morning. I could have been asleep," Ciel scolded, with no real heat in his voice.

"And yet you sound wide awake. Which I knew you would be, you night owl freak," Alois said, sounding smug.

"You know me so well, baby," Ciel murmured, bringing giggles out of his best friend.

"Duh, fag. We've been friends practically since birth," he exaggerated. Through the phone, the younger could hear the blond shifting around into a more comfortable position. "So, about Sebastian..."

"Such a subtle change of subject," Ciel said, allowing a heavy sarcasm bleed into his voice. "He's replusive." An unspoken but seemed to hang in the air.

"Buuut?" Alois said, drawing out the word.

With a sigh, Ciel flopped onto his back. "But I'm drawn to him, which is extremely aggravating, so you know. I feel like I want to beat the shit out of him, but at the same time fuck his brains out. The worst part of all this is that I think he sees me as a challenge. Some conquest to be won, and the more I reject him the harder he tries. And I kind of..." he tapered off, whispering the words. "I kind of like it."

"It's like a game," his best friend said knowingly. "And we all know how much you love games. He challenged you, and you want to meet him head on. Have you decided what you're going to do about it?"

Ciel worried his bottom lip between his teeth. Only Alois knew how incredibly weak he was, and thus he was the only one he could show his weakenesses to. "I'm scared..." the words left his lips, barely whispered.

"Ah... You like him, you might even want to be in a relationship with him. But it doesn't look like that's what he wants. It looks like he wants to break you, to own you." Alois sighed, leaning back against his pillows. "You're scared because you've lived with those wretched parents of yours, where love doesn't exist. You think that you're incapable of love, and you think that Sebastian doesn't even know that word exists. But, Ciel..." The younger closed his eyes tightly as Alois paused; he hated it when the latter voiced all his fears, and yet it was also a relief that someone knew him so well. "You are not your parents. You can love, and I'm proof of that. We're best friends, and our love is platonic, but it's still love."

"I know," Ciel whispered, clutching tightly to his phone. "But... But I don't want to fall for someone like him. He's not the one."

"You can't know that, Ciel," Alois murmured soothingly. "You don't know his past, or why he is the way he is. But people can change, Ciel. He might not be worthy of your love now, but that can all change. Just... try to be careful. I don't want to see you anymore hurt and broken than you already are. He's toxic right now, he's no good. I won't tell you to stay away from him, because you make your own decisions, but please be careful."

"I will, I promise," Ciel said, a sad smile playing over his lips. A little to late for that, I think. "He's going to be my toy, nothing more. I won't fall for him." A little more forcefully he added, "I refuse."

Alois shook his head, a tiny sigh leaving him. The sound of the bathroom door opening caught his attention, and he sat up on his bed. "Okay, princess. I have to go now, so try to get some sleep. Goodnight."

"Goodnight to you too, baby."

Alois set his phone down next to him, running his fingers through his hair as a frown marred his lovely features.

"Was that your friend?" Claude asked, stepping into the doorway. He was dressed in flannel pajama pants, but nothing else.

His shorter counterpart nodded, looking up with worry in his eyes. "I did my part. I can only hope that he's careful."

The older male gave a grave nod, walking over to the other side of the bed and lying down, pulling Alois towards him. "Try not to worry too much, little dove. Everything might work out in the end." Alois practically melted into the warmth of Claude, burying his face in the crook of his neck and inhaling his delicious scent. As sleep took him, his last thoughts were of Ciel, and wishing beyond all hope that Sebastian could somehow mend his friend-instead of destroying him.

E/N: Isn't Alois just a sweetheart? I do love that boy dearly. He's there for Ciel when he really needs him, cares and worries about him, and isn't that what friends are really for? Anywho, sorry for ending on such a downer, but alas, the next chapter shall be amazing! Do I sense smut in your future? Possibly, darlings, possibly. I hope you've enjoyed this chapter, as I've enjoyed writing it for you. Please do review and tell me what you think! I also apologize for any spelling errors.

Kisses, Ritsy.