A/N: So, I just discovered something recently! There is a third season of Black Butler, which just stated airing this month! It was announced in January that their was a third season (Black Butler: Book of Circus) in the making, and that it would begin airing in July. I've watched the first and second episode, and let me tell you, they do not disappoint. It's following the circus arc, so it's basically picking up from episode 15 from season one, the ending of the curry arc, where it should have been in the first place. A whole season dedicated to the circus arc! Are you guys excite?! I am, and I'm also super motivated and inspired. I'm going to try and pump out as many chapters as I can! On another note, I am a sorry excuse for a writer! I haven't kept my promise about updating as much as possible. I seriously suck, but to all those who support me, review, and anticipate each new chapter, thank you so much. I am nothing without any of you, because, while it is my passion to write, all I want is for my readers to enjoy what I create. Since I have the basic layout for the next chapter, it should be up in a few days (cross your fingers). Also, I've decided not to focus too much on what goes on during the makings of the episodes, unless I find it to be important. My main focus is to develop the relationships, and have the characters grow. The only reason I would incorporate them acting out one of the episodes is because it is an important plot point. Anyway, enough of my psychobabble. Please enjoy!

Warnings: A bit of angst, some fluffy shit, some language, mentions of alcohol consumption.

Act X

Alois was worried for Ciel, more than he had ever been in his life. He had noticed in the last month, as the first season was beginning to wind down, that the younger male had begun keeping his distance from the blond, seeming to isolate himself from everyone. Everyone, that is, except for Sebastian.

"It's all my fault," Alois whimpered to himself in between sobs. "I'm pushing him away by butting into his life." The blond covered his face with his hands and tried to muffle his soft cries; Claude was asleep in the other room, and he didn't want to wake or worry him.

"What is troubling you, little dove?" Claude's voice came from behind the bathroom door, but Alois couldn't find his voice.

The door slowly opened and Claude sat himself on the ground next to his younger counterpart, an arm curling aroung the shaking shoulders. Alois let his head fall on the strong shoulder and took comfort in the warm presence. When his sobs died down to hiccups, he finally spoke.

"I feel like I'm losing Ciel, and it's my fault because I keep trying to convince him to stay away from Sebastian. I just have this horible feeling that something bad is going to happen if they keep being drawn together like this. He's going to get hurt," he whimpered, closing his eyes tightly as a wave of dread swept over him.

Claude rubbed circle's on the small of the blond's back, a small frown curling the corners of his mouth. "Let him have his space; he'll talk to you when he needs to. But it won't help to push him. He's going to do what he wants to, right?" Here Alois nodded, a sigh heavy on his lips. "Then don't try to stop him, but make it clear to him that whenever he needs you, you'll be there for him."

"O-okay," Alois hiccuped, a little bit of relief filling him.

He allowed Claude to help him stand and lead him back into the bedroom. Picking up his phone, the blond sent a short text to Ciel, telling him that no matter what, Alois would support his choices and always be there for him. Feeling infinitesmally better, he placed his phone back on the end table and plopped onto his bed, immediately seeking out Claude's warmth. Strong arms wrapped around him and pulled him close, and Alois laid his head upon the muscular chest. The sound of Claude's heart relaxed him and began lulling him to sleep.

Everything will be okay; everything will work out in the end, was his last thought before unconsciousness overtook him. He didn't know how, but he just had a feeling that no matter how bad things got, or when shit would hit the fan, but he knew without a doubt that after everything was over, it would be okay.

It had been several months since Ciel had taken those days off to recover from the amazing sex he had with Sebastian. Though he had not wanted to take time off, he hadn't had a choice at the time; the back of his throat was painfully bruised, and his voice would fade in and out. He had abused his vocal cords, along with his body, and a few days' rest was necessary. He wasn't quite sure if the Director had figured out the true reason he was "sick", but he hoped not. It would make things quite awkward for Ciel if anyone found out about what he was doing with his co-actor. He was certain that Sebastian would not care in the least if others knew, because he would be able to claim him as his property. Alois and Claude may be able to have a relationship out in the open, but what Sebastian and Ciel had was not what you would call a relationship. They had sex, but that was essentially all there was between them. Being fuck buddies with someone never used to bother the blae-haired male, back in his extremely promiscuous days; yet, he found himself wanting something more than that with his raven-haired counterpart, and had begun trying to form a friendship with him shortly after their sexual escapade.

So that's what he did, though they didn't abstain from having sex. Whenever they had time of from work, Ciel would invite Sebastian to hang out with him, whether that be at a bar or at his apartment. If it was a bar, he would drink the elder man under the table and stay out all night. They would end up crashing in his car, because for some reasona drunken Sebastian made it quite difficult for the sober Ciel to drive. He would mess with him, like poking his side or straight up being obnoxious, play with all the buttons and knobs, and when he failed to get a reaction from the hotheaded youth, he became devious. Nimble fingers would undo the younger's pants swiftly, and before Ciel knew it, he would be struggling to focus on not driving his car into a tree or swerving dangerously on the road while Sebastian gave him amazing head. Having had enough of those close calls, Ciel refused to drive home when Sebastian was intoxicated, nor would he let his drunken counterpart drive. Though the older would beg to be driven home or to drive, the stubborn youth wouldn't budge. Still, he would succumb to those large, hot hands and have sex in the backseat, before falling asleep in the car outside of the bar.

Their night's in were different in that they would abstain from drinking, merely loungin around Ciel's apartment, watching movies, goofing around, and having random conversations. While many of those nights would end in sex, sometimes they would fall asleep on the couch while talking. It was worrisome how much Ciel had begun to look forward to and enjoy those rare days.

Tonight they had decided to enjoy some time off from barhopping, wanting instead to leisurely watch half-heartedly a marathon of Black Butler. Currently, the fourth episode was playing, and Ciel let out a groan; the dreaded corset scene was close to flashing on the screen. The dainty male was splayed out on his couch, head resting against one of the arms whilst one leg tangled over the back of it, and the other perched in the older man's lap. Sebastian slouched in his seat, a long arm hanging over the side as his other hand was placed upon the slender ankle that rest in his lap. His thumb was lightly brushing along the bone that jutted out there, causing the younger male to shift restlessly.

Quite suddenly a close up of Ciel's blushing face dominated the screen after a commercial break. He was a panting, sweating, moaning mess, causing the sanguine-eyed male to chuckle huskily.

"The show hardly does the sweet sounds you make justice," he purred, his fingers trailing slowly up the slim leg. Ciel gave a strangled sound akin to a tortured moan.

"How embarrassing," he whined, whacking the back of Sebastian's head with his unnoccupied leg. "You're a pervert."

A smirk curled Sebastian's lips, his hand sliding back down and taking a tight hold on the small ankle. "Is that what you think of me, my kitten?" His voice was foax-innocent, causing Ciel to snap his head up and eye him warily.

He had opened his mouth to retort, but before any words could come out, a gggle bubbled up between his lips, turning into full blown laughter as Sebastian mercilessly tickled the foot he held captive. "S-stop! B-b-bastard," Ciel stuttered out between breathy giggles, his free foot coming forth and kicking his attacker in the side.

In one swift movement, Sebastian switched his position, straddling Ciel's hips and efficiently trapping the shorter legs beneath his own. He allowed the blue-eyed youth a moment to catch his breath while trailing his fingers up his side, before continuing his tickle attack. This drew a yelping giggle from Ciel, and he bucked his hips, slapping at the older's chest and squirming about in an attempt to escape.

"Your efforts are futile!" Sebastian declared, the onslaught of tickling not ceasing.

"P-please..." Ciel whimpered, tears of mirth now leaking down his cheeks as he struggled to breathe and speak through his laughter. "I... I take it b-back!" He half-shouted, half-laughed.

Sebastian cocked his head to the side, his fingers pausing for a moment. "Oh? And what is it that you take back?"

Ciel gasped for breathe, whispering between pants. "I take... it back... You're not a pervert."

The elder flashed a victorious grin, bowing his head slightly. "I accept your surrender, kitten."

Tears were still making their way along the flushed cheeks of the daintier male, and without thinking, Sebastian reached out and wiped away the trails with his thumbs. Ciel's breathing had calmed down, but with the gentle gesture his breath hitched in his throat. They both sat their awkwardly for a moment, Sebastian feeling confused at his need to remove the tears, and the discomfort he felt at seeing them stain his counterpart's face. Ciel felt his heart soaring at the way he had been touched so gently, so featherlight, and then it plummeted, leaving him feeling numb and confused as to why he had felt that way in the first place. Sebastian was the first to break the silence.

"So..." he started, unsure of what to say, before a memory piqued his interest. "I recall at your audition you calling your parents and telling them to fuck off. Why?"

Ciel hesistated, worrying his bottom lip between his teeth, feeling a strange urge to confess his past, yet at the same time wanting to keep it to himself. "Well... My parents aren't what you'd call loving or doting. In fact, I can't recall ever having been praised, let alone hugged. I grew up in a cold household, where image and upholding the family name is everything. My choice of career was... unsuitable in their eyes. In fact, they wanted me to become a doctor." The thought of that still made him want to laugh, but he suppressed it. "Anyway, they gave me the ultimatum of finding any acting job or going to a college; if I couldn't score a role, and refused to go to college, they would have cut off my trust fund and disowned me. That was the first time I had ever stood up to them..." here, he trailed off awkwardly, his hands fidgeting with the collar of his shirt.

Sebastian shifted his weight, subconsciously making sure that he wasn't crushing the dainty male underneath him, before nodding his head slowly. "Can't say I understand what that's like, or what having parents is like. I was an orphan, and spent most of my childhood in an orphanage, but I left when I was in my teens. I kind of stumbled onto acting, it wasn't like I aspired to do it. I just wanted to escape from reality, and, well, pretending to be someone else seemed like the best way to go."

"Er, if you don't mind my asking, what kind of orphanage did you grow up in?" A burning curiosity was hidden in his voice.

Chuckling, Sebastian offered a half-smirk and cocked a brow. "It was run by vicious nuns."

Ciel wrinkled his nose, nodding his understanding. "My parents were Catholic, and I've met my fair share of nuns. My aunt was one, in fact. They are particularly horrid, if I do say so."

"It's probably because they need a good dicking," Sebastian dead-panned, which made Ciel giggle in surprise and delight.

"I'm quite sure you're right about that."

"Not the face!" the sudden shout of Grell came from the television, causing both male's to almost jump out of their skin.

Shuddering, Ciel reached for the remote and quickly changed the channel. "His voice never ceases to grate on my nerves," he muttered.

Sebastian removed himself from Ciel's lap and once again taking his seat at the other end of the couch. Finally free, the youth hopped up and stretched, arching his back until it popped, a moan of relief passing his lips. "I'm going to piss and then getting a drink. Did you want something?"

"I'm fine, kitten," the taller male said, waving Ciel off. Once he had disappeared down the hall, Sebastian stretched out on the couch, pillowing his head with his arm and staring blankly at the tv screen.

Though he wouldn't admit it, he was impatiently waiting for Ciel to return. He wanted the comforting weight and warmth of the blae-haired male lying on top of him and in his arms. The anticipation of it, the wanting it, was confusing Sebastian. He had never felt something like this before, and he couldn't think of a logical way to rationalize it. What in the hell is wrong with me? he found himself thinking. Soon enough, Ciel returned with a glass of water, thankfully cutting off the self-berating thoughts.

Without any thought to it, or asking for permission, Ciel set the glass down upon the coffee table and situated himself upon Sebastian. His head rested easily in the crook of the older males neck, and it felt like their bodies fit together, like puzzle pieces. That thought was a bit unnerving, so instead he focused on the sensation of Sebastian's arms wrapping around him. He could tell that tonight was going to be one of the nights that they didn't have sex, and he was relishing in the realisation of that. A large hand began to run through the silky blae locks absentmindedly, and it drew a purr from the youth that started in his chest.

An actual smile lit up the sanguine-eyed male's face, and for once he completely relaxed. His mind quieted, and all his confusion left him. There were times when all Sebastian needed was this comfort that he got from Ciel, something that was not derived from sex, but coming from just being in each other's presence and embracing. It may confuse him, and he may not understand what he was feeling or why, but during these times, he didn't have to think. He could just feel. Sebastian could feel the warmth that Ciel radiated, feel those kitten-soft locks beneath his fingers, the way his breathe lightly danced over his collarbone, becoming fainter the closer he was to sleep. He could feel the soft thumping of their hearts, almost in sync with one another. It was all those little things that numbed his mind and lulled him to sleep. It was something he wanted nothing more than to hold onto, a little flame to light up the darkness within him.

But for the life of him, Sebastian couldn't understand why Ciel made him feel, when all he had known before he had met the dainty little spitfire, was the numbness inside...

E/N: So what are you thinking of this chapter, my little kittens? Are you enjoying their confused feels? DO YOU LOVE THE LITTLE HINT ABOUT SEBASTIAN'S PAST? Leave me reviews (and some love) and let me know what you think about this new chapter, and about your feels. We'll get into his past more in a later chapter, but for now I leave you with a hint for the next chapter: Carnival~!

Kisses, Ritsy