Ciel's POV

Sunlight glistens into the room through the window and wakes me up. I look down and see Alois still sleeping, his head laying on my chest. Orphan is laying at the foot of the bed, he must've moved while we were sleeping. I can't help but watch Alois as he sleeps, he's so adorable. I don't want to leave him alone, he's been alone for far too long. But I can't take him with me, as the Queen's Guard Dog he would no doubt be targeted by some bad people for being so close to me. I don't want him to get hurt because of me. Alois' eyes flutter open and I kiss his forehead.

"Good morning Alleycat," I say softly and he smiles weakly.

"Good morning," he tells me back, "How was your sleep?"

"I've never slept better in my life," I tell Alois softly, "Probably because I was here with you."

A knock on the door catches our attention.

"Your Highness?" a feminine voice says from behind the door.

"Just a second Hannah," Alois yells at her. He jumps out of bed and pulls on a pair of shorts from the ground. I get up too and find all my clothes and get dressed. After we're semi-satisfied with our appearance Alois opens the door for Hannah.

"What is it Hannah," he asks her.

"Breakfast will be ready soon," she said, "And no one has found Claude yet."

"Don't worry about it,' I tell her, Claude's just being difficult, "He'll show up eventually."

"Would you like me to have Sebastian look for him?" Ciel asks me.

"No, thank you," I tell Ciel, "It's nothing I want to trouble you with. Besides, he'll come back, this isn't the first time he's done this."

Actually, Claude has never acted like this before. It makes me wonder what he's up to.

"Anyways," I say dismissing the thoughts, "You hungry Ciel?"

"Not really," he tells me, "I should probably get going. It's a long way home and I have to be ready to catch a killer tomorrow night."

"Oh," Alois says sadly. I don't want to leave him behind but it's for his own good..

"How about you come by on Monday?" I tell him, "You can stay over the night and we can do whatever you want."

"Anything I want?" Alois says playfully, wrapping his arms around my waist.

"Whatever you desire, will be done."

Alois smiles and plants a kiss on my cheek, as he does Sebastian appears in the doorway behind Hannah.

"Good morning young master," he says to me, "Everything is ready, shall we return home?"

I cast a reluctant glance at Alois and sigh, "I suppose."

"Have a safe trip Ciel," Alois says to me, "I can't wait to see you again."

I catch Alois' lips with mine and savor the sweet taste of him, it's gonna be a few days before I can kiss him like this again.

"Goodbye Alleycat," I tell him, "I'll see you again soon."

I follow Sebastian out of the room and to the carriage to begin the long ride home. I'm already looking forward to seeing Alois again.

Alois' POV

After Ciel and Sebastian leave, Hannah turns to leave to but I stop her.

"Hannah, wait," I say softly and she turns to face me.

"What is it, Highness?"

"I want you to be the one to escort me to the Phantomhive manor on Monday," I tell her and she looks at me with shock in her eyes.

"Really?" she says and I nod.

"Yes, but don't tell Claude if you see him, leave that to me."
"Of course sir, but why?"

"He's acting really strange lately, and to be honest it's making me nervous. I don't want him knowing about my relationship with Ciel, he's too unpredictable. If it comes down to it, I suppose the triplets can know, but I'd feel better if they didn't. They seem to tell Claude everything."
"Of course, your Highness."

"Thank you Hannah."

"Are you coming to breakfast?'

I nod and follow out of my room and to the dining room. I miss Ciel already and want Monday to just come already.

Ciel's POV

After a few minutes of silence as the carriage travels along the countryside, I can't help but think about Alois. He seems to be afraid of something in the Trancy Manor, but what? Then it hits me, Claude. It seem that whenever his butler talked to him, Alois would get nervous and distracted. But what is it Claude keeps saying that is upsetting Alois so much?

"Young master is something troubling you?" Sebastian asks me.

"It's nothing," I say, not wanting Sebastian to get involved. He probably has figured out by now what I feel for Alois and would undoubtedly try to interfere.

"You seem rather distracted," he says, "I hope you aren't acting this way when we go after the cut of the hand killer."
"What does it matter if I am? You'll protect me from harm as per the contract states, am I right?"

"Of course my Lord."

"But, keep my schedule open for Monday and Tuesday. Alois is coming over and I want to devote my time to him."
"Yes, young master. You are quite attached to Lord Trancy, aren't you?"

"He has known much greater pain than I have, and the fact that it's been ignored by so many people for so long makes me sick. He's a kind, loving person, he doesn't deserve that kind of treatment!"

"You love him don't you?"

"Yes," I say reluctantly, unsure of how Sebastian will react, "I love him."

"Then I shall protect him as fiercely as I would protect you, young master."

"Thank you Sebastian."

"Of course, what kind of butler would I be if I could not perform such a task."

I look out the window at the passing scenery and let out a heavy sigh. Monday isn't that far off, however it seems like it'll be eternity before it arrives.