Since he can't buy him a hot beverage of his choosing, Sebastian insists in escorting Ciel back to the University, to which Ciel begrudgingly complies. They exit the shop and start to walk down the busy High Street.

It is a beautiful day for May in London. Typically, it's cloudy, wet and rainy but today, the sun is shining, the temperature is just right and there isn't a cloud in the sky. They are quiet as they walk, Sebastian thinking of something to break their silence, as his mission to know everything about Ciel has seemingly hit a reef for the time being, and Ciel is preoccupied with feeling awkward about being walked to class.

"So Ciel, do you have a last name?" Sebastian ends their silence first as he thinks of something to say.

"My God, you're nosy." Ciel huffs unenthusiastically.

"What can I say? I'm inquisitive by nature."

"You are a lawyer."

"I'll have you know that I am a solicitor in this country." He jokes and Ciel rolls his eye. "So?"

"So?"

"Your last name? Or I could just ask you another question." He smiles.

"Another question? Like what?"

"Like what happened to your eye?" He motions to the black silk eye patch covering his right eye.

"Wow, just like that?" Ciel says, subconsciously raising his hand to touch it, as he is completely astonished Sebastian would ask such a personal question so quickly.

"Then tell me your last name. Come on, I'll get it out of you, I am very good at my job."

"Jesus, all right, it's Phantomhive." Ciel concedes.

"See, I knew I'd get it." Sebastian grins as Ciel sighs heavily. "Ciel Phantomhive, what an interesting name."

"I guess." He replies bluntly, which causes Sebastian to stop abruptly.

Ciel keeps walking until he realizes Sebastian isn't beside him. He turns to see the older man standing on the pavement just looking at him blankly.

"What's the matter?"

"Are you always this gruff or are you like one of your crème eggs?"

"A chocolate reference?" Ciel asks spuriously.

"Work with me here, I thought I might try something you would understand."

"But a crème egg?" He questions.

"Yeah, hard on the outside but when you get inside there is a warm gooey center to you?"

"Warm gooey center?" He repeats as he walks back over to him.

"You know, a kinder, sweeter side? All you've ever been is abrasive towards me; did I do something to annoy you?"

"Aside from asking about my eye?"

"I'm sorry about that." Sebastian apologies and Ciel sighs again.

"No. I'm sorry, I'm – I'm really not good with people." He admits, even taking himself a little by surprise. Sebastian only chuckles at that admission causing Ciel to blush.

"That's okay; I've been told that I'm very charming so I can make do for the both of us."

Ciel folds his arms across his chest and arches an eyebrow at him.

"Who tells you that you're charming?" He asks sardonically.

"Everyone – well, that is, except for you."

"I just haven't found you charming yet."

"You will, give me time and I'll sweep you off your feet." He beams so brightly that Ciel can't help but smile in return.

"You think you're going to sweep me off my feet?"

"I don't think Ciel, I'm sure of it."

"My God you're full of yourself!"

"I suppose I am but believe me, I've earned it." He titters.

The pair commence their walk again. This time, their pace is much slower as they stroll down the street.

"You are really strange, you know that?" Ciel comments, his tone light and backed up with a wry smile.

"You've already called me that."

Ciel nods and hums to himself. "So I did."

A silence descends upon them as they slowly meander over towards the University. Ciel enjoys the peace and starts to relax whilst Sebastian racks his brain for something else to say to him.

After a while, finally, he lands on something and grins rather foolishly, but happily, as he is able to come up with something.

"This recital next weekend, are you sure I can come?"

"Yeah, it's open to anyone." Ciel replies.

"What time does it start?"

"7:30."

"What time do you come on?" Well, if he didn't have to sit through the whole thing, he wouldn't – if he could help it.

"Oh, well, I'm um, at the end."

"Saving the best for last?"

"You could say that." He chuckles dryly.

The pair continue to walk in relative quiet, save for the bustle of the busy High Street. The hustle of the everyday foot traffic passes them by as they prolong avoiding the inevitable end of their journey. Sebastians' hand accidently brushes past Ciels', which causes the younger mans cheeks to rogue as he looks away. It takes everything in Sebastians' power not to reach out and interlace his fingers into his as they approach their destination.

Sebastian has never felt like this before. His heart thumps like it will beat straight out of his chest as he tries to make this moment last a little longer but unfortunately for him, they finally arrive at the large glass building that is the University.

"Okay councilor, we're here and I'm really late now." Ciel breaks their silence.

"Can I see you again sometime? Preferably not in a line at the grocery store." Sebastian asks.

Ciel thinks for a moment and Sebastian studies him. As he does, it suddenly dawns on him; the one question he should have asked from the beginning has made its way into his head.

Sebastian hesitates, he is afraid to ask this question because of the answer may come out of Ciels' beautiful pouting lips, regrettably knew he has to ask it.

"Are you already seeing someone? I don't want to step on any toes if you are, it's-"

"It's not – No, I'm not seeing anyone at the moment." Ciel fidgets as he answers, which Sebastian read to be a bad sign.

"But you're going to shoot me down anyway?"

"Now how can I if you don't take no for an answer?" He smiles.

"True! So, then it's a yes?"

As he sees Ciel smile, it's in this moment that Sebastian realizes it is hard not to like Ciel, even if he is as closed down as Fort Knox. He'll have to work hard to break down his defensive barriers, and he knows this, but judging by his smile – it'll be well worth the effort. Sebastian wagers that once he does break through Ciels' outer shell, he'll be able to experience the warm gooey center, which he is convinced is in there, somewhere.

"How about this, we see how things go after the recital and we'll take it from there?" Ciel offers.

"That sounds like a plan and I promise I'll be there with bells and whistles on." He beams as Ciel smirks and shakes his head slightly at the reaction.

"You really are strange." He sighs.

"Ciel! Seriously, where have you been?" Alois interrupts as he jogs over to the pair.

"Why what's the matter?"

"Check the time much?" He scolds as he looks over and sees Sebastian staring back at him curiously. "And who's this?"

"Alois Trancy, may I introduce you to Sebastian Michaelis? Sebastian, this is my flat mate Alois."

Alois leans over to Ciel, "Chai tea Sebastian?" He whispers and Ciel nods. Alois pops his hip out as he places his hands on it and eyes Sebastian up and down. "Well, I can certainly see why you're late." He coos.

"Um, thank you?" Sebastian blushes.

"Not a problem Sebastian." He smiles playfully and then he turns to Ciel as he realizes the time. "Ah shit! Look, you'd better get down there cause Spears is looking for you and he's about to read the riot act."

Ciel nods and turns to Sebastian. "I'd better go, I'm never late and it's a one on one session today."

Sebastian looks at the both of them and he sees Ciel waver slightly; he smiles to himself as it seems that he doesn't really want leave. Watching the pair both standing there, Alois rolls his eyes, hooks Ciels' arm in his and starts to pull him towards the door.

"Can I at least get your phone number?" Sebastian calls after them and they stop, Ciel turns to him and shakes his head.

"Oh, I don't think that's a good-"

"Give me your phone." Alois butts in as Sebastian pulls out his phone. He quickly keys in the number and presses call. The phone in Ciels' back pocket rings out and Alois hangs up, handing the phone back to Sebastian. "There you go, that's his number – call anytime." He winks.

"Um, thank you again."

"Yeah Aly, thanks." Ciel mutters under his breath.

"You both are more than welcome, now let's go."

"Okay, well I'll be seeing you Ciel Phantomhive." Sebastian waves as he turns to leave, walking down the street.

Alois grabs onto Ciels' left arm with both hands and squeezes it tightly, he almost squeals with delight as they watch Sebastian make his way back down the street.

"I wish you didn't do that." Ciel groans.

"Why wouldn't I have? I mean, holy mother of God, he's gorgeous!"

"I guess."

"You guess? I've never seen anyone like that before."

"And you have seen them all." He quips. Alois' head whips around to face him.

"That's funny, I don't remember ordering the large McBitchy."

"Sorry, I guess he's not really my type."

"Not your type? Look at him, he's everyone's type and it seems that he wants you bad."

"No he doesn't."

"Oh yes he does. Ciel, there are many things in this world that I know, some I know for sure and one of which is when someone wants to get into your pants."

Ciels' cheeks flush scarlet as he tries to advert his eyes away from Alois.

"Fuck off Aly." Ciel wriggles out of his grip.

"What's your problem with him anyway?"

"Nothing, I have no problem."

"Then why don't you want to go out with him?"

"It's not that I don't want to, it's just that-"

"Oh my God, I completely forgot. You're still hot for teacher." He interrupts with a broad grin.

"Look who's talking!"

"There is a difference between you and I. Claude and I are actually fucking, what are you and Spears doing? I mean, that guy is so uptight that you could walk in with nothing but a G string on, give him a lap dance and he wouldn't even get the hint."

"Gross." Ciel shudders.

"You get my point."

"Explicitly."

"Honestly, I don't know what you see in him."

"I don't know what you see in professor Faustus and yet, here we are."

"It's not what I see in him, it's what he sees in me. He could have anyone in the world but he's chosen me."

"But doesn't it bother you that you can't make your relationship public?"

"It did at first but I kinda like being someone's dirty little secret." He giggles.

"You're a pervert."

"But you love me and you'd better get your ass to class."

"Shit, yeah!" He exclaims as he bolts off into the building and down towards his class.

…

Breezing past security in the large open foyer, Sebastian makes his way in to the MetroCorp media building just down the road from the University.

Sebastian Michaelis, thirty-three and an up and coming hot shot, although, he wouldn't necessarily call himself that but the others around him would and do.

Cherry picked straight out of Law School, Sebastian did his internship at MetroCorp's New York office where he subsequently, rose through the ranks and quickly became the companies Head of Legal. Sebastian is sharp and very savvy, which makes him admired and feared in this industry and used to getting whatever it is that he wants. Saying no to Sebastian was almost completely unheard of as he always gets the 'yes'.

As he comes in, there is a young man in a black suit leaning against the main reception counter. He is playfully flirting with the receptionist, who is blushing furiously at the attention. Her eyes bashfully look away and land on Sebastian, which then causes her to sit upright instantly and shoo the young man away. Her eyes dart from the young man back over towards Sebastian who is completely preoccupied in a world of his own as he passes them.

"See you Mey, love." The man blows a kiss to the receptionist, grabs a folder from the countertop and follows along after Sebastian. "Mr. Michaelis, there you are!" He calls after him.

"Ronald, how many times, call me Sebastian." He smiles as he walks down the long hall towards his office.

"Right, yes, Sebastian. Where have you been, mate?"

"I was talking to someone outside." Sebastian swings open his door and goes over to his chair. He shrugs off his suit jacket and places it on the backrest of his chair; then pulls the chair out and takes a seat.

Ronald watches him curiously as he logs into his computer then stares at it vacantly for a moment. Sebastian picks up a pen from nearby and starts flicking it back and forth between his fingers. This wasn't the boss he is used to.

"Well, I worked on your itinerary and schedule." He holds out his folder but Sebastian ignores it.

"I wonder if it's too forward to bring flowers." He mutters to himself as he taps the pen on his chin.

"Okay?"

He looks up at Ronald who is staring back at him inquisitively. "It isn't weird to bring a guy flowers is it?"

"I wouldn't know."

Sebastian ignores him again as he absentmindedly drums the pen in his fingers down on his desk rapidly.

"Roses, everyone likes roses." He surmises. Ronald looks on at him, completely dumbfounded and places the folder down in front of him.

"Anyway, I've arranged all your meetings-"

"Red or white?"

"Pardon?"

"What should I bring? Red or white roses?"

"I don't understand the question." He replies as he rubs the back of his neck.

Sebastian leans back in his chair as he crosses his legs.

"I'm going to a recital next Saturday and I want to give one of the performers flowers. I don't know why but he seems like he'd like white roses."

Ronald picks the folder back up and frantically flips through it.

"A recital? No, no, no. You didn't tell me about this, I'll need to shift everything around, your meeting with the television studio, your dinner with Mr. Tanaka-"

"Tanaka? He's coming to London?"

"No, you're going back to New York. Have you forgotten?"

"New York?" He repeats as he sits upright and glares at his assistant.

"Yes, New York – Sebastian, are you all right?"

"No, I can't go to New York, I've – I've got this recital, it's important."

"You're being ridiculous, you have to go to New York, this meeting with Tanaka is important."

"I completely forgot."

"We've been planning this move back for a while now and I must say that I'm looking forwards to accompanying you on this trip. I've never been to the states." He prattles on as Sebastian racks his brain, not for the first time today.

He knows that it would be senseless to postpone his trip, especially as he has a meeting with the company's owner, Tanaka. Tanaka rarely makes time to see anyone, so the fact that he wants to meet with Sebastian is unprecedented. He pulls out his phone and touches it to his lips as he thinks.

I promised him, he thinks to himself. The reality is Ciel was still nothing more than a stranger to him, someone he had only met twice, but still, Sebastian shivered at the thought of disappointing him. Would he be disappointed? Would he even care? Sebastian would have liked to think so but deep down inside, he knows that Ciel wouldn't really give it a second thought. He sits his phone down on his desk and sighs heavily.

"Well, if I don't have a choice then." He finally replies to Ronald who is still trying to understand what is going through his bosses mind.

"I still don't know what's going on here but you really don't have a choice, the flights have been booked, your apartment has been prepped and meetings have been arranged. You're going to New York."