"You brought me to a sports bar?" Ciel asks incredulously as the pair stand in front of the entrance to the bar. Sebastian looks over at him and sees that his eyebrows are arched and his demeanor is tense whilst he is still holding onto his violin by its neck. In their rush to leave, Ciel didn't get the chance to bring his case or anything else for that matter.
Sebastian shrugs and then a broad grin appears on his face as he looks at Ciel.
"Come on, let's go in."
"What? No. I'm not going in a sports bar." Ciel protests.
"Why not?"
"Okay, well for one, I don't drink." He states, matter of fact.
"You don't drink coffee, you don't drink alcohol – what do you drink?"
"I drink tea." Ciel replies flatly and Sebastian thinks for a moment.
"That's fine, they serve ice tea here." He offers.
Ciels' hardened face starts to soften at the suggestion of ice tea.
"I've never had ice tea before." He says, trying to mask his excitement in trying something new.
"Trust me, you'll like it." He grins devilishly.
"Fine." Ciel exhales exasperatedly as Sebastian goes over to the door and holds it open for him. Ciel can't help but roll his eye at the gesture as he goes in through the door.
Upon entering the bar, Ciels' ears are instantly assaulted by a loud thumping, pulsating beat. The smell of barbeque sauce and stale beer hit his nostrils with such force that he almost chokes on the scent. Sebastian chuckles lightly as Ciel looks like a scared doe trying to cross a busy street. He gently places his hand on the small of Ciels' back and guides him towards a booth, where they both take a seat. Ciel lays his violin down on the table, delicately, and then folds his arms across his chest in a huff.
After a moment, a brown haired waitress with a high ponytail, dressed in a tight fitting black and white striped referees jersey and figure hugging jeans, comes over to them.
"Good evening and welcome to Goal, my name is Shannon and I'll be your server tonight." She introduces herself with a transatlantic drawl.
"Hi there Shannon, can we have a Long Island iced tea for him and a pint of whatever's on tap?" Sebastian orders, she nods and leaves to get their drinks. "Are you hungry? We can get something if you'd like?"
Ciel shakes his head, "No thank you." He pauses as he looks around the crowded bar.
The bar is full of people laughing and chatting amongst themselves or with their waitresses. There are crowds of people who are decked out in jerseys supporting various teams huddled by the different booths. By each booth there is a wide screen television playing numerous games and matches. Ciel is definitely out of his element, as he doesn't know much about any of the sports that are playing on the televisions. After a moment, there is a loud cheer coming from one side of the bar, which he figures indicated that one team has scored a goal, other than that, he is completely lost.
Sebastian leans forwards as he studies Ciel, whose eye darts around the room as he takes it all in.
"Would you prefer to sit at a booth with a soccer game?" Sebastian asks.
"It's football here." He smiles dryly as he slowly turns his head back towards Sebastian.
"Football?"
"Yeah, unlike what you guys play, the ball actually touches the foot here." He replies sardonically, that much he did know.
"I guess you're right. Well, do you want to watch a game?"
Ciel shakes his head. "Not really – I don't particularly care for sport."
Sebastian presses himself back against the plush red cushion of the booth as he sits upright. He wants to get to know Ciel, but Ciel makes it difficult. He's never had this much trouble before and he is starting to wonder just how to get in the young mans' good graces.
"What DO you like?" He inquires and Ciel sits back as thinks about an answer to the question.
"I'm not sure." He replies honestly after a long pause.
"You're not sure?"
"No."
"Well what makes you happy?"
"I'm not sure about that either."
"That's kinda sad."
"What do you mean?" He frowns.
"That you don't know what makes you happy. You always seem so cynical, I thought that maybe it was just me."
"No, it's not you." He confesses as he averts his gaze and chews on his lower lip.
"Then why? There has to be a reason."
"I have a reason; I just don't wish to discuss it at this moment."
"That's fine as long as there is a reason."
"What does it matter?" Ciel snaps.
"I guess it doesn't but I would hate to have someone as talented as you just wasting their time being miserable for no reason." Sebastian smiles to defuse the tension and the waitress returns with their drinks. "Thank you Shannon."
He flashes a cheeky grin, which causes her to blush furiously as she tosses her ponytail over her shoulder. Ciel looks at this display and rolls his eyes as she giggles and takes her leave.
"Do you flirt with everyone?" He asks as he takes his glass into his hands.
"Why? Are you jealous?" Sebastian purrs as he lowers his eyelids at him seductively.
"Absolutely not." He snorts as he plays with the straw in his glass. "So this is ice tea? I've never had cold tea before."
"You'll like this, it's sweet."
Ciel swirls the liquid around and leans over slightly to place his lips on to the straw and takes a sip. The beverage hits the back of his throat and he coughs.
"What's in this?" He chokes out.
"Vodka, gin, rum, tequila, triple sec and cola."
"I thought this was tea!"
"It is, I just didn't specify the type." Sebastian smirks as Ciel scowls at his response.
"You tricked me." He splutters.
"I may have been a little economical with the truth, but you drink tea and the drink is ice tea." He chuckles lightly as Ciel takes another sip. "Besides, it looks like you're enjoying it."
"I suppose it's not bad." He mutters as he places the straw back between his lips.
Upon his second try, Ciel realizes that it really isn't that bad tasting - it's cold, sweet and slightly refreshing. He hums with pleasure as he sips away but before he knows it, the last few drops are being sucked up through the straw.
"Easy now." Sebastian warns lightly.
"That was delicious, may I have another one?"
"Sure. Tonight, you can have anything you want." Sebastian agrees, which causes Ciel to snort derisively.
"I wish that were true." He sulks as he pushes the empty glass over to the side. Looking over his shoulder, Sebastian catches Shannons' eye and signals for another round.
"Are you talking about the guy?" He wonders, and Ciel replies by folding his arms across his chest, "I see." He nods.
"I've been in love with him for the last year." Ciel admits.
"Who was he? I didn't see anyone with Alois and Lizzie."
Shannon quickly returns with another set of drinks. As Sebastian moves his second pint aside, Ciel sucks his tea up through his straw. He looks over at Shannon and motions for two more.
"I thought you didn't drink?"
"I don't but these taste so sweet, like candy." He grins as he guzzles down another mouthful.
"I'm glad you like them but take it easy, there's a lot of alcohol in them."
"I'll be just fine."
Sebastian nods as he leans back in his seat and regards Ciel. He sees him with a cocktail glass in between the palms of both of his hands whilst he merrily sips away. Sebastian wonders if now would be a good time to inquire further about the man that's got Ciel so flustered. He sort of wants to know, but really doesn't want to know the answer, just in case he no longer has so much as a sliver of opportunity with him.
"So this guy?" Sebastian begins, figuring that knowing about the competition is better than not knowing.
"My music professor." Ciel replies as he swallows another gulp of his cocktail.
"Professor Spears?" He can't help the surprise in his voice.
This wasn't whom he was expecting, especially as when they met, he was so gruff and stern with him – what could Ciel possibly see in him.
"You know him?" Ciel asks, surprised that Sebastian would know of him.
"Not really, I met him at your recital; he seemed to speak very highly of you."
"I guess he won't after tonight." He mopes.
"For whatever it's worth, he was by himself when I arrived."
"He was alone when I saw him too, then the nasty redhead showed up." Ciel huffs as he moves the straw aside and starts to drink straight from the glass.
"Nasty redhead?"
"Whatever, I'm over it." He mumbles into the tilted glass.
"You don't sound over it."
"Well more fool you, because I am." He finishes the drink and sits the empty glass to the side.
As if on cue, Shannon brings over another two cocktails and sits them down beside Ciel, taking the empty glasses and placing them on her tray. Ciel grabs one; he takes the straw and drops it down on the table as he starts to knock it back. Sebastian takes a sip of his beer and watches as Ciel gradually becomes more and more inebriated.
Ciel rolls his head to the side as he picks up the music being piped through the loud speakers. He claps his hands and giggles as he starts to sway back and forth.
"Are you okay?" Sebastian asks as Ciel tries to sing along to the words.
"This song is amazing, Alois always plays it and normally I hate it because it's not my usual style but now, I love it." He rambles.
"I'm sure you do."
"What is it?"
"Um, I don't know, I think it's Drop It Like It's Hot or something like that?"
"Well whatever it is, it's bloody brilliant." Ciel proclaims, raising his glass in the air, spilling it a little as he bobs his head to the bass.
"Ciel, maybe you should ease up on the cocktails." Sebastian advises, as he starts to slide the other drink towards him. Ciel reaches over and snatches it back, holding it tightly in his hands.
"Maybe you should let me drink. This was your idea wasn't it?"
Upon watching him get more and more intoxicated, Sebastian starts to regret his decision in coming to a bar, all he was trying to do was to get Ciel to loosen up and forget about the events of the evening, not get him completely hammered. Ciel drunkenly continues to sing along to the chorus but can't quite get the words right, Sebastian sighs heavily and shakes his head at him as he curses himself with each missed line.
"Oh my God, do you know what we should do?" Ciel announces suddenly.
"What's that?"
"Karaoke!"
"I don't sing." Sebastian chuckles.
"Now who's not being fun? Fine, no singing – oh! What about dancing? We should totally go dancing."
Sebastian shakes his head. "Maybe it's time to get you home."
"Maybe you can go home but I'm staying. I'm having fun, isn't that what you wanted?"
"Yes but not quite like this."
"Then like how? I'm enjoying myself for the first time in years." Ciel states and Sebastian smiles, what harm could it be to let him continue to enjoy himself?
"All right, we'll stay a little longer." He concedes as he starts to slide out of the booth. "I'll be right back; I'm just going to the bathroom."
"Okay." Ciel waves.
"I'll just be a moment." Sebastian excuses himself and makes his way across the busy bar towards the bathroom.
Ciel sits at the booth drumming his fingers on the tabletop and sipping from yet another cocktail glass.
"I'm bored." He grumbles as he looks around. He spots a jukebox selector on a nearby wall and grins foolishly as he is suddenly struck with an idea. Sliding out of his seat, he staggers over towards it. He examines it carefully and starts to flick through the various song choices, his eye widens as he lands on one he actually knows. Fishing out a pound coin from his pocket, he drops it into the slot, presses E19 and waits for his choice to come up.
Meanwhile, in the bathroom, Sebastian stands by the sink as he finishes washing his hands. Shaking off the excess water, he takes a towel out of the dispenser and dries his hands. After he discards the used towel in the nearby waist basket, he checks himself in the mirror. He runs his hands through his hair, smoothes down his tuxedo jacket and goes towards the door.
As he pulls it open, the first thing he hears is loud whooping and cheering to an infectious rhythmic beat, the second thing is an off key caterwauling to a 70s disco classic. Sebastian makes his way back into the main bar and then he spots him, surrounded up revelers, gyrating and wiggling his slim hips to the beat whilst dancing on top of a table in the middle of the bar and singing.
"You make me feel… miiiiiiiighty real…" Ciel drunkenly declares to the crowd who cheer him on as he claps his hands and stomps his feet to the rhythm.
Sebastian goes over to Shannon who is leaning against the bar, laughing at the sight of him and each off kilter note he hits.
"What happened?" Sebastian asks her and she shrugs.
"Beats me. The song came on and he just got on the table and started singing. I tried to get him down but he said that he was waiting for Sebby – is that you?"
"I guess so."
"Look, could you get him down, my manager is pretty angry."
"I'll see what I can do."
Sebastian goes over to Ciel, pushing past the onlookers who are standing aside watching, and maneuvers himself through the crowd to get to Ciel, who is still singing, poorly.
"…You kiss me there and it feels real good and I know you love me like you shoooooooould."
"Ciel, could you come down please?" Sebastian waves his arms at him to get his attention. Ciel looks down and smiles widely as he continues to shake his hips.
"Sebby! Wait this is the best part: Oh, yooooou make me feel ... miiiiiiiiighty real! Come join me up here."
"I don't think that's a good idea." He passes and Ciel frowns.
"Common, you asked me what would make me happy and dancing with you would make me happy, so get up here!"
"Fine, I'll dance with you but you have to come down here first." Sebastian holds out his hand to help guide him down.
Ciels' bottom lip protrudes as he pouts, but he accepts the hand. As he tries to step down from the table he stumbles slightly, and Sebastian holds out both of his arms and catches him, holding him tightly against his body. Ciel starts to blush and fights to push his way out of the embrace.
"Lemme go." He whines, Sebastian obeys and lets go of him.
Ciel furrows his brow, and Sebastian looks at him curiously as he smoothes down his suit jacket.
"What?"
"Why do you always have to be like that?" Ciel grumbles.
"Like what?"
"So charming?"
"Is that so?" He simpers.
"Bloody Prince Charming, that's what you are." Ciel snorts as he supports himself against the table.
"What do you mean?"
"You're always coming to my rescue or walking me to class… That's what I mean. Is that what I mean? I don't know what I'm talking about, I'm pissed." He slurs as he grips the table firmly for balance as he sways.
"You're mad?"
"No I'm pissed, pissed, drunk! God, I thought you Americans spoke English?"
"We do." Sebastian sniggers as he pulls Ciel off of the table.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing, I just knew you'd find me charming eventually."
"Shut up." He snaps.
Sebastian guides Ciel back to the booth, and he guzzles down the rest of his cocktail whist rocking back and forth to the beat of the current song playing. As Sebastian observes him, he smirks to himself because drunk or not, he finds the young man in front of him to be utterly adorable, even if he is proving to be a handful at the moment. Here is the uptight guy who, by his own admission, doesn't know what makes him happy and yet, in this moment, he seems completely relaxed and like he is having such a good time. Although, he'll probably regret it all in the morning with the hangover he is likely to have.
Sebastian too starts to relax and drinks his beer as he watches Ciel enjoying himself. He turns to the side slightly to watch the game that is currently playing on their television screen. He becomes so engrossed with what is happening on screen that he doesn't notice that Ciel has slipped out of the booth and quietly moved to the center of the room.
In a drunken attempt to dance, Ciel starts to shake and jerk his body to whatever song is currently playing. Shannon, completely oblivious to Ciel in the middle of the floor, is carrying a tray of drinks and doesn't see him the young man flailing about with his arms in the air, careering towards her.
Catching movement out of the corner of his eye, Sebastian turns from the game to see Ciel getting ever closer towards her.
"Oh shit!" He exclaims as he quickly rushes over to grab him but it is too late, they make contact, causing Shannon to drop everything to the ground. As Ciel tries to step aside, he slips on the spilt liquid and starts to slide around, falling into Sebastians' chest as he catches him.
"You're fast."
"Well, I wouldn't want you to fall." He grins at him.
They stay like this for a moment as Ciel looks straight into Sebastians' eyes, seemingly wanting to say something to him.
"Sebastian I…" He starts.
"You?"
"I... think I'm gonna be sick." He announces just before he bends over and throws up all over the floor, just missing Sebastians' shoes, to which the older man is extremely grateful for. Shannon glares at them with a deeply embedded scowl on her face.
"I'll obviously pay for all of this." Sebastian offers as Ciel goes heavy in his arms.
"I don't feel so good." He whimpers as he buries his face in crook of his shoulder.
"Come on, let's get you home."
…
After he pays for the damage and leaves Shannon a very generous tip, Sebastian leads the very intoxicated Ciel outside.
The May evening has turned into its typical spring self. It is damp, drizzling and chilly as they amble over to the corner. Sebastian looks out across the street and can see Trafalgar Square just ahead of them; they should be able to get a taxi here. Propping Ciel up against a nearby postbox, he holds him still for a moment as Ciels' head droops from side to side.
"Okay, where do you live?" He asks, as he positions his head to face him.
"Don't wanna go home." Ciel slurs his reply.
"That's too bad because that's where we're off to."
"Not if you don't know where I live." He sang. Sebastian exhales loudly as he hangs his head.
"Ciel, listen to me. It's wet and it's cold – I'm getting a cab and taking you home. Now, where do you live?"
Ciel struggles out of Sebastians' grip and pushes him back slightly.
"Fine! I live by Brick Lane." He says, seemingly admitting defeat. Sebastian thinks for a moment as he recalls hearing about Brick Lane, before but he is unsure as to where it is exactly located.
"Brick Lane, great, where's that?"
"Dunno, that way." He grins as he points left.
"It's like herding a kitten." Sebastian sighs aloud and he could see that getting him home is going to be harder than he first thought.
Keeping one eye on the road and the other on Ciel who, even though braced against the postbox, is still falling over, Sebastian steps out from the curb and waves his arm for the first available cab.
As the taxi pulls over, Ciel meanders over to him and drapes himself over Sebastians' back. Sebastian wraps his arms around him and Ciel lays his head onto his shoulder.
"Alright mate, where to?" The driver asks as Sebastian struggles to hold onto Ciel by his waist in an attempt to keep him upright.
"Um, Brick Lane?"
"Brick Lane, that's where I live!" Ciel interjects.
"Yeah… do you know where that is?"
"Of course I do." The driver smiles and Sebastian opens the door to allow Ciel in. As he tries to amble over to the open door, he misses his step and falls forward into the back.
"Bollocks." He groans as he tries to get his barring and then starts to crawl inside.
"He isn't going to be sick or anything?" He driver asks worriedly.
"No, no, he won't." Sebastian tries to reassure him. That's because he's already been sick. He thinks to himself.
"Sebby, I'm stuck!" Ciel whines as he falls flat onto his stomach.
"Seriously mate, is he going to be all right?" The driver inquires as Ciel lifts himself up onto his knees, hissing and cursing along the way as he finishes dragging himself into the cab. Sebastian pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs whilst nodding to the driver.
"I hope so." He replies, knowing they still have a long way to go.
Authors' Note: The song Ciel sings is: Sylvester – You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)
If you're ever curious as to what would happen if Sebastian ever DID do karaoke… Flying Purple Kites has the story for you – The Karaoke Throw Down… which is hilarious, go have a read :-)