Ciel stands in front of his closet, his fingers drumming along the side of the open door as his eye scans the clothing hanging on the rails. Lizzie leans against the doorway and watches him curiously as he mulls over what to wear.

"A white shirt with the cobalt blue cardigan." She suggests with a bright smile.

Ciel jumps a little, startled that there is someone behind him. Lizzie walks into the room, going over to the large freestanding mirror next to the closet. Standing in front of it, she flips her hair over her shoulders and runs her fingers through one of her pigtails, separating the curls as she goes along. Ciel watches her as she does this and Lizzie catches him staring at her.

"You'd better hurry getting ready, Sebastian is waiting for you." She advises with a sly grin as she continues playing with her hair. Ciel furrows his brow as he snorts, turning back to the open closet.

"He can wait." He pulls out a crisp white shirt and walks over to the bed, laying it down carefully. "Can you believe him?"

"Can I believe him what?"

Ciel slides his elbows through his sleeves, underneath his shirt and pulls it up and over his head.

"He thinks there's some kind of competition between him and Spears."

"Ridiculous, huh?" She glibly replies as she watches him slip on the dress shirt and begin to button it.

"Exactly." Ciel agrees as he goes to his dresser, opens the second drawer, sifts through it and lifts out the blue cardigan, and sits it on top.

"Especially as it's pretty clear that they're both fighting for you." She pauses for a moment, "Although, I'm pretty sure Sebastian would win." She titters.

Ciel slams the drawer closed as his head whips over to her.

"There is no competition!" He growls.

She shrugs. "If you insist."

"Lizzie."

She turns towards him, throws her hands up and holds them in the air as though surrendering. "Hey, I'm agreeing with you."

"Hmm."

Lizzie lowers her hands and goes back to playing with her hair. Green eyes follow Ciel in the mirrored reflection as they watch him take his cardigan over to the bed.

"So, you finally got a date with Spears, that's impressive, hey?"

"Yeah, I guess I do." Ciel fights hard to not smile at that thought.

"Well, good for you." Lizzie smirks.

"What's with that?"

"What's with what?" She brushes him off and he folds his arms.

"Lizzie..."

"It's nothing; it's just – well – do you really think you should be dating your professor?"

"Seriously? Loads of people do it; Alois is even doing it with professor Faustus."

"Alois does a lot of things, that doesn't make it right. In fact, let's make it best practice to do the opposite of anything Alois does." She simpers.

"What's with you? You know how I felt about Spears and now I finally get the chance-"

"I know and I'm happy for you." She interrupts.

"But?"

"But I think you should give Sebastian a chance."

"What?"

"He's a nice guy and quite clearly likes you." She turns towards him and he frowns at her again. "I think you owe it to yourself to give him a chance."

"What do you mean?"

Lizzie walks over to Ciel and stands behind him. Placing her hands on his shoulders, she marches him over to the mirror and the both of them stand in front of it, looking at their reflections.

"All I want, all I've ever wanted, is for you to be happy." She says as she regards him in the mirror.

"Who says that I'm not?"

"Please Ciel, don't lie to me, I know you better than anyone and I know you're not. I know you miss them and that I don't have a clue about what you're going though."

"That's a lot of knowing." He states sarcastically.

"Don't be cheeky." She playfully taps him on the forearm and then sighs as she turns towards the bed, going over to collect the cardigan. "I try to help you the best that I can, to make things better for you and I know I occasionally get it wrong-"

"Occasionally?"

"All right, often but it's coming from a good place. I just want to help you be happy, be something close to who you were before all of this happened."

She returns to him with the cardigan in hand. Unfolding it, Lizzie holds it against his chest, tilting her head to the side to examine the color of the sweater in contrast to his skin tone. Seemingly satisfied, she starts to unbutton it.

"You know that may never happen, right? I'm not that person anymore."

She nods and holds out the cardigan. "I know but that doesn't mean that I can't try, I have a plan."

"Is Sebastian a part of this plan?" He asks suspiciously as he slips his arms through the sleeves and she tugs it up over his shoulders.

"Maybe." She winks as she starts to button the cardigan. "My plan is getting you to let loose every once and a while, have fun and let yourself be happy."

"And you think that Sebastian can make me happy?"

"I don't know but wouldn't it be fun finding out?" She grins.

Lizzie takes a step back and admires her cousin. Feeling the pair of eyes on him, Ciel fidgets a little and shoves his hands in his pockets as he avoids making eye contact with her.

"I think fun is overrated." He scoffs.

"Well, we'll see, you never know, you may change your mind." She retorts.

…

Sebastian waits on the couch in the front room. To pass the time, he occupies himself by looking around the flat, casting his eyes on all of the furniture, fixtures and fittings. He hadn't really got a chance to explore his surroundings last night, as he was preoccupied with an inebriated Ciel.

From what he knew of Alois, Sebastian felt it safe to assume that decorating isn't something he would really be into. No, the flat is nothing more than pure elegance and that had to be down to Ciel. All of the chairs, including the couch, are a plush dark navy blue. They look like vibrant jewels against the contrast of the cream painted walls. The coffee table, as well as any drawers and stands, are all made of intricately carved ebony wood. However modern the layout of the flat is, there are antiques littered all around it, giving a subtle nod to classic Victorian and Edwardian eras.

As Sebastian takes it all in, his phone starts to ring. He searches his pocket and pulls it out, not bothering to look at the caller ID, he answers it.

"Michaelis speaking."

"Sebastian, Sir, it's Ronald."

"Ronald, how are you? What time is it over there?"

"It's 3:30 in the morning." He replies flatly.

"3:30 in the morning? What are you doing up so late?"

"I'm calling to ask you a question."

"Okay, shoot."

"Where are you?"

"Where am I? I'm not really sure, somewhere in London." Sebastian replies facetiously.

"That's great and is that somewhere near an airport? Preferably Heathrow?"

"I don't think so."

There is a long silence on the other end of the line. Sebastian pulls the phone away from his ear and stares at the screen, figuring they are still connected; he puts the phone back to his ear.

"Ronald are you still there?"

"You're going to miss your flight." He states, slightly annoyed.

"No big deal, just get me on the latest possible flight back tonight."

"Are you being serious? I don't think that's even possible so late-"

"You're an excellent assistant Ronald, I know you can do it, I have complete and total faith in your capabilities." Sebastian insists almost jokingly.

"Mr. Michaelis-"

"Sebastian."

"Okay, Sebastian. I really like my job and working for you-"

"Glad to hear it."

"Yes, right, well, I like it so much that I don't want to lose it."

Sebastian stifles a laugh as he leans back into the couch. "How would you lose your job?"

"If you fob off Tanaka again, you're going to get yourself sacked."

"No one is getting, er, sacked. Just get me the latest flight home tonight and I'll be back first thing Monday morning to meet with Tanaka."

Ronald sighs loudly on the other end of the line. "Fine, I'll email you the details once I confirm."

"Great, thanks Ronald. Talk to you later." He hangs up.

Sebastian shakes his head and chuckles to himself as he gets ready to put his phone back in his pocket. Just before it goes in, it starts to ring again. Sebastian rolls his eyes and answers it.

"Seriously Ronald don't panic, I'll be back tomorrow-"

"It's me." A female voice coos from the other end of the line.

Sebastians' face blanches as he immediately sits up and looks around. It feels as though the air has just been sucked out of the room, and he finds it hard to breathe. The owner of the voice is not someone he would have ever expected to speak to, at least, not any time soon.

"What are you – why are you calling me? It's late." He blurts out.

"I've missed you. Do you miss me?"

"I can't say that I have."

"Aww, I'm hurt Sebastian, why are you always so cold towards me?"

"Why can't you take the hint that I don't want to be with you?"

"Because you know that's not true. Sure, we fight and we break up but we always get back together again. It's just what we do."

"Maybe I'm sick of the repetition and I want something different." He replies sharply.

"You may say you want something different now but you always come back to me. You're a demon of habit."

"Not this time."

"You'll change your mind when you see me, you always do."

"Not this time." He repeats with a growl through gritted teeth and she lets out an airy chuckle.

"We'll see."

"Look Shiori, I-" Sebastian stops; he can hear footsteps as they walk down the hallway. "I'll call you later, okay?"

"Promise?"

Sebastian hesitates, "Yes."

"Good, I look forward to it." She purrs as she hangs up. Ciel and Lizzie emerge from the hallway and walk into the front room. They both look over to Sebastian curiously, as he looks a little shell-shocked.

"Uh, that's great Ronald; I'll talk to you later." Sebastian says into the phone and pretends to quickly hang up. He didn't want Ciel to know whom he was actually speaking to, and this way, he didn't have to lie.

"Who's Ronald?" Ciel asks as Sebastian starts to stand up from the couch.

"He's my assistant." He answers; it was of course, the truth.

"You have an assistant, that's so cool." Lizzie enthuses.

"Of course, I'm an important guy." He winks, a gesture that causes her to giggle whilst Ciel rolls his eye and folds his arms across his chest.

"Are we going or what?" He snorts.

"Yes, we're going now. Are you coming with us Lizzie?"

"No no, I have to meet up with Finny now so I'll leave you both to it." She grins as she heads towards the door. "Ta-ra for now and have fun." She waves as she leaves the flat, shutting the door behind her.

"Well then, it's just us." Sebastian grins as he looks at an apprehensive Ciel.

"Quite."

"Why do you always have to be like that?"

"Like what?"

"So curt with me. Especially after we spent such a nice night together."

"A nice night? You got me drunk and I left my violin, as well as the best part of my dignity, in some bar."

"You had fun though, right?"

"Describe your definition of fun." Ciel snaps as he folds his arms across his chest in a huff and Sebastian laughs. "What's so funny?"

"You're so adorable."

"Shut up." Ciel snorts as he turns away slightly. Grinning, Sebastian takes a step towards him and stands right in front. The close proximity causes the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end as his whole body shivers.

"I will get to your gooey center, it's only a matter of time." Sebastian purrs, his voice is low and thick like molasses as his eyes lock with Ciels'.

Ciel arches his eyebrow, meeting Sebastians' gaze. "How much time do you have?"

"For you? All the time in the world." He smiles.

"Stop that."

"Stop what?"

Ciel side steps away from Sebastian and goes towards the door, opening it.

"The flirting." He replies and Sebastian shrugs as he follows him towards the door.

"I wasn't flirting. I was merely being myself and I can't stop being that, can I?"

"Whatever. Come on, let's go." He starts to walk out of the door.

"First, I have a proposition for you." Sebastian calls after him and he stops.

"What? No."

"Now wait a minute, hear me out. I come here for work but I've never really explored the city and I want you to show me around. Take me to all your favorite places."

Ciel rests against the open door, and stares at Sebastian incredulously.

"Who says I would agree to that?"

"Are you saying you won't?"

"Definitely."

Sebastian stands in the doorway and leans against the cream painted frame.

"How about, you show me around and I'll take you to the bar with your violin." He tries to negotiate.

"Are you seriously blackmailing me into spend time with you?" He asks.

"I might be. Come on, it'll be fun."

"Why is everyone making such a big deal about having fun?" Sebastian raises an eyebrow and Ciel sighs heavily. "Fine." He concedes. "But only because that violin is important to me."

Pushing himself off of the doorframe Sebastian walks into the hallway and waits for Ciel to shut the door and lock it. Once finished, they start to make their way down the hall.

"So, where to first?" Sebastian grins as he looks over to Ciel who is quickly striding down the hall.

"I don't know."

"You don't know?"

Ciel suddenly stops and turns to Sebastian, who almost walks into him.

"You just sprung this on me."

"There isn't a place you can think of as your favorite?"

Ciels' eye wanders around the hall as he searches his mind for a moment, and then shrugs.

"Well, I guess we could go to Westminster Abbey and the clock tower – or as you tourists call it, Big Ben?"

"I've already been there, besides, I want you to take me to your favorite places."

"We could go to Fortnum and Mason; they sell the best tea-"

"Ciel, where would you like to go right now, what would make you the happiest?"

Ciel thinks for a moment, and then his eye widens as he looks up at Sebastian.

"Chocolate." He smiles.

"What?"

"You'll see."

…

After taking the tube down to Oxford Circus station, they exit and walk past the hustle and bustle towards Carnaby Street. The pair then turn down a tucked away side street and stop in front of a large black painted building on the corner. The sweet smell of chocolate from the inside oozes out into the street as Ciel rushes over to the window and stares inside. Sebastian stays behind as he watches him look at all of the elaborate cakes on display.

"Choccywoccydoodah?" He wonders aloud as he reads the name of the shop aloud. Ciel turns to him, his lips twitching as he tries to stifle his excitement.

"Do you want to go inside?"

"Of course." Sebastian nods. As he goes towards the door, he pauses for a moment after he hears his phone sound out. "Go on ahead, I think this might be my assistant with my flight info."

"All right." Walking around to the entrance, Ciel gleefully swings the door open and goes inside.

Sebastian pulls his phone out from his pocket and looks through his messages. His eyes quickly dart up to see Ciel through the window as he flits around to the various displays like a hummingbird looking for nectar. He grins to himself as his eyes go back down to his phone and he flicks through his messages. Sure enough, there are several from Ronald, many apologizing for the earlier phone call and confirming his flight back to New York but there is one more.

From: Shiori Genpo

I'm waiting…

Is all it says.

Sebastian quickly deletes the message and puts his phone back in his pocket.

Ciel watches Sebastian curiously through the window as he rubs his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose, sighing heavily. He shakes his head and goes towards the entrance of the shop. The sales clerk taps Ciel on the shoulder and motions for him to follow her over to a table and he nods, walking with her as Sebastian comes in.

The whole place is covered in the most elaborately decorated chocolate cakes and confectioneries. Ciel almost seems to have reverted back to being a child as he enthusiastically flits about the shop, looking at each table with different chocolate creations on it. Sebastian can't help but stare in wonderment as the sales clerk follows Ciel around, gathers various bundles of wrapped sweets and takes them over to the counter. He can't help but let a smile spread across his face as he watches Ciel touch and taste the various items on show, seemingly pleased with everything he puts past his lips.

Thinking it will be easier to stay out of the way, Sebastian stands aside, leaning against one of the cherry red lacquered brick walls. As he watches Ciel, his mind wanders over to Shiori; this is exactly the kind of place she would love.

Sebastians' whole body shudders, why does he think of her right now? He feels like kicking himself for letting her invade his thoughts like this but he can't seem to help it.

Their relationship could be described as tempestuous and fraught but it was equally loving, hot, sexy and adventurous. For however combustible they were, they seemed to always fit together. She was right, no matter what happened between them, Sebastian always came back to her. He could never stay away, it was like that from the first moment he laid eyes on her.

He first saw Shiori when she was ten; it was the day of her parents' funeral. Sebastian couldn't remember the details of their death but he did know that it was a homicide. He remembers nothing of the service or who even attended; all he can remember is looking around the room and seeing her. Sebastian was fixated on how she didn't move or cry, she just sat at the front with her back to everyone, stoic and calm.

Towards the end of the service, she turned and looks over her shoulder, scanning the room and her eyes travelled to Sebastian. He was instantly entranced, she had the most peculiar looking eyes, the right one was a vibrant blue and the left, a dark brown – almost black. Her eyes blinked twice at him and then looked away – from that moment, Sebastian was hooked. He didn't know why and he couldn't explain it but he had an overwhelming desire to know her and to protect her. He wanted nothing more but to see her happy and although that day never came, he came close a few times and those moments, he treasured.

Sebastian sighs heavily as he rests against the wall. He's so entranced with his thoughts that he doesn't notice Ciel standing next to him, staring.

"Is everything okay?" Ciel asks, snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Yeah, everything is fine." He smiles. Ciel regards him almost suspiciously but he shrugs it off with a nod.

"Well, let me pay for these and-"

"No, I'll get it." Sebastian offers.

"What? No, I can't let you do that."

"Why not? It was my idea to go out on this date-"

"Who said this was a date?" Ciel protests.

"Isn't it?"

Ciel can feel his cheeks burn red hot as he averts his gaze. Sebastian smiles broadly and starts to walk to the till.

"It's settled." He decides.

"Thank you." Ciel mumbles.

As Sebastian turns and walks to the counter, his face falls almost immediately. Just when he feels he is starting to make headway with Ciel, why did she have to come back into his life?

What do you want from me Shiori? He wonders.

Authors' Note: I had to end it there; the chapter was getting quite long (seriously long, I had to cut it in half).

For those who haven't seen the Kuroshitsuji live action film – Sebastian is contracted to Shiori Genpo (who is basically a female version of Ciel or rather, she may as well be) - so this should be fun...