Please enjoy this next chapter, and don't hate me too much. I certainly do enjoy teasing you, my dear readers. I hope that this chapter is up to par. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing, I appreciate you all so very much!

Chapter 6

Violin Lesson

The way that the bow moved over the strings of the violin caused the most unsightly noise to permeate the air. Every other note played seemed to be an unbearable screech, as if the violin were in such agony. With his lips pursed in a scowl, Ciel winced, damning that dreaded instrument and every second that he had to spend practicing. It certainly did not help his cause the way his mind wandered back to what had happened in his study. His cheeks flushed as the violin gave off another horrible cry. It had been a mistake to egg Sebastian on in such a way. Ciel was still determined to beat his butler at his own game, no matter the cost, and yet, he was thoroughly embarrassed and hesitant to be caught up in another round. Just the feeling of Sebastian's tongue—

The violin cried out in pain, and Sebastian sighed, pressing his hand against his temple.

"Honestly, my Lord, must you play so horridly? Does it bring you great enjoyment torturing that poor instrument, as well as my ears, or is it... That you are distracted, perhaps?" A smirk curled Sebastian's lips as he regarded his master, his chocolate eyes knowing.

"Shut up," Ciel said forcefully, his deep blush telling all, furthering his embarrassment. He felt completely humiliated, a feeling that he did not take to very well. It caused his anger to flare, and yet he merely sighed. Ignore him, he told himself. He continued to attempt playing the violin, causing shudders of distaste to run up both his own and Sebastian's spine every time he made that blasted instrument shriek.

While it had surprised Sebastian immensely the way his master decided to join the game, it did not shock him that Ciel would indulge in the game. The boy loved games; it was a weakness of his, one that his butler knew well. A triumphant smirk danced over his lips, relishing in the fact that he knew Ciel would thrust himself into any game without a second thought. He had decided to tread lightly, asking how the Young Master desired his mess to be cleaned; it was a show of submission, and yet it ended with Ciel relinquishing his power over the situation. It pleased Sebastian immensely when he had received free reign. Sebastian had not held back then; he had cleaned him in such a lewd way, and the mewls coming from those full pink lips had inspired such heat...

It had been a mistake to give Sebastian the option to clean that mess however he chose to, but it was too late to regret it now. At first, it had only seemed as if Sebastian was going to remove his clothing and change him into something clean; it would have been an easy victory. But then he used his tongue...

The violin screeched as he dragged the bow too heavily across the strings. Sebastian flinched at the sound, then shook his head and sighed. "To think that my Young Master cannot dance and fails to even master such a simple instrument... It is most improper."

Ciel sputtered, almost dropping the violin. "Bastard!" he huffed, turning away from his butler and looking over the sheet music. He kept his back to Sebastian, refusing to sink to his level. Why did the violin have to be so hard to play? Why did he have to keep recalling the way Sebastian's tongue collected every drop of tea, every last crumb, from his skin? The way it left trails of fire, the way Sebastian lewdly sucked on his fingers. It wasn't as if Ciel had enjoyed such a thing in the first place. As if he could ever enjoy Sebastian's tongue on him. It was an impossibility; that butler's hot mouth, teeth grazing sensitive flesh—

The screaming of the violin's agony was beginning to grate on Sebastian's nerves. It seemed that Ciel was playing worse than he normally did, as he was very... consumed... in the events that occurred in his study. Sebastian found his own mind wandering back; he had not expected Ciel's skin to taste so sweet, had never imagined that his breathing would come in pants from having the mouth of his demonic servant upon his flesh. The way Ciel had gasped his name had sent heat through his body like a wildfire. The erotic gasp was so arousing, he could hardly control himself. He just barely stopped himself from doing things to Ciel that involved more than his mouth... And he had been sorely tempted to take off his gloves, to feel that silky porcelain skin...

Another painful shriek from the violin caused Sebastian to snap out of his thoughts. He could see his master's ears turning pink from embarrassment of either the memories or of how horridly he was playing because they kept consuming him.

Sebastian smirked, suppressing a chuckle that threatened to escape from his lips. He slowly walked up behind his master, the close proximity causing Ciel to start and jerk his bow across the strings. He spun, stepping away from his butler so fast, the action would have been missed entirely even by Sebastian's eyes, had he not knocked over the stand in his haste. A blush so deep it rivaled all the others painted Ciel's cheeks; if one could die of embarrassment, Ciel would have certainly done such a thing right now. He wanted to crawl under a rock, but that was something his pride would not allow.

For some reason, having Sebastian stand so close sent Ciel's heart into a sputtering frenzy. It is only because I am embarrassed and fear that he may try to start another round of his little game when I am unprepared, Ciel told himself weakly.

"I suppose we can end these lessons for today, as I wish to keep my sense of hearing in tact. I wish you would refrain from playing so tremendously awful," Sebastian said with that stupid smirk of his.

Ciel huffed indignantly, sputtering as his brain frantically searched for some semblance of an insult that did not involve stuttering over the word bastard. Finding none, his cheeks pinkened and he looked away, pressing his lips into a thin line. Fine then, he would just give his butler the silent treatment. He allowed Sebastian to take the violin and bow from him, which was put away into a case. Ciel left the music room and traipsed to his study, extremely irritable.

He was about to open the door when he recalled what had occurred in his study. "Damn!" Ciel hissed between his teeth, taking a subconscious step back from the door. No way did he want to go in there...

"Oh my, it seems that my Master is quite hesitant to enter his study. Is it, perhaps, because you are loath to face the room in which you engaged in the game?" Sebastian's voice was faux-innocent, and it rubbed Ciel the wrong way.

"Don't be foolish," he said, his voice coming out harsher than intended. His arms crossed over his chest, and he looked like a sulking child.

"Well then, what say you and I play another round of our little game, Young Master?" Sebastian's Cheshire cat smile curled his lips; he did so enjoy taunting his master.

Ciel scoffed, opening his study door and heading over to his desk. "Certainly not. Bring me some tea, and something sweet."

"My Lord, dinner will be served in 3 hours, and we do not want to spoil your appetite," Sebastian said as he glanced around the study. It was perfectly spotless, not a trace of the earlier mess left behind.

Ciel sat in his chair and spun it so that he was facing the window. "Fine. But I still would like a cup of tea."

"Of course, my Lord." Sebastian bowed, heading off to make a pot of Earl Grey.

Ciel was exhausted; he barely made it through dinner, and he passed out in his study. Sebastian carried him to his room, and changed the unconscious Earl into his nightshirt. After tucking him into bed, Sebastian chuckled, his gloved hand stroking the kitten soft blue-black hair. "Hopefully he will get some much needed rest," he murmured to himself, before exiting the room and beginning preparations for the next day.

And that is when the nightmares began...