"Y'look like someone told you they'd stopped making lube."

― K.A. Mitchell

Chapter 4

"HEY BOOTY SHORTS! ARE YOU DONE YET? LET'S GO!" Lau called out from about sixty yards away, as usual in the company of his girlfriend Ran-Mao.

"YEAH I'LL BE RIGHT THERE, JEEZ! HAVE SOME FUCKING PATIENCE!" Alois turned his head and looked down at the bashed up teen in front of him, glaring maliciously. "I hope you're smart enough to convince your idiot dad to stay away from my dad's clients, otherwise you know what's coming. You can change schools to try and hide from me, but trust me – I will find you. And hey – if you ever tell anybody about this I will kill you."

Purple sneakers made crunching sounds against the cold ground as the blonde began moving, signaling with a wave of his hand for the twins to follow him. Timber glanced up at Alois before he loosened his hold on Ciel's arms, leaving him to fall unprotected to the ground, face first. A pained moan escaped Ciel when he collided with the gravel, coughing breathlessly as he curled up into a ball to instinctively shield himself from a blow that never came.

The trio left him without another word, slowly making their way over to Lau and Ran-Mao without even a small peek back at the boy they had just assaulted.

After Timber had released him, Ciel hadn't bothered to assess the damage done to him before he carefully reached down to free his phone from its clothed prison, groaning in agony with every small movement.

Ciel was confused; beaten to a pulp, sore all over, barely registering what was happening around him but… one thing had caught his attention. Booty shorts?

For some reason he just had to check, he had to see who had texted him. Ciel knew the two couldn't possibly be connected but he couldn't fight the compelling need to confirm it. Unfortunately, the text he had received contained exactly what he had dreaded and for the first time since he had gotten to know Alois he wasn't happy to see his nickname on the screen.

King of booty shorts: I'm fucking horny where are you?

Shuddering all the way from his fingertips to the tips of his toes, Ciel typed a short, simple reply. All kinds of emotions were flooding him as his eyes fell on those words; the state he was in combined with the odd coincidence – nothing could make him feel more uneasy than he felt in this very moment. He had to get some reassurance; it might have been that his mind was clouded from the pain still surging through his injured torso, but he got the distinct feeling that there was something odd about all of this.

C i e l: Why?

King of booty shorts: Why? You never asked me that before. Do I need a reason?

C i e l: No… I just really had a bad day. I'm not up for it. But please, just humor me. Why?

King of booty shorts: I just saw something that really turned me on. What happened?

C i e l: Why do you call yourself King of booty shorts?

King of booty shorts: Because I always wear them and I fucking rock them? What the fuck is up with all the questions?

C i e l: Forget it… I'll talk to you later.

King of booty shorts: Okay but what happened? Seriously.

Ciel didn't answer. He just rolled over on his back and laid on the cold ground for a couple of minutes, his dark strands flowing out around his head while he stared up at the cloudy sky.

Am I going crazy? It's just a coincidence. We don't live in the same city. I must have a concussion or something. Many guys wear booty shorts… right?

No, they don't.

Ugh.

Alois was lying under the covers, writhing and tossing back and forth, unable to fall asleep. He couldn't stop thinking about Ciel; about how it felt as if something was up with him. The signs were subtle, but they were there. Ciel's answers were getting shorter… and somehow colder. The blonde didn't know if the other boy intended to act like this, but if he didn't, it was even worse. That would mean Ciel was gradually starting to get sick of him – at least that's what Alois kept thinking to himself.

The more the blonde thought about it, the more frustrated he became. This had been going on for a week now and if it didn't end soon, he would have to do something to get Ciel's attention back. Alois wasn't exactly sure of what he could do, but he knew that he had to do something. There was just no way he could allow Ciel to stop talking to him.

What Alois felt for the other boy was surprisingly strong and, in all honestly, it confused him to no end. He, who never fell in love, was practically throwing himself in front of another's feet – a person he hadn't even met! If it came to it, the blonde knew that he would do basically anything to keep Ciel in his life. That's how intense his emotions were – and he couldn't figure out how or why.

Exasperated, Alois turned to face the window, sucking in slow, deep breaths as he contemplated on how he should proceed. That's when another glorious person sneaked his way into his mind.

Phantomhive.

Ah, that brat. The blonde had messed with many boys and girls over the years, but the blue haired teen was without a doubt one of his absolute favorites.

One of the main reasons why Phantomhive entranced Alois to such an extent was not the beauty of his pained cries as he was slammed into the ground nor was it the beguiling pride he held that caused him to never give in. No, what completely shook the blonde was how stunning the smaller boy looked when he snapped back at him. Thinking of Phantomhive's cute, angry stare, his clenched jaw and his perfect little ass as he walked away from him in a show of defiance, was enough to get Alois' dick hard under his cocoon of soft cotton.

A creature as breathtaking as Phantomhive was something the blonde rarely came across. And if that poor boy knew how much Alois enjoyed tormenting him just to see that little display of wrath, Phantomhive would regret ever having rebelled against him. Had he just been compliant like the rest of them, the blue haired boy wouldn't have this big of a problem, and Alois was sure that the boy knew by now that he was his absolute favorite target.

Re-reading his and Ciel's most recent playtime while simultaneously picturing Phantomhive's vexed expression, the blonde let his hand wander lower to clutch the stiff flesh between his legs. It was the perfect combination – an impeccable image. The only thing that could get him harder than he already was would probably be if he had both of them on either side of him.

I wonder if I should fuck that adorable little Phantomhive?

Ciel was picking at the almost healed cut on his lip while his father was eying him from the hallway. He didn't know why, but he just hadn't been able to tell his parents the truth about how he got that wound. Knowing both his father and mother well, he knew that they would most certainly take drastic measures. They would probably demand to meet Trancy's parents, have meetings with the school and, worst of all, force him to work things out with his torturer. A shiver crawled up his spine at the mere thought. No, he wanted to handle this himself.

A week of school had passed by smoothly – as smoothly as it could with Trancy breathing down his neck. Ciel had suffered no more violent beatings, but the way the blonde continuously harassed him was starting to get incredibly tiring.

Day after day Trancy made Ciel's life hell by doing things like smacking his backside in the hallways as he passed by, mockingly flirting with him in front of everyone in the boys locker room or calling him names and downright nasty adjectives. The blonde's favorite nickname for him seemed to be Tight Ass Pete. Tight. Ass. Pete.

Ciel was beyond humiliated. He didn't let Trancy get away with any of it without retorting by snapping at him, but the blonde didn't even make the hassle of pretending that he heard the words Ciel spat in his face. Trancy would only look at him with a dumb smile before he did the next vicious thing he could think of to amuse himself on Ciel's expense.

For some reason the blonde seemed to have a thing for going after Ciel, because the other kids at school didn't suffer half of the treatment that he did. Why he was singled out, Ciel couldn't even begin to understand – and he didn't want to think about it either. All he wanted was to be left alone but that seemed like a distant dream in his current position. If this didn't end soon, Ciel would have to do something more radical to get the blonde off his back – but he couldn't figure out what.

"Hey kid. You want a ride to school?" Vincent asked his son as he threaded one of his arms through the sleeve of his dark coat.

Ciel snapped out of his thoughts, giving his father a quick glance before he tiredly made his way over to the tall man. "Yeah sure, but you wouldn't have to you know… when are you buying me a car?" the blue haired boy asked his father while he reached down for his army boots.

Vincent's lips curved in the corners. "When you decide to take out that hideous nose ring."

A glare of pure annoyance met the raven haired male as Ciel tilted his head, taking his eyes away from the laces he was currently working on getting in place. "Seriously dad?"

Vincent's large hand grabbed the door handle, pushing it down as he said, "Let's go look for one tomorrow. Sound good? I've just been so busy with the company and moving... well you know all of this."

"You're really taking me car shopping tomorrow?"

"Yes. You've gotten straight A's. A dad's got to reward his hard working son." Vincent had an overly proud tone, smiling widely at Ciel while he waited for him to get ready.

"Man... you sound like a fucking idiot."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. How's this?" Vincent cleared his throat before speaking again in a much deeper tone while making a silly face to make himself look tough. "Damn son, you're such a badass, gotta reward you for keeping cool. Let's gather up all of our most manly friends and go buy you a Ford F-150."

Ciel couldn't help but let out a small laugh; his father looked ridiculous. Still, he was not going to ignore the last words Vincent had uttered. "Shit... is that a deal or what?"

"We'll have to see about that, kid. Maybe if you stop using such foul language," Vincent said with a chuckle, ruffling his son's dark locks, causing Ciel to snarl in response as he slapped his father's hand away.

"Don't mess up my hair!"

"Mess up what? Did you even brush it? You really need a haircut, you know," Vincent teased as they got into the car, laughing softly when Ciel shut the door hard in annoyance.

"No, I don't, I'm never cutting it."

"You're going for a rock star look?"

"Just shut up dad…"

"You should be nicer to the one holding the credit card. You want that car or what?" Vincent smirked playfully as he put the key in the ignition and pulled out from the driveway.

"I deserve a car and you know it," Ciel muttered, resting his chin in his palm as he gazed out the window, watching nature pass by at a quick pace.

The ride went on in silence, except for Ciel's continuous sighing, knowing what—or rather who—was waiting for him in school. Ciel had a full on frown going by the time his father pulled in to park right outside the school building.

"Have a nice day now, kiddo. And don't get into trouble," Vincent lectured before his expression turned into a more concerned one. "You would tell me if someone ever—"

"Yes, I would! Stop going on about it, I told you, I fell! God!" Ciel fumed, roughly pulling on the handle before he tumbled out of the car. "Bye dad, thanks for the ride." Ciel slammed the door shut before his dad had any time to respond – he knew he was being rude, but he had barely gotten any sleep lately and the nagging about his busted lip was starting to get on his nerves whether his father meant well by it or not.

Ciel dragged his tired feet across the school yard as his father drove away, heading off to work. As he entered the building he was as usual met with the sight of a crowded corridor, full of students getting ready for their first classes of the day. Heading for his locker, Ciel was about to do the same when a voice made him forget all about what he had set out to do.

"Holy crap booty shorts! That shit you sent me last night was awful! I nearly puked my guts out!" Lau called out as he made his way over to Alois who was rummaging though his locker next to the ferocious twins.

Ciel spun around at the sound of the nickname, once again reminded about what he had heard one week ago. He had been talking to Alois as usual during this time, but he couldn't help a slight discomfort to appear as he did so.

It was practically impossible for Alois and his bully to be connected. The odds were so outrages that Ciel even scoffed at his own silliness; they couldn't have anything to do with each other. Still, he couldn't let it go, and as he tried to get through his first class his disturbing thoughts practically consumed him.

"Ciel, can you help me with this assignment? I don't get it," Freckles asked in a slightly embarrassed tone.

Shaking his head, Ciel had to take a moment to try and understand what she was talking about. He had been completely lost in his own thoughts, not even bothering to work on his own assignment. "Yeah sure," Ciel finally answered as he glanced down at the sheets in front of her, realizing what it was that she was asking him for. "What is it that you don't understand?"

"Well… honestly I don't even know where to begin."

"What article have you chosen?"

"This one," Freckles answered as she slid the paper over to Ciel's side of the desk.

"Ah. Well just start with a summary. Read it through a few times, gather the important parts and write about ten sentences containing them."

"Yeah, that's a pretty good idea! Thank you!"

He barely had any grasp on the assignment himself, but at least he could help Freckles with something as simple as how to begin. His brain never stopped pestering him, and he felt like he had to do something to settle his mind, so he asked…

"No problem. Hey… uhm… what's Trancy's full name? I never bothered to find out and no one ever says it."

Finally, he would settle this once and for all. Finally, he would get rid of the troubling thoughts that kept distracting him. He even let out a relieved breath as the single second went by before Freckles gave her answer – a puff of air he quickly sucked in again and held as the syllables she emitted reached his ears.

"His name is Alois. Why do you wanna know?"

Ciel's heart literally skipped a beat. His lungs forgot to draw breaths. The earth stopped moving.

No no no. It can't be. No. This is not happening. NOT. HAPPENING.

Ciel's whole world was falling apart. Everything he had believed to be true now felt wrong.

They can't be the same person, they just can't. It's virtually impossible.

He had been so sure he would hear a completely random name. Still, it wasn't enough to convince Ciel that the person he was texting with could actually be sitting in that very classroom. Overflowing with anxiety, he completely forgot about Freckles and everything else that was happening around him – the only thing Ciel could focus on was Trancy, who was sitting with his sneakers disrespectfully resting on top of the desk in front of him.

Ciel cringed. That foul human being couldn't be his Alois, there was just no way. But just to make sure, Ciel ignored the teacher's continuous glaring in his direction and dug his phone out from his pocket to start typing a crazy text just to see if he got a reaction.

C i e l: I WANT YOUR DICK IN MY ASS

He watched the blonde in the back intensely, not registering how the brunette beside him kept trying to get his attention. Ciel was completely consumed by his desperate need to find out the truth; it couldn't be true, he was sure of it. There was no way Trancy would receive a text.

Holy shit, he's actually checking his phone.

A small laugh came from Alois, who took his black cap off to drag his fingers through his tousled locks. It didn't take long for the blonde to start typing something and Ciel begged to all the God's he knew of that he wouldn't receive a text.

His phone vibrated.

King of booty shorts: FUCK YEAH! Right now? Aren't you busy with school?

The teacher's voice suddenly ended Ciel's search for answers, as the older male snapped in irritation from behind the large, cluttered desk. "Put your phones away and get back to work!"

Ciel was pacing back and forth in his spacious bedroom, wandering between his neatly made bed and the wooden desk on the opposite side. The sun was slowly setting, causing a somber scarlet lighting to shine in through his window.

He was gradually beginning to go into a full on state of shock. Everything pointed towards Trancy being his Alois, but he simply couldn't grasp the fact that something so close to impossible could occur. Ciel had never told Alois about moving because he figured it didn't matter since he wasn't getting any closer to him. At the time he had thought that Alois would get upset hearing about him moving even further away. If Trancy really was Alois, it seemed like Ciel wasn't the only one keeping such information to himself – he must have moved too.

The more Ciel let his mind drift, the more frustrated he got. Alois had texted him during the day but he had barely given the blonde any replies – Ciel couldn't bear the thought that he actually might be texting with that psychopath.

He dragged his fingers through his dark strands in a way to occupy his hands, gathering all of his thick, dark blue hair in a small ponytail which he mindlessly secured with a rubber band.

Flopping down in his desk chair, Ciel leaned back against the plastic backrest, fiddling with the rectangular shape hidden under the black fabric of his front jeans pocket. Sigh after sigh escaped him as he contemplated on whether or not he should do this. They couldn't be one and the same, it was impossible; that's what he kept telling himself over and over until it felt like he was going crazy, because what he had seen and heard during the last week all pointed towards the complete opposite.

Ciel's bottom lip had become sore from his vigorous chewing before he finally made his decision – and he freed his phone from its clothed prison to end this once and for all.

The device ended up being dropped on the desk in front of him, the dark, plastic casing shielding it from getting damaged.

"Fuck, dammit," Ciel cursed over his fumbling hands, both nervous and anxious over what he was about to do. Muscles tensed as he used his index finger to unlock his phone, opening the app holding the one he cared for – and maybe the person he despised.

Alois' last words came into view as he opened their conversation; a careless and sweet declaration of feelings Alois might not even have, because if this was his bully, Ciel had no doubt in his mind that those words were a complete lie.

King of booty shorts: You haven't been very talkative lately... Is something up? I miss you.

'I miss you'. A pang of something resembling pain caused him to feel sick to him stomach. Have I really spent six months talking to a nutcase? I'm a fucking fool.

Ciel's fingers quivered slightly when he moved his hand, typing the letters that might change everything. His heartbeat quickened and his breaths came out in swift puffs until his whole body almost completely froze in dread as he waited.

C i e l: Send me a picture of your face.

King of booty shorts: Baby I thought you'd never ask. You'll send me one too, yes? I need to see that pretty face of yours.

King of booty shorts: [picture]

King of booty shorts: You like? Sorry about the angle.

Four minutes later.

King of booty shorts: Ciel? It's your turn.

Eleven minutes later.

King of booty shorts: Hello? Ciel?

I just want to thank you guys for all the reviews this fic has received. Makes me so happy and motivated to keep writing, you really have no idea. Keep em coming.