Author's Note: The portion in Italics is Sebastian's dream.

I want to thank those of you who are reviewing without signing in or don't have accounts. I know I didn't do it last chapter. I was trying to get it posted so I didn't leave you hanging for so long. You're reviews mean a lot, and I'm glad a number of you are interested by who will end up with whom. Honestly, you guys make writing this s much fun.

Chapter 16: Night Terrors and Bitterness

Guilt is perhaps one of the most powerful emotions known, it consumes people after they realize what they've done is wrong. Even when the act which is eating away at the person was a mistake. Claude just couldn't look at Sebastian, it wasn't something that the chef had did, it was his own action. He was using Alois to erase his feelings for Sebastian, he felt as though he had betrayed the Pậtissier. Of course he knew he didn't, in fact he never confessed, Claude sighed as he looked at the boiling pot, he was preparing a pasta. His mobile rang, and the chef sighed, "Canterbury, take over," he barked. The violet haired chef nodded as he walked over and dumped the pasta into the pot. Claude walked out of the kitchen and into the alley behind the restaurant. "Hello," he stated solemnly, he honestly didn't look at the caller ID. "That's an unusual greeting from you Faustus, usually you bark at me to stop wasting your time," replied the smooth voice of Madame Red.

The head chef unbuttoned the top two buttons of his jacket before leaning on the wall, "A little distraction his welcome at this moment," he replied as he looked at the pavement beneath his sneakers. He honestly had no idea how to approach Sebastian anymore, he had watched the man leave with Ciel and head to the young owner's flat. He honestly doubted that Ciel was up to any good. "That's even more unusual, Claude are you feeling alright? I have time this afternoon if you aren't," commented Madame Red, there was more concern in her voice than before. The head Chef sighed and swept a hand through his hair his fingers gripped at the roots for a moment as he replied, "No, kitchen trouble, nothing health related." Madame Red simply hummed on the other end. He honestly couldn't trust the woman enough to tell her what he was thinking, she was close to Ciel as it was.

"I was calling to see if you could bring Sebastian in for a follow-up, I want to make sure he's healing up nicely," she commented, Claude could hear pages rustle in the background, he figured she was looking at her physical planner. It amused the man that she still used one, most people put it in their phones. He paused after realizing what she had just said, "A follow-up?" asked Claude curiously, he thought the lacerations looked bad but not bad enough for her to follow-up quite so soon. "Yes," she replied hesitantly, he had a feeling she wanted to do more than a follow-up. "Madame Red, this is more than a follow-up, what aren't you saying?" asked Claude sternly. It was bad enough Sebastian wasn't talking to him but now she was hiding things, "Doctor Patient," Madame Red began only for Claude to jump in. "Don't say that, I brought him in, and now you ask me to bring him back. Someone has to tell me what the fuck is going on," Claude barked angrily. He couldn't stand being left in the dark.

Clearly Madame Red was stunned, she didn't reply she was silent. "Claude, I'm not supposed to say, however," she paused and he could hear a door close, "you aren't giving me a choice." Of course he knew he was being inconsiderate, yet, he didn't give a damn. All that mattered was protecting the raven haired chef, even if he was screwing another person, he wasn't going to let anything else happen to Sebastian. "It's hospital policy to report any marks that look like abuse or assault to the police, that's what the photos were for. Sebastian's case has raised a few alarms, and there are people who wish to speak to him. I gave them the information that he put on the paperwork, but they couldn't find him at that address," Madame Red replied, she sounded tired and worn out.

"What?" asked Claude in confusion, he didn't know Sebastian's address but it was impossible for the man to be paid without a permanent one. "I had to report it to the police, I assured them you weren't a suspect. That you simply brought him in," she continued. Claude shook his head and held up his hand to stop her only to realize she wouldn't be able to see him. "Not that part, the part where Sebastian doesn't live at that address," he stated in confusion. Panic took over as he began to wonder what was going on. Madame Red sighed, she was clearly irritated by Claude, "The Landlord said he moved out, and didn't leave and address. I was going to have Sebastian change it once he came to the check up," she replied. Everything else was a blur, Ciel must have been part of this, yet how Sebastian was able to move so fast and leave no trace was beyond him. The Pậtissier didn't seem like the type that had money to spare. "I'll talk to him, when are you free?" asked Claude after a moment. Perhaps if he could get the man alone he could find out what was going on.

"Ten in the morning, Monday," she replied firmly. Claude took a look at his wristwatch and nodded, "Okay, I'll bring him. Thank you Madame Red," he replied before hanging up. Sebastian hadn't said a word about moving, in fact Sebastian had been pretty much silent. Aside from him telling the waiters when to go and shouting, "Hot Sheet," when he ran behind chefs. Claude shook his head and groaned, he was trying to get away from Sebastian and yet the universe continued to push him back toward the young Pậtissier. He was about to walk back into the building when his phone buzzed again, "What now?" he grumbled as he turned the screen of his Galaxy III S on.

Lucian F.:

We need to talk.

Claude grumbled as he typed his reply.

Claude Faustus:

Can't. Busy.

Before shoving the irritating device back into his pocket he muted it. He didn't want to deal with that person, he honestly wasn't interested. "Why does my life have to fall apart all at once," he grumbled. One of the last people on earth he wanted to talk to had texted him, "Yet another nuisance," he commented as he walked back into the kitchen, fastening his buttons as he went. Silently praying that he would be able to get through the evening with little trouble.

~~xXx~~

The sound of an oboe and snare echoed in Ciel's ears as the deathly slow waltz continued with its monotonous melody. "If all the world's a stage, why did god make it so bloody boring at parties?" Ciel muttered as he watched a number of women spin by as men lead them in circles. Of course waltzes irritated Ciel, what made it worse was that he wasn't going to have the advantage of stripping Lizzy out of her dress and ravaging her in bed, she was still in Paris. He groaned as he downed another glass of champagne and watched as the other nobles kissed each others cheeks. The event was supposed to be a charity ball, raising money for orphans. Ironically the buffet was well worth a quarter of one million pounds alone.

It disgusted him how each of the men and women was dressed to the nines and wearing masks, as though they concealed their identities. Yet everyone knew who the other was by simply looking at the gems around their neck or the cut of their suit. The evening was dripping in blood as nobles jabbed at one another, aiming for as low as they possible could with snide remarks. The stench of secrets rotting under rugs from others as they flirted with another person's spouse, praying that they could elevate their status. It was even possible to see the bones of skeletons poking out from under the doors of several people's closets as they strategically glared or avoided another guest. "It's always the same," he mumbled as he walked over to the bar. The same game and after awhile it got old, his father was off to the side with Rachel, they were chatting with Drewitt. Apparently the Vice Count, Alois' uncle, desired to help build and orphanage. He was asking Vincent if he wanted to contribute.

Ciel shook his head as he leaned against the mahogany bar and called, "Another glass of Dom Perignon Noire." The bartender nodded as he opened the bottle and poured the golden sparkling liquid into the glass. "You look like you're about to stab someone to make the party more interesting," commented a familiar voice. Ciel looked over to see Alois standing in a familiar vampire garb, his purple suit and red tail suited him. He had a pair of fake red wings stitched into his hat and was holding his mask. Ciel slipped off his own and looked at him, "The thought has crossed my mind several times," he replied as the bartender placed his drink beside him, "Thanks," Ciel mumbled as he picked up the flute.

"Scotch, Neat," Alois said with a grin before turning his attention to the slate haired young man. "Where is Lizzy?" asked Ciel as he looked around for the curvy, green-eyed blonde fiancée. "Paris, she couldn't make it," replied Ciel as he took another sip, his voice was filled with irritation as he replied. Lizzy was the one who said he had to go to the even, after all he was fortunate to be the son of Vincent Phantomhive, the owner of Funtom Toys. It would look poorly if the owner of the acclaimed family man of CEO for a toy company was abandoned by his son. "Ouch, she left you to rot," remarked Alois, Ciel could tell it was more of a statement than anything. Ciel shrugged before sweeping one of the long plume's from his hat back. He had decided to dress as a fifteenth century British Pirate. Form what he had been told that evening, it suited him.

If it weren't for the fact that he was engaged to Elizabeth, several women would have openly invited him to bed. Yet, that didn't stop a select few who were looking for a little fun. Ciel just wasn't sure if they were both clean and discreet enough for him to enjoy. "Yup," Ciel replied as he watched the men and women exchange formalities before another waltz commenced. "She's been gone for what? 3 days?" asked Alois as he looked at Ciel. The young man sighed and gazed lazily at Alois, "2 days, 6 hours, 13 minutes and 5 seconds," he replied.

Alois whistled, "Down to the second huh? You're taking it well," commented the blond. Ciel groaned as another woman winked at him, "Like a fish out of water," he commented. He could hear the low trombone and began to feel even more miserable, the dreary waltz honestly wasn't helping his mood. "I take it jerking off isn't working," commented Alois as Ciel shifted. The slate haired owner glared at the bubbly blond, of course Alois would bring that up at a seemingly innocent event to raise money for an orphanage. Ciel hung his head and bit his lip before replying, "I can't help it, when Lizzy was here it was far more manageable."

Alois sighed before collecting his Scotch Neat off the bar and commenting, "Ciel, you screwed her ten times a day, it was a wonder you got anything else done." The slate haired owner tipped his head back as he finished the flute off and placed it on the bar. He knew that, honestly he was a walking hard on, "So sorry, Lizzy didn't complain," commented the young man as he crossed his arms and shifted a little. She was always more than happy to accommodate him, then again she was just as horny as he was half the time. "Dude, how could she? You were too busy fucking her senseless," commented Alois as he pointed at Ciel with his finger and took another swig.

Ciel allowed the remark to slide, it was true in a number of ways. "How's Sebastian?" asked Alois curiously. Ciel shrugged and replied, "Alright, he moved in with ease, however I don't he sleeps at night. I found him baking cookies at 3 in the morning." Alois looked at Ciel strangely, "Baking? Wow, that's commitment," he commented. Ciel groaned, of course Alois would think that. Then again he was a bit odd to begin with, "No, he was making Chamomile cookies," Ciel stated as he looked at the blond. Alois' blue eyes were filled with confusion, "A flower?" he asked curiously. Ciel's slate hair swayed as he nodded and he looked at the young man, "Yeah, it's used to soothe the nerves. I don't think he can sleep to be honest," replied Ciel as he looked at the empty glass beside him. Alois' glass was still half full, and he nursed it as though it were the most important thing in the world.

Alois paused and looked at him, after a moment his expression changed to one of concern, "Now that you mention it, the day you interviewed him he didn't look well," replied Alois slowly. Ciel nodded, he knew something was going on, more than anything he was concerned that Sebastian was more expensive than he was worth. That he had just spent a ridiculous amount on an investment that would never pay for itself. "Ciel, you don't look well and the only time you ever look like that is when you are worried about an investment," commented Alois as he gently touched Ciel's shoulder, his small hand was warm and oddly comforting.

"Sebastian owed money to some unsavory people, so I paid the debt. Now he is living with me," he replied simply, leaving out the amount as well as the fact that it wasn't Sebastian who owed the money in the first place. Alois stared at Ciel, his small lips parted, and his white teeth shone in the light as his Azure blue eyes stared at him in shock. "Wait, Sebastian? He doesn't seem like the type to get in bed with something like a gangster," commented Alois. Ciel nodded as he looked at the bartender and pointed to the flute, he would have to get drunk to finish this conversation. "Yeah, well I paid it so now he is free of them," replied Ciel nonchalantly. Alois was silent and Ciel could tell the blonde was adding the facts together. "Ciel, please don't tell me you plan on using the money to enslave Sebastian," begged Ciel with wide eyes.

Alois had never been the type to care about money, for him it was something to spend when he had to and buy what he wanted. Not to invest or think about as a lifeline. "Yes," replied Ciel sternly, of course he was going to tether Sebastian to the restaurant. It was foolish not to, after all he was gaining popularity, his only concern was earning the principle back. "Ciel, Sebastian is a person, not stock or an item, you can't just buy him and treat him like that. He has feelings and needs, what do you think he will do when he finds out what you intend to do?" asked Alois quickly, his eyes were filled with anger as he spoke. Owning people wasn't something Alois was found of. "He's an investment as far as I'm concerned, and I will do with him as I please," replied Ciel glacially. The bartender handed him another flute of champagne and the young man grinned as he spoke, "As soon as I paid his debt, I became his owner," Ciel bragged. He had the higher hand in this game, if he wanted he could destroy Sebastian with the flick of his fingers now. All he had to do was fire him and blackball him from every restaurant in London, which he could do. Alois gripped Ciel's shoulders and shook him harshly, "Ciel, he's a human being, not a dog! What the hell are you thinking? It's illegal to own a person," he hissed.

Ciel shoved Alois' hands away and took another sip of champagne, it danced on his tongue, and he chuckled. "I'm a Phantomhive, nothing we do is legal," he stated darkly. Azure eyes drifted in Vincent and Rachel's direction, "Yeah, but neither of them would ever pay a person's debt to own them," Alois stated. Ciel grinned darkly as he lifted his glass mockingly to toast his mother and father, "Rachel, no. Vincent, yes," he stated before taking another swig, "You really don't know my father too well."

~~xXx~~

Pale moonlight, nothing but the moon laughing at the boy strapped to the bed. The mattress beneath him smelt of dried blood, sweat and semen. The leather cuffs used to keep his arms above his head bit into his skin. A rag had been stuffed into his mouth, and it took all he had no to cry. He could simply lay there and look at the face of the moon as it jeered at him, telling him that it was time for his punishment. A vase of the eerie blue forbidden roses sat at his bedside. He had been stripped bare and felt the fresh lashings bleed down his chest. Knowing that the demon who had given them to him would return.

His burgundy red eyes closed as he began to pray for relief, for Sister Amalie to find him, or one of the others to rescue him from the demon in a cassock. A child's wish to be saved from the hell he was thrown into. All the while the same tune played over and over again, the light pling of a music box echoed in his ears. It's hauntingly sweet sound made his skin crawl. He could hear the click of the gears as the melody spun free of the small pegs in the music box. He honestly wished it would stop, he couldn't take the torment. He didn't want this, he didn't ask for this. He could hear the ballerina spin on her toe as the melody continued. It wasn't until the melody slowly came to a stop that those burgundy eyes flickered open.

Looming over his bed was a familiar face, he had a pair of soulless gray eyes, thick mousey brown hair and his pale face looked ghastly in the moonlight. His large hands trailed down Sebastian's sides as he straddled the young man, pressing his back into the mattress. "You've been tempting me, Sebastian," cooed the man, his Roman collar glowed blue in the light and Sebastian squeezed his eyes closed. The rag hurt his throat, all he wanted to do was scream and bite, yet he couldn't. Francis was certain of that.

He squirmed as he felt those disgusting hands trail down his skin, they made it crawl, and Sebastian suppressed the urge to vomit, knowing he would simply gag on it and hurt himself more. "If you would smile like the other boys, and behave, then I wouldn't have to do this," replied Francis as he unzipped his pants and pulled his dripping length out of his pants. Sebastian thrashed in a feeble attempt to escape, "Shh... it's just those eyes," whispered Francis as he stroked Sebastian's cheek. "They're always tempting me, such a beautiful color," he continued. His fingers slipped into Sebastian's mouth, pulling the wadded up handkerchief forcefully, "So fierce, and yet filled with fear," the priest drawled as he ran his thumb over Sebastian's lower lip. He slipped it between the young man's lips only for Sebastian to sink his teeth into it, as a warning.

His teeth pierced the nauseating flesh and he could taste the iron of the man's blood on his tongue. Yet something happened, Francis didn't flinch, he smiled as he pulled his thumb out of Sebastian's mouth and licked the tip. "Even now you struggle, that fire is so beautiful," he commented as his tongue trailed up his bleeding thumb. "It only makes me want to snuff it out," he replied with a dark grin, the wrinkles on his face became more pronounced as he lifted his hand. Before Sebastian could understand what was happening he felt it make contact with his face, snapping his head to the side. An ever present sting was left in it's wake as Francis' thick fingers grabbed Sebastian's chin and then pinched his nose, "Open your mouth," he barked.

Sebastian closed his eyes and held his breath, praying that Francis would take mercy on him, "If you don't open it, I won't lube you before entering," he said with a grin. Sebastian's eyes opened in alarm, "No," said Sebastian weakly. The priest forced Sebastian's mouth open and shoved his member in, the young boy closed his eyes and fought his gag reflex, "Good boy, suck me nice and hard," he demanded. He couldn't breath, Francis' thick member was suffocating him.

A feral scream was ripped from Sebastian's throat as he jerked up and looked around the room. His heart was pounding, and he was covered in sweat. Burgundy eyes shifted around the room nervously as his hands checked for the fetters in his dream. He ran a hand through his now sweat soaked black hair to stop it from sticking to his face. "It was all just a dream," he whispered as he kicked the comforter off of himself and left the bed. "Just a dream," he muttered again. He was standing in a pair of boxers and wandered through the flat to the kitchen, his safe haven. A place away from the dreaded dreams.

In moments he was opening cabinets and looking for the one thing that would bring it to an end, the chamomile didn't work the night before, he only trapped himself in the dreams. He shuddered as he remembered the night before, he couldn't escape. After a moment he found it, a bar of chocolate, as much as he hated to admit it, he found it to be soothing. He tore into the package and slipped a small square in his mouth. It melted on his tongue as he slowly sucked on it, savoring the earthiness of the dark chocolate and the bitterness which seemed to soothe him. It felt like velvet on his tongue as he closed his eyes and chewed.

He needed a shower, but he would do that after he had the chocolate. He was scared to death of falling asleep again and landing in the nightmare of his childhood. "I thought chocolate was for kids," commented a dark voice behind him. Sebastian jumped out of his skin to see Ciel standing there, his cheeks were flushed, and he was holding his hat in his hands. He looked as though he were a pirate which had stepped right out of Peter Pan, without the hook. The Pậtissier placed the chocolate bar on the counter and looked at Ciel nervously. He could smell the liquor on him and began to wonder if the young man was drunk. "I was," Sebastian began only for Ciel to place the hat on the counter and snatch the bar. "You know for a Pậtissier you are a fickle one, you make Lizzy look easy," he commented as he took a piece of the bar and slipped it between his lips.

The slate haired owner's head tipped to the side as his sapphire eyes traveled up and down Sebastian, they seemed to evaluate him. "You know, I paid a great deal for you. Let's see if you are really worth it," he commented as he tossed the bar back on the counter and approached Sebastian. The Pậtissier began to back away, he had the same glint in his eye as Father Francis, he honestly began to wonder if someone in heaven simply wanted him to hurt. He felt the granite counter behind him hit his back, and he leaned backward to get as far away as possible. "How would you suggest doing so?" asked Sebastian nervously, his tongue swept over his lips, his entire mouth began to feel dry. It was as though he had eaten several cotton balls. Ciel was standing before him leaning on the counter so they were face to face with one another. "Simple, pleasure me," he stated with a grin.