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Love Is Messy	By : phoeyay Category: > Black Butler (Kuroshitsuji ???) Views: 1856 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Black Butler / Kuroshitsuji. I make no money from the writing of this fiction.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
Warning: the Minor Character Death (MiCD) warning is in place in the summary because of something that happens in this chapter.
Chapter 2: Monte Carlo

===
Sebastian considered it part of his duties to tutor his young charge in all the ways of a gentleman. Fencing, though, he also considered to be one of his pleasures. The young lord had more than his share of fighting spirit, and the demon took great joy in seeing it come to the fore. To battle in this way, with wits and arms all at once, made him feel close to his master.
So he knew immediately when something was wrong. The master was not meeting his tutor's thrusts as he should today. There was something sluggish about his movements.
Sebastian called a halt and walked over to the boy, frowning. Ciel had sunk to one knee and his breathing appeared to be labored.
"I'm sorry… Sebastian…" The demon ripped off Ciel's face guard in alarm at those words. The boy's cheeks were flushed and feverish, his breath coming in sporadic gasps and wheezes. He collapsed against his butler's chest, unable to hold himself up. Bloody damn delicate human...
The demon was on the road to the nearest doctor before he realized it might look odd to show up on foot rather than in a carriage. No matter - let them wonder! He squeezed the precious bundle more tightly toward him to shelter his master from the wind. He always felt ready to save his master from harm, always felt motivated to give that protection his all… the contract made sure of that. Today, though, was different. Today he felt… desperate. If he lost this boy, he would lose… everything, he felt. What a stupid thought to have - it's only a soul.

***
"The boy will be fine for the moment. He will need bed-rest for a few days." The elderly doctor peered over his glasses at his young patient's rather excessively dashing butler. "He cannot go on like this, though."
Cannot go on… Sebastian felt a distinct chill run through him. "What do you mean?"
"He requires a therapeutic climate in order to regain his health fully. I recommend a sabbatical. The sea-bathing facilities in Monte Carlo might be ideal."

***
Ciel's eyes were shooting daggers at his butler. "Absolutely not. I refuse!"
"My lord, I am sorry, but I'm not in a position to accept your refusal. It is my foremost duty to ensure your safety. I cannot be confident that you will regain your health enough to cope with these asthma attacks unless we do this. I will ensure that your business runs smoothly and that your holdings are maintained until we return."
The boy continued to glare ineffectively at the demon. Sebastian resisted the urge to scoop up his adorably angry master and kiss him. "This is how it must be, my lord."
The demon turned his back, ending the exchange. He opened one of the two large steamer trunks he had extracted from storage and began packing the master's accoutrements into it.

***
Ciel would not have admitted it to his butler, but as the train had taken them south through France, the sun became more often visible, and the vegetation more fertile and green, he had felt as if a great weight were lifting from his chest. Now they were at the coast, and he felt a tremendous rush of excitement and anticipation. Monte Carlo. Ciel knew the name because one of his factories had been built there, taking advantage of the then-unstable political situation to grab up land. He had never been further than Paris, though, and had barely been to the seaside at all… the dreary little seaside towns in England with their constant rain and surly fisherman hardly counted, he felt.
"Is my lord enjoying the view?"
Ciel could tell without turning around that his butler was smirking at him. Bloody smug demon! "Simply trying to get my bearings," the young earl muttered sulkily. "This damned contraption has made far too many twists and turns."
Sebastian smiled in amusement at his master's surly attitude. He had seen the boy's excited expression reflected clearly in the window glass. He dropped the smile quickly as the young lord turned back toward him. "We must visit my factory while we are there, Sebastian."
"I… do not believe that would be such a good idea, my lord." The demon's expression was dead serious now. It almost scared Ciel, he looked so grim.
"And why is that, Sebastian?" his tone was careful, but cold.
"A number of reasons, sir. Mixing business with pleasure in such a way while you are attempting to recover your health would not be prudent. In addition, many of the workers in that factory may harbour a certain… resentment for your station. Things in Monaco are not so stable as they are in England. You could be in danger if they know who you are."
Ciel turned back toward the window, angered by the thought. He knew he led a life of privilege, but he also knew that was his birthright. That there was a place where such things would not be understood… it disturbed him on a deep level.
Sebastian understood the conflict his master felt. He had known the same feeling himself, at one time.
"Have you considered, my lord, how your life might have played out had you been born a poor boy in Monaco… perhaps the type who would end up working in that factory?"
Turning again toward his butler, the boy glared fiercely. "And what would be the point of such an exercise? I am who I am. What possible benefit could be gained from imagining I am someone else?"
"Funny, my lord… I recall attempting to convince you of that same thing when you insisted on being the butler for a day."
The young earl blushed prettily, glaring even more stormily at his manservant. "I'll hear no further such talk, Sebastian. Such things might excite me unduly and interfere with my recovery."
Rather the reverse, Sebastian suspected. Seeing his master so adamant in debating his position, he believed such activities might in fact strengthen the boy's constitution.

***
The hotel was grand, skirted by magnificent tall palms, the like of which Ciel had never seen except in pictures. The building itself was glorious, resembling a huge mansion which appeared to be made of something light-hued and durable such as limestone, its facade silhouetted majestically in front of the setting sun. The hotel was a casino, but Sebastian had been quick to forbid any gambling activity - not that Ciel thought much of frittering away his money in that way. They would be taking advantage of the entertainment and resort facilities only, and of the building's close proximity to the ocean.
The young lord glanced about him as his butler saw to unloading his things from the carriage and having them brought to his room. It was beautiful, it really was. There was something sinister in that beauty, though… it was… not home. He was very far from home, and that knowledge filled him with a type of unsteadiness he had never known before.
He was glad when Sebastian returned, bearing a room key which he handed to his master.
The demon escorted him to his quarters, which faced a marvelous view of the ocean and had a fresh spray of orange lilies sitting in a vase by the window. All at once, exhaustion overtook him. "I think I shall retire for the night, Sebastian."
"As you wish, my lord."
As his butler began to undress him, Ciel's thoughts drifted towards their previous conversation. A factory boy… such a boy could never see the soothing sight of the seaside through the window of a luxurious hotel room. He would not have had that odd feeling of being far from home, because his home would be Monaco. Most likely he would never see England in his whole life - never want to, perhaps.
Sebastian was unfastening his boots now, a process he found more than a little bit fascinating. Each buckle had to be tightened before it was undone, so the effect was of his butler caressing his legs lightly, moving incrementally down, inch by inch, toward his feet.
"I shan't need these boots in such a warm climate, shall I, Sebastian?"
"Indeed not, my lord." The demon finished the left boot and moved on to the right, starting the strangely tantalizing process over again. "I have of course packed a wardrobe for you which is appropriate to tropical climes, including footwear."
"I'd expect nothing less." The young lord's gaze drifted to the setting sun, which spread beautiful orange ripples across the panorama of the Mediterranean sea, the lilies now a slightly sinister silhouette against the dying light.
"There is a darkness about this place, Sebastian."
His boots were off now, and he stood and allowed his butler to peel off his trousers and hose. Sebastian glanced up at him. An ember of red flickered within those dark eyes, echoing the view behind him with its odd mixture of dark fire and eerie calm. "You noticed it too, my lord. Yes, such places have a history of constant tumult."
A sacrosanct atmosphere seemed to have settled around them. This was a time for telling small personal secrets. If… "Were you born in such a place, demon?"
Sebastian smiled softly. "Perhaps, my lord."
Ciel was swept up in the demon's arms and then deposited firmly beneath the coverlet. "No nightshirt?"
"Not here, sir. The blanket will provide more than enough warmth. Any more, and you might be overheated."
"Sebastian…"
But his butler was already drifting toward the door to his adjoining quarters. "I shall be near if you need me. Good night, my lord."
The young earl felt his eyes begin to drift shut, and whatever thought had been on his mind had now melted away. "G-good night… Sebastian."

***
Sebastian woke him at the usual early hour, proffering a cool iced green tea and a selection of fruit.
"If I'm meant to be resting, shouldn't you let me lie in as late as I want?"
"Most certainly not, my lord. The goal of this excursion is not to teach you a slothful lifestyle, but to recover your health. So long as you are free from unnecessary stress, it is not only preferable but beneficial to keep you to your accustomed schedule. In some cases, too much sleep can ravage the body just as too little sleep does."
Ciel slumped, defeated by his butler's lecture. "But there is no work for me to do. What on earth am I supposed to do with myself all day if you wake me at such an hour?"
"Take advantage of the amenities, of course. I do believe, bocchan, that you have never in your life swum in the ocean. An early morning dip will work wonders for your constitution."
The young lord glanced out the window at the vast horizon full of water. I'm meant to swim in that? The idea was more than a little bit intimidating. "W… will you join me, Sebastian?"
"Of course, my lord."

***
As Ciel finished the last of his breakfast, his butler entered the room with two rather dubious blue lengths of fabric draped over his arm. The boy felt immediate apprehension. "Sebastian… what are those?"
"Bathing costumes, my lord. Do not worry. We need not put them on until we are by the ocean. I have procured us a bathing machine."
Ciel had seen them at the seaside towns, and he'd caught glimpses of men and women clad in those indecent costumes. He means for me to….
"You need not look so indignant, my lord. If you prefer, we may wait until later tonight, after all the other guests have gone to sleep, and I will take you to bathe in the ocean nude."
The boy's eyes widened considerably. Nude! The very thought of it… actually, the thought appealed to him rather more than this strangely uncomfortable and garish getup, and he was now forming a picture in his mind of his butler…
"You are most adorable when you blush, bocchan."
He jumped and blushed harder at Sebastian's impertinent words in his ear. "Th-that will be fine, Sebastian. We'll go down now."
The strange little shed on wheels, covered in canvas, made Ciel feel more visible rather than less. He noticed that most of the people swimming on this beach were not using such a contraption. Indeed, some of them were much more scantily clad than the tourists he had seen in England. Many of the bathers appeared to be quite common, even native.
Sebastian assisted him in getting into the oddly stretchy blue garment. Ciel felt exposed, knowing he was meant to go outdoors dressed like this. He tried to distract himself from his embarrassment by instead watching his butler change. The demon noticed, and locked eyes with his young lord, putting rather more flourish into the process of removing his clothes than was strictly necessary.
The young earl could not stop the small gasp escaping his mouth when the demon stripped off his pants and was revealed completely nude. Sebastian had a raging hard-on. Ciel hurriedly tore his eyes away from where they had been drawn, but it was too late. The cramped quarters allowed his butler to easily lean toward him.
"Look your fill, my lord. Do you like it?"
Ciel felt the hot blush suffusing his cheeks instantly. How dare his butler be so impudent?
Sebastian grasped his hand, guiding it downward. "Do you want to touch it?"
I do, the boy realized to his horror. I really do want to touch it again, but I desperately don't want him to know how depraved I am…
And then his butler pulled his hand the rest of the way, and he was touching it. Sebastian had come closer, and Ciel felt the demon's hot breath in his ear. "It's because of you, my lord… watching me like that…"
The young earl felt a shudder run through him at the demon's intimate words. I made him like that… I made him want me…oh, Sebastian…
Then his butler's hands were all over him, ripping the ridiculous garment off him, leaving him just as exposed. Ciel glanced down to find exactly what he feared… he'd already sprouted his own erection to match Sebastian's. He curled forward protectively.
"Lie down, my lord… let me see all of you." The soft but confident sound of command in the demon's voice made Ciel ready at once to either obey him or give him a mighty slap.
But the boy chose the former. It was better than stuffing himself back into that blasted garment again, and… excitement thrilled through him… I don't know what he's planning, but I've got a feeling it will be fun.
The demon knelt above his master, taking in the pale flower lying beneath him. Those beautiful dark eyes, that white skin, that expression at once stern and submissive, waiting for what was to come next. He brushed one of the boy's pert nipples slightly with the tip of his cock, and watched a slight shudder run through the sweet young body. He moved forward, placing his cock on Ciel's lips, inviting the boy to take it in, but not forcing him.
The young lord poked out his tongue tentatively and licked around the head, sending a jolt of pure pleasure through the demon. "…Ah…." Small hands grasped his shaft, squeezed. The light strokes of the master's tongue became assertive, bold… "… Ciel… Oh…"
The master's hand came to his shoulder and pushed him downward then. Sebastian felt Ciel's own very erect cock brush against his leg, begging for attention. Asserting dominance one last time, the demon stroked himself a few times, releasing a small dribble of pre-cum. He smeared the tip of his cock over the boy's adorable, indignant face, continuing to drag the member down the boy's body, leaving a small wet trail down to his navel.
The demon stopped when he felt his bocchan's cock pressed against his own length, taking a moment to glory in the delicious dirtiness of the feeling. "Oh, my lord…"
He reached down and grasped the two shafts in his hand, stroking them simultaneously, pressing them more tightly together. The young lord seemed suddenly unable to hold back, letting out a shamefully delightful moan through gritted teeth. "….errrgh….nnnnnhh…."
Sebastian bent to nip delicately at his master's soft throat. "Let me hear it, my lord… let me hear how you want me…" He began to gently thrust against his master's cock, exposing him to still more friction. Ciel threw his head back, mouth wide, attempting to suppress the wanton sounds coming from his throat. "…a….a… a… aaaah!"
"Master… I want to dirty you… to defile you… oh please, Master… tell me you will allow it."
Ciel looked up into his butler's eyes. The demon's face was full of lust and anguish. His cock was full to bursting. He is holding back for me…
The boy's voice was harsh but filled with want. "Cum on me, Sebastian. I want it all over me. I want you to cover me with it. Do it now!"
"Oh… Master…" Sebastian stroked himself one last time and released his load, watching the viscous white substance splatter all over the young master's beautiful pale skin, a few drops reaching his sweet face and soft hair. At the same time, he felt the master's cock erupt against his thigh, wetting him deliciously and thoroughly.
The boy gasped as he felt his butler release over him, the sensation bringing him swiftly to his own climax. "S-Sebastian…"

*
When the two emerged, attired in the ridiculous bathing costumes, Ciel was relieved to find there was no one about within earshot. He waded out into the sea, and was accosted by the pleasant sensation of the waves lapping at his body as it was submerged. He turned to his butler, who smiled. "You see, my lord? It is not so terrible."
The young lord allowed the undulating current to sweep his feet from under him, floating on his back momentarily, shutting his eyes and letting the sun bathe his face.
Strong hands grasped his waist. "I do not recommend doing that when you are on your own, my lord. The currents can do funny things."
The earl cracked open his eyes lazily. His butler looked oddly at home under the bright sunshine. In this light, Sebastian's skin had a deep golden glow about it. "And when will I be alone, Sebastian? With you to guard me, I have nothing to fear."
Sebastian's beautiful features seemed to glow with a new light - an internal one. "Indeed, my lord. I shall be with you until the end."

***
It was early afternoon when the strange, squat man in the rumpled trench coat approached him. He'd gone out to take the air while Sebastian prepared his afternoon tea with the help of the hotel staff. After the substandard fare he'd had the first day, his butler had insisted on overseeing the process.
He'd wandered a little way into the town which adjoined their hotel. He'd turned toward the high street, hoping to see some of the shops, and there the man was, sidling up to him.
The man looked quite shabby and common, but seemed ready enough to approach Ciel. The young lord suspected that the local apparel his butler had picked out was designed to make him look inconspicuous rather than elegant.
It was what the man said, though, that really intrigued the earl.
"Boy… say, boy!" The man squinted at him from under the crumpled porkpie hat he wore. "Would you like to work in a toy factory, eh?"
The man's attempt at an ingratiating smile was somewhat sabotaged by the gaps where two of his teeth should have been, and his breath smelled horrible, but Ciel snapped to attention at those words. He was quite certain his own factory was the only one local to the area. Could this dodgy-looking man be recruiting in such a way for my company?
Ciel had many talents, but acting was not one of them. Luckily, the man before him did not need a lot of convincing. The boy plastered on a fake smile and stared the man down coldly from behind it. "What fun! Yes please, sir. I would like that."
The noisome smile got wider. "Right you are then, foller me…."
The little man turned and began walking down a small side street, and Ciel followed. He spared a brief thought for Sebastian, but shook it off. No time to conference with him now. He will find me, or I will summon him. Either way, he will be there when I need him.
That was when the earl felt a sudden blow to his head, and the world went black.

***
Sebastian had grown accustomed to bocchan's inconsiderate habit of getting himself carried off in the middle of teatime, but could not suppress his irritated sigh when he found his master yet again missing from his room.
The demon cast about for the master's scent. He would always be able to find the boy, if needed… but it might just be possible the young earl had done this intentionally, and did not want to be found. He had not yet been summoned, after all. Sebastian's mandate to protect his young lord warred silently with his instincts as a butler. Finally, he set out to find the young master. It could not hurt to at least keep an eye on him…

***
Ciel started awake at the unpleasant sensation of cold water being thrown in his face. A man was yelling at him in French. He yelled back. "Stop that, you bloody frog, and speak proper English while you're at it!"
The large man standing over him was momentarily nonplussed… then all at once picked the boy up, throwing the small body over his shoulder. Ciel found himself fastened into a wooden stock, his head and hands completely immobilized by the contraption. Too late, he remembered what had happened, and where he must be. I am in enemy territory… my own bloody factory, and it's enemy territory!
He resisted the temptation to summon Sebastian then and there. I am in the perfect position to investigate this properly. His trousers were dragged down to his knees and a sound smack landed on his bare bottom. He flinched, preparing for more. The heavy man continued to deliver stinging smacks, and the sounds of jeers and catcalls began to reach his ears.
Ciel risked a glance to the side, and noted that several other boys about his age were standing about, watching the spectacle, teasing him in their oddly rustic French dialect which he could barely understand, even with all of Sebastian's careful tutoring. He'd been taught proper French, of course, not this odd pidgin mishmash. Perhaps one of them will know English, and will explain to me what goes on here…
He concentrated all his effort on not reacting to the punishment being delivered. I must earn the other boys' respect.

***
The small filthy window backed up against some uncomfortable bracken, and was not the most ideal hiding spot, but was the only portal through which to view what was happening inside this corner of the Funtom toy factory. Sebastian counted himself lucky that no one thus far had seen him spying on the place. It helped that it was a desolate area of the city where hardly anyone ventured by choice. The workers all appeared to have quarters in or near the building, and none of them ventured into this particular corner on the outside.
Why does my master not call me? He was conscious, and surely he did not desire this treatment. Sebastian could only conclude that his master was undertaking an undercover investigation of his own factory. Bloody fool… now the demon thought of it, there had been that odd conversation on the train. I must see that he does not get himself killed.
He continued to watch the scene playing out below him in the dark, dungeon-like basement. His young lord looked so vulnerable, stripped to the knees like that, fastened into the wooden stock, his pale, rosy cheeks exposed to such brutal punishment. Sebastian felt his cock twitch. Now is not the time….he admonished himself. His cock did not listen. It was fully erect now. There again, why not? If he were caught spying, it was not as if the consequences would be any worse were he in a compromising position. His captor would be just as dead.
The demon carefully loosened his trousers and freed his large member, feeling its satisfying weight as it dropped into his hand. His master was completely silent, though clearly still conscious. He was in a position to see Ciel's face, and the boy's expression of grim determination sent a delightful shudder through him. That rough man cannot make you scream and cry as I could, my lord… your tears are mine alone.
As each smack jarred his master's small body forward slightly, Sebastian matched the rhythm of his stroking to the rhythm of the blows. He recalled the week before, when he had delivered such delicious punishment to his young lord. Perhaps the master will let me restrain him like that… it would be so much more fun. I could be far more creative than that big lug...
The thought of what titillating punishment he could deliver with a good birch or cane… a free afternoon… and his own personal style of psychological intimidation, honed by thousands of years of practice… Oh, Master, how I could dominate you… this idiotic meathead of a man does not deserve you to himself.
He glanced again at his young master, whose glare of determination had become fiercer, more fiery. Sebastian's eyes widened and all at once, he was on the edge of climax. Yes, he does not deserve to touch you, my lord… and you know it!
The beauty of his young lord overwhelmed him, and Sebastian gave a grunt of passion as he spilled his load onto the patchy grass in front of him, gasping as he milked himself of the last of it, squeezing his cock thoroughly and once more imagining how his fierce young master would melt under his hand. "Oh-h-h-h…"
Now thoroughly punished, the boy was being released from the stock. The tall man who had been beating him stood at the ready, waiting for him to collapse shamefully on the floor - but to the man's surprise, and that of the other boys, Ciel stood tall and walked to his place in the corner of the room. Jeers turned to admiring whistles. Ciel got a nudge in the elbow from a small towheaded boy. "You are brave man!" he whispered to Ciel in broken English. "I have heard you talk English to guard. You nevair flinch, you nevair fall down. Brave."
Ciel felt he should do what came naturally in this case, which was to stare right through the boy.
The boy did not appear fazed, though. He gave Ciel a gap-toothed grin. "Jean-Jacques ees my name. You will teach me bettair English?"
"Maybe it will stop you from offending my ears so. For a start, let's talk about vowels..."

***
The work at the factory was grueling, and the food was quite literally gruel. The bland, flavorless stuff came close to being as bad as Sebastian's first attempts at creating edible food. Sebastian… How Ciel missed his butler's cooking. It was no wonder the boys all were so skeletally skinny here, with a diet like this.
In the course of conversation with boys who spoke a bit of English, or on rare occasions himself resorting to broken French, Ciel found more and more condemnable crimes being committed by his subordinates running the factory. The boys were not paid a wage. Their so-called room and board was considered their compensation - a spot on the floor where they could sleep out of the rain (except when the flimsy roof leaked), and thin gruel once a day to fill their stomachs. I have benefitted from those savings. I have eaten the finest strawberry trifles and drunk the best imported teas, paid for with the wages stolen from these poor ignorant boys. Ciel did not sleep well at night, and the uneven floor and thin blanket were only part of the cause.

***
"Ay."
"Ay."
"Ee."
"Ee."
"Aye."
"Aye."
"Oe."
"Oou."
"No. No. You're doing it through your nose, just like you do with the U sound. Bloody hell, how can I explain it properly…."
Ciel suddenly pulled back and slapped Jean-Jacques in the face.
"Oh!" exclaimed the smaller boy.
The young lord nodded. "Just like that. Remember that sound."
Jean-Jacques looked at the elder boy with big eyes and began to cry.
"Wha-… oh Hell, what is wrong with you, are you a damned little girl? I didn't mean it when I smacked you, alright?"
He glared at the small blonde boy, face reddening, growing decidedly flustered as he tried to stop the bothersome tears. "Listen, Jean-Jacques, will you stop it? Do you want to be a laughing-stalk?"
"I'm…. s-sorry…. Ciel…. it's just… Ciel ees so kind… to teach me… I want heem.. to like me."
Like you, you sniveling brat?
Ciel turned still redder. "Listen, I never said I didn't like you, alright? I was just trying to make you understand the vowel sound. I felt extreme measures were necessary, so..."
The elder boy stopped talking when he noticed the sniffling had stopped. He was rather taken aback to see Jean-Jacques' face shining brightly up at him. "S-so… you….. do like me?"
Ciel sputtered pointlessly. "That is… I don't dislike you. Just…. please don't cry anymore, alright?"
He felt spindly arms thrown about his neck, and, to his great discomfort, the youngster's wet face buried affectionately against his chest. "Oh Ciel…"
"I say, look here…" He could feel the hot blush growing redder and more obvious, and hoped no one was looking their way right at the moment. Oh, hell… The only option seemed to be to wrap his arms around the boy's small frame and hold him, so Ciel did.

***
It was long past the time Ciel should have left this dreadful place. He'd grown accustomed to having young Jean-Jacques curl up against him at night. It was not a bad thing, such warm companionship. The younger boy truly seemed to care for him.
He could provide for the young boy, or he could even hire him as a servant and take him home to the manor. He could open an orphanage to care for the children working at the factory who had no other place to go. He could sack the management and replace it with a legitimate crew, or close the place down altogether… but something gave him pause. Many things, actually.
Jean-Jacques would never look at him the same way, he feared.
Not only that, but what was he to do if he discovered that all the Funtom factories were run in this way? He had a feeling Sebastian would know if asked. Sebastian would have known of the conditions in this factory. Being a demon, he would not have cared. Facing the potential reality of having to reform his entire company did nothing but make Ciel want to burrow further into his assumed role and forget all his true responsibilities.
It could not continue forever.

***
After his visit had extended almost a week, on a rainy day in late July, the outcome of Ciel's investigation was decided for him.
It happened as they were working together at the power looms, Jean-Jacques manning the machine beside Ciel's.
It was over before anyone knew it had happened. A scream, and a loud thud. Jean-Jaques was lying on the floor. His legs and lower body were visible, the rest of him… Ciel tried to wrap his head around what he was seeing.
My friend is dead.
He knew it for a fact. The giant roller had come loose, its heavy weight dropping straight onto the boy's delicate torso, crushing him instantly.
He shouldn't have been here in the first place… I could have had him out of here...
The muddle of thoughts in the young lord's head coalesced into one coherent word, which he proceeded to scream. "Sebastian!"

***
"My lord, I strongly advise against leaving this many witnesses. They not only know the conditions under which your factory was previously run, they know the true identity of the head of the Funtom company."
"They are uneducated and poor, Sebastian. Who will listen to them, even if they choose to divulge that information somewhere it could do damage? Do they have proof? Killing them would create more of an uproar, it seems to me."
His butler inclined his head respectfully. "Perhaps you are correct, my lord."
Ciel glared. "Sebastian, you will not harm them!"
The demon smiled at him sheepishly. His young master was getting better at guessing his intentions. "As my lord wishes."
Sebastian turned to the five men currently chained to the wall of the factory's dingy basement. They included the small, squat man who had initially approached Ciel about the factory job, the large foreman who had spanked him so uncreatively, and the three men he had entrusted with running his factory under the Funtom name.
The demon's eyes sparked red for just a moment. "And… what shall I do with these, my lord?"
Those of the men who were still conscious quivered in fear at the demon's dark glance.
"Whatever you like, Sebastian. It's none of my concern. Just see you are back at the hotel in time for my tea."
He turned and strolled away, smiling with satisfaction at the screams he heard issuing from the factory building as he walked back towards the town.

***
Bocchan would not understand… not yet, at any rate. Perhaps when the wound was no longer raw.
The young master had ordered that all the factory's equipment be checked for signs of rust or disrepair, in order to avoid a similar accident. Sebastian did as his master asked, but dastardly though the men were who had run the factory, the mishap had not been caused by any oversight on their part.
With a friend… with someone he truly cared for… my master might have forgotten his true goal.

***
Months went by. The master returned home, his health fully recovered. Sebastian continued to serve him with dedication, but bocchan was not the same. He brooded. He had grown colder and more distant even than before. His commands were harsh, and he did not let the demon touch him any more than necessary. That silly exercise of switching roles with his butler was long forgotten, and it did not seem that it would be repeated.
One evening, as Sebastian entered the young master's office to collect him for his bath, Ciel finally broke the long silence.
"You killed him, didn't you?"
The master's back was turned, his chair swiveled around to face the back wall, so Sebastian could not see him at all.
"Pardon, my lord?"
"In Monaco, the little boy. The one who died in the accident. It was no accident. I had it investigated after we were gone. I knew there was more to it."
"Your relationship with that young boy was… not healthy, my lord."
The demon heard an odd sound come from behind the chair. His master was… laughing?
Ciel swiveled his chair back around to look at his butler, harsh laughter spilling out of him, cruel smile painting his face. "My relationship with him was unhealthy, Sebastian? Really?"
Sebastian gritted his teeth. If I have lost him...
The young lord stood, and strolled around the desk, walking stick in hand. He reached up to touch his butler under the chin with the slightly sharp tip of the stick. The demon's eyes darkened at the contact. He is still my master… he is still filled with hate, with lust for power…If he desires to punish me, so much the better…
"I cannot truly blame you, can I? It's within your nature." The boy's voice was too calm, too composed.
"No, Sebastian…" The cane suddenly was thrust against the demon's throat, driving him back toward the wall, pressing uncomfortably into his Adam's apple. "I take full responsibility for that boy's death."
The cane was gone then, replaced by Ciel's forefinger. The boy drew his finger lazily down the length of Sebastian's throat, still pressing inward painfully. He reached the collar of his butler's shirt and suddenly yanked downwards, forcing the demon to bend close to him.
The master's lips brushed his ear. "It was, after all, a direct result of my failure to properly tame my dog."

A/N: As you can see, it got kinda real. I don't know exactly what happens in my head when I write my stories, but I usually start with a fluffy PWP premise and it ends up growing into an actual plot-thing with plottish plottings of plot. I do not know how accurate my portrayals of Victorian-era Monte Carlo or factory work are (that's why I limited the extent to which I described specific stuff) - if you see anything I got wrong, please do let me know. Suggestions and corrections are always welcome! Hope you are enjoying my slightly more serious fanfic. ravuravuravu! phoeyay
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Love Is Messy