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Sebastian felt the longing in Ciel’s gaze as he looked into his eyes, and Sebastian raised his hand to cover Ciel’s that rested on his cheek. He nodded only slightly, knowing that this was a serious thing Ciel was about to tell him...and he had a feeling about what as images of Ciel’s journal flashed through his mind. He sucked in a quick breath as Ciel finally told him in-person how he felt… Ciel got it off of his chest, now it was time for Sebastian to respond...or not. Ciel kept going, explaining the beginning of his trip home. Anger swelled in his chest when Ciel told him what had happened to him. He bit his tongue, however, and let Ciel continue. This was a difficult thing both for Ciel to tell and Sebastian to hear. He squeezed the hand beneath his that still rested on his cheek in comfort

When Ciel moved his hand away to rinse his face off, Sebastian moved his hand up to run his fingers through his friend’s hair. As Ciel continued to speak, Sebastion grew sadder, yet understood Ciel’s words from before better now. That’s why he said his father’s death was his own fault. That’s why he said he would have rather died back there… He in-took a sharp breath as Ciel opened his left eye and looked into Sebastian’s own. The tall black-haired male gazed back into his eyes, searching. He stood silently and looked down at him for a moment before he kicked off his shoes and socks. He slid his tailcoat off and laid it neatly across the sink, then, without hesitation, stepped into the bath with Ciel and slid down to kneel over his lap. His pants instantly soaked through from the bath water as did half of his white button-up, but he didn’t seem to care. All he cared about was Ciel. Careful of any wounds placed on Ciel’s soft skin, Sebastian leaned forward and pulled the young lord into his arms. One hand rested gently on Ciel’s right shoulder blade while the other cupped the back of his head. He held his friend to his body and buried his nose into the locks of hair on top of his head. It didn't even matter that he was kneeling over the lap of his nude best friend that confessed his love for him, and he possibly felt close to the same way about. Ciel needed him close, and he was going to give that to him. “It’s okay, Ciel. I’ll be here to help you through all of this. Everything,” he assured him, shushing his soft sobs. “You’re a wonderful person that’s gotten caught up in a terrible situation. It’s not your fault all of this has happened. You...you can’t help your feelings toward me, and you were forced into doing what you did. The blame’s on whatever b*****d did this to you, and I’m going to be honest as sin. I want to hunt him down and make sure he never feels a lick of pleasure in the rest of his life.” His voice had hardened a bit at those words, showing the strict meaning behind them.

After a few moments of silence, Sebastian said softly, “I hope you won’t be angry with me...but I...I already knew the incident with your roommate and of your feelings towards me… It was so hypocritical of me, I’m ashamed to admit. I walked in and...and Elizabeth had your bag open and was beginning to look through your...your journal, so I snatched it all from her and put it away in a safe spot so she couldn’t find, but...my curiosity took over and I read only that page. Nothing else. It was just a random page I happened to turn to, and I apologize dearly for invading your privacy like I have,” he admitted, pulling from the hug by inches and looked down into Ciel’s eyes, pleading for forgiveness for what he’d done.

Sebastian’s gaze softened when Ciel told him he wanted him to protect him. “I won’t leave you. I’ll do anything I can to protect you, Ciel,” he told him gently, running his fingers through the dark locks of his best friend’s hair. “I swear to you I’ll protect you.” He held him for a while, just enjoying the embrace of his friend after so long. he had missed him dearly over the last four years, and it was good to have him back.

He smiled a little at Ciel’s forgiveness. He honestly felt terrible about invading his friend’s personal journal, especially after reading such an intimate secret. He frowned, though, when Ciel began to talk about them not being able to be together. Sebastian gazed at his face, thought clouding his mind. He noticed Ciel look away from him, and his frown deepened. They were silent for a good five minutes, Sebastian attempting to decipher the thoughts in his head. He understood that Ciel meant that, not only would it be wrong because he was engaged...and now the only heir to the Phantomhive estate...but that Sebastian wouldn’t feel comfortable in that situation because he didn’t feel the same. He opened his mouth to speak, before closing it to make sure he worded it carefully. In the most sincere voice he possessed, Sebastian lifted Ciel’s chin with his fingers so he would look at him and said, “No one need know…” He gazed down into Ciel’s eyes. He knew that if it did happen like that, in the long run it would bite him in the a**, but… “Not Elizabeth...not the staff… It...could be our secret..,” he told him in almost a whisper.

Sebastian’s eyes closed as well when Ciel pressed his lips against his own. A sigh of contentment passed his lips as he returned the light pressure. It felt...nice. Sebastian’s fingers curled through Ciel’s hair gently as they shared the soft embrace of lips. He had a soft smile on his face when Ciel pulled back and looked at him with both of his eyes...then he shrunk away from him. Sebastian frowned when it happened and released Ciel quickly so he wouldn’t freak out. He wondered if he did something wrong..? Or perhaps it was his curse acting up. He carefully reached forward and touched Ciel’s shoulder gently to get his attention but not startle him. When the smaller male looked up at him once more he gave him a reassuring smile and worried glance. “It’s alright, Ciel. He’s not here. It’s just me,” he told him in a caring voice.

When Ciel requested to get out of the tub, Sebastian nodded in reply and leaned toward him, planting a gentle kiss on his forehead before standing and stepping out of the tub sopping wet. He looked down at himself and chuckled a little. He easily stripped his shirt off and let it drop to the floor nonchalantly then grabbed a fluffy towel and set it aside. He pulled the plug on the drain and gently helped Ciel stand and exit the tub. He unfolded the large towel and wrapped it around the small heir with a smile. “Let’s get you dried off and some underwear on you, then I’ll bandage your wounds, alright?” he asked him, moving some hair from his forehead.

Sebastian hummed in thought as he looked at the closet. He highly doubted anything would still fit him. He had grown quite a few inches over four years, after all. He turned to Ciel and said, “Hold on one moment, and I’ll be right back with some clothes that may fit you better than anything in there. At least for the night. I imagine you won’t be moving around all that much anyway, what with that limp.” He smiled at him. “Just sit on the bed, and I’ll be right back. I promise.” He rushed out of the room and down a hall to his own room. He quickly searched through his drawers and grabbed a pair of his own underwear and one of his old dressing gowns that was much shorter than his current ones. He also grabbed a pair of underwear for himself as well as a pair of comfortable breeches he tended to wear to bed occasionally.

He rushed back to the room and held the clothes meant for Ciel up to see. “They’ll work at least for now. Let me see your feet.” He knelt down in front of Ciel and slid the undergarment over his feet and up his bruised and scratched up legs. He motioned for him to stand and helped him steady himself before pulling them up the rest of the way. “There,” he said, standing up once more. “Now let me go grab those bandages from the bath, and I’ll work on patching you up, alright?” He gave him a smile and walked to the bathroom, returning not too much longer with the roll of gauze and bandages.

“I’m going to do your eye first, since it seems to be the one that most-bothers you and you don’t have the sudden urge to open it,” he told him and unrolled a bit of the bandage before starting the careful process of wrapping it around his head to cover Ciel’s badly-damaged eye. When he finished that one, he quickly moved to a few other bad wounds and wrapped them up as well. A good fifteen minutes later, he was done with wrapping Ciel up and helped him slide the gown on before kneeling down in front of him and buttoning it for him. “It’s a little longer on you than it probably should be, but not too terrible. It should be comfortable enough to sleep in. How about you lay down in bed now, though, hmm? You seem very tired, and I need to change pants. Mine are sopping wet.” He laughed a little and moved over to the small pile of clothes at the end of Ciel’s bed. He then proceeded to strip the wet pants and soaked underpants off then and there, glad to get them off because they were sticking to his legs uncomfortably. He then re-dressed and sat beside Ciel on the bed. “Would you like something to eat, Ciel? Or drink? You haven’t really eaten since you’ve been home, and that’s a very unhealthy habit,” he told him, brushing hair from his forehead with a soft, concerned frown.

Sebastian's frown deepened as Ciel told him he wasn't hungry or anything. Alright, Ciel. I'll force-feed you in the morning, then," he told him with a small smile. He sighed softly as he looked down at him. "I hope you heal quickly, Ciel. I do hate seeing you like this," he said, frowning once again. He stood and moved to the other side of the bed, sitting down beside Ciel once again. "I am going to sleep in your bed with you tonight. I'm not leaving you to be alone unless I absolutely must," he assured. He scooted down, sliding beneath the covers. "And then, I may not leave," he added, smiling over at him as he rolled onto his side to face him. "Just like when I used to sneak in here at night, hmm?" he told him quietly, face still holding that smile. He had missed his best friend so much while he was away, and now he was right in front of him again. "So how was school? I mean, other than...bullying. Do you feel like it was enlightening? I wish I could have gone with you," he asked then ended with a comment, voice full of longing. He had always had a thirst to know more. He had taught himself to read as well as write, occassionally asking Ciel's father for help on understanding things.

"You silly boy. What on earth would I do away at school if you would be all the way back here? I've gone long enough without you by my side, Young Lord, I wouldn't dare put myself through that again, or you for that matter," he assured him, reaching forward and gingerly sliding his fingers through his hair. "Besides, what would you do without my assistance here at the Estate? I'm head of services now, and, if I might say so myself, one hell of a butler. The place would be in ruins by time I returned home from my ventures. No, I believe I'd rather stay by your side and keep everything running smoothly for the time-being, if that's quite alright with you," he assured Ciel with a soft smile and even softer eyes, something joyful dancing behind them.

"Would you mind...if I held you?" he asked in a quiet voice, tone wavering ever so slightly. "It's quite alright if not, and very understanding considering your episode in the bath. I will not be upset if you deny my request," he was quick to add in assurance to the young man and took a moment to really take in the fact that his friend was beside him once more. His very first and only friend was back home. It was under terrible circumstances, but he would help him through any turmoil he may have. His eyes were sunken, and his body was battered, and his demeanor was extinguished, but still he was there, and he was beautiful as he always had been.