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The Reaper's Bookshop: Evening Dinners 04

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Chapter 4

The cold evening air is uncomfortable after all the rain, and it's already dark, but Ciel waits in the covered gazebo like a little prince. He leans against the ornamental frame, imagining more grand (and warmer) surroundings.

Ciel's phone rings. It's his mother.

"Hello?"

"Ciel...I heard about the incident..." her voice is breathey. Like she's only just stopped running a marathon, when really she's only ventured the stairs. "You didn't wait." She says slowly, halfway between accusatory and concerned. "We were to pick you up from the station. Into our care, you know."

Ciel sighs. "I did wait. And I'm old enough...they released me to Dad. Didn't you know?" He lied. In reality, there'd been no contact with either parent. Instead, Ciel had manipulated the police and their pity for him (not to mention their trust in his father) to release him from their protective custody with only a phone-call, some cunning timing, and a lot of dumb luck. So long as he wasn't being charged, Ciel figured it didn't matter either way; he only wanted to see Sebastian.

"Did you call the station?" he asks, hoping she didn't.

"No, I went there. They said you'd already been picked up...so I went home, and you weren't here." Her voice is thin. She seems fragile, but sharply concerned. "Where are you?"

Shaking his head, Ciel shrugs. "Um. I'm at a friend's house. Soma's. I wanted to relax..." he shifts uncomfortably. "I'll be back soon. Give me another hour or two."

The answering silence is painful. "I suppose..." she says reluctantly, and Ciel wonders what she's been doing. Working on a plush design all afternoon until someone called, checking their address? Rushing over, only to find Ciel wasn't there. She must have felt quite the fool, and yet here she was, talking quietly instead of those snide remarks her sister might have employed.

"Listen, mum. I'll be back. Lemme eat dinner, and then I'll come home, ok?"

She sighs. "When you get home, we need to talk." She says firmly. "If you're in trouble, you know you can call me..."

Feeling all too annoyed at her concern, Ciel breathes sharply. "Yeah, coming!" he says, as if in answer to a question nobody answered. "Listen, mum, gotta run. See you soon." And then he hangs up.

Sitting in the cool, damp gazebo, he can hear his heart pounding and anxiety tearing at his chest. But his curiosity has the best of him, and like the boy and the Jabberwocky, he thought a while before the beast came upon him.

Sebastian appears like a dark winged bird, stark against the dim lighting of the street lamp. He steps lightly into the gazebo, bearing a large picnic basket. "Romantic choice." He murmurs, his eyes flicking across the structure. Offhandedly, he adds, "Sorry to keep you waiting."

Ciel looks at the young man clad in black and wonders if his little test really proves anything. True, Sebastian had to stay behind to cook, but if he was working with his kidnappers--or a rival group--he might have had someone else follow. But Sebastian only smiles coolly, irritatingly unrushed and unbothered.

"Would you prefer to dine here, or find someplace more warm?" Faint spots on his jacket suggest that the rain has begun to pick up.

Ciel nods slowly considering. There's just a hint of delicious smells lingering about Sebastian himself, or maybe the basket lid opened just a bit. That decides it. "Someplace warm...but someplace public." He lifts his chin and lazily draws nearer.

Sebastian nods and steps back into the rain, unfolding a large black umbrella.

Sebastian takes Ciel to a small Chinese restaurant. The outside is unremarkable, but the inside is like the lounge of some exotic prince. Dark-stained wooden screens hide the bulk of diners. A beautifully dressed young man makes eye contact with both Sebastian and Ciel.

"Good evening. How many in your party?"

Ciel is almost surprised at the man's London accent. The clothes and the atmosphere paint a picture fit for another time.

"Good evening, Yusuke. Is Lau in?"

Just then, a striking woman--in a costume that looks just enough like a blue butterfly to forgive her abundant cleavage--steps into their line of vision. She cocks her head and steps away, silent and graceful. Sebastian gives a polite nod to the other employee, and follows.

They're led not to some back room or kitchen but to a wing of tables and flimsy curtains.

"Hello Sebastian." A man Ciel presumes to be Lau drolls. "You here for that?"

Sebastian brings his hand to his chest, some sign of deference, if a bit fresh. "If it wouldn't be too much of a bother, sir. Just for an hour or so." Sebastian smiles and arches an eyebrow.

Ciel looks at the private tables and assumes that they must be discussing the use of one of those. He nods. "Out of the way would be best."

Lau nods graciously. "Be my guest." He smiles and then cocks his head, a matched picture to the woman. "And what are we talking about?"

"A table. Some place for the young master to sample my culinary endevours."

"Ohhh." Lau nods. "I suppose. Does this mean you've reconsidered an apprenticing position here?" His smile is as slow and relaxed as before, though his tone is light and teasing.

"I will consider it." Sebastian says, his own voice indifferent. Ciel suspects as soon as the words are out of Sebastian's mouth that he doesn't mean it. This decorative, sensual lair doesn't suit Sebastian's esthetics.

The idea that something supernatural, something dark and manipulative lurks behind those eyes flits back to mind, but is dismissed just as quickly. As strange as a regular like Will and Grell might be not everyone who visits the store can be a demon. Ciel idly wonders why that word came to mind, and redirects his attention.

"--might be to your taste. But all is well. You owe me, Michaelis. You don't get a private table for nothing."

"Of course," Sebastian continues smiling. His teeth flash for an instant, and Ciel shivers.

"Good evening, Michaelis. Perhaps I'll stop by again later. Musn't let your little picnic get cold." Lau raises his arms in some manner of a shrug and walks, seemingly at random, away.

The silent woman from before gestures for Ciel to follow and leads them to a table. She jerks a painted thumb nail over a shoulder. "Sit." She says, that one syllable sensual but demanding. She looks to the picnic basket and then meets Sebastian's eyes. Ciel wonders what she's thinking. Does she not speak English well, or is it part of her job here? Be silent and beautiful before the guests.

"Thank you Ran-Mao." Sebastian says, amused at Ciel's rapt attention. The boys eyes the tables and the room with suspicion and distrust nearly equal to his own. Who knew the young could be so jaded? And so early.

"I'm afraid most of the dishes have cooled," he begins, redirecting Ciel's attention to the food, where it should be. "But I hope it suits your tastes."

Of course, the soup is not so cold, as he put it into a thermos container. He lifts the covered bowl and removes the lid before placing it in front of Ciel. "Go ahead."

"You're not having any?" Alarm makes Ciel's voice a sharp challenge. "How am I supposed to know you haven't drugged it?" Once again suspicion narrows his single visible eye.

Sebastian chuckles. "Would the young lord prefer me to sample his food? That should prove it drug free." Sebastian chooses the desert spoon for tasting. He considers pressing the tiny spoon to Ciel's pouting lips, but in the end, he sets it aside and begins to unpack the meal.

The soup is a light affair, teasing the senses with light scents. There are vegetables decorating the bottom of the bowl, and Ciel can tell it was meant to be a nice appetizer.

"Why are you studying culinary arts?" Ciel asks qietly, warming his hands on the china bowl Sebastian had served him.

Sebastian looks up at Ciel. "Boredom..." he trails off. "And a love of fine dining, I expect." With his gloved hands folded neatly, he looks alert.

Ciel nods and remarks, "Usually soups are served only when there's a wait....for whatever the main dish is. Without that time, don't you think my stomach will cramp?" he sniffs.

"But my," Sebastian teases. "What a small appetite you must have..." he clears his throat, "to say such things."

Ciel ignores the remark. "I want the main dish. What is it?"

Sebastian bows away from the table, removing the next part of the meal from the containers and setting it on a fresh plate. His hands are swift, and soon he has it before Ciel.

"Devon lamb steak, braised over seven hours, seasoned with rosemary, thyme, and oregano...the pomme sauce accents the natural flavor most excellently." He sets it down without so-much-as a flourish. This time, Ciel notes, there is no overspill of sauce, and the blanace is picture-perfect with a side of vegetables."The sautéd greens and baby turnips will further balance your meal."

Ciel eyes it, looking for something to complain about. "And desert?"

"For desert, we have elderflower jelly with rosewater ice cream..." Sebastian says slyly.

Ciel stares. "Ice cream?"

Sebastian smirks. "I have my ways."

He pauses slightly. "Lamb is an especially good source of protein for growing boys. There's an excellent amount of B12, B6, Vitamin A, iron, zinc, and other minerals. Incidentally," he adds, leaning in just enough to show off a slight--if sensual--lick of his lips. "the dietary intake of such minerals leads to higher levels of energy and plays a role in sexual growth and function."

Ceil stops admiring the meal to frown at his host. "You're telling me it's an aphrodisiac?" he raises an eyebrow.

Sebastian smiles. "Have a bite."

Ciel takes a careful mouthful, trying not to look uncouth--or as though he cared enough to do so. He closes his eyes. The meat itself moist, full-bodied with Sebastian's flavorings, and soft. Quite tender and succulent.

"Oh." He says, surprised. He hadn't meant to say anything, but the combined flavor and texture is enough to make him lick his lips, and practically sigh for more. He takes another bite, chews languidly, and decides not to say anything else.

Sebastian smirks at him as he eats. "And what of yourself, Ciel? What do you plan to do in the future?"

Ciel pauses long enough to look Sebastian in the eye. "I suppose I'll be studying for the time being."

"And your family company?"

Ciel's lips thin. "What of it?"

Sebastian continues with a quiet, reserved stare.

"I  might..." he trails off. "Let me finish in peace." He snaps suddenly, and resolutely returns to his meal.

"You ought to put your faith in me, Ciel." Sebastian remarks. His deep burgundy eyes shine like pools of blood.

"I..." Ciel stops. Shakes his head. "Shove it. I still think you're suspicious."

Sebastian's hair conceals his face a bit, making him seem too skinny. Almost hollow. "I suppose you're just looking at me as a servant..." he straightens. "I'll be a first class butler for you then."

Ciel eats his lamb. He folds his hands just as he's seen his father do,  and shrugs. "You haven't the necessary skills." He actually had a butler once. When he was little, and the family business was doing better. Then things had changed.

"I'm one hell of a butler, actually." Sebastian remarks.

Ciel rolls his eyes. "So let's drop it." He suggests.

Sebastian cooly watches Ciel finish, and wonders. How long? before the little thing falls into his hands.

Instead, he asks; "More carrots?"




tbc....

thoughts?

next chapter
Title: The Reaper's Bookshop: What Waits.
Status: Multi-part short fic. Planned 5 or 6 chapters. lemme know if it's worth continuing.
Warnings: Uh, language. ♥ implications. Sebastian.
Words: 1,972 words

Archive: Chapter One | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3

I'm not entirely sure where I wanna go with this-- or how long it will be. XD I originally planned on finishing it next chapter, but a few people wanna see more! So lemme know what you think, and we'll decide it together.

Chapter 5
© 2012 - 2024 smallsmiles
Comments3
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DarkChi13's avatar
I think this was amazing :D I really enjoyed it. I love the interaction between the two of them haha.