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Summary: Ciel now knows what Sebastian is, but who can he tell? Meanwhile, his peers gossip about Ciel’s impending punishment…
Chapter 15: Rumors
First | Previous
Ciel couldn’t stay in his room any longer. He’d already left the cafeteria without breakfast twenty minutes before, once he realized what the morning’s topic was.
The number of eyes fixed on him just before homeroom should have warned him, before he even caught some of what they were saying.
“—a Junior High student in the 3-5—”
“—in trouble with Mr. Michaelis—”
“Oh, I know him! He’s the boy who—”
It turned out that some student had been standing outside of the Teacher’s Office during the student discipline (*1)) meeting. Ciel felt his stomach flip. Junior High students don’t usually garner so much attention. Perhaps it was his reputation… Ciel drew out his chair and sat, trying not to look dejected.
“They held a meeting? What did he do? It must have been bad—”
“I heard there was a teacher with him…”
“That was Sebastian,” Undertaker chuckled, startling the students. He seemed to appear whenever least expected, despite his long silver hair and bony fingers poking into everything. He managed to brush between Ciel and his surrounding year mates, senior classmen, and other potential customers. Needless to say, this frustrated everyone.
“Ciel. Don’t look so depressed; it’s just a detention.” Bluer leaned in close, putting his formidable height between Ciel and most of the onlookers. With Bluer blocking Ciel from view, Ciel could relax a little. When he turned his guarded gaze to Ciel, he offered a tiny smile. “You never get into trouble,” he soothed. “Don’t worry about it so much...”
Ciel tried to hide his trembling hand; suddenly certain Sebastian was going to do something terrible. I hope it’ll be quick. I hope that Sebastian isn’t a demon after all... Thoroughly miserable, he missed whatever other words of sympathy the others had to say.
“By the way, are you coming to the Fencing club meeting today? Redmond was asking for you,” Bluer asked casually. He handed Ciel a banana. “You ought to eat something for breakfast, you know.”
Ciel ducked his head, not wanting his irritation to show to Bluer. It wouldn’t do for his senior classman to realize exactly how little he wanted to hear that. His relationship with Redmond was strained, and Ciel remained uncertain how much any of the upperclassmen had put together. There were certainly clues to a falling out, but neither student had made anything clear. Ciel intended it to stay that way.
“I’m fine,” he mumbled. “Not hungry.”
“Eat,” Bluer insisted.
A strange, high-pitched cackle interrupted their argument. Both boys turned to see what made the offending noise.
“Ohhh, we can’t have that, Mister Phantomhive...” the Undertaker peered at Ciel from under his long hair. Ciel caught a glimpse of yellow-green eyes. “You have to eat something, or that Sebastian just might...” too amused to continue, he dissolved into a snickering mess. Apparently he was unable to make whatever-Sebastian-might-be-doing more clear.
“You know Sebastian.” Ciel frowned. Something tickled the edge of his memory…like he knew something and forgot. So absorbed by this incongruent information, he didn’t bother trying to disguise his suspicion. He frowned outright, demanding more information rather than showing anxiety like his role demanded.
“Know Sebastian...” Undertaker snickered. “Mm. Yes, I suppose.” His smile looked more like a leer. “But wasn’t it you who told me his name?”
Bluer looked between the two of them, confused and a little annoyed at the interruption. But more eyes than Bluer’s and Undertaker watched him. The silence that had overcome the cafeteria gave Ciel an inkling of something he’d rather not think on too much. Perhaps his persona was not as innocent and forgettable as he had thought…
“Excuse me, sir, but Professor Michaelis is a teacher at the school, and I don’t think he would behave in a way that should cause anyone concern,” Bluer decided to inform his employer. He placed a tray before Ciel. “French Toast with maple filling, fresh whipped cream on the side.” He paused for effect and added, “on the house,” with a glance askew at Undertaker.
Undertaker only smiled. “Michaelis may be a teacher here, but I know his kind...” Here, several non-native speakers blinked alongside Bluer. Ciel glared, and then attempted to correct this lapse in character by pouting.
“He’s...” Undertaker flashed a look of purest amusement at Ciel. “...an unreliable narrator...who might just imagine himself as another Humbert, wouldn’t you say?”
The students all exchanged glances, suitably confused at this enigmatic expression.
“In other words,” Undertaker continued, pushing the plate of toast at Ciel, “he needs you to act first. So if you are good,” Undertaker folded his bony hands on the table, “and don’t push him, Ciel Phantomhive...it would be all right.” He coughed. “But that might be impossible for you. So maybe you should request the detention to be rescheduled. Get another teacher to handle it.”
Ciel squirmed, tapping his fork gently into the fresh whipped cream. The conversation was not going where he wanted it. Was Undertaker hinting that he was like Lolita? He made a face. More importantly, Undertaker seemed to be giving an awful lot of free advice. That was unlike him, and Ciel was keenly aware of how this might turn into a ‘you owe me’ situation.
“I'm afraid I don’t see your point,” Bluer said in a this is final sort of way. “Ciel has ever been the model of gentlemanly behavior.” Then he decided to retreat back behind the counter at that, and a number of students hastily turned away from Ciel then.
“Give us a show then, Ciel. Show us exactly how it's done,” Undertaker called blithely. The bell rang, announcing the beginning of the morning teacher meeting. Ten minutes remained before class began.
“Chin up.” Bluer called from his place at the counter. “If anyone asks, just remind them...”
“That a gentleman’s business is his own affair?” Ciel confirmed quietly.
“Quite right.” He smiled at the Undertaker. “Thank you for the breakfast.”
Whether he noticed the dismissal or not, Undertaker made no sign. He was already fading into the back.
Ciel swallowed, and closed his eyes. It would be a long day.
tbc...
Chapter 15: Rumors
First | Previous
Ciel couldn’t stay in his room any longer. He’d already left the cafeteria without breakfast twenty minutes before, once he realized what the morning’s topic was.
The number of eyes fixed on him just before homeroom should have warned him, before he even caught some of what they were saying.
“—a Junior High student in the 3-5—”
“—in trouble with Mr. Michaelis—”
“Oh, I know him! He’s the boy who—”
It turned out that some student had been standing outside of the Teacher’s Office during the student discipline (*1)) meeting. Ciel felt his stomach flip. Junior High students don’t usually garner so much attention. Perhaps it was his reputation… Ciel drew out his chair and sat, trying not to look dejected.
“They held a meeting? What did he do? It must have been bad—”
“I heard there was a teacher with him…”
“That was Sebastian,” Undertaker chuckled, startling the students. He seemed to appear whenever least expected, despite his long silver hair and bony fingers poking into everything. He managed to brush between Ciel and his surrounding year mates, senior classmen, and other potential customers. Needless to say, this frustrated everyone.
“Ciel. Don’t look so depressed; it’s just a detention.” Bluer leaned in close, putting his formidable height between Ciel and most of the onlookers. With Bluer blocking Ciel from view, Ciel could relax a little. When he turned his guarded gaze to Ciel, he offered a tiny smile. “You never get into trouble,” he soothed. “Don’t worry about it so much...”
Ciel tried to hide his trembling hand; suddenly certain Sebastian was going to do something terrible. I hope it’ll be quick. I hope that Sebastian isn’t a demon after all... Thoroughly miserable, he missed whatever other words of sympathy the others had to say.
“By the way, are you coming to the Fencing club meeting today? Redmond was asking for you,” Bluer asked casually. He handed Ciel a banana. “You ought to eat something for breakfast, you know.”
Ciel ducked his head, not wanting his irritation to show to Bluer. It wouldn’t do for his senior classman to realize exactly how little he wanted to hear that. His relationship with Redmond was strained, and Ciel remained uncertain how much any of the upperclassmen had put together. There were certainly clues to a falling out, but neither student had made anything clear. Ciel intended it to stay that way.
“I’m fine,” he mumbled. “Not hungry.”
“Eat,” Bluer insisted.
A strange, high-pitched cackle interrupted their argument. Both boys turned to see what made the offending noise.
“Ohhh, we can’t have that, Mister Phantomhive...” the Undertaker peered at Ciel from under his long hair. Ciel caught a glimpse of yellow-green eyes. “You have to eat something, or that Sebastian just might...” too amused to continue, he dissolved into a snickering mess. Apparently he was unable to make whatever-Sebastian-might-be-doing more clear.
“You know Sebastian.” Ciel frowned. Something tickled the edge of his memory…like he knew something and forgot. So absorbed by this incongruent information, he didn’t bother trying to disguise his suspicion. He frowned outright, demanding more information rather than showing anxiety like his role demanded.
“Know Sebastian...” Undertaker snickered. “Mm. Yes, I suppose.” His smile looked more like a leer. “But wasn’t it you who told me his name?”
Bluer looked between the two of them, confused and a little annoyed at the interruption. But more eyes than Bluer’s and Undertaker watched him. The silence that had overcome the cafeteria gave Ciel an inkling of something he’d rather not think on too much. Perhaps his persona was not as innocent and forgettable as he had thought…
“Excuse me, sir, but Professor Michaelis is a teacher at the school, and I don’t think he would behave in a way that should cause anyone concern,” Bluer decided to inform his employer. He placed a tray before Ciel. “French Toast with maple filling, fresh whipped cream on the side.” He paused for effect and added, “on the house,” with a glance askew at Undertaker.
Undertaker only smiled. “Michaelis may be a teacher here, but I know his kind...” Here, several non-native speakers blinked alongside Bluer. Ciel glared, and then attempted to correct this lapse in character by pouting.
“He’s...” Undertaker flashed a look of purest amusement at Ciel. “...an unreliable narrator...who might just imagine himself as another Humbert, wouldn’t you say?”
The students all exchanged glances, suitably confused at this enigmatic expression.
“In other words,” Undertaker continued, pushing the plate of toast at Ciel, “he needs you to act first. So if you are good,” Undertaker folded his bony hands on the table, “and don’t push him, Ciel Phantomhive...it would be all right.” He coughed. “But that might be impossible for you. So maybe you should request the detention to be rescheduled. Get another teacher to handle it.”
Ciel squirmed, tapping his fork gently into the fresh whipped cream. The conversation was not going where he wanted it. Was Undertaker hinting that he was like Lolita? He made a face. More importantly, Undertaker seemed to be giving an awful lot of free advice. That was unlike him, and Ciel was keenly aware of how this might turn into a ‘you owe me’ situation.
“I'm afraid I don’t see your point,” Bluer said in a this is final sort of way. “Ciel has ever been the model of gentlemanly behavior.” Then he decided to retreat back behind the counter at that, and a number of students hastily turned away from Ciel then.
“Give us a show then, Ciel. Show us exactly how it's done,” Undertaker called blithely. The bell rang, announcing the beginning of the morning teacher meeting. Ten minutes remained before class began.
“Chin up.” Bluer called from his place at the counter. “If anyone asks, just remind them...”
“That a gentleman’s business is his own affair?” Ciel confirmed quietly.
“Quite right.” He smiled at the Undertaker. “Thank you for the breakfast.”
Whether he noticed the dismissal or not, Undertaker made no sign. He was already fading into the back.
Ciel swallowed, and closed his eyes. It would be a long day.
tbc...
Cover art by me and Moisca: [link] (dA)
Thanks for reading!
Also found on: Archive of our Own and FanFiction dot Net
Archive: 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10.0 | 10.5 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14
Word Count: about 1000
Warnings: none
(*1) Student Discipline: in case you wanted to know. Student discipline is decided privately between the homeroom teacher (tannin), the offending party, the head of the teachers if necessary (he's called vice-principal in English, but his title is 教徒、literally "head of the teachers."), and one of the teachers unlucky enough to have been roped into being the "student discipline teacher." (Changes every year.) Usually, you hear about minor "offenses" like, "he was caught riding double" (er, 2 people on one bike.) <-- against the law because it's unsafe. Don't do it. There's a fine. (Side note: it's also really hard to do. People are heavy.)
Anyway! Student Discipline is then announced (in as short a time as possible, with as little personal information included as possible) at the regular teachers' meeting, I think, so people are aware of the situation. Students are supposed to wait down the hall so no one can hear, but sometimes...yeah.
A/N. For those of you who don’t like allusions, Humbert Humbert is a main character from Lolita. Likewise, Lolita is the title character from the book sharing her name. Alluding to him in the text doesn't actually require a footnote, but…I fear the number of commenters asking me what/who they are.
Now do tell me what you think. I write for fun, but I live for your reviews.
Next Chapter (Warnings: BDSM, Rated: Teen)
PG 13 safe version: 16 on ff.net
Thanks for reading!
Also found on: Archive of our Own and FanFiction dot Net
Archive: 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10.0 | 10.5 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14
Word Count: about 1000
Warnings: none
(*1) Student Discipline: in case you wanted to know. Student discipline is decided privately between the homeroom teacher (tannin), the offending party, the head of the teachers if necessary (he's called vice-principal in English, but his title is 教徒、literally "head of the teachers."), and one of the teachers unlucky enough to have been roped into being the "student discipline teacher." (Changes every year.) Usually, you hear about minor "offenses" like, "he was caught riding double" (er, 2 people on one bike.) <-- against the law because it's unsafe. Don't do it. There's a fine. (Side note: it's also really hard to do. People are heavy.)
Anyway! Student Discipline is then announced (in as short a time as possible, with as little personal information included as possible) at the regular teachers' meeting, I think, so people are aware of the situation. Students are supposed to wait down the hall so no one can hear, but sometimes...yeah.
A/N. For those of you who don’t like allusions, Humbert Humbert is a main character from Lolita. Likewise, Lolita is the title character from the book sharing her name. Alluding to him in the text doesn't actually require a footnote, but…I fear the number of commenters asking me what/who they are.
Now do tell me what you think. I write for fun, but I live for your reviews.
Next Chapter (Warnings: BDSM, Rated: Teen)
PG 13 safe version: 16 on ff.net
© 2013 - 2024 smallsmiles
Comments20
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Good chapter 
:d hehe also is great you always include info on notes(hehe I didnt new they had such strict laws I mean seriously here on bikes you see 3 people and nothing happens XD haha) 
hehe when Undertaker mentioned Sebastian is like a Humbert me like D: OMG Ciel now run!! XD ahah , ok no just in my imagination