Was it his imagination, or did Ciel lean in slightly as Alois pulled away? No, it had to have been his imagination. Ciel never even wanted the blonde around, why would he try to prolong any type of physical contact with him? Then again, he had been returning the older boy’s affection only a moment ago.. Alois shook his head, convincing himself he was being irrational.
A sudden lack of warmth around his waist alerted him that the bluenette had released his hold on the blonde. It was a bit of a disappointment. He hadn’t realized how pleasant it felt until Ciel let go. Alois let his own arms fall from around the other’s neck, hoping the lack of contact would have the same affect on Ciel as it did him. Now that his attention had returned to the situation at hand, the older boy was taking notice of the bluenette’s flustered appearance. His cheeks were flushed crimson, eyes a bit wider than usual as though he was in a state of minor shock. How odd to see the young earl in such a state.
Alois couldn’t help but smirk as the younger attempted to answer his question. This was priceless. Or at least it was until he made a snide comment. The mischievous smirk on the blonde’s face turned into a frown.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
At the lack of touch - lack of heat - Ciel wanted to speak up. Voice what he wanted… but he didn’t know what he wanted. Did he want Alois to come closer, or push him farther away? The kiss, though he didn’t like that he felt this way, was nice and it was a new sensation he never thought he’d feel after a month with those retched people. Why then, was he so okay with this? Was he really? So many questions. So many questions that couldn’t be answered and it was driving him up a wall. Could it be possible that Alois was confused as well? No. That smirk told him enough - at least, it did until it faded away. What he said got to him. That was good. It meant he still had control over this, he still was the superior one despite his flustered cheeks and his racing thoughts. What did he want? Why?
Ciel tried to think of the right words. Why he was holding back for Alois of all people, he didn’t know. The reason all this happened was because it was the blonde earl’s birthday tomorrow. This was his present - an odd choice, maybe to purposely confuse the bluenette. Even though Alois succeeded if that was his intention, he didn’t want to admit it. Or show it. The hands that were at his sides clenched in discomfort as he stared back at Alois’s blue eyes. They didn’t tell him anything - they didn’t tell him what he wanted to know. It bothered him. It all bothered him. From the warm feeling in his chest to the anger bubbling inside him.
This was Alois’s birthday present, was it not? Was the birthday present to make Ciel squirm, or the kiss itself? He didn’t know. Maybe he could turn the tables on the earl Trancy - maybe he could still win this silent battle. Ciel’s eyes narrowed then, not out of malice but out of determination. It was painless, a simple kiss. Not a show of affection unless he thought it one, and it wasn’t. It couldn’t be. Ciel lost the ability to do that after his innocence was stripped from him. Just maybe, this would throw Alois off and make him squirm.
Ciel leaned in. He lifted his fragile arms and slipped them around the boy’s waist. To keep him there - so he couldn’t run. Yes, that’s what it was. His hold was loose, but his fists were still tightly clenched. Soft lips pressed against his own once more, and his entire body wanted to shiver. But no - he couldn’t. He didn’t. That wasn’t what this was about - he wouldn’t let it be about that. He wanted Alois to squirm, and this was just the right thing to do: Surprise him with his own trick.
