Nanowrimo Challenge Day 8:
Prompt: Shopping (list)
Warnings: none
Rating: T

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Shopping

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Ciel delicately placed a gloved hand in his butler's outstretched one as he stepped off the carriage. The horses whinnied and with a slap of the reins, trotted off down the high street. Sebastian handed the boy his top hat and cane before they set off on the short walk to Harrods.

"Do you have an idea of the things you might want to purchase, Young Master?"

"Not particularly. The Marchioness has always been difficult to shop for." Ciel grumbled, adjusting his hat. The streets were teeming with people. It seemed that half of London decided to do their Christmas shopping today as well. To add to the bustle, little street vendors and merchants took to the crowds like flies to rotten fruit, offering them incredible deals and trying to get them to purchase their goods.

"The company does the best around Christmas, doesn't it? It must be flattering to know that so many people choose Funtom as their choice of location to buy gifts." Sebastian waved off a little girl who was trying to sell them pieces of cloth. "Begone." He told her and watched her melt into the crowd again.

"..." Ciel was silent as his heels clicked against the pavement. It had taken twenty four months of dedication and hard work, but the young Phantomhive was never one to brag about his achievements and feats, despite his arrogance and pride. The demon had helped with some aspects of the success that was Funtom currently, but it was mainly due to Ciel's avaricious nature that Funtom was now a household name. However, whenever the demon spoke of his success, he couldn't help but feel like the demon was mocking him.

"You're so cynical. Perhaps I should buy you a Christmas present too." Ciel scoffed. He wondered vaguely if the demon were to open a present on Christmas, if it would burst into flames from the sacrilege.

"I would be most happy to receive anything my master wishes to give me." Sebastian said cheerfully as he held the door open to Harrods.

The inside of the department store was decorated lushly with large amounts of tinsel and festive decorations. Ciel could see the top of a glittering tree at the back of the busy atrium. Everywhere he looked, a variety of women dressed in their best finery were mingling into stores as they simultaneously plied their accompanying husbands with all sorts of packages. It was quite warm from the heaters and the amount of people inside the small space.

"It is a shame that Harrod retired this year," Ciel remarked as they made their way through the crowd, "He made me an offer to make another shop in here, but because of his retirement the deal fell through."

"You sound sad, Young Master. Upset that you won't be able to rake in as much profits as last year?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Ciel snorted, whacking his cane into the demon's legs lightly, "As if I have to rely on Harrod's name to expand the Funtom empire. It would have been an advantage though, I will concede to that."

"Proud and arrogant as always, my Lord." Sebastian grinned. "How about some perfume for the Marchioness?" He said as they passed a perfumery where young women were clamouring over the newest scent installments.

Ciel paused and walked up to the window. There were an assortment of bottles in every shape, colour and size. Already he could smell the overpoweringly sweet and citrus-y smells that wafted from the shop as girls sprayed the bottles to sample them. His eyes watered slightly from the excessive chemicals in the air.

"I-I don't know. Aren't women really fussy about what sort of scent they wear? Maybe I could get a bottle for Elizabeth instead…" Ciel fussed with one of the buttons on his trench coat. "Maybe it would be a safer bet to buy the Marchioness an oriental fan or parasol, what do you think, Sebastian?... Sebastian?" Ciel turned around and realised he'd been talking to himself for God knows how long, "Sebastian, where are-"

"What about this, Young Master?" A bottle was thrust under his nose and Ciel had to take a step back.

"It is dark, woodsy scent with notes of pinewood and a hint of apple. Fresh and subtle, but mature enough to warrant attention and authority. Just like the Marchioness, don't you think?" Sebastian sprayed a little on his wrist and held it out.

Ciel leaned over and sniffed the scented skin delicately. It certainly did smell nice.

"Well you already bought it, so it's not like I really have a say in the matter, do I?" Ciel pulled a face, "But yes, it is pleasant. Let's hope it won't offend the Marchioness too much this year."

"And now for your fiancee-"

"Don't call her that." Ciel said sharply. "Lady Elizabeth is fine."

"... For the Lady, then." Sebastian had to suppress the smirk that rose to his lips. His master, ever uncomfortable by the idea of being chained down. Perhaps, one binding was all he could take? He gently rubbed his left hand, where the insignia of their Contract stained his flesh. Ahh, he couldn't bear to let his little black lamb out of his sight for more than a moment.

"Will you stop doing that?" Ciel snapped, "Every time you rub your goddamn hand like that, I can feel my eye burn."

"My apologies, Young Master. Would you like me to kiss your eye better?" He teased.

The expression on the boy's face was priceless- a mixture between disgust and extreme horror.

"Why would you- even- suggest- such a thing! In public nonetheless!" Ciel sputtered, tripping over his words in his mortification.

"Young Master, you're making a scene." Sebastian said brightly as he steered his young charge down another corridor. "Perhaps another bear or Bitter Rabbit from Funtom? For the young Lady?"

"Don't manhandle me, I'm not a child." Ciel batted the demon away with his cane until he was walking on his own again. "Damn, demon." He muttered under his breath.

They soon arrived at the little niche that a branch store of Funtom had settled into. It was brimming with people, especially little children who were clamouring over the bright toys and stuffed animals. However the sweets side of the shop was demanded the most attention; hands were grabbing things off shelves and people constantly yelling for prices. Ciel preened slightly, if there was one thing he made sure succeeded in the company, it was the confectionary side of Funtom. He knew just how good the sweets were, having sampled them himself. He scoffed at the introduction of 'candy' into Britain from the Americas. As far as he was concerned, sweets and 'candy' were basically the same thing, only that British toffee was far more superior.

"I think I'll get Elizabeth a box set of sweets and I'll have a factory design a Rabbit for her specially." Ciel mused as he picked up a Rabbit with an eyepatch. He stroked the fur fondly, enjoying the softness.

"I've noticed that Lady Elizabeth has taken up stitchery and needlepoint with enthusiasm, perhaps a sewing set to go along with your presents?" Sebastian added as he picked up a few chocolates and lollies that were on sale, towering over the little children who were jostling below him.

"Yes, alright. Besides, the Marchioness can't complain over the amount of gifts I give to Elizabeth. She'll only assume it as a token of my love." Ciel scoffed out.

"Dear me, what ever would your Aunt do if she realises your affections for her daughter aren't as genuine as you make them out to be?" The demon said with some delight.

"Well, she need not find out. Besides even though I may not love Elizabeth, I still care for her. She is my cousin and childhood friend after all." Ciel said defensively, snatching the packages out of Sebastian's hands, inspecting them. "Exchange the butterscotch lollies for two strawberry ones."

"Yes, my Lord." Sebastian bowed, still smiling. What a wretched thing. A beautiful wretched thing that he claimed out of darkness.

His master was getting tired; Sebastian could see it in the way the boy had started to drag his feet and walked at an even slower pace than usual. He was tempted to carry the boy, but alas his arms were full of carrier boxes from their rather extensive shopping trip. Also, he was almost one hundred percent sure that he'd receive a blow to the head for 'manhandling' his master in public. Not that he minded being manhandled at home though. Hmph.

As they stood waiting for the carriage to arrive, Sebastian felt the boy lean into his side, head nodding as he fought to stay awake. He sighed quietly and shifted the packages onto right arm, reaching into his pocket with his left.

"Young Master?" He said gently, "Would you care for one?"

Ciel blinked awake and noticed that he'd been leaning against Sebastian. Standing up straighter, he looked at what his butler was offering to him. A red striped peppermint lolly. One of the lollies that he'd been looking at in the window earlier.

Ciel didn't care for Christmas anymore. But the clamour and excitement was infectious and had sparked some sort of nostalgia within him. He could almost smell the cranberry sauce that his mother used to make, and the way his father had bounced him on his knee as they exchanged wishes and stories. What was only three years ago felt like some sort of ancient past now. He didn't care for Christmas… but when he saw the lollipops displayed so enticingly in the shop window, he couldn't help but remember the way his mother would buy lots of peppermint sweets in the month of December.

He took the lolly without a word and unwrapped it, only giving the cellophane wrapper back to Sebastian. He started licking and sucking at it without even looking at the demon beside him, adamantly staring at large building across the way.

The carriage finally came and they both bundled in. The boy was still refusing to look at him, staring out of the window with faux fascination and the demon smiled. Humans were so fascinating with their strange desire to fill their materialistic needs. This holiday, Christmas, was no exception. Senseless, perishable objects. Humans were so easy to please, as if giving one another gifts were a way to deepen human relations. How shallow and laughable. There was no other Bond stronger than the one between his Master and himself. He would give himself as much as the boy wanted, for in the end, he would be Receive something far greater than any materialistic desire the boy harboured.

Yes, this was how it was meant to be. He would be the only one to give the boy the pleasure he wanted, no other. He would drag the boy down further into his clutches, Darkening him further as he led the boy into the Dark. The demon's eyes glowed slightly in the dusky twilight as he watched his small master, hunched in the corner, still nibbling at his lolly unaware of his thoughts.

Yes.

Mine.

Tomorrow's Prompt: Hanging out with friends. (does ciel even have friends tho)