Pawns are Meant to be Used

This is an independent Ciel rp blog. I track the tag thepiecesareset

[akuma-butler]

It seemed that from now on, Sebastian would always have to keep an eye on his coffee mug. How annoyig.

The young male made it sound as though he simply didn’t want to learn – and that honestly would be a good enough answer. If the ravenette didn’t want to do something then he wouldn’t do it, either. Nonetheless, it couldn’t hurt asking, he supposed—

“Would you want to learn now, sometime?” If not, then so be it.

“Maybe fifteen minutes? I know someone who’ll lend me his car, we’ll just have to go there.” Fingers hurried over his phone screen, before Sebastian lifted the device to his ear. “I’m certain it won’t be an issue. Are you coming?”

[the-pieces-are-set]

He would get revenge one day.

“Learn? To drive you mean?” It would be a useful skill to know, Ciel had to admit that, but getting behind the wheel of a vehicle he had no desire to be in control of did not increase his motivation to learn. “...maybe.”

It was the only answer he felt he could give at the moment.

Rolling his eyes, Ciel followed after, not bothering to answer the question. It should be obvious enough that he was trailing after. “Lead the way.”

[akuma-butler]

The other had said yes. He had said yes and he had meant it, because he had just said it again. Sebastian was almost certain his face would hurt after this call ended because he couldn’t stop smiling. He was so relieved he had to suppress a fit of laughter.

“So how about five, five thirty?” Of course Ciel wouldn’t want to stumble out of class and immediately be dragged away again. He probably intended to return to his dorm and get changed, at least.

“Oh, no. You can wear whatever you want to wear.” The ravenette himself wouldn’t feel all that comfortable in a fancy restaurant; it would be bad if they both felt awkward during this.

[the-pieces-are-set]

“Five...would work.” It gave him enough time to get from class back to his room, but hopefully not so much time that it ended up giving him plenty of time to actually worry about how the date might go.

Because he was going on a date.

With Sebastian.

It was a relief to hear that he could wear whatever--Ciel would likely just wear what he did to class, or something similar--since that was a lot less hassle. At least the other didn’t plan on taking him anywhere he would have to specifically get ready for. Not that he wasn’t used to such situations given how he grew up, but that was never a comfortable situation.

“Okay.” That sounded ridiculous to his own ears. “Was there anything else you uh...called for?” He might as well check before ending the conversation and something was forgotten.

[akuma-butler]

Now Ciel sounded as though he was just as nervous, if not more, than the ravenette felt. He had waited so long before finally asking because he hadn’t wanted to scare the young male away; his intention was never to embarrass and make uncomfortable. Sebastian had chosen to call instead of mentioning something like this in person so the other would have the option to hang up.

His heart beat quickly and the man silently cursed himself when he heard his own response, rushed, a little too agitated for his liking.

“Yes?” he had to repeat, questioningly, because he wanted to be really, entirely sure. As though Ciel would change his mind again. “Okay, great—when can I pick you up? Sometime in the early evening?”

[the-pieces-are-set]

“Ah...yes,” he confirmed. If there was question to his answer before, at least now he could clear it up to be safe. Even if he was terribly embarrassed. Though, it was mostly from his own reaction and not expecting the question in the first place that was the cause of his embarrassment. 

“Yeah...that would work. I’m free after a class that ends around four....”

Though, he might need time to get ready depending on what sort of date the other had in mind. “Do I...need to get dressed up or anything?” 

[akuma-butler]

This wasn’t hard, really. Or it honestly shouldn’t be, at least. The worse that could happen was Ciel saying no – and if he was lucky, then they’d still talk even after this.

They’d met quite a few times, lately. The young male had been at his place to bake cake; the ravenette had yet to visit Ciel at his dorm, though he didn’t live alone, so that hadn’t happened so far.

“I’m off this Thursday. If you’re not too stressed because of your classes and if you want to—I want to invite you over. And take you on a date. If you don’t want to, then that’s okay, as well, of course.”

[the-pieces-are-set]

For them to make plans to hang out was nothing new. Ciel was half expecting something like this to come up, and he already had his answer ready up until the point where Sebastian mentioned taking him on a date.

What?

“You...want to go on a date?” Maybe that wasn’t the best way to answer the question, but he was rather startled by the question. “I mean...I’m not against the idea....”

He was just making things worse.

“I mean, um...sure, yeah, I’ll uh....”

How eloquent, Phantomhive. A literature major can’t even string together the words to give a proper answer to a fairly simple question. Even though Sebastian wasn’t there, Ciel felt the need to hide his face. This got embarrassing fast.

[akuma-butler]

Usually the man would ask what Ciel was reading. Something for class, or something he was reading for pleasure? He did want to know, and would gladly listen to the young male ramble about what the book was about, if he enjoyed the plot. However, this time he didn’t want to distract from his actual intention; he could always ask later.

“That’s good. I’m all right, as well.”

The ravenette inhaled, holding his breath for a moment, not so long that it would seem suspicious, then let it rush from his lungs. He wouldn’t back out now.

“Not exactly. But I wanted to ask you something.”

[the-pieces-are-set]

Ciel paused after the statement. If he wanted to ask him something, why not just go ahead and do so without prompting? Was it something he wasn’t certain about asking? Was it important?

Or maybe Ciel was just stuck in the mindset of over analyzing texts and what was between the lines at the moment. It could be completely random.

“What do you want to ask?” If the other needed a favor, he doubted it would be a problem. Maybe Sebastian was just asking when he was next free. None of this would be surprising, honestly. 

[akuma-butler]

Ciel wasn’t one to stroll about at this hour of the day; the man was pretty sure that the other male would be at his dorm. Regardless, he could be busy, his phone could be on mute, and so Sebastian nearly started to think that he would have to call again – and that the light anxiety had been misplaced right now – when the young male did pick up.

The ravenette immediately smiled when he heard Ciel’s voice, leaning back on his sofa.

“Ciel, how are you doing?”

A simple question, for the start. Also to make sure that he wasn’t interrupting the young male. The other was a very diligent student, after all; the ravenette wouldn’t be surprised to hear that he was busy doing something for class.

[the-pieces-are-set]

A small smile pulled at his lips at the question. Was that all Sebastian was calling for? Ciel doubted it, but there was no need to get too nosy now.

“I’m doing fine. I was just reading. How are you?” 

Setting aside the book, he decided to relax for a bit. He might as well take a bit of a break while talking to the other. Reading while on the phone would make it impossible to focus on both tasks, after all.

“Did you need something?”

[akuma-butler]

Sebastian fumbled with the phone in his hands. There was a certain hesitation within him that the ravenette wasn’t exactly used to; something akin to nervousness, if he had to describe it. Though the man knew that he couldn’t avoid this forever. Sooner or later, some clarity would be – if not necessay – at least good.

So clarity he would lead them to.

A text message would make this easier, but the dark-haired male frowned slightly at the thought. Easier, yes, but that didn’t make it better. He didn’t want this to seem like a joke, either. Because it honestly was far from one.

His thumb pressed the small button before swiping across the screen. Sebastian quickly found the other’s number, waited for but a moment longer—

Then pressed call.

[the-pieces-are-set]

At the time Ciel was sitting in his dorm reading through a book that he needed to have done before the end of the week; however, he was already ahead of schedule on how many pages he needed to get through for the evening. He figured that while he was already reading it, he might as well continue. At least then it would make what he had left less of a burden later, but he was interrupted by his phone ringing. 

For a brief moment he thought about ignoring it to continue with his reading, but it could be important.... Marking his page, Ciel reached for his phone and saw that it was Sebastian calling. Once he realized that, he was quick to answer the call.

“Hello?”

[akuma-butler]

Perhaps it wouldn’t kill him – perhaps – but it just wasn’t fair. It wasn’t as though the ravenette had intentionally put not enough sugar. He had been certain it would be sweet enough, seeing that he had already used so much more than he would be willing to try. So why would Ciel need to have his revenge for something like this?

He shouldn’t expect that Sebastian would accept this without annoying him with something new in return.

That was a new piece of information, and the older male casted the other a curious look. “You can’t drive? Did you not manage or were you not interested in learning it?” The ravenette attempted to not make it sound as though he was mocking the younger; he wasn’t sure how well that had worked.

[the-pieces-are-set]

Of course it wouldn’t kill him. It was just some sugar, and as far as he was aware, Sebastian had no health issues that would cause trouble. Besides, surely the other had acted on purpose and not added enough. 

“No one taught my, and I never bothered to learn.” There was a bit more to it than that, but for now that answer seemed good enough for Ciel. Further explanations would only take time and when there was a job to do, wasting time wasn’t the smartest thing to do. “How long will this take?”

[akuma-butler]

“Well I have more than one idea,” the older male grinned. “But I’ll let you surprise me anyway.”

When he won. Which he would.

“You will not.” Sebastian glared at the other, eyes narrowed. The young male shouldn’t dare to put sugar into his coffee. Especially so because the ravenette would feel challenged to empty the mug. And then he might throw up as soon as the other wouldn’t notice—

“I could wangle one,” the man shrugged. Before Ciel could argue against it, he had already pulled his phone from his pants pocket. “I’ll just have to make a quick call. You make it sound as though you wouldn’t know where to get a car from if you need one.”

[the-pieces-are-set]

Rolling his eyes, Ciel decided to not encourage Sebastian further. He was already getting a bit too cocky about this.

He stuck his tongue out again. “I might.” Because if Sebastian was going to give him coffee without enough sugar and he finished it, surely Sebastian could manage having some with sugar and doing the same. It wouldn’t kill him.

“I don’t need to know those things,” he huffed. He could get by on his own or with some other form of transportation. “Can’t drive in the first place.” Honestly he should learn, but there just never seemed to be time, and when there were other ways get get around, it seemed so pointless.

[akuma-butler]

“Maybe. Just a first idea,” the ravenette responded thoughtfully. He obviously liked the thought – of course he did – but he didn’t want to decide just yet. Now, Ciel knew what direction his own ideas had taken, so perhaps he would choose something similar when Sebastian had won.

“He might. He still doesn’t know we’re on our way now, though.” Even if their target assumed that someone would come after him, he didn’t know when and how. “We’ll just have to be quicker than him.”

And the man didn’t doubt that they would manage. The element of surprise was on their side, after all.

Sebastian stood – not really impatient, though – and uttered a quick laugh at the demand. “Most definitely not.”

The ravenette grabbed the file once more, skimming through the page with their target’s personal information, just to be sure he had remembered his address correctly. “Too far to walk. And I’m not really in the mood to take the subway.”

[the-pieces-are-set]

“First idea?” Did Sebastian want more than that, or did he want him to think of other possibilities as well? Either way, Ciel was aware of what direction the other’s thoughts were going for what he wanted.

If he won.

Which he wouldn’t.

“This is disgusting, you know,” he said before finishing the coffee and making a face. “I’ll add sugar to yours next time to make up for the lack of it in mine.” It was only fair.

“Then what other way do you suggest? Do you have a car somewhere I don’t know about?”

[the-pieces-are-set]

@akuma-butler

“I’m pretty sure I said exactly what I meant,” Sebastian taunted, too pleased with himself, especially so when he reached out to tug the other’s hair for but a moment, lips quirking into a smirk. “Stop showing me your tongue, brat. Unless it’s what you’ll offer once I won.”

Confident – arrogant – as the dark-haired man was, he doubted that Ciel would win. Of course it wasn’t impossible, and maybe he would have to think of something for him in the end, but it was easy to ignore that for the time being.

“When you’ve finished your coffee.” There was no need to draw this out longer than necessary; they’d both be glad if they managed to get this over with swiftly. “Should we try close to his home address, first? Or perhaps a workplace, seeing that it isn’t too late yet.”

Finding the man was probably the most difficult thing about this mission.

Ciel snorted. As if he was about to make it easy for Sebastian to win, especially not now that he was insisting that he would come out victorious. Though, it was the comment he made after that, that caught his attention.

“Is that a suggestion of what you would like if you win?”

Taking another gulp of coffee to make it go faster--even if he grimaced in the process--Ciel gave a nod. There was no need to delay because as much as they were apparently having fun over the idea of beating each other in being the one to kill their target first, it was still a job, and still something they should take seriously.

“We want as few possible witnesses around, so his home might be best, unless he already suspects something.” Which would be a problem.

He sipped at what remained of his coffee and scrunched his nose. “More sugar next time.”

[the-pieces-are-set]

@akuma-butler

That surely caught the man’s attention, and he lifted a brow at the other male. “Win something?” Of course Ciel knew that the ravenette was always up for a challenge; now he would do his very best to be the one to get the final shot. Not just because he would enjoy it.

“Alright, I’m in.” At this point it didn’t even matter what exactly he would win; it was only about winning itself – and he did trust the younger male to choose something pleasant enough for it to not be a disappointment.

“I won’t think of something, now,”  Sebastian stated, smirking only subtly when the other grimaced a tad. He had definitely put in enough sugar; humans shouldn’t survive more sugar than that. “Just surprise me once I won.”

Of course turning it into a competition would catch Sebastian’s attention. It was amusing at how all it took was to make it something where there was a prize to be won.

But the fact that Sebastian thought that he was going to win caused Ciel to scoff.

“If you win, you mean. I could win and I won’t have to think of a thing for you as a prize.” Sticking his tongue out, Ciel now felt as though he had to win just to prove a point. Even so, they had to be careful to not let things get too out of hand. “You might have to surprise me with something instead.”

Taking another drink of the coffee he frowned. He would have to remember to make it himself next time. “So, are we ready to go?”

[the-pieces-are-set]

@akuma-butler

“Then maybe you should let me enjoy it again,” the ravenette suggested teasingly, “Because if I remember right my enjoyment might become your enjoyment.” Ciel hadn’t complained at all; it wasn’t really unlikely that something similar would happen again.

Sebastian snorted.

“Okay, then that’s also talked about.” The man thought that now everything was clear; they shouldn’t face more problems than they had thought of now.

Filling two mugs, Sebastian returned to the couch, handing one to the young male.

Ciel raised a brow at the suggestion, but he couldn’t exactly deny what Sebastian said. He certainly had no complaints last time.

“Whoever gets the final shot should win something.”

Now he was turning this into a competition.

“Nothing stupid that will risk the mission, of course,” he added. “But why not have some fun if we can? It seems like an easy enough one at least.” 

Taking the mug, Ciel sipped at it and slightly scrunched his nose. Not quite enough sugar, but he could deal with it for now. He needed it to stay awake for alter, not leisurely sip at for enjoyment.

[the-pieces-are-set]

@akuma-butler

That was an important piece of information indeed. It hadn’t gotten obvious before, as they had never been in such a situation, though now it might be something Sebastian should be aware of.

“Good to know,” the ravenette murmured, filing the information away. He wasn’t about to mock the young male for this; it was only natural to not be good at everything. It would be no issue for him to step in when necessary. “Alright, I’ll do that, then. I hope we’ll get to shoot him, though.”

The man shrugged his shoulders.

“No idea, I rarely work with a partner so I never had to think about this. What about a simple nod if you want to shoot and some sort of hand sign if I should?”

Ciel couldn’t help but to be amused, as well as remember when Sebastian last shot someone. “I think you enjoy that just a little more than most,” he said with a smirk. 

Surely the other knew what he meant.

“That will work,” he said with a shrug. “Simple enough at least, and not too obvious, so yeah, let’s do that.”

[the-pieces-are-set]

@akuma-butler

Yes, that wasn’t much of a plan, but shouldn’t that make the other content? What more was there to talk about?

With a nod, Sebastian stood to head to the kitchen area.

“And, obvious enough, I’d rather use a gun to fulfill this mission than get close enough to make use of a new knife or something,” the ravenette added, perhaps not as done with talking about the plan than he had assumed a moment ago.

A gun was often the safest option.

“Unless he forces us to approach. Should we decide on some sort of sign so I know if you’ll attack or I’m supposed to?”

Ciel raised a brow at the continued discussion. Apparently Sebastian wasn’t quite done talking.

“While we probably won’t get much of an option if we need to get in close to attack, I’m better at a distance than close-range fighting,” he admitted. 

That was probably something they should have discussed before, but it simply was not in his skill set.

“So if we get the choice, you might be best for that. Unless you meant shooting the bastard.” Ciel shrugged. “Then I guess we could come up with something. What were you thinking?”

[the-pieces-are-set]

@akuma-butler

“We’ve to figure out when to start,” Sebastian shrugged, “Other than that, I guess we’ll just have to see. We’ll have to find him, first. Then make certain that he’s alone. Or mostly alone, at least.” The ravenette supposed that their target had no set routine; if he went to work every day at the same time and came back in the evenings, always taking the same route, then his actions would be predictable. Which would make their job very easy.

Though, surely they weren’t about to kill a guy with an office job.

The dark-haired man guessed that this male wouldn’t be stupid enough to be so entirely transparent. And perhaps, that really was the only plan they needed for this, then.

“You want coffee?”

Ciel managed to keep from rolling his eyes. That wasn’t much of a plan, if he was to be honest, but if it made Sebastian feel better for having talked it out as if it was a plan, then so be it.

It was practically like going in without one, anyway.

At the question about coffee, he paused and nodded a moment later. “It probably would be a good idea if we’re going to leave soon.” That or a nap, but somehow he was doubting that Sebastian would allow that. 

[the-pieces-are-set]

@akuma-butler

It was true that they rarely spent time at Sebastian’s apartment. At first, the ravenette hadn’t wanted the other there, because he preferred keeping his space to himself. Then it had more or less grown into a habit to show up at Ciel’s doorstep instead. Though, to make it fairer and because he honestly didn’t mind much anymore, the man decided that they could easily talk about this mission at his flat.

“At least I have something edible there,” Sebastian commented tauntingly. And they could probably both use a cup of coffee, too.

Once there, the ravenette opened the door for them, slipping out of his shoes to flop down on the couch, the file being tossed onto the table. “As far as I understood that, the target’s not very dangerous. Not the youngest, no fighter generally. As long as we catch him somewhat alone this should be easy.”

Ciel snorted but made no attempt to argue against the statement. He had been meaning to grab a few more groceries than he usually did for when Sebastian came around, but old habits were hard to break, so it was no surprise that there was hardly anything in his own flat when compared to Sebastian’s.

Once they reached the other’s place, he removed his shoes, made sure the door was properly shut--as per his habit--and picked up the file before sitting down. He might as well at least glance at it.

“Sounds easy enough, then. So what sort of plan should there be for this?” Ciel wasn’t much for planning, preferring to just go do it, but he might as well defer to Sebastian for that if it made the other feel better.