Can the Damned be Loved?

Chap 2 Picnic

“Ahhhh~ Ciel isn’t today just splendid!?” a young blond haired girl chirped happily.
Ciel Phantomhive raised his shoulders in a biased opinion on the day’s temperament. He could care less really, he was only on this ridiculous outing on her behest.
“Elizabeth, just hurry and eat so that I may leave. I have business to attend to,” came Ciel’s cold voice.
The green eyed girl frowned momentarily at her fiancé’s request, her curly pig-tails framing her round face. She had insisted that Ciel get out of that stuffy office and join her on a quaint picnic in the park. She packed Ciel’s favorites too, tea biscuits with honey, foreign cheeses and meats with warm fresh bread. And for dessert, a delectable array of pineapples and melon, a rare treat. But Ciel seemed to gain no joy with her that day, not that that wasn’t unusual. The young lord’s pale countenance was hard and disinterested as always. And he had to bring his intrusive butler where ever he went! Why could he never go anywhere without him?
“Sebastian, I want water.”
The ebony haired man smiled innocently enough and replied, “Yes my lord.” As Ciel glumly watched the precise movements of his stoic butler, successfully ignoring the bouncing blond completely, one shocking blue eye caught a glimpse of yellow dress. The dress was being worn by a lovely young woman currently attracting the stares of the men she passed. Ciel’s throat shrunk as he realized the young woman as you from the train station. His eye shamelessly wandered your body, down over you pink lips, the delicate column of your neck. Your bodice was adorned with butter yellow fabric and pale pink lace. Tiny blue bows decorated your neckline and sleeves, going from dark blue to white in the sunlight. The white parasol you carried shielded you from the heat as you leisure walked by. Sebastian and Elizabeth immediately picked up on Ciel’s new focus of interest. The sway of your hips caused the color to rise to the boy’s cheeks, his mouth became suddenly dry.
“Pardon me ,milady, but it would seem that we have meet before,” Sebastian suavely said,
You stopped and turned to face him. It took mere seconds for you to recollect but you remembered him. Darting your eyes down, you felt your face flush upon Ciel’s shameless gaze. The boy managed to hold his composure while observing you…you found this mildly impressive. Most men fell all over you without poise, but not this one. It intrigued you, and you enjoyed it.
“Yes, I do remember you. I do hope nothing was damaged in our uncouth introduction,” you politely began, “allow me to formerly introduce myself I am (y/n)”
Sebastian’s amber eyes floated to his master, “Sir, shall I answer for you?”
The proud boy cleared his throat, pink flying to his neck and face, “Ciel Phantomhive. Owner of the Fantom toy company.”
Your parasol slid away from your surprised face, “Phantomhive? The Phantomhive!? It is an honor!” You trotted up the tiny incline and knelt on the grass.
Elizabeth, not sure what to make of you being familiar with her betrothed, shot insecure glares at you. Her tiny hands clenched her orange dress, wrinkling the fine cloth.
“Lady Elizabeth, that is very improper of a girl such as yourself,” Sebastian chided noticing her upset looks.
The blond quickly averted her eyes to her lap remaining quiet the entire time.
“If you wish, you may sit on the blanket….the grass might stain your dress.” Ciel shakily offered.
All eyes snapped in his direction, Elizabeth’s began to water. Ciel had never been nice to her the way he had now been to this stranger.
“My my, seems like the young master detects a change in the air,” Sebastian mused aloud handing Ciel his water.
The slate haired boy growled low and snatched the cup, “You be quiet!”
You giggled, “He must be a very dear friend to you Mr. Phantomhive, you get along so well.”
Ciel faulted, nearly dropping the cup. His blue eye widened, “Friend? With this thing? Nonsense.”
Sebastian chuckled and shook his ebony head, reaching into the woven basket.
“Would the lady care for a drink? Water or wine?” Sebastian calmly asked.
You nodded reverently, placing the parasol down, “Yes water please.”
Resting your hands on your lap, you looked around the blanket and saw a patch of pink and purple wildflowers. One of the blossoms stood out to you, it resembled a carnation and was a pale baby pink.
“Oh how pretty! I love wildflowers! Most women adore roses or lilies but I prefer the forgotten wildflowers. Some people think them to be weeds, unnecessary plants but I see beauty. If you think about it…you might think they were the damned flowers of the world,” you alleged.
Ciel thought on your words, and observed the lonely patch of flowers. In a way he could relate to them. He too was damned, damned and waiting to loose his soul. No one could love him or want him. And it was then that, for the first time, Ciel could connect with something. And the fact that you stated it made him secretly admire you even more.
Ciel chugged his drink, hoping that the cup would disguise his blushing. What was wrong with him!? He never behaved this way in front of anyone, so why this you? Sure you was beautiful, exotic almost. And your body was great, your dresses lovely and your voice like music. He just met you, yet was acting like a love sick school boy. Not only that but you were about two or three years older then he. But none of that deterred him from the foreign feelings in his gut, the feelings which seemed to tear at his innards and threaten to devour his being. They frightened him, he would rather die then tell that to Sebastian. The sick demon might use it against him in the future, of course he probably did not need to tell him. The astute demon no doubt already knew of the weird emotions within his master. You daintily picked at the cheeses and bread, licking your lips in delight.
“This is delicious! Lady Elizabeth, you outdid yourself I may say so,” you praised
The silent girl nodded and continued to eat her fruit. Ciel grew agitated at his fiancé’s rudeness and blurted, “Elizabeth, if you are feeling unwell do you think you should leave? Sebastian can return your basket.”
Elizabeth looked up so fast her pig-tails whipped, “Ci…Ciel, No I’m fine it’s just…” She motioned over at you, “I’m just shy is all.”
Feeling uncomfortable, you set your food down, picked up your parasol and went to rise, “Well, I must be going. I was having such a good time that I let the time slip by!,” You opened the parasol and curtsied to Ciel, “Thank you for having me join your picnic. And Thank you for the fine meal Lady Elizabeth, I hope we will see each other again soon.”
Retreating from the blanket, you waved goodbye and walked away. Ciel, frantically searing for some plausible reason to stop you, quickly grabbed an object and unceremoniously ran after you. Even Sebastian was taken aback. Smiling as you passed some children, you spun your parasol in your hand, thinking of the young boy Ciel. You thought of how handsome he might be if he smiled.
“(y/n)! Wait!”
Blinking, you searched for the calling voice. A hand came on your shoulder, halting you. Seeing who would stop you, your eyebrows shot up, “Mr. Phantomhive!”
Ciel, panting, held out his hand, “You forgot this.”
Confused, you thought of any missing item but found none. Curious of what he offered, you held out your open palm. What fell into it made your chest swell in surprise, it was a single pink wildflower, the same one you admired earlier.
“Oh, thank you,” you breathed.
Ciel took his hands and wrapped your fingers around the little flower, “It does not have to be damned…does it? It can find peace and love?”
The sincere way he asked you caused you to think of a broken animal, “I believe that everything can be loved, Ciel. No matter how lost or beaten.”
Squeezing your hands in his, Ciel backed away and bowed, “Until next we meet.”
“How about Sunday, at nine, near the park entrance?” You affirmed.
Ciel pondered for a bit then nodded.
“Sunday at nine then.”