Love and Libraries:

Chapter 1:

Italics denote thoughts.

Ciel turned the page of the reference book he was reading critically. He was listening to classical music through his earphones at the highest volume possible, but he could still hear conversations and noises from the surrounding tables. He should have never tried to read in the university library at peak time.

He was starting to feel a headache developing so he reluctantly removed his earphones and flipped through the book at a faster pace. He needed to find a good reference for his literature review and then he could return to his flat where it was more peaceful. He had exhausted the online library and google books and the last resort had been to find a book in the university library.

Unfortunately removing his earphones meant that he could now read the thoughts of everyone around him.

The students on the neighbouring table were debating on their course social. There was a lot of discourse in their unspoken thoughts.

Harry Potter cosplay is always an option though. But they'll know I'm a potterhead if I suggest that.

He'd better not suggest Harry Potter cosplay, potterheads are the most pretentious fandom ever.

If I get queue jumper tickets will they like me now?

I don't want to go...

Is five bottles of vodka and a 12 pack of beer enough for predrinks?

I'm getting too fat on pasta to fit into my clubbing clothes. Will they notice?

Ciel knew immediately that they were first years. Everyone stopped caring about things like that once they were overloaded with assignments and assessments. The table on the other side of him were thinking similar thoughts.

Once he went through their thoughts and knew what their thoughts were he was able to tune them out and resume his work. He soon reached a piece of information that he had been looking for so he noted down the page number and all of the information he needed to Harvard reference it.

As he was closing the book a thought jumped out of the blue that was about him.

That blue haired boy over there is cute. I wonder if he can handle me.

That was something he had never heard before. He needed to find the person so he could know if they were going to be someone he needed to be vary of. He pinpointed the thought to belonging to the male student dressed in black that had just entered the library.

The most alarming thing was that the student was walking steadily towards him. Ciel could see now that his hair was long at the front and he had shining scarlet eyes that were looking right at him. He was dressed in black skinny jeans with a matching black hoodie. Ciel wasn't sure what year he was in, the devotion to matching colours suggested a first year.

The male pulled out the chair opposite him.

"Is this seat free?"

"Yes," Ciel said reluctantly. It was obvious that he was alone so he couldn't lie.

He settled for reading the student's mind instead. His thoughts were unfocused as if he was trying to decide on something.

"So, what year are you in?"

Does he match my profile?

"Third," Ciel answered brusquely and was disconcerted by the disappointment in the male's mind.

The age isn't right for what I usually do...

Ciel decided it would be best to expand to further detract the student from doing whatever he had in mind for him.

"Technically I'm in my fourth year, I did a year placement last year. What year are you in?"

"First," was the answer.

Really it's the third time I've done first year, but there's no need to mention that...

Somewhat manipulatively Ciel asked a question.

"You look older than all of the first years. Have you done a foundation degree?"

How the hell did he guess that?

"I did my course last year at a different university last year. I dropped out because I didn't like it."

Strangely enough Ciel read a different answer in his mind. He was unsure whether or not it was worth dealing with the secretive student.

"Do you come here often?" He asked politely.

Only to scout for people like you.

"Only when I really need a book for an assignment. Do you come here often?"

The student winked at him and Ciel decided to accept the bait. Honestly he avoided the library as much as possible.

"Quite regularly. I can't work where I live, it's too noisy," he lied.

"You look lonely, do you have any friends on your course?"

The less friends the better.

That thought was worrying.

"I don't because everyone else was in the year below me. I don't mind though."

Perfect.

Half an hour later Ciel left the library with Sebastian Michaelis' name and number. He was completely undecided about what to do with the man. He was clearly after something and had a shady past.

He returned to his flat where contrary to what he had told Sebastian, he lived alone. Because he was an Earl he could afford it and it was expensively furnished and actually had a decent internet connection.

He made himself a cup of tea and sat down on the sofa to make an important phone call. His butler picked up after two rings.

"Do you need another care package of cake, young master?"

The prospect of cake was a tempting side-track, but Ciel wanted information more.

"I need you to look into someone for me. His name is Sebastian Michaelis," Ciel told him and spelled out the surname to ensure Tanaka would be able to find the right person.

"Duly noted. How far do I need to go and should I be concerned about why you want to know?" Tanaka asked cautiously.

Ciel's mind flashed back their conversation in the library. For all intents and purposes it seemed that Sebastian Michaelis was interested in him. He could just be a player that saw him as another name to cross off, but there seemed to be something strange in his past.

"His thoughts were strange and he was flirting with me. I need to know if he is a danger."

Tanaka was the only person that was aware of his ability. Or rather he was the only living person, his parents had died in an accidental fire a number of years ago. Ciel had inherited everything, but had decided to attend university before leading the family business. One of his relations was currently the Funtom CEO.

His phone call was returned in the evening as Ciel was drinking his after dinner tea. The findings of Tanaka's research were intriguing.

Ciel took out his childhood chess set and set it up on the coffee table. How should he progress with Sebastian Michaelis now that he knew everything?

The answer came quickly.

He was going to beat him at his own game.

***

Sitting in the student union was one of the most stressful things Ciel had done for months. He avoided public places like the plague because it was hard to concentrate with all of the thoughts around him. He didn't have his earphones in because he needed to know when Sebastian was approaching.

Tanaka had provided him with Sebastian's timetable and he had predicted that Sebastian would spend his next free hour in the student union before his three hour block of lectures.

His prediction turned out to be reassuringly right when he observed a familiar figure enter the room. Ciel averted his eyes to the book he was reading and waited for Sebastian to notice him. It didn't take long.

A pale hand moved his book aside.

"I haven't seen you here before," Sebastian smiled.

Did he come here to see me? How cute.

"I have a dissertation lecture next and I wanted a drink," Ciel explained.

Sebastian's eyes moved towards his takeaway cup of tea and he looked like he believed him.

He really must have no friends because he's reading a book in the SU. How sad...

Inwardly Ciel sighed. Sebastian's thoughts like many others showed how a person's interior can be a polar opposite to what they say out loud.

"I see. Can I sit with you? I've been wanting to see you again."

"Sure," Ciel replied and put his book down.

They discussed university matters for a while and Sebastian's thoughts were normal although occasionally laced with disdain for the university system. Then the conversation took another turn along with his thoughts.

"It's a Wednesday, are you coming out tonight?"

Ciel had been a university student long enough to know what 'out' meant. He had never made it to a nightclub yet, the prospect of hearing people's drunken thoughts in a place with flashing lights and loud music was vomit inducing.

"Um, I don't like going to clubs," he answered with feigned awkwardness.

How typical for loners.

"My flat is hosting predrinks tonight. You can come along," Sebastian offered.

That would be slightly more bearable and would give him a chance to see Sebastian in his natural territory. He was going to have to dose up on painkillers beforehand though.

"Sure," Ciel smiled. "Where do you live?"

***

That evening Ciel rang the doorbell of a student house and immediately sanitised his hand due to the dirt and mould on the doorbell. Student houses tended to be rather dirty and this one was no exception. The door was opened by Sebastian who reeked of smoke.

"Hey, Ciel. I'm glad you could make it."

The music in the house was loud enough that it could be heard from the front door and Ciel could feel a headache coming on. He was going to get this over with as soon as possible. He was puzzled when he noticed that he couldn't hear anyone else's thoughts.

"How many people are here?" Ciel asked as he was led into the kitchen.

"Everyone cleared out just before you came. Someone got them special tickets and they all left. I stayed here for you," Sebastian explained.

Ciel read his mind and knew he was telling the truth for once. It was a fortunate coincidence for Ciel. He could observe Sebastian without any distractions. The younger student was wearing black eyeliner and skinny black jeans with a studded belt with a matching red t shirt.

The kitchen itself was filled with bottles and cans of alcohol covering every surface as well as the occasional dirty plate. Ciel hadn't expected anything different.

"Do you have any alcohol preferences?" Sebastian asked. "My flat mate that makes cocktails left so there is limited choice."

Ciel asked for vodka and coke and drank it in small sips. He needed to keep a clear mind. Sebastian kept the conversation casual for a while with anecdotes about his flatmates that Ciel returned with lies about his fictional flatmates.

At around midnight Sebastian upped the stakes. Ciel was feigning tipsiness and appeared to be more relaxed.

He's such a lightweight... but the time is right.

"Ciel, what do you think of me?" Sebastian asked, leaning in closer to him. "I want to be more than friends."

The mind reader fought back a wave of repulsion and lied.

"I think you have a sexy ass. It's enough to warrant being more than friends."

Got him now. I knew he liked my ass. It is rather nice.

Sebastian's thoughts took a turn for the narcissistic for a moment.

"I'm going to kiss you now, I hope you're prepared now," Sebastian whispered and gripped his face.

Ciel flushed red and tried not to throw up at Sebastian's alcohol scented breath wafting over him. Their lips met and Ciel prayed that Sebastian wouldn't stick his tongue in. He was lucky, he left with only one lovebite and Sebastian's false sense of security.

***

A/N: This is a two shot that I am experimenting with. The next chapter will be uploaded some time next week.