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“Had you told me that you were having trouble sleeping, I would have suggested you come to stay with us sooner. You shouldn't have tried to suffer through it alone.” Fingers laced with yours, Sebastian sat next to you on the rhythmically swaying carriage. It was long after sunset, and most people had already tucked themselves into bed for the night. You, however, had found sleeping almost impossible since the day Grell broke into your home. Even when you did find sleep, the dreams you had made you wish you'd never closed your eyes. Once Sebastian had learned of this, he insisted you come to the Phantomhive estate. Honestly, even if you had said no, you doubted he would have accepted your answer. Worried by your silence, he gave your hand a gently squeezed. “You're being terribly quiet, are you alright?”

“I'm fine, sorry.” Not wanting to seem rude or unthankful, you tried to smile for him. “I guess I'm just a little bit too tired to hold a conversation.”

“That's perfectly understandable.” With a kind smile on his pale face, Sebastian gently lowered your head to his shoulder and tried to make you a bit more comfortable. “You should rest. I'll wake you when we arrive.” Before you could even respond to his suggestion, your vision blurred and your thoughts went cloudy. Seconds later, you were resting peacefully in his arms.

What seemed like less than a minute later, you heard the sound of Sebastian calling your name. Jerking your head from his shoulder, you looked out the carriage window to find that you were already at the estate. “I-I'm awake, sorry again.” Though the trip from your home to the Phantomhive estate wasn't long, you felt more rested now than you had in weeks. “That little nap was amazing. I haven't slept that well in forever.”

“I'm glad you're feeling better.” As Sebastian helped you from the carriage, he placed his gloved hand over his mouth and cleared his throat. The glimmer in his eye made it obvious that he was attempting to hold back laughter.

Unsure why he'd be laughing, you stepped onto the cobblestone driveway and looked up at him with your head tilted just slightly to the side. “What's so funny?”

“It's nothing, forgive me.” Though he attempted to brush it off, you wouldn't take your eyes off of his until he told you what had amused him so. “If you insist, but I'm sure you would rather not know.” Placing his hand on your cheek, Sebastian leaned in close and whispered so that no one else could hear his next words. “You snore, just a bit.”

“D-do I?” Now wishing you hadn't asked, you loosely closed your eyes and sighed. “Well, at least now I know. Thank you for being honest with me.”

“I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. Odd, but your snoring is quite adorable.” After kissing the top of your hand, Sebastian led you away from the carriage, leaving your luggage inside. Instead of taking you inside, however, he led you around the large estate, back to the garden. Though you were understandably confused, you didn't question him. Now standing by the picturesque fountain, he turned to you and smiled in a way so gentle, it almost looked sad. “You and I have quite a few memories in this garden, don't we?”

As the memories flooded back to you, you couldn't help but blush. It was here, that you and Sebastian had shared your first, real, kiss. Just as it had been on that night, the moon was full, illuminating the fountain's crystal clear water in a way that could only be described as magical. “You're right, we do.”

Bringing your hand to his lips once more, Sebastian kissed you again. “Forgive me, I know you must be eager to rest, but there is something I feel I need to speak with you about.” Worried that he may have sounded rude, the corners of his mouth pulled down into a frown. “Of course, if you're too tired, I shall try my hardest to wait until morning.”

Even if you had been too tired to listen to him, there was something in his voice that refused to let you deny him. “You're fine. I'm actually not even all that tired anymore.” Snuggling yourself into his chest, you tightly wrapped your arms around Sebastian and squeezed. “What is it?”

“You truly are too kind.” After returning your hug, Sebastian placed a kiss on the tip of your nose. “I must warn you before I say anything, that I have wrestled with myself for quite some time about this matter. Unfortunately, I can wrestle with it no longer.”

“I've been warned, and I'm ready for anything you might have to say to me.” Trying not to let the worry you felt show through, you gave him a firm nod. “Go ahead.”

“If you're sure.” Running his fingertips over your rosy cheeks, Sebastian went silent. It was the first time since you'd known him that he'd been at a complete loss for words. “This isn't like me, I know, but I haven't the slightest idea where I should start.” Shaking his head slowly from side to side, he sighed. “I've allowed you to get the best of me, and now I'm unable to form a proper sentence.” Not wanting to say or do anything that might make things worse simply stood there, smiling in his arms. Suddenly chuckling, Sebastian released you from his hold and turned away. “I'm making a complete fool of myself.”

Not at all used to the confident, self assured, structured Sebastian being unsure of himself, you had no idea how to help him. “No you're not. You're just over thinking whatever it is that you want to say.” Taking a seat on the fountain's ledge, you crossed your legs at the knee and placed your folded hands on your lap. “Just say it, you'll feel much better once you do.”

With a firm nod, Sebastian quickly pulled himself together and faced you. “My apologies, it's not often I succumb to a case of the nerves.” Looking much more focused and confident, he stepped over to where you were sitting and knelt down in front of you. This simple action caused your heart to leap from your chest into your throat. As he took your hands in his and kissed your palm, your chest began to tighten. Despite your sudden nervousness, Sebastian was now perfectly calm. “It seems the tables have turned, haven't they?”

“Yes, they have.” You nodded, a little aggravated that he would tease you after you tried so hard not to tease him. “Now please, tell me what you need to say before I faint and fall into the fountain.”

“As you wish.” Still kneeling at your feet, Sebastian looked up at you, his deep red eyes locked on yours. His stare was so intense, you couldn't even begin to look away. Now completely sure that he had your undivided attention, he tightly held your hands in his and began to speak. “I fear, I may have allowed myself to develop feelings for you. At first, I thought I was simply overjoyed to find someone competent, whose company I honestly enjoyed. But, as I grew to know you, I knew it was more than that. Even so, I tried to deny what I felt, and until very recently, would not allow myself to believe that these feelings were true.” Knowing that his words weren't exactly poetry, he offered a weak grin. “This may not be the most romantic confession, but I assure you, it is meant with every bit of my being.” Taking your face in his hands, Sebastian smiled at you in a way that made your heart flutter and your eyes water. “I care for you more deeply, and more passionately, with every beat of my heart.”

“S-Sebastian.” Unable to speak, you swallowed hard and tried to keep yourself from crying.

Furrowing his brows together, he carefully wiped away the single tear that rolled down your hot cheek with his thumb. “I knew my words were lacking the beauty and heart you deserved, but I didn't think they were so bad as to make you cry.”

Letting out a quiet snort, you crossed your arms and freed your face from his hands. “You know full well that that's not why I'm crying. You're just having a bit of fun picking on me.”

“Ah, you're right. Forgive me.” Brushing your hair behind your ear and away from your face, Sebastian nodded, admitting what you already knew. Rising to his feet, he carefully pulled you to a standing position and placed his hand on the nape of your neck. As he twirled your hair around his fingers, a shiver ran down your spine. “I don't mean to pressure you, but, may I know your feelings?”

“You really have to ask that?” Throwing your arms around his shoulders, you lifted yourself onto your tiptoes and pressed your lips to his. Though you could have tried to explain the way you felt about him, your kiss said more about your feelings than your words could have in an entire lifetime. “If you don't already know how I feel, then I'm afraid you don't deserve to know.”

Smirking down at you, he held the tip of your chin between his thumb and forefinger, ensuring your eyes stayed on him. “After that, I must agree.” Tilting your chin up, Sebastian wrapped his free arm around your waist and pulled your chest to his. Now that he was sure the feelings he had for you, were returned, he didn't try to hold himself back. For a full ten minutes, he held you in his arms, allowing his kisses to trail from your lips, all the way down to your sensitive collar bones. Afraid he may not be able to stop himself if he held you much longer, Sebastian placed a long, sweet kiss on your neck before locking his eyes back on yours. Though more than able to see the longing in your eyes, he took a single step back and placed his hand over his heart. “Now, I think that I had best take you to your room. If I don't take you there now, there is a very good chance that you may not sleep tonight. And that would completely defeat the purpose of you coming here, now wouldn't it?”