Ciel was quite the odd boy.

The life of those in a travelling circus was not one he wanted or enjoyed.

But he needed to investigate to disappearances of children one way or another.

Until he met you.

He would much rather be roomates with Sebastian for convenience than some hardy stranger in a circus, but Joker said there was no changing it.

You'd dragged him into the showers after practice, and... bickered.

Ciel insisted he didn't want to like a stuck up brat while you tried to make him, until eventually, he tripped on a water bucket and got doused, bringing you with him.

He looked like a wet cat.

"Well you're already half soaked."

You might as well have stabbed him.

As soon as you saw that brand burnt into his side you both jumped back, and he ran off, what looked like tears in his eyes.

Yes, surely a wet, traumatised, cat.

The next time you find him, he's curled up, hidden, by a horse-drawn carriage, knees tucked to his chest.

He doesn't hear you; his breaths were too laboured and stressed.

He sounded like he was... triggered, scared.