We Can Try Claude x Reader

        “What in the world is going on here?” Uncomfortable and unable to sleep, you tossed and turned underneath the thick blankets until you realized why it was you weren't sleeping comfortably. “No, not again.” Already knowing what you would see, you opened your eyes to a dark, dusty room that was not your own. Scrambling from the bed, still in your night clothes, as you had been when you went to sleep, in your own bed, you rushed to the door an peeked outside. Judging by how quiet it was, you assumed that no one else would be awake. “This really does have to stop. It's getting ridiculous.” Just before you decided to leave the room, you noticed a set of clothes. They were perfectly placed and folded on the edge of the bed, complete with shoes and jewelry. These weren't your clothes of corse, but you knew they were meant for you to wear.  Glad you wouldn't have to go out dressed indecently, you walked away from the cracked door and began to disrobe.

“I have warned you about your streaking habit multiple times now, haven’t I? I'm almost positive that I have.” Standing very close behind you, Claudes mouth twisted into a crooked smile. “You really should try to break yourself from it, if it is at all possible.” Taking a single step closer to your bare back, Claude chuckled softly. “However, I must admit this habit creates beautiful scenery.”

Having given up on hiding your body from him months ago, you let out a sad sigh and continued to dress yourself. “You did it again, you know. This is the third time since you promise me you wouldn't do it any more.”

“I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about right now.” Claude gently pulled the deep purple ribbons of your lilac dress behind you and slowly began tying them into a neat bow.  “Perhaps if you were a bit more specific I might understand what it is you're so upset about.”

“It's not funny Claude. You're starting to give me a bad name around here.” Pulling away from him, you slammed your feet into the plain white shoes and groaned. No matter what the problem was, Claude refused to take it seriously. Like a spoiled little boy, his wants were more important than your needs. He didn't care if you got in trouble or not. He was going to do exactly as he wished, regardless of the consequences. “And what's worse, Sebastian keeps reprimanding me for leaving the house without telling anyone where I'm going or even asking if I can go. Your actions are really getting me into a lot of trouble, and quite often. So again, please stop stealing me in the middle of the night. It's romantic in theory, but it's not at all practical in real life.”

“Ah, so that's what this is all about. I thought I'd done something to upset you.” Smiling without a care in the world, he lifted a thin, silver chained emerald necklace in to his hand and stepped behind you once more. “Your hair, if you don't mind. I would hate for your beautiful hair to become tangled around the chain.”

You moved your hair to the side and stared down at the dark, wooden floors. “You're still not listening to me at all. You really do have to stop this eventually.”

“Why? Are you afraid you'll upset Sebastian?” Claude's voice filled with venom at the mention of Sebastian. “If that's the case, I do believe I have a solution for you.” With the necklace in its' place, he wrapped his hands around your upper arm, kissed your exposed neck and slowly turned you around to face him. “Would you be at all interested in hearing my solution?”

Pulling your arms free of his already loose grasp, you stepped back and snorted. “You're going to do whatever you want regardless of what I say, so sure, go ahead.”

“I think I might have made a mistake. You were much easier to deal with when you were terrified of me.” Claude chuckled wickedly. “In any case, this is my solution.” He cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses as if what he was about to say was some great thought. “I suggest you leave the Phantomhive home, and stay here, with me.”

His idea amused you so much that you didn't even try to keep yourself from laughing at it. “You honestly think you've earned enough of my trust back for me to come live with you?” Covering your mouth to stifle your giggles, you clutched at your side with your free hand and leaned against the wall for support. “That's absolutely rich. You break into my room, go through my things, and steal me on a regular basis. You peek at me when I'm indecent, sneak up on me in public and scare me to death when you don't get your way. Please Claude, tell me, how in the world have your actions done anything at all to earn my trust back? Because quite honestly, I can't see it.”

The look on Claude's face made it impossible to tell if he was extremely upset with you, or if you had actually hurt him. “I suppose you're right.” He nodded. “Though I have changed in many ways to suit you, I suppose it's not enough for you to notice.” Placing his hand over his heart, Claude closed his eyes and gave a humble bow. “I will take you home now. If we hurry a bit, your darling Sebastian may not even notice that you were gone.”

Shocked that he would dismiss you this way, you crossed your arms firmly over your chest and stood your ground, refusing to leave until you knew exactly what was going on with him. “D-don't get sarcastic with me. I don't know what changing you've done, but you seem just as childish and sporadic as ever.”

“I didn't say I changed every aspect of myself. I simply said I changed.” Claude straightened his back and stared down at you coldly. “I have stopped doing many of the things I enjoy, yet you haven't even noticed.” He sighed. “Since you're at a loss, allow me to explain.” Roughly grabbing a hold of your wrist, Claude pulled you to his chest, sat down on the foot of the bed and held you close to him. “First of all, I have all but stopped touching you without your permission. Carrying you here of course, being an exception to that.”

Blushing profusely as he gently ran his fingers through your hair, you nodded weakly. “O-okay, I guess that is true. I hadn't really noticed.”

“Please, let me continue.” Contradicting his calm tone, Claude roughly tossed you to the center of the bed and crawled on top of you with an evil smirk on his pale face. “I no longer man handle you or purposely scare you either. Nor do keep you anywhere against your will.” Smiling just a little wider than before, Claude lowered himself to you, hovering so that his lips just barely touched yours. “And the most difficult of my changes yet, I no longer feast on your sweet lips whenever I desire them. Though in truth, if I did that, we would never be apart.”

With wide eyes and a deep blush, you pressed your hands against his chest and weakly tried to push him away. “O-okay, I get it now. You are trying. Maybe the reason I didn't notice your changes before, is because everything you mentioned is something most people wouldn’t do anyway.”

“Yes, I am trying, and I'm not most people.” With obvious reluctance, Claude stood from the bed and straightened out his clothes. “I'm glad I was able to make you see that.” Staring down at you wolfishly, he extended his hand to you and helped you off of the messy bed. “So, now that you're aware of my efforts, I'll ask you again. Will you stay at the Trancy estate with me?”

When you really looked back on the last several months, you could see that he was trying. Despite the fact that he kept snatching you out of your bed, Claude had been pretty well behaved, especially for him. “What would Alois think about all of this? This is his home after all, I don't want to push my way in where I'm not wanted.”

Claude now knew he had you. He took a step towards you, his golden eyes shimmering and swirling in a hypnotic fashion and loosely held your hands in his. “I'm sure he won't mind you staying with us, and if he does, I'm positive I can change his mind.”

You bit your lower lip and quickly thought things over. Really, there was little harm in trying his idea. If things didn't work out, you could always go back to working for Ciel. You had no doubt that after so many years of service he'd take you back. Having settled things in your mind, you nodded. “I'm honestly not sure if this is a good idea, but since you're trying, it's only right that I try too.” You smiled warmly. “I can't expect you to do everything I suppose.”

“I must admit, I am happy to hear you say that. Now, I ask that you forgive my actions in advance.” A strange, yet terribly attractive smile appeared on his face just before he tightened his hold on your hands and leaned down to kiss you. For a full minute at least, Claude took advantage of your surprised state and corrupted your innocent lips with his. When he finally pulled away, you were left breathless and flushed. Pleased by your embarrassment, Claude adjusted his glasses again and smiled. “Tell me something, why would you do that? Could it be that the same ailment that I have fallen prey to, is now infecting you as well.

Though you were still unbelievably flustered by his kiss, you did manage to laugh. “Don't push it Claude. Your ailment isn't nearly that contagious.”