Rin's face burned as red as a tomato as he took shelter behind Elizabeth and hid in her shadow. His hands gripped her shoulders as the thought of death seemed to overtake his mind. 

Ciel stood at the top of the stairs and stared down with Sebastian behind him. The boy's face had changed from a sullen expression to that of a blush as he paused mid-descent and tried to cover his face with his hand. 

Rin wanted to die, and couldn't help but cast a tearful glare at Sebastian who stood behind his human master with an insufferable grin on his lips, his eyes gleaming with mischievous intent. 

"W-what are you wearing?" Ciel managed to sputter, refusing to make eye contact. 

"We were playing dress up," Elizabeth responded cheerfully, beaming bright. 

She didn't seem to notice the uncomfortable shift in the air and turned to pat Rin's head with a soft palm. "Isn't he just the cutest! Rin's so adorable now!" 

She cupped Rin's cheeks with her hands and gave his face a squeeze, puckering his lips as she turned his head from left to right. When she let go of his face she linked her arm with his, blissfully unaware of the look of defeat in his eyes. 

Ciel cleared his throat before resuming his descent down the stairs. "Elizabeth," he began.

"Lizzie," she corrected before smiling and batting her lashes as she replied sweetly, "Yes?" 

"I appreciate your visit today, but there's some work I need to finish," he added.

The expression of happiness on her face quickly turned to tears as she removed herself from Rin and pouted. "But why? we didn't get to spend time together at all! I came all this way to see you!" 

She whimpered and it was clear that she was moments from bursting into tears. 

"A-and that's why I've devised a plan!" Ciel quickly added, halting her breakdown long enough for her to eye him curiously. 

"That is to say, I have a surprise planned for us to spend time together, just the two of us. but of course, I need to set it up, and for that I'd like to ask you to return home until the evening. I'll have Rin come and fetch you once the preparation has been complete." 

Ciel attempted a small smile but was immediately glomped by Elizabeth as she squealed and nuzzled into his neck, her words spilling out in a rapidly high pitched, "A surprise?! I can't wait! I can't wait!" 

She kept her tight grip on his neck for a few more moments before prying herself away and quickly waving as she skipped towards the door. "Oh I can't wait to see the surprise!" She shouted.

"See her to the door," Ciel said to Sebastian.

Sebastian bowed and obliged, following after her swiftly. As he passed Rin his smile seemed to widen ever so slightly as his eyes flickered down to the dress, and Rin couldn't help but cover his face in shame. 

There was a moment of silence as both Rin and Ciel remained unmoving before Ciel broke the quiet by saying, "Do you understand my reasons for keeping Lizzie away?"

"...Yeah," Rin spoke, his voice muffled by the palms of his hands. 

Rin's fingers pried apart long enough for him to catch sight of Ciel looking away, a hint of pink on his cheeks.

"Since you understand, I suppose you should go and get changed. It won't do for a Phantomhive servant to walk around looking like that."

"Right." 

Rin moved to go to the servants quarters before he paused, "Hey, did you really mean what you said to Lizzie? About the surprise?" 

"Sebastian will put something together for her," Ciel replied. "Like I said before, there is business that I need to attend to." 

Rin wanted to say that it was nice of Ciel to plan something for Lizzie despite being busy, yet he kept quiet. The sullen expression had returned to Ciel's face and he seemed to be deep in thought. 

Deciding to not pry, Rin rushed to the servants quarters, hoping to reach his destination as quickly as possible. To his disappointment, he hadn't made it quickly enough. 

"Get out!" Rin demanded, pointing to the door.

He blushed and tried not to let Sebastian see his face as he turned his head and avoided looking at the butler.

Sebastian feigned a look of innocence, his voice dripping with fake surprise, "It is my duty to assist my master in these affairs." 

"I said get out! It's an--"

Rin blinked, momentarily taken aback as Sebastian appeared in front of him and grabbed his arm and sighed heavily. 

"You are quite the troublesome master," he said.

He swiftly stepped around Rin and accessed the zipper on the back of the dress, zipping it down despite Rin's protests.

"Oi! Don't touch me like that!" Rin cried, stumbling away. 

His face burned red as he held out his hand, the dress falling off of his shoulders and barely clinging to his body. He shuffled backwards, hating the smile that rested on Sebastian's face.

"I know you think this is funny, but stop it! I'm old enough to dress myself! And this is embarrassing enough as it is!"

Sebastian tilted his head, "Embarrassing? Whatever do you mean?"

"Why you! You know what I mean!"

Rin huffed, "Just get out!"

He could tell by the raised brow on Sebastian's face that he was not going to listen and so Rin finally said, "I'll let you pet Kuro if you go."

At the mention of the cat, Sebastian's entire demeanor changed.

"Very well." He said then, bowing and quickly departing.

As he left, Rin let out a deep sigh of relief before slowly walking over and faceplanting into his pillow.