Author's Note: This oneshot will become a series in which I give the sweet Finny boy to everyone I can conceivably share him with.

The Sound of Soft Night Whimpering

(Sebastian/Finny)

The sound of soft night whimpering was not unknown to the sensitive ears of the demon currently bonded to Ciel Phantomhive. Sebastian Michaelis knew his young master's occasional nightmares well, from within and without. At times, he entered the dream realm to explore with fascination the troubled flames through which the boy was overwhelmed in his sleep or the chasing of evils he could never quite see or catch. But whether fleeing or pursuing, tonight it was not the young earl who whimpered most piteously.

Making his way slowly down the silent servants' hallway with candelabra held aloft, the crimson-eyed demon neared the source of the night's distress. It was Finnian. There was little variation in this one's dreams. All involved being trapped inside a past in which he was forbidden freedom, forced to use his strength for the experiments of his tormentors, and purposeless duels, a pointless existence lived for others. Much as he found the boy a fool, certainly no match for his young master's determination and fortitude, he was happy to rescue and recruit Finnian for the Phantomhive staff. The youth would give his life to protect the estate, and his ineptitudes were part and parcel of the choices Sebastian had to make for the earl's protection.

But there were these dreams, and Sebastian was drawn to the life of mortal's sleeping minds. Not all of his kind felt so, and he could not fully explain its allure, but heeding the call of the dream world gave him pleasure. Silently, he opened the door to Finnian's humble room, and sat down at the chair beside his bed. The space was unadorned but for a few vases of flowers, for the indoor world held no appeal for the formerly trapped child. The candles cast a sweet glow over the pale youth's face, twitching in its nocturnal rhythms. Sebastian observed for a time, studying Finnian both inside and out. Eventually, he removed a glove and drew his cool black-nailed fingertips over the damp forehead, bringing calm. How much easier it was to soothe Finnian than Ciel. Its own pleasure, though weaker. A sweet whine came from the sleeping throat, and, with it, the beginnings of wakefulness.

"Mr. Sebastian," Finny whispered hoarsely, rubbing his wide eyes. "What are you doing here? Was I dreaming again?"

"Yes, Finnian. Just the usual."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Sebastian."

The pout on the sweet lips: again, no comparison to his master's, but vulnerability was strangely alluring in the night hours. This was not a time of reprimand for poorly managed daylight tasks or failed control. "You cannot control your dreams." His eyes glowed in the dark.

"It's always the same," Finny murmured, a blush coming into his cheeks as he clutched at his coverlet. "But it's not real anymore."

"Shall we walk outside?" offered Sebastian, who enjoyed his time under the open sky perhaps as much as Finnian. Though he was bonded to Ciel and would have it no other way, the demon was also a creature of power who enjoyed the feel of the wind upon his face. He extended his hand, and Finnian took it with a small smile of gratitude.

"You're too good to me, Mr. Sebastian," he said, a catch in his voice.

"I am indeed," replied the demon, a grin spreading.