A/N: Ok! I kinda, um… LOVE this pairing idea, and decided that there was a definite lack of them on the site. Here is my addition. Second story ever! Please read and REVIEW. Seriously, please…
~PT
Strawberries
"Ahhhh!"
The cry came from what Sebastian presumed was the dining room, accompanied soon after by a deafening crash. Sighing, Sebastian finished hanging the newly cleaned chandelier back onto its ornate hook. Taking his time, he dismounted the ladder gracefully and made his way towards the groans that emanated from the dining area. Upon reaching the hall, Sebastian almost slapped his hand to his face in frustration. The would-be cook was rubbing his head and cursing quietly under his breath. The blonde man sat amid a large array of fine china, some in pieces, and some still whole.
"You know, I thought this was Mey-Rin's job."
"Wha?" the man's voice cracked a little with confusion.
Sebastian sighed again, leaning down to begin picking up some shards of the pretty dishes, "Breaking things? That's Mey-Rin's area of expertise."
Bard scrambled to his feet, his hands pressing carelessly into the shards that covered the floor. The American yelped a little at the pain that came from the glass entering his calloused palms.
"You're hopeless, aren't you?" Sebastian, helped the other man up gently, and took both of his large, rough hands into his own smoother ones. Peering closely at the tiny wounds, Sebastian gently eased the pieces of painted china out. Bard winced, and his muscles contracted.
"Don't tense up like that; it makes it harder to get them out. Relax," Sebastian murmured intent on his task.
Soon, all of the pieces were extracted, leaving bard with small cuts that began seeping blood. Sebastian let go of the other man's hands and motioned for the cook to follow him. Making his way into the kitchen, Sebastian went to a small cabinet next to the pantry and grabbed a bottle of hard liquor.
Before the cook knew what was happening, the tall butler had pulled him over to the sink and poured the liquor over his hands. Bard yelled out in surprise and pain as the fiery brew cleansed the small punctures. Swiftly grabbing some linen, Sebastian wrapped the American's hands.
Bard still winced, one eye closed shut. Sebastian smirked a little; the expression was kind of amusing.
"Please be more careful in the future, Bardroy," the tall man said breezily. On his way out, he paused, an idea occurring to him. "What were you doing near the dishes anyway?" To his surprise, Bard flushed a deep scarlet and rubbed the back of his head, as he did when he was embarrassed.
The action was somewhat different on account of his injured hands, but the fact that the cook was flustered was clear. Sebastian waited as the tall blonde man muttered something and shuffled his feet a little.
"Well?" Sebastian prompted with an elegant hand gesture.
"I was, uh, trying to, uh, do something extra, Mister Sebastian, Sir. Ya know, help out some more," the cook flushed even deeper, his normally fair skin almost as crimson as Sebastian's own eyes.
Taken aback, Sebastian simply nodded and swept from the kitchens. What had come over the blonde that had made him decide to "help out more"? Sebastian knew for a fact that Bard never lied. It was against his nature and something in his past kept him completely adverse to dishonesty of any sort.
What he had said was the truth.
The question was, why?
Sebastian's finely tuned ears caught his name on the lips of the young master, and he knocked his questions about the man to the side, focusing on the earl, and what his desires were.
Bard stood still in the center of the kitchen where Sebastian had left him, long after the man had actually vacated the room. The American soon shook his head, and cursed the man under his breath.
Why did the butler have to be so perfect all the time?
Bard didn't claim to be a genius or anything, but he had begun to notice how much the butler actually did around the manor. It seemed that on top of bending over backwards for the earl, he was also helping with the other servant's chores.
None of the servants were capable of doing their assigned tasks without Sebastian.
Or so it appeared. Bard had begun to feel guilty, and he wondered if Sebastian would be more talkative or happier if he didn't have to clean up after the manor's other workers.
Bard had determined to take on extra tasks and try and help Sebastian out. He had succeeded as well, or so he thought.
The butler hadn't needed to clean up any of his messes until the blonde's accident just now. He had been trying to put away some of the ceremonial china that Mey-Rin had left out when he tripped over his large feet, resulting in the perfect man's quick takeover of the situation.
Bard made his way back to the dining hall and saw that his mess was still there. The young master must have called Sebastian to him. The cook brightened a little. He could clean this up, and salvage the pieces still intact.
Considerably cheered up, Bard lit a cigarette and got to work, being careful not to injure himself further. Sooner than he had thought, the cook was finished, and he put the cleaning supplies away and made his way back to his kitchens.
By the way the sun slanted through the trees, Bard guessed it was mid-afternoon. It would soon be about time for the master's tea time and Sebastian would be around to make it.
Normally, Bard let the butler take care of the earl's meals, but he figured that he could do it since he had nothing else until it was time to prepare supper.
Being careful of the tall man's instructions against fires, the American lit the stove and placed the large kettle over the burner and turned to prepare one of the few things he knew the young master liked.
Strawberry Shortcake.
Finny had brought in some ripe strawberries from the gardens, and Bard absolutely loved the red delicacy. He had been eyeing them all day, and the fact that he had refrained spoke wonders for his self-control.
Proud of himself, Bard placed the berries in a loose-weave reed basket and ran water over them, washing them off and adding a gleam to their already bright color. As he upended the basket on the table in the center, and pulled a large knife out, Bard suddenly couldn't help himself, he swiftly grabbed a large plump berry and bit into it.
Giggling at the sweet, delicious flavor, the man began slicing the Strawberries expertly, still smiling. Bard put the sliced Strawberries in a bowl full of sugar and let them soak up the extra sweetness as he began mixing ingredients for the shortcake. This recipe was one that he knew to the last teaspoon, and he had the cake baking in record time.
The cook turned his attention back to his favorite treats and shook them around in the sugar a little longer, and then he grabbed a few pieces and slid them into his mouth, grinning like a child, unable to help himself.
"What exactly are you doing?"
The smooth, deep voice startled Bard away from his berries and he straightened up, almost saluting as his attention was brought to the tall, raven-haired butler leaning on the frame of the large door leading into the hall.
Flustered for the second time that day, Bard stuttered out that he was making the tea dessert for the young master. Sebastian glided easily into the room, glancing around the kitchen.
Bard had made a slight mess with the cake ingredients and he hurriedly grabbed a dish linen and began wiping it up, fumbling over himself as he felt the butler's keen eyes on him.
Bard's internal clock told him that the cake was just about ready, and still blushing a little, he made his way to the ovens. As he opened the door, his awareness of the butler dropped, his senses overwhelmed with the delightful smell of the shortcake.
His mind filled with memories from his childhood and he smiled gently as he placed the two pans on a stone tabletop near the ovens. The tea kettle began whistling and he spun to grab it, only to smack into Sebastian, whom he had forgotten about for a mere moment.
Off balance, the American clutched onto the taller man, trying to stay upright. The butler's hands came up to hold Bard by his elbows, steadying him. Bard looked up into Sebastian's eyes and his stomach made a weird flopping motion.
He blushed without really knowing why and quickly let go of the dark-haired man. Turning back to the cake pans, the cook eased the baked goods from their holders and placed them on a large platter next to the bowl of strawberries.
Sebastian had already assembled a tea tray complete with tea set, cup and saucer, and other tea amenities. Sebastian seemed to be waiting, so Bard quickly, and a little clumsily, whipped heavy cream together with powdered sugar and began assembling his dessert.
First one round cake, a layer of the sweet red berries, a layer of whipped cream, then another round cake. All of this frosted like a cake with whipped cream and the remainder of the Strawberries on top.
To his surprise, Sebastian took a serving utensil, and cut a thick slice, placing it on his tray. Without another word, the butler left, supposedly towards the young master's study. Dumbfounded, Bard simply stared after him.
"He didn't even taste it!" the cook said out loud. Sebastian had never taken anything that Bard had made to the young master without tasting it first, and even then, it was rare that the earl tasted anything that his "cook" had prepared.
Completely confused, it was a while before Bard began cleaning up from the cake adventure. He had just about cleaned the entire kitchen when he felt someone's presence at the door. Sebastian leaned against the frame, like he had before.
"Where did you learn to make that dessert?" the tall butler asked after a few moments staring at the American. The man's voice held no particular inflection, and it sounded more like an accusation then a friendly inquisition.
Bard cleared his throat, "My older sister taught me how, Mister Sebastian Sir. We used to make it together."
"Not your mother?" Sebastian inquired.
"She died when I was a lad, Sir," Bard looked down, unpleasant memories floating to the forefront of his mind.
Sebastian gave no reply, but entered the kitchen, and took another slice of the cake, from where Bard had left it on the counter. To Bard's utter shock, as the tall man placed a bite of cake in his mouth, he made an interesting sound.
It was somewhere between a cat's purr and a surprised gasp. It was a silly sound and Bard's first thought was that it was kind of cute. Then his cheeks went up in flames, and he berated himself silently for thinking such a thing.
"This is absolutely delicious, Bardroy," Sebastian said, giving a genuine smile that differed completely from his signature smirk.
"T-thank you. S-sir," the cook answered, his cheeks painted as red as the Strawberries he loved. Sebastian, still smiling, exited the kitchen with his piece of cake, leaving the cook standing in the center of the kitchen.
Yet again, completely stupefied by the Phantomhive butler.
Sebastian sighed, making his way down from the young master's study. The earl was in a foul mood and demanded something sweet for tea. He sighed again when he remembered the mess that Bardroy had created in the hall.
When he arrived in said place, he was stunned to see the mess cleared away and the room looked slightly better than normal. A little suspicious, he made his way towards the American's domain. When Sebastian had walked into the kitchen and observed the tall blonde cooking, he had first groaned internally.
When Bard cooked, it was always a sign that Sebastian would be doing some extra cleaning, but to the butler's surprise, the blonde seemed to be working efficiently, and also, without any explosions.
Sebastian knew he hadn't been noticed yet, and settled against the frame of the large kitchen door to observe the man's efforts.
By his movements, Sebastian could tell that Bard had made this dish countless times before.
It smelled quite good, and Sebastian knew that it would taste the same. The American turned towards some strawberries that were settled in a bowl of sugar, and he deftly fished a few slices out and popped them in his mouth. Bard gave a large smile as he chewed and his lips betrayed more than a few berries by the deep red that his lips were stained.
Sebastian's eyes became drawn to those overly red lips, and he had to shake himself to stop staring.
Startling the cook with knowledge of his presence, he asked what the man was doing. Sebastian was amused at how straight the cook stood, his entire demeanor changed as his face flushed and his eyes took on an apprehensive look.
While he answered, the man clumsily tried to wipe up some flour and powder from the table, as if Sebastian was going to yell at him for it. The butler felt a small pang of discomfort.
Is that how all of the servants felt around him?
Maybe he was too formal...
The tall demon watched as his co-worker moved around nervously, then stopped and made his way to the large oven. From his position at the door, the butler could see Bard's nervousness melted and a gentle smile graced his lips. His clumsiness disappeared as he deftly carried the great smelling cakes to the counter.
Every day spent making morning and afternoon tea had sensitized Sebastian to when the water was ready, so he made his way to where the cook had put the kettle over a low heat.
Bard seemed to be thinking the same thing and turned quickly, which brought the American crashing into Sebastian.
Sebastian grabbed Bard, keeping him from falling to the ground, fingers touching the strong muscles of his arms. Sebastian stood, eyes drawn to Bard's stained lips again, not letting go.
The cook flushed scarlet and pushed himself away from Sebastian.
The tall demon smirked a little, wondering why the American had turned such a bright color. Bard turned back to his sweets and Sebastian began making a tray up. The cook kept looking up at him, and then quickly looking back down. The action was decidedly childish, and also, kind of endearing. Even though he was overly aware of the butler, the man quickly and competently put the cake together, spreading whipped cream on top of it, accidentally getting it on his cheek as he wiped his face.
As soon as the cook was finished, Sebastian cut a thick slice for the earl, and placed it on his tray. As he exited the room, he could almost feel Bard's surprise. Sebastian knew that he rarely gave the earl anything that he didn't make himself, but he could tell that however the American knew about this cake, it was done well and the earl would enjoy it.
Hopefully it would put him in a better mood.
It was difficult to work with the boy when he was in a foul mood.
Sebastian watched as his master delicately placed a mouthful of Bard's creation and gasped a little. Obviously the boy was impressed.
"You made this?" the boy asked, blue eye peering curiously at his servant.
"Bardroy did, master," Sebastian answered, smiling.
"Hmm, that's a joke," despite his careless tone, the young boy continued eating the dessert with relish.
Soon Sebastian was dismissed as the earl wanted to sip his drink and mull the day over in his mind.
Sebastian thought of how different the day had been from most days. He was rather confused about the part that Bard played in the difference and he was determined to figure out what exactly that role was.
He stepped into the kitchen and watched the cook unnoticed for a moment. Bard seemed to be fine enough when Sebastian wasn't around. He moved gracefully and made no mistakes.
The butler wondered if Bard felt intimidated by him, or if it was something else. When the cook finally noticed him, his body went rigid and his lips lost the small smile that they had held.
Feeling a little unhappy at causing that type of reaction, the demon asked where he had learned the recipe. The blonde man smiled again and told him it was his sister. Surprised, the butler asked about his mother.
"She died when I was a lad, Sir," Bard answered, a saddened expression crossing his face. For some reason Sebastian wanted to comfort the blonde.
And it felt odd, suddenly, for the other man to call him "Sir".
Feeling awkward for once, Sebastian reached for a slice of the cake, and bit into it.
The sweet flavor invaded his senses.
It was so much better than he had thought it would be.
He made a noise of appreciation, and looked up to see that funny, almost adorable look of surprise and confusion on the cook's face.
The butler felt like an entirely different person at the moment, and it unsettled him. Deciding that it was the American's doing, he determined to get away and think.
Even so, he wanted to show the cook that he appreciated his efforts recently.
Above all, he wanted him to relax, and he wanted to make him smile.
Sebastian praised the sweet, and made his was down to his chambers, intent on laying these weird thoughts and emotions out for examination, aware of the tall blonde's gaze on his back.
A/N: Well? Please leave a review. I would love to have some feedback.