"Humans are such fragile things." Sebastian said quietly as he pulled the blanket over Ciel. The Earl was pale and severely weakened by a combination of his Asthma and a recent illness. The doctor who examined him concluded that the boy , though he would live, would remain in his current, frail health.
"It would seem so. " Ciel's voice was almost a whisper.
"How are you feeling?" Sebastian asked.
"Do you really have to ask, isn't it obvious to you?" Sebastian could hear the frustration in his master's voice.
"Can I bring you some tea, that often helps you when you're ill, I believe there's still -"
"Sebastian?"
"Yes my lord?"
"If this is to be my life now,what can I possibly hope to accomplish?"
"You aren't giving up are you?"
"You sound upset, don't worry, you'll get your reward. I promised it to you and I won't stop you from taking it. The illness won't affect it will it?"
"No, it would taste the same, however I can't honestly tell you that I earned it. You haven't fulfilled -"
"Take it. I've had enough of this. End this and I will consider our contract complete. I won't spend my life as an invalid. I can't even leave my bed. you continued to solve the Queen's problems on your own and found our answers,I can't -"
"It wouldn't do you any good to think that way. You are many things my lord, but you're certainly not someone who -"
"I can't do it Sebastian. I'm so weak and -"
"Hush now, it will be alright." The demon stroked his Master's hair.
"Don't worry about such things, I will help you in anyway I can. As long as you receive the care you need, you will always have an opportunity to find a way of doing things. I will of course, be at your side.
"You're not going to take my soul and leave?"
"no. If I left here, you wouldn't be cared for properly and would die soon after."
"Why does that matter to you?" Ciel turned his head in an effort to hide the sudden pain.
"Because I truly care for you. I will do all I can to help you, but in return, you must not give in. Do this for me and your soul will forever be your own. Doctors have been known to be wrong about certain things and though I'm not sure why, I have a strong feeling that you're one of them." Sebastian said quietly.
"What if you're wrong, I'll be in this bed the rest of my life, it's no way to live."
"What about Lady Elizabeth?"
"What about her,she'll be fine."
"Master, she would be utterly devastated by the loss. You are engaged after all."
"I was planning to call it off, I couldn't possibly - it's not fair to her." Ciel coughed lightly.
"I'm not convinced that this plan is best. You can do better than that my lord."
"Can't you let me die in peace?" Ciel asked frustrated with his situation.
"I certainly cannot. I believe there's still some strength in you, give yourself time and be patient. Give me the chance to help you recover."
"recover,you heard the bloody doctor. I'm not going to get better."
"Please trust me. If I'm wrong, I promise that I will end your suffering. Until then, allow me to care for you, give me the chance."
"Sebastian -"
"I can't allow you to leave this world so soon. As your butler, it would be irresponsible to ignore it and allow your life to end while hope remains."
"I can't."
"You can and will."
"who the hell do you think you are, talking to me that way?"Ciel replied angrily.
"Simply one hell of a butler, you should know that by now, young master. Now then, rest quietly and I will bring the tea in shortly." Sebastian said turning to leave.
"I hate you..bloody demon" Ciel called after him. Sebastian stopped.
"That's quite alright my Lord, I'm not here for you to like me, I have a job to do." Sebastian disappeared from sight. Ciel groaned softly at the pain.
"You better know what you're doing Sebastian." He whispered closing his eyes. He wouldn't speak to his butler the rest of the day.