It didn't matter that I was over four thousand years old, this child seemed to think he knew better than me. Especially when it came to things like 'brush your teeth twice a day' or 'no sweets before bed time'.

I shouldn't care. If he wanted to rot his teeth then what business was it of mine? It didn't affect our contract.

But as I watched him pull a full bar of chocolate that he had obviously stolen from the kitchen out from under his bed, I couldn't help but feel... agitated. More than agitated.

Why was he even eating at this time anyway? It was 3am and I had come to check on him when I had felt him awaken through our contract bond. He obviously didn't see me standing here in the dark because he made a start on the chocolate right in front of me. I stood quietly and watched him eat the whole thing. The entire bar. I was supposed to use that to bake a cake large enough to feed the whole household for tomorrows dessert.

He licked his lips and then tried to work out what to do with the wrapper. I thought I might save him the trouble.

"Is there anything else I can get you, Young Master? Some ice cream, perhaps? A trough of sugar cubes?"

He visibly jumped, his eyes widening comically, and he looked right at me without seeing a thing.

"Sebastian? Are you there?" he whispered into the dark.

Obviously I was here. I did not feel the need to respond.

"Don't lurk like that! What do you think you are, some kind of..."

He waved his hand trying to find an appropriate word and failed miserably. I moved forward soundlessly and he gasped when I whispered my next words right in his ear.

"If the Young Master steals all the supplies then how ever will I provide his dessert tomorrow?"

"Stop that!" he snapped, lurching his head away from my lips. "What does it matter, anyway, can't you just get some more?"

I pried the wrapper from his chocolaty fingers. "Certainly I could, but my schedule is a strict one unlike yours. To take the time for a supply trip would mean to disregard my other duties, and I would hate to appear unproductive because the Young Master cannot keep his hands to himself".

"Oh please. Like there's anything that important".

"As important as dessert, you mean?" A scowl crossed his features. I did so enjoy teasing him.

"That isn't what I meant, Sebastian!" He said through gritted teeth.

"Ah, so dessert is not a priority after all? Perhaps we can leave it out altogether tomorrow, then".

"No" he said a little too quickly.

"Tell me, does it not bore you to fill yourself with the same sugary treats over and over?" I asked him with interest. For myself, the allure lay in variety. I could not bear to pursue the same bland souls, finding it to be repetitive and dull. But this human did not seem to tire of his sweets and I found that curious.

"You wouldn't understand, Sebastian" he said dismissively, turning away from me.

"Try me".

It took him a moment to say anything, and when he turned back to me I could see an uncertainty about him as he tilted his chin up to me in the darkness. "Fine then. Do you want a taste?"

Ah. I had not expected this of him tonight. Humans were so capricious, an innocent reprimand for sneaking chocolate could so easily be twisted into a sordid invitation. I should probably have expected this of him. After all, fifteen years old was an age in which humans seemed to experience some kind of heat. I was happy to relieve my Master of any discomfort this caused him, even finding enjoyment in satisfying his carnal needs. Lately, however, it seemed that he wanted more than mere physical relief. This was something I could not give him.

Especially when he kept trying so hard to kiss me.

Demons do not kiss. Ask any Demon - the very idea is ludicrous. What use would we have to press mouths together and exchange saliva? It had no purpose, a strange human conception that would be forced upon us from time to time. Like funerals. And dancing. And Christmas. Some things would always be beyond my comprehension.

"It appears that the greedy Young Master has none left to offer me" I said, ignoring his obvious suggestion.

"I wouldn't say that" he replied, tilting his head more and making it abundantly clear exactly what he was seeking. He had never gone as far as to order me, which was a relief. I would hate to have to disobey him.

Still, he wanted me. His body was awakening and his pheromones filled the air around us, smelling of his arousal. That was something I could satisfy. I didn't want to make it too easy for him though.

"And why should I reward you when you clearly don't deserve it?" I asked, making some noise as I set down his empty chocolate wrapper.

His heart sped up. He thought I was going to accept - that I would kiss him - but no. The only instance I would allow our lips to touch would be when I took his soul. He leaned towards me and reached out with his hand to where he thought my face was, but he came up a bit short and I took hold of his wrist.

"You have not answered me" I told him, and started to lick at his fingers. They still had some melted chocolate on them and I lapped at it eagerly, distracting him from his original intention.

"I don't... you just... ngh" he babbled as my clever tongue spiralled around his forefinger, taking it into my mouth and sucking on it suggestively.

I popped it out of my mouth with a wet sound. I suppose he had tried, a pathetic attempt but that would have to do. "Should I infer that my Master requires my services?"

"Mmmm just get on with it, would you". Oh, so words were apparently easy to find now. He did seem nice and eager though, even helping to throw the bed sheets aside and lifting up his night shirt. This was familiar territory again and I felt much more at ease settling in between his legs to take him into my mouth.

He was already getting hard and he sighed happily as I sucked right down until his tip hit the back of my throat. He throbbed and pulsed against my tongue as his shaft thickened completely and I inhaled greedily to fill my being with the scent of his lust and desire and sin. Yes, this was what I hungered for - uncomplicated and raw passion without any unnecessary emotion.

His hand came down to tangle in my hair as I bobbed my head. His breath started to speed up and he tugged at the strands, little 'ah's leaving his mouth as I swallowed around him. I liked him the most in these moments. This was the most undemanding and quiet I knew him to be.

"Sebastian, more!" he whispered, spoiling the moment with an order. I obediently sped up and placed my hands on his thighs to squeeze them as I sucked. He was moving his hips along with me now, practically humping my face, and I felt his hands trail down from my hair to the back to my neck to tug at my collar.

This was new. Even as I worked my tongue over the head of his penis and lapped at his slit he was tugging at my tailcoat and trying to slide it down my shoulders. I stopped what I was doing to give him an enquiring look. My eyes had begun to glow a little and illuminated us softly.

"Take it off" he told me, looking into the sinister radiance with no hint of fear.

I complied, hoping that this wouldn't get too out of hand. Undoing my buttons, I shrugged off the tailcoat and folded it slowly to set aside. Still in my white shirt and waistcoat, I leaned forward to take him into my mouth once more but his hand on my shoulder stopped me.

"The rest" he said, squinting his eyes to try and see me properly through the dim red luminescence. I took his words to mean just the clothes on the upper part of my body - the idea of being fully nude with him was far too intimate. Even this was pushing it. I never undressed with him, only freeing my member if he wished for me to use it. We were not lovers, our association was just a mutual means to an end. I had trouble understanding why he wanted me exposed before him instead of servicing him like I usually did.

He seemed intent upon this, though. I sat back on my heels to remove my garments and his hand gravitated down to touch himself as I finished unbuttoning the waistcoat. He stroked up and down his own shaft, his excitement growing disproportionately to the situation - why was his arousal increasing so much? I smelled it in the air, saw it in the twitch of his erection and the urgency if his movements. I discarded the waistcoat and moved on to my shirt, untucking it before I unbuttoned it and slid it off to join my other clothing. For the first time, my chest was bare in front of him.

He was fascinated. He still touched himself but his other hand reached out to trail down over my pectorals and he moaned as he reached the muscular bumps of my abdomen. His fingers halted when they reached the waistband of my trousers.

"Sebastian, I want you to-"

I swooped down quickly before he could finish that order. He was pushing our boundaries far too much. His hand automatically moved aside as my mouth came down on him once again and he thrust up into me eagerly, his command trailing off into an erotic groan.

I doubled my efforts, sucking hard and flicking my tongue over the tip as I moved rapidly over him. I would make sure he could not even think properly, let alone form words. I felt it working as his hands scrabbled over my shoulders and he bent forward, his belly brushing against the top of my head.

"Ngh, ah!" He panted, trying to adjust to my fast pace. His hands searched for something to grip onto and I tensed as they slid further down my bare back.

If I could just get him to climax he would stop. He would shudder and gasp and go right to sleep when he was done, I could almost count on it. I curled my tongue and took him deeper, hollowing my cheeks with the suction and reaching forward to trail my fingertips over his scrotum. That usually undid him.

I felt him pulsate as his orgasm neared, and silently celebrated my victory. Too soon - his hand slid further over my back and he froze. He had felt it.

"Sebas... Sebastian, ah, stop" he said and I had no choice but to comply. I sucked up and off of him and tried to sit back but his hands held me down to touch more of my skin.

"What is that?" he asked me.

I knew exactly what he was referring to. Two thick, raised lines of scar tissue ran down my back and over my shoulder blades parallel to each other. It was not something I spoke about.

I tried to distract him again with a lick to the tip of his twitching member.

"Ah!" he gasped, and shifted away from me slightly. "Stop that! Sebastian, I asked you what that was - let me see" he said, and began to manoeuvre around to look behind me. It wouldn't help - the only light was from my eyes, leaving my back bathed in shadow.

"Young Master, I implore you not to ask such questions. Settle down and I will continue" I tried, hoping he would cease this line of inquiry.

"Can't you just tell me?" he pressed, realising he could not see anything in the darkness. He probed further with his fingers and a shudder ran through me.

"I would prefer not to" I said through gritted teeth.

He seemed to finally realise just how uncomfortable he was making me. Dropping his hands away, he shuffled around and brought his face close to mine.

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to" he murmured quietly. It was most unlike him to be considerate, and I was so taken aback by his sudden thoughtfulness that I didn't realise what he was doing until his lips brushed against mine.

Soft. Warm. So willing. I felt his lips on me for all of a second before I lurched away as if stung. I did not even think to control my movements so as not to offend him, throwing my head back out of his reach and pushing his shoulders away.

He looked at me, horrified.

"Sebastian?" he asked, sounding more confused and vulnerable in this moment than in all the years I'd served him. And I hated it. I despised weakness.

"Please excuse me, Young Master" I said, not even giving an explanation as I grabbed my discarded clothes and fled the room. I felt his distress through our contract bond, but I could not look back as I left him alone in the dark.

He had gotten too close. What did he think was going to happen, that we would connect? That I would make love to him, kiss him goodnight and hold him until morning as he slept? He was a meal to me, nothing more.

That was what I told myself as I sat on the hard mattress in my own bedroom, feeling the minutes tick by and trying not to think of that strange tingling spark as his soft lips had touched mine.

I woke him the usual way the next morning. His eyes looked slightly red, but he was perfectly composed as I passed him his morning tea. I served breakfast and informed him of his days schedule as he ate, everything normal. I would almost have doubted my own memory if it hadn't been for the empty chocolate wrapper still sitting on his nightstand.

"I will be making a brief trip into town today since some of our supplies require a replacement" I said matter of factly, looking for a reaction and finding none.

"Very well, Sebastian, but see that you do not take long" he told me, as though I was taking personal time instead of running an errand for him.

"Of course, My Lord" I replied with a slight bow.

He had finished his breakfast while I spoke, and now sat in silence as I dressed him. Usually he would find something to complain about or even make idle talk with me but today he was like a closed book. I pulled his nightshirt off and his breathing seemed loud as he sat with a straight back and raised chin while I fixed his shirt. He only made minute movements to assist me as I slid his shorts up over his hips.

Even I was starting to feel slightly uncomfortable by the time I got to his stockings. The reality of last night sat between us, and I tried not to rush as I fastened his garters and felt his gaze on the top of my head.

I buckled his shoes and stood gracefully, clearing my throat with a delicate 'ahem'.

"I will be back in time to prepare lunch, Young Master. Until then, please continue with your schedule as discussed".

I turned and left without waiting for his dismissal. It would be a relief to be away from the Manor from a time and his stifling presence.

I went to find Snake in the servants quarters. He would be driving the carriage since I could not leave it unattended while I shopped.

I made my way down the hallway but stopped when I unexpectedly heard Mey-Rin and Bard talking quietly in the kitchen.

"I've never seen him so distracted, no I haven't" Mey-Rin was saying excitedly. "Trying to tell us what jobs to do and barely knew his own!"

"Now, that's not quite how it was" Bard replied "He just kept mentioning chocolate for some reason".

Of course I had mentioned it, that was the point of my change in schedule after all. I admit that I may have become preoccupied with my thoughts of the Young Master's mouth, an unfortunate side effect of his actions last night, but I had been perfectly lucid throughout the rest of the conversation. That was enough of their gossip.

"I would assume that you are fulfilling your own duties, but none of them happen to be in this room" I said, sweeping into the kitchen and making them jump.

"Oh, Mister Sebastian!" babbled Mey-Rin "We were just in here for... for..."

"Looking for you!" said Bard "to see if you needed us to start lunch or something. You know, if you don't get back on time..."

"I assure you I will" I told him firmly. "Have you finished checking over the supplies?"

Really I had just sent him to the pantry to keep him busy but that had obviously proved ineffective.

"Ah yeah, you wanted that now did you?" Bard asked, seeming genuinely surprised that I might need the list before I left. No matter, I had already done it myself anyway.

"Why don't you both just continue as instructed" for a change, I thought.

"Yes, Sir" they both saluted and scurried out. I did hope they would be at least a bit productive - Bard was to be cleaning the shelves in the pantry ready for the supplies and Mey-Rin was to change the linens. I would hate to have to do both upon my return as well as the baking, not to mention appeasing the Young Master. I hoped the chocolate cake might defrost some of the tension at least.

I continued through to my room and donned my coat, finding Snake waiting for me in the hallway when I was done. He was dressed appropriately for our excursion with his snakes packed neatly in his large bag. At least he could be counted on to do as he was told.

"Ah, Snake. Shall we?" I asked, gesturing for him to take the lead.

He glanced at his bag as though waiting for the approval of his snakes before nodding and setting off.

We got as far as the large reception room when I heard footsteps hurrying down the grand staircase behind us.

"Wait, I'm coming too" said my Master in a commanding tone.

I sighed. "Young Master, might I remind you that your tutor will be arriving shortly to take your maths tuition".

"Maths tuition? A ridiculous formality, I have been capable of doing all the company statistics for years" he said, waving a hand. It was true, his lessons were only ongoing to maintain the aesthetic of the innocent minor that Ciel supposedly was. It would not do for others to realise just how alarmingly sharp his mind was.

"And what will your tutor think when she arrives?" I asked, amused.

"Well obviously she will think I'm not here and go home" he said, shrugging.

I was pleased to see that he was returning to his usual self."Very well then. Allow me to fetch your coat" I said and swept up the stairs. Bright he might be, but he still seemed incapable of dressing himself.

When he was suitably attired - adding a slight delay to my schedule, I might add - we headed out to the carriage. I gave my Young Master a hand up the small step while Snake took the reins, and closed the door behind me to take a seat opposite Ciel. Our knees bumped together as we set off, and the uncomfortable silence settled over us once more.

We only needed a list of basics as well as the chocolate, so we were headed to a small market in a nearby part of London rather than the larger shopping area slightly further away. A good thing too as not a word was said between us the entire journey and I disliked the way it felt. I did take some responsibility for the tension since he was obviously reacting to my rejection the night before, but I refused to feel guilty. If he had not acted that way in the first place then this wouldn't be happening.

I was relieved when we pulled to a halt. I opened the door and helped him down, leaving Snake to see to the horses while we moved towards the stalls of the market.

"First on the list is fresh vegetables" I told him and watched as he wrinkled his nose. He followed me anyway as I approached the vendor, hanging back as I handled the transaction.

We carried on in this manner, his uncharacteristic cooperation unnerving me somewhat. I had feared he would slow me down as he usually did, but that didn't seem likely to be a problem today. In fact it did not take too long to near the end of the list.

"Only one more thing to get, Young Master, and we can be headed home for lunch" I told him, the most either of us had said in a while.

"Chocolate" he muttered quietly.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Chocolate. It's the last item, isn't it?"

It seemed he had been paying attention after all.

"That is quite right" I said pointlessly. I could tell that we were both picturing the events of last night.

"I'm sorry, you know" he breathed, barely making a sound above the bustle of the market. Of course I heard him though. I stopped to look at him and he seemed to find the ground especially interesting.

"Young Master, there is no need to say such things to a humble butler" I told him politely. In truth I was just surprised he had uttered the words in the first place - I doubted he had apologised for anything in a very long time and certainly not to me.

"I just - just wanted you to know, that..." he continued. This was not where I wanted the conversation to be heading at all.

"Come now, if you wish for your dessert to be ready on time this evening we had better not dally" I said, not quite interrupting since he had trailed off in his uncertainty. Still, I had made it quite clear that I was uninterested in whatever he was trying to say.

That seemed to vex him.

"Dessert, yes, because that's all I think about apparently" he snapped, and marched off to the confectionary stand. Usually I could not tear him away as he tried to sneak samples but he just stood listlessly to the side today. It seemed that I would need to handle this predicament much more delicately if it was to be remedied. I cannot say that human emotions were my specialty, thus I would need to think carefully on how I could possibly placate him.

We actually returned to the carriage ahead of schedule for a change. I settled in for another silent ride home, but he surprised me by broaching the subject once more.

"Why do you even do it Sebastian" he asked me tonelessly.

"To what do you refer?" I enquired, but I had a good idea.

"When you come to me and we do those... things" .

Ah. I truly did not want to upset him further, but since I could not lie to him I anticipated some difficulty.

"I assume you enquire about our occasional night time activities" I clarified, and saw the confirmation in his single uncovered eye. "Since I am your servant I am obliged to see to your needs, which are as varied and complex as any human. What kind of butler would I be if I let your lust distract you from our contract?" It was an incomplete truth, but a truth all the same.

"Is that all?" He asked. Perhaps he knew me better than I gave him credit for.

"No". I supplied. He would have to be more specific if he wanted any more than that.

When I was not forthcoming he sighed wearily and leaned his head against the window, his breath fogging the glass as he looked away from me.

"I can't keep doing this with you, Sebastian. I feel like we are constantly in battle with each other, both of us refusing to back down".

"I am honoured that the Young Master would tell me his feelings" I told him with a smirk. He fired up immediately and spun his head to regard me.

"There you go again, what is the point in this?! I did not enter into this contract to be ridiculed!"

"Then perhaps you should recollect exactly why you did enter into this contract" I said, becoming serious.

We looked at each other in silence as the implications of my statement sunk in. He seemed to think for a bit before collecting himself. "I have not forgotten, Sebastian. But since my revenge has not been completed yet, that makes you my faithful hound still. You are to obey my orders and carry out my wishes. As of late, I have found you sadly lacking on both those counts".

Enough of this. My hand shot out to grab his face, his eye wide with surprise as I leaned in. I brought his chin towards me until we were nose to nose, each breath mingling in the small space between us.

"You are being too stubborn. I will not continue our arrangement if you do not desist these foolish expectations".

His heart sped up slightly at my proximity, and then even more at my words.

"You would end our contract over this, truly? Just because of the way I feel?" he said angrily, wrenching his head away and looking towards the window again rather than directly at me.

The way he felt. That confirmed it. I had hoped he was just curious, that I had misread the signs. Of course, his words had called my bluff. I was left at a crossroads: I could either go through with the threatened severance or ignore his admission and continue as we were. And I found myself strangely reluctant to leave his side.

Perhaps the fault lay with me. Obviously I must have worn my mask too well, convinced even him that I was the polite butler Sebastian.

"I only encourage you to think on this, Young Master. Do not forget what I am - I may wear a human face but I assure you, I am a Demon in every way".

"You think I don't know that" he muttered.

"I think sometimes you do not. What other reason would you have for displaying these... intentions?".

"You prove yourself to be a Demon by even having to ask me that question" he snapped.

I was getting nowhere. What did he even mean? How could he feel anything for one such as me? Wherever I went I only brought death and despair, there was no room for anything else. How could there be when the emptiness of my hunger gnawed at me day after day, fuelling my need to push him away. After all, how could I pull him close when we had so little time? It would be pointless. I may seem cold but even I could feel pain if I actually chose to let him in, knowing full well that I must be the cause of his end some day.

I considered it for a moment as I watched him try to hide the emotion on his face. He was beautiful, I would admit that - I found him appealing where most other humans held no interest for me at all. He was still slight in build and fragile looking, his unusual coloured hair always falling just so over his right eye. His beauty was contradicted by his personality - sometimes he even surprised me with how evil he could be, sacrificing others or dismissing them altogether if their existence did not benefit him. It made him even more interesting to watch now as he displayed real distress at my lack of reciprocation. There was something between us, a chemistry that I could not escape but to encourage it...to try and respond his feelings...

I felt it unwise to continue this train of thought. It would not end well.

"I apologise deeply if it distresses the Young Master," I began, trying to deliver a gentle rejection, but was cut off when I felt the familiar pull of a summoning. It happened so quickly that all I could think to do was reach frantically for him. Our fingertips brushed but it was too late. The last thing I saw was his wide blue eye, regarding me in utmost dismay as the interior of the carriage disappeared and my hand was ripped away from him. I saw only blackness as I hurtled away from our contract and everything I had known for the past five years.