Ciel was sat up in bed, with a book resting on his sheet covered legs. The candle which stood nearby on a small oak table burned just brightly enough for the placid adolescent to be able to read the printed words, but the light was too dim to be able to stretch tot the furniture in the rest of the room, and so the earl could only see into a small sector of his chamber.
Sighing deeply, slowly and languidly, the fifteen year old leant backwards into the three feather-down pillows propped behind his head, gratefully sinking back into their comfort. His hands twitched against the silky pages of the book, before relaxing and lying on the pages.
"Young master, it is late," A tall figure appeared, in the time that it took for Ciel to blink drowsily, beside the canopied bed, "You should be asleep."
Ciel sent his butler a withering look. His hands curled back around the book as he lifted it onto his chest, where he would easily be able to read it. The butler's words were left unanswered.
A thin, dark eyebrow lifted questioningly, "My lord, I'm afraid," Ciel's lips curled into a sneer, "That I must insist that you sleep." A gloved hand reached out, effortlessly plucking the book out of the adolescent's hands, "Reading can wait until morning."
Ciel looked down at his empty hands, irritation scouring his features, "You only needed to ask nicely, Sebastian. I only want to hear the word 'please'," He turned his gaze towards the butler, "Is that so much to ask?"
The dark head of hair which covered Sebastian's head fell forward as the character in question bowed his head towards the reclining figure of his master, "Not at all, young master." He murmured lowly, "You know I live only to serve you."
Ciel didn't look away from his butler, but he did shudder as he watched Sebastian straighten, and saw handsomely thin lips wrap cruelly around a smile.
"Young master," The smiling figure continued, "I must ask that you go to bed," The lips twitched crudely, "Please."
The candlelight flickered as both figures regarded the other. Ciel swallowed, feeling sickly, and looked back down at his lap.
"You have met my demands," The earl muttered, "And so I must do as you asked, Sebastian."
"Rest well, young master."
Ciel shut his eyes before Sebastian turned away, and shuffled down into the layers of blankets as he heard the door close. Meanwhile, the butler stepped out of the room, carrying the book and the candle.
Ciel quietly lay in the dark as he waited to fall into an absent slumber.
