In the last few moments of his young master's life, Sebastian promised to remember him – to remember all the times they spent, and all the memories they shared together. There was going to be nothing that the Demon could do about his love's death – he had reached to conclusion that he hadn't hoped for, and he wouldn't want to remember someone so full of life and want for things in a bad way. The only natural thing to do would be to make their short time together the best they have had in a while, and in order to do so, Sebastian had sent the other servants to a different place, far from the manor so that they were not tempted to come and check on the young master. He would be the one to be there for the final moments. After all, he had promised him that when they made the contract those years ago.

Sighing as he made the final preparations for the servants, the Demon walked into his master's bedroom, seeing him asleep in his bed. It was undeniable that the sickness he was enduring was going to kill him. He could barely hear his heart beat enough as it is – it had substantially slowed since the week prior when he had initially gotten ill. He was not frightened at all. The young master was someone that was strong willed, and Sebastian knew that the young boy was well aware of what lied ahead of him. Even if Sebastian had to lose the soul he well thirsted for, he would help his precious master pass away peacefully, and in his arms if he so wished. For a few nights, Ciel had wanted nothing but to be in his butler's arms and to feel his embrace as his body clinged to the other. It was a heart wrenching scene, and Sebastian would always remember it.

Walking into the dimly lit room, Sebastian sat in the chair he had placed beside the bed, watching the way the fragile body would raise with each inhale, and decrease with every exhale, thinking that such a life as his young masters would be devastating to lose. Just the mere thought of losing the boy he had grown to love, the Demon felt wetness at his eyes. Was he… crying? He dabbed at his eyes, the wetness leaving small marks on his otherwise white gloves. Staring at the marks, he clenched his jaw, not wanting the boy to wake up and see him in such a state. It would, after all, tarnish his image and reputation. He couldn't risk something as small as crying get in the way of what really mattered – his master and his rest. He took the boy's hand in his, tracing the back of it slowly as when they did when he had a nightmare. The small touch was enough to give the Demon a small bit of hope that he would come out of such an illness, but he knew all too well he wouldn't. Not this far into it. He cursed himself for not fully knowing what was going on, and just what to do to help his young master. If he couldn't protect his master, then what is he doing being his butler, anyway? What was his purpose?

Shaking his head, Sebastian quickly avoided the thought. He had done what he thought would work out, and he had done all that he could. There was no more that he could do, and he had to come to terms with the fact he would lose his master, he would lose the love of his life. Setting his hand down, Sebastian leaned over the sleeping body and placed a small kiss at his forehead, looking at his facial features. Each time he did so, he could swear he would fall in love all over again. He gave a small smile before leaving the room and heading down the stairs to gather up the servants, giving them a little run down of what would be happening for the next few days, not wanting to tell them the condition the master was in. They knew, however, that he wasn't in the best of health, but they didn't know to what extent.

"But, Sebastian, why can't we come visit the young master? Isn't he sick? Shouldn't we be here for him then?" Meyrin had asked, her usual worried voice sounding even worse when she spoke of the only master she had and the only one she would ever have in her mind. Sebastian shook his head and tried to subtly tell them that the master didn't wish to have them see him in such a state, and that he would be able to see them once he was better. Of course, that was a lie. But, as a Demon, he was able to hide his feelings quite well. He bid them goodbye, their stuff already in the carriage with Tanaka at the driver's post. He nodded to the old man and they were off. It was eight in the morning, yet he felt as if it was only six. He knew the day would be extremely long, and it was one of the days he wished it wouldn't be. He couldn't stand to see his master in such pain for so long.

Hearing footsteps upstairs, Sebastian quickly found himself running up the stairs and into his master's room, seeing him trying to dress himself. He smiled softly and walked to him, sitting him on the bed before undoing the buttons of the night clothes he was clad in, looking him in the eyes. "How are you feeling today, my young lord?" He already knew the answer. He could tell just by the look in his master's eyes. He was tired. He was worn out. There wasn't anything that felt good on his body. Just knowing that without having to be told was Hell enough. He didn't need to be told – it would only hurt the Demon more, yet he would always ask him. He would always want to hear the small lie that the boy would emit.

"I feel better, Sebastian. Stop asking me."

Such confidence in an otherwise hurt and in pain body was something that ached Sebastian even more. Regardless, he smiled and nodded his head, beginning to dress Ciel in a soft-to-the-touch shirt and loose pants, not wanting to make him feel confined. He knew how sensitive his skin was, and he didn't want to make him feel any more pain than he felt. Once finished, he stood and grabbed the eyepatch that covered their contract, moving to place it over Ciel's eye as he did every morning before his hand stopped him. He looked into his master's eyes and furrowed his brow. "What is it, my young lord?"

It seemed like it took forever for the boy to find the right words, but once he found them, they were infinitely easier to speak. He looked into his Demon's face, a small smile playing on his face. It was a mock. It wasn't a real smile. Nevertheless, Sebastian would keep it in his memory. "I don't want to wear it. I'm not ashamed to have this contract with you, Sebastian. There's not a single person that would see it here. I don't want to hide you or cover you up anymore. Please, allow me to be proud of something I've done in my life." The words slowly lost their intensity, and became quieter and quieter. He could tell his master was getting weak already, and he could only hold him in his arms as he nodded. "Yes, my Lord."

Holding him, Sebastian focused on the way he was breathing and the way his body would move with a cough or a breath. "Young master," he began to speak, quickly to be interrupted.

"Please… Call me Ciel from now on,"

The small voice spoke out from the slight silence. He was surprised, nonetheless and he couldn't figure out what was being intentional and what was not. But, at that moment, he couldn't care less. He nodded and simply continued with what he wanted to speak about. "Ciel," he said in a more calming voice. "do you remember when we met? When we made the contract?" Gaining a small nod, the Demon continued. "I couldn't believe such a small person would summon me, I didn't think you would have a reasonable reason to summon a Demon such as me. But you did. I was surprised. I knew that things would be different with you. I've had a lot of masters, but you're the first one that I've loved. The first one that I will hurt when you are no longer in this world. I don't know what I would do when you are gone. Loving a human when you are a Demon isn't easy." He said softly, shaking his head before pulling the boy back to look into his eyes. "I will find you in the next life. Please, remember me."

Ciel looked confused, his eyebrows knitting together with each word, especially the last few he said. "Sebastian," he said, his voice cracking. "I couldn't forget you, my butler." He reassured the male that was holding him. What was he saying? That he wouldn't accept another offer? That he would initially starve himself until he would meet him again? That was bogus. "You don't mean you'd-"

"I'd wait until you would come back to me. That's all I will do. I won't take any more offers. I don't care the circumstance. Until I can see you again, I won't do anything. Please, allow me to do just that." The Demon said, looking at the boy he had fallen in love with, his head pushing into his chest. "Please, young master. I don't like the thought of losing you. I don't like the emptiness the thought makes me feel. I would much rather think that I could see you again in the far future. It would make me have something to look forward to, and something that is worth such a long wait. Allow me to, please." He said, his voice soft and slightly demanding, his hands tightening on the clothing he had placed on the boy. "That's all I ask."

"I'll allow it."