It was a regular day at the manor. Another broken tea set from the maid slipping on the floors she forgot she had mopped earlier. Another garden filled with bald shrubs due to a certain carefree gardener clipping away at their branches. Another kitchen covered in ashes after the chef felt the recipe called for dynomite. Another incident involving snakes slithering in the vents, causing mice to flee through the halls. Another day that Sebastian had to fix it all.
But today had something special planned for the Phantomhive manor. The chime of the doorbell beckoned the butler to the entrance door. He opened it, expecting a footman or one of the master's expectable unexpected guests. He found no such being. He was about to close the door when a cooing sound alerted him to look down. Inside a woven basket wrapped in a wool quilt was a baby boy, only a few months old. Confused, Sebastian picked up the basket and looked around for any sign of someone who was the one who left the child. No one was found.
This obstacle has put me seven minutes behind schedule, Sebastian thought as he picked up the basket and headed towards the master's study. He opened the door just a crack, peering into the room where the young master sat in his leather chair, scowling.
"You're late, where's my afternoon tea?" Ciel demanded.
"Young master, you have a...guest."
"Well, bring them in." His glare died as his eyes widened at the sight of his 'guest' on his desk.
"What is this?"
"That is a human child, my lord."
"I know that! I mean why do you have a baby in your hands?!" His face paled as a thought came to mind. "Don't tell me...you..."
The butler's eyes danced with amusement. "I was unaware the young master understood how humans reproduce. It seems there's no need to talk about the birds and the bees then."
Ciel's face burned red as he stifled a laugh. "Relax, young master. The child is not mine. He was left at the doorstep."
"There's a note attached to him."
Dear master of this household,
My child is in desperate need of a home. All the orphanages in town are full and cannot take him in. Please look after him. Thank you and God bless you.
"Why would someone leave a baby here?"
"A BABY?!" The servants fell over once the door opened.
"Goodness, what nosy servants you all are. Spying on the young master," said the butler disapprovingly, yet his words fell on deaf ears as the servants surrounded the basket with the child.
"Soooo cute!" Finny cooed.
"He's an angel, yes he is!"
"Congrats, Sebastian," Bard praised as he pat him on the back, causing Sebastian to glare at him.
"'Yes, congratulations Black, says Oscar," Snake translated.
"Don't get any ideas, Sebastian is not the child's father. He was most likely brought here by some prostitute or homeless woman who couldn't care for him. However, this is only temporary. Mey-rin, prepare a room for the baby. Snake, you and Finny will go into town and fetch some items for the child. Bard, lock up all your explosives. We're not taking such a risk with this child here."
"Yes sir!" They scurried off with their tasks.
"As for me, my lord?" Sebastian inquired.
"You are to care for the child, of course."
"Uh...young master?" the butler asked.
"What is it, Sebastian?" he groaned.
"I do not know how to care for a newborn."
"You don't?"
"I never had a need to learn to do so."
"Can't you simply read a book about it?"
"I suppose I could."
"Exactly. It shouldn't be too hard," he said, returning to his work, "just feed him, change him, and hold him when he needs you to."
"How do I know if it's hungry?"
"He'll cry."
"And if it's needs changing?"
"He'll cry."
"...and if it wants to be held?"
"He'll cry."
"...I see."
"Make sure he doesn't disturb me."
"I shall do my best," he said, and with a bow, left the study with the basket in his hands.
There has to be a book about it somewhere, he thought as he scanned through the shelves of the library. "I suppose these will do," he sighed, carrying a few nurturing books with him to where he left the child...outside the manor's library.
He peered into the basket with little interest, the child's round, rosy cheeks and glistening large blue-green eyes having no effect on the demon's heart. He wrinkled his nose when the baby dribbled and spit bubbles. Humans find this cute? No, fur soft to the touch and gentle purrs are cute. Slobbering, whining, little humans are not.
He read the books at inhuman speed, once in awhile looking back at the little human, his eyes staring back at him with such innocence. He lifted the child in his hands, unsure what to do with him. It's not crying so it doesn't need anything, but it's not sleeping. What do I do? The child placed his tiny hands on Sebastian's face, pressing against his cheeks and giggling at the face he made.
Adorable, he thought, rolling his eyes.
•••
Ciel strolled down the hall, taking a much needed break from his work. Looks like I need to send a new shipment of stuffed rabbits to Paris after dinner. The distant sound of explosions and the familiar crash of walls left him feeling uneasy.
He paused, the woven basket catching his eye. I don't believe it... He looked inside, and sure enough the child was in there.
"Sebastian!"
Sebastian appeared before him. "You called, young master?"
"Why is he out here and not with you like I instructed?" he asked sternly.
"It did not seem to need my assistance at the moment and I had my other duties to attend to-"
"So you left him unattended?!"
"Was that wrong?"
"He's a baby, Sebastian! He can't be left alone, not even for a second!"
"How troublesome," he sighed, "I shall remember that next time."
"Young master!" Mey-rin squealed with excitement, "I finished the little one's room, yes I did."
"Excellent, bring him to his room."
Mey-rin took the baby boy in her arms and ran off, babbling to the child along the way.
"Sebastian, make sure she doesn't drop the child." He bowed, following after the clumsy maid.
Ciel sighed, bringing a hand to his temple. What am I to do with all of them?
•••
He found the room she had prepared, impressed at how it came out.
It's walls had white and light blue striped wallpaper. A wooden crib painted white stood near the window, light flowing in through transparent curtains. A corner of the room had various toys from the Funtom company: several teddybears, a rocking horse, a sailboat, a wooden soldier, and a train. Among a changing table and a small closet was a bookshelf next to a rocking chair on a round rug.
There she was at the doorway, cradling a bundle of blankets in her arms and humming a lullaby when she turned and saw Sebastian.
"Ah, m-m-mister S-Sebastian!" she stammered.
"Looks good," he said, running his fingers across the edge of the chair.
"O-oh, t-thank you."
"I'll tuck the child in," he offered as she handed him the bundle. Sebastian placed him in the crib, unwrapping the many layers of sheets.
"Mey-rin?"
"Yes, Mr. Sebastian?"
"This is just a rolled towel," he said, showing her the non-baby bundle, "where is the real child?"
