Life itself is but the shadow of death, and souls departed but the shadows of the living.
-Thomas Browne
Azure strands glistened in the following breeze of winter, rosy printed cheeks puffed in content against the rush of flakes that blew towards the young one's face. A startled cry left his vocals before falling into a splurge of giggles.
Lips pursed in silence the demon watched from afar as he always had, dark strands, slick and shimmering like that of a feather blended with the shadow of a tree in which he leaned against, he left no imprint within the snow covered grounds, his existence would be unseen and unknown...for now.
He would let the boy laugh; allow his sea-colored orbs to shine so strong the stars felt shame in being overpowered.
And power this boy carried, far more than he and any other would believe. He was but an innocent creature wandering the world without a care, without worry.
Ciel was left alone on the playground, for but a moment, long enough for him to close the distance between him and the oblivious child. He had already learned to walk, words were...adequate, slurred but understandable if one paid absolute attention. All little moments in which he would acquire when all thought the child was safe.
The ends of Ciels black scarf fluttered against his leg, thick and from his point of view seemed to be a tad large for such a small neck, its arms wrapped four times around, it looked rather suffocating. His coat was not better; the child's arms seemed fixed on remained airborne.
A frown marred his features as he watched Ciel move with a gurgled sound, at first wobbling to the left and right before falling still with what he heard as a huffed breath.
He cracked a smile taking a step forward, the boy without realizing had felt his presence, it was only natural.
Now standing at his side did the boy catch sight of what he had been searching for. Round eyes remained unblinking a hand filled with broken snow lay forgotten in his gloved hand, nose flushed red complimenting his rosy cheeks.
"My..my..." he whispered, a rush of cold air fell against the boys face with his breath.
Long finger's adjusted the manner of Ciel's scarf, loosening it before placing it properly around his face, covering his mouth and the most part of his cheeks and for a final reassurance pulled the fur rimmed hood up and over his head. All the while the little prince remained quiet.
How cute.
"0h-" a light feminine sound barely spoken, a small gasp which easily reached his senses.
Crimson orbs met that of another, sad eyes, dull and desperately trying to conceal it, the truth. Their fate.
No. No one would believe such innocence would call for the devil himself when he would be stripped of everything he had learned to love.
The Demon had all but vanished, and during that moment the child's parents had rushed to take him back into the manor, they would cry for their little boy carried the shadow of a demon.