Sebastian trembled. No… It can't be…. Mother, Father! No!
He didn't know how long it took for him to calm down, but the sun hadn't risen yet. He stared at his hands in his lap, the pain in his heart throbbing. Slipping off his left glove, he gazed at the hateful pentagram.
I want to go back. I want to be human again.
He knew that if he were to do so, he would never be able to work for Ciel and protect him as efficiently as he did now. But that's not as important. After all, thanks to my long life, I've learned how to be saved. I wonder if I could be a good influence on my master?
Sebastian made up his mind. He rose and dressed, then slipped out of the manor, promising to return as soon as possible.
The angel stared down at the kneeling butler. "I never expected this. A demon praying sincerely to the Father."
Sebastian averted his eyes. "I wasn't— I mean— I'm not really a demon. Not a true one, anyway. I was changed into one and had my memories of my prior life buried."
"I… see. Do you remember your Christian name?"
"Selah. Selah Michaelis."
The angel gave a small smile. "Ah, yes, I remember. The boy who wished so desperately to be near to Him." He frowned. "Turning a false demon back into a human shouldn't be difficult, but you're under contract at the moment. Are you prepared to accept the ramifications that come with breaking the contract?"
"I don't think I would be here tonight if I hadn't already accepted them."
"Good. Then let's begin."
"Good morning, young master. Time to wake up."
Ciel groaned and frowned. "Tanaka?"
"I'm afraid Sebastian is not available at the moment. He left a note saying he was out but would be back as soon as he could."
Ciel huffed. "I see. Pass me my eyepatch, would you?" He sat up, covering his right eye with his hand, and accepted the patch. Just then, CRASH!
The teen sighed. "Please go see whatever mess it is they made and clean it up." Tanaka nodded.
"As you wish, my lord." He bowed and left.
Ciel uncovered his eye and glanced at the tea sitting on the trolley by his bed. He caught his reflection on the silver kettle and squinted. Something's not right. He threw the covers off and ran to the mirror, lifting up his bangs to get a good look at his contract eye.
The pentagram was gone.
Ciel clenched his hands into fists. "Sebastian…" He threw his head back and roared, "SEBASTIAN!" I was a fool! He left me in the middle of the night! That no-good, worthless, scumbag liar! How dare he! I didn't even do anything to break the contract!
"My lord?"
Ciel whipped around and found Tanaka standing in the doorway. The steward smiled. "I see your eye has finally healed, my lord." The young earl started. "If I may, I think you should leave the eyepatch off so that your vision can readjust. Or if you wish to continue wearing it, then I see no problem with that."
Ciel looked down and sighed. Maybe if he didn't wear the eyepatch, he could guilt Sebastian into remaking the contract when he got back. If he got back. And now that I think about it, he could have been… killed….
As Tanaka helped him dressed, the older man queried, "Why the long face, my lord? Are you worried about Sebastian?"
"I'm afraid so."
"You know he's quite the capable man. I'm sure he's just fine." The steward finished and stood. "Breakfast will be ready soon, my lord."
"Thank you, Tanaka. You may leave."
"Young master! Young master!" Mey-rin burst into the room. "You have a guest, yes, you do! Arrived just this mornin', he did!"
"A guest? I don't recall that being on the schedule. Did he say why he was here?"
"He says he wants to see you very badly, my lord! Oh, and pardon me for sayin' so, but he looks a lot like your late father." Ciel raised an eyebrow. "Just thought I'd give you a heads-up, my lord, yes, I did!"
"That's bizarre. Very well, then. Mey-rin, set an extra place for him and let him know he'll be joining me for breakfast."
"Yes, my lord!" She saluted. "Oh! You're not wearing your eyepatch today! Your eye looks good as new!"
Ciel stopped at the top of the staircase and stared at the man before him. It can't be! But who else could the man pass for with his dark grey hair, brown eyes, pale skin, and the tiny mole near the corner of his left eye?
"Ciel?" the man whispered brokenly.
Ciel ran down the steps and stood before the man. His eyes narrowed. "How can I know you're really my father?"
The older blunette bent down and murmured something in his ear. Ciel's eyes widened. "Only Father would know that!" He glanced up at his father, who smiled.
"Oh, sweetheart." Vincent embraced his son and held him tight as the boy sobbed. "I'm finally home, Ciel. I'm so sorry it took me this long, but I'm back now."
"You were dead!" Ciel cried. "You were dead and I was taken away from you! Why didn't you come for me?!"
The elder Phantomhive sighed. "I think we need to talk about a great many things." He stroked his son's hair. "Tell you what. Your maid mentioned breakfast, so why don't we go eat and have our discussion there?"
Ciel sniffled. "I-I suppose…."
Sebastian stood panting at the doors to the estate. The "cleansing," as he called it, must have taken longer than he thought— Ciel would be having breakfast right about now. Good thing I left that note, he mused. Ciel will surely be furious once he sees the contract mark is gone. Perhaps I should ask one of the other servants to notify him of my return.
He had entered the manor and headed towards the kitchen when he collided with Mey-rin. "Goodness! Are you all right?" he asked as he helped her up. The maid blushed bright right.
"Y-Yes, I'm fine, Sebastian, yes, I am!"
"Ah. Good. Is my young master having breakfast at the moment?"
"That he is, sir! And," she leaned close towards him, "his resurrected father is in there with him! They've finally been reunited!" She squealed in delight.
"I— Y— Vincent's alive?!" Sebastian stammered, flabbergasted.
"Yes, indeed! Oh, it's like the perfect ending to a good book, yes, it is!"
Sebastian cleared his throat. "Right. Mey-rin, if you would be so kind as to alert the young master of my return?"
"Yes, sir!"
Sebastian continued to the kitchen and proceeded to help Bard with cleanup. My, it feels so good to be my true self again. I wonder what Ciel will think when he sees my real personality? Although, to be honest, he probably doesn't want a weak butler… and he might let me go…. But I'm sure I could continue to serve him without being a butler….
Soon it was time for Ciel's afternoon tea. Both the earl and his father were in the study, so Sebastian made tea for both of them. He rolled the cart to the study and knocked on the door. "Your tea, my lord."
"Who is that?" asked a familiar voice. Sebastian's heart stuttered. That's…
"That would be my butler Sebastian with tea. Come in, Sebastian."
The ravenette opened the door and pushed the trolley in, freezing when the guest gasped. He turned and beheld a very familiar face, thanks to his returned memories.
"Selah?"
Sebastian's eyes widened. "F-Fath—" he choked out. He covered his mouth and sank to the floor, shaking. Vincent ran to him and hugged him close.
"I thought I'd never see you again," said the older man. Sebastian clutched at his shirt and leaned his head on his father's chest, tears running down his cheeks.
"Ahem."
The two glanced up at Ciel, who glowered at them. "Explanation. Now."
"So you're not really a demon?"
Sebastian shook his head as he served Ciel a slice of chocolate cake. "No, my lord. I'm sorry if I gave you a fright, what with the contract mark gone."
"Well, you came back, at least."
Sebastian served Vincent some cake as well. "What about you, Father? What have you been doing since I left?"
Vincent sighed. "After they threw you out, I looked everywhere for you. Your mother was heartbroken when she found out what they did, and she… took ill. I didn't think she'd make it. I left town and traveled all over; one night, I came across an old woman who said she could help. I guess in retrospect she did, though at the time I didn't think so. She essentially turned me immortal— that is, I can't die or age. Other than that, I'm just as mortal as anyone else." He paused. "I learned so much over the centuries while I was searching for you. Then about twenty or so years ago I met a young man who looked just like me. He was a descendent of mine and very fond of fantasy and the supernatural, so he wasn't too surprised when I told him I was his ancestor. His family found out about me just in time: soon after, he was murdered by an enemy, and they asked me to take his place to keep the family name alive. Then I married Rachel Dalles and had Ciel," he finished.
"No wonder you and Aunt Frances don't get along."
"Well, personally I think she holds me responsible for her brother's death. I wouldn't be surprised if that really were the case."
"Great. Just great. My father's alive, my butler's his son—"
"Which would make us half-brothers," Sebastian finished.
Vincent narrowed his eyes. "I won't have you two thinking of each other as mere half-brothers. No, your mothers are not the same, but I don't care. You both are my blood and flesh, and I expect you to treat one another like siblings. That being said, Selah is not to continue serving us like this. He's the son of a nobleman, he should get the same treatment as you, Ciel."
"I… suppose that's only fair," the teen replied. "But— we'll have to hire a new butler to replace him."
"Don't worry about that," Vincent assured him. "I already have someone in mind. Oh, what else do we need to do? Selah needs a new room and wardrobe, so we should plan a shopping trip soon."
"Very well, then." Despite himself, Ciel smirked. "I knew there was a reason we got along so splendidly, Sebastian."
Vincent clapped his hands together. "Excellent! Now! What's this you said about a contract?"
Sebastian gazed at the reflection before him in the mirror. To think that only a week ago I was a mere servant… He wore a white shirt, blue vest, sky-blue trousers and jacket, black shoes, and a blue necktie. The clothing fit him perfectly, and he made a note to thank Ciel's tailor; she certainly knew her craft.
"Pardon me, sir, but you look quite regal in this outfit. I think it suits you well."
"Oh! Why, thank you, Samuel." The blond butler smiled.
"Of course, my lord. Breakfast will be ready shortly. If you'll follow me."
Vincent sat at the head of the dining table with Ciel to his left, and Sebastian seated himself to his father's right. As the staff served them, he folded his hands in his lap to resist the instinct to do it himself. I do hope I'm able to get over this quickly, seeing as I still don't exactly feel like a noble yet.
"You read the newspaper this morning, I assume?" Vincent asked. Ciel scoffed.
"They're making too big of a deal over my butler being my brother. Neither one of us knew we were related. It's ridiculous."
"I'm afraid that's how society is, Ciel," Sebastian answered. Good; he hadn't slipped up and called him "my lord" or "young master" this time. That was a start.
"They think I'm to blame for making Sebastian— Selah— my brother— work for me! Like I thought it was a sick joke or something. What do I call you, anyway?"
"Whatever you're comfortable with. Either name will do."
Vincent frowned. "Does that mean I'm the only one who calls you Selah?"
"But that makes it all the more special, don't you see, Father?" Sebastian exclaimed. Ciel snickered.
"Didn't know you were into sentimental things like that, big brother."
Vincent raised an eyebrow. "You're going to find that your brother's true personality is a far cry from what I've heard. He's really quite sweet, you know."
Sebastian blushed and looked down at his food, murmuring his thanks. Vincent chuckled. "Come now, love, no need to be shy. We're all family here."
"Is he a Michaelis or a Phantomhive, though?"
"Ciel—"
"It's an honest question. I mean, he was born before the Phantomhives came into existence, but you took the Phantomhive name, so… I don't know, is he a Michaelis-Phantomhive?"
"I still can't believe you managed to guess my surname correctly," Sebastian mused. Ciel shrugged.
"Brotherly intuition? Maybe?"
The ravenette chuckled. "That works."
"No, but seriously? Are you Selah Michaelis or Sebastian Phantomhive or some combination of the two?"
"Selah Sebastian Michaelis Phantomhive…" Vincent muttered.
"That's too long!" Ciel exclaimed. The three burst out laughing. "Can you imagine introducing yourself at parties like that? 'Hello, I'm Selah Sebastian Michaelis Phantomhive, pleasure to meet you!' The ladies would think you're crazy!"
"I think— I think just Selah Phantomhive will do," chuckled Vincent. "Though if you continue to go by Sebastian, people may get confused. Besides, if he uses his original surname, people will think he's illegitimate, and we can't explain the truth behind this whole mess to them."
"So basically there's no good solution to this. Couldn't it be Selah Sebastian Phantomhive? Although I have to admit it doesn't sound that great."
"I guess it will be something to think about, Ciel," Sebastian replied. Ciel nodded.
"Right. Just another thing to get used to. My life is weird."
"It runs in the family," Vincent quipped, and they burst out laughing again.
Okay, so! I'm in a quandary as to how to address Sebastian now, and I'd like your input. Should he continue to go by Sebastian just 'cause that's what we (and everyone else in Kuroshitsuji) are used to? Or should he use his birth name, Selah? Whatever happens, Vincent's always going to call him Selah because that's what he named him. Please review and let me know! I'll use whichever name has the most votes! Thanks!