The Effect of Venom
Summary: When a snake at Soma's birthday party bites Ciel, it's up to a certain butler to put Ciel back to rights. Emotional and Physical Hurt/Comfort, Graphic.
Notes: I probably should've warned you guys, but I didn't. I'm in college (an English major so this is good practice for me) so my updates will be a little longer than most would like. I apologize for this. I'm just very, very busy. Plus, I've got finals coming up. It's going to be bad this semester but not too terrible next.
Disclaimer: I wish I owned Kuroshitsuji, but sadly I do not. What I wouldn't give to have a hot-ass butler at my heels…damn.
The shopping trip into London had been a success. They had found the best "humble," gift they could find for Soma's birthday. It was an emerald newly arrived (or rather smuggled; it was a black market gift, and had a great price at that) from Venezuela. Scotland Yard would lose sight of it once it came into Prince Soma's property. The police would hardly dare to intrude upon a foreign Prince's home in England.
April 23rd approached as rapidly as ever, Ciel became distinctly moodier. Sebastian had to note that his Master's displeasure was evident through his cloudy eyes and ice-cold demeanor. He had been even more reclusive since the "Baby Butcher," incident.
He had been more disturbed by the talks around town about it: they called her "Jill the Ripper," instead of the dear Jack. He knew Jack. Jack was never "Jack," but "Jack," was Angeline Durless, otherwise known as Madame Red, or Ciel's own aunt. It was greed, hatred, and pain that lead her to commit those murders, and Ciel didn't wish to remember those horrid, nightmarish times. Jack was also Grell, but Grell was another entity separate from Angeline.
On the morning of the 23rd, it was like any other day. Sebastian gently shook his master awake. Ciel grunted, pulled the covers over his head and started to fall back to sleep. Sebastian, as persistent as ever, flipped the comforter off of him, tsked, and watched him rise. Ciel gave him a dirty look, asked what the time was, and received a swift, "6:30 AM, My Lord." Ciel groaned and asked for a brief overview of that day's schedule, was given a quick summary, and then requested for his day clothes.
Sebastian helped Ciel put on his undergarments, undershirt, dress shirt, dress pants, garment straps, socks, his shoes, buckled them, his neck tie, and finally his blue and black accented dress coat. While Ciel had been sleeping, Sebastian had pushed in a cart of light breakfast goodies – a light tasting baked custard and cinnamon sprinkles, with a slightly more tart raspberry (with drizzle) on top. A side biscuit and a modest tea were offered on the side, but without Bergamot. Earl Grey or anything similar was not exactly the most pleasant tea to have in your stomach at, now, 6:37 AM.
By 8:30, Ciel had woken up, dressed, ate breakfast, and been forced to read two letters from none other than civilians who claimed, "that they had a case," for the Queen's Dog. He read over both of them and responded with the answers to their cases such as: "Dear Mr. Houndsworth, the ring is not missing, she is simply having an affair. Hire a private detective to handle such matters, not I," and "Scotland Yard is better suited to this robbery, my dear Ms. Feathers. Do not hesitate to contact them. I apologize for my limited time."
By 11:50, Ciel had successfully gone through the piles of paperwork and red tape regarding the Funtom Factory: its workers, its production, and of course, it's politics. At 12:00, it was time for lunch - Galantine of veal was served, along with a side salad, black currant jam with butter-soaked toast, and sponge cake with a whipped fruit filling. Exemplary, as always.
By 2:45, Ciel had successfully completed his tutoring session with Sebastian. Today's lesson had been over the artists of the 18th century. Ciel rarely appreciated art, although oil portraiture was his most favorite kind of artwork. He only preferred art that appeared to do a masterful job of representing the object or person they were supposed to represent. Sebastian had kept up with his curriculum, so that was another thing checked off of today's and his schooling's checklist.
By 3:00, it was time to start getting ready for Soma's birthday party. This was something Ciel had been dreading all day long. It had been nagging him at the back of his mind and the feeling of doom had plagued him more and more throughout the day. Now, he only wished for Sebastian to whisk him away from this place so he did not have to deal with…people.
Soma was a much more annoying…person. Ciel could not fathom 25 more Somas. Would they all be like his brother? Or would he find pleasant contrasts? His only comfort was the fact that Sebastian would go with him. It was highly unlikely anything horrible would happen to him tonight. He would simply have to deal with the irritations that came with Soma…and his family.
Ciel would be counting the minutes. That was certain. For the party, Ciel donned a black coat with red accents with a dark blue necktie. The black coat had a short bustle in the back of it. He wore black, shiny shoes with silver buckles. On his head he adorned a smaller top hat (with a red ribbon wrapped around the base) that rested on the side of his head, stuck by pins.
Oh, Ciel had complained enormously at this – the pins dug into his scalp. He jerked and yelped anytime Sebastian stuck them in his hair. "My Lord, I'm afraid they have to go in this way. I would be able to get this done much faster if you'd refrain from bouncing off the footstool every time I put one in," Sebastian had said. Ciel growled irritably in return and resorted to clamping his hands around the stool, making himself less apt to jump.
By 4:00, Bardroy had been summoned to retrieve the carriage. He brought it around front where the famous Queen's Dog Duo waited. Maylene and Finnian had waved goodbye to them as Ciel entered it and Sebastian launched himself up into the driver's seat. "We'll be back no later than 12:00," Ciel had said. Alas, what a lie that was.
The drive to Prince Soma's summer home was not only wonderfully uneventful but also remarkably smooth. Sebastian was a wonderful driver, but never this good. When Ciel had stepped out at the entrance to Soma's summer home and looked out at the road, he realized it had finally been paved. "It's about time," he muttered.
The first mistake Ciel made was getting out of the carriage. "Ciel!" A scream and a banshee's giggle came from the direction of the lovely manor and out from under the heavily decorated awning was a pink figure running towards them. "Oh God, Sebastian, Soma invited Lizzie! Remind me to kill the bastard-of-a-prince when Agni's asleep." Sebastian would've gladly agreed if this were an order.
"Oh Ciel, oh Ciel, oh Ciel!" Lizzie shrieked. She threw her arms around his neck causing him to teeter precariously towards the ground. "Oh Ciel, you're here! Oh, and you look so cute!" She let go of him just enough to observe his clothing. "You look so adorable; I could just eat you up!" Ciel could've sworn he heard Sebastian mutter, " That will be my pleasure…" or maybe he was simply imagining it.
"W-What are you doing here?" Ciel asked her and she replied, "Well, that nice Prince Soma invited me, Ciel." She tilted her blonde head and her pink bonnet along with it. "He was so kind in his letter and he said that you were friends, almost like brothers, so it was best to invite his fiancé! And here I am!" She giggled. "And here you are…" Ciel mumbled sourly. What a wonderful way to start the evening.
"Oh Ciel!" Another happy-go-lucky soul, this one with tan skin and a small golden coronet nestled in his dark hair, started running up to both Sebastian and Ciel, followed by his white-haired, hand-bound, turban-sporting butler. "Haha! You made it, Ciel!" Ciel felt his hand becoming numb from clutching his cane so hard. He had such an urge to smack Soma across the face with it.
"Ahh!" Soma gasped, looking at the small present in Sebastian's hands. "Is that a gift for me? Why, Ciel, you shouldn't have! I mean, I told you I didn't need one didn't I?" Even as he said this, Ciel couldn't resist smirking at Soma's greedy face. "Give it to Agni, Sebastian. He'll know where to put it." Sebastian did as he was told, however, he was given by Agni, his friend of this world, a quick greeting.
"It's so good to see you again, Sebastian!" Agni said, taking the box. "You look daring as always! If the prince wishes us to spar tonight, I hope you're ready. I have trained even harder – and my hand has gotten twice as strong as before! I shall not lose!" Sebastian plastered the fake human smile onto his face and said, "I cannot wait. Perhaps I'll beat you in ten minutes instead of five." Agni's face fell comically.
Elizabeth and Soma both took Ciel by the arms and began to drag him into the manor. Ciel was dreading the hoard of one too many Somas and their servants. His only prayer was that he would escape the night alive.
Notes: Sorry for the delay in this chapter (see top author's notes) – I've also got another odd story I'm working on for a friend, so I will have to update that one first before the next chapter gets out. I hope you enjoy this! Please read and review!
