Chapter 2- The Sky
Bard knew. He knew because he had been ambling back to his room one night, passing his master's room along the way. He heard a light laugh emanating and curious, he stopped to listen. He had never heard his master laugh as he just had. Although brief and soft as the touch of a velvet glove, it was rang true, not sarcastic. But what the chef heard next really stunned him. Ciel called to Sebastian, saying his name in an almost imperceptible needy tone. But Bard was perceptive, and kept listening as the young earl hesitantly asked the butler to stay with him that night so that maybe he wouldn't have the nightmares that had been plaguing his sleeping brain for the past two nights. Ciel's voice was shaking, wavering just slightly, betraying his nervousness. Bard was amazed that he would show anyone this weakness, however understandable it was. And so then, Bard knew.
Mey-Rin knew. She knew because Ciel had been taken captive again. For once, and for reasons unexplainable, Sebastian had allowed the other servants to accompany him on the rescue mission. When they arrived Ciel was tied up with a thick rope and bound in chains. Although there were no serious wounds visible, the blue-eyed boy seemed to be battered a bit. He flinched as the man in front of him raised his hand for another blow that would never fall. Sebastian bowled the man over with one strike. As their master looked at the raven-haired butler, a myriad of expressions crossed his face. His shock became happiness became pride for his butler became a plea to release him from his goddamned chains. Sebastian dropped to one knee and obliged the boy's plea. He reached up to stroke a bruise that marred the perfect tone of Ciel's cheek. As the butler apologized for not getting there earlier, Mey-Rin's sharp eyes caught a rare sight. She watched as the young earl's cheeks turned a soft shade of red. Her master, blushing due to the gentle caress of the butler. And so Mey-Rin knew.
Finny knew. He knew because Ciel had called his servants in for a brief meeting. When the boy had dismissed the other four servants, Finny remained to consult him about the new garden that was ready to be planted. As the others walked out, Finny noticed his master's distracted gaze. He followed Ciel's line of sight and saw it led straight to the receding back of Sebastian. Finny turned back to his master and studied the strange expression on his face. It was one of longing and care that seemed to have planted deep roots. Ciel's gaze lingered on his butler until the taller man had shut the door behind him. At the click of the door, Ciel shook himself out of his trance and turned toward his gardener as if nothing had happened. But Finny knew.