here we go, people - i've had quite a nice response to this mini fic, and since i forgot to label it as complete i figured, 'what the heck' and i've gone and written a few more chapters! ^_^ enjoy - but please not this ISN'T going to turn out like My Autistic Brother, and is NOT going to turn into a full-blown story ^_^ love you guys!
-Mercy
You Will Rule The World – II
Sebastian was out in the garden when his master approached him. Leaning heavily on the cane, Ciel was in no fit condition to be outside.
Oh dear, Master – whatever are you doing out here? I thought I told Mey-Rin and Tanaka to make sure you rested today.
He set aside the rose secateurs and placed his hands on either of his masters' shoulders.
Look at you. Such a divine soul, housed in such a weak body. You surely know how to make a demon's stomach rumble, young Master.
Gently guiding his young charge to a stone bench set to one side in the garden, Sebastian handed Ciel a white rose from the hedge he'd been trimming. The boy took it, turned it over in his hands before reaching up and tucking it into Sebastian's breast pocket.
I was going to say, young Master, it would look better on you, but if you insist.
Sebastian respectfully bowed to his charge before turning back to his work, only to pause a moment as he reached for the secateurs – there was a small drop of blood on his stainless white glove. Sebastian blinked, and turned to look at Ciel, who seemed none the wiser. Curious, as he could see no scratch on his masters hand, Sebastian removed his glove, only to discover the small scratch from the thorn of the rose, just pricking the heel on the back of his hand. The butler brushed away the blood before pulling on the glove again, once again hiding the burning mark that sealed the contract between boy and demon.
Pardon? Oh, 'tis nothing, young Master – a scratch, nothing more. Were you yourself scratched at all? Oh dear – look at your hand – why did you hide it?
Sebastian was once again at Ciel's side, gingerly taking the boys hand to examine. Ciel had hidden his scratched hand from his butler, but Sebastian insisted on taking a look at it. The butler removed his glove again, and licked one finger before running it over his masters hand were the nick was slowly swelling a tiny drop of blood. The blood vanished from the boy's hand, and Sebastian nodded to himself in satisfaction before sucking the blood from his finger and as to not stain his glove before pulling it on again.
Ah, what delicious blood you have. But it is tainted, my Lord. A demon such as myself can easily taste the hate that flows through your veins. Is this why you are ill? Could it be – our contract is more harmful than the both of us thought?
He was slightly disturbed by the thought – no, that couldn't be it. Ciel had been fine; the picture of health over the last two years. Well, as healthy as he could be, Sebastian reminded himself. Sebastian briefly wondered what he would do if Ciel died before the contract was fulfilled. Rage flared in his soul.
'S-sebastian?'
I'm sorry? Oh, do excuse me, young Master – I did not mean to frown. I was merely wondering why you hid your scratch from me. It's not like you at all.
Returning to work after ensuring Ciel was completely fine, Sebastian sighed inwardly as he caught sight of Finnian and Bardroy, across the courtyard, attempting to get Pluto away from the orchard before the demon hound scorched everything the smoulders.
Dear me, it seems that the both of them together haven't the faintest clue how to move a dog. One does not push from behind, does one, Master? …Master?
Turning back to Ciel, Sebastian was faintly surprised to see his master had fallen asleep – the boy was exhausted, even a fool could see that, and the butler removed his tailcoat and spread it across his masters' shoulders.
Well young Master, I suggest once we get inside that I bring you a cup of tea. You may have it in your room, of course – even while you rest, if you like.
Thinking the better of trying to go back to work again, Sebastian abandoned the gardening of the roses and took the young Earl in his arms, and began to walk back towards the mansion, taking care to not wake his master.
Dear oh dear, young Master – what shall I do with you? You're quite lucky to have this day free, yet you choose to spend it exhausting yourself when you really should be resting. Don't forget – the Viscount Druitt is coming to visit tomorrow to congratulate you only your performance of Hamlet a few weeks ago. I know he thanked the cast on the whole but your performance must have really stirred him to make a personal visit.
Sebastian paused, and took a moment to breathe the fresh air around them, and cast his dark eyes to the clouds.
Then again, knowing that detestable man, he'd use any excuse to visit.
-:-
If there was one thing that Sebastian had to admit, it was the tenacity of his charge. Ciel would fight nail and tooth to get something he wanted, or, of course, he could fight just as hard to resist something he didn't want, as well.
Would you please stop splashing, my Lord? It is most difficult to wash you thoroughly with the way you're squirming like that. Not to mention most undignified on your part.
There was water all over the floor, and Sebastian was not impressed with his masters' resistance to bathe. However, Sebastian had to admire Ciel's strength as the boy batted his hands away.
A remarkable show of vigour, my Lord. Are you sure you are not faking this illness? No, you cannot be. I've been at your side for too long – I would surely know if you were putting on an act.
Ciel cursed and splashed bath water in his butler's eyes, but Sebastian kept persisting, simply blinking the water away.
Oh dear. How childish you are today, young Master.
Wrestling with his charge was definitely a tricky task, but he refused to give in to Ciel's whinging and complaints. In the corner of his eye, Sebastian caught sight of Mey-Rin and Finnian watching at the door, just peeping around the doorframe.
Don't you see, my Lord? You worry all of your servants. This mysterious illness… your struggling…surely there must be a cure? Can't you understand that more people worry than you believe? The regard they hold you in – it concerns them to see you this way.
Turning the boy to face him, Sebastian gently rubbed his wet fingers over Ciel's face, washing away any imperfections. His black-finger nailed touch brushed over the dark circles beneath Ciel's eyes, and for a moment, Sebastian felt something more than just worry pound in the depths of his heart. No sleep, weakness, lack of eating – what could possibly ail his master so?
These symptoms could mean so many different things – which illness are you suffering from, my Lord? Why can you not sleep peacefully at night? Why don't you eat like you used to? I am most tired of worrying and I fear something is larger at hand, young Master. And that, I will admit without shame, frightens me more than anything possibly could.
Ciel stopped fighting his butler for a moment, and there was a pause between them – a shared moment when their gaze met, and neither of them dared look away from the other. Ciel, for fear of giving way to his illness, and Sebastian, for fear of displeasing his master.
I believe if we go on like this, young Master, with hardly a spoken word between us, one is surely going to break eventually. And my intuition tells me that I will not be the one to bend to such weakness. But you…
Towelling down his master, hanging a shirt over his shoulders and combing out the boy's damp hair seemed to calm Sebastian for a while. He was able to set aside the feelings of concern while he went about his tasks. Until, of course, Ciel began to tremble. Fatigue was wearing the boy down, and Sebastian carried him back to his room, where he lay his master down to rest once again, as he had down earlier that day.
I must say, young Master, that at this rate you are going to have much difficulty in ruling the world if you continue being ill like this. Of course, that's why I'm here, isn't it? To brew the morning tea with care, to gently dress in the daintiest of robes and quash your enemies with a flourish. Isn't that right, my young Lord?
That night, Sebastian sat again at Ciel's side. A crow sat at the windowsill, but Sebastian didn't shoo it away. Instead, he sat in silence, thinking again of the words his master had sung a week ago into the darkness by the piano. His train of thought was derailed by the tapping of the crow at the window.
Ah, you're back again. You're a nuisance; you know that, don't you? Always interrupting. Oh well, I suppose it cannot be helped – so long as you cannot touch my master, then I suppose you cannot do any harm.
Sebastian's eyes turned a dangerous, stormy crimson hue.
And, should you dare harm my young Lord, I will most certainly be having words with you.
-:-
thanks again for your reviews on the first chapter ^_^ great to hear from you guys and thanks for the feedback :)
-Mercy
