He was still in the same position when he woke up the next day, having been unable to move from that position. That also meant he was still undressed and his sheets were damp. "Intolerable." He pressed his lips together staring at the ceiling. "Sebastian, you better appreciate this." He glared at his stomach. Troublesome Demon!
Plans! He needed to make plans. A pregnant man would make more of a stir than a pregnant woman. Not that he was pregnant. It was merely an incubation period until Sebastian was strong enough to be on his own.
No matter how he looked at it, it would cause a scandal. For a brief moment he considered just evicting the blighter out of his lodgings and going on with life. But, he'd made a contract. He always honored his contracts. And, chances were he'd not be able to really do that, and who knew what the consequences would be if he did. Besides, that would also mean scandal as he'd have to have help trying to remove the Demon from his temporary home. Even if he found someone discreet, these things tended to get out eventually, and then he'd have to put them down like vermin too. Besides, Sebastian could still prove useful in the future. Just because he was "small" now didn't mean he'd stay small long. It sounded like just a matter of time and "energy" being built up. Always leave your options open when possible. And, while he would not admit it aloud, he was rather attached to Sebastian at this point.
Closing his eyes, he tried to work out different angles. There would be scandal, could the company survive such? And, what about Elizabeth? They were to be married next year. Not that he really wanted to be married, per se. It was expected of him. His parents had promised him to Lizzie when they were still in the cradle, and he had not had any choice in the matter. Of course she could have broken the engagement at any point and society would have accepted it, but if he had, not only would they have disapproved, but she would have cried and then he would have felt bad. She always made him feel like he was kicking dead puppies or something. Truly, it was emotional blackmail at this point in their lives.
"But, if I'm supposed to be pregnant and only girls get pregnant, I can't very well marry another girl. Not that I'm a girl, I'm a man. It's just that humans in general are not allowed to know about Reapers, Demons, and Angels running around on the loose what with the whole "statute of secrecy" thing that they supposedly enacted a few centuries ago; not that they obey it completely." He rolled his eyes remembering that Sebastian had explained it a couple of years ago when Ciel had wondered why people didn't even believe in such superstitions anymore with so many such creatures obviously existed. "Aunt Francis is going to be livid." He sighed. He'd be lucky if she didn't run him through with a sword. "Even if I explained that it was just my Butler needing to be housed for a little while, I can't see society approving of such." He frowned. "Not that there is a test case for this, but I hate the idea of being that test case!"
Perhaps he could keep it a secret? No, the servants knew, or rather thought they knew. What exactly had Grell told them before he woke up? It had to be more than he told him! Why would he tell them he was pregnant in the first place? This was Grell's fault, damn it! That damn Reaper, why did he do this? Jealousy? Amusement? Shits and giggles? He could tell them that Grell was a lying liar that lies, but when they get an idea in their heads…
He rubbed his head. What was he going to do? If he tried to keep it a secret and it got out, particularly if it got back to the Queen, it would be even worse. Would it look better or worse if he broke the story first? If he tried to pass Sebastian off as a human baby to his servants, Sebastian would be considered a bastard. If he told them he was a Demon, they'd try to destroy him. If he tried to lie and say he was a Reaper, it is most likely that Spears would tell everyone the truth just to spite them. Once more he asked himself if the company could withstand the scandal of it all? Which is the worst part? Being a "freak" or being a "pregnant woman" with no husband?
What if he revealed himself a woman, and then got married? But who would he marry on this short of notice? It would have to be someone in the know. What would Sebastian even look like when he was "born"? Would he just be some black mist? That would be hard to explain! Not to mention, he'd be marrying a man. It wasn't the gender of it all that bothered him the most with the equation; it was the idea of it all period. He was not really sold on the idea of sex with either gender. A sham marriage was called for, obviously, because he refused to have sex with anyone just for the sake of it. The only reason he'd have done so with Lizzie was to make a child to carry on the family name. What to do? A sham marriage would save some face, at least. He scratched the side of his neck, cringing as he encountered a cut.
The door swung open with a bang. "There's mummy." Grell trilled as he bounded into the room. He was nearly dressed appropriately. Almost. Ciel wondered how his aunt ever talked Grell into the proper butler uniform from before. His hair was still the bright long red, and his glasses still had the little skulls on the holders. The trousers were terribly tight, and the shirt was unfastened at the top. The jacket though was still the red one he'd favored since the Ripper murders. Totally inappropriate!
"You need to dress the part of a butler." Ciel struggled with the blanket. "And I need proper clothes. And, you need to explain how you know so much about this incubation mess to begin with?"
"Oh yes, you do need proper dresses! I found the seamstress that my darling Rouge one favored and she is coming in an hour." Grell grinned. "Don't worry. I already warned her that you were not well endowed by nature in the bosom department. I wonder if you'll lactate?" He paused for a moment, thinking about it. "If you do you might finally get some breasts." He grinned. He was completely ignoring the other question. And since Ciel was incensed about the idea of wearing dresses… it was slipping his mind. Just like Grell planned.
"You moron! I'm not actually a woman!"
"No, but you are a mammal, and as such have mammary glands." Grell pinched Ciel's chest before dancing out of hitting range. "On the other hand, do full Demon children drink blood instead? I vaguely remember bottles of bloodied milk for the halflings." He tapped his chin. "Anyway, it's just us ladies today. The boys are out buying supplies." He waved toward the door. "Guns, ammo, swords, explosives, you know the usual. I'll get you prettied up." He promised.
Ciel simmered in rage. "Why did you even tell them I was a girl in the first place?" He hissed. "I'm NOT a girl!"
"Well, men don't normally get pregnant, so they kind of just assumed you were a girl." Grell opened the shades letting sunlight in as he swanned around the room. "And I played into it, because it was funny." He grinned.
"Why did you tell them I was pregnant?" He was positive he was going to break his teeth from all the grinding. No, he'd just wait till the perfect moment and break Grell's teeth!
"Well, you are, technically, sort of. It was the closest human experience to what you are experiencing. They wanted to send off for a doctor and the last thing Sebby needs is for a human doctor to go poking around in your middle or filling you up with drugs." He scoffed. "He's too… vulnerable. Better for them to know and protect you to the fullest and him by extension. At least until I can get you to a proper doctor from my realm."
"You bastard." Ciel took a deep breath trying to steady himself. "How do you even know about this kind of thing? It can't happen often!"
"Yes, I am, actually. Never knew my biological father, and my mother committed suicide shortly after I was born. So, yes, I'm a perfect bastard." Grell put a finger to his chin more. "But no one in the Shinigami realm cares if you are not married. Demons don't care either. Reapers just get upset if one of the parents is a Demon; sworn enemy and all that. And never mind how I know, just be glad I do know!"
"It matters to humans. I'm ruined!" Ciel gasped as he was pulled up and then was repositioned toward the head of the bed before Grell worked the dirty sheet off and put a new one on. Grell threw a nightgown over Ciel's head.
"So tiny." Grell complained. "You look like a child playing dress up in my clothes." The Reaper made short work of brushing Ciel's hair and then put the eye patch back on him, though nowhere as efficient as Sebastian could.
"This is a woman's nightgown!" Ciel was aghast.
"Well of course. Though, you are more of a girl than a woman." Grell preened. "I'll take you under my wing. It might be fun having an apprentice or protégé!"
There was the sound of a bell far away. "Oh, she's here. Be right back." Grell skipped out of the room, hair bouncing with him.
"This is a nightmare." Ciel groaned. One that will never end!
He tried to get more comfortable, cringing as his back rubbed the material against his skin.
The room tilted and he was breathless as he once more found himself staring at the ceiling. "What-" He was having difficulty talking through the pain.
"Oh, Ciel I heard there was a fire in the warehouse district last night, and that there was blood at the scene, and then I called earlier and Mey-rin was crying that Sebastian was dead so I came right over to check on you and why are you wearing a nightgown?"
"Lizzie?" He found his heart wanted to stop beating, he felt like his stomach bottomed out, and he felt cold. He wasn't ready for this! He hadn't even worked out a story yet! What was he going to tell her? He had to protect her from things like Demons and Reapers and death when he could! "Lizzie…" He wasn't sure what to say. Where to start? So, this was what panic felt like. It had been a while since he'd felt it to this degree.
He didn't see, but heard movement near the door.
"Indecent." He heard a gasp and turned his head slowly to see his Aunt Francis and his cousin Edward in the doorway. "Perverted!" Edward added. "What is the meaning of this? Women's clothing?"
"Oh, Mistress Ciel wasn't expecting visitors this early in the morning." Grell sang out. "It isn't polite to enter a lady's boudoir like this. Please, you should remove yourself from her room."
Ciel now more than ever wanted the ground to open up under him, he began to pull the blanket up over his chest, tempted to cover his head with it as Lizzie gave him a confused look. "Don't listen to him, he's clearly insane! He put this stupid nightgown on me, and-"
"What are you playing at?" His Aunt Francis demanded of Grell.
"Mistress Ciel is not up for visitors, I must insist as the new Phantomhive butler that you absent yourself from her bedroom. This is completely improper and indecent, particularly for the young gentleman to be here. Why, he isn't even her fiancé!" Grell gasped, placing a hand over his heart dramatically. "She should not be stressed in her delicate condition! She's had way too many shocks as it is."
"CIEL!" Aunt Francis yelled. "Explain this nonsense!"
Edward meanwhile was looking for a weapon. "I challenge you! You will not make a fool of my sister with your perverted ways!"
Ciel opened his mouth and all that came out was a small noise. This was so far beyond out of control. Why in hell did he allow Grell to stay? How the hell did he ever think the man would be useful? He's making things worse! "Does no one listen to a word I say? I… I can… explain." He stumbled over the words, trying to think of a convincing story. One that didn't necessarily start with 'Save me, I'm being held hostage!' Though, it was very tempting to go that route. More than tempting, he was about to actually put those words into effect when Grell continued.
"The Mistress is in a family way, and foolishly went to the Warehouse to take care of business for the Queen. She put her and the baby's life at risk, and poor Sebastian…" Grell cried into a hanky. "He… he lost his life… protecting her." He threw himself at Edward to cry on his shoulder, but Edward was smart enough to dodge the cry attack and Grell landed on the ground. "It's so tragic." Grell cried. "Poor Mistress, what is she to do? How will society judge her?" He wailed.
"I hate you so very much. Grell, I'm going to kill you; slowly and painfully, and with many sharp and pointy implements of torture!" Ciel managed to say, staring at Grell in shock. He covered his face, hoping this was indeed a nightmare. This had to be a nightmare. The entity in his stomach though rolled to the side, pushing gently at his stomach, possibly to remind him that no, this was reality, unfortunately. "Don't listen to him, he's clearly insane!"
"Ciel?" Lizzy looked at him, her eyes wide, looking as though her world was shattering. "He's just… saying those things, right? You're not…"
He opened his mouth to deny all and assure her once more that the man was just mad, but she reached out suddenly and put a hand on his stomach. Sebastian pushed back. The world shattered, and he closed his eyes and groaned.
Her face crumpled and she let out a sob before rushing out of the room.
"Lizzie, wait!" He held out a hand as he struggled to try to get out of the bed. He called out to her again, but she was already gone.
Edward looked torn between triumph and disgust. "I knew you would never have her." He gave a sick grin that was half grimace. "I knew you were a liar and that you were not good for her, but I had no idea you were this depraved." He rushed out, following his sister, calling out to her to wait for him. Offering her comfort that Ciel could not give at the moment or possibly ever again.
"This is a nightmare." Ciel held his head in his hands. It was becoming his mantra at this point. "Why does no one listen to me?"
"I don't understand. Not only did Vincent lie to me, but you continued to lie all these years?" Francis spat. "The engagement is of course off. We will discuss reparations later. Good day, Mr. Phantomhive… I mean… MISS Phantomhive. I believe that our association as family is now at an end. We do not wish to be associated with this scandal, and will be distancing ourselves." She spun on her heel and strode out. "If I had my way though, you would be stripped of the mere name of Phantomhive."
"Well, that went well." Grell clapped his hands. "That's one thing out of the way."
"You're mad! Completely mad! Get out of here!" he reached out and grabbed the nearest knick-knack and threw it at Grell. "I can't believe I ever thought you could be of help or use! Why isn't anyone listening to me? Has the world gone mad?"
"Ooo, hormones." Grell dodged. "I've heard of those! Wait, can you have hormones when the being isn't really connected directly to you through tissues? Well, I better make sure those busybodies are out of the house." He ducked through the door before the next item could connect with his head.
Ciel collapsed to the side, groaning in pain both physical and mental. This was blowing up around him, and he had no control. And that was intolerable to Ciel who wanted to be in control of everything at all times. He tried to control his breathing, closing his eyes. In just a few hours, the Reaper had managed to do what no other villain had ever managed, and all under the guise of "helping".
He tried to pretend he didn't feel heat rising behind his eyes. No, he had no tears. Never again. Not now, not later. He was in control damn it. He would take control.
Somehow.
Inside, Sebastian wiggled, stretched, and then curled in on himself once more.
"That's my bladder you're using as a pillow!" Ciel groaned.
Great, now he had to pee. Would the indignities never end?
