Hello my lovelies! How is everyone today? I decided to update the fic on account of my shitty-ass day so I hope you enjoy! Also, if any of you have any ideas on what should happen in the story, feel free to tell me as I am open to suggestion!

ONTO THE STORY!

Sebastian's eyes widened at the sight of his very own covenant on the Shinigami's back. What more, it was, if not, more infected than all the other wounds that he had spent the last few hours cleaning and closing. Sebastian took a deep, steady breath and moved away from the mark that he knew so well and faced Grell once more,

"Grell… Do you know what is on your back?" he asked calmly, but through clenched teeth. Grell nodded after a moment's thought and closed his eyes,

"I do… I noticed it a day or so after it happened… I knew the bastard did something to my back, but I didn't think it would be this. I merely thought he just did what he did to my front. I couldn't see the mark all that well, but I saw enough to know that it was your mark he cut into me." Grell muttered through gritted teeth. William had wrecked his body, the only thing that he held value to other than his own weapon. There was a mixture of feelings going through his mind all at once and they all wanted their own tiny voices to be heard. Grell took a breath for a moment before looking back to Sebastian, who seemed to be in a state of shock,

"Let me look at the wound again Grell… It's very badly infected." Sebastian said in a soft but commanding voice. Grell simply nodded and turned his back to Sebastian, moving his long, blood-matted hair off of his back with a wince. Sebastian moved closer to Grell, causing the Shinigami to tense up. Sebastian pursed his lips as he looked at Grell's beaten and battered body. How long has it been since he last slept? Or when was the last time he ate? Sebastian thought idly to himself. He knew that Grell was naturally a slim person, but he could see the vertebrates of Grell's spine under his skin. Surely Grell was never this skinny to begin with? But Sebastian would worry about that later.

The demon's eyes narrowed as he took a closer look at the mark that was almost expertly cut into the Shinigami's flesh. It seemed so much like his own covenant…. But there was something off about it, like it was altered in some way. He couldn't quite put his finger on it… Sebastian remained silent for a few minutes as he was deep in thought.

Grell shifted uncomfortably where he was sitting under Sebastian's intense gaze, but remained silent in worry that he would break the demon's train of thought. Suddenly Sebastian's eyes went wide in realization: there was something that was added to this version of his covenant. It was a subtle difference than from the original but there was a small symbol in the centre of the pentagram that he could not understand. Sebastian reached for a piece of paper and a piece of dark chalk and quickly drew the unknown symbol onto the paper. He looked to the Shinigami,

"There is a symbol in the covenant on your back that I don't recognize. I drew it on some paper. I don't know what it is, but I will be sure to try and look around for answers tomorrow between my master's meals." Sebastian said as he folded up the paper and put it into his shirt pocket,

"But for now, let's finish cleaning this wound." The demon said as he turned so he was facing Grell's back once more and began to clean the wound and drain it of any puss that it would have received during the time that Grell spent neglecting the wounds. It was rather disgusting in Sebastian's opinion, but he supposed that Grell wouldn't have been able to properly clean the wounds on his back.

It was another hour or so later that finally all of the Shinigami's wounds were properly treated, closed, and bandaged. Sebastian sighed deeply as he cleaned blood off of his hands for the second time that evening. He was fortunate in the way that he had put the young master to sleep only minutes before Grell arrived on his doorstep only hours earlier. Sebastian moved to stand and tugged on his jacket as well as his gloves. The demon looked to Grell for a moment,

"Grell are you able to walk?" Sebastian asked as he moved some hair out of his face. Grell nodded after a moment and reached for his shirt and slowly pulled it on, wincing as he did so. Grell buttoned up the shirt and moved to stand on two thin and shaky legs. The Shinigami tugged on his gloves to adjust them and pulled his hair over his shoulder so the weight wasn't on his back. Grell took a few small steps and nodded again,

"I'll be okay. Thank you for patching me up. I suppose I'll be leaving now." Grell said with a small smile. Sebastian shook his head at this,

"Nonsense; it is my duty to make sure that the guests of Phantomhive, expected or unexpected, are given the proper care that they require, and from what I can observe Grell, you are in dire need of some food and sleep, followed by a long bath in the morning. I will speak to my master in the morning about making some arrangements for a long-term stay until your wounds are fully healed and you find a place of your own to stay." Sebastian simply said as he looked to Grell. The Shinigami in question, wrapped his arms around himself,

"You don't have to do all that Sebastian-"Grell started but Sebastian put his hand up as if to interrupt the ginger,

"No, I insist. Now if you would be so kind as to follow me, I will show you to your room for the night along with a change of clothes. I will wait for you outside the room and I will make you something to eat before you retire. Do I make myself clear?" Sebastian said with a smile, but with a commanding tone said he wasn't about to take no for an answer when he himself was showing mercy and letting a Shinigami have a room in Phantomhive manor. Grell promptly shut his mouth and nodded,

"Alright… Thank you Sebastian." Grell said softly, looking down at his feet. Sebastian simply nodded and moved to lead the Shinigami out of the medical room and down the hall a small ways. The demon stopped in front of a brown oak door,

"Here is where you will be sleeping for the time being until the Young Master can figure out where in the manor to place you long-term. There should be sleeping clothes in the drawers and washing supplies as well as towels in the ensuite bathroom. I will be waiting out here so please be quick." Sebastian said with that commanding smile once more. Grell nodded quickly and hurried into the bedroom. It was as Sebastian had said; there were sleeping robes in the drawers. Grell sighed as he stripped of his clothes and donned the boring white coloured robes that were in the drawers. As much as he loathed the colour white, he supposed it would have to do for now.

Once Grell was finished dressing in the robes, he made his way to the ensuite bathroom and had to do a double-take when he saw himself in the mirror. He hardly recognized himself. He was as thin as a rail and his makeup was a total mess. It was a pity that he didn't being his makeup bag with him… He would have to go out at some point and some more. Grell sighed deeply and cleaned off his face, removing the makeup in the process. The Shinigami found a hair brush in the drawer and tried his very best to make his hair seem presentable. It took longer than he expected, but once it was to the neatness he desired, he left both the ensuite and the bedroom and out into the hallway where Sebastian was waiting for him. Sebastian simply nodded and smiled a bit,

"Shall I lead you to the kitchen?" Sebastian asked as he looked to Grell once he returned from the bedroom. He took a moment to look over Grell's face without makeup. He looked a lot older without his makeup on. He still had the features he was known for, the sharp jaw and the dramatic angles in his face were still there. He just seemed… older. Sebastian could see crow's feet in the corner of the Shinigami's eyes and dark circles under them as well that he had never noticed when Grell wore makeup. Sebastian was pulled out of his thoughts when Grell looked at the demon with a frown,

"Is there something wrong with the way I look?" the ginger asked defensively, crossing his arms and shifted his wright to one hip. Sebastian simply shook his head,

"No, no. I was simply lost in thought. Please forgive me. Now let me show you to the kitchen." Sebastian said before he moved to turn on his heel and walked off, assuming that Grell would follow after. Sebastian was correct in this assumption as Grell followed after the demon.

Once Sebastian was in the kitchen he went to the cold box and looked inside. Assuming that it had been quite a while since the Shinigami had last eaten; he figured that the leftover soup that he had cooked for the Young Master that day might help to give Grell the nutrients that he would require in order for his body to function. Sebastian looked to the door when Grell finally walked through the threshold of the room,

"How does soup along with some bread sound, Grell?" he asked as he pulled the pot of soup out of the cold box and shut the door. Grell simply nodded as he sat down on a chair at the table,

"It sounds just fine." Grell said before yawning. That bed was calling to him. It had been days since he had a full night's rest and his body was running on auto-pilot at the moment. Sebastian simply nodded and moved to place the pot on the stove and light the burner. Sebastian turned around, continuing to watch the Shinigami unnoticed. Grell was slumped over the table in what seemed to be exhaustion. The man's arms were so thin as well… He noticed that Grell had tried to fix his hair to make it seem presentable for visit. The demon simply shook his head and turned back to the stove. He idly wondered how the Shinigami was faring emotionally. He knew that victims of rape were often left with feelings of anxiety, anger, and self-blame… But did Grell feel that way about himself? Anxiety for sure he felt what with the way he acted when Sebastian first tried to approach him, but what about the others? Did Grell blame himself for what happened? Sebastian pursed his lips; there simply were too many variables to think of so late at night.

Soon enough the soup was finished and Sebastian served it to Grell along with some crusted bread and butter. Grell thanked the demon and ate like a starved dog; though somehow he still seemed lady-like whilst doing it. Sebastian decided hours ago that he wouldn't badger Grell for details on what happened right away. He would let him get comfortable first and then maybe, talk to him about it.

It wasn't long before Grell had finished his food and got up to set the dishes in the sink before looking to Sebastian,

"Would it be trouble for you to show me where I'm sleeping again?" the Shinigami asked, looking away. Sebastian simply shook his head and turned to leave the room with Grell in tow,

"It is no trouble to me one bit. Please follow me." Sebastian said as he led Grell back to where his room was intended to be. Once they were both outside of the room, Sebastian looked to Grell,

"I will wake you in the morning. I am sure the Young Master would like to speak to you about arrangements and such." Sebastian said as he opened the door to Grell's room. Grell walked in after a moment and nodded,

"Alright… Thank you Sebastian, I appreciate it." Grell said in a soft voice. Sebastian nodded a bit,

"You are welcome Grell. Sleep soundly tonight Grell. I will see you in the morning." He said before turning and walking off. Grell closed the door after a moment and moved to lie down on the bed. The poor Shinigami was asleep before his head hit the pillow.

AND BAM!

Chapter three is done! And it's longer than the other two! *claps*

But seriously, if any of you have ideas, don't be afraid to tell me m'kay?

UNTIL NEXT TIME