Authors note: I am still trying to get the hang of this webbsite, this is the third chapter, so please review and all that, Grammar remains my biggest problem to tackle but maybe one day, and well that's that.
Finnian laid tucked into his bed, an hour earlier had finished scrubbing him clean of every inch of blood, picked his hair for bark, pulled him into a pajamas and consequently tucked him in.
As Sebastian was leaving Finnian had asked him what would happened next to which the butler had merely stated - That is for tomorrow.-
The young gardener was now all alone, staring up at the ceiling he groaned quietly as he shifted in his bed. He did not understand why his master had seen fit to be so cruel to him. Remembering those laughing eyes was enough to bring back pained tears, not because of the pain although that was very much still present but how powerless he became in Grell's presence, once again in his life he was left exposed, in the hand of bad people, who for all Finnian could see took pleasure in his suffering.
The blonde pressed his bruised head into the soft, feathered pillow and thought no more.
Finnian's night was filled with dreams of blood pooling in snow, a toothy grin, never leaving his tormentors face.
When at long last the waking moment arrived, the reaper cried out in relief. Returning to the world of the awakened the sensation of pain returned to him. It was not as bad as yesterday but now as the more sharp pain of fresh wounds had dulled, they had been replaced with the underlying ache on the remainder of his torso. Removing the cover, Finnian saw black-blue marks, competing for space across his chest. Despite the healing wounds and the blackened marks slowly turning to yellow Finnian was happy to be back in his own bed once more. He intended to visit his friends the first thing after getting out of the bed. Mey-rin and Bardroy, now would that company not be a welcome relief after the one he had been forced to keep since the last couple of days.
Raising from his bed, Finnian toyed with the idea that maybe, just maybe, this had all been a weird dream of his, maybe he had fallen from one of the trees and in the process hit his head severely, dreaming up this mad story of death-gods and mad redheads.
Yes, that could have happened, the blond told himself, feeling slightly better he turned towards the window by his bed, pulling the drapes aside to let in the morning light he was struck with surprise. On the windowsill stood a small basket, decorated with a large red ribbon on the handle, inside three fruits remained. There was one apple, one exotic fruit from the farest reaches of the empire, pomegranate Finnian thought they where called and at least one lone cherry, all of them red.
The poor self-deception barely out of its nest and already crushed, Finnian noticed a small letter in the basket, having a hunch telling him that it was better if he opened it straight away prompted him to do so.
'' You still have three more to go, it is sure to help you get better, i suggest the pomegranate, if you have not eaten them before, it is only the jellied inside with the seeds you are suppose to eat, oh! and before i forget, your first assignment will be to infiltrate Sebastian's room, find the box where he keeps clothes fit for washing and acquire a pair of his undergarments, once you have them i will be waiting outside the main gates, ta! ta!'' Finnian gasped twice first at his supposed quest and a second time as the letter caught fire, turning into a heart shaped cloud with the letters S plus G briefly appearing before dissipating into the air.
Blinking several times, he nonetheless picked up the pomegranate, using his strength to part it in two between his hands, he began to eat from the center. Finnian knew he should be freaking out about such a detestable chore laid out before him but mindlessly munching the exotic fruit while focusing on this new sensation was a good way to keep the madness away so to speak.
The taste was ''different'' Finnian thought, he was not sure he enjoyed it or not but he nonetheless choose to finish it. After finishing, he slid his legs over the bed's edge, noticing his body did not hurt anymore he looked down at his once bruised torso, it would seem that Grell had not been lying, he must have healed while eating.
With no aches or stale limbs holding him back the blonde quickly got himself dressed, still doing his best to stave off what he had read in the letter. Finnian had barely finished tying the straps holding his hat in place before the door to his room opened, in the opening stood Sebastian with a look of slight surprise.
-I did not assume to see you up and about.- The butlers voice was calm and as even as ever, Finnian waved his hands back and forth smiling.
-Oh well, all i must have needed must have just been a good night sleep, you know what i mean? hahahaha!- he closed his eyes as he forced a nervous laugh.
Sebastian answered with a courteous smile, while making the mental note that not only had Finnian's black eye healed but this broken lip as well, it had been quite the serious gash.
- I clearly made the right choice hiring you for the household.-
The reaper looked up, a surprised look gracing his face, did not waste compliments.
-You really think so ?- Finnians eye grew wide and began to look slightly moist.
The butler smiled but made sure to cut it short lest he would have to dry tear stains from Finnians clothes,..again.
-Yes, but i will need you to come with me now, the young master has meant to ask you about the happenings surrounding your absence.-
Finnian swallowed visibly.
-Oh of course Mr-
-Please just say Sebastian.- the butler interjected.
-Oh! o-of course S-sebastian i will be glad to tell the young master everything!-
-The young master will be pleased to here it, now if you do not hurt anymore i take it you do not need to be carried over there?- His tone was blatantly teasingly, especially as he said it with a wry smirk.
Finnians cheek grew a shy blush, he quickly shook his head. -D-dont worry Sebastian, i can walk!-
Sebastian did not answer, instead he just turned around and walked out, heading for his masters office.
Finnian quickly scuttled after him.
Ciel Phantomhive, the queen's watchdog leaned over his desk with his elbows firmly placed on the polished wood and his left palm covering his right fist. He was looking straight at his young gardener who know stood before him, behind Finnian stood Sebastian, right in front of the door.
The young earl, glanced with his one uncovered eye at his butler as he began to speak.
-Sebastian.- he began, his voice strict and serious. - I thought you told me that Finnian was severely wounded when you found him, where you lying to me or are you a miracle worker?-
Sebastian bowed gently before the boy.-I am honored that my young master would believe me capable of performing miracles, but i did not lie. I found young Finnian at the walls badly hurt. I did care for him as you instructed and i did clean his wounds but Finnian is now as i found him tomorrow, his..surprisingly rapid recovery is all thanks to himself.-
Ciel turned his piercing gaze back unto Finnian.
- I see.-
The gardener laughed awkwardly.-That is me sir! i-it must be all the fresh air i-i get, you should try! not-that-you-are-unhealthy-but.-
-That is quite enough Finnian.- Ciel interrupted.
-I am of course glad to have you in one piece, as it would be quite the chore to go looking for a new Gardener, but you where gone a long time.-
Finnian was not entirely sure for how long he had been gone, the time of his death and the time spent at the dispatch's office had been a little fuzzy.
- I,..lost my way when i was shopping for bird-seeds.-
Ciel raised one eyebrow.-Bird seeds.-
Finnian nodded.-It was for my friends..Bird friends, they have so little to eat during this time a year.-
Ciel waved to Finnian to go on.
- When i had finished my purchase i was out of money for a carriage, so i had to get back to the mansion by foot.-
The boy-earl did not show any reaction to the story.
- Sebastian told me that you where badly beaten when he found you.-
Finnian winced at the memory, he did however nod. -Yes, i,.i was robbed off..off my sacks of birdseed by a..robber.- he finally said, nervously.
-You carried them all this way, and then you where robbed off them by an unknown person?-
Ciel's voice made it clear he did not believe it for one moment.
-Yes, i mean my friends need to eat too!-
The earl scoffed.
-Strange, you see, with your terrible strength, i would have assumed you would be fighting back, but your knuckles where spotless when Sebastian found you.-
Finnian did not know what to say, he opened his mouth several times but no word came out.
The young master indulged his gardeners imitation of a hungry baby bird for a few moments before he said.
-You are excused.-
Finnian made a quick bow before slowly backing out, not before walking into Sebastian, giving away a small shriek and half-running out, still backwards of course.
With the gardener out of the room Ciel closed his eyes as he sighed inwardly. - Remind me never to have Finnian lie for me.-
Sebastian responded with a faint smile.
-Yes my lord.-
The young earl looked back unto the stack of paper that constituted his work for today.
- Sebastian, continue investigating why someone would harm my gardener, and why said gardener is going to such lengths covering it up, i need to focus onn.-
Ciel made a gesture towards his desk.
-Yes, my lord.-
Finnian was on his way outside to the garden when he was jumped by two figures.
-Whaa!-
-Where have you been!-
-Finny! my man, we where so worried!-
-Did you get lost again, stupid..-
- Y-you two!-
After a short wrestling match on the floor, Finnian, Mey-rin and Bardroy sat on the steps of one of the stairs in the main hall.
- What else could we have expected from Finny then spending all his money on birds,..hah.-
Bardroy leaned backwards as he let a stream of cigarette smoke shoot out in a straight line from his mouth.
- It is really nice to see you alive and well anyways.-
Mey-rin interjected.
Finnian beamed at the two, despite the mild scolding this small talk was the closest to normalcy he had felt for several days.- It was really stupid of me..hahaha.-
Time flew by as they where talking and strangely, neither of them had breathing down their necks and because of that they did not notice how quickly the time passed until it was late evening.
- Well, i think i should have a look at my other friends, they have been without me for so long!-
Bardroy sighed but nodded all the same - The birds, of course, well i guess i should get the flamethrower ready, a late dinner for the young master and all that.-
Mey-rin thought it strange that they had been allowed to shirk away from their duties for so long but she decided to shrug it of.- Right, i'll see to the trophy room, still some cobwebs that needs a good beating.-
Finnian winced slightly at her choice of wording but nodded nonetheless as he got up. - I'll see you guys later!- he put on his new winter coat he had brought with him earlier as he braced the winter landscape outside the mansion.
Coming upon his tool shed he noticed something odd, the door was not fully closed, something he found odd. Finnian was at times inconsiderate with his strength, but he never was forgetful when it came to locks and doors.
- Huh..odd.- Finnian was about to close the door when he noticed a sound from the inside, it was a faint chirp. Making his way inside the gardener found four of his bird-friends on his tool-bench, hiding from the elements in an old storage box turned upside down. Beaming little sunshine's Finnian walked closer.
- Oh it was just you guys, you must have missed me an aweful lot.- The birds noticing the familiar face began to chirp even louder as one of the braver ones peeked out of the box to receive one of Finnian's index fingers, gently patting it over its tiny head.
- Oh Ulysses, i knew you would recognize me, your eyes are as good as Mey's-
The small Blue Tit chirped happily as it was petted.
Suddenly the door closed itself behind him with a thud. Finnian gasped loudly making poor Ulysses withdraw his head into the upside down box.
The shed turned pitch-black making it impossible to see anything. The gardener sighed.
- That was just..typical me i guess.-
The sound of a match being lit followed by lantern light dispersed the darkness.
- Will this do brat?-
Finnian closed his eyes upon hearing the voice behind him, please no.
The voice continued, dreadfully silk-soft it almost purred.
- You know, i did not give you permission to waste an entire day speaking with your useless friends.-
Finnian wanted to turn around and scream to tell Grell his friends where anything but useless but the memories of his beating still clutched his heart like two ice cold hands. His breath growing unsteady he swallowed.
- They are no..-
- They are of no importance to me, but you are Finny.-
Finnian could feel Grell close his slender fingers over the boys arms, closing in to such a degree that the elder reapers breath ghosted over his neck.
Grell had placed the lantern down on the bench, watching the boy shivering beneath his firm grip was not as pleasant as he had imagined, Finnian was pale with fear, no where near as beautiful as when suffering from a bleeding nose or an involuntary blush.
- Finny, you are really afraid of me are you not?-
-n-no.-
In his mind Finnian was preparing for another beating, maybe even worse then the last, warm tears had begun to travel down his pale cheeks.
Grell watched him in silence, he knew that he had gone overboard with the beating and perhaps also using their bond to strip the boy of means to defend himself. It should have dawned on Grell much earlier, but at long last he conceded that this was a fragile tool, and his careless use of it had left it close to its breaking point.
- I wont hurt you Finny, but i still need you to do your job, do you understand?-
Finnian quietly nodded, hating his tears, hating how powerless Grell made him feel.
- I wont have to hurt you ever again if you do this for me, you -might- also recieve something you like.-
As Grell had hoped, the small sliver of hope, the tiny carrot he had just offered was being grasped after, Finnian's quiet sobs paused, if only for awhile.
The elder reaper let one of his hands fall from the younger ones arm, proceeding downwards until it gently stroked the boys upper thigh. Finnian was quite responsive Grell noticed as his breath almost instantly hitched, giving of the faintest of gasps.
- Now my dear apprentice.- Grell made his voice as suggestive as inhumanely possible as he pushed himself gently against the boy.
- When you are out there in that dreary mansion doing my bidding, i want you to think -long- and -hard- on all the things you would want from me.-
The tears had begun to dry on the gardeners now flushed cheeks.
- B-but i don't-
- I am a resourceful lady after all, and i would not want to see my own little reaper go unrewarded after suffering so much on me behalf.-
Collecting himself, Finnian asked:
- Why do you want to reward me? when y-you can just force as before-
Grell was pleased to notice a shift in the boys voice, sure fear still dominated much of it but there was curiosity there aswell.
-Because.- Grell let go of his last restriction, moving his other hand up to play with the younger males strawberry blonde hair.
- When i hurt you before Finny, you gave me something wonderful, your beautiful face, all bloody and bruised, and those eyes of yours, so flushed with sadness. I indulged myself back there, you became a lot more hurt that i had intended, and because of that you had to improvise and you did your part perfectly i must say, i simply think it is time for your internship to mature, and for that to work you need to be become properly motivated.-
The redhead moved his fingers softly over the boys thighs, carelessly caressing the gardeners most private with a few ''accidental graces''.
- I want you to complete your mission, and i want -you- to want it as much as i do.-
Finnian released a partly held back moan, releasing a small burst of condensed water into the cold air.
- Keep what i said in mind, i expect you to have the 'wares' by midnight.-
And with that the elder reaper was gone, leaving Finnian, breathing quickly, still leaning over the bench. He did not quite understand what had happened, only that he had to get his master that which he sought, no matter how odd or embarrassing the task was.
Sebastian looked through every belonging that the young gardener had left inside his room but nothing was out of the ordinary. Finnian's few possessions where all gifts by either the young master or Sebastian himself, and the sparsely if not empty quarter of Finnian showed no exception to that, well except one thing, or perhaps two.
First was the nearly empty fruit basket situated on the windowsill next to Finnians bed, it held one red apple and one lone cherry. Next to it, residue of ash, something small had burned.
A letter perhaps Sebastian mused as his eyes moved to the bed. Everything seemed in order same one thing, the pillow, left on its dented surface lay three strawberry red strands of hair.
Sebastian leaned forward as he picked up one lone strand, holding it near his red eyes. Red hair should not be here, so how did it get here?
Mey-rin? Sebastian looked at hair, then at the fruit basket with the red ribbon. Could it really be that simple?
Sebastian quickly dispelled the notion, the idea that Finnian was entertaining night guests, no that was not it.
Having combed the room for anything else he departed.
It was still thirty minutes left to midnight when Finnian snuck into Sebastian's room. The gardener had never once seen the butler so much as yawn and was because of this little surprised when the bed appeared virtually untouched. Earlier that year Finnian, Mey-rin and Bardroy had been given the task to photograph the butler without him knowing it, it was from that event that Finnian had learnt most about his patterns.
Sebastian had only one reason to enter this room besides dusting, retrieving his set of clothes from the large oak-drawer in the back of the room. Creeping up on the large piece, Finnian wasted no time rummaging through it, his thoughts focused on the task.
Grell's promise still clung to his mind, and for what reason he could not tell, he wanted nothing from the mad reaper, well except to not be used and beaten again.
Then there was that -but-, a small -but- residing in the back of his head, reminding him that his master had gifted him strange fruits that made him heal, and that the redhead had made several suggestive notions of ''compensation'' for his rough treatment. No! Finnian shook his head, he would make no sick wishes, this was a matter of self-preservation!
His line of thought was interrupted by the Familiar voice of his master.
- Not the clean ones, look in the bag where he keeps the used ones!-
Finnian looked around, then he smiled, that is obviously something his master would say, maybe he should.
- I am talking to you, it is not just something i would say, it is something i am saying!-
Ok really now he was just playing games on his own mind, he really better get back to.
- I am using our bond to speak to you into your head you stupid boy! stop making excuses!- the voice sounded rather irritable now.
- What!?- Finnian looked around, as if to make sure no one was standing behind him, pulling his leg.
- I told you brat, you need to get one of the used ones, still infused with Sebba-darlings ...essence.-
Finnian felt nauseous. -Ew,..-
-It is an adult thing, go to the small container near the bed and get one of those, chop chop little robin!-
Finnian wanted to shout loudly and for an extended period of time how his last place of integrity had now been forever lost, instead he closed the drawer and instead went to rummage through the box filled with Sebastian's used wear.
- No back talking? not even a little bit upset, brat, if i didn't know better i would believe you are trying to make me a very happy women.-
Finnian called upon all his inner strength not to scream at the full capacity of his lungs as he fished up a pair of Sebastian's undergarments from the container.
- Oh, those are -it- aren't they? oh yes, Sebastian's most private, is it cotton? yes of course it is, Indian no doubt.-
Finnian grumbled silently.
-I guess..-
They where interrupted by the sound of footsteps coming from the other end of the hall, Finnian froze.
- Oh shoot, someone is here, quickly smell them!-
The fear of being found out in this indecent position was only momentarily overwhelmed with Grell's ludicrous demand.
-..What?-
- We wont have time for extraction of the 'package', i need you to smell them, now!-
-What, why? why would i do something like that.-
Finnian made a gagging sound.
- I can utilize our bond to take in your senses, Oh don't think about me that way, this is a perfectly shameless pass-time!-
-I am not doing it, it is disgusting and you cant make me!-
- You know i can make you, c'mon do it!-
-NO! i wont, i wont, i wont, i wont, i wont! i-
- It is quite late to be yelling at my pair of used undergarments, don't you think Finnian?-
Only the most desperate of gasps escaped the boy as his eyes froze on the floor. This was the absolutely worst thing that could happened. He had been caught in his superiors bedroom, touching his belongings,..and..and.
Sebastian's voice was calm as always, while even he could not mask his apparent surprise.
- Why are you in my room Finnian?-
The boy opened his mouth several times to speak, but he could not form words, as dark magenta flushed his face of humiliation, Finnian felt himself seeking refuge inside the deepest reaches of his own mind.
Grell had also begun to peg the boy, albeit inside his head.
-C'mon brat, just answer him, just say something, or run, run, brat?-
Finnian was overwhelmed with negative emotions, it was not just shame but fear as well, this would certainly be the drop that would see him fired sent from the mansion, from his friends.
Sebastian narrowed his eyes, walking up to the boy, he placed a set of slender fingers over the boys shoulder.
- Well, answer me, i do not want to come to the conclusion that your sneaking about and rummaging through my belongings are of,..ill-intent.-
Grell was shouting at the boy, he could not have him fired or he would be stuck with a useless intern, one he actually had to train and not use for personal interests.
- Brat, get out and answer, Sebba-darling, he is becoming...bothered, by your lack of words,..Brat why don't you-
- Why don't you just do it!, why don't you just force me like always?- Finnian's voice was stoked on hurt and anger.
Grell looked around, they where standing in a small glen, or well he was standing, Finnian sat huddled against an evergreen with his back turned to him. So this was his mental 'safe place' Grell mused, how boring.
-..Finn..- Grell warned.
-Just do it, if its so important!-
Sebastian was not pleased with the silence, he tried once more to coax the boy.
- Are you unhappy here? is that why you are acting like this? showing disloyalty?-
The boy beneath him shifted, his voice began to sound, although it sounded, strange almost a little strained.
- And,..what if, Sebastian?-
Sebastian now looked visibly taken a back, if only for a moment.
Finnian raised his head, looking straight into the butlers eyes. His mouth had contorted into a mischievous grin for lack of better words, the boy gave his superior a cheeky smile before turning it into a dramatic pout.
- Will you punish me, ? will you make me beg for forgiveness?-
Sebastian was taken a back, since when he wondered had their garden boy earned such a mouth. His grip on Finnian's shouldered hardened.
- What where you doing rummaging through my clothes?-
Finnian's face split into a big grin - I just wanted to touch them , know what it was like to share space with your most private, you are not going to shame a boys reputation for something as innocent?-
Sebastian knew from there on that something had overtaken Finnian, but what, and that smile, it was all so familiar something but he could not quite grasp it.
- You are obviously disturbed from your time in the woods, i shall inquire with the young master tomorrow to have you help sent for you.-
With a sudden push, Finnian had pulled the butler with him, down unto the bed, Grell had given up on his plan to make things go smoothly as soon as he came to realize that his control of this bodies sense could entail.
Sebastian did not expect it as well as he should but he could not in his long life see this cause of event unfolding, for the first time since forever, he stared dumbfounded at the boy placing one knee on each side of Sebastian's hip.
- Me, disturbed? you cold, cold hunk of a man, this is my apology.- Finnian said as he began to grind against the butlers hip.
That broke Sebastian out of his initial surprise as he forcefully threw the young gardener off him.
Finnian landed on his behind beside the bed and as he groaned he could see the silhouette of Sebastian taking something from his drawer.
Blinking several times, Finnian saw the object held in Sebastian's hand as he moved towards the boy.
- A belt? my my, i knew there was rough treatment in store for me but i - The not-Finnian was interrupted by a gloved slap across his cheek. Sebastian proceeded to hold down both of the boys wrists as he tied them together with his chestnut colored belt.
Finnian wiggled around with his reddened cheek. - Oh shoot, i am all tied up, how might i be punished further, hm?-
Sebastian crossed his arms looking at the boy on the floor desperately trying to seduce him.
- Come now, you got me all tied up and bad! are you not going to do anything about it?-
Sebastian put down his foot hard in the boys side, pining him in place, not saying anything.
- Ouuw! it hurt, ok, ok!..you are such ar harsh lover- Finnian sighed.
- But i give up, just let me go and we can forget about all of this?-
Sebastian removed his foot as he leaned down before the blonde, grabbing a fistful of his hair he answered in the ice-cold manor he only employed when pushed.
- I do not have time to reprimand you to the extent of your insubordination, Finnian, the master's schedule wont allow it, but i promise you as much, i will keep my eyes on you and if any 'incident' like this ever happens again i might just keep you to your word.- His cold eyes flashed in vermilion between small slits.
Finnian nodded, he would not set the boy in a worse seat then he already was.
- O-of course , y-you can untie me now and i'll be good, i promise!-
Sebastian got up, he turned towards the door but not before shooting a glance to Finnian.- Mey-rin will be cleaning my room just before luncheon tomorrow, i am sure she could get you out.- with a cold-hearted smile Sebastian closed the door.
Finnian/Grell could hear Sebastian locking the door, before placing the key on the small nail by the door.
Grell tapped Finnian on his back, the boy focused on his dream tree turned around.
- What?- he asked with a sullen voice.
- Sebastian is gone, i made him oversee this small trespass- Grell said.
Finnian felt a pang of relief, he had not really thought it over, giving Grell control like that, and during his time in the glen he had worried more then once.
- Really? you h-helped me out?-
- I sure did brat.-
Finnian hesitated.
- I failed to get what you wanted master, are you going to hurt me again?- he was worried to say the least.
Grell stretched out his hand towards Finnian, but instead of hitting him he gently ruffled the boys strawberry blonde hair.
- Oh no, don't you worry about that.- He did not have to tell the boy that he had gotten something a lot better then a pair of used undergarments.
Finnian responded with a slight blush - how delightful.
- Which means that while you did not complete your assignment, i am willing to consider this a success, so why dont you keep thinking about that reward until i see you next time hm?- Grell grinned at th boy before disappearing in a red smoke.
Finnian felt a small surge of warmth coming from where Grell had touched him, maybe this was not so bad anyway, with a sigh he returned to his body.
His first sensation was that of slight back pain, as his sight returned he noticed that he was in fact laying on the floor, maybe had had fallen as he and Grell switched consciousness he thought. That until he realized his wrist where bound by what looked like one of spare belts.
- GREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELL!-