Chapter 9: Trouble
A week had passed since Grell went into hiding. Although Sebastian was relieved the red-haired pest was gone for now, the stresses of his pregnancy were more than just overwhelming.
The child inside him had started kicking; which was rather painful for the expecting demon. The combination of the incompatibility of the Immortal's Curse and his thinner, smaller framed body made a kick feel like a punch in the gut. Just as well, Sebastian's swelling stomach marked the growth of his child, making him unable to go outside or out in public out of fear of being seen and also preventing him from moving around more freely.
What was just as irritating to him was the fact that the performance of his duties had slowed down significantly, causing problems in Ciel's schedule. Though the young earl had told the butler that it was "no big deal" it was a very, a very big deal to Sebastian. He was unaccustomed to his master allowing himself to be woken up late, or getting his midmorning tea and dessert at noon; along with his lunch. He wasn't used to not getting scolded or glared upon. He wasn't used to the lack of obscure orders assaulting his ears. He wasn't used to having to take breaks…
As Sebastian brewed Ciel's afternoon tea, he let his mind wander. He hadn't heard word from William on Grell. He didn't know where the red-headed Reaper was or if he was even still alive. Sebastian never thought he'd think of Grell so fondly, especially since his ongoing fantasies of babies and having the butler for himself annoyed him each time the gender-confused man brought up the topics. Perhaps it was now that one of Grell's fantasies had become a reality—even though it affected the opposite person— that Sebastian was now beginning to accept him. As a mate, a companion, or just as a friend… all that he was still unsure about. He figured he'd worry more about these matters when… or if Grell returned, as promised.
As Sebastian was about to set the tray of tea he'd prepared on the cart he always used to carry Ciel's desserts and beverages to him, he felt the baby deliver a sharp kick to his sides; a truly painful kick that forced him to let go of the tray and cry out. The pain distracted him momentarily before he realized the tray of tea had left his hands. He instinctively brought his foot out to catch the tray, as this was not the first time the movements of his unborn child had caused him to drop something.
To his surprise the tray never landed on the toe of his shoe, nor did it tragically crash onto the floor. To his astonishment, as he looked down, he realized Mey-Rin had thrown herself at his feet, the tray of tea sitting perfectly in her hands. Not a drop of tea had been spilled, none of the pieces of the tea set had been chipped, cracked, broken, and none of the desserts had been ruined.
"Thank you, Mey-Rin." Sebastian said, sighing with relief.
"You're welcome, Mr. Sebastian." The maid giggled as she stood to set the try on the tea cart, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. It was just a kick."
"Are you sure?"
Sebastian nodded, "It's happened before. I assure you, I'm alright."
Mey-Rin smiled softly and blushed, "I can bring the young master his tea for you, if you'd like."
Originally, Sebastian would have declined the offer on the spot. But he realized as the days dragged on that he was becoming less capable of doing his work. Now that the vital two weeks of his pregnancy had passed, it was all a waiting game. If the child took on more Reaper-like qualities, he could deliver any day. If the child gained more demon-like characteristics, it was likely he'd be carrying this child for another week. But either way he looked at it, Sebastian knew it would be better for him to rest and relax.
He allowed Mey-Rin to take the tea to Ciel while deciding to take a break for a while. A short nap in his bed sounded heavenly.
