Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler):
His Butler, Repentant.
(By Axel Ingleson)
Disclaimer: I am not the creator of the Kuroshitsuji series. Nor am I making any money from this story.
Author's Note: This picks up at the end of the first season and is an alternate universe continuation. Also, words in italics surrounded by tildes are pink-pen entries made by the Grim Reaper into a secret book he keeps around for rare emergencies.
-Chapter 14-
Sebastian was helping Veronica and Clover in the garden when someone tugged on his sleeve. Turning, he saw a red-haired child standing there with her head cocked to one side like a querulous puppy. Her green eyes looked sad, and Sebastian wondered if she was lost. He looked around to see if her parents might be nearby. But the only person nearby, other than himself, the girl, and the two women, was Grell.
"Where's your mommy?" he asked, carefully. He hoped this question wouldn't upset her.
"Over there," the girl replied, pointing at Grell.
Grell waved, cheerfully, at them and held out his arms to the girl.
"Grellinda!" he called to her. "Come on, now. Don't bother our friend Sebas-chan while he's working."
"Grellinda?" Sebastian groaned. "You couldn't give her a better name than Grellinda? And please don't call me Sebas-chan. You know I hate that. Besides, I'm married now. And so are you."
"Just some friendly teasing," Grell explained with a shrug as Grellinda hugged him and he picked her up in his arms.
"Incidentally, how does Grim feel about you claiming this child for your own?"
"Grim doesn't have a problem with it," Grell replied.
"What about your boss?"
"Ex-boss," Grell corrected him. "I'm retired."
"You won't be happy with retirement," Sebastian warned. "You'll never be happy unless you're doing what it is in your nature to do."
"I'll take up a job in pest control, then," Grell suggested.
"Rats of the world, beware!" Sebastian laughed.
"Is that what you've come to, then?" William asked as he arrived quite suddenly as if out of nowhere.
Grell turned and drew Grellinda to him, protectively. "I won't let you harm my daughter."
"You were sent to collect her soul, not adopt her," William said, in a tone that would not accept debate.
"No."
"What did you just say to me?" William demanded.
"I said 'no'," Grell repeated. "I won't end her life. I've given up my job as Reaper."
"I see," William said, rolling up his sleeves. "I do so hate getting my hands dirty. But if I must, then…"
Grell suddenly leapt upon William, the both of them crashing to the ground, each determined to get the upper hand. William was determined to finish the job he had sent Grell to do, while Grell was determined to save the girl he had claimed as his daughter.