Ciel opened the window behind his desk. He loved the feeling of the breeze and today was a particularly stormy day. He sat on the windowsill and watched the tree branches swing back and forth as the leaves were forcefully swept away in the wind. Storms although aggressive and loud were peaceful to Ciel. The sound of the storm and the breeze through his hair was enough to put him in a state of tranquility and before he knew it, his eyes were softly closing. Not too long after a knock on his door made him jump and he immediately jumped up as Sebastian was entering his room with his tea.
"Young master, how many times have I told you not to sit there with the window open. What if you fall?" Sebastian was being what Ciel called overly protective.
"Yeah, yeah." Ciel shut his window irritated that he was being told again for the thousandth time this week about the window. Sebastian just shook his head and began serving his master his afternoon tea. Ciel picked up the cup and yawned right before taking a sip and placing the cup back on the plate.
"Do you want to retire early this evening, young master?" Sebastian could tell Ciel was exhausted. He hadn't slept well since returning to his manor. Ciel just shook his head no. He was still groggy.
"I want a bath." Ciel yawned again this time rubbing his eyes. Sebastian knew why Ciel didn't want to sleep. The nightmares were constant throughout the night and the boy would wake up in fear. Instead of insisting on waiting until after dinner Sebastian pulled Ciel's night clothes and started prepping the bath. Once the temperature was set and the bath was filled Sebastian helped Ciel undress and step into the hot water. Ciel let out a sigh of relief once his body emerged in the water and he could feel his muscles instantly relax.
"May I accompany you?" Sebastian asked, nervous that Ciel would fall asleep in the water. Ciel looked at Sebastian from the side.
"Do as you please."
Fifteen minutes passed and Ciel again was nodding off, which for Sebastian meant he had to get out.
"Come young master, let's retire for tonight." Sebastian went to aide Ciel in getting up before drying him off and dressing him for bed.
"Sebastian…" Ciel whispered while gripping Sebastian's coat for balance after changing.
"Yes?" Sebastian could see that Ciel was worried.
"It's only 7 O'clock. I'm not tired yet." Sebastian smirked at this blatant lie. His eyes were heavy and dark from lack of sleep, he could barely stand without nodding off, and he still refused to sleep?
"I'm sorry young master but I must insist that you retire now." Ciel sighed too tired to argue. Sebastian helped Ciel climb into bed before leaving the room. As soon as Sebastian's footsteps could be heard far enough down the hall Ciel got up and went back to the window. It was now pouring rain and the sound of it hitting was window was serene. Ciel against Sebastian's wishes re-opened the window, just a crack to feel the cold air fill the room. With the window open the sound was much more aggressive and real. Ciel against sat against the windowsill making sure to sit where he wouldn't get wet and quickly nodded off.
It only took Ciel ten minutes to fall completely asleep on the windowsill and Sebastian realizing the window was reopened based on the air temperature and noise very quietly walked in to shut it. Sebastian shook his head displeased with the child who chose to sleep on the cold floor and was even more displeased when he realized that the rain had made its way into the room. He gently picked Ciel up and placed him back in bed before mopping up the rain and leaving again.
"Rise and shine young master," Sebastian walked the cart of tarts and croissants into the room. It was eight in the morning and Ciel still seemed exhausted, but Sebastian was pleased Ciel had finally slept a few hours. Ciel very slowly got up, yawning and rubbing his eyes. He was still tired but felt much better. Sebastian handed Ciel his tea as he watched him look confused as to how he got in bed.
"You are truly stubborn, young master. Opening the window and falling asleep though I remember warning you against it." Sebastian lectured to the uncaring boy who just ignored him.
"Young master?" Sebastian asked again to get his attention.
"What!" Ciel shot back annoyed. He had heard about the window every day for the past two weeks. If he hadn't listened yet, why would he start? "It's my manor stop pestering me. You're like a hen."
Sebastian didn't seem fazed by Ciel's insults but instead replied back, "It's dangerous and if I'm to protect you, you should be more careful. What if you get sick or fall?" Ciel stayed quiet. He hated when Sebastian brought up protection because it was nearly impossible to refute.
"Now would you like a scone for breakfast or a pastry?" Sebastian realizing Ciel had gotten the point changed the topic.
"Scone…"
The whole day had passed with Ciel tired and cranky and again Ciel found himself in bed around eight, staring out the window. He struggled to sleep without the breeze but didn't want to deal with Sebastian. Though after a moment of internal debate he decided to open the window and just get tired enough to get into bed and sleep. Ciel again propped himself on the windowsill, this time his feet dangled off the ledge and his head laid on the side on the windowpane. Soon though just as last night he felt himself drifting off to sleep and as the child he was, couldn't control his urge to drift off. But again, just as last night Sebastian walked into the room to check on Ciel and became furious.
"Young master…" Sebastian hissed through his teeth loud enough for Ciel to hear. Ciel immediately jumped as he was just drifting off and immediately slipped off of the window, only able to let out a gasp before Sebastian ran over and grabbed his arm, pulling him back up. Ciel glimpsed at Sebastian's eyes which shined dark red. Sebastian was pissed and at that moment Ciel wished he would have fell. As soon as Ciel's feet hit his bedroom floor Sebastian slammed the window shut and locked it, causing Ciel to jump.
Sebastian grabbed Ciel's chin, "Do you know how dangerous that was?!" Sebastian sternly spoke to Ciel, though without expecting an answer he continued, "What if I wasn't here when you slipped? You would have died! Do you understand?!" Ciel kept quiet as Sebastian kept lecturing him. He had nothing to say, he knew he was in trouble.
"Sorry." Ciel spat out in an annoyed semi-apologetic manner.
"A sorry will not fix this transgression you'll be punished tonight." Sebastian watched as Ciel put his hands out in front of him as though he was going to smack his hands with a ruler as he usually did while tutoring him. Other than those transgressions Ciel had never truly gotten in trouble as it wasn't Sebastian's job to parent the boy just to protect him and cater to his needs. And Sebastian decided that tonight to protect him this was a need. Sebastian grabbed Ciel's hand before announcing that he'd be punished in a different way.
"This is serious. Since you don't respond well to lectures, you've forced my hand." Sebastian started to walk towards Ciel's bed as he said this. Ciel's heart immediately started beating fast, he was panicking.
"What're you going to do!? S-Sebastian, wait!" Ciel tried to pull away though he knew he wouldn't escape.
"Save your apologies for after." Sebastian was still very much displeased and a simple sorry wouldn't do. Sebastian grabbed Ciel under his arms and placed him face down over his knee, making sure to hold him down with his other leg all while Ciel was begging for him to reconsider. Sebastian lifted his nightshirt causing Ciel to become more panicked with the lack of protection on his bare side.
"Is this a joke?! I'm too old for this!" Ciel yelled in protest, demanding to be put down, but was cut off short with the stinging pain of the first smack to his bottom. He jolted forward, surprised that Sebastian was really going through with such an embarrassing punishment and also how hard Sebastian was hitting him. Just that one smack stung. The second smack caused Ciel to gasp out. The third, fourth, fifth, and sixth attacked his sit spots and Ciel gripped the bed sheets as hard as possible. It was impossible not to let out tiny cries. Sebastian continued to spank Ciel hard and fast, causing Ciel to start kicking and fighting to get up.
"It hurts! You're hurting me Sebastian!" Ciel cried out. And when he got no response back from Sebastian he started complaining, "you're supposed to protect me not hurt me!"
"This punishment is to protect you from making stupid decisions that will hurt you, such as sleeping on a window ledge." Sebastian shot back. Ciel realizing he wasn't getting out of the punishment anytime soon started crying, the pain was unbearable, and it wouldn't stop. "Please!" Ciel tried to block the pain with his hands but was quickly pushed aside. At this point he was choking back tears as they ran down his face. Sebastian relentlessly continued; he didn't want to repeat this. Soon after, Ciel's cry became so hard his words were indistinguishable, his cries could be heard across the manor and Sebastian understanding Ciel was still a child, no matter how he acted, thought he had enough.
"What did you do wrong?" Sebastian asked though not stopping the spanking for a second.
"I opened the window!" Ciel was struggling to speak and most of the words were mumbled together, but Sebastian knew what he was saying.
"That is not what got you in this situation." Sebastian shook his head.
"I-I-I… ow please no more!" Ciel couldn't think, his whole body was shaking and Sebastian realizing the boy was struggling, let him up.
"Come now, young master, it's over." Sebastian helped Ciel stand up and placed his nightgown back over his now dark purple rear. Ciel although was done was still heavily crying. Ciel just sat there with his head down and his hands wiping away his tears as he was trying to stop the crying.
"I was just trying to sleep. I'm sorry!" The way Ciel cried his apologized, truly made Sebastian remember that this was just a child.
"You were punished because you could have died, young master. If you're going to be stubborn and open the window, then don't sleep near it. You have a bed."
Sebastian simply offered him a shoulder to cry on as he rubbed his back and laid him back down for bed. Ciel whimpered for the next ten minutes and Sebastian ended up standing over him as he slept.
Ciel fell asleep quickly that night, without any nightmares.